592 MEMOIR OF SIR THOMAS MAKDOUGALL BRISBANE. 
biscuit, washed down by a moderate quantity of good old port; and upon these 
occasions, I well remember Major BrisBANeE’s ejaculation,— 
“‘ [ sheath my sword for lack of argument,” 
setting aside the knife he had been using, such being the happy temperament of 
his mind.” 
At the taking of St Lucia, Sir Taomas was ordered to attack a fort deemed 
almost impregnable. On his march up he was met by a brother officer, who 
remarked, “ It cannot be taken,” when he gallantly replied, ‘‘ It can,—I have the 
order in my pocket ;” and he and his men took it. His health having suffered 
from the climate of the West Indies, his friends purchased for him the lieutenant- 
colonelcy of the 69th regiment, which had recently come from the West Indies, 
and was not likely soon to return. In his reminiscences he says, “I instantly 
embarked for England, and landed at Portsmouth in 1799, when I waited upon 
General Whitelock to know where the 69th regiment was stationed. He in- 
formed me that it had sailed three weeks before for Jamaica. Finding, from a 
four years’ residence and hard service in the West Indies, that my health had 
suffered, I was recommended to go to Cheltenham, and in the following year, 
being 1800, I joined the 69th at Jamaica, and took the command of it, and con- 
tinued with it until the regiment was ordered home. As soon as | arrived, I 
called the officers together, and addressed them. I told them that they were 
well acquainted with the cause that had brought them to this colony, and that I 
expected the support of every officer in the corps. I warned them that, if this 
was not promptly and fully afforded, I should report them to the commander-in- 
chief, to have them removed out of the regiment or out of the service. For- 
tunately I had no occasion for such a proceeding. On taking the command of 
the regiment, which was lying at Kingston, I found the men in a very demo- 
ralized and unhealthy state from two causes: first, the want of proper dis- 
cipline and arrangements for their comfort; and second, the soldiers being 
allowed to lay out nearly all their money on intoxicating drinks in place of 
vegetables and other things needful for their health and comfort. By a little 
attention to discipline and the messes of the men, I very soon effected a wonder- 
ful change in the health and character of the troops; so much so, that two 
military hospitals, which had previously been filled with sick, were both shut 
up, and when we embarked for England only one man was unable to be 
removed.” ‘ 
For this signal service Sir George Nugent, governor of Jamaica, thanked Sir 
THoMAS in these terms :— 
Pen, 27th June 1802. 
Dear Str,—When I made a very favourable report to His Royal Highness, 
the Duke of York, of the state of the 69th regiment since you took command of 
