79 



from the Downs, that every flilp, belonging 

 to the expedition, was to fail, without further 

 delay ; thofe of the Leward ifland divifion 

 for Barbadoes, and thofe of the St. Domingo 

 divifion for Cork. The tranfports, with 

 troops from Southampton, happening to drop 

 down the river at the fame time, to rendez- 

 vous at the Motherbank and Spithead, feemed 

 to confirm the report ; and fuddenly, all was 

 converted into extreme hurry and adivity* 

 Multitudes, both from the newly arrived (hips, 

 and thofe which had been long waiting, 

 thronged on fhore to purchafe provifions and 

 ftores, to complete their flock for the voyage* 

 Many, who had pafled their hours of fuf- 

 penfe in the town, had alfo their marketings 

 to make ; and hence the demand becoming, 

 fuddenly, greater than the fupply. It intro- 

 duced all the confufion of a general fcramble. 

 Each feized upon whatever provifions he 

 could find, afkiiig no queftions, but paying 

 any money that was demanded. 



Not aware of the tumultuous preffure of 

 fuch a moment, and confidering ours to be 

 ©nly a fliort pafTage, we had, purpofely, de- 



.4 



