without engendering infectious maladies, al- 

 though infinitely more crowded, than troops 

 on board even the mod confined tranfport. 



Many caufes confpire to prevent thefe 

 grand obje&s from being equally attained by 

 the foldiers ; but it is a defideratum, even, to 

 approach them. Were I to enter into a detail 

 of all that might be offered upon this very- 

 important fubjecT:, inftead of a letter I mould 

 write you a volume. The difference of cli- 

 mate, of habit, of education, and of diet 

 would all require to be taken into the dif- 

 cuffion ; but it were foreign' to our prefent 

 purpofe to engage in fo extenfive an inquiry* 

 I may, therefore, content myfelf with adding 

 that, both in regard to tranfports, and bar- 

 racks, the fervice would reap the moft effential 

 benefit, were the rules, which might be pre- 

 scribed by its medical officers, ftriclly enjoined; 

 and policy, np lefs than humanity would feerri 

 to demand it. 



I mull not forget to note to you, that 

 the 23d inftant was the hotteft day we have 

 felt, fince our arrival between the tropics. In 



