147 



truth, would feem to attach to thefe unhappy 

 convoys in endlefs repetition. Inftead of an- 

 nouncing to you the union of the two great 

 divifions of our forces, from Cork and Portf- 

 mouth, I have only to fpeak of the arrival of 

 another fmall branch of Admiral Cornwallis's 

 fleet, which feparated foon after leaving Spit- 

 head ; and which, inftead of bringing us intelli- 

 gence, has every thing to learn concerning the 

 body of the convoy, not having fallen in with 

 any part of it on the pafiage, 



A rumour is ftrongly prevalent among 

 us, that a divifion of the troops, now aflem- 

 bled, at Barbadoes, is to be detached on fe- 

 cret fervice. Should this take place, and the 

 detachment be formed from the St. Domin- 

 go armament, it is more than poffible that our 

 happy quartette may yet be disjointed before 

 we reach our original deftination. Of courfe 

 our expe&ations have always led to this: yet 

 from having lived on board, together, and in 

 the utmoft harmony, during a period of many 

 months, it would be matter of regret, to either 

 of us, to be taken from our congenial mefs, 

 at the very eve of failing for our deftined 

 port, and particularly as we muft be feparated 



