532 THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWNMAN, R.A. 
January 26th. —-Wind very high, but no rain. I am a little better, 
but find myself very weak from the effects of my illness of yesterday. 
Violent rain and wind has continued from the 26th to this day, 
February 2nd, which was brilliantly fine though not without rain. 
This morning four or five French men-of-war sailed out of Fort 
Royal harbour and stood up along the island to windward. Admiral 
Byron sent some of his ships after them. The Frenchmen put about 
and scampered into port again. We are informed that the Weasel , 
sloop of war, that was ordered home with despatches, is taken by a 
French frigate and carried into Guadeloupe. This day arrived from 
England the Pomona frigate, she left England on January 5th and 
parted from the West Indian fleet on the passage. 
February 3rd. —This morning 500 men from the different regiments 
embarked on board Byron's fleet. Sickness on board is the cause of 
this manoeuvre. From this day to the 13th perpetual rain and wind. 
February 13th. —This day arrived Commodore Rowley with seven 
line of battle-ships. He came to anchor with Admiral Byron off the 
Gros Ilot. It is now five weeks since Byron arrived. It is not im¬ 
probable but he will remain five weeks longer in harbour. We are 
told that many of the enemy's ships have lately got into Fort Royal 
and St. Pierre, Martinique. Very possible, for though we are now 
again master of the sea, and have ships enough to draw a line round 
that and the other French islands, yet we do nothing but lie at anchor 
in our own harbour ! 
Commodore Rowley sailed from England with the West India fleet. 
From the 13th to 23rd February, every day and night an abundance 
of rain and wind. 
Commodore Rowley, who has been out with seven ships cruising 
two or three days, returned this morning. 
A fleet of French ships has got into Martinique, to the shame of 
Byron, who feared d'Estaing would make a sally upon him in his Gros 
Ilot; notwithstanding he has 16 or 17 ships of the line, he sent in a 
great hurry to recall Rowley. 
February 24th. —It is a shameful circumstance that an English 
admiral with 24 line of battle-ships and a number of frigates should 
suffer five or six French men-of-war to get into a harbour that lies 
within our sight. We are just now informed of eight more French 
men-of-war getting into Martinique last night, which, if true, will 
make M. d'Estaing's fleet 25 sail of the line and 17 frigates. All the 
transports, except 20, sailed for England. This number will more 
than contain us if we remain much longer in this country. 
Rain all the morning. 
February 25th. —Rain all the morning, last night and this whole 
day. Struck my tent and retired to a hut which I have just finished. 
From this time to March 2nd things have been much as they were, 
that is to say, a great deal of wind and rain. Byron and his fleet are 
just where they were, immovable, except now and then a ship or two 
sent out for an hour. 
