How shall I tell you the high delight of this happy week! Need I say more, than that three letters have reached me from England, being the first that I have received since leaving my home and my friends! A small packet was sent to my quarters by the commandant, having come with his letters from Martinique; and it would require a long absence, from those you esteem, to enable you to judge of the transport I felt, when, on fixing my eye on the superscription, I discovered that they were letters from England. They had been put into the army bag at the war-office, and being addressed to the head-quarters of the “army in the West Indies,” were fortunately sent to Martinique instead of St. Domingo, and from thence forwarded hither.

I have again to announce to you a change of season in these regions. During the latter part of this month, we have had frequent returns of rain, and the weather is by no means so clear and fine as it was in October, and the beginning of November: but we are told that the short wet season is setting in, which will continue five or six weeks; and that we are afterwards to expect a long dry season of three or four months.

I remarked to you before, that in consequence of St. Domingo being far to leeward, we very seldom receive any news from thence, except by way of England; but a vessel is now arrived at Demarara, which was some weeks ago at St. Domingo, and I am sorry to observe that the captain brings a very afflicting report of the sickness which prevails in that colony; such, alas! as renders all that we have suffered, here, comparatively light.

It has again occurred to us to witness a striking coincidence of both the attack and relapse of fever, with the period of the spring-tides. Yesterday four of the convalescents in the hospital relapsed into ague, and to-day five new patients were admitted with the same disease, all of whom were likewise attacked yesterday, only a few hours before the change of moon.

I can scarcely excuse myself for committing what I know will be a trespass upon your feelings; yet I cannot avoid remarking that an immense field has lately opened to my contemplation—that a huge and frightful volume has been laid before me, upon the important subject of army economy; and that I grieve to discover how much the high sentiments of honor which ought to attach to every military employment, are sacrificed to personal interest, and a mere traffic for pecuniary gain. It is lamentable to see how grossly the sacred laws of morality are outraged; and to know in what various instances the confidence reposed in the servants of the public is abused. To such an extent is it carried, in some instances, that a man of integrity and correct principle is regarded as a noxious weed, which, not kindly taking root in the corrupt soil where it is planted, many would desire to pluck up and cast from among them.

What think you of a person holding a commission in his Majesty’s service gravely recommending to another officer to “lock up his conscience in a strong box before he comes out with the army again, and resume it on his return?” The reply to his friendly advice, was such as to diffuse a blush, where, I much suspect, none had been seated for a long time before; and, I apprehend that, in future, he will be more cautious of avowing his very honorable sentiments. I wish it could be remarked that the opinions and conduct of this man are singular: but, alas! there are too many proofs that they are far, very far from being uncommon: although but few may be hardy enough to declare them.