'thought it will be impossible for Baird

'to get up the Red Sea. With the assist

ance of this force, which is stated at five thousand men, there is no doubt but we 'should have forced the French from Egypt; ' without it, I fear, we can do nothing more than we have done. The Turks, though numerous, are banditti, and not to be de'pended on; to the surprise, however, of

every body, they lately forced back, with 'nine thousand, a body of four thousand 'French who marched out of Cairo to attack

them. This is considered as so extraordi

nary, that some French prisoners who are

here, not only will not believe it, but fall a 'laughing whenever it is mentioned.

'One-half of our army at present occupies 'the camp before Alexandria, which has been 'strengthened considerably since the action of the 21st. The other half, with a body of

Turks, is upon the Nile, within thirty or forty miles of Cairo. General Hutchinson ' had advanced that far, with a view of sup

'porting the Vizir, who is upon the Damietta

branch of the Nile, and to facilitate the 'junction of General Baird; but on finding 'that the latter had not reached Suez, he halted. I expect to hear from him daily. 'As yet I know not his further determination. But as I said before, I fear, with his present force, he can do little. Our num"bers, and those of the French, are too equal, and with equal numbers it is impossible to 'force fortified posts. It will be found that, 'when we landed, the French had not less than eighteen thousand soldiers. They are 6 very stout men. We have taken above two thousand of them. They are tired of the

country, and wish to be back to France. 'No wonder! but they all allow the country to be fertile, and that it affords, on the

cheapest terms, every necessary. They 'seem to want for nothing, and have all a good deal of money.

'The revenues were collected by an armed force, and every act of violence used. When they had extorted what was due to govern'ment, I suppose they insisted upon some

thing for themselves. As we treat the in'habitants well, and pay them, we shall soon gain their affection; but our allies the Turks 'pillage, murder, and destroy, and are worse than the French. It is heart-breaking to think that, if we are successful, we are to hand over the poor inhabitants to such ' banditti.

The Turkish government has subsisted 'too long.

'Love to my Mother, and to all.

To his Mother:

• Camp before Alexandria, Sept. 2, 1801.

My dear Mother,-Our grenadiers took 'possession this day of the principal works ' of Alexandria; the garrison have capitulated, ' and are to embark in ten days for France. Egypt will then be completely evacuated by the French; the country in our possession; and the object of the campaign accom

plished. It is said that the garrison wanted 'provisions, which is the cause of their sur

rendering upon being invested, and before any impression was made upon their works. 'I believe to this may be added the dislike ' of the French soldiery to have any more 'conflicts with this army; for, from the beginning, in one trifling instance only excepted, they have uniformly been beaten in 6 every rencontre.

'As your anxiety will now be turned to our 'future destination, it will give you pleasure 'to know that I do not remain in Egypt; this duty falls on General Baird, and the troops from India, who have just joined us. We all embark for Malta, as soon as ship

6

6

ping is prepared, when the Commandant-in'chief expects further orders. I cannot de'vise what further service there can be for this army in the Mediterranean, and I shall 'not be surprised if, upon our arrival at 'Malta, the orders should be to return home, after leaving sufficient garrisons at Malta ' and Minorca. This arrangement will not

' be disapproved of by you, and I own I shall ' not be sorry for it. Some of our Generals ' have got leave to go to England; my 'health is good, I shall therefore take the 'fate of the troops.

'I find, by a late letter from my father, ' that Charles is at last made a Commissioner ' of Bankrupts; I rejoice at this first instance ' of good fortune, which, I trust, will speedily 'lead to others more important. I flatter 'myself that Charles requires only to be 'known to be employed.

'Colonel Abercrombie carries home the public despatches; I shall give him this, and a couple of shawls for you and Jane;

they were given to me lately by the Captain 'Pacha. I do not know that they are of any ' value, but they will keep you warm, and will wear them for the sake of the donor.

you

' from

have received a great many letters, both you and others of the family, and now 'know that it was not your fault if I did

'not hear from you sooner.

VOL. II.

You will know

2 c