' asked leave to join the General's company 'at head-quarters, where I should have had ' a much greater chance of seeing service, and ' likewise of getting an exchange into an old ' regiment. As to the paymastership, the ' profits are not equal to the risk of being re'duced at the peace, besides, if I am left to myself to judge, I would never allow any 'lucrative affair to come into the scale with military preferment: if I am once reduced, God knows when I may get in again, at all ' events it would be as youngest.

Ever since I heard of Rodney's engage'ment with the French fleet in the West ' Indies, I have been wishing Graham may 'have not left the Trident, it will be such a 'disappointment to him, poor fellow!

'I have taken it into my head since I 'heard Frank was sent to France, that he 'will choose the army for his profession; if 'he does, the sooner he gets in the better, as ' it will be of great use to him to serve a little before the war is over; it is out of my power to give an opinion impartially, whe

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⚫ther it would be proper for him or not, as I ' have been so very fortunate myself, that I undoubtedly prefer the army to any profes'sion on earth, but the chances are so great ' that he would not be so successful, and it is ' terrible to be long a subaltern; as it is im'possible for a man to be perfectly happy, 'when he is pinched for money. If I thought 'he was sure of a company in four or five years, I would wish he was in the army, 'not otherwise. At all events, if he is re'solved to enter the army, get him taught 'drawing and fortification; history, &c., he 'can read by himself afterwards. I cannot 'help being amazed at myself, how much I ' am taking upon me; giving myself the airs ' of advising you, who know so much better, 'what is necessary to teach Frank if he is 'intended for the army, but you must excuse 'me, my dear Father.

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'As roast-beef is just beat, I must leave you for some minutes.

'Five o'clock.-I am just come from din'ner; the Major told us he had letters from

'New York; none of our officers are ex

changed yet, except Captain Pitcairn, but they will be soon, as we have taken as

many prisoners at Charleston, as will re'lease not only Burgoyne's army, but every prisoner they have of ours: by the bye, all 'the guns of the garrison were fired this fore

noon, upon account of the news from Charleston, which came yesterday.

'I wonder you have not got acquainted

'with Major Craig's father in London; I am

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very much obliged to the son; I assure you,

he has been kinder to me than any man I < ever met with.

Your friend Dunlop is well, he is very much 'improved in every respect since I knew him

first he is a very excellent lad, and cleverer 'than most you meet with in the army, and improves much upon acquaintance.

My love to my Mother, Sister, and Bro'thers. If the French come here, you may

' expect an interesting letter.

'Believe me, dear Father,

'Your most affectionate Son,

'JOHN MOOre.'

Lieut.-Colonel Moore to his Father :

• Cork (Ireland), Feb. 17th, 1792.

My dear Father, I am very happy to

'hear that Graham has got a ship, and I

only wish he may by some accident be sent

to Gibraltar, both he and Neptune (a 'favourite Newfoundland dog) should meet 'with a hearty welcome. I shall attend to 'the advice in the other part of your letter.

"I have been obliged to punish soldiers twice, 'since I joined, very severely, for drunkenness upon duty. It is a crime I have often

declared I never would pardon. About a 'week ago a Lieutenant of the regiment was guilty of it; he went rioting about the town, and was absent from his guard all night. There may be some excuse for a poor soldier forgetting himself so far; there can be none for an officer. When it was reported to me, I had still fresh upon my mind, the disagreeable recollection of a flogging which had been inflicted upon a corporal, for 'something very similar, two days before.

'I assembled the officers, related what I had 'heard, and sent the Adjutant with a message to the Lieutenant, who was confined to his room, and not present, immediately 'to dispose of his Lieutenancy to the Ensign

first for purchase; for, if he hesitated, I 'should put him in arrest, and report him to

the Commander-in-Chief. He knew, if I 'did so, he must be broke, and therefore 'chose to take the money. He was a black'guard, as you may suppose, and we are 'well quit of him: this example will, I trust, prevent everything of the kind in future. I 'do think, that after the recent and severe examples made among the men, for the same crime, sentenced by courts-martial, 'consisting of the officers of the regiment,

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any one of themselves who could be guilty of it, must be totally devoid of every feeling and sentiment of a gentleman. I said so to the officers, and had the satisfaction to 'find they all agreed with me.

The transports, with one regiment, the '33d, are arrived, but the others are still