Demerara 28th July 1836
So sure my dear Kate as I lay out a morning to write to you, every description of interruption occurs. The Lucretia sails at four and I have been in an agony to get to this sheet of paper without success. Col Monins has just left me after nearly an hour’s chat. He must of thought me, as poor Mrs Rose use to say, rather abstracted, for my thought were at Wickham all the time. He called to offer me a seat in his Car (Irish) to the High Sheriff’s were we all dine today to meet the Govr, and a formal dull day it will be, always so wherever he is. However I accepted the offer and at half past six start. With the exception of a few gentlemen dinner parties, nothing has transpired worth writing to you about since the date of my last letter. The packet came in yesterday with your package dated 14th June; the vessel was eight days on her passage from Barbados & brings little news, civil or military. Mr Young returned in her from his mission to import the captured slaves from the Havanna to this Colony as apprentices for 3 years, but I was so happy to see him back, for we thought both he & his companion Ensign Smyth, the Govr’s son, were lost, that I forgot to ask what success he had had. Smyth has been detained at Barbados by his Col as the 89th expect to embark immediately for England. The Transport had arrived for the 19th Regt when the Mail Boat left & Tait was to embark in a Merchant vessel that same evening. He told Young, ‘You will not see English for we expect he will pass you in the return Mail’. However, no orders have been recd yet respecting the changes, but Lt Mould left on the 2d to relieve Capt Victor and Young states that the Duke of York was just going into the harbour of Antigua as the vessel he was on board of came out. Victor I suppose will bring the distribution order with him. All I have is packet up and my quarters look as miserable as you can well immagine, but I enjoy it for the pleasure of feeling that the preparation is to leave this place which I am heartily sick of, more in consequence of the disagreeable manner in which Sir Com goes on than from any other cause. He & Lady Smyth are extremely disappointed in not seeing their son, in fact Col Monins told me, he being present when Mr Young was announced, that both were perfectly overcome. I am delighted to find Fred will, or has by this time got his step, but even more so if he becomes Adjt of the Depot – it is the best Military line a young man can fall into. It teaches him his duty and, properly attended to, causes him to be respected by all his brother officers. One thing pleases me much – that his hand writing is good when he chooses to attend. His letter to me, for which I thank him with all my heart, was a specimen that could proved that he was capable as a adjt or staff off. It is absolutely necessary the Ast Adjt in the present day leads to promotion & brings a young man forward, if he is not married. I trust he will be confirmed in the situation as it hold out prospect of staff appointment hereafter. An old Capt, Rose 69th, is this day in orders, almost in his dotage, to act as Brigade Major here with lots of allowances in place of Capt Sidley 86th ordered to join his Regt, because he has been an Adjt formerly, writes a good hand & is a man somewhat of business, nothing else to recommend him. Regards to dear Fred & Gusto – it has cheered me thinking I may see the good fellow before he goes abroad. The latter shd have his name on the list in preparation for the chances of not getting any thing better & I wish you would stir the matter thro that excellent friend Ld James. His straight forward gentleman conduct & the interest he took in Fred’s affairs I never can thank him enough for, coupled with my dear wife, MOB exertions. Pinch the good Cos for me. I do envy you a little with all your brats about you. Tickler the monkey, Toby, 2 cats, 2 Parrots &c form my social party with a few sand flies & Mosquittos – I shd say thousands. It’s a solitary life notwithstanding being in perpetual motion. I have made up the boat so complete that some of the former party owners expect the gift. I mean to try & get her to Barbados just to cross the Bay of an evening & fish if so disposed. Fancy little Capt Thompson 3 Days in the River on board the Janet Willis & on shore every day without coming to see one, neither the Storekeeper or any of his old friends. Poor fellow, I believe his mind is affected a little. I got a soaking in trying to pay him a visit two days since. What [word missing] I write you! I declare I know not for [word missing] I am exceedingly not so stout as formerly. Kiss my dear girls all round. I have not had time yet to read all their letters but do not like to lose this chance. My horse is the admiration of this place – Civil & Mil – & I have many applicants for him but have not yet decided on parting with him. I met Tom N yesterday at dinner full of his letters from home. He does not like my departure. Remember me to Mrs Naghten kindly & regards to my Uncle, Aunt, MOB, not leaving out Miss Parker God bless her and not. Adieu dear dear Kate, I will soon write again, possibly before I leave this on embarking. How is Janet? – Your afft
Fred
Nothing for my godson.