Some Account of the Public Life of the Late Lieutenant-General Sir George Prevost, Bart Part 8

"Your most obedient humble servant,

(Signed) "PORTLAND."

No. IV.

_Address to Brigadier-General Prevost from the Inhabitants of St. Lucie, p.

7._

Les Habitans de l'Isle de St. Lucie, a Son Excellence Monsieur le Brigadier-General George Prevost, Lieut.-Gouverneur de cette Isle, &c.

Monsieur le Gouverneur,

Lorsque le paix, objet de tous ties voeux, fait rentrer l'Isle de Sainte Lucie sous la domination Francaise, c'est un hommage bien legitime que de vous rendre au nom de tous les Colons un temoignage public de l'amour, du respect, et de la reconnoissance que votre gouvernement doux et paternel, et votre sage administration, ont fait naitre dans tous les coeurs. Les avantages sans nombre dont vous avez fait jouir la Colonie, depuis que vous en avez pris le Commandement, l'attachent hautement. En effet, M. le Gouverneur, l'amour constant que vous avez manifeste pour le bien public; les soins infinies que tous avez pris pour rendre et faire rendre la justice dans un tems ou toutes les loix etaient en oubli; le zele infatigable avec lequel vous tous etes occupe des discussions des interets des Colons; votre gouvernement paternel, qui, en vous conciliant tous les esprits, a detruit les divisions qui pouvaient exciter, a fait regner l'union et la concorde parmi les habitans, et a fait renaitre la confiance, et la prosperite. Enfin, votre gouvernement tutelair, qui a fait cherir l'authorite de sa Majeste dans la votre, sont autant de bienfaits dont vous avez fait jouir les habitans de la Colonie, et dont ils conserveront eternellement le souvenir.

Mais il en etait un plus grand que le zele et l'amour du bien public, qui vous animaient, reservoit a la Colonie; c'est votre sollicitude paternelle qui a emploie et obtenue, pour nous, de sa Majeste, qu'elle nous rendit nos loix, non tribunaux, nos magistrats, c'est-a-dire, le temoignage le plus convaincant qu'elle preferait au droit de nous traiter comme un peuple conquis, la douceur de nous adopter pour ses enfans, et de nous rendre les objets de sa tendresse. Nous en sommes tellement convaincus, M. le Gouverneur, que nos infortunes ont ete adoucis, et que nous en avons ressentis les plus grands effets. Le bonheur, la tranquillite et la prosperite dont les habitans de la Colonie out jouis jusqu'a present, ils les tiennent de la bonte du Roi, et de votre administration paternelle, M.

le Gouverneur; et si notre reconnoissance ne trouve pas d'expressions a.s.sez forte pour vous peindre aussi vivement que nous le sentons, notre admiration pour vos talens, notre veneration pour vos vertus, et notre amour profonde pour votre personne,--daignez permettre que la Colonie vous presente, comme un foible temoignage, une epee, sur la lame de laquelle seront grave ces mots:--_La Colonie de St. Lucie reconnoissante._

Jouissez, M. le Gouverneur, du bien que vous avez fait a la Colonie; et les voeux des Colons pour votre gloire et votre bonheur vous suivront a votre patrie.

No. V.

_Letters from Sir Thomas Trigge, Commander of the Forces in the West Indies, p. 7._

"Sir,

"I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 14th inst., and feel very great regret, that your state of health is such as to render your returning to England necessary, by that means depriving His Majesty and myself of your services in this country. You may rely I shall not fail to express my sentiments on this subject when I write home, as in rendering this tribute of justice to your character, I shall discharge the most pleasing and gratifying part of my duty. I beg you will be pleased to signify to the council, that in consequence of your absence, I have appointed Brigadier-General G. H. Vansittart, to succeed to the civil and military command of the Island of St. Lucie, per interim, in order that he may be recognised accordingly, and take upon him the functions and authorities of that situation.

"I have now, Sir, to take my leave, and to offer my best wishes for your welfare and happiness; entertaining the firmest hope and a.s.surance, that you will meet on your arrival in England those marks of approbation, which in every instance you have so highly and eminently merited.

"With sentiments of the purest esteem and regard, I have the honor to be, Sir,

"Your most obedient and faithful humble servant,

(Signed)

THOS. TRIGGE, Lieut.-General."

_Sir Thomas Trigge to Colonel Brownrigg._

"Sir,

"The return of Brigadier-General Prevost to England, calls on me to express to His Royal Highness, the Commander-in-Chief, the opinion with which his conduct has impressed me, both in his civil and military capacities during his command in the island of St. Lucie, as, did I fail to point out those officers who are deserving of His Royal Highness's countenance and support, I should be as wanting in justice to the individual, as deficient in point of duty to the Commander-in-Chief.

"I cannot but view with infinite regret Brigadier-General Prevost's departure from this country, as he has invariably conducted his command in the most satisfactory manner. The zeal and unremitting exertion which he has on every occasion shewn, and the exact attention which he has paid to the several duties of his situation, point him out as a distinguished and excellent officer, and whom it is my duty to recommend in the strongest terms to His Majesty, and to the Commander-in-Chief.

"I have the honor to be, Sir, &c. &c.

(Signed)

"THOS. TRIGGE, Lieut.-General."

No. VI.

_Account of the Capture of St. Lucie and Tobago, from the Annual Register for 1803, p. 8._

"On the 22nd June, the island of St. Lucie was taken by General Grinfield and Commodore Head. The French Commander, General Nagues, refused to capitulate, and the expectation of approaching rains rendered it necessary to get possession of the Morne Fortunee with as little delay as possible.

It was therefore determined to attack it by storm; the defence was gallant; yet, by the determined bravery of the British soldiers and seamen, the works were carried in about half an hour, not without some loss, chiefly, among the officers. This conquest was of considerable importance as a naval station. The island as a colony is valuable, but the climate is unhealthy.

"The British commanders lost no time in pursuing their victorious career; and on the 25th, they sailed for Tobago, which they reached on the 30th. It was defended by General Berthier, an officer of note in the French service; but being apprised of the number of the British, and of the gallantry they had displayed at St. Lucie, he did not think it prudent to risk an engagement. A capitulation was agreed to on the same day, upon the most liberal terms, the garrison marching out with the honours of war, and to be sent back to their native country."--_Annual Register_ for 1803, p. 283.

No. VII.

_Extract of a Letter from Major-Gen. Grinfield relative to the expedition against St. Lucie and Tobago, p. 8._

"It is with real satisfaction I send you the enclosed extract from Colonel Clinton's letter to me."

_Extract of a Letter from Colonel Clinton to Lieutenant-General Grinfield, dated_

"_Horse Guards, 3rd Sept. 1803._

"This despatch, addressed to the Commander-in-Chief, bears testimony, in the handsomest terms, to the meritorious services of Brigadier-General Prevost; and to the zealous prompt.i.tude with which he left his government of Dominica, to fulfil your wishes. In reply, I am directed to acquaint you, that His Royal Highness is perfectly sensible of the zeal, which induced Brigadier-General Prevost to volunteer his service on the late occasion, under your command; a circ.u.mstance which redounds much to his credit; and which, on a proper opportunity, His Royal Highness will not fail to mention to His Majesty."

_Extract of a Letter from Lord Hobart to Brigadier-General Prevost._

"I cannot omit to congratulate you upon the complete success of the expeditions against St. Lucie and Tobago, in which you were so actively and honourably engaged; and I have the satisfaction of acquainting you, that His Majesty has been graciously pleased to notice, with particular approbation, your conduct upon those services."

No. VIII.

_Letter to Brigadier-General Prevost from General Nagues, p. 9._

"Depuis la prise du Morne Fortune, je ne cease d'eprouver de la part du General en Chef des egards que j'aie du attribuer a un caractere de loyaute qui se remarque des que l'on se trouve en rapport avec le General Grinfield.

"Mais je n'ignore pas, General, qu'anime des memes principes, je dois a vos dispositions particulieres une partie des precedes genereux dont je me suis vu comble. Avant de vous temoigner toute ma reconnoissance, laissez moi, je vous prie, m'arreter sur un fait qui vous est personnel, je veux parler de l'humaine prevoyance que vous avez eue de placer, a votre arrivee au Morne, une Sauve Garde a l'hopital militaire pour la surete de nos malades. Citer un pareil trait c'est a.s.sez dire pour le Guerrier qu'il honore et distingue. Je viens maintenant, General, aux sentimens que vous m'avez inspire, et je vous prie de croire que je n'y mets point de reserve.

Veuillez donc bien m'agreer l'hommage, et recevoir mes tres humbles salutations.

(Signed) "NAGUeS."[102]

"_Caseuge, le 6 Messidor, an 11._"