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'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 be'ginning, in one trifling instance only ex'cepted, they have uniformly been beaten in 6 every rencontre.

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'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'ping is prepared, when the Commandant-in

chief expects further orders. I cannot de'vise what further service there can be for

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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.

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'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

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any

value, but they will keep you warm, and

'you

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will wear them for the sake of the donor. Since the complaint I made in April I 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. You will know

' from

VOL. II.

2 c

'before I shall the probability of my getting 'home this winter. If I am to eat my Christ'mas dinner with you, begin to fatten your

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turkey. Farewell! my love to my Father ' and Jane.

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Letter from the Hon. Sir Edward Paget to Sir John Moore:

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6

'April, 1802.

Sir,-The Commanding Officers of those corps who had originally the good fortune 'to be placed under your command, in the ' reserve of the army of Egypt, have commis'sioned me to present a sword to you in their name, and to request that will accept and consider it as a token of their un

'bounded esteem.

6

you

It would be presumptuous, Sir, in me to "attempt to point out in you what are those 'rare talents which you possess, the application of which has rendered you the object

of so much veneration to the corps which

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had the honour to serve under your imme'diate command; I must therefore content

myself, Sir, with alone entreating you to 'believe that, whatever these are, they have 'not been less successfully exerted in promoting the interest of his Majesty's service, ' and in confirming the glory of our native country throughout an arduous and very 'memorable campaign, than they have been in fixing on a basis never to be shaken the 'affections and admiration of those, in whose name I have the honour to subscribe myself, with every sense of respect, Sir,

Yours, &c. &c.

EDWARD PAGET.'

The Answer.-To the Hon. Sir Edward

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'Sir, I had the honour to receive your 'letter to me, in the name of the Officers 'commanding the corps which composed the ' reserve of the army of Egypt, together with 'the sword which they have done me the

'honour to present to me.

Such a present,

'from men themselves so respectable, and 'whose conduct has merited so much praise, 'cannot fail to be equally flattering and pleasing to me, in whatever light I consider 'it as a mark of their approbation, or a 'token of their friendship and regard.

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'I beg that you and those gentlemen will accept of my warmest thanks; be assured ' that I shall be proud of wearing their sword upon every occasion; and when it becomes

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necessary to draw it, I hope it may be at 'the head of men like them, and those they 'commanded, who leave little else to their 'General than to emulate their example, and 'second their ardour, in the road to fame and 'honourable distinction.

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'My dear Mother,

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'I have, &c. &c.

'JOHN MOORE,'

Sandgate, Kent, Aug. 25, 1804.

I had the pleasure of

your letter, and thank you for your anxiety

' about my concerns. My troubles are now

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