The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1810-01-13 00:00:00

IVEST INDIES.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM AN OFFICER IN

YAIt6•DOEN DATED NOT. ID. 1:4:0:)!

" Cutisideriug the West Indies has not been so
sickly fur seine years as it has been this last season,
may account myself fortunate in not having, as
yet, had any attack of fevers. Thank Gad, we now
begin to be a little more healthy. At Martinique,
in one month, we lust (ion men ; ■nd at Antigua,
the ships of war have suffered. in loss of men, very
much indeed. The Abercrombie had 250 in the
hospital at oue time, of whom 52 died !—The
Riogdooe has likewise suffered greatly. The
Gioire frigate has lust many men, but as yet no
officers have died belonging to her. The Gleason
brig of war. Captain Pickford, is lost in Carlisle
Bay ; he: people were were all saved by the Gluire's
boats ; Captain Cartliew and his Officers deverve
• much praise for the promptness with which every
assistance was rendered. Dr. M'Arthur, Surgeon
of the Naval Hospital, a man meverwilli helciveif, has
been superseded by Dr. Cowlick, who lived only
14 days after his landing.
" Voting Curran, a I.lreenatit in th. Navy. %hi,
tame from England with 11r. Cost:tick, a sun of the
celebrated Counsellor in Ireland. bus had a dread-
ful attack of the yellow fever, but is now pionounceil
out of danger. •
" The non-arrival of the packet; from England,
several being due, causes much uneasiness here,
and leaves us quite in the dark us to affairs in Eng-
land. A ship, 41 days from Halifax. arrived here
on the 7th instant, and reports, that Admiral Sir A.
Cochrane stud squadron were still there—their flag-
ship, with her mama out, wheu he sailed. Prepar-
ations are making at 31artinique, on au extensive
scale, tor no attack upon Guild:donne.
" Mr. Jones, Surgeon of the (.;!‘,ire, has been
appointed to the Hospital at Berbadors, but he, iu
less than three days, was attacked by a fever vio-
lently, and the situation is tilled. pro leoipore, by
Mr. Mortimer.
" A few days ago a duel was fought here between
Lientenants`HugEes and Butler, of the 3d Wert
India Regiment, when the former was shot through
the body, and insfuntly expired.
" Died, this day, of the yellow fever, at the Royal
Naval Hospital, Lieut. Andrew Reddie, of the
Gluire frigate.
" P.S.—Since writing the nhore, two packets
have arrived from England. by which we learn the
news of the change, and the extraordinary duel be.
tween the Cabinet !Iliriieter ."

" ST. AKNI'S. lIISILISADOES, MOT. 9.3.

" The active and zealiMs preparation s makisig in
this island, in aid of the expedition to Guadeloupe,
keep ns ali►e; though much regret will be felt at
the •leparture of troops. whose conduct has en-
deared them to every islander. The alivision in•
teitrie d to embark from hence is composed of a light
brigade of the Royal York Rangers; two compa-
nies of riflemen of the Royal West India Rangers ;
and two flank companies from the Third Nest
India regiment, under the command of Lieutenant-
Colonel Stuart, of the West India Rangers. The
-rendezvous, it is presumed, will be Martinique, and
the light brigade are expected to embark in a few
days ; as by them is first meditated an attack on
St. Martin's; which, it is presumed, will surrender
on the appearance of our troops, and require bnt
few left to garrison it. I should thin!. the General
would not run the risk of weakening Iris force, iiy
detaching any part of his army until the event of
our attack of Guadaluupe is known, as it would
probably facilitate the surrender of St. Mar.4's.
The Governor and NI ilitary Commandant at Goa-
daloupr has strengthened it by every possible
mean., and the most obstinate resistance will be
made; even the negrots have been armed and
trained to military discipline. The inhabitants
are seriously distrt.seil for pro►isious, and, by the
last letters received fi-uin thence, we were assured
of their favourable disposition towards the English.
The total number of troops which are to embark
from this island will not exceed 1200; but the
whole force. it is said, will be composed of upwards
of 8000 men.—And if they are all in as high health
and spirits as the troops which I have mentioned,
no doubt can be entertained of the result of the
expedition.

U We were last night visited by a tremendous hur-
ricane, which threw a heavy swell into the Bay, and
drove the Glumait guard-ship front her moorings, on
shore, together with many small craft. Every assist-
ance has breis rendered by the military of the island
to get the Gluntan afloat, but without success, nor
do I think she will be ever got into deep water. %'e
have had
troops are in general healthy. The delay and ir.
segular arrival and departure of the packets have
excited general' anxiety in the island, and pre-
vented my correspondatig with you so regularly as
promised."