Autograph letter signed : London, to [Sir James Pulteney], 1793 Oct. 13.

Concerning the conditions after the loss to the French at Dunkirk; saying "It is impossible for me for a moment to think of the abandonment of Ostend and that Part of the Country without the utmost alarm. Independent of what I have publickly stated to you in my Dispatches it would in my opinion throw a Disgrace on the whole Campaign, and if large Magazines, and still more if any quantity of Such were left in the hands of so cruel and inhuman an Enemy, it could not fail to create every Sentiment of Disgust and Dissatisfaction among all Ranks and Descriptions of People. I trust therefore that any serious apprehension of such an Idea does not exist, and I am happy to observe that you state it to be inconsistent with the Plan which the Enemy are at present pursuing. I never entertained a doubt of the Propriety of keeping the armies serving even where as compleat as possible and I daresay in another campaign it will not be difficult to do so, but when you recollect the feeble force with which the War begun, and the many and various exertions which We have been called upon to make, you may be surprised that We have done so much, you cannot be surprised that we have not done more;" adding that he is glad that the Portmaster who assisted the King of France in his attempted escape "has been taken;" concluding, "It seems at present to look very gloomy for the Poor Queen of France."