Lt. Edward Manton to Miss Martha Manton:

Onboard HMS Demeter, Lon 05 W, Lat 48 N, 13 July 1793

Dearest Martha,

We sailed on the morning tide the day following my letter last. Progress has been slow, both due to the nature of the winds and the nature of our charges. While our convoy is small, consisting of some eight merchant vessels, they are an unwieldy lot. I have yet to meet the naval officer who thinks he has his ship sufficiently manned, yet, I must confess that we are blessed when compared to our commercial brethren who must justify every hand on the basis of their impact upon profit. Needless to say, this makes the convoy slow to perform evolutions or respond to commands. Every change in tack sees our charges spread across the sea. The Honorable Cecil nearly succumbs to fits as we scurry to and fro in an effort to cajole them back into some semblance of order.

It was during one such effort today that we found ourselves further inshore than usual. This presented the opportunity to speak a French fishing vessel. I will now relate the gist of the conversation as I find it instructive on events within revolutionary France. It is not uncommon to buy from such vessels as they provide a source of intelligence.

I noticed that the fisherman was wearing a liberty cap and commented upon it. His response ran something along the line of,
“Oui Monsieur Capitaine, I wear the liberty cap. I may either use my head to hold this fine hat, for if I do not so use it, I will lose it. The revolution you see, has come to Pantere.”

“Is this not a good thing?” I asked.

Though he was alone in his boat upon the sea, still he looked over his shoulder before continuing. “The revolution has come to Pantere. With it has come a new order, the Committee of Public Safety. And, Monsieur, the committee of Public Safety is led by Madame Guillotine.”

“You don’t seem a fervent revolutionary.” Responded I. “Are you then a royalist?”

“Ah, Monsieur Capitaine, I am a fisherman. And the fishes, they do not ask, ‘Is this the net of a royalist or a revolutionary?’”
“But are you not then afraid of being denounced to the Committee?” says I.

The fisherman gestures around him at his boat and replies, “As you see, I am not a rich man. No one would profit much by my death. Nor, thank our Lord Jesus, have I made any enemies that would seek to even an old debt. Not even the old crone that I call ‘wife’ excites any desire in another man. No, Monsieur Capitaine, I am not worried about being denounced.”

When I expressed my disbelief that such were the reasons people were denounced, I was told that, almost without exception, these were exactly the reasons one would be found standing in the village square, facing the Committee of Public Safety, Madame Guillotine at one’s back. And the Committee, in their efforts to prove their zeal for and dedication to the revolution, act quickly to punish the accused. When I corrected the fisherman, that he meant to say guilty rather than accused, he stated that it was all one and the same to the Committee. Furthermore, no one will speak in protest or defense of another lest they are in turn denounced. So it is that the guillotine seldom rests. The people of Pantere, of all France, live in the shadow of the guillotine, in both a literal and figurative sense.

But enough of this kind of talk. On to other matters.
While our convoy is laden with supplies intended for the fleet and garrison stationed at Gibraltar, there also are some passengers present. Upon learning that one of the vessels, the Maid of Coventry, had onboard Mrs. Katherine Danworth, the Honorable Cecil issued an invitation to dinner onboard Demeter as his guest. Mrs. Danworth’s husband is Captain john Danworth of the Praetorian (74), a favorite of Admiral Hood. Mrs. Danworth is travelling to be with her husband in Gibraltar. Travelling with her is their daughter Miss Emma Danworth.

The Honorable Cecil invited myself and young Mr. Urqhart to join him at dinner with Mrs. And Miss Danworth. It was a most interesting evening. Interesting in several different particulars, each of which I shall now relate.

Firstly, it is always a pleasure for a naval officer to share the company of the fairer sex. Opportunities are rare indeed onboard one of His Majesty’s ships. While it is not unheard of for an officer to have his wife accompany him to sea, nor for a captain to allow the presence of one or another of the senior petty officers’ wives aboard, neither is it all that common. Yes, dear sister, even I found the situation pleasant. Perhaps the small size of the party rendered my nature more amenable to the circumstances. Nor, for that matter, is the young Miss Danworth unpleasant to look upon, as the Honorable Cecil found out—but more on that in a moment.
The Honorable Cecil’s original motivation for the dinner invitation was, I believe, the thought that he might somehow ingratiate himself to Captain Danworth by way of Mrs. Danworth. (I am grateful of the fact that I was included as a prospective benefactor of this expanded naval interest.) However, not long after meeting Miss Danworth, the Honorable Cecil seemed more intent upon advancing his personal, rather than career interest. For her part, Miss Danworth appeared to be equally favorably disposed toward the Honorable Cecil. In fact, events progressed so well that shortly after the Danworths’ return to the Maid of Coventry a note arrived inviting the Honorable Cecil to dine there the evening next.
I relate the following portion of the dinner conversation as I believe it may have import beyond it’s immediate setting. Miss Post, (I assume that Martha is sharing this with you.) it may serve you well to attend closely. As the conversation turned to talk of home, and my place of origin was revealed, Mrs. Danworth asked did not the DuLaine family have holdings nearby. I, of course, answered in the affirmative, stating that my sister’s friend (you, Miss Post) was often seen in the company of Guy DuLaine. To this Mrs. Danworth replied, “The poor girl. But then again, I rather imagine that if she has the attentions of Guy DuLaine she must not be all that poor.” While I do not wish to cast doubt upon the intentions or character of another, I do believe that there is cause here for caution. I would advise you, Miss Post, to proceed carefully. When navigating shoal waters, one should proceed under driver and jib only, keeping a lead in the forechains and a sharp lookout aloft. I say this because I would not wish to see one whom I look upon fondly hurt through my inaction or silence.

The above exchange was followed by Mrs. Danworth proposing a toast, to the Honorable Cecil’s “…wealth…Dear me, I mean health.” This brought a definite reddening to Miss Danworth’s cheeks, though I believe the Honorable Cecil scarce noticed her mother’s faux pas, so focussed was he upon Miss Danworth’s countenance. As mentioned previously, the Honorable Cecil is to dine tomorrow onbard the Maid of Coventry. I will not be a part of that company, fortunately. Still, I am mindful of the honorable Cecil’s solicitude for my own career advancement.

That brings you up to date, dear sister, on events involving His Majesty’s most warriorlike ship Demeter. Should we happen to speak a vessel bound for England, I will post this with her. Else, it shall have to await our arrival in Gibraltar before making its way to you. In either case, I remain,

Your loving brother,
Edward