Lt. Edward Manton to Miss Martha Manton: 8 July 1793
8 July, 1793. Aboard HMS Demeter at anchor, Spithead
My Dear Sister,
I must apologize for
my tardiness in writing. As you know, I have been assigned as a lieutenant
aboard one of His Majesty’s ships. Demeter being a sloop, I should say
that I have been assigned as thee lieutenant. What this means is, that in
addition to the administrative duties of a First Lieutenant, I must add the
responsibility of serving as a watch officer. That is to say, when I am not
awash in the Navy’s paper, I am directing the operation of Demeter and
her crew. This has left me little time to attend to other than ship’s
business until now. I hope that with this explanation, I will merit your forgiveness
for not having written sooner.
I know that I may have confused you just now, referring to Demeter as both
ship and sloop. (I can see your eyes turning imploringly to heaven as you
think, “Edward is going into one of his technical explanations of which
he is so fond.” The truth be told, I am.) A sloop is a smaller vessel,
nominally of eighteen guns, but in fact usually carrying more; and being between
300 to 500 tons. There are actually two varieties of sloop. The larger brigs
are considered sloops. Such a vessel is known as a brig-sloop. Demeter is
of the other variety, having three masts and so properly being ship-rigged,
she is a ship-sloop. A miniature frigate if you like. You may recall my saying
that a ship is a three-masted, square rigged vessel.
While a frigate is commanded by a post captain, a sloop is under the command
of a master and commander. Often this is abbreviated to commander. Out of
courtesy he, like anyone in command of a King’s ship, is generally called
captain. However, extension of this courtesy is not required and its denial
may be used to put a presumptuous upstart in his proper place. My captain
is Master and Commander the Honorable Cecil LeJorne. More on him later.
Enough of this technical talk. (Yes I really mean it.) Let me bring you up
to date. To begin, I am well physically and in good spirits. Hopefully soon
to be a little richer. The year started out well. We managed to take two French
merchantmen prizes. They were each returning to France and had not yet heard
of the declaration of war. While the one was nothing much to speak of, the
other was just returned from the West Indies and laden with sugar and molasses.
She should add at least a hundred pounds to my pocket. As I was uncertain
where I would be when the money is actually awarded, I have left instructions
to have it remitted to your safekeeping.
We have passed most of the time engaged in “special missions”
under direct Admiralty orders. This has consisted primarily of landing various
English and Royalist French agents under cover of darkness. I have been ashore
myself once or twice, though never very far inland. Otherwise, we have been
looking in at various ports to see what was abuilding. This has provided me
the opportunity to practice my map drawing skills. Charting the waters around
the ports has also been our task.
On one occasion a French frigate sallied to chase us off. It was one of their
newer forty gun models. Had it been simply a thirty-two gun ship, I’m
certain we would have stayed and added her to our list of prizes. On a separate
occasion, we surprised a chasse maree, or she surprised us, attempting to
sneak out of a hidden inlet. It is not clear whether she was a privateer in
seek of prey, or a smuggler mistaking us for a French revenue ship. In either
case, after a brief cannonade, she managed to elude us and disappear back
from whence she’d come. The Hon. Cecil declined the suggestion of a
cutting out expedition. I believe he made the right choice. They would have
been expecting us and been thoroughly prepared. While there can be no question
as to our eventual triumph, the cost among the men would be too high. Fortunately,
The Hon. Cecil does not subscribe to the fashionable idea that the worth of
a victory can be measured in the number of lives it took to achieve it.
Shortly afterward, we received orders to return to Spithead. Here we were
instructed to resupply and thence report to Admiral Hood’s squadron
in the Mediterranean. So, while I am in port, I will not have the time to
call upon you. My next comment should not be construed as a reflection upon
the abilities or person of Admiral Hood. Neither the Hon. Cecil, I, nor any
of my fellow officers, are overjoyed at our assignment to Admiral Hood’s
squadron. Our recent mission under direct Admiralty orders granted us a great
latitude in determining how best to serve King and Country, not to mention
the opportunity to snap up the occasional prize. This new assignment will
likely see us tied to a line of 74’s as they plod back and forth outside
some French port. Hardly exciting work, and certainly not profitable, either
monetarily or in affording opportunities to distinguish myself in action,
thereby earning promotion. Still, it is preferable to sitting ashore on half
pay – not that I object to your company dear sister.
Speaking of company, how fares Christopher and family? Have you received any
word from Kenneth? I trust that you are doing well. No doubt you and Betsy
are scandalizing Christopher with your untoward ideas about a woman’s
place in society. I suspect that Miss Post assists you in these efforts, what
an outspoken and unconventional woman she is. I presume that all is well with
her as well.
Unfortunately, duty calls and I must lay down my pen. Hopefully I will be able to write again before we depart. If so, I will acquaint you with those with whom I share my small world. Until then, I remain,
Your loving brother,
Edward