The opinions entertained by the English Governors of the Isles of France and Bourbon, of the beneficial effects produced upon the French militia, by the proclamations which Captain Willoughby had circulated among them, are contained in two public letters written by those gentlemen when he was on the eve of his departure for England. The following are copies of the said documents; and that dated Dec. 27, 1810, is the only correct one that has ever met the public eye:–
Governor Farquhar to Captain Willoughby.
“Sir,– The unfortunate, though gallant affair, in which you so eminently distinguished yourself at Grand Port, and which for a short time interrupted all communication with you, prevented my replying immediately to your despatch, which I received on the 21st August, informing me of your having landed in the Isle of France, on the 17th and 18th that month; of your having destroyed the batteries and magazines at Grand Port, and distributed the proclamations with which I had entrusted you, for the inhabitants of the Isle of France. I cannot, however, permit you to quit this colony without expressing to you my warmest acknowledgments, for the very satisfactory manner in which yon executed every part of this important duty. I feel it the more necessary now to make this official declaration of my sentiments to you, from the more intimate know, ledge I have acquired, since I assumed this government, of the beneficial effects produced by those proclamations on the minds of the inhabitants. However much, therefore, I am disposed to admire that enterprising spirit and perseverance which dared to land at the second principal port of the main island, at the head of only 200 men, and to effect a long march of 20 miles, for the purpose of destroying the defences, in the face of an enemy far superior to you; and however much I must commend that prudence and discretion which enabled you to re-embark without the loss of a single man, after having effected every object you had in view, it is still more my indispensable duty, as being in my immediate province, to bear this public testimony of the prompt and efficient execution of the delicate and dangerous service which you undertook, of issuing my proclamations to the inhabitants of a neighbouring hostile colony! I feel convinced that this, amongst the many other more brilliant services in which you have been engaged, and of which you bear so many honorable marks, will speedily replace you in a situation which will afford ample scope for the exercise of the distinguished naval talents and undaunted heroism which your countrymen, as well as the enemy, unanimously bear testimony of your possessing. I have the honor to be, &c.
