On the retirement of Sir G. C. Berkeley from active service in the autumn of 1812, Hardy came with him to England, and on the 8th October received a commission as captain of the Ramillies (seventy-nine guns), and proceeded to reinforce the North America squadron, war having been declared against the United States, 10th June 1812. Nearly a year later he writes to his brother as follows :

"RAMILLIES," OFF BLOCK ISLAND,
NOT FAR FROM NEW YORK,
May 1st, 1813.
DEAR Jos,
We are cruising off this Island to prevent if possible the Sailing of the United States and Macedonian Frigates they are both ready for sea and laying at New York ; however I- rather wish they would put to sea for the chance of our falling in with them. We have been fortunate enough to take several prizes tho' not valuable, yet they will all turn to account, but I never reckon on Prize Money till I have received it. As young Burgis is a constant correspondent with Sister Thresher I have no doubt but you will get all the News of the Ramillies from him ; at least much more than I can give you. He is a very fine Boy and I have no doubt but he will turn out very well. I hope Mr Crawford will get Prize Money sufficient to repay me, for his friends have not supplied him with Sixpence and literally he could not walk the Quarter Deck without my assistance and he really behaves so well that I continue to advance him Money at my own risk. Fortunately for us Block Island has no Guns in it, therefore we get plenty of Water and Stock from it and we also get our Linen washed there. The inhabitance are very much alarmed and of course they are most completely in our power, but as long as they supply us we shall be very civil to them. I have not heard from any of you since I left England and my last letter from Louise 1 was Dated Jany 5th and we are quite out of the way of all News. However I will dispense with that for the sake of some good Prizes, and there are two or three India Men expected which we are looking out very sharp for. As it is possible Edward Bartlett might not hear from his Son, tell him that he is very well and goes on much to my satisfaction and Doctor Plowman is very well pleased with young Hodder. My Steward had the misfortune a few Days ago (whilst loading a gun) to blow a piece of his left Arm off and I very much fear if he will ever get the better of it ; he is a most excellent Servant and will be a very great loss to me. I have heard nothing of poor Thos Bartlett but much fear that he died soon after we left Portsmouth for I think I never saw any Creature look worse than he did the last time I saw him.
With best Love to all. I remain,
My dear Jos,
Yours most Affectionately,
T. M. HARDY.

BOTAFOGO, NEAR RlO DE JANEIRO,
July 3rd, 1822.
MY DEAR Jos,
A few days ago I received your letter of the nth April, and I am truly sorry to hear of the distressing state that poor John appears to have been in at the time you wrote, and from your account of him I much fear that there is very little hope of his recovery. Independent of the loss of a Brother, it will be a most distressing thing for our Sisters, and from the badness of the times I am at a loss to know what is best to be done, but I shall be most happy to do everything in my power for them. Thank God I have enjoyed my health and have sent home about fifteen thousand pounds, but I fear that my golden harvest is nearly at an end
I have left things tolerably quiet in the Pacific, but I fear that our troubles are about to commence in the Braziles, as the Government here seem determined to shake off the Mother Country.
Young Cox is my acting Flag Lieut, and I sincerely hope that I shall be able to get him promoted. Poor fellow, I find that he has lost his Father, and a large proportion of his money was in hands of Cox, who it appears by the Papers has failed, and I hear that he is on his^passage to Lima. He will arrive there at an unfortunate time, for all the mines are now filled with water, and for many months to come, there will be very little silver got.
Colonel Cunningham (for that is the name he goes by) is quite well and Mrs C. as gay as ever. He was Deputy Consul General, but Mr Chamberlain is arrived which is a bad thing for our Piddle Town friend.
As I have reason to believe that I shall be here for a few months I have taken a house near Cunninghams, and we are living very comfortable, having a whist party most evenings. I hear my little friend Plowman is doing very well, and I am quite sorry to learn that he has made so bad a choice. I have not heard from Lady Hardy since December but I am told that she is gone with her family to Florence which probably is the cause of my not hearing from her. Pray offer my best love to Mrs Hardy and all the family, I remain,
My Dear Jos, Your affectionate Brother,
T. M. HARDY.

In the autumn of 1826 he is apparently living with his family in Regent Street. The following gossipy letter speaks for itself :

8 REGENT STREET, August 4th, 1826.
MY DEAR Jos,
I had the pleasure of receiving your letter a few days ago. I hope the Claret will be found as good as Mr Casher promises.
My friend Plowman rather over rates the Beauty of Emily, they are both however very good looking and most excellent girls. I am sorry to say that little Mary has got a very bad cough ; her Mother is of opinion that it is the Hooping Cough. I have been very much occupied at the Admiralty correcting Signals, and I fear we shall not finish before the latter end of this Month, but if I can get away I will pay you a visit early in September. The Galatea I believe is still at Portsmouth, I have not seen any of her Officers nor have I heard anything of young Bascomb, I have got an account of the money expended for him, which I will give you when we meet. I hope Cousin Jim shewed you the letter I sent him from Lord Napier x when you see him you may say that the Diamond will be in England the latter part of September she is now at Lisbon. Of course you have heard of Captn Garth having set off with Lady Astley. I suppose it will annoy the old General very much. The weather continues very warm and the harvest about London is quite finished, the wheat is very good and the Barley very short in straw but on the whole a saving crop. It is very difficult to get a Frank as every body are out of Town. Give my best love to Mrs Hardy, I remain,
My Dear Jos,
Yours affectionately,
T. M. HARDY.

On the 23rd October 1829, he writes a letter to his brother, alluding to his change of residence, and the death of his brother-in-law and Dorset neighbour, John Thresher, of Upway.

PORTSMOUTH, October 23rd, 1829.
MY DEAR Jos,
Your letter of the 2Oth instant gave me the information of the death of our late Brother-in-law Mr Thresher 1 an event which I own I was in some degree prepared for, as I thought him breaking very fast when last I was in the Country. In general occurrences of that nature tend to remove past differences, and I have to regret that the loss of our relation has not brought that consolation. I own from my short but frequent visits into Dorsetshire I never thought that the deceased was the cause of the unpleasant feeling which existed in the family, and I sincerely hope that the few years which may be spared to our Sister, she will employ them in making peace with her brother and Sisters. I have since received a letter from Captain Balston, but it had been detained in London two days. Lady Hardy has given up her intended journey to Paris and all have taken a small house at Kensington situated close to Holland House and she will take possession of it on Monday next. It is called Addison Villa, a finer name than Addison Cottage, which most probably would suit it better. I have been detained here longer than was first expected, but I think we shall finish our labours in ten days when I shall join my family. They are all quite well. Our house is only taken for six months. I see no prospect of employment ; unfortunately they do not want any more Admirals, so I must wait patiently. I am rather surprised at Plowmans anxiety to be called father, probably he thinks it would make Mrs P. more obedient, pray remember me to him I am pleased to hear that Mrs Hardy is better and I sincerely hope we shall have a mild winter. Pray offer to her my best love, I remain,
My Dear Jos,
Your affectionate Brother,
T. M. HARDY.

This letter is addressed to his nephew, William Manfield, then, like his father before him, a Dorchester solicitor. The First Sea Lord is evidently now in much request as a godfather " down Dorset way":

ADMIRALTY, March 30th, 1832.
MY DEAR WILLIAM,
Doctor Plowman is anxious to Christen his two boys, and as I am to be Sponsor to Thomas Henry, I shall be much obliged if you will get my brother to stand Proxy for me, unless the Doctor will allow you to officiate for me. Lady Hardy and your cousins regret very much that they had not the pleasure of seeing you this morning, but they hope to be more fortunate when next you come to Town.
With best love to your Mother and Sisters. I remain,
My Dear William,
Your affectionate Uncle,
T. M. HARDY.