Letter from Rear-Adm. Sir Samuel Hood to General Jacob de Budé, partly duplicate of 0680, but forcibly expressing his disappointment at not pursuing and capturing the fleeing French fleet, criticising the abilities and actions of Sir Charles Douglas and Adm. Sir George Rodney, and remarking that his (Hood's) health has suffered as a result of 'seeing things go as they do'.
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Barfleur off Guadaloupe April 13th. 1782 Rejoice my dear General rejoice and give god thanks; His Majesty's fleet has given such a beating to [[underline]] that [[/underline]] of France as no great fleet ever had before. On the 9th. my division had two actions, at a little space of time distant one from the other, with the whole of the Enemys van & center, between the Islands of Guadaloupe and dominigue, while the greatest part of our center, and every ship of the rear, were becalmed under the latter and had De Grasse known his duty, he might have cutt us up, by a succession of fresh Ships; but being very warmly received, and to windward, they hawled off, and our fleet joined--The next morning the French ships were very far to windward. Sir George Rodney carried a stiff sail all day; neared them very much by Sunsett, and intended to have carried a plain sail all night; but by some mistake of Sir Charles Douglas, by making the signal for the leading Ship to shorten sail, which was under her Topsails [[underline]] only [[/underline]] with the mizen Topsail aback the fleet lay too the whole night, at lest the Center and Rear did so--Captn. Byron can best tell, what the van did, as he was employed the whole night, in carrying [[catchword]] messages [[/catchword]]
