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Formidable Tuesday night April 9th. 1782 my dear Sir Your public letter [[symbol]] I will answer tomorrow. I can now only say, that after the very great fatigue you have undergone, which I must own has been attended with the greatest honor, I am glad to hear your Health has not suffered. It will never do, without we can always continue to gett the Wind of the French, they will always continue to keep us at Arms length I am sorry you have lost so many Petty officers My loss, the best Lieut. I had killed, & six men, besides wounded except the two rear ships, the other fired at such a distance I returned none. I propose from the situation of some Ships of your division, and the almost impossibility of bringing the Enemy to action, till we gett them from under the Islands to lay too this night, to give time for repairs, and to look into Guadaloupe tomorrow, and if the Enemy are [[underline]] there, [[/underline]] to [[underline]] be [[/underline]] at their [[underline]] appointed Rendezvous [[/underline]] before them. As I have upon all occasions the highest opinion of your judgement, favour me with it at this critical moment, and believe me with real truth yours most sincerely G B Rodney Copy Sam: Hood [[symbol]] To make know that [[underline]] Captn. Bayne fell in action [[/underline]] Sir Samuel Hood Barf Barfleur at Sea April 10th. 1782 My dear Sir [[underline]] George [[/underline]] You do me great honor in holding my judgement in that estimation, as to request my sentiments, in the present critical moment, which I will give with that sincerity & candor, I have always prided myself in doing, whenever you have condescended to express a wish to know them; and if I have appeared at any time, to have improperly obtruded them, I trust you will believe, that Zeal [[underline]] alone, [[/underline]] for the service of my King & Country led me to do it. De Grasse will certainly avoid you all he can, and when you [[catchword]] know [[/catchword]]