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Barfleur, at Sea. 22d. February 1782. If the Tisiphone arrives safe you will be informed of my situation to the 8th. Instant-- From the very strong assurances Governor Shirley gave me of Brimstone hill being in the greatest security, and from the spirited, and very encouraging message sent by Genl. Frazer to Genl Prescott on the 24th of last month, - I had not the least doubt of relieving the Island, after I gott the Enemy’s anchorage in the road of Basseterre~ And the Governor having expressed a wish for an able Sea Officer and a few Seamen; I sent Capt Curgenven & Lieutenant Hare (late of the Solebay) who were eager volunteers, for the service, with thirty Men, in two boats, to indeavour to throw themselves into [[unclear]] Brimstone hill in the night [[unclear]] The Oars were muffled and every precaution used, that not the least noise should be made to give an alarm, but upon putting the stems of the Boats, towards the shore, Volley, after Volley of musketry was fired at them, and they were obliged to return — two nights after, the man I first sent upon the Hill, and who Capt Curgenven took with him, thought he could make his way [[underline]] alone [[/underline]] to the Garrison; he made the Trial in a small canoe, but was forced to return, being fired at from every place he attempted to land. At the same time Lieutenant Fayhie of the Russel landed at Red flag bay, on the North part o the Island; his Father is judge of the Admiralty, had retired to the Hill, and whose estate lay at the foot of it, on that side; Lieutenant Fayhie knowing every accessible path to the Hill, was strong in his hopes, of being able to reach the Garrison, but after waiting two nights found it impossible, and came back. Upon the Signals being made from the Hill on the 8th., that the Enemy’s Batteries had been successful in damaging the Works & Buildings that the Garrison was reduced, & short of ordnance stores, I was eager to make further Trials, to gett an officer upon the hill and Captn. Curgenven then offering his Service, as well as Capt. Bourne of the marines, I sent [[catchword]] them [[/catchword]]
