Letter from Rear-Adm. Sir Samuel Hood to General Jacob de Budé, describing British attempts to reach the garrison on Brimstone Hill [on St Kitts] and its eventual surrender to the French, reporting his squadron's subsequent departure from the area to join the fleet at Barbados, on their lack of bread, on the strength of the French fleet and their movements, and commenting what could have been achieved against the French if Rear-Admiral Kempenfelt had come to the West Indies.
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Garrison, before the surrender took place, and to my great great surprize, was answered in the [[underline]] Negative. [[/underline]] On the 14th. the Enemy’s fleet anchored off Nevis, consisting of the Ville De Paris, Six Ships of 80 guns, twenty three of 74, & four of 64, one of 64 was at old road, and another at Sandy point; The Experiment and Sagittaise were not there. The Triumphant & Brave, joined the 6th. from Europe. Under this situation of things, I had no longer any business in Basseterre road, especially as the Enemy was getting Cannon & shells, upon a height, that would annoy the ships in the Van, and I left it that night unperceived I imagine, as not a french ship was to be seen in the morning. With so great a superiority against me, I had nothing left to do, but to endeavour to join Sir George Rodney as expeditiously as possible, and as it was of very great importance to the Kings Service, that I should [[catchword]] carry [[/catchword]]
