Letter from Rear-Adm. Sir Samuel Hood to General Jacob de Budé reporting his efforts to return to the West Indies, enclosing copies of letters he sent to Admiral Digby on the subject (0653-0654) and his hopes that Digby would go with him to the West Indies and that Prince William might pass the winter months there, remarking further on the missed opportunities and mistakes he felt were made by Rear-Adm. Graves previously, and his opinion that New York would not be in any danger until the beginning of April at the earliest.
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[[underline]] Secret [[/underline]] Barfleur at Sea Octr. 31 1781 My dear Admiral Digby As a vast deal may [[underline]] probably [[/underline]] depend on my going from this coast, [[underline]] as strong [[/underline]] as [[underline]] possible, [[/underline]] and if I can but gett away before De Grasse leave the Cheaseapeak, I shall have a good prospect of intercepting, whatever part of his fleet, he may [[underline]] take, [[/underline]] or [[underline]] detach [[/underline]] to Martinique, by cruizing a short time to the Eastward, & in the Lattd. of Descada. And to prove I have no view of reaping any kind of emolument from the Ships of your Squadron, or depriving you of any, and that my only motive for wishing [[underline]] all [[/underline]] your Line of Battle Ships to accompany me to the West Indies, — during the winter months, is the good of our Royal Masters Service — I am ready to sign Articles [[underline]] equally [[/underline]] to these to share in prize money with you [[catchword]] from [[/catchword]]
