Letter from Rear-Adm. Sir Samuel Hood to General Jacob de Budé reporting again on Sir George Rodney's making over to him the command of the British fleet on the Leeward Island station, enclosing various papers [0632-0641], reporting on his journey to America and his current position there, on attempts to prevent the enemy's ships in the West Indies and at Rhode Island from combining forces, and on the departure of French ships from the American coast.
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Barfleur off the Chesapeak Sept. 2nd. 1781 My dear General When I joined Sir George Rodney on the 30th. of June in Basseterre road St. Kitts. I was under orders to proceed with 14 sail of the Line to this coast, after seeing the Jamaica Trade off Cape Tiberron which was then to proceed on, under the Convoy of the Sandwich Hydra & Ranger; but Sir George having immediately after I anchored, received intelligence, that five or six sail of the Line of French ships, were arrived at Martinique, he judged it necessary to Lessen my squadron, and to detach Rear Admiral Drake with five ships to St. Lucia. At noon that day I took leave of the Admiral to collect the ships, I had ordered to compleat their water at old Road, that no time might be lost, in fullfilling my orders, on the arrival of the Jamaica Trade from St Lucia, which, the Belligerence and Prince William were ordered to bring to me at St Eustatius Soon after I sailed from Basseterre the intention of my going off Tiberoon, was laid aside, and the Jamaica ships, put under convoy of the Torbay, Sandwich Prince William, & Hydra, & Ranger; and on Sir George Rodney’s arrival [[catchword]] at [[/catchword]]
