Letter from Rear-Adm. Sir Samuel Hood to General Jacob de Budé reporting the sailing of a large French fleet and convoy from Martinique towards St Domingo but uncertainty as to its ultimate intent, and on the poor condition of the British fleet which resulted in his being sent to Antigua to collect stores, and announcing that he may be going with a squadron to America.
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Barfleur St. Johns Road Antingua July 13 1781 My dear General On the 8th. Instant the Santa Monica arrived in Carlisle Bay Barbadoes. with an account that the French fleet, consisting of 26 sail of the Line & Six frigates, having under their convoy near 200 sail of merchant Ships, left port Royal Bay Martinigue on the 5th. and steered to Leeward supposed for St. Domingo--But whether the whole will go thither, or a part only, with the outward bound Trade which De Grasse brought from Brest, and the rest proceed with the Trade of these Islands towards Europe so soon as they gett through the Mona passage, and after keeping together to a certain distance, whether a pretty strong squadron, will not steer for America, time alone can make clear to us. From a strange fatality [[catchword]] that [[/catchword]]
