Letter from Rear-Adm. Sir Samuel Hood to General Jacob de Budé sending thanks for letters received, promising to assist Mr Stillingfleet [?] in his naval career, expressing appreciation for the King's decision to award the booty taken at St Eustatius to the British Fleet and Navy, describing recent actions against the enemy and the subsequent movements and state of various British ships, reporting the landing of enemy troops on St Lucia and their subsequent hasty departure, and his fear that enemy forces were heading to the East Indies and America.
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PS: I cannot help thinking, that a great part of De Grasse's Force, is by this gone to America. There is no other way of accounting for his very extraordinary conduct and honor, of our most gracious and royal Masters service. I will keep my letter open till we gett to Barbadoes. Carlisle Bay May 23d. 1781 We all anchored here this day, except the Torbay, and I have the very great satisfaction to acquaint you, that the French Troops, reembarked from St. Lucia, on the 13th. between one & four in the morning with great precipitation, leaving part of their camp Equipage behind. The Reason of the Marquis De Bouillie's sudden retreat, is reported to be, by a deserter, that he did not expect to find Things in so respectable a state for defence, that it was said a large reinforcement of ships was arrived from England, and that Sir George Rodney with his whole force, was at hand; I understand the arrival of the three frigates in the Carenage, was very seasonable, as the seamen man'd all the Batteries This event is of infinite consolation to my mind. I enclose you a list of the French naval force, which is not exactly as I have before stated it. De Grasse is in the ville De paris, and not in the Bretaigne, and Bonganville & Chabert, are the Admirals under him instead of Marin & Vandreuel as the Marquis De Bouillie said were coming most sincerely & faithfully yours Saml Hood
