Letter from Rear-Adm. Sir Samuel Hood to General Jacob de Budé, writing from various locations and detailing his activities, expressing frustration over the general lack of action by the British fleet and the failure to take opportunities against the enemy, complaining about Adm. Pigot's inexperience, reporting on illness on board his ship and his own need for exercise, and commenting on the whereabouts of Prince William and his ship.
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August 25 The Fortunee parted for the Cheaseapeak and the Jupiter for New York last night, which they ought to have done many days ago, and there is no accounting why it was no so, but for the Indolence & dilatoriness, which prevail on board the Formidable. There is doubtless something very wonderfully mysterious in the Chief’s conduct, which I own, I have not penetration to fathom, and the more I think of it, the more I am bewildered. Strange as it may tell, it is no Less true. Though we have been at sea six weeks & [[underline]] loitering [[/underline]] the whole time, not one single maneuver has been practiced no, not even spreading in a Line a breast (since we came through the Gulph) at a Mile or two distant in the day, and closing a little in the evening, by way of exercising the fleet which surely is highly necessary, if only for the better chance of procuring intelligence of the Enemy, and how matters stand at New York &c. [[underline]] August 29th in Lattitude of Cape Henry [[/underline]] We had not parted with the prizes many hours, before I saw reason to suspect, that the appearance only of dispatch in getting forward was meant. Circumstances have justified my suspicions, The prizes were in sight every day, and at daylight in the morning of yesterday, one of the frigates with a Polacca in tow, was a head of the fleet, the others not far behind. This proves most strongly, the different frames of mens minds, some are full of anxiety, impatience and [[catchword]] apprehension [[/catchword]]
