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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Europe & Adamant (the Robust & Prudent, being up at New York) I was under sail to receive him and without dropping anchor, he steered to the Southward — But how unfortunate no frigate was stationed to watch the motions of the French Squadron, as I understand it had been laying in a state ready to push to sea, at the shortest notice — and upon the return of the Concorde frigate, which carried the Pilots to the Count De Grasse at the Cape, all the ships sailed; Now they must either be destined to make a Junction with the West India Ships, or they are going to Boston; Had a frigate been placed at Gayhead, or Block Island, and have dogged the Squadron at a distance, a few leagues, to the Eastward of Nantucket Shoals, a pretty clear judgement might have been formed, when it is gone to, at present we move totally in the dark. If it is gone to Boston, De Grasse has either Laid aside his intentions of coming to [[catchword]] America [[/catchword]]
