Copy of a letter from Rear-Adm. Lord Hood to Philip Stephens, reporting on his movements and the actions he had taken in despatching various British ships to look out for enemy squadrons, and enclosing copies of despatches and orders he had sent [possibly some, if not all, of the preceding documents, and certainly including 0744, and possibly 0743].
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Barfleur off Monti Christe, 15th Decemr [[underline]] 1782 [[/underline]] Sir/ I passed the Bar of New York, with the Kings Squadron under my Command, on the 22d of last month and immediately despatched the Germain Sloop to Adml. Pigot, with a letter of which the inclosed is a Copy; The Young William Mast ship sailed with me, and having on the 27th fallen in with His Majesty's ship Santa Margaretta, on her return from a Cruize, with her Bowsprit & Mizen Mast Sprung & going to New York, I ordered her commander to take the Young William, under his Convoy and proceed with her to Jamaica, as she was a great Clog to the squadron, and must have been towed the whole way: on the 4th. instant being about fifteen Leagues to the Eastward of the silver Keys, By the superior sailing of one of my frigates, I spoke with the Licerne, whose Commander, not having Admiral Pigot's or Rear Adml Digby's Private Signals, and taking us for the [[underline]] Spanish Squadron, [[/underline]] made away to Leeward as fast as possible: He was first to go to New York, and not finding Admiral Pigot there, was to follow him to Barbadoes; I herewith send you a Copy of the dispatches he was charged with, and without keeping him three hours, sent him on with the Originals to my Commander in Chief at the Leeward Islands. At day light next morning I was within five Leagues of Cape Samana, and having that day spoken with one Sybil frigate & Fary Sloop (which had come through the Mona passage the Evening before) The former I sent immediately to [[unclear]] the Harbour of Cape Francois, and the Philip Stephens Esqr-- [[catchword]] latter [[/catchword]]
