Letter from Rear-Adm. Sir Samuel Hood to General Jacob de Budé debating what actions the various enemy commanders may take and describing what action he thinks the British fleet should take to counteract the various possible threats, expressing disapproval at Lord Rodney's commandeering of several ships 'to protect his own person', agreeing with comments by French commanders that the British do not know how to make use of its victory in April, and reporting that he had calmed Adm. Pigot's fears about troops and ships which had arrived from Carolina, and offered him advice. Also, near duplicate of part of letter dated 8 April [but undated itself: 0711a].
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[[underline]] Duplicate [[/underline]] [[underline]] Secret & confidential [[/underline]] It being beyond a doubt that Don Solano's Squadron is at the Havanna, I very much wish to know, whether the Spanish General Don Galvez, with any considerable number of Troops were left at Cape Francois before we pass the Gulph of florida Now the question is, what can be vandreuil's plan with the Ten ships of the Line he put to Sea, in company with the Spanish Admiral. If he is gone to America he will have done his business before we gett there and be secure against any attack, unless he can be mett with in deep water. Should he be gone to Europe, I fear His Majestys fleet can do but little good upon the American coast, but [[underline]] it must [[/underline]] go to New York to complete water &c But is it unlikely VAndreuil may have an Eye on the Jamaica convoy, and the [[underline]] Captured [[/underline]] Line of battle Ships? The object must be confessed to be very tempting. And may not Solano have retreated to the Havanna on the same motive, in order to take a double chance? for if he had not some immediate design in view, would he be laying with all his Ships, at this season of the year, in that perfect readiness for sea? Having turned all circumstances in my mind, I will very candidly express my thoughts. [[catchword]] The [[/catchword]]
