Letter from Rear-Adm. Sir Samuel Hood to General Jacob de Budé reporting information regarding some of the French fleet, his decision to split his squadron into three smaller groups in the hope of apprehending the conjoined French and Dutch ships and their convoy at one of three locations, and the sending of French prisoners to Port Royal.
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Barfleur at Sea 9th. May 1782 My dear General With most eager expectation have I looked out, to no sort of purpose, for a ship from Sir George Rodney, from the 1t. instant to this hour, and am exceedingly at a loss to account for my disappointment. The Prince William which I detached to cruize between Cape Tiberoon and the Isle of Vache, returned to me on the 7th at night, with certain intelligence that four of the french ships of the Line, which were put to flight, on the 12th of Last Month, arrived in a most shattered condition on the 21st at Curacoa, but not finding the [[underline]] means [[/underline]] of refitting there, were getting under sail on thursday last (the 2d) supposed for Cape Francois and that two Dutch ships of War, one of 64, the other of 50 Guns, with upwards of Sixty sail under Convoy, were reported to sail with them (and which had been ready some time) for Port a Prince, these, to wait till the French Convoy was ready to proceed from Cape Francois — This immediately determined me, to divide His Majesty’s ships under my command into three little squadrons, for the greater chance of intercepting the Enemy — Rear Adml Drake is gone [[catchword]] off [[/catchword]]
