Letter from Rear-Adm. Sir Samuel Hood to General Jacob de Budé commenting on Sir George Rodney's apparent indecision as to what to do and his [Hood's] opinion that the greater part of the British fleet should 'offer the Enemy battle' at Fort Royal and 'block them up', and reporting a satisfactory visit from Rodney and the latter's intention to take such action as Hood proposes.
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remains at Fort Royal in force, what will become of all these Islands? His answer was, in his Accustomed Manner, oh Damn these Islands, Jamaica is ten times of more consequence, than all of them put together— his talking is to be sure, extravagant & extraordinary, in a great degree, but without much meaning. What appears to me, most adviseable to be done in the present untoward situation of things, is, to send away the Regt &c to Jamaica, (and I wish they had been sent the moment they came here) with five sail of the Line, in addition to the Princess Caroline—go with the rest off Fort Royal at the same time, offer the Enemy battle, and block them up, if they do not feel sufficiently bold to come out Sir George calls the force there, 36 of the Line, but I reckon upon no more than 33.—But admitting it to be 36—I should be happy to meet the Noble Count; with a Line of Battle of 33, had I the honor [[catchword]] of [[/catchword]]
