Copy of a memorandum by Rear-Adm. Sir Samuel Hood, Rear-Adm. Thomas Graves and Rear-Adm. Francis S. Drake reporting the decision reached at a 'Council of War' that, in view of the French fleet being at anchor in the Chesapeake and the consequent inability of the British fleet to give 'any effectual succour' to Gen. Earl Cornwallis, the British squadron should immediately proceed to New York and put the squadron 'in the best state for service'.
The aim of Transcribe Georgian Papers is to produce useable text documents of the manuscript materials and not critical editions. Please be aware this document may contain errors in the transcription.
Found an error? Please report errors and issues in the transcription to transcribegpp@wm.edu.
At a Council of War held on board His Majesty’s Ship London at Seathe 13th Septr 1781 upon a report received from Captain Duncan of His Majesty’s Ship Medea, that they had seen the Evening before, the French Fleet at Anchor off the Horse Shoe Shoal in the Chesapeak, that the large Ships appeared more numerous, and to be in Divisions, but that it was too late to get near enough to form a clear Judgement Upon this state of the position of the Enemy, the present Conditions of the British Fleet, the season of the Year so near the Equinox, and the impracticability of giving any effectual succour to General Earl Cornwallis in the Chesapeak It was resolved, that the British Squadron under the Command of Thomas Graves Esqr. Rear Admiral of the Red, Sir Samuel Hood Bart: and Francis Samuel Drake Esqr Rear Admirals of the Blue should proceed with all possible dispatch to New York, and there use every possible means for putting the Squadron in the best state for service, provided that Capt Duncan who is gone again to reconnoiter should confirm his report of the position of the Enemy, and that the Fleet should in the mean time facilitate the Junction of the Medea (Signed) Thos. Graves, Saml Hood, Fra: S: Drake A Copy
