Newport [R.I.] July 20h. 1778
Sir
By the Tryon Armed Brig1 we have an Accot. of the Arrival of the French Fleet at Sandy Hook. Every Precaution shall be taken to prevent their distressing this Post should they think of making us a visit before the Arrival of Admiral Byron2 on the Coast. The Hope Sloop of War3 arrived here yesterday from Halifax with a Convoy, part of which have fallen into the Rebels hands, Two Sloops with Coals for this Garrison are taken.4 The Hope left Halifax five weeks ago; by a Letter from Capt. Fitzherbert5 dated 11th. June, we learn, that some weeks before, a Ship from London arrived there with several large Packets for Admiral Byron. General Massey6 was fortifying the entrance of the Harbour....
Rt. Pigot7
L, MIU-C, Sir Henry Clinton Papers. Addressed below close: “Genl. Sr. Henry Clinton." Docketed: “G. Pigot.”
1. Loyalist privateer brig Tryon, Capt. George Sibbles, commander.
2. Vice Adm. John Byron whose fleet was expected daily.
3. H.M. brig-rigged sloop-of-war Hope, Comdr. Joseph Browne.
4. One of the sloops taken was Success, John Fish, master. See The Providence Gazette; and Country Journal, Saturday, July 18, above.
5. Capt. Thomas Fitzherbert, commanding H.M.S. Raisonable.
6. Maj. Gen. Eyre Massey, commanding the garrison at Halifax. For more on fortifying Halifax harbor, see Minutes of the Executive Council of Nova Scotia, 11 July, above.
7. Pigot (1720–1796) became 2d Baron Pigot (Irish Peerage) of Patshull, Staffordshire, in 1777 on the death of his brother, George, in India. Valentine, The British Establishment 2: 702-4. It is unclear when he learned of his succession and assumed the title.
