Duplicate
Number 70.
Eagle Sandy Hook
July the 26th: 1778.
Sir,
I wrote by the Grantham Packet to advise You, for the Information of the Lords Commissioners, that the Army returning from Philadelphia, was moved from the Jersey Shore for New York on the 5th. Instant. That on the 29th: preceding, in my Passage from the Delaware,1 I received your Dispatch of the 3d: of May, respecting the Force and Destination of the Toulon Squadron, and Appointment of Vice Admiral Byron with the Ships of His Majesty's Fleet under his Command for Halifax; And that I was thereupon preparing those with me here, in readiness for being employed as Circumstances might require.
By this Opportunity you will receive the farther Reports of my Proceedings sent subsequent to the 6th. Instant,2 the Date of my first Letter,3 by the Grantham Packet and a later Conveyance.
I have to add, that on the 22d. in the Morning, the Enemy weighed and stood from before this Port to the Southward, with the Wind to the Eastward, Followed by the Advice-Boats which I had stationed without them. They were left the 23d: in the Morning in the Latitude of the Delaware and about thirty Leagues from the Land, steering by the Wind at least, on the Larboard Tack.
The Weather having been very favorable the last three Days for prosecuting an Attempt to Force the Entrance of this Port, and the Toulon Squadron not appearing on this Part of the Coast, I conclude the French Commander has desisted from the Purpose he is reported to have declared, to that Effect; But his further Intentions are not yet sufficiently apparent, for enabling me to form any decisive Opinion on the immediate Object of them. I have not therefore seen Cause to make any change in my former Requisitions left for Vice Admiral Byron to join me here as early as he is able; And must still postpone any positive Resolution on the Part it may be expedient for me to take in the mean Time, with the Force assembled at this Port.
On the 25th. Instant the Dispatch,4 sent for Halifax the 10th:, returned with Letters from Captain Feildings of the 19th;; By which I learn that no Intelligence has been received of the Arrival of Vice Admiral Byron in these Seas.
Captain Feilding, on the most laudable Motives, ordered away the Centurion6 and Raisonable7 from that Station, to strengthen the Squadron here, as soon as he heard of the Appearance of the Enemy on this Coast. The two Ships are not yet arrived; But from the last observed Position of the French Squadron, and Easterly Winds since prevailing, I flatter myself they will escape to the Northward of the Enemy, and may be daily expected at the Hook.
The Renown,8 which had been appointed to conduct the West-India Convoy to the Latitude of 31°, and 61° Longitude, came in here from Antigua the same Evening with the Dispatch.
Judging the safe Arrival of Letters in England by the Packets, at this Time more especially, to be very uncertain, most of those Vessels proving as ill adapted for fast-sailing as Defence; And being yet unable consistently to detach any Frigates from this Squadron fit for such expeditious Service; I have forwarded Duplicates of the Information9 now transmitted by the Hannah Armed Vessel,10 engaged for the Occasion on the Terms stated in the enclosed Agreement, which I am to hope will meet with their Lordship's Concurrence. I am, with great Consideration, Sir, [&c.]