Vice Admiral Viscount Howe to Rear Admiral Samuel Barrington, July 29, 1778

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Eagle Sandy Hook [N.J.] July the 29^th. 1778.

Sir,

Deeming the safe Conveyance of this Letter to be uncertain, I confine what I have now to communicate regarding the Succours You are most probably prepared to expect from this Station,¹ to the Notice, that in the present State of the Force here, compared with the Strength of the Toulon Squadron in these Seas, I am obliged to postpone the Arrangement for the appointed Aid to a future Opportunity; Of which You will be further in due Time advised. I have the Honour to be, Sir [&c.]

(Signed) Howe

A true Copy

Sam^l: Barrington

Copy, UkLPR, Adm. 1/310. Addressed at foot: “Honble Sam^l. Barrington/Rear Admiral &c^a. &c^a.—/Antigua." Docketed: “N^o. 8./Dup/In Adm^l. Barrington's/Letter N^o 17—." This copy was enclosed in Barrington's letter to Secretary of the Admiralty Philip Stephens, 25 Sep. 1778.

1. According to orders from the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to Howe of 21 Mar. 1778, he was to send 13 ships as reinforcements to Barbados. Howe did have the latitude to retain those ships should a French naval force arrive "on any part of the Coast or in any of the Ports of North America, within the Limits of your Command," NDAR 11: 1104.

Document Information

Date

1778 July 29

Volume

Volume 13

Series

American Theater, June 1 to August 15, 1778