American privateering ventures in European waters increased markedly during the closing months of 1776. The spiralling number of captures being made by these "rebel pirates," and their use of French and Spanish ports, deepened the concern of government and the mercantile community in Britain. All was not one-sided, of course, and newspaper accounts from the port cities also told of American privateers being taken and of numerous prizes recaptured.

The Admiralty ordered more Royal Navy ships to anti-privateer patrol duty, and convoy coverage was extended. Naval officers registered not unfamiliar complaints about the difficulties they were experiencing getting masters to conform to convoy discipline, and preventing the merchant ships from wandering off on their own.

The eagerly awaited word of the success achieved by the King's arms at the Battle of Long Island was joyously received in Britain. And, no time was lost through diplomatic channels in attempting to exploit the victory as a sure indication that the revolution would soon be crushed. In effect, Britain was cautioning her continental neighbors that it would be folly to back a lost cause either openly or covertly.

Meanwhile in Paris, Silas Deane naturally played down the impact of the American defeat on Long Island as he continued to seek munitions and all forms of material assistance. He likewise prepared articles for a proposed United States alliance with France and Spain.

The Continental brig Reprisal, Captain Lambert Wickes, came to anchor in the Loire River with a distinguished passenger on board, Dr. Benjamin Franklin who would join Deane at Paris. Wide acclaim and equally wide speculation about the nature of his mission greeted Franklin's arrival in France.

Across the Channel, England was watching with intent interest the sizeable French fleet assembled at Brest. George III opened the Third Session of the Fourteenth Parliament, and the North Ministry asked that "45,000 seamen, including 10,129 marines, be employed" for the next year. To meet the manning needs of an expanding sea service, the Royal Navy put a massive impressment effort in motion.

News of the destruction of the American fleet at the Battle of Valcour Island on Lake Champlain was greeted with an elation tempered by realization that the action had come too late in the seaSon for Sir Guy Carleton to pursue his advantage this campaign.