Admiralty, 22nd July 1777.
[Extract]
. . .I am of opinion the American fleet2 will cruise in small squads of sufficient strength to overmatch our single cruising frigates, first about the coast of Newfoundland to do all the mischief they can, then will look out for the West India convoys. If they divide as I have supposed, there is a chance for the Raisonable to fall in with some of them; and on hearing of the numbers in that neighbourhood, I hope Captain Fitzherbert will join Admiral Montagu rather than Lord Howe. From Mr Montagu's letter, I conclude Lord Howe will send some ships to him: in the meantime, I am in fear for his single cruisers, and when reinforcements arrive the enemy will be gone. The escape of so many privateers of force from so great a fleet as we have in America to watch them, and the taking of the Fox, is very mortifying and disgraceful. The account of taking the Fox is not particular enough to form an opinion upon it. I hope the Romney and Pegasus would go out.
From Mr Eden's intelligence and Conyngham's vessel's sailing, I still continue to doubt the sincerity of the professions of the Court of France: and that the orders which they pretend to issue are merely to deceive in order to begin the war with the greatest possible advantage; and which may succeed if our only security at home (which consists in our great ships) are to be dispersed to the other side of the Atlantic after flying squadrons of privateers, whilst so large a fleet of frigates and line of battle ships remain moored in the ports in America or employed only to secure and support an army who it seems cannot support itself. Should not Lord Howe be directed to dispatch ships after such fleets of armed American vessels? For if we are to disperse our home guard after every squadron of privateers in distant parts, whilst the fleets of France and Spain are armed, we certainly shall not be safe at home.
I am exceedingly surprised and alarmed at the great number of Carron guns remaining in the fleet so long after they have been taken out of the army and garrison service.3. . .
