Falmouth June 2d 1778
Copy Sir
I am just arrived here with His Majestys Ship Proserpine, and in consequence of orders received from Admiral Duff1 have sent an Express to acquaint their Lordships with the sailing of the Toulon Fleet which passed Gibraltar on the 16th of May towards the Evening and came within two miles of the Proserpine as she was cruizing between Ceuta and Gibraltar, when we could plainly perceive the Fleet consisted of 13 ships of the Line (and appeared to be chiefly seventy fours) with five or six Frigates. After observing them for some time we went into Gibraltar Bay to inform Admiral Duff of their Force. On the 17th we got close up to them in the night so as to see their lights and Ships very clear, it was evident they steerd West or West ½ South, and had continued that course the whole day going 8 or 9 miles an hour. In the morning of the 18th we saw 18 sail from the Deck steering about West ½ South (much the same they had done from leaving the Straits) we kept with them til Seven o’clock and there passed in the Latitude 34°..42’ and Longitude 9°..31’ West. From the regular course the Fleet steered and the great press of sail they carried I cannot help supposing their point to the West Indies, but had they any inclination to return from where we left them and to cruize off cape St. Vincents the wind prevailing to the Northward would prevent their interrupting any reinforcement destined to Gibraltar; and it is natural to imagine from the great haste they were in that their intentions are for making a passage, after having well observed how strictly the Fleet continued their course I thought it most adviseable to remain no longer with them but make the greatest expedition for England agreeable to my orders—I am &c
Evelyn Sutton
I intend sailing for Portsmh tomorrow morning if the wind will let me
Copy, UkLPR, S.P. (Naval) 42/52, fols. 330–31. Docketed: “Copy of a Letter from Capt./Sutton dated Falmouth 3 June/1778.”
1. Vice Admiral Robert Duff.