impressed on them by one whom they looked upon as unfitted for such a command, in consequence of long habits of life in peace, among people of fashion in France and England, it so happened that during other six days and nights, in turning in the face of the enemy, with a view to bringing them to a decisive action, no fleet could make a finer display of obedience and seamanship. During these six days, the enemy kept their wind so strenuously, that they could not be reached except by indecisive actions on the 15th and 19th of that month, insomuch that the fruitless pursuit was given up; and the fleet being in want of repair, refreshment, and proper treatment of the sick and wounded, steered for Barbadoes on the 20th.

Before submitting to the reader the correspondence of Sir George Rodney relative to his encounters with the French fleet under Count de Guichen, it will be proper to state, that on the Admiral's arrival at Barbadoes, from Gibraltar, he could obtain no information respecting the fleet under the command of Rear-Admiral Parker, that officer having neglected to station any frigates or small

vessels to look out for him. This unexpected, and, as it happened, unlucky circumstance, both embarrassed and chagrined him exceedingly. He joined him at length at St. Lucie, and took upon himself the command of his Majesty's fleet in those seas.

'Inclosed I have the honour to transmit for 'their Lordships' inspection, the copy of an 'order I gave Captain Uvedale, to employ 'his Majesty's ships during the time I re'mained at Barbadoes, uncertain where to find the fleet. Just before the information was received upon which the order was founded, I had been carried very ill on shore; and as whatever success might attend the ships being sent depended on 'despatch, I ordered the senior captain instantly to proceed on a service I thought might turn out of great public utility.

'I flatter myself, that if the Alert had been

ordered to have left a duplicate of the in

'telligence he brought to Mr. Parker of the departure of the armament from Brest for 'me at Barbadoes (from which island he 'sailed two days before my arrival), or I had 'found a rendezvous or intelligence where his Majesty's fleet in these seas were employed, I should have joined Mr. Parker ' time enough to have prevented the junction ' of the above armament with the ships at • Port Royal.

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"Barbadoes, 20th March, 1780.

By Sir George Brydges Rodney, "Rear-Admiral of the White, and Commander-in-Chief, &c. &c.

"You are hereby required and directed to "proceed with the ships named in the margin* (whose captains have my orders to I put themselves under your command), and proceed without a moment's loss of time to "the north of this island; and to stretch from "thence into the latitude of Guadaloupe; "between which latitudes you are to cruise "for five days, in such manner as from circumstances you shall judge most likely to

Ajax, Sandwich, Montagu, Terrible, Intrepid, and Alert.

"enable you to intercept a large convoy of transports, with French troops on board, "which I have reason, from very good in

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telligence, to suppose are almost hourly expected to arrive at Martinique, under the convoy of four men-of-war; but notwith

standing this intelligence, should you find "this convoy to be under a force too superior

for you to attack with prudence, you are to "avail yourself of that superiority of sailing, "which all the ships under your command, being sheathed with copper, and your own

judgment, will give you, to draw the enemy "down towards Rear-Admiral Parker, whom "I have reason to expect you will find cruising "to windward of that island; detaching the "smallest vessel under your command, if possible, to find out, and previously to acquaint "him with your situation.

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"At the expiration of which time, or sooner, should you be undoubtedly in"formed that the said convoy is got in, you

"are to rejoin me in this bay.

"To Captain Uvedale, "His Majesty's ship, Ajax."

'FROM GENERAL VAUGHAN.

'St. Lucia, April 25th, 1780.

[EXTRACT.]

Intelligence having been received of the French fleet mooring from Fort Royal, Sir George Rodney immediately put to sea; and as openings might offer of viewing the enemy's islands, affording the troops such support ' as they might require, or of contributing in any measure to the service, I accompanied ' him in the Sandwich, which bore the most distinguished share in the action that hap'pened on the 17th instant. No ship could have been led on with more gallantry; nor 'do the annals of the navy record a greater 'character than Sir George supported, in setting the noblest of examples: but to attempt his praise would be detracting from his merit, which surpasses applause.

'Your Lordship will allow me to add, that 'the height of my ambition will be the opportunity of promoting his Majesty's service, 'to which all my endeavours shall be exerted.

'To Lord George Germaine.'