Chapter XXV: Appendix: E

BY RICHD. KEMPENFELT, REAR-ADMIRAL OF THE BLUE.

"You are with the utmost despatch to proceed with his Majesty's ship under your command to Barbadoes, and if any ships-of-war are there, you are to deliver to the senior officer one of those letters addressed to the commander of any of his Majesty's ships, acquainting him that you have one to the same purpose to the commander-in-chief, following such directions as he may think proper to give you.

"If none of his Majesty's ships should be at Barbadoes, you are then to inform yourself where the commander-in-chief is, and proceed with all diligence in quest of him.

"You are carefully to avoid coming near any vessel you may see on your passage.

"You are to communicate to all King's ships you meet with, or others of our nation, as also to all governors of islands you may touch at, the intelligence you are charged with, in order to its being as speedily and generally dispersed as possible.

"RICHD. KEMPENFELT. "Dated on board his Majesty's ship Victory, "at sea, 15th December 1781.

"To Capt. Saumarez, H.M.S. Tisiphone."

(CIRCULAR LETTER.)

"SIR,--Having fallen in on the 12th instant (Ashurst bearing N. sixty-one degrees E. distance fifty-three leagues) with a squadron of the enemy's ships-of-war with about two hundred transports, having on board 12,000 troops, 10,000 of which, the prisoners I have taken inform me are designed for the West Indies, with such ships of the line as are marked in the enclosed list, I have therefore thought it expedient to despatch this intelligence to you. I am, sir, your obedient servant,

"R. Kempenfelt."

"To the senior Officer," &c.

List of ships of the line with the French convoy (agreeing with Admiralty intelligence).

Guns.
La Bretagne 110 Capt. Mons. Le Comte de Guichen.
L'Invincible 110.
Le Majestueux 110 " Mons. Le Comte de Rochoin.
Le Royal Louis 112 " Mons. de Bausset.
Le Terrible 110.
La Couronne 84 " Mons. de la Mothe Piquet.
Go as far as Madeira, then to Cadiz.

Le Triomphant 84 Capt. Le Marquis de Vaudreuil.
Le Pegase 74.
Le Magnifique 74.
L'Actif 74.
Le Dauphin Royal 70.
Le Bien-Aime 74.
Le Zodiaque 74.
Le Brave 64.
Le Robuste 74.
To separate off Madeira with convoy for the West Indies.

Le Fendant 74.
L'Argonaute 64.
Le Hardi } Jamaica fleet.
L'Alexandre }
Bound to the East Indies with 3,000 troops.

Le Lion 64.
L'Indien 64.
To go to Cadiz with de Guichen.