e
chase of those which had been cut off, and which made sail in every
direction, that he might collect his squadron before dark, many of his
ships being at a great distance astern with the prizes. At daylight
next morning, the enemy's ships of war, twenty-one sail of the line,
were seen formed to leeward; but their force was so much superior,
that the admiral did not think it advisable to risk an action. The
captured ships consisted of twenty-one sail of transports, having on
board eleven thousand troops, besides their crews of seven thousand
seamen; the greatest part of which were taken by this squadron, and
the Agamemnon, which picked up five or six more.

It was now evident that the force under Count Guichen, destined to
assist Count de Grasse in the capture of the valuable island of
Jamaica; was much greater than had been supposed by the English
government; and, consequently, it became of the utmost importance to
give the earliest information of the approach of such a formidable
enemy to Sir Samuel Hood. Accordingly, Captain Saumarez, whose gallant
conduct and zeal had been so manifest, was selected for this service.
His men were returned to the Tisiphone from the captured ships; and he
was detached with orders to push past the French fleet, and make the
best of his way to Barbadoes, (see Appendix) where he arrived on the
28th of January; and finding the Pegasus, Captain John Stanhope, he
delivered his despatches, and received the following orders from that
officer:

You are hereby required and directed to proceed (without a
moment's loss of time) to the island of Antigua, where, on your
arrival off English Harbour, you are to send a boat in for
intelligence respecting Sir Samuel Hood and the fleet under his
command; which having received from the senior officer in that
port, you will proceed in search of the commander-in-chief, and
deliver him the despatches you are charged with from
Rear-admiral Kempenfelt, as also those you will receive
herewith.

Given on board his Majesty's ship Pegasus,
Carlisle Bay, this 28th Jan. 1782.

(Mem.) I recommend that particular attention may be paid to
keep well to windward of the French islands.

Signed JOHN STANHOPE.

To Captain Saumarez, H.M. fire-ship Tisiphone.

In pursuance of these orders, Captain Saumarez sailed from Barbadoes
on the 28th of January. In the mean time, the Comte de Grasse, who had
been beating to windw