table, virtuous, and well-beloved
subjects, we recommend you to the Divine protection.

"Your affectionate friend,
"G. PR. D'ORANGE."

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