ortunity of engaging him next day. With that view I
threw out the signal for the form of sailing, and stood with the whole
fleet to the southward till two in the morning, then tacked, and had
the happiness, at day-light, to find my most sanguine desire was near
being accomplished, by my having it in my power to force the enemy to
battle."

Note from Lord Rodney's narrative contained in a private letter.

"The 10th of April and the 11th were employed in endeavouring to bring
the enemy to battle, and on the 11th, late in the afternoon, the enemy
bore down to protect two of their own ships, who were in danger of
being cut off. This brought them to the position the Admiral wished;
he instantly issued orders to sail during the night in the order of
sailing; to put out all lights; to stand to the southward till two in
the morning, and then the whole fleet to tack without signal. This
deceived the enemy, who had no conception that the British fleet
should be so near them at day-light: we instantly formed the line of
battle on our starboard tack, the enemy formed theirs on the larboard
tack, and had made the signal to wear; but the nearness of the British
squadron prevented its being put into execution; and the British fleet
taking the lee gage, the Admiral made the signal to engage and close."

List of the French fleet commanded by the Comte de Grasse in order of
battle 9th and 12th April, 1782.

WHITE AND BLUE SQUADRON.

_First Division Flag, half White half Blue at the Fore._

Ships. Guns.
Le Souverain 74 Le Commandeur de Glandive.
L'Hercule 74 " La Clochetterie.
L'Auguste 80 " Bougainville.
Le Northumberland 74 " De Saint Cezaire.

_Second Division, half White half Blue at the Main._

Le Zele[21] 74 Chev. Gras. Preville.
Le Duc de Bourgogne 80 Commandeur Espinose.
Le Conquerant 74 " De la Grandiere.
Le Marseillois 74 " Lombard.

[21] Disabled on the night of the 11th, and returned to
Guadaloupe.

_Third Division, half White half Blue at the Mizen._

L'Hector[22] 74 Com. La Vicomte.
Le Cesar[22] 74 " Marigny.
Le Magnanime 74 " Comte le Besgue.
Le Diademe 74.

WHITE SQUADRON.

_Fourth Division, White at the Fore._

Le Glorieux[22] 74 Com. Comte d'Escar.
L'Eveille[22] 64 " Rilly.
Le Scep