The America and Pearl returned to England with some of the Caracca prizes. The Edgar and Porcupine were left at Gibraltar. The Sandwich, Ajax, Montagu, and Terrible, with the Convert and Pegasus, proceeded to the West Indies with Sir George Rodney. Lift of the Caracca Fleet taken by Admiral Rodney. Merchant Ships, laden with Flour, Wheat, Naval Stores, Anchors, Nof. Sen. de L'Oves. San Francisco. Cables and Tobacco. La Conceptione. San Nicholas. San Jeronimo. San Lauren. La Providentia. Le Cidada de Mercia. Note 196. Lift of the Spanish Fleet under Rear Admiral Don Juan de Langara. 70 600 70 600 San Genaro, 70 600 70 600 San Lorenzo, 70 600 70 600 Monarca, 70 Princeffa, 70 Diligente, Santa Gertrudie, 26 250 28 250 600 600 70 600 Don Felix Terada. Marquis de Medina. Don Ignatio Mendezabel. Return of the Killed and Wounded on board the British Fleet. Ships. Ajax, Fore top maft 6 fhot away, 4 gs. Alcide, difmounted. O {Main top gall. away. Main top maft fhot away. Mizen mast Bienfaifant, ofhot away. mafts & yards much damaged. Total, Officers Killed and Wounded. Edgar, Lieut. Cha. Henry Strachan of the Marines, killed. Ajax, Lieut. Forreft, wounded, fince dead. Terrible, the Mafter wounded. Note 197. Captain Macbride's Letter, Jan. 18, 1780. "The fmall-pox being on board of his Majefty's fhip Bienfaifant (of a malignant kind) the feelings of a British officer cannot allow him to introduce an infection even amongst his enemies. From this confideration, and the very gallant defence made by Admiral Langara, and his officers, Captain Macbride consents that neither officers nor men shall be removed from the Phoenix, taken by his Britannic Majefty's fhips Defence and Bienfaisant :-Admiral Langara being refponsible for the conduct of his officers and men; and in cafe that we fall in with any Spanish or French fhips of war, he will not fuffer Lieutenant Thomas Louis, his officer, to be interrupted in conducting and defending the ship to the last extremity, agreeable to his orders. And if, meeting with fuperior force, the fhip fhould be retaken, and the Bienfaifant fight her way clear, Admiral Don Juan de Langara, his officers and men, are to hold themselves prifoners of war to Captain Macbride, upon their parole of honour (which he is confident with Spanish officers is ever facred.) Likewife, if the Bienfaisant should be taken, and the Phoenix escape, the Admiral Don Juan de Langara, his officers, &c. will no longer be prifoners, but freed immediately. In short, they are to follow the fate of the Bienfaifant. (Signed) JOHN MACBRIDE. Note 198. Correspondence between Admiral Rodney and Don Langara. Admiral Rodney prefents his compliments to Don Juan de Langara, and will have great pleasure in complying with his defire relative to the release of the three friars belonging to the Capuchins miffion, for the province of Cumanna, if those friars are in the fleet. The Admiral, whofe inclination is ever to alleviate the misfortunes of war, by fhewing every refpect and attention to thofe brave men who have done their duty to their King and country, is under the neceffity of informing Don Juan de Langara, that the release of himself and the Spanish officers intirely depends upon Spain's immediately releafing all the British prisoners now in her power. an equal number of prisoners will be returned for thofe fent by Spain. Humanity obliges the Admiral to offer thofe prifoners who are now fick, if they may be received by the Spanish General; but this fhall be the last time, unless an exchange takes place. Answer. And Don Juan de Langara prefents his refpects to his Excellency Admiral Rodney, and returns thanks for his offer of releafing the three ecclefiaftics, whofe Prefident's memorial was tranfmitted to him. He obferves what his Excellency fays refpecting the Spanish officers release; also what relates to the fick, on which fubject he can only inform his Excellency, (as he has done before through Admiral Digby) that he has written to Spain, communicating what was imparted to him by that gentleman, and believes he will very shortly have an answer, of which he will give notice to his Excellency. The Spanish General again repeats his refpects to his Excellency Admiral Rodney. Note 199. Lift of the Ruffian Fleet put in commiffion to join the Armed Neutrality. Squadron reported to be defined for the Mediterranean. St Panteleimon, St Nicholas, 74 64 550 Squadron reported to be defined to cruize in the North Seas: S Rear Admiral Kruse. 575 2 Capt. Chev. Burke-Irish. Chev. Dugdale-English. St Squadron reported to be defined to cruize on the coast of Portugal. On the 25th of August 1781, the following Ruffian Squadron arrived Notes 200 and 201. Papers relating to the Armed Neutrality. (See end of the Appendix.) Note 202. Lift of the Navy of the States General of the United Provinces, in Commiffion 1st January 1781. |