Special Collections, John D. Rockefeller Jr. Library, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation

Marquis de Vaudreuil letter to flag officer commanding the French squadron, 1783 February 12

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Marquis de Vaudreuil letter to flag officer commanding the French squadron, 1783 February 12

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Letter from the Marquis de Vaudreuil from Porto Cabello. Vaudreuil writes that his crossing took fifty days and the ships suffered considerably. The Bourgogne was lost when it struck a sand bar. The troops under Rochambeau have embarked on the vessels and frigates. The Spanish squadron has not yet arrived at the rendezvous. Admiral Hood has sailed with 17 ships of the line and Vaudreuil believes him to be near Jamaica.

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[English Translation]

Porto Cabello, Caraque Coast
on board the Triomphant
12 February 1783

I have the honor to inform you, Sir, that I arrived day before yesterday in this port with the King's Squadron after a crossing of 50 days since my departure from Boston. The Couronne and Neptune not having been able to overcome the violence of the currents and the wind which took place last week, have put into port at Curacao. The Souverain, the Citoyen, the Hercule, and the Northumberland survived in order to enter. We had the misfortune to loose the ship the Bourgogne which ran aground on a high bottom in the night of the 3rd to the 4th of this month about 40 leagues from here. I do not know the number of people who perished in wanting to gain land. I am assured that near to 200 of which 4 Officers of the Navy and 4 Officers of the land troops were drowned. M. de Champmartin who commanded is saved.

All the vessels suffered greatly in many gusts of wind which tried us. The Auguste has its bowsprit snapped, the Couronne its main-yard snapped and out of service, the Pluton its bow smashed, the Neptune's rudder to rebuild and almost all broke the topmast.

The body of troops which was in North America under the orders of Mr. le Cte. de Rochambeau embarked on vessels and figates. There are Bourbonnais, Saintonge, Soissonnais, Deux Ponts Regiments, 350 artillery men and 20 campaign pieces forming with troops which I had taken at the Cape about 5000 men disembarking commanded by M. le Baron de Viomenil, There is no sickness on the Squadron.

Don Solano's squadron has not yet arrived at the rendezvous. I received a letter here from that general who informs me, the 18 November, that the Commanding General of the Island of Cuba, believing himself in danger of being attacked, had requested to stay some more time, but that he would put under sail as soon as that island would be safe.

At the time of my passage between Porto Rico and St. Dominque, Admiral Hood cruised with 17 line vessels and many frigates from Samana to Monte Cristo. He has since approached the Cape and I believe that he must be presently in Jamaica to take water there of which he must have need, because his cruise was long.

If the combined forces must carry themselves to leeward, they could touch at Porto Cabello; the roadstead can contain the largest army, but the resources are nil in the city with exceptio nof little animals of which a great quantity can be procured. The only victuals of which I have need for the moment are vegetables because I seized several merchant convoy ships which were in port at Porto Rico, but the rigging, the ropes especially in current manoeuvers, thread and cloth I lack totally; our sails are in the worst condition. I informed the Commander of the Convoy who is in Martinique to dispatch me ships which are loaded with it. Would you like, Sir, to send me the packets from the Court which I am bound to receive here.

I have the honor to be with a respectful attachment,
Sir,
Your most obedient servant
the Marquis de Vaudreuil

Permit me, Sir, to address to you the letter joined here for M. le Marquis de Bouillé.

Original Format

Ink on paper

Citation

Vaudreuil, Louis Philippe de Rigaud, marquis de, 1724-1802, “Marquis de Vaudreuil letter to flag officer commanding the French squadron, 1783 February 12,” Special Collections, John D. Rockefeller Jr. Library, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, accessed March 28, 2024, https://cwfjdrlsc.omeka.net/items/show/115.
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