When was it published?

February 5, 1780 in The Virginia Gazette

Foreign News February 5, 1780

The Virginia Gazette

Q: What sub-type of article is it?

Trade Or Commerce, Naval Affairs, Colonial Affairs

Q: What keywords are associated?

West India Trade, Jamaica Fleet, Naval Convoy, Lord George Germain, France Spain Naval Power, Martinique Blockade

Richmond, Williamsburg, Richmond County, Virginia

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What is this article about?

West India merchants met Lord George Germain to discuss the insecure Jamaica fleet of over 100 ships, protected only by one ship of the line and two frigates. Germain expressed regret over lost naval superiority in the Atlantic due to France and Spain's growing power after abandoning the Martinique blockade by d'Estaing.

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OCR Quality

95% Excellent

Full Text

A few days since several West India merchants waited upon Lord George Germain. They laid before his Lordship the precarious state of the West India trade, and the insecurity of the Jamaica fleet, which consisted of above 100 sail which had no other convoy than one ship of the line and two frigates. His Lordship heard them with great composure, and assured them he was extremely sorry that he had no longer power to assist them; that the superiority of the flag being lost in the Atlantic could not be easily regained that the increasing naval power of France and Spain, owing to the forsaking the blockade of D'Estaing Martinique, was a very alarming circumstance, could not, in the present state of things

What sub-type of article is it?

Trade Or Commerce Naval Affairs Colonial Affairs

What keywords are associated?

West India Trade Jamaica Fleet Naval Convoy Lord George Germain France Spain Naval Power Martinique Blockade

What entities or persons were involved?

Lord George Germain D'estaing

Where did it happen?

West India

Foreign News Details

Primary Location

West India

Event Date

A Few Days Since

Key Persons

Lord George Germain D'estaing

Outcome

lord germain assured merchants he had no power to assist due to lost naval superiority in the atlantic and increasing power of france and spain after abandoning the martinique blockade.

Event Details

West India merchants informed Lord George Germain of the precarious West India trade and insecure Jamaica fleet of over 100 ships with minimal convoy. Germain expressed sorrow and inability to help, citing lost British naval superiority and the alarming growth of French and Spanish naval power following the end of d'Estaing's Martinique blockade.