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The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser
Portsmouth, Exeter, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
Report from Martinico Gazette on French Brest squadron sailing December 4, 1781, with 10 ships of the line and 7,000 troops, expected to join Spanish fleet at Cadiz by mid-December, forming a 50-sail armada under d'Estaing, Barras, and Buffet, set to depart by December 20 with 20,000 troops, ignoring peace talks to strengthen bargaining position.
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ST. PIERRE, January 15, 1782.
The Brest squadron sailed the 4th of December. it consisted of 10 ships of the line, and a considerable number of merchant and transport vessels, having on board 7000 regular troops: it was supposed they would reach Cadiz about the 10th or 12th of December, the combined fleet would then consist of about 50 sail of the line, under the command of the Vice Admiral Comte d'Estaing, the Comte de Barras, and the Comte de Buffet.
It was the general opinion that this fleet would be ready to leave Cadiz by the 20th of December, having on board nigh 20,000 regular troops; and that they would nevertheless put to sea without regarding the negotiations for peace: for which they assigned this reason, that the expenses of fitting out this expedition being already incurred, it was a matter of indifference whether the provisions should be made use of at anchor or at sea; and that this fleet becoming more formidable the instant they put to sea, would contribute to render the terms of peace more advantageous to us, and would also accelerate the same.
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Where did it happen?
Foreign News Details
Primary Location
Cadiz
Event Date
4th Of December 1781 To 20th Of December 1781
Key Persons
Outcome
combined fleet of 50 sail of the line with nearly 20,000 troops to sail despite peace negotiations to improve terms.
Event Details
Brest squadron of 10 ships of the line and transports with 7,000 troops sailed December 4, expected at Cadiz by December 10-12 to join for a fleet under d'Estaing, Barras, and Buffet, ready to depart by December 20 with 20,000 troops, proceeding regardless of peace talks as costs are sunk and sailing strengthens position.