the Capitulation to the French in 1782. 35 
but fourteen 4-pounders. The Rodney had not more than 
half her complement of men, and only her 4-pounders 
were serviceable. It did not appear that there was any 
prospe6l of making a successful resistance. Were the 
ships to move higher up the River, that might have put 
off the evil day; but, in the doing of it, the French 
Commander might have found the occasion for ruining 
the English planters, as he had threatened. The 
. ..ion of burning the ships was most seriously 
considered. This would have been carried into execu- 
tion, had there been any place to retire to. The situation 
was such, however, that, having no iatrenching tools, the 
British crews must have starved in the woods. To burn 
their ships, and then go down to the enemy for pro- 
tedlion would, in the opinion of all, be highly dishonour- 
able and not reconcileable upon any principle or 
precedent they knew of. The Lieutenant Governor 
was very solicitous for the safety of the Colony. It 
was unanimously agreed that more could be got for 
the King's service, and for the Colonies, by negoti- 
ating terms, than by resistance to so vastly superior 
a force as that which had been brought against 
them. 
1st. of February. Early in the morning on the 1st of 
February, Lieutenant TUCKER of the Rodney was 
despatched with a Flag of Truce, and with joint 
proposals from Jhe Lieutenant Governor and the 
Commodore, to the Count DE K'SAINT. At 5 o'clock 
ternoon Lieutenant TUCKER returned. With him 
Vlag of Truce from Count DE K'SAINT, brought 
\scount de la Beaume Pleuvenel, Comman- 
Chien Chasse, the cutter, and by Monsieur 
E 2 
V 
