THE SERVICES OF LIEUT.-COLONEL FRANCIS DOWN MAN, R.A. 247 
wo bad a convincing proof of the tyrannous sway w T e are to expect. 
Have we been fighting to support Washington, to establish him an 
absolute tyrant ? He writes to Congress that he obtained a victory 
on the 28th of June. Congress obsequiously thanks him as the 
Senate did Tiberius. What was the victory? Being beaten back 
as often as we advanced, a few wounded men and officers unable to 
be removed are prisoners. It is a notorious falsehood Washington ! 
Adulatory, obedient Congress, born to be slaves ! Vile Senate ! 
Infatuated Americans ! Washington, the General, the man of honour 
and veracity can make you believe that black is white, victory defeat, 
that is, compel your grateful Congress to vote him thanks for nothing, 
and we deluded people must be gulled by it. Awake Americans! 
awake ! It is now you are losing your liberties. I appeal to every 
American officer, the General excepted, if this was a victory, and if 
any man was more active, or in a more dangerous situation than your 
real friend on that day,” 
(Sd). A Colonel in the Continental American Army. 
August 18th. —We are told by a vessel just arrived that eight sail of 
Comte d’ Estaing’s fleet, one of which is dismasted, are at anchor off 
Cape May (Delaware). Lord Howe with all his fleet are arrived at 
Sandy Hook. He had much better be looking out after the French¬ 
men. It will hardly be believed that 15 two-deckers, eight of that num¬ 
ber of the line, eight frigates, two bombs, three fire-ships, four galleys, 
and four armed sloops, all well manned, in great spirits, all Englishmen, 
and commanded by Lord H., should run away from a French fleet of 3 2 
line of battle-ships. Believed or not, Tis truth ! On Monday, the 
10th of August it happened off Rhode Island, on a very fine day, with 
a gentle breeze and smooth sea, and with ships that could sail faster 
than the enemy’s. From 9 o’clock in the morning till 8 o’clock at 
night did his Lordship bear the mortification of being driven by 
Frenchmen, and even on Tuesday, before the gale came on, the two 
fleets were together, and yet no fighting—tis wonderful ! tis passing 
strange !—and what excuse he can make for such unaccountable 
conduct is not easily to be comprehended. 
Since writing the above it appears that Lord Howe would un¬ 
doubtedly have engaged the French fleet on Monday, if he had been 
to windward, and as he could not attack them with any hope of 
success unless he had that advantage, he kept going on not doubting 
but he would have his wish in the morning following. He had 
hoisted his flag on board a frigate and prepared to engage when the 
gale came on and separated both fleets. A list of his Lordship’s fleet 
follows. 
Cornwall , 
Eagle , 
Trident, 64 
St. Albans 64 
Somerset 64 
Ardent 64 
Nonsuch 64 
74 guns 
64 „ 
Raisonahle, 
64 
guns 
Phoenix, 
44 
guns 
Preston, 
50 
)> 
Venus, 
36 
)) 
Isis , 
50 
}} 
Richmond 
32 
a 
Centurion 
50 
)) 
Pearl 
32 
)) 
Renown 
50 
)) 
Apollo 
32 
}) 
Experiment 50 
)) 
Vigilant 
20 
„ 24- 
Roebuck 
44 
i) 
Sphinx 
20 
)) 
