I 6/1/1797.





THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF TRINIDAD
AND TOBAGO.


Publication No. 275.


Sir Ralph Abercromby to the Secretary of State.

Source :-Public Record Office. State Papers Colonial.
C.O. 319/6.
Published by the courtesy of the Master of the Rolls and the
Deputy Keeper of the Public Records.

BARBADOS,
16th January, 1797.
SUMMARY.
Sir Ralph Abercromby reports that he arrived at Barbados
on the i6th January but necessity of being near the Admiral
in command of the Naval Forces has induced him to fix his
Headquarters at Fort Royal in Martinique.
The great sickness which has prevailed in the Colonies
since the month of August has reduced His Majesty's forces
beyond calculation. The mortality in Grenada and St. Lucia
has nearly annihilated six British battalions. There does not
however appear to have been any neglect in the hospitals.
Notwithstanding the exertions of Brigadier General Moore,
St. Lucia still continues in an unsettled state and a detachment
of one of the black corps has been cut off there since his
arrival.
Major General Hunter has removed nearly the whole of
the Caribs amounting to about 3,500 to Baliseau and the
Admiral is preparing shipping to convey them to Ruatan.
Sir Ralph Abercromby intimates his wish to collect a
sufficient force to dislodge the enemy from Trinidad which is
the only post from which he is apprehensive of an attack,
before they have an opportunity of acting offensively.
Victor Hugues has been unsuccessful in his attempts to
annoy the trade during the hurricane months and Sir Ralph
has no reason to expect any serious attempts from that quarter.