Samuel Mountbatten

Aye that it was! We take no offense to the words of scallywags, and quite honestly, it's refreshing seeing a pirate or privateer in these waters who can write! I left to sleep personally as I am in Europe so cannot say for sure. I have a feeling if I know my squadron made their way north when the opportunity presented itself and felt it would be a fruitless endeavor trying to defend those ports under strength through not only a heavy 25 ship invasion fleet, but the large fleet that would probable be roaming outside. Perhaps we'll have a few good whacks at each other again soon, hopefully we'll present each other with a fair challenge!

Sadly the French's assessment is correct, we are not at full strength in the Lesser Antilles but are here for the glory and challenge of service here and not to bring hordes of ships! It was masterful of you pirates to wait until we engaged and appear as if from nowhere right on top of us! Very skillful. As we are so few in the area trying to offer what help we are able we are forced to fight as economically as we can, so while the thought of retreat turns our stomachs and would rather fight ship to ship, we were forced to try and withdraw once your twenty five heavy ships appeared among ours unfortunately. Furthermore with even more brigand ships waiting outside the harbour, at least about forty I personally assumed, we were essentially blockaded in port for the night rather than 'rage quit'. In fact we had a blast! We enjoyed the surprise of the trap you sprung and the good old thrashing you, and we tried, to dish out as we left with haste! Thank you for scaring the willies out of our crews - making us feel alive and making us earn our pay! I will try to do more than tickling next time. We look forward to dispensing the King's justice with you.

You should consider joining the British and serving with the West Indies Squadron! We'd be happy to teach you and help you, a lot of your fellow american colonials as captains to get to know and serve at similar times. There's plenty of opportunity and action where we're stationed to help you level too!

It's good to see another Royal Society fellow! I would love to host you where I am currently based in Plymouth, show you around some of the local fauna and curiosities should you venture toward Montserrat. I'm afraid I am unable to join you on any expeditions directly as I am currently actively serving His Majesty in his West Indies Squadron but should I find myself pulling into new ports or resupplying I will keep an eye out for anything of interest to show the Society when I return to England.

Sir Samuel Hood, Might I pursue a line of inquiry as to why you feel sending British ships to capture Cuba and other territories not loyal to His Majesty when there are sovereign territories of The Crown being laid to ruin by other nations? The Royal Navy is not the French or Dutch navy. We pursue our duty with courage and steel! Need I remind you what happened to Admiral Byng who perhaps shared what was considered an over cautious command? Royal Navy commanders should be urging their ships to not only the Antillies, but the Bahamas and any of our King's territories and people that have been set upon by tyrants. Yours faithfully, Samuel Mountbatten

It's good to hear another Hampshire gentleman is making his way here, it will be good to share stories of the area we grew up in as we serve our King and Company.

I arrived a few days ago and have been fighting, mostly the Swedish, since I arrived with my fellow Gentlemen! Its all been rather exciting and would urge more captains to make the journey!

Dear West Indies Squadron Commander, I write to you in these troubled but terribly exciting times to offer my ship, crew and services to His Majesty's West Indies Squadron. I have served loyally and eagerly in the Home Fleet, being born in Southampton and raised close to Portsmouth the salt of the sea and commanding of men is in my blood! I yearn to learn more from my fellow servicemen and serve commendably within your squadron for my country and for His Majesty the King! I have recently arrived in this New World, awaitng the admiralty board to comission a more fittting ship and request permission to sail with you and your colours. Yours faithfully, Lord Samuel George Mountbatten