Jean Baptiste de Ternant to John Jay, 26 February 1780
havanna february the 26 th . 1780
Sir,
I take the opportunity of the packet to drop you a few lines about the subject of my mission here, & the situation of affairs in the sothn States . . .–on the 17 th . of decemb r . last, upon an application from the Chev r . dela Luzerne, indicating the views of his C a . Majesty upon the floridas, & requesting the concurrence of the confederal forces; Congress resolved, to empower the commander in chief of the Sothn Dep t . to correspond, concert, agree upon, & execute with the Governor of havana or any other person or persons duly authorized by his Cath c . Maj y . such plans as might be best calculated, for the reduction of the enemy in Georgia, & afterwards the conquest of East florida by the confederal forces & Spanish forces in conjunction. .– 1 Posterior to that resolution 120 vessels of transports sailed from N w . York, under the convoy of eight Ships of the line from 74 to 40 cannon & two frigates commanded by Arbuthnot. . . . Part of that fleet appeared on the coast off S th . Carolina about the 20 th of January & greatly alarmed the people of that country. . . .– The eminent danger which threatened the Charlestown & the State of S. C a . & the necessity of procuring a speedy assistance & adjusting matters, agreable to the intentions of Congress have determined General Lincoln the Governor & Council, to dispatch me to havana where I arrived safe the day before yesterday.
I found to my great disappointment the Governor 2 utterly ignorant of any intended operation in conjunction with the americans against the floridas.– It is true, he has not received any thing officially about it neither from Philadelphia nor from Europe, & expects every moment to hear from both places. .–he otherwise, seems to be well disposed, but has not it in his power to afford us the assistance I applied for, the naval & land force at present in this harbour being hardly Sufficient for the defence of the Island, If especially if Count d–Estaing is returned to Europe–
But the Congress did not come to that resolution, without having been notified of the real intentions of spain, the Governor & I, hope that a proper reinforcement of naval & land forces will soon arrive into this place & enable him to act vigorously with us against the common enemy.
In order to derive the greatest advantage possible from our combined forces, I am now digesting a plan of offensive operations founded upon the knowledge I have acquired of the seat of war, the number of the enemy & our present & future resources–. I shall leave that plan with the Governor, who will improve or modify it, according to the means supplied him by Spain.
As my stay here would be of no further use to the public, I have determined to return imediately–
When I left Charlestown, the number of the enemy with their last reinforcement amounted to about 5000 men–but we expected great reinforcements from the Northward– The Whole Virginia & N. C a lines, were ordered to join the sthn army in decembr.– The State of N. C a . had likewise voted, 3000 militia as an addition to our force. The assembly of S. C a . had just met, & every body seemed disposed to make the greatest exertions.–300 negroes were dayly employed in improving the fortification & every pain was taken for the defense of the harbour. .– I left in the port, four continental frigates of 30 & 26 cannons, two large fluts 3 lately bought from the french, which may be converted into floating batteries, or cut like the vigilant to mount, 36, & 24 pounders–six gallies mounting 24 pounders in the bow, & several brigs, sloops schooners, &c– In short notwithstanding the efforts of the enemy to reinforce their troops in that quarter, & the strong fleet they have sent to cooperate with them, I hope that our exertions will be such, especially when joined to Spain, as to baffle all their designs. I have the honor to be with respect Sir you most obedient & humble serv t .
John Ternant L t . Col. & Inspector of the southern army 4
To the hnble John Jay Esq r . Minister plenipotentiary to the Court of Spain–