This Day in History: February 20

The English squadron sailed from Gibraltar the 13th instant, and part of it is said to be destined for the West Indies. The French will have seventy-two sail of the line in actual service this year. The troops at the disposition of the person mentioned in the letter No ],t [sic] to Mr. Jay, will amount to near four thousand, and consist chiefly of Germans; six sail of the line will escort them, and I am well informed they will sail in less than two months. It is said the English ministry will be able to procure the necessary supplies for the present year owing to their late successes. [More]