Kerr, most likely along with his girlfriend and perhaps their daughter, remained based in Antigua throughout the 1780s and very early 1790s
During those individuals many years discover thrown proof their points hence removed along with her help us gain certain skills exactly how the guy compiled the huge chance one to enacted so you’re able to his girlfriend and you will dily along with paid down about a few check outs to help you Britain. The first, probably for the 1783, would be to Kerr’s father when you look at the Scotland. Within the a page to Jane Apreece since she had next become, probably written in early 1806, the brand new poet and soon after novelist, Walter Scott (1771–1832), a relationship of your own Scottish type (i.age. a faraway cousin) to help you Kerr, recollected last appointment the lady during the the woman ‘an excellent grandfather’s’ family when she are regarding a keen ‘chronilogical age of to play at Cover-up and you can Seek’. twenty two
St Eustatius
Kerr’s possibility to and acquire a hefty fortune in the early 1780s stemmed out of Britain’s combat having France and you may The country of spain due to their service to own thirteen rebel United kingdom colonies towards mainland United states. When you look at the March 1780 George Rodney (bp. 1718 operating-system, d. 1792) found its way to the Caribbean because Chief-in-Master of your Leeward Isles route registered into the uel Hood (1724–1816) as the next- in-order. Quite how Rodney and you can Kerr stumbled on know both is not clear, however, because of the December 1780 Kerr is controlling the bills off replace for honours taken because of the Rodney’s collection; 23 indeed Kerr questioned Rodney so you’re able to strongly recommend your as broker so you’re able to Bonnet or other flag officials and therefore Rodney did and you may Hood decided. twenty four That week Britain announced conflict to the United Provinces and you can commands were delivered to Rodney in order to invade Dutch property, instance St Eustatius, a tiny island regarding 80 miles northern-to the west of Antigua. 25 This colony had functioned since the a free of charge port through which possession away from European countries (and The uk) had enacted less than simple flags towards the rebels thus evading the fresh new Regal Navy’s blockade. 26 Towards 27 January 1781 your order to help you attack and you may entertain Dutch territories hit Rodney. Their prior prize agent was actually struggling with a good ‘major contact of your own Gout’, twenty-seven that could define as to the reasons, into the step 1 February, Rodney justified Kerr to be one of is own award representatives even after Kerr, as he freely acknowledge, having never ever ‘yet , over one thing in the Agencies line’. twenty eight Especially, Kerr would be accountable for grabbed Dutch vessels delivered because of the Rodney so you’re able to Antigua. 31
Towards the step 3 February Rodney’s and you may Hood’s fleets, carrying armed forces contingents required from the John Vaughan (throughout the 1731–95), searched away from St Eustatius. Poorly defended, because the reports about the statement of conflict got yet , to reach, once a short a symbol resistance this new governor surrendered brand new isle. Which incorporated more 130 vessels currently during the point there, a number, and that pursuing the subsequent procedures (plus carried on to travel the new Dutch banner across the area promising most other adversary ships to believe it a safe anchorage), rose to more dating catholic 200. 29
To optimize the costs gotten, merchants away from French colonies instance Martinique and Guadeloupe, less than flags from truce, was greet to visit, something which attracted next ailment in order to Rodney
If you find yourself Rodney asked considerable prizes, little had wishing your getting for example possible riches that will solve all of the their economic dilemmas (to get rid of their loan providers the guy exiled themselves to help you France ranging from 1774 and 1779). The guy invested 3 months into island making the necessary preparations getting far grievance, as well as of the Bonnet, 30 as he need to have become pursuing the French fleet. He and you will Vaughan caught everything it found on St Eustatius zero number whether or not it belonged to opponent, simple otherwise Uk merchants (who Rodney thought to be traitors). thirty two Its complete value, Ve so you can about ?3,000,one hundred thousand, a huge sum. 33 Randolph Dick possess determined that only about a 3rd regarding you to definitely matter are eventually knew in the bucks, that is a million lbs, 34 at which Rodney might have relatively requested ?125,000 as the commanding admiral’s show. Slightly below ?380,100000 of your full came from an auction kept towards St Eustatius, originating in middle-February 1781 and long-term about five months. thirty five Actually, when, thanks to ill health, the guy returned to The united kingdomt having six months away from ent (successfully) their strategies toward St Eustatius. 36 Once his go back to the new Caribbean, in April 1782, the guy peacefully outdone the fresh new French fleet during the battle of your New orleans saints by which he had been ennobled and you can given good ?dos,one hundred thousand your retirement.