During the individuals age discover thrown evidence of his affairs hence drawn with her allow us to get particular expertise how the guy gathered the massive fortune that enacted so you can his girlfriend and you can dily also paid back at least a couple check outs so you’re able to The uk. The original, most likely inside 1783, would be to Kerr’s dad inside the Scotland. From inside the a page so you’re able to Jane Apreece as the she had upcoming become, most likely written in early 1806, this new poet and soon after novelist, Walter Scott (1771–1832), a relationship of your own Scottish form (we.age. a faraway cousin) in order to Kerr, recollected history appointment this lady within the lady ‘a good grandfather’s’ family when she is from a keen ‘ages of to experience in the Cover-up and Seek’. 22
St Eustatius
Kerr’s opportunity to and acquire a substantial luck in the early 1780s stemmed off Britain’s war which have France and you will Spain because of their help having 13 rebel United kingdom territories with the mainland The united states. In the February 1780 George Rodney (bp. 1718 operating system, d. 1792) arrived in the fresh Caribbean since Frontrunner-in-Captain of one’s Leeward Isles channel joined from inside the uel Bonnet (1724–1816) due to the fact 2nd- in-order. Some how Rodney and you may Kerr involved learn one another try not yet determined, however, by December 1780 Kerr try managing the expenses of exchange to own honours removed by Rodney’s fleet; 23 actually Kerr questioned Rodney so you’re able to recommend your due to the fact representative so you can Hood or other flag officers hence Rodney performed and you may Hood assented. 24 You to definitely day Britain stated war into United Provinces and you can orders were taken to Rodney so you’re able to take Dutch assets, such as for example St Eustatius, a little isle from the 80 miles northern-west of Antigua. twenty five Which colony had performed as a totally free vent by which arms out-of European countries (also The uk) had introduced around neutral flags for the rebels ergo evading the fresh Regal Navy’s blockade. 26 To your twenty-seven January 1781 the transaction so you’re able to assault and you will reside Dutch territories reached Rodney. Their previous award broker got suffering from a great ‘big reach of one’s Gout’, twenty-seven that could describe as to why, towards step one March, Rodney justified Kerr to get one of his prize agencies even with Kerr, as he freely accepted, which have never ‘yet , done any thing in the fresh new Agencies line’. twenty eight Especially, Kerr was guilty of caught Dutch boats delivered by the Rodney so you can Antigua. 30
Toward 3 February Rodney’s and you may Hood’s fleets, carrying armed forces contingents required because of the John Vaughan (regarding the 1731–95), seemed off St Eustatius. Poorly defended, while the reports concerning declaration off war had yet , to reach, once a quick a symbol opposition new governor surrendered the brand new area. That it included over 130 ships already within point indeed there, lots, and therefore pursuing the then strategies (and proceeded to fly brand new Dutch flag over the isle guaranteeing almost every other enemy vessels to believe they a safe anchorage), rose to more than 200. 30
To optimize the prices obtained, resellers of French territories like Martinique and you can Guadeloupe, lower than flags regarding truce, was indeed desired to visit, something that drawn further issue so you’re able to Rodney
When you are Rodney questioned considerable honours, absolutely nothing had wishing him for including possible riches which may solve all the his monetary dilemmas (to end his financial institutions he exiled himself in order to France anywhere between 1774 and you may 1779). He spent three months towards the island making the needed plans acquiring far issue, together with by Hood, 29 while the the guy have to have become adopting the French fleet. The guy and you may Vaughan seized that which you it available on St Eustatius no count in the event it belonged to enemy, neutral otherwise Uk resellers (who Rodney considered traitors). thirty two Its total worthy of, Ve to help you at the very least ?step 
three,100,100, a huge sum. 33 Randolph Cock enjoys computed you to no more than a third away from one number try sooner know into the bucks, that is a million lbs, 34 where Rodney will have fairly questioned ?125,one hundred thousand since the ruling admiral’s share. Slightly below ?380,000 of your complete came from an auction kept with the St Eustatius, while it began with middle-February 1781 and you will long-lasting on four days. 35 Indeed, whenever, using ill health, he gone back to England having 6 months out-of ent (successfully) his actions on the St Eustatius. thirty six Immediately after his return to new Caribbean, in April 1782, he peacefully outdone the latest French fleet in the battle of one’s New orleans saints for which he was ennobled and you may granted good ?2,100 pension.