OUR Fortifications are almost finished, all the Platforms in the Cittadel, as well as those of the City, are all in a good Posture, with a good Garrison.

Yesterday arrived in this Road a Bark from Brest, where she hath left our Fleet in that Bay or Road, con­sisting of Forty Two great Ships, besides small Frigats, and Twenty Five Fire-ships; and we are fitting still else-where; but how they will be provided with a sufficient number of Sea-men to man them, I cannot tell.

Monsieur De Tourville, the Thirteenth past, Sailed from Thoulon with Twenty Two Sail of Capital Ships, and Eight Fire-ships, and is every day expected at Brest.

The Mareschal D'Estrees is at Brest, and is to go on Board the Fleet, intending to Sail the Fifteenth, to seek out the English and Dutch Fleets, in order to Fight them: So that we are in expectation to hear of a bloody Engagement. But others say, that Monsieur De Seignaly goes on Board himself to Command, and not Mareschal D' Estrees.

We have no Ships left at Rochefort (all are fitted out that were there) except one Fire-ship, which waits for a Wind, and some Fly-boats, who have Four or Five Hundred Men on Board them, for the use of the Fleet.

I was at Rochel Four or Five Days ago, and viewed all the Fortifi­cations of that Place, which are very forward, and in a posture of De­fence. They have destroyed many Families there, as well as here, by pulling their Houses down to the Ground; that are near the Walls.

We build a Fort at Bloody-Point, which is also in a great forward­ness; and we talk of building a great one at the Martreay, and other Fortifications about the Gates. But I see no likelihood of fear this Summer.

They have caused to march within this Five or Six Days from Rochel, towards Saumeure, Five or Six Thousand Men, and brought in their room some new Souldiers, raised by the Parishes, within this Three or Four Months, who are to be Disciplined, and supply their Places in the Garrison.

The Fortifications of Oleroon are finished, and they have pulled down all the Houses in the Castle.

They work likewise very hard upon the Fortifications at Brouage, Rochfort, and the Sheath, which is the entrance of the River of Sher­rant.

A Bark is arrived in Brittany since the Twenty Third past, from Ireland, which brings Advice, That London Derry holds out still, to our great admiration, that it hath not been relieved or taken all this while.

If once our Fleet returns into our Ports, it will be very difficult to put it to Sea again: For all things are wanting at Rochefort, and the Stores as empty as a Tennis-Court. And it's said it is the same at Brest.

The Rendevouz of all the French Fleet is design'd to be at Belle Isle, not far from the mouth of the Loire in Brittany.