SINCE my coming from Sea, I have Read the several Prints which have been published, and have also in daily conver­sation about Town observed the various Reports, and opinions of Men, every one discoursing as he stands affected, touching the Conduct and Behaviour of the several Squadrons of his Majesties Fleet by Sea, during this Expedition: I perceive, that through the heat of Mens manifold Contradictions both in Court and City, the Story of the whole matter is told only as this and t'other Faction, or Affection would have it, by which means the Truth of things hath been hidden from His Majesty; and is like to be from the Parliament and People of England, unless there stand forth some faithfull Relator. Therefore in all Loyalty to my King, and with a most affectionate re­gard to His Service, that He and His Parliament may truly understand where the fault lies, that they, after so great an expence of Blood and Treasure, have reaped no greater fruit of so grand an undertaking; I conceive it my Duty, having had the opportunity to be an Eye Witness of every Motion and Action from first to last, and being no way obliged to favour or disfavour any Party concerned therein, to take Pen in hand, and give this clear account of the Bu­siness.

But before I come to Matter of Fact, it will be very convenient to acquaint you with some Particulars, the knowledge whereof is absolutely necessary to gain a right understanding of the Subject here related.

After a continuation of the War this last Summer with the United Provinces had been Resolved on by His Majesty, the next thing to be thought on was the appointing a Commander in Chief over the Fleet that should be sent forth; and concerning the Person, though all Men judged the Employment of Course might continue in the Hands of His Royal Highness the Duke of York, as Lord High Admirall of England, yet upon weighty Reasons of State, it was at length thought best for the good of this Kingdom, which is highly concerned in the safety of the Heir Apparent of the Crown, that at present His Royal Highness should be excused from running any fur­ther hazard of his Person in so dangerous a Service; he having already too often Exposed himself at Sea with high Courage and Resolution; and therefore His Highness Prince Rupert being nominated, as the next fittest Person to under­take that Command, His Majesty was pleased to resolve thereupon. And with this His Majesties purpose there im­mediately ensued a marvelous Concurrence of the Peoples Affections in City and Countrey, (all over the Kingdom) as well in Regard of the Royal Stock from whence His Highness sprang, as of His high Courage, Conduct, and long Experience in Affairs Military by Sea and Land, in this, and many other Nations; but yet more in respect of His tried Constancy to, and zeal for the Reformed Protestant Profession of Religion, and all the Interests thereof, for the sake whereof He and His Royal Family had long suffered the utmost extremity: The Sense whereof was that which chiefly drew the Hearts of the People to rejoyce in His Majesties Assignation of that most illustrious Prince; it being at such a time when the Parliament had taken Cog­nizanse of the Confidence and Insolence of the Popish Party; [Page 3]many of which being crept into places of Trust and Com­mand, gave an universal jealousie to the Kingdom, in somuch that His Majesty and the Parliament saw it ne­cessary, for the breaking of their Strength and Confidence, to put an Universal Test upon all men that held any publick Office or Imploy by Sea or Land, in order to the removing of all such, as not submitting thereto, should be found Popishly affected. But yet notwithstand­ing this general Approbation and Applause of the Com­mander in Chief, there were a Generation of Men of another mind, who having found all their Arts and En­deavours of diverting His Majesty from this choice to be in vain, tack'd about to the old trick of State, of devising how underhand to take off the Chariot Wheels of the Princes Expedition, and to clap on dead weight to retard him; and so to handle the Matter among all sorts of Navy and Sea-Officers, that partly defect of due preparation, furniture, and supplies might disable Him, partly the ill timing of every Requisite, and finally the starting of Interests discontents and little Feids in the Fleet, might render the whole Enterprize of no more Effect than might just suit with their own Ends, and if possible, bring back the Prince with no more Victory than what might please them, and their Accomplices. In order hereunto, it is worth the while to consider how pat things were laid and fell out; for, our Preparations were so delay'd, that the Dutch got their Fleet out before us; and after we were in part ready, it was towards the end of April before the Prince could get his Commission, and Instruction to act by them; so that the Dutch having a Design to sink Sinkers between the Middle Grounds, to spoil the going of our Ships out and into the River, were very near the effecting of it; and had done it, but that His Highness suspecting it, with much industry got together as many of the 4th. and 5th. Rate Ships as he could, and some Fire-ships, with which he went quickly out, and defeated the Mischief they in­tended.

Matters being carried thus tardily by Friends at home, the same spirit seem'd also to possess our Confederates on the Coast of France: so that there was the more urgent necessity for us to have doubled our diligence, and to have made all imaginable hast, For, we had certain intelligence, that the French Fleet, being then at Brest, would not stir from their own Coast, till they should hear that Ours were got into the Channell; so that even then an ill Omen arose in our minds, that they, in time of Action, might fall short of such alacrity as becomes so grand an undertaking: Especially seeing we had at the same time Intelligence also, that the Dutch were labouring night and day to augment their Fleet, and would grow stronger and stronger every day. It being therefore necessary we should joyn the French with all speed, His Highness resolving thereon, gave a high proof of His Courage in all Attempts, to pass in despight of the Enemy then Riding nigh the Gunfleet; and of his Prudence, in so cleanly passing with the Fleet against the Wind, through a passage of so great hazard as the Narrow; For which hazard, tothe endangering of His Ma­jesties whole Fleet, the Nation ows much tot he Contri­vers of those delays, which gave the Dutch opportunity to reduce His Highness to the necessity of so passing, if he meant to unite with the French: Which brave Atchieve­ment of his struck such a terror into the Enemy, that they durst not abide by it, but bore away to their own Coast, to ride secure upon their Guard within the Sands at Schonevelt.

Which Gallant Action of His Highness deserves so much the greater Estimation, seeing never any Prince went forth upon a War for the publick good, and the Honour of any Nation, under greater discouragements. For, some Persons of high Trust under His Majesty had such an Influence upon Affairs, that when they could no longer hinder the issuing forth of His Highness Commission, they took care so to qualifie and Curtail it, that they left [Page]him not power to make so much a one Officer in the whole Fleet, unless he could upon request obtain the favour so to do so that Persons were put upon him for Sea-officers, from whom (for the most part) as he could have no particular assurance of affection to himself, so he was altogether un­acquainted, whether they had most Faith and Firmness to His Majesty and the Kingdoms Service, or to the Intrigues and Service of their own particular Patrons.

Upon this account it was, That when the Prince had pitched upon Sir Robert Holmes for Imployment under him, as a Man of tried Valour, Fidelity, and Experience in Sea­fights, and one that his Highness could safely Confide in, being one that from his Youth had been Educated in his Flighness 's Family, it was so carried that he could by no means be admitted into any Command: and because of some animosity betwixt him and Sir Edward Spragg, that one point was made use of, as a pretence for the laying of him aside, notwithstanding the earnest Endeavours of the Prince to have got his old Servant along with him; one whom he might surely have relied on. And to that end, his Highness had propounded such ways and means to recon­cile the matter, so as to make both of them useful to the publick Interest, and to satisfie the Reason of all the In­terested Objectors, if they had had a mind to be satisfied.

But it seems by what fell out afterwards, that they had o­ther work for Sir Edward Spragg to do besides fighting by Sea; and therefore the sacrificing of Sir Robert Holmes to Pri­vacy, and the laying him aside from the opportunity of pry­ing into the management of Sea-affairs, was a thing by them judged on divers accounts at this time absolutely necessary to their ends; for they had determined (as appears) to send Sir Edward Spragg, though Vice-Admiral of the Blew Squadron, on a special Journey by Land to negotiate in the Court of France (who surely is the first Vice-Admiral that ever went out of England to the French, to learn how to Fight by Sea) where he was Graciously Received, Highly [Page]Caressed, and thence Nobly Dismissed (some say with a Jewel, &c.) and all this so carried, that it was without the privity of Prince Rupert, who perhaps knows not to this minute, and no more then His Majesty does, what business he transacted there.

Nor was this all; for, to make sure work yet further, it was as cautiously provided, that his Highness might not be crowded with too many Concerns; for, when His Majesty in his Royal Wisdom thought fit, to give him a Commission to raise a Maritime Regiment, which was to have been paid out of the Establishment of Ireland by my Lord Ranelagh, they presently cast about how to frustrate this Order of the Kings, and thereupon offered so specious Reasons for it to his Royal Highness the Duke of York, that he was thereby induced to divert His Majesties pur­pose in that matter. So there was an end of this Com­mission.

And for the Chief Officers of his Highness's own Squa­dron, it must be remarked also, how he was accommodated (viz.) with Sir John Harman for his Vice-Admiral; which is not mentioned as if any fault could have been found with Sir John Harman, if he had then been the Sir John Harman he once was, (that is to say) the same Active man and Gallant Commander; but alas! he was Sick when he went aboard, and there tyed by the leg in his Cabin with the Gout, not able to stir either hand or foot. The appointed Reer-Admiral of the Blew was Capt. Nor­borough, who being then absent in the Streights, came not in till after the two first Engagements; which otherwise might have occasioned some competition among the Offi­cers of the Fleet for that Place: For, though he were a good Seaman, yet there were many others in the Fleet that were of better merit, and longer Service; and the offence that must have been given to others, had he en­joyed it, was taken off by putting a Person of so great Quality as my Lord Ossory into the Place. His Highnesses [Page]own Reer-Admiral, was Sir John Chicheley, a Person of Honour and Quality, yet but of late a Seaman: which is not said with intent of diminution, but only to give a clear account of things: For though a man may be of ever so much merit in other Qualifications, yet if he be put upon any Office or Employment, the less Experience he hath had therein, the less advantage he is like to bring to the Service.

By these things it appears how the main Wheels were clogged, and how sick the Officers must needs be, and how faint the hearts of the whole Fleet, to observe how they were dealt with upon so important an occasion, as a War for the Interest and Honour of the King and King­dom; especially when they saw they wanted both Work­men and Tools for the work, (that is to say) Seamen and Supplies. As for Seamen, it is to be noted, That though the Prince made it his Business to urge the getting of them betimes, Yet notwithstanding all his sollicitations, the Order for impressing of Seamen could not be got till it was very late, so that it was the Month of March before the Press began, though in the precedent year it be­gan as early as November. But though it was this year so late as March, yet even then, matters were so carried, that it was impossible for his Highness to be sufficiently Mann'd, seeing the Press-warrants were of little effect, being Checkt by Protections which had before been granted to Thousands of Sea-men & Fisher-men, and Water-men that would have made good Sea-men. Nevertheless, his Highness abating no whit of his Affection and Zeal for His Majesty and the Nations Service, resolved to break through all discouragements; and as ill accommodated as he was, seeing the Dutch Fleet were got out, braving it upon our Coast, did with all Expedition hasten forth to Sea; being fed at least, and set forward with some empty promises, That Sea-men and Necessaries should be sent after him; which proved at length to be but a miserable Slurr put upon [Page]so high a Commander: And all other things miserably suited, when after it drew on to the Point of Action; as will ap­pear in the ensuing part of this Relation.

For, on the 27th. day of May, which was the day before our first Engagement with the Enemy; when his Highness perceived they would not admit of a Fight in fair Sea­room, but kept to their Advantage riding within the Sands at Schonevelt, He according to a resolve of a Coun­cel of War (His Majesty present) like a Magnanimous Prince, resolved to Fight them in that very place, rather then permit them to wear away the Summer with longer de­lays; which they seemed mainly to intend: which is the highest proof of Courage, the like Action having never been attempted in that station before. So all the Sands having been sounded some days before, and it having been concluded at a Councel of War held on Board the Royal Charles, to Attack the Enemy Riding there at Anchor in a Line between the Rand and the Stony Bank, his Highness on the 28th. day about 9 a Clock in the Morning Commanded the firing of a Gun, upon which we loosed our fore-top­sail, and Weighed, and Hoisted the Union Flagg on the Mi­zon Pe [...]k, which [...] the Signal to Sail on towards the Ene­my. This was accordingly obeyed by a Squadron that was ordered out of the several Divisions of the Fleet, consist­ing in all of 35. Frigats, and 13. Fireships, who went with an easie Sayl, the Wind at S. S. W. In the mean while the Body of the French (all, except some who stragling got into our Division, did indeed behave themselves very gal­lantly) made little or no Sail, but kept in the Reer of us, though they saw the Hellander stretch it to the North­ward. Then the Prince petforth the Red Flagg on the Fore-topmast head; so all our Commanded Ships went a head, and by 12. a Clock at Noon Engaged the Enemies Van, Commanded by Tromp: The Prince himself also En­gaged two hours before the French; in which time we so pressed Tromp, that he was forced to give way, and retire [Page]as far as the Sands would give him leave: Then the Count d'Estrees and the French Squadron became at length Engaged with de Ruyter: which prospered not so well; for, they bore him not down, but rather left him. And de Ruyter, not to be behind with them in kindness, quitted them, and came to his Highness; whose Squadron being too near the Shore, was for that Reason necessitated to stand the other way, to such degree, that had it not been for fear of the Shoales, we had driven them into their Harbours, and given His Majesty at that time a better account of them, not­withstanding the ill accommodations that we were under; more particularly in the Royal Charles, his Highness 's own Ship, which proved so Cranck-sided, and fetch'd so much Water in at the Ports, that her lower Tire of Guns could not be made use of, though it was a very easie Gale that we had during this Engagement; the Issue whereof was, That the Enemy had many Men slain, many Ships disabled, and some destroyed; Yea, and de Ruyter and Tromp must have been burnt by our Fireships, had they done their Duty. We saw two Ships sunk. The French say they saw one burnt, two disabled, and three run ashoar. The Loss on our side was very inconsiderable, two of our Ships being only disabled, viz. The Cambridge and Resolution: very few Common Men were lost, and only these Officers, Capt. Fowlis, Capt. Worden, and Capt. Finch. Colonel Hamilton had his Legg shot, of which returning home, he dyed at London. All the rest that Engaged came off very bravely.

Now from the time of this Action to the 4th. of June little was done, save the repairing of defects, and amend­ing our Tackle, towards which we were all ill furnished as we were with all other Necessaries, not having so much as Needles and Thread sufficient for the work, to the great Praise of our Providers be it spoken. And though his Highness had made it his Business Night and Day to get the promised Supplies of Sea-men aboard, and some had [Page]undertaken to do it, yet it came to no Effect. On the 3 d. of June, which was the day before our Second Engage­ment, his Highness suspecting the Enemy, that Riding on their own Coast they might be refitted and furnished with all things, the which benefit they knew (as the Wind stood) we could not have, and so would be Encouraged to come out again upon us, bestirred himself exceedingly to get into a posture fit to receive them: and not presu­ming to trust himself the second time in the Royal Charles, he this day quitted her, and having opportunity of Wea­ther, went aboard the Royal Soveraign, where imagining the Enemy might Attack us that Night, he went not to Bed, but waited till Morning, June the 4th. when about 9 a Clock our Scouts gave the Sign, That the Enemy was a Weighing with fresh Sea-men and Provisions, to take their advantage against us, as they very fairly had it; for then a strange thing was done by Sir Edward Spragg, who, though he was told of the Enemy, and saw them himself, yet would needs lose so much time as to come six Miles in his Boat, and bring his Reer Admiral my Lord of Ossory along with him aboard the Soveraign, under a pretence of Business; the Consequence whereof was, That the Ene­my coming on with the advantage of a stiff Gale of Wind at N. E. The Blew Squadron Commanded by Sir Edward Spragg, by reason of his absence, stood not away close by the Wind to the Northward, as he had been Ordered to do, though his Highness with all possible speed hastened him back; who being got on Board, at length, after loss of time, made Sayl to the Northward. This passage of Sir Edward Spragg being observed by Count d' Estrees, he thereupon took occasion to lay by, and delay time; which point of behaviour we knew not what to think of, it be­ing the season of Action, for that the Dutch were bearing down to us. And now more then ever we became sensible of the want of Sea men, not having enough to Weigh up our Anchors; so that to prevent a greater mischief, his [Page]Highness was constrained to order the cutting off his own Cable, that we might be up with the Enemy. By this time Tromp with the Van became Engaged with Spragg, and de Ruyter with his Highness, who made a shew as if he would come very near us; but before he came within Mus­quet shot, he sp [...]ng his Loof, and closed his Wind as much as he could, going off on a sudden for good and all; and then closing with Tromp, their whole Fleet being bravely repulsed, they cautiously stood Pelting at us at a great distance, that they might be the nearer to their Re­serve of security within the Sands at Schonevelt upon occa­sion. It was about 5 a Clock in the Afternoon that the Engagement began; and when they were reduced to Pel­ting, it so continu [...]d till 11 or 12 a Clock at Night, we all the while keeping our Ground, notwithstanding their Fire­ships; after which they Tack'd, standing towards the East Southerly. (Then about two in the Morning we Tack'd also, and stood after them; but seeing no likelyhood of reaching them before they could get within the Sands, we thought not meet to follow them any further, and so Tack't again and stood for our own Coast. What Loss they sus­tained, we, by reason of their going off in such a Confusi­on, cannot tell. On our side we lost very few of our Men, and of our Commanders only Capt. W [...]i [...]e of the War­spight, and Capt. Sadlington of the Crown were killed; of the Foot Officers, Capt. Henshaw, and Lieutenant Fitz Gerald; and Lieutenant Tuston was Wounded? But for our Ships, as in the first Engagement, after we had suffici­ently beaten the Enemy, we came off without the loss of one man of War, or so much as one Ship touching the Ground, though that Fight was maintained in a dangerous place. So in this Second Engagement, wherein the Enemy came on with the advantage of the Wind, Fresh Men, and Provisions, &c. against us, we lost never a Ship, and but few Men. For which His Majesty and the Nation owes much, next under God, to his Highness, who at a [Page]time when non supplies, and want of Men, and of all ne­cessaries, would have startled any man, gave such signal Evidence of his Courage, Diligence and Prudence in the Conduct of the Fleet, as is Admirable to consider in so great Discouragement and Disorder as we were under, by reason of the preposterous behaviour and delays of some others.

The next day, being June the 5th. and no Enemy in sight, we had leisure to consider our Condition; and then from the whole Fleet came miserable complaints to his Highness of want of Sea-men, and all manner of things in every Ship; though all things had been often written for, and promised they should be sent after us; the Com­manders exclaiming they should be thus exposed, so as not to have convenient Supplies, but be in want of Powder, Shot, Water, [...]eer, and small sto [...], Fishes, and what not; whereupon it being impossible to avoid a going home, to revictual and refit our selves presently, we set Sayl for the Gun [...]fl [...]et, and about 9 a Cloc [...] a [...] Night came to an Anchor there, and thence the following day made towards the B [...]oy of the Nore, where on the [...] June we Rode at Anchor, and on the 14th. his H [...]g [...]ness re­turned to London to give His Majesty an Account how things stood, and to Press on a spe [...]dy supplying of [...]ll Necessaries for the Refitting of the Fleet out to Sea again.

On the 21st. his Highness returned to the Fleet again, where, with indefatigable Industry, he set all things in for­wardness, and made so quick dispatch, that had not a de­lay intervened, about a design of sending Soldiers to be Landed by us in Holland, we had been mu [...]h sooner out at Sea: but by their 6th. of July his Highness Weighed, and His Majesty also in his Yacht, having a strong Gale at S.W. and came to the Middle-ground, where humbly taking his leave of His Majesty, he quickly got the Fleet through the Narrow, and on the 19th. of July stood with an easie [Page 13]Sayl for the Coast of Zealand. The next day we discovered the Enemies Fleet at Anchor in the Schonevelt, bearing S.E. of us: On the 22d. in the Morning we stood to Sea, the Enemy no sooner perceived it, but they stood after us, and the Wind Veering suddenly to the S. W. made them get the Wind of us, so that none of our Ships could wea­ther them. And to wave an Engaging, for which when they saw us putting our selves in Order, they stood for their own Coast again, and we pursued our Resolution of standing along their Coast, which we did the 24th. look­ing into the Ʋly to Anchor fair off of the Texel. So that on the 9th. of August we had the opportunity of taking one of the Dutch East India Ships, called the Papenburgh, making homewards. On the 10th. we had sight again of the Holland Fleet standing to the Northward, and bore down to them. Then his Highness Commanded the French a particular course, the Enemy being come three Leagues to Leeward of us; but here the French were plea­sed to give us an early Tast of their Temper: For, their Fleet lay by twice that Night, and made so little Sayl, that the Enemy had opportunity to stretch out a head of us. The first time that the French now faltered thus was about 11 a Clock at Night; which his Highness wonder­ing at, as contrary to Order, our whole Fleet was forced to lye by whilest a Messenger was sent on Board the Count d Estrees to know the Reason, and to Order him to make Sayl again. Nevertheless, after a little more Sayl made, he about one a Clock in the Morning laid his Sayles to the Mast again; which gave a second stop to our Fleet, while his Highness sent a Message by a second Messenger to the same purpose. And by this means the Dutch, making all the Sayl they could, and the Wind Veering to the E. and E. by S. they got the advantage of the Wind of us, being close by the Shore under Camperdown. About day-break we saw them about a League and half to Windward of us, the Wind being then at E. S. E. fair Weather: at which [Page]time both our Fleet and theirs were standing to the North­ward. Upon this his highness stretch't it away till six in the Morning, being Monday the 11th. of August. The Dutch being then to Windward, began to bear down upon him: Whereupon his Highness thought fit to Tack, not having Room to the Eastward to Fight; by which Tack­ing the Fleet was brought into a very good Line and Order. The Wind now at S. E. his Highness prepared all things for a full and deciding Battel, putting abroad the Signal for our Fleet to Tack to the Southward; which they did. He had put the French in the Van, himself in the Middle, and Sir Edward Spragg in the Reer. Our Fleet being extended longer then the Enemies, and the Wind coming to the South, the French lay fair to get the Wind of them. How­ever, the Enemy bore down and Engaged us; de Ruyter undertook his Highness; Tromp provoked Sir Edward Spragg and his Blew Squadron, who laid his fore-top Sayl to the Mast to stay for him, contrary to his Highness 's Ex­press Orders, and his own Duty; while de Ruyeer and Ban­kaert Vice Admiral of Zealand, both of them with all their Men of War and Fire-ships, came down upon his Highness his Red Squadron, except eight Men of War of the Zealand Squadron, whom Bankaert had sent with three Fireships to fall upon the Reer of the French Squadron; where Monsieur de Martel, the French Vice Admiral, being Cannon shot nearer to the Commanded party of Zea­land, then any other Ship of his Division, received Five of them with such bravery of Resolution, that he fought them two hours, and was so fortunate as to disable one of them, which the rest had enough to do to carry off; but by the way she appeared to be on Fire, caused by some Fire-balls that had been shot into her. This Gentleman de Martel seems by many Circumstances a most Gallant Man, zea­lous of his own Honour, and the Honour of his Nation, and Faithful to the utmost; so that when he had observed the Carriage of his own Admiral Count d' Estrees upon this [Page]occasion, he after the Fight sent the Prince an Account thereof in a particular Relation, it being as he said, the same that he had sent to his Master the King of France; wherein he taxed the Count, that he gave those Zealan­ders leave to pass by the whole Squadron of the French with their disabled Ship, to secure her and themselves in making back to the rest of their Zealand party: of which when de Martel challenged the Captains of his Division for failing to relieve him, they said they had Orders from Mon­sieur d' Estrees to regard none of his Motions, so that it seems the Count chose rather to venture a point of Honour, then depart from his own private reserve of mind. This Action being over, de Martel retired, and united again with the main Body of the French Squ [...]dron; where he afterwards durst not be so forward any more, but stood as still as the rest of his Fellows: Of which more by and by.

By this behaviour of d' Estrees there is Ground enoug [...] to Collect, That de Ruyter and the Zealand Vice-Admirat were before-hand pretty Confident, that the French would not hurt them: which made the Zealander send only that small party of Men of War, to fall upon de Martel for his forwardness; else there had been no reason he should have presumed so far to neglect the French, as to unite himself and all the rest of his Zealanders with the Squa­dron of de Ruyter, to bring their whole Force upon his Highness.

It was about 8. a Clock e're the Fight began, and before 9. there fell a Fogg, with a small Rain, which continued untill nigh Noon; then it cleared up, and the Wind came to the South, which put the French, being a head, to Windward of the Dutch: And then the Battel being re­newed, the whole burthen and brunt of de Ruyter and Ban­kaert, (those Men of War also that fought de Martel being United) fell again upon his Highness and Sir John Har­mans Division, while the French, instead of Tacking and [Page]Engaging the Enemy (as was expected from them) stood away to the S. E. the Wind then at S. S. W. and stood full two Leagues away before they Tack'd again, adding this Complyment to the former, [...] when they gave the eight Zealand Men of War free passage back from de Martel to their Fellows. Now as this gave great Encouragement to the Enemy, so it would have appell'd any Man less Couragious then the Prince to see himself thus deserted. But besides this, it was strange that Sir Edward Spragg, contrary to Order, and to the solemn assurance that he gave his Highness in Person the day before, not to be from his side, should make a separate Fighting with Tromp so far Leeward of all the rest. Nor was his Highnesses Reer-Admiral Sir John Chichely with his Division near, because the Enemy had soon interposed between him and the Prince: so that betwixt twelve and one of the Clock, his Highness was wholly surrounded by the Dutch, being pressed by de Ruyter and his Squadron on his Lee-quarter, an Admiral with two Flags more on his Weather-quarter, and the Zealand Squadron on his broad-side to Windward. Thus they imployed all their Forces, having designed to take no more notice of the French than the French did of them, or of his Highness; although they had continually in their Eye the Blew Flagg set upon the Mizon Peek, which was the Signal to fall on, Expresly set down in the General Instructions for Fighting, which had been sent before by his Highness to Count d' Estrees; which hath been attested also by Martel in his Relation, and that the Prince did give the Signal before mentioned, with all other signs that might incite d' Estrees to bear down to his Assistance, ha­ving a fair Wind for the purpose; but that instead of this, he kept the Wind, contenting himself to give his Ships more then common and half distance from the Enemy. And 'tis related further by de Martel, That himself saw very well how shameful this was; but being under Com­mand now, not to Attempt any thing without Order from [Page 17]the Count; and besides, not daring to trust the Captains of his own party to follow him, who in the former Action this day had deserted him, he shrugged up his Shoulders, and could do no more but forbid any shooting from his Ship: And he concludes his Relation with these words, That if the Count would have fallen in with the fair wind upon de Ruyter and Bankaert, at their first Engaging, who far exceeded the Prince in number of force, they must needs have been inclosed between his Highness and d' Estrees, and so there would have been an entire Defeat of the Enemy.

Nevertheless, his Highness prosecuted the Fight on with an undanted mind, and so Answered them at all points, that he gave them enough of it, and so forced them to give way, that he soon got an opportunity to joyn with Sir John Chichely: which being done, about two of the Clock his Highness discovered Sir Edward Spragg with his Blew Squadron at a great distance, about 3. Leagues to Lee-ward bearing N. N. E, and not knowing what condition that Squadron was in, and not hearing the Guns well plyed, he made all the Sayl he could towards them, to unite and relieve them, if he should find occasion requi­red it.

No sooner had de Ruyter perceived the design of the Prince, but he left Firing, and boar away also with his whole Fleet, to the relief of Tromp; so that both Fleets ran down side by side within Range of Cannon-shot; but without firing on either side; and as we were Sayling down we saw many of Spragg's Blew Squadron, which we judged had received some damage to Windward of his Body; and some of the Red likewise, to whom his Highness fired [...] Gun, as a call to them to bear down to him: notwith­standing which they did not; but about 4. a Clock we were got nigh the Blew Squadron, where we found Sir Ed­ward Spragg's Ship the Royal Prince wholly disabled, her Main mast, Mizon-mast, and foretop-mast shot away, and divers more Ships of his Squadron disabled, the Vice-Admiral [Page]of the Blew laying to Windward of her, mending his Sayls and Rigging; the Earl of Ossory, Reer-Admiral of the Blew, lay a stern of the Royal Prince, between her and the Enemy; bending of his new Sayles, and mending his Rigging, and two Frigats by him: whereupon, his Highness sent two Frigats to take the Royal Prince in a Tow.

Now Tromps Squadron lay to the Eastward of them, some of them Disabled also of their Top-masts and Yards, part of his Squadron with his Vice-Admiral and Reer-Admiral standing to the Eastward close by a Wind with all [...] Sayl they could to gain it, and so they Tack't again upon the Blew; at which time we came near them, being about 4. a Clock: Then de Ruyter fired a Gun, upon which Tromp Tackt, with design to make themselves Masters of our Lame Ships, viz. The Royal Prince and others; the Royal Prince being bravely defended by Sir John Kempthorn, and the Earl of Ossory, and Assisted by some of the same Squadron. This made us lay by for Sir John Kempthorn, to get our Fleet in order to Attack the Ene­my again, and then his Highness put out the Blew Flagg upon the Mizon-Peek, which is the usual Signal to bring all the Ships into the Generalls Wake or Grains, and sent Ketches, Sloops and Boats, to Ships that were to windward, to Command them in: whereupon we bore up, and steered in between de Ruyter and our Lame Ships, and fired a Gun to some of our own Ships to Windward to bear down; but none came near to Assist his Highness but Sir John Kemp­horn and my Lord of Ossory; so we have reason to believe, that except his Highness had comein so happily to the relief; the Blew Squadron had been totally lost, since they were so Disabled, that no more of them but those two Flaggs only were in a condition to give him any Assistance in a further encountring with the Enemy.

About 5. a Clock de Ruyter, with all his Flaggs and Fleet came side by side close up with the Prince: so there began [Page]a very sharp Engagement; his Highness had none besides the Vice-Admiral and Reer-Admiral of the Blew to second him, but Sir John Harman, Capt, Davis in the Triumph, Capt, Stout in the Warspight; and his Highnesses own Divi­sion, Sir John Holmes in the Rupert, Capt. Legg in the Royal Katherine, Sir John Berry in the Resolution, Sir John Earnley in the Henry, Sir Roger Strickl [...]nd in the Mary, and Capt. Carter in the Crown, a 4th. Rate Ship; in all, not above 13, or 14. Ships: The Fight was very sharp and close; about 7. a Clock his Highness forced the Enemy into a very great disorder, and then sent two Fire-ships amongst them; which increased it; and if the French, who now again lay at a convenient distance to Windward, would have obeyed the Prince his Signal, and bore down upon the Enemy according to their Duty, we must needs have Routed them, and Torn them to Pieces. It was the plainest and greatest opportunity that ever was lost at Sea. The Fight continued till the day was nigh spent, and the Sun just setting; at which time his Highness seeing my Lord of Ossory and Sir John Kempthorn both in some mea­sure Disabled, and none else likely to be Assisting to make a through end of the Business, it was high time to carry off our disabled Ships; to which purpose he edged off to­wards them with an easie Sayl, and the Dutch laid their heads to the Eastward: so the Battel ended.

When the Night had parted us and the Enemy, and no more was to be done, came a Messenger from Count d' Estrees the French Admiral, to demand Orders, and to know what was meant by the Blew Flagg upon the Mizon-Peek, though all the English knew, and so did his own Vice-Admiral acknowledge, and the Instructions for Fighting which the Prince had sent him, and others of the French Captains can tell, and all the World, that he had as much Reason to know it, and more Eminently, than any of themselves; however, it was cunningly done of Count d' Estrees, by a special Message to compleat the [Page]whole affair thus with a perfect Mockery, after the Hollan­ders had stood off to their own Coast.

As to the Damage on either side, great Execution was done upon the Tackle and Rigging by both Parties, and divers Ships disabled; Tromp shifted his Ship on that Ac­count once, and Sir Edward Spragg twice; so that when the Royal Prince was disabled, he went and set up his Flag in the St. George; which becoming disabled also, he was fain to take Boat to go on Board the Royal Charles, and had not Rowed [...] ten Boats length, but a Bullet came and broke his Boat: They made back again as fast as they could, but before they could get within throw of the Ropes, the Boat sunk, and Sir Edward Spragg was drowned, though when he was taken up his Head and Shoulders were found above Water, his Arms having taken so dead a hold of some part of the Boat, that they could not dis-engage him from it. Neither we nor the French lost one Ship of War; only the Henrietta Yatch was sunk by the side of my Lord of Ossory. Of the slain we are to reckon Captain Leneve, Captain Merryweather of the Duke of Buckinghams Regiment being Foot-Officers, and Mr. May a Volunteer. Of Sea-Commanders Sir William Reeves (a person of great bra­very, one that from his youth had been Educated by his Highness, and who had constantly attended him with high Courage, and Fidelity in all Fortunes by Sea and Land; so that he arrived to the skill, and made good the Character of a Gallant Commander) and Captain Hey­war! (a Gallant old Sea man) both dyed of their wounds, which were all of note that we hear of. In his Highness's own Ship were sixty men slain and dangerously wounded.

What the Enemy lost was hard to determine; but two of their great Ships of 70. and 60. Guns were lost, in our sight, the one sunk by Sir John Kempthorne. Two of the Dutch Flag-Officers with several Captains were slain; and of Common Sea-men a very considerable number.

Now, having run over all the particulars of this Sum­mers Action, let us pause a little, and consider the He­roick behaviour of this Excellent Prince; how Gloriously he acquitted himself in all the parts of a great General, and whether it were possible for any Man, under such Cir­cumstances, to do more then he hath done? In the midst of so many Intrigues of Opposition here at home, so many delays of his Commission, so few Powers contained in it, such scantly number of Sea-men, so little assurance of di­vers Chief Commanders, such failure of Provisions, such want of Ammunition and all other Necessaries, such deceit of Navy-Officers, such non-observance of Orders at Sea amongst his own English, and so manifest defections of the French, not to be Staggered in his Resolutions, nor to be put out of all Patience and Prudence in Action, nor to abate of his Affection and Zeal for the Honour and Service of His Majesty, the safeguard and Interest of Religion and the Kingdom, in a season when so many Popish Pro­jectors plaid a Game under board, and above too, will be an everlasting Argument of his Highnesses Valour and Renown; and must needs be a strong Obligation upon the King, the Parliament, and People of England; who are now left to judge, whether it was not a wonderful good Providence of God, and one of the most memorable pieces of Service ever done at Sea, to surmount all those difficulties, and even Envy it self; and after all, to bring home the Fleet Royal of England, without the loss of one Man of War, to her own Shore in Safety, in despight of all Enemies that designed otherwise by Sea and Land.

Tantum potuit unius viri virtus, & fortuna.