I Am obliged somewhat by promise, but more by Friendship, to give you an accompt both of my own, and the Fleets condition: But the former has so necessary a depen­dance upon the latter, that to tel you 'tis well with me, when 'tis so with the Fleet, would be as much a Tautology, as the contrary wou'd be a falshood. Sir, you know I have ever lived p [...]entifully and chearfully, blest be the company of such friends, (and amongst them particularly your self) as have even set bounds to my wishes of any Happiness, beyond what I enjoy'd: But really, now I find a pleasure in my life, so much beyond whatsoever I could have hop'd for in it; that I should even grow a Coward for fear of losing it, but that the very hazard proves the greatest part of that pleasure, I else might fear the being dispossest of. Sir, to be in the midst of the gallantest Fleet that I'm sure, ever eyes beheld, to be under the Con­duct of a Prince, skilful to a Miracle, and Valiant. to Terrour: To Engage in the behalf of the best of Kings, against the worst of States: How great is the encouragement!—Dear Sir, pardon me Loyalty guides my hand to write more than I designed, though less than I think: Your own breast supplies you with such suggestions, as would render what I can say move impertinent: And therefore to pursue my design a little nearer, I must come to particulars, and give you an ac­compt of what happned since our being off at Sea, and of these occurrences your Gazetts furnish you with so true and speedy intelligence, that I suppose my relation will, by that time it has the happiness of k [...]ssing your hands, lose the Name of News: and (like Cider carried by Sea) decay in it's Spirit and become insiped: However it is one part of the Service that I owe you to endeavour to serve you.

The last intelligence you had from my Cousin [...] as I remember, gave you a full accompt of all transactions, till the third instant, at which time our Fleet was about half a League from the middle ground, the Wind was (I can hardly say it blew ( North-eastwardly, but it prov'd so very scant, that we were forc'd to come to an Ankon: And about three in the afternoon we saw the Dutch Fleet, in all, about Threescore and Six or Seven Sail, first at an Anchor, but about Six a Clock they weigh'd and stood South-wardly, making way (as near as we conjecture) towards the Long-sands.

On the morrow we found them lying at Anchor, between Orfordness, and Hosley-Bay, having divided themselves into two Squadrons. We all flatter'd our selves with the hopes of making up to them, and coming speedily to an Engagement; but they took all imaginable care to stand off, and keep the Weather-gage, continually shifting their Station by night, insomuch that they never were at any certainty.

[Page 4] On the fifth instant we got to our Main-tops, but the Weather being somewhat Hazy, we could not ken them; insomuch that his Highness Prince Rupert, thought fit to send forth scouts every way, to try if he could discover them, one of which in a short time returned with this advice, that the Enemy was Anchor'd in the Gun-Fleet, whereupon the Prince immediately commanded us to Weigh, hoping if possible to reach them that night, or however, early the next morning, but the poor shifters smelt the danger, and instantly got them packing in a lamentable hurry and stood East-ward, with all the sail they could make; leaving behind them a small Dogger, which some of the scouts took, and brought back to our Fleet. You could not have contain'd your self from Laughter, to have seen what a scornful anger our Seamen express'd when they found themselves frustrated in their hopes of an Engagement; One with threats, Another with scorn, a third with revilings (such as were true e­nough) sufficiently expressing their own Valour, and the enemies Cowardize, and Fear; which (a very ingenious Gentleman) observing; Fellow [...]ouldiers (says he in a smile) would you not have the Boors, run for shelter, when they smell a Storm in the Wind?

On the Seventh Instant, we met with a small Oftender, who told us that he the day before had passed through the whole Dutch Fleet, and that he believ'd they had (small and great) Seventy two or three Sail; that he then left them Anchoring on the Coast of Zealand, at a Place call'd Scone-Velt. He said that they had not (at most) above forty five men of War; adding that he was call'd aboard their Admiral, who had but five hundred and fifty men aboard her, and yet they confessed her to be the best man'd Frigot they had. He assured us moreover that he was confident they would never engage us, if they could possibly avoid it; for that their men expressed nothing but fear, nor their ships, but Weakness. And now since they were got so far out of the way. his Highness thought convenient to joyn as soon as possible with the French, of which he was pleased to advertize Count d' Estrdes, Vice Admiral of France, that so he might meet him in the Downs, where his Highness intends the General Rendezvows, in order whereto we made all the sail we could and stood for Dover, of which we came in sight a Friday Morning early, the Wind blowing fresh & very fair, insomuch that we are in hopes of making the Downs this evening, where you may expect we shall suddainly joyn with the French Fleet.

And now Sir, I am to beg your pardon, that I have been so tedious in repeating, (for ought I know) stale [...]ews. This I assure you is the truest accompt I can give you of both the Fleets and though it be an Ʋnpollish'd one, yet (like a Rough Diamond) it may deserve some value to be put on it, because of it's Truth: I forbear to make any farther Apology, since what I have written is in order to your Commands, though possibly not in answear to your Expectation. Should there be any Engagement, there will lye one upon me (if I live) to give you the first accompt of it I can, and the truest, both which are debts incumbent upon my Zeal, and Integrity, to manifest my self.