A MESSAGE SENT To the Councel of State, from his Excellency General Blake, concerning the last bloudy fight at Sea between the English and the Dutch.
ON Sunday last being the first of this instant August, came Letters to the Councel of State (to the great joy of their long expectance) from General Blake, intimating, That upon the return of his Scouts with advertisements, of the neer [Page 4] approach of Vantrump, preparations were made to receive them; and accordingly on the 24 of July last, both Navies engaged, and the Generals bearing up to each other, let fly several broad sides; insomuch that great execution was done on both sides; Major Bourn (the Rear-Admiral) seeing the Resolu [...]ion somewhat engaged, bare up to the head of Vantrump, and presented him with several thundering salutes; and with great fury and resolution was the conflict disputed, which continued for the space of seven hours; during which time, Victory seemed dubious; but about the eighth hour, the Lord was pleased graciously to appear for Us, and to crown Us with a glorious success, to wit: That although they far exceeded us in number; yet it pleased God (after a bloudy fight,) that we took nine, sunk two, fir'd one, the rest declined engagement, untill such time that the rest of the Fleet came up, these being onely two particular Squadrons; We shall expect the decision of the fatal blow suddenly; for both Navies are engaged.
Our General even upon this very instant of time likewise engaged their other Fleet, who consisted of 25 Men of War, being a Guard for the Busses, and for safety betook them to a Bay, called Braseys Sound in Shotland; who bearing up to them, at the Mouth of the Sound the Dutch-men prepared to [Page 5] receive them; so that upon engagement, the dispute was maintained with great alacrity and resolution, yet the success proved fatal to Mr. Launsman; For after a desperate engagement, we sunk three gallant Men of War, took twelve, besides one hundred and fifty Busses; but not without loss; for many of our men are killed and wounded, and divers of our ships rent and torn: these Seas have plenty of Masts and pieces of ships floting. We have taken abode four thousand prisoners, and at least two hundred and fifty pieces of Ordnance.
The Herring-Busses in regard they are too low a subject for the resolution of our gallant Navy, are released, and an Oath tendered to the Masters and Marriners, never more to act or engage any th [...]ng that may prove to be either prejudicial or destructive to the Common-wealth of England. This uncouth dealing from an enemy, has so wrought upon the Dutch spirits, that they begin to be almost ashamed of their attempts; first, against so trusty a friend; secondly, against so gallant an enemy, who unlading what fish they had taken, honorably dismist them. Sir, the darkness of the night, commands the subscription of
[Page 6] Since which time, the French men of War, which lay upon the catch between Cantire and Knockfergus, for the surprisal of those Horse to be conveyed from Ayre to the Highlands, missing their purpose, by divine Providence, it happened they fell upon an English Frigot of 20 Guns commanded by Captain Thompson, immediatly they let fly their broad sides upon him, and the English men being willing to entertain the hazard, joyned issue with them from ten of the clock in the forenoon, till eight in the evening; the conflict was disputed with great Resolution on both sides, but by reason of the great advantage of number, they put Captain Thompson hard to it; yet notwithstanding he so handsomly ply'd them with smal shot and Vollies, that he got off with abundance of honour, and made his retreat good to the Harbor of Knockfergus, with the loss of 23 men.
[Page 7] Vantrump lies with 120 sail of ships upon the Coast of Scotland, and trusses up the Fisherboats and Colliers, as a Falcon does wild Ducks; not one can peep out of Newcastle or Tinmouth Harbour, but he goes immediatly to the pot. They have chased three Merchants, and forced them to run on ground; but that which seems most direful, is, their taking of the Sampson of London, a ship valued four hundred thousand pounds, whose Lading was silkes of rich value. In lieu whereof, Gen. Blake hath taken three Dutch Merchants ships, coming from the East Indies, valued worth nine hundred thousand pounds.
Thus may we judge by the series of theit Actions, that the Dutch are no more then jugling Timeysts; and as one side takes ships and secures them, the other takes Busses but never opens them; so that in the end the game may prove like a Southwark [Page 8] prize (say some) at the Hope; where a man suffers himself to be beaten, to gain the halfs of the Cheat; but the acting of this Tragedy, seemes to be no such Theater; for we are in daily expectation of the decision of the fatal blow.
Letters from sir George Ayscue to the Councel of state advertize, that he hath conveyed and brought safe into Plymouth five of the English Merchants ships, richly laden from the East Indies, and of great value.
The Lord Shandoys hath received his Tryal at Kingston upon Thames; and, by the Jury, quitted.