AN ANSWER TO ANOTHER Letter from Legorn, To an Eminent Merchant in Lond. Octob. 29. 1680.  
SIR,  
I Received yours from Aboard the Van-herring, and doubtless there is no question to be made but the Mahometans and Algerines are as busy, not only of our great Ship the Van-herring, but of the Lion Rampant, and the Golden Harp that attend her. You make me tremble to hear of the Contrivance which was among the Mahometans, to have blown up the Captain and his Council of Officers in the place itself, at what time both He and they should have been met together. We are not also ignorant how they would have Attacked our single Vessel with a great Armado, having no other intention but to destroy and sink her.  
These were their Villainous attempts some years ago. But to come closer to the point, as you well observe, it was but the other day, that they put fire to the great Cabin, and burned it level with the water. And indeed it brought such a Consternation upon the honest Mariners, that had in all probability done their work, had they been as nimble to second, as they were to act. As to the rest of their Malicious designs, and more particularly of the discontented Mariners that were secured in the Gun-Room, and favoured by the Lieutenant, I shall make no repetition thereof, but tell you how far we may rationally hope for an Alteration of affairs in our Ship. In the first place, The Person who is chief entrusted with the great Cabin, and the two Boatswains, are such now newly Chosen, for which the Mariners have a high respect, as being confident of their great Affection for the good of the Ship. There is one among them that has a great share in looking after the great Cabin, for whom the Mariners have not so great kindness, as believing him too much a favourer of the Lieutenant's designs. Him therefore they are about to displace, and 'tis thought 'twill be speedily done; For that upon misapprehensions between the Mariners and the Lieutenant, he would be always giving Sentence to the prejudice of the Mariners, by which they thought their Rights and Privileges impaired.  
The Grand Council of the Officers of the Ship are now Sitting, and are very intent to discover the Designers and Designs that have been, and still are, against the Ship. Before they Sat, the Lieutenant removed into the Lion Rampant, at which the Impeached Mariners that are secured in the Gun-Room, were not a little pensive, and hung down their heads; as indeed they have reason enough to do. For though one of the Mariners that accused them to the Captain, be since dead, yet there is another come in, that has Discovered much more. His Testimony was somewhat decried at first by some of the Lieutenant's Friends; but now, 'tis believed more favour will be shown him, and that Credit be given to his Oath, that a person so much a Creature of the Mahometans may deserve. That which did him no small kindness, was this, That the very first day that the Grand Council of Officers sat, he discovered a very considerable Mahometan, who was walking in disguise upon the Deck among the great Officers in the Ship, and harkening to their discourses. But the great Officers ordered him to be laid hold on; insomuch that the Lieutenant's friend was forced to commit him into the Hole, upon the Testimony of that Mariner, which he had so much slighted before: He has repeated his Discoveries before the Grand Council of Officers, who have heard him with great attention, and seem to be not a little concerned at what he has said, and have ordered him to give in what he spoke by word of mouth, in Writing. One of the Members of the Great Council itself, is at present suspended, till he clear himself of some things which are laid to his Charge. There have been several Mariners, who have endeavoured by Papers and Writings to set the Captain and his Great Council at Variance. 'Tis thought the Eye of the Great Council will be soon upon them, in regard that they have already sent for one of them, who, 'tis thought, trusted too much to the quickness of his Parts, and played too much upon the Discovery of the great Plot against the Captain and the Ship. Thereupon the said Mariner, lately made a Quartermaster, has left the Ship, or at least so hid himself among the Ballast and Cordage, that he cannot at present be found. Some of the Mariners inform against him, that he is a Mahometan, and has been so for many years. As for the Ships Cockboat, which the Algerines, the most perfidious people in the world, do so much endeavour to cut from her Stern, we are in great hopes that particular care will be taken of it, in regard the Captain himself recommended the preservation thereof to the Grand Council of Officers. Particular care will be also taken, no doubt, of the Golden Harp, where a strict enquiry will be made after the Mahometans and Algerines, that have raised Mutinies and Divisions among the Mariners on that Vessel, on purpose to betray that Ship to the Argerines' themselves. In these and all those other concerns which you mention, we make no question but that the Grand Council of Officers will be very sedulous for the good of the Ship. There is that Harmony at present between the Captain and them, which makes all the Mariners throw up their Caps, and rejoice at no rate; Nay the very Mariners are turned devout too, and pray for the Continuance of it with the greatest Zeal in the world: As being absolutely confirmed in this Opinion, That if that blessing befall them, that neither they nor their Ship will ever fall into the power of their Enemies, either the Mahometans or the Algerines, whom they will have no reason to fear, if their Captain and the Grand Council agree. By the next expect a farther Account from  
Yours, P. J.   

Printed, and are to be Sold by Richard Janeway in Queens-head Alley in Paternoster: Row. 1680.