Another BLOODY FIGHT AT SEA BETWEEN The English and the Dutch upon the Coast of Flanders. Sent in a Letter to the Parliament of England, and the Council of State, on Saturday last; with their debates likewise, and Consultations, and Resolutions, on the Sabbothday in the afternoon at White-Hall.  
LIKEWISE The particulars of the Fight, the number sunk, and 40 men of War and Merchants taken, and brought into the Downs, under the command and protection of Dover Castle.  
ALSO A Declaration of the Lords Ambassadors of the States of Holland, touching War and Peace, and the Parliaments final Answer and Resolution thereunto.  

Ordered to be forthwith Printed and Published, and dispersed throughout the several Counties in England and Wales, and the Town of Berwick.  
Signed G. Nothro, Cler.   
June. 15. LONDON: Printed for G: HORTON. 1652.   

A PAPER Delivered by the LORDS AMBASSADORS To the Council of State.  
Most Honourable Lords,  
WE are here by reason of an unhappy and unexpected mischance; An horrible report hath amazed us, that a fight at sea should have been betwixt the Fleet of this Commonwealth and of the united Provinces, and that ours should have been the reason of this unfortunate business, That we began the fight, and that thereupon is fought most cruelly; and that from thence the rumour of the breaking off the treaty, and of open war (which should be very near at hand between the two Nations) was spread: We astonished by this sad report, direct ourselves to this honourable Assembly and do Declare before God, and out of all our Hearts, that the Fact, so as it is reported, is committed without the knowledge, and against the will of the States of the united Provinces our Lords, and of us their Ambassadors. Moreover, we do affirm, That the hearts of ours do desire nothing but Unity, Peace, League, and a very near friendship with this Commonwealth, and hope that withal their wishes. In the mean while, we do think it not to be amiss, if we give notice unto your honours, that we have received letters from the Admiral of the Fleet of the United Provinces Dated the 30 of the last month, wherein the occasion and reason of the said Fight quite otherwise is declared then the common Report is; for the truth of which business, we suppose to be convenient to inquire exactly; but this is worth observation in the mean time, That our Admiral Trump in the same letter doth declare plainly to have no other Order from the Lords the States, then to sail about, and to view the shore and coast of our country, as far as Ostend and Newport, and no further. By which it doth appear as clearly as the Sun is under heaven that by all means the States of the United Provinces have had no mind to attempt any thing against the Fleet or other ships of this Commonwealth. If any thing then in this business be done otherwise then ought to be, this doth not concern the said States, but them which have executed the said business, and let them make it good. We have been here now almost six months about the concluding a league, by special order of the States, and have delivered some days ago to your Commissioners a paper, in which not only the different points touching the Treaty, but also the means by which the same could be brought to a good agreement, and reconciled one with another, were sufficiently declared; so that we did expect nothing every day, but a happy end to so good a work; and truly that excellent matter may in very few hours be finished. But who should ever believe that so noble a work, and desired with so many wishes of all honest men, and especially of all the Churches of the Reformed Christian Religion, should be cut off or hindered by any such imprudent and turbulent man (whosoever he may be) without knowledge & against the will of the Lords the States? by Law and custom of all nations is very well known, that he to whom a charge is given in particular things, an Ambassador in public Business going beyond the limit of their Commissions, a General of an army Depopulating without order of his Superiors any grounds of the Neighbours; a wild beast doing any mischief after it hath broken its bond, that not the Masters but those that have broken the bond are obliged, especially if the disapproving of the same Masters followeth thereupon; which without question (if the business be so as it is related) is to be expected from the States of the United Provinces. In the mean while we make no doubt, that to attempt any Hostility before the other party is heard, cannot be approved neither by God, nor by any men, especially Christians. It is a custom by all reasonable nations to demand restitution of their Goods if any trouble be done, and in case satisfaction be given or offered, to lay aside all Hostility. And it is no wonder that all Nations are so much against war, and inclined to establish a Peace, the War being plainly a cruel Monster, a world of evil, and a mere deluge of innocent blood; therefore the most holy Fathers of our Religion have expressly declared the war (although just) to be execrable, especially in relation to the Christians who are taught by their meekest Saviour to spare other men's blood as well as their own. But amongst all kind of wars this is reputed the most detestable and horrible if between these nation's war be risen. Truly the experience teacheth us, that the best and strongest wine (if it be corrupted) becomes the sowerest Vinegar; and indeed if two Nations having been friends of old times, of the same Religion, lovers of Liberty, joining upon the same sea, next Neighbours, both valiant and warlike be clashed together, what is to be expected but the ruin of both, and as the Proverb saith; a Cadmean Victory. And what else is this then to afflict and depress your Friends and Companions in Religion to please your enemies, and to give occasion openly for to hurt them both. An Author, being none of the least amongst yours, hath very well compared, as we conceive, both the two Nations to two earthen pots, driving in the sea with this device, if we hurt, we break; He hitted it very well that honest man, and we may believe you are of the same opinion. But if the two nations come to an agreement, Oh Lord, what store of Happiness will this bring forth! The true God's service will be established, the Sea be quiet, & opportunity taken away from all enemies to trouble them both, all Communions in Religion be resoiled, and which is to be reputed the chiefest 〈◊〉 ●ll, to the most good and gracious Lord, Praises and Thanksgig●●●ng will be lift up into the Heavens.  
We conclude then, most Honourable Lords, and instantly demand and desire, so as we have longed to propose unto your Honours this three days since;  
First, That a Copy may be given unto us of the Relation of the things that are past.  
Secondly, That we may send that over by your leave to our Lords the States, and that the other part being heard, the truth of the business may be known.  
Thirdly, That in the mean while all things may be kept whole and untouched.  
Fourthly, That by no means the business of the concluding the Treaty be put off, and that such unfortunate mischances may be avoided, and an everlasting Peace may be established between both the Nations.  
All which we desire of all our hearts, the great and bountiful God, the Author of Peace will be pleased to grant us.  
Signed, Cats. G: Schaep. Vandeperre.   

The answer of the Parliament of the Common wealth of ENGLAND.  
THe Parliament of the Commonwealth of England, calling to mind with what continued Demonstrations of Friendship and sincere Affections, from the very beginning of their intestine troubles, they have proceeded towards their Neighbours of the United Provinces, omitting nothing on their part that might conduce to a good correspondence with them, and to a growing up into a more near and strict Union then formerly, Do find themselves much surprised with the unsuitable Returns that have been made thereunto, and especially at the acts of Hostility lately committed in the very Roads of England upon the Fleet of this Commonwealth, the matter of Fact whereof stated in clear proofs, is hereunto annexed, Upon serious and deliberate consideration of all, and of the several Papers delivered in by your Excellencies to the Council of State, the Parliament thinks fit to give this answer to those papers:  
The Parl. as they would be willing to make a charitable construction of the Expressions used in the said Papers, endeavouring to represent the late engagement of the Fleets to have happened without the knowledge, and against the mind of your Superiors; So when they consider how disagreeable to that profession the Resolutions and actions of your State and their Ministers at Sea have been, even in the midst of a Treaty offered by themselves, and managed here by your Excellencies, the extraordinary preparations of One hundred and fifty sail of Men of War, without any visible occasion but what doth now appear (a just ground of Jealousy in your own judgements, when your Lordships pretended to excuse it) and the instructions themselves given by your said Superiors to their Commanders at Sea, Do find too much cause to believe, That the Lords the State's General of the United Provinces have an intention, by force to usurp the known Rights of England in the Seas, to destroy the Fleets that are, under God, their Walls and Bulwarks, and thereby expose this Commonwealth to Invasion at their pleasure, as by this late Action they have attempted to do: Whereupon the Parliament conceive they are obliged to endeavour, with God's assistance, as they shall have opportunity, to seek reparation of the wrongs already suffered, and security that the like be not attempted for the future.  
Nevertheless, with this mind and desire, That all differences betwixt the Nations may (if possible) be peaceably and friendly composed, as God by his providence shall open a way thereunto, and circumstances shall be conducing to render such endeavours less dilatory, and more effectual than those of this kind heretofore used ●ave been.  
Hen: Scobel, Cleric. Parliamenti.   

But to deviate from circumstances, and to proceed to realities, give me leave to present you with the Proverb of King James, who said, Fair words would butter no Parsnips; Even so it is with the Commonwealth of England: That during an honourable Treaty, high affronts have been given, as before specified, which upon mature deliberation, produced further action; as appears by the Narrative sent to the Council of State, who upon Sabbath day last, came to this result, That a Letter of thanks should be returned to Vice-Admiral Peacock, for his gallantry performed upon the Coast of Flanders; the perfect Relation whereof take as followeth.  
Capt. Peacock having intelligence of the Hollanders imperiousness, resolved to attempt some heroic Achievement for his Country's honour: In pursuance whereof, sailing to the coast of Flanders, met with two Dutchmen of War, who (upon Command in obedience to the Commonwealth of England) denied to strike sail, insomuch that a bloody fight began, and after a sharp dispute, we sunk one, and took another, carrying about 40. pieces of Ordnance; since which time; divine Providence decreeing victory, about 40 sail are brought into Dover Peer under protection of the Castle; for which gallant service, the Parliament hath returned a Letter of thanks and gratuity, to the further encouragement of the Seamen.  
FINIS.