THE ANSWER OF THE COMMISSIONERS of the NAVY, To a scandalous Pamphlet, published by Mr ANDREW'S, BURRELL.  
Printed by WILL. BENTLEY, Anno Dom. MDCXLVI.   

To the Right Honourable the High Court of PARLIAMENT.  
SOme days past, there came to the hands of us the Commissioners of the Navy, a Pamphlet, published in print by Andrew's Burrell, concerning the Navy, (a business then depending before the Honourable Committee of the Admiralty.) We much wondered at the boldness in the manner of subscribing, and at the Scandals, through the whole body of the Pamphlet; he daring to direct it unto your Honours; and therein scandalising the Navie-royall of the kingdom, and all the Officers of the same; as Admirals, Vice-admirals', and Rearadmirals', Commissioners, Collectors, Trinity-house, and others; yea, and beyond this, some of your Members, and in truth, the honour of both Houses of Parliament.  
We are confident those aspersions and brainsick Notions, so plainly discovering his discontentedness, and self-ends, and so apparently tending to the destruction of the Royal Navy, will not get the least credit with your Honours: But, lest this Pamphlet should work such ill effect abroad, that after your Honour's happy government, protection, and defence of this Kingdom, in these Civil Broils, by the Navy Royal, as with Walls and Bulworks, from all foreign Invasion; your Honours proceed should upon this man's writing be calumniated, by the disaffected party here at home; and your Royal Navy, (formerly so formidable) become contemptible to foreign States and Princes: and we knowing that the great affairs of State will not afford time unto your Honours, to take a particular examination of this business, to the discovery of the folly, and desperate malice of this Gentl. and we being entrusted by your Honours in the government and care of the Navy Royal, have thought it not the least part of our duties, to make bold, by our Answer unto this Pamphlet, to present unto your Honours the true state of the Navy, to discover the destructive effects so much aimed at, and desired to the Navy in the Pamphlet, to stop the mouths of Enemies and illaffected, to satisfy the well-affected, and to vindicate the honour of the Parliament, whose provident and prudent care for preservation of the Navy, and guarding of the Seas, in these times of danger, we shall make appear to exceed all former Ages.  
Master Burrell, in the beginning of his Preface, gins to tell a Story, That he was forced out of his Country, for his affection to the Parliament, and of his taking the Covenant, and of being pressed every Lord's day to discover what he knew to be advantageous or hurtful to the Parliament; when indeed and in truth, the one was, because he would contribute little or nothing to the Parliament, having lived here a long time obscurely; and the other, because for his private advantage and advance of his Fortunes, he would be an Officer of the Navy: But at last, being roused up (as he saith) by Churchmen, he complained to the Right Honourable the Lord Say, the Navy was sluggish, and did sail so sluggishly, that it could not perform those Services which the Parliament expected; and to that purpose presented a paper to his Lordship, entitled, Observations upon the Navy, by Andrews Burrell: which paper he presented to the Earl of Warwick, and from his Lordship it was sent to be disputed before us the Commissioners of the Navy, with whom (saith he) it died.  
Answer. Now may it please the honourable Houses of Parliament, That it is true, we received an Order from the Right Honourable the Earl of Warwick, as also from the Honourable Committee of the Navy, to send for Master Burrell, to hear his opinion concerning the reducing of the Navy into a better posture, as he pretended, for sailing: We likewise sent for all the Master Shipwrights of England, Captain Batten being present with us. Being come together, we demanded of Master Burrell, in what manner he would do this great work: His Answer was, He would cut them down to one Tyre of Ordnance, by which means they should sail a great deal better. We demanded of him, What he would do to add quality to them; for in cutting them down, without doing something under water, would be to small purpose: His Answer was, That he would keep that private to himself. We desired him to give it in writing how he would perform this Service, if he did make a trial of one of the old Ships, in regard it would be a great charge to the State; which he promised to do, but never came near the Office more, nor ever heard we more of him, till now, that he hath set out this Scandalous Libel. And indeed what he propounded to us, which was to cut down the first, second, and third Rate-Ships, and to bring them to one Tyre of Ordnance, is so ridiculous, and will so disable the Navy, that it will make them, in case of foreign invasion in capable either to offend the Enemy, or defend themselves; all other Prince's Ships of the first, second, and third Rate, having two or three Tire of Ordnance. Besides, as they are now built, having great Floors, and great Breadths, if they should be cut down, they would be so unruly Ships in the Sea, that in a Sea-gate they would roll so much, that no man would be able to ply the Ordnance, or stand upon the Deck. Besides, if they should meet with a Storm, be in danger to roll their Masts by the Board, as appeared by the Rainbow, and Vanguard, which were built in 86. little more or less: after this Model proved so defective Ships in the Sea, that they were forced to bring on another Deck upon them: The Victory, in 87, was cut down for a trial, at the instance of Sir john Hawkings, from three Decks and an half, to one Tyre of great Ordnance; which being done, the Queen commanded, in 88, that he should go Commander of her, because he was the Projector; but when he came up to the King of Spain's Ships with two Tire and three Tyre of Ordnance, they tore his Ship, and killed his men so fast that he was not able to endure the Spaniards broad Sides, but was forced to leave them; So that when the Ship came home, the Queen's Majesty understanding how much the Ship was disabled by cutting down her Decks, gave Order for her Decks to be built again; and ever after she carried two Tire of Ordnance fore and aft. And indeed the Ships of the Navy, of the first and second Rate, are the best built Ships in the World, both for defence and offence, carrying two Tire of Ordnance; and if not laden with Victuals, but kept light and clean, will sail as well as any Ships of their burden and force that do belong to any Christian Prince, having been a terror to their Enemies; witness Anno 88 for if there had not been such Ships at that time, but such reformed Ships as Master Burrell endevoureth to have, the Spanish Armado doubtless had overrun them, and with their strength of Ordnance, having two and three Tyre, would have been too hot for their coming near them: yet such was the strength of our Ships, most of them having two Tire of Ordnance, and well manned, that (by the blessing of God) we gave them the overthrow: And ever since the Navy hath been preserved and built in a better posture then in those days, and more serviceable for the honour and preservation of the Kingdom. And because your Honours may be satisfied, how necessary great Ships are with two Tire of Ordnance, for the defence of this Kingdom, we shall only instance in two Ships which are yet lively in our memory. In Anno 1640. Don Antonio de Kendo came into the Downs, with a Fleet of Ships from Spain, and having rid there some time, the Admiral Van Trump, with six of the best Ships in Holland, attended the motion of Don Antonio his Ship; the rest of his Fleet, consisting of eighty Sail, attended the rest of the Spanish Fleet: Don Antonio when he had refreshed his men, and fitted himself, weighed Anchor out of the Downs; the Admiral of Holland did the like with six Ships; and coming without the Goodwyn-Sands, the Admiral of Holland came up with the Admiral of Spain, as far as his transome; but received such entertainment, that he durst never more come up with him, nor any of the Ships in his company, notwithstanding the Admiral of Spain stayed for them with his topsails down, and main yard a cross; such great force had this great Ship with two Tire and an half of Ordnance, that the Hollanders durst not deal with her. The Admiral of Portugal, being another great Ship of that Fleet with two Tire of Ordnance, fought with sixteen States Men of War almost a whole day, yet never could take her, and being offered any quarter that they would demand, scorned it: At last, when the Hollanders saw they could not take her, two of their Men of War desperately ran aboard of her, with two Fireships, where they all burned together, until they were consumed. And indeed, if they had not used that Stratagem, they had never destroyed her. By this, your Honours may perceive the great difference between Ships of two Tyre of Ordnance, and one Tyre, as Master Burrell would have them.  
In the next place he makes a long Narration of the Sally- Fleet, where Captain Rainsborow was Commander, and saith, He finds in his journal these words, (We did give them chase all day, and at night we lost them:) which great deficiency (saith he) renders the Navy to be in a contemptible condition.  
Ans. Now let any Seaman judge, whether Captain Rainshorow's Fleet could be in a fit condition, to chase light and clean Vessels that came out of Sally that night, when he had been two Months from England, and grown foul, and four months' Victuals in: Besides, those small Vessels which he chased, were (when he first saw them) two Leagues from him, which was a long chase to fetch up, and would hold a good Sailor chase all day: Besides, if the Men of War had contemned them, (as Master Burrell saith,) why did they run from them, and would not fight? For by their running away, it is evident they were not contemned, but feared: And yet he confesseth, that Fleet performed better Service, than England's Navy did in 44 years before.  
In the next place, (because we will touch only what concerns ourselves) Master Burrell discovers where the fault hath been, That the Navy hath not been reform, and how the Right Honourable the Earl of Warwick, hath been misled by the Officers of the Navy, and the Brethren of the Trinity-house, who should have advised his Lordship to make choice of nimble Ships for Warlike Service: & that if the Brethren of the Trinity-house were so knowing as they seem, and so well affected as they ought, they should have sent forth for their own Adventure, one Ship and one Pinnace, that should have sailed as nimbly as the Queen's Ship: Such an example (saith he) peradventure would have moved the dull Officers, to hearken to the reducing of part of the Navy into a serviceable posture for these times, and to make choice of better Ships, which they have hired at dearer Rates.  
For Answer thereunto, We wonder much at the boldness of this sickbrained man, that he should question the judgement of that noble Earl to be misled by us, as if his Lordship were not a Seaman himself, to discern what is fit to be done, for the making of fit and nimble Ships for Service, better than Master Burrell, who scarce ever saw salt water, and consequently never saw Service. And for the affection of the Trinity-house, we are confident, that divers of that Corporation, have set out many Ships and Pinnaces, for the Public, in these distracted times, to their great loss and hindrance, as some of the Members of the honourable House of Commons can witness: but never heard that Master Burrell, nor his Associates, set out any Ship or Pinnace, in defence of the Parliament of England, since these Wars began. And for the reducing of the Navy into such a posture as Master Burrell would have it; we hope never to be guilty of so great a disservice to this Kingdom: And although Master Burrell saith, we have made bad choice of Ships, and at dear rates, to serve the State; we shall make it appear to the honourable Houses, that they have been the best Merchants Ships in this Kingdom, and taken up at no other rates, then hath been given long before we came in Office, in the most peaceable times.  
In Folio 4, Master Burrell quarrels with the Trinity-house, and talks of Tolls and fair Immunities coming in by the industrious Seamen, and chalks them out their duty to take care for the common Seamen, and not to suffer thousands of them in discontent to run out of the Kingdom.  
Ans. As for the Tolls and Immunities, which the Trinity-house receive, they receive it with one hand, and pay it with the other, to the widow and fatherless of that Corporation, and to such as have received wounds and hurts, in the Parliaments and Merchants Service; for which they have two pence a voyage out of every common Seaman, and no more if the voyage be three years long; yet the malice of Master Burrell would make the world believe, the Trinity-house receives much, when indeed their whole come in (since these distracted times) doth not relieve half the poor belonging to that Corporation. And for the common Seamen, they need not be discontented, having had an Augmentation of four shillings in a Month more than ever any King or Queen in England gave them, besides other Immunities granted them by the Parliament: Neither do we believe that any are gone over, except such as are Malignants and Enemies to the State, which are better out of the Kingdom, then in it.  
In the next place, he roves by way of Multiplication, in which, it seems, he is not skilful, for instead of 500, he saith, the Officers of the Navy sent out their Prest-masters into Suffolk and Essex, to press 900 Seamen, and out of the River of Thames, 200 Watermens; but at the day of their appearing, of all that number, there appeared at Chatham but 224, whereof 124 were Watermens: and then makes his Inference, as if there were a scarcity and unwillingness in Seamen, and Watermens, to the Service of the Parliament.  
To which we Answer, That we did send out Prest-masters to the foresaid places for 500 men, and not for 900, (as Master Burrell falsely saith) to the end we might not make a scarcity of men in this City for the Merchant-Ships, in regard we were to set out a Fleet of 6000 men, whereas in time past our predecessors for such Fleets, never pressed less than 2000 men in the Country: yet such was the willingness of the Seamen and Watermens, to serve the Parliament, that the Ships are all manned long since, and at Sea; and we writ our Letters down to the Prest-masters to stay their hand; and of those that were pressed, came to Chatham (as appears under the Clerk of the Checks hand) 358 men, besides Watermens. By this the honourable Houses of Parliament may perceive the malice of this Gentleman, who not only strives to blast your faithful Servants, but as much as in him lies, seeks to bring the honourable Houses in a dislike with the common Seamen, that so some rigid courses may be taken against those that hitherto have done them faithful Service.  
In the next place, he falls foul of the Ship that carried over the Queen's Majesty, and inserts some words in Captain Battens Letter to the Parliament in these words; If my life and all the Kingdom had lain at Stake, I could not prevent her going over, for (saith he) the Ship that carried her, sails two foot for my one. Then he makes his inference, and would have Captain Batten speak in his own language, as if he would have said (saith he) that other Nations can make nimble Ships, but England is grown dull, and must be contented with sluggish and unserviceable Ships. Then he further adds, that if the Parliament had spent every year a million of Pounds, they that have wasted one million in three years, would not of themselves have endeavoured to build or purchase one Ship or Pinnace foe nimble as the Queens Ship.  
Ans. By this your Honours may perceive, he still hammers upon one Anvil, that is, as much as in him lies, to disparage the Navie-Royall, and to infuse into Strangers minds how unserviceable they are, that so he might blast the honour and reputation of the whole Navy, which hath been and is both famous and terrible to all Nations; and only for this cause, that so great a Ship as the Saint Andrew, being foul at that time, could not fetch up a clean tallowed Frigate, new come out of Port, having the advantage of the wind, and being a special Sailor, and fitted for that purpose to carry away the Queen. And for the spending of so much money, we know it is far short of that Sum; yet thus much we dare aver, that if these times be compared with precedent times when such Fleets have been set forth, the honourable Houses will find by the Accounts, that never more frugality was used, then since the Parliament had the Navy in their hands.  
In the next place he saith, he was unexpectedly nominated a Commissioner for the Sale of Prizes and prize-good, and saith, he would have attended the Service faithfully; but at his entrance into that trust, he was unfitly opposed in the Sale of a nimble Pinnace, which by a strong hand was estranged from the Parliament, without Candle-light: and being so opposed, he was much discouraged, because he knew himself best able to serve the Parliament; and thereupon desisted, and came no more amongst them.  
Answer. That it is true, he was nominated a Commissioner for Prizes, and prize-good, but not unexpectedly, for he expected 300. l. per annum, but after he had sat two or three days with us, and heard that we were to receive nothing but our labour for our pains: truly he then very unfitly left us, and never sat more amongst us. And for being opposed in the sale of a nimble Pinnace, which by a strong hand was estranged from the Parliament; we wonder that all this time he hath not discovered it; that so those persons may be punished according to their demerits: and therefore we humbly desire the honourable houses of Parliament, to cause this business to be examined; and that Master Burrell do discover what Pinnace that was, and who it was that estranged her from the Parliament.  
In the next place, Master Burrell saith, That before and since that time some nimble Ships and many Pinnaces have been taken, but most of them by disasters; and if those Ships and Pinnaces had been contrived into Men of War, and set out in the room of those sluggish Ships which he complains of, the Parliament would have been much better served, with the saving half of that vast charge which hath been spent at Sea; yet saith he, it is certain the best of those Ships and Pinnaces, have been estranged from the Parliament, which makes the abuse the greater, and therefore makes a quere to examine what price was paid the Parliament for Plunkets Ship.  
Ans. It seems now Master Burrell will confess that some nimble Ships and Pinnaces have been taken by the Parliament Ships, but yet to eclipse the taking of them, he saith, Most of them were taken by disasters, which we confess to be true; for it was a disaster befell them that were taken. And as for those ships that were taken, they that were good Sailors, and fit to be made men of War were fitted and equipped, and are now in the service of the Parliament to the number of seven good Ships, and sixteen Frigates, and not estranged from the Parliament, as Master Burrell sets forth, and doubtless will save charges, in regard the Parliament pays not fraight, though not half the charge, as Master Burrell saith: And as for Captain Plunkets Ship, if Master Burrell had inquired of Master Morris Thomson, amongst other things he would have told him that she was stranded about Arundel by five Statesmen of war, and seized on by Sir William waller's army, and condemned in the Admiralty as Prize to Master Thompson and others for losses received by the Dunkirkers, so that as we conceive nothing was due to the Parliament; yet we humbly desire the honourable Houses, to examine Master Burrell, because he saith, It is certain that the best of those Ships and Pinnaces were estranged, that he may declare in whose hands those Ships and Pinnaces are, that so the Parliament may be righted, and the offenders receive condign punishment.  
In the next place in his old ridiculous strain, he falls a praising of Plunkets Ship for failing, although he never saw her sail, and dispraising of the great new Frigate before he knows what she will be, as he doth all the rest of the Navy: Then he falls to telling of a story, and saith, he believes that all the Ships in the Navy in three years have not taken so many Prizes, as Plunkets Ship hath taken in these two years, and that some of those Prizes were very rich, but by estranging that Ship of Plunkets, the Parliament hath lost all those Prizes.  
Ans. Your Honours may perceive what Master Burrells intentions are by his language; that is, still to dishonour the Royal Navy, calling them sluggish, and praising of Flunkets Frigate for a nimble Sailor, when there is twenty sail of Frigates and Ships now in the Parliament service, that fail as well, and many of them better. And whereas he falsely saith, that Plunkets Ship hath taken more Prizes in two years, than the Parliament Ships have taken in three; we shall refer your Honours to the Collectors for Prizes, and prize-good; and they will tell your Honours that the Parliament Ships have taken a hundred and ten Merchant Ships, and thirty nine Men of War have been taken and sunk, which had his Majesty's Commission; besides many Spaniards, French, and Dutch that have been delivered back at the earnnest request of the Ambassadors. And we never heard of more than six Ships taken by Captain Plunckets Frigate, and most of them being Merchant Ships.  
In the next place, he gins a large discourse, that in November last, he understood that there was three Frigates to be built for the State, and that he was designed to build one; and was showed a paper from a principal Shipwright, which be had received from the Officers of the Navy, directing him how he should build one of the Frigates, that when she was built, she would never do any good service: but saith Mr. Burrell, that which troubled the Shipwright most, was the price; for (saith he) if they give a slight price, they must expect slight Frigates. Then (saith Master Burrell) I took the paper into consideration, and I acquainted the Shipwright with my dislike of it, and told him I would move the Lords of the Admiralty so to order the business, that those Shipwrights that did build them, should build without direction from the Officers of the Navy: and that they should have an indifferent price for them, which was that which Mr. Burrell aimed at, because he would build one: Then he sets forth the manner and form of his Petition to the Lords of Admiralty in two sides of paper, and tells their Lordships of ten Whelps built by the direction of Sir john Pennington; and rakes up the ashes of his dead body, and saith, the bvilders were so misled by him, that all those vessels proved sluggish. Then he lays down positive rules and directions, how the Frigates should be built, as punctually, as Archimedes the Mathematician, but still hath a care of his interest, and desires that the Builders might not be disheartened in the price of them. Then he propounds 300l. to be deposited, that is to say, to each builder an 100 l. and the Frigates to sail into Downs, and from thence to the Isle of Wight, and then round about the Island, and so to Ports-mouth; and that Frigate that cometh in there first, to be reputed the best Frigate for service, and that the Shipwright that built her, should have the 300 l. for his service. Then (saith he) before I offered these propositions to their Lordships: I conferred with Master Pet, and Master Castle, whether they were willing to build two of the Frigates, upon the forementioned terms, or not, and if they would build each of them one, be would build the third: So when I found (saith he) Master Pet and Master Castle to like my propositions, I presented them to the Honourable Earl of Warwick, and Lord Say, and proved before their Lordships, that if the Frigates were built, according to the directions of the Officers of the Navy, the Frigates would prove unserviceable to the State: But (saith Master Burrell) this took no effect. Soon after came forth other directions worse than the first, That one of the intended Frigates should be built 70 Tons bigger than the other two, whereas by my propositions they should be all of equal burden: And secondly, Master Pet junior, should build the bigger, and Master Pet signior the two lesser Frigates, by which subtle plot (saith he) all emulation was laid aside.  
For answer to the needful, of what Master Burrell hath falsely suggested: In the first place, your Honours may perceive what Master Burrell drives at: the first is a good price, not for the good of the Kingdom, but for his own ends: because (saith he) I was designed by their Lordships to build one. In the next place, he would brand the Commissioners of the Navy, in giving directions for the building of unserviceable Frigates, when indeed they gave no directions for them, but gave the Master Shipwright order, to draw out their own dimensions, which accordingly they did, which we have ready to produce under their hands: And if the ten Whelps built many years since proved deficient, it doth not follow these Frigates now a building, should prove no better Sailors. But Master Burrell in that strikes at the Commissioners of the Navy, wounding us through Sir john Penningtons' sides, as if these Frigates would be unserviceable, because he falsely suggests, we gave directions therein: And for his propositions to try their Sailing round about the I'll of Wight to Portsmouth is so ridiculous that we need not trouble ourselves about it, for all Seamen know that there can be no trial of Ships in that place, the tides running counter, and one Ship may be in the tide, and the other out, which may make great difference, and indeed lies more in the skill of the Pilot then in the Ship, in observing the setting of the tides, and consequently to take the advantage of it; by which your Honours may perceive how Master Burrell will undertake to tell your Honours, that which he understands not. And for his proposition to the Lords to build those Frigates by the great, their Honours utterly refused it, knowing it a dishonour to the Parliament to build Ships out of his Majesty's yard, having the best Shipwrights in the Kingdom to perform that service; and one, who had given such testimony of his Art and skill in building of a Frigate, for the right Honourable the Earl of Warwick, that a better Sailor is not in England, nor Dunkirk: but the Lords told Master Burrell, if he would build one to try his skill, he should have his Majesty's yard at Portsmouth, to build in, with timber, planks and materials needful; which Master Burrell refused to do, and saith, it was a dishonour cast upon him, and for no other cause, but that he could not build one by the great, that so he might get two or three hundred pound by the Parliament: And if the other Shipwrights are discontended (as Master Burrell saith) because they did not build them by the great (as we believe they are not) yet we marvel that Master Burrell should suggest, that Mr. Pet the builder, acts against his affection, or desires, being the King and Parliaments servant; unless he would bring the Parliament in dislike with the Shipwrights, and so to bring them under a Cloud, as he hath endeavoured to eclipse the Trinity-house. And as for the subtle plot (as Master Burrell calls it) in causing Master Pet Junior, to build the great Frigate and Master Pet signior to build the two lesser; it is false and untrue, for Master Pet Junior, builds one of the small ones, and Master Pet signior, builds the other small one; and this we did to the end they might use the utmost of their skill to try who could build the best Sailor. And because we had experience of the good performance of Master Pet signior, in building the Constant Warwick, he was appointed to build the great Frigate likewise: By all which your Honours may perceive, how he hath falsely traduced the Commissioners of the Navy, the Master, Wardens, and Assistants of the Trinitie-house; the principal men of the Corporation of the Shipwrights; and all he drives at, is by his unjust aspersions to bring the Parliament and them at odds, that so he might accomplish his own ends. And thus we hope, we have given your Honour's satisfaction in the building of the Frigates.  
In the next place, being the month of May, he still sings his old tune, in dispraising England's Navy, which Master Burrell would have as weak as his brain; and tells strange Stories of the mongrel Dunkirk, the contemptible Irish, and the insulting Dutch, that they will not honour the Parliaments Ships nor acknowledge them Master of the Seas: And then by way of Inference, brings in his Majesty's horses as fat as himself; how they were tired being led down to Barwick with empty saddles, and then compares the dead with the living, in these words; As these Royal horses were clogged with too much flesh, even so the Royal Navy is clogged with too many men; too much victuals, too many pieces of Ordnance, to much timber, and too much plank; and then adds further to make the Royal Navy more contemptible, he saith, the Shipwrights were commanded to make the Ships now in the Navy, Ships for shaw, as well as for service, and to carry many pieces of Ordnance never to be used, but at Feasts, Salutations, and Landings. The example (saith Master Burrell) is lively in the Royall-Soveraign, an admirable Ship for costly Buildings, and cost in keeping; and which adds to the miracle, the Royal Ship (saith he) is never to be used for the Kingdoms good; And that the Navy for swift sailing in Queen Elisabeths' days, was famous, and fare exceeding those times.  
To which we answer; As for the honour of the Narrow-Seas, it hath been kept in as much honour and reputation as ever; witness the right Honourable the Earl of Warwick, who hath commanded all Ships, where ever his Honour came, to render due obedience: and Captain Owen in the Guardland, commanding a Squadron of four or five Ships under the right Honourable Earl of Warwick, was sent out by his Lordship to seek out the King's Men of War. and all other that transported Arms or Ammunition, to his Majesty's Quarters, and being in the Channel, came in amongst sixty sail of Hollanders, whereof five or six Men of War; and did not only make them all strike, but sent Captain Gilson in the Warwick Frigate, who took out of the midst of the Fleet the Tiger of Rotterdam, and brought her away in despite of all those Men of War, and sent her to London: The next was Captain Batten, who being alone in the Constant-Reformation off of Beachy, met with the Vice-admiral of Holland and four great Ships more; and although they suffered him to shoot divers shot at them, before they would strike, yet when they saw his resolution, they lowered their topsails, and did homage. Captain Ellis in the Providence, and Captain Thomas in the Warwick Frigate, commanded White the Vice-admiral, and three more, to strike in Torbay, which they did accordingly, though with some shot before they did their duty. And for the Royal horses being tired in being led down to Barwick, it is not so with the Royal Ships, for they are never weary with sailing: And for too many Men, Ordnance and victuals, we know other Prince's Ships that carry more, and yet not of their burden: And as for Timber and Plank, we shall refer that to the judgement of the best Seamen, and Shipwrights in the Kingdom. But we wonder much at the impudence of this Gent. who dare faith, the Royal Ships of the Navy were built for show, and carry many pieces of Ordnance never to be used, but at Feasts, Salutations, and Landings; when there is not one piece of Ordnance in any Ship of the Navy, but is both useful and serviceable for a defensive and offenfive War: And to bring the Navy into a more contemptible condition, he makes the Royall-Soveraign, (the best Man of War in Christendom) to be incapable of doing service for the Kingdom's good. When Captain Rainsborow, whom Master Burrell confesseth in his time, was the most eminent Commander in this Kingdom, had the trial of her in the channel of England, and at his return reported to his Majesty, that he never set his foot in a better conditioned Ship in all his life, And as for her Force, she is not inferior to the greatest Ship in Christendom. And for the Ships in Queen Elisabeths' days, so famous for Sailing; this Kingdom was never better furnished with good Sailors and Ships for defence, then at this present, fare exceeding those times. By these and the precedent Articles, your Honours may perceive how under a specious show of a well-affected man to the State, he covertly by his Calumnies, seeks to bring the Navy into a contemptible Condition; not only in the opinion of this Nation, but also of Strangers; that so they may be encouraged to attempt that, which they never hitherto durst put in practice.  
In the next place, Master Burrell propounds how the Royal Navy with a little charge, may be reduced into a serviceable postare, and into such a Warlike posture, as will enable the Parliament to recover and maintain the Sovereignty of the Seas, as in the Reign of Queen Elisabeth of happy memory.  
Answer. It is strange that Master Burrell should know more, than all the Shipwrights in the Kingdom being a man that many years hath had no practice, and consequently less experience. And as for the little charge in reducing the Navy, the cost that will be spent in cutting down one of the first and second Rate-Ships and finishing them, will build the hull of a ship of the fourth Rate that shall carry thirty pieces of Ordnance, that will do more service than they will do when they are cut down to one Tyre of Ordnance; for the reasons given in our first Article. And as for the Sovereignty of the Seas, it is true, that since these distracted times, the Hollanders have been very insolent in wearing their Flags, as they have formerly done: But such hath been the valour and courage of our Commanders, that as often as they have been met withal, they have been compelled to do their duty.  
In folio 9 Master Burrell saith, that when the Royal Navy shall be reduced into a serviceable posture, the Parliament may save a fourth part of that vast charge, which hath been spent at Sea, since these distracted times.  
To which we answer, We do not know what Master Burrell calls reducing the Navy, but we conceive it is rather a destruction of the Navy, to cut down the first, second and third Rate-Ships, which are walls of Brass to defend this Kingdom: And as for saving a fourth part of the charge, that hath been spent at Sea since these distracted times, we are yet to learn; although we have constantly followed Marine affairs these thirty years, and upwards, how ever we desire that Master Burrell will give reasons how the fourth part of the charge may be saved, and such Fleets maintained at Sea, as have been set forth these four years past, without dimunition of the strength and glory of the Navy.  
We come now to Master Burrells last quere, where he desires the Honourable House of Commons to examine what the King's party would have attempted, that they have not freely effected; have they not (saith he) been supplied from beyond Seas with Ordnance, Arms, and Ammunition, and imported and exported eminent Traitors? and have not both Irish, and Turks, landed in this Kingdom, and carried away Men, Women and Children?  
Answer. Although it be true that this quere belongs not wholly to us to answer our Office being no other than to act by the Parliament, and Committee of Lords and Commons of the Admiralties Order to equip, victual and Man the Ships, destinated for the Guard of the Sea; as also to inform their Lordships of the repair of Ships Docks and Houses in his Majesty's several yards, etc. We thought it our duty to give an answer in the just vindication of those Noble Lords and Commons of the Commit of the Admiralty, who sit at the Helm; that there hath been as much care taken to prevent the landing of Irish, the transportation and importing of Traitors, The bringing in of Ammunition, as the wit of man could invent; and truly if Dunkirk being a small Town, in one year took from the Hollanders, notwithstanding the great Fleets they yearly set out, 80 Sail of Ships: how much more might the King's men of War, being assisted by the French, Hollanders, and Dunkirkers, who seemed to be the Parliaments friends, carry in Arms, Traitors and Ammunition, into the King's Quarters? yet they paid dear for it; For although some escaped yet many were taken, witness a State's Man of War, going into Scarborough with Powder and Arms; The King of Denmark's Ship bound in for Newcastle, laden with Arms, and divers French men, and Hollanders bound into Bristol, Falmouth, Dartmouth, Scarborough, and Newcastle, with Arms and other provisions, which the Collectors for prize-good can certify, one and other, to the number of 110. Sail, besides many Ships with his Majesty's Commission. And as for the Turks landing in Cornwall, they landed in his Majesty's Quarters and not in the Parliaments; and if Posts and Intelligence might have gone along that Coast, they might have been prevented, the Parliament Ships being at the siege of Plymouth, in defending that Town, but never heard of it until too late, and that from his Majesty's Quarters. And thus we hope, we have answered Master Burrells false aspersions and calumnies, cast upon the Right Honourable the Lords and Commons of the Admiralty, the Commissioners of the navy; the Master, Wardens, and Assistants of the Trinity-house, with the principal members of the corporation of Shipwrights, and all for his own ends, to get into employment.   

The ANSWER of the COMMISSIONERS of the NAVY, to the General Charge, entitled ENGLAND'S OUTGAURD, or ENGLAND'S ROYAL NAVY, surveyed and lamented by ANDREW'S BURRELL Gentlemen, sometimes servant in the Navy.  
IN the first place, Master Burrell saith, that there is not one Ship in the Navy that hath taken any one of the King's Men of War, since these Wars began; and that the greatest Commanders which the Parliament hath sent forth; as Admirals, vice-admirals, and Rear-Admiralls, are so fare from subduing any of the King's Men of War, that there is not any one of them that have shot one shot in anger, since these distracted Wars began, though many hundred thousands of pounds have been spent in guarding the Seas.  
Ans. That is false, and scandalous against that noble Lord, and worthy Gentlemen that have commanded the Parliament Ships; for we shall make it appear, that since these Wars began, the Parliament have taken and sunk 39 Ships and Pinnaces, Men of War, who had his Majesty's Commissions: the names of the Ships, with their Captains that took them, for better satisfaction, we have here under inserted.  
Viz. Captain Batten, in the Saint George, took the Bonaventure, Admiral of Ireland; the Swallow, Vice-admiral; and the Robert-Frigate: Captain Swanley, in the Leopard, took the Globe, Admiral of Bristol; the Providence, Vice-admiral; Discovery, rear-admiral; and the Henrietta Pinnace Regis: Captain Smith, in the Swallow, took the Fellowship, and Hart-Frigate: Captain Pecket, in the May-flower, took the Providence Regis: Captain Thomas, in the eighth Whelp, took the May-flower, Admiral of Falmouth, and chased on shore her Vice-admiral and rear-admiral at Breast; also he sunk a Frigate of Sir Nicholas Crispes: Captain Thomas, Captain Ellison, and Captain Whitty, being all in company, took one Man of War: Captain Ellison, in the Providence, sunk a Man of War of Foy, and also the Fortune of Dunkirk: Captain Stansby, in the Providence, and Captain Rew, in the Robert, took Brown bushel's Frigate, called the Cavendish: Captain Pet, in the Marirose, took the Roebuck-Frigate of Dunkirk: Captain Coppin, in the Greyhound, took the Constant, Captain Skinner Commander of her: Captain Clark, in the Josline, took the Swan-Frigate, etc. Captain Haddock, in the John, took a State's Man of War laden with powper Regis: going to Scarborough; and also the Salvator: Captain Beddall, in the Hector, took the Black-horse, and Captain, Denton's Ship, and two Men of War of Scarborough; and likewise an Ostend Man of War, bound for Scarborough: Captain Gattensby, in the Prosperous, took a Danish Man of War laden with Arms: Captain Stansby, in the Providence, took the Jennet, a Dunkirk Man of War: Captain Gilson, in the Constant Warwick, took the Royalist: Captain Cox, in the Royalist, took a Dogger-Boat of four Guns: Captain Pilgrim, in the Samson, took a Dogger-Boat: The Irish Squadron, took the Welcome-Pink, Increase: Tryall-Pink, Charles Trough, Peter-Frigate, and the William and John; Captain Wodward, in the Roebuck, took a Dunkirk-Frigate of Falmouth; which Frigate is now in the Service, as most of the rest are.  
Besides at least 110 Merchant-Ships, trading in and out of those Ports in defection to the Parliament with Ammunition. Money, and Goods, that have been taken and made Prize by the Parliament-Ships, to a large Sum; and many that have been restored to well-affected persons; and divers that on the earnest request of the Spanish French, and Dutch Ambassadors, that have been delivered back unto them.  
By which it doth appear that some shot have been made in anger, and not only at Sea but it is well known to the Parliament, that the Navy hath not had the least share in preserving of Plymouth, the Isle of Wight, Hampton. Portsmouth, Weymouth, Lyme, Hull, Wales, and Ireland, and divers other places which otherwise had been in the hands of the King's Forces at this time: Neither must we omit the great service done in the Downs, in Anno 1642, where, by the wisdom and valour of the Right Honourable Robert Earl of Warwick, Admiral in the James, Captain William Batten, Vice-admiral in the Saint George, and a mixture of Seamen, Commanders of the best of his Majesty's Ships, then in the Downs; At which time there was a Message sent from his Majesty, by the hands of Sir John Pennington and Master Villiers, directed to the Earl of Warwick, therein requiring the delivery up of the Fleet into the hands of Sir John Pennington, appointed by his Majesty to be Admiral: This Message being spread amongst the Commanders and Seamen in the Fleet, it invited the greater part of the Gentlemen, who commanded divers of those Ships, then present, to submit unto his Majesty's Message, and to stand upon their guard, refusing all commands, the Earl of Warwick laid upon them in obedience to the Parliament. The names of the Captains and Ships on either side, are hereafter expressed.  

Commanders that submitted to His Majesty's Message.  
Sir John Mince, rear-admiral in the Victory.  
Captain Fog. in the Reformation.  
Captain Slingsby, in the Guardland.  
Captain Burley, in the Anthelope.  
Captain Wake, in the Expedition.  
Captain Fox, in the Lyon.  
Captain Hill, in the tenth Whelp.   

Commanders who continued in obedience to KING and PARLIAMENT.  
The Right Honourable Robert Earl of Warwick, Admiral in the James.  
Captain Batten, Vice-admiral in the Saint George.  
Captain Thomas Trenchfield, in the Unicorn.  
Captain George Hatch, in the Mary.  
Captain Richard Swanley,— Charles.  
Captain Brian Harrison,— Vanguard.  
Captain Richard Owen,— Entrance.  
Captain Henry bethel— Marirose.  
Captain Martin,— Martin.  
Captain Thomas Ashley— Samson.   
But it pleased God, that by the integrity of the Seamen (who faithfully stood to that Noble Lord,) the Commanders of such Ships that revolted from the Parliament, were quickly suppressed and reduced to his Lordship's obedience, who placed other Captains in their room: which was a very great Service; and indeed (under God) the protection of the Parliament and Kingdom: for had his Majesty been possessed of that Fleet, he would thereby have been Master of the Seas, and blocked up the City of London in their Relief and Trade: By which all men may see, that the many hundred thousands of pounds, which (Master Burrell saith) hath been spent, is not wasted in vain, as he maliciously suggesteth.  
In the second place, Master Burrell saith; The Officers of the Navy have been advised how they may make part of the Navy able to subdue the King's Men of War, with the saving of one 4th part of that vast charge which hath been spent at Sea: but in opposition to any good advice, they will not be moved to reduce one of the old Ships for a trial; and though the Kingdom perish, they will persist in deluding the State, commending and supporting the Title of a Royal Navy, when in truth it is unserviceable, I believe I may safely say, contemptible, in the esteem of Strangers.  
Ans. We cannot but wonder at the imbecility of this man, who contrary to the opinion of the ablest Seamen and Shipwrights of this Kingdom, would cut down the best Ships in the Navy, and make them nimble Frigates; as if the three Frigates now building, and near twenty more now in the Service, were not (by God's assistance) able to subdue half a dozen which are left untaken of his Majesty's Men of War, and the most of them of so small force, that they are not considerable, if any of the Parliaments Frigates meet with them. And for saving of one 4th part of the charge, we believe, if he bring the Navy into such a posture as he pretends, from Ships to Frigates, he may very well save one 4th part of the charge, both in men, Victuals, and Ordnance: But we desire to know of this Dull Carpenter, how he will do this without disabling the Navy: And for supporting the Title of a Royal Navy, we dare presume to aver and maintain, and that in despite of Malignants, and all Enemies to the King and Parliament, That no Prince in Christendom hath so many brave Ships for a defensive and offensive War, as the Kingdom of England hath at this present; having of the first rank 4 Ships, that carry from 50 to 80 pieces of Ordnance, 12 Ships of the second rank that carry from 44 to 50 pieces of Ordnance, 9 Ships of the third rank that carry from 36 to 44 pieces of Ordnance, and of the fourth rate, 3 Ships which carry from 24 to 32, 2 Ships of the fifth rate carrying from 16 to 20 pieces of Ordnance, 3 of the sixth rate carrying from 10 to 16 pieces of Ordnance, besides 20 Ships and Frigates which the Parliament hath bought and taken. And if these Ships appear contemptible in the eyes of Strangers, we shall refer it to the judgement of any moderate man: As also whether it be fit, that Master Burrell should publish to all Strangers, That the Navy of this Kingdom is in an unserviceable condition; when it doth appear to all men, that it was never better managed, nor in a better posture, than now it is.  
In the next place, Master Burrell saith; The Officers of the Navy do know that the Navy hath not performed any good Service for the Kingdom, since these distracted Wars began; yet such is their plotting, that they will continue it in an unserviceable condition.  
Ans. The Officers of the Navy do know, that the Navy hath performed many good Services for the Kingdom, as it is set forth in our Answer to the first Article: And our plotting hath never been otherwise, then for upholding and maintaining the honour of the Navy.  
In the fourth place, Master Burrell saith; That the Officers of the Navy being thus resolved to accomplish their own ends, they suffer the Royal Navy to lie rotting at Chatham and Portsmouth, at a dear rate, a rate that exceeds all former Precedents; and that they hire the worst of Merchant-Ships and Colliers, to serve in their room: and that he is hold to say, they are more sluggish than any Ships in the Navy; and some of those Ships are belonging to the Officers of the Navy, and some to Parliament-men.  
Ans. To which we Answer, That it is false; for the Ships of the Navy were never better repaired, upheld, and maintained, then since they were in the hands of the Parliament, as by our particular Answer hereafter shall appear: And as for their lying in Harbour, and Merchant-Ships take up to serve in their room, it will appear that there hath been yearly employed at Sea, as many of the Ships of the Navy, as was held in the wisdom of the Parliament fit, for the number of men assigned for the yearly guard of the three Kingdoms: which men, had they been employed in the Ships of the Navy, most of them being great Ships, would have contracted a vast charge, and not have spread sufficiently to guard the three Kingdoms: For example; There hath been employed yearly from 60 to 70 Sails; viz, upon the Coast of Ireland and Lancashire, 25 Ships; for the guard of Severn and Wales, 5; for the guard of the Channel of England, 15 Ships; for the guard of Guernsey, and those Islands, 3; for the Downs to attend Convoys, 8; and for the guarding of the North Coast, and Kingdom of Scotland, 12 Ships. By which it will appear, there is a necessity of hiring Merchant-Ships, in regard the Navy consisted but of 32 Ships when we came in Office; and the hiring of Merchant-Ships is no other than what hath been usual in all times of War, time out of mind: And if the whole Navy should be yearly employed; besides the vast charge it would contract, it would be too great an adventure for the Kingdom to undergo: for if the Fleet should by casualty of Wether, or by accident of War, miscarry, there would be no reserve left to make another Fleet, and so the whole Kingdom exposed to danger; whereas if six or eight of the greatest Ships be left in Harbour, with the assistance of thirty or forty of the Merchant-Ships, (which may be always had in the River of Thames,) they will make a sufficient Fleet to encounter any Force that shall come against them: Besides, the Merchant-Ships do cost the Kingdom nothing near the charge that the great Ships of the Navy stand in; and yet they run the adventure of their Ships; Ordnance, and Ammunition: If in case the great Ships of the Navy be employed in the room of Merchants, the State bears the adventure, which in case of loss of a second Rate-Ship, will amount to 25000 pounds. We say not this to discourage the Parliament from building of more nimble Frigates, which may lessen the hiring of Merchant-Ships, if there should be the like occasion; but to let your Honours know, there hath been nothing lost in taking up Merchant-Ships, in the room of the great Ships of the Navy. And further, if all the Navy should be constantly employed yearly at Sea, they would be so out of repair in two or three years, that the Sea would be left unguarded by them, and so be forced to hire all Merchant-Ships. And as for such Ships Master Burrell saith belong to Parliament-men, and the Officers of the Navy; we refer you to our Answer to Master Burrells particulars.  
In his fifth Article, Master Burrell affirmeth, That those Captains that have been most valiant, have been discouraged; and those that have deserved punishment, preferred to places of trust; and in particular, Captain Man, with others.  
Ans. In Answer to this charge; because we will not reiterate things twice, as in some things we are forced to do, in regard of Master Burrells wand'ring progress; we shall herein refer ourselves to his particular charge, wherein we doubt not but to give your Honour's satisfaction.  
In the next place, he makes a long discourse of Services done by Captain Man and Captain Gilson, in two nimble Frigates, against Mucknell in a great Ship; and makes his inference, That if two nimble Frigates can destroy so great a Ship as Mucknells, with 42 pieces of Ordnance, there is no Ship in the World able to encounter a Ship of the second rank, being fortified with 20 Demi-canon, every shot weighing 32 pounds.  
Ans. For Answer thereunto: It is false that those 2 Frigates, although accompanied with another good Ship of 20 pieces of Ordnance, all three having 62 Guns, and manned with 280 men, yet did destroy Mucknells' Ship, she not being of the force of a third rate Ship in the Navy; But rather foiled them all, and forced them to leave her; by which means, the next day, she went for Silly, where in going in (for want of a good Pilot) she was cast away: Whereby it doth appear, that Master Burrells Observation is grounded upon a false Principle; For if a Merchant-Ship was able to defend herself from three Frigates, armed with whole Culverin and Demi-culverin, and not with small Ordnance, (as Master Burrell saith,) much more might she have done against one Ship with one Tire of Ordnance: But on the contrary, had one of his Majesty's Ships, of the second or third rank, come up with Mucknell, fortified, as now they are, with two Tire of Ordnance; doubtless Mucknell must have submitted: And we do believe, That if any such Ship had been in view of Mucknell, she would have sailed as well as Mucknell's Ship, and not been liable to that foul aspersion of being sluggish, wherewith Master Burrell brands them.  
In the next place, Master Burrell saith, There is a want in the Fleet, of Pistols, Pole-axes, Swords, and Fireworks.  
Ans. To which we Answer; It is not the duty of our Places to furnish any Ammunition, but belongeth to the Officers of the Ordnance: yet we do verily believe, that for all such Arms as are useful for service, are by them supplied; the rather for that we have heard no complaint from any Commander employed in any of the King's Ships: but as for such Merchant-Ships as are taken up by us, they are furnished with Pistols, Swords, Pikes, and all other Arms for War, fitting for defence and offence.  
In his eighth Article, Master Burrell reciteth the new Frigates, and would lay an aspersion on the Officers of the Navy, That they should give to the Master Shipwrights Directions in the building of them; and that when they were built, they would not be so serviceable as they should be, the work being destroyed before it be begun.  
Ans. What Master Burrell sets down in this Article, is false and untrue, we having already set forth, by whose Directions these Frigates were built: and if they prove unserviceable, (as we believe the contrary,) yet they cannot be so bad as the Marirose, built by Master Burrell, being the most sluggish Ship in the Navy; which we have lately had in the Dock, and caused to be lengthened Aft, with other works done unto her, endeavouring to make her a serviceable Ship. And as for the work being destroyed before it be begun, that seems to us a Paradox, and carrieth no more truth with it then what else he hath set forth.  
In his ninth Article, Master Burrell gins to tell his old Story with a piece of Nonsense, in these words: Unless the Parliament do thus at an excessive charge, send many great sluggish Ships to Sea, the honour of the Sea is lost, and so lost, that it cannot be regained; and yet in a contradiction salves up the matter and saith; But by reducing the Navy into a serviceable posture for these times, into a nimble condition, with one Tire of Ordnance and no more, and some Drakes for close Fights, with this caution; the greater the Ship is, the greater the Ordnance, and number of men, as the Ship can well accommodate.  
Ans By the first part of Master Burrellls Nonsense, he would have sluggish Ships sent to Sea, or else the honour of the Sea is lost, but at last saith, That the Navy must be reduced into a serviceable posture for these times; as if the Navy were to be altered upon every turn of the Tide; and in stead of having the Navy maintained for the strength of the Kingdom against all foreign Forces that should invade the Realm, he would bring them to one Tyre of Ordnance, pretending to suppress the King's Men of War, which are no other than small Frigates, Dogger-Boats Sloops, and the like: and then indeed he would make England's Navy contemptible, both at home and abroad.  
Then he lays down what manner of Ordnance he would have put into the first, second, third, and fourth Rate-Ships.  
Ans. For Answer thereunto: This Gentleman it seems would go about to teach Minerva, to instruct others, that know better than himself: And whereas he would have none but whole Canon, Demi-canon, whole Culverin and Demi-culverin, according to their several ranks; we conceive that the Ordnance of his Majesty's Ships are already so well proportioned and with such good advice, that there needs none or Master Burrelis Reformation.  
In the next place he saith, The common Seamen are so grossly cozened of their thirds of prize-good, that many thousands have left the Kingdom; and those that remain, so dis-heartened, that no good Service can be expected.  
Ans Although this charge concerns not us, yet to our knowledge it is most false, as the Collectors for prize-good will make it appear, when they shall be thereunto called. And for the many thousands of Seamen that have left the Kingdom; this is as true as the rest: for we could never learn of any that deserted the Parliament, but such as have always lived as Pirates and Robbers at Sea formerly; the Kingdom being better without such than to have them.  
The Gentleman's Conclusion is, That Ship that doth not sail well, cannot serve well; and that man that denieth this truth, and cannot show a better remedy for a Reformation of the Navy, that man is wilfully ignorant, or a Traitor to the State.  
Ans In this particular we shall be brief, and conclude; He that sets forth falsehoods and endevoureth to destroy the Navy, (being the Walls of the Kingdom,) and produceth no better reasons, is either grossly ignorant, or an Enemy to the Kingdom.  
And thus we have gone through Master Burrells false suggestions, scandalous informations and notorious falsehoods; and for the Vindication of our integrity, we humbly submit to the Justice of the High Court of Parliament.   

The Answer of the COMMISSIONERS of the Navy, to the Particular Charge of Master ANDREW'S BURRELL, abstracted out of his General Charge.  
MAster Burrell in his first Charge, saith, That divers of his Majesty's Ships have been suffered to lie rotting in Harbour; as also four of his Majesty's Ships were lately condemned to be sold; yet such is the providence of the Officers of the Navy, that those rotten Ships are still continued, and do cost the Commonwealth, 1500. l. per annum, to keep them above water; and that by two other Ships, the State may save 1800. l. per annum, and neither weaken, nor dishonour the Navy.  
Answer. To which we answer, That it is false, and scandalous; for we shall make it plainly appear, That not only those ships mentioned by him but the whole Navy is in a fare better condition, then when his Majesty left the Parliament. And first for the Sovereign; she was carved, graved, and trimmed, both under water, and above water, and made fit for the Kingdom's service, the last Summer. And that since his Majesty's absence; there have been repaired in dry Dock, the Saint Andrew, Victory, Charles, Unicorn, Vanguard, Constant, Convertine, Guardland Bonaventure, Anthelope, Swallow, Marirose, and Warwick Frigate, besides the Triumph, Providence and john in the Dock; which Ships when his Majesty left them, were all defective, and most of them unserviceable. And as for the Nonsuch, Asserance, Saint Dennis, and Adventure, they were cast three years or more, before his Majesty's departure from the Parliament; yet his Majesty would never suffer them to be sold, until new Ships were built in their rooms. But the Parliament, at one instance, being informed of the yearly charge of those Ships, gave Order in October last, to put them to sale; which was done accordingly, but in regard the Winter was come, and the charge would be great to the buyer to bring them up to London, no man offered a penny for them; but now the time of year is come, and three new Frigates upon the stocks, and shortly to be launched, we have put them to sail. And for what other Ships, not herein mentioned, they are trimmed every year; and kept as well, as ever they were, since the Kingdom stood. And as for the two other Ships which Master Burrell mentions in the Navy, in which 1800. l. per annum, may be saved, and neither weaken nor disable the Navy; we confess, That is a good service, if Master Burrell can make it good, and we desire the Honourable Houses, that he may give reasons how it may be done, without weakening the Guard of the Navy.  
In the next place, he saith, That the May-flower is an old Ship, and hath formerly been a Collier, and desires to know how many Men of War she hath taken for the 18000. l. she hath received of the State. And that the John is an old sluggish Ship, and hath not taken one Prize, nor that her company have hopes to take any hereafter. And that the Nicholas is a very sluggish Ship; by which be would infer, that the Parliament employed none, but sluggish Ships.  
Answer, Concerning these worst of Merchant's Ships, as Master Burrell is pleased to call them, the May-flower, John, and Nicholas: As for the May-flower, she hath been ever held a good sailer as most in the River, and of good force, insomuch, that she fetched up, and fought with three Dunkirk Frigates in Seavern; and had taken them, if an unfortunate shot had not killed the Captain, by name Captain Cock: Besides many good services done by her upon the coast of Ireland, both in the relief of Youghall, and taking Dingley Couch; she likewise took the Providence- Regis, in Humber, and after beat the enemy from a Fort upon Humber, and took their Ordnance. And as for the John, she is no Merchant's Ship, but belongs to the State; yet when Captain Haddock was in her, she took a State's Man of War, which was laden with Powder, Arms, and Merchants goods bound into Scarborough; which Powder and Arms were of great use to the Scottish Army, when they came first into Sunderland; with other Ships laden with Iron, Deals, etc. all which were made use of by the said Army. And after Captain Zachary came into her, under God, the said Ship and her company had not the least share in taking in of Scarborough, in keeping the enemy from water, as also all relief by Sea, although attempted by the King's Men of War; and in a skirmish on shore, the Captain lost his life. And as for the Nicholas since she hath been in Ireland, she hath done as good service as any Ship whatsoever; although Master Burrell brand her, yet Captain Crowther the Vice-admiral in his letter to us, desired that she might be continued in the last winter's service, being an active Ship. And as for the 18000l. received for the May-flower, we think it is far short of that sum. Yet when victuals, wages, wear and tear, are deducted, there will no great matter remain for the Adventure, which remains yet unpaid, and due from the State; as likewise to all other Merchant Ships that are in the service; by reason of which we had much ado to get a competent number of Ships, to serve for this Summer's expedition. By which your Honours may perceive how Master Burrell seeks to disgrace the Merchant's Ships, as he hath done the Royal Navy: yea those Merchant's Ships that have done the Parliament best service, as in his next Article will appear.  
In the third place, Master Burrell gins to rack his memory, and complains of divers other good Ships, and saith, they are Colliers, and calls them the worst of Ships; as the Hector, the Dragon, the Green-Dragon, the Hopeful Luke, and the Exchange. And that there were seven Dunkirk Frigates, offered to be sold to the Officers of the Navy, for less than 5000 l. But the Officers of the Navy refused them, and thought it better thrift to bestow 11000 l. upon three Frigates, and that when they arebuilt, (if they be built according to the directions given by the Officers of the Navy to the Master-Ship-wrights) he believes (as he doth all things else) that they will not be serviceable, as those of Dunkirk and (saith he) those Dunkirk Frigates so offered to this State, being encouraged by the King, and manned with discontented Seamen for want of their thirds; have taken many Ships and goods from the Merchants of London, to an inestimable value.  
Ans. In the third Article, concerning the taking up of Colliers, which Master Bur ell calls the worst of ships: And first for the Hector, Captain Beddall, she hath done very good service; first in taking a Catch laden with Butter and Coals which came out of Newcastle which vessel she fetched up in four hours' chase, merely by sailing; the next he took was Galliot Hoy, which came out of Newcastle with three thousand and odd pounds in money to buy Arms, as likewise letters of credit for three thousand more, the rest Coals and Grindstones; in five hours' chase she fetched her up, notwithstanding, she was a choice vessel for sailing, taken up for that purpose; and Captain Cork, Treasurer to the Earl of Newcastle, (who was employed to buy the Arms) was in her, and brought prisoner to Dover. The next she took, was a King's Man of War, called the Black-horse, which he chased a shore, and after took her, and brought her to London: thenext he chased Captain Denton a Scarbrough Man of War a shore, which was then cast away; and after chased another Man of War, with divers provisions bound for Scarbrough, which he chased till he had spent, his mast; and after took him, and carried him into Burlington; the next was a Collier, conveyed by Brown Bushel, which he took, and sent into Hull. Since that, he rescued two North-Seamen, out of the hands of a Scarborough Man of War, with divers other good services which did conduce to the benefit and honour of the Parliament, which the said Captain Beddall can give a more particular Account of; and this is one of the Ships Mr. Burrell calls a Collier, and the worst of Ships. This Ship hath been victualled, and manned by the State; and hath taken more prizes, than four times her freight amounts unto, the Ships Hull hired for 62 l. per mensem: And indeed these Ships (although by Master Burrell called Colliers) yet by reason of their great force, and small draught of water, are the most fit Ships for that Coast, except Frigates, especially in Winter time. As for the Dragon, and Green-Dragon, they were taken up by the Committee for Newcastle, to carry Soldiers to Holy-Island: and afterwards in regard of their good service there, and at Barwick, they were taken up by Order of the Honourable Committee of the Navy, to guard the Northern Coast where they afterwards performed very good service, in so much that Captain Green's Ship called the Green-Dragon (which Master Burrell calls the worst of Ships) took divers Prizes and being in fight with one, the Captain was slain, and yet the Prize was taken. The Hopefull-Luke was a Merchant Ship, and no Collier, and the first voyage that ever she made: And the Exchange was never employed in the service of the State. And as for the seven Frigates so mentioned in his charge, we heard of it upon the Exchange, and did acquaint the Honourable Committee of the Navy therewith; and although money (at that time) was so scarce, that the Committee could hardly find money to pay Mariners wages, and set forth our Fleet; yet notwithstanding, they bought the Warwick, Cignet, Star, Hind, Lilly, and Crescent Frigates, which are now in the service. By this your Honours may perceive how fare we have been from opposing the buying or building of Frigates, but have rather endeavoured to increase the number of them, being now at least twenty. And whereas Master Burrell saith, they might have been bought for five thousand pound: he doth not tell your Honours, That they would cost to be set to Sea, double the first cost, as by experience we have found in the aforesaid Frigates. And whereas he chargeth us with giving directions to the Shipwrights, for the building of three new Frigates, it is false; for the master Shipwrights, with the Assistants of the Master of their Hall and the Master Carpenter of the East-India, Company, gave us under their hands, the dimensions and scantlings by which the said Frigates should be built; and we doubt not, but they performing their duty, one of these Frigates will be more serviceable, then three of those mentioned by master Burrell. And as for the discontented Seamen, where with the King hath manned his Ships, we are sure they had no cause to be discontented, neither with the Parliament nor us; for the Honourable Houses of Parliament, have been pleased to augment their wages four shillings in a month. and give them the one third of all they took, which to moderate men should have been an engagement: but in regard we are not of one mind, as well by sea, as by land, and some had rather live Pirates, then in an honest calling, there may be some English (although not thousands) out of their ill affection to the Parliament, that have deserted the Cause, and yet in the King's Men of War, there are three strangers for one English man. And as for the Merchant Ships that have been taken, some have been surprised in going from their Convoy. And if Dunkirk, being a small fisher-town, taketh from the Hollanders, every year at least eighty, or a hundred sail of ships, and some years more; notwithstanding, their great Fleets, set out every year for suppressing of them; how much more may all those Ports of Flanders, France, Holland, and Denmark infest our Coasts, and yet in all this time, they have not taken any considerable Ship of force.  
In the fourth place, He falls upon some Members of Parliament, to wit, Master vassal, and Master Bence, That they are owners of some slaggish Ships now in the service; as if their Ships were not as well able to serve, as any other Ships in the Kingdom, and likewise would fain make all the Commissioners of the Navy, Owners of such Ships as are unfit for the service of the State; when indeed and in truth, Master Burrell careth not what Ships they have, so he may have their places. Then he saith, he hath a new complaint which he hath (worn threadbare, and as false as the rest) testified by witnesses, (and never a word true.) And that is, that the best of Prizes have been estranged from the Parliament, and possessed by the Officers of the Navy, and their associates; And that those Ships have taken many rich Prizes, and when they have taken them, the Officers of the Navy have paid them off with the Parliaments pay, not allowing those that have been most valiant, one penny for their shares, when the Prizes taken, have been worth 11000 l. And when the Seamen demanded their shares, one of the Officers threatened them with imprisonment: By which unkind usage (saith Master Burrell) many thousand common Seamen have been occasioned to leave the Kingdom, and to serve against the Parliament. Then Master Burrell doth beseech their Honours to give him leave to acquaint them. that there is a Danish Ship now in the River of Thames, and saith, it is said, she was taken from the Danes by authority of Parliament; but saith, he knows not whether Prize or no: But this he knoweth for certain, that Ship is fit for the Parliament, then for any Subject in the Kingdom: and wheresoever the mystery lieth (saith wise Master Burrell) that Ship was worth four times so much money, as she was sold for.  
Answer, Master Samuel vassal doth owe part of the May-flower, which is a serviceable Merchant Ship, and hath been often employed, both in the Straits, and in the West-Indies, by divers Merchants in London, being fortified with twenty eight pieces of Ordnance, and three Decks, and never understood by us to be a Collier, or sluggish, as afore is declared. Master Alexander Bence, oweth a sixteenth part of the Blessing, being a fit Ship for a Man of War, as any Ship of her burden, in the River of Thames, and no sluggard, as Master Burrell would have her. And as for the Angel, we know of no such Ship in the service. And whereas Captain Crandley, and Captan Morris, are said to be owners of the Anne Percy, it is not true, although the Ship be without exception, fit to serve any Prince in Christendom And whereas master Burrell saith, that Captain Crandley, and Captain Tweedy own part of the Honour and Providence; it is true Captain Crandley, owes part of the Providence, though not in the service, as likewise the Honour lately burnt. But as for Captain Tweedie, to be owner of either of them, or of any other Ship in the service, it is false and untrue; although both the said Ships were, and are serviceable both for the State, and Merchants, as appeared by the Honour, which fought with six of the King's best Men of War, off Holy-head in Wales, and beat them into Bristol, and yet not in the State's service. And whereas we are charged with several Prizes taken by the Parliaments Ships, estranged from the Parliament, and possessed by the Officers of the Navy, and their associates, and paid with the Parliaments pay, and their chief Commanders Irish: We answer, it is notoriously false and scandalous, as what else touching this Article; And we desire your Honours would be pleased, that he not proving it, we may have vindication, and be repaired in our reputation, which to us is as dear as our lives. And as for the Danish Ship, we know of such a Ship taken by Captain Batten, and after delivered by the Honourable Houses of Parliament, to the Merchant's Adventurers, together with her goods brought from the East-Indies, which was by them sold, in satisfaction for their wrongs received from the King of Denmark; and whether sold cheap or dear, it no way concerneth the State, nor us. By this your Honours may perceive the malice of this  ignorant man, that will inform your Honours with that, which he cannot in the one, nor dare not in the other, make good.  
Master Burrell recites divers Captains, by name Captain Man, Captain Ellison, Captain Wills, Captain Wild, and Captain Wappell; which he saith have done very good service, but never received any reward, or preferment; And would make the world believe they are as discontented as himself, insomuch, that he saith they would leave the Kingdom; when to our knowledge three of them are now at Sea, in the service of the Parliament in three good Ships; and are neither discontented, nor unrewarded, as Mr Burrell would have them to be.  
Ans. As to the fifth Article touching Captain Man so much commended by Mr Burrell for his valour, wherein he saith, he hath deserved a gold chain for his service against Mucknell; we confess had he and his consorts persevered and taken Mucknell, they all had well deserved a good reward, but leaving him to harbour himself in Silly (where he run his Ship upon a rock) we cannot conceive how he or they have deserved a reward; yet for his encouragement, we suppose the Honourable Committee of the Admiralty hath well preferred him, from the command of a small Frigate, to command one of the best third rank Ships in the Navy. As for the good service of Captain Ellison, we are well satisfied; but that he hath not received any shares, of what is due, we cannot believe; or that he should make any such complaint unto Master Burrell, and not rather unto those, who would do him right. As for Captain john Wills, we marvel he should complain of all others; for to our knowledge, he is well satisfied in the Service, being Captain of a small Ship, the Lucy, he left the said Ship, and lived ever since on shore; and if he be such a man, as Master Burrell sets down, that he was intended to leave the Kingdom, and to seek employment in other countries'; truly he is not to be trusted by the Parliament: for satisfaction of which, it will be necessary to question him before he takes the command of Captain Plunkets Ship, being appointed by her owners to be Commander of her, in the State's Service. And as for Captain John Wild, he hath been employed in the Service; and what his deportment was, we leave to the relation of the Right Honourable the Earl of Warwick: but in his last employment, he was Captain of the Cignet-Frigate upon the North-Coast, where we were given to understand, that in that Service, he and Captain Wills in the Lucy, took 4 Ships in Lynne-Deeps, belonging to that Town, when the Earl of Manchester was before it: his Lordship having taken the Town, the owners of the said Ships petitioned his Lordship, for restoring of the said Ships and Goods; upon which his Lordship was pleased to grant them their Ships and Goods again, they paying the Captains 400 pounds savage, viz. 100 pounds amongst them and their Mariners in money, and a bond of 300 pounds to pay to the Captains at a certain time; which we understand they have received, but aught (in our opinions) to be accountable unto the State, in lieu of the Ships and Goods which were Prizes: besides they pillaged the said Ships, as by complaint to us from the owners: By all which it doth appear, he hath no cause to complain for his thirds: And if he be such a man as Master Burrell makes him to be (which we do not believe,) we leave it to your Honour's grave Wisdoms to consider whether he be so fit a man as Master Burrell makes him, being one of those (as Master Burrell saith) that out of discontent would leave the Kingdom. As for Captain Wappall, he had almost starved his men upon the Coast of Ireland, insomuch, that they brought away the Ship for want of Victuals, when Sir Charles Coote had most occasion to use him after the taking in of Slego, the business being taken into examination before us; and this is another of Master Burrells men, that would leave the Land; which, if so, are not fit men to be trusted by the State. And as for Captain Hawkeridge, we doubt not but the Right Honourable the Earl of Warwick knows him well; and questionless, if his Lordship had sound him so capable of employment, as Master Burrell pretends, he had been preferred as other men. And as for his Giant Captain Hodges, as Master Burrell calls him, he always served in a private Man of War; by which employment, he made so good use of his time, that he hath purchased a great Ship, with which he is gone for Venice, laden with Merchant's Goods; and not out of any discontent, as Master Burrell would have it but for his own advantage.  
In the sixth place; he saith, That divers persons are employed in the Parliaments Service, that have deserved punishment; and in stead thereof; have been preferred to places of trust; and nominates Captain Shaftoe.  
Ans Concerning Captain Shaftoe, we did receive information, that he released (after he had taken) one Leyton; who afterwards (as is said) went into Newcastle: Captain Shaftoe, after his coming to Town, did acquit himself, by divers witnesses, of that crime; and will be ready at all times (being now Commander of Holy-Island) to give the Honourable Houses further satisfaction. As for his Bill for his Ships Pay mentioned by Master Burrell, to be branded by Master Holland, in regard of the crime abovesaid; it is true, it was so done by him against our consent, long after he had signed it; but in regard we could not lay any just charge to Captain Shaftoe, and the money belonging to the owners, and not to him, for the Service of the Ship; we could not in justice, but take off the brand of the Bill; Captain Shaftoe being a responsible man, to answer any thing that afterwards should be laid to his charge: and to our knowledge, he is a man that hath been faithful to the Parliament, having done special Services in landing in Northumberland, by the command of Captain Edward Hall, with the Anthelopes' men and his own, being about 150, and coming to Colonel Hagerstons' house, being very strong, summoned it, and took part of the outhouses, and after, the Colonel himself thinking to escape away, his horse was shot under him, & so taken as also his Son in the House; where they found store of cloth for Soldier's coats for the Colonels Regiment, which he was raising: the taking of the said Colonel, and bringing himself, and some prisoners, was the break-neck of that Regiment; which was at that time an excellent piece of service: In the next place, he most desperately entered into the Port of Holy-Island, the Castle and Island being for the King; and having not above 100 men, he first took the Town and the Island, and afterwards summoned the Castle, and had it delivered to the use of the Parliament: for which good service, the honourable Houses made him Captain thereof, where he remains to this day. And as for Master Holland's forbearing 14 months to sit in Commission for this and many other abuses, as Master Burrell pretends; we humbly desire, that Master Holland may be examined, what these abuses were, and by whom committed, that, if so, they may receive condign punishment.  
In the seventh place, Master Burrell chargeth Captain Peacock with treasonable practices, and saith, That he took a Vessel, whereof was Master, one Hixon, laden with Arms and Ordnance for his Majesty, and when Captain Peacock's men would have gone on board to search her, he denied them, and told the men she was laden with Apples, bound for Scotland; and after private conference in the Cabin together, Peacock set Hixon at liberty, and Hixon went into Newcastle, while Peacock was in sight of him, and there delivered divers pieces of Ordnance, and other Ammunition for the King: for which treachery, saith Master Burrell, Peacock did neither suffer punishment nor fine, although the Articles against him were exhibited to the Officers of the Navy, and proved against him; yet notwithstanding the great complaint, Peacok is lately made a Captain of one of the Parliaments Ships.  
Ans. As for the charge given against Peacock, we found no just proof against him, referring him to his defence presented to the honourable Committee of the Admiralty, by which we doubt not but he hath given full satisfaction, before their Honours admitted him into the service again, being now Captain of the Warwick-Frigate.  
In the next place, Master Burrell chargeth one Bramble with cowardice, and saith, he was to convoy William Hazard in the Gift of God, from Ireland, with fifteen Masts for the Service of the Navy; and Bramble commanding one of the Parliaments Frigates fortified with sixteen pieces of Ordnance, met with two of the King's Men of War, and at the sight of them (as Master Burrell saith) ran from his charge, and left Hazard to the mercy of the Enemy, who carried him into Falmouth; for which cowardly Service, Bramble was put out of the said Frigate, by the space of a year; but of late preferred to be Captain of one of the Parliaments Ships.  
Ans. Concerning Captain Bramble leaving of his Convoy, which came from Ireland, with fifteen masts; It is true, that two Frigates chased his Convoy in the morning, at break of day; and she being so far a stern, could not recover her before the Men of War had possession of her, (as we are informed:) and since that, he hath been Master of the Anthelope with Captain Hall; where he behaved himself so well, that the said Captain Hall recommended him to the owners of the Ark, a Merchant-Ship, whereof he is now Commander.  
The ninth and last Quere (as he saith) is of great concernment, and thinks it not fit the common Seamen should be acquainted with it; and further saith, he finds them so full of discontent, that if he should give them any encouragement, he fears they would be offensive to the Parliament, because (as Master Burrell saith) they have been grossly cozened in their thirds of prize-good, taken by Captain Swanley and Captain Moltons' Squadrons, worth a great value, but (he saith) obscured by transaction. Then he falls again upon Reformation, and reducing the Navy into a serviceable posture for these times, and such a Reformation, as will enable the Parliament to recover the Sovereignty of the Seas: And the jest is, he will defend England itself from being invaded by Turks and Landrobbers; and saith, The honour of the Sea is lost, and the money spent little better, than cast into the Sea.  
Ans. Concerning the fear he hath of the common Seamen, of their coming to clamour at the Parliament-door; we believe there are no such men, except promoted by Master Burrell and his Agents. And for the Prizes taken by Captain Swanley and Captain Moltons' Squadrons, we refer them to the Collectors for Prizes and prize-good, who can give a very good account thereof. As concerning the Gentleman's conclusions, of his mark and aim for reforming of the Navy into a serviceable posture; We hope we have given a full satisfactory Answer to your Honours: But we wonder that he should be so impudently bold, as to charge the Parliament with the expense of so much money to be spent at Sea, or rather cast into the Sea; when it appeareth, that the Navy, under God, hath not had the least share in preserving the Kingdom, for the reasons given aforesaid. And as for the honour of the Sea, we dare be bold to say, it hath never been better upheld, then since our Fleets have been abroad; where they have been, and still are Masters of the Seas, in the face of the Parliaments Enemies. And as for the Reformation of the Navy so much mentioned by Master Burrell, we know not what he means, unless it be to destroy it, if it be no other than what by him is set forth; and in former times would have been held treason, in any Projector that should have endeavoured to put the same in practice. And we much wonder, that he, or any man, dares presume to inform the Parliament, to bring England's Royal Navy into such a contemptible and weak condition, as this Gentleman would do by his Reformation, contrary to the opinion of the most skilful Seamen and Shipwrights of the Kingdom: And therefore we could wish, that Master Burrell, so much insisting upon a Reformation of the Navy, would first reform himself of such gross ignorance of which he now stands guilty. And thus we hope we have answered both his General and Particular Charge, referring both it and ourselves to the grave Wisdom of the honourable Houses of Parliament, from whom we hope to have vindication, and reparation, for those many unjust aspersions and false accusations against our persons and reputation, set forth by Master Burrell, in his Pamphlet.   

Postscript.  
THen he writes his Postscript, and shows of what rank the Ships shall be, which he intends to reform; and then he saith, If the State had ten times as many Pinnaces, and ten times so many Frigates as are now employed, the honour of the Sea cannot be maintained by them: It is the Ships of the Navy that must, and (if they were reduced) that can recover and maintain England's honour; It is the Ships of the Navy, and not the Pinnaces and Frigates. And then gins to make his recantation, as he thinks and saith, That whereas he saith the Admirals, vice-admirals, and Rear-Admiralls, have not shot one shot in anger, since these distracted Wars began, his intention was, and is, that they have not shot one shot in anger, viz. in offence or defence, in a Warlike manner, against any of the King's Men of War, or any other Ship that hath affronted them.  
Concerning reforming the first, second, and third rank-Ships, we have given so full an Answer already, that we shall not need to reiterate it again; Only in the ten times so many Pinnaces, and ten times so many Frigates, the honour of the Seas cannot be maintained: It is the Ships of England's Navy (saith Master Burrell) that must maintain the honour of the Sea; which we agree unto; but not to reduce them into the posture of Frigates, with one Tire of Ordnance, as Master Burrell would have them. And as for the Admirals, vice-admirals, and Rear-Admiralls, That his meaning is, they have not shot one shot in anger, in offence or defence, in a Warlike manner, against the King's Men of War; He makes the cure worse than the disease, and abuseth not only that Honourable Lord, but all other Commanders, as if they did not know how to defend themselves, or offend an Enemy, in a Warlike manner.  
FINIS.   

Imprimatur  
NA. BRENT.