A BRIEF RELATION OF A VICTORY, Obtained by the Forces under the Command of Gen. Edward Doyley, Commander in chief of his Highness' Forces in the Island of JAMAICA. AGAINST The Forces of the King of SPAIN, Commanded by Don Christopher Arnaldo Sasi, Commander in chief of the Spanish Forces there.  
Right Honourable,  
THe Eighth of May last, the Spaniards made good my Intelligence to your Honour, by landing thirty Captains, thirty Alferes, and thirty Companies of foot, at a place called Rio Nova in the North of this Island, who were there about twelve days before they were discovered; at which time our Ships plying up and down saw three sail of Spanish in that Bay, and made an attempt to have boarded them, but being becalmed could not effect it. That night the Spaniards stole away, and our Ships came to acquaint me therewith. I immediately called a Council of War, as the affair did importune, and we debated, Whether it were most advantageous to assault them presently, or let them partake of the distempers and want of the Country, and when sickness had weakened them, to attempt them then; though much might have been and was urged, how Invaders were to be used with delays, etc. yet the exceeding desire of the Officers and Soldiers to be doing with them, cut off all debates, and determined a sudden Resolution to fall upon them before they were Fortified, So I commanded-out 750. Officers and Soldiers, and on the 11th of June last, we set sail from this Harbour towards them, and on the 22th in the morning we landing on a Bay, which was defended by two Companies and two Captains, within half shot of their Cannon, playing from their Fort; Our Forlorn went on with such gallantry, and leapt into the water with so much cheerfulness, that persuaded the Enemy they would not be denied entrance, and so they ran, leaving one of their Captains, and about 23. slain, the other we took wounded, who died since; then we made all the haste, and in the space of an hour landed our men, their Cannon playing all the while on us with little success: that day we spent in playing upon their Fort from our Ships, though the place being of so vast a height, they could bear to do them little harm. The next day, understanding their numbers to be more than ours, we were at a stand how to attempt them, having fortified themselves, and having six pieces of Ordnance, and a River to to pass, the depth whereof we knew not; Wherhfore, after our Ladders were made, and other things fitted aswell as we could, in the evening I sent a Drummer, partly to discover the depth of the River he was to pass, with this Summons following;  

SIR,  
BEing here with the Forces of the Mighty Prince, the Protector of England, and the Dominions thereunto belonging, I do in his Name, and for his use, require and summon you, to deliverup the Fort of Rio Nova, with the Ordnance and Ammunition therein; assuring you honourable terms, and transport to your Country: which if you refuse, I shall be acquitted of the blood which shall be shed. I expect the return of my Drummer within an hour, and am, Your very humble servant,  
E. D.  
For Don Christopher Arnaldo Sasi, Commander in chief of the Spanish Forces.   
The Drummer was very civilly treated, the General gave him 25. pieces of Eight, sent me a Jar of Sweetmeats, and this Answer.  
LORD GENERAL,  
DON Christopher Arnaldo & Sasa, Governor for his Majesty the King of Spain, my Lord of the Island of Jamaica, answering to your Letter, wherein you require me to deliver the Fort of Rio Nova and what else is therein; I say, Sir, that his Majesty (whom God preserve) hath appointed me for Governor of this Island, being his own property, and hath remitted me unto it a Regiment of Spanish Infantry, and twenty foot Companies to defend it; the Forts and Castles of his Majesty are not yielded with so much facility; hitherto I have received no batteries, nor have you made any advance, I want no Powder, Ball, Provisions, nor gallant Men, that know how to die before they be overcome. God keep your Honour many years in those Commands that you desire.  
Don Christopher Arnaldo Sasa, to the General Monsieur Monsieur Doyley, Governor General of the Forces of England, These.  
We made no more demurs, but resolved to march the morrow morning. So I ordered two of our Vessels to set sail Leeward, to persuade them we intent to stand on that side of them, the other ships to warp as near as they could, and play on them, while we fell on the other side: We marched assoon as it was light, having two miles to go, being through a Wood on the backside of them; about a quarter of a mile from their Fort we met a party on a Work, on a high Hill, prepared to obstruct our going over the River, who only gave us a fruitless Volley, ran to their Fort and told them, All the world was coming; we climbed that Hill with much ado, refreshed our weariness and advanced; when we came in sight of their Fort, which we found, to our exceeding joy, was not finished to that height as that to the Seaward: We ordered our business with our forlorn Ladders and Hand-Granadoes, and without any further dispute, received their shot and ran up to their Flankers, which, in a quarter of an hour, we gained; many of them made shift to run out of their Works, and ours followed their chase about three or four miles, doing execution; the Seamen likewise, seeing of them run along the Rocks, came out with their Boats and killed many of them.  
In this Fort we took about Ten double Barrels of Powder; Shot, great store; Six Pieces of Ordnance; great store of Provisions, Wine, Brandie, Salt, Oil, and other Provisions for eight months, as they termed it. There was slain about Three hundred persons, divers Captains, two Priests, and their Sergeant Major: About an hundred ordinary Prisoners taken, and six Captains which we have sent home; the King 〈◊〉 Spain's Standard, and ten Colour● 〈…〉 rest, especially the stragglers that are Woods, must of necessity perish.  
Though this Mercy was very great, yet our joy had some abatement, by the loss of Captain Wiseman, Capt. Meers, Capt. Lieut. Walker, Capt. Lieut. Robinson, and Ensign Farrar, men, for their gallantry, rather to be admired than commended; about twenty three private Soldiers killed, and thirty four wounded, whereof some are since dead; some other of our Officers slightly wounded with stones. Thus hath the Lord made known His Salvation: His Righteousness hath He openly shown in the sight of the heathen. I have sent this short Narration, because it comes by Colonel Barrey, who was an eyewitness, and principal Actor herein, and rest,  
Your Honour's faithful servant, EDW. DOYLEY. Caoway in Jamaica, the 12th 〈◊〉 July, 1658.   

●DINBVRGH, Printed by Christopher Higgins, in Hearts … Close, over against the Trone-Church, Anno Dom. 1659.