A FIGHT AT SEA TWO Ships taken by Prince CHARLES his Officers. And Prince Charles very ill, and in danger of Death.  
THE Lord Willoughby and Sir John Batten, both put out, and Prince Rupert made Admiral, and Captain Robert Welch Vice-admiral.  
The Estates Message to Vantrumpe, And the agreement at the Treaty.  
ALSO Other Extraordinary News from the Earl of Warwick's Ships.  
Brought on Monday November 6, 1648.  
no: 7 LONDON, Printed for H. Becke, and are to be sold in the Old Bayley. 1648.   

A Fight at SEA, two Ships taken by Prince Charles his Officers.  
And Prince Charles very ill, and in danger of Death.  
SIR,  
I Know many eyes are upon us, yet I doubt not, but that we shall give such an account of this business of our undertake here, as shall give good satisfaction to the Parliament.  
It is true, we were mistaken in our first thoughts, for it was supposed that the Seamen would have all come in to the Lord Admiral upon the first Summons, Indemnity being offered them.  
But it seems they had not so much discretion, as to make use of that offer when it was tendered, For by means of some moneys, and an high hand together, over the Sea men, they were stopped from coming into us.  
Yet now they are in as great 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as ever, nay worse, for the Seamen fly out high against the Lord Willoughby and Sir john 〈◊〉 for … s, and 〈…〉 they have contracted to themselves, by deserting the Parliament, and that they did always expect the performance of payment of moneys from them for they promised it, and of them it is they expect to see it performed.  
And their wants are very great, having spent since they arrived in Holland, not only the pillage of their Piracies, but what they brought away from England.  
Hereupon several Counsels of War were called to consider what to do, and upon advice there amongst them, Prince Charles and the Agents have been solicited by the Lord Willoughby, Sir John B●●ten; and other Officers; And they have had good words, but no moneys.  
At last the Lord Willoughby went to the 〈…〉 told him that there must some course be taken for moneys, or else the Seamen would all dissert them, and that he could not keep them in order without some thing for them to subsist by.  
Then his Lordship was desired to try what interest he could make for the borrowing of moneys for the Prince, to give the Seamen some pay, and that he should do what he could to keep them in Order.  
The Prince also declared unto him, that he would desire them that they would be contented (only) until the Treaty between the King his Father, and the Parliament of England was ended, that they might see what the end thereof would be, and then they should see, that care should be taken for them, either (in a short time) to have their Arrears, and all engagements made good to them, or else that they should have both moneys and provisions for further employment, if the King and Parliament should not agree.  
In the mean time, the Lord Admiral sent to the Estates of Holland, to desire that Vantrumpe might be recalled from guarding of the revolted Ships that deserted the Parliament of England, and others from the Parliament were there soliciting, that so the Lord Admiral might have an opportunity to reduce them.  
And it was so fare prevailed with the Estates of Holland, that an Order was passed that Vantrumpe should withdraw, and take of● his guards, and those ships of theirs be employed upon other service for their own country. But I know not how it came to pass but so it was, that either it was not sent, or not obeyed, but I suppose there was some private countermand from the Prince of Orange, or else that Vuntrumpe durst hardly have denied to obey those Instructions. And the Estates have since made another Order to send to Vantrumpe, to know the reason why those Orders were not obeyed?  
Whether he was to withdraw presently, or convey them out of Gowry (which is not probable) and then withdraw, I cannot tell certainly: but probably the latter.  
The Hollanders are much discontented to be at the charges, to maintain them at their charge, for no benefit to themselves, especially having so much use as they have for them at Sea.  
But for (the future) perhaps they may not have altogether so much use for them as formerly, for the general peace is now concluded and signed.  
Now all this while Prince Charles his seamen go on high in discontents, and break out into factions; their general cry being moneys, money, and indeed I do wonder how they can make shift as they do.  
And the Seamen sent to desire Prince Charles to come to them, and give them some other satisfaction (for they were much discontented at the Prince for leaving them and going to the Hague).  
Yet it hath so fallen out, that they cannot be satisfied in this; for Prince Charles is sick of the Small Pox at the Hague and is very ill of them, in great danger to fall into a Fever.  
The Duke of York also and his sister are neither of them well. The Duke it is believed will also have the Small Pox.  
So that neither the Prince nor the Duke of York can go to them, whereby they are like to rise into an high disorder.  
The Prince there by the advice of his counsel about him, took into consideration what was best to be done herein, for their Order and Discipline.  
And it was concluded, that a message should be sent to the Lord Willoughby, and Captain Batten, to know their minds, and try whether they could use a ●●●●s to settle and order the Seamen until the Treaty was ●●ded.  
They returned Answer, that they could not possible do it without money, and that they could not tell how to undertake any thing in discharge of their places except some provisions was made for the Seamen.  
Hereupon the Prince by advice of his council, concluded that the Lord Willoughby and Sir John Batten should be dismissed. And that Prince Rupert should be made Admiral and that one Welsh should be Vice-Admirally (this Welsh is Robert Welsh that came out of Ireland, a poor sneaking fellow) are not those like to prove good guides to an English Navy. But this will not be sufficient to compose the Seamen, and notwithstanding their intentions for so it is designed to send Landmen over them, to over-awe them, and put a force upon them.  
The time of the Treaty they suppose but short, and so expect their work to be, and so not much difficult. There are some of Prince Charles his Officers have taken two Ships belonging to some Merchants of London, which they have seized on, and plundered to a very great value.  
Many ships were cast away the last great winds.  
Gowry, From aboard the Vere-Admiral, Dated the 3 of Novemb, 1648.   
FINIS.