A GREAT AND BLOODY FIGHT AT SEA: Between five Men of War belonging to the Parliament of England, and a Squadron of the Irish Fleet; wherein is contained, the full particulars, and manner of the said Fight; the number of ships that were sunk and taken, together with divers prisoners, great store of Match and Bullet, and 40 pieces of Ordnance, and the rest of the Fleet quite dispersed and scattered. Also, the Resolution of the Welsh-men, and the Parliaments Declaration to the Kingdom.  
Likewise, the Act and Proclamation of the Kingdom of Scotland, touching the crowning of the Prince of Wales.  

Imprimatur,  
Theodore Jennings. feb: 10th 1648    depiction of the sea battle between the English Men of War and the Irish fleet  

A great and BLOODY FIGHT AT SEA, Between five Men of War belonging to the Parliament of England, and a great part of the Prince's FLEET.  
SIR,  
ON Wednesday last, being the 7. of this instant there happened a great and bloody Fight at Sea between the English and the Irish, near the Coast of Ireland, the manner thus: Capt. Peacock (a man of known and faithful integrity to the Parliament) sailing towards the Irish Seas with five Men of War, for clearing the channel about Dublin of Pirates and Robbers, discovered a Fleet of ships about three leagues distant, who immediately made towards them, and coming within Canon-shot, hailed them in, to know what they were, and whence they was bound; who replied, that they belonged to the Parliament of England, and were bound for the relief of Dublin; but sailing near to each other, Captain Peacock discovered them to be Enemies, who presently gave them a broad side; whereupon the Enemy's rear-admiral answered them with another Volley, insomuch that a hot dispute began, continuing for the space of an hour, and although the Enemy was two for one, yet (by divine providence, and the assistance of the Almighty) by the gallantry of the said Captain Peacock, and his Seamen, he became victorious, and after a bloody Conflict, sunk two of the Enemy's ships, and near upon 70. men, and boarded the rear-admiral; the rest escaped having a fair Gale of Wind to separate them from their Engagement, and the raging Billows forcing them to the Ocean for sanctuary.  
This Fleet consisted of ten Sail, five whereof belonging to the Prince's Fleet, the rest Irish, who were designed against Dublin.  
The ship which was boarded, was called the Patrick, being rear-admiral to the Fleet, wherein was forty piece of Ordnance, six Tun of Match, twenty Barrels of powder, and about two hundred Seamen.  
In this Conflict divers were slain on both sides, Captain Peacock lost near upon twenty men, and his own ship (called the Dragon) was in great danger of being sunk, who leaked exceedingly betwixt Wind and Water; but by the great ingenuity and vigilancy of the carpenters she was preserved: the Enemy's loss is very great, and doth far exceed the other: and many of the prisoners now in custody exceedingly wounded. This happy news was communicated unto us by a Fisherman, who with his Bark struck into this Harbour, being chased from Sea by the dispersed Fleet.  
Upon proclaiming of the late Act of parliament, and fixing it upon posts, the adverse party seemed to be much grieved thereat, and when the dark Curtains of the most high Canopy were drawn, they caused the said Act to be pulled down, and in stead thereof, caused a most treasonable paper to be set up, wherein they declared their inveterate malignancy, to sacrifice their lives and fortunes. in the defence and preservation of Monarchical Government, etc.  
But all diligent care is taken for discovery of the chief abetters and Fomenters of the said treasonable paper; which they perceiving, begin now to be very silent.  
There are great discontents appearing in several parts throughout North and South Wales; but their design is (as yet) of small maturity, and it's conceived will not be of any consequence, unless Laughornes Brother, and others from Ireland prove instrumental for the delivery of this great Machavilian Monster into the World; but we hope it will now be frustrated, by reason of the late blow given to the Enemy at Sea.  
Bristol 9 Feb. 1659.  
Other Letters from the West make mention, That divers of the well-affected in the Counties adjacent, upon a meeting near Warham, on the 3. of this instant, declared their Resolutions, and entered into protestation, to sacrifice lives and fortunes in the defence of Parliament and Army, for the obtaining of Justice, Liberty, and Freedom, together with the common Rights of the people of England.  
And do desire, that impartial Justice may (without detraction of time) be forthwith executed upon all Offendeas wdo have been aiding and assisting in this tyrannical, and bloody war, and promoted the Designs of the adverse party, against the well-affected of this Kingdom.  
Since which Declaratory Expressions from the said well-affected party, the spirits of malignancy have been much abated in these parts: But in some parts of Hereford, & Somertsetshire, the Coals of Enmity are kindling, and ready to break forth into new flames of Discord and Contention, the Clergy stirring up the people in their pulpits, and using all means possible to incite them to an Engagement against the Parliament and Army.  
Worcester 9 Feb. 1648.  
Edinburgh Feb. 7. The Assembly of the Kirk have published their Declaration and Testimony; wherein they utterly detest against toleration, your new Agreement of the parliament and Army, their breach of Covenant, and their proceed about the King; and it is said they are drawing up a Message to be sent to His Highness the prince of Wales, together with several proposals to be tendered to His Highness, for the obtaining of His Royal assent, to their Uniformity of Worship, and to subscribe unto their Rules and Discipline of the Kirke, as it now stands confirmed and established within this Nation, and if His Highness subscribes, and declares for presbytery, here is few but will embrace him, and cast a smiling countenance on him, which that He may, here are many prayers, and good wishes, the Earls of Lanericke and Lautherdale are gone to the Prince, and the Marquis of Montrosse is gone for Ireland; and it's believed, many wits will be employed against the Spring.  
The Declaration and Resolution of the Parliament of England, concerning the Government of this Kingdom.  
The Parliament of England now assembled doth declare, that they are fully resolved to maintain, and shall and will uphold, preserve and keep the fundamental Laws of this Nation for and concerning the preservation of the lives, properties and lirerties of the people, with all things incident thereunto; with the alteration touching King and House of Lords, already resolved in this present Parliament, for the good of the people; and what shall be further necessary for perfecting thereof, And do require and expect, That all Judges, Justices, Sheriffs, and all Officers and Ministers of Justices for the time being do administer Justice, and do proceed in their respective place accordingly. And it is hereby ordered and appointed, That this Declaration shall be forthwith proclaimed in Westminster Hall, and the Sheriffs in their several Counties are to cause this Declaration to be likewise published.  
SIR,  
The death of his Majesty was conveyed to us by an express the 6 of this instant; much lamentation was here for the loss of their Native Sovereign, both by the Royal and presbyterian party, with much threatening for revenge of his blood, which they will doubtless put into a speedy way of execution against the next Spring, and to show a testimony of their dis-satisfaction herein, some disaffected persons have this day proclaimed Charles Stuart, eldest Son to Charles Stuart the first, late King of Great Britain, King of Scotland, and to the end that none may plead ignorance therein, have ordered that the same be proclaimed at the Market-crosse throughout every Burgh in the Kingdom of Scotland, which is not contradicted or gainsayed by the parliament, or rather Kirk of this Nation; a foundation of another war is laid herein, but what proceed thereupon, a short time will discover: Yet divers of the Estates convened in parl. have declared, That before He be admitted to his Royal power, He shall give an assurance for the security of Religion, and the liberty and safety of the people, according to the solemn League and Covenant between both Kingdoms.  
Edinburgh, 8 Febr. 1649.   
FINIS.