A Perfect NARATIVE OF A SEA-FIGHT NEAR The Coast of PORTUGAL; BETWEEN The ENGLISH and the FRENCH. WITH, The manner of their engagement, the further Proceed of the French Fleet, and the staying of some Merchant's ships at Rouen, in Normandy.  
London, Printed for R. W. and are to be sold at the Royal-exchange. 1650.   

An Exact Relation of a Sea-fight near the Coast of PORTUGAL, between the FRENCH and ENGLISH.  
SIR,  
SInce the time of our weighing Anchor at Gravesend, and passing the Channel of the British Seas, great hath been the perilous distempers which accompanied us; for we had not been many days at Sea (being bound for Scanderoon, a place of great traffic in Turkey) but immediately the raging billows of the merciless Sea, began to swell against us; insomuch, that by the extremity of weather, and vehement storms arising thereupon, the Ships that accompanied us in our Voyage (being 5) were soon dispersed, and separated; and a tempest arising, every man bequeathed his life and fortune to the mercy of the alldevouring Ocean; but divine providence had so decreed, that in our greatest extremity appeared Gods omnipotent and tender mercy, and when we thought the Seas to be our grave, they gaping to swallow and entomb our mortal carcases, than did the omnipotent Jehovah cause the wind to cease, and the waters to become calm, whereby our ship might ride free from tossing and tumbling: In thankful acknowledgement thereof, for the great mercy and freedom which we then received, our Captain and Master of the ship, ordered some time to be set a part, for an humble thanksgiving to be given to the Almighty, for those his great mercies, and delivering us his poor contemptible creatures, from the merciless jaws of death; which with great alacrity was accordingly performed, with bended knees, watery eyes, and hearts lift up to heaven, for our miraculous deliverance from (present) perishing, and destruction. We had not sailed many Leagues, 'ere we perceived our ship to be driven near the Coast of Portugal, and that we had utterly lost the rest of our Fleet: Notwithstanding we steered on our intended course, in which we had not continued many hours, but the Lord having delivered us out of the precedent danger, another presented itself before us; for we espied certain ships make after us, which we soon perceived to be French men of War, who having the benefit of the wind (and being very swift of sail) soon hailed us; whereupon, we committed ourselves to the same providence who had formerly delivered us, and resolved (if they proved enemies) to sacrifice our lives and fortunes each with other: But they being approached (espying us to be Merchantmen) their Admiral immediately gave us a broad side, whereupon (they forcing us) we answered with a Volley suitable to that received; which caused the rest to steer up, and encompassed us round, giving us several broad sides; but we being sensible of their bloodthirsty barbarism to the English, unanimously resolved to fight it out, and answered them again with round and key-shot, which did great execution on those that man'd their Decks; But the French being too numerous, we were overpowered by them, and they boarded us on both sides, and slew many of our men, the residue desired quarter, which was granted; and having ransacked our Ship and Cabines, a convoy was ordered for our transportation to Dunkirk; where we now remain prisoners, until a ransom can be procured from some certain Merchants: for the obtaining whereof, liberty is granted to represent our state and condition to those who employed us from England; amongst which papers, I used means that this Narrative might be inserted: And truly, if timely opportunity be not suddenly embraced, for the clearing of the narrow Seas, and British Coasts, of the French Pirates, and Danish robbers, I much fear, that it will be the case of many other of our Countrymen; for under the pretence of having Commission from the King of Scots, they commit great spoil, by annoying and intercepting the English shipping; and if by chance they light on any small ships or vessels, not able or unlikely to make opposition, they immediately board them, exercising unheard of cruelty, tying their prisoners back to back, and mercilessly casting them into the Sea; which had been our cases (without doubt) but that the Lord put it in the heart of their Commander in chief, to lay a strict command upon the rest, that those which desired quarter, and submitted to mercy, should not receive any further prejudice. Sir, It is reported here, that certain ships which are now ready to put forth to Sea, are to go for the relief of Prince Rupert, whose condition many [in this Town] seem to bewail, but very few will afford to redress; Here is much talk of the Parliaments Summer-Fleet, which doth much startle the Governor, and retards Rupert's supply: Also, some Merchants (who had formerly promised the Governor, to be aiding and assisting in setting forth certain ships) hearing of the preparations that are made for the English Fleet, are resolved not to enter into any further engagement against England, but to use all the interest they have, to obtain leave to have free commerce and trade with the English. We have also intelligence here, that Captain Newberry, with one of the Parliaments men of War, hath lately lighted on two Frenchmen, and after a sharp conflict took them; By which means we hope for our enlargement by way of exchange, and I entreat you, to be a means to hasten it. The Governor of Rouen in Normandy (we hear) hath caused some English ships to be stayed, that were laden with Paper and other Commodities, which causeth some jealousies (at present) that those Manufactures will be denied transportation into England. There are some old grudges newly revived by the French, which threaten ruin to the peace and tranquillity of England; But it's hoped, all their devices will be blasted in the bud, and England (which now seems despicable in the eyes of many) will still be preserved from the fury of her enemies: Which is the continual prayer of him, who remains  
Your Christian friend and fellow-soldier, C. H. From our Captivity in Dunkirk, this 22. instant, 1650.  
FINIS.