A COPY Of the LATE King James' Letter, Sent by the Earl of MELFORT to the FRENCH KING, On the last SEA-FIGHT.  
And Published the next Day by the French King's Order.  
Brother KING,  
I HAVE with a degree of Resolution bore all the Disgraces it has pleased Heaven to send me, whilst they reached me alone; but this last I confess, has quite overwhelmed me: Nor can I ever forgive myself, since it so nearly touches your Majesty in the great Damage of your FLEET; and since I am too well satisfied, it is my Stars have occasioned this ill Success to a FLEET that has been ever Victorious till they fought for my Interest, which forces me to acknowledge that I do not in the least deserve the further assistance of so great a King, who when he Wars for himself alone, is certain of Success; therefore I beg of your Majesty, that you would forbear to concern yourself for a Prince so Unfortunate as I am: And give me and my Family leave to retire unto a Corner of the World, where I may not any way be a hindrance to the usual Course of your Prosperity and Conquests, which nothing but the Ill Fortune so Inseparable from me, could ever interrupt; Nor is it just that the most Powerful Monarch, and the most flourishing Kingdom in the World, should feel my Misfortunes, for you are indeed too generous; and it is better that I alone submit, till it shall please the Decrees of Providence to order otherwise, and let that dispose of me how or where it will. I do assure your Majesty, that with my last Breath, I shall acknowledge your assistance & Friendship; and when I shall be from your Kingdoms, it will be my greatest satisfaction to think that you will again resume the good Fortune, which (whilst my Interest was not twisted with yours) you ever had against Yours and My Enemies.  

Remarks on the foregoing LETTER.  
ONE Use may very properly be raised from these Premises of information, Viz. This plainly tells us the True Principle of the French Kings Assistance and Friendship to the late King. and that 'tis Interest and only Interest is the Powerful Motive, since he could make that ill use of his Friend's Modesty, as to expose a Letter to the World, that is indeed neither more nor less than a Compliment on the Blunder committed by the French King, for whatever those who loose Spoons or Forks, may believe of the Influence of Stars, every body in their Wits, will grant one Cannon is of more force than twenty Stars; and methinks 'tis at the best but a poor come off, to make any ones Ill Fortune an Excuse for his being overreacht.    

London, Printed for A. Johnson, 1692.