THE DECLARATION Of the Cardinal MAZARINI Touching His departure out of France, justifying himself from all those things laid to his charge by the Princes and Parliament: with the Princes and Parliaments message to the King of France, touching his return to Paris, and their Declaration of submission to his Majesty.  
Also, A perfect Narrative of the last great and terrible fight between the English Fleet under Sir George Ascue, and the Dutch Navy under Admiral de Witte, and the loss on both sides impartially related, and the recruiting of the English Fleet with 500 fresh men.  
Likewise, Great numbers of the Dutchmen of war and Fishermen gone Northwards, and their taking of divers English Fishermen, and Barks coming from Iseland.  
August-24  
London, Printed for M. M. 1652.   

THE DECLARATION Of the Cardinal MAZARINE, Touching His departure out of France, justifying himself from all those things laid to his charge by the Princes and Parliament. With the Princes and Parliaments Message to the King.  
SIR,  
THat which this Kingdom, and in especial this City have much desired and long expected, is now come to pass, viz. the Cardinal's departure, with the King's consent; yet before he went, he caused his new Parliament at Ponthoise to approve and register a Declaration wherein he Declares, That his coming into France was only out of Love to his Majesty, and desire to do him service, and to procure the peace and tranquillity of the People, being not guilty in the least of those things which the Princes and Parliament charge him withal. The registering of this Declaration is not well resented by the Princes and Parliament of Paris, but filleth their head with jealousies, making them very suspicious of an after Game to be played.  
They have notwithstanding sent two Commissioners to his Majesty, with a Message of Thanks for his giving consent to the removal of the Cardinal, and withal promise that they will submit themselves to his Majesty, and be ready to expose their Lives, Fortunes, and Estates to all dangers and hazards whatsoever in his Royal Majesty's service; desiring his Majesty, that he will be pleased in the mean season to return to Paris.  
His Majesty hath promised to return so soon as may be with conveniency: They have thereupon passed a large Declaration to the aforesaid purpose, which hath been registered. The Cardinal is now on his way to go for the Borders, but whether he will remain at Metz, is very dubious, but it is thought he will rather go to the Castle of Bovillon, which is near, but not within the French dominions. There is a confirmation come from Rochel of the overthrow given by the Duke of Vendosm High Admiral of France, to the Spanish Navy near the Town of Brovage; The Spanish General layeth the fault thereof to the Count of Daugnon, who having a small Fleet, had so much honesty as to see his friends engaged, and not to go out to their assistance, whereby the Spanish fleet was forced to relire to S. Sebastian's in Biscaya, with the loss of the Admiral burned, one ship of about forty Guns sunk, and another of a lesser burden.  
The French having called a Council of War to consult what was most fit to be done, whether they should pursue the Spanish fleet or not, the Duke of Vendosm in the interim received a packet, wherein was contained the most sad and unwelcome news of the death of the valiant Duke of Nemours his son in Law, who was slain by his younger son the Duke of Beaufort, which tidings struck so near his heart. that waving all public affairs he retired privately to himself for that day, and thus the design of pursuing their victory was impeded and laid aside, and the Fleet is come back again to Rochel, which is now wholly set at liberty both by sea and land. The Count du Daugnon lieth still at Brovage, but not in a capacity of undertaking any thing against the King party.  
Marshal de la Mesleray hath been of late at Angiers, where he hath placed a Garrison of two thousand men, and hath set upon them very heavy Taxations, which doth much distract them, and they are not a little grieved that they left their old Governor for a new. The Count de H●rcou●t doth still continue his Siege before Villanova, but doth gain but little: the place hath had some reliei from the General Marcin of three hundred Volunteers, besides thirty Officers.  
The King's Army is still about S. Cloud, and the Princes about their old quarters, but both of them at the present lie still. The Court is at Champagne, but it is not probable that it should continue there long, by reason that there are no provisions for their subsistence. The town of Dunkirk is still closely blocked up by sea and land, and great discontent is among the Officers and soldiers, which is like to be very prejudicial to that town.  
Paris, Aug. 25. Yours, etc. R.H.   

A Letter from Plymouth containing the full relation of the last great and bloody fight between Sir George Ascue, and the Dutch Fleet.  
SIR,  
I Know that you cannot but have heard of the late great fight on these Coasts between the English and Dutch Fleets, but not knowing how things may be represented to you, I thought good to present you with the most particular relation of the fight which I could gather, which is as followeth: Upon discovery of the Dutch Fleet yesterday about one of the clock, a Council of war was presently called, and it was resolved to fight them if they would stand, and accordingly, Sir George Askew sailed and put up towards them and about 4 a clock that night came up to them and engaged, and the fight was very hot, we had loss of some precious men, but without doubt the Dutch sustained a very considerable loss. The fight continued about four hours, so that about 8 a clock it growing dark, they were forced to leave off. The George and the Bonaventure, being much shattered and ready to sink came in hither, and are mending, Capt. Packs leg is shot off in the fight, he was brought hither in a Catch from the Fleet, and Capt. Lisle hath a wound in his shoulder, that we fear will prove mortal. The Admiral and the rest fought with great valour and gallantry. The Admiral lost in her 12 men and received 60 shot in her hull, and so divers others have received loss, and we have many wounded men. Sir George Ascue kept as much as he could in ken of them all night, and is resolved if possible to engage them this day.  
The number of the Dutch that engaged were 55 men of war, and 25 Merchant men, we were but 41. Our Vice Admiral, and Rear-Admiral, with about five or six others, broke through their whole Fleet, so as the five and twenty Merchant men ran away to the Coasts of France.  
Their men of war notwithstanding, have been in continual fight Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, and it is conceived might so continue until this time, so that the particulars cannot be fully certified as yet, there have come about 100 wounded men to Plymouth from Sir George Ascue, but this hath been supplied with 500 stout men from Plymouth to recruit his Fleet.  
For further particulars, I can not certainly inform you, only it is said Sir George hath taken seventeen, sunk five, fired two, with the loss before mentioned, to this agree the relation of most men here, I have no more at present but rest,  
Plymouth August, 19 Your assured friend, R. B.  
Postscript.  
Just now I had intelligence, that the five hundred men sent from this Town to Sir George, deported themselves with singular dexterity and courage, but many of them are slain, and about sixty wounded. This hath been the bloodiest conflict that ever happened between the two Republics.   

A Letter from Yarmouth, dated August the 11th 1652.  
SIR,  
SInce the coming of General Blake from the North, the Hollanders are very busy to the Northward, with a great number of Busses, and many men of war for their Convoy, who are most of them Pinks, and have spread themselves all abroad. Divers of our English fishshermen they have taken, as they were returning home fully laden, they have also taken some of our Barks that were coming from Iseland, and some that appertained to Ailesborough: One of these being taken, and carried to Rotterdam, after they had detained it three or four days, was cleared by a sentence of the Admiralty, both ship and goods, and sent away, and came home safe. Another being taken, was also carried thither, and cleared likewise; but in her return homewards was met by a private Man of War, and by him brought to Zealand. Our coast is much infested by Dutch Pickeroons, so that we are very fearful we shall lose our whole fishing trade for this year.   
FINIS.