A MESSAGE Sent to the L. Admiral Vantrump From the High and Mighty Lords the State's General of the united Provinces, touching hostile acts toward all English ships, whether Merchants or others.  
WITH The burning and consuming of the Statehouse and Bank of Money at Amsterdam, and the firing of a gallant ship in the Harbour; and the debates of the States at the Hague, touchin their constituting the young Pr. of Orange, Governor of the United Provinces.  
LIKEWISE, A full and perfect relation of the late transactions betwixt the two Fleets under the command of Sir Geo. Ascue, and Admiral Vantru●p upon the Downs; with Vantrumps Design to have surprised our ships in the Hope; His sailing westward, and his design therein.  
Also a bloody Fight at Sea, and the taking of divers Dutch ships by his Excellency General Blake in the Northern Seas.  
LONDON: Printed by E. C. 1652.   

A MESSAGE Sent to Admiral Vantrump From The High and Mighty Lords the State's General of the United Provinces.  
SIR,  
THe Lord Paw, Ambassador extraordinary from the State's General of the United Provinces, hath made a large report to his Masters, touching his Embassy to the Commonwealth of England, since which he hath sent a messenger to the Parliament to gratify the respects and civilities used by them towards him, he also assures them, that in all probability, the States will send yet another messenger. Upon his report, and a motion by him made to that purpose, the States have sent a Message to the Lieut. Admiral Vantrump, wherein They expressly charge, require, and forbidden him, or any of the Fleet under his command, to meddle with, hinder, or disturb by any hostile act, any English ship whatsoever, not offering injury or affront to them; but to let them pass freely without let or molestation, until they have made their full resolutions, touching the report made by the Lord Ambassador Paw. So that all hopes of a peace with England is not quite taken away, notwithstanding the strong endeavours of a hot spirited party among us, who desire nothing more than to see the two nations embroiled in a cruel and bloody war.  
The people notwithstanding are arming every where, and every Stadt reinforced both with Cavalry and Infantry; even the Hague itself is made a garrison; and all ships fit for service are stopped and entertained, although the men have small stomaches to engage with your men of war, who they know want not courage to receive and entertain them; many of the East-India Fleet are rigging and preparing for war, that Company apprehending, that if matters go not according to their expectation, they shall be called to an account for the business of Amboina: and for the defence of our frontier towns, we have sent abroad to foreign Princes to assist us, who will (no doubt) be as ready to supply us, as we to desire their aid, though but to serve their own ends.  
Much scuffling there is among the States, for the making the young Prince of Orange Governor, and very violently hath the motion been followed by all the Provinces, Holland only excepted, which strongly apposeth it: Count William hath been named for Lievt. General; but many fear if this motion should take effect, he would introduce foreign forces amongst us, and so betray our liberty, having the D. of Brandenburg, and the Grave of Embden his brothers. But while these things were in deep consultation at the Hague, the element of fire raged in this City in a double misfortune both on the water and on the land: on the water we had a new ship fired, how, or by what means we cannot certainly learn, but this I am sure of, that if great pains and industry had not be●n used for the speedy extinguishing thereof, it would 〈◊〉 all li●elihood have fired and burnt our fire ships, which the● lay near them, but are since gone out to our Fleet. To second this, the Statehouse of this City was suddenly fired and burnt down to the ground, we having as little knowledge of the author or cause of this as of the 〈◊〉. Many there was that cried out Treason, Treason, 〈◊〉 conjecturing it could be nothing else, and that 〈◊〉 that envied the glory and riches of that City, 〈◊〉 on purpose out of malice done it; however much they ●ow to heaven that there was so little wind, had the wind been ●igh, the pride of this City had been laid in the dust. Much o● the Bank-money lay in that place; and is melted to the great grief (no doubt) of those that laid it for security and profit in that place; generally the people still continue high in their language, and seem loath to trust those English that so faithfully served them against the Spaniard, but rather rely upon such foreign auxiliaries, as it is believed will rather seek the way to ruin us, thereby to advantage themselves, then endeavour to put a period to our troubles.  
Amsterdam, july 16, still. novo. 1652.   

A Letter f●om the Downs, containing a full and perfect Narrative of Admiral Vantrumps facing of Sir George Ascue with a Fleet of above an hundred Sail.  
SIR,  
I Received yours of the 12 instant, wherein you desire to be informed touching the transactions betwixt our Fleet under Sir George Ascue, and the Dutch under Vantrump; for your satisfaction take this account. Some of the Scouts Sir Geo. Ascue had sent out, returned the 8 of this instant July, declaring that they had descried above 60 sail of Dutchmen in the Downs, Sir George then riding with part of his Fleet near Deal Castle, the other part was in the Hope, intending towards him. The enemy seemed to design an interception of that party, and then to fight Sir George. But Sir Geo knowing they were not well provided for fight, sent to them, commanding them to continue there till he should send them further Order; and with those he had (being not 20 sail) he resolved to fight it out, what ever Fleet should attempt to engage him, and prepared himself in the best manner he could to receive them, howbeit there was no attempt made upon him that night nor the next day, during which time he received aboard him 200 foot soldiers, distributing them among his Fleet.  
On Saturday the Dutch came in sight, we conceived them to be about an hundred and two Men of War, and ten or twelve fire ships; they were divided into 3 squadrons, viz. 35 sail with the Admiral on the back of the Goodwin; Three leagues Eastward of him was another squadron consisting of 40 sail, and the third at Longsands-head, which lay in a posture to intercept our ships as aforesaid, and to keep Sir George from steering Westward. The next day being Sunday, very early, the intent of the enemy being frustrated, those ships which were coming forth being returned into the River according to Order, he divided his Fleet into two parts, the greatest part (consisting of about 75 sail) bore up directly towards Sir George between the Brake head, and North sands head, whilst the rest of the Fleet, being about 35 sail, lay upon the back of the Goodwin, to intercept Sir George, if their Fireships should constrain him to quit his anchors. But the Tide of Ebb being done, and but little wind, the enemy was compelled to anchor about a league distant from our Fleet, expecting the opportunity of the next Tide of Ebb to fall upon Sir George, who knowing that both his Officers, Mariners and Soldiers were filled with courage and resolution, prepared himself for their reception. In the mean time six pieces of Ordnance were mounted on two Platforms between 'tween the Castles of Deal and Sandown, which might annoy the enemy if he should engage; The Militia of the Country, both horse and foot, were also on their march thitherwards.  
Whilst all things were thus disposed, and our soldiers both Seamen and Landmen, with great cheerfulness and courage attended the falling on of the enemy, the wind turned, so that the Dutch could not come in as they intended, and at Ebb it came to South-west, which was very disadvantageous to the enemy, who finding that providence fought against them, weighed, and stood back again to the back of the Goodwin about 5 a clock, where meeting altogether, they steered away.  
I cannot omit to tell you, that above two hundred Seamen, to show their good affection and zeal to the Parliament, came voluntarily and freely in to assist our Fleet, there were also divers fireships preparing at Dover, to be made use of for entertaining of the Hollanders Navy, had they approached any nearer; They thought to have performed Wonders upon our Fleet here in the absence of General Blake, but the Lord was pleased to disappoint them, and bring to nought their Counsels.  
From the Downs, july 14. 1652.  
His Excellency Gen. Blake hath been all this while, and is yet Northwards with a very gallant fleet of ships, and some letters I have seen from the North, which say, That there hath been a great Fight between a part of General Blakes Fleet, and the Dutch in the Northern seas, and that Gen. Blake hath taken divers Dutch ships, fishermen and others, but no letters are yet come from his navy to confirm it. It was conjectured by many that a squadron of Vantrumps Fleet sailed Northwards, but we understand since that they are all together, and are gone Westward, thinking thereby to draw Gen. Blake from the North.   
FINIS.