THE DEFEAT OF THE BARBARY FLEET; OR A Letter of Advice Relating the late Glorious Victory, which the Republic of Venice obtained against the Turk in the Channel of Scio in the Archipelago, the 3d. of May 1657.  
Under the Command of the Lord Lazaro Mosenigo Captain General of the Sea to the Republic.  
London, Printed for Richard Lowndes at the white Lion, near the little North door of Paul's, 1657.   

Most Illustrious, and most Excellent Lord my most Honoured Patron.  
YOur Excellency shall receive herewith an account of one of the most memorable Successes that in so short a compass of time the Divine Providence could give to poor Mortals, over the Common Enemy.  
The Venetian Fleet departed from Sdille to the number of nineteen Galleys, and six Galleasses, the Ships being left behind to make more speed; And finding that the Enemy's Fleet was gone from Mettelino having newly come out of the Dardanelli, to the number often Galleys, being informed there by the Slaves that the said Fleet was at Scio where they expected recreuts from Constantinople, we bent our course towards that place, where not finding the said Armata, we were told by the Slaves that it was gone towards Rhodes, for to caulk some bottoms, we making that way, we met with five Saics which were part of the Alexandrian Caravan designed for Smirna, whereof one was burnt, and two stranded; Thence we steered our course towards Samos, and Scala nuova, and in the way took a Vessel of Alexandria.  
Herupon we dispatch Felucas and Brigantines towards Samos and Scala nuova in quest of the Enemy's Fleet, but before their return we finding ourselves near Cao corbo, we spied it betimes in the morning making sail towards the Straight of Samos; The Turks Armata was 25 miles distant from ours, and we no sooner discovered it, but we made all the speed that Sails and Oars could make to find them out. But with the favour of the wind they got to the Channel of Samos. And having notice the Fleet from Barbary were expected with a good quanty of Rials to meet at Scio, and join with the rest of the Armata, we applied ourselves to prevent that conjunction, and to straighten that Island, which began already to feel want.  
That Evening another Saic was taken, and Advice was brought of nine Vessels which made sail towards Scio with a weak wind, and six more because of the Night were left behind; All these were Ships of Barbary as we had intelligence, which were going to reinforce the Turks Armata; And amongst them there was the Golden Cross a Flemish Ship, who being come from Venice with a Cargason of Biscuit, and being retired to Tine, was taken by them, a little before, they counterfeiting a Flemish Banner, which the Captain perceiving, he saved his men ashore, and left them the Ship.  
These were Ships from the Coast of Algiers, among the foremost there was the Admiral, the Captain, and the Padrona in the middle, which was taken last of all.  
They having discovered our Fleet, they began to straighten their Sails, to join with those that were furthest off, showing thereby a resolution to fight.  
Thereupon we ordered ourselves for battle, on the right side stood Proveditor Badoaro, on the left Commissary Michael, and in the middle the most Excellent Lord the Capitan General Mocenigo; Thereupon the Galleys divided themselves to three Squadrons, with two Galleasses attending every Squadron.  
In the Vanguard their sailed the Galley of Barbaro Captain of the Gulf, assisted by, and directed by the Lord Augustin Marcello; This Vessel with incomparable valour made towards, and assaulted the Enemy.  
The Fortress of Scio stounded the Enemy with their great Canon shot. The most Excellent Lord Captain General Mocenigo having disposed of all things for Fight, the Canons went off for three hours perpetually on both sides, with such an ardour and fury, that a greater obstinacy could not be in any Battle.  
And it may easily be believed, for the Moors or Barbareschi, are of the fiercest, and most undaunted nature of any among the Turks.  
There being scarce a breath of wind left, the Ships began to make use of legs for wings, and make use of Oars, which they use to do when they are out in course, but by the high virtue and valour of the Captain General all our Galleasses were inordred to board the Enemy, and the first who did so was Lodovico Baffo Director of the Captain Galeassa Morosini, who approaching the poop of the Enemy's Admiral with two Galleys more which were to attend him, viz. that of Commissary Michael, and the honourable Giacomo Pollani, who did the work, For the commands of the General were so punctually performed, that the Aggressors being twice beaten back, yet by pure valour and force they made themselves Masters of the said Ship, which did much animat the rest.  
At the same time the Captain of the Galeasse Loredano boarded another ship being attended by the Galley of the Lord Gerolimo Pesaro, and after a tough fight, he made the Vessel his own.  
In the interim there came out of the Port of Scio a Galley, and 2 Galeots for the assistance of the Enemy, but the Lord Francisco Viscamo took order with them, and beat them back again to port.  
The most excellent Captain General did incessantly torment the Enemy's Captain with his Galley, who made more resistance than others, and Captain Renier attempting to board her, the wind interposing itself by turning Northwest obliged him to pass with the Galley of the Lo. Nicolas Zane to the boarding of another Ship. But in his place there came Antonio Priuli with his Galeasse, who with extraordinary fierceness set upon her, so that the opposition was very obstinate, At last Mehemet a Renegado Hollander who commanded in chief being hurt in the Leg, whereof he died the next day, the Ship was won, and the Banner of the Christian General was planted upon Her to the glory of the great God who furthered the Enterprise.  
The Lo. Francisco Mosenigo Lieutenant, and Brother to the most excellent Captain General who assisted all the while at the prore, did stir himself notably in this exploit, as also Signior Aluise Dona who in quality of an adventurer and Volontier was upon the said galley, did show most signal proofs of resolution and valour in the acquest of the said ship.  
One ship alone which was lagg behind the rest by the favour of the wind being joined with six more which were already discovered, and come near, put themselves all to flight.  
With the ship on the right wing a most bloody fight continued by the Squadon of the Proveditor Badoer, causing two to run a shore which were afterwards fyrd by the enemy himself, wherein some swom to land, others chose rather an honourable death then to expose themselves to Slavery.  
The Captain of the Golfo Barbaro did board another Ship being joined with Signior Lunardo Moro, who were emulous with one another in point of valour; But this fight cost us dear, for the Captain of the Golf was hurt in his left shoulder, Marcello director of the Galley had a sore hurt in his right foot, and Lunardo Moro had a muskett short in his neck which is feared is Mortal; In the galley there remained hurt Francisco Bollani, Luca Falier with little hope of life; In this engagement the courage of Sig. Baptista Caotorta upon the galley Remera was very remarkable.  
The generous actions, and exemplary prowess of Father Augustin Moro a Dominican Friar is not here to be omitted, for the galley Moro being indistresse, he with few more endured the Shocks of the Turks who from the land pelted the prore, where he received five wounds but non mortal we hope.  
Two galleys being stranded the Proveditor of the Armata came to the succour of the most excellent Captain General who drew the galley Capitan de golfo from danger, and by his ordinance driving away the people from the shore which were come thither in swarms, both the galleys were freed; And so in five hour's battle were preserved all the Vessels of the most Serene Republic, but not without effusion of blood.  
Of nine Vessels four were taken out of the very body of the battle, but so torn that they came as naked Carcases without masts, so furiously did the Venetian arms play against them.  
Among those Vessels which were taken there is the Captain, and the Admirante; Among the rest one fled away fearing the Shock, Three were burnt, and one two days after because they could not hale her ashore they put fire in her.  
The Slaves which were taken in this battle come to a great number, among whom Aidin Chaus who was sent with money from Constantinople to Barbary for to hire this Fleet for the service of the Gran Signior, Theridamas was also taken Mehemet di Berb●ria Colonel of the Janissaries, Cusain d' Algieri Captain of a Ship, as also Captian General of the Fleet the who died a little after of his wounds, beside a great number of Christian Slaves were freed.  
The number of the dead on the Eenmies' side was great because few could scape by swimming, and there was not a Ship but had 150 Soldiers, and every one had 30 Mariners Slaves of all Nations.  
The dead on our side came to 100 and 17. among whom Colonel Pietro de Landa a Subject of high esteem for experience and valour.  
But the wounded came to the number of 346, among whom besides the Noblemen before nominated there is Signior Andrea Bragadini, an extraordinary Captain of one of the galleasses, upon which Signior Antonio Loredan● had occasion to discover an extraordinary valour who was aboard the said galeasse; Among the wounded there are also Don vicenzo, Vando and Horatio Bartolini.  
Such was the conclusion of this glorious fight, which promiseth some good fortune to follow upon the Island of Scio; And certainly it may be esteemed an incomparable Glory, that so small a Fleet should take & destroy so many ships, and put to flight 7 more which were in a warlike equipage; But all must be attributed to the assistance of that great God who protects the just cause of the Republic, wherein the most serene Prince Bertuca valiero doth govern in chief, and with such singular prudence; Add hereunto that the Heroic vertu, and valour, the piety, justice, the auspicious fortune, and rare directions of the most excellent Captain General Mocenigo, did infinitely conduce to this signal victory, which promiseth security to all Christendom, with benedictions and triumph to the Venetian Armies.  
This is all I can impart for the present to your Excellency, reserving myself for a more punctual relation another time, wherein there will be occasion to speak of the merit, and glory of every one of those noble Venetians who with so much magnanimity increase the ancient renown of this invincible Republic.  
From Galeazza 30 Maii 1655. Your Excellencies Most humble, and most devoted Servant N.N.M.  
Postscript.  
SInce my last, there are fresh News, that a squadron of Turkish Saiques are taken, and that the Venetian Fleet is advanced through the Castles into the Hellespont towards Constantinople, where there are fearful confusions, the Greek Patriarch being lat●ly strangled, and the Janezaries baffled the Gran Signore in the Seraglio, and commited many other Insolences.