A Perfect RELATION OF The great Fight between the English and Dutch Fleets on friday and saturday last, n●er the cost of Portsmouth; continuing for the space of 18 houres: With a List of the particulars; the names and number of the ships that engaged; the putting to flight fourscore men of war, and 300 Merchants; the taking of Van-trumps Vice-Admiral, his Rear-Admiral; and the sinking and burning of 14 more; with the loss of the samson, Capt. Ball, Cap. Mildmay, cap. Barker, Mr Sparrow, and some others; the shooting of the Generals ship in near upon 700 places; the wound●ng of his Excellency, & both his Rear-Admirals put into Portsmouth; Together with the landing of the Duke of Gloucester in Flanders. Sent in a Letter to the council of State; and published according to Order. depiction of two ships or galleons armed with cannons, with smoke between them; nearby two smaller ships London Printed for George Horton 1652 A Letter sent to the council of State, touching the late fight between the English and Dutch near Fortland Road on Friday and Saturday last. Right Honourable, ON Friday last about five of the clock in the morning, our Generals resolved to fight the enemy; and after seeking the Lord for a blessing in this great work, we engaged their whole Fleet consisting of about 80 sail, who were convoying near upon 300 Merchants homeward; we were not above 60 sail, yet disputed it till 7 of the clock in the Evening, great execution being done on both sides, as appears by the enclosed Narrative and List. The fable night ending the dispute, both fleets lay near each other with their Lights forth; and on Saturday morning the fight began again, which was with great gallantry maintained by Gen. black, with his own Squadron, viz. The triumph, The Speaker, The Fairfax, The Adventure, The Assurance, The Success, The Rainbow, The Diamond The James The lion The Providence The Satisfaction The Discovery The Expedition The Fore-sight The Nonesuch The tiger The Angel The Pelican The Convertine The Roe-Buck The Old Warwick The Ruth The Nichodemus The Amity The president The Signet The Entrance. All which, bare up to the enemy with so gallant a spirit of resolution, that( by the assistance of General Monk with the Vanguard and others) before 3 of the clock on Friday, we had taken, sunk, and fired 15 sail, whereof one is their Vice-Admiral, a stout ship of 60 Guns; another, their Rear-admiral, a gallant ship, and fought bravely; indeed, so they did all; but General black having got the wind-ward of them, charged with such an irresistible and magnanimous spirit, that Vantrump endeavoured to decline engagement, which his Excellency perceiving, immediately pursued; so that a third and fourth conflict happened; during which disputes, the famous Triumph( to the perpetual eternising of the Generals famed be it spoken) received near upon seven hundred shots, wherein was slain that noble and approved soldier capt. Ball, with some others; besides many wounded; amongst the rest, the General himself received a wound upon the Thigh by an unhappy splinter( but itis hoped not dangerous) which splinter took away part of General deans breeches, but not any part of his body at the least hurt. In this fight Captain Mildmay, and Captain Barker, deported thsmselves with singular dexterity and courage; but at last received their mortal wounds; together with our Secretary, whose deaths are much lamented. Both our Rear-Admirals have lost their Main-masts, but are got safe into portsmouth; we have also lost the samson, which was so extremely rent and torn, that she was even almost full of water; until which time, the Souldiers and Mariners resolved not to desert her; but at last was forced to eseape in boats. The enemies loss is far greater; for we have sunk fired, and taken about 19, and are now in pursuit of them towards their own cost. Their Merchant-men are conceived lay up towards the cost of France all the time of the Engagement; and we doubt not but to give a good account of this memorable Expedition very suddenly. Vice-admiral Pen endeavoured to come seasonably in to our assistance, with 14 sail, from the Downs; but was prevented by across winds; yet it pleased God he came timely to the pursuit. We are now in a gallant condition; since the Lord was pleased to crown the endeavours of our Fleet with happy success; for which we desire to magnify his great and glorious Name. Aboard the Eagle, Feb. 21. 2 in the morning. SIR, THe States proceed on vigorously in setting forth a new Armado; no less then eighty sail is voted for, in case they receive not a Repeal from England: some frigates are already off from the Stocks, and Dewitte is the onely man whom they now pin their faith upon; but that which renders them indifferent willing, is, their strange Fancies and new Gingles of infusing an incredible belief into the hearts of the people, viz. That your General cromwell is confined to the Tower of London, for declaring for the Interest of young Charles, upon the Parliaments motion to make his brother the Duke of Gloucester King; saying, That in case they must have a King, they should take the right Heir; with many other fallacious devices, of the Lord Grey's drawing his Sword in the Parliament house against his Excellency, the creating of colonel Harrison General of the soldiery, and divers other circumstances of the like coin, which will prove too light for these Artists of the Flemish Mint. Nay, further, they retain such unpa●allel'd achievements of their Victors at sea, that all is like to be their own in England, forsooth; and nothing but Death and Imprisonment shall be the Reward and Portion of the Members of Parliament, without either Bail or Mainprize. Again, they please themselves very much with thoughts of strange mutinies among our men, both by Land and Sea, and divisions amongst your Governours, and Commanders, whereupon they expect a sudden change; and it is for certain reported, that Hull, Yarmouth, and the devil and all, are revolted to the Royal party. And yet all this will not get in the Interest of Monarchy, though that party do pretend mountains of golden advantages thereby for the taming of the English: All that they do for him as yet, is, to give him free Port for such ships as shall by his commission sail. But now that the Zealand Lords are arrived here, somewhat more will be attempted, not onely for him, but also in the behalf of the Orange Family. The Duke of Gloucester, with a very small Retinue, is transported from the Isle of Wight into Flanders; from whence comes a monstrous rumour of a great Victory obtained by the Dutch; but where, no man knows. Amsterdam 22. stilo novo. A List of the ships sunk and taken on both sides. 1 The Dutch Vice-Admiral taken, and 60 pieces of Ordnance. 2 Their Rear-Admiral sunk. 3 The lion of Amsterdam sunk. 4 The Prince of Orange sunk. 5 The Royal Princess sunk; and 14 more fired, sunk, and taken. 6 Fourscore Men of War put to flight, besides 300 Merchants, now in pursuit by our Fleet, towards the Dutch cost. L●ss on the Parliaments side. 1 General black wounded; who received near upon 700 shots in his ship, & capt. Ball, his Master, and about 100 men slain. 2 Captain Mildmay slain, cap. Barker, and Mr. Sparrow( Secretary to the Generals) the samson sunk; and the Parliaments two Rear-Admirals forced to strike into Portsmouth. FINIS.