A GREAT VICTORY obtained by the ENGLISH Against the DUTCH, And the pursuing of the Dutch Fleets, by General Blake and Sir George Ayscue, with one hundred and eight Men of War, towards the Downs, and their Resolution to engage them between Dover and Calais.  
The manner how Sir George Ascue (with great policy) obtained the wind: The number sunk and taken; And two gallant ships surprised by Captain Stoaks, laden with Gold, and Elephants Teeth.  
Also, the number of ships coming up the River of Thames for London; richly laden from the East-Indies, the straits, Virginia, and the Barbadoss.  Die Septembr. 27. 1652. 
Extracted out of the Original Papers, sent from Capt. Stoakes, to the Honourable Council of State, on Sunday last, Sep. 26.  
Imprinted at London for Geo: Horton, 1652.   

A great Victory obtained by the English against the Dutch; the particulars thereof; and the number of ships taken, with 700 pieces of Ordnance, all their Arms, Ammunition, Bag and Baggage, and great store of Gold and Oar.  
SIR,  
UPon the advance of Gen. Blake and Sir George Ayscue with a fleet consisting of 108 gallant sail, towards the Downs, they cleared the whole Western Channel before them by sailing, as by order within shot of each other, by which means we cleared all from the Coast of France to the Coast of England, almost as if a bridge had been made over the Channel; and thought to have fought the Dutch fleet at the same time; but they gave us the go-by, much like that of the Scots King, when he made an inroad into England; and are now sailed towards the Downs: whereopon information being given thereof by the Assurance Scout, who had forced her passage even through the thick est of Action from five Dutchmen of War, the General hoist sail after them; but the wind blowing stiff upon the North point, could not reach so much as the Enemy's Rearguard; but on the 25 instant, we had intelligence of their stancing over to the Coast of France; whereupon the General and Sir Geo: Ayscue bore up towards the Downs with a most potent and invincible Armado, consisting of 1●0 stout Men of War, where of twelve were Merchants ships, that is, the five from the East-Indies, two from the straits, two from Lisbon in Spain, two from Virginia, and one from Barbadoss, all which are sent up the River for London.  
But not long had his Excellency anchored upon those Neptune streams, but he received Advertisements from the Diamond, and other Frigates that had been scouting forth, that a great Fleet of Hollanders, consisting of at least two hundred sail was riding between Dover and Calais; whereupon Major Bourn was commanded forth with the great Andrew, the nimble Saphir, the famous Garland, and 27 other stout Men of War, as a Forlorn to the Navy, to engage the Enemy, if possible.  
After him sailed Sir George Ayscue with 35 sail, as a Reserve; And within shot of the said Squadron the General bore up with the great ship, called the Commonwealth, and the rest of the fleet, flanking Sir George; the Dutch perceiving their resolute motion, endeavoured to get Calice-point, but Sir George, to prevent them, bore up to the Lee-ward, by which means he got the wind of the Dutch fleet, and hath now engaged them; The Zealand ships lie at the head of their fleet, and seem to be very resolute for action; Vice-Admiral Evarson hath atrempted to fire some of our ships, but was prevented, for Major Bourn commanding the Guard that night, received Advertisements from one of his Scouts, of the near approach of some of the enemy's ships, prepared to receive them, which he so effectually performed, That two of his fireships were soon way laid, and the rest dissipated: Insomuch that Dewitte and Ruttyer endeavours to deoline engagement; but 'tis a thing impossible; for we now have them pretty fast upon the hug, and question not (by divine assistance) but to give them a sudden turn; by reason they are much divided, having diversity of opinions, and man'd with English, Flemins, Soots, Walloons, Swissers, and Germans: This great blow is suddenly expected, yet something further I should have insisted on; but I am forced to draw to a period, by reason the Packet boat is fallin off, and our ships ready to engage.  
Aboard the Ruby, Septemb. 25. 2652.  
As touching our further victorious success against the Hollander, it is confirmed by Letters from Captain Stoaks (Commander of the Dragon) to the Council of State, and having discovered two sail upon the coast of France, made up to them, and found them to have Swedish colours, but coming aboard them, he discovered them to be Guinny ships laden with Gold, Oar, and Elephants Teeth, and several Letters directed to Amsterdam, and other places in Holland, which with other circumstances gave cause to believe, that the lading of the said Vessels belonged to the Dutch, whereupon the Captain brought the said ships into Plymouth, where they now remain: The Officers of these prize ships say, that the Gold, Oar, and Elephants Teeth, and other lading therein, are worth about fourscore thousand pounds: The said Captain likewise took a Pickroon of 24 Guns, and 24 men, which he likewise brought into Harbour.  
By an Express from Dover, thus: The Dutch fleet under Dewitte came in sight of this Town at the back of Goodwin on the 10. instant; and on the 11, 12, and 13, plied to the Westward; the 14 they lay between Calais and Bulloin. The 15 they came on this side with 6 Frigates, and gave chase to a Sandwich Pink, but she got safe into the Downs. The 16 Dewitte with about 30 sail came to this side again, having gotten sight of 8 sail coming to the Westward, bore up to them, and between Foulstone and this town, put the Swan Frigate on shore, and 3 Morlaix men laden with linen cloth, and 2 or 3 small men of this Town most of them ashore. The Mary flyboat, & Brier-Frigat got past them to this Town, but exchanged several shot with them: Thus it pleased God to preserve them all. Dewitte himself came very near the shore, and let several broad sides fly at our ships that were stranded, and Sandgate Castle returned him several Guns. Towards night he stood over to the French coast to the rest of the fleet; and that Tide all our ships got off, but not without some damage, only the Swan frigate got a bulge, which made her unserviceable at present. The 17, he lay at half sea over betwixt Boleign and this Town. The 18, he came to the back of the Goodwin with 60 sail, being resolved to play some feats against the English, or else never to return into his own country.  
De-witte is joined with Ruttyer, having seventy of the greatest ships that ever yet was set forth: Stout Evarson of Zealand is Vice-Admiral, whose Mariners are famous, and were once accounted the most stoutest enemy that ever sailed upon the Seas. But truly Mr. Launsman, though you usurp a privilege upon small game, the butterbox of your trifling honour may perchance melt away in a hot day with the English: For, know, that injuries in this kind evermore prove like stones thrown up into the Air, they may touse lustily for a while, like the aspiring sound of a Trumpet, but at last they must of necessity fall down upon your ambition, to dissolve the injustice of your imperious spirits. They are grown so high and imperious, that they begin to truss up poor Englishmen in several places, as a Falcon does wild Ducks; especially about the coast of Norfolk, where on Sunday the 12 instant, they adventured into the very Harbour at Wells, and took away some Vessels. This sudden exploit caused divers Gentlemen, & others, with their families to return higher into the country.  
By an Express from Yarmouth it is certified, That there is a fleet of 70 sail of Colliers lie ready to be convoyed for London; and that there is another great fleet also in a readiness at Newcastie, with 13 sail of Island Vessels of Capt. Worms fleet, but from him and the rest we yet hear no news. We hear that col. Airs, and Doctor Chamberlain, being bound for Ireland, that through distress of weather, the Vessel was in great danger by a storm, and 'tis much feared the passengers are cast away.  
The Hollander hath agreed to send a Navy to the East-India, with Commission, to destroy and depopulate those places of the English; they are old excellent at the routing of you, in high language; but are not a little moved, that you have gotten so many considerable prizes from their Merchants.  
From France they writ, That the prodigious force and matchless valour of the Du. of York, causeth great admiration in the enemy's Camp, who have felt wonderful and strange exploits, and yet the vanquished continually find his grace and favour; for upon beating up of some of the Spanish quarters, a French Colonel persuaded him to use the benefit of the advantage which the darkness of the night afforded him; No, no, said he, It fits not me to hunt after night-stoln Victories: Malo me fortunae poeniteat, quam victoriae pudeat. I had rather repent me of my fortune, then be ashamed of my Victory.  
From the Navy further thus: We have received Advertisements from Genoa that eight of our ships, whereof four Men of War, and four Merchant men, have had a great dispute with nine Dutchmen of War; and after a sharp conflict, with great gallantry and resolution performed on both sides, it pleased God to crown the English with Victory, and to deliver into their hands five of the enemies best ships, but three got off, though notwithstanding they were much rent and torn; the other was sunk: These five, with those two taken by Captain Stoaks, make up the whole number 47; wherein were found great store of rich Merchandizes, Ammunition, and at least seven hundred pieces of Ordnance. Which is a great weakening to the States of Holland; and no little discouragement to their Mariners, to see their own ships man'd forth against them.  
These particulars from Captain Stoaks, were confirmed by a Letter to the Council of State on Sunday last, being the 26. of this instant September, 1652.  
FINIS.