Vindiciae Carolinae. Being a true Relation of His Highness the Prince of Wales, His Voyage at Sea, since he parted from Calais in France, July 20. until this very day, 1648.  
IT Holds not always that the best and most virtuous Princes find faithful and obedient Subjects; but rather on the contrary, clemency and goodness are requited with strange unthankfulness, or monstrous Rebellions. The present and sad experience of His Majesty the King of England, who was borne to the most unquestioned Right of three Imperial Crowns, sees them all in a raging fit of a distempered Rebellion, his Queen forced to flee away for refuge and protection: The Prince (the Heir apparent to the Crown) with other the Royal Branches enduring a base imprisonment, or a forced absence, and Majesty itself confined by the bloody O●dnances of cruel and barbarous Traitors, who first pretending a Reformation, and at last blaspheming more freely to a Saint-ship, have violated all the Rules of duty to God and man, squaring all things  to the humour of their fancy, and thereby tumbling the world into another Chaos, and new confusion. The King (for many years past) hath endeavoured to correct these bold presumptions, by meeting impudent Rebellion in the field; but the torrent swelling too high, His Majesty was over borne, and what he could not complete by a Martial power, he suffers for (though an unworthy imprisonment) by an Angelical patience, in whose sad afflictions all Loyal Subjects and good Christians bear a part and share: and now providence hath given some advantage to an Illustrious and hopeful Prince to enter on the scene, and act a part in this bloody Tragedy, who after two year's continuance in France, with his Royal Mother the Queen, at length takes his leave, making his first journey to Calais, and after a few day's continuance there prepares himself for a passage into Holland, which succeeded with a prosperous Gale; and being aboard, a State's man of war on Monday the 13. of July (stilo veceri) His Highness arrived at Helversluce, the next day following in the afternoon; but before he put his foot in shoe he had the happy view of a Noble part of the Royal Navy, where the Duke of York, attended with many Loyal hearts, had their expectations filled with overflowing joys: Their shouting and acclamations were exceeding high for such an access of happiness; and the Seamen, and Cannons played their parts, and with their loud voices roared out their joyful apprehensions, filling the Region of the Air and triumphing over the waters, with high expressions of cheerfulness; that th● Prince of wales was now with them. And now the tide of rejoicing passed over, His Highness goes on shore; and having suddenly met with the Duke of York; the two Princes congratulated their happy meeting, and with love unspeakable embraced each other: The day following the Prince of O●ange made an early visit to the Prince of Wales, and the matchless Princess, the Princess Royal made all haste to wait on her Brother, thinking every minute too tedious until she enjoyed His presence: The Queen of Bohemia and her family made all possible speed to welcome this Princely Guest; and after a few days or rather hours spent in salutation, the Prince directs His thoughts for a voyage by Sea, and minding the business of the Navy, bids farewell to His Royal friends: And on Thursday after His Highness arrived at Helve●sl uce: He went aboard the Admiral, where after some second expressions of cheerfulness, he was received with great Testimonies of duty and obedience; and the winds not blowing fair for the Downs, the command was given to bear Northward towards Yarmouth Road: And upon Saturday following about a in the afternoon, the whole Fleet attentending His Highness cast Anchor in that Road, where after an hour or two it was resolved, that a Gentleman should be sent with a Letter of kindness, and with certain heads of the Prince's Declaration the better to invite and animate that Corporation to their obedience: But some of the enemy's Troopers guarding the Shore, forced the Messenger to return to the Navy (Re infecta,) so by that interruption the Prince's good intentions to the Town, and the Townsmen good affections to the Prince were not understood at that time: The next day being Sunday, the Navy floating on the Sea, and the people amazed in the Town, both continued in great admiration of each other; the Fleet wondered at the people's strange undutifulness towards their Prince, and the People scared into a timorous, and benumbed neutrality stared towards the Fleet with various distracted affections: The distempers and discomposures in the Town were very furious for a fit: at last their fear exceeded their love and Honour to their Prince, and forgetting what an opportunity they had to welcome their Prince so great a stranger: that night was spent in frozen cold expressions, and the night approaching summoned rest and silence for that season.  
In the Morning some petty expressions of du●y dared to appear, and His Highness had a taste of some loyal Adventures, which by boat came to the Admiral from persons well affected and deeply touched with the sense of so great persons nearness to the Town. And after a while betwixt 6 and 7 of the clock on monday morning (the Townsmen having summoned their wits together the day before) it was resolved in a public meeting: That one of the Aldermen of the Town should come and visit the Prince, and accordingly (a small Boat being set off from the shore) a trim Townsman neatly dressed up in a great double Ruff, and in his satin doublet, speedily came to the Admiral, where having performed his devoir to the Prince, he out with his purse and impudently told His Highness, that the Town was resolved to admit no forces of either side: But if His Highness pleased to command any refreshments from the Town, His pleasure should be obeyed. His Highness then considering the staggering humour of the People, or rather more seriously the casual condition of the Town so nearly waited on by a malicious enemy, accepted the motion of refreshments; and having Ordered commands for that purpose, the word was given for the whole Fleet to weigh Anchor, and the wind being courteous, to hoist up sails and to steer towards the Downs: which motion being observed by the Townsmen, they were free with their Canon at our farewell, and they discharged their Ordnance round the Town, which was interpreted a testimony of their cheerfulness, and loyalty, rather than of their fear or neglect. On the Wednesday following, the Navy came with a fair quarter wind into the Downs: at whose first approach the two fair Castles of Deal and Sandowne discharged their Ordnance for joy, and the severalll ships were mutual and kind in their expressions: and now the whole fleet having cast anchor in the Downs, fresh occasions were given for better advantages: Some designs were proposed for enriching and increasing of the Navy, that the Seamen might prove the more courageous, and the Fleet more formidable to all opposition. But some more heady and impatient motions started suddenly on foot: And some of the Officers and Seamen grew fierce and violent for the Land service, and the relief of the two besieged Castles of Deal and Sandowne; and the sudden raising of the whole County of Kent, was a fancy that vainly hurried away the minds of some, whose precipitate violence hath since recompensed their hasty indiscretion: some less experienced courages thought to remove mountains as well as ride over waves, and made no doubt of heating Horse and Foot from before the Castle with their muskets and pikes: But the mixed body of Soldiers and Seamen (under the conduct of Sir John Boys and Major General Gibson) being about the number of 600. in the whole, and all Foot, were after a gallant adventure, mightily overpowred by a numerous Body of Horse and Foot of the enemy; so that the retreat was forced to Sandowne Castle, and some few slain (to about the Number of fifteen) and ninety three being taken prisoners, according to a list of their names, sent from the enemy by a trumpet the nex morning: The rest of the Soldiers retired to Sandowne Castle for present shelter. And the skirmish over, they were the same day before night reimbarked into the several ships of the Navy: But though an importunate violence (not to be satisfied) occasioned some misfortunes on shore, the winds and tides brought better success at Sea: And in a short time the Navy began to swell with new additions of strength and wealth. Each ship was diligent in their duty to attend the North and South furlongs. And the Convertine and Blackmore Lady not a little prosperous; all the Fleet carefully observing that no ship might pass without acknowledgement and duty to the Admiral now in the Downs the King's chamber. And a guard being commanded for obedience, the Fleet did suddenly thrive to greater power: But amidst the occurrences at Sea, the Prince considers the Affairs at Land: And in order to his Royal Father's business, thinks meet to dispatch a Gentleman to the tw● Houses at Westminster, with a letter of kindness to the House of Lords, and a Declaration enclosed; thereby manifesting to all the world his Princely inclinations and desires to the peace and happiness of the Kingdom; but the Gentleman was in a few days returned, bringing no answer to his Highness that contained nothing in it but craft and wont stubbornness, plainly discovering that the men of Westminster were resolved rather to sacrifice the hopes of all men's happiness to their ambition, lust, and avarice, than part with the least mite of their usurped power; and this occcasioned an utter differment of all future motions to that purpose; but whilst those on shore are so brutish and monstrous, the Sea gave good advantages of assistance, And first the Cormant●ne a new ship (laden for Ginnye in the West Indieses, and now named the Charles by the Prince himself) was reduced from that employment to serve his Highness, and proves a bold and gallant Frygot. The Love, another tall and gallant ship (returning from the Streits out of the Venetian sercice, formerly employed against the Turks) was received (passing through the Downs) into service, and made a man of war to attend the Navy; some other ships of great importance and service were there admitted, and listed for attendance and commands, which proved cheerful additions of strength and power. And now after some weeks spent at Anchor in the Downs; notice and alarm was given of the Earl of Warwick's Preparations, and coming for Sea: After which advertisement, his Highness advising with his Counsel of war, thought fit to weigh Anchor, and sail from the Downs towards Lee-Rode, being the mouth of the River Thames to dare and encounter all opposition which spuriously presumed to affront Royalty, and to make trial whether the Earl of Warwick durst sail with the Royal Standard and Flag in his Main Top. The Seamen were extremely forward in the design; and (though some counsels were clean a verse) yet after the Prince understood that Warwick was certainly drawn down from Gravesend, his courage countermanded all counsels.  
And in public Aboard the Admiral His Highness cheerfully declared his Resolutions for Lee-Rode, which discovery of his forwardness so animated the hearty Seamen, that they presently seemed as eager and violent as hungry Lions to search out and pursue the prey; that dared to appear under such a brazen faced rebellious countenance: And from these motions, the flames of Resolution grew speedily more fervent over all the Navy; and all things are prepared and postured for a fight at Sea, if the enemy durst grapple or engage. To this purpose a new Command was given on Sunday the seven and twenty of August, the several ships to weigh Anchor, and sail towards the Rebellious Party; whose more nimble and scouting Frygots were fi●st discerned on the Tuesday following, which sight so encouraged the hearts of all the Fleet attending the Prince; that the Officers and Seamen broke forth into new expressions of joy, not doubting but to reduce the Rebels to submiss obedience, or else resolving to die in a Cause so just and honourable. And this resolution was confirmed by an Oath of fidelity (which the Officers and Seamen voluntarily taken in his Highness' Presence, going aboard each ship) to be true and faithful to his Highness' Person and Commands against the Earl of Warwick's power, and all his Adherents and Confederates. And after these great pledges of fidelity was given on Wednesday morning; the Fleet made all the sail they could, & pursued the Frygots (first discovered the night before) which suddenly returning to their Mock-Admirall, told the news of the Princes Approach with his Fleet, which made them (being then under sail) to tack about: And they basely fled, and suffered the pursuit for ten Leagues at least, the Channel growing more narrow, the Sands numerous on each side, and the night approaching, the engagements, were somewhat the longer deferred; for the next morning (after the misty fog was first dispersed) the Prince's whole Navy weighed Anchor again, resolved to fight with the enemy, whether lying at Anchor or under Sail; all preparations were hastened in the several ships, the Cabins in an instant knocked down, and slung into the Sea, the guns primed and leveled, the granads and fire balls ready, and several gunner's with their linstocks ordered in their several quarters: And all persons diligent to obey commands, resolved to beat and conquer the enemy, or die bravely. And yet before the endeavour of farther attempt; it pleased the Gracious Prince to try if a Message of peace and pardon could mollify obdurate Traitors, and divers or prevent the effusion of English blood; Anciently Acts of grace did engage the people, obsequio mitigantur imperia: And kind Messages very prevalent with civ●ll Heathens. To this purpose the Prince was pleased to send a groom of his Bedchamber to Warwick, with a Letter to prepare his Loyalty and obedience; but his Committee-M●sters so ordered their Cypher-Admirall, that a base and unworthy answer was returned, much to this purpose: That his Warwickship was (forsooth) Lord High Admiral by a Commission from ●he two Houses at westminster; and that he could not strike the fl●gge in his mainetop to any Person whomsoever; which Rebellious defiance made all Loyal Resolutions much more keen, and hastened the Prince's Fleet to more speedy revenge; which was on Thursday attempted with many desperate hazards to engage the enemy; but his Mock-Admiralship avoides all offers of fight: And flying as near the shore as possible, would not endure the breath of a Canon, nor the sight of a broad side. Amongst other exchanges of the day: The Prince in the Admiral was very forward, and calling for his Arms, ready to engage, minded more the preservation of his Honour then his Person; notwithstanding all importunities of his Counsel, and the Seamen so earnest for his safety: He answered that he dreaded no hazard in such a Cause, but persisted resolute and undaunted to encounter with the greatest danger, equally with the meanest Person engaged, and following the George, wherein Warwick was, made often at him: But Warwick still looked either to the mouth of Chattam River for the Protection of Queenburrough Castle, or towards the mouth of the River of Thames, that he might be secure of the block houses near Graves end. Another handsome piece of Gallantry, the Vice-admiral of the Prince's Fleet did manifest by pursuing Warwick's Mock-Vice-Admirall so long, and to such a nearness, that if she durst have stayed, or shown any courage, the engagement must suddenly proved very bloody, or very glorious to one of the two: The Swallow the Rear-admiral in the Prince's Fleet, was very impatient of Attendance, and in order made a swift pursuit after Warwick's ship; but he durst not stay to give or take a broad side from any of the Prince's ships; but still crept nearer the shore towards Queenburrough Castle: And thus the great ships and frygots having plied too and again to engage the enemy to fight, a violent storm of winds and tempest suddenly arising, discression forced the Prince's whole Fleet to cast Anchor again; and darkness parted further disputes for that night following: The n●xt day being F●yday, the winds blew fair to go to Sea, and they seemed to breathe an invitation to either Fleet, where they might have Sea room to fight and end the quarrel: And betwixt six and seven of the clock, the command was given in the Prince's Fleet to weigh Anchor, and hoist up sails, where the Channel being narrow, the Sands numerous, and the way dangerous, by reason of a Passage called the Spits (where many Sea-wracks yet appear) the F● et sailed very gently lest they should be too soon ou● of Warwick's sight, and the motion was ordered the more slow to dare Warwick's company to a more proper conveniency of fight: And for some nine or ten Leagues Warwick seemed to be inclined to that purpose, and three Frigates of his mock Vice-admiral, came near sometimes, and once within distance of Canon shot: and two small Ships of the Prince's fleet loitering in the Rear, were lagging like easy sweet baits to invite Warwick's Frigates to make greater haste: which (the Rear Admiral the Swallow being passed by) they seemed to gape more greedily hoping ●o seize on the smaller vessels, though they durst not be engaged by any that were their equals: But the Prince's Rear-admiral well knowing her duty suddenly tacked about and turned the Helm a lee, and her Sales halled up, she presently gave deafince to Warwick's three Frygots, and the mock-Vice Admiral: nay that Tacking about checked Warwick's whole Fleet, which presently halled up their Sails, and cast their Anchors: And by this means the lesser vessels, more deeply laden to recover security near the Prince's Admiral: At which sight 16 Colliers ships attending Warwick like stout men of War, speedily parted from Warwick's Feet, and some of them made for London to the men of Westminster to bring the news from Lee-Rode of their Apish Admiral, whose Commission they had created by a broad Seal, and whose Person they have since declared valiant by a monstrous Ordinance: But the enemy thus cowardly scared from the Prince's Company, contented themselves with a secure riding at Anchor, and hated the sight of Sea Room; where His Highness was present. And yet all danger was not utterly avoided, there lay another Trap in the way, yet w●nt o● provisions in the Prince's Fleet well understood; some of the sh●ps having tasted nothing but dry biscuit, or salt wa●er for some daye● before, and a pinching necessity amongst them all. This condition forced His Highness to command the Fleet to steer towards Go●y in Holland to refresh and victual the Navy; which course was held, but by the way the Prince's Fleet met with another Sea-Monster, A Parliament Fleet sent from Portsmouth consisting of about 6 great ships besides Pinks, Frigates, and hoys, which lay at Anchor in the channel and passage to Gory; But ●hey snudged close, and being cool in courage lay still without light or Noise. The time was now about nine at night, and it was very dark, but it happened that the Swallow, the Rear Admiral to the Princely Fleet, sailed in the very guts and midst of them all, and haled to them, and finding them to be another sort of a Rebellious supply, presently resolved to give them a●l some mark and testimony of courage and resolution before she parted, and in a very trice of time she made ready her guns, and fired three pieces of Ordnance at them, which caused the Portsmouth Fleet to make a terrible outcry, and s●y that they would cut their Cables, and follow, but the timorous souls were not further disputed with, by reason the Prince's Fleet held on their course, and could not return to an engagement, where the wind and tide so mightily opposed. And this second Fleet thus handsomely tried and avoided, the Prince's Fleet steered on for Holland, and the next day being Friday about three in the afternoon, His Highness with all His N●●y came safe to Gory, and the Fleet is now at anchor at Helversl uce in Holland, and Warwick with his Colliers and Frigates in Gory-rode, thinking to pursue the advantage he conceived before him (ou● wants of victual and tackling;) but we are providing ourselves, and shortly hope to pluck his Rebellious plumes of pride, or we will sink by his sides: Our men (what ere you hear at London) resent so well the Parliaments mercy at Colchester are resolved to sell their bloods at dearer rates, than ten shillings a head to the Summer Islands.  
The Prince's Highness hath his Navy in a very good order, well man'd and victualled, and fitted for service. A new treachery discovered against the Fleet, but happily prevented by the Prudence of the Prince.  
FINIS.