A DECLARATION OF THE L. Admiral Vantrump, CONCERNING The King of Scots, and the Parliament of ENGLAND; published by sound of Trumpet throughout his whole Navy.  
With his Protestation thereupon; and his Preparations and Resolution to fight the English Navy, either to Death or Victory, and purchase Honour and Freedom with the price of his Blood.  
ALSO, The last Engagement of the English and Dutch, and the particulars thereof: With the coming up of Sir George Ayscue to General Blague in the Downs, and their further Proceed and Resolutions touching Vantrump and the Navy.  
SEnt in a Letter from Captain Tilers Ship, the Tiger; to a Member of the Council of State; And Ordered to be published and dispersed throughout the several Counties of this Nation.  
LONDON: Printed for SAM: COTTON, 1652.   

A DECLARATION Of the Lord Admiral VANTRUMP Published By sound of Trumpet, aboard the Dutch Navy, etc.  

SIR,  
SInce my last of the 12th. instant, We have had another engagement with the Hollander, which was disputed with sundry fiery arguments, and maintained with great gallantry on both sides; for, indeed they are a very stout enemy, and fight with great courage and magnanimity of Spirit, and as their ships are of a great Bulk and Burden, so are they also well man'd; their Musquetiers man the Decks with unresistable courage, notwithstanding the bullets flying as thick as hail (a comparison by way of simile) their Captains are excellent Navigators, and seem to infuse a second nature into the Mariners, before an assault be given, the better to enable them to withstand a storm, that is; before they begin to sight, it is their usual custom, to give each one three cups of Brandy wine, viz. strong-water, to encourage them, which makes them as valiant as so many Hectors; but the Captains prove not right Alchemists at all times; for that which they last administered to the poor Seamen, took not its full operation, but rather struck a spirit of Cowardice in them, as appears; Captain Peacock, Commander of the Tiger, having received orders from Gen. Blake, to scout forth, for making a discovery of Vantrump, met with five Dutchmen, who hailing them, and commanding them to strike sail, they refused; so great is their imperiousness: whereupon he gave them one gun with a round ball, they answered in the like nature with three; insomuch that a bloody fight began, and for the space of four hours a hot dispute was with great gallantry performed on both sides; till at last it pleased the divine power, to make the English victorious, by sinking one, and taking three, but not without loss, yet not so great as was supposed; for the truth is, our General much feared, that he had been either sunk or taken, by reason that he was missing three days; but upon the fourth day he returned with triumph, and brought in three Dutch prizes with him; we have taken in all about 44 sail, yet many there are that stick not to say, that Vantrump hath given the English a great overthrow, which maketh the Scots to rejoice exceedingly, and say, that Commonwealth's folks must not reign always; neither must the Commonwealth of England trample over the whole world, but away hut, quoth the Scot, they misken themselves; Alas! they are grossly mistaken it is not apparent, that we know them better now, then ever, and have made a further progress into that barren Country, then in any King's reign formerly; But I will pass them by, and proceed again to Vantrump (the Dutch Lion as the Flemings call him) who hath set forth a Declaration abroad the Navy, published by sound of Trumpet, that what Captain, or Officer whatsoever, that shall strike sail to the English, shall die without mercy; so great is his imperiousness and malice, that he endeavours nothing more than to beget a war betwixt the two States; he lies now hover about the Coast of France, and gives out, that he will have the other bout, although it be with the price of his blood, which may soon be; for the General is resolved to weigh anchor with 60 sail, to find him out, and fight him: Sir George Ayscue is come up to our Fleet, from Plymouth, who saluted General Blake, with discharging his guns our whole Fleet answered him again with the like salutation; both Fleets being joined sudden action is expected, we hear that six fireships are coming to us, and twenty more men of war, which will make us about one hundred sail; Colonel Goffs Regiment of foot, and Colonel Ingoldsbies' are come aboard, and seem very unanimous, having protested to live and die with our Seamen.  
From aboard the Laurel in the Downs, june 22. 1652.   

A Letter from Ireland.  
Honoured Sir,  
YOu may perceive by the Articles of Kilkenny; that all the Rebels in the several Provinces had time prefixed them for the accepting of those conditions if they pleased, but Clanrickard and his party in Connaught, Grace, and his party in the Kings and Queen's County, Colonel Phelim Birne and his party in Wexford and Wicklow, and Sir Phelim O Neal, with the O Relies, Mac Mahon, etc. in Ulster, have wholly declared against the acceptance of the Articles; in order to which, the Lord of Clanrickard, with the Connaught Forces marched to Ballishanon about May 16, drew some Ordnance from Sligo, and battered two days, made abreach, and stormed it, but was twice beaten of with considerable loss, yet at length carried it. From thence he marched, and took Dongal Castle, and the Ulster Forces joined with him. This intelligence came to us the second instant, and brought us also assurance, that the Lord Precedent with the Connaught and Athlone forces marched to Ballishanon●n prosecution of the Lord Clanrickard, and was there about the 24 of May. That Col. Venables with the Ulster forces lay about Omagh, the Commissary General marched towards Venables the 24 of May, with about 300 horse to strengthen his party, and that the Legan men, headed by Col. Sanderson, had taken the passages upon Barns-moore to stop clanrickard's passage into Rapha. So that you see, all the care and vigilancy possible is taken to prevent clanrickard's return, and to fight him with the Ulster men in the north, where I hope God hath brought them to judge and avenge upon them the innocent blood that was first shed in that Province. I doubt not, but by this time our forces are near an engagement with the Rebels, or that it is already done, and if so, I am confident you will hear of it as soon as we where we now lie. As for Grace, whose force consisted of about 1200 foot, and 400 horse, they have been (of late) so hunted from place to place by Col. Sankey on the one side, and Col. Axtel on the other side, that to save themselves they were forced to disperse, and some of his Officers (as well horse as foot) have come in, and submitted and delivered up their arms. We hear also that Westmeath, Slain, Dungan, Scurlogh, and others have laid down their arms in Lemster, of which I am sure you have a more particular information than we have.  
It remains now that I give you the knowledge concerning the actings of the Lord Muskerry, which hath been transacted by the Commissioners at Clonmel. He sent the Commissioners an absolute rejection of the Articles of Kilkenny, desiring to have a Treaty entertained with himself. The Messenger that brought this, was Captain David Power of Kilholme, a man subtle enough to avoid the danger he sell into, but that God that commonly takes the wise in their own craftiness, led the Commissioners to inquire why a man of his quality should be employed about so fruitless an errand. Whereupon further search being made, they found about him and his servant, some Letters to the Enemy of dangerous consequence, and also cyphers, and other papers, which his safe conduct would not bear him out in, upon which he was committed in order to his further trial, and an intimation of all was sent to his Lord, the Lord Muskerry. After this, seeing a further Treaty would not be granted him, he sent another Messenger, intimating, that if he might himself have assurance for life, he would submit with his party to the Parliaments mercy, and render the strong hold of Rosse again into the Parl hand, with his other strengths. This message came from him on Sunday last, when the Lieut. Gen. was prepared to march into Kerry the Tuesday following, with a party of 1000 foot, and 800 horse to reduce that County to the Parliaments obedience. Upon due debate and consideration, it was advised to send the Lord Muskerry a safe guard for life (and accordingly acted) only upon the condition aforesaid. Upon Wednesday in the evening his messenger returned, and assured us that his Lordship was still constant to his first resolution, but that several of his party had deserted him, because their lives were not secured as well as his, and that if the Lieut. Gen. marched up to him he would deliver Ross into his hands. This answer come to the Lieut. Gen. vesterday morning, whowe believe was then within 12 miles of the place, what the issue is we know not, but when we receive it you shall know it the first opportunity.    
FINIS.