A LETTER FROM The Right Honourable ROBERT Earl of WARWICK Lord High Admiral OF ENGLAND, Fully relating the condition of the Affairs at Sea. With a List of the number of the Parliaments Ships, and the names of the several Commanders in them, now riding in the DOWNS. Read in the House of Peers upon Friday the 8 of September, 1648. And commanded to be printed and published. Sept the 9th LONDON, Printed for John Wright at the King's Head in the old Bayley. 1648. To the Right Honourable Edward Earl of Manchester, Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore. My Lord: THe proceed of the Fleet since our weighing from Lee Road, I did on Saturday last represent by Letter from Albrough Road, to the Committee at Derby-House, with my desire that the same might be communicated to both Houses of Parliament; Since that it hath pleased God to bring the whole Fleet safely into the Downs; And now I shall make bold to give the trouble of this addition. It pleased God notwithstanding all the Counter workings of the Kingdom's Enemies, and the great discouragements that occurred in this expedition to enable us, after some time to get the Ships (lately in the River of Thames) conveniently manned; his power and goodness to the Nation was further manifested in giving to the companies of those several Ships Spirits unanimously to engage their resolutions against the common Enemies of the Kingdom at Sea, that had so wickedly departed from their trust and duty (whereof we had a most glorious and seasonable experiment, at that time when the Enemy drew near us with a Fleet above the proportion of that strength we then had) to the defeating and disappointment of that confidence of some who floolishly boasted of the greatest share and interest in their affection. That mercy the same power was pleased to second, with causing those Enemies to turn their Back even when his arrows were but making ready upon the string against the face of them, and yet God rested not there, but the next day after the Enemy's retirement he was pleased to bring into a happy conjunction with us, the Portsmouth Ships, whose companies had likewise testified the same Spirit of courage and unaminity for the Parliament Service, and now we are here together with a Fleet, which for number and quality of Ships and temper of Seamen is fitted I hope through the strength of God effectually to execute and accomplish what ever may rationally be expected from it for the public Service: a List of the Ships I have here enclosed, and truly I may not omit to represent the fidelity, constancy, and courage of the Captains, having had no occasion since my coming forth to take notice of the lest backwardness in any of them to pursue their duty with the utmost diligence. I shall stay here a little time to supply water, Ballast, and a few other necessaries which being completed, I shall God willing improve time and opportunity with all possible advantage for action; not doubting but as God hath hitherto helped us, so he will still accompany us with his presence, counsel and blessing, and make bear his glorious Arm at Sea as he hath done one Shore, and so make it good that he is the strength and confidence both of the ends of the Earth, and of them that are a far off upon the Sea. I shall add, that being now upon the place I have considered the great importance of getting the Castles at the Downs into a condition of Service, the protection of the Fleet and of Trade having such a Dependence thereupon; of their great ruins I am now an eye witness. If therefore a course may be thought upon for their putting into repair, and settling of an establshment for their future pay, it would be worthy of the Parliaments care to direct it, which in discharge of my duty, I do earnestly recommend unto them accordingly, and so desiring God to direct and prosper all your Counsels to his glory and the Kingdom's setlement, I rest Deal the 5. of Septemb. 1648. Your Lordship's Humble Servant, Warwick. A List of the Parliaments Fleet now at the Downs and thereabouts, with the names of the Commanders. 5 Septemb. 1648. ST. George RObert Earl of Warwick Lord High Admiral, Captain Robert Moulton his Captain. Unicorn Captain Richard Haddock Vice-admiral Lion Sir George Aiscough Rear Admiral Phoenix. Capt. John Bowen Non-such Capt. Rich. Willoughby Adventure Capt. Andrew Ball Tiger Capt. James Peacock Mary Rose Capt. Tho. Harrison Providence Capt. John Mildmay Fellowship Capt. Francis Penrose Hector Capt. Robert Nixon Warwick Capt. John Edwin Recovery Capt. Owen Cox Greyhound Capt. John Coppin Teuth Whelp Capt. William Brandley Nichodemas Capt. Tho. Pacy Weymouth Pinck Capt. John Perce Lily Capt. John Lambert Hart Capt. John Bouden Robert Capt. William Jenins Dove Jacob Reynolds Three Ketches Besides, Hunter Doggerboate Richard Newberry Dolphin William Warren Yet about Colchester. FINIS.