A GREAT VICTORY OBTAINED By the English against the Hollanders, on Friday the 6th of May: The whole manner of the Engagement, the pursuing of the Dutch Fleet towards Holland, and the blocking up of their Admirals, Van Trump, de wit and Ruttyer, in the Texel, by General Dean, General Monk, and Vice-Admiral pen.  
With the taking of 60 small Ships, and 6 Merchant-men very richly laden, that were coming from France, about by Scotland.  
 woodcut of a sea battle between two ships  
LONDON, Printed by Robert Wood. 1653.   

An Exact RELATION OF THE Fight between the English and the Hollanders, on Friday the 6 of May, with the taking of 50 or 60 small Vessels, and 6 Merchantmen, and the blocking up the Dutch Fleet in the TEXEL.  
ON the fourth of May, there passed by Rye to the Eastward, some fourteen or fifteen sail of Ships, which was supposed to be part of our Fleet which were left behind when the Generals came from Portsmouth; And the wind being very fair for them, it is conceived they are by this time joined with the rest of the Fleet.  
Sir Richard Dean, Sir George Monk, and Vice-Admiral Pen, riding in the downs, on the third instant were advertised, that Van Trump, de wit, de Rutyer, and Evariz were united together, and all ready to set sail from the Texel; they immedily called a Council of war, where it was unanimously agreed upon, that they should advance thither with the whole body of their Fleet, and fight there; This was with all expedition put in execution, and our whole Fleet weighed Anchor, and in the strength of God went out against them.  
But Van Trump and the rest of the Dutch Admirals had received Orders from their high and mighty Masters, that they should put out to Sea with all the strength they could make to meet their Merchant men, who were about 300. in number, that were coming from Nantz round about by Scotland; this is conceived to be the richest Fleet that ever belonged to Holland, and if our Generals light on it, as there is great probability they will, the common people will without doubt, ston both their Admirals and States-men, and force them to seek for a peace with England upon any terms.  
On the 6. instant, our Fleet consisting of 100. and odd of gallant ships, being under sail, discovered the Dutch fleet some Leagues distant, which( as they supposed) seemed not to be above seventy in number; presently our ships began to make all the preparation that might be to sight them, expecting that the Hollanders would struggle for the wind, which might prove advantatious to that party which gained it, therefore they steered their course accordingly; but contrary to their expectation, and clean contrary to their imagination, they tacked about and endeavoured to decline any engagement, whereupon our Generals commanded out their swiftest frigates to pursue them, and they with the rest of the fleet orderly followed in a fighting posture: And it is informed by a Messenger belonging to the council of State which came from our fleet, that he saw some of our ships which were in the Van, fire upon the Rear of the Dutch Fleet, and that the rest of them made all the hast they could to get into some Port where they may be out of gun-shot. On the seventh instant, about five in the afternoon, came in another Messenger from the Navy, and acquainted the council of State that the Dutch fleet had fled before ours, and escaped into the Texel, where our Fleet had Block't them in, and that we had taken about 50. or 60. of their small ships or Dogger-boats, which will be a great loss to them, and of great commerce to us.  
The Dutch fleet being thus block't up, if timely notice be not given to their Merchant men of our fleets lying there, they will probably fall in amongst them, who will sell their commodities at better rates for them, and where they will be better welcome; and then the vast charge, and great expense of our Navies for these last years will be repaid by them.  
Letters were likewise brought to Whitehal by several Merchants, owners of a private man of war in the Western coasts, whose Capt. informs them, that of the 300 sail of Dutch merchants sailed round by Scotland, six of them being not very good sails, and very heavy laden, were left some Leagues behind the fleet, which he hath happily gathered up,& brought into several ports, one of which is valued at 20000. l. sterling.  
From Scotland it is certified, that as soon as they had received Intelligence of the dissolving the Parliament, there was immediately called a council of war, who after they had a while debated it, unanimously accorded to what was here acted, as you may perceive by this ensuing Letter.  

To his EXCELLENCY, the Lord General cromwell, and his Council of OFFICERS, these humbly present.  
May it please Your Excellency,  
HHving perused your Declaration, entitled, A Declaration of the Lord General, and his council of Officers, showing the grounds and reasons or the dissolution of the late Parliament; and being satisfied, that the same( through Gods mercy) is tending to the weal of the republic, and doubtless to the great satisfaction of all godly person, and well-willers to the Nation: We thereupon thought it our duties to make known unto you, that we through the Lords assistance, shall stand or fall with you, in your further proceedings of what you have begun, against all opposers whatsoever( if any shall be) nothing doubting, but that the Lord, who made you happy Instruments in the purging, will also own you in dissolving that Parliament, for the just Reasons and Grounds in your Declaration expressed: We pray the Lord to be your All in All. Thus with our Services humbly presented, we remain,  
Signed by the Judge Advocate, Controller, and other general Officers, with the consent of the rest of the Officers of the Train, resident in edinburgh. Your Lordships and Honors humble Servants, &c.   

The Copy of a Letter from our Navy, dated the 7. of May, 1653.  
SIR, Joyful of this opportunity, I make bold to present my service to you: It pleased God that on the 6. instant as we were under sail towards the Texel, accompanied with the rest of our Navy, in the evening we discovered the Hollanders fleet, being as we supposed about 70 or 80 sail, where after we had spent some time in prayer, recommending ourselves to the Almighty, and desiring his protection, weo made preparation to sight the enemy; but contrary to our imagination, he tacked about and endeavoured by all means possible to decline an engagement; hereupon command was given that we should hoist all our sails, and pursue the cowardly enemy, which we did,& had not the darkness of the night befriended them, they could not have escaped us with so little loss; for our Van came within that of their Rear, and I am confident did some execution upon them, and pursued them so long as they could discern the least glimpse of them. In the morning we discovered them again, and followed them to the very mouth of the ●exel, where we now remain, lying there like a Wood in the Sea, our ships consisting of above 100. sail of stout ships, well man'd and desperately resolved. Since our lying here, we have taken about 60. Hives or Dogger boats, and make no doubt but we shal meet with all their Merchantmen that are coming to Amsterdam; for we have so surrounded the Texel that none can pass us, nor any out come to relieve them, except they first engage with our fleer: Sir, this is all for the present you can expect.  
T.H.   
FINIS.