which revolted the last Summer The Constant Reformation, a ship
of 52. peeces of Ordinance is Admirall, commanded by P. Rupert.
The Covertine with 42. Peeces is Vice-Admirall, commanded by
P. Maurice; the Swallow with 36. Peeces is Rear-Admirall, commanded
by Sir John Minne; The James with 29. Peeces. The
Black more Lady 16. Peeces, a Scottish ship with 24. Peeces, the
Arke a prize taken from a Merchant, had 20. Peeces, but 6. of them
are taken out for the James; the Culpepper a prize taken from the
Ginney Company is in fitting, her Guns a shore: a Washford
Frigot with 12. or 14. Guns: The RoeBuck, and three little Vessels,
to man all these, they have not above 600. Seamen,and many
of these being taken Prisoners, and forced to serve them, would
saine get away if they could; but P. Rupert went to Waterford and
Wathford, to try how many more he can procure thence, that soff
he can get men, he may fight with us. P. Rupert dares not trust the
Seamen and therefore keeps all his Souldiers, which are about 200.
called his Life Guird, aboard his ship where he lodgeth every night.
Provisions are very deare at Kingsale a high Excise being laid upon
every thing: The strength of this Towne is their Fort commanded
by Collonel Brocket a creature of Inchiquins: This Fort secures
the Harbour and Towne. P. Rupert thought by a stratagem to have
surprized it but being discovered, was prevented by the Governour.
Had not we come hither at the very time we did, within a few dayes
their Admirall with some more had been gone to Waterford and
Washford, to joyne with those Frigots, and then we must have danced
a Wildegoose chase after them, no body knowes whither or else
the Merchants in all probability, would have suffered much by them,
but the wife disposer of all things ordered it better in his Providence.
upon the 21. we tooke some Fishermen that came out to fish.
by whom the Admirals learned a little intelligence and sent into the
Towne by them a License, that all Fishermen might freely come
out of fish without any molestation; but P. Rupert: would not suffer
any to fish for seance of giving us Intelligence: upon the 23. seven
of their Seamen who had beene taken Prisoners, and forced to serve
with them came away to us. upon the 24. we had storming sowle
weather so that there was not stirring. upon the 25. the Enemy began
to make a little Fort, and drew thither some Ordinance upon
the point neare the entrance into the Bay; whereupon wee expecting
they intended to keepe in, the darkest time of the night, some