Most men here are very jealous of the inclination of
France towards England, and notwithstanding they doe
still remain confident that the K. of Denmark will hold firm
to them; yet they are not a little troubled to hear that your
English Resident Monsieur Bradshaw was so well received
there; which makes them jealous that the Dane may be induced
to give car to that Resident who (they say) pressed hard
for a release of those 26 Merchant men laden with Hemp,
Pitch. Tar, and other Commodities; so that now all men
are in suspence to hear what course the King of Denmark
will take touching the release of those ships, or their detention.
Here is a generall stop made of the Merchant men, that
they shall not get out to sea, till Tromp be on the coast, and
ready to convoy then. He hath lain a pretty while before
St. Martins Island, ready to set sail, and expecting the
Merchant men to come to him from Nantes, Bourdeaux,
and other Ports of France. It is thought he will set sail the
20 instant, to come away; for it's said the States have sent
him order to come and lie before Thames; and there are
about 40 ships which they labour to set out immediatly to
supply the room of thos. which he hath and must send home
to be repaired and trimmed. The new men of war that are
upon the stocks. go ou apace. If your Fleet come out now, it
will much startle them, becaus it is contrary to what men
have bin made to believ, and very much beside your Enemies
hopes and Expectations.
From West-Cowes, January 31:
Standing off lately with hard weather towards the coast of
France, at half-sea over, and in the morning, then laid in
towards England, where we espi'd a ship and gave chace to
her a whole day, and found her a Hollander. We seized her &
have brought her into this Port: The Master of her gave me
this account for certain, that Vantromp with 45, or 46 sail of
ships, was at St Martins in France, tallowing, and that there
were 7 sail of ships at Bordeaux, men of war, who attend there
for 250 sail of Merchantmen, laden with wine an other
commodities, to convoy them about a fortnight hence to St