The ship called the Spahy is surprised by two Dutch men of war
in Zant, notwithstanding that the two Commanders with their
Consul, had at their arrival been before the Governor or Proveditor,
and affured him that no affront should be committed in the Port; so
that the poor Consul is like to suffer for it, being sent aboard the Gally
and bound to the Mast, the Venetians pretending they will have
the ship restored. The Ship-arms of Genoa, formerly carried into
Naples by our Frigats, is to be sold there by the Candle, and the
money disposited in Banco, until it shall be decided by our Parliament
and the Spanish Ambassador, whether she be lawful Prize or
not. The 3 Frigats with the Hary Bonadventure, not long after
their departure from Naples, met with 9 Hollanders, viz, 6 corn-ships,
2. men of war, and their prize. The Frigats speedily came up with
them and fought them for about 2 hours, at which time they took
one of their corn ships called Saint John the Evangelist, whom they
sent into Messina. And then the Harry Banadventure coming up the
fight began afresh, ours pursuing the Hollanders within gunshot of
from Castles of Messina, it being night; where some shot being made
from the Castle, our four ships made an honorable retreate, and went
over to Reggio side, where they cast anchor. The Genoeses lay
claim to the Dutch merchantman which our Frigats brought into Napies.
The Vice-King of Naples detained C. Cox and C. Reeve prisoners
about four daies from their ships; so that they being intent upon
farther service, were forced to praise the ship and deliver her to the
Vice-King till the question of being prize or not be determined.
The man of war that went out with Van-Galen, and was with him
when his Admiral was cast away, is now returned into this Road,
being very leaky.
From Amsterdam, Feb. 28. stilo novo.
The lord Adrian Paw, lord of Hemstede, was on Saturday last, his
last time in the Assembly of the States; for, the same day eating of
fresh Salmon broiled, he went home and grew feverish, continuing
in an uncertain state till Friday; which was his last, he then dying
and leaving his house full of honor and riches; which is an accident
very acceptable to the family of Orange. This lord Paw was one of the
three Ambassadords, late in England.
We now hear of the English Fleet's being out at Sea, but the
number variously reported. This news makes many angry, who were
first for de Witt's going out to joyn with Admiral Tromp; which they
supposed might easily be done, perswading themselves and others,
that you in England would not be able to get our so many as 50 ships
by the latter end of February, because of the want of Sea-men; and
after the uniting of de Witt and Trump, their next Orders were to
come and block up the Thames. These were the thoughts and projects,
till they heard the English were out at Sea; though for the
effecting it, they had then but 20 ready of the first 30 which were ordered;
but since news is come to the States that there are 43 ready,
and more they are preparing.