that are to come from the Tenel, and the Maze
and which will be ready here and in other place, may,
when the English give them opportunity to joyn, compleat
the whole to above 100 sail of men of war. They expect
also a squadron of the King of Denmark's best and biggest
ships; but have sent out advice boats, to give them
notice how the English Fleet rides between the Vlye and
the Texel.
In the mean time 14 of their men of war are returning
from the Streights, with at least 20 Merchant ships, who
had order to come about.
They are here upon the errecting an Ensurance-office,
for the ens[unr]ing of all Merchants that shall go to Sea,
at the rate of 8 per cent; and upon the credit of this
Office, they presume they may immediately take up great
sums of money, for the recruit and maintenance of their
Fleet; so that their thoughts seem wholly bent upon war.
They pray still for storms to do your Fleet some mischief,
or to force it off from their Coasts, When it drew near
at first, they were in a terrible fright throughout all the
Sea Towns, supposing the English would have landed.
Many inhabitant of the Vlye removed their goods and
fled from their houses for fear. The like was at the Texel,
which they are now fortifying, having sent down thither
500 men, and an expert Engineer to do the work. In like
manner, orders have been given out for fire Companies
more to com and quarter about the Hague, and along the
shore, from Gravesand to the Texel.
Thus you see how they are pot to their Troops; but
hitherto you have the best part of the Story: for this neer
plying of the English Fleet hath hitherto hindred all
manner of Trade and Navigation for the East and North,
and especially the Herring, filing, whereon the lively hood
of the Commonwealth doth chiefly depend, that it hath
caused many Tumults and distractions up and down the
Country. And now new is the time, wherein Charles
Stuart's Emissaries and the Orange Party hope to make