partly by the Reports and Letters which they have dispersed
abroad in Foraign parts; partly, by that their
monstrous Impiety, in appointing a Publick day of
Thanksgiving; where in they mecked the Almighty
to his face all the world, therby manifesting what
esteem they have either of God his worship, that they
durst prostitute the name of both to countenause their
ends of Policy: But this, it seems, was not enough; and
therefore they had recourse to the press, and primed a
Letter, which they pretend was sent out of England
to give an account of our losses. Whether the Letter were
a reall one, or not, is matters not to examine; but it runs
in a Cavalier-Strain, and hath bin printed in Dutch,
and published up and down the United Provinces and
other Parts, to deceive the world, which being translated
speaks under the following Title.
The English Confession:
Or, the Triumph-sound to the rejoicing of
the Netherlanders;
Being a Copy of a Letter written from London, the
23. of August, 1653.
ALL our Joy is turned into sadness and misery,
our Fleet being returned home in
great disorder to Southold Bay; we had a thousand
men kild, and 500 wounded, the first and
second day of the Fight, and after that Tromp
was joined with those ships out of the Texell, the
fight was more vehement then before. Wee
have lost in this fight fourteen ships and Frigates,
seven Captains slain and six wounded; and to
the number of Four thousand Seamen and soldiers
slain and wounded. Thus Fortune wheels