From aboard the Tyger at Portsmouth, 18 Septemb.
THese are to acquaint you, That God by his good grace and hand
of Providence, hath brought us out of the Streights in safety, unto
the Port of Portsmouth: with the Angell Capt Rand and the Anthony
Bonadventure, Capt. Hoxton; and one Merchants ship in Convey, laden
with Currants and Silk; And likewise in the Bay of Bulls at my going
into Cales, I had intelligence of a Frigot there Riding. which came
from France laden with Linnen cloth, the which I did surprise: All
her Cloth being delivered. I found in her about Twenty thousand Dollars
or peeces of Eight, Spanish Moneys: besides a good quantity of Barrs of
Silver, and some Barrels of Cochenell; and bils of Lading assigned for
St Mattows and Ross in France: which moneys, and the Silver I have
on board the Tyger; and as for the Frigot, she hath Ten pieces of Ordnance
in her. I hope she is at the Downes or Portsmouth, or safe in som
other place; for the lost Company in the Night, she being very scarce
of victuall: For we have had a long passage, by reason that the Convoy
goeth so heavy.
From Roterdam 27 September, stilo novo.
Your extraordinary success in England, (as the effect of Gods mercy,
and the consequent of Order and good Discipline) doth very
much amaze all, and not a little torrifie the Hogben Moghen of Holland,
who may now perhaps think of sending Ambassadors to mediate a
peace betwixt their Herring-Busses, and your men of Warre, who as
they secretly desire nothing more then the disorder of England; so
doubtless setled England will have some, if not by way of it [unr]liation,
yet out of pure interest to prevent ingrossing of Trade and Gelt. Hans
may as well churne Milk at home. This by way of discouse, not a
vice. Our neighbors of Spaine, notwithstanding Don Gomaro's lit[unr]e
defeat, have taken Uurne, and by this time I beleeve have Winoxbergea
too, both Frontiers to Dunkirk, at which their great aim is; having
already shut it up by sea, and blocked up at a distance by Land, so
that no provisions can come to it: They are no less triumphant in
Catalonia, having mewed up the French Army in Barcellona: If they
carry these two places, Monsieur will be hard put to it, being no lesse
inwardly troubled for all his Majority, with the Prince of Conde, who
some say, is reti[unr]ed to his, and his Brothers Troops at Stenay, you
know the consequence. I am now preparing to Volunteer it at the
siege of Dunkirk, so soon as the Archduke shall sit down before it.
From Sanbatch in Cheshire, 20 September, 1651.
The whole business was as followeth, The Enemy having received
a total Rout at Worcester, the 3. of Sept. a party of their scattered hors
(being about 2000) came hither on Thursday, Sept. 4. (being the Fairday)