the Countrey whilst he remained on these Coasts The Earl of Bath afterward presented him with such provisions and necessaries as the Countrey and season of the year afforded which he courteously received and in signe of gratitude fired several guns and so departed but notwithstanding the promises of indemnity given after his departure from Plymouth two of his Fleet advancing toward Foy for some time lay annoying and battering the harbour and shoar with great shot till having received dammage in their hulls and one of them having lost his main topmast they desisted and went off whether this was by the Generals Order or not is not known there having been no enquiry ever made in the action by reason of the peace that immediatly followed but it is believed that De Ruyter had no hand in it This long expected Peace concluded at Breda the 21 of June and at length the 14th of August 1667. ratified in England rather by the exigency and necessity of the times than the intire and full satisfaction of both parties as appeared within few years afterward gave respite to both Nations to breathe a little and recruit their mutual past losses by industrious prosecuting their traffick the hugg'd darling of both people and to consider in cold blood what had been done amisse by either side during the War that from so seasonable a peace they might pick the necessary means of future reparation And now De Ruyter having safely reconducted his Fleet into harbour was received by the States with thanks and honours suitable to his merit and with the universal acclamations and applause of the Countrey and was judged by all discreet men to have understood as well the measures of a General in that Common-wealth as any whosoever by his never giving way to the transports of vain-glory or rage in the heat of action but by timely retreat or advantagious fighting like the Roman Fabius Maximus Cunctando restituit rem The States having now no more need of so eminent a Commander at sea the great and dreadfull War being over but occasion still of a wise and practised Statesman at home admitted the Heer De Ruyter with no less expectation into their Councils of difficult affairs then they had formerly impowred him as General at sea wherein he so answered their hopes that during the four years peace or rather cessation of arms betwixt England and Holland he gave so signal proofs of his prudence that they were only fain to dispence with his being at home because they could not finde a Successour for him abroad which the businesse of the year 1672. urgently required The French King in anno 1671. with a considerable army came to Dunkirk in Flanders this progresse in a time of peace being accompanied with great preparations for War gave apprehensions to all his Neighbours but especially to the States of the United Provinces who suspecting that his approach so near them was to shew them the rod with which he intended to chastise the rudeness and insolency which the States were said to have used towards his Majesty began to arm and make ready for their own defence The King of Great Britain likewise seeing his potent and most dangerous competitors so busy and earnest at work the designe of which was not as yet made publick thought it time to look to the security of his subjects and to put his Kingdoms out of danger of a surprise and so at the same time as by an influence of destiny most States of Christendome seemed to prepare for war The French who pretended to teach civility and good manners to those who oftentimes are not willing to learn thought the Dutch stood in need of some documents and the partial and slow performances made by the States to the King of England and his subjects of the Articles of their last Peace and the quarrel of the Dutch fishing anciently in the English seas and more lately in their rivers being neither so well adjusted nor digested as might stand with the honour and security of publick interest the King herewith provoked and by reviling Pamphlets against his Royal Person joyned with the French King in a strict League of pursuing by arms their mutual pretentions against the Dutch And having first friendly demanded satisfaction of the past abuses by his Embassadour Sir George Downing his Majesty resolved to summon them to their duty by a more effectual Method On the thirteenth of January two parties meeting and the Dutch refusing to strike there followed an engagement and this first blow being thus given the King of Great Brittain publisheth his Declaration against the States of the United Provinces to this effect That the dissatisfaction which his Majesty had from the carriage of the States General of the United Provinces towards him for some years past being such that he could no longer without diminution of his own honour dissemble the indignation raised in him by a treatment too unsuitable to the great obligations which he and his Predecessours had so liberally heaped upon them He was resolved to declare war against them forbidding all his Subjects to hold correspondence with them upon pain of death This Declaration being with the usuall solemnities proclaimed in London and Westminster was seconded by the French King with actions previous to a rupture with that Crown also he having laid great taxes and customes upon all Dutch goods in his kingdom and raised an imposition of fifty per cent upon salt and other merchandises of France exported by the Dutch and upon all herrings spices and other goods imported into his dominions by them prohibiting all his subjects to lade any brandy aboard of any Holland or Dutch Vessells and shortly after publickly and in good earnest declared war The States of Holland foreseeing the storm which now began to break upon them had so fortified themselves with the powerfull alliances of Spain Germany and Denmark that they seemed not unequally matched with their mighty enemies in so great a conjunction so that in the year 1672. the greatest part of the States of Christendome became involved in a bloody and expensive War which is not yet ended Matters thus advancing toward action the Dutch who were not behinde in their preparations but wanting a head resolved to gratifie both Kings in the choice of their General and so in a full Assembly of the States the Prince of Orange is unanimously elected Generallissimo of all their Forces both by Sea and Land for that years expedition with promise to renew his authority after expiration during life and Jan De Wit and the Rereward van Putten the two unfortunate brothers that were afterward barbarously murthered in a tumult of the incensed rabble at the Hague with some others appointed as Commissioners to assist him Under him De Ruyter was made Lieutenant-Admiral whose power notwithstanding of his many tried services such is the fear of that State of an absolute authority was stinted having the Rereward Van Putten placed
of his way and with the loss of two great East-India Ships some other Merchant-men and five Men of War he brought his Fleet into the West Emmes Before his Arrival by a Master of a Ship which he had met at Sea he sent a challenge to Major Holmes to meet him there that seeing they two had been the first Adventurers in the War they might try the success of the publick quarrel as far as their particular prowess and fortune could incline it The Challenge was as nobly accepted by the Major as generously and gallantly sent by De Ruyter and the King of England to encourage the undertaking Knighted Major Holmes and assigned him a stately New Ship then built at Deptford which he purposely called the Defiance but this combat was diverted by other intervening accidents In May 1666. De Ruyter with his Fleet being at Sea His Majesty of Great Britain set out a well appointed and great Fleet under the joint Command of his Highness Prince Rupert and his Grace the Duke of Albemarle renowned for his valour and success in the former War against the Dutch and now advanced to that title for the great and memorable Services performed to the King but a false rumour of the French being at Sea occasioned the dividing of that Fleet for Prince Rupert with the white Squadron being ordered to make for the coast of France to hinder the conjunction of the French and Dutch who before the French came to Sea the Duke of Albemarle was left with about fifty Sail of Men of War to wait on the Dutch The boundless courage of that Duke a dispiser of danger led him to a gallant but rash attempt upon De Ruyter and his Fleet who then riding at anchor off of Dunkirk with a number of Ships far exceeding the English was upon Fryday the first of June so unexpectedly assaulted by them the winde blowing high that many of his Ships were fain to cut their cables in haste to put themselves in order of fighting This was indeed a bloody and terrible engagement which continued with matchless fury and resolution on both sides till Sunday in the Evening when the English Fleet being much torn and the Generals own Ship disabled the disproportion of number and the enemies Fleet being to the Leeward whereby they played their great guns which the English could not being to the weather and the winde high giving great advantage to the Dutch they drew off having lost the evening before the brave Ship the Prince which being stranded was burnt by the Dutch and Sir George Ayscue Commander made Prisoner yet notwithstanding their great loss Prince Rupert upon notice given and the noise of the guns then heard having on Sunday in the Evening rejoyned the Fleet and given the usuall proofs of his great and undaunted valour both Generalls on Munday early in the morning pursued the Dutch who were almost out of sight passed and repassed their Fleet several times But De Ruyter finding himself notwithstanding of the recruits received so weakned that his longer continuance in action might have produced the effects rather of a vain glorious Bravo then of a prudent circumspect General and good Countrey-man having given wonderfull marks of his carriage and conduct made made what haste he could to secure his Fleet This was the first encounter that De Ruyter as Commander in chief had with the English in these Wars the victory of which was equally celebrated in both Nations but whoever had the better it is certain both sustained very great losses The pretensions to victory in this last Fngagement owned mutually by both parties occasioned their hastening out again with all speed to Sea either to make good the old or to gain a new title and so in Iuly both Fleets were abroad The English commanded by Albemarle and the Dutch by De Ruyter And on S. Iames's day about nine in the morning met and fell to blows again De Ruyter with his Fleet for some considerable time made a brisk and a stout resistance but the English jealous of their honour which seemed to suffer by the Dutch arrogating to themselves the Victory in the former Engagement plyed them so fiercely that provident De Ruyter finding his fleet in a bad condition according to his saving principles of making the best of an ill bargain began to give way and was so closely pursued by the English Red and White Squadrons whilest Van Trump couragiously entertained the Blew that De Ruyters own Ship was much shattered and himself in all probability if the English great ships could have got up with him in danger of being taken and two squadrons of his Fleet utterly destroyed In this fight on the English side were only three Captains killed the Resolution burnt and not many above three hundred men killed and wounded On the Dutch side according to the general computation of that time above four thousand men killed three hundred common Sea-men wounded and many Captains slain amongst which Everson Admiral of Zeland Dirickhids Admiral of Friesland the Vice-Admiral of Friesland and Rear-Admiral Van Saen and the number of their fleet so impaired that of above an hundred Ships there returned but eighty into harbour The Dutch who hitherto still boasted of Victory gave now sensible signs of the English having the better by leaving their harbours and rodes undefended so that Sir Robert Holmes shortly after this fight sails into the Ulie and with one fifth-rate Frigate some Ketches and fireships there burnt an hundred and sixty sail of Dutch Vessels But neither was this nor the last blow so fatall as to keep the Dutch from Sea for about the end of August Admiral De Ruyter appears again with a stronger fleet then before stretching along the back of the Goodwin sands for the French-coast with designe to have joyned the Duke of Beaufort who with about forty sail of French ships lay at Rochel ready to come to their assistance The English fleet having advice made after them with such diligence that they were forced to stand in for Bulloign-road and there very narrowly escaped a new Engagement by reason of the weather which growing extremely tempestuous constrained the English to bear away for S. Hellens Bay the place of rendevouz and the most proper station to hinder the conjunction of the French and Dutch In the mean while the Ruby a French-ship of fifty four guns commanded by Monsieur le Roche separated by foul weather from the rest of the fleet mistaking the enemies white-flag for their own fell in amongst the English and after some stout resistance was taken and the Captain made Prisoner but in complement to his valour was afterward dismissed And now De Ruyter falling sick was forced to return to Amsterdam leaving the care and charge of the Dutch fleet to Van Ness But the States finding the season far spent and the weather stormy and tempestuous commanded their fleet home After that the Dutch Fleet was returned into
Sieur de Quesny by another way round the Island unperceived by the Dutch had conveyed the destin'd succours into Messina and foreseeing well the bad consequences of the disappointment being much displeased with the slow proceedings of the Spanish grave Phlegmatick circumspection and their conduct of affairs thought it not convenient further to pursue the French nor to abide longer in these quarters the six Moneths appointed by the States his Masters for that expedition being now expired and therefore having rejoyned Montesarchio with his eight Spanish Men of War he took his leave of him in order to his returning homeward This sudden departure threatned by de Ruyter put the Viceroys of Sicily and Naples in great perplexity and the Court of Spain in much trouble who judged thereby the businesse of Messina almost desperate so that all means possible were used by the Agents of Spain to retain him in these parts and particularly importunate instances in Holland for the prolonging the time of his Commission which prevailed New Orders from Holland being arrived at Naples the Viceroy the Duke de los Velos fearing that de Ruyter might pass without touching there and so misse of receiving of his Letters of so great concern to the Spanish interest sent off the Dutch Consul with some Galleys to meet him and to acquaint him with the will of the States and to invite him to Naples This occasioned de Ruyters coming to Naples where he was splendidly entertained by the Vice-roy and in visiting the City treated with the same honours as are usually rendred to his own person but hastened again aboard The advice sent from Holland of his Commission renewed and a re-inforcement of his Fleet promised set him at work to animate and push forward the slow and heavy march of the Spaniards in the execution of their Gounsils and so having cruised with his Fleet some time at Palermo and some time at Melazzo and had conference with the Viceroy of Sicily It was condescended on that Augusta a place that held for the Rebels should be invested by Sea and Land and accordingly de Ruyter with his fleet made haste for the Bay of Augusta a place to him too satal for so famous a name whilest he was there intelligence was brought him that the French were at Sea whereupon that night he sailed and next morning got sight of the Enemy they being about the Cape Spartivento and he himself with his fleet three Leagues from Augusta The morning was calm so that he could not come up with the Enemy but in the afternoon a fresh gale blowing from S. E. brought both fleets nearer together De Ruyter being in the Van the Spaniards in the body and Vice-Admiral de Haen in the Rear of the fleet which besides the Spanish consisted but of seventeen Dutch Men of War with other galleys fire-ships and small craft They bore down with great eagerness upon the French consisting of thirty Men of war and seven fireships with galleys and other Tenders About four in the afternoon the fight began and lasted till seven with obstinate resolution and courage betwixt the Dutch and French who sustained the whole brunt of this Engagement for the Spanish did but little only kept themselves out of harms way and did what mischief they could at a distance The Dutch had in this Engagement three Ships so disabled as to be towed off and one Captain killed but smaller losses are undiscernable when the great De Ruyter fell For here it was that pressing the French at the latter end of the Fight so as to make them give way a bold bullet from the Enemies Fleet stopt him in his carreer which having carried away part of his left foot and broke his left leg above the ancle threw him on the deck so as by his fall he was wounded in the head The Fleet hereupon slackened sail and stood for the Bay of Syracusa The wounded General was carried ashoar for the more conveniency of cure which then did not seem desperate but the greatness of his minde unacquainted with such checks of fortune encreased so that distemper of body which it patiently bore that the nineteenth of April having been speechless a day before between nine and ten of the Clock at night in the Seveniteth year and Second Moneth of his Age at the first violent summons of Fortune yeelded his last Duty to Nature and as he had lived died in the embraces of beloved honour This his Death as it filled his friends and Countrey with grief and lamentation and all men with pitty and regret so being a losse great enough to cast the ballance of advantage even to the most forlorn and despairing side gave the French a Victory not equalled by their confederate Adversaries unless when last year Triumphant Turene the only Paragon of his worth and fame upon a different Stage played his last Act which two great Champions much unlike in their Original the one being born to a great share of his honour and the other to make all his own did so resemble each other in the course of their Lives and Fortune and manner and Circumstances of dying that it seemed nature had framed them for two Subjects whereon Fortune might shew her skill in dispencing equally her inclinations to great and powerfull adversaries in the highest pitch of competition For as either had been the constant Favourite of their respective Masters and the often and long experieneed prop of their Victorious hopes the one at Land and the other at Sea so both fell by an interchanged great Shot in such a point of time when their actions gave great hopes and confidence to their several Parties and their death was attended with remarkable and dangerous consequences to either side and had Fortune proceeded from the beginning and should she still continue with so even and impartial a hand in all the occurrences and transactions of this formidable war both parties might have occasion to celebrate their triumphs with tears and with drawn stakes sit down and mutually confess that Iam sumus ergo pares De Ruyter was a person as most brave men have been of a middle stature a strong and well compacted body not fat but fleshy of a gracefull and majestick countenance his aspect pleasant and chearfull not terrible by too much fierceness nor by too great mildeness unawful of a complexion sanguine and a constitution temperate and healthfull sober in his diet and moderate though free in his words neither sullen with rigid and morose reservedness nor by loquacity affected or vain his gestures manly and natural and generally of a frame of temper so even and harmonious as rendred him sedate and constant and altogether free from the mistakes and waverings that accompany fickle and light natures in the greater vicissitudes of fortune He advanced to the height of Honour by the regular steps of merit and patience never importuning his destiny by untimely and precipitant ambition nor slighting or being out of the way when Fortune called him to preferment which he conducted by such wise and prudent measures as made him acceptable to all not staining the reputation of his great actions by vain-glorious ostentation and overweening pride but by being dutiful to his superiours respectfull to his equalls gratefull to his benefactors affable and courteous to his inferiours and in a word obliging to all he gained the love and esteem of all that knew him entertaining even the meanest of the acquaintances of his low estate with that civility that if in the top of honour they enjoyed not the ancient familiarity of his baser fortune they easily saw that it was his place and dignity and not the change of humour that altered the stile In fine he was so good a man so devout and pious a Christian so stout a Souldier so wise expert and successfull a General and so faithfull trusty and honest a Lover of his Countrey that he deserves justly to be recommended to Posterity as an ornament of his Age the darling of the Seas and the delight and honour of his Countrey FINIS These Books are Sold by Dorm Newman at the Kings Arms in the Poultrey Tachmas Prince of Persia an historical Novel which happened under the Sophy Seliman who reigns at this day A Treatise of the Gout Written originally in the French Tongue by Theodor Turquet de Mayerne Kt. Baron of Aubonne Counsellour and Chief Physician to the late King and Queen of England Englished by Tho. Sherly Physician in Ordinary to his Majesty Whereto is added Advice about Hypochoudriacal fits By the same Author A New and Easie English Grammar Dictionary and Nomenclator English and Dutch The Doctrine of Devils proved to be the grand Apostacy of these latter times An Essay tending to rectifie those undue notions men have about Daemons and evil Spirits Truth Vnveyled in behalf of the Church of England giving particular Instances of such amongst her profest Sons as have ventured upon Innovations in her Doctrine being a Vindication of Mr. Standish his Sermon before the King and published by his Majesties special Command By a Person of Quality The whole Body of Arithmetick made Easie wherein the Rules of that Art are briefly explained and illustrated with such familiar examples as may reach the capacity of any that desire to learn Dr Robert Bayfields Anatomy Kitchin Physick With Rules to prevent sickness and cure diseases by diet and such things as are daily sold in the Market By Tho Cocke Whereunto is added A Discourse of Stoving Letters of Advice from two Reverend Divines to a young Gentleman about a Case of Conscience The School of the Heart in 47 Emblemes Sixteen Sermons Preached on Sever all Occasions By Edvv. Boys B. D.
eagerness of the parties the frequency of engagements and the undaunted constancy of the adversaryes whilst it lasted may justly take place of all which before that time enobled the Ocean Now was Captain Michael Adr. De Ruyter signalized for his good services in the Mediterranean and eyed by the States as a person fit for greater action called home And whilst Old Admiral Van Trump after the engagement on the nineteenth of May 1652. with General Blake off of Dover-rode the first action of hostility in this war where he was defeated with the loss of two Ships and many men was equipping and preparing in Holland his Fleet and broom to sweep the Seas De Ruyter with a squadron of Fifty Men of War was speeded out from Zealand to Convoy the Merchant-men to the Westward out of danger and to scowr the Seas of the English who on that side rendred the Navigation unsafe This great Fleet first appearing off of Bright Hamstead in Sussex where they forced ashoar and took several Barks continued their course Westward by the back of the Isle of Wight Advice of this being brought to the pretended Parliament of England Sir George Ayscue who then Commanded a Fleet of fourty Men of War in the West about Plymouth was ordered to stretch over the Channel towards the Coast of France to hinder or at least dispute them their passage this he accordingly obeying on the sixth of August 1652. the two Fleets came in sight and about four in the afternoon to blows and here continued a sharp Fight bravely maintained on both sides till separated by night both lay by But De Ruyters chief business being to secure his Merchant-men and Sir George not thinking it convenient to renew the Engagement he carried off his Fleet without loss of a Ship The States acquainted with his good Conduct in this First Expedition appointed him his station in the mouth of the Channel to stop and seize all English Ships homeward or outward-bound There he discharged an English Ship that he had taken upon condition that the Master should acquaint Sir George Ayscue that he stayed for him and would be glad to see him but Sir George knowing well the prudence and valour of the Commander and the humour of the Dutch not rash to run any apparent risk only for ostentation of bravery his own Fleet being inferior in number and having received no new Orders from his Masters returned no answer This brisk carriage won De Ruyter a singular reputation of gallantry and good conduct from the States-General but in particular manner from the States of Zealand In this station he continued cruising till De Witt with another considerable Fleet from Holland joyned him on the Twenty fourth of September and having received six Plate ships with their convoy whom they expected from Cadiz they both together set sail homewards General Blake returning with the English Fleet from Plymouth towards the Downs discovered the Dutch Fleet commanded by De Witt and De Ruyter riding at the back of the Goodwin-Sands after that they had sent their charge into Holland Blake resolved to have engaged them but the winde blowing hard hindred his attempt then untill afterward the season being more favourable on the Twenty eighth of October with three Squadrons of Ships he made up to them but finding them so well protected by the Sands amongst which they rode and having run aground the Soveraign and Resolution which were presently got off again in his too rash approach with the great Ships he was forced to desist De Witt and De Ruyter in the entry of a War being ashamed thus to be braved voluntarily left their advantagious station came forth and fought the English but with so great loss that notwithstanding all the courage and conduct employed by the two Admiralls during the action they were forced to run leaving many Ships burnt and sunk and were pursued by the English within twelve Leagues E. S. E. of the Maes on the Coast of Holland till with the remainder of the Fleet shattered and torn de Wit and de Ruyter got into Goree The Hollanders imputed their ill successe in this Fight to the over-match of the English and the cowardise of some of their Captains who did not fight but experience hath since demonstrated that the prudent use which the cautious De Ruyter made of the misfortune was never to forsake an advantagious station till a more advantagious opportunity of fighting offfered This Defeat spurr'd the Dutch on revenge For on the Nine and twentieth of November following old Van Trump and Vice-Admiral De Ruyter with a Fleet of Eighty Men of War and Ten Fire-ships put to Sea again and finding General Blake at his station with a number far inferiour not much exceeding fourty Sail but with equal resolution to fight Van Trump and De Ruyter made up towards him and he not shrinking there began a hot and bloudy combat obstinatly maintained for some time but the disparity of number being unreasonably great the English were routed and the Garland-Frygat taken In this Fight De Ruyter sustained much dammage in his Ship and lost many men having been observed as forward in the Engagement as any and as long in action The Dutch in the mean time kept the Seas cruising in the Channel off of the Isle of Wight whilst Blake impatient of long delay having with great expedition fitted and reinforced his Fleet the Eight of February 1653. set sail from Quinborough with sixty Men of War intending to joyn twenty more at Portsmouth These keen Competitors seemed only to withdraw a little and take breath that with greater force and fury they might renew their onset as it proved shortly after For Van Trump being sailed according to his Orders to the Westward to attend and Convoy a Numerous and Rich Fleet of Merchant-men coming from the Streights and other Southern parts and on the eleventh of February General Blake having joyned the Portsmouth Fleet at Beachy-head he sailed the height of Portland and there lay cross the Channel expecting the coming of the Dutch On the Eighteenth about break of day were discovered Van Trump and De Ruyter with their Fleet to the number of between three and four hundred Sail Men of War and Merchant-men The English stoutly bore up and engaged them and were with no less valour received by the Dutch but Blake resolving to make them sensible that it was not their courage but number which had given the English the former ruffle pressed them with such irresistable courage and force that they were forced to run and with great loss to get home yet the conduct and courage of Van Trump and De Ruyter was so remarkable in bringing off the Merchant-men that both merited and received special and publick thanks from the States By this time the Hollanders having by fresh experience learned the danger of tempting the Lion even in his den resolved no more to hazard their Merchant-men in the Channel but
judged the farthest way about to be the nearest way home and so having ordered them to return by the back of Ireland and Scotland Leiutenant Admiral Van Trump and Vice-Admiral De Ruyter were set out from the Texel with Eighty Men of War to meet and Convoy a Fleet of Two hundred Sail of Merchant-men coming that way from France which being successfully effected without interruption from the English then in the Downs they kept out at sea expecting their Enemies The English then being commanded by a triumvirate of Generals of equal and joynt authority Blake Dean and Monck on the second of Iune came in sight of the Dutch Fleet and about eleven or twelve of the Clock engaged them It was fought till night with much blood and fierce resolution but the English accustomed to victory having lost Dean one of their Generals plyed them so warmly that they thought it safest to fly to Blanckenburgh General Monck pursuing them at the heels to seven fathom water During the whole fight Vice-Admiral De Ruyter and Rear-Admiral Lawson on the English side having singled themselves out fought singly with such courage and emulation as might be expected from two Commanders of so much Fame and Honour Hardly can there be shown greater struglings for Victory or stiffer ambition for greatness than appeared in the Dutch during all this War who the more they were beaten like balls against a wall the sooner they rebounded About the latter end of Iuly Van Trump and De Ruyter from Zealand and De Witt from Holland set out again to sea and being joyned made up a Fleet of Ninety Sail of Men of War and ten Fireships General Monck with a Fleet far less in number being then abroad the twenty nineth of Iuly towards night came up with them but the Master of his Ship fearing the enemies Fireships and advising him not to venture an Engagement the General in anger and in terms more of a stout Commander than expert Seaman bid him Turn again And so with prodigious courage gave them their last and most fatal defeat in these their Wars with the Commonwealth of England wherein besides the loss of Twenty six Men of War their Admiral Van Trump ended his daies and of all the Flagships of their Fleet only that of De Ruyter had the fortune to come into Port with the Flag standing After the death of Van Trump Opdam was made Admiral in his place a Land-Souldier and Officer of Horse the States probably thinking that by matching the quality of their Admiral with that of the English General Monck they might equal their fortune De Witt Vice-Admiral and De Ruyter Rear-Admiral of Holland But whilst the Dutch are fitting for new action though with somewhat slower procedure than formerly their heat and strength being much cooled and abated there starts up in England a new Statholder Oliver Cromwel General of the Army made Protector of the Common-wealth This New Usurper knowing that his authority being forced violent and against nature needed greater confirmation and support than he could expect from the free and voluntary obedience of an overpowered people and the States general finding themselves much weakened by the past War they both understood one another so well and their several interests that about the latter end of January 1653 4. a peace was concluded betwixt them which at that time stopt the troubled humours but removed not the causes of relapses After this peace De Ruyter transports himself with his Wife Son Engell De Ruyter two daughters and the rest of his family from Flushing where he had formerly lived to Amsterdam as the place of his future residence and more conspicuous stage of Honour but here he had hardly warmed his new House when the States found new business for him in the Old Streights The Pirates of these Seas after their wonted manner so incommoded Navigation in these parts that De Ruyter with a Squadron of Men of War in anno 1654. was sent by the States to suppress and tame their insolency In his Voyage thither he friendly met with his ancient enemy Blake who then was in the Streights with a Fleet of Ships upon the account of the Protector and Commonwealth of England where they saluted each other shook hands and parted in very good terms and De Ruyter continuing his course to Argiers in a short time so humbled the Corsairs of that place Tripoli and Tunnis that he brought them to a peace though of short duration and so with honour and applause returned back again to Holland where shortly after a greater field of honour was designed for him Men that would be great and rich by hook and by crook by potching and fishing where sometime they should not first grow envious and pettish and then angry and quarrelsome with their thriving Neighbours In the year 1657. the Victorious Arms of Swedland had lodged themselves in the very heart of Poland threatning danger if not ruine to that Kingdom The States of Holland fearing lest the prosperous success of that Crown with which their friendship and correspondence was always doubtful and uncertain might keep bread from their butter and much damnifie their traffick in the Baltick Sea perswaded the King of Denmark their ancient Allie who had more reason then force to break with Swedland promising him all assistance to regain from that King what he had wrested and detained from him some years before This instance of the States-General so prevailed with him that he declared War against the King of Swedland and invaded his Kingdomes wherewith the Swede being allarmed was forced to leave Poland and with all his forces return home against the Dane The bad success which the Danes had in these Wars both by Sea and land obliged the States of Holland to put a Fleet to Sea under the command of Admiral De Witt to assist them in the Sound But his Fleet being by the Swedes there routed the Admirals Ship the Bredrow sunk and De Witt himself either killed or drowned a fresh Recruit was dispatched with Admiral Opdam to re-inforce their Fleet Opdam arrived in the Sound but finding himself too weak to encounter the enemy was forced to secure himself and Fleet in Copenhagen then blockt up by the Swedes with a strait Siege both by Sea and land The King of Swedland in the mean time hearing of greater preparations in Holland for a stronger Fleet to be sent under the command of De Ruyter whose conduct and fortune was more apprehended then that of the others ordered his Ministers in England vigorously to prosecute with the Usurper Oliver their instances for assistance This they so accomplished that the intended succours his death preventing were by him recommended to the care of his Son Richard the short Successour to his Usurped authority Richard with the consent of the then pretended Parliament for that end and for the security of the English Trade in the Baltick in the beginning of the year 1659. sent the
brave General Montague afterward Earl of Sandwich with fourty Men of Warr well mann'd and some Fire-ships who on the twenty seventh of April arrived in the Sound Shortly after came also De Ruyter with a strong Fleet from Holland whose presence relieved Copenhagen and Opdams Fleet For the Swedes not being able alone to come to a tryall the English refusing to fight until they were satisfied in some demands and the news of the alteration of Government in England Richard the Protector being turned out of power supervening at the same instant which called them home again relieved the Besieged and hindred a new rupture betwixt the English and the Dutch which in all probability must have immediately ensued The King of Denmark by this timely succour revived and the English Fleet returned to England and Opdam to Holland De Ruyter with the Dutch and Danish Fleet continued Master of the Seas ready for some Land-undertaking since the Swedes then too weak declined all engaging at Sea The Island of Funnen in the Baltick Sea of the ancient inheritance of the Danes but then in the possession of the Swedes being taken by them some years before offered a necessary occasion And for that purpose General Schaack with seven thousand men being put aboard of the Fleet at Kiel were by De Ruyter conducted and on the last of October landed at Kortemundor in the Island of Funnen The Swedes made brave resistance but De Ruyter diverting their Forces with alarming at the same time other parts of the Island and with a stout example he himself standing in the water encouraging the Souldiers to land whom in great numbers they poured ashoar The Swedes were overthrown with great losse and the Island regained to the Danes This brave action of De Ruyter gained him more reputation from his Countrey and honour from his masters then all which before that time he had atchieved and so endeared him to the favour and esteem of the King of Denmark that he honoured him with the highest Order of Knighthood of that Kingdom being that of the Elephant and presented him with a Chain and Meddal of Gold which afterward he wore and having remained there among the Swedes untill the Peace between the Danes and them in May. 1660. was ratified he with great applause returned with his Fleet home The War betwixt the Danes and Swedes ended and De Ruyter with his Fleet safely returned into Holland new losses from the Pirates of Argiers Tripoli and Tunis called afresh to the States for remedy The vigilant and successful De Ruyter was by the States designed for that charge whose good services on the like occasion even in the infancy of his Sea-command had been remarkable in those Seas and is therefore dispatcht with a Squadron of Ships into the Streights where he kept ranging with his Fleet pursuing and pressing those Gorsairs with so great care and success that the benefit of his constant pains and valour became sensible to all the Merchants who traded there whereby he confirmed to himself that fame and reputation which he had heretofore so justly merited until matters of greater concern called him thence upon the occasion following After the wonderfull and long-wished-for re-establishment of his Majesty the King of Great Brittain in the Throne of his Ancestors from which by the madness of his Subjects he had been long banished the States of the United Provinces overgrown with the wealth and prosperity of many years peace the ordinary promoters of ambition being conscious to themselves that their carriage towards their Neighbors especially the English however cloaked could not but breed such jealousies as must in time break forth into open enmity and perceiving his Majesty of Great Brittain already so dissatisfied with their disguised practises as could not but of necessty produce a War resolved to bring it to a tryall as soon as possibly they could by giving the first occasion of rupture under the pretext of being provok'd by injuries received upon the Coast of Guiny and elsewhere Hereupon they Ordered Admiral De Ruyter with a squardron of thirteen Men of War then at Gibraltor in Spain to make sail for the Coast of Guiny and to set upon the English there This he so effectually performed that in a short time he destroyed most of their Factories took Cormanteen Castle with other places severall Ships and goods belonging to the English That action so incensed his Majesty of Great Britain that war was thereupon in anno 1664. publickly proclaimed against the States General of the United Provinces impowering all his Majesties Subjects to use against them their subjects and people all acts of hostility but whilst this was doing at home De Ruyter diligent in the pursuance of his Commission abroad attempted the burning of the English Ships at Barbadoes but in vain and from thence sailing to New-found land took several Merchants Ships stript the men and left them without provisions an act unworthy the name of so brave a man Thus whilst Opdam Admirall of the Dutch Fleet in June 1665 having engaged his Royall Highness the Duke of York was in fire and smoak hurried out of this world and his Fleet beat home with great loss of Ships and men De Rayter remained at Sea annoying the Ships and Foreign Plantations of the English But Opdams death rendred his presence at home absolutely necessary his experience and success in War being so well known to all that the universal voice of the people daily called his Name whom according to the interest and power they pretend to upon the Seas they adopted and intitled Son of Neptune Advice was therefore sent to him that he should with his Fleet hasten home with all expedition which he obeying slily slipt by the English Fleet wrapt in mist as men with their cloaks about their mouths shun the company of those whom they are not willing to meet And on the last of July 1665. safely arrived in the Emmes his arrival was congratulated by the States and he thereupon made Admiral but with authority not so absolute but that he was subordinate to the Triumvirate of De Witt Huygens and Bureel who according to a new Model had the superintendency of the Navall affairs He was no sooner installed in his new Command but August 13. with a Fleet of Ninety Sail of Men of War he was Ordered out from the Texel to secure and convoy home the East-India Fleet and many other rich Merchant-men which stopt at Bergen for fear of the English Fleet then at Sea under the Command of the Earl of Sandwich and who had been put in great alarm by the brave but fruitless attempt of Sir Thomas Tiddyman who was sent out to have seized them in their harbour In his going he met not with the English Fleet but in his return was discovered and attacqued by the Earl of Sandwich who finding himself too weak his charge great and the windes very high with a running Fight he made the best
harbour and De Ruyter recovered of his sickness some grudgings and animosities arisen betwixt him and Van Trump during the late actions proceeding partly as it was conceived from the byass of their differing factions the former being a declared re-publican and the latter a favourer of the interest of the Prince of Orange who was not then advanced to the dignity of Stat-holder broke forth into such open debate that they mutually accused and blamed each other for the ill success and miscarriages of the past Summers actions but Admiral De Ruyter highly esteemed by the States for his Valour prudence and fingular conduct and supported by the favour of the leading Party so far prevailed with his Masters that several Sea-Commanders were put to death for cowardise and himself confirmed with greater power and authority then before About the end of this year 1666. the Dutch being weary of the vast expences and weakned by the great losses of the war and the English much disheartned by the burning of the City of London which happened in September both seemed inclinanable to an accomodation and overtures of peace thereupon began to be set on foot on either side which seemed to some who thought themselves wise very hopeful In the beginning of the Spring De Ruyter was again speeded out to Sea and in April 1667 made an attempt with a good Fleet upon Brunt-Island a Town in the Scottish firth intending to have landed and spoyled the Countrey but by the vigilant care and conduct of the Earl of Rothoes Chancellour of that Kingdom with the Trained Bands of the Countrey he was bravely repulsed with loss After this De Ruyter to amuse the English who in a small Fleet were at sea sent off a detachment of twenty five sail of ships to cruise to the Northward who on the third of June falling in with Nineteen Sail of English Frigats off of Hull began a furious and bloudy conflict which was so stoutly and obstinately maintained on both sides that from twenty five the Dutch were reduc't to fourteen sail and the English from nineteen to fifteen Shortly after he made an attempt upon some Neighbouring parts of Harwich having put ashoar three thousand men near Felston-cliff and commanded two thousand of them to make an assault upon Langward-Fort which was twice essayed the first lasting about three quarters of an hour and the other one quarter but at last with the losse of an hundred men they were forced to retreat in so much haste and disorder that they left behinde them all their ladders whilest these actions continued at Langward-fort a party of twelve hundred Dutch being posted at the cliff their landing-place to secure and make good their retreat were attacked by the Trained Bands of the Countrey under the Command of the Earl of Suffolk and the Dutch being supplied with fresh recruits from the Fleet a very smart skirmish continued betwixt them till ten of the night but the English horse then coming in sight the Dutch thought it safest to quit the Land and so as soon as their boats were afloat in great haste they embarqued and returned to their Fleet. The day following this defeat at Langward-Fort de Ruyter with the Dutch Fleet was pursued by Sir Edward Spragg and Sir Joseph Jordan with about twenty sail of small Frigats but whether De Ruyter finding his Orders limited or for the reasons above-hinted notwithstanding he had a much stronger Fleet kept at distance and carefully avoided engagement taking his course through the channell for the Western parts of England In his passage he appeared before Portsmouth but knowing the strength of the place and finding the Countrey in arms he only shewed himself there and so continued his voyage to the Western coasts In Devonshire he endeavoured to have landed some men at Wenbury but the Militia of the Countrey being ready to receive them so warmly saluted them with some Volleys of small shot that they were forced with all speed to betake themselves back again to their ships The Admiral despairing to effect any thing here by force sent off a boat with a white flag desiring leave to come ashoar to buy fresh provisions but it was denied him by the Gentlemen and Officers that commanded there alledging that no such permission could be granted without the consent and authority of the Commander in chief who then was absent De Ruyter in this manner disappointed of his intent at Wenbury came with his whole Fleet before Couland in Cornwall and having anchored within musket shot of the shoar sent off twelve boats full of men with designe of landing whilst he in the mean time played on the land with his great guns from aboard but the Foot of the Countrey that were posted there purposely to oppose their landing charged them so briskly that they were forced to put off again without effecting anâ— thing By this time De Ruyter being informed from Holland of the progress of the Treaty of Peace which now was in a tendency to a speedy conclusion not willing with new hostilities to retard that which was so heartily desired by both parties relented a little in the ardour of his proceedings and began to heal the wounds which he had formerly made by prudent application of the politick plaisters of necessity and ignorance excusing some hostilities as thereto enjoyned by his Commission and others as committed without his Order And to that purpose sent off two officers with a flag of truce who being brought before Sir Jonathan Trelawny who commanded in chief under the Earl of Bath in these parts and having made the complement and apologies of the â—dmiral desired in his name a conference with some English aboard for whose safe coming and returning he was ready to engage the faith of the Seven Provinces Sir Jonathan having herewith advised the Earl of Bath by his Order De Ruyter was visited aboard of his own Ship by the same Sir Jonathan Trelawny Major Sparks and Mr. Windham The Admiral upon their approach courteously came over his Ships-side met and received them in their boat where after mutuall salutations having renewed the Apologies formerly made by his messengers he invited them aboard received them with a salute of Ordinance and entertained them with the Chief Officers of his Fleet at a magnificent dinner in the great Cabbin During which he gave honourable demonstrations of love and esteem for their persons and frequently repeated the expressions of the great honour he had for his Majesty and Kingdom of England and real and hearty wishes for a solid and permanent correspondence betwixt both Nations lamenting the great damages and loss which acorued to both by so ruinating a War The English entertained his civilities with reciprocal returns of honour and kindeness and having offered him supplies of all necessary provisions for his own Table refusing more untill the peace should be concluded they took their leave having been first assured by him that no more hurt should be done to
over him by the States as a check and curb and considering the forewardness of the English in their preparations was ordered with all expedition to hasten with his Fleet to Sea His Royall Highness the Duke of York whose former success against the Dutch had rendred his very name more terrible to that people than the wonders of others being at Sea with the English Fleet commanded by himself in chief and the Earl of Sandwich Admiral of the Blew and having joyned the French with the white flag under the Command of the Count d'Estree which all together made a formidable Navy of about an hundred and sixty sail great and small In May 1672. made toward the Coast of Holland in search of the Dutch Fleet then likewise at Sea Commanded by De Ruyter Van Ghent and Banckert and having had several views of the enemy but no opportunity of fighting which the cautious De Ruyter always avoided according to his politick Maximes without some apparent advantage but more especially at this juncture when the States had so much lying at stake not thinking it safe to quit his sands his Highness with the whole Fleet returned to the Coast of England and came to anchor in Southwold Bay De Ruyter in the mean while who was seldome out in his conjectures concluding that his declining of an Engagement would certainly be by the English and French interpreted fear and consequently breed in them contempt of their enemy and thereby security resolved to come up with them before he was expected and being by his scouts advertised in what posture the English fleet lay and having the winde favourable at E. N. E. weighed anchor from behinde his banks with his whole Fleet and on May 29th by five of the clock in the morning came in sight of the Royall Fleet so unexpected that several Ships were forced to cut their cables in disorder to put themselves in posture of fighting and about eight in the morning fell in with them The fight began betwixt the Earl of Sandwich in the Royall James with the blew Squadron and Van Ghent whilst his Royall Highness in the Prince with the Red engaged De Ruyter and the Count De Estree with the French and white Squadron Banckert The fight was terrible and bloody especially between the blew Squadron and Van Ghent who in the beginning of the battel was shot to death The brave Earl of Sandwich who was resolved to pawn his life for his honour being engaged in the middle of the Dutch with a few ships the Soveraign and others of his Squadron having stood off to gain the weather-gage and the Duke in hot action with De Ruyter overpowerd with a number of men of War and fire-ships and a hardy Dutch Captain Adrian Brackell having laid him aboard athwart the hass yet still continued the fight with such unshaken courage that he sunk two of three of the fire-ships that had grapled with him and forced the Dutch Captain to call for quarter but at last his ship being unhappily fired by a third Fireship was burnt and he himself with many persons of quality bravely but unfortunately perished to the grief of the King his Master and unspeakable regret of his Countrey having left to posterity an immortal proof that Valour crowned with honour does not shrink but swells by its reward Haddock his Captain though wounded escaped by swimming till he was taken up This happened in the afternoon when those ships of the blew-squadron that had stood off having got the winde bore down upon the Dutch and assisted the Duke who pressed De Ruyter so straitly that towards the evening he gave way and stood over for the Dutch Coast and was pursued by the Duke all night In this Engagement besides the losse of the Noble Earl of Sandwich and his ship the Henry and Royall Catherine two great ships on the English side were taken Captain Dighy Commander of the first being killed and Sir John Chichely of the latter made prisoner but were both shortly after regained by the English prisoners aboard who forced and overcome their guards On the Dutch side Admiral Van Ghent was slain most of their great ships miserably torn and two of them sunk and one of fourty eight guns Captain Elderson of Amsterdam Commander taken many more were missing of which no particular account can be given The Dutch with confidence pleased themselves to brag of a Victory with the accustomed solemnities of rejoycing and imputed much of the English loss to the French seperating from the rest of the Fleet that day about noon but it is certain that the Duke having pursued them to their own Coast and having next day in vain offered battel kept the seas and could bring them to no more action this year The advice of the prevailing progress of the French on the one hand and the Bishop of Munster on the other which put the States in much apprehension and the people in great fright and confusion being brought to De Ruyter as he rode with his Fleet at the Oyster-bank occasioned his hastening from thence to Blanckenburgh there to put ashoar a great part of his men to be employed at land where the danger then seemed most pressing And whilst he continued there with a Fleet half mann'd to secure the arrival of the East-India Fleet which was then look't for the Duke of York kept at sea sometime cruising sometime at anchor on the Doggerbank in very bad weather with intention either to seize that Fleet or to provoke voke the Dutch to a New Engagement by their attempting to defend them About this time the tumult of the untractable people who imputed all their calamities to the errours of their Governours grew every where so high that it seemed to threaten a dissolution of Government especially at Dort where the Burghers armed in a great body having surrounded the house where the Prince of Orange sate at dinner with the Magistrates of the place sent some of their Officers with a form of writing containing a New Election of his Highnesse to be hereditary Statholder of the Common-wealth with a renunciation of all malicious Acts and Edicts made by the Lovestein faction to the contrary threatning the Magistrates with the losse of their lives unlesse they presently signed it This peremptory desire the Magistrates durst not refuse but presently signed the Writing and dispenced with the Oath formerly extorted from the Prince never to accept any such dignity for the future by the contrary and swaying party and this tumultuary procedure had the influence upon the other Corporations that most did the like so that at length it advanced so far as to be publickly ratified and confirmed by the States so great order many times by a guiding providence is produced from greatest confusion In the rage of this unruly multitude De Ruyter himself there celebrated tutelary and guardian though then at sea for their defence hardly escaped their fury for a company of common
French both by Sea and land and knowing that the French would not adventure to meet them at Sea being disjoyned from the English judged it most convenient to molest their navigation annoy their Coasts and destroy as much as conveniently could be done their Countrey and Plantations In Order hereunto they sent out a great Fleet of sixty six men of War besides victuallars tenders and fireships under the Command of Lieutenant Admirall De Ruyter and Van Trump with a flying Army of Land-forces Commanded by Count William Van Horn. This Fleet joyned at their rendevous on the fourteenth of May 1674. set sail from the Weelings and having by a Squadron of fifteen men of War allarmed all the Coast of Calais and Bulloigne they passed along the English shoar and Isle of Wight and come to anchor in Tourbay Here after a great Councill of War they divided the Fleet into two Squadrons appointing one and twenty fail of Men of War and fourty eight other Ships with several Companies of Land-souldiers under the Command of Old De Ruyter Admiral Evertse of Zealand Vice-Admiral and young Engell de Ruyter Son of the other Rear-Admiral for the Western French Islands and Van Trump and the Count Horn with the rest of the fleet and Land-forces for the Coast of France The designe so laid was accordingly put in execution for De Ruyter with his fleet on the 29. of May made sail to the Westward and ten days after Van Trump for the coast of France de Ruyter continuing his course with fair windes on the ninth of Iuly came in sight of the Isle of Martenique and the tenth arrived in the Bay called Cusack The French being advertised of their coming appeared in readiness marching towards the shoar and the Dutch with some small ships that sailed near the land told them their errand by firing smartly against them from aboard this salute forced the French a little to retreat and burn some houses which they thought stood in their way and favoured the Enemy In the afternoon a Council of War being held a descent was concluded on and de Ruyter having given the signe of landing the land-forces divided into 3. squadrons under the Command of Col. Vytenhove with 20 men to throw granadoes for each Squadron immediatly embarked in their boats and shalloops and with great courage notwithstanding the French violent firing on them from their ships which they had ashoar and out of their woods landed and made themselves Masters of a Bank which the French had cast up to prevent their landing and forced the Enemy to retire to their Fort De Ruyter perceiving the Engagement hot sent off 1500. seamen to reinforce his party but the French firing furiously from behinde their ships and battery which they had raised flanking the Dutch who stood naked to their shot and whose Canon did them little service towards the Evening beat them off again to their ships with the loss of many men and several brave Officers and so freed the Island at this time from further danger De Ruyter after much loss finding the attempt fruitless left four ships to cruise thereabouts and wait the coming of some Victuallers expected from Holland and next day sailed to Dominico there to take in fresh water which being done passing by Mevis and the Barmoodoes and having mutually received and rendered civilities with the English there made sail for Holland and about latter end of September with little success in this expedition arrived safely at home and Trump and Van-Horn having by several descents on Bell-Isle and other parts of that coast of France allarmed and vexed the French and plundered the country and the fleet having after conducted and brought back from Spain the Count Van Horn who went to negotiate at Madrid with 18 sail of the fleet the rest being otherways imployed in the latter end of November following returned likewise to the Texell Now the difficulty of the reducing Messina so strongly protected by the French requiring much of the care and Forces of Spain to be employed in Sicily sensibly weakened the Confederates of the States of Holland in Flanders where the danger lay at their doors The States therefore being sollicited by the Ministers of Spain that they might either give a necessary diversion to the French who in good earnest espoused the quarrel and endeavoured the assistance of the Messinesses and thereby hinder the progresse nearer home or that they might effectually aid the Spaniards to the intire subduing of these Revolters and so bring over to Flanders the Spanish Forces and other instruments of war employed in these parts In the beginning of 1675. resolved to dispatch their successeful Admiral De Ruyter with a considerable fleet of Men of war into the Streights to joyn the Prince Montesarchio Generall of the Spanish Armada for the effecting of that designe accordingly about the latter end of August de Ruyter with a fleet of 25. sail wyed from Schonvelt and having stopt at Cadiz and other places by the way in December following joyned Montesarchio at Palermo with part of his Fleet and after that he had stayed some time for those of his Ships which then were returned to Naples from Argiers under the Command of Vice-Admiral de Haen and received them at the place of Rendevouz They sailed all together from Palermo to Melazzo where de Ruyter having had conference with the Duke of Ferrandina the Spanish Viceroy of Sicily It was resolved that the Dutch and Spanish Fleet by Sea and the Vice-roy by Land should attacque and molest Messina before that any further succours did arrive there In order to that de Ruyter being informed of a Fleet of Ships laden with provisions and necessaries for the besieged who then were in great straits by want and not like long to subsist without relief being at sea under the Convoy of a squadron of Men of War commanded by the Sieur de Quesny made towards the fare of Messina to intercept and hinder their passage and whilest the Prince Montesarchio left with some ships to guard the mouth of the fare was separated from the rest of the Fleet on the 29th of January 1675. de Ruyter encountred the French off of Lipari with a fleet not much odd in number to his own having both between twenty and thirty sail of Men of War a piece besides galleys fireships and other small craft and with much courage and bravery engaged them The French received him with no less resolution so that there began a very brisk dispute betwixt them which continued all that day and the next with considerable damage to their Ships and rigging but no great losse of men the fight having been at some distance In this engagement the French lost one man of War and two fireships and the Dutch one Fregat which being disabled in the engagement as the Galleys were towing of her off for Palermo sunk but the men were saved The day following de Ruyter being advised that the