February, 1652.

The Parliaments Fleet at Sea had great Success * this Moneth in a Fight with the Dutch, between Portland and the Isle of Wight about the Twenti∣eth of this Moneth; In which Battle both the Of∣ficers, Mariners and Soldiers of both parties be∣haved themselves with great Courage and Gallan∣try.

But it pleased God so to favour the English, That after a sharp and bloody Fight the Dutch were wholly routed and overcome; and had a sore and terrible loss both of their Ships and Men; the English lost likewise many Men, but came off with a very great Victory.

Several Letters also came of the Successes of the Army in Scotland, and the submission of more of the Irish Rebels. All these passages conduced to the raising up not only of the Reputation, but with it of the Spirits and Ambition of Cromwell, and the Officers of the Army.

And they now began to assume to themselves all the Honour of the past Actions, and of the Con∣quests * by them atchieved; scarce owning the Par∣liament and their assistance, and Provision for them; but taxing and censuring the Members of Parliament for Injustice, and delay of Business, and for seeking to prolong their Power, and promote their private Interest, and to satisfie their own Ambition.

With these and many others the like Censures they endeavoured to Calumniate the Parliament, & Judge them guilty of those Crimes whereof them∣selves were faulty; not looking into their own Actions, nor perceiving their own defaults; yet censuring the Actions and proceedings of the Par∣liament very opprobriously.