The ansvver of the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England, to three papers delivered in to the Councel of State by the lords ambassadors extraordinary of the States General of the United Provinces. As also a narrative of the late engagement between the English fleet under the command of General Blake; and the Holland fleet under the command of Lieutenant Admiral Trump. And likewise severall letters, examinations and testimonies touching the same. Together with the three papers, aforesiad of the said lords ambassadors extraordinary; and the letter of Lieutenant Admiral Trump therein mentioned, translated into English.

Instructions given to the Dutch captains by Van Trump. Martin Harperts Trump Knight, and Lieutenant Ad∣miral of Holland and West-Frizeland, &c.

THat the Vice-Admiral Scout (or he that keeps the Watch) at night, and all the Captains be∣longing under his Colour already present, or those that yet are to come under his Command, upon all oc∣casion that may befal, may know how to govern him∣self duly, he is to observe the seventh and eighth Ar∣ticle of his Lieutenant Admiral's Instruction, whose Content doth follow word for word.

The seventh Article.

The Commanders or Captains of the Squadrons already fitted, or yet to be prepared, are commanded to Maintain and Defend the Ships of these Countreys from all Visitations or Searchings, without compre∣hending all necessary Questions in the Sea, or demand∣ing the shewing of their Passes and Bills of Lading; which according to the eighth Article of the Sea-Trea∣ty made the seventeenth of December, One thousand six hundred and fifty, with the King of Spain, hereaf∣ter inserted in following words, may be required of whomsoever it may be, defending them against all and every one that would offend them, delivering them from the hands of any that may have taken them; and in such Cases to use all their power to overcome such strong Ships, doing all that may be requisite by their Commissions and ordinary Instructions, according to the Custom of Sea-faring men, to the service of the Countrey.

And to hinder that the said forbidden Goods of Coun∣terband,

whether they be marked or signed, and are regu∣lated by the Article immediately preceding, not to be carried to the Enemies of the said King of Spain, and under Pretence thereof to hinder the Freedom and Safety of Shipping and Commerce.

It is agreed, That the Ships of the Subjects and Inha∣bitants of the United Provinces come into any Harbor of the said King, and intending to go thence to the Coun∣treys of his Enemies, shall onely be bound to deliver and to shew to the Officers of the Spanish Ports or other States of the said Lord King, from whence they intend to part to shew their Passes, containing and specifying their Lading of their Ships, attested and marked with the ordinary Seal and Marks, and acknowledged by the Officers of the Admiralty in the Parts whence they first are parted, shewing the place which they intend to sail unto, altogether in an ordinary and accustomed Form; After which having their Passes in the said form, they are no more to be molested, nor searched or detained and stayed, under what pretext soever it might be.

The eighth Article.

If they come to fight with other strange Ships, be∣cause of freeing themselves or hindering the visiting and searching of the ships of these Countreys, and over∣coming the same, they are to bring in or to send such conquered ships, with sufficient Information of what is past, that it may be right represented in the Admiralty of the Quarter out of which the Conqueror did part. Datum in the Ship Brederode, this 25 May, 1652.

Signed, M: Harperts Trump.