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.

A Paper delivered by the Lords Ambassadors to the Councel of State, the Third of June, 1652. new stile.

Most Honorable Lords,

WE are here by reason of and unhappy an unex∣pected Mischance; An horrible Report hath amazed us, That a Fight at Sea should have been be∣twixt the Fleet of this Commonwealth and of the United Provinces, and That ours should have been the reason of this unfortunate business, That we began the Fight, and that thereupon is fought most cruelly; and that from thence the Rumor of the breaking of the Treaty, and of open War (which should be very near at hand between the two Nations) was spread: We astonished by this sad Report, direct our selves to this Honorable Assembly, and do Declare before God, and out of all our Hearts, That the Fact, so as it is re∣ported, is committed without the knowledge, and against the will of the States of the United Provinces

our Lords, and of us their Ambassadors. Moreover we do affirm, That the Hearts of ours do desire nothing but Unity, Peace, League, and a very near Friendship with this Commonwealth, and hope that with all their wishes. In the mean while, we do think it not to be amiss, if we give notice unto your Honors, That we have received Letters from the Admiral of the Fleet of the United Provinces, Dated the Thirtieth of the last Moneth, wherein the occasion and reason of the said Fight-quite otherwise is declared then the common Re∣port is: For the truth of which business, we suppose to be convenient to inquire exactly; But this is worth observation in the mean time, That our Admiral Trump in the same Letter doth declare plainly to have no other Order from the Lords the States, then to sail about, and to view the shore and coasts of our country, as far as Ostend and Newport and no farther. By which it doth appear as clearly as the Sun is under Heaven, That by all means the States of the United Provinces have had no minde to attempt any thing against the Fleet or other ships of this Commonwealth. If any thing then in this business be done otherwise then it ought to be, this doth not concern the said States, but them which have executed the said busines, and let them make it good. We have been here now almost six Moneths about the concluding of a League, by special Order of the said States, and have delivered some days ago to your Commissioners a Paper, in which not onely the different Points touching the Treaty, but also the means by which the same could be brought to a good Agree∣ment, and reconciled one with another, were sufficient∣ly declared; so that vve did expect nothing every day,

but a happy end to so good a Work; and truly that ex∣cellent matter may in very few hours be finished. But who should ever believe that so Noble a Work, and de∣sired vvith so many vvishes of all honest men, and espe∣cially of all the Churches of the Reformed Chri∣stian Religion, should be cut off or hindred by any such imprudent and turbulent man (whosoever he may be) without knowledge and against the will of the Lords the States? By Law of Nature and Cu∣stoms of all Nations is very well known, That he to whom a Charge is given in particular things, an Am∣bassador in Publique Business going beyond the limit of their Commissions, a General of an Army Depopu∣lating without order of his Superiors any Grounds of the Neighbors; a wilde beast doing any mifchief after it hath broken its bond, that not the Masters but those that have done the wrong are obliged, especially if the disapproving of the same Masters followeth thereupon; which without question (if the business be so as it is re∣lated) is to be expected from the States of the United Provinces. In the mean while we make no doubt, that to attempt any Hostility before the other party is heard, cannot be approved neither by God, nor by any men, especially Christians. It is a Custom by all rea∣sonable Nations to demand restitution of their Goods if any trouble be done, and in case Satisfaction be given or offered, to lay aside all Hostility. And it is no wonder that all Nations are so much against War and inclined to establish a Peace, the War being plainly a cruel mon∣ster, a world of evil, and a meer deluge of innocent blood; therefore the most holy Fathers of our Religi∣on have expresly declared the War (although just) to be

execrable, especially in relation to the Christians, who are taught by their meekest Savior to spare other mens blood as well as their own. But amongst all kinde of Wars, is this to be reputed the most detestable and hor∣rible if between these Nations War be risen. Truly the experience teacheth us, that the best and strongest Wine (if it be corrupted) becomes the sowrest Vineger; and indeed if two Nations having been friends of old times, of the same Religion, lovers of Liberty, joyning upon the same Sea, next Neighbors, both Valiant and Warlike be clashed together, what is to be expected but the Ruine of both, and as the Proverb saith, a Cad∣mean Victory. And what else is this then to afflict and depresse your Friends and Companions in Religion to please our Enemies, and to give occasion openly for to hurt them both. An Author, being none of the least amongst yours, hath very well compared, as we con∣ceive, both the Nations to two earthen Pots driving in the Sea with this device, If we hurt, we break; He hit∣ted it very well that honest man, and we may believe you are of the same opinion. But if the two Nations come to an Agreement, Oh Lord, what store of Hap∣piness will this bring forth! The true Gods Service will be established, the Sea be quiet, and Opportunity taken away from all Enemies to trouble them both; all Companions in Religion be resoiled, and which is to be reputed the chiefest of all, To the most good and gra∣cious Lord, Praises and Thanksgiving will be lift up in∣to the Heavens. We conclude then, most Honorable Lords, and instantly demand and desire, so as we have longed to propose to your Honors this three days since;

First, That a Copy may be given unto us of the Re∣lation of the things that are past.

Secondly, That we may send that over by your leave to our Lords the States, and that the other part being heard, the truth of the Business may be known.

Thirdly, That in the mean while all things may be kept whole and untouched.

Fourthly, That by no means the Business of the con∣cluding of the Treaty be put off, and that such unfor∣tunate Mischances may be avoided, and an everlasting Peace may be established between both the Nations.

All which we desire of all our hearts, the great and bountiful God the Author of Peace will be pleased to grant us.

Signed, Cats. G: Schaep. Vandeperre.