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.

The third Paper of the Lords Ambassa∣dors, exhibited 13 Iune, 1652.

To the Councel of State of the Commonwealth of England;

Most Illustrious Lords,

EVen as both by vvord of mouth, and also by Wri∣ting, we have signified to this Councel on the third and sixth days of this moneth, taking God the searcher of Mans hearts to witness, that the most unhappy Fight of the ships of both Commonwealths did happen a∣gainst the knowledge and will of the Lords States Ge∣neral of the United Netherlands; so also are we daily more and more assured both by Messages and Letters, witnessing the most sincere hearts of our said Lords, and that with grief and astonishment they received the fatal

News of that unhappy rash Action; and that upon what we thereupon presently sent them word of, they did consult and endeavor to finde out what Remedy chiefly may be applied to mitigate that raw and bloody Wound: To which end, they have written out for to gather a solemn Meeting or Parliament of all the Pro∣vinces, whereby we do not doubt but there will be provided for these Troubles (by Gods favor) such a cure and present help, whereby not onely the outward cause of all further Evil may be taken away, but also by an Intern comfort the mindes may be redressed and re∣duced again to a better hope of our Treaty in hand; Which thing being now most earnestly agitated by our Lords for the common good of both Nations, to shun that detestable shedding of Christian blood (so much desired, and would be dearly bought by their common Enemies of both Nations, and of the Reformed Reli∣gion) we again do crave this most Honorable Councel, and beseech you, by the Pledges both of the common Religion and Liberty: mean while to suffer nothing to be done out of too much heat, that afterwards may prove neither revocable nor repairable by too late idle Vows and Wishes; but rather, that you would let us re∣ceive a kinde Answer without further delay upon our last Request.

Which we do again and again desire so much the more, because we understand, that the Ships of our Lords and of our Shippers both on the broad Sea, as in the Ports of this Commonwealth, some by force, some by fighting, are taken by your men and kept. Given at Chelsey 3/13 June, 1652.

Signed, J. Cats. G. Schaep. Vanderperre.