WE are just now come to Highlake, having been for some time Crusing before Dublin, whither our Com­mander, Captain John Inwings, was ordered out-last Week, taking their Majesties Ship the Dover, Captain Whitaker Commander, along for our Assistance; we Arrived at Dublin on Friday last, about Eleven at Night, where we came to an Anchor, and sent our Boats to and again over the Bay all that Night, and the next Day, who had the success to take several small Vessels, with a considerable number of Prisoners and Protestants. Our taking of so many Barks and other Vessels did so inrage the Irish that they planted a strong Battery of Cannon upon one side of the Bay, and play'd very smartly upon us all Saturday Morning, with no effect. [Page]Our Commander then ordered to weigh Anchor, and coming nearer to them, returned upon them so hot Broad-sides, notwithstanding all the place was full of Men, and tho' they had a Breast-Work thrown up, which was in a great measure a security from our Shot; yet it was very plea­sant to see with what pannick Fear and Confusion they run, every one a different way, in the greatest Confu­sion imaginable, making tryal of eve­ry appearance of a hiding place. The Horses run as confusedly and disorderly as the Men, and being madded with noise and disorder trod doown many of their Valiant Riders; for, though there were a great number of Horse­men (for they feared our coming a shore) yet, in a little time not a Man was to be seen on Horseback, save the late King James, endeavouring to put Courage into that spiritless Crew; but all He could do was, with great difficulty, to get their Guns carried off, and was forced to quit his Horse; upon which our Commander imme­diately ordered the Boats on Shore, and heading them in Persen, took a small Vessel in sight of several Troops of Dragoons, that had came fresh from Dublin; But so soon as our Com­mander ordered the two Boats Crew a Shore, it was pleasant to shew how such as were ou Horseback did Scam­per, and such as were on Foot did climb upon the Rocks like so many Goats.

In fine, It not being safe for so small a Number of our Boats Crew to advance far, our Commander was contented to bring some of their Hor­ses on Board our Ship, by the little Vessel he had taken in their Eye, for a token of their Cowardice, and the English Courage, among which was the late King James's Horse, which he had quitted) to Highlake, and set them on Shore. In all the Action (though they lost considerable as we could visibly see, and Priso­ners after taken confirmed) we lost not one Man. The Protestants and Prisoners tell us, That just before this Action fell out, advice came to King James at Dublin, That the Fa­mous Town of Droghedagh was lost; Duke Schomberg having Detached a strong Party of Horse, Foot, and Dragoons, consisting of 5000 Men, under the Command of Lieutenant General Douglas, who investing the Place, immediately ordered their Miners, and raised a strong Battery of whole and Demy Cannon, which, in a little time, made so great a breach in the Old Wall, that our Men, after having filled up the Ditch, entred the Town Pell-mell, and put all that did not immediately lay down their Arms to the Sword.

All the Prisoners profess themselves willing and glad to be taken from the Misery, they feared would come upon them. By which you may judge what may be expected if our King were once over.