On the 2. of this instant moneth, be­ing the Lords day, our Comman­der in chiefe of the Sea Forces, received a packet from a small Frigat, that came [Page] from the Rear-Admirall, who had been in fight th day before with five of the Queen of Swethlands ships, and eleven saile of Marchants ships, which they conveyed, being all laden with falt from Tubey in Portingale.

The reason of the fight was, the Swe­dish ships Wore flags, viz. Admirall, Vice-Admiral, and Rear-Admiral, which they refused to take in, or to low their top-sales (although commanded by cap. Owen, capt. of the Parliaments Reare-Admirall so to do.) Whereupon the said capt. Owen gave them a broad side, inso­much that divers shot past betweene them, and great execution done upon the Switzers, scouring their upper decks with small shot severall times, captain Owen lost not above 8. men, besides some few wounded, the fight continued sixe hours, til night began to aproach, where the Swedish Fleet tooke their opportu­nity, and got away. But so soon as Vice-admirall Batteu heard of it, he set saile with the St, Andrew, Garland, Convertine, and Mary-Rose, and stood over for the [Page] Coast of France in the night; and in the morning about 8. of the clock, being the 3. of May, near Bulloign, he came up with the Admiral of the Swedes ship, whose names was Martin Tysin, the ship was called the Leopard, and had 32 Guns; the Vice-Admirall Daniell Johnson, a lusty stout ship, called the Angel Raphael, and had 24 Guns; the Rear-admirall the Ne­ptune, Moris Cook Captain, with 1 [...] guns; the other two ships, of 22 guns a piece, one being called the Anne-Free; the other, the Neptune.

The Captaines of all these sheps, hee commanded aboard, and asked them, what they had done with his Rear-Ad­miral; they at first denyed rhat they saw him, but he pressing it so hard upon them at length confessed, that they had beene in fight with him, and that the reason was, because they would not take in their flags, being so commanded by their Queen, and had instructions to thar pur­pose, which he caused them to send for, and took Copies of them, which appea­red to be true, in a high manner.

[Page]And they further told our Comman­der Vice-admiral Batten, that they would rather dye in honour, then to go home and be hanged, for disobeying their com­missions; a brave resolution, & I could wish it were imprinted in the hearts of all our commanders: they further told him, that if their flaggs were then abroad, they would dy before they made one shot at him, though he shot never so many at them, yet would not take them in, and indeed were very respective to him. But they did much blame the Rear Admirall, for that all the shot he made was at their Vice-admirall, and Rear-admirall, & not at their Admiral, whom he ought first to have commanded; the others being subordinate to his com­mands; & although he was 4. or 5. hours by the Admirals side, never shot Gun at him, but sent his Boat 3 times aboard. Our Vice-admiral demanded of them, where the Rear-admirall left them, they told him off Beachy, which to him did seeme strange, that he should beginne a quarrell, and not follow them, till hee came [Page] neer where the Vice-admirall was, ha­ving sent a Frigot to him, to give him intelligence, & might undoubtedly ex­pect his reliefe.

All Munday was spent in taking of Examinations, and Copies of Commis­sions; the Swedish Commanders being detained aboard by our Vice-admirall as prisoners, but used with great civili­tie.

At length a Gouncell of Warre was called by our Commander in chief with his Captaines, the result whereof was, that the Swedes Vice-admirall, who had beene the man which was most active, was with his ship to be carryed into the Downes, till the pleasure of the Par­liament be further known, which was done acrordingly, and the next day we arrived in the Downes, being the 4. in­stant; the rest of the Swedes in regard of theit shortnesse of Victuall, and having charge of the Convoy, were left to their own dispose, and this was performed without shooting so much as a Musket; but truly, if the Queene of Swethland [Page] leave not out that peremptory com­mand in her instructions, not to strike to any of our Commanders, enjoyned to keepe the Soveraignty of the Seas, and to expect homage from all, even to sin­king, or burning, this must in time, breed ill bloud between the two Kingdomes, which might be wisht miaht be pre­vented, by a Letter from our Parliament to the Queen of Swethland. Thus have I stiven you a perfect Relation of the whole proceedings. Sir, I have not else at present, but to let you know, I am