MIschief is alwayes pregnant, and can never want willing instruments to bring her un­to perfection. These diseased Times, which languish in ex­pectation of remedy, are daily fostred and made worse by new devises, and plots. Ill disposed persons will never satisfie them­selves, but with the publike ruine, and all their aim is confusion and destruction. They hate peace, as sound men do a disease, and their hearts are still on fire, untill their bad conceptions are brought into action and conception. This lingring mischief was [Page]long breeding in the breast of Sir Charles Grantham living within three miles of Hull, who had his minde been as good as his possessions, might have shined a wor­thy member in this our Commonwealth. But the common disease of these times had infected his blood, and now to promote his discontents, and give birth to his ill in­tentions, he invented this plot against the Town of Hull. One Mr. Henry Brunker a very worthy man and an ancient souldier, was wedded unto the daughter of this Sir Charles, unto whom (upon what reason grounded I cannot for the present give the Reader satisfaction) Sir Charles neither gave countenance nor maintainance, so that the low ebbe of his fortunes, constrained him to apply himself unto Sir Iohn Hotham, and under him to gain some small proportion to relieve and defend himself from present want and extremitie. He had continued long an alien to his father in Law his affection, and a stranger to his charitie, but on a sud­dain, it happened beyond the expectation of Mr. Brunker Sir Charles his son in Law, that Sir Charles with much respect and spe­cious [Page]affection sent for him, whom former­ly he could not endure within his sight. Mr. Brunker much admired at the change of his fathers disposition, yet willing to give satisfaction, and not to incur the cen­sure of a contumacious and stubborn child, did attend his father in law, and accor­ding to his desire came unto his House unto him. His welcome was as extraordi­narie as the cause, both being beyond the thought of Mr. Brunker.

Now was the Cockatrice hatching his egges, and waited a continuall opportuni­tie to bring them to perfection. But after his entertainment, thus he began to open his intentions. That it was true his hand had bin for a long space close; and shut un­to him, but now if he pleased to imbrace it, a way was offered unto him, whereby he might promote his decayed fortunes, and raise himself to eminencie and dignitie. Seeing you are in trust under Sir Iohn Ho­tham, you may do what I shall propose un­to you, which will be no way disadvanta­geous unto you, but rather prefer you to future fortunes. [Page]The Town of Hull you may betray and de­liver up into our hands and for your sale­rie and trust in that cause, I for my part will presently allow unto you 200 l. per an­num, and also supply you for the present with 500. l. to defray and pay your pre­sent occasions. Mr. Brunker seemed to con­sent to those his propositions, and told him that his true and faithfull service in this case should not be wanting, but that withall, he must of necessitie obtain the consent of one Mr. John Hayly a Scotch­man, for without him nothing could be effected or performed in this case. The plot was thus farre spread, Mr. Brunker parted with his father for the present, the Scotch­man was sent for, and had the same condi­tions proposed unto him. But no sooner was Mr. Brunker come unto Hull, but he immediately acquainted Sir John Hotham with all their discourse and conditions, who willed Mr. Brunker to take the salery, and still to countenance the plot. Mr. Brun­ker went again to his father in law, and by Sir John Hothams advice, told him he was resolved upon the Exploit, the meanes and [Page]way now was the ayme of Sir Charles his ambition, and thus he began to plot it; That at the dead of night when Mr. Brun­ker was abroad with his Watch, about 12. of the clock, he should draw down his Watch unto the South Port, and being there immediately strike up a false alarum, as if they expected some assault, and then they while the combustion was there rai­sed, would with all their power have op­portunity to enter in at the West Port. Mr. Brunker seemed very well pleased with the contrivance, and first made sure of his land and moneys, afterwards he related all to Sir John Hotham, who according to his own disposition of Goodnesse, did secure the Town from the present invasion.

Sir Charles being thus discovered, as you may justly conceive, was very much per­plexed, but having no remedy for his an­ger, was enforced to satisfie himself with bare content; the Plot was discovered, the Town secured, the Actors known to be ma­lignant Foes to the Commonwealth, and as yet Justice and Piety have taken place.

IF it may not seem any way offensive to you, I shall pre­sent unto you, which wh [...]he [...] you have heard of formerly or no, I cannot tell, concerning the Danes, who have pre­sumed so farre upon his Majesties Coast as to come within ten leagues of his Majesties Port of Hull, affrighting the people there by their daily report proceeding from their own mouthes. That they were bound for England to receive satisfaction for some wrongs done them; Whereupon the rumour being spread abroad through these their [...], in­telligence was given to some of hi [...] Maiesties Ships then at Sea, being the Iames and th [...] Rainbow, there being with them sixe Merchants Ships; who reso ved to goe and meet them, thereby to enquire the truth of this report, but ere they came near, they perceived a small company of Dutch ships being men of War, ready provided for an incounter with the Danes, which gave them occasion of beholding the prospect: They begun the fight on Monday the 22 of May, continuing in fight the space of two houres very hot­ly. Van Trump the Dutch Admirall being then present be­haved himself very valiantly, insomuch that they sunk many of the Danes ships ere it was two of the clock, when having spent much powder and sho [...] of either party, they resolved upon parly, which continued for an hour, wherein Van Trump desired the perusal of their Commission, and to know whether they were bound, the ground of their intents, which being denied, they fell to it again, and commned till it was dark; then taking opportunity of the night, being very cloudy they fled, but the wind being contrary, some were driven upon the Western Coast of England.