SINCE your Lordship seems to think, that an Account in general of the Fleet's good Success is not so satisfactory as one setting forth the Particulars, I here send it with as much Preview as the Matter will admit of. I must confess I was not much inclin'd to [...] you in this nature, not being [...] to see my Name in Print on any [...]; but since it is your Lordships Commands, I am the more enclined to give you the best Information I am able of the Action, having seen several Printed Relati­ons not very sincere.

Wednesday in the Evening, being the Eighteenth of May, standing over for Cape le Hogue, I ordered Captain Gill [...] in the Ch [...]ter, and the Charles Galley, to lie at such a distance to the Westward of the Fleet, that they might discover any Signals made from me.

Thursday the Nineteenth, standing with a small Gale S. S. W. the [...]ed at W. and W. and by S. hazey Weather, Cape [...] beating then S. W. and by S. from [...] di­stant about Seven Leagues, between three and four in the morning, we heard several Guns to the Westward, and in a short time I saw the two Frigats making the Signal of seeing the Enemy, with their Heads lying to the Northward, which gave me rea­son to think the Enemy lay with their Heads that way; upon which I ordered the Sig­nal to be made for the Fleet's drawing into a Line of Battel; after which I made the Signal for the Rear of the Fleet to Tack, that if the Enemy stood to the Northward, we might the sooner come to engage; But soon after four a Clock, the Sun had a little Cleared the Weather, and I saw the French Fleet standing to the Southward, forming their Line on the same Tack that I was up­on; I then ordered that Signal for the Rear to Tack to be call [...] i [...] [...] the same th [...] bom [...] away with my own Ship so far to [...], as I judge each Ship in the Fleet might [...] any Wake or [...], than brought to again, lying by with my Fore-top-Sail to the Masts to give the Ships in the Fleet the [...] opportunity of pla­cing themselves, as they had been before directed. By eight a Clock, we had form­ed an [...] Line, [...] from the S.S.W. on the N. N. E. the [...] in the Van, the [...] in [...], and the [...] in the [...]. By [...] a Clock the Ene­mies Van [...] had almost [...] almost [Page] as far to the Southward as ours, their Ad­miral and Rear-Admiral of the Blue that were in the Rear, closing the Line and their Vice Admiral of the same Division stretching to the Rear of our Fleet, but ne­ver coming [...] Gun- [...] of them. A­bout ten they [...] down upon us, I [...]ill ly­ing with my [...]-top [...] the Mast. I then observed Monsieur [...] the French Admiral, put out his Signal for Battel; I gave order that mine should not be hoisted till the Fleets began to engage, that he might have the fairer opportunity of co­ming as near me as he thought conveni­ent, and at the same time I sent Orders to Admiral Almende, that as soon as any of his Squadron could Weather the Enemies Fleet, they should Tack, and get to the Westward of them; as also to the Blue, to make sail and close the Line, they being at some distance a-stern; but as soon as the Fleet began to Engage it fell calm, which prevented their so doing. About half an Hour after eleven, Monsieur [...] in the Royal-Sun (being within Three Quarters Musquet-shot,) brought to, lying by me at that distance about an Hour and an half, plying his Guns very warmly; though I must observe to you, that our Men [...] their Guns faster; after which time I did not find his Guns were fired with that vi­gour as before, and I could see him in great Disorder, his Rigging, Sails, Top-sail Yards being shot, and no body endeavouring to make them serviceable, and his Boats tow­ing of him to Windward, gave me reason to think he was much ga [...]l'd. About two the Wind shifted to the N. W. and by W. and some little time after that five fresh Ships of the Enemies Blue Squadron came and posted themselves, three a-head of Monsieur Tourville, and two a-stern of him, and fired with great Fury, which continued till after three. About four in the Evening there came so thick a Fog, that we could not [...] of the Enemies, which occa­sioned our leaving off firing for a little time, and then it cleared up, and we could see Monsieur Tourville towing away with his Boats to the Northward from us; upon which I did the same, and ordered all my Division to do the like; and about half an Hour after Five, we had a small breeze of Wind Easterly. I then made the Signal for the Fleet to Chase, sending Notice to all the Ships about me, that the Enemy were running. About this time I heard several Broad-sides to the Westward, and though I could not see the Ships that fired, I conclu­ded them to be our Blue, that by the shift of Wind had weathered the Enemy; but it proved to be the Rear-Admiral of the Red, who had weathered Tourville's [...] and got between them and their Ad­miral of the [...] where they lay firing some time and then [...] with some Ships of his own Division as also the Reer-Admiral of the Red with some of his. This was the time that Cap­tain Hi [...]ings in the Sandwich was killed, he driving through those Ships, by reason of his Anchors not being clear. I could not see this part because of the great smoke & Fog, nor have received this Information from [...] Cl [...]desly [...] since. I sent to all the Ships that were near me, to Chase to the Westward all night; telling them, I de­signed to follow the Enemy to the Brest; and sometimes we could see a French Ship, two, or three, standing away with all the Sail they could make to the Westward, which [...] about half an hour, it being some of our Blue falling-in with some of the Ships of the Enemies in the Fog. It was Foggy, and very little wind all night.

Fri [...] the 20th, 'twas so thick in the morn­ing, that I could see none of the Enemies Ships, and but very few of our own. About Eight it began to clear up; the Dutch, who were to the Southward of me, made the Sig­nal of seeing the Enemy; and, as I cleared, I saw about 32 or 34 Sail, distant from us, be­tween two and three Leagues, the Wind at E. N. E. and they bearing from us W. S. W. our Fleet chasing with all the Sail they could make, having taken in the Signal for the line of Battle, that each Ship might make the best of her way after the Enemy. Between Ele­ven and Twelve, the wind came to the S. W. The French ply'd to the Westward with all the Sail they could, and we after them. A­bout Four the Tide of Ebb being done, the French anchor'd, as also we in 43 Fathom water, Cape B [...]rsleur bearing S. and by W. About Ten in the Evening we weighed with the Tide of Ebb, the wind at S. W. and ply'd to the Westward. About Twelve my Fore-Topmast came by the Board, having re­ceived several Shot.

Saturday the 21st, we continued still ply­ing after the Enemy, till Four in the Morn­ing. The tide of Ebb being done, I anchor'd in 46 Fathom Water, Cape de Hague bearing S. and by W. and the Island of Alderney S.S.W By my Topmast's going away, the Dutch Squadron, and the Admiral of the blue, with several of his Squadron, had got a great way to windward of me. About seven in the Morning several of the Enemies Ships, being far advanced towards the Race, I percei­ved driving to the Eastward with the Tide of Flood, between Eight and Nine, when they were driven so far to the Eastward that I could fetch them, I made the Signal for the Fleet to cut and follow the Enemy; which they all did, except the aforementioned wea­thermost Ships, which rid fast, to observe the motion of the rest of the Enemies Ships that continued in the Race of Alderney. About E­leven, I saw three great Ships fair under the Sho [...] Tack and stand to the westward: but making two or three short Boards, the big­gest of them run ashoar, who presently cut his Masts away; the other two being to lew­ard of him, ply'd up to him: The reason, as I judge, of their doing this was, that they could [Page] not weather our sternmost Ships to the west­ward, nor [...] a head of Us to the East­ward. I observing that many of our Ships hovered about those, I sent to Sir Ralph D [...] ­lav [...]l, Vice-admiral of the Red, who was in the Reer of our Fleet, to keep such a num­ber of Ships and Fire-Ships with him, as might be sufficient to destroy those of the E­nemies and to order the other's to follow [...], I being then in pursuit of the rest of the Enemy. An account of the performing that service I don't trouble your Lordship with, He having given it you already. About Four in the afternoon 18 Sail of the Enemies Ships got to the Eastward of Cape Bars [...]; after which, I observed they hawled in for Le Hogue: The Reer-Admiral of she Red, Vice-Admiral of the Blew, and some of the Ships were a-head of me. About ten at night, I anchored in the Bay of Le Hogue, and lay till Four the next Morning, being

Sunday the 22d; and then I weighed, and stood in near the Land of Le Hogue: but when we found the Flood came, we anchored in good sandy Ground. At two in the afternoon we weighed again, and ply'd close in with Le Hogue, where we saw 13 Sail of the Ene­mies Men of War hawled close in with the shoar: The Rear-Admiral of the Red tells me, That the night before he saw the other five, which made up the 1 [...] I first chased, stand to the Eastward.

Monday the 23d, I sent in Vice Admiral R [...]k with several Men of War and Fire­ships, as also the Boats of the Fleet, to de­stroy those Ships: but the Enemy had got­ten them so near the Shoar, that not any of our Men of War, except the small Frigats could do any Service; but that night Vice-Admiral Ro [...]k with the Boats burnt six of them.

Tuesday, 24th. About eight in the morn­ing he went in again with the Boats, and Burnt the other seven, together with some several Transport Ships, and some Vessels with Ammunition, the Names of which Ships I am not yet able to give your Lord­ship any other Account of than what you have as followeth.

• S [...] Royal Count de Tourville 104
• L' A [...]bit [...]ux, Chevalier de la V [...] Vice Admiral of the White. 104
• L' Admirable, Monsieur [...], 90
• La Magnifique, Mons. Co [...]ogon, Rere-Admiral of the Blue. 76
• Le St. Phillipp, Monsieur In [...]erville, 76
• Le Conquerant, Du Magnon, 76
• Le Triumphant, Monsieur Bellemont, 74
• L' Etonant Monsieur de Septime, 80
• Le Terrible, Monsieur [...], 80
• L' Amiable, Monsieur de Raa [...], 68
• L' Pier, Monsieur Larset [...]ir, 68
• Le Glorieux, Le Ch. de Chateaumoorant, 60
• Le S [...]ux, Monsieur Berthier, 60
• Le Trident, Monsieur Mo [...]teaud, 56

A [...] the [...] ship [...] by [...], and the two following [...]; how true I don't [...].

• L [...] France, Monsieur [...], 60
• L [...] St. Pa [...]l, Monsieur F [...]. 60

Tho' those be all the Names that I have been able to learn, yet I am sure there are sixteen Ships of consequence [...].

Wednesday the 25th. I sailed from Le [...], ordering the Admiral of the Blue, with a Squadron of English and Dutch Ships under his command, to run along the Enemies coast as far as Hav [...] de grace, in hopes that some of the beforementioned five ships that stood to the Eastward, might have been got thither, but he informs me, that upon his appearing before that place, he could perceive but one or two small Vessels. The number of the E­nemies ships did not exceed Fifty men of War, by the best information, from fifty six to one Hundred and four Guns; and tho' it must be confessed that our number was superiour to theirs (which probably at first might startle them) yet by their coming down with that Resolution, I cannot think it had any great effect upon them; And this I may affirm for a Truth, not with any In­tention to value our own Action, or to lessen the Bravery of the Enemy, That they were beaten by a Number considerably less than theirs; the Calmness and Thickness of the Weather giving very few of the Dutch or Blue the Opportunity of Engaging, which I am sure they look upon as a great mis­fortune; and had the [...] proved o­therwise, I do not see how 'twas possible for any of them to have escaped us.

This is the exactest Account that I am a­ble to give You, which I hope will prove to Your Lordship's Satisfaction. Vice-Admiral Ro [...]k has given me a very good Character of several Men employed in the Boats, and I have ordered him to give me a List of the Names of such persons whose Behaviour was Remarkable, in order to their Reward I am,

The Troops that are in and about this Town, under the Command of the [...] of [...], &c. designed for a Descent upon France, consists of 17000 [...] Men be­ [...] three Scotch Regiments and the Re­giments that are Arrived from [...] that they will [...] Army of 22000 Man.

[Page] The main Design for this Expedition con­sists of 30 Mortars, 20 whole Cul [...]s, [...]0 24 Pounders, 18 Field Pieces, 9000 Booms, 7000 Carcasses, and a vast quantity of other Warlike Ammunition; Sir Martin [...], [...]oes Chief Engineer, Lievt. Collonel George Brown, Lievt. Coll. of the Train, Capt. Tho­mas Brown, Master of the Bombardoes, and Capt. [...] Master Gunner of England, is al­so Ordered to attend this Train, with Forty Gunners, Eighty Mon [...]osses, Twenty Fire-Mortars, and Thirty Boombardoes, and they Expect orders every hour to Embarque, Tran­sport ships being already taken up for that purpose. God Almighty give Their Majest­ies as good Success by Land as by Sea.

The same Letter adds, that they are hard at Work, in Repairing the Damage our ships received in the Fight, and would in 14 dayes be able to put to Sea, in Order to relieve Sir John Ashby, and the Dutch, who were then Cruising on the French Coast.

And that the Seamen, who were on Board the Royal S [...] of France, tells them, that, that Ship, cost the French King Three Hundred Thousand Pounds Sterling. And that on the Poop, the Effigies of Lewis the 14th. was Curiously Carved, holding all the Con­federate Princes in Chains, and by all they could learn from the Seamen, there is not killed in the English Fleet, not above 500 and a­bove 1500 wounded. Oh that the Almigh­ty God may have the Glory of this his so great appearance for us.

Monday, 23d of May, About [...] this [...] our Admiral made the Signal for the Long-Bloats and Barges, to go a Cruising, we be­lieve there was 150 Long-Boats and Barges, Man'd and Arm'd, every Long-Boat having on Board between 20 and 30 Men, with Musquets, Pistels and other Fire Arms, [...] Blunderbusses, and Cutlashes, thus [...] we went to Le Hogue and burnt Six [...] of ships that Night, and return'd by the light, about six the next Morning we [...] and [...] the other 7 Sail, with about [...] Sail of Merchantmen and Priva­teers. The Fort playing upon us very smartly all the time, and final shot playing from the shoar the French having a Camp. Du­ring all this action, we have Lost none but Fire-ships, but the French has Lost in this Engagement Twenty Three Sail.

Tuesday, June 7th 1692.

This very day brings News, That the Town of Mar [...]r, but not the Castle have Surrendred to the French sooner then it needed to have done, but at so dear a rate, as 'tis hoped will cost the French King his Kingdom; for the Armies were within a mile of each other, our King labouring to Attack them. The French King was there, but he shuffled back to Paris, being excused as sick of the Gout. Five Hundred Deserters came over a Sun­day and Monday was seven-night, and some come away almost every day, at they can get away. It's concluded, there hath been Action ere now, and we are bigg with hopes, to receive a most glorious Account from Flanders, as we have had from the Fleet, which were the words our King used to encourage his Army.

Our Armado and Transport Ships are very busy in taken in men, and Meteri­als at Portsmouth, to make a speedy De­scent into France.

The English Fleet Consists of Ships six­ty Three. Seamen, Twenty seven Thou­sand, seven hundred Twenty five. [...] Four Thousand Five Hundred. Fire­ships and Frigats, Twenty Three.

The Dutch Fleet Consists of Ships Thir­ty six. Seamen, Twelve Thousand Nine Hundred and Fifty. Cannons, Two Thou­sand four hundred Ninety Four. Fireships and [...].

[...]

THe Happy News of this [...] and Victory, [...] by Their Majesties Royal Navy, over the French Fleet, was Received by Their Majesties Loyal Subjects of their Province of the Massa­chusetts-Bay in New-England, with all Hearty [...] and [...] of Joy; [...] the Governour, being absent upon an Expe [...] against the Common [...]. The [...] Governour, accompanied with the [...] of the [...] and Merchants of the Town of Boston, Repair [...] [...] and other Fortification in and about the said [...] and Loud Acclamations of God Save King [...] Prosperous Reign, made by the whole [...].