26. The 26 day, Thursday, we sailed out yᵉ Downes, yᵉ wind at west. We went out at yᵉ North Sand Head, twixt yᵉ Brake and Goodwin. This noone we spake wᵗʰ the Pembrooke frigᵗᵗ, come from Harwich cleane tallowed; N.E. from yᵉ north Forland, in 15 fadoms watter, we clapt by under a maine course, intending to drive all night; but, upon sight of 6 sayle of Holland men of warr, 3 wᵗʰ there flaggs abroad, to say Admˡˡ Vice and Rear Admirall, we stood with them. Yᵉ Pembrooke haveing espied them before us, though bound into yᵉ Downes, bore away on the back of the Goodwin towards them; comeing up with them, first fired at yᵉ Admˡˢ flagg, but was not struck. Upon wᶜʰ yᵉ Comandʳ of the Pembrooke sent his boats on bord to know yᵉ reason of itt. Whilst they were in dispute, we, comeing in shote, fired at yᵉ Admˡˡˢ flagg alsoe, and presantly after they sent up a man to topmasthead and struck the flagg, wᶜʰ his Vice and Reare Admˡˡ did the like. Then we bore under his lee ahead of him, and hayld him and stood asterne, and, after, tackt and came and lay on his weather quarters. There flaggs hang as a waft for about ½ an hower, and afterwards furld them; the Admˡˡ fired a gun to lewards, filld, and stood away to yᵉ eᵗwards. We answerd him with another; lay by and drove all night. These men of warr came there from yᵉ coast of Portugall, yᵉ Lᵈ Updam Admˡˡ, as I was informed by Sʳ Richard Stayner at my returne into yᵉ Downes. This I can testifie upon oath, if calld thereunto. Given under my hand this primo January, 1671/2. RICHARD HADDOCK. * * * * * [a] Admiral Sir Richard Stayner was knighted for his gallantry in Blake’s attack on Santa Cruz. (See above, p. 3.) CAPTAIN RICHARD HADDOCK TO HIS WIFE.[a] On bord yᵉ R. James, at anchor 4 miles wᵗʰout St. Hellens, this 5ᵗʰ May, 1672; Sonday night. MY DEARE BETTY, This afternoone we arrived this place wᵗʰ our noble fleet. Wᵗʰin, at Spitthead, we see yᵉ French fleet gote heere before us wilbe good company. Tomorrow I doubt not but we shall joyne wᵗʰ them. A few daies will prepare us to goe to seeke yᵉ Hollanders, who are out. We saw some of there scouts that day we sailed out yᵉ river. I have no other news to write thee at present. I hope these will find yᵉ at London, where I advize thee to stay that I may the more certainely direct my letters to thee. I shall not be wanting to give the advice by all opertunities how itt fares with us. God Almighty preserve and keepe the and us in good health, and in His good tyme send us a ioyfull meeteing. My deere love to all myne and thy loveing relations. Wᵗʰ intire saluts to thy selfe and my daughter, I remayne thyne, whilst I am RICHARD HADDOCK. My love to my deare Coz Goodlad at Wapping. Pray venture a letter or two to Portsmᵒ to me. R. H.