This is to acquaint of our ingaging wᵗʰ yᵉ French and of our haveing gott yᵉ victory. Wee mett yᵐ of sea, May 19. There was about 60 saile. Wee fought yᵐ from 11 to 9 att night; since wᶜʰ, have been in pursuit of yᵐ. There is run ashoare, in Sherbrook bay, Torveil[d] wᵗʰ 3 more capitall ships, wᶜʰ are now burned. Cozen Tom Heath[e] burnt Torveil; and have chased 14 saile more in yᵉ Hooke, where wee now are. Sʳ Cloudsly Shovel is goeing in wᵗʰ yᵉ 3ᵈ rates and fire-ships to destroy yᵐ. Wee have been soe unfortunate as [to] lose Rear Admˡˡ Carter[f] in yᵉ fight. I am very well and have received no wound; only a small splinter hitt mee on yᵉ thigh, but did no damage, only made itt black and blew. I would write more particularly, but yᵉ vessell I heare is goeing away presently; soe, haveing no more att present, butt duty to your self and my mother, I remain your dutyfull Son, RICHᵈ HADDOCK. Cozen Ruffin is alive and very well. I will write yᵉ particulars of our fight as soon as wee come into any port. Rᵈ H. For Sʳ Richᵈ Haddock, att yᵉ Navy Office, in Crutched Fryers, London. * * * * * [a] Afterwards Comptroller of the Navy. See Preface. [b] A slip of the pen for _May_. [c] “The Hooke” and “Sherbrook,” nautical English for La Hogue and Cherbourg. [d] Tourville fought in the great three-decker “Royal Sun,” the largest vessel afloat. [e] Afterwards captain of the Chester. Died in the West Indies in 1693. [f] “Carter was the first who broke the French line. He was struck by a splinter of one of his own yard-arms, and fell dying on the deck. He would not let go his sword. ‘Fight the ship,’ were his last words; ‘fight the ship as long as she can swim.’”--Macaulay, _Hist. of England_, chap. xviii. ISABELLA CHICHELEY[a] TO SIR RICHARD HADDOCK. Wedensday night, the 4 July, [16]94. Your good nature, Sʳ, hath drawne upon you the gossupin of a company of women. My sisters desire we may drinke our punch with you to-morrow in the evening, about six aclocke, if it is not inconvenient to you. I should have sent to you to day, but was prevented. However, Sʳ, it may yett be ajorned for longer time, if you are othere wise disposed. The docters are sending me to Tunbridge ere long, soe that a warm foundation before drinking those cold waters will not [be] amisse for, Sʳ, Your oblidged, humble servant, ISABELLA CHICHELEY. For Sʳ Rich. Haddocke, These. * * * * * [a] Probably related to Admiral Sir John Chicheley. SIR RICHARD HADDOCK TO HIS SON RICHARD. Navy Office, this 27th Novʳ, 1702. DEARE SON,