I can expect no letters from you till Sʳ Clowdsly joyne us, and then do hope shall hear of your welfare and some good news in return of all this, which, with my duty to yʳ self and mother and love to all friends, is from, Honᵈ Sir, Yʳ dutifull Son, Nˢ HADDOCK. P.S.--We have had an eclipse of the sun to-day; lasted above two hours, and for a quarter ’twas total and as dark as night. Wᵗ it may portend, I leave to the learned. Our fleet consists of 50 saile in the line; 13 of wᶜʰ, Dutch. * * * * * [a] Afterwards Admiral. [b] Philip V. of Spain. [c] Irregulars of the militia of Catalonia. THE SAME TO THE SAME. Alicant, this 31ˢᵗ of July, 1706. HONᵈ Sʳ, I have both yʳ letters by Captⁿ Delevall,[a] as also the butter and cheeses, for wᶜʰ I returne you thanks. I’m glad to hear both my sisters are so well recovered by the Bath. Pray God continue their healths. Sunday last we took this place, attacking it by land and sea; and almost all the people of it are run up to the castle, wᵗʰ the garrison, for protection. We assisted our army with 500 seamen. I have been ashore with 50 of our ship’s company during the seige; am very heartily fateigued, but very well in health. After we have got the castle, I hear the fleet will go for the Islands of Minorca and Majorca, and, after that, I hope home. If the Sᵗ George should not do, intend asking Sʳ Jnᵒ Leake leave for my self. I’m glad to hear the ship at Sheernes will be launcht so soon as March. I hope I’m pretty secure of her. I desire your excuse for this bad scrawle and blotted paper, but I write wᵗʰ a pen made wᵗʰ an old razor that I find in the house I’m quartered in. I have no more to say but my duty to yʳ self and mother and love to all freinds in London and Mile end, and remaine, Honᵈ Sʳ, Yʳ dutifull Son, N. HADDOCK. P.S.--This lettʳ goes by the Rye. To Sʳ Richᵈ Haddock, at the Navy Office in Crutched Fryars, London, these. * * * * * [a] George Delaval, of the Tilbury. SIR RICHARD HADDOCK TO THE COMMISSIONERS OF THE ADMIRALTY. 25ᵗʰ July, 1709. GENTLEMEN,