William Brandon to Sir Richard Haddock.

[a] A mistake for May.

[b] On the 29th November. It was after this action that Van Tromp hoisted the broom at his mast-head.

[c] On the 2nd and 3rd June, off the North Foreland.

[d] Off the Dutch coast.

[e] Before declaration of war, in retaliation for attacks by the Dutch on the colonies.

[f] Sir Thomas Tiddiman, or Teddiman.

[g] The Governor of Bergen not having yet received the instructions from his Government and refusing to admit the English fleet.

[h] Sir Christopher Mings; died of wounds received in the action of 1st June.

[i] Bandaris in the island of Schelling.

[j] Sir Robert Robinson.

[k] The day that the Dutch were in the Medway.

[l] The Middle, a shoal off Foulness, between the West Swin and the East Swin or King’s Channel.

[m] Near the mouth of the Thames, off the village of Lee on the Essex side.

[n] Thomas Harman.

[o] Adrian Brackell, the captain of the Dutch man-of-war.

William Brandon to Sir Richard Haddock.

The last post brought a news letter to this place, wherein are these words: It is reported that Sʳ Richᵈ Haddock, Capt. Pennyman, and severall other seamen, are gone for Holland; wᶜʰ are lookt upon heere as a verry greate reflection upon your Honʳ, that cannott without ingratitude and breach of duty omit acquainting you with itt and the author’s name, wᶜʰ is Edmond Sawkell, att the Generall Post Office. I have and shall vindicate your Honʳ to my outmost power; and begg leave to subscribe myself

To the Honᵇˡᵉ Sʳ Richᵈ Haddock, Knᵗ, one of the Commʳˢ for Victualling his Majᵗʸˢ Navy, att the office on Tower Hill, London, These.

Sir Richard Haddock to Philip Frowd.[a]

The last weeke, in a news lettr wrote by a servᵗ of yours, one Mr. Edmᵈ Sawkell, there is a scandallous reflection on my honʳ and reputation, by his writeing that Sʳ Rᵈ Haddock wᵗʰ seuerall other seamen were gone into Holland, wᶜʰ I have recᵈ aᶜᶜᵗ of sᵈ letter from 3 or 4 countys, and must beleive it hath flowne all the kingdome over.

Sʳ, I was this day to waite on you at yʳ post ofice; but, haveing accᵗ given me that you were in the country, thought fitt, before I spake wᵗʰ Mr. Sawkill, to give you notice hereof, and yᵗ you will readylie conclude I shall expect satisfaction from him for this scandall, at least yᵗ he finds out his author or else must conclud him to be the inventor himselfe. I do presume you know me so well as to beleive, however the King may please to deale wᵗʰ me (wᶜʰ hetherto hath bine extra kind), I shall never forsake my loyalty and duty to him, even to my last breath. Praying a lyne or two in answer, with great respect, I remaine

[a] Postmaster-General.

Captain Joseph Haddock to his brother, Sir Richard Haddock.

My last, of the 7ᵗʰ Augᵗ from Visagapatam, gave yoʳ Honʳ accᵗ of our arrivall Madras and of our affaires to that tyme. The 10ᵗʰ Augᵗ we saild thence for Balasore, wher we arriv’d the 15ᵗʰ; in wᶜʰ bay we have contᵈ and rid out the monsoone, wᶜʰ has prov’d favourabler then expected (beinge leape yeare).

The 15ᵗʰ 7ber Capᵗ Heath arriv’d this place, who, by virtue of the President and Counsell of Madras order requir’d my goeinge up wᵗʰ hime to Chuttynutte [a] in the river of Hugly (the place where our Agent and factorie resided), myselfe wᵗʰ the rest of the comandʳˢ of the Europe Shipps then in the river to assist hime in the Rᵗ Honᵇˡᵉ Compˢ affairs.[b] In fews days after our getting up to Chuttynutte, a letter was writ to the Nabob of Dacca (the cheife govenʳ of that citty), who had formerly requested our Agent that if we would assist hime wᵗʰ ships to transport soulders and horss from Chottagam to Arraccan (they beinge in warrs wᵗʰ that Kinge), he would give us his Pharwanna [c] of a settlemᵗ of trade, wᵗʰ prevaledges as formerly accordinge to the 12 articles formerly sent hime from our agent &c. Capt. Heath, in the letter sent, condesended to the Nabob’s request, in suplyinge hime wᵗʰ 10 ships and vessells for the Mogull’s occations, to transport ther soulders and horss, provided they would allow of the buildinge of a fortyfiction wᵗʰin the river of Hugly, for the better security of the Rᵗ Honᵇˡᵉ Compˢ estate and serᵗˢ; wᵗʰout wᶜʰ grant of a fortyfied place the Compˢ ordʳˢ possitive are, to wᵗʰdraw off all our factory from this place.

We continued heere 5 weeks for the Nabob’s answer to the proposall: but not comeing, we, haveinge taken off all the Honᵇˡᵉ Compˢ concernes from the shoare, saild from Chuttynᵗʸ the 8ᵗʰ 9ber, and passed by ther fortts peaceably. At our arrival Balasore found that the govenʳ of the towne had (some tyme before our comeinge) detaind the Rᵗ Honᵇˡᵉ Compˢ goods, beinge this yeares investmᵗˢ, alsoe partic. mens goods; and would not permit none of the factors, nor our people that were ashoure buying provit[ions], to come off. Capᵗ Heath sent 2 of our factors wᵗʰ a letter to the govenʳ (who was come downe to the bancksall, or point of sand goeinge into the river, wher he was makeinge a fortyfication), to demand the Rᵗ Honbᵉ Compˢ goods wᵗʰ all our men. His answer was, what he did was by order from the Nabob; and, if he did dilliver our goods and men, should loose his head. 3 days after, 2 of the factors were againe sent to aquaint the govenʳ that our intention was to depart out these parts peaceable, we haveinge come away out Hugly river wᵗʰout doeinge any act of hostillity to any of the Mogull’s subjects; therfore requird hime to send off our goods and people by faire meanes; if not, we would have them by force of armes. Wᶜʰ hee not permitting them too goe off, the next day all our soulders, about 320, and upwards 240 seamen were put into the small vessels and all our boates; and early next morninge they landed a mile to the W.ward of the fort (wᶜʰ the govnʳ had rais’d); against wᶜʰ landinge place they had planted 5 small guns on a sandhill, wᶜʰ they discharg’d at our men, and killd 2 and wounded 2 more; soe fled from the guns. And soone after, the cheife capᵗ of our soulders had drawne all the soulders and seamen in order of battalia, marcht up to the fort, wᶜʰ, at ther aproach, fired all ther guns they had planted to the land; but, soone after, the govenʳ and all his men fleed out the fort wᵗʰout doeing much harme to our men; the wᶜʰ we possest wᵗʰout any farther opposition. In and about this fort they had upwards 40 guns mounted and a good wall made wᵗʰ timber and clay; might have bine sufficient (if manag’d by Europeans) to [have] wᵗʰstood a great armie of men, or at least done much more mischief then they did.

The govenʳ, after deserted his fort, made all hast possable up to Balasore towne, and orderd the factory house (in wᶜʰ were confind all our people, thirteene in number) to be sett on fire. Our people in the house defended themselves bravely, killinge sevˡ of the Moors; but by the firsness of the fire were forct to surrender themselves on tearmes to have ther lives and good useage. The next day Capt. Heath (who went ashoare wᵗʰ the soulders—Capᵗ Sharpe comanded the small vessells and boates that were to goe over the barr, leaveinge mee in comand of the ships in the roade) went up with all the soulders and seamen to Balasore towne by watter and landed short of old Balasore fort, the wᶜʰ they soone tooke; soe marcht into the towne, few or noe people beinge left to oppose them; the govenʳ disertinge it at ther comeinge, caryinge wᵗʰ hime all our English, amongst wᶜʰ are 3 of our ships compᵃ, vizᵗ. Mr. Davenant (beinge ashoare buyinge provit[ions]), Charles Scarlet, midshipman, and Sam Harbin, gunʳ, serᵗ of Capⁿ Heath’s, his pursur, and 3 more, Mr. Stanly, cheife of the factory, the rest free men that trades in the country. As yet we cannot gett the govenʳ to give ther releasemᵗ. We have sent sevˡ messingers to hime, that we have not burnt ther towne nor ships, expectinge he would dilliver up our men; but, if not, we will returne and doe both. Our soulders (but seamen more espetially) have comitted many inhuemane actions in the towne, plundringe not only Moors but sevˡ Portugeese houses, and killed sevˡ innocent people. We have had the greatest loss in this axtion, vizᵗ. 4 men killd and 3 wounded. Ther names are: Mr. Starland, 3d mate, Henry Grove, cheife trumpetter, Christopher Hogg, and Jnᵒ Hinton, who very indiscreetly went out wᵗʰ sevˡ more seamen to a garden house, expectinge great plunder, were cut off, sevˡ of them, by a party of horss. The 3 wounded are Henʳʸ Roxby, Franˢ Johnson, and Jnᵒ Smart.

I have, by the Williamson (by whom this is alsoe intended you), sent Sʳ Henʳʸ Johnson and Sʳ Tho. Rawlinson, and alsoe to my wife, a list of our dead &cᵃ men, in all 44. Our supernumery men wᶜʰ I brought out of England, beinge 27, at my arivall Madras, I aquaintd the President therwᵗʰ, who offred them to Cap. Bromwell, the Rotchester haveinge lost most of ther men. But he refuseinge to pay the charge the Honᵇˡᵉ Compᵃ were at sendinge them out, they were not taken out ther; and what of them that are alive doe still remaine in our ship, not beinge demanded here by the agent. I supose our owners will be alowed for them at 50ˢ per mᵒ, noe longer then our departure Madras, to wᶜʰ tyme we had lost 30 men. I doe not repent ther continueinge abord, haveinge had soe great mortolaty and most of them the best of our seamen.

I supose our next enterprize will be towards Chottagam, a place neere the coast of Arraccan. The Rᵗ Honᵇˡᵉ Compᵃ possative orders are for endeavouringe the takinge it; but I feare we shall not have strength sufficient to effect it, the Nabob haveinge sent many thousand of [men] this yeare ther to over run and take the kingdome of Arracan. The king of that country beinge some tyme since dead, part of the people are in rebelion against the present govermᵗ; by whᶜʰ its supos’d the Mogullers will goe farr in takeing that country this yeare, and we frustrated of our designe.

Honᵇˡᵉ Sir, I have not writt to any of owners (except the 2 in charty party), beleivinge we shall returne to Madras before the Williamson sailes for England. Our ship is in a very good condition and very thite. I beleive our stay in India will be the extreme of our tyme, for at present noe prospect of a freight for Europe; and I feare the brave trade of Bengall will be lost, at whᶜʰ the Dutch and French rejoyce, that this trade may wholy fall to them.

I have not elce to add; only please to present my duty, respects, and love to all our deere relations and freinds. Thus, wᵗʰ my due respects to yoʳ selfe and my good lady sister, doe remaine,

Sʳ I recᵈ yoʳ letter, alsoe one from my wife sent per the Defence; and returne my humble thancks for it.

For the Honᵇˡᵉ Sʳ Richᵈ Haddock, at his house on Tower Hill. Present. London.

[a] Chuttanuttee, now Calcutta.

[b] Early in 1686 the Company fitted out an expedition to retaliate on the Nawab of Bengal for past injuries, and to attempt to seize Chittagong. But before the arrival of the forces a premature quarrel with the natives forced the English to abandon Hoogly and retire to Chuttanuttee. In Sept. 1687, a truce was patched up, but the Company was not satisfied. An armament was despatched under command of Heath. The result was the attack on Balasore, as told in this letter, an abortive attempt on Chittagong, and the abandonment of the Company’s factories in Bengal.—See Mill’s Hist. of British India, book i. chap. v.

[c] Farwana, the licence granted by a viceroy; as distinguished from a firman, granted by a sovereign.

Richard Haddock [a] to his Father, Sir Richard Haddock.

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,

Cozen Ruffin is alive and very well. I will write yᵉ particulars of our fight as soon as wee come into any port.

[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.

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,

[a] Probably related to Admiral Sir John Chicheley.

Sir Richard Haddock to his son Richard.

I have yoʳˢ of yesterday’s date, from the Downes, wᶜʰ brings us the joyfull tydeings of yoʳ safe arrivall there. Yoʳ long passage from Newfoundland put us in great feare of your wellfare, and perticularly your moʳ hath bine for a month or 5 weekes crying for you and yoʳ brother Nicˢ safety; but blessed be God you are both come well home. Your broʳ now with us came up from the Downes by leave from his Captⁿ, and hath behaved himself with so much bravery and couradge that he hath gained the good report of the Duke of Ormond, his Captⁿ, &c., both in the action at Rotta and St. Mary Port,[a] and Vigo, and was the first man that borded one of the gallions at Vigo,[b] wᶜʰ is come home. I do not find by yoʳ letter that you were wᵗʰ your Comodore at the takeing and destroying the French shipps to the southwards of Trepassa,[c] and consequently you will not come in for your share of that capture. The news papers tells us yoʳ prize is got into Plymᵒ, and for your boate wᵗʰ 5 men you say you left behind at Plymᵒ we never heard anything of it, wᶜʰ gives you trouble; and because you write not of my Coz Wᵐ’ˢ [d] wellfare, I am conscernd for feare he might be in that boate. To morrow morning I intend to go to yᵉ Admᵗʸ and endeavor you may come into the River, if his R. Highness orders your cleaneing.

God Allmighty hath blest yᵉ forces of her Majᵗʸ and her Allies, both by land and sea, in a wonderfull manner; for wᶜʰ we lately had a publick day of thanksgiveing in this citty. The Queene, House of Lords and Comons, wᵗʰ the Bishops, Judges, &c. came to Sᵗ Paul’s Church, where, after sermon, Te Deum was sung.

Since your leaveing England, two of our bord are dead, vizᵗ. Mr. Sotherne and my good freind Comʳ Willshaw,[e] who dyed yᵉ 23ᵈ Sepʳ last. My Coz Anna Babb, that was in one of our almes houses at Stepny, is likewise dead, and my poore Cozⁿ Lockwood’s son in law, Cozⁿ Hodges, dyed lately at Gosport, since his arrivall from Cadix and Vigo, who waited a tender on yᵉ Duke of Ormond’s shipp. We are all in good health, praised be God, and do kindly salut you. I am your most afectionᵗ father,

Pray let me know how yoʳ shipp proves. I have concernd my selfe to get one of yᵉ 4ᵗʰ rates building at Deptford for you, and this day spake to Sʳ Geo. Rooke about it, and formerly to yᵉ other 3 Councill of yᵉ Lord High Admˡˡ. I know she is tender by your reifeing your courses; and twas well hinted in yours to yᵉ Admᵗʸ. I am glad you past by Plymᵒ. Orders went thither some tyme since to cleane you and severall of yoʳ consarts.

On Her Majesty’s Service. To Captⁿ Richard Haddock, Comandʳ of her Majᵗʸ Shipp the Reserve, these present, In yᵉ Downes.

[a] In the expedition against Cadiz, the Duke of Ormond effected a landing at Rota at the north end of the Bay of Cadiz, on the 15th August, and occupied Puerto de Santa Maria, on the east of the Bay, six days afterwards.

[b] The attack on the shipping in Vigo took place on the 12th October.

[c] Trepassey, in Newfoundland.

[d] This is probably the William Haddock noticed by Charnock, Biographia Navalis, iv. 44, who died in 1726. He may have been the son of Richard Haddock, Sir Richard’s uncle.

[e] Thomas Willshaw, Commissioner of the Navy and Master of the Trinity House.

The same to the same.

Your letter of the 17ᵗʰ Novʳ past, giveing me accᵗ of the unhapy disaster of your ship being run ashore by a Dutch pilot and of your happy getting off againe, I recᵈ 3 or 4 ds. after its date; but, hopeing you might have gote away before an answer could arrive you, I forbore answering it to you to Helvoet Sluce. I have just now recᵈ yours of the 7ᵗʰ instant, Tuesday, and, to our great joy, the accᵗ of God Almighty’s wonderfull preservation of you in the late most dreadfull storm,[a] wᶜʰ no man liveing can remember the like. I perseave you have had an accᵗ of the most sad and lamentable efects of it heere in England, not only in the losse of our shipp[ing], but about 1500 men in the Queen’s shipps. I shall not eneumerate yᵉ perticulars of the losse, only that Capt. Emes,[b] wᵗʰ his wife and son and all yᵉ men in yᵉ Restauration, lost on yᵉ Goodwin, and poore Tom Blake drowned at Bristoll in yᵉ Canterbury store ship cast away. The Dorcetshire we have accᵗ of her being on yᵉ back of Yarmᵒ Sands, cruseing, I supose for want of anchors and cables, and hope yᵉ Association is cruseing in the sea on the like occasion. My deare son Nicᵒ hapend to be sick on bord her, as Sʳ S. Fairebone [c] wrote me from the Downes. I sent Tom Apleby imediatly to Deale to bring him up; but the ship sailed yᵉ morning before he gote downe. I hope he will come well home to us. Pray God the Russell may be got of yᵉ sands and into Helvoet Sluce.

Wee haue 7 or 8 vessells wᵗʰ anchors and cables in Harwᶜʰ or Oasely bay, ready to put to sea when we heare where Sʳ Stafford is. Sʳ Cloud. Shovell I hope now safe at the Nore; his mainemast cut downe after he had drove 3 leagˢ from yᵉ Longsᵈ, very neare the Galloper. Yᵉ Sᵗ Geo. and R. Oake, now at Blackstakes, rode out yᵉ storme wᵗʰout damage; and the Cambridge I beleive the same. The 4 ships that broke from their ground takle was the Association, Russell, Revenge, and Dorcetshire. The Revenge was in Solebay some tyme since, and furnish wᵗʰ anchors and cables from yᵉ Nottingham and another man of warr yᵗ went out Yarmᵒ roads to looke for our shipps. Capt. Kerr [d] in yᵉ Revenge gave accᵗ that he saw yᵉ Association, Monday last was sevenight; so that we are in hope she is very well. I shall not inlarge, only to give you our kind saluts. Pray God send you wᵗʰ yᵉ King of Spaine well out that place and over to us. My harty and humble service to Sʳ Geo: Rooke.

[a] On the 26th November.

[b] Fleetwood Emms.

[c] Sir Stafford Fairborne, Vice-Admiral of the Red.

[d] William Kerr. Dismissed the service, in 1708, for joining in a contraband trade with the enemy.

Captain Edward Whitaker [a] to Sir Richard Haddock.

Dated on board her Majᵗⁱᵉˢ ship Dorsetshire, in Gibralter Bay, July yᵉ 29ᵗʰ [1704].

I heare give you an accoᵗ of our good success, especially what has related to my own particular part. July 21ˢᵗ we anchor’d here in yᵉ Bay, and about 4 in the afternoon landed about 2000 marrines, Dutch and all. I commanded yᵉ landing with three captaines more; all which was don wᵗʰ little opposition. About 40 horse came downe from yᵉ towne, wᶜʰ was all; and they run away soe soon as our guns began to play upon them. We landed about 2 miles from the towne, in yᵉ Bay, and march’d directly to the foot of the hill, were they posted themselves within muskett shott of the gates; so cutt of all manner of communication from yᵉ land. We hove into yᵉ towne this evening about 17 shells. The Prince of Hess [b] landed with us and immediatly sent a summons to the Governer, wᶜʰ did not returne any answer tell the next morning, and then the Governer said he would defend the towne to the very last. Then Admirall Byng, who commanded the cannonading, began to draw up all his ships in a line before the towne; but, it proving little wind, could not gett in with them all, so that we did little this day. There was three small ships in the old mold, one of which annoy’d our camp by fireing amongst them, having about 10 guns lying close in the mold and just under a great bastion at yᵉ north corner of the towne. I proposed to Sʳ George [c] the burning her in the night. He liked itt; accordingly ordered what boats I would have to my assistance; and about 12 at night I did it effectually, wᵗʰ the loss of but one man and 5 or 6 wounded.

July 23rd. At 4 this morning, Admˡ Byng began with his ships to cannonade, a Dutch Rear Admˡ with 5 or 6 ships of theirs along with him; which made a noble noise, being within half shot of the towne. My ship not being upon service, I desired Sʳ George to make me his aducon to carry his comands from tyme to tyme to admirall Byng, which he did accordingly; and after about 2 hours continuall fireing sent me with orders to forbare. Upon this I went to every ship in the line wᵗʰ this orders, and coming on board Capt. Jumper,[d] in yᵉ Lenox, found him extraordinary well posted within muskett shott of the new mold head, and had beat them all out of yᵉ battery and of the mold, so that I beleived we might attack it with our boats. I went immediatly and acquainted Admˡ Byng wᵗʰ it, who ordered all the boats to be man’d and arm’d. From him I went to Sʳ George and gave him my oppinion that the mold might be attack’d. He immediatly made the signall for all the boates in yᵉ fleet, and gave me the command of yᵉ attack, wᵗʰ 3 or 4 captaines along wᵗʰ me. I made all the hast I could with orders to Admirall Byng to send me accordingly; but some of the boats got ashore before I could reach them, wᵗʰ little or no opposition. Severall of our men gott into yᵉ Castle; upon which it blew up. We had kill’d between 40 and 50 men. Most of all the boates that landed first were sunk; about 100 or two wounded; upon which, all yᵗ remain’d came running downe and leap’d into the water, being so mightyly surprized. I landed within a minute after the accident, and rallied our men. We went over a breach in the wall but one at a time, and took possesstion of the hill. I immediatly sent Capt. Roffy [e] and Capt. Acton,[f] wᵗʰ between 40 and 50 men, and took possesstion of a bastion of 8 guns within less then half muskett shott of the towne wall: and there we pitch’d our collours. Soon after, Admˡ Byng came ashore to me and sent in a drumer wᵗʰ a sommons, who returnd in about 2 hours wᵗʰ a letter in answer that they would surrender the next day; wᶜʰ they accordingly did. I beleive I had wᵗʰ me, at the first onsett, between 2 and 300 men; but we grew in a very little time to neare 1000. This was the manner we took Gibralter, which I hope we shall maintaine.

I hope, Sʳ, youle excuse this trouble I give, butt, beleiving that every boddy here rights att this tyme uppon this occation, I could not forbeare giveing my very good friend Sʳ Ricᵈ this perticuler accᵗᵗ of yᵉ whole matter; which I dont doubt butt Capt. Haddock will give yᵉ much yᵉ same accoᵗᵗ. Pray please to favour my spouse with a line or two, feareing mine should miscarry. My most humble servis to my good lady and all yʳ good family. I beg youle make use of this as farre as you shall think fitt, itt being a trew accoᵗᵗ of yᵉ whole matter.

[a] Afterwards knighted and Rear-Admiral. This letter has been printed by Charnock in his Biographia Navalis; but it is worth re-printing.

[b] George, Prince of Hesse-Darmstadt.

[c] Rooke.

[d] Afterwards Sir William Jumper, Commissioner of the Navy.

[e] Kerril or Kerrit Roffey.

[f] Edward Acton, killed in action in 1706.

Nicholas Haddock [a] to his Father Sir Richard Haddock.

This comes to you by the Faulcon pink, which is sent home express wᵗʰ the good news of our releiving Barcelona in the greatest extremity. The French had made preparations for a generall assault that very day we came; and it must have been infallibly taken, had we not had the luckiest passage imaginable (being but five days from Lisbon to Cape Martin, where we joynd Sʳ Jno. Leake).

Saturday last in the morning, when were about 5 leagues to the wᵗward of Barcelona, my Lord Peterborow came of to the fleet wᵗʰ twelve hundᵈ soldiers embarqued in felucas and boats, and in the afternoon got in and landed them, wᵗʰ all the soldiers out of the transports and most of the marines of the fleet. We have now about nine thousand soldiers in the towne. The French army consisted at first of twenty thousand; four of wᶜʰ, horse under the command of the Duke of Anjou.[b] Their loss during this seige is computed to be five [thousand] including a thousand sick and wounded they have left behind, when they raised the seige, wᶜʰ was at twelve aclock last night. They have left 50 peices of brass cannon mounted and 15 mortars, and are now bound to Roussilion. They will find great difficultys on their march. The Miquelets,[c] being very numerous and all in arms, will destroy a great many of ’em before they get out of Catalonia, it being a close country. The French squadron before this place consisted of 26 saile, line of battle ships. They sailed the night before we came, having intelligence of us by their scouts. They were all the supply the army had for provisions, for the Catalans have not given them the least; nor could a man of ’em stirr from his tent a musquet shot out of the Camp but they killed him. We are now sending four ships with 6 hundred soldiers for Girone, to reinforce that garrison, lest the French should make any attempt on it, it lying in their way.

I hear there is an express come to Barcelona from my Lord Gallaway, giving an account of his being got to Toledo and on his march for Madrid. The lucky turn Providence has given to our affairs in these parts I suppose will be joyfull news in England; and this being the first certain accᵗ you’l have, this long letter wont seem tedious.

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,

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.

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,