the omission of all steps against the assassins. On compliance with these claims, an alliance with the United Provinces was gravely proffered as before. These demands produced no surprise, for so little expectation had been formed of any pacific result from the negotiation, that the Dutch had been getting a fleet of one hundred and fifty ships of war ready for sea, during the absence of their ambassadors; and it now became certain that the first encounter of the respective national fleets, would terminate in direct hostilities.*

More space has been occupied in giving a due notion of the circumstances which led to the Dutch war, than usually belongs to the detail of historical events in biography, because it was desirable to exhibit the state of national feeling at the period when hostilities commenced. The nature of the rivalry with the Dutch came close home to the bosoms of a trading people; the pretensions of their navy must have still more forcibly assailed the pride and spirit of the seamen of a country, whose insular situation and previous exploits had marked it out for naval dominion. Blake was precisely a man to feel this stimulus in the highest possible degree; not to mention the strong republican notions of national glory, which he appears, in common with many other distinguished men of the day, to have owed to his classical studies. It was the great defect of Greek and Roman patriotism, that it would too frequently sacrifice not only justice, but the public interest, to advance the public glory. There is little reason to complain of Admiral Blake on this score; but it doubtless tended to conduct him to that general conclusion, which, in all the changes of the times, he continually impressed on his officers and seamen. “It is our duty," said he, "to defend the country, into whatever nands the government may fall;" or in still more characteristic phraseology, "under all circumstances, to prevent the foreigners from fooling us."

The ambassadors of the United Provinces were still in London, when a Dutch fleet of forty-five sail appeared in the Channel, under the command of Admiral Van Tromp, acknowledged to be one of the bravest and most experienced sea officers in Europe. The pre

Rapin's Hist. of England, 8vo. edit. vol. xi. p. 60. Campbell's Lives of the Admirals, vol. ii,

tended object of this squadron was to convoy some merchantmen; but it most unnecessarily anchored in Dover Roads, and from the circumstances which followed, apparently with a design to provoke hostilities. A small squadron of eight ships being then in the Downs, under the command of Major, afterwards Rear Admiral Bourne, that officer sent to know the reason of this unusual demonstration. Van Tromp pleaded stress of weather; which excuse being evidently untrue, Blake was ordered to the Downs, with such ships as were ready. On the appearance of the English fleet, Van Tromp weighed anchor, and bore up to it nearer than was necessary, and that too without striking his flagthe mark of homage which had always been paid to England in the narrow seas. To remind him of the expected salute, Blake fired a gun without ball; on which Van Tromp is said to have also fired a single gun on the contrary side, as if in derision. Blake fired a second, and then a third gun, on which Van Tromp answered with a broadside. Perceiving that it was the intention of the Dutch to fight, Blake advanced with his own ship, to discuss with Van Tromp the point of honour, and by explanation to spare the effusion of blood; but the latter cut short all negotiation, by firing a broadside into the English Admiral's ship, which, it is said, shattered his cabin windows. Blake was extremely incensed at this insult, and quickly ordered his men to answer the Dutch Admiral in his own way; but his anger evaporated in a somewhat coarse sea joke," he took it very ill of Van Tromp that he should take his ship for a brothel, and break his windows." Blake singly sustained the brunt of the attack, until the remainder of his fleet and the squadron of Major Bourne could join him, when the fight became general, and lasted from 5 o'clock until night. In this engagement, which took place on the 19th of May 1652, the Dutch, notwithstanding their numerical superiority, appear to have lost two ships; and the advantage, although not otherwise of much moment, was decidedly in favour of the English.*

As each of the admirals had been directed, if possible, to place the blame of commencing hostilities upon the other, Van Tromp, in his official des

Heath's Chronicle, p. 319. Lives, English and Foreign, vol. ii. p. 99.

patch positively asserts, that he backed his sails and lowered his flag to the British Admiral, who nevertheless fired the first broadside, and wounded several of his crew; while, on the other hand, Blake's letter as expressly states the contrary. It is difficult to doubt the assertion of an individual so personally honourable as Blake; and it appears that his conduct was fully justified by a report from the Council of State at home, as well as by the popular feeling, which was so much irritated, that it became necessary to grant a guard to the Dutch ambassadors, who attributed the engagement to accident and misconception on both sides. The States sent another envoy, ostensibly to effect a pacification; but the parliament persisting in the same high tone as before, the United Provinces at last recalled their ambassadors, and prepared for a continuation of the war. Both sides issued manifestoes on this occasion; the Dutch to demonstrate that they were attacked without provocation, and the parliament to recapitulate the preceding grievances, to which was now to be added the refusal to strike the flag. To this demand the States had pleaded, that although the Republic, in its infancy, had paid that compliment to the royal dignity of England, they did not hold it due to the Commonwealth. A more indiscreet plea could scarcely have been advanced, to men of the character of those who then ruled the destinies of England; and accordingly it was determined to maintain the national honour at all hazards. "But after all," continues Rapin, with great simplicity, or rather with that conventional language, which it is so usual to apply to commonplace political falsities, "this was by no means the true ground of the war; but these manifestoes were necessary to vindicate the rulers of both Republics, and to impose a belief on the subjects, that they were not plunged into these extraordinary expenses to support a war, without the most evident necessity."+ That is to say, the people were to be deluded into the supposition of a necessity which did not actually exist. It is gratifying to feel assured that this species of delusion, at least, becomes every day more impracticable; and that it is only necessary for the people to be thoroughly convinced of the atrocity as

La Vie de Tromp, p. 17.

Rapin's Hist. of England, vol. xi. p. 62.

well as folly of war undertaken upon any but the most solid grounds, to render it wholly impossible.

The fleet of Blake was rapidly reinforced by the personal exertions of Cromwell and Bond, who repaired to Dover to consult with him on the subject. Some time elapsed before it was in a condition to meet that of the Dutch, which soon amounted to seventy sail; so vigorous were the exertions of those Republicans to obtain a naval superiority over the English. In about a month, Blake deemed himself strong enough to meet the enemy; and, aware of the arduous nature of the expected conflict, he proclaimed a solemn fast and day of humiliation, which both officers and seamen were called upon to observe. The two main fleets, however, did not encounter each other so soon as was expected; and in the mean time, the admiral most effectually exerted himself to annoy the Dutch trade. He then sailed with a strong squadron northward, and in less than a month, captured thirteen Dutch ships of war, being the whole of their Herring convoy. With great and considerate humanity, however, he did not destroy the fishing vessels, but only claimed the tenth Herring, the former tax, for the liberty of fishing on the British coast; nobly declaring his reluctance to waste so much food, to the probable hunger and distress of thousands.*

CHAPTER III.

Return from the North-Engagement with and Defeat of De Witt and De Ruyter--Exertions on both sidesA great Force placed under the Command of Van Tromp-Inferiority of the English Fleet under Blake-Result of the ensuing EngagementVain Glory of Van Tromp-Quick Recovery of Superiority by the English-Series of Engagements with the Dutch-Behaviour of Blake and his Colleagues on the turning out of the Long Parliament-Cromwell assumes the Protectorate-Peace with the Dutch.

BLAKE returned from the north with his prizes, and 900 prisoners; and reached the Downs on the 12th of August, 1652, where he was joined by several more ships; and his fleet being now

Lives English and Foreign, vol. ii. p. 101. Campbell's Lives of the Admirals, vol. vi.

sufficiently strong, he steered over to the Dutch coast. During this cruise he fell in with a French squadron, proceeding to the relief of Dunkirk, and on account of some hostile proceedings at Newfoundland; he captured and carried it into Dover, by which means the former town fell into the hands of the Spaniards. On the 28th of the following month, of September, he met the Dutch fleet, under the command of De Ruyter and De Witt, who, in consequence of the popular dissatisfaction with Van Tromp, in Holland, had succeeded that officer. When Blake discovered the Dutch, he had but three of his ships with him, Vice Admiral Penn's squadron being at some distance; and the remainder of the fleet a league or two astern. He, however, bravely bore in among them, and being soon admirably seconded by the divisions under Penn and Rear Admiral Bourne, the fight began with great animation; and lasted until night, by which time the Dutch saw their Rear Admiral captured, and three other ships destroyed. Blake would have renewed the fight the next day, but the Dutch made all the sail in their power, and reached Goree. The English lost but few men, and not one ship, while the Dutch fleet landed more than 2000 wounded; the disadvantage, according to De Witt, being caused by the cowardice, or disaffection of his captains, irritated by a great arrear of pay and the unprofitable nature of the contest*.

The impolicy of such a war, on the part of a commercial people like the Dutch, was by this time apparent; for Blake, with his usual activity, had made use of his success, so as to annoy their trade in all quarters. The ill humour created by their losses vented itself with great asperity upon De Witt, who was in another way unpopular, from his republican opposition to the ascendancy of the House of Orange. On his return to Flushing, a tumult ensued; and so much disappointment was expressed, that De Ruyter was anxious to resign his commission, and De Witt took to his bed from pure chagrin. Considerable pains were taken by the States to remedy the late disasters; commissioners were appointed to inquire into the conduct of the offending captains; and the fleet being refitted, was once more put under the command of

Whitelocke's Memorials, p. 5.6. Ludlow's Me moirs, vol. i. p. 428. Heath's Chron., p. 526.

Van Tromp. The English, on their side, were equally active; an act was passed by the Parliament, requiring all English seamen to return home in forty days, and such as were in India in twelve months: it also directed that all English carpenters,. shipwrights, and other efficient artisans found on board the enemy's ships, should be thrown overboard without mercy. In point of fact, the war was essentially injurious to both countries; except upon that inhuman theory, which holds occasional warfare to be necessary as a species of exercise, and national prosperity to rest securely on established ascendancy alone. Were the power of self-preservation exclusively implied by this doctrine, it might be difficult to controvert it; but unhappily ascendancy in all its guises is disposed to be aggressive, and the power to oppress is almost invariably followed by the inclination. It must, however, be admitted, that the welfare of Great Britain is so intimately connected with naval superiority, that it is difficult altogether to condemn a course of proceedings which has materially conduced to it. Such was certainly the case with this otherwise profitless warfare. Whatever may now be thought of the motives on both sides, the merit of Blake will remain the same: if the contest was necessary, he carried it on with triumphant vigour, and ultimate suc cess; and even if impolitic, he still rendered it as beneficial as it could be made, by the energy and spirit which he infused into the sea service, and the manner in which he made it redound to the honour of the English name.

Nothing is more remarkable during this war, than the transient superiority acquired on either side; at least as regards the number of ships employed, and the power of riding paramount on the high seas. This was partly owing to the smallness of the vessels of war, as compared with such as are now admitted into the line of battle.* Ships

The comparative ease with which this could be effected, will be apparent when it is understood that at this time any merchantman, capable of carrying guns, could with a few alterations be converted into a man of war. It appears on the authority of the

Parliamentary Journals of 1651, containing a list of

merchantmen thus altered for the navy, that a vessel of 900 tons burthen could be made a man of war of 60

guns; and those of 700, 400, 200, 100, and 60 tons, rendered ships of war respectively, of 46, 34, 20, 10, and 8 guns; five or six men being allowed for each gun. It is further to be observed, that naval battles were not then fought in line, the first engagement of that descrip

tion being the celebrated sea fight of the third of June,

1665, in which the Duke of York, afterwards James II., gained a victory over the Dutch Admiral Opdam, whose ship was blown up in the conflict. James, in

could then be prepared and manned with very great celerity, and consequently when exertion became necessary, a strong numerical force was quickly collected. The defeat of De Witt and De Ruyter stimulated the United Provinces to strain every nerve to regain the advantages which they had lost; and Van Tromp again appeared in the Downs in the command of a fleet of fourscore men-of-war. His purpose was to seek Blake, of whose deficiency of force he was probably well informed: the English Admiral had not only been ordered to weaken his fleet by despatching large detachments on different services, but it has been asserted that the Parliamentary Committee, having by this time become jealous of all their great commanders, were careless of repairing the damaged ships, or of expediting the necessary supplies. From some, or all

his "Life," attributes the introduction of the naval line of battle to himself; and if so, it does considerable honour to his professional skill, having been practised without variation by all our great admirals, until Lord Rodney was induced by Clark's" Essay on Naval Tactics, to adopt the maneuvre of break ing the line in his celebrated engagement with

Count de Grasse. The following abstract is con densed from an elaborate list of the British navy, as it existed in 1675, about twenty years after the death of Blake. It is made up from a document in

of these causes, it happened that Blake had only forty ships under him, when Van Tromp appeared at the back of the Goodwin Sands, where these two valiant chiefs had fought before; a choice of position which, it is supposed, he meant to be understood as a sort of national challenge.

Blake placed, by orders from home, in this mortifying state of inferiority, immediately called a council of war, when it was decided that a battle should be hazarded, under all disadvantages. Dr. Johnson, in his life of Blake, blames this resolution as exhibiting more of the rashness of a private soldier, than the wisdom of a commander. Something, however, must be allowed for the reluctance of a man of invincible spirit, to endure a second insult from the same adversary; and probably still more to the state of party at home, where a faction was anxious to lower his popularity. Nor is it quite clear that in a national point of view, more might not have been lost by declining an engagement than by risking a defeat without dishonour. Van Tromp might undertake with a strong and uncrippled fleet, what he would have been unable to effect after a

Teonge; and from a similar statement, supplied to the House of Commons in the same year, both appended to Teonge's published diary. According to these authorities, the navy then consisted of

8 First-rates, of from 100 to 90 guns, varying in tonnage from 1556 to 1102 tons, in length

from 137 to 122 feet, and carrying from 550 to 850 men;

9 Second-rates, of from 84 to 64 guns, varying in tonnage from 1032 to 663 tons, in length from 120 to 110 feet, and carrying from 530

to 410 men ;

22 Third rates, of from 74 to 56 guns, varying in tonnage from 978 to 417 tons, in length from 127 to 107 feet, and carrying from 500 to 340 men;

is to this daring spirit that the English navy owes its high character; and it is scarcely correct to judge of master minds by maxims applicable only to the mediocrity of talent possessed by the great mass of mankind.

After the determination to fight had been taken, the engagement would have commenced immediately, but for a change of wind, which postponed it until the next day. Early in the morning both fleets

tonnage from 657 to 354 tons, in length from 110 to 88 feet, and carrying from 300 to 170

8 Sixth-rates, of from 20 to 4 guns, varying in tonnage from 194 to 35 tons, and carrying

99

from 80 to 45 men; With 49 sloops, doggers, smacks, yachts, fireships, &c. &c., carrying from 12 to 2 guns, and col lectively manned by 1401 seamen, It will be perceived that there is much discrepancy between the rates of tonnage of many of the vessels, and the number of guns which they carrieda fact to be accounted for on the presumption that adapted merchantmen could not always be made to carry guns in proportion to their tonnage; or that very different weights of metal are referred to. Of the foregoing ships, which are rated as in the ori ginal documents, one first-rate, six second-rates, eleven third-rates, twenty-six fourth-rates, one sixthrate, and four smaller vessels-in all forty-nine,

alone existed before the Restoration; which shows the rapid increase of the navy in the brief interval of ifteen years.

lish having the weathergage; and about noon the action began. It appears, that beside the great disparity in numerical strength, the English fleet was so poorly manned, that a great part of it could not engage at all, so that a few ships bore the brunt of the action. Of these the principal were the Victory, the Vanguard, the Garland, and the Triumph, the admiral's own ship. The action lasted until night, a short time previously to which the adventurous captain of the Garland, of forty guns, made a bold attempt to board the ship of Van Tromp, but fell in the attempt, which led to the capture of his own vessel. The Bonaventure, endeavouring to relieve the Garland, was also captured, after the fall of its commander, Blake himself was boarded

twice, and but for the brave manner in which he was supported by the Vanguard and the Sapphire, he would have fallen into the hands of the enemy. Beside the two ships taken, another was run ashore, and the entire fleet was so shattered, that had not night favoured their retreat, the consequences might have been still more disastrous. As it was, they were enabled to reach the Thames, and thereby defeated the intention of Van Tromp to assail them the next day with fire-ships, and complete their destruction. One of the Dutch flag-ships was blown up; and those both of Van Tromp and his vice-admiral, De Ruyter, were so damaged, as to require immediate laying up. This unequal contest lasted from eight in the morning of the 29th November, 1652, to six o'clock in the evening*.

The Dutch admiral, puffed up with this momentary advantage, was so vainglorious as to sail through the channel with a broom at his mast-head, to signify that he had swept away the English from that sea; and the populace of the United Provinces equally elated, with the usual presumption of success, talked of capturing the whole of the English West India islands.

war.

The emptiness of the bravado of Van Tromp, and the futility of the expectations of his countrymen, were soon made apparent; for in about two months Blake, with whom, at his own request, Monk and Deane had been joined in commission, was enabled to repair and fit out a fleet of eighty sail of ships of With these they quickly sought and again encountered Van Tromp, who, with a fleet of seventy sail of vessels of war, and no less than three hundred merchant ships under his convoy, was returning up the Channel from the Isle of Rhé. Blake commenced the action off Portland with twelve ships, led by himself in the Triumph; and so warm was the conflict, that his own ship received no fewer than seven hundred shots in her hull, and might have been sunk but for the timely relief afforded by Captain Lawson in the Fairfax. In this action, which took place on the 18th February, .653, Blake lost his own captain, a distinguished veteran named Ball, his secretary Mr. Sparrow, and received himself a grievous wound in the thigh. As usual, the fight lasted until night, when the Dutch, who had six men-of

Lives English and Foreign, vol. ii. p. 104, t Heath's Chronicle, p. 381.,

war sunk and taken, retired. Blake, after sending ashore his sick and wounded meu, pursued the enemy; and for the two following days occasional encounters took place, in which both sides fought with extraordinary fury. At length the Dutch fleet reached the sands of Calais, where they anchored, and, favoured by the light draft of water of their shipping, they were enabled safely to tide it home. In these engagements the Dutch lost eleven ships and thirty merchantmen; and, according to their own accounts, full 1,500 seamen. The English lost only one ship; but the number of seamen killed and wounded was equal to that of the enemy. It is recorded, that being short of hands, Blake had embarked some regiments of soldiers on this occasion, who contributed greatly to the victory, and most probably their evident utility led to the establishment of regular corps of marines.

Towards the end of the following April, Blake and his former colleagues, with a fleet amounting to a hundred ships of war, attacked a Dutch fleet of seventy sail on their own coast; and, after capturing fifty doggers, drove them into the Texel. They then sailed northwards in search of Van Tromp, who with a rich fleet of merchantmen under convoy, having deemed it hazardous to enter the Channel, had steered round the north of Scotland. With great dexterity that able seaman contrived to escape the three English admirals, and to lead his merchantmen safely into port; a very beneficial service, but almost ludicrously contrasted with his former "top gallant humour," as one of the writers of the period has called it, of sweeping the British shipping from its own seas.

At length. convinced of the absolute necessity of again bestirring themselves with energy, the States enabled Van Tromp to put to sea, with a fleet of one hundred and twenty ships; and on the third of June he came into contact, off the North Foreland, with the English squadrons under Monk and Deane. Almost in the beginning of this engagement, Deane, a commander of distinguished reputation, was carried off by a cannon ball; and although, after a conflict of six hours, the Dutch retired, the success was but equivocal. The arrival of Blake on the fourth, with eighteen fresh ships, turned a partial advantage into a complete victory. Of the Dutch fleet six were sunk and eleven captured, and the number of prisoners amounted