<P_10>

<heading:edcomment:CAPTAIN_RICHARD_HADDOCK_TO_HIS_WIFE>

On bord y=e= R. James , (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,10.3)

at anchor 4 miles w=th=out St. Hellens , (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,10.4)

this 6th May , 1672 ; (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,10.5)

Sonday night . (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,10.6)

My deare Betty , This afternoone we arrived this place w=th= our noble
fleet . (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,10.7)

W=th=in , at Spitthead , we see y=e= French fleet gote heere before us
$will $be {TEXT:wilbe} good company . (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,10.8)

Tomorrow I doubt not but we shall joyne w=th= them .
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,10.9)

A few daies will prepare us to goe to seeke y=e= Hollanders , who are
out . (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,10.10)

We saw some of there scouts that day we sailed out y=e= river .
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,10.11)

I have no other news to write thee at present .
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,10.12)

I hope these will find y=e= at London , where I advize thee to stay
that I may the more certainely direct my letters to the .
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,10.13)

I shall not be wanting to give the advice by all opertunities how itt
fares with us . (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,10.14)

God Almighty preserve and keepe the and us in good health ,
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,10.15)

and in His good tyme send us a ioyfull meeteing .
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,10.16)

My deere love to all myne and thy loveing relations .
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,10.17)

W=th= intire saluts to thy selfe and my daughter , I remayne thyne ,
whilst I am Richard Haddock . (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,10.18)

My love to my deare Coz Goodlad at Wapping . (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,10.19)

Pray venture a letter or two to Portsm=o= to me .
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,10.20)

R. H. (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,10.21)

<heading:edcomment:THE_SAME_TO_THE_SAME>

On bord the Royall James , (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,10.23)

this 14th May , 1672 ; (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,10.24)

Tuesday evening , (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,10.25)

at anchor neere Dungenesse . (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,10.26)

My dearest Love , These are to give the an acc=t= of my wellfare and
good health , w=ch= I blesse God I doe injoy .
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,10.27)

We are now at anchor neere Dungenesse w=th= our whole fleet ,
consisting of men of warr , English and French , about or 22 fireships
, and many small vessells besides . (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,10.28)

We have bine tydeing it up from the Isle of Wind {COM:sic} .
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,10.29)

Ever since <P_11> Wedensday last the winds have hung easterly .
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,11.30)

The Dutch fleet , we heard yesterday , were at y=e= North Forland .
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,11.31)

We doe our utmost endeavor to get to them , if they have a mind to
fight us . (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,11.32)

To y=e= westwards of y=e= Downes they may easely be w=th= us ;
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,11.33)

but we judge there designe is to ingage us amongst the sands , w=ch=
posibly they may be deceaved in there expectation .
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,11.34)

God Almighty goe along w=th= us and give us victory over our enemyes .
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,11.35)

I know I shall not want thy prayers and the well wishes of all my deare
relations for my preservation . (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,11.36)

We have a brave fleet and , in the maine , well mand .
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,11.37)

For our parts we doe not complayn , haveing neere men on bord us ; y=e=
Duke , I beleive , and upwards . (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,11.38)

It is probable , before we ingage , we may have y=e= ships in the river
ioyne w=th= us , w=ch= are or 11 men of warr and 4 fire ships .
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,11.39)

I desire we may put our strength in God Almighty ;
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,11.40)

but soe noble a brave fleet have not bine seene together in our dayes .
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,11.41)

My deare , speake to my bro=r= Joseph for the ballence of the mony I
desired him to rec=e= for me of Mr. Forth and Mr. Beare , and to pay
out of it severall debts w=ch= at present I doe not remember the
perticulars . (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,11.42)

I know not how to direct the to answer these , nor where you may send
to meet us . (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,11.43)

If this arrive yo=u= on Thursday , you may venture a lyne or two to
Dover Road , where posibly we may stop 24 houres to watter ,
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,11.44)

and next I supose for Sowle Bay or the coast of Holland .
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,11.45)

Desire my Coz Goodlad , the draper , to rec=e= three pounds for the of
Cozen Boys , w=ch= is due April last ; (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,11.46)

and pray , when the bond is due of Mr. Welsted and Temple , goe to them
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,11.47)

and rec=e= the interest +L 9 , (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,11.48)

and desire them to lett me have +L or more , if posible , to suply my
occasions . (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,11.49)

Thou knowest the imploym=t= I am in is very expensive ,
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,11.50)

and therfore let me not faile of haveing +L at least of them .
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,11.51)

$$T $was$ {TEXT:Twas} Mr. Welsted's promise in a month ,
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,11.52)

but I have stayd neere weeks . (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,11.53)

Pray let me know w=t= is done w=th= the mony in bro=r= Hurleston's
hands and brother Thornburgh . (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,11.54)

I know they will be very kind . (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,11.55)

I have heere inclosed sent the my will , w=ch= have made for all good
respects . (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,11.56)

I desire the to keepe it by the , sealed as it is .
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,11.57)

If God Almighty in His providence should take me <P_12> out this life ,
you will find I have not failed of my promise to thee , though I have
some reason to lament the kindnes done me by thy freinds ;
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,12.58)

but that shall not trouble me at this tyme . (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,12.59)

God Almighty , I doubt not , will preserve me , that I may live to see
the againe w=th= ioy and comfort . (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,12.60)

Pray lett me know by some meanes or other of the receipt of these .
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,12.61)

My deare love to my sister Jessen , bro=r= and sister Thornburgh ,
bro=r= Hurlestone . (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,12.62)

My respects to my Unckle Moyer ; all of them .
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,12.63)

My kind saluts to my dear Coz Goodlad at Wapping .
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,12.64)

To all my loveing freinds comend me . (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,12.65)

My deare , I have only to add my prayers to God for thy wellfare .
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,12.66)

W=th= my intire love and saluts to thee and my daughter , I remaine
Thyne , till death us p=t= , Richard Haddock .
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,12.67)

These I send to Dover by our kitch , who is goeing to watter for us ,
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,12.68)

but doe beleive we may get thither ourselves as soone .
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,12.69)

<heading:edcomment:THE_SAME_TO_THE_SAME>

R. James , neare Sowle Bay , (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,12.71)

this 21 May , 1672 ; (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,12.72)

Tuesday evening . (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,12.73)

My deare Betty , The 18th instant , w=ch= was Satuarday last , I wrote
the by one of the yachts , and as thou advised .
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,12.74)

Y=e= next day we saw the Dutch fleet . (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,12.75)

We drew ours into a lyne of bataile , the French leading , we in the
reare , all prepared to fight , haveing stav'd and heft over bord all
ours , and I think all the cabins of the whole fleet .
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,12.76)

The Hollanders stood over for y=e= Flaunders Banks and y=e= Weelings .
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,12.77)

About 7 at night we were up w=th= them in a lyne , as they lay in the
same posture very orderly to rec=e= us ; (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,12.78)

but , finding it would have bine darke before we could have well began
with them , being about 4 or 5 miles to leewards of us , y=e= wind at
W.S.W. , we thought it not convenient to ingage them .
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,12.79)

Y=e= night following , upon there tacking of , we tackt in y=e= reare ,
y=e= whole fleet following to keep them to <P_13> leewards of us , as
we did y=t= night by our twice tacking againe .
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,13.80)

Yesterday morning it proved a very thick fogge .
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,13.81)

We w=th= our division anchored , standing in w=th= the Banks of
Flaunders of Oostend . (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,13.82)

About in y=e= morning , upon cleareing up , we wayed anchor , y=e=
Dutch fleet 3 miles to leewards of us . (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,13.83)

We stood of (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,13.84)

and mett our fleet standing in . (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,13.85)

Y=e= Dutch stood of w=th= us . (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,13.86)

This day it proved much wind , that we could not fight them ; whereupon
we stood in to our shore N.W. , (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,13.87)

and about 1$$2 seas over we anchored all night .
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,13.88)

This morneing we saw y=e= fleet again . (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,13.89)

We stood of towards them , expecting they would have stood w=th= us ;
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,13.90)

but they stood of intending to draw us over amongst those shoulds , to
fight them there . (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,13.91)

We keeping our wind , and they bearing away , as we suposed , from y=e=
wind , we lost sight of them . (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,13.92)

It blowing hard we tackt , (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,13.93)

and now come neare to Sowle Bay , where I supose we may stay a day or
two to watter our fleet . (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,13.94)

This day came into us the Katherine , Princes , and Advice , w=th= 2
fire ships more ; soe y=t= I supose we are neerer then fowerscore men
of warr , upwards 25 fireships , amongst w=ch= my unckle R.H. is come .
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,13.95)

The Dutch fleet not soe many men of warr as we , I beleive , by 8 or
saile , many small vessels and fire ships . (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,13.96)

Had it pleased God yesterday to have given us faire weather , God
assisting , we had given a good acc=t= of o=r= actions ; our men briske
and brave and very ready and willing to fight .
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,13.97)

The Earle of Bristow on bord w=th= us . (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,13.98)

I thinke a fourth part the nobles of England in the fleett .
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,13.99)

This I send on shore to Sowle , to take its fortune towards thee .
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,13.100)

Being in hast , have not tyme to wright any body else .
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,13.101)

If my bro=r= Bradenham be in towne , show him this letter .
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,13.102)

I two dayes since rec=d= a letter from Mr. Clarke , y=e= apothecary ,
w=th= a case of spiritts , come very opertunely <paren> as he wrights
me </paren> to raise my courage , (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,13.103)

but I have not yet tasted them . (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,13.104)

Pray returne him my kind thanks . (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,13.105)

I hope shall survive this war to make him amends .
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,13.106)

My deare , I should be glad to heare from the ,
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,13.107)

but I know not how . (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,13.108)

I shall not be wanting to give the a constant advice , as opertunity
presents , of my <P_14> wellfare and our actions .
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,14.109)

$You $'ll {TEXT:Youl} excuse me to my loveing relations y=t= I wright
none of them . (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,14.110)

At present it is fowle weather . (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,14.111)

Am glad we gote hither , (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,14.112)

for stormy weather may shatter us and disable us more then a bataile .
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,14.113)

God Almighty be our guard and defence , (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,14.114)

and give us victory over our enemyes . (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,14.115)

His providence hath hitherto prevented our ingageing twice .
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,14.116)

My deare and loveing saluts to all my loveing relations at Rederif ,
and to my lo: Coz . Goodlad at Wapping and London , &c .
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,14.117)

W=th= intire love and saluts to thyselfe w=th= my daughter , I remaine
Thy loveing husband till death us part , Richard Haddock .
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,14.118)

His Royal Highness the Duke of Yorke is very zeolus to ingage y=e=
Dutch , God sending a good opportunity and watter enough under our
keels . (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,14.119)

I had almost forgot to desire the to returne my thanks to Capt.
Grantham for y=e= barill of Muscadine he brought me from Mr. Wilkinson
, of Messina , and for a chest of Florence he sent me from himselfe ,
w=th= seavrall other things , all w=ch= I rec=ed= , w=th= a chest of
Florence for my Lord Sandw=ch= . (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,14.120)

Pray pay him three pound for it . (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,14.121)

I shall rec=e= it heere of Mr. Lowe , my Lord's serv=t= .
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,14.122)

Thyne , R. Haddock . (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,14.123)

{COM:insert_helsinki_1_here}

<P_19>

<heading:edcomment:CAPTAIN_RICHARD_HADDOCK_TO_HIS_WIFE>

On bord the R. Charles , (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,19.127)

this 29th May , 1673 ; (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,19.128)

7 leagues of Oostend . (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,19.129)

My dearest Love , These are to give the an acc=t= of God's goodnes to
me . (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,19.130)

I am very well and in health , praised be His name therfore .
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,19.131)

Yesterday , the 28th instant <paren> y=e= same day twelve month they
atacqued us in Sowle bay </paren> , we atacqued the Dutch fleet ,
consisting of 74 or 76 men of warr and fire ships , as the Dutch
prisoners informe us . (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,19.132)

We set upon them in the Schoon Velt , the wind at W.N.W=t=. ,
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,19.133)

but changed to y=e= N.N.E. in the bataile towards evening .
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,19.134)

We buoyed the outward banks w=th= our smacks and ketches ,
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,19.135)

and had a smart brush with them from 12 at noone as long as day light
lasted . (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,19.136)

The damage we have done them we certainly know not .
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,19.137)

Severall of ther ships we disabled , w=ch= we forced into leewards :
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,19.138)

Trump , whose squadron we ingaged w=th= ours , shifted his ship once ,
if not twice . (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,19.139)

What number of men we have lost in the fleet not yet $known {TEXT:know}
; (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,19.140)

I believe not . (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,19.141)

In our ship not above , as I can learne ; (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,19.142)

some $mortally {TEXT:mortality} wounded , others dismembred .
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,19.143)

Amongst our dead men is poore Capt. Wasey , who first lost his arme
close to his shoulders and about 6 howers after dyed of his wounds .
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,19.144)

My brother Joseph very well ; (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,19.145)

was w=th= me last night after y=e= bataile .
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,19.146)

My unckle Richard very well : (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,19.147)

he hath burnt his ship ; (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,19.148)

was faire to burne De Rutter within his length , when they shote his
masts about his eares ; for w=ch= indeavoured service y=e= Prince hath
given him one hundred pounds , and gratified <P_20> also his oficers ,
&c . (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,20.149)

I supose we shall not atacque them in that place againe .
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,20.150)

Our greatest care was to keepe cleere of the sands in that narrow hole
. (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,20.151)

Our ship , so tender with a saile that we fought w=th= the watter some
tymes comeing into our lower tire of ports , w=ch= was very
disadvantagious , could not do that service intended by us .
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,20.152)

There is severall Cap=ts= killed that we have already an account of ;
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,20.153)

I hope no more . (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,20.154)

Capt. Finch in the Yorke , Capt. Tempest in the Sweepestakes , Capt.
Fowles in the Lyon ; and Capt. Werden , in the Heneretta , $mortally
{TEXT:mortality} wounded . (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,20.155)

We have severall of our ships shattered , not above two disabled , and
none , as I heare of , lost , but 2 or 2 {COM:sic} fire ships burnt .
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,20.156)

We ride now w=th=in 3 leagues of the Dutch fleete ;
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,20.157)

they ride in the place we atacqued them in , and we in our former birth
, only about 2 leagues further of the shore .
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,20.158)

How soone we shall fight them againe $can $not {TEXT:cannot} resolve ,
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,20.159)

but in y=e= place they now ride I iudge we shall not atacque them a
second tyme . (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,20.160)

I beleive the Prince may shift his ship and goe into some other ;
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,20.161)

but of y=t= in my next . (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,20.162)

I desire that thanks and prayes may be returned to Almighty God for his
preservation of me . (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,20.163)

My humble duty to my deare mother ; (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,20.164)

loving saluts to my brothers and sisters , and all my deare relations .
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,20.165)

God in mercy blesse and preserve them all , (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,20.166)

and send us a joyfull meeteing . (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,20.167)

W=th= my intire love and saluts to thee w=th= my daughter and litle
Dickee , I remaine Thine , till death us part , Richard Haddock
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,20.168)

We have a rumor that Capt. Trevanion is killed , comd=g= the
Dreadnought ; (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,20.169)

but I hope it is not true . (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,20.170)

<P_21>

{COM:insert_helsinki_2_here}

<heading:edcomment:THE_SAME_TO_THE_SAME>

R. Charles , rideing N=o= , 7 leagues from Oostend ,
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,21.174)

this 1st June , 1673 ; (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,21.175)

Sonday . (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,21.176)

My deare Betty , Wee ride in sight of our neighbours the Dutch , not
above 3 $in {TEXT:or} 4 leagues distant . (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,21.177)

This morning they were under saile ; (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,21.178)

we thought <P_22> they would have come of to us .
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,22.179)

We put ourselves in a posture to rec=e= them .
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,22.180)

They have now the wind of us , being easterly ;
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,22.181)

and may come out if they please . (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,22.182)

This morning we have acc=t= from a good hand from Oostend y=t= they
sent in 6 or 7 disabled ships to Flushing , two whereof sunck in going
in . (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,22.183)

They likewise sent on shore or wounded men ,
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,22.184)

and , as they advize from Oostend , com=d= was given not to speake of
the fight at Flushing . (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,22.185)

So doe beleive , till they recrute ther strength , we shall not heare
of them ; (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,22.186)

however , we are not wanting to prepare ourselves ag=t= they come .
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,22.187)

The Swiftsure is this day come to us ; (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,22.188)

had like to have bine snapt Tuesday last by the Amsterdam squadron y=t=
came into the Schoom Velt tyme enough to fight .
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,22.189)

I have but little else to write to thee . (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,22.190)

S=r= Roger Strickland sends his hoy to Deptford for watter ;
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,22.191)

and these goe by S=r= Ed. Spragg's yacht , who carves up one Coll.
Hambliton into the River , who lost his legg on bord us .
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,22.192)

Pray lett me heare from thee by one or both of them .
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,22.193)

My humble duty to my deare mother ; (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,22.194)

love and saluts to all freinds in gen=ll= . (RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,22.195)

Wth my deare love to thy selfe , my daughter , and little Richard , I
remayne Thyne , till death us part , Richard Haddock .
(RHADDSR-1670-E3-P2,22.196)