to 1350, of whom six were captains. The English, on the contrary, lost not a single ship, while the number of killed and wounded fell short of 260. In this battle Van Tromp boarded the English viceadmiral Penn, but was not only beaten off, but himself boarded in return, and he would have been taken but for the timely assistance of his colleagues, De Witt and De Ruyter. It was, in fact, only by retiring once more among the flats and shallows of the Dutch coast, that Van Tromp was enabled to save the greater part of his fleet.

The discontent of the people of the United Provinces during these successive defeats and mortifications was extreme; and the alternate despondency and presumption which they displayed, afford a very instructive lesson to those politicians who work on the popular feeling, and lightly employ the ignorance, the prejudices, and the inconstant passions of the multitude. What beyond a candid and patriotic appeal to the actual interests of the people can the honest statesman require? Upon any real emergency would such appeal be less forcible or the motives to exertion less earnest? Who in the long and vague annals of history, abounding as they do with the crimes and errors of the human race, but must perceive the readiness with which men usually answer the calls for sacrifices, when absolutely and evidently necessary? Where is the country whose records do not contain many more examples of brave and patriotic devotion in cases of urgent need, than of shameless and pusillanimous self-abandonment? It is however fair to remark, that rulers often participate in the errors which they propagate; and many a ruinous course of policy has been pursued with a firm conviction that it was just and necessary. Knowledge, then, on both sides is the only corrective: on that of the ruler, that it may not err with good intentions; and on that of the people, that they may discountenance every injurious appeal, whether the motives in which it originate be insidious or sincere.

While these contests were taking place at sea, an important change was effect ing in the government at home. In the month of April, 1653, Cromwell turned out the remnant, or, as it has been usually termed, the Rump of the Long Parliament, and took measures for the

• Blake and Monk's Despatch.

assumption of supreme power. The States and the Royalists looked forward with great anxiety to the manner in which the fleet and its commanders would receive this bold act of usurpation. Whatever hopes they might have formed were quickly terminated by the publication of a formal declaration from Blake, Deane, Monk, and the rest of the sea officers, that notwithstanding the recent changes, they felt that their duty, and the national trust reposed in them, required a continuance of their exertions against the foreign foes of the Commonwealth. Blake, on this occasion, emphatically expressed his often quoted opinion, that it was not their business to mind state affairs, but tɔ prevent the enemy from taking advantage of our domestic disputes. "Remember, "said he, "that we are Englishmen, and that our foes are foreigners."* The unsophisticated good sense of Blake perceived that a maintenance of the British ascendancy at sea, was equally necessary under every sort of sway; and that it was not for foreigners to profit by our dissensions, however they might originate, or to whatever they might conduce, At the same time, he had the less temptation to act otherwise, as the Parliament had, by this time, become exceedingly unpopular with the nation, in consequence of a design to perpetuate themselves being strongly suspected by all parties. The same jealousy, whether well founded or not, had been manifested by the Parliament towards the officers of the navy as to those of the army, which rendered them indifferent to a change, whatever they might think of the character of that which took place. As to Blake himself, he was probably too sincere a Republican to approve cordially of the approaching exaltation of Cromwell; for although on his return home in ill health, immediately after his last victory, he was appointed a commissioner for Somersetshire, in the Mock or Little Parliament, and was otherwise much consulted, it was so exclusively in relation to naval affairs, or foreign warfare, that his name stands perfectly clear of every shadow of imputation of cabal, or intrigue. On this account, as already intimated, he was regarded with respect by the most opposite parties; all of whom beheld in him a spirited and dis

• Fasti. Oxon. vol. i. Coll, 204. Lives English and Foreign, vol, ii. p. 199,

an honour to the English name.

Before the health of the admiral was sufficiently recovered to go to sea again, the fleet commanded by Monk fought the famous battle with that of the United Provinces, which terminated in the death of Admiral Van Tromp, and in a bloody and dear bought victory by the English. Although not present at this engagement, which took place on the 29th, 30th, and 31st of July, 1653, Blake had assisted so much in getting the force equipped, and by his counsel generally, that parliament decreed him a gold chain in common with the other admirals; and in the following October, when he came to London and took his seat in the House of Commons, he was solemnly thanked for his many and important services.*

The formal assumption of the Protectorate by Oliver Cromwell distinguished the close of the year 1653, in which arrangement Admiral Blake appears rather to have acquiesced than assisted. This event was followed by a peace with the United Provinces, with whom negociations had commenced soon after the battle in which Van Tromp lost his life. The terms of this treaty, which was signed in April, 1654, were highly honourable to England: the Dutch gave up every thing they had professed to fight for, although, in the

exaction of some of our claims, there is reason to believe that, satisfied with the honour of maintaining them, Cromwell was not very rigid in their precise fulfilment.

Such was the result of the first of those struggles with the Dutch for naval dominion, which were so uselessly renewed after the Restoration, and which, as far as that direct species of rivalry was concerned, terminated at the Revolution of 1688. To the naval superiority obtained by the English, since that remarkable period in the annals of both, it is scarcely necessary to allude, except, perhaps, for the sake of remarking that while struggles for mere glory are unprofitable at best, they are still more unadvisable, where fluctuating sources of prosperity are called into a contest with great physical superiority, and higher natural advantages. Such was the case with the United Provinces, as compared with Great Britain; to say nothing of the strong motives to a friendly union between them, as regarded the more for

Lives, English and Foreign, vol. ii. p. 109 Winstanley's English Worthies, p. 555.

have since been frequently at war; but on which ever side the provocation has originated, the result has always been most injurious to the States. It must not be presumed, for a moment, that the foregoing argument is advanced with a view of deprecating those glorious contests with powerful tyranny and oppression, like that which released the United Provinces from the yoke of Spain, or in objection to such exhibitions of national spirit and just jealousy for the honour of the country, which are essential to its independence. Here danger may be nobly incurred, and sacrifices justly as well as wisely called for; but how few are the wars of this description, compared with the number of unnecessary conflicts produced by illiberal jealousy, venal intrigue, and personal ambition! However visionary those ideas of perpetual peace may be, which ardent and benevolent minds persuade themselves may be realized, we surely may cherish the hope that the unholy and indefensible warfare, to which we are alluding, will necessarily decrease, in proportion to the diffusion of information among the great mass of mankind.

CHAPTER IV.

Expedition to the Mediterranean Respect paid to Blake by the Officers of France, Spain, and Holland· Negotiation with the Dey of Algiers -Chastisement of the Bey of TunisRedress exacted for injuries and insults to the English in the Mediterranean- -Respect paid to the Protector by the Italian States-War with Spain-Expedition to Cadiz-Пlness of Blake-Exploit at Santa CruzBehaviour of the Admiral in respect to Captain Blake-Sails for England-Death-Funeral Honours -Treatment of his Remains at the Restoration-Character.

In the first parliament called by Cromwell, in September, 1654, Blake was once more chosen to represent his native town of Bridgewater; but, Provinces, the necessity for naval exeralthough by the peace with the United tions was much abridged, the mistaken policy* of Cromwell having decided on

Cromwell had not the merit of perceiving the rising ascendency which the genius of Cardinai Richelieu had been preparing for France; and, consequently, was unconscious how much his decision against Spain, in furtherance of the ambitious views

C

a war with Spain, he was soon called again into active service. The known attachment of the admiral to republicanism has been alleged on this occasion also, as the cause of his appointment to the command of a fleet; but surely, having determined upon hostilities, the selection of the most eminent seaman in the country seems only to have been a matter of course.

In the first instance, however, Blake was despatched in November, 1654, with a formidable fleet into the Mediterranean, to support the honour of the English flag, and to procure satisfaction from the Barbary Powers, for their many acts of piracy against British merchantmen. This expedition was sent out before war was declared against Spain; so that in the ensuing December his fleet entered the port of Cadiz, where he was received with all imaginable respect. This, no doubt, was partly owing to the anxiety of the Spaniards to keep well with the Protector; but no small portion of homage was excited by the known talents and high achievements of the gallant commander himself. Aware of former consequences, a Dutch admiral would not hoist his flag while Blake remained at Cadiz; and a French squadron having stopped one of his tenders, which had been separated from him in a storm, the commander, as soon as he knew to whom he belonged, sent for the captain on board the flagship and drank Blake's health in his presence, under a discharge of five guns.* The Algerines were likewise so daunted by the terror of his name, and so apprehensive of his designs, that, of their own accord, they stopped the Sallee Rovers and made them give up what English prisoners they had on board, which they sent freely to the admiral without ransom. These concessions, however, did not prevent him from sailing to Algiers, where he appeared on the 10th March, 1655, and sent an officer on shore to demand the release of all English captives, and ample satisfaction for the piracies committed on the British trade. The Dey, who seems to have known the best manner of soothing a temper like that of Blake, pleaded his inability to release ships and captives

of that power, would prove nationally injurious. The arrogant spirit of encroachment, displayed by Louis XIV. in the succeeding half century, rendered this impolicy very conspicuous. But a Spanish war was more popular, and, looking to immediate consequences, more profitable than a French one.

Lives, English and Foreign, vol, ii. p. 114,

which had become private property, without producing a mutiny; but the latter he agreed to give up on a moderate ransom per head, and offered to make such a peace with England as should prevent all future hostilities. He accompanied this answer with a large supply of provisions, and for the present, Blake appeared satisfied. It is not unworthy of remark in this place, that these maritime plunderers have continued, in a similar manner, the objects of alternate chastisement and negociation to this hour, when a leading European nation has a fleet before Algiers, on an errand precisely of the same nature as that of Blake's, upwards of one hundred and seventy years ago. It is melancholy to reflect, that a fine and extensive coast like that of the north of Africa, once, too, the seat of great comparative civilization, should have been allowed to remain in the possession of successive hordes of incurable pirates, insolent and rapacious by turns to all Christendom. If endured, because dangerous plans of national aggrandisement might follow their destruction-what a satire upon the moderation of the great Christian powers! If acquiesced in by some nations because a greater injury is inflicted upon others- how discreditable such motives to religion and humanity! Under every view of the case, the long toleration of this nuisance is a disgrace to civilized Europe.

From Algiers, the admiral sailed to Tunis, the Bey of which, relying upon the strength of his fortresses, returned an insolent answer to the message of Blake, and even refused to allow him to supply himself with fresh water. "Here," said the barbarian, “are our castles of Goletto and Porto Ferino; do your worst: do you think that we fear your fleet!" On receiving this hasty reply, the Admiral immediately bore away into Porto Ferino, with his first and second rate ships. He reserved his fire until they had approached within a musket shot of the castle and line of fortifications, when he opened his guns so effectually upon both, that in two hours the castle was rendered defenceless, and the guns on the works along the shore were nearly all dismounted, although no less than sixty had played on the English fleet at one time. Nine ships were lying in the harbour, and Blake ordered every captain,

including even the captain of his own ship, to proceed in their long boats, with chosen crews, and destroy them. This was accordingly executed, with the loss of only twenty-five men killed, and forty-eight wounded, while the Admiral and his fleet covered the assailants from the fire of the castle, by playing continually on it with their cannon. This daring action spread the terror of his name, and produced concessions with very little trouble from the Bey of Tripoli; after which, he again returned to Tunis, where he now met with nothing but submission. As the purpose of this expedition was to procure satisfaction for all the injuries and spoliation suffered by the English in the Mediterranean, during the civil wars, when it was thought they could be inflicted with impunity, several of the minor Christian powers, who had taken similar liberties, were next called to account. Among the rest, the Knights of Malta were obliged to submit to reparation, as also the Duke of Tuscany, who was compelled to pay 60,000l. as a compensation for losses sustained from his subjects by the English. It is added, that the Admiral sent home no less than sixteen ships, laden with effects thus exacted, for insults and injuries endured by English subjects in that sea, during the political struggles which had harassed their country at home.*

These exploits were performed in the spring of 1655, and such a formidable opinion did they create of the power, strength, and tenacity of the English government, that most of the states of Italy thought proper to send messages of compliment to the Protector; and the Grand Duke of Tuscany and the states of Venice, in particular, distinguished themselves by splendid embassies. It is, in fact, difficult to select a period in English history, when the country was so feared and courted, as under the Protectorate of Oliver Cromwell. Some of this deference was, no doubt, attributable to the political situation of Europe at the time, but no small part was due to the great abilities of the Protector, and to the vigour and efficiency of his councils. His instruments too, as in the instance of Blake, were well chosen; and as, by the depression of the ancient aristocracy, he was called upon for few or no sacrifices to family support

Hist. of the Rebellion, vol. ii. p. 580. Heath's Chronicle, p. 366.

and connexions, so he had no occasion to give employments to persons who were unfit for them. He was indeed one of those master spirits, who can employ ability without fearing it—a faculty exceedingly rare, even among able rulers.

By this time, the secret expedition, under Penn and Venables, sent by Crom well to surprise and capture St. Domingo, and which terminated in the taking of Jamaica, had become known to the court of Madrid, which immediately confiscated all the English property in Spain; and the war between the two countries was from that time carried on with extreme vigour and animosity. Blake, of course, did his best to ruin the maritime force of Spain in Europe, as Penn was endeavouring to do in the West Indies; and so great and incessant was his activity, that his constitution began to sink under efforts so unremitting. Fearing that some bad consequences might ensue, if he were not joined by a colleague, proper to take charge of the fleet, in the event of his decease, he suggested the expediency of joining some able commander in the commission with himself; in compli ance with which suggestion, Admiral Montague was sent out, with a strong squadron to reinforce and assist him. Soon after the arrival of Montague, they repaired, with the joint fleet, to Cadiz in 1656, where they continued to blockade a Spanish squadron for several months. The Admiral then having taken the major part of his fleet to the coast of Portugal, to obtain water and refreshments, Captain Stayner, who had been left cruizing with a small squadron, fell in with the Spanish homewardbound Plate fleet, and captured the ViceAdmiral, Rear-Admiral, and another galleon, with two millions of dollars on board; all which prizes, together with the prisoners, were sent to England, under Montague; Blake, notwithstanding his illness, remaining in the Mediterranean.

The maladies with which this indefatigable officer was afflicted, were the dropsy and the scurvy, which now began to make dreadful ravages in his constitution; yet his spirit remained unabated; and being informed that another Plate fleet had put into Santa Cruz in the island of Teneriffe, he sailed thither in the month of April, 1657, with a fleet of twenty-five men-of-war. He arrived in the offing of Santa Cruz on the 20th, where he discovered

six heavy galleons and ten smaller ships moored close to the shore, with their broadsides towards the sea, the inner vessels secured by a boom, and all disposed in such a manner as to present the appearance of being almost unassailable. Nothing seemed to have been omitted by the Spanish commander, a man of courage and conduct, to render a successful attack impossible. The ships were defended not only by a strong castle in a very commanding situation, and furnished with heavy ordnance, but seven additional forts had been erected, mounting from three to six guns each, and united by lines of communication, manned by musketeers. Yet, notwithstanding these able dispositions of the Spanish General, such an idea was generally entertained of Blake's enterprising character, that the captain of a Dutch merchantman, then in the bay, at once made up his mind, from the manœuvres of the English Admiral, that an attack was intended; and to avoid ill consequences to himself from the approaching conflict, he immediately waited upon the Spanish Commander, and requested leave to quit the harbour, plainly stating as his reason for the request, his conviction that Blake would be soon among them. The resolute Spaniard at once granted him the desired permission, exclaiming with a confident smile" Get you gone, if you like, and let Blake come if he dare."

The Admiral had by this time settled the question of daring, having made all his dispositions for the attack. A squadron of ships was selected for the first onset, commanded by Captain Stayner, in the Speaker frigate, who proceeding directly into the bay, assailed the Spanish fleet with extreme fury, perfectly regardless of the guns of the forts which played on his ships in every direction. Another division of the fleet was judiciously sent to occupy the attention of the castle and the forts, while Blake himself joined Stayner, and attacked the Spanish ships, which were not much fewer in number than the English, while the crews greatly exceeded them. Notwithstanding this advantage, in a few hours the Spaniards were driven entirely from their shipping, and Blake, who perceived the impossibility of carrying the vessels out, ordered his men to set fire to their prizes. This was done so effectually, that all the

• Heath's Chronicle, p. 391.

Spanish ships were reduced to ashes, except two, which sank during the engagement, and exhibited only a small portion of their masts above the water. *

It is necessary to mention a circumstance which has exposed this celebrated affair to much professional remark, both at the time it occurred, and even since. It is stated that the direction of the wind which prevented Blake from bringing his prizes out, would have prevented him from getting out himself, but for its sudden veering to the south-west, a change of very rare occurrence at that time of the year. Should this latter assertion be true, it must be confessed that this daring attack wears the appearance of a trusting to contingency, or bare possibility, which must be deemed rash in the extreme, and so it has been frequently termed by authors of considerable reputation. Unhappily the gallant performer of the exploit died before he reached his native land, which deprived the world of his own explanation of the affair; but as the bay of Santa Cruz is open, without any difficulty in the egress, we cannot help suspecting, that the land breeze, which so timely carried him out, was not so unusual as here represented; and that he rested upon a feasible exertion of skill and seamanship, and not upon an interference in his favour so apparently special, that it might almost be deemed miraculous. The writer of the account whence we gather this narration, directly attributes this change of wind to Providence, which leaves Blake's professional prudence in great jeopardy, as he could have scarcely looked forward to such an interposition. Is it not more probable, that a man, who united so much coolness and judgment to undaunted resolution, saw many things possible which were invisible to less gifted eyes? Blake never seems to have made any signal mistake in the whole of his naval career, for it has already been shown, that his attack of Van Tromp, with an inferior force, has by no means been proved to be either unnecessary or unadvisable. Other and more general reasons render it probable that the alleged critical change of wind was exaggerated in the narratives of the day People like to seem indebted to the visible favour of Providence, and its

Heath's Chronicle, p. 391; + Heath,