Dutch
fleet retired towards the coast of Holland. The populace of London were
enraged, and would have insulted the Dutch ambassadors, who lived at
Chelsea, had not the council of state sent guards to protect them.

When the states heard of this action, of which the consequences were
easily foreseen, they were in the utmost consternation. They immediately
despatched Paw, pensionary of Holland, as their ambassador extraordinary
to London, and ordered him to lay before the parliament the narrative
which Tromp had sent of the late rencounter. They entreated them, by
all the bands of their common religion and common liberties, not
to precipitate themselves into hostile measures, but to appoint
commissioners, who should examine every circumstance of the action, and
clear up the truth, which lay in obscurity. And they pretended, that
they had given no orders to their admiral to offer any violence to the
English, but would severely punish him, if they found, upon inquiry,
that he had been guilty of an action which they so much disapproved.
The imperious parliament would hearken to none of these reasons or
remonstrances. Elated by the numerous successes which they had obtained
over their domestic enemies, they thought that every thing must yield to
their fortunate arms; and they gladly seized the opportunity, which they
sought, of making war upon the states. They demanded that, without any
further delay or inquiry, reparation should be made for all the damages
which the English had sustained. And when this demand was not complied
with, they despatched orders for commencing war against the United
Provinces.

Blake sailed northwards with a numerous fleet, and fell upon the herring
busses, which were escorted by twelve men-of-war. All these he either
took or dispersed. Tromp followed him with a fleet of above a hundred
sail. When these two admirals were within sight of each other, and
preparing for battle, a furious storm attacked them. Blake took shelter
in the English harbors. The Dutch fleet was dispersed, and received
great damage.

Sir George Ayscue, though he commanded only forty ships, according to
the English accounts, engaged near Plymouth the famous De Ruiter, who
had under him fifty ships of war, with thirty merchantmen. The Dutch
ships were indeed of inferior force to the English. De Ruiter, the
only admiral in Europe who has attained a renown equal to that of
the greatest general, defended himself so well, that Ays