& dare bite them."[54a] After urging
the king to take immediate action concerning their ships the members
of the Royal Company requested Downing "to drive the States to the
most positive reply." They declared that any answer would, at least,
expedite matters, and "if those states will owne that Wilrey had their
orders to warrant his action, wee will hope, it may begett some
parelel resolution of state here. If they disclaim it, and leave
their West India Company to be responcible, they will send us to a
towne where there is noe house, unlesse wee pay ourselves, per legem
talionis."[55]

In answer to Downing's memorial concerning the "Charles" and the
"James" the West India Company confined itself to a justification of
Wilree's actions, and omitted to say anything about the authority by
which they had been committed.[56] Although Downing insisted that a
definite answer be given him on this point, the States General also
evaded the issue by maintaining that nothing had been done by the
company but what justice and necessity required. They supported the
company in its contention that Cape Corse and Comany were effectually
blockaded, and therefore the ships "Charles" and "James" had no right
to trade there.[57]

Such a justification of the West India Company's actions could
scarcely be satisfactory to Downing or to those in charge of foreign
affairs in England. The Royal Company was very much concerned also
lest the Dutch would continue to interrupt the ships which it sent to
the Gold Coast. To add to this adverse condition news arrived that,
about the first of June, 1663,[58] the Dutch had at last succeeded in
regaining possession of Cape Corse. At this there was much
satisfaction in Holland. Downing wrote that since the Dutch now had
the two important castles of Elmina and Cape Corse, commanding the
most important trade in all Guinea, they intended to prohibit all
other nations from trading to that region.[59] Over this turn of
events there was great disappointment among the members of the Royal
Company, who had confidently expected to obtain Cape Corse from the
natives. In fact, they had intended to make Cape Corse their main
stronghold and at that place establish their principal trade.[60]

Charles II decided that it was time to come to the assistance of the
Royal Company, and on September 5, 1663, he lent three of his ships to
it for a voyage to Africa.[61] Later, he also ordered several
additional royal vessels co