. He was ordered to surrender the ships which he
had taken from the Dutch in Guinea to the Royal Company.[142] On the
9th of January, by way of appeasing VanGogh, he was thrown into the
Tower of London,[143] where he was to remain, the king declared, until
he gave a satisfactory account of his actions at Cape Verde. Once more
it appeared as if proceedings were to be taken against him "according
to the exigency of the case."[144] It is interesting to note that his
imprisonment resulted from the capture of the one place, mention of
which was omitted in his instructions. However, Holmes was not long
detained in confinement. Probably on account of the influence of the
duke of York and of Prince Rupert he was again set at liberty toward
the last of January,[145] and VanGogh reported that he was even
enjoying royal favor.[146] Apparently Holmes was unable to render a
satisfactory account of his prizes to the Royal Company, however, and
he was therefore reconfined in the Tower about the 24th of
February.[147] On the third of March he was examined before the Privy
Council in regard to his expedition. His explanation of the various
events was found satisfactory and he was forthwith ordered to be
discharged from the Tower.[148] This order was not executed at once
because he had not even yet rendered a satisfactory account to the
Company.[149] Royal clemency was invoked and a warrant was issued
March 23, 1665, releasing him from all criminal and pecuniary charges
which might be brought against him.[150] The king's intervention in
his behalf brought to an end the connection of Sir Robert Holmes with
the company's affairs on the African coast.

By concluding the account of the diplomatic relations of England and
the United Provinces with the early part of 1665, it is not intended
to convey the idea that all diplomatic intercourse between the two
countries ceased at that time. Downing remained in The Hague until
August of that year, but neither side thought seriously of attempting
to prevent the struggle in which they were already engaged on the
African coast. DeRuyter arrived at Cape Verde on October 11, 1664,
where he found nine English vessels most of which were in the service
of the Royal Company and had only recently arrived on the Guinea
coast. In response to an inquiry made by the English as to his
intentions DeRuyter replied that he had come to punish the Royal
Company for Holmes' hostile actions. He demanded the surrender of