P.S. — I  have  received  a^d  sent  off  the  expresses  to  the  Generals,
but  I  hope  our  fleet  is  near  or  with  the  Dutch  ere  this:     [1 J  pages-l


STATE  PAPERS.
359


1653.
May  28.
Weymouth.
Vol.  XXXVI.
125.  John  Arthur  to  the  Admiralty  Committee.  I  have  sent  a
frigate  to  Guernsey  and  Jersey  with  the  Council's  packets,  and  sent
out  scouts.  If  you  wUl  appoint  me  vice-admiral  of  this  county,  I  will
obey  all  your  commands,  but  such  a  mixture  of  orders  to  me  and  the
Mayor  breeds  distraction.  If  the  Dutch  had  a  mind  to  land  in
Portland,  there  are  only  10  persons  in  Portland,  in  Sandsfoot  Castle
3  old  men,  and  in  this  place  12  is  our  strength.     [1  page.]

126.  Anth.  EUesdon  to  the  Admiralty  Committee.  On  your
orders  I  have  pressed  the  Good  Intent  of  Lyme  to  ply  between  the
Land's  End  and  the  Isle  of  Wight,  to  gain  intelhgence  of  the  enemy
and  when  he  discovers  them,  to  repair  to  the  next  port,  and  send  you
a  post.     I  have  promised  him  freight  and  damages.     [|  page.]

127.  Wm.  Burton  to  the  Admiralty  Committee.  On  your  orders
to  the  bailiffs  and  me,  we  hired  and  despatched  a  nimble  ketch  to
discover  the  English  fleet,  and  will  send  you  any  news  that  comes.
[I  P<^9e-]

128.  Bailiffs  of  Yarmouth  and  Wm.  Burton  to  the  Admiralty
Committee.  We  send  several  packets  of  letters  brought  in  at  11  a.m.
