Dutch no sooner saw us come up again, and that we did not intend to leave them: but they came off, and yielded the island upon condition that they might not be stripped; which we accepted. They not yet knowing of any army that we had landed.
At sunset we took possession of James' Fort, and despatched a trumpeter to Captain KEIGWIN, commander of our land force, to acquaint him with what had passed; and to prevent any injury that might be done to the isle by our men in their march to the fort.
On the 11th, between seven and eight in the evening, a ship appeared in sight with a flag aloft; which we cut after, and by eleven at night came up with her, and took her: which proved to be one of the Dutch East India fleet, sent before [in advance] with the new Governor for Saint Helena.
On the 26th, early in the morning, we saw our flags on the mount hoisted; which gave us an account that there were six sail in sight. About ten in the forenoon, we had advice that four were coming one way and two the other: who immediately appeared in sight at both ends of the island. They no sooner saw us; but they clapped by a wind, and we after them: the Assistance, the William and Thomas, and the Castle fireship, with one Merchantman to the eastward, after four: the Mary and Martha, with two other Merchantmen, to the westward, after two; but it being a very hard gale, we could do nothing on them.
At night the Assistance got up with their Vice-Admiral, and the William and Thomas with their Admiral; with whom they kept company all night: and the 27th in the morning, took them; but not in company one with the other, every ship steering his own course, believing by that to lose us.
The said four Men of War, fireship, and three Dutch East India prizes; together with five English East India ships who came in company with the Men of War; are since safely arrived.
FINIS.
