Page:Archaeologia Volume 13.djvu/221

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on Defence against Invasion.
171

Birch MS. 4109. f. 343.

Mr. Waad's Remonstrative Remonstrances when the Alarms of the Spaniards approached.

To set as many ships to the seas as may be, although they come not time enough to encounter with the enemy, as they may impeach his landing, yet they will serve to keep him in awe and suspense, not to adventure to land, when he shall see our ships at the seas ready to set upon them upon any advantage.

And if most part of his shipping be easterlings, low country, and such as are taken up by constraint to serve him, he will put no special trust in them to fight by sea; and if he happen to land his men on more, if they see our forces on the seas on their back, it is likely these ships will, if they can, seek the best means to save themselves. And upon mistrust the enemy hath of them, and for the better strengthening of them, he shall leave part of his soldiers in the ships, his strength will be the less to make any great attempt on land; and he may be so waited on with our ships, as after he hath once landed he never will adventure it again. And if he bend his forces towards Calais, there may notable advantage be had against their ships after they have landed their men, considering there is no harbour for them in all those parts.

And if the enemy have any meaning to land at Calais, and before he land there, he attempt any thing on our coast, there will be time enough in all that space to have sufficient forces by sea to encounter with him.

The order already taken is very sufficient for the empesching his descent both in the maritime counties, and counties adjoining the forts convenient.

Martial