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Updated: June 2, 2025
After another partial rencounter the English drew away to the northwest toward their own shores, the Dutch following them; the wind being still from southwest, but light. The English were now fairly in retreat, and the pursuit continued all night, Ruyter's own ship dropping out of sight in the rear from her crippled state. The third day Monk continued retreating to the westward.
The news of De Ruyter's coming home is certain; and told to the great disadvantage of our fleet, and the praise of De Ruyter; but it cannot be helped. 10th. By and by to the office, where we sat all the morning; in great trouble to see the Bill this week rise so high, to above 4000 in all, and of them above 3000 of the plague.
"You say de Hottentots are not slaves, but you treat us all de same as slaves anyhow, Jan Smit does." "That is the sin of Jan Smit, not of the British law," replied Considine. Ruyter's face grew darker as he rejoined fiercely, "What de use of your laws if dey won't work? Besides, what right hab de white scoundril to make slave at all whether you call him slave or no call him slave.
Ruyter's visage changed from a look of deep cunning to one of childlike simplicity as he replied "Can't go for to say what de glitter of him's eye got to do wid it. Snakes' eyes glitter sometimes s'pose 'cause he can't help it, or he's wicked p'raps." Considine smiled, but, seeing that the Hottentot did not choose to be communicative on the point, he forbore further question.
Gleason, I believe it was, said that Ray wrote to Colonel Thayer of the lieutenant-general's staff and had him buy it: he was in Chicago when we were married, you know that was Grandmother De Ruyter's stipulation, and that Colonel Thayer, not Ray, was entitled to the credit for taste; but Jack says that there is far more to Ray than most people give him credit for. He's a loyal friend anyway!"
As Monk was dead, the Duke of York had again assumed active command with Rupert as his lieutenant. Although the Duke was honestly devoted to the navy he was dull-witted, and in spite of the advantage of numbers and the dogged courage of officers and men which so often in English history has made up for stupid leadership, he was wholly unable to cope with de Ruyter's genius.
Meanwhile the squadron under Tromp, driving before it the rear squadron of the English, had become separated and unable to come to De Ruyter's assistance. For this abandonment he was bitterly reproached by De Ruyter and accused of desertion. The quarrel necessitated Tromp's being deprived of his command, as the States-General could not afford to lose the services of the admiral-in-chief.
No stronger testimony is needed to Ruyter's opinion of the inefficiency or faithlessness of that contingent to the allied forces. Another chapter in the history of maritime coalitions was closed, on the 21st of August, 1673, by the battle of the Texel.
The news of De Ruyter's coming home is certain, and told to the great disadvantage of our fleet; but it cannot be helped. August 10. To the office, where we sat all morning; in great trouble to see the bill this week rise so high, to above 4,000 in all, and of them above 3,000 of the plague.
Eight hundred thousand pounds are said to have been expended on this armament. When Lawson arrived, and communicated his suspicion of De Ruyter's enterprise, orders were issued for seizing all Dutch ships; and one hundred and thirty-five fell into the hands of the English. These were not declared prizes till afterwards, when war was proclaimed.
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