Rendición de Sluis.

LORD NORTH to WALSINGHAM

"I wish I had better occasion to write unto you than of the rendering up of Slewse ... yet men must content themselves with the works of God and fortune of war.

It was yielded up by composition on Wednesday night, the 26th of this present," but with what conditions we know not, "further than that they should come away like soldiers." It was impossible to hold the town longer ; the enemy had made two breaches . . . that forty men might ride or go on foot with great ease ; they had little victual, no powder and not many men. They defended it most bravely, and like noble soldiers came away."

My lord lay before the haven mouth with his army ready to succour them, "if Count Maurice and Admiral Nassau had kept touch with him, who had prepared fire works to burn the Prince's ships, as also a ship of like invention as was at Antwerp to break the Prince's bridge withal. With these things my lord was carried in hope to relieve the town, until the same night, and when the hour was come . . . the parties which undertook the matter shrank from it, being persuaded, corrupted and mightily terrified by Moris and the Admiral.

They and the States, with the Counts Hollock and 'Mewers' have combined themselves (if not to betray the country) at least to keep the government in their own hands" and oppose her Majesty and her general. There are many arguments to show that they were assenting to the loss of the town. The men promised were kept away by Hollock ; no pioneers sent and but few waggons and small store of victuals. I doubt not but the malice of the devil will stir up the tongues of my Lord's enemies, yet in the presence of God I say "I have never seen any man more careful ; adding thereunto his continual travail, watching and being on shipboard with thin diet, daily conferring with such of the country as could best inform him of the means to succour Slewse ; whereby his army hath been transported to divers places . . . of purpose, as it doth now seem, to weary us and overthrow us.

Of one late march from Ostend to Blankenberche, a sconce of the enemies' this bearer shall inform you . . . Neither in Ostend nor in the country about we could find any person that either would or could conduct or guide us. . . "It is like I shall shortly come or be sent home, for by ill lodging with cold I have gotten a marvellous swollen leg, and have nothing to do."

Meanwhile I entreat your favour with her Majesty as regard "to my book for the lease which . . . by your furtherance, I did the rather obtain my particular to be signed."

Flushing, 27 July.

Holograph. Add. Endd. 2 pp. [Holland XVI. f. 195.]