Folios 93-94. Ja [James] Vernon reporting to Ambassador [Joseph] Williamson [Nine...

Folios 93-94. Ja [James] Vernon reporting to Ambassador [Joseph] Williamson [Nine Years' War]. Vernon fears that they have not been so careful in preserving copies and enrolments of the public instruments as they ought to have been. Their Excellencies know not how to proceed in proclaiming the peace, till they hear the ratifications have been duly exchanged. However, they have sent orders to the Admiralty to stop the going out of any privateers, and to call home such as are abroad. One of the ships of Nevill [Nevell]'s squadron has come in. They heard a sad account of the great mortality they have had among them. Vice Admiral Nevill died on 27 August at Virginia; Captain Mees and six other English captains died too. Only one Dutch captain called Houghenutt lives. They have lost 1,300 men, and the Dutch over 500. The Spaniards were so unkind as not to allow the squadron to water at Havana. They heard from Oporto [O Porto, Portugal] that a small ship belonging to Bristol had arrived there from the Bay of Bulls in Newfoundland. She reports that on 18 August Nesmond came with fifteen sail before St John's harbour, and threw some shot into the town. He was answered by two bombs from the ships within. The Duke [?of Shrewsbury], finding Worcestershire growing too dirty for him, is removing to Eyford [Gloucestershire].