I.ETTRE WCCCVI

Le Duc d'York au Prince d^ Orange. Nouvelles défavorables de Tanger.

Windsor, June 12, I had yesterday yours of the 12, and last niglit the ^reaty with Spaine was signed; you see his Maj. dos his )art, and will continu doing it. We hâve had very bad lewse from Tanger, Henrietta-rëdout and Charles-fort )eing both lost; the first held out, till they had niade a )reach in it with their cannon , and a mine under it peady to spring, and then yealded and are prisoners; lere was at first in it a lieutenent with 30 souldiers, they in the fort stayd, tiil one mine had been sprong^

1680. Juin.] — 404 —

which did them no harme, but, finding by their countermine there were three others directly under the fort that were quite ready, they resolved to see if they could jRght their way through the ennemys Hne into the towne, and having given notice of their intention by a speaking trompet, that a sally might be made to favor their attempt, they mined the fort themselvs, nailed and spoiled their cannon and, when they came out, which was in plaine day, blew up the fort and marched in very good order to the ennemys lyns, and with their handgranades and shott beatt those they found before them , and gott over three of their line without much dificulty, but the fowerth \ which was next the towne, the ditch of it being ten foott deepe at least, was so hard for them to gett over, that of 180, there gott of butt 44 and three officers, for ail; the towne made a sally with 400 men to favor them; cap. Trelauny that commanded the men of the fort, was slaine, with ail those who could not gett over that trench, but 14, to whom the Moors gave quarter. When the expresse came away, the enemy had made a battery of two guns against Pole-redout, which is but two hundred yards from the towne, now the only one left, and were beginning to play upon it, so that they will sone beat it downe , and then we shall see if they will attaque the towne itself. For my part, I am in some aprehension, it may be hard prest, or lost, before the men , which now only stay for a wind , can gett in , since the wall of the towne is but a bad one, and that the enemy hâve gott cannon, miners and make their aproches very well; but, if once thèse men that are now agoing gett in, I beleve the towne will not be in danger. I hâve not tyme to any more , and assure y ou you shall always find me very kind to you.

For ray Sonne the Prince of Orange.

' fourth.

— 405 — [1680. Juin.