I Having the opportunity , I would not omit giving you a true Narrative of our Fight with the French. The 29th . of April , we being cruising at Kingsale at nine at night , our Scouts made the signal of the Enemy , about 13 Sail ; but the night coming on , and we not knowing which way they lay , we kept the Wind all night . On the 30th . in the Morning , our Scouts made the Signal , as before 〈…〉 8 in the morning we bore up Westward ; our Scouts chasing that way , at three in the afternoon one of our Scouts brought a small Bastabes Vessel into our Fleet , come from Virginia , who gave us an account , That he had been with the French Fleet the night before of the Cape , consisting of 30 Sail small and great . Upon which Advice , we gave chase at 6 , and we came in sight of Ten Sail going head of Meinhead , but we doubting the main Body had got into Crouck haven , we brought to , and stood off all the Night . May the 1st . we finding they had not gone in there , we bare away to Loeward of the Meinhead , where we saw some of them at Anchor in the Bantry ; at 7 we found them to be 27 Sail of great Ships , and we but 18 ; the Wind at E. N. E. a moderate Gale. Upon sight of us , they got under Sail ; and instead of coming out before the Wind to us , they gave us the trouble to run in a great way to them , which we could not do before 12 at Noon : At which time Captain Ashei leading the Van of our Fleet , came up within Shot ; upon whom they fired some Guns , but he immediately answer'd with what he could , and they all answer'd with what they could , being to the Windward , and would not come near . The most of them firing at the Arse ; but at last most of our Ships got up , but could not draw in a line as we intended , by reason of the narrowness of the place . And thus we continued till six at night ; we thinking to draw them out to fire , though notwithstanding they had ninety per Cent , the advantage , they tackt , and stood into the Bay. I do assure , if they had but had Courage , as they had Number and Strength , they might have spoil'd most of us ; but I do protest , I never saw so much Cowardize by Men. I do believe without all hands , put their hands to the Plough , they will hardly be put out of Ireland . I suppose we have not lost aboveOne hundred Men kill'd in the Fleet ; our rigging suffer'd the most . In fine , the Admiral did what could be expected . I will omit , till please God we meet ; we are now about 14 Leagues from Cape-Clear at this time ; my Service to all my Friends , &c. From