The rest, fighting with skill and courage, continued their course; and, favored by a mist, got safe into their own harbors.

This attempt is denominated perfidious and piratical by the Dutch writers, and even by many of the English.

It merits at least the appellation of irregular; and as it had been attended with bad success, it brought double shame upon the contrivers.

The English ministry endeavored to apologize for the action, by pretending that it was a casual rencounter, arising from the obstinacy of the Dutch in refusing the honors of the flag: but the contrary was so well known, that even Holmes himself had not the assurance to persist in this asseveration.
Till this incident, the states, notwithstanding all the menaces and preparations of the English, never believed them thoroughly in earnest; and had always expected, that the affair would terminate, either in some demands of money, or in some proposals for the advancement of the prince of Orange.

The French themselves had never much reckoned on assistance from England; and scarcely could believe that their ambitious projects would, contrary to every maxim of honor and policy, be forwarded by that power which was most interested and most able to oppose them.