AN Hambrough Merchant coming into Dover to take in fresh Water, being homeward bound, brings the following Account, as by the par­ticulars of a Letter sent to Esquire P— an Eminent and worthy Merchant in London.

This Hambrough Merchant came by the two Fleets, when they were Actu­ally Engaged, the occasion how this Grand Engagement happened to fall out, was as followeth. Thirty Six Sail of Stout Dutch Ships lying some Leagues off of Brest, to secure the Dutch Smyrna Fleet, from the French Capers, as well as to Watch the Motion of the late King James, who was at Brest, with Sixteen Sail of French Men of War (from Thirty to Seventy Guns, each as Fire Ships) with many small Craft to carry Land Forces, Ammunition, and Four Cart Loads of Money, and Plate, &c. with a de­sign to Succour Ireland, for the Romish Interest. On Tuesday last the Dutch Smyrna Fleet, past by the Dutch Men of War, under their Safe-guard, and are come into the Channel, to pursue their Course safely for Holland. And on Wednesday in the Afternoon, (as it is thought) or at least on Thursday Morning, the French Fleet put to Sea, from the Porr of Brest, (the Wind favouring them) for the Coast of Ireland directly, but so it fell out, that the Wind tacking about, by which the Dutch Fleet (who lay ready waiting their Motion) was driven directly upon them, and the French Fleet could not make any part, but the English Coasts; a most desperate Fight ensued. And when this Hambrough Merchant came away, he left them hotly Engaged, and since (as it's generally reported) the King this day received an Express, that the French Fleet are Totally Routed. A great many of their Men of War Sunk, and others taken, with a great number of their small Craft-men that had their Land Souldiers on Board, among which were the Marshal Luxemburgh, and many others of their greatest and best Officers: And it's g [...]nerally said about the Town, that the Late King James, with many of the English Nobility, are made their Prisoners of War. You may expect in our next, a more full and particular Account, of this Great, Glorious, and most happy Engagement. Happy not only to these Kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland; but happy to the Confederate Princes, and States of Europe; who are at present Engaged, in a[?] common and no less just War, with the comm [...] Enemy of Christianity, and Mankind, [...] King.