keeper reftifed to affix the great feal to the de-elaration for fufpending the penal laws; and wasfor that reafon , though under other pretences ,removed from his office. Shaftefbury was madechancellor in his place; and thus another memberof the Cabal received the reward of his counfels.

Foreign tranfadions kept pace with thefedomeflic occurrences. An attempt, before thedeclaration of war, was made on the DutchSmyrna fleet by Sir Robert Holmes. This fleetconfiffpd of feventy fail, valued at a million anda half; and the hopes of feizing fo rich a preyhad been a great motive for engaging Charles inthe prefent war, and he had confidered that cap-ture as a principal refource for fupporting hismilitary enterprifes. Holmes, with nine frigatesand three yachts, had orders to go on this com-mand ; and he paffed Sprague in the channel,who was returning with a fquadron from a cruizein the Mediterranean. Sprague informed him ofthe near approach of the Hollanders ; and hadnot Holmes, from a defire of engroffing the honorand profit of the enterprife, kept the fecret of hisorders, the conjunction of thefe fquadrons hadrendered the fuccefs infallible. When Holmesapproached the Dutch, he put on an amicableappearance, and invited the admiral, Van Nefs,who commanded the convoy, to come on boardof him; one of his captains gave a like infidiousinvitation to the rear-admiral. But thefe officerswere on their guard. They had received anintimation of the hoftile intentions of the Englilh,

M 3

H A P.

1XV.

1672 .

Attack ofthe Smyra*fleet*

Ijtli March