Document: Order to the villages of Middletowne and Shrewsbury to send delegates to surrender to the Dutch

[1]: Cornelis Evertsen was the oldest son of the renowned Admiral Cornelis Evertsen, who was killed in the fight against the English, 11th June, 1666. Being a Captain in the navy, on the death of his father, the States of Zealand recommended that he be put in command of a ship-of-war, and on the 15th December, 1672, he was promoted to the rank of Commander of a squadron of fifteen ships of the line, with which he proceeded to the West Indies, where he captured seven, and burned five, vessels, and obtained considerable booty. He afterwards destroyed sixty-five French Newfoundland traders and sailed to Martinico, where he met Captain Jacob Benckes in command of four men-of-war. Having joined forces they visited all the English and French islands and took a ship bound to Galway. After inflicting much damage on the enemy, in those islands, he sailed in 1673 to New-York, then in possession of the English, which he reduced, and changed the name of the country to New Netherland, and of the city to New Orange. By this time he had with him about twenty English prizes, captured in the Virginias and elsewhere, and many prisoners. In December, 1673, he returned to Cadiz, after destroying more than eighty English and French ships, and capturing New-York and St Eustatius. In 1675 he was appointed Rear-Admiral; in 1679 Vice-Admiral, and, in 1688, Admiral, in which last capacity he commanded a squadron which accompanied William III to England. On 30th June, 1690, he engaged the French fleet off Beachy Head, but, through the treachery of Admiral Torrington, who commanded the English portion of the allied fleet, he was forced to retreat to Rye bay. Torrington was committed to the Tower, and the Dutch Admiral received the thanks of the King. After a life of great activity, in which he covered himself with glory, Admiral Evertson died in November, 1706, and was buried at Middelburgh in St. Peter's Church. Kok, XIV., 564. — Ed.