284 BUTLER. indebted for her preservation, after she was so completely disabled, so as to compel Sir Edward Spragge, whose flag was on board her, to quit her and go on board the St. George, shattered as she was. He, however, contrived to bring her off in tow at night, and then joined Prince Rupert's squadron. Upon this his lordship was promoted to the rank of rear-admiral of the red, and on the 10th of September, he displayed the union flag, as commander-in- chief of the whole fleet in the absence of Prince Rupert, by the king's special command. With this honourable appointment his naval services closed; peace taking place with the United Provinces soon after. His lordship had equally the confidence of the Duke of York and of the king; and this in their private as well as public concerns, as appears from his being the only noble- man trusted with the secret of the duke's first marriage, and the person who actually gave Mrs. Anne Hyde away. In 1674 he was sent to Flanders, to accelerate the marriage of the Lady Mary to the Prince of Orange. And in 1675 he was made one of the lords commissioners of the admiralty It is curious to observe, with what magic the different interests of political states convert the most inveterate enemies of yesterday, into the most strenuous supporters on the morrow. The earl, who so lately, in alliance with the French, had exerted his talents and bravery in oppo- sition to tbe United Provinces, now assumed a military command in their defence, and fought against his former colleagues. He was appointed general-in-chief of his majesty's forces in the service of his Highness the Prince of Orange, and the states of the United Provinces; and upon the appearance of a battle, had the post of honour given him, with a command of six thousand men. In tlhe
- "The great aim of the Dutch admiral was to sink or take the Royal
Priuce, but the Earl of Ossory and Sir John Kepthorne, together with Spragge himself, so effectually protected the disabled vessel, that none of the enemy's Gre-ships could come near her, though this was often attempted. CAMPBELL
