There was the utmost secrecy as to the destination and objects of both, but the mystery did not last long about Blake's.

He had received instructions to go into the Mediterranean, make calls there on all powers against which the Commonwealth had claims, and bring them to account.

Blake fulfilled his mission with his usual precision and success.

His first call of any importance was on the Grand Duke of Tuscany, formerly so much in the good graces of the Commonwealth (Vol.IV.pp.

483-485), but whom Cromwell, after looking more into matters, had found culpable.
Blake's demands were for heavy money-damages on account of English ships taken by Prince Rupert in 1650, and sold in Tuscan ports, and also on account of English ships ordered out of Leghorn harbour in March 1653, so that they fell into the hands of the Dutch.