Their measures were at that time directed by John de Wit, a minister equally eminent for greatness of mind, for capacity, and for integrity.

Though moderate in his private deportment, he knew how to adopt in his public counsels that magnanimity which suits the minister of a great state.

It was ever his maxim, that no independent government should yield to another any evident point of reason or equity; and that all such concessions, so far from preventing war, served to no other purpose than to provoke fresh claims and insults.
By his management a spirit of union was preserved in all the provinces; great sums were levied; and a navy was equipped, composed of larger ships than the Dutch had ever built before, and able to cope with the fleet of England.
{1665.} As soon as certain intelligence arrived of De Ruyter's enterprises, Charles declared war against the states.

His fleet, consisting of one hundred and fourteen sail, besides fireships and ketches, was commanded by the duke of York, and under him by Prince Rupert and the earl of Sandwich.

It had about twenty-two thousand men on board.