After England launched an expedition to conquer Dutch forts in Africa Michiel de Ruyter was sent to recapture them all, he succeeded and even captured extra English forts.
Background
The First Anglo-Dutch war had just ended and England and the Dutch Republic were finally at peace. The Dutch however were tired of Barbary pirates attacking their ships, so they sent an expedition under Michiel de ruyter with 12 Warships, 1 Fluyt, and 1 Cargo ship. There were also 3 Merchant ships who sailed along to for protection. He met multiple English ships but they both saluted each other's flags, and everything went according to plan. He then anchored at the bay of Cadiz. In early June, the Dutch fleet departed for Malaga and arrived on June 4. During the voyage, De Ruyter fell seriously ill, The fleet briefly stayed in Malaga before continuing to Algiers, reaching their destination on June 19. He arrived at Algiers and freed a number of slaves. On July 5, the fleet set course for Alicante. In Alicante, De Ruyter got a warning from the Amsterdam Admiralty about being careful with the English to avoid war. In the ensuing weeks, De Ruyter conducted patrols in the region between Cádiz and Alicante, closely monitoring the movements of Vice-Admiral Lawson's English fleet. Any subsequent encounters with the English were handled diplomatically. On September 1, the fleet returned to Malaga. De Ruyter received letters from the States-General and the Amsterdam Admiralty, wich said that there would be a Second Anglo-Dutch war.Admiral De Ruyter received secret orders from the States-General and Amsterdam Admiralty. Secretary De Wildt urged him to keep the information confidential, especially from Spanish authorities. De Ruyter could only reveal the purpose of the journey change to his crew after passing Gibraltar. He was to respond with a receipt confirmation only, avoiding any mention of the secret orders. The States-General learned of an English fleet, led by Holmes, attacking Dutch West India Company ships in West Africa during peacetime. Dutch trading posts, including Goeree, were also occupied, causing frustration. Despite the attack being on a private company and not a direct aggression against the state, the States-General felt obligated to support the West India Company due to its past services.