Book: Diary of Samuel Pepys, March/April 1659/1660
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Samuel Pepys >> Diary of Samuel Pepys, March/April 1659/1660
30th. I was saluted in the morning with two letters, from some that I had
done a favour to, which brought me in each a piece of gold. This day,
while my Lord and we were at dinner, the Nazeby came in sight towards us,
and at last came to anchor close by us. After dinner my Lord and many
others went on board her, where every thing was out of order, and a new
chimney made for my Lord in his bedchamber, which he was much pleased
with. My Lord, in his discourse, discovered a great deal of love to this
ship.
31st. This morning Captain Jowles of the "Wexford" came on board, for
whom I got commission from my Lord to be commander of the ship. Upon the
doing thereof he was to make the 20s. piece that he sent me yesterday, up
L5; wherefore he sent me a bill that he did owe me L4., which I sent my
boy to Gravesend with him, and he did give the boy L4 for me, and the boy
gave him the bill under his hand. This morning, Mr. Hill that lives in
Axe-yard was here on board with the Vice-Admiral. I did give him a bottle
of wine, and was exceedingly satisfied of the power that I have to make my
friends welcome. Many orders to make all the afternoon. At night Mr.
Sheply, Howe, Ibbott, and I supped in my cabin together.
DIARY OF SAMUEL PEPYS.
APRIL
1660
April 1st (Lord's day). Mr. Ibbott preached very well. After dinner my
Lord did give me a private list of all the ships that were to be set out
this summer, wherein I do discern that he bath made it his care to put by
as much of the Anabaptists as he can. By reason of my Lord and my being
busy to send away the packet by Mr. Cooke of the Nazeby, it was four
o'clock before we could begin sermon again. This day Captain Guy come on
board from Dunkirk, who tells me that the King will come in, and that the
soldiers at Dunkirk do drink the King's health in the streets. At night
the Captain, Sir R. Stayner, Mr. Sheply, and I did sup together in the
Captain's cabin. I made a commission for Captain Wilgness, of the Bear,
to-night, which got me 30s. So after writing a while I went to bed.
2d. Up very early, and to get all my things and my boy's packed up. Great
concourse of commanders here this morning to take leave of my Lord upon
his going into the Nazeby, so that the table was full, so there dined
below many commanders, and Mr. Creed, who was much troubled to hear that
he could not go along with my Lord, for he had already got all his things
thither, thinking to stay there, but W. Howe was very high against it, and
he indeed did put him out, though everybody was glad of it. After dinner I
went in one of the boats with my boy before my Lord, and made shift before
night to get my cabin in pretty good order. It is but little, but very
convenient, having one window to the sea and another to the deck, and a
good bed. This morning comes Mr. Ed. Pickering, like a coxcomb as he
always was. He tells me that the King will come in, but that Monk did
resolve to have the doing of it himself, or else to hinder it.
3d. Late to bed. About three in the morning there was great knocking at
my cabin, which with much difficulty (so they say) waked me, and I rose,
but it was only for a packet, so went to my bed again, and in the morning
gave it my Lord. This morning Capt. Isham comes on board to see my Lord
and drunk his wine before he went into the Downs, there likewise come many
merchants to get convoy to the Baltique, which a course was taken for.
They dined with my Lord, and one of them by name Alderman Wood talked much
to my Lord of the hopes that we have now to be settled, (under the King he
meant); but my Lord took no notice of it. After dinner which was late my
Lord went on shore, and after him I and Capt. Sparling went in his boat,
but the water being almost at low water we could not stay for fear of not
getting into our boat again. So back again. This day come the Lieutenant
of the Swiftsure, who was sent by my Lord to Hastings, one of the Cinque
Ports, to have got Mr. Edward Montagu to have been one of their burgesses,
but could not, for they were all promised before. After he had done his
message, I took him and Mr. Pierce, the surgeon (who this day came on
board, and not before), to my cabin, where we drank a bottle of wine. At
night, busy a-writing, and so to bed. My heart exceeding heavy for not
hearing of my dear wife, and indeed I do not remember that ever my heart
was so apprehensive of her absence as at this very time.
4th. This morning I dispatch many letters of my own private business to
London. There come Colonel Thomson with the wooden leg, and General Pen,
[This is the first mention in the Diary of Admiral (afterwards Sir
William) Penn, with whom Pepys was subsequently so particularly
intimate. At this time admirals were sometimes styled generals.
William Penn was born at Bristol in 1621, of the ancient family of
the Penns of Penn Lodge, Wilts. He was Captain at the age of
twenty-one; Rear-Admiral of Ireland at twenty-three; Vice-Admiral of
England and General in the first Dutch war, at thirty-two. He was
subsequently M.P. for Weymouth, Governor of Kingsale, and Vice-
Admiral of Munster. He was a highly successful commander, and in
1654 he obtained possession of Jamaica. He was appointed a
Commissioner of the Navy in 1660, in which year he was knighted.
After the Dutch fight in 1665, where he distinguished himself as
second in command under the Duke of York, he took leave of the sea,
but continued to act as a Commissioner for the Navy till 1669, when
he retired to Wanstead, on account of his bodily infirmities, and
dying there, September 16th, 1670, aged forty-nine, was buried in
the church of St. Mary Redcliffe, in Bristol, where a monument to
his memory was erected.]
and dined with my Lord and Mr. Blackburne, who told me that it was certain
now that the King must of necessity come in, and that one of the Council
told him there is something doing in order to a treaty already among them.
And it was strange to hear how Mr. Blackburne did already begin to commend
him for a sober man, and how quiet he would be under his government, &c.
I dined all alone to prevent company, which was exceeding great to-day, in
my cabin. After these two were gone Sir W. Wheeler and Sir John Petters
came on board and staid about two or three hours, and so went away. The
Commissioners came to-day, only to consult about a further reducement of
the Fleet, and to pay them as fast as they can. I did give Davis, their
servant, L5 10s. to give to Mr. Moore from me, in part of the L7 that I
borrowed of him, and he is to discount the rest out of the 36s. that he do
owe me. At night, my Lord resolved to send the Captain of our ship to
Waymouth and promote his being chosen there, which he did put himself into
a readiness to do the next morning.
5th. Infinity of business all the morning of orders to make, that I was
very much perplexed that Mr. Burr had failed me of coming back last night,
and we ready to set sail, which we did about noon, and came in the evening
to Lee roads and anchored. At night Mr. Sheply overtook us who had been
at Gray's Market this morning. I spent all the afternoon upon the deck,
it being very pleasant weather. This afternoon Sir Rich. Stayner and Mr.
Creed, after we were come to anchor, did come on board, and Creed brought
me L30, which my Lord had ordered him to pay me upon account, and Captain
Clerke brought me a noted caudle. At night very sleepy to bed.
6th. This morning came my brother-in-law Balty to see me, and to desire
to be here with me as Reformado,--["a broken or disbanded officer."] which
did much trouble me. But after dinner (my Lord using him very civilly, at
table) I spoke to my Lord, and he presented me a letter to Captain Stokes
for him that he should be there. All the day with him walking and
talking, we under sail as far as the Spitts. In the afternoon, W. Howe
and I to our viallins, the first time since we came on board. This
afternoon I made even with my Lord to this day, and did give him all the
money remaining in my hands. In the evening, it being fine moonshine, I
staid late walking upon the quarter-deck with Mr. Cuttance, learning of
some sea terms; and so down to supper and to bed, having an hour before
put Balty into Burr's cabin, he being out of the ship.
7th. This day, about nine o'clock in the morning, the wind grew high, and
we being among the sands lay at anchor; I began to be dizzy and squeamish.
Before dinner my Lord sent for me down to eat some oysters, the best my
Lord said that ever he ate in his life, though I have ate as good at
Bardsey. After dinner, and all the afternoon I walked upon the deck to
keep myself from being sick, and at last about five o'clock, went to bed
and got a caudle made me, and sleep upon it very well. This day Mr.
Sheply went to Sheppy.
8th (Lord's day). Very calm again, and I pretty well, but my head aked
all day. About noon set sail; in our way I see many vessels and masts,
which are now the greatest guides for ships. We had a brave wind all the
afternoon, and overtook two good merchantmen that overtook us yesterday,
going to the East Indies. The lieutenant and I lay out of his window with
his glass, looking at the women that were on board them, being pretty
handsome. This evening Major Willoughby, who had been here three or four
days on board with Mr. Pickering, went on board a catch [ketch] for
Dunkirk. We continued sailing when I went to bed, being somewhat ill
again, and Will Howe, the surgeon, parson, and Balty supped in the
Lieutenant's cabin and afterwards sat disputing, the parson for and I
against extemporary prayers, very hot.
9th. We having sailed all night, were come in sight of the Nore and South
Forelands in the morning, and so sailed all day. In the afternoon we had
a very fresh gale, which I brooked better than I thought I should be able
to do. This afternoon I first saw France and Calais, with which I was
much pleased, though it was at a distance. About five o'clock we came to
the Goodwin, so to the Castles about Deal; where our Fleet lay, among whom
we anchored. Great was the shout of guns from the castles and ships, and
our answers, that I never heard yet so great rattling of guns. Nor could
we see one another on board for the smoke that was among us, nor one ship
from another. Soon as we came to anchor, the captains came from on board
their ships all to us on board. This afternoon I wrote letters for my
Lord to the Council, &c., which Mr. Dickering was to carry, who took his
leave this night of my Lord, and Balty after I had wrote two or three
letters by him to my wife and Mr. Bowyer, and had drank a bottle of wine
with him in my cabin which J. Goods and W. Howe brought on purpose, he
took leave of me too to go away to-morrow morning with Mr. Dickering. I
lent Balty 15s. which he was to pay to my wife. It was one in the morning
before we parted. This evening Mr. Sheply came on board, having escaped a
very great danger upon a sand coming from Chatham.
10th. This morning many or most of the commanders in the Fleet came on
board and dined here, so that some of them and I dined together in the
Round-house, where we were very merry. Hither came the Vice-Admiral to
us, and sat and talked and seemed a very good-natured man. At night as I
was all alone in my cabin, in a melancholy fit playing on my viallin, my
Lord and Sir R. Stayner came into the coach
["A sort of chamber or apartment in a large ship of war, just before
the great cabin. The floor of it is formed by the aftmost part of
the quarter deck, and the roof of it by the poop: it is generally
the habitation of the flag-captain."--Smyth's Sailor's Word-Book.]
and supped there, and called me out to supper with them. After that up to
the Lieutenant's cabin, where he and I and Sir Richard sat till 11 o'clock
talking, and so to bed. This day my Lord Goring returned from France, and
landed at Dover.
11th. A Gentleman came this morning from my Lord of Manchester to my Lord
for a pass for Mr. Boyle,' which was made him. I ate a good breakfast by
my Lord's orders with him in the great cabin below. The wind all this day
was very high, so that a gentleman that was at dinner with my Lord that
came along with Sir John Bloys (who seemed a fine man) was forced to rise
from table. This afternoon came a great packet of letters from London
directed to me, among the rest two from my wife, the first that I have
since coming away from London. All the news from London is that things go
on further towards a King. That the Skinners' Company the other day at
their entertaining of General Monk had took down the Parliament Arms in
their Hall, and set up the King's. In the evening my Lord and I had a
great deal of discourse about the several Captains of the Fleet and his
interest among them, and had his mind clear to bring in the King. He
confessed to me that he was not sure of his own Captain [Cuttance] to be
true to him, and that he did not like Captain Stokes. At night W. Howe and
I at our viallins in my cabin, where Mr. Ibbott and the lieutenant were
late. I staid the lieutenant late, shewing him my manner of keeping a
journal. After that to bed. It comes now into my mind to observe that I
am sensible that I have been a little too free to make mirth with the
minister of our ship, he being a very sober and an upright man.
12th. This day, the weather being very bad, we had no strangers on board.
In the afternoon came the Vice-Admiral on board, with whom my Lord
consulted, and I sent a packet to London at night with several letters to
my friends, as to my wife about my getting of money for her when she
should need it, to Mr. Bowyer that he tell me when the Messieurs of the
offices be paid, to Mr. Moore about the business of my office, and making
even with him as to matter of money. At night after I had despatched my
letters, to bed.
13th. This day very foul all day for rain and wind. In the afternoon set
my own things in my cabin and chests in better order than hitherto, and
set my papers in order. At night sent another packet to London by the
post, and after that was done I went up to the lieutenant's cabin and
there we broached a vessel of ale that we had sent for among us from Deal
to-day. There was the minister and doctor with us. After that till one
o'clock in the morning writing letters to Mr. Downing about my business of
continuing my office to myself, only Mr. Moore to execute it for me. I had
also a very serious and effectual letter from my Lord to him to that
purpose. After that done then to bed, and it being very rainy, and the
rain coming upon my bed, I went and lay with John Goods in the great cabin
below, the wind being so high that we were faro to lower some of the
masts. I to bed, and what with the goodness of the bed and the rocking of
the ship I slept till almost ten o'clock, and then--
14th. Rose and drank a good morning draught there with Mr. Sheply, which
occasioned my thinking upon the happy life that I live now, had I nothing
to care for but myself. The sea was this morning very high, and looking
out of the window I saw our boat come with Mr. Pierce, the surgeon, in it
in great danger, who endeavouring to come on board us, had like to have
been drowned had it not been for a rope. This day I was informed that my
Lord Lambert is got out of the Towers and that there is L100 proffered to
whoever shall bring him forth to the Council of State.
[The manner of the escape of John Lambert, out of the Tower, on the
11th inst., as related by Rugge:--"That about eight of the clock at
night he escaped by a rope tied fast to his window, by which he slid
down, and in each hand he had a handkerchief; and six men were ready
to receive him, who had a barge to hasten him away. She who made
the bed, being privy to his escape, that night, to blind the warder
when he came to lock the chamber-door, went to bed, and possessed
Colonel Lambert's place, and put on his night-cap. So, when the
said warder came to lock the door, according to his usual manner, he
found the curtains drawn, and conceiving it to be Colonel John
Lambert, he said, 'Good night, my Lord.' To which a seeming voice
replied, and prevented all further jealousies. The next morning, on
coming to unlock the door, and espying her face, he cried out, 'In
the name of God, Joan, what makes you here? Where is my Lord
Lambert?' She said, 'He is gone; but I cannot tell whither.'
Whereupon he caused her to rise, and carried her before the officer
in the Tower, and [she] was committed to custody. Some said that a
lady knit for him a garter of silk, by which he was conveyed down,
and that she received L100 for her pains."--B]
My Lord is chosen at Waymouth this morning; my Lord had his freedom
brought him by Captain Tiddiman of the port of Dover, by which he is
capable of being elected for them. This day I heard that the Army had in
general declared to stand by what the next Parliament shall do. At night
supped with my Lord.
15th (Lord's day). Up early and was trimmed by the barber in the great
cabin below. After that to put my clothes on and then to sermon, and then
to dinner, where my Lord told us that the University of Cambridge had a
mind to choose him for their burgess, which he pleased himself with, to
think that they do look upon him as a thriving man, and said so openly at
table. At dinner-time Mr. Cook came back from London with a packet which
caused my Lord to be full of thoughts all day, and at night he bid me
privately to get two commissions ready, one for Capt. Robert Blake to be
captain of the Worcester, in the room of Capt. Dekings, an anabaptist, and
one that had witnessed a great deal of discontent with the present
proceedings. The other for Capt. Coppin to come out of that into the
Newbury in the room of Blake, whereby I perceive that General Monk do
resolve to make a thorough change, to make way for the King. From London I
hear that since Lambert got out of the Tower, the Fanatiques had held up
their heads high, but I hope all that will come to nothing. Late a
writing of letters to London to get ready for Mr. Cook. Then to bed.
16th. And about 4 o'clock in the morning Mr. Cook waked me where I lay in
the great cabin below, and I did give him his packet and directions for
London. So to sleep again. All the morning giving out orders and tickets
to the Commanders of the Fleet to discharge all supernumeraries that they
had above the number that the Council had set in their last establishment.
After dinner busy all the afternoon writing, and so till night, then to
bed.
17th. All the morning getting ready commissions for the Vice-Admiral and
the Rear-Admiral, wherein my Lord was very careful to express the utmost
of his own power, commanding them to obey what orders they should receive
from the Parliament, &c., or both or either of the Generals.
[Sir Edward Montagu afterwards recommended the Duke of York as High
Admiral, to give regular and lawful commissions to the Commanders of
the Fleet, instead of those which they had received from Sir Edward
himself, or from the Rump Parliament.--Kennett's Register, p. 163.]
The Vice-Admiral dined with us, and in the afternoon my Lord called me to
give him the commission for him, which I did, and he gave it him himself.
A very pleasant afternoon, and I upon the deck all the day, it was so
clear that my Lord's glass shewed us Calais very plain, and the cliffs
were as plain to be seen as Kent, and my Lord at first made me believe
that it was Kent. At night, after supper, my Lord called for the
Rear-Admiral's commission, which I brought him, and I sitting in my study
heard my Lord discourse with him concerning D. King's and Newberry's being
put out of commission. And by the way I did observe that my Lord did
speak more openly his mind to me afterwards at night than I can find that
he did to the Rear-Admiral, though his great confidant. For I was with
him an hour together, when he told me clearly his thoughts that the King
would carry it, and that he did think himself very happy that he was now
at sea, as well for his own sake, as that he thought he might do his
country some service in keeping things quiet. To bed, and shifting myself
from top to toe, there being J. Goods and W. Howe sat late by my bedside
talking. So to sleep, every day bringing me a fresh sense of the pleasure
of my present life.
18th. This morning very early came Mr. Edward Montagu on board, but what
was the business of his coming again or before without any servant and
making no stay at all I cannot guess. This day Sir R. Stayner, Mr.
Sheply, and as many of my Lord's people as could be spared went to Dover
to get things ready against to-morrow for the election there. I all the
afternoon dictating in my cabin (my own head being troubled with
multiplicity of business) to Burr, who wrote for me above a dozen letters,
by which I have made my mind more light and clear than I have had it yet
since I came on board. At night sent a packet to London, and Mr. Cook
returned hence bringing me this news, that the Sectaries do talk high what
they will do, but I believe all to no purpose, but the Cavaliers are
something unwise to talk so high on the other side as they do. That the
Lords do meet every day at my Lord of Manchester's, and resolve to sit the
first day of the Parliament. That it is evident now that the General and
the Council do resolve to make way for the King's coming. And it is now
clear that either the Fanatiques must now be undone, or the gentry and
citizens throughout England, and clergy must fall, in spite of their
militia and army, which is not at all possible I think. At night I supped
with W. Howe and Mr. Luellin (being the first time that I had been so long
with him) in the great cabin below. After that to bed, and W. Howe sat by
my bedside, and he and I sang a psalm or two and so I to sleep.
19th. A great deal of business all this day, and Burr being gone to shore
without my leave did vex me much. At dinner news was brought us that my
Lord was chosen at Dover. This afternoon came one Mr. Mansell on board as
a Reformado, to whom my Lord did shew exceeding great respect, but upon
what account I do not yet know. This day it has rained much, so that when
I came to go to bed I found it wet through, so I was fain to wrap myself
up in a dry sheet, and so lay all night.
20th. All the morning I was busy to get my window altered, and to have my
table set as I would have it, which after it was done I was infinitely
pleased with it, and also to see what a command I have to have every one
ready to come and go at my command. This evening came Mr. Boyle on board,
for whom I writ an order for a ship to transport him to Flushing. He
supped with my Lord, my Lord using him as a person of honour. This
evening too came Mr. John Pickering on board us. This evening my head
ached exceedingly, which I impute to my sitting backwards in my cabin,
otherwise than I am used to do. To-night Mr. Sheply told me that he heard
for certain at Dover that Mr. Edw. Montagu did go beyond sea when he was
here first the other day, and I am apt to believe that he went to speak
with the King. This day one told me how that at the election at Cambridge
for knights of the shire, Wendby and Thornton by declaring to stand for
the Parliament and a King and the settlement of the Church, did carry it
against all expectation against Sir Dudley North and Sir Thomas Willis! I
supped to-night with Mr. Sheply below at the half-deck table, and after
that I saw Mr. Pickering whom my Lord brought down to his cabin, and so to
bed.
21st. This day dined Sir John Boys
[Of Bonnington and Sandwich, Gentleman of the Privy-Chamber to
Charles I. He defended Donnington Castle, Berkshire, for the King
against Jeremiah Horton, 1644, and received an augmentation to his
arms in consequence.]
and some other gentlemen formerly great Cavaliers, and among the rest one
Mr. Norwood, for whom my Lord give a convoy to carry him to the
Brill,--[Brielle, or Den Briel, a seaport town in the province of South
Holland.]--but he is certainly going to the King. For my Lord commanded
me that I should not enter his name in my book. My Lord do show them and
that sort of people great civility. All their discourse and others are of
the King's coming, and we begin to speak of it very freely. And heard how
in many churches in London, and upon many signs there, and upon merchants'
ships in the river, they had set up the King's arms. In the afternoon the
Captain would by all means have me up to his cabin, and there treated me
huge nobly, giving me a barrel of pickled oysters, and opened another for
me, and a bottle of wine, which was a very great favour. At night late
singing with W. Howe, and under the barber's hands in the coach. This
night there came one with a letter from Mr. Edw. Montagu to my Lord, with
command to deliver it to his own hands. I do believe that he do carry
some close business on for the King.