It gives great matter of talk that it is said there is at this hour, in
the Exchequer, as much money as is ready to break down the floor. This
arises, I believe, from Sir G. Downing's late talk of the greatness of
the sum lying there of people's money, that they would not fetch away,
which he shewed me and a great many others. Most people that I speak
with are in doubt how we shall do to secure our seamen from running over
to the Dutch; which is a sad but very true consideration at this day.
At noon I am told that my Lord Duke of Albemarle is made Lord High
Constable; the meaning whereof at this time I know not, nor whether it,
be true or no. Dined, and Mr. Hater and W. Hewer with me; where they do
speak very sorrowfully of the posture of the times, and how people do
cry out in the streets of their being bought and sold; and both they,
and every body that come to me, do tell me that people make nothing of
talking treason in the streets openly: as, that we are bought and sold,
and governed by Papists, and that we are betrayed by people about the
King, and shall be delivered up to the French, and I know not what.
At dinner we discoursed of Tom of the Wood, a fellow that lives like a
hermit near Woolwich, who, as they say, and Mr. Bodham, they tell me,
affirms that he was by at the justice's when some did accuse him there
for it, did foretell the burning of the City, and now says that a
greater desolation is at hand. Thence we read and laughed at Lilly's
prophecies this month, in his Almanack this year! So to the office after
dinner; and thither comes Mr. Pierce, who tells me his condition, how he
cannot get his money, about L500, which, he says, is a very great part
of what he hath for his family and children, out of Viner's hand: and
indeed it is to be feared that this will wholly undo the bankers. He
says he knows nothing of the late affronts to my Lord Chancellor's
house, as is said, nor hears of the Duke of Albemarle's being made High
Constable; but says that they are in great distraction at White Hall,
and that every where people do speak high against Sir W. Coventry: but
he agrees with me, that he is the best Minister of State the King hath,
and so from my heart I believe. At night come home Sir W. Batten and
W. Pen, who only can tell me that they have placed guns at Woolwich and
Deptford, and sunk some ships below Woolwich and Blackewall, and are
in hopes that they will stop the enemy's coming up. But strange our
confusion! that among them that are sunk they have gone and sunk without
consideration "The Franakin,"' one of the King's ships, with stores to
a very considerable value, that hath been long loaden for supply of the
ships; and the new ship at Bristoll, and much wanted there; and nobody
will own that they directed it, but do lay it on Sir W. Rider. They
speak also of another ship, loaden to the value of L80,000, sunk with
the goods in her, or at least was mightily contended for by him, and a
foreign ship, that had the faith of the nation for her security: this
Sir R. Ford tells us: And it is too plain a truth, that both here and
at Chatham the ships that we have sunk have many, and the first of them,
been ships completely fitted for fire-ships at great charge. But most
strange the backwardness and disorder of all people, especially the
King's people in pay, to do any work, Sir W. Pen tells me, all crying
out for money; and it was so at Chatham, that this night comes an order
from Sir W. Coventry to stop the pay of the wages of that Yard; the Duke
of Albemarle having related, that not above three of 1100 in pay there
did attend to do any work there. This evening having sent a messenger to
Chatham on purpose, we have received a dull letter from my Lord Bruncker
and Peter Pett, how matters have gone there this week; but not so much,
or so particularly, as we knew it by common talk before, and as true. I
doubt they will be found to have been but slow men in this business;
and they say the Duke of Albemarle did tell my Lord Bruncker to his face
that his discharging of the great ships there was the cause of all this;
and I am told that it is become common talk against my Lord Bruncker.
But in that he is to be justified, for he did it by verbal order from
Sir W. Coventry, and with good intent; and it was to good purpose,
whatever the success be, for the men would have but spent the King so
much the more in wages, and yet not attended on board to have done the
King any service; and as an evidence of that, just now, being the 15th
day in the morning that I am writing yesterday's passages, one is with
me, Jacob Bryan, Purser of "The Princesse," who confesses to me that he
hath about 180 men borne at this day in victuals and wages on that ship
lying at Chatham, being lately brought in thither; of which 180 there
was not above five appeared to do the King any service at this late
business. And this morning also, some of the Cambridge's men come up
from Portsmouth, by order from Sir Fretcheville Hollis, who boasted to
us the other day that he had sent for 50, and would be hanged if 100 did
not come up that would do as much as twice the number of other men: I
say some of them, instead of being at work at Deptford, where they were
intended, do come to the office this morning to demand the payment of
their tickets; for otherwise they would, they said, do no more work; and
are, as I understand from every body that has to do with them, the most
debauched, damning, swearing rogues that ever were in the Navy, just
like their prophane commander. So to Sir W. Batten's to sit and talk
a little, and then home to my flageolet, my heart being at pretty good
ease by a letter from my wife, brought by Saunders, that my father and
wife got well last night to their Inne and out again this morning, and
Gibson's being got safe to Caxton at twelve last night. So to supper,
and then to bed. No news to-day of any motion of the enemy either
upwards towards Chatham or this way.
15th. All the morning at the office. No newes more than last night; only
Purser Tyler comes and tells me that he being at all the passages in
this business at Chatham, he says there have been horrible miscarriages,
such as we shall shortly hear of: that the want of boats hath undone us;
and it is commonly said, and Sir J. Minnes under his hand tells us, that
they were employed by the men of the Yard to carry away their goods; and
I hear that Commissioner Pett will be found the first man that began
to remove; he is much spoken against, and Bruncker is complained of and
reproached for discharging the men of the great ships heretofore. At
noon Mr. Hater dined with me; and tells me he believes that it will
hardly be the want of money alone that will excuse to the Parliament the
neglect of not setting out a fleete, it having never been done in our
greatest straits, but however unlikely it appeared, yet when it was gone
about, the State or King did compass it; and there is something in it.
In like manner all the afternoon busy, vexed to see how slowly things go
on for want of money. At night comes, unexpectedly so soon, Mr. Gibson,
who left my wife well, and all got down well with them, but not with
himself, which I was afeard of, and cannot blame him, but must myself
be wiser against another time. He had one of his bags broke, through his
breeches, and some pieces dropped out, not many, he thinks, but two, for
he 'light, and took them up, and went back and could find no more. But
I am not able to tell how many, which troubles me, but the joy of having
the greatest part safe there makes me bear with it, so as not to afflict
myself for it. This afternoon poor Betty Michell, whom I love, sent to
tell my wife her child was dying, which I am troubled for, poor girle!
At night home and to my flageolet. Played with pleasure, but with a
heavy heart, only it pleased me to think how it may please God I may
live to spend my time in the country with plainness and pleasure, though
but with little glory. So to supper and to bed.
16th (Lord's day). Up, and called on by several on business of the
office. Then to the office to look out several of my old letters to Sir
W. Coventry in order to the preparing for justifying this office in our
frequent foretelling the want of money. By and by comes Roger Pepys and
his son Talbot, whom he had brought to town to settle at the Temple,
but, by reason of our present stirs, will carry him back again with him
this week. He seems to be but a silly lad. I sent them to church this
morning, I staying at home at the office, busy. At noon home to dinner,
and much good discourse with him, he being mighty sensible of our misery
and mal-administration. Talking of these straits we are in, he tells me
that my Lord Arlington did the last week take up L12,000 in gold,
which is very likely, for all was taken up that could be. Discoursing
afterwards with him of our family he told me, that when I come to his
house he will show me a decree in Chancery, wherein there was twenty-six
men all housekeepers in the town of Cottenham, in Queene Elizabeth's
time, of our name. He to church again in the afternoon, I staid at home
busy, and did show some dalliance to my maid Nell, speaking to her of
her sweetheart which she had, silly girle. After sermon Roger Pepys
comes again. I spent the evening with him much troubled with the
thoughts of the evils of our time, whereon we discoursed. By and by
occasion offered for my writing to Sir W. Coventry a plain bold letter
touching lack of money; which, when it was gone, I was afeard might give
offence: but upon two or three readings over again the copy of it, I was
satisfied it was a good letter; only Sir W. Batten signed it with me,
which I could wish I had done alone. Roger Pepys gone, I to the garden,
and there dallied a while all alone with Mrs. Markham, and then home to
my chamber and to read and write, and then to supper and to bed.
17th. Up, and to my office, where busy all the morning, particularly
setting my people to work in transcribing pieces of letters publique
and private, which I do collect against a black day to defend the office
with and myself. At noon dined at home, Mr. Hater with me alone, who
do seem to be confident that this nation will be undone, and with good
reason: Wishes himself at Hambrough, as a great many more, he says, he
believes do, but nothing but the reconciling of the Presbyterian party
will save us, and I am of his mind. At the office all the afternoon,
where every moment business of one kind or other about the fire-ships
and other businesses, most of them vexatious for want of money, the
commanders all complaining that, if they miss to pay their men a night,
they run away; seamen demanding money of them by way of advance, and
some of Sir Fretcheville Hollis's men, that he so bragged of, demanding
their tickets to be paid, or they would not work: this Hollis, Sir W.
Batten and W. Pen say, proves a very..., as Sir W. B. terms him, and the
other called him a conceited, idle, prating, lying fellow. But it was
pleasant this morning to hear Hollis give me the account what, he says,
he told the King in Commissioner Pett's presence, whence it was that his
ship was fit sooner than others, telling the King how he dealt with the
several Commissioners and agents of the Ports where he comes, offering
Lanyon to carry him a Ton or two of goods to the streights, giving
Middleton an hour or two's hearing of his stories of Barbadoes, going
to prayer with Taylor, and standing bare and calling, "If it please your
Honour," to Pett, but Sir W. Pen says that he tells this story to every
body, and believes it to be a very lie. At night comes Captain Cocke to
see me, and he and I an hour in the garden together. He tells me there
have been great endeavours of bringing in the Presbyterian interest, but
that it will not do. He named to me several of the insipid lords that
are to command the armies that are to be raised. He says the King and
Court are all troubled, and the gates of the Court were shut up upon the
first coming of the Dutch to us, but they do mind the business no more
than ever: that the bankers, he fears, are broke as to ready-money,
though Viner had L100,000 by him when our trouble begun: that he and
the Duke of Albemarle have received into their own hands, of Viner, the
former L10,000, and the latter L12,000, in tallies or assignments, to
secure what was in his hands of theirs; and many other great men of our.
masters have done the like; which is no good sign, when they begin
to fear the main. He and every body cries out of the office of
the Ordnance, for their neglects, both at Gravesend and Upnor, and
everywhere else. He gone, I to my business again, and then home to
supper and to bed. I have lately played the fool much with our Nell, in
playing with her breasts. This night, late, comes a porter with a letter
from Monsieur Pratt, to borrow L100 for my Lord Hinchingbroke, to enable
him to go out with his troop in the country, as he is commanded; but I
did find an excuse to decline it. Among other reasons to myself, this
is one, to teach him the necessity of being a good husband, and keeping
money or credit by him.
18th. Up, and did this morning dally with Nell... which I was afterward
troubled for. To the office, and there all the morning. Peg Pen come
to see me, and I was glad of it, and did resolve to have tried her this
afternoon, but that there was company with elle at my home, whither I
got her. Dined at home, W. Hewer with me, and then to the office, and
to my Lady Pen's, and did find occasion for Peg to go home with me to my
chamber, but there being an idle gentleman with them, he went with us,
and I lost my hope. So to the office, and by and by word was brought me
that Commissioner Pett is brought to the Tower, and there laid up close
prisoner; which puts me into a fright, lest they may do the same with us
as they do with him. This puts me upon hastening what I am doing with
my people, and collecting out of my papers our defence. Myself got Fist,
Sir W. Batten's clerk, and busy with him writing letters late, and then
home to supper and to read myself asleep, after piping, and so to bed.
Great newes to-night of the blowing up of one of the Dutch greatest
ships, while a Council of War was on board: the latter part, I doubt,
is not so, it not being confirmed since; but the former, that they had a
ship blown up, is said to be true. This evening comes Sir G. Carteret
to the office, to talk of business at Sir W. Batten's; where all to be
undone for want of money, there being none to pay the Chest at their
publique pay the 24th of this month, which will make us a scorn to the
world. After he had done there, he and I into the garden, and walked;
and the greatest of our discourse is, his sense of the requisiteness of
his parting with his being Treasurer of the Navy, if he can, on any
good terms. He do harp upon getting my Lord Bruncker to take it on half
profit, but that he is not able to secure him in paying him so much.
But the thing I do advise him to do by all means, and he resolves on it,
being but the same counsel which I intend to take myself. My Lady Jem
goes down to Hinchingbroke to lie down, because of the troubles of the
times here. He tells me he is not sure that the King of France will not
annoy us this year, but that the Court seems [to] reckon upon it as a
thing certain, for that is all that I and most people are afeard of this
year. He tells me now the great question is, whether a Parliament or
no Parliament; and says the Parliament itself cannot be thought able at
present to raise money, and therefore it will be to no purpose to call
one. I hear this day poor Michell's child is dead.
19th. Up, and to the office, where all the morning busy with Fist again,
beginning early to overtake my business in my letters, which for a post
or two have by the late and present troubles been interrupted. At noon
comes Sir W. Batten and [Sir] W. Pen, and we to [Sir] W. Pen's house,
and there discoursed of business an hour, and by and by comes an
order from Sir R. Browne, commanding me this afternoon to attend the
Council-board, with all my books and papers touching the Medway. I
was ready [to fear] some mischief to myself, though it appears most
reasonable that it is to inform them about Commissioner Pett. I eat
a little bit in haste at Sir W. Batten's, without much comfort, being
fearful, though I shew it not, and to my office and get up some papers,
and found out the most material letters and orders in our books, and so
took coach and to the Council-chamber lobby, where I met Mr. Evelyn, who
do miserably decry our follies that bring all this misery upon us. While
we were discoursing over our publique misfortunes, I am called in to a
large Committee of the Council: present the Duke of Albemarle, Anglesey,
Arlington, Ashly, Carteret, Duncomb, Coventry, Ingram, Clifford,
Lauderdale, Morrice, Manchester, Craven, Carlisle, Bridgewater. And
after Sir W. Coventry's telling them what orders His Royal Highness had
made for the safety of the Medway, I told them to their full content
what we had done, and showed them our letters. Then was Peter Pett
called in, with the Lieutenant of the Tower. He is in his old clothes,
and looked most sillily. His charge was chiefly the not carrying up of
the great ships, and the using of the boats in carrying away his goods;
to which he answered very sillily, though his faults to me seem only
great omissions. Lord Arlington and Coventry very severe against him;
the former saying that, if he was not guilty, the world would think them
all guilty.
[Pett was made a scapegoat. This is confirmed by Marvel:
"After this loss, to relish discontent,
Some one must be accused by Parliament;
All our miscarriages on Pett must fall,
His name alone seems fit to answer all.
Whose counsel first did this mad war beget?
Who all commands sold through the Navy? Pett.
Who would not follow when the Dutch were beat?
Who treated out the time at Bergen? Pett.
Who the Dutch fleet with storms disabled met,
And, rifling prizes, them neglected? Pett.
Who with false news prevented the Gazette,
The fleet divided, writ for Ruhert? Pett.
Who all our seamen cheated of their debt?
And all our prizes who did swallow? Pett.
Who did advise no navy out to set?
And who the forts left unprepared? Pett.
Who to supply with powder did forget
Languard, Sheerness, Gravesend, and Upnor? Pett.
Who all our ships exposed in Chatham net?
Who should it be but the fanatick Pett?
Pett, the sea-architect, in making ships,
Was the first cause of all these naval slips.
Had he not built, none of these faults had been;
If no creation, there had been no sin
But his great crime, one boat away he sent,
That lost our fleet, and did our flight prevent."