1659-60. Blessed be God, at the end of the last year I was in
very good health, without any sense of my old pain, but upon
taking of cold. I lived in Axe Yard, having my wife, and servant
Jane, and no other in family than us three.
The condition of the State was thus; viz. the Rump, after being
disturbed by my Lord Lambert, [Sufficiently known by his services
as a Major-General in the Parliament forces during the Civil War,
and condemned as a traitor after the Restoration; but reprieved
and banished to Guernsey, where he lived in confinement thirty
years.] was lately returned to sit again. The officers of the
Army all forced to yield. Lawson [Sir John Lawson, the son of a
poor man at Hull, rose to the rank of Admiral, and distinguished
himself during the Protectorate; and, though a republican in his
heart, readily closed with the design of restoring the King. He
was mortally wounded in the sea fight in 1665.] lies still in
the river, and Monk is with his army in Scotland. [George Monk,
afterwards Duke of Albemarle.] Only my Lord Lambert is not yet
come into the Parliament, nor is it expected that he will without
being forced to it. The new Common Council of the City do speak
very high; and had sent to Monk their sword-bearer, to acquaint
him with their desires for a free and full Parliament, which is
at present the desires, and the hopes, and the expectations of
all. Twenty-two of the old secluded members having been at the
House-door the last week to demand entrance, but it was denied
them; and it is believed that neither they nor the people will be
satisfied till the House be filled. My own private condition
very handsome, and esteemed rich, but indeed very poor; besides
my goods of my house, and my office, which at present is somewhat
certain. Mr. Downing master of my office. [George Downing, son
of Calibute Downing, D.D. and Rector of Hackney. Wood calls him
a sider with all times and changes; skilled in the common cant,
and a preacher occasionally. He was sent by Cromwell to Holland
as resident there. About the Restoration he espoused the King's
cause, and was knighted and elected M.P. for Morpeth in 1661.
afterwards, becoming Secretary to the Treasury and Commissioner
of Customs, he was in 1663 created a Baronet of East Hatley, in
Cambridgeshire.] [The office appears to have been in the
Exchequer, and connected with the pay of the army.]
JAN. 1, 1659-60 (Lord's day). This morning (we living lately in
the garret,) I rose, put on my suit with great skirts, having not
lately worn any other clothes but them. Went to Mr. Gunning's
chapel [Peter Gunning, afterwards Master of St. John's College,
Cambridge, and successively Bishop of Chichester and Ely: ob.
1684. He had continued to read the liturgy at the chapel at
Exeter House when the Parliament was most predominant, for which
Cromwell often rebuked him.--WOOD'S ATHENAE.] at Exeter House,
[Essex-street in the Strand was built on the site of Exeter
House.] where he made a very good sermon upon these words:--
"That in the fulness of time God sent his Son, made of a woman,"
&c.; showing, that, by "made under the law," is meant the
circumcision, which is solemnized this day. Dined at home in the
garret, where my wife dressed the remains of a turkey, and in the
doing of it she burned her hand. I staid at home the whole
afternoon, looking over my accounts; then went with my wife to my
father's, and in going observed the great posts which the City
workmen set up at the Conduit in Fleet-street.
2nd. Walked a great while in Westminster Hall, where I heard
that Lambert was coming up to London: that my Lord Fairfax was
in the head of the Irish brigade, but it was not certain what he
would declare for. The House was to-day upon finishing the act
for the Council of State, which they did; and for the indemnity
to the soldiers; and were to sit again thereupon in the
afternoon. Great talk that many places had declared for a free
Parliament; and it is believed that they will be forced to fill
up the House with the old members. From the Hall I called at
home, and so went to Mr. Crewe's [John Crewe, Esq., created Baron
Crewe of Stene at the coronation of Charles II. He married
Jemima, daughter and co-heir to Edward Walgrave, Esq., of
Lawford, co. Essex.] (my wife she was to go to her father's),
and Mr. Moore and I and another gentleman went out and drank a
cup of ale together in the new market, and there I eat some bread
and cheese for my dinner.
3rd. To White Hall, where I understood that the Parliament had
passed the act for indemnity for the soldiers and officers that
would come in, in so many days, and that my Lord Lambert should
have benefit of the said act. They had also voted that all
vacancies in the House, by the death of any of the old members,
should be filled up; but those that are living shall not be
called in.
4th. Strange the difference of men's talk! Some say that
Lambert must of necessity yield up; others, that he is very
strong, and that the Fifth-monarchy-men will stick to him, if he
declares for a free Parliament. Chillington was sent yesterday
to him with the vote of pardon and indemnity from the Parliament.
Went and walked in the Hall, where I heard that the Parliament
spent this day in fasting and prayer; and in the afternoon came
letters from the North, that brought certain news that my Lord
Lambert his forces were all forsaking him, and that he was left
with only fifty horse, and that he did now declare for the
Parliament himself; and that my Lord Fairfax did also rest
satisfied, and had laid down his arms, and that what he had done
was only to secure the country against my Lord Lambert his
raising of money, and free quarter. [Thomas Lord Fairfax,
Generalissimo of the Parliament forces. After the Restoration he
retired to his country seat, where he lived in private till his
death in 1671.]
5th. I dined with Mr. Shepley, at my Lord's lodgings, [Admiral
Sir Edward Montagu, afterwards Earl of Sandwich, uniformly styled
"My Lord" throughout the Diary.] upon his turkey pie. And so to
my office again where the Excise money was brought, and some of
it told to soldiers till it was dark. Then I went home, after
writing to my Lord the news that the Parliament had this night
voted that the members that were discharged from sitting in the
years 1648 and 49, were duly discharged; and that there should be
writs issued presently for the calling of others in their places,
and that Monk and Fairfax were commanded up to town, and that the
Prince's lodgings were to be provided for Monk at Whitehall. Mr.
Fage and I did discourse concerning public business; and he told
me it is true the City had not time enough to do much, but they
had resolved to shake off the soldiers; and that unless there be
a free Parliament chosen, he did believe there are half the
Common Council will not levy any money by order of this
Parliament.
6th. This morning Mr. Shepley and I did eat our breakfast at
Mrs. Harper's, (my brother John being with me,) upon a cold
turkey-pie and a goose.
9th. I rose early this morning, and looked over and corrected my
brother John's speech, which he is to make the next opposition.
[Declamations at St. Paul's school, in which there were,
opponents and respondents.] I met with W. Simons, Muddiman, and
Jack Price, and went with them to Harper's and staid till two of
the clock in the afternoon. I found Muddiman a good scholar, an
arch rogue; and owns that though he writes new books for the
Parliament, yet he did declare that he did it only to get money;
and did talk very basely of many of them. Among other things, W.
Simons told me how his uncle Scobell [H. Scobell, clerk to the
House of Commons.] was on Saturday last called to the bar, for
entering in the journal of the House, for the year 1653, these
words: "This day his Excellence the Lord G. Cromwell dissolved
this House;" which words the Parliament voted a forgery, and
demanded of him how they same to be entered. He said that they
were his own hand-writing, and that he did it by rights of his
office, and the practice of his predecessor; and that the intent
of the practice was to let posterity know how such and such a
Parliament was dissolved, whether by the command of the King, or
by their own neglect, as the last House of Lords was; and that to
this end, he had said and writ that it was dissolved by his
Excellence the Lord G.; and that for the word dissolved, he never
at the time did hear of any other term; and desired pardon if he
would not dare to make a word himself what it was six years
after, before they came themselves to call it an interruption;
that they were so little satisfied with this answer, that they
did chuse a committee to report to the House, whether this crime
of Mr. Scobell's did come within the act of indemnity or no.
Thence into the Hall, where I heard for certain that Monk was
coming to London, and that Bradshaw's lodgings were preparing for
him. [John Bradshaw, Serjeant-at-Law, President of the High
Court of Justice.] I heard Sir H. Vane was this day voted out of
the House, and to sit no more there; and that he would retire
himself to his house at Raby, [Son of a statesman of both his
names, and one, of the most turbulent enthusiasts produced by the
Rebellion, and an inflexible republican. His execution, in 1662,
for conspiring the death of Charles I. was much called in
question as a measure of great severity.] as also all the rest
of the nine officers that had their commissions formerly taken
away from them, were commanded to their farthest houses from
London during the pleasure of the Parliament.
1Oth. To the Coffee-house, where were a great confluence of
gentlemen; viz. Mr. Harrington, Poultny, chairman, Gold, Dr.
Petty, &c., where admirable discourse till 9 at night. Thence
with Doling to Mother Lam's, who told me how this day Scott was
made Intelligencer, and that the rest of the members that were
objected against last night were to be heard this day se'nnight.
[James Harrington, the political writer, author of "Oceana," and
founder of a club called The Rota, in 1659, which met at Miles's
coffee-house in Old Palace Yard, and lasted only a few months.
In 1661 he was sent to the Tower, on suspicion of treasonable
designs. His intellects appear to have failed afterwards, and he
died 1677. Sir William Poultny, subsequently M.P. for
Westminster, and a Commissioner of the Privy Seal under King
William. Ob. 1691. Sir William Petty, an eminent physician, and
celebrated for his proficiency in every branch of science. Ob.
1687. Thomas Scott, M.P., made Secretary of State to the
Commonwealth Jan. 17th following.]
13th. Coming in the morning to my office, I met with Mr. Fage
and took him to the Swan. He told me how he, Haselrigge, [Sir
Arthur Haselrigge, Bart. of Nosely, co. Leicester, Colonel of a
regiment in the Parliament army, and much esteemed by Cromwell.
Ob. 1660.] and Morley, [Probably Colonel Morley Lieutenant of
the Tower.] the last night began at my Lord Mayor's to exclaim
against the City of London, saying that they had forfeited their
charter. And how the Chamberlain of the City did take them down,
letting them know how much they were formerly beholding to the
City, &c. He also told me that Monk's letter that came by the
sword-bearer was a cunning piece, and that which they did not
much trust to: but they were resolved to make no more
applications to the Parliament, nor to pay any money, unless the
secluded members be brought in, or a free Parliament chosen.
16th. In the morning I went up to Mr. Crewe's, who did talk to
me concerning things of state; and expressed his mind how just it
was that the secluded members should come to sit again. From
thence to my office, where nothing to do; but Mr. Downing came
and found me all alone; and did mention to me his going back into
Holland, and did ask me whether I would go or no, but gave me
little encouragement, but bid me consider of it; and asked me
whether I did not think that Mr. Hawley could perform the work of
my office alone. I confess I was at a great loss, all the day
after, to bethink myself how to carry this business. I staid up
till the bell-man came by with his bell just under my window as I
was writing of this very line, and cried, "Past one of the clock,
and a cold, frosty, windy morning."
17th. In our way to Kensington, we understood how that my Lord
Chesterfield [Philip, second Earl of Chesterfield, born. 1634,
ob. 1713.] had killed another gentleman about half an hour
before, and was fled. I went to the Coffee Club and heard very
good discourse; it was in answer to Mr. Harrington's answer, who
said that the state of the Roman government was not a settled
government, and so it was no wonder that the balance of
prosperity was in one hand, and the command in another, it being
therefore always in a posture of war; but it was carried by
ballot, that it was a steady government, though it is true by the
voices it had been carried before that it was an unsteady
government; so to-morrow it is to be proved by the opponents that
the balance lay in one hand, and the government in another.
Thence I went to Westminster, and met Shaw and Washington, who
told me how this day Sydenham [Colonel Sydenham had been an
active officer during the Civil Wars, on the Parliament side.
M.P. for Dorsetshire, and governor of Melcombe, and one of the
Committee of Safety.] was voted out of the House for sitting any
more this Parliament, and that Salloway was voted out likewise
and sent to the Tower, [In the Journals of that date Major
Salwey.] during the pleasure of the House. At Harper's Jack
Price told me, among other things, how much the Protector is
altered, though he would seem to bear out his trouble very well,
yet he is scarce able to talk sense with a man; and how he will
say that "Who should a man trust, if he may not trust to a
brother and an uncle;" and "how much those men have to answer
before God Almighty, for their playing the knave with him as they
did." He told me also, that there was 100,000l. offered, and
would have been taken for his restitution, had not the Parliament
come in as they did again; and that he do believe that the
Protector will live to give a testimony of his valour and revenge
yet before he dies, and that the Protector will say so himself
sometimes.
18th. All the world is at a loss to think what Monk will do:
the City saying that he will be for them, and the Parliament
saying he will be for them.
19th. This morning I was sent for to Mr. Downing, and at his bed
side he told me, that he had a kindness for me, and that he
thought that he had done me one; and that was, that he had got me
to be one of the Clerks of the Council; at which I was a little
stumbled, and could not tell what to do, whether to thank him or
no; but by and by I did; but not very heartily, for I feared that
his doing of it was only to ease himself of the salary which he
gives me. Mr. Moore and I went to the French Ordinary, where Mr.
Downing this day feasted Sir Arth. Haselrigge, and a great many
more of the Parliament, and did stay to put him in mind of me.
Here he gave me a note to go and invite some other members to
dinner to-morrow. So I went to White Hall, and did stay at
Marsh's with Simons, Luellin, and all the rest of the Clerks of
the Council, who I hear are all turned out, only the two Leighs,
and they do all tell me that my name was mentioned last night,
but that nothing was done in it.
20th. In the morning I met Lord Widdrington in the street, [Sir
Thomas Widdrington, Knight, Serjeant-at-Law. one of Cromwell's
Commissioners of the Treasury, appointed Speaker 1656, and first
Commissioner for the Great Seal, January, 1659; he was M.P. for
York.] going to seal the patents for the Judges to-day, and so
could not come to dinner. This day three citizens of London went
to meet Monk from the Common Council. Received my 25l. due by
bill for my trooper's pay. At the Mitre, in Fleet-street, in our
way calling on Mr. Fage, who told me how the City have some hopes
of Monk. This day Lenthall took his chair again, [William
Lenthall, Speaker of the Long or Rump Parliament, and made Keeper
of the Great Seal to the Commonwealth, ob, 1662.] and the House
resolved a declaration to be brought in on Monday to satisfy the
world what they intend to do.
22nd. To church in the afternoon to Mr. Herring, where a lazy
poor sermon. This day I began to put on buckles to my shoes.
23rd. This day the Parliament sat late, and revolved of the
declaration to be printed for the people's satisfaction,
promising them a great many good things.
24th. Came Mr. Southerne, clerk to Mr. Blackburne, and with him
Lambert, lieutenant of my Lord's ship, and brought with them the
declaration that came out to-day from the Parliament, wherein
they declare for law and gospel, and for tythes; but I do not
find people apt to believe them. This day the Parliament gave
orders that the late Committee of Safety should come before them
this day se'nnight, and all their papers, and their model of
Government that they had made, to be brought in with them.
25th. Coming home heard that in Cheapside there had been but a
little before a gibbet set up, and the picture of Huson hung upon
it in the middle of the street. [John Hewson, who had been a
shoemaker, became a Colonel in the Parliament Army, and sat in
judgement on the King: he escaped hanging by flight, and died in
1662 at Amsterdam.] I called at Paul's Churchyard, where I
bought Buxtorf's Hebrew Grammar; and read a declaration of the
gentlemen of Northampton which came out this afternoon.
26th. Called for some papers at Whitehall for Mr. Downing, one
of which was an order of the Council for 1800l. per annum, to be
paid monthly; and the other two, Orders to the Commissioners of
Customs, to let his goods pass free. Home from my office to my
Lord's lodgings where my wife had got ready a very fine dinner--
viz. a dish of marrow bones; a leg of mutton; a loin of veal; a
dish of fowl, three pullets, and a dozen of larks all in a dish;
a great tart, a neat's tongue, a dish of anchovies; a dish of
prawns and cheese. My company was my father, my uncle Fenner,
his two sons, Mr. Pierce, and all their wives, and my brother Tom
[Ob.1663]. The news this day is a letter that speaks absolutely
Monk's concurrence with this Parliament, and nothing else, which
yet I hardly believe.
28th, I went to Mr. Downing, who told me that he was resolved to
be gone for Holland this morning. So I to my office again, and
dispatch my business there, and came with Mr. Hawley to Mr.
Downing's lodgings, and took Mr. Squib from White Hall in a coach
thither with me, and there we waited in his chamber a great
while, till he came in; and in the mean time, sent all his things
to the barge that lays at Charing-Cross stairs. Then came he in,
and took a very civil leave of me, beyond my expectations, for I
was afraid that he would have told me something of removing me
from my office; but he did not, but that he would do me any
service that lay in his power. So I went down and sent a porter
to my house for my best fur cap, but he coming too late with it I
did not present it to him: and so I returned and went to Heaven,
[A place of entertainment, in Old Palace Yard, on the site of
which the Committee-Rooms of the House of Commons now stand it is
called in Hudibras, "False Heaven, at the end of the Hall."]
where Luellin and I dined.
29th. In the morning I went to Mr. Gunning's, where he made an
excellent sermon upon the 2nd of the Galatians, about the
difference that fell between St. Paul and St. Peter, whereby he
did prove, that, contrary to the doctrine of the Roman Church,
St. Paul did never own any dependance, or that he was inferior to
St Peter, but that they were equal, only one a particular charge
of preaching to the Jews, and the other to the Gentiles.
30th. This morning, before I was up, I fell a-singing of my
song, "Great, good and just," &c. and put myself thereby in mind
that this was the fatal day, now ten years since, his Majesty
died. [This is the beginning of Montrose's verses on the
execution of Charles the First, which Pepys had probably set to
music:--
Great, good, and just, could I but rate
My grief and thy too rigid fate,
I'd weep the world to such a strain
That it should deluge once again.
But since thy loud-tongued blood demands supplies
More from Briareus' hands, than Argus' eyes,
I'll sing thy obsequies with trumpet sounds,
And write thy epitaph with blood and wounds.]
There seems now to be a general cease of talk, it being taken for
granted that Monk do resolve to stand to the Parliament, and
nothing else.
31st. After dinner to Westminster Hall, where all we clerks had
orders to wait upon the Committee, at the Star-chamber that is to
try Colonel Jones, and to give an account what money we had paid
him; but the Committee did not sit to-day. [Colonel John Jones,
impeached, with General Ludlow and Miles Corbet, for treasonable
practices in Ireland.] Called in at Harper's with Mr. Pulford,
servant to Mr. Waterhouse, who tells me, that whereas my Lord
Fleetwood should have answered to the Parliament to-day, he wrote
a letter and desired a little more time, he being a great way out
of town. [Charles Fleetwood, Lord Deputy of Ireland during the
Usurpation, became Cromwell's son-in-law by his marriage with
Ireton's widow, and a member of the Council of State. He seems
disposed to have espoused Charles the Second's interests; but had
not resolution enough to execute his design. At the Restoration
he was excepted out of the Act of Indemnity, and spent the
remainder of his life in obscurity, dying soon after the
Revolution.] And how that he is quite ashamed of himself, and
confesses how he had deserved this, for his baseness to his
brother. And that he is like to pay part of the money, paid out
of the Exchequer during the Committee of Safety, out of his own
purse again, which I am glad on. I could find nothing in Mr.
Downing's letter, which Hawley brought me concerning my office;
but I could discern that Hawley had a mind that I would get to be
Clerk of the Council, I suppose that he might have the greater
salary; but I think it not safe yet to change this for a public
employment.
FEBRUARY 1, 1659-60. Took Gammer East, and James the porter, a
soldier, to my Lord's lodgings, who told me how they were drawn
into the field to-day, and that they were ordered to march away
to-morrow to make room for General Monk; but they did shout their
Colonel Fitch, [Thomas Fitch, Colonel of a regiment of foot in
1658, M.P. for Inverness.] and the rest of the officers out of
the field, and swore they would not go without their money, and
if they would not give it them, they would go where they might
have it, and that was the City. So the Colonel went to the
Parliament, and commanded what money could be got, to be got
against to-morrow for them, and all the rest of the soldiers in
town, who in all places made a mutiny this day, and do agree
together.
2nd. To my office, where I found all the officers of the
regiments in town, waiting to receive money that their soldiers
might go out of town, and what was in the Exchequer they had.
Harper, Luellin, and I went to the Temple to Mr. Calthrop's
chamber, and from thence had his man by water to London Bridge to
Mr. Calthrop a grocer, and received 60l. for my Lord. In our way
we talked with our waterman, White, who told us how the watermen
had lately been abused by some that had a desire to get in to be
watermen to the State, and had lately presented an address of
nine or ten thousand hands to stand by this Parliament, when it
was only told them that it was a petition against hackney
coaches; and that to-day they had put out another to undeceive
the world and to clear themselves. After I had received the
money we went homewards, but over against Somerset House, hearing
the noise of guns, we landed and found the Strand full of
soldiers. So I took my money and went to Mrs. Johnson, my Lord's
sempstress, and giving her my money to lay up, Doling and I went
up stairs to a window, and looked out and saw the foot face the
horse and beat them back, and stood bawling and calling in the
street for a free Parliament and money. By and by a drum was
heard to beat a march coming towards them, and they got all ready
again and faced them, and they proved to be of the same mind with
them; and so they made a great deal of joy to see one another.
After all this I went home on foot to lay up my money, and change
my stockings and shoes. I this day left off my great skirt suit,
and put on my white suit with silver lace coat, and went over to
Harper's, where I met with W. Simons, Doling, Luellin and three
merchants, one of which had occasion to use a porter, so they
sent for one, and James the soldier came, who told us how they
had been all day and night upon their guard at St. James's, and
that through the whole town they did resolve to stand to what
they had began, and that to-morrow he did believe they would go
into the City, and be received there. After this we went to a
sport called, selling of a horse for a dish of eggs and herrings,
and sat talking there till almost twelve at night.
3rd. Drank my morning draft at Harper's, and was told there that
the soldiers were all quiet upon promise of pay. Thence to St.
James's Park, back to Whitehall, where in a guard-chamber I saw
about thirty or forty 'prentices of the City, who were taken at
twelve o'clock last night and brought prisoners hither. Thence
to my office, where I paid a little more money to some of the
soldiers under Lieut.-Col. Miller (who held out the Tower against
the Parliament after it was taken away from Fitch by the
Committee of Safety, and yet he continued in his office). About
noon Mrs. Turner came to speak with me and Joyce, and I took them
and shewed them the manner of the Houses sitting, the door-keeper
very civilly opening the door for us. We went walking all over
White Hall, whither General Monk was newly come, and we saw all
his forces march by in very good plight and stout officers.
After dinner I went to hear news, but only found that the
Parliament House was most of them with Monk at White Hall, and
that in his passing through the town he had many calls to him for
a free Parliament, but little other welcome. I saw in the Palace
Yard how unwilling some of the old soldiers were yet to go out of
town without their money, and swore if they had it not in three
days, as they were promised, they would do them more mischief in
the country than if they had staid here; and that is very likely,
the country being all discontented. The town and guards are
already full of Monk's soldiers.
4th. All the news to-day is, that the Parliament this morning
voted the House to be made up four hundred forthwith.
6th. To Westminster, where we found the soldiers all set in the
Palace Yard, to make way for General Monk to come to the House.
I stood upon the steps and saw Monk go by, he making observance
to the judges as he went along.
7th. To the Hall, where in the Palace I saw Monk's soldiers
abuse Billing and all the Quakers, that were at a meeting-place
there, and indeed the soldiers did use them very roughly and were
to blame. This day Mr. Crew told me that my Lord St. John is for
a free Parliament, and that he is very great with Monk, who hath
now the absolute command and power to do any thing that he hath a
mind to do.
9th. Before I was out of my bed, I heard the soldiers very busy
in the morning, getting their horses ready when they lay at
Hilton's, but I knew not then their meaning in so doing. In the
Hall I understand how Monk is this morning gone into London with
his army; and Mr. Fage told me that he do believe that Monk is
gone to secure some of the Common-council of the City, who were
very high yesterday there, and did vote that they would not pay
any taxes till the House was filled up. I went to my office,
where I wrote to my Lord after I had been at the Upper Bench,
where Sir Robert Pye this morning came to desire his discharge
from the Tower; but it could not be granted. I called at Mr.
Harper's, who told me how Monk had this day clapt up many of the
Common-council, and that the Parliament had voted that he should
pull down their gates and portcullisses, their posts and their
chains, which he do intend to do, and do lie in the City all
night.
To Westminster Hall, where I heard an action very finely pleaded
between my Lord Dorset [Richard, 5th Earl of Dorset, ob. 1677.]
and some other noble persons, his lady and other ladies of
quality being there, and it was about 330l. PER ANNUM, that was
to be paid to a poor Spittal which was given by some of his
predecessors; and given on his side.
10th. Mr. Fage told me what Monk had done in the City, how he
had pulled down the most part of the gates and chains that they
could break down, and that he was now gone back to White Hall.
The City look mighty blank, and cannot tell what in the world to
do; the Parliament having this day ordered that the Common-
council sit no more, but that new ones be chosen according to
what qualifications they shall give them.
11th. I heard the news of a letter from Monk, who was now gone
into the City again, and did resolve to stand for the sudden
filling up of the House, and it was very strange how the
countenance of men in the Hall was all changed with joy in half
an hour's time. So I went up to the lobby, where I saw the
Speaker reading of the letter; and after it was read, Sir A.
Haselrigge came out very angry, and Billing standing at the door,
took him by the arm, and cried, "Thou man, will thy beast carry
thee no longer? thou must fall!" We took coach for the City to
Guildhall, where the Hall was full of people expecting Monk and
Lord Mayor to come thither, and all very joyfull. Met Monk
coming out of the chamber where he had been with the Mayor and
Aldermen, but such a shout I never heard in all my life, crying
out, "God bless your Excellence." Here I met with Mr. Lock, and
took him to an ale-house: when we were come together, he told us
the substance of the letter that went from Monk to the
Parliament; wherein after complaints that he and his officers
were put upon such offices against the City as they could not do
with any content or honour, it states, that there are many
members now in the House that were of the late tyrannical
Committee of Safety. That Lambert and Vane are now in town,
contrary to the vote of Parliament. That many in the House do
press for new oaths to be put upon men; whereas we have more
cause to be sorry for the many oaths that we have already taken
and broken. That the late petition of the fanatique people
prevented by Barebone, for the imposing of an oath upon all sorts
of people, was received by the House with thanks. That therefore
he [Monk] did desire that all writs for filling up of the House
be issued by Friday next, and that in the mean time, he would
retire into the City and only leave them guards for the security
of the House and Council. The occasion of this was the order
that he had last night, to go into the City and disarm them, and
take away their charter; whereby he and his officers said, that
the House had a mind to put them upon, things that should make
them odious; and so it would be in their power to do what they
would with them. We were told that the Parliament had sent Scott
and Robinson to Monk this afternoon, but he would not hear them.
And that the Mayor and Aldermen had offered their own houses for
himself and his officers; and that his soldiers would lack for
nothing. And indeed I saw many people give the soldiers drink
and money, and all along the streets cried, "God bless them!"
and extraordinary good words. Hence we went to a merchant's
house hard by, where I saw Sir Nich. Crisp, [An eminent merchant
and one of the Farmers of the Customs. He had advanced large
sums to assist Charles I., who created him a Baronet. He died
1667, aged 67.] and so we went to the star Tavern, (Monk being
then at Benson's.) In Cheapside there was a great many bonfires,
and Bow bells and all the bells in all the churches as we went
home were a-ringing. Hence we went homewards, it being about ten
at night. But the common joy that was every where to be seen!
The number of bonfires, there being fourteen between St.
Dunstan's and Temple Bar, and at Strand Bridge I could at one
time tell thirty-one fires. In King-street seven or eight; and
all along burning, and roasting, and drinking for rumps. There
being rumps tied upon sticks and carried up and down. The
butchers at the May Pole in the Strand rang a peal with their
knives when they were going to sacrifice their rump. On Ludgate
Hill there was one turning of the spit that had a rump tied upon
it, and another basting of it. Indeed it was past imagination,
both the greatness and the suddenness of it. At one end of the
street you would think there was a whole lane on fire, and so
hot that we were fain to keep on the further side.
12th. In the morning, it being Lord's day, to White Hall, where
Dr. Hones preached; but I staid not to hear, but walking in the
court, I heard that Sir Arth. Haselrigge was newly gone into the
City to Monk, and that Monk's wife removed from White Hall last
night. After dinner I heard that Monk had been at Paul's in the
morning, and the people had shouted much at his coming out of the
church. In the afternoon he was at a church in Broad-street,
whereabout he do lodge. To my father's, where Charles Glascocke
was overjoyed to see how things are now; who told me the boys had
last night broke Barebone's windows. [Praise God Barebones, an
active member of the Parliament called by his name. About this
period he had appeared at the head of a band of fanatics, and
alarmed Monk, who well knew his influence.]
13th. This day Monk was invited to White Hall to dinner by my
Lords; not seeming willing, he would not come. I went to Mr.
Fage from my father's, who had been this afternoon with Monk, who
did promise to live and die with the City, and for the honour of
the City; and indeed the City is very open-handed to the
soldiers, that they are most of them drunk all day, and had money
given them.
14th. To Westminster Hall, there being many new remonstrances
and declarations from many counties to Monk and the City, and one
coming from the North from Sir Thomas Fairfax. [Thomas Lord
Fairfax, mentioned before.] I heard that the Parliament had now
changed the oath so much talked of to a promise; and that among
other qualifications for the members that are to be chosen, one
is, that no man, nor the son of any man that hath been in arms
during the life of the father, shall be capable of being chosen
to sit in Parliament. This day by an order of the House, Sir H.
Vane was sent out of town to his house in Lincolnshire.
15th. No news to-day but all quiet to see what the Parliament
will do about the issuing of the writs to-morrow for the filling
up of the House, according to Monk's desire.
17th. To Westminster Hall, where I heard that some of the
members of the House was gone to meet with some of the secluded
members and General Monk in the City. Hence to White Hall,
thinking to hear more news, where I met with Mr. Hunt, who told
me how Monk had sent for all his goods that he had here, into the
City; and yet again he told me, that some of the members of the
House had this day laid in firing into their lodgings at
Whitehall for a good while, so that we are at a great stand to
think what will become of things, whether Monk will stand to the
Parliament or no.
18th. This day two soldiers were hanged in the Strand for their
late mutiny at Somerset-house.
19th (Lord's day). To Mr. Gunning's, and heard an excellent
sermon. Here I met with Mr. Moore, and went home with him to
dinner, where he told me the discourse that happened between the
secluded members and the members of the House, before Monk last
Friday. How the secluded said, that they did not intend by
coming in to express revenge upon these men, but only to meet and
dissolve themselves, and only to issue writs for a free
Parliament. He told me how Hasselrigge was afraid to have the
candle carried before him, for fear that the people seeing him,
would do him hurt; and that he was afraid to appear In the City.
That there is great likelihood that the secluded members will
come in, and so Mr. Crewe and my Lord are likely to be great men,
at which I was very glad. After dinner there was many secluded
members come in to Mr. Crewe, which, it being the Lord's day, did
make Mr. Moore believe that there was something extraordinary in
the business.
20th. I went forth to Westminster Hall, where I met with
Chetwind, Simons, and Gregory. [Mr. Gregory was, in 1672, Clerk
of the Cheque at Chatham.] They told me how the Speaker Lenthall
do refuse to sign the writs for choice of new members in the
place of the excluded; and by that means the writs could not go
out to-day. In the evening Simons and I to the Coffee House,
where I heard Mr. Harrington, and my Lord of Dorset and another
Lord, talking of getting another place at the Cockpit, and they
did believe it would come to something.
21st. In the morning I saw many soldiers going towards
Westminster Hall, to admit the secluded members again. So I to
Westminster Hall, and in Chancery I saw about twenty of them who
had been at White Hall with General Monk, who came thither this
morning, and made a speech to them, and recommended to them a
Commonwealth, and against Charles Stuart. They came to the House
and went in one after another, and at last the Speaker came, But
it is very strange that this could be carried so private, that
the other members of the House heard nothing of all this, till
they found them in the House, insomuch that the soldiers that
stood there to let in the secluded members they took for such as
they had ordered to stand there to hinder their coming in. Mr.
Prin came with an old basket-hilt sword on, and a great many
shouts upon his going into the Hall. [William Prynne, the
lawyer, well known by his voluminous publications, and the
persecution which he endured. He was M.P. for Bath, 1660, and
died 1669.] They sat till noon, and at their coming out Mr.
Crewe saw me, and bid me come to his house and dine with him,
which I did; and he very joyful told me that; the House had made
General Monk, General of all the Forces in England, Scotland, and
Ireland; and that upon Monk's desire, for the service that Lawson
had lately done in pulling down the Committee of Safety, he had
the command of the Sea for the time being. He advised me to send
for my Lord forthwith, and told me that there is no question
that, if he will, he may now be employed again; and that the
House do intend to do nothing more than to issue writs, and to
settle a foundation for a free Parliament. After dinner I back
to Westminster Hall with him in his coach. Here I met with Mr.
Lock and Pursell, Master of Musique, [Matthew Locke and Henry
Purcell, both celebrated Composers.] and went with them to the
Coffee House, into a room next the water, by ourselves, where we
spent an hour or two till Captain Taylor come and told us, that
the House had voted the gates of the City to be made up again,
and the members of the City that are in prison to be set at
liberty; and that Sir G. Booth's case be brought into the House
to-morrow. [Sir George Booth of Dunham Massey, Bart., created
Baron Delamer; 1661, for his services in behalf of the King.]
Here we had variety of brave Italian; and Spanish songs, and a
canon for eight voices, which Mr. Lock had lately made on these
words: "Domine salvum fac Regem" Here out of the window it was a
most pleasant sight to see the City from one end to the other
with a glory about it, so high was the light of the bonfires, and
so thick round the City, and the bells rang every where.
22nd. Walking in the Hall, I saw Major General Brown, [Richard
Brown, a Major-General of the Parliament forces, Governor of
Abingdon, and Member for London in the Long Parliament. He had
been imprisoned by the Rump Faction.] who had a long time been
banished by the Rump, but now with his beard overgrown, he comes
abroad and sat in the House. To White Hall, where I met with
Will. Simons and Mr. Mabbot at Marsh's, who told me how the House
had this day voted that the gates of the City should be set up at
the cost of the State. And that Major-General Brown's being
proclaimed a traitor be made void, and several other things of
that nature. I observed this day how abominably Barebone's
windows are broke again last night.
23rd. Thursday, my birth-day, now twenty-seven years. To
Westminster Hall, where, after the House rose, I met with Mr.
Crewe, who told me that my Lord was chosen by 73 voices, to be
one of the Council of State, Mr. Pierpoint had the most, 101,
[William Pierrepont, M.P. of Thoresby, second son to Robert,
First Earl of Kingston, ob. 1677, aged 71.] and himself the
next, 100.
24th. I rose very early, and taking horse at Scotland Yard, at
Mr. Garthwayt's stable, I rode to Mr. Pierce's: we both mounted,
and so set forth about seven of the clock; at Puckridge we
baited, the way exceeding bad from Ware thither. Then up again
and as far as Foulmer, within six miles of Cambridge, my mare
being almost tired: here we lay at the Chequer. I lay with Mr.
Pierce, who we left here the next morning upon his going to
Hinchingbroke to speak with my Lord before his going to London,
and we two come to Cambridge by eight o'clock in the morning. I
went to Magdalene College to Mr. Hill, with whom I found Mr.
Zanchy, Burton and Hollins, and took leave on promise to sup with
them. To the Three Tuns, where we drank pretty hard and many
healths to the King, &c.: then we broke up and I and Mr. Zanchy
went to Magdalene College, where a very handsome supper at Mr.
Hill's chambers, I suppose upon a club among them, where I could
find that there was nothing at all left of the old preciseness in
their discourse, specially on Saturday nights. And Mr. Zanchy
told me that there was no such thing now-a-days among them at any
time.
26th. Found Mr. Pierce at our Inn, who told us he had lost his
journey, for my Lord was gone from Hinchingbroke to London on
Thursday last, at which I was a little put to a stand.
27th. Up by four o'clock: Mr. Blayton and I took horse and
straight to Saffron Walden, where at the White Hart, we set up
our horses, and took the master of the house to shew us Audly End
House, who took us on foot through the park, and so to the house,
where the housekeeper shewed us all the house, in which the
stateliness of the ceilings, chimney-pieces, and form of the
whole was exceedingly worth seeing. He took us into the cellar,
where we drank most admirable drink, a health to the King. Here
I played on my flageolette, there being an excellent echo. He
shewed us excellent pictures; two especially, those of the four
Evangelists and Henry VIII. In our going, my landlord carried us
through a very old hospital or almshouse, where forty poor people
was maintained; a very old foundation; and over the chimney-piece
was an inscription in brass: "Orate pro anima, Thomae Bird," &c.
[The inscription and the bowl are still to be seen in the
almshouse.] They brought me a draft of their drink in a brown
bowl, tipt with silver, which I drank off, and at the bottom was
a picture of the Virgin with the child in her arms, done in
silver. So we took leave, the road pretty good, but the weather
rainy to Eping.
28th. Up in the morning. Then to London through the forest,
here we found the way good, but only in one path, which we kept
as if we had rode through a kennel all the way. We found the
shops all shut, and the militia of the red regiment in arms at
the old Exchange, among whom I found and spoke to Nich. Osborne,
who told me that it was a thanksgiving-day through the City for
the return of the Parliament. At Paul's I light, Mr. Blayton
holding my horse, where I found Dr. Reynolds in the pulpit, and
General Monk there, who was to have a great entertainment at
Grocers' Hall.
29th. To my office. Mr. Moore told me how my Lord is chosen
General at Sea by the Council, and that it is thought that Monk
will be joined with him therein. This day my Lord came to the
House, the first time since he come to town; but he had been at
the Council before.
MARCH 1, 1659-60. I went to Mr. Crewe's, whither Mr. Thomas was
newly come to town, being sent with Sir H. Yelverton, my old
school-fellow at Paul's School, to bring the thanks of the county
to General Monk for the return of the Parliament.
2nd. I went early to my Lord at Mr. Crewe's where I spoke to
him. Here were a great many come to see him, as Secretary
Thurloe, [John Thurloe, who had been Secretary of State to the
two Protectors, but was never employed after the Restoration,
though the King solicited his services. Ob. 1668.] who is now by
the Parliament chosen again Secretary of State. To Westminster
Hall, where I saw Sir G. Booth at liberty. This day I hear the
City militia is put into good posture, and it is thought that
Monk will not be able to do any great matter against them now, if
he had a mind. I understand that my Lord Lambert did yesterday
send a letter to the Council, and that to-night he is to come and
appear to the Council in person. Sir Arthur Haselrigge do not
yet appear in the House. Great is the talk of a single person,
and that it would now be Charles, George, or Richard again. For
the last of which my Lord St. John is said to speak high. Great
also is the dispute now in the House, in whose name the writs
shall run for the next Parliament; and it is said that Mr. Prin,
in open House, said, "In King Charles's."
3rd. To Westminster Hall, where I found that my Lord was last
night voted one of the Generals at Sea, and Monk the other. I
met my Lord in the Hall, who bid me come to him at noon. After
dinner I to Warwick House, in Holborne, to my Lord, where he
dined with my Lord of Manchester, Sir Dudley North, my Lord
Fiennes, and my Lord Barkley. [Lord Manchester, the
Parliamentary General, afterwards particularly instrumental in
the King's Restoration, became Chamberlain of the Household,
K.G., a Privy Counsellor, and Chancellor of the University of
Cambridge. He died in 1671, having been five times married. Sir
Dudley North, K.B., became the 4th Lord North, on the death of
his father in 1666. Ob. 1677. John Fiennes, third son of
William, 1st Viscount Say and Sele, and one of Oliver's Lords.
George, 13th Lord Berkeley, created Earl Berkeley 1679. He was a
Privy Counsellor, and had afterwards the management, of the Duke
of York's family. Ob. 1698] I staid in the great hall, talking
with some gentlemen there, till they all come out. Then I, by
coach with my Lord, to Mr. Crewe's, in our way talking of publick
things. He told me he feared there was new design hatching, as
if Monk had a mind to get into the saddle. Returning, met with
Mr. Gifford who told me, as I hear from many, that things are in
a very doubtful posture, some of the Parliament being willing to
keep the power in their hands. After I had left him, I met with
Tom Harper; he talked huge high that my Lord Protector would come
in place again, which indeed is much discoursed of again, though
I do not see it possible.
4th. Lord's day. To Mr. Gunning's, an excellent sermon upon
charity.
5th. To Westminster by water, only seeing Mr. Pinky at his own
house, where he shewed me how he had alway kept the Lion and
Unicorne, in the back of his chimney, bright, in expectation of
the King's coming again. At home I found Mr. Hunt, who told me
how the Parliament had voted that the Covenant be printed and
hung in churches again. Great hopes of the King's coming again.
6th. Shrove Tuesday. I called Mr. Shepley and we both went up
to my Lord's lodgings, at Mr. Crewe's, where he bid us to go home
again and get a fire against an hour after. Which we did at
White Hall, whither he came, and after talking with him about our
going to sea, he called me by myself into the garden, Where he
asked me how things were with me; he bid me look out now at this
turn some good place, and he would use all his own, and all the
interest of his friends that he had in England, to do me good.
And asked me whether I could, without too much inconvenience, go
to sea as his secretary, and bid me think of it. He also began
to talk of things of State, and told me that he should want one
in that capacity at sea, that he might trust in, and therefore he
would have me to go. He told me also, that he did believe the
King would come in, and did discourse with me about it, and about
the affection of the people and City, at which I was full glad.
Wrote by the post, by my Lord's command, for I. Goods to come up
presently. For my Lord intends to go forth with Goods to the
Swiftsure till the Nazeby be ready. This day I hear that the
Lords do intend to sit, a great store of them are now in town,
and I see in the Hall to-day. Overton at Hull do stand out, but
can it is thought do nothing; and Lawson, it is said, is gone
with some ships thither, but all that is nothing. My Lord told
me, that there was great endeavours to bring in the protector
again; but he told me, too, that he did believe it would not last
long if he were brought in; no, nor the King neither, (though he
seems to think that he will come in), unless he carry himself
very soberly and well. Every body now drink the King's health
without any fear, whereas before it was very private that a man
dare do it. Monk this day is feasted at Mercers' Hall, and is
invited one after another to all the twelve Halls in London.
Many think that he is honest yet, and some or more think him to
be a fool that would raise himself, but think that he will undo
himself by endeavouring it.
7th. Ash Wednesday. Going homeward, my Lord overtook me in his
coach, and called me in, and so I went with him to St. James's,
and G. Montagu [George Montagu, afterwards M.P. for Dover, second
son of Edward, second Earl of Manchester, and father of the first
Earl of Halifax.] being gone to White Hall, we walked over the
Park thither, all the way he discoursing of the times, and of the
change of things since the last year, and wondering how he could
bear with so great disappointment as he did. He did give me the
best advice that he could what was best for me, whether to stay
or go with him, and offered all the ways that could be, how he
might do me good, with the greatest liberty and love. This day
according to order, Sir Arthur [Haselrigge.] appeared at the
House; what was done I know not, but there was all the Rumpers
almost come to the House to-day. My Lord did seem to wonder much
why Lambert was so willing to be put into the Tower, and thinks
he had some design in it; but I think that he is so poor that he
cannot use his liberty for debts, if he were at liberty; and so
it is as good and better for him to be there, than any where
else.
8th. To Westminster Hall, where there was a general damp over
men's minds and faces upon some of the Officers of the Army being
about making a remonstrance upon Charles Stuart or any single
person; but at noon it was told, that the General had put a stop
to it, so all was well again. Here I met with Jasper who was to
bring me to my Lord at the lobby; whither sending a note to my
Lord, he comes out to me and gives me directions to look after
getting some money for him from the Admiralty, seeing that things
are so unsafe, that he would not lay out a farthing for the
State, till he had received some money of theirs. This
afternoon, some of the officers of the Army, and some of the
Parliament, had a conference at White Hall to make all right
again, but I know not what is done. At the Dog tavern, in comes
Mr. Wade and Mr. Sterry, secretary to the plenipotentiary in
Denmark, who brought the news of the death of the King of Sweden
[Charles Gustavus.] at Gottenburgh the 3rd of last month.
9th. To my Lord at his lodging, and came to Westminster with him
in the coach; and Mr. Dudley and he in the Painted Chamber walked
a good while; and I telling him that I was willing and ready to
go with him to sea, he agreed that I should, and advised me what
to write to Mr. Downing about it. This day it was resolved that
the writs do go out in the name of the Keepers of the Liberty,
and I hear that it is resolved privately that a treaty be offered
with the King. And that Monk did check his soldiers highly for
what they did yesterday.
13th. At my Lord's lodgings, who told me that I was to be
secretary, and Crewe deputy treasurer to the Fleet. This day the
Parliament voted all that had been done by the former Rump
against the House of Lords be void, and to-night that the writs
go out without any qualification. Things seem very doubtful what
will be the end of all; for the Parliament seems to be strong for
the King, while the soldiers do all talk against.
14th. To my Lord's, where infinity of applications to him and to
me. To my great trouble, my Lord gives me all the papers that
was given to him, to put in order and to give him an account of
them. I went hence to St. James's to speake with Mr. Clerke,
Monk's secretary, about getting some soldiers removed out of
Huntingdon to Oundle, which my Lord told me he did to do a
courtesy to the town, that he might have the greater interest in
them, in the choice of the next Parliament; not that he intends
to be chosen himself, but that he might have Mr. Montagu and my
Lord Mandevill chose there in spite of the Bernards. I did
promise to give my wife all that I have in the world, but my
books, in case I should die at sea. After supper I went to
Westminster Hall, and the Parliament sat till ten at night,
thinking and being expected to dissolve themselves to-day, but
they did not. Great talk to-night that the discontented officers
did think this night to make a stir, but prevented.
16th. To Westminster Hall, where I heard how the Parliament had
this day dissolved themselves, and did pass very cheerfully
through the Hall, and the Speaker without his mace. The whole
Hall, was joyfull thereat, as well as themselves, and now they
begin to talk loud of the King. To-night I am told, that
yesterday, about five o'clock in the afternoon, one came with a
ladder to the Great Exchange, and wiped with a brush the
inscription that was on King Charles, and that there was a great
bonfire made in the Exchange, and people called out "God bless
King Charles the Second!"
19th. Early to my Lord, where infinity of business to do, which
makes my head full; and indeed, for these two or three days, I
have not been without a great many cares. After that to the
Admiralty, where a good while with Mr. Blackburne, who told me
that it was much to be feared that the King would come in, for
all good men and good things were now discouraged. Thence to
Wilkinson's, where Mr. Shepley and I dined; and while we were at
dinner, my Lord Monk's life-guard come by with the Serjeant at
Armes before them, with two Proclamations, that all Cavaliers do
depart the town: but the other that all officers that were
lately disbanded should do the same. The last of which Mr. R.
Creed, I remember, said, that he looked upon it as if they had
said, that all God's people should depart the town. All the
discourse now-a-day is, that the King will come again; and for
all I see, it is the wishes of all; and all do believe that it
will be so.
21st. To my Lord's, but the wind very high against us; here I
did very much business, and then to my Lord Widdrington's from my
Lord, with his desire that he might have the disposal of the
writs of the Cinque Ports. My Lord was very civil to me, and
called for wine, and writ a long letter in answer.
22nd. To Westminster, and received my warrant of Mr. Blackburne,
to be Secretary to the two Generals of the Fleet.
23rd. My Lord, Captain Isham, Mr. Thomas, John Crewe, W. Howe,
and I to the Tower, where the barges staid for us; my Lord and
the Captain in one, and W. Howe and I, &c., in the other, to the
Long Beach, where the Swiftsure lay at anchor; (in our way we saw
the great breach which the late high water had made, to the loss
of many 1000l. to the people about Limehouse.) Soon as my Lord
on board, the guns went off bravely from the ships. And a little
while after comes the Vice-Admiral Lawson, and seemed very
respectful to my Lord, and so did the rest of the Commanders of
the frigates that were thereabouts. We were late writing of
orders for the getting of ships ready, &c.; and also making of
others to all the sea-ports between Hastings and Yarmouth, to
stop all dangerous persons that are going or coming between
Flanders and there.
24th. At work hard all the day writing letters to the Council,
&c.
25th. About two o'clock in the morning, letters came from London
by our Coxon, so they waked me, but I bid him stay till morning,
which he did, and then I rose and carried them into my Lord, who
read them a-bed. Among the rest, there was the writ and mandate
for him to dispose to the Cinque Ports for choice of Parliament-
men. There was also one for me from Mr. Blackburne, who with his
own hand superscribes it to S. P. Esq., of which God knows I was
not a little proud. I wrote a letter to the Clerk of Dover
Castle to come to my Lord about issuing of those writs.
26th. This day it is two years since it pleased God that I was
cut for the stone at Mrs. Turner's in Salisbury Court. [Mrs.
Turner was the sister of Edward Pepys.] And did resolve while I
live to keep it a festival, as I did the last year at my house,
and for ever to have Mrs. Turner and her company with me. But
now it pleased God that I am prevented to do it openly; only
within my soul I can and do rejoice, and bless God, being at this
time, blessed be his holy name, in as good health as ever I was
in my life. This morning I rose early, and went about making of
an establishment of the whole Fleet, and a list of all the ships,
with the number of men and guns. About an hour after that, we
had a meeting of the principal commanders and seamen, to
proportion out the number of these things. All the afternoon
very many orders were made, till I was very weary.
27th. This morning the wind came about, and we fell into the
Hope. I sat the first time with my Lord at table since my coming
to sea. All the afternoon exceeding busy in writing of letters
and orders. In the afternoon, Sir Harry Wright come on board us,
[M.P. for Harwich. He married Anne, daughter of Lord Crewe, and
sister to Lady Sandwich, and resided in Dagenham, Essex; he was
created a Baronet by Cromwell, 1658, and by Charles II., 1660.]
about his business of being chosen a Parliament-man. My Lord
brought him to see my cabbin, when I was hard a-writing. At
night supped with my Lord too, with the Captain.
28th. This morning and the whole day busy. At night there was a
gentleman very well bred, his name was Banes, going for Flushing,
who spoke French and Latin very well, brought by direction from
Captain Clerke hither, as a prisoner, because he called out of
the vessel that he went in, "Where is your King, we have done our
business, Vive le Roi." He confessed himself a Cavalier in his
heart, and that he and his whole family, had fought for the King;
but that he was then drunk, having been taking his leave at
Gravesend the night before, and so could not; remember what it
was that he said; but his words and carriage showed much of a
gentleman. My Lord had a great kindness for him, but did not
think it safe to release him. But a while after, he sent a
letter down to my Lord, which my Lord did like very well, and did
advise with me that the gentleman was to be released. So I went
up and sat and talked with him in Latin and French; and about
eleven at night he took boat again, and so God bless him. This
day we had news of the election at Huntingdon for Bernard and
Pedley, [John Bernard and Nicholas Pedley, re-elected in the next
Parliament.] at which my Lord was much troubled for his friends'
missing of it.
29th. We lie still a little below Gravesend. At night Mr.
Shepley returned from London, and told us of several elections
for the next Parliament. That the King's effigies was new making
to be set up in the Exchange again. This evening was a great
whispering that some of the Vice-Admiral's captains were
dissatisfied, and did intend to fight themselves, to oppose the
General. But it was soon hushed, and the Vice-Admiral did wholly
deny any such thing, and protested to stand by the General.
30th. 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.
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 bed-
chamber, which he was much pleased with. My Lord in his
discourse, discovered a great deal of love to this ship. [Lord
Sandwich's flag was on board the Nazeby, when he went to the
Sound.]
APRIL 1st, 1660. (Lord's day). Mr. Ibbot [Minister of Deal,
1676.--PEPYS'S MS. LETTERS.] 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 discover that he hath 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 Naseby, 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.
2nd. 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. This morning
comes Mr. Ed. Pickering, [Brother to Sir Gilbert Pickering,
Bart.] 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.
3rd. There 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 he had now to be settled, (under the King he meant); but my
Lord took no notice of it. 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.)
4th. This morning come Colonel Thomson with the wooden leg, and
G. Pen, 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. The
Commissioners come to-day, only to consult about a further
reducement of the Fleet, and to pay them as fast as they can. 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 readiness to do the next morning.
9th. This afternoon I first saw France and Calais, with which I
was much pleased, though it was at a distance.
11th. A Gentleman came from my Lord of Manchester to my Lord for
a pass for Mr. Boyle, [The celebrated Robert Boyle, youngest son
of Richard first Earl of Cork.] which was made him. All the news
from London is that things go on further towards a King. That
the Skinners' Company the other day at their entertaining General
Monk had took down the Parliament arms in their Hall, and set up
the King's. 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, to be true to him, and
that he did not like Capt. Stokes.
14th. This day I was informed that my Lord Lambert is got out of
the Tower, and that there is 1001. proffered to whoever shall
bring him forth to the Council of State. My Lord is chosen at
Weymouth this morning; my Lord had his freedom brought him by
Capt. 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.
15th (Lord's day). 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. Cooke came hack 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.
17th. All the morning getting ready commissions for the Vice-
Admiral and the R. 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., of both or
either of the Generals. My Lord told me clearly his thoughts
that the King would carry it, and that he did not 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.
18th. Mr. Cooke returned from London, bringing me this news,
that 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
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.
19th. At dinner news brought us that my Lord was chosen at
Dover.
20th. This evening come 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. Mr. Shepley told
me that he heard for certain at Dover that Mr. Edw. Montagu
[Eldest son of Edward, second Lord Montagu, of Boughton, killed
at Berghen, 1685.] 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. [Willis had represented
Cambridgeshire in the preceding Parliament.]
21st. This day dined Sir John Boys [Gentleman of the Privy-
Chamber.] and some other gentlemen formerly great Cavaliers, and
among the rest one Mr. Norwood, [A Major Norwood had been
Governor of Dunkirk; and a person of the same name occurs, as one
of the Esquires of the body at the Coronation of Charles the
Second.] for whom my Lord give a convoy to carry him to the
Brill, 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. 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. This day I had a
large letter from Mr. Moore, giving me an account of the present
dispute at London that is like to be at the beginning of the
Parliament, about the House of Lords, who do resolve to sit with
the Commons, as not thinking themselves dissolved yet. Which,
whether it be granted or no, or whether they will sit or no, it
will bring a great many inconveniences. His letter I keep, it
being a very well writ one.
22nd. Several Londoners, strangers, friends of the captains,
dined here, who, among other things told us, how the King's Arms
are every day set up in houses and churches, particularly in
Allhallows Church in Thames-street, John Simpson's church, which
being privately done was a great eye-sore to his people when they
came to church and saw it. Also they told us for certain that
the King's statue is making by the Mercers' Company (who are
bound to do it) to set up in the Exchange.
23rd. In the evening for the first time, extraordinary good
sport among the seamen, after my Lord had done playing at nine-
pins.
24th. We were on board the London, which hath a state-room much
bigger than the Nazeby, but not so rich. After that, with the
Captain on board our own ship, where we were saluted with the
news of Lambert's being taken, which news was brought to London
on Sunday last. He was taken in Northamptonshire by Colonel
Ingoldsby, in the head of a party, by which means their whole
design is broke, and things now very open and safe. And every
man begins to be merry and full of hopes. [Colonel Richard
Ingoldsby had been Governor of Oxford under his kinsman Cromwell,
and one of Charles the First's Judges; but was pardoned for the
service here mentioned, and made K.B. at the Coronation of
Charles II. He afterwards retired to his seat at Lethenborough,
Bucks, and died 1685.]
25th. Dined to-day wth Captain Clerke on board the Speaker (a
very brave ship) where was the Vice-Admiral, R. Admiral, and many
other commanders. After dinner home, not a little contented to
see how I am treated, and with what respect made a fellow to the
best commander in the Fleet.
26th. This day come Mr. Donne back from London, who brought
letters with him that signify the meeting of the Parliament
yesterday. And in the afternoon by other letters I hear, that
about twelve of the Lords met and had chosen my Lord of
Manchester Speaker of the House of Lords (the young Lords that
never sat yet, do forbear to sit for the present); and Sir
Harbottle Grimstone, Speaker for the House of Commons, [He was
made Master of the Rolls, November following, and died 1683.]
which, after a little debate, was granted. Dr. Reynolds preached
before the Commons before they sat. My Lord told me how Sir H.
Yelverton (formerly my schoolfellow) [Of Easton Mauduit, Bart.,
grandson to the Attorney General of both his names. Ob. 1679.]
was chosen in the first place for Northamptonshire and Mr. Crewe
in the second, And told me how he did believe that the Cavaliers
have now the upper hand clear of the Presbyterians.
27th. After dinner came on board Sir Thomas Hatton [Of Long
Stanton, co. Cambridge, Bart.] and Sir R. Maleverer [Of Allerton
Maleverer, Yorkshire, Bart.] going for Flushing; but, all the
world know that they go where the rest of the many gentlemen go
that every day flock to the King at Breda. They supped here, and
my Lord treated them as he do the rest, that go thither, with a
great deal of civility. While we were at supper a packet came,
wherein much news from several friends. The chief is that, that
I had from Mr. Moore, viz. that he fears the Cavaliers in the
House will be so high, that the other will be forced to leave the
House and fall in with General Monk, and so offer things to the
King so high on the Presbyterian account that he may refuse, and
so they will endeavour some more mischief; but when I told my
Lord it, he shook his head and told me, that the Presbyterians
are deceived, for the General is certainly for the King's
interest, and so they will not be able to prevail that way with
him. After supper the two knights went on board the Grantham,
that is to convey them to Flushing, I am informed that the
Exchequer is now so low, that there is not 20l. there, to give
the messenger that brought the news of Lambert's being taken;
which story is very strange that he should lose his reputation of
being a man of courage now at one blow for that he was not able
to fight one stroke, but desired of Colonel Igoldsby several
times to let him escape. Late reading my letters, my mind being
much troubled to think that, after all our hopes, we should have
any cause to fear any more disappointments therein.
29th. After sermon in the morning Mr. Cooke came from London
with a packet, bringing news how all the young lords that were
not in arms against the Parliament do now sit. That a letter is
come from the King to the House, which is locked up by the
Council 'till next Thursday that it may be read in the open House
when they meet again, they having adjourned till then to keep a
fast to-morrow. And so the contents is not yet known. 13,000l.
of the 20,000l. given to General Monk is paid out of the
Exchequer, he giving 12l. among the teller's clerks of Exchequer.
My Lord called me into the great cabbin below, where he told me
that the Presbyterians are quite mastered by the Cavaliers, and
that he fears Mr. Crewe did go a little too far the other day in
keeping out the young lords from a sitting. That he do expect
that the King should be brought over suddenly, without staying to
make any terms at all, saying that the Presbyterians did intend
to have brought him in with such conditions as if he had been in
chains. But he shook his shoulders when he told me how Monk had
betrayed him, for it was he that did put them upon standing to
put out the lords and other members that come not within the
qualifications, which he did not like, but however he had done
his business, though it be with some kind of baseness. After
dinner I walked a great while upon the deck with the chyrurgeon
and purser, and other officers of the ship, and they all pray for
the King's coming, which I pray God send.
MAY 1, 1660. To-day I hear they were very merry at Deale,
setting up the King's flags upon one of their Maypoles, and
drinking his health upon their knees is the streets, and firing
the guns, which the soldiers of the Castle threatened, but durst
not oppose.
2nd. Mr. Dunne from London, with letters that tell us the
welcome news of the Parliament's votes yesterday, which will be
remembered for the happiest May-day that hath been many a year to
England. The King's letter was read in the House, wherein he
submits himself and all things to them, as to an Act of Oblivion
to all, unless they shall please to except any, as to the
confirming of the sales of the King's and Church lands, if they
see good. The House upon reading the letter, ordered 50,000l. to
be forthwith provided to send to His Majesty for his present
supply; and a committee chosen to return an answer of thanks to
His Majesty for his gracious letter; and that the letter be kept
among the records of the Parliament; and in all this not so much
as one No. So that Luke Robinson himself stood up and made a
recantation of what he had done, and promises to be a loyal
subject to his Prince for the time to come. [Of Pickering Lyth,
in Yorkshire, M.P. for Scarborough discharged from sitting in
the House of Commons, July 21, 1660.] The City of London have
put out a Declaration, wherein they do disclaim their owning any
other government but that of a King, Lords, and Commons. Thanks
was given by the House to Sir John Greenville, one of the
bedchamber to the King, [Created Earl of Bath, 1661, son of Sir
Bevill Greenville, killed at the battle of Newbury, and said to
have been the only person entrusted by Charles II. and Monk in
bringing about the Restoration.] who brought the letter, and they
continued bare all the time it was reading. Upon notice from the
Lords to the Commons, of their desire that the Commons would join
with them in their vote for King, Lords, and Commons; the Commons
did concur and voted that all books whatever that are out against
the Government of King, Lords, and Commons, should be brought
into the House and burned. Great joy all yesterday at London,
and at night more bonfires than ever, and ringing of bells, and
drinking of the King's health upon their knees in the streets,
which methinks is a little too much. But every body seems to be
very joyfull in the business, insomuch that our sea-commanders
now begin to say so too, which a week ago they would not do. And
our seamen, as many as had money or credit for drink, did do
nothing else this evening. This day come Mr. North (Sir Dudley
North's son) [Charles, eldest son of Dudley, afterwards fourth
Lord North.] on board, to spend a little time here, which my
Lord was a little troubled at, but he seems to be a fine
gentleman, and at night did play his part exceeding well at
first sight.
3rd. This morning my Lord showed me the King's declaration and
his letter to the two Generals to be communicated to the fleet.
The contents of the latter are his offer of grace to all that
will come in within forty days, only excepting them that the
Parliament shall hereafter except. That the sales of lands
during these troubles, and all other things, shall be left to the
Parliament, by which he will stand. The letter dated at Breda,
April 4/14 1660, in the 12th year of his reign. Upon the receipt
of it this morning by an express, Mr. Phillips, one of the
messengers of the Council from General Monk, my Lord summoned a
council of war, and in the meantime did dictate to me how he
would have the vote ordered which he would have pass this
council. Which done, the Commanders all came on board, and the
council sat in the coach [Coach, on board a man-of-war, "The
Council Chamber."] (the first council of war that had been in my
time), where I read the letter and declaration; and while they
were discoursing upon it, I seemed to draw up a vote, which being
offered, they passed. Not one man seemed to say no to it, though
I am confident many in their hearts were against it. After this
was done, I went up to the quarter-deck with my Lord and the
Commanders, and there read both the papers and the vote; which
done, and demanding their opinion, the seamen did all of them cry
out, "God bless King Charles!" with the greatest joy imaginable.
That being done, Sir R. Stayner, [Knighted and made a Vice-
Admiral by Cromwell, 1657, and sent by Charles II. to command
Tangier till the Governor arrived.] who had invited us
yesterday, took all the Commanders and myself on board him to
dinner, which not being ready, I went with Captain Hayward 'to
the Plymouth and Essex, and did what I had to do and returned,
where very merry at dinner. After dinner, to the rest of the
ships quite through the fleet. Which was a very brave sight to
visit all the ships, and to be received with the respect and
honour that I was on board them all; and much more to see the
great joy that I brought to all men; not one through the whole
fleet showing the least dislike of the business. In the evening
as I was going on board the Vice-Admiral, the General began to
fire his guns, which he did all that he had in the ship, and so
did all the rest of the Commanders, which was very gallant, and
to hear the bullets go hissing over our heads as we were in the
boat. This done and finished my Proclamation, I returned to the
Nazeby, where my Lord was much pleased to hear how all the fleet
took it in a transport of joy, showed me a private letter of the
King's to him, and another from the Duke of York in such familiar
style as their common friend, with all kindness imaginable. And
I found by the letters, and so my Lord told me too, that there
had been many letters passed between them for a great while, and
I perceive unknown to Monk. Among the rest that had carried
these letters Sir John Boys is one, and Mr. Norwood, which had a
ship to carry him over the other day, when my Lord would not have
me put down his name in the book. The King speaks of him being
courted to come to the Hague, but to desire my Lord's advice
where to come to take ship. And the Duke offers to learn the
seaman's trade of him, in such familiar words as if Jack Cole and
I had writ them. This was very strange to me, that my Lord
should carry all things so wisely and prudently as he do, and I
was over joyful to see him in so good condition, and he did not a
little please himself to tell me how he had provided for himself
so great a hold on the King.
After this to supper, and then to writing of letters till twelve
at night, and so up again at three in the morning. My Lord
seemed to put great confidence in me, and would take my advice in
many things. I perceive his being willing to do all the honour
in the world to Monk, and to let him have all the honour of doing
the business, though he will many times express his thoughts of
him to be but a thick-skulled fool. So that I do believe there
is some agreement more than ordinary between the King and my Lord
to let Monk carry on the business, for it is he that can do the
business, or at least that can hinder it, if he be not flattered
and observed. This, my Lord will hint himself sometimes. My
Lord, I perceive by the King's letter, had writ to him about his
father, Crewe, [He had married Jemima, daughter of John Crewe,
Esq., created afterwards Baron Crewe of Stene.] and the King did
speak well of him; but my Lord tells me, that he is afraid that
he hath too much concerned himself with the Presbyterians against
the House of Lords, which will do him a great discourtesy.
4th. I wrote this morning many letters, and to all the copies of
the vote of the council of war I put my name, that if it should
come in print my name may be to it. I sent a copy of the vote to
Doling, inclosed in this letter:--
"SIR,
"He that can fancy a fleet (like ours) in her pride, with
pendants loose, guns roaring, caps flying, and the loud "Vive le
Roy's," echoed from one ship's company to another, he, and he
only, can apprehend the joy this inclosed vote was received with,
or the blessing he thought himself possessed of that bore it, and
is
"Your humble servant."
About nine o'clock I got all my letters done, and sent them by
the messenger that come yesterday. This morning come Captain
Isham on board with a gentleman going to the King, by whom very
cunningly my Lord tells me, he intends to send an account of this
day's and yesterday's actions here, notwithstanding he had writ
to the Parliament to have leave of them to send the King the
answer of the fleete. Since my writing of the last paragraph, my
Lord called me to him to read his letter to the King, to see
whether I could find any slips in it or no. And as much of the
letter as I can remember, is thus:-
"May it please your Most Excellent Majesty," and so begins.
That he yesterday received from General Monk his Majesty's letter
and direction; and that General Monk had desired him to write to
the Parliament to have leave to send the vote of the seamen
before he did send it to him, which he had done by writing to
both Speakers; but for his private satisfaction he had sent it
thus privately, (and so the copy of the proceedings yesterday was
sent him) and that this come by a gentleman that come this day on
board, intending to wait upon his Majesty, that he is my Lord's
countryman, and one whose friends have suffered much on his
Majesty's behalf. That my Lords Pembroke and Salisbury are put
out of the House of Lords. [Philip, fifth Earl of Pembroke, and
second Earl of Montgomery, Ob. 1669. Clarendon says, "This young
Earl's affections were entire for his Majesty." Williams, second
Earl of Salisbury. After Cromwell had put down the House Of
Peers, he was chosen a Member of the House of Commons, and sat
with them, ob. 1660.] That my Lord is very joyful that other
countries do pay him the civility and respect due to him; and
that he do much rejoice to see that the King do receive none of
their assistance (or some such words,) from them, he having
strength enough in the love and loyalty of his own subjects to
support him. That his Majesty had chosen the best place,
Scheveling, for his embarking, and that there is nothing in the
world of which he is more ambitions, than to have the honour of
attending his Majesty, which he hoped would be speedy. That he
had commanded the vessel to attend at Helversluce till this
gentleman returns, that so if his Majesty do not think it fit to
command the fleete himself, yet that he may be there to receive
his commands and bring them to his Lordship. He ends his letter,
that he is confounded with the thoughts of the high expressions
of love to him in the King's letter, and concludes,
"Your most loyall, dutifull, faithfull and obedient subject and
servant, "E.M."
After supper at the table in the coach, my Lord talking
concerning the uncertainty of the places of the Exchequer to them
that had them now; he did at last think of an office which do
belong to him in case the King do restore every man to his places
that ever had been patent, which is to be one of the clerks of
the signet, which will be a fine employment for one of his sons.
In the afternoon come a minister on board, one Mr. Sharpe, who is
going to the King; who tells me that Commissioners are chosen
both of the Lords and Commons to go to the King; and that Dr.
Clarges [Thomas Clarges, physician to the Army, created a
Baronet, 1674, ob. 1695, He had been previously knighted; his
sister Anne married General Monk.] is going to him from the
Army, and that he will be here to-morrow. My letters at night
tell me, that the House did deliver their letter to Sir John
Greenville, in answer to the King's sending, and that they give
him 500l. for his pains, to buy him a jewel, and that besides the
50,000l. ordered to be borrowed of the City for the present use
of the King, the twelve companies of the City do give every one
of them to his Majesty, as a present, 1000l.
5th. All the morning very busy writing letters to London, and a
packet to Mr. Downing, to acquaint him with what has been done
lately in the fleet. And this I did by my Lord's command, who, I
thank him, did of himself think of doing it, to do me a kindness,
for he writ a letter himself to him, thanking him for his
kindness to me. This evening come Dr. Clarges, to Deal, going to
the King; where the towns-people strewed the streets with herbes
against his coming, for joy of his going. Never was there so
general a content as there is now. I cannot but remember that
our parson did, in his prayer to-night, pray for the long life
and happiness of our King and dread Soveraigne, that may last as
long as the sun and moon endureth.
6th. It fell very well to-day, a stranger preached here for Mr.
Ibbot, one Mr. Stanley, who prayed for King Charles, by the Grace
of God, &c., which gave great contentment to the gentlemen that
were on board here, and they said they would talk of it, when
they come to Breda, as not having it done yet in London so
publickly. After they were gone from on board, my Lord writ a
letter to the King and give it me to carry privately to Sir
William Compton, on board the Assistance, [Sir William Compton,
third son of Spencer, Earl of Northampton, a Privy Counsellor and
Master of the ordnance, ob. 1663, aged 39.] which I did, and
after a health to his Majesty on board there, I left them under
sail for Breda.
7th. My Lord went this morning about the flag-ships in a boat,
to see what alterations there must be, as to the armes and flags.
He did give me orders also to write for silk flags and scarlett
waistcloathes. [Clothes hung about the cage-work of a ship's
hull to protect the men in action.] For a rich barge; for a
noise of trumpets, and a set of fidlers. Very great deal of
company come to-day, among others Mr. Bellasses, [Henry, eldest
son of Lord Bellasis, made K.B. at Charles the Second's
Coronation.] Sir Thomas Lenthropp, Sir Henry Chichley, Colonel
Philip Honiwood, and Captain Titus, [Colonel Silas Titus,
Gentleman of the Bedchamber to Charles II., author of "Killing
no Murder."] the last of whom my Lord showed all our cabbins,
and I suppose he is to take notice what room there will be for
the King's entertainment.
8th. My letters to-day tell me how it was intended that the King
should be Proclaimed to-day in London, with a great deal of pomp.
I had also news who they are that are chosen of the Lords and
Commons to attend the King. And also the whole story of what we
did the other day in the fleet, at reading of the King's
declaration, and my name at the bottom of it.
9th. Up very early, writing a letter to the King, as from the
two Generals of the fleet, in answer to his letter to them,
wherein my Lord do give most humble thanks for his gracious
letter and declaration; and promises all duty and obedience to
him. This letter was carried this morning to Sir Peter
Killigrew, [Knight, of Arwenach, Cornwall, M.P. for Camelford,
1660.] who come hither this morning early to bring an order from
the Lords House to my Lord, giving him power to write an answer
to the King. This morning my Lord St. John and other persons of
honour were here to see my Lord, and so away to Flushing. As we
were sitting down to dinner, in comes Noble with a letter from
the House of Lords to my Lord, to desire him to provide ships to
transport the Commissioners to the King, which are expected here
this week. He brought us certain news that the King was
proclaimed yesterday with great pomp, and brought down one of the
Proclamations, with great jog to us all; for which God be
praised. This morning come Mr. Saunderson, that writ the story
of the King, hither, who is going over to the King.
10th. At night, while my Lord was at supper, in comes my Lord
Lauderdale [John, second Earl and afterwards created Duke of
Lauderdale, Earl of Guilford (in England,) and K.G. He became
sole Secretary of State for Scotland in 1661, and was a Gentleman
of His Majesty's Bedchamber and died in 1682, s. p.] and Sir John
Greenville, who supped here, and so went away. After they were
gone, my Lord called me into his cabbin, and told me how he was
commanded to set sail presently for the King, and was very glad
thereof. I got him afterwards to sign things in bed.
11th This morning we began to pull down all the State's arms in
the fleet, having first sent to Dover for painters and others to
come to set up, the King's. There dined here my Lord Crafford
[John, fourteenth Earl of Crauford, restored in 1661 to the
office of High Treasurer of Scotland, which he had held eight
years under Charles the First.] and my Lord Cavendish,
[Afterwards fourth Earl and first Duke of Devonshire.] and other
Scotchmen whom I afterwards ordered to be received on board the
Plymouth, and to go along with us. After dinner we set sail from
the Downes. In the afternoon overtook us three or four
gentlemen: two of the Berties, and one Mr. Dormerhay, [Probably
Dalmahoy.] a Scotch gentleman, who, telling my Lord that they
heard the Commissioners were come out of London to-day, my Lord
dropt anchor over against Dover Castle (which give us about
thirty guns in passing), and upon a high debate with the Vice and
Rear-Admiral whether it were safe to go and not stay for the
Commissioners, he did resolve to send Sir R. Stayner to Dover, to
enquire of my Lord Winchelsea, [Heneage, second Earl of
Winchelsea, constituted by General Monk, Governor of Dover
Castle, July, 1660: made Lord Lieutenant of Kent, and afterwards
ambassador to Turkey. Ob. 1689.] whether or no they are come out
of London, and then to resolve to-morrow morning of going or not.
Which was done.
12th. My Lord give me many orders to make for direction for the
ships that are left in the Downes, giving them the greatest
charge in the world to bring no passengers with them, when they
come after us to Scheveling Bay, excepting Mr. Edward Montagu,
Mr. Thomas Crewe, and Sir H. Wright. Sir R. Stayner told my
Lord, that my Lord Winchelsea understands by letters, that the
Commissioners are only to come to Dover to attend the coming over
of the King. So my Lord did give order for weighing anchor,
which me did, and sailed all day.
13th. To the quarter-deck, at which the taylors and painters
were at work, cutting out some pieces of yellow cloth in the
fashion of a crown and C. R. and put it upon a fine sheet, and
that into the flag instead of the State's arms, which after
dinner was finished and set up. This morn Sir J. Boys and Capt.
Isham met us in the Nonsuch the first of whom, after a word or
two with my Lord, went forward, the other staid. I heard by them
how Mr. Downing had never made any address to the King, and for
that was hated exceedingly by the Court, and that he was in a
Dutch ship, which sailed by us, then going to England with
disgrace. Also how Mr. Morland was knighted by the King this
week, and that the King did give the reason of it openly, that it
was for his giving him intelligence all the time he was clerk to
Secretary Thurloe. [Samuel Morland, successively scholar and
fellow of Magdalene College, and Mr. Pepys's tutor there, became
afterwards one of Thurloe's Under Secretaries, and was employed
in several embassies, by Cromwell, whose interests he betrayed,
by secretly communicating with Charles the Second. In
consideration of these services he was created a baronet of
Sulhamstead Banister, Berks, after the Restoration. He was an
ingenious mechanic, supposed by some persons to have invented the
Steam Engine, and lived to an advanced age.] In the afternoon a
council of war, only to acquaint them that the Harp must be taken
out of all their flags, it being very offensive to the King.
Late at night we writ letters to the King of the news of our
coming, and Mr. Edward Pickering carried them. [Sir Gilbert
Pickering's eldest son.] Capt. Isham went on shore, nobody
showing of him any respect; so the old man very fairly took leave
of my Lord, and my Lord very coldly bid him "God be with you,"
which was very strange, but that I hear that he keeps a great
deal of prating and talking on shore, on board, at the King's
Courts, what command he had with my Lord, &c.
14th. In the morning the Hague was clearly to be seen by us. My
Lord went up, in his nightgown into the cuddy, to see how to
dispose thereof for himself and us that belong to him, to give
order for our removal to-day. Some nasty Dutchmen came on board
to proffer their boats to carry things from us on shore, &c. to
get money by us. Before noon some gentlemen came on board from
the shore to kiss my Lord's hands. And by and by Mr. North and
Dr. Clerke went to kiss the Queen of Bohemia's hands, [Daughter
of James the First.] from my Lord, with twelve attendants from
on board to wait on them, among which I sent my boy, who, like
myself, is with child to see any strange thing. After noon they
came back again after having kissed the Queen of Bohemia's hand,
and were sent again by my Lord to do the same to the Prince of
Orange. [Afterwards William the Third.] So I got the Captain to
ask leave for me to go, which my Lord did give, and taking my boy
and Judge-Advocate with me, went in company with them. The
weather was bad; we were sadly washed when we come near the
shore, it being very hard to land there. The shore is so, all
the country between that and the Hague, all sand. The Hague is a
most neat place in all respects. The houses so neat in all
places and things as is possible. Here we walked up and down a
great while, the town being now very full of Englishmen, for that
the Londoners were come on shore to-day. But going to see the
Prince, [Henry Duke of Gloucester, Charles the Second's youngest
brother.] he was gone forth with his governor, and so we walked
up and down the town and court to see the place; and by the help
of a stranger, an Englishman, we saw a great many places, and
were made to understand many things, as the intention of may-
poles, which we saw there standing at every great man's door, of
different greatness according to the quality of the person.
About, ten at night the Prince comes home, and we found an easy
admission. His attendance very inconsiderable as for a prince;
but yet handsome, and his tutor a fine man, and himself a very
pretty boy.
15th. Coming on board we found all the Commissioners of the
House of Lords at dinner with my Lord, who after dinner went away
for shore. Mr. Morland, now Sir Samuel, was here on board, but I
do not find that my Lord or any body did give him any respect, he
being looked upon by him and all men as a knave. Among others he
betrayed Sir Rich. Willis that married Dr. F. Jones's daughter,
who had paid him 1000l. at one time by the Protector's and
Secretary Thurloe's order, for intelligence that he sent
concerning the King. In the afternoon my Lord called me on
purpose to show me his fine cloathes which are now come hither,
and indeed are very rich as gold and silver can make them, only
his sword he and I do not like. In the afternoon my Lord and I
walked together in the coach two hours, talking together upon all
sorts of discourse: as religion, wherein he is, I perceive,
wholly sceptical, saying, that indeed the Protestants as to the
Church of Rome are wholly fanatiques: he likes uniformity and
form of prayer: about state-business, among other things he told
me that his conversion to the King's cause (for I was saying that
I wondered from what time the King could look upon him to become
his friend,) commenced from his being in the Sound, when he found
what usage he was likely to have from a Commonwealth. My Lord,
the Captain, and I supped in my Lord's chamber, where I did
perceive that he did begin to show me much more respect than ever
he did yet. After supper, my Lord sent for me, intending to have
me play at cards with him, but I not knowing cribbage, we fell
into discourse of many things, and the ship rolled so much that I
was not able to stand, and he bid me go to bed.
May 16. Come in some with visits, among the rest one from
Admiral Opdam, [The celebrated Dutch Admiral.] who spoke Latin
well, but not French nor English, whom my Lord made me to
entertain. Commissioner Pett [Naval Commissioner at Chatham.]
was now come to take care to get all things ready for the King on
board. My Lord in his best suit, this the first day, in
expectation to wait upon the King. But Mr. Edw. Pickering coming
from the King brought word that the King would not put my Lord to
the trouble of coming to him, but that; he would come to the
shore to look upon the fleet to-day, which we expected, and had
our guns ready to fire, and our scarlet waist-cloathes out and
silk pendants, but he did not come. This evening came Mr. John
Pickering on board, like an asse, with his feathers and new suit
that he had made at the Hague. My Lord very angry for him
staying on shore, bidding me a little before to send for him,
telling me that he was afraid that for his father's sake he might
have some mischief done him, unless he used the General's name.
This afternoon Mr. Edw. Pickering told me in what a sad, poor
condition for clothes and money the King was, and all his
attendants, when he came to him first from my Lord, their clothes
not being worth forty shillings the best of them. And how
overjoyed the King was when Sir J. Greenville brought him some
money; so joyful, that he called the Princess Royal [Mary, eldest
daughter of Charles I., and widow of the Prince of Orange who
died 1646-7. She was carried off by the small-pox, December
1680, leaving a son, afterwards King William III.] and Duke of
York to look upon it as it lay in the portmanteau before it was
taken out. My Lord told me, too, that the Duke of York is made
High Admiral of England.
17th. Dr. Clerke came to me to tell me that he heard this
morning, by some Dutch that are come on board already to see the
ships, that there was a Portuguese taken yesterday at the Hague,
that had a design to kill the King. But this I heard afterwards
was only the mistake upon one being observed to walk with his
sword naked, he having lost his scabbard. Before dinner Mr. Edw.
Pickering and I, W. Howe, Pim, and my boy, to Scheveling, where
we took coach, and so to the Hague, where walking, intending to
find one that might show us the King incognito, I met with Captn.
Whittington (that had formerly brought a letter to my Lord from
the Mayor of London) and he did promise me to do it, but first we
went and dined. At dinner in came Dr. Cade, a merry mad parson
of the King's. And they two got the child and me (the others not
being able to crowd in) to see the King, who kissed the child
very affectionately. Then we kissed his, and the Duke of York's,
and the Princess Royal's hands. The King seems to be a very
sober man; and a very splendid Court he hath in the number of
persons of quality that are about him; English very rich in
habit. From the King to the Lord Chancellor, who did lie bed-rid
of the gout: he spoke very merrily to the child and me. After
that, going to see the Queen of Bohemia, I met Dr. Fuller, whom I
sent to a tavern with Mr. Edw. Pickering, while I and the rest
went to see the Queen, who used us very respectfully: her hand
we all kissed. She seems a very debonaire, but a plain lady. In
a coach we went to see a house of the Princess Dowager's [Mary,
daughter of Charles I.] in a park about a mile from the Hague,
where there is one of the most beautiful rooms for pictures in
the whole world. She had here one picture upon the top, with
these words, dedicating it to the memory of her husband:--
"Incomparabili marito, inconsolabilis vidua."
18th. Very early up, and, hearing that the Duke of York, our
Lord High admiral, would go on board to-day, Mr. Pickering and I
took waggon for Scheveling. But the wind being so very high that
no boats could get off from shore, we returned to the Hague
(having breakfasted with a gentleman of the Duke's and
Commissioner Pett, sent on purpose to give notice to my Lord of
his coming); we got a boy of the town to go along with us, and he
showed us the church where Van Trump lies entombed with a very
fine monument. His epitaph, is concluded thus:--"Tandem Bello
Anglico tantum non victor, certe invictus, vivere et vincere
desiit." There is a sea-fight cut in marble, with the smoake,
the best expressed that ever I saw in my life. From thence to
the great church, that stands in a fine great market-place, over
against the Stadt-House, and there I saw a stately tombe of the
old Prince of Orange, of marble and brass; wherein among other
rarities there are the angels with their trumpets expressed as it
were crying. There were very fine organs in both the churches.
It is a most sweet town, with bridges, and a river in every
street. We met with Commissioner Pett going down to the water-
side with Major Harly, who is going upon a dispatch into England.
19th. Up early and went to Scheveling, where I found no getting
on board, though the Duke of York sent every day to see whether
he could do it or no. By waggon to Lausdune, where the 365
children were born, We saw the hill where they say the house
stood wherein the children were born. The basins wherein the
male and female children were baptised do stand over a large
table that hangs upon a wall, with the whole story of the thing
in Dutch and Latin, beginning, "Margarita Herman Comitissa," &c.
The thing was done about 200 years ago.
20th. Commissioner Pett at last came to our lodging and caused
the boats to go off; so some in one boat and some in another we
all bid adieu to the shore. But through the badness of weather
we were in great danger, and a great while before we could get to
the ship. This hath not been known four days together such
weather this time of year, a great while. Indeed our fleet was
thought to be in great danger, but we found all well.
21st. The weather foul all this day also. After dinner, about
writing one thing or other all day, and setting my papers in
order, hearing by letters that came hither in my absence, that
the Parliament had ordered all persons to be secured, in order to
a trial, that did sit as judges in the late King's death, and all
the officers attending the Court. Sir John Lenthall moving in
the House, that all that had borne arms against the King should
be exempted from pardon, he was called to the bar of the House,
and after a severe reproof he was degraded his knighthood. At
Court I find that all things grow high. The old clergy talk as
being sure of their lands again, and laugh at the Presbytery; and
it is believed that the sales of the King's and Bishops' lands
will never be confirmed by Parliament, there being nothing now in
any man's power to hinder them and the King from doing what they
had a mind, but everybody willing to submit to any thing. We
expect every day to have the King and Duke on board as soon as it
is fair. My Lord does nothing now, but offers all things to the
pleasure of the Duke as Lord High Admiral. So that I am at a
loss what to do.
22nd. News brought that the two Dukes are coming on board,
which, by and by, they did, in a Dutch boat, the Duke of York in
yellow trimmings, the Duke of Gloucester in grey and red. My
Lord went in a boat to meet them, the Captain, myself, and
others, standing at the entering port. So soon as they were
entered we shot the guns off round the fleet. After that they
went to view the ship all over, and were most exceedingly pleased
with it. They seem to be very fine gentlemen. After that done,
upon the quarter-deck table, under the awning, the Duke of York
and my Lord, Mr. Coventry and I, spent an hour at allotting to
every ship their service, in their return to England; [Sir
William Coventry, to whom Mr. Pepys became so warmly attached
afterwards, was the youngest son of Thomas first Lord Coventry,
and Lord Keeper. He entered at Queen's College, Oxford, in 1642:
and on his return from his travels was made Secretary to the Duke
of York, and elected M.P. for Yarmouth. In 1662 he was appointed
a Commissioner of the Admiralty; in 1665 knighted and sworn a
privy Counsellor; and in 1667 constituted a Commissioner of the
Treasury, but having been forbid the Court, on account of his
challenging the Duke of Buckingham, he retired into the country,
nor could he subsequently be prevailed upon to accept of any
official employment. Burnet calls Sir W. C. the best speaker in
the House of Commons, and a man of great notions and eminent
virtues: and Mr. Pepys never omits an opportunity of paying a
tribute to his public and private worth. Ob. 1686, aged 60.]
which being done, they went to dinner, where the table was very
full: the two Dukes at the upper end, my Lord Opdam next on one
side, and my Lord on the other. Two guns given to every man
while he was drinking the King's health, and so likewise to the
Duke's health. I took down Monsieur d'Esquier to the great
cabbin below, and dined with him in state along with only one or
two friends of his. All dinner the harper belonging to Captain
Sparling played to the Dukes. After dinner, the Dukes and my
Lord to sea, the Vice and Rear-Admirals and I in a boat after
them. After that done, they made to the shore in the Dutch boat
that brought them, and I got into the boat with them; but the
shore was full of people to expect their coming. When we came
near the shore, my Lord left them and come into his own boat, and
Pen and I with him; my Lord being very well pleased with this
day's work. By the time we came on board again, news is sent us
that the King is on shore; so my Lord fired all his guns round
twice, and all the fleet after him. The gun over against my
cabbin I fired myself to the King, which was the first time that
he had been saluted by his own ships since this change; but
holding my head too much over the gun, I had almost spoiled my
right eye. Nothing in the world but giving of guns almost all
this day. In the evening we began to remove cabbins; I to the
carpenter's cabbin, and Dr. Clerke with me. Many of the King's
servants come on board to-night; and so many Dutch of all sorts
come to see the ship till it was quite dark, that we could not
pass by one another, which was a great trouble to us all. This
afternoon Mr. Downing (who was knighted yesterday by the King)
was here on board, and had a ship for his passage into England,
with his lady and servants. By the same token he called me to
him when I was going to write the order, to tell me that I must
write him Sir G. Downing. My Lord lay in the roundhouse to-
night. This evening I was late writing a French letter by my
Lord's order to Monsieur Wragh, Embassador de Denmarke a la Haye,
which my Lord signed in bed.
23rd. In the morning come infinity of people on board from the
King to go along with him. My Lord, Mr. Crewe, and others, go on
shore to meet the King as he comes off from shore, where Sir R.
Stayner, bringing His Majesty into the boat, I hear that His
Majesty did with a great deal of affection kiss my Lord upon his
first meeting. The King, with the two Dukes and Queen of
Bohemia, Princesse Royalle, and Prince of Orange, come on board,
where I in their coming in kissed the King's, Queen's and
Princesse's hands, having done the other before. Infinite
shooting off of the guns, and that in a disorder on purpose,
which was better than if it had been otherwise. All day nothing
but Lords and persons of honour on board, that we were exceeding
full. Dined in a great deal of state, the Royalle company by
themselves in the coach, which was a blessed sight to see. After
dinner the King and Duke altered the name of some of the ships,
viz. the Nazeby into Charles; the Richard, James; the Speaker,
Mary; the Dunbar (which was not in company with us), the Henry;
Winsly, Happy Return; Wakefield, Richmond; Lambert, the
Henrietta; Cheriton, the Speedwell; Bradford, the Successe.
[The Naseby now no longer England's shame,
But better to be lost in Charles his name.
DRYDEN'S ASTRAEA REDUX.]
That done, the Queen, Princesse Royalle, and Prince of Orange,
took leave of the King, and the Duke of York went on board the
London, and the Duke of Gloucester, the Swiftsure. Which done,
we weighed anchor, and with a fresh gale and most happy weather
we set sail for England. All the afternoon the King walked here
and there, up and down (quite contrary to what I thought him to
have been) very active and stirring. Upon the quarter-deck he
fell into discourse of his escape from Worcester, where it made
me ready to weep to hear the stories that he told of his
difficulties that he had passed through, as his travelling four
days and three nights on foot, every step up to his knees in
dirt, with nothing but a green coat and a pair of country
breeches on, and a pair of country shoes that made him so sore
all over his feet, that he could scarce stir. Yet he was forced
to run away from a miller and other company, that took them for
rogues. His sitting at table at one place, where the master of
the house, that had not seen him in eight years, did know him,
but kept it private; when at the same table there was one that
had been of his own regiment at Worcester, could not know him,
but made him drink the King's health, and said that the King was
at least four fingers higher than he. At another place he was by
some servants of the house made to drink, that they might know
that he was not a Roundhead, which they swore he was. In another
place at his inn, the master of the house, as the King was
standing with his hands upon the back of a chair by the fire-
side, kneeled down and kissed his hand, privately, saying, that
he would not ask him who he was, but bid God bless him whither he
was going. Then the difficulties in getting a boat to get into
France, where he was fain to plot with the master thereof to keep
his design from the foreman and a boy (which was all the ship's
company), and so get to Fecamp in France. At Rouen he looked so
poorly, that the people went into the rooms before he went away
to see whether he had not stole something or other. In the
evening I went up to my Lord to write letters for England, which
we sent away with word of our coming, by Mr. Edw. Pickering. The
King supped alone in the coach; after that I got a dish, and we
four supped in my cabbin, as at noon. About bed-time my Lord
Bartlett [A mistake, for Lord Berkeley, who had been deputed with
Lord Middlesex and four other Peers by the House of Lords, to
present an address of congratulation to the King.] (who I had
offered my service to before) sent for me to get him a bed, who
with much ado I did get to bed to my Lord Middlesex [Lionel,
third and last Earl of Middlesex. Ob. 1674.] in the great cabbin
below, but I was cruelly troubled before I could dispose of him,
and quit myself of him. So to my cabbin again, where the company
still was, and were talking more of the King's difficulties; as
how he was fain to eat a piece of bread and cheese out of a poor
body's pocket; how, at a Catholique house, he was fain to lie in
the priest's hole a good while in the house for his privacy.
After that our company broke up. We have all the Lords
Commissioners on board us, and many others. Under sail all
night, and most glorious weather.
24th. Up, and made myself as fine as I could, with the linning
stockings on and wide canons that I bought the other day at
Hague. Extraordinary press of noble company, and great mirth all
the day. There dined with me in my cabbin (that is, the
carpenter's) Dr. Earle [John Earle, Dean of Westminster,
successively Bishop of Worcester and Salisbury. Ob. 1665.] and
Mr. Hollis, the King's Chaplins, Dr. Scarborough, [Charles
Scarborough, M.D., principal Physician to Charles II., (by whom
he was knighted in 1669,) James II., and William III., a learned
and incomparable anatomist.] Dr. Quarterman, [William
Quarterman, M.D., of Pembroke College, Oxford.] and Dr.Clerke,
Physicians, Mr. Darsy, and Mr.Fox,[Afterwards Sir Stephen Fox,
Knight, Paymaster to the Forces.] (both very fine gentlemen) the
King's servants, where we had brave discourse. Walking upon the
decks, where persons of honour all the afternoon, among others,
Thomas Killigrew, [Thomas Killigrew, younger son of Robert
Killigrew, of Hanworth, Middlesex, Page of Honour to Charles I.,
and Groom of the Bedchamber to Charles II. whose fortunes he had
followed. He was resident at Venice, 1651; a great favourite
with the King on account of his uncommon vein of humour; the
author of several plays. Ob. 1682] (a merry droll, but a
gentleman of great esteem with the King,) who told us many merry
stories. At supper the three Drs. of Physique again at my
cabbin; where I put Dr. Scarborough in mind of what I heard him
say, that children do, in every day's experience, look several
ways with both their eyes, till custom teaches them otherwise.
And that we do now see but with one eye, Our eyes looking in
parallel lynes. After this discourse I was called to write a
pass for my Lord Mandeville [Eldest son of the Earl of
Manchester.] to take up horses to London, which I wrote in the
King's name, and carried it to him to sign, which was the first
and only one that ever he signed in the ship Charles. To bed,
coming in sight of land a little before night.