Thursday 9 January 1661/62
At the office all the morning private with Sir G. Carteret (who I expected something from about yesterday’s business, but he said nothing), Sir W. Batten, and Sir W. Pen, about drawing up an answer to several demands of my Lord Treasurer, and late at it till 2 o’clock. Then to dinner, and my wife to Sir W. Pen’s, and so to the office again and sat till late; and so home, where I found Mr. Armiger below talking with my wife, but being offended with him for his leaving of my brother Tom I shewed him no countenance, but did take notice of it to him plainly, and I perceive he was troubled at it, but I am glad I told him of it. Then (when he was gone) up to write several letters by the post, and so to set my papers and things in order, and to bed. This morning we agreed upon some things to answer to the Duke about the practice of striking of the flags, which will now put me upon finishing my resolution of writing something upon the subject.
17 Annotations
First Reading
chris • Link
What exactly has Sam said to Mr. Armiger?
vicenzo • Link
A lesson in passing a strong message without confrontation. Negatives done by the chain of command , ribbons [atta boys] from the man 'imself. "...who I expected something from about yesterday's business, but he said nothing…”
that is Disapproval back door, no anger or exchange of high words. But “My boy, that was a well written piece on the dipping of ensign, “”Jimmy”“[sorry the Duke] will like that”
dirk • Link
What exactly has Sam said to Mr. Armiger?
Not clear to me, but there may be a connection with Sam's diary entry for Tuesday 5 November 1661:
"Armiger inviting my wife to go to a play, and like a fool would be courting her, but he is an ass, and lays out money with Tom, otherwise I should not think him worth half this respect I shew him."
http://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/1…
I take it that Armiger at some point promised some (financial) support to Tom, and then came back on his word? It looks as if we don't have all the background here.
Firenze • Link
'lays out money with Tom' I take to mean spends money at Tom's tailoring establishment: he's a good customer in other words.
Australian Susan • Link
Click on the name and you get the background - he owed money to Tom.
Landon Curt Noll • Link
What is meant by the "practice of striking of the flags"? This is the 3rd time Sam has used this phrase so far. What is behind this issue that Sam is addressing?
BradW • Link
Landon:
For some weeks Sam has been contemplating writing a policy paper for the higher-ups about under what conditions one nation's vessels have to honor those of another by striking flags, or sails, or both. Often it has to do with proximity to one's own shores, but also with naval might, alliances, etc.
Someone helpfully said that these early international wrestling matches over rights and honors eventually ended up with the recognition of territorial waters, as vs. international waters. The former is considered essentially national territory, the latter legally no one's territory. Other than that nobody's ships have to kowtow to anybody else's any more. But they had to bark and growl at each other a few centuries first before things got that civil.
Clement • Link
For Striking the flag and pronouncing 'sausage:'
http://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/1…
For Selden's 'Mare Clausam'
http://www.pepysdiary.com/encyclo…
alanB • Link
It would seem that any man who dares show an interest in talking to Lizzie is subject to Sam's wrath, whether in debt or not. With time on his hands and siring ten sons and nine daughters, Mr Armigers ability to procreate must irk our Sam.
Nix • Link
Samuel's jealousy --
Viewers in the USA might want to take a look at the current Masterpiece Theater program, an adaptation of Anthony Trollope's "He Knew He Was Right", about a husband driven mad by jealousy because of his wife's gentleman caller. It occurs two centuries after Samuel and Elizabeth, but social life still revolved around personal house calls -- and malicious gossip circulated at approximately the speed of light.
Pauline • Link
Click on the name and you get the background - he owed money to Tom.
But Australian Susan, it doesn't say that he owed money to Tom at the time of this entry. Obviously he has made some move to be involved in business with Tom or merely to rent lodging from him. Perhaps this will play out in future entries?
Second Reading
Terry Foreman • Link
Pauline, so far he's just "offended with him for his leaving of my brother Tom," where he had lodged. This, of course, affects Tom's income in the near-term. Let me
Terry Foreman • Link
Carteret, Pepys, Penn and Batten labored until 2:00 "drawing[;] up an answer to several demands of my Lord Treasurer" Thomas Wriothesley (4th Earl of Southampton, Lord Treasurer 1660-7) http://www.pepysdiary.com/encyclo…
L&M note the Lord Treasurer's request (sent to the Admiral on 4 January and forwarded by him on the 6th) was for information about stores, and for detailed accounts for the period 24 June 1660-1 January 1662.. The Navy Board's reply (16 January) is full and detailed.
Tonyel • Link
"drawing up an answer to several demands of my Lord Treasurer, and late at it till 2 o’clock. Then to dinner"
Late at it? What time did they start, I wonder. The resentful cry of the civil servant echoes down the centuries. AND they had to go back to the office after lunch !
Terry Foreman • Link
"I found Mr. Armiger below talking with my wife, but being offended with him for his leaving of my brother Tom I shewed him no countenance, but did take notice of it to him plainly, and I perceive he was troubled at it"
Armiger had evidently lodged with Tom and recently left. L&M note Armiger again had lodgings at Tom's by 14 June 1663.
Terry Foreman • Link
"Late at it? What time did they start, I wonder." posted Tonyel.
Whenever "all the morning" began, perhaps?
Third Reading
Irish Susan • Link
Perhaps Armiger had run up a huge tailor’s bill in Tom’s shop in a bid to seem as though he was giving them his business and then refused to pay for the items he had bespoken.