Friday 19 October 1666
Up, and by coach to my Lord Ashly’s, and thence (he being gone out), to the Exchequer chamber, and there find him and my Lord Bellasses about my Lord Bellasses’ accounts, which was the business I went upon. This was soon ended, and then I with Creed back home to my house, and there he and I did even accounts for salary, and by that time dinner was ready, and merry at dinner, and then abroad to Povy’s, who continues as much confounded in all his business as ever he was; and would have had me paid money, as like a fool as himself, which I troubled him in refusing; but I did persist in it. After a little more discourse, I left them, and to White Hall, where I met with Sir Robert Viner, who told me a little of what, in going home, I had seen; also a little of the disorder and mutiny among the seamen at the Treasurer’s office, which did trouble me then and all day since, considering how many more seamen will come to towne every day, and no money for them. A Parliament sitting, and the Exchange close by, and an enemy to hear of, and laugh at it.1
Viner too, and Backewell, were sent for this afternoon; and was before the King and his Cabinet about money; they declaring they would advance no more, it being discoursed of in the House of Parliament for the King to issue out his privy-seals to them to command them to trust him, which gives them reason to decline trusting. But more money they are persuaded to lend, but so little that (with horrour I speake it), coming after the Council was up, with Sir G. Carteret, Sir W. Coventry, Lord Bruncker, and myself, I did lay the state of our condition before the Duke of York, that the fleete could not go out without several things it wanted, and we could not have without money, particularly rum and bread [L&M say “broom and reed”. P.G.], which we have promised the man Swan to helpe him to 200l. of his debt, and a few other small sums of 200l. a piece to some others, and that I do foresee the Duke of York would call us to an account why the fleete is not abroad, and we cannot answer otherwise than our want of money; and that indeed we do not do the King any service now, but do rather abuse and betray his service by being there, and seeming to do something, while we do not. Sir G. Carteret asked me (just in these words, for in this and all the rest I set down the very words for memory sake, if there should be occasion) whether 50l. or 60l. would do us any good; and when I told him the very rum man must have 200l., he held up his eyes as if we had asked a million. Sir W. Coventry told the Duke of York plainly he did rather desire to have his commission called in than serve in so ill a place, where he cannot do the King service, and I did concur in saying the same. This was all very plain, and the Duke of York did confess that he did not see how we could do anything without a present supply of 20,000l., and that he would speak to the King next Council day, and I promised to wait on him to put him in mind of it. This I set down for my future justification, if need be, and so we broke up, and all parted, Sir W. Coventry being not very well, but I believe made much worse by this night’s sad discourse.
So I home by coach, considering what the consequence of all this must be in a little time. Nothing but distraction and confusion; which makes me wish with all my heart that I were well and quietly settled with what little I have got at Brampton, where I might live peaceably, and study, and pray for the good of the King and my country.
Home, and to Sir W. Batten’s, where I saw my Lady, who is now come down stairs after a great sickness. Sir W. Batten was at the pay to-day, and tells me how rude the men were, but did go away quietly, being promised pay on Wednesday next. God send us money for it!
So to the office, and then to supper and to bed.
Among other things proposed in the House to-day, to give the King in lieu of chimneys, there was the bringing up of sealed paper, such as Sir J. Minnes shewed me to-night, at Sir W. Batten’s, is used in Spayne, and brings the King a great revenue; but it shows what shifts we are put to too much.
19 Annotations
First Reading
Michael L • Link
"there was the bringing up of sealed paper, such as ... is used in Spayne, and brings the King a great revenue"
This sounds similar to a Stamp Tax. If so, it would not finally take hold in England until 1694: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stam…
cape henry • Link
"...held up his eyes as if we had asked a million." The most comical line in a comical scene.
Robert Gertz • Link
"...and then I with Creed back home to my house, and there he and I did even accounts for salary, and by that time dinner was ready, and merry at dinner..."
Deadly enemies last time, merry at dinner today...One never knows how the Creedometer lies.
50-60L? 200Ls?! Good grief, Jamie! Sell one of your new vests, for heaven's sake or tell Sam, Coventry, Batten, Penn, Minnes, Carteret, and the office gang they're each contributing a few pounds to the greater good. Mind-boggling...
On the other hand, great news for the Hague...
language hat • Link
"which makes me wish with all my heart that I were well and quietly settled with what little I have got at Brampton, where I might live peaceably, and study, and pray for the good of the King and my country."
Danton was always talking about how what he really wanted was to retire to Arcis and live peaceably among simple country folk. I guess if you're busy enough with public affairs you have to console yourself with this kind of fantasy.
Robert Gertz • Link
Diary of Alternate Sam...
October 20, 1666...
Up with the cock, for God knows what reason, there being nothing to do in this worthless hell-hole to which I condemned myself following the outbreak of plague last year. My wife not to be found on waking...I sought her in the kitchen where she and I had bitter words regarding her annoyance with what she calls 'my jealousy' and her complaints as to the barrenness of our lives here. I for my part did tear up to her some odd and ends of what my mother had said regarding her loose bearing at Hinchingbrook the other day with Captain Ferrers. She did deny it and in bad humor all the morning, insisting that she would in spite of my command to stay be off to dine with my Lady Sandwich. I for my turn did walk about the garden, kicking plants and did injury to my foot in so doing. Summoned by my cousin Tom to sit in at a petty dispute of my neighbors' over the placement of a new fence, I did dine there, where the food bad and ill-prepared and the company as ever of low sort in which I took no pleasure. On returning was vexed to find my wife had indeed gone off to dine with my Lady and remained in very bad humor all the afternoon, nursing my foot and reading in my books. Further disappointed in the evening to learn that the local fool I had called on to build me a new press for my books had done but clumsy, ill work...Yet as I have no longer call on the service I once did, it cannot be helped. Hewer did come in the afternoon bearing letters from London but no reply from Mr. Evelyn whom Hewer says is most busy with affairs of state these days. Nor does Mr. Hooke nor any of my other old friends reply, excepting a letter from Creed who tells me he does well in my old position. My wife returned in late evening...Six of the clock as I noted to her. She did desire to be friends and mentioned with rather odd air she would endeavor not to see Captain Ferrers again as it displeases me. Her manner troubles me, she giving me many sorrowful looks and I am resolved to follow her should she go about tomorrow. Gave her a lesson in astronomy, she growing in disquiet until the end when she begged me my forgiveness of her faults in such strident tones that I was loathe to do so until she had told me what such faults she referred to were, she denying more than her sorrow at displeasing me and her discontent with our country life.
I find will not be able to continue my journal after this for a week for want of paper...Miserable hell-hole of a place...
And so to bed...Which did collapse under us, rotted old thing...And not a good workman to be found to restore it until he can be called from London.
Katherine • Link
Have been reading for years without posting, but I break silence now to say Alternate Sam is the funniest thing ever posted in the annotations. Thanks Robert! Brilliantly written.
Kevin Peter • Link
Agreed. Alternate Sam was well written and very funny.
Second Reading
Terry Foreman • Link
"it being discoursed of in the House of Parliament for the King to issue out his privy-seals to them to command them to trust him,"
I.e. writs for a forced loan: a device used by Charles I. , and condemned in parliament by the Petition of Right (1628). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pet… It was never used by Charles II. (L&M note)
Terry Foreman • Link
"Among other things proposed in the House to-day, to give the King in lieu of chimneys, there was the bringing up of sealed paper, such as Sir J. Minnes shewed me to-night, at Sir W. Batten’s, is used in Spayne, and brings the King a great revenue; but it shows what shifts we are put to too much."
Per L&M : http://www.british-history.ac.uk/…
The stamp-duty here referred to (proposed also in 1661-2 as an alternative to the hearth-tax) was not imposed until 1671. https://books.google.com/books?id… A stamp-duty was introduced into Castile in 1636 and afterwards into the rest of the country.
Terry Foreman • Link
July 23, 1661
That his Majesty's Revenue should be advanced by a Duty to be imposed upon sealed Paper and Parchment for publick Use: And that a Bill be brought in for raising the said Duty upon sealed Paper and Parchment, and ascertaining the several Rates of the said sealed Paper and Parchment.
https://books.google.com/books?id…
Cp. Stamp Act (British)
Agreed to by the British Parliament March 22, 1765
For every skin or piece of vellum or parchment, or sheet or piece of paper, on which shall be ingrossed, written or printed, any declaration, plea, replication, rejoinder, demurrer, or other pleading, or any copy thereof, in any court of law within the British colonies and plantations in America....etc.
http://www.greatamericandocuments…
Terry Foreman • Link
"I with Creed back home to my house, and there he and I did even accounts for salary,"
L&M: They balance the books for Pepys's salary as Treasurer for Tangier, and Creed's as Secretary.
Terry Foreman • Link
"the disorder and mutiny among the seamen at the Treasurer’s office"
L&M: As a result of the disorder this day at the Navy Treasurer;s, in Broad St, 24 soldiers were detailed on pay-days, and a supply of 12 firelocks , with powder and bullets, was ordered for the Navy Office. In addition no seamen were to be sent up to London until their pay was ready for them. More riots occurred on 19 December.
Terry Foreman • Link
"it being discoursed of in the House of Parliament for the King to issue out his privy-seals to them to command them to trust him"
L&M: I.e. writs for a forced loan: a device used by Charles I, and condemned in Parliament by the Petition of Rights, a major English constitutional document that sets out specific liberties of the subject that the king is prohibited from infringing. Passed on 7 June 1628, the Petition contains restrictions on non-Parliamentary taxation, forced billeting of soldiers, imprisonment without cause, and the use of martial law. The Petition remains in force in the United Kingdom and, thanks to Imperial legislation, many parts of the Commonwealth of Nations including Australia and New Zealand. Internationally, it helped influence the Massachusetts Body of Liberties, and is seen as a predecessor to the Third, Fifth, Sixth and Seventh amendments to the Constitution of the United States. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pet…
Terry Foreman • Link
Correct the text? L&M transcribe:
"That the fleete could not go out without several things it wanted, and we could not have without money -- particularly broom and reed, which we had promised the man Swan to help him to 200l of his debt, and a few other small sum[s] of 200l a-piece to some others. And that I do foresee the Duke of York would call us to an account why the fleete is not abroad, and we cannot answer otherwise then our want of money. And that endeed we do not do the King any service now, but do rather abuse and betray his service, by being there, and seeming to do something, while we do not. Sir G. Carteret asked me (just in these words, for in this and all the rest I set down the very words for memory sake, if there should be occasion) whether 50 or 60l. would do us any good; and when I told him the very broom-man must have 200l, he held up his eyes as if we had asked a million."
L&M note: Humphrey Swan: there are several payments of smaller sums to him. March-July. Broom and reed were used in fireships, as combustible material, and for cleaning ships' bottoms by singeing off the tar ('breaming').
Terry Foreman • Link
"Sir W. Coventry being not very well, but I believe made much worse by this night’s sad discourse."
L&M: Pepys told the 'melancholy story' of this interview with the Duke in a letter of the same day to Penn: Further Corr., p. 144.
San Diego Sarah • Link
"Good grief, James! Sell one of your new vests, for heaven's sake or tell Pepys, Coventry, Batten, Penn, Mennes, Carteret, and the office gang they're each contributing a few pounds to the greater good."
Mr. Gertz votes in favor of the Forced Loan program. I think that was one of the factors which lead to a Civil War in living memory???
San Diego Sarah • Link
Sir Robert "Viner too, and Backewell, were sent for this afternoon; and was before the King and his Cabinet about money; they declaring they would advance no more, it being discoursed of in the House of Parliament for the King to issue out his privy-seals to them to command them to trust him, which gives them reason to decline trusting. But more money they are persuaded to lend, but so little that (with horrour I speake it), ..."
from http://www.bodley.ox.ac.uk/dept/s…
Sir Robert had been a problem for both Whitehall and Ormonde all summer:
Ormonde to Arlington
Written from: Dublin
Date: 18 July 1666
Shelfmark: MS. Carte 51, fol(s). 198-199
Document type: Holograph-Minute
Finds, but without knowing upon what ground, that the £15,000 last ordered hither when it was got to Chester, & ready to be put on board a vessel, ... was stopped, by order from Sir Robert Vyner ... Whatever the reason, we are still without that money, & so have lost much time in preparation for ... the marching of the troops ... Vyner's correspondent here intimates it to be his intention to deduct £3,000, for the "use & exchange" of this & the former £15,000 ...
Adds other details, chiefly concerning military affairs.
###
Ormonde to Arlington
Written from: Dublin
Date: 25 July 1666
Shelfmark: MS. Carte 51, fol(s). 103
Eleven thousand seven hundred pounds are come - part, it is supposed of the fifteen thousand pounds. It should seem that Vyner means to deduct the remaining sum £3,300 for interest & exchange. ...
His Majesty is humbly besought to apply the same remedy as before ...
$$$
Ormonde to Sir James Shaen
Written from: Dublin
Date: 26 July 1666
Shelfmark: MS. Carte 49, fol(s). 352
Document type: Copy
The yacht arrived on Monday with £11,700, of the £15,000 expected. Notice is given to Lord Arlington, with desire that the full sum may be made up. Has desired Lord Anglesey not to give an acquittance for more than the sum received. The writer has nothing to do with bargains made upon funds in England; nor does he understand that for £30,000, only £26,300 should be accepted ...
Adds some further particulars, concerning matters of finance.
Returns Sir James Shaen's "Propositions" ...
$$$
Ormonde to Arlington
Written from: Dublin
Date: 11 August 1666
Shelfmark: MS. Carte 51, fol(s). 211
Document type: Copy
... Has forbidden the giving of any such acquittance for £15,000, as Vyner demands, upon sending only £11,700, ... but unless some agreement be made with him [in London], ... they will still be without the money, as he will be without his discharge ...
San Diego Sarah • Link
Sir Robert Vyner's "commissions" cont.:
Arlington to Ormonde
Written from: Whitehall
Date: 18 September 1666
Shelfmark: MS. Carte 46, fol(s). 371
Document type: Original; subscribed and signed
Notices the opening of Parliament; the calling up of Lord Ossory to the House of Lords; further advices received concerning the French fleet, under De Beaufort;
and a message from the Lord Chancellor concerning the making good of a sum of £3,300 which was deficient in a late remittance, made through Sir Robert Vyner, into Ireland.
%%%
THERE ARE A COUPLE OF SPOILERS IN THE FOLLOWING, WHICH MAKE ME THINK SIR ROBERT KEPT HIS MARK-UP:
Anglesey to Ormonde
Written from: London
Date: 20 October 1666
Shelfmark: MS. Carte 217, fol(s). 344
Document type: Holograph
Has received the Duke's letters of October 2nd and 12th, with the enclosure, in the first of them, of Sir Robert Vyner's letter to Sir Daniel Bellingham "about the remainder of the £30,000".
From Bellingham he has also received a letter, in relation to his the writer's calculations of the Irish Revenue; calculations which the writer has no doubt of justifying; "except in such particulars as fail by accident". Adds other advices as to political and financial matters ...
%%%
Anglesey to Ormonde
Written from: London
Date: 3 November 1666
Shelfmark: MS. Carte 217, fol(s). 350
Document type: Holograph [with seal of arms]
Sir Robert Vyner, being now Sheriff, is very hard to meet with, "but I shall be sure", ads the writer, "to dispatch your Grace's comments, the first business I do with him".
Lord Ossory was freed from the Tower on Wednesday [having been committed on the Monday, at the instance of the Duke of Buckingham, for breach of privilege of Parliament]. He has lost "no honour in the difference with Buckingham"; although, adds the writer, the course taken [to prevent a duel] was inevitable, the compaint being once made to the House.
Let the extremities [in Ireland] be what they may, no money will be gotten hence, until the fleet is fitted for sea. ...
###
By October the threat of invasion had diminished, so what money there was now went to the fleet.
San Diego Sarah • Link
The importance of the 1628 Petition of Right today:
https://www.historic-uk.com/Histo…
“The constitution of the United Kingdom exists in hearts and minds and habits as much as it does in law.” -- Jack Straw, Secretary of State for Justice, 2008