Friday 18 September 1668

Up, and to St. James’s, and there took a turn or two in the Park; and then up to the Duke of York, and there had opportunity of delivering my answer to his late letter, which he did not read, but give to Mr. Wren, as looking on it as a thing I needed not have done, but only that I might not give occasion to the rest to suspect my communication with the Duke of York against them. So now I am at rest in that matter, and shall be more, when my copies are finished of their answers, which I am now taking with all speed. Thence to my several booksellers and elsewhere, about several errands, and so at noon home, and after dinner by coach to White Hall, and thither comes the Duke of York to us, and by and by met at the robe chamber upon our usual business, where the Duke of York I find somewhat sour, and particularly angry with Lord Anglesey for his not being there now, nor at other times so often as he should be with us. So to the King’s house, and saw a piece of “Henry the Fourth;” at the end of the play, thinking to have gone abroad with Knepp, but it was too late, and she to get her part against to-morrow, in “The Silent Woman,” and so I only set her at home, and away home myself, and there to read again and sup with Gibson, and so to bed.

7 Annotations

First Reading

Andrew Hamilton  •  Link

The Duke's anger at Annesley (who was critical of Pepys in his letter on the Navy office) suggests how tense the politics of the Navy have become, and how big a chance James is taking in putting his money on Sam.

Todd Bernhardt  •  Link

True, Andrew. Interesting that someone who made such a bad king could be -- in this instance, anyway -- such a good judge of character.

Again, it's becoming more obvious why Sam stuck with James even when things fell apart for him.

Australian Susan  •  Link

This entry today gives us an insight, I think. of how Sam passed his post-Diary days when a widower - business, booksellers, the play, chasing women, dining and supping with colleagues. Not a bad single life really. Certainly no yearning for the quiet country life he occasionally extols.

Robert Gertz  •  Link

I wonder if it's not so much good judgment of character on Jamie's part as resolute loyalty, something he probably picked up during the military service he enjoyed so much during his and Charlie's exile. A man like Sam who's shown devoted loyalty during plague and fire and who's stepped up to offer assist during the Parliamentary investigations...And helped to save the office with an excellent speech...Has shown and earned James' loyalty. Unfortunately that resolute stance, excellent in an administrator supporting a worthy team, translated into other matters can prove disasterous for a political leader.

Second Reading

San Diego Sarah  •  Link

The volume covering correspondence from November 1667 through September 1668 is at
https://play.google.com/books/rea…

PAGES 639-640

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Sept. 18. 1668
Chatham
Col. Thos. Middleton to S. Pepys.

I send this by [Phin.] Pett, the King's master builder at Chatham, who wants 30 calkers to calk ships in port, to prevent damage during the winter;
I send the muster calker, who is acquainted with the ablest men, not doubting but a press warrant will be given;

1,000/. is come down to pay the ships in port, 700/. of which is owing to the [Chatham] chest;

the ships will require near 4,000/.;
I beg that it may be sent.
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 246, No. 77.]

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[Sept. 18.] 1668
Petition
of the London traders in white salt from Scotland and Newcastle to the King and Council.

They find the Scotch salt much more fit for the Navy and for merchants than that of England,
but the late high impost of 40/. per cent. at its landing in England makes them unable to trade in it, but at a loss of a quarter of their first cost in Scotland.

Since the order of reference to the English Commissioners for trade, the English salt-makers in the North have tried to keep the matter from being reported on;
thus the petitioners are still obstructed,
and the Shields salt-makers, who pay no duty, have engrossed the trade, set what price they please, and the petitioners are forced to take their salt, which wastes and turns to brine in the ships.

Beg that the tax may not be continued for the interest of the English salt-makers,
and that during the continuance of the treaty now on foot, half the tax may be taken off.
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 246, No. 78.]
---
[London traders in salt] to the Lord Keeper.

A petition of traders in white salt from Scotland and Newcastle is before Council, against the imposition of 40/. per cent. on Scotch salt,
laid at request of English salt-makers who are unable to supply the markets with sufficient quantities fit for the Navy or fishing
Request that during the treaty between the Commissioners for settling the trade between England and Scotland, to whom the case is referred,
a moiety of the said tax may be suspended, that so the English markets may be supplied, and the Dutch, who try to induce the Scots to supply them with coal, salt, &c., may be circumvented.
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 246, No. 80.]

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Sept. 18. 1668
Whitehall

Order in Council,
on breviate of 2 letters from Wm. Warren of Santa Cruz to Thos. Warren,
that the Secretaries of State look out their advices about the affairs on the coasts of Barbary, and report thereon on the 23rd instant,
that order may be given to preserve the trade of his Majesty's subjects in those parts;
and that Thos. Warren and other traders to those coasts be required to attend.
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 246, No. 82.]

San Diego Sarah  •  Link

Rev. Ralph:

"on the 18 I began to sow, god good to us in a dry season, ..."

Winter wheat can be sown from September to March.
Early sowings from the middle of September are usually preferable, but they may not be better than late sowings in some favourable autumns.

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