Terry Foreman on 12 Oct 2011  •  Link

"a ridiculous nonsensical book set out by Will. Pen, for the Quakers "

*Truth exalted; in a short, but sure testimony against all those religions, faiths, and vvorships that have been formed and followed in the darkness of apostacy.--- And for that glorious light which is now risen, and shines forth in the life and doctrine of the despised Quakers, as the alone good old way of life and salvation. Presented to princes, priests, and people, that they may repent, believe, and obey.* By William Penn the younger, whom divine love constrains in a holy contempt to trample on Egypts glory, not fearing the Kings wrath, having beheld the magisty [sic] of him who is invisible
London : printed [by John Darby], in the year, 1668
http://goo.gl/l9df5

Terry Foreman on 12 Oct 2011  •  Link

Penn's pamphlet (and the aftermath Pepys will not report)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will…

Andrew Hamilton on 13 Oct 2011  •  Link

"he do think the Parliament will hardly ever meet again; which is a great many men’s thoughts, and I shall not be sorry for it."

That dratted Parliament, always prying and poking and making difficulties about money. Some contemporary figures of the American executive have been heard expressing similar feelings.

Mary on 13 Oct 2011  •  Link

"to open all the volumes for me"

i.e. Sam got them to cut the uncut pages.

andy on 13 Oct 2011  •  Link

to open all the volumes for me

My former English teacher taught me 45 years ago to prepare modern paperbacks for reading.

You place the spine on the table/hard surface then open the soft covers to left and right, pressing the edges firmly, running your index finger down each side, to establish the hinges.

Then from left and right alternately you open about ten pages and press firmly on the edge of the topmost page, from the top of the page (top right then top left), again running your index finger firmly down the edge, and moving steadily, growing each pile of pages left and right.

Eventually left and right meet in a single page riding erect from the centre of the spine. That page he said should be the middle page number "if you have done it correctly".

Of course you can have a sneak peek at the prose while you do this.

It's like making love for the first time, and you can't do it with e-books.

I hope Sam had the same pleasure!

JWB on 13 Oct 2011  •  Link

"Truth Exaulted....

'The select works of William Penn.... (Google eBook), p1

http://books.google.com/books/abo…

Robert Gertz on 13 Oct 2011  •  Link

"Ahhhhh..."

'Sam'l? What's the...?"

Shaking finger pointing to page...

"'dedicated to my dear friend, Samuel Pepys...' Oh, Sam'l that's so sweet of Will. Will, Sam'l obviously is just overwhelmed by your thoughtfulness." patting choking Pepys on back. "And such a fine title, 'Truth Exalted'..."

"Merci, madame..." Will Jr., gracious bow.

Better you than me...You filling the boy's fool head with that 'tolerance' nonsense...Admiral Sir Will beside him, smiling at Sam.

***

Robert Gertz on 13 Oct 2011  •  Link

"...a gentleman of my Lord Middleton’s looking for me about the payment of the 1000l. lately ordered to his Lord, in advance of his pay, which shall arise upon his going Governor to Tangier, I did go to his Lord’s lodgings, and there spoke the first time with him, and find him a shrewd man, but a drinking man, I think, as the world says; but a man that hath seen much of the world, and is a Scot."

One might read a lamentable stereotype in this...

Terry Foreman on 1 Feb 2017  •  Link

"a ridiculous nonsensical book set out by Will. Pen, for the Quakers "

Truth exalted, in a short, but sure testimony against all those religions, faiths, and vvorships that have been formed and followed in the darkness of apostacy ... by William Penn the Younger ...
Penn, William, 1644-1718.
London: [s.n.], 1668.
Early English Books Online [full text]
http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/t/t…

Terry Foreman on 1 Feb 2017  •  Link

"to enquire when the Duke of York will be in town, in order to Mr. Turner’s going down to Audley Ends"

L&M: The court had been at Audley End, Essex and elsewhere in E. Anglia) since 6 October: ondon Gazette, 8 Ocyobrt.

Terry Foreman on 1 Feb 2017  •  Link

"...meeting a gentleman of my Lord Middleton’s looking for me about the payment of the 1000l. lately ordered to his Lord, in advance of his pay, which shall arise upon his going Governor to Tangier, I did go to his Lord’s lodgings, and there spoke the first time with him, and find him a shrewd man, but a drinking man, I think, as the world says; but a man that hath seen much of the world, and is a Scot."

L&M provide context: appointed to the post in May 1668, Middleton was not sent there until October 1669. He had served in both parliamentarian and royalist armies in England and Scotland, had been in exile with the court in France and elsewhere, and had been High Commissioner to the Scottish parliament in 1660-3.

Terry Foreman on 1 Feb 2017  •  Link

"but did declare to me afterwards his intentions to desire an excuse in his own business, to be eased of the business of the Comptroller"

L&M: Since November 1666 Penn (with Brouncker) had assisted Mennes as Comptroller.

Terry Foreman on 1 Feb 2017  •  Link

"Sir H. Cholmly come to town; and is come hither to see me: and he is a man that I love mightily, as being, of a gentleman, the most industrious that ever I saw."

L&M: Sir Hugh Cholmley was in charge of the building the mole at Tangier. He had also built a pier at Whitby, Yorks. His industry is plain to see in his leter-books, now in the N. Yorkshire County R.O., Northallerton.

Terry Foreman on 2 Feb 2017  •  Link

"to the King’s playhouse, and I afterwards by water with them, and there we did hear the Eunuch (who, it seems, is a Frenchman, but long bred in Italy) sing,"

L&M: Possibly Baldassare Ferri. Pepys's reference to 'the Eunuch' two days later http://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/1… makes it clear that the play was Fletcher's The faithful shepherdess.

Baldassare Ferri: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bal…

San Diego Sarah on 2 Oct 2021  •  Link

'Entry Book: October 1668', in Calendar of Treasury Books, Volume 2, 1667-1668, ed. William A Shaw (London, 1905), pp. 623-630. British History Online
http://www.british-history.ac.uk/…

@@@
Oct. 12 1668
Same to Mr. Fenn concerning Capt. Cock's orders:
desires an account of that 46,000/. specifying particularly which [orders] are assigned and to whom.
Treasury Outletters Miscellaneous I. p. 307.
---
John Fenn -- L&M Companion -- Paymaster to the Navy Treasurer, 1660-1668, and a friend of Captain Cocke.
I'm sure Mr. Fenn was delighted to receive this task. I wonder how many years this goes back, and he has to audit his friend.

San Diego Sarah on 8 Oct 2021  •  Link

'Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies: Volume 5, 1661-1668, ed. W Noel Sainsbury (London, 1880), pp. 615-622. British History Online

http://www.british-history.ac.uk/…

October 1668

@@@
Oct. 13. 1668
Barbados.
#1853. Sir Tobias Bridge to the Privy Council.

Received theirs of 31st July, when his regiment was ready to be disbanded according to their order of 20th May [see ante, No. 1754], which had been done could Lord Willoughby have found out any means to have paid arrears, which his Lordship was very solicitous about, but which is left to their Lordships' consideration to make provision for.

Will with all diligence and faithfulness discharge the trust reposed in him concerning his Majesty's moiety of the 4½ per cent., but as no sugar is like to be made till after January next, they will be in great straits to subsist till that time.

Lord Willoughby has put him in possession of the receipt of that duty, which will fall very short of their Lordships' expectations, and will return punctual accounts, together with the muster rolls.

Indorsed, Rec. 7th, read Dec. 11th, 1668.
1 p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXIII., No. 62.]
---
William, Lord WILLOUGHBY, 6th Baron of Parham MP (1616 – 1673), Gov. Barbados (1666 – 1673)
---
Tobias Bridge fought for Parliament in the English Civil Wars, served the Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell during the Interregnum, and after the Restoration he served Charles II.
A year after he was knighted in 1666, Col. Sir Tobias Bridge was sent to Barbados with his regiment. In 1672 he commanded the local land forces against Tobago in one of the many wars over that island. In 1674 he was admitted to the council of Barbados.
He probably died in Bridgetown, the capital of Barbados which was named after him, but no record has been found of the date.

https://www.oxforddnb.com/view/10… (you need a subscription)

San Diego Sarah on 9 Oct 2021  •  Link

Calendar of State Papers Relating To English Affairs in the Archives of Venice, Volume 35, 1666-1668, ed. Allen B Hinds (London, 1935), pp. 278-295. British History Online
http://www.british-history.ac.uk/…

October 1668, 1–15

Pages 278 – 295

@@@
Oct. 12. 1668
Senato, Secreta.
Deliberazioni, Corti.
Venetian Archives.

#356. To the Ambassador in England.

Approval of his operations.
Glad that he is cultivating Arlinton, especially as it might be feared that the motives intimated in an earlier despatch might render him recalcitrant.
To continue to cultivate his good will so that he may confirm the king's friendly notions.
Will await his next despatch to reawaken the birth of some profitable hope, since it is incredible that his Majesty should not concur in the manifestation of his zeal for a war which has become so celebrated and famous.
He is to do his utmost to show the urgency of the position at Candia.

Ayes, 87. Noes, 0. Neutral, 0.
[Italian.]

San Diego Sarah on 9 Oct 2021  •  Link

Oct. 12. 1668
Senato, Secreta.
Dispacci. Inghilterra.
Venetian Archives.

#357. Piero Mocenigo, Venetian Ambassador in England, to the Doge and Senate.
The report of the unexpected departure of the Court from the king's decision to go into the country, hastened by the mild weather now prevailing, and which promises him a long and more agreeable stay, (fn. 5) has taken me by surprise and induced me to change the insinuations I had arranged into open requests.
---
• 5. The king and queen, the duke and duchess of York, Prince Rupert and many gentlemen of the Court left London on Tuesday, 9 October for Audley End, intending to remain away a month, so that Whitehall might be cleaned and put in repair for the winter.
Salvetti on Oct. 5 and 12. Brit. Mus. Add. MSS. 27962 S., ff. 299,300d.
---
I went to the Secretary Arlinton, determined to prevent the shortness of the time for negotiations from prejudicing the good disposition shown by his Majesty.

Before speaking about Candia I tried to win him by speaking of his influence with his Majesty and his zeal for Christendom, which had given me such confidence that I had ventured to write to your Serenity that through his means the most powerful assistance might be expected.
I begged him not to disappoint this hope in so good a cause which had induced all the princes to hasten with prompt assistance.
The king here, by his succour, might assist that of the Dutch and even if the importance of the cause did not move his generosity, he ought not in any case to allow his own reserve to delay the good disposition of the Dutch, giving everything for the welfare of Christendom.
Personally I had no doubt that the disposition to unite with the Dutch would be announced, with particulars of the quality and quantity of the succour, and put on one side those generalities which left nothing done, hesitating between irresolution and good will.
No one but his Excellency, by his action and advice, could put the finishing touches to so glorious a decision of his Majesty which by upholding Candia would crown these realms with universal applause and bring blessings on his name, restoring to Christendom a kingdom almost completely overrun by the Turks.

Arlinton answered me whole heartedly, promising the best disposition on his side and that I should see that I had made no mistake when an opportunity came for him to prove it by his action.
He spoke to me in the best way of the king's wishes.
Reverting to the point of my confidence in his advice he said that the campaigning season was advanced and there was no longer time to act.
For the coming one if I should consider more carefully considered resolutions I should make more progress by slow degrees, than by hurried instances, the former introducing more efficacy in the demand while the latter, not allowing for half measures, put difficulties in the way of achievement.

San Diego Sarah on 9 Oct 2021  •  Link

I told Arlinton that for my own part I should have slackened in my instances, but if Candia was not succoured it was in no condition to hold out and wait for the next campaign.
The Turks gave no quarter to soldiers.
In the depth of winter the infidels had exposed themselves in an unexampled manner to the most bitter weather, under shelters dug in the ground, rather than withdraw from the positions occupied, or give up an inch of the ground which had cost them so much blood; and once Candia was lost the Turks would contest the reconquest against all the princes of Christendom together.

Seeing my determination to ask for prompt succours, Arlinton offered his assistance.
If I would draw up a memorial, omitting no example or argument, for him to take to the king, it would serve to solicit some declaration.

Leaving him thus persuaded of the need to hasten immediately to the peril of Candia and to seize the present opportunity, he promised to support my instances with energy.

That Saturday after dinner I set down on paper the reasons which seemed most cogent to show the pressing nature of the case.

I sent the memorial to Arlinton and so that he might not delay to present it I informed him that on Monday I should go to audience of the king, and felt confident that I should have a favourable answer.

This I have acted upon, as I asked and obtained audience for the purpose of taking leave of his Majesty who was going away from London.
I told him that it was not I but Candia that importuned him, which at the end of its resources was appealing to this most powerful crown to save it from the barbarity of the infidels.
The other Christian princes had sent galleys, troops, munitions and money, and the States were only waiting for the example of his Majesty.
To avoid troubling him by frequent audiences I had taken the liberty to present a memorial to the Secretary Arlinton in which I might have inserted more arguments if I had not considered these sufficient to persuade his Majesty to put into form his own favourable disposition.

I then tried to show the justice of the cause, the need for haste, the opportunity offered by a way to escape observation and mischances to the Levant trade, the trifling character of the succour asked for, of which the country always has abundance, and especially now, with the saving caused by the peace.

To my long speech, once interrupted by his Majesty's impatience to hear the news of Candia, he replied that I might rest assured of his good will.
I knew the misfortunes of the country, but he would duly consider the memorial.

He let me go with such kind words that I might have been comforted if the plight of Candia did not call for more speedy action.

I tried to see Arlinton again after dinner, but he was busy with preparations for going into the country.

San Diego Sarah on 9 Oct 2021  •  Link

I pressed him so hard through the Secretary Alberti that he came himself to this house at a late hour of the night.
He told me that the memorial had been referred by his Majesty to the Lord Keeper, and to the Secretary Trevers, both appointed to consider the matter.
I might confer with them and persuade them to make a good report.

On the return of the two deputies from the country I will go and see them at once, trying to get a favourable reply, though to my extreme regret I see the affair buried between the indecision of the ministers and the delays constantly caused by fresh opposition.

On the other hand, when I returned the visit of Earl Anglise, who attended me at my public entry, I stirred him so much about the succours that to-day, before starting for the country he came to tell me, in response to the confidence I had shown in telling him of the result of my audience of the king and my visit to Arlinton, that the memorial had not yet been taken to the Council of State by the Consulta, and gave me his word to support it if it should come.
---
Arthur Annesley, 1st Earl of Anglesey, treasurer of the navy.
---
He said that the king might make his decision upon the opinion of the Consulta.
He told me confidentially that the chief opposition was about the Levant, and for fear of interrupting good relations with the Turks it was advisable to try for succour that would attract least attention.

As I suggested gunpowder, lead and materials he promised to try and serve the republic in everything.
He went so far as to tell me that a person of note maintained that they should beware lest those barbarians, incensed at succour given to the republic, should let loose their resentment against the person of the English ambassador.

But I believe that they are much more anxious about reprisals against the capital of this same Earl Harvis, and the community of interest among the leading ministers here causes them to be very careful of the reputation of the ambassador of this crown.
---
“Harvis” is Amb. Daniel Harvey, who recently left for the Levant.
---
But because all this delay amounts to a refusal, the opportunity of the embarcation of the troops in Holland being lost and time flying while Candia is in peril, makes me regret my uselessness.

San Diego Sarah on 9 Oct 2021  •  Link

Nevertheless, although I have no great hope, I mean to keep on with my requests with all the ministers here, even to importunity.
If the news is true that is spread by several news sheets, and which is credited here by the most cautious of the ministers, that the Turks have been repulsed after repeated assaults and heavy losses, and have withdrawn from the siege, I should rejoice with your Serenity and with Christendom, as your Excellencies would win immortal glory from a memorable defence, conspicuous in the eyes of the world, and the safety of Christendom would be the result.

I should like to believe what I hear and it is repugnant to discredit what one most desires, so long as the report does not cool the tepid zeal which in spite of the particular interests of the Levant still lives in the spirit of the king for the relief of your Excellencies.

London, the 12th October, 1668.
[Italian.]
Enclosure.

#358. The Memorial.

Representing the critical state of Candia and the help received from the emperor and others, with request for assistance.
[Italian: 7 pages.]

San Diego Sarah on 9 Oct 2021  •  Link

Oct. 12. 1668
Senato, Secreta.
Dispacci, Inghilterra.
Venetian Archives.

#359. Piero Mocenigo, Venetian Ambassador in England, to the Doge and Senate.

When I thought I had done well in the renewal of this embassy by having established equality with the royal ambassadors, without the slightest diminution of pre-eminence, my peace of mind is disturbed somewhat by an affair with the Spanish ambassador about an ambiguity over ceremonial.

The minister of your Excellencies has always been made a battle ground in every Court in the strife between the ambassadors of France and Spain, and it has fallen to me, who desired more than anything to cultivate friendly relations and to avoid unpleasantness, to meet with one, the less likely to be foreseen because it is over one of the most trivial and usual formalities.

The knowledge of the ceremonial approved at all the Courts and the opinion expressed by the Master of the Ceremonies about the claim of Earl Craven, that meeting on the staircase was a novel procedure on such occasions, made me resolve not to depart from the approved ceremonial on the first visits with the French and Dutch ambassadors.
Both responded by meeting me on the stairs when I returned their visits and everything happened without anything of note.

When the Spanish ambassador asked for an appointment, Saturday morning was fixed and he appeared at the house.

My gentlemen were at the door and he had scarcely entered when he asked them if I was indisposed, and advancing to the foot of the stairs demanded roundly that I should meet him there.
When I heard this I was forced to be very reserved.
I sent the Secretary Alberti assuring him that I would meet him where I had met the French ambassador.
I would rather show increased than diminished respect for the minister of his Catholic Majesty, but I could not descend the stairs because I could not treat him differently from the French ambassador.

After hesitating awhile the Count of Molina decided to leave me with regret at not being able to pay his respects, and he left without seeing me.

It seems that this claim is based on a particular practice of this Court which is new and perhaps invented by these Spanish ambassadors, who having no stairs in their houses may have extended the greeting, to be met by the other ambassadors on the ground floor.

San Diego Sarah on 9 Oct 2021  •  Link

Colbert, the French minister, stands out against this, because if the innovation was accepted and the dukes, earls and leading ministers of this country continued to receive on the stairs in the old way, the ambassadors would lose their parity, as would certainly be the case if the Spanish ministers were met by the French at the door and by a duke on the stairs.

Molina did not consider this, fastening on what was done with him by Colbert himself.

To this Colbert replies that the extraordinary courtesy of a secret visit from Count Molina, and the belief that it was the practice of dukes, earls and ministers at this Court, obliged him to show special civility at the first meeting and he by no means wished to continue the abuse, when he found that dukes continued to visit and receive in the rooms.
He concluded that an abuse prejudicial to the position of royal ambassadors should not be continued, and it should be forgotten as being an offence rather than a favour, and as he was content to break the first lances, and be met on the stairs, as was the Dutch ambassador who enjoys parity, the Spanish ambassador cannot escape following the example, as he has no right to claim a more distinguished treatment than they.

Not content with this the French ambassador, by these arguments has bound me hand and foot, making a protest here by his gentlemen that any concession to the Spanish ambassador would be a positive offence to his ministry.
He was fully satisfied with my reception, which conformed with the ceremonial of all the Courts and here also, where the duke of Buchincan and the Secretary Arlinton had received him on the stairs, so that any change would offend his character, and that I as well as the Spanish ambassador should have to compensate him for this.

This declaration of the French ambassador prevents any compromise, and he will on no account agree to the reception claimed by Spain, on the ground also that it would seem as if Spain had precedence over France.
But Spain remains deaf to considerations of the common service of the ambassadors.
He acts with prudence, however, and is not taking any further steps but lets the compliment wait, while expecting replies from Spain.
In the mean time he will not join issue on those points of punctilio which the French ambassador wishes to raise, in order to renew differences and, if needful, odious declarations.

I shall wait to hear the intentions of your Serenity, hoping that my reluctance to gratify the Spanish ambassador will be approved, in order to avoid the quarrels which one tries so hard to prevent now.

I have no doubt that I have fulfilled my instructions in cultivating friendly relations with both ambassadors, acting rather as a mediator than as a party, leaving them to their disputes, if I had not the good fortune to reconcile them.

San Diego Sarah on 9 Oct 2021  •  Link

With a few words I was able to assure the French ambassador of my deep respect for his king, and as he has so far declared that he has received from me the treatment he desires, so in the future I shall not do him offence in my dealings with the Spanish ambassador.

With the count of Molina, after making sure of a courteous reception, I have made a civil advance, sending the Secretary Alberti to tell him that the succour contributed by the Viceroy of Naples to the needs of Candia were so opportune that I sent to congratulate him on this holy resolution which would add to the glory of his Catholic Majesty.
The office proved acceptable and met with a very hearty response, both of us having avoided any reference to the past incident.

This civility prepared the way for a second office on the following day when he received the Secretary Alberti, who told him my extreme regret that a misunderstanding about ceremonial deprived me of the opportunity of waiting upon him.

I had not been able to oblige him, because I could not go further than I had with the French ambassador, and I felt sure he would not take it ill that I had not taken a step which would have caused disturbance and a dispute about precedence.

The ambassador replied that for me personally and as minister of your Excellencies he had every regard.

He had wished to meet me incognito in the first days of my arrival in London, but the misunderstandings of servants had deprived him of that pleasure.

For the public visit he would let the matter rest until some compromise had been found, in the hope that the French ambassador would make this easy.

As Count of Molina, he would always be at my service and offered to devote himself to the interests of the republic, esteeming that so he would be serving his queen.

In spite of the difficulty about visits there would be the same correspondence, as we should have opportunities of seeing each other at Court in the evening, where we should meet as private gentlemen without observation.

The secretary did not lose the opportunity to assure him of my sincerity and goodwill.

Such is the present state of the affair.
As I always have an eye for the satisfaction of France, I shall try to get an arrangement made as soon as possible, hoping that the prudence of the count of Molina will not open the way to disputes, and if he can withdraw with honour from the position he has taken up, he should soon be ready to abandon punctilio.
He has the example of the Ambassador Batteville, who tried to uphold the advantage of the crown by the way of a rupture, and did it infinite harm, while he personally lost the credit of having served well in an important matter by serving too well in punctilio. (fn. 6)
• 6. In the dispute with Estrades in October 1661. See Vol. xxxiii of this Calendar, pp. xxv–xxvii.

London, the 12th October, 1668.
[Italian.]

San Diego Sarah on 9 Oct 2021  •  Link

Oct. 12. 1668
Senato, Secreta.
Dispacci, Inghilterra.
Venetian Archives.

#360. Piero Mocenigo, Venetian Ambassador in England, to the Doge and Senate.

The facility which the custom of this country gives ambassadors of seeing each other frequently without ceremony, attending the Court in the evening in the capacity of private gentlemen, gave me the opportunity, before the king's departure, of cultivating the best relations with their Excellencies.

After a long discussion about Candia and strong suggestions to induce the French ambassador to support my instances with his Majesty, Colbert indulged in general remarks about his readiness to serve the most serene republic, and immediately began to talk about the peace between the crowns.
For his part he thought it firmly established, and he hoped that the clear terms would render it durable, and that all the difficulties, being dealt with in a reasonable spirit would not disturb the quiet necessary between Christian princes.

Agreeing with this, I said that the union was the more opportune because all who benefited by dissensions secured advantages from the dissensions of Christians.
Accordingly all in rallying to the common cause would defend in Candia the states most exposed to the barbarity of the infidels, and the Catholic faith.

The ambassador remarked that the Most Christian was doing his share;
the diversions of the kingdom of Poland would prove a very useful distraction for the might of the Ottomans, who were completely preoccupied with the kingdom of Candia and devoting all their energy to the capture of that place.
All the princes should watch closely the election of the new king, as if a prince of slight consequence was chosen it would only serve for the aggrandisement of him personally and would not be of any use to Christendom.
The Muscovite certainly was capable of any generous resolution, and he had both the spirit and the forces ready, so that he might render great services to Christendom.

I do not know if these remarks derived from Colbert's ingenuity or from a change in the policy of the Most Christian.

He concluded with a smile that Neoburgo was a worthy prince. (fn. 7)
7. An allusion to the situation created by the abdication on 12th June, 1668, of John Casimir II, king of Poland.
Among the candidates for the crown were the Tsar Alexis, Philip William the Count Palatine of Neuburg, whose first wife, Anna, was a daughter of Sigismund III of Poland, and the Prince of Condé.
---
Interest often prevails over character and princes have no greater impulse for their decisions than their own advantage; but your Excellencies will be advised from the proper quarter.

San Diego Sarah on 9 Oct 2021  •  Link

To obtain enlightenment as to what might be expected from the princes in the matter of procuring peace with the Turks by their protests I asked the Dutch ambassador Borel if he had written about it to the States.
He assured me that he had, in the best manner, and that he would acquaint me with the result.

But unwilling to allow myself to be diverted by these remote hopes, I insisted on the most prompt succour and persuaded the ambassador not only to accept as a pledge what the king said to him in the matter of succour, but to raise the question at every opportunity.
Since this office, Borel has only seen his Majesty once and I do not know if he has yet had an opportunity of acting, though he seemed well disposed.

Meanwhile I study every means to achieve my end, my sole aim now being to obtain some verbal declaration from the king here, since that is the only thing that can put to the test the boasted good will of the Dutch.

The absence of the king will delay all business.
It is foreseen that he will not return to London within a month.

The ambassador of Spain having cooled off about it and France being reluctant to go with his Majesty, I with the other ministers shall be excused from this obligation, as the king has little wish to be followed by ministers amid his diversions, and if the French and Spanish ambassadors enjoy their liberty and escape the new charge of entertaining their Majesties in their own house at dinner and supper with superb tables, I shall be able to go to the country to find his Majesty if some appearance of good results persuades me to press my requests.

London, the 12th October, 1668.
[Italian.]

San Diego Sarah on 13 Oct 2021  •  Link

The volume of Domestic State Papers covering correspondence from Oct. 1668 to Dec. 1669 is at
https://play.google.com/books/rea…

@@@
Oct. 12 1668.
London
Edw. Dering to Pepys.

I send authenticated copies of orders received from my factors at Hamburg,
relating to goods provided for the service,
and lost in the Hamburg fleet in May 1665,
for which I want satisfaction; they have been delayed by my absence from town.

I am going a journey into Suffolk which will detain me 14 days;
after that I shall make bold to kiss your hand, and promise myself a despatch of
this business.

Endorsed with a list of the letters, &c., enclosed, which were delivered to Mr.
Pointer, 22 Oct. 1668.
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 247, No. 161.]
---
I suspect this was signed with great flourish and satisfaction. “Take that, Pepys – after I see the King and the Duke and tell them of your stubbornness, you won’t be able to cheat me longer!”
Apparently, Sir Edward Dering, who has been in Ireland for the last few years, does not understand there is little money.
https://www.pepysdiary.com/encycl…
---
Thomas Pointer -- L&M Companion: Clerk in the Navy Office. He worked under Pepys in the victualling business in 1665; after which he was clerk and from 1668 chief clerk to the Comptroller until 1672.

@@@
Oct. 12 1668.
Woolwich
Wm. Acworth to the Navy Commissioners.

I send an account of 16 old longboats and pinnaces, sold to Mr. Wood at a public sale at Deptford;
they were appraised at 10s. each, though worth much more, by Capt. Hannam, who delivered 9 of them without my privity, or that of any other officers, and said he would answer for it.

I send measurements of the 7 remaining.

I have delivered the old spun yarn to gunners for wadding.
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 247, No. 163.]
---
Capt. Willoughby Hannam – L&M Companion: In 1668 he was Master-Attendant at Woolwich. https://www.pepysdiary.com/encycl…

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Oct. 12 1668.
Woolwich
Abra. Ansley and 4 other officers at Woolwich, appointed to weigh the wrecks, to the Navy Commissioners

Desire they may discharge 4 of the vessels they have for weighing the wrecks,
which are too weak,
and engage 4 others larger and more fit for the purpose, in case they cannot be done without.
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 247, No. 164.]

San Diego Sarah on 13 Oct 2021  •  Link

Oct. 12 1668.
Portsmouth
Capt. Ant. Deane to the Navy Commissioners.

The Milford being graved and near titted, will go off the ground.
Is getting the Dartmouth ashore for graving.

Is in great want of many things mentioned in his last demand, but above all of
3 inch plank, on which most of the works of that place depend.
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 247, No. 166.]

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Oct. 12 1668.
The Emsworth, Holehaven.
Capt. Walter Perry to the Navy Commissioners.

The Lenox has arrived.

Has stopped two English ships from Newhaven, but they had nothing but ballast. They clamour to be freed before their 40 days are over;
cannot do this without their Honours' order

and there are 2 others, who have stayed out their 40 days' quarantine, and gone up for London.

Asks for a supply of provisions, and hopes they will be more kind in the next, as
the beef and pork from Deptford were very bad.
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 247, No. 167.]

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Oct. 12 1668.
Audley End
Lord Arlington to Williamson.

I have given an account to Sir. J. Trevor of his Majesty's resolutions to be sent to Sir Wm. Temple.

The Queen resolves to go back to London on Thursday, finding herself indisposed.
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 247, No. 168.]

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Oct. 12 1668.
Swansea
John Man to Williamson.

There has been violent weather for 15 days.
A Tenby bark, bound for Bristol with corn, was run on shore at Rosilly, near Swansea, and split in pieces;
8 passengers were lost, and the cargo of corn;
more wrecks are feared.
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 247, No. 171.]

San Diego Sarah on 13 Oct 2021  •  Link

Oct. 12 1668.
Hull
Chas. Whittington to Williamson.

The Greenland traders in Holland have had such bad fortune in their fishing that rape seed rises apace, and great quantities are shipped for Holland,
4 vessels partly laden therewith having already sailed, and more daily making ready.

Two vessels have sailed for Bordeaux with coals, lead, and butter,
and 2 arrived from Bordeaux wholly laden with prunes, rosin, and vinegar, a thing never known in the port of Hull before;
also a vessel from the Zierik –
See for lampones [lampreys?], which are in abundance in Hull, and very cheap,
but no vent, that trade in this port not being known;
therefore I am to desire you that it may be published.

A quarrel happened between 2 common soldiers; in the dispute, one of them was slain, and the survivor is committed to custody.
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 247, No. 172.]

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Oct. 12 1668.
West Horsley
Sir Edw. Nicholas to Williamson.

I thank you for the return of all my books of entries. *
I recommend my steward, Knowles, a ready and able man, for employment as a clerk, and will become security for his fidelity and industry.

I would have written before, but have been sufferivg from a tedious attack of the gout.
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 247, No. 173.]
---
* These are probably Nicholas' letter books as Secretary of State, which are
missing from the State Paper collections. - Ed.

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Oct. 12 1668.
Sir John Bennet to Williamson.

The master of the Dutch packet boat was not arrested by any of my office, but by a common information, and by the Act,
anyone has liberty to do it for transgressing the law;

but the Ambassador, to get him free, would put it upon another account.

I know my brother [Lord Arlington] will not, nor may, release any thus attached;
if desired he may be bailed, but he must stand the suit.
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 247, No. 174.]

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Oct. 12 1668.
Weymouth
John Pocock to James Hickes.

A Dartmouth ship has been forced into the road, with fish from Newfoundland.

She was intended for a market in Portugal, but being forced away before she had taken in all her lading, she came direct for England.
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 247, No. 175.]

john on 13 Oct 2021  •  Link

The discussion on staircases, doors, rooms, and other greeting places gives me interesting insights into the protocols of Pepys's day.

("fish from Newfoundland" -- amusing.)

john on 13 Oct 2021  •  Link

@andy, I still do that with signature-sewn books. I know it as letting the book breathe. Sadly, there are few sewn books these days. Most publications are now "perfect-bound" (glued) and fall apart after a few years.

San Diego Sarah on 13 Oct 2021  •  Link

John ... who meets and greets a visiting diplomat/head of state at the airport is highly significant these days. The location has changed; the angst has not.

San Diego Sarah on 13 Oct 2021  •  Link

"the Duke of Buckingham is now chief of all men in this kingdom, which I knew before."

I'm still outraged by this. It illustrates Charles II's lack of moral judgment of character so clearly.
George had personally betrayed his childhood friend so many times. I wonder if blackmail was involved?

But Charles' treasonous exploits which would be worthy of blackmail this big are yet to come. At which time he kicks out George.

It must have been a bro-thing, which Charles couldn't have with p-i-t-a little brother James.