Monday 4 June 1660
Waked in the morning at four o’clock to give some money to Mr. Hetly, who was to go to London with the letters that I wrote yesterday night. After he was gone I went and lay down in my gown upon my bed again an hour or two. At last waked by a messenger come for a Post Warrant for Mr. Hetly and Mr. Creed, who stood to give so little for their horses that the men would not let them have any without a warrant, which I sent them.
All the morning getting Captain Holland’s commission done, which I did, and he at noon went away. I took my leave of him upon the quarter-deck with a bottle of sack, my Lord being just set down to dinner.
Then he being gone I went to dinner and after dinner to my cabin to write.
This afternoon I showed my Lord my accounts, which he passed, and so I think myself to be worth near 100l. now. In the evening I made an order for Captain Sparling of the Assistance to go to Middleburgh, to fetch over some of the King’s goods. I took the opportunity to send all my Dutch money, 70 ducatoons and 29 gold ducats to be changed, if he can, for English money, which is the first venture that ever I made, and so I have been since a little afeard of it. After supper some music and so to bed.
This morning the King’s Proclamation against drinking, swearing, and debauchery, was read to our ships’ companies in the fleet, and indeed it gives great satisfaction to all.1
- The King’s “Proclamation against vicious, debauched, and prophane Persons” is dated May 30th. It is printed in “Somers’s Tracts,” ed. 1812, vol. vii. p. 423. ↩
Rita Link to this
Considering Charles II's reputation for debauchery, this proclamation is highly ironic!
vincent Link to this
Note 1 goosy gander?
Paul Brewster Link to this
King's Proclamation
a different take from L&M
“‘A proclamation against debauched and profane persons, who, on pretence of regard to the King, revile and threaten others, or spend their time in taverns and tippling houses, drinking his health … ‘(30 May) … a copy was sent to Pepys on 2 June … It had been occasioned by loyal excesses committed on the King’s birthday (29 May).”
Steve Pillar Link to this
Any one know what the Post Warrant required for Mr. Hetly and Mr. Creed is all about?
klai Link to this
Middleburgh -
"The port of Middelburg, on Walcheren Island at the mouth of the Wester Schelde, was an important staging harbour for the trans-shipment of cargoes, particularly English cloth and French wine."
(from Anthony Farrington, "The English Factory in Japan, 1613-1623" p. 251 n.1)
Mike Hudak Link to this
Post Warrant - "authority to employ posthorses" from Select Glossary - L&M Vol 1 - page 344
helena murphy Link to this
The King's Proclamation , a copy of which is sent to Pepys ,is received with satisfaction by all as it is an extra tool with which to impose discipline on board ship. A drunken sailor, irrespective of his loyalties, is of little use to the fleet in the now growing professionalism of the Royal Navy.
JonTom Kittredge Link to this
Post Warrant
I'm still a little unclear on the passage, "[They] stood to give so little for their horses that the men would not let them have any without a warrant". It sounds like if Messrs Hetly and Creed had been able to pay more, the post house would have given them the horses without a warrant. Does that mean the Post Warrant is a requisition to use a government transport for free (or at a discount)?
Nix Link to this
The post warrant is a guarantee by a government official of payment for, and return of, the horses. It serves the same purpose as giving a credit card impression when you are renting a car -- assurance that the property will be returned, or that there is some source to pay for it beyond your charming smile. The alternative was to leave a large cash deposit, which Hetley and Creed wouldn't or, more likely, couldn't do.