Wednesday 13 December 1665
For Samuell Pepys Esqr.
One of the principall Officers
of his Majesties Navy
at the Navy Office in Greenewich
13 December 16651
Sir,
Being now willing to remove not onely the Prisoners out of the Golden-hand, and Prince William2 (according to the Command) but likewise to Cleere all the Shipps at once, that so you may be at full liberty for the future to dispose of them: I most humbly make it my request that you will facilitate the Worke by gratifying my Martial with your Warrant, impowering him to presse some tiltboate or other, as there shall be occasion, for the transporting them to Gravesend, in order to their march: This, Sir, if you shall do, you will much oblige
My Martials name is Mr John Rowlandson
Martiall at Leeds-Castle. Kent
Be pleasd to send the Order to me by the Bearer hereoff.3
Source: PRO S.P. 29/139, f.11. Endorsed by P, “13 December Says Court. Esqr Evelin.” This letter bears the text of a shorthand letter or memorandum in P’s hand on the verso. Also dated 13 December 1665, it appears to be concerned with a bill of imprest (a cash advance) to Captain George Cocke, part of which Cocke was to use to pay a debt to P. E’s letter does not appear to be mentioned. The negotiations with Cocke, conducted in the Pope’s Head tavern in Chancery Lane, are discussed in P’s diary (13 December 1665). The present letter was addressed to Greenwich. It seems that having collected, or been delivered, his post P found E’s letter a convenient scrap of paper to use in the tavern to make a record of the deal with Cocke.
