Saturday 31 October 1668

Up, and at the office all the morning. At noon home to dinner with my people, and afternoon to the office again, and then to my chamber with Gibson to do more about my great answer for the Duke of York, and so at night after supper to bed well pleased with my advance thereon. This day my Lord Anglesey was at the Office, and do seem to make nothing of this business of his suspension, resolving to bring it into the Council, where he seems not to doubt to have right, he standing upon his defence and patent, and hath put in his caveats to the several Offices: so, as soon as the King comes back again, which will be on Tuesday next, he will bring it into the Council.

So ends this month with some quiet to my mind, though not perfect, after the greatest falling out with my poor wife, and through my folly with the girl, that ever I had, and I have reason to be sorry and ashamed of it, and more to be troubled for the poor girl’s sake, whom I fear I shall by this means prove the ruin of, though I shall think myself concerned both to love and be a friend to her. This day Roger Pepys and his son Talbot, newly come to town, come and dined with me, and mighty glad I am to see them.


18 Annotations

First Reading

Robert Gertz  •  Link

"Pepys?"

"Your Grace...What an honor for you to come to us here at the office..."

"Right..." closes closet door, pulls out Great Reply. "Pepys, about this reply of yours..."

"Your Grace?"

"'I know I can never hope to atone in your heart for the sorrow I have caused...But, my devotion to us and you remains unyielding, and the love I bear in my heart towards you...'" Folds letter...

Ummn...

Ooops...Never should have had Gibson do both letters.

"Pepys? I don't know what to say...None under me...Except perhaps in heat of battle...Has ever addressed such tender devotion and care to me..."

Uh...

"I can only say it's truly from the heart, your Grace." brightly.

Robert Gertz  •  Link

"This day my Lord Anglesey was at the Office, and do seem to make nothing of this business of his suspension, resolving to bring it into the Council, where he seems not to doubt to have right, he standing upon his defence and patent, and hath put in his caveats to the several Offices: so, as soon as the King comes back again, which will be on Tuesday next, he will bring it into the Council."

I dunno Anglesey...As Fearless Leader once said "Laws are for the honest people." But good luck...

Of course if everyone on the Council has also received a rather large token of your esteem...Luck may not be necessary.

Terry Foreman  •  Link

Arlington to Ossory
Written from: London
Date: 31 October 1668

The present post will carry to Lord Ossory the news of the suspension of Lord Anglesey "from the execution of his place of Treasurer of the Navy, and of the giving it to Sir Thomas Littleton, & Sir Thomas Osborne".

Lords Orrery and Berkeley are desirous to prevail on the King to keep the Duke of Ormond in England, and to appoint Lords Justices for Ireland; a proposition which the Duke dislikes. There has been much talk of the thing, and it may take effect; but, as yet, no resolution has been arrived at.
_____

Ormond to Ossory
Written from: Hampton Court
Date: 31 October 1668

... What has befallen Lord Anglesey renders it the more difficult to separate the writer & his place, without some reflection upon him; which, he hopes, is considered & will be avoided. ...

Notices some matters of military service; a question arising concerning the extent of Lord Orrery's commission as Governor of the Castle of Limerick; and a report which has reached the writer of the existence of a Jesuit school at Kilkenny, over against that founded by himself. ...

http://www.rsl.ox.ac.uk/dept/scwm…

Andrew Hamilton  •  Link

What has befallen Lord Anglesey renders it the more difficult to separate the writer & his place, without some reflection upon him; which, he hopes, is considered & will be avoided. …

Would anyone care to elucidate? I assume "the writer" is Ormond and he is referring to the plot to deny him power in Ireland ("his place") and hopes the King will consider the proposal a slight to himself, Ormond, and will therefore avoid it.

Probably time for a walk along the Thames in the manner of Edmund Spenser (Prothalamion) "whom sullein care,
Through discontent of my long fruitlesse stay
In Princes Court, and expectation vayne
Of idle hopes, which still doe fly away,
Like empty shaddowes, did afflict my brayne."

Terry Foreman  •  Link

Anglesey and Ormond

The Anglesey link above to a Wikipedia article helps explain: "His public career was marked by great independence and fidelity to principle. On 24 July 1663 he alone signed a protest against the bill "for the encouragement of trade", on the plea that owing to the free export of coin and bullion allowed by the act, and to the importation of foreign commodities being greater than the export of home goods, "it must necessarily follow ... that our silver will also be carried away into foreign parts and all trade fail for want of money."[2] He especially disapproved of another clause in the same bill forbidding the importation of Irish cattle into England, a mischievous measure promoted by the Duke of Buckingham, and he opposed again the bill brought in with that object in January 1667. This same year his naval accounts were subjected to an examination in consequence of his indignant refusal to take part in the attack upon Ormonde;[3] and he was suspended from his office in 1668, no charge, however, against him being substantiated." http://www.pepysdiary.com/encyclo…

Don't cross Buckingham.

Terry Foreman  •  Link

NB: The attacks on Ormond and Anglesey are attacks on the Duke of York.

Second Reading

San Diego Sarah  •  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

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Oct. 31. 1668
Jamaica.
#1864. Gov. Sir. Thos. Modyford to Joseph Williamson.

Has the honour of his of the 20th July "it hath been very pleasing to me to find the poor services were done you by my order have given you contentment."

Hopes the balance of that account is safely arrived, though they have a flying report that [the] Steward, in whom it was laden, was taken by the Spaniard.

See ante, No. 1843.
½ p. [Col. Papers, Vol. XXIII., No. 73.]
---
A much better excuse for non-delivery than our current mail service can offer. It took six months for my Christmas present to get to San Diego from Scotland in 2020 -- and my cousin paid for air mail service!

San Diego Sarah  •  Link

I wonder who Robert Gertz' Fearless Leader was ... I haven't been able to find "Laws are for the honest people" cited anywhere.

The origin of the “locks are for honest people” proverb is not known, but has been cited in print since at least 1912. -- https://www.barrypopik.com/index.…

San Diego Sarah  •  Link

"This day Roger Pepys and his son Talbot, newly come to town, come and dined with me, and mighty glad I am to see them."

I bet, Pepys. Anything to change the subject, and Elizabeth would have to be gracious to Roger, considering his recent hospitality. It's also good to be on the right side of the MPs in the family.
This visit would counteract any gossip in the family or around town.

San Diego Sarah  •  Link

The volume of Domestic State Papers covering correspondence from Oct. 1668 to Dec. 1669 is at

https://play.google.com/books/rea…

This being the last day of the month, everything not clearly dated appears today:

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Oct. 31 1668.
Milford
John Powell to Williamson.

About 30 sail of colliers, etc., are detained by the wind,
some of them having been here nearly two months.
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 248, No. 118.]

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Oct. 31.
Bristol
Dan. Furzer to the Navy Commissioners.

When their directions come about the sale of the goods in the yard and smiths' shops, shall diligently put them into execution.

The timber in the forest must be in the same condition as it was at the time of its being taken up, although the intention as to its disposal is quite altered;
as it was then presumed to be for the King's use,

desires their commands as to its disposal.
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 248, No. 120.]

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Oct. 31 1668.
Victualling Office
Sir Denis Gauden to the Navy Commissioners.

Sends certificates from Capt. Stout, late commander of the Roe ketch,
for an allowance for defective provisions, &c.

The peas were sent in March 30, 1667,
and were pronounced defective in December, 3 months beyond the time of her victualling.

Conceives he is not liable to make good leakage of beer, unless there had been an allowance from the King for iron bound casks.

With note that the certificates were allowed at the Board, and delivered to Sir
W. Penn's clerks.
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 248, No. 121.]

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Oct. 31 1668.
Woolwich
Edw. Byland, shipwright's assistant, to Pepys.

The undertakers for weighing the wrecks having cleared some of their ships,
the masters of them desire to have them fitted and made good at Woolwich.

Requests orders concerning them, and as to cutting down the Phoenix, having cut down the House de Swede.

Has sent to the brazier for funnels for the Portsmouth and Pearl, and sent him the moulds;
he requires the Navy Commissioners' order.

Much wants deals, broom, and treenails, as formerly demanded.
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 248, No. 122.]

San Diego Sarah  •  Link

Oct. 31 1668.
Harwich
Capt. Silas Taylor to the Navy Commissioners.

The hulk will prove greater trouble and labour than was at first conceived, but
seeing their commands are positive, will not be backward.

Finds she was taken in the former Holland wars, and was called the Rosebush, so she must be very old; cannot tell how long she has been sheathed.
Finds that no one will buy her for a hulk, so she cannot be sold but to be broken up.

Was constrained to make a bargain for the clay, for fear of losing his old crane.
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 248, No. 123.]

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Oct. 31 1668
Rob. Mayors to [ the Navy Commissioners].

Has treated with Mr. Kingsbury, and Mr. Buckley, timber merchant, for the 300 or 400 loads of timber lying at Weybridge, &c.;
they desire some person to be sent to view it, and if found fit for building ships,
they will attend to contract for the same.
With note that Mr. Mayors was directed to view the timber.
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 248, No. 124.]

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Oct 1668
Notes [by Pepys]
of Mr. Wood's late prices for masts, 10s. 4d. to 39/. 9s. 7d.,
and also of bowsprits 11/. 16s. to 24/.,
in comparison with the higher prices now demanded.
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 248, No. 126.]

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Oct 1668
Warrant
to pay to Sir Denis Gauden 30,000/. from the fire hearths, the Poll Act, on which it was assigned, not being likely to satisfy the same;
with interest at 6 per cent. from the time of the assignment.
[Docquet, Vol. 23, No. 272.]

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Oct 1668
Grant
to Sir Phil. Howard and Fras. Watson, for 14 years,
of the sole use of their new invention of graving and colouring ships, which will be cheaper and more durable than the ordinary way of graving and sheathing.
[Docquet, Vol. 23, No. 273. See Calendar, 1667–8, p . 523.]

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Oct 1668
Grant to Prince Rupert,
on surrender of Viscount Mordaunt, of the office of Constable of Windsor Castle,
the keepership of the Parks, &c.
[Docquet, Vol. 23, No. 274.]

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Oct 1668
Revocation of letters patent
formerly granted to John, Viscount Mordaunt, of the office of Governor of Windsor Castle,
and grant of the same to Prince Rupert.
[Docquet, Vol. 23, No. 274. See Calendar, 1667–8, p. 608.]

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Oct 1668
Warrant
to pay to Sir John Trevor 8,000/. in yearly payments of 2,000/.,
beginning from Michaelmas last.
[Docquet, Vol. 23, No. 274.]

San Diego Sarah  •  Link

Oct 1668.
Queen Street
Sir John Chicheley to Pepys.

I find a great mistake in the paper I gave you, it being only for the time I served on board,
and not according to the date of the commission, which I have always been paid ever since I knew the service;
I hope the Board will be no worse to me than formerly.
My commission was dated the 13th, but I was not entered till the 28th, which is
half a month's pay difference.
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 248, No. 128.]

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Oct. 1668
Portsmouth
Account by Edw. Silvester,
of anchors to be repaired; estimated cost, 105/. 15s. 6d.,
but he is content to perform the work for 96/.
With note that there is made of the chain 100 fathoms and upwards,
amounting to 14 or 15 tons.
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 248, No. 129.]

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Oct. ? 1668
Note
that the paper concerning the collection for Mr. King was tendered as a brief by one Emson, to the minister of Saffron Walden, Essex,
to be read in the church there 11 Oct. 1668,
but the Bishop of Oxford, doubting its authority, showed it to Lord Arlington.
Endorsed, “Concerning the false brief."
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 248, No. 130.]

Annexing,
Brief from the King authorising Richard King, late of Welborn, co. Lincoln
- on testimonial from the Duke of Newcastle, and others, of his great losses and sufferings, amounting to 3,000/.,
by reason of which he and his wife and children are like to perish without some charitable relief — to gather the benevolence of well-disposed persons for 18 months in all counties, cities, &c., of England and Wales, the Churchwardens, collectors for the poor, &c.,
going from seat to seat to collect the benevolence, endorsing the amount
subscribed in words upon a copy of this document, and to pay the same to
Richard King, or whomsoever he shall appoint.
- Whitehall, May 20, 1668.
[Printed. S.P. Dom., Car. II. 248, No. 1301.]

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Oct. ? 1668
Petition of Rich. King, prisoner in the King's Bench, to Lord Arlington,
not to hinder him from the benefit of the King's pardon;
is innocent of the crime of forgery for which he is condenined to a fine and
corporal punishment, which his Majesty will pardon if his lordship except not
against it.
Was a captain of horse, and 4 of his brothers served the late King in the wars,
though the eldest, Col. King, was against him.
[S.P. Dom., Car. II. 248, No. 131.]

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1668. Oct.
Deal.
Lists sent by Mor. Lodge of Deal to Williamson of
ships in the Downs, the state of the wind, arrival and despatch of mails, &c.,
during the month: SEE THE ORIGINAL PAGE FOR THE CHART
https://play.google.com/books/rea…

San Diego Sarah  •  Link

"condenined to a fine"

scanning error I didn't catch. Should be:
"condemned to a fine"

San Diego Sarah  •  Link

BREAKING NEWS:
Friday 19 November, 2021 - 6.30pm to 7.30pm
Samuel Pepys walked round London for miles. The 2-1/2 miles to Whitehall from his house near the Tower of London was accomplished on an almost daily basis, and so many of his professional conversations took place whilst walking that the streets became for him an alternative to his office.

In this talk, we invite you to take a stroll with the author, Jacky Colliss Harvey, around Pepys' London - you will come to know life in London from the pavement up and see its streets from the perspective of this renowned diarist.

The city was almost as much a character in Pepys' life as his family or friends, and the book draws many parallels between his experience of 17th-century London and the lives of Londoners today.

Walking Pepys' London, reconstructs the sensory and emotional experience of the past, bringing geography, biography and history into one.
Full of fascinating details and written with extraordinary sensitivity, Pepys' London is an unmissable exploration into the places that made the greatest English diarist of all time.
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https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wa…

For info about the whole conference
https://content.govdelivery.com/a…

LKvM  •  Link

Spot-on poetry quotation, Alexander Hamilton.

JB  •  Link

SDS, RG's "Fearless Leader" was the main antagonist in The Rocky and Bullwinkle animated show.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8883…
(in the 3rd section from the top):

Narrator : Fearless Leader here? But I thought we had laws against that kind of thing.
Fearless Leader : You fool. Laws only keep out honest people.
Narrator : What... What do you mean?
Fearless Leader : If you're a crook, you sneak in anyway.

San Diego Sarah  •  Link

Thanks, JB. No Bullwinkle in this British girl's childhood. I was suspecting Richard Nixon ...!

john  •  Link

"and I have reason to be sorry and ashamed of it" -- not a common sentiment of late.

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