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May 9.
Harwich. |
Capt. T. Langley to S. Pepys. By Mr. Hewer's letter I understand you desire that as often as anything offers by my packetboats or otherwise, I should give a relation to you or the Board.
By the packet-boat that left Helvoetsluys last Tuesday, I am informed that all the ships except the Royal Charles and another
are out of that port, and that, although a great number of guns
are mounted on the works, no soldiers are now remaining there,
not so much as a sentry kept on the Head. The master of the
packet-boat admired what the meaning is. On Wednesday about
10 leagues east of Orford Ness, they saw 10 Dutch men-of-war
and two fly-boats. The same day came an order, I suppose from
Court, to Capt. Taylor to hire a galliot or other vessel, which he
has done from me. I hope his beals (? bills) will be allowed by the
Board, the said vessel being every day on the scout. Yesterday,
off the Long Sand, she saw 10 or 12 sail, supposed to be the former,
and to-day she is employed on the same business, and gives notice
of several small vessels without the Long Sand, supposing them
to be Dutch victuallers. Two victuallers are here laden for the
fleet from Ipswich, and before were three others. I have, by Sir
J. Williamson's advice, brought over several seamen from Holland
in my boats, and allowed them victuals as well as their passage,
and I also receive the pressed men from Suffolk, but as yet have
no money from either. I am in great want of my galliot employed in his Majesty's service by order of the Board, but this is
to your Honour, for the Duke of Richmond gave me a commission,
which I would be willing to improve. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 331,
No. 211.] |
May 10.
Exeter. |
John Lanyon to the Navy Commissioners. I must beg pardon
for not answering your last letter, being detained here by the
exceeding illness of my wife, and now, God having finished his
purpose concerning her, I am preparing to return. Nothing has
been wanting in your affairs at Plymouth, the hulk being ready
and attending the spring to carry her to her moorings, which is
expected next Monday. Capt. Langston has ordered the Nightingale to be cleaned and caulked, and intends to follow with the
Newcastle. He complains of want of sails, &c., being long out,
as to which I desire your directions, and that you will allow me
an assistant, which I found most needful in the last war, having
often three or four ships in hand together. I likewise pray you
to appoint me some money by way of imprest. I have ordered
carpenters on the Nightingale, that, when the hulk comes out, she
may be ready to haul ashore. [Ibid. No. 212.] |
May 11.
Harwich. |
Capt. Thomas Langley to S. Pepys. By my galliot which has
been out these two days on the scout, I find the Dutch fleet are
all N.N.E. and N.E. and by N. of the North Foreland, about five
leagues at 11 to-day, and all under sail. They told four or five
flags and 50 or 60 men-of-war, and had told more but were pursued. I hope the Board will allow for this great charge, else I
cannot hold this trade of advising. It seems it is desired by Sir
J. Williamson, but your Board must assign me payment, if ever
I get it. [Ibid. No. 213.] |
May 12.
The Princess, Erith. |
Capt. Richard Munden to S. Pippes (Pepys). Complaining that
four of his men, pressing with their Honours' warrant, had been
much abused by Mr. Lowman, Keeper of the Marshalsea, and had
before a Justice, and had through him lost a man they had pressed,
and begging the Board to call Lowman to account for this piece
of impudence. [Ibid. No. 214.] |
May 13.
4 a.m. Harwich. |
Capt. T. Langley to S. Peeps (Pepys). Our packet-boat that
came here last Saturday tells me that every ship they have manned
is out, but they saw not one sail in their course to or from thence.
They brought one of the men of the Victory which we lost, named
Philip Day. He tells me of great neglect of their captain in
being cast behind the Duke's fleet. Yesterday we sent out an
advice vessel, which still saw the Holland fleet E.S.E. of the
Kentish Knock about three p.m., but they spied (?) much ground.
In the evening we heard several guns. [Ibid. No. 215.] |
May 14.
Harwich. |
The same to the same. This morning sailed by the Buoy of the
Gunfleet about 40 of the Dutch men-of-war towards the Thames,
and about 40 or 50 are in our view at anchor without the West
Rocks. It was good providence that our ships that came last
down the King's Channel were not surprised, for the Dutch came
very near them before they broke loose, for our advice boat gave
them notice, which had yesterday been on the scout. [S.P. Dom.,
Car. II. 331, No. 216.] |
| May 14. |
John Lowman to the Navy Commissioners. In reply to their
letter concerning Capt. Munden's complaint, I was in London last
Sunday morning, and coming over the water with a prisoner got
a lad to help me, and then passed by the captain's men as they
were drinking in their boat, who let us pass, but came up with
us again as we were landing at the stairs. I desired them to let
me and my company pass, and gave a true account of my name
and business. But some of them rushed ashore with their swords
and rudely seized on us, and were so rough, being in drink, as
to give me and my company several blows, but I did what I could
to prevent them drawing their swords, so that at last I was forced
to carry them before a Justice, who examined the business and
dismissed us both. [Ibid. No. 217.] |
| May 15. |
Thomas Morrison to the same. This conductor, William
Martin, brings up four able men pressed by Viscount Campden at
Exton in Rutland, 28 April, who have been ever since at 8d. a
day allowance. I have since visited twice over the four counties
of my employment, hoping to have found more, but there are
none. The conductor will inform you of the charges of keeping,
&c., which I assure him you will discharge. [Ibid. No. 218.] |
May 15.
Harwich. |
Capt. T. Langley to S. Peepps (Pepys). The Dutch fleet that
lay yesterday at the back of the West Rocks are in the same place.
What their design is we are not able to understand, nor do we
know what those did that went up the River yesterday. All here
are in great expectations of his Royal Highness' fleet. The
number of the fleet lying before this is, as near as we can judge,
45 men-of-war. We can very well describe their flags, and the
Swiftsure from any other ship. I understand by my boat that
came over last that the Dutch captains have prevailed with many
of his Majesty's subjects to sail with them. I wish it were death
to every Dutch captain as shall persuade any of our nation to
rebel. Yesterday stood in here almost within gunshot of the fort
four of their small craft, and we believe they were brought by
some pilots of our own nation. [Ibid. No. 219.] |
May 17.
Harwich. |
Capt. Thomas Langley to S. Peeppes (Pepys). About four or
five this morning the Dutch fleet weighed and stood off to sea,
the wind northerly, one of their ships remaining about an hour
and a half on the West Rocks. Just now two boats with pressed
men are going up to Sheerness, which are to observe the motion
of the Dutch fleet. [Ibid. No. 220.] |
May 17.
Plymouth. |
Capt. Richard Le Neve to the Navy Commissioners. I am
arrived here from Cadiz. I have a ship and a ketch under my
convoy from Leghorn very rich, and have on board some 50,000
dollars from Cadiz. Off Cape St. Marie's I met the Nonsuch and
his convoys for Tangier. I have sent my boat ashore for orders,
which should I fail of, I beg you would consider my ardent desire
of getting to the fleet. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 331, No. 221.] |
May 18.
10 p.m. Harwich. |
Capt. T. Langley to S. Peepps (Pepys). Just now came in the
Drake and Deptford ketch from his Royal Highness, being at ten
to-day N.E. and by N. of the Foreland, and being at Capt. Taylor's
office to consult with him about pilots for his Royal Highness, I
ventured to write to you, he being very busy. Our whole fleet
are now joined, which sent these two vessels in, the ketch wanting
sails and cordage. This instant came in one of my packet-boats
from Holland which came through the Dutch fleet about two
this morning, they being at anchor. They afterwards stood off
the Eastward, being within the Galloper, five leagues S.E. of
Orford Ness. I fear we shall get but few pilots. With note from
Silas Taylor begging Pepys' excuse, for Capt. Langley has given
all the account, being himself exceeding full of business from his
Royal Highness. [Ibid. No. 222.] |
May 20.
3 p.m. Harwich. |
Capt. T. Langley to S. Peeps (Pepys). Lieut. Edwards, who
is just come in here, reports for certain that about ten last night
he saw and heard several guns fired between us and the Dutch
fleet, but it was not the whole fleet, and he heard no more after
twelve or one. They were about 10 leagues off Orford Ness. The
wind now blows S.W., a fresh gale. I saw a letter to our Mayor
about pilots. I hope there is the like to Ipswich, which can
furnish the fleet, I think. [Ibid. No. 223.] |
May 21.
Plymouth. |
John Lanyon to the Navy Commissioners. The Nightingale
was dispatched and sailed last Friday evening. Yesterday came
in the Newcastle, of whose condition the enclosed survey will inform you. She will likewise want the sails mentioned in the
survey, but these I shall suspend till I receive your direction. I
thank you for promising a supply of money for the affairs of this
port. [Ibid. No. 224i.] Enclosed, |
|
Warrant for and report of the survey of the Newcastle.
[Ibid. No. 224I.] |
| May 22. |
R. Mayors to the Navy Commissioners. I have made strict
inquiry of what quantities of timber are now felling that will be
serviceable for the Navy. There will be about 2,000 loads of
straight and compass timber lying in Hampshire, Sussex, and
Surrey, conveniently for the yards of Deptford and Woolwich, besides 100 loads of large elm timber. There are also about
2,000 sprucia deals, and good store of ordinary deals. Of small
masts, cantspars, and boomspars very few are to be had. Enough
small plank is to be had. There will be no want of treenails, but
great of long 4-inch and 3-inch plank, which will be had in
Suffolk at Walderswick and elsewhere. I desire you will employ
some person to provide so much plank as you think fit for this
year's expedition, for the season spends, and it will require time
for its transportation, for you cannot be furnished anywhere else.
For 6l. a load I believe several men will undertake to do it. [S.P.
Dom., Car. II. 331, No. 225.] |
| May 23. |
Robert Lowe to Sir J. Smyth. Requesting him to bestow on
him the command of a ship. [Ibid. No. 226.] |
| May 23. |
Sir T. Osborne to S. Pepys. Lord Clifford acquainted me this
afternoon with what your letter mentions of his Royal Highness'
desires to have money sent down for payment of the Straits fleet.
He told me it had been taken into consideration, and it was
thought better to send none than so small a sum as could be
afforded at present. I hope to attend their lordships at the
Treasury on Saturday, when I am to put them in mind of all the
things mentioned in the late letters of the Board to me, and of
what else you may think requisite. I am promised that at the
same time the Board shall have right done them in rebuking the
Governor of Dover for his insolent letter. [Ibid. No. 227.] |
May 23.
Newcastle. |
Ralph Grey, Mayor, to the Navy Commissioners. On receipt
of your express, I, with my brethren, immediately summoned the
Masters of the Trinity House and charged them to give us a list
of all able pilots at home, and impressed a vessel of Alderman
Blackett's, ballasted her and sent her down to Shields. I also
dispatched a copy of your express to Col. Villiers at Tynemouth
Castle, craving his assistance. Fifteen men presented to us by
the Trinity Masters were sent down to Shields, and eight able
masters and seamen since procured are commanded to go down
this morning, and the other masters of the Trinity House have
been charged to appear before Col. Villiers, that he may lay his
further commands on them, but there are at present not more than
six Newcastle ships in harbour. 102 Scotch seamen arrived
yesterday are likewise put aboard the vessel, with all necessary
provisions. [Ibid. No. 228.] |
May 25.
Newcastle. |
The same to the same. Since my last, I have consulted with
Col. Villiers and my brethren, and he and we having received an
account from the Masters of the Trinity House here of 33 able
masters and pilots, immediately issued our warrant to summon and
impress them, and have strictly commanded them to prepare for
their voyage against to-morrow evening, and doubt not they will
be ready at the place and time appointed. Col. Villiers thinking
the vessel mentioned in my last too small, has impressed another
Newcastle ship, John Bee master, being much larger and of
greater force. [Ibid. No. 229.] |
| May 25. |
Edward Nelthorp to Sir J. Smyth. I have been myself and
sent all over the town for vinegar, and cannot yet find any that
pleases me, or near the quantity you spoke of. I think it impossible to get any ready till after the holidays. [Ibid. No. 230.] |
