Charles II: September 1667

Calendar of State Papers Domestic: Charles II, Addenda 1660-1685. Originally published by His Majesty's Stationery Office, London, 1939.

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'Charles II: September 1667', in Calendar of State Papers Domestic: Charles II, Addenda 1660-1685, (London, 1939) pp. 212-218. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/cal-state-papers/domestic/chas2/addenda/1660-85/pp212-218 [accessed 27 March 2024]

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September 1667

Sept. 3.
Harwich.
Commissioner John Taylor to the Navy Commissioners. Yours of the 31st received. I am satisfied you are so sensible of the particulars therein that I shall say no more till we have heard from you about some settlement as to fireships and their men. You may remember some transactions about a cable so boldly challenged by Owen Spann, whose complaints and informations were wholly clothed with untruth. 'Tis true he brought a reference to me from the office to do as I find just and equal. I took Sir Joseph Jordan and the Mayor of this town and bonds were made of arbitrament that what all or any two of us should agree on should stand. Some valued the cable at 70l., others at 80l., so the conclusion is, considering Layfield had 30l. and expenses in the Exchequer and he having paid 40l. for the cable, two of us agreed that, considering it was not certain whether it was the King's or not, that 50l. should be paid to Spann on or before the 21st instant or in default Spann is to have the cable again. It's nigh 11 inch cable. If you please, order the money then to be paid, in omission whereof you see what must follow. I shall wait for your direction. [S.P. Supplementary 136, No. 569.]
Sept. 3.
Harwich.
Commissioner John Taylor to the Navy Commissioners. It was foreseen you might call for an account of the issues for fortifying this town. Therefore I sent several warrants to forewarn the storekeeper as by some of the enclosed copies. Mr. Gregory cannot of himself do anything. The storekeeper tells him he is unconcerned with the issues and, except about delivery of quantities and things of moment, the clerk of the checque cannot see the delivery of all trifles without another instrument. Besides the warrants from myself and the clerk of the survey are for trifles directed for the most part to the storekeeper in whose possession they are. I have advertised to observe your commands, but, if the storekeeper cannot, he may be enabled to do it very near, if he will inform himself by the master shipwright and others. On the back,
Warrants of 29 April and 8 June, 1667, to the Storekeeper to view the timber delivered for fortifying the town and to keep an exact account of the quantity and goodness of each sort expended, the worst of the fir timber, deals, etc., to be employed for that purpose. [Ibid. No. 570.]
Sept. 5.
Harwich.
Commissioner John Taylor to the Navy Commissioners. In yours of 19 Aug. you suggested his Royal Highness' pleasure to be communicated about the loan of money. I have waited till now to find out a way to give you a better account than I yet can. I have communicated it to such officers as have any show of being capable to answer the thing desired. Capt. Deane has engaged to make his return himself. The master attendant says that the little he has is his wages for a long time in the King's hands and can do nothing.
I have run out of my ready money towards perfecting the last ¾ pay and in paying for timber for this new ship, painting, carving and other things as by bills under your own hands appear more than 200l., which I have had hopes enough by what you writ to be re-imbursed, and I lately wrote to you how I was drained about the sending for the New England masts and could never get a penny out of the office. I have near 2,000l. bills due to me for masts and for the four quarters past I have not had a penny salary, but I have four bills for it, so that by this very last post Mr. Porter tells me he is forced to borrow to pay debts to New England mast accounts, so that the debt of 200l. (besides 2,000l. in bills) and 350l. the salary due comes to 550l. and disables me altogether. Yet, if this 550l. may be accepted as ready money, so soon as I can get in my money for the Loyal London I will make it up 1,000l. on the security propounded and more if I could get my bills into money. More or otherwise I do not see how I can do. [Ibid. No. 571.]
Sept. 5.
Harwich.
Commissioner John Taylor to the Navy Commissioners. Yours of the 3rd received. I am sorry you have not sent to deliver out of bondage the owners of fireships, whose men are now more fiery to be discharged than ever they were when they should have burnt the ships. No peace with these men. Victuals they have continued. I hope you approve of it. Most of the ships are repaired and fit for discharge and, if it must come to it that they must have tickets, we were better give them now. I will follow your direction about it. Something about this is needful to be done speedily. I take notice of the disposal of the 700 men's victuals; if the victualler comply, it shall be done.
Selwin, the messenger, is come down for the prisoners. Ten or twelve he brings up in the Roe Kitchen.
Sir W. Coventry gave order for the Francis, Roebuck and Truelove to convoy colliers when they get about twenty together. They will not stay for one another and care not for convoy. These three vessels are all ready to sail; query what shall be done with them. Most of the colliers are discharged and have certificates.
You knowing the state of the yard and new storehouse, I shall say no more of them. You granted me the rest of the Swedes iron in stores by way of exchange for my bill for masts, which have cost me dear and left me moneyless with other things. However I thank you for answering my request. I have sent the bill, praying for your warrant. I leave it to you if I must give above 16l. a ton, yet I must have it, though the ironmongers now offer for 13l. a ton. It is very rusty. Some allowance is requisite in weight. It was sunk in a lighter which causes the rust.
Ralph Frery writes me to have a warrant now for what men shall be borne on the galliot. I refer him to the Board, desiring your order. [Ibid. No. 572.]
Sept. 7.
Harwich.
Commissioner John Taylor to the Navy Commissioners. All the colliers and sunk ships, except three, are fully repaired and put into as good condition as when they were received into service, wear and tear only excepted, each having his certificate, and sent away to prevent any further disputes about damages at the Board. I send you the enclosed subscribed under the masters' own hands, so that you have only their freight to allow for. 'Tis true some of them were put to more service them others, which is expressed to be allowed for accordingly. The other three after some time you will hear of. Importunity has caused the discharge of three fireships so soon as repaired. They have their certificates, are discharged and gone. I have left them no room to trouble you with words, with which they have wearied us, they being Quakers who were first discharged. I send you their underwritings as others; their men I have put on board the other fireships till their pay or order come about them.
Please notice that a master and four men apiece were borne on each of the ten colliers, who had victuals and expect pay as the fireships. You have the benefit of these; they kept their ships so well that they have cost little reparation and were employed constantly in helping to weigh and remove ships.
In answer to yours of the 5th according to orders I have taken course so that now the clerk of the checque is able to be a check to that account about the fortifications. I ordered Capt. Deane and the house carpenter to keep a true account, which they have done as near as they could, and the clerk of the checque has notice thereof. I enclose a copy of what I wrote to Secretary Wren. I hope that his Royal Highness or yourselves will speedily do something in it.
I keep the Roe Kitchen which came for prisoners, they being but four commanders, but the rest (being all here on their parole) confess they are all guilty alike, therefore the question is who shall I send up. Sir Joseph should have nominated who should be sent.
Last night we saw a great fleet of colliers pass by, great and small we judge about 200. [Ibid. No. 573.] Enclosed,
Commissioner Taylor to Secretary Wren. There is need of some settlement about the following business. Most of the fireships are still here with some of the colliers taken up and fitted for the service. Since their return they are put into good condition to be discharged and returned to the owners. All the ships and seamen, 'tis expected, continue in pay and the men being in full sea victuals yet are unruly for want of their money. Some few desire tickets or would have direction how to have some money, if they should go for Newcastle. Some of the commanders are prisoners and tickets cannot be perfected as usual, so, till a settlement about their discharge, all is in discontent. I pray for directions that I may tell them his Royal Highness' pleasure therein and how I may be unblameable in ordering them victuals, suffering such a charge here, where none of them do service since they came in. The office also have been moved about it, but yet cannot give orders about it. [Copy. Ibid. No. 573 i.]
Receipt by their respective owners for seven ships, being in as good condition as when taken into the service. [Ibid. No. 573 ii.]
[Sept. 7.] Draft reference concerning the Sacrifice of Abraham, calendared in Cal. S.P. Dom., 1667, p. 449. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 441, No. 26.]
[Sept. 9.] Thomas White to the Navy Commissioners. Three of the fireships being commanded away and expecting order for the other two, I hasten the account somewhat before the quarter, lest it should be wanting at the men's discharge. I entreat it may be signed and examined and paid us. Please notice that at this nick of time, when this service was commanded me by Sir Thomas Teddiman, all were unwilling to let me have anything on his Majesty's account. I was forced to promise a fixed day for their money. Some I paid but last Saturday. I beseech you to do me what favour you can to get money. If you think fit that I petition his Majesty for an order to pay the money. I shall entreat you to sign a certificate on what is due on Dover account to go with the petition, for I am promised by Lord Arlington that if I can get such a certificate he will deliver my petition for his Majesty's reference to the Paymaster, but, if you will not have me trouble his Majesty nor Lord Arlington, I shall only wait on your order and submit to what you please.
Postscript.—My duty is to be as good a husband for his Majesty as I can, therefore I pray your order to sell such old junk and ropes and other lumber as is not fit to be kept in store or sent to London, for here it will yield as much and save freight and storehouse room. If the order come suddenly, I may clear half the storehouse rent at 29 Sept., so that, if peace make this port not so much in use, the charge may be taken off and my salary lessened according to your pleasure. What you shall order pleases me. either to continue or be discharged, but I will not fail in my duty. [Postmark 9 Sept. S.P. Supplementary 136, No. 574.]
[Sept. 19?] Capt. J. Perriman to the Navy Commissioners. I have agreed with two lightermen for their lighters to go down to Woolwich to the Monmouth to receive the beer the 19th, and an open hoy. All will carry about 115 tuns of beer. The hoy was aboard yesterday and had in her 30 odd tuns. The other lighters were not yet down but last night they were at Deptford. This morning they got down.
I was taken very ill last Thursday and have not been out of doors since. Yesterday I sent my watermen to Woolwich with a letter to Capt. Robert Clark or in his absence to the lieutenant and master that I had agreed with the above lighters and hoy to come down and that, if they met with any hoys or close lighters they might judge fit for taking out their dry provisions, they would send and fetch them aboard. My watermen tell me that at Woolwich there was a great close lighter and the lieutenant purposed to fetch her aboard which will hold all the dry provisions.
I told John Green, the master of the Hamburg Merchant, that you were informed of four guns and an anchor on board his ship that were taken up by Capt. Pearce, but that he must not suffer them to be taken out of his ship without your order. He promised to keep them. I went on board to see for Capt. John Pearce but could not find him and left word with the boatswain that you would speak with the captain about four guns and an anchor which were on board the ship. The boatswain told me that four small guns and an anchor were aboard which they took out of a Dutch fireship's bottom. I charged him to see them forthcoming. The Royal James' bottom is come up to Woolwich, the Loyal London is at Deptford. I hope you will excuse me for not waiting on you to-day. I hope to get abroad on Monday. My watermen are at the office to attend your commands. [Ibid. No. 575.]
Sept. 19. Note of a suit by the King against Jeremiah Whichcott, Warden of the Fleet prison. [S.P. Supplementary 135, No. 11.]
[Sept. 20 ?] Richard Green, purser of the Monmouth, to the Navy Commissioners. I brought a letter last night from Capt. Clark (of 19 Sept., see Cal. S.P. Dom., 1667, p. 472) concerning our provisions. I attend without for an answer. The ground tier of beer has lain in the ballast above four months and if removed it were requisite it were put where some new hoops may be driven on the cask, but I doubt it is too tender to endure stirring. If the bread and other provisions are taken out I hope the Board will order them into some of Mr. Gauden's storehouses at Deptford or some other secure place. [S.P. Supplementary 136, No. 576.]
Sept. 20.
The Diamond in Tilbury. Hope.
Certificate by Sir Edward Spragg that Capt. Hugh Ridley, late commander of the Star fireship, 23 July last, when the enemy came up into the Hope, set fire to the said fireship athwart one of the enemy's fireships' hawse and so burnt both together, and after that he and his men whose names are underwritten betaking themselves to their boat fell down with the rest of our fleet's boats towards the enemy and he with his company attempted one of the enemy's fireships and took her, wherein they continued in possession and he in command till ordered up to Deptford. [Ibid. No. 577.]
Sept. 21.
Sheerness.
Sir Godfrey Lloyd to the Navy Commissioners. Notice being given me five or six days since of a small pinnace of 6 oars sunk in the Medway and likewise of one of 16 tons, I sent George Juxon, gunner of this fort, with two guides and some other company, who got them both up out of a narrow small creek which seldom ever man or boat visited. Both being in no order to be used without some time and charge on Monday I agreed with some to clean and repair them that they may be brought hither and kept till further order. I desire nothing but what you think I shall have deserved. Truly these two are but for firing. The one, if that charge be not looked upon, may be fitted for some pleasure, of which I have had none since my coming hither. I understand some are hid in the Isle of Grain. I intend next Monday to send the same person and two or three more to search for them. [Ibid. No. 578.]
[1667 ?]
Sept. 27.
Warrant to Lord Ashley, Treasurer of Prizes, for payment of 200l. to John Seymour, employed by the Commissioners of Prizes to take care of all prizes seized by any of the ships commanded by Rear-Admiral Kempthorne in his voyage to the Straits, on account of disbursements by him for boat hire, labour, etc., in that service. [S.P. Dom., Car. II. 441, No. 27.]
Sept. 28.
Ordnance Office.
Certificate by the Ordnance Officers that the bearer, Capt. Boteler Barnes, last June received out of their stores at Harwich sundry ingredients for fireworks and other provisions of war by order of Sir Joseph Jordan, commander in chief of the ships there, and Commissioner Taylor for fitting several fireships, the remains of which stores and fireworks he redelivered into the stores there, for which he never received any recompense from that office. [S.P. Supplementary 136, No. 579.]
Sept. 28. List of ships paid off to that day and to be paid off. [Ibid. No. 580.]
Sept. 30. Receipt by William Fitzwilliam for 6l., the last year's interest on a bond for 100l. [S.P. Supplementary 135, No. 12.]
Sept.,
Wednesday morning.
Matthew Wren to the Navy Commissioners. The bearer by petition made his case known to his Royal Highness, who thought it would have been very fit for a favourable order, had there not been a general order for the sale of all the ships by the candle. I know not how to propose anything particular in his behalf and am not certain whether you can consent to what he proposes, but he makes so much complaint of his prejudice by the delay that I cannot refuse him a general recommendation that you will do what you can for him. [S.P. Supplementary 136, No. 581.] Probably enclosed,
John West, master and owner of the Swan of London, to the Navy Commissioners. Petition, stating that the said ship being 13 June last impressed was appraised and valued at 200l. and was burnt 26 July following, and that the petitioner, who had no other livelihood, is reduced to a necessitous condition, and therefore praying a grant of a small pink the St. Paul, a late fireship taken from the Dutch now at Deptford of about the same burden as his vessel, in lieu of his own ship or else that she may be sold next Thursday as the Rose is then to be sold, and that the money due to the petitioner for his own ship may be accepted in part payment thereof. [Ibid. No. 581 i.]
[Sept.,]
past 7 p. m. St. James'.
Matthew Wren to Samuel Pepys. His Royal Highness coming home very late to-day from hunting, it will not be possible for me to obtain any directions signed by him till too late for the post to-night concerning the paying off of the ships at Portsmouth. Indeed I do not apprehend what can be said more than what you already understand, which is that the six which came home with Sir R. Holmes (see Cal. S.P. Dom., 1667, pp. 480, 484) are to be paid off and laid up there, for the method of payment is so tied up by the order of Council that none of us have any power over it. If this money will do more than pay Sir R. Holmes' squadron, his Royal Highness would have it employed on the Cambridge, Revenge or Fairfax, which have but part of their men on board and are for all that a great charge and, if this money will not reach, it is very fit they should be thought of when the next money comes in. At least fifteen ships are come from the westward into Portsmouth and the Downs, so that Lord Anglesey will not, if he has tools, want matter to work on. [Ibid. No. 582.]