MARCH 1659-60

MARCH 1, 1659-60. I went to Mr. Crewe's, whither Mr. Thomas was
newly come to town, being sent with Sir H. Yelverton, my old
school-fellow at Paul's School, to bring the thanks of the county
to General Monk for the return of the Parliament.

2nd. I went early to my Lord at Mr. Crewe's where I spoke to
him. Here were a great many come to see him, as Secretary
Thurloe, [John Thurloe, who had been Secretary of State to the
two Protectors, but was never employed after the Restoration,
though the King solicited his services. Ob. 1668.] who is now by
the Parliament chosen again Secretary of State. To Westminster
Hall, where I saw Sir G. Booth at liberty. This day I hear the
City militia is put into good posture, and it is thought that
Monk will not be able to do any great matter against them now, if
he had a mind. I understand that my Lord Lambert did yesterday
send a letter to the Council, and that to-night he is to come and
appear to the Council in person. Sir Arthur Haselrigge do not
yet appear in the House. Great is the talk of a single person,
and that it would now be Charles, George, or Richard again. For
the last of which my Lord St. John is said to speak high. Great
also is the dispute now in the House, in whose name the writs
shall run for the next Parliament; and it is said that Mr. Prin,
in open House, said, "In King Charles's."

3rd. To Westminster Hall, where I found that my Lord was last
night voted one of the Generals at Sea, and Monk the other. I
met my Lord in the Hall, who bid me come to him at noon. After
dinner I to Warwick House, in Holborne, to my Lord, where he
dined with my Lord of Manchester, Sir Dudley North, my Lord
Fiennes, and my Lord Barkley. [Lord Manchester, the
Parliamentary General, afterwards particularly instrumental in
the King's Restoration, became Chamberlain of the Household,
K.G., a Privy Counsellor, and Chancellor of the University of
Cambridge. He died in 1671, having been five times married. Sir
Dudley North, K.B., became the 4th Lord North, on the death of
his father in 1666. Ob. 1677. John Fiennes, third son of
William, 1st Viscount Say and Sele, and one of Oliver's Lords.
George, 13th Lord Berkeley, created Earl Berkeley 1679. He was a
Privy Counsellor, and had afterwards the management, of the Duke
of York's family. Ob. 1698] I staid in the great hall, talking
with some gentlemen there, till they all come out. Then I, by
coach with my Lord, to Mr. Crewe's, in our way talking of publick
things. He told me he feared there was new design hatching, as
if Monk had a mind to get into the saddle. Returning, met with
Mr. Gifford who told me, as I hear from many, that things are in
a very doubtful posture, some of the Parliament being willing to
keep the power in their hands. After I had left him, I met with
Tom Harper; he talked huge high that my Lord Protector would come
in place again, which indeed is much discoursed of again, though
I do not see it possible.

4th. Lord's day. To Mr. Gunning's, an excellent sermon upon
charity.

5th. To Westminster by water, only seeing Mr. Pinky at his own
house, where he shewed me how he had alway kept the Lion and
Unicorne, in the back of his chimney, bright, in expectation of
the King's coming again. At home I found Mr. Hunt, who told me
how the Parliament had voted that the Covenant be printed and
hung in churches again. Great hopes of the King's coming again.

6th. Shrove Tuesday. I called Mr. Shepley and we both went up
to my Lord's lodgings, at Mr. Crewe's, where he bid us to go home
again and get a fire against an hour after. Which we did at
White Hall, whither he came, and after talking with him about our
going to sea, he called me by myself into the garden, Where he
asked me how things were with me; he bid me look out now at this
turn some good place, and he would use all his own, and all the
interest of his friends that he had in England, to do me good.
And asked me whether I could, without too much inconvenience, go
to sea as his secretary, and bid me think of it. He also began
to talk of things of State, and told me that he should want one
in that capacity at sea, that he might trust in, and therefore he
would have me to go. He told me also, that he did believe the
King would come in, and did discourse with me about it, and about
the affection of the people and City, at which I was full glad.
Wrote by the post, by my Lord's command, for I. Goods to come up
presently. For my Lord intends to go forth with Goods to the
Swiftsure till the Nazeby be ready. This day I hear that the
Lords do intend to sit, a great store of them are now in town,
and I see in the Hall to-day. Overton at Hull do stand out, but
can it is thought do nothing; and Lawson, it is said, is gone
with some ships thither, but all that is nothing. My Lord told
me, that there was great endeavours to bring in the protector
again; but he told me, too, that he did believe it would not last
long if he were brought in; no, nor the King neither, (though he
seems to think that he will come in), unless he carry himself
very soberly and well. Every body now drink the King's health
without any fear, whereas before it was very private that a man
dare do it. Monk this day is feasted at Mercers' Hall, and is
invited one after another to all the twelve Halls in London.
Many think that he is honest yet, and some or more think him to
be a fool that would raise himself, but think that he will undo
himself by endeavouring it.

7th. Ash Wednesday. Going homeward, my Lord overtook me in his
coach, and called me in, and so I went with him to St. James's,
and G. Montagu [George Montagu, afterwards M.P. for Dover, second
son of Edward, second Earl of Manchester, and father of the first
Earl of Halifax.] being gone to White Hall, we walked over the
Park thither, all the way he discoursing of the times, and of the
change of things since the last year, and wondering how he could
bear with so great disappointment as he did. He did give me the
best advice that he could what was best for me, whether to stay
or go with him, and offered all the ways that could be, how he
might do me good, with the greatest liberty and love. This day
according to order, Sir Arthur [Haselrigge.] appeared at the
House; what was done I know not, but there was all the Rumpers
almost come to the House to-day. My Lord did seem to wonder much
why Lambert was so willing to be put into the Tower, and thinks
he had some design in it; but I think that he is so poor that he
cannot use his liberty for debts, if he were at liberty; and so
it is as good and better for him to be there, than any where
else.

8th. To Westminster Hall, where there was a general damp over
men's minds and faces upon some of the Officers of the Army being
about making a remonstrance upon Charles Stuart or any single
person; but at noon it was told, that the General had put a stop
to it, so all was well again. Here I met with Jasper who was to
bring me to my Lord at the lobby; whither sending a note to my
Lord, he comes out to me and gives me directions to look after
getting some money for him from the Admiralty, seeing that things
are so unsafe, that he would not lay out a farthing for the
State, till he had received some money of theirs. This
afternoon, some of the officers of the Army, and some of the
Parliament, had a conference at White Hall to make all right
again, but I know not what is done. At the Dog tavern, in comes
Mr. Wade and Mr. Sterry, secretary to the plenipotentiary in
Denmark, who brought the news of the death of the King of Sweden
[Charles Gustavus.] at Gottenburgh the 3rd of last month.

9th. To my Lord at his lodging, and came to Westminster with him
in the coach; and Mr. Dudley and he in the Painted Chamber walked
a good while; and I telling him that I was willing and ready to
go with him to sea, he agreed that I should, and advised me what
to write to Mr. Downing about it. This day it was resolved that
the writs do go out in the name of the Keepers of the Liberty,
and I hear that it is resolved privately that a treaty be offered
with the King. And that Monk did check his soldiers highly for
what they did yesterday.

13th. At my Lord's lodgings, who told me that I was to be
secretary, and Crewe deputy treasurer to the Fleet. This day the
Parliament voted all that had been done by the former Rump
against the House of Lords be void, and to-night that the writs
go out without any qualification. Things seem very doubtful what
will be the end of all; for the Parliament seems to be strong for
the King, while the soldiers do all talk against.

14th. To my Lord's, where infinity of applications to him and to
me. To my great trouble, my Lord gives me all the papers that
was given to him, to put in order and to give him an account of
them. I went hence to St. James's to speake with Mr. Clerke,
Monk's secretary, about getting some soldiers removed out of
Huntingdon to Oundle, which my Lord told me he did to do a
courtesy to the town, that he might have the greater interest in
them, in the choice of the next Parliament; not that he intends
to be chosen himself, but that he might have Mr. Montagu and my
Lord Mandevill chose there in spite of the Bernards. I did
promise to give my wife all that I have in the world, but my
books, in case I should die at sea. After supper I went to
Westminster Hall, and the Parliament sat till ten at night,
thinking and being expected to dissolve themselves to-day, but
they did not. Great talk to-night that the discontented officers
did think this night to make a stir, but prevented.

16th. To Westminster Hall, where I heard how the Parliament had
this day dissolved themselves, and did pass very cheerfully
through the Hall, and the Speaker without his mace. The whole
Hall, was joyfull thereat, as well as themselves, and now they
begin to talk loud of the King. To-night I am told, that
yesterday, about five o'clock in the afternoon, one came with a
ladder to the Great Exchange, and wiped with a brush the
inscription that was on King Charles, and that there was a great
bonfire made in the Exchange, and people called out "God bless
King Charles the Second!"

19th. Early to my Lord, where infinity of business to do, which
makes my head full; and indeed, for these two or three days, I
have not been without a great many cares. After that to the
Admiralty, where a good while with Mr. Blackburne, who told me
that it was much to be feared that the King would come in, for
all good men and good things were now discouraged. Thence to
Wilkinson's, where Mr. Shepley and I dined; and while we were at
dinner, my Lord Monk's life-guard come by with the Serjeant at
Armes before them, with two Proclamations, that all Cavaliers do
depart the town: but the other that all officers that were
lately disbanded should do the same. The last of which Mr. R.
Creed, I remember, said, that he looked upon it as if they had
said, that all God's people should depart the town. All the
discourse now-a-day is, that the King will come again; and for
all I see, it is the wishes of all; and all do believe that it
will be so.

21st. To my Lord's, but the wind very high against us; here I
did very much business, and then to my Lord Widdrington's from my
Lord, with his desire that he might have the disposal of the
writs of the Cinque Ports. My Lord was very civil to me, and
called for wine, and writ a long letter in answer.

22nd. To Westminster, and received my warrant of Mr. Blackburne,
to be Secretary to the two Generals of the Fleet.

23rd. My Lord, Captain Isham, Mr. Thomas, John Crewe, W. Howe,
and I to the Tower, where the barges staid for us; my Lord and
the Captain in one, and W. Howe and I, &c., in the other, to the
Long Beach, where the Swiftsure lay at anchor; (in our way we saw
the great breach which the late high water had made, to the loss
of many 1000l. to the people about Limehouse.) Soon as my Lord
on board, the guns went off bravely from the ships. And a little
while after comes the Vice-Admiral Lawson, and seemed very
respectful to my Lord, and so did the rest of the Commanders of
the frigates that were thereabouts. We were late writing of
orders for the getting of ships ready, &c.; and also making of
others to all the sea-ports between Hastings and Yarmouth, to
stop all dangerous persons that are going or coming between
Flanders and there.

24th. At work hard all the day writing letters to the Council,
&c.

25th. About two o'clock in the morning, letters came from London
by our Coxon, so they waked me, but I bid him stay till morning,
which he did, and then I rose and carried them into my Lord, who
read them a-bed. Among the rest, there was the writ and mandate
for him to dispose to the Cinque Ports for choice of Parliament-
men. There was also one for me from Mr. Blackburne, who with his
own hand superscribes it to S. P. Esq., of which God knows I was
not a little proud. I wrote a letter to the Clerk of Dover
Castle to come to my Lord about issuing of those writs.

26th. This day it is two years since it pleased God that I was
cut for the stone at Mrs. Turner's in Salisbury Court. [Mrs.
Turner was the sister of Edward Pepys.] And did resolve while I
live to keep it a festival, as I did the last year at my house,
and for ever to have Mrs. Turner and her company with me. But
now it pleased God that I am prevented to do it openly; only
within my soul I can and do rejoice, and bless God, being at this
time, blessed be his holy name, in as good health as ever I was
in my life. This morning I rose early, and went about making of
an establishment of the whole Fleet, and a list of all the ships,
with the number of men and guns. About an hour after that, we
had a meeting of the principal commanders and seamen, to
proportion out the number of these things. All the afternoon
very many orders were made, till I was very weary.

27th. This morning the wind came about, and we fell into the
Hope. I sat the first time with my Lord at table since my coming
to sea. All the afternoon exceeding busy in writing of letters
and orders. In the afternoon, Sir Harry Wright come on board us,
[M.P. for Harwich. He married Anne, daughter of Lord Crewe, and
sister to Lady Sandwich, and resided in Dagenham, Essex; he was
created a Baronet by Cromwell, 1658, and by Charles II., 1660.]
about his business of being chosen a Parliament-man. My Lord
brought him to see my cabbin, when I was hard a-writing. At
night supped with my Lord too, with the Captain.

28th. This morning and the whole day busy. At night there was a
gentleman very well bred, his name was Banes, going for Flushing,
who spoke French and Latin very well, brought by direction from
Captain Clerke hither, as a prisoner, because he called out of
the vessel that he went in, "Where is your King, we have done our
business, Vive le Roi." He confessed himself a Cavalier in his
heart, and that he and his whole family, had fought for the King;
but that he was then drunk, having been taking his leave at
Gravesend the night before, and so could not; remember what it
was that he said; but his words and carriage showed much of a
gentleman. My Lord had a great kindness for him, but did not
think it safe to release him. But a while after, he sent a
letter down to my Lord, which my Lord did like very well, and did
advise with me that the gentleman was to be released. So I went
up and sat and talked with him in Latin and French; and about
eleven at night he took boat again, and so God bless him. This
day we had news of the election at Huntingdon for Bernard and
Pedley, [John Bernard and Nicholas Pedley, re-elected in the next
Parliament.] at which my Lord was much troubled for his friends'
missing of it.

29th. We lie still a little below Gravesend. At night Mr.
Shepley returned from London, and told us of several elections
for the next Parliament. That the King's effigies was new making
to be set up in the Exchange again. This evening was a great
whispering that some of the Vice-Admiral's captains were
dissatisfied, and did intend to fight themselves, to oppose the
General. But it was soon hushed, and the Vice-Admiral did wholly
deny any such thing, and protested to stand by the General.

30th. This day, while my Lord and we were at dinner, the Nazeby
came in sight towards us, and at last came to anchor close by us.
My Lord and many others went on board her, where every thing was
out of order, and a new chimney made for my Lord in his bed-
chamber, which he was much pleased with. My Lord in his
discourse, discovered a great deal of love to this ship. [Lord
Sandwich's flag was on board the Nazeby, when he went to the
Sound.]