第 148 节
作者:
敏儿不觉 更新:2022-11-28 19:16 字数:9322
open to them: (and; by the way; I remember that Captain Cocke did the other day tell me that this Lord Anglesy hath said within few days; that he would willingly give 10;000l。 of his estate that he was well secured of the rest; such apprehensions he hath of the sequel of things; as giving all over for lost。) He tells me; (speaking of the horrid effeminacy of the King;) that the King hath taken ten times more care and pains in making friends between my Lady Castlemaine and Mrs。 Stewart; when they have fallen out; than ever he did to save his kingdom; nay; that upon any falling out between my Lady Castlemaine's nurse and her women; my Lady hath often said she would make the King to make them friends; and they would be friends and be quiet; which the King hath been fain to do: that the King is; at this day; every night in Hyde Park with the Duchesse of Monmouth; or with my Lady Castlemaine: that he is concerned of late by my Lord Arlington in the looking after some buildings that he is about in Norfolke; 'At Euston Hall in Suffolk; on the borders of Norfolk。' where my Lord is laying out a great deal of money; and that he (Mr。 Povy;) considering the unsafeness of laying out money at such a time as this; and; besides; the enviousness of the particular county as well as all the kingdom to find him building and employing workmen; while all the ordinary people of the country are carried down to the sea… sides for securing the land; he thought it becoming him to go to my Lord Arlington (Sir Thomas Clifford by) and give it as his advice to hold his hands a little; but my Lord would not; but would have him go on; and so Sir Thomas Clifford advised also; which one would think (if he were a statesman) should be a sign of his foreseeing that all shall do well。 He tells me that there is not so great confidence between any two men of power in the nation at this day; that he knows of; as between my Lord Arlington and Sir Thomas Clifford; and that it arises by accident only; there being no relation nor acquaintance between them; but only Sir Thomas Clifford's coming to him and applying himself to him for favours; when he came first up to town to be a Parliament…man。
25th。 Up; and with Sir W。 Pen in his new chariot (which indeed is plain; but pretty and more fashionable in shape than any coach he hath; and yet do not cost him; harness and all; above 32l。) to White Hall; where staid a very little: and thence to St。 James's to Sir W。 Coventry; whom I have not seen since before the coming of the Dutch into the River; nor did indeed know how well to go to see him; for shame either to him or me; or both of us; to find ourselves in so much misery。 I find that he and his fellow… Treasurers are in the utmost want of money; and do find fault with Sir G。 Carteret; that having kept the mystery of borrowing money to himself so long; (to the ruin of the nation; as Sir W。 Coventry said in words to Sir W。 Pen and me;) he should now lay it aside and come to them for money for every penny he hath; declaring that he can raise no more: which; I confess do appear to me the most like ill…will of any thing that I have observed of Sir W。 Coventry; when he himself did tell us on another occasion at the same time; that the bankers who used to furnish them money are not able to lend a farthing; and he knows well enough that that was all the mystery Sir G。 Carteret did use; that is; only his credit with them。 He told us the masters and owners of two ships that I had complained of; for not readily setting forth their ships which we had taken up to make men…of…war; had been yesterday with the King and Council; and had made their case so well understood; that the King did owe them for what they had earned the last year; and that they could not set them out again without some money or stores out of the King's Yard; the latter of which Sir W。 Coventry said must be done; for that they were not able to raise money for them; though it was but 200l。 a ship: which do show us our condition to be so bad; that I am in a total despair of ever having the nation do well。 After that talking awhile; and all out of heart with stories of want of seamen; and seamen's running away; and their demanding a month's advance; and our being forced to give seamen 3s。 a…day to go hence to work at Chatham; and other things that show nothing but destruction upon us; for it is certain that; as it now is; the seamen of England; in my conscience; would; if they could; go over and serve the King of France or Holland rather than us。 Up to the Duke of York to his chamber; where he seems to be pretty easy; and now and then merry; but yet one may perceive in all their minds there is something of trouble and care; and with good reason。 Thence to White Hall; with Sir W。 Pen; by chariot; and there in the Court met with my Lord Anglesy: and he to talk with Sir W。 Pen; and told him of the masters of ships being with the Council yesterday; and that we were not in condition; though the men were willing; to furnish them with 200l。 of money (already due to them as earned by them the last year) to enable them to set out their ships again this year for the King: which he is amazed at; and when I told him; 〃My Lord; this is a sad instance of the condition we are in;〃 he answered that it was so indeed; and sighed; and so parted: and he up to the Council…chamber; where I perceive they sit every morning。 It is worth noting that the King and Council in their order of the 23rd instant; for unloading three merchant…ships taken up for the King's service for men…of…war; do call the late coming of the Dutch 〃an invasion。〃 I was told yesterday; that Mr。 Oldenburg; 'Henry Oldenburgh; Secretary to the Royal Society。' our Secretary at Gresham College; is put into the Tower; for writing news to a virtuoso in France; with whom he constantly corresponds in philosophical matters; which makes it very unsafe at this time to write; or almost do any thing。 Several captains come to the office yesterday and to…day; complaining that their men come and go when they will; and will not be commanded; though they are paid every night; or may be。 Nay; this afternoon comes Harry Russell from Gravesend; telling us that the money carried down yesterday for the Chest at Chatham had like to have been seized upon yesterday in the barge there by seamen; who did beat our waterman: and what men should these be but the boats' crew of Sir Fretcheville Hollis; who used to brag so much of the goodness and order of his men; and his command over them? Sir H。 Cholmly tells me great news; that this day in Council the King hath declared that he will call his Parliament in thirty days: which is the best news I have heard a great while; and will; if any thing; save the kingdom。 How the King come to be advised to this; I know not; but he tells me that it was against the Duke of York's mind flatly; who did rather advise the King to raise money as he pleased; and against the Chancellor's; who told the King that Queene Elizabeth did do all her business in eighty…eight without calling a Parliament; and so might he do for anything he saw; But; blessed be God; it is done; and pray God it may hold; though some of us must surely go to the pot; for all must be flung up to them; or nothing will be done。
26th。 The Parliament is ordered to meet the 25th of July being; as they say; St。 James's day; which every creature is glad of。 Colonel Reymes 'Bullen Reymes; M。P。 for Melcombe Regis。' tells me of a letter come last night or the day before from my Lord St。 Albans out of France; wherein he says that the King of France did lately fall out with him; giving him ill names; saying that he had belied him to our King; by saying that he had promised to assist our King; and to forward the peace; saying that indeed he had offered to forward the peace at such a time; but it was not accepted of; and so he thinks himself not obliged; and would do what was fit for him; and so made him to go out of his sight in great displeasure: and he hath given this account to the King; which; Colonel Reymes tells me; puts them into new melancholy at Court; and he believes hath forwarded the resolution of calling the Parliament。 At White Hall spied Mr。 Povy; who tells me as a great secret; which none knows but himself; that Sir G。 Carteret hath parted with his place of Treasurer of the Navy by consent to my Lord Anglesy; and is to be Treasurer of Ireland in his stead; but upon what terms it is; I know not: and that it is in his power to bring me to as great a friendship and confidence in my Lord Anglesy; as ever I was with Sir W。 Coventry。 Such is the want already of coals; and the despair of having any supply; by reason of the enemy's being abroad; and no fleet of ours to secure them; that they are come this day to 5l。 10s。 per chaldron。
27th。 Proclamations come out this day for the Parliament to meet the 25th of next month: for which God be praised! And another to invite seamen to bring in their complaints; of their being ill used in the getting their tickets and money。 Pierce tells me that he hears for certain fresh at Court; that France and we shall agree; and more; that yesterday was damned at the Council the Canary Company; and also that my Lord Mordaunt hath laid down his Commis