Books, Calendars, Calendar of State Papers Charles II 1665

22nd April 1655. 112. Thomas Lewis to the Navy Comrs. Sends an account of water Victualling cask provided for such ships as were ready to receive it. The principal hindrance in sending beer to the fleet has been for want of men, the watermen sent being generally unfit or unwilling to work. [Adm. Paper.]| Encloses,

112. 1. Account of beer ready to be-sent from London to complete the victualling of the fleet for four months; of what is already laden, and what in lighters by the ships' side; 470 tuns are remaining at the brewery; total, 1,524tuns 1 hogshead 20 gallons. April 22, 1665.

112. 1. List of 65 watermen impressed and put on board the ® victuallers, &c. April 17 and 18, 1665.

112. m1. List of 27 watermen on board the four victualling ships.

112. 1v. Similar list, with eight names added, and note of their unfitness and refractory conduct; also that many go ashore to sleep, and are discontent that they, as masters of families, are pressed, while single men are excused on giving money to the pressmen. April 22, 1665.

13th May 1665. 41. Jonas Shish (age 60) to the Navy Comrs. Recommends Robt. Withers (age 47), shipwright, for the survey of the new ship. [Adm. Paper.].

16th May 1655. 67. John Lanyon to the Navy Comrs. Understands from the seamen that the conduct of Capts. Nixon and Stanesby, in their late engagement with two Dutch capers, was very foul; the night they left the Dutch, no lights were put out as formerly, and though in sight of them in the morning, they still kept on their way; the Eagle lay by some time, and both the enemy's ships plied on her, but finding the Elizabeth nearly out of sight, she also made sail; it is true the wind and sea were high, but there were no sufficient reasons for such endeavours to get from them. Will send account of the ten tons of cordage and Mr. Backer's yarn. The Katherine, on her voyage from Jamaica, got upon the shoals off the coast of Florida; the long boat, with ten persons and gold and silver to the value of 600/., was lost. The Sorlings has gone to sea, promising to recover what was amiss through long lying for orders. In expectation of the Dutch, the captain has torn down all his close cabins, and the men lie on deck. [Copy. The original being sent to Coventry for the trial of Nixon and Stanesby. Two pages.]

29th May 1655. Royal Charles. 75. Earl of Falmouth (age 25) to Lord Arlington (age 37). They sail to-morrow for Sole Bay [Map], Sir George Downing's letter making them wish to be in deeper water. Hopes to meet the Dutch half seas over. Great skill will be necessary to get men. The decay by sickness and colliers is greater than could be imagined. Hopes soon to be the bringer of good news.

29th May 1655. Royal Charles. 76. Sir William Coventry (age 27) to Lord Arlington (age 37). Capt. Langhorne has arrived with seven ships, and reports the taking of the Hamburg fleet, with the man-of-war their convoy; mistaking the Dutch fleet for the English, they fell into it. Will sail to-morrow for Southwold [Map] Bay, and there finish taking in victuals.

29th May 1655. Chatham Dockyard [Map]. 77. Phineas Pett to the Navy Comrs. Forwardness of the Victory. Timber wanted; a considerable quantity can be supplied Dock. - by Robert Morecock of Chatham. [Adm. Paper.]

4th June 1655. 37. Sir William Coventry (age 27) and Sir William Penn (age 34) to the Navy Comrs, A good quantity of masts, yards, and all other stores must be sent immediately to the Downs. Engaged yesterday with the Dutch; they began to stand away at 3 p.m.; chased them all the rest of the day and all night; 20 considerable ships are destroyed and taken; we have only lost the Great Charity. The Earl of Marlborough (age 37), Rear-Admiral Sansum, and Capt. Kirby'are slain, and Sir John Lawson (age 40) wounded. [Adm. Paper.]

13th June 1665. Royal Charles. Southwold Bay [Map]. 7. Sir William Coventry (age 37) to Lord Arlington (age 47). The sea there causing delay in refitting the ships, some are to be sent to Ousley Bay, the Rolling Grounds, Harwich, Essex [Map], and the buoy of the Nore, to be in smoother water. The Duke (age 31) is sailing for London. Capt. Holmes asked to be rear-admiral of the white squadron, in place of Sansum who was killed, but the Duke gave the place to Capt. Harman (age 40), on which Holmes delivered up his commission, which the Duke received, and put Capt. Langhorne in his stead. [2 pages.]

29th June 1665. 82. Comr. Thomas Middleton to Sam. Pepys (age 32). Progress and dispatch of ships; 45 carpenters are to be discharged; the ropemakers have discharged themselves for want of money, and gone into the country to make hay. Asks how many sorts of sails shall be made. [Adm. Paper, 1 pages.]

6th July 1665. Proclamation appointing July 12 to be kept as a general fast for stay of the plague now visiting London and Westminster, and threatening to spread; and thenceforward the first Wednesday in every month, till the plague is withdrawn. (Collections to be made on these fast days, for relief of the poor visited by the plague, [Printed. Proc. Coll., Charles IT., pp. 194-5.]

8th August 1665. Salisbury. The King (age 35) to the Lord General (age 56). Alderman Backwell (age 47) being in great straits for the second payment he has to make for the service in Flanders, as much tin is to be transmitted to him as will raise the sum. Has authorized him and Sir George Carteret (age 55) to treat with the tin farmers for 500 tons of tin to be speedily transported under good convoy; but if on consulting with Alderman Backwell, this plan of the tin seems insufficient, then without further difficulty, he is to dispose for that purpose of the £10,000. assigned for pay of the Guards, not doubting that before that comes due, other ways will be found for supplying it; the payment in Flanders is of such importance that some means must be found of providing for it. [Ent. Book 17, pp. 122-3.]

8th August 1665. Salisbury. 63. Draft of the above. The King to the Farmers of tin. Having determined to raise money beyond seas by sale of tin, has authorized the Duke of Albemarle (age 56) and Sir George Carteret (age 55) to treat with them for sale or deposit of 500 tons, on good security for their forbearance. The occasion being pressing, admits of no return nor reply. [£nt. Book 17, p. 124.]

8th August 1665. Salisbury. 65. The King (age 35) to the Lord General (age 56) and Sir George Carteret (age 55). Authorizes them to treat with the farmers of tin for the sale or deposit for a year of 500 tons of tin, to be sent to Flanders and sold to meet the second payment which Alderman Backwell (age 47) has to make there. They are to agree with the farmers as best they can, giving tallies on the Royal aid to secure repayment, to conclude the contract at once, the pressing importance of the service admitting no delay, and to have vessels and convoys ready to transmit the tin to Ostend. [Ent. Book 17, p. 125.]