7th. Did business, though not much, at the office; because of
the horrible crowd and lamentable moan of the poor seamen that
lie starving in the streets for lack of money. Which do trouble
and perplex me to the heart; and more at noon when we were to go
through them, for then above a whole hundred of them followed us;
some cursing, some swearing, and some praying to us. At night
come two waggons from Rochester with more goods from Captain
Cocke; and in housing them come two of the Custom-house, and did
seize them: but I showed them my TRANSIRE. However, after some
angry words, we locked them up, and sealed up the key, and did
give it to the constable to keep till Monday, and so parted.
But, Lord! to think how the poor constable come to me in the
dark going home; "Sir," says he, "I have the key, and if you
would have me do any service for you, send for me betimes to-
morrow morning, and I will do what you would have me." Whether
the fellow do this out of kindness or knavery, I cannot tell; but
it is pretty to observe. Talking with him in the high way, come
close by the bearers with a dead corpse of the plague; but, Lord!
to see what custom is, that I am come almost to think nothing of
it.
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