Batten did show us at the table a letter
from Sir T. Allen, which says, that we have taken ten or twelve
ships, (since the late great expedition of burning their ships
and town) laden with hemp, flax, tar, deals, &c. This was good
news; but by and by comes in Sir G. Carteret, and he asked us
with full mouth what we would give for good news. Says Sir W.
Batten "I have better than you for a wager." They laid sixpence,
and we that were by were to give sixpence to him that told the
best news. So Sir W. Batten told his of the ten or twelve ships.
Sir G. Carteret did then tell us that upon the news of the
burning of the ships and town, the common people of Amsterdam did
besiege De Witt's house, and he was forced to flee to the Prince
of Orange, who is gone to Cleve, to the marriage of his sister.
This we concluded all the best news, and my Lord Brouncker and
myself did give Sir G. Carteret our sixpence a-piece, which he
did give Mr. Smith to give the poor. Thus we made ourselves
mighty merry.
17th. With Captain Erwin, discoursing about the East Indys,
where he hath often been.
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