6th. To White Hall; and here the Duke of York did acquaint us
(and the King did the like also afterwards coming in) with his
resolution of altering the manner of the war this year: that is,
we shall keep what fleet we have abroad in several squadrons: so
that now all is come out; but we are to keep it as close as we
can, without hindering the work that is to be done in preparation
to this. Great preparations there are to fortify Sheerenesse and
the yard at Portsmouth, and forces are drawing down to both those
places, and elsewhere by the sea-side; so that we have some fear
of invasion: and the Duke of York himself did declare his
expectation of the enemy's blocking us up here in the river, and
therefore directed that we should send away all the ships that we
have to fit out hence. Sir W. Pen told me, going with me this
morning to White Hall, that for certain the Duke of Buckingham is
brought into the Tower, and that he hath had an hour's private
conference with the King before he was sent thither. Every body
complains of the dearness of coals, being at 4l.
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