a-piece.
Every minute some one or other calls for this or that order; and
so I forced to be at the office most of the day about the fire-
ships which are to be suddenly fitted out. And it's a most
strange thing that we hear nothing from any of my brethren at
Chatham: so that we are wholly in the dark, various being the
reports of what is done there; insomuch, that I sent Mr. Clapham
express thither to see how matters go. I did about noon resolve
to send Mr. Gibson away after my wife with another 1000 pieces,
under colour of an express to Sir Jeremy Smith, who is, as I
hear, with some ships at Newcastle; which I did really send to
him, and may possibly prove of good use to the King, for it is
possible in the hurry of business they may not think of it at
Court, and the charge of express is not considerable to the King.
The King and Duke of York up and down all the day here and there:
some time on Tower Hill, where the City militia was; where the
King did make a speech to them, that they should venture
themselves no further than he would himself.
Pages:
1145
1146
1147
1148
1149
1150
1151
1152
1153
1154
1155
1156
1157
1158
1159
1160
1161
1162
1163
1164
1165
1166
1167
1168
1169