day he writt to me without a name; but by compareing the hand I find it his, saying that he was returning to the Bath for 10 dayes before his coming up for all together to London. The flagges I heare are thus disposed of: Sir John Harman, Admirall of the Blew Squadron; the Earle of Ossory Vice-Admirall of the Redd in his roome; and Sir John Holmes Rere-Admirall of the Blew in his place. The Earle has won immortal fame in the late engagement, noe man in the whole Fleete being so generally spoake of as his Lordshipp. Yesterday was the great wedding of the Countesse of Northumberland and Mr. Montague at Titchfield, but it's much to the dissatisfaction of all her friends. Sir Francis Goodricke dying last weeke here, Sir Robert Carr has begged his office of Temporall Chancellor of Durham for his Vice-Chancellor Sir John Ottway; besides which there is nothing att the Signett but the Incorporation of the Paviers, and Mr. Thomas Aram who had the reversion of the office of Sollicitor in the Court of Appeales in the Excise office after Mr. Bostocke, with the sallery of 200l. per an. My Lady Dutchess of Portsmouth's patent has much troubled the people, they reporting it was stopt, because shee was not naturalized, but her denization cleered that point. The people say, Madam Guinn complains she has no house yett, and they will needs have it shee is promised to be Countess of Plymouth as soon as they can see how the people will relish itt; so accordingly it's reported shee is so made, but how farr this motion is gone I cannot learne. My Lord Arlington was this morneing at my Lord Chamberlains; presently after which my Lord Chamberlain answered all people that prest him about business that now my Lord Arlington was possest of the place he would speake to him, and they must apply themselves that way. They say your Excellency must goe to Secretary Coventryes office, and he to my Lords, and that, in order to itt, my Lord Arlington has removed the meeting of the Caball to his own lodgings, where indeed it has been this fortnight. People are extreamly satisfyed at his Majestyes choice of your Excellency for that imployment. The yesterdayes newes of the beseiging of Treves by the French, filled the Towne with discourses enough, all ending in their wishes his Majesty were off of the league with France, and blame much the makeing of itt. I am in all duty and obedience, and with a perfect resignation, may it please your Excellency, Your Excellency's most humble servant, R Sept. 4. HENRY BALL. No. 90.-FROM ROBERT YARD. May it please your Excellency, Whitehall, 25 August, 1673. I have your Excellency's of the 25th instant, with the enclosed for Sir Robert Carr and my Lady Katherine. Yesterday about 6 a'clock in the evening the Prince came with his Majesty's Fleet to an ankor in the Gun Fleet, where they may continue some short time, as well to take in provisions and other necessaries as to give the disabled ships time to be refitted. His Highnesse has sent up a scheme of the fight, by which it appears that, our Fleet being drawne out into a line, the Dutch came likewise in a line downe upon us with a large wind; Baukaert came indeed upon the French, but his squadron was much weaker then either of the other two; betweene nine and ten the French tacked and gott the wind, upon which Baukaert came downe with his ships and mingled with de Ruyter's squadron, which was engaged with the Prince, so that after that the whole Dutch Fleet were upon our two squadrons. About noone the Prince and De Ruyter stood downe to relieve the Blew squadron and Tromp who were gott much to seeward, the French, who had the wind, following them at a good distance. About 4 in the afternoone the fight began againe with much fury betweene our two squadrons and the whole Dutch Fleet; the French continueing all this while at a great distance to windward of them all, haveing all the day kept their line, which neither wee nor the enemy did above an hour after the fight began; so that had the French bore briskly downe, wee might by the grace of God have obtained a great victory; and this is in every ordinary man's mouth, every seaman's wife haveing an account from her husband. of their haveing been betrayed, as they call it, by the French. I have been told by a pretty good hand that when Count D'Estrees came next day on bord the Prince, the seamen were hardly withheld from being rude to him; certaine it is this action has very much exasperated people who did not before love the nation. The Marchants are now very impatient to hear of the arrival of this great fleet from Ireland, for till they have them here in the river they will not think themselves secure, but perplex themselves with imaginary fears, though there be not the least appearance as yet of any reall danger, nor have they any reason to apprehend any. The land forces continue still at Yarmouth, though the officers begin to desire that if there be no action intended for them this year that they may remove to their winter quarters. Upon the death of Sir Edward Sprag the Prince gave, as I hear, the Blew flag to Sir John Harman his Vice-Admirall, and Sir John Holmes is come into the empty place, that is Vice-Admirall or Rear-Admirall to the Blew, for I have been told the Earle of Ossory has desired to continue in his former station, but I am not certaine; all people speak highly of him, though many others behaved themselves with great galantry, and indeed all, of which is a sufficient proof, that about 60 of our men of war, vidt our two squadrons, so bravely made their party good against 90 of the enemies. Yesterday was married in the country Mr. Mountague to the Countesse of Northumberland, who hath at last it seems gained her from many pretenders. I have nothing to add but my prayers for all encrease of honor and happinesse to your Excellency with long health to enjoy them; and to subscribe my selfe, my Lord, Your Excellency's most faithfull, obedient, and gratefull servant, R. YARD. Earle of Ossory is made Vice Admirall of the Red Squadron in Sir John Harman's place, and Sir John Holmes comes into his. R Sept. 4. No. 91.-FROM HENRY BALL. May it please your Excellency, This inclosed prophesy making a great noise about towne, amongst Dr. Stubbs and the other great witts here, I have procured a copy of itt to lett your Excellency see itt. In some copyes of the booke it's printed Illustrissimi filii, but that's so incongruous that it's lookt wholy to be the fault of the impression, but Dr. Stubb sayes in some coppyes Insulanos is printed Anglicanos and then itt alters very much. Wee have divers silly prophesyes now printing, and other little pamphletts, which, as they come out, I shall be sure to send your Excellency. This new French machine to ride on, and all other exercises being much frequented, an accident has quite blasted them again, for last weeke as a man was rideing at the ring and fireing his pistoll, he shoots a woman that was lookeing over the wall, and, as it was thought, had killed her, upon which two of the French men were seized on, and committed to New Gate for the fact; the others fledd into the French Ambassador's house, and there had like to have been a stirr about itt, the people in the streets saying they might stone him, he harboured rogues to kill them, but as yett there is nothing further done about it, more than that the woman being not dead, but only has lost her eye, they press my Lord Chamberlain's leave to give in security for their answering itt at the next sessions, which is readily granted them. This morning my Lord Clifford went into the countrey and they say 'tis for all together, and that my Lord Duke of Lauderdale will also be going to Scotland very speedily, all indeavouring to retire before the Parliament meete; and my Lord Sunderland is not yet come hither, nor Sir Peter Wyche gone from Paris, wanting his money. My Lady O'Bryan is very well and all that family; more than which I have not to trouble your Excellency with now, but that I am, with all respect and duty, may it please your Excellency, Your Excellencyes most humble and obedient servant, Whitehall, August 25th, 1673, 11 at night. R Sept. 4. No. 92.-FROM JAMES VERNON. May it please your Excellency, Whitehall, 29 August. I have received your Excellencyes of the 18th instant. I have in obedience to your commands writt to Sir Peter Wych for the account of the mony he received. My brother is gone to Boughton with Mr. Montagu and his lady; they will be in towne the next weeke. The day after they were maried the Countesse Dowager sent a gentleman with a letter to Titchfield to claime the little Lady Betty. On last Tuesday my Lord Duke1 asked the King leave to go to sea, who readily consented, and told him he should have the command of the Swiftsure a third-rate fregate, Captain Ruthes, Commander, and accordingly wee were all commanded to be in a readyness against next Monday. But this day after a Counsell his Grace sent order to stop the preparations till further notice, ther being no certernty as yet of his going. I returne your Excellency my most humble acknowledgements for allowing me the liberty of the Paper Office. My Lord Arlington's office is so well kept by some that present authority there since your leaving it, that I fear I cannot appear there without offense. My Lord Arlington was The Duke of Monmouth. |