and seemed very respectful to my Lord, and so did
the rest of the Commanders of the frigates that were thereabouts. I to
the cabin allotted for me, which was the best that any had that belonged
to my Lord. I got out some things out of my chest for writing and to
work presently, Mr. Burr and I both. I supped at the deck table with Mr.
Sheply. We were late writing of orders for the getting of ships ready,
&c.; and also making of others to all the seaports between Hastings and
Yarmouth, to stop all dangerous persons that are going or coming between
Flanders and there. After that to bed in my cabin, which was but short;
however I made shift with it and slept very well, and the weather being
good I was not sick at all yet, I know not what I shall be.

24th. At work hard all the day writing letters to the Council, &c. This
day Mr. Creed came on: board and dined very boldly with my Lord, but
he could not get a bed there. At night Capt. Isham who had been at
Gravesend all last night and to-day came and brought Mr. Lucy (one
acquainted with Mrs. Pierce, with whom I had been at her house), I drank
with him in the Captain's cabin, but my business could not stay with
him. I despatch many letters to-day abroad and it was late before we
could get to bed. Mr. Sheply and Howe supped with me in my cabin. The
boy Eliezer flung down a can of beer upon my papers which made me give
him a box of the ear, it having all spoiled my papers and cost me a
great deal of work. So to bed.

25th. (Lord's day). About two o'clock in the morning, letters came from
London by our coxon, so they waked me, but I would not rise but bid him
stay till morning, which he did, and then I rose and carried them in
to my Lord, who read them a-bed. Among the rest, there was the writ
and mandate for him to dispose to the Cinque Ports for choice of
Parliament-men. There was also one for me from Mr. Blackburne, who with
his own hand superscribes it to S.P. Esq., of which God knows I was
not a little proud. After that I wrote a letter to the Clerk of Dover
Castle, to come to my Lord about issuing of those writs. About ten
o'clock Mr. Ibbott, at the end of the long table, begun to pray
and preach and indeed made a very good sermon, upon the duty of all
Christians to be stedfast in faith. After that Captain Cuttance and
I had oysters, my Lord being in his cabin not intending to stir out
to-day. After that up into the great cabin above to dinner with the
Captain, where was