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fter a little discourse did say； 〃Well；〃 says he； 〃now you will be all called to an account；〃 meaning the Parliament is drawing near。
23rd。 By and by comes sudden news to me by letter from the Clerke of the Cheque at Gravesend； that there were thirty sail of Dutch men…of…war coming up into the Hope this last tide： which I told Sir W。 Pen of； but he would not believe it； but laughed； and said it was a fleet of Billanders； and that the guns that were heard was the salutation of the Swede's Embassador that comes over with them。 But within half an hour comes another letter from Captain Proud； that eight of them were come into the Hope； and thirty more following them； at ten this morning。 By and by comes an order from White Hall to send down one of our number to Chatham； fearing that； as they did before； they may make a show first up hither； but then go to Chatham： so my Lord Brouncker do go； and we here are ordered to give notice to the merchant men… of…war； gone below the barricado at Woolwich； to come up again。
24th。 Betimes this morning comes a letter from the Clerk of the Cheque at Gravesend to me； to tell me that the Dutch fleet did come all into the Hope yesterday noon； and held a fight with our ships from thence till seven at night； that they had burned twelve fire…ships； and we took one of theirs； and burned five of our fire…ships。 But then rising and going to Sir W。 Batten； he tells me that we have burned one of their men…of…war； and another of theirs is blown up： but how true this is； I know not。 But these fellows are mighty bold； and have had the fortune of the wind easterly this time to bring them up； and prevent our troubling them with our fire…ships； and； indeed； have had the winds at their command from the beginning； and now do take the beginning of the spring； as if they had some great design to do。 About five o'clock down to Gravesend； and as we come nearer Gravesend； we hear the Dutch fleet and ours a…firing their guns most distinctly and loud。 So I landed and discoursed with the landlord of the Ship； who undeceives me in what I heard this morning about the Dutch having lost two men…of…war； for it is not so； but several of their fire…ships。 He do say； that this afternoon they did force our ships to retreat； but that now they are gone down as far as Shield…haven： but what the event hath been of this evening's guns they know not； but suppose not much for they have all this while shot at good distance one from another。 They seem confident of the security of this town and the River above it； if ever the enemy should come up so high； their fortifications being so good； and guns many。 But he do say that people do complain of Sir Edward Spragg； that he hath not done extraordinary； and more of Sir W。 Jenings； that he came up with his tamkins ＇Tamkin or Tompion； the stopple of a great gun。＇ in his guns。
25th。 I demanded of Sir R。 Ford and the rest； what passed to…day at the meeting of Parliament： who told me that； contrary to all expectation by the King that there would be but a thin meeting； there met above 300 this first day； and all the discontented party； and； indeed； the whole House seems to be no other almost。 The Speaker told them； as soon as they were sat； that he was ordered by the King to let them know he was hindered by some important business to come to them and speak to them； as he intended； and； therefore； ordered him to move that they would adjourn themselves till Monday next； （it being very plain to all the House that he expects to hear by that time of the sealing of the peace； which by letters； it seems； from my Lord Hollis was to be sealed the last Sunday。） But before they would come to the question whether they would adjourn； Sir Thomas Tomkins steps up and tells them； that all the country is grieved at this new… raised standing…army； and that they thought themselves safe enough in their trayn…bands： and that； therefore； he desired the King might be moved to disband them。 Then rises Garraway and seconds him； only with this explanation； （which he said he believed the other meant；） that； as soon as peace should be concluded； they might be disbanded。 Then rose Sir W。 Coventry； and told them that he did approve of what the last gentleman said； but also； that at the same time he did no more than what he durst be bold to say he knew to be the King's mind； that as soon as peace was concluded he would do it of himself。 Then rose Sir Thomas Littleton； and did give several reasons from the uncertainty of their meeting again but to adjourne； （in case news comes of the peace being ended before Monday next；） and the possibility of the King's having some about him that may endeavour to alter his own； and the good part of his Council's advice； for the keeping up of the land…army： and； therefore； it was fit that they did present it to the King as their desire； that as soon as peace was concluded the land…army might be laid down； and that this their request might be carried to the King by them of their House that were Privy…councillors； which was put to the vote； and carried NEMINE CONTRADICENTE。 So after this vote passed； they adjourned： but it is plain what the effects of this Parliament will be； if they be suffered to sit； that they will fall foul upon the faults of the Government； and I pray God they may be permitted to do it； for nothing else； I fear； will save the King and kingdom than the doing it betimes。
27th。 To the office； where I hear that Sir John Coventry ＇Nephew to Sir William and Henry Coventry； created K。B。 at Charles II。's coronation； and M。P。 for Weymouth in several Parliaments。 The outrage committed on his person by Sir Thomas Sandys； O'Bryan； and others； who cut his nose to the bone； gave rise to the passing a Bill still known by the name of 〃THE COVENTRY ACT。〃＇ is come over from Bredagh； （a nephew； I think； of Sir W。 Coventry's）； but what message he brings I know not。 This morning news is come that Sir Jos。 Jordan is come from Harwich； with sixteen fire…ships and four other little ships of war； and did attempt to do some execution upon the enemy； but did； it without discretion； as most do say； so as they have been able to do no good； but have lost four of their fire…ships。 They attempted this； it seems； when the wind was too strong； that our grapplings could not hold： others say we came to leeward of them； but all condemn it as a foolish management。 They are come to Sir Edward Spragg about Lee； and the Dutch are below at the Nore。 At the office all the morning： and at noon to the 'Change； where I met Fenn。 And he tells me that Sir John Coventry do bring the confirmation of the peace； but I do not find the 'Change at all glad of it； but rather the worse； they looking upon it as a peace made only to preserve the King for a time in his lusts and ease； and to sacrifice trade and his kingdoms only to his own pleasures； so that the hearts of merchants are quite down。 He tells me that the King and my Lady Castlemaine are quite broke off； and she is gone away； and is with child； and swears the King shall own it； and she will have it christened in the Chapel at White Hall so； and owned for the King's； as other Kings have done； or she will bring it into White Hall ga