Theft And Ore Riches
1660, Week 40
Disbanding the army and the navy seems to have set a scourge of roguery upon our kingdom: the commissioners reported this week that thefts and local disturbances are on the rise as newly unemployed soldiers and sailors fill the streets and taverns.
Me, I lost something like 100l over these last few days – some half of my wealth – though not so much from thieves as from my wife.
She began, you see, to purchase furniture to fit our home here at Seething Lane, now that most of the workmen had finished.
So far, though, I must say that I am very well pleased with her choices. I also had an unplanned but delightful dinner with my father and uncle Wight on Monday, during which we discussed the hangings for our walls. Seems my purse shall hunger, but our fine home shall glut.
At least I don’t have to pay for the painters – their bills are the responsibility of the Navy Office, who own these dwellings. Otherwise I might be set back a further 50l! It is money well spent, though: the painters began on Monday and were out by Friday, their work done well and wonderfully. I am in great joy to see my house likely once again to be clean.
Ah, but I am bounteously lucky even just to have a home to call my own. My brother Tom stopped by on Tuesday, reporting that our father had banned him from returning there as punishment for his lying out of doors a day and a night.
My poor, unfinished brother. As I promised him, I went that very afternoon to advise our father to take him in again – at least in prudence, so Tom is less like to learn the way of being worse…
Outside of home, life is gradually moving again following the loss of Gloucester. Indeed, my Lord Sandwich and I were among those invited to meet the Duke of York at Whitehall on Wednesday, whereupon he proposed a corporation to mine for gold ore from some parts of Africa. However, 250l is the lowest share. My Lord kept his true thoughts from the prince, but confided in me that he was highly sceptical…
My Lord expects to return to sea before long, though. It’s only a week since he brought back the King’s sisters, but now he wished my help in gathering a fleet to fetch the Queen Mother, also from Holland. From what her royal children and my Lord hath told me of her, I expect Sir Ford’s hopes of a war with Holland will be much harder to incite once we relieve them of her…
This week, I also had the fortune of witnessing Dr Frewen being bestowed the Archbishopric of York in Henry VII’s Chapel. This was particularly noteworthy because of its attendance by several bishops, all in their regalia, who thus attracted the attention of the common folk in the street as they departed the holy place – though most looked upon them as strange creatures, few viewing them with any kind of love or respect.
I maintained my commitment to displaying my gratitude this week also. On Tuesday, I thanked Captain Clerke for his kindness to me during our voyage to Holland by taking him for a great meal at The Leg; and on Thursday, I gave a day of my hospitality to Lieutenant Lambert for his kindnesses when I took despatches to my Lord in the Baltic seas.
In fact, Lt Lambert joined me for the aforementioned transformation of Dr Frewen. He later did me a further honour by returning with me to my Lord’s, where he looked over one of my Lord’s model ships and used it to teach me many things about seafaring as I desired to understand.
I will likely do the same again for Major Hart sometime soon, since he advised me earlier this week on how to claim the arrears I am owed as secretary to my Lord’s regiment, and gave me the requisite oaths of supremacy and allegiance that may enable me so to do.
Who knows? Maybe I shall soon be able to purchase a share in the Duke of York’s Royal African Company myself? My Lord may be hesitant… but what do you think to it?
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My purse
I am most lately 127l clear in my purse.
Would you recommend Sam take a share in the Royal African Company for £250? You have the advantage of 364 years of hindsight... $;-)