[Similar reports of the cruelty of the English to the Dutch in Guinea were credited in Holland, and were related by Downing in a letter to Clarendon from the Hague, dated April 14th, 1665 (Lister’s “Life of Clarendon,” vol. iii., p. 374).]

But, Lord! to see the consternation all our merchants are in is observable, and with what fury and revenge they discourse of it.  But I fear it will like other things in a few days cool among us.  But that which I fear most is the reason why he that was so kind to our men at first should afterward, having let them go, be so cruel when he went further.  What I fear is that there he was informed (which he was not before) of some of Holmes’s dealings with his countrymen, and so was moved to this fury.  God grant it be not so!  But a more dishonourable thing was never suffered by Englishmen, nor a more barbarous done by man, as this by them to us.  Home to dinner, and then to the office, where we sat all the afternoon, and then at night to take my finall leave of Mrs. Bland, who sets out to-morrow for Tangier, and then I back to my office till past 12, and so home to supper and to bed.

24th.  Up, and to my office, where all the morning upon advising again with some fishermen and the water bayliffe of the City, by Mr. Coventry’s direction, touching the protections which are desired for the fishermen upon the River, and I am glad of the occasion to make me understand something of it.  At noon home to dinner, and all the afternoon till 9 at night in my chamber, and Mr. Hater with me (to prevent being disturbed at the office), to perfect my contract book, which, for want of time, hath a long time lain without being entered in as I used to do from month to month.  Then to my office, where till almost 12, and so home to bed.

25th.  Up, and to the office, where all the morning.  At noon to the ’Change; where just before I come, the Swede that had told the King and the Duke so boldly this great lie of the Dutch flinging our men back to back into the sea at Guinny, so particularly, and readily, and confidently, was whipt round the ’Change:  he confessing it a lie, and that he did it in hopes to get something.  It is said the judges, upon demand, did give it their opinion that the law would judge him to be whipt, to lose his eares, or to have his nose slit but I do not hear that anything more is to be done to him.  They say he is delivered over to the Dutch Embassador to do what he pleased with him.  But the world do think that there is some design on one side or other, either of the Dutch or French, for it is not likely a fellow would invent such a lie to get money whereas he might have hoped for a better reward by telling something in behalf of us to please us.  Thence to the Sun taverne, and there dined with Sir W. Warren and Mr. Gifford, the merchant:  and I hear how Nich.  Colborne, that lately lived and got a great estate there, is gone to live like a prince in the