["The Public Intelligencer,” published by Roger L’Estrange, the
     predecessor of the “London Gazette.”]

(Captain Ferrers’s letter) did do my Lord Sandwich great right as to the late victory.  The Duke of Yorke not yet come to towne.  The towne grows very sickly, and people to be afeard of it; there dying this last week of the plague 112, from 43 the week before, whereof but [one] in Fanchurch-streete, and one in Broad-streete, by the Treasurer’s office.

16th.  Up and to the office, where I set hard to business, but was informed that the Duke of Yorke is come, and hath appointed us to attend him this afternoon.  So after dinner, and doing some business at the office, I to White Hall, where the Court is full of the Duke and his courtiers returned from sea.  All fat and lusty, and ruddy by being in the sun.  I kissed his hands, and we waited all the afternoon.  By and by saw Mr. Coventry, which rejoiced my very heart.  Anon he and I, from all the rest of the company, walked into the Matted Gallery; where after many expressions of love, we fell to talk of business.  Among other things, how my Lord Sandwich, both in his counsells and personal service, hath done most honourably and serviceably.  Sir J. Lawson is come to Greenwich; but his wound in his knee yet very bad.  Jonas Poole, in the Vantguard, did basely, so as to be, or will be, turned out of his ship.  Captain Holmes

[Captain Robert Holmes (afterwards knighted).  Sir William Coventry, in a letter to Lord Arlington (dated from “The Royal Charles,” Southwold Bay, June 13th), writes:  “Capt.  Holmes asked to be rear admiral of the white squadron in place of Sansum who was killed, but the Duke gave the place to Captain Harman, on which he delivered up his commission, which the Duke received, and put Captain Langhorne in his stead” ("Calendar of State Papers,” Domestic, 1664-65, p. 423).]

expecting upon Sansum’s death to be made Rear-admirall to the Prince (but Harman is

     [John Harman, afterwards knighted.  He had served with great
     reputation in several naval fights, and was desperately wounded in
     1673, while]

put in) hath delivered up to the Duke his commission, which the Duke took and tore.  He, it seems, had bid the Prince, who first told him of Holmes’s intention, that he should dissuade him from it; for that he was resolved to take it if he offered it.  Yet Holmes would do it, like a rash, proud coxcombe.  But he is rich, and hath, it seems, sought an occasion of leaving the service.  Several of our captains have done ill.  The great ships are the ships do the business, they quite deadening the enemy.  They run away upon sight of “The Prince.”

["The Prince” was Lord Sandwich’s ship; the captain was Roger
Cuttance.  It was put up at Chatham for repair at this date.]

It is strange to see how people do already slight Sir William Barkeley,