16th.  Up in the morning, my head mightily confounded with the great deale of business I have upon me to do.  But to the office, and there dispatched Mr. Creed’s business pretty well about his bill; but then there comes W. Howe for my Lord’s bill of Imprest for L500 to carry with him this voyage, and so I was at a loss how to carry myself in it, Creed being there, but there being no help I delivered it to them both, and let them contend, when I perceive they did both endeavour to have it, but W. Howe took it, and the other had the discretion to suffer it.  But I think I cleared myself to Creed that it past not from any practice of mine.  At noon rose and did some necessary business at the ’Change.  Thence to Trinity House to a dinner which Sir G. Carteret makes there as Maister this year.  Thence to White Hall to the Tangier Committee, and there, above my expectation, got the business of our contract for the victualling carried for my people, viz., Alsopp, Lanyon, and Yeabsly; and by their promise I do thereby get L300 per annum to myself, which do overjoy me; and the matter is left to me to draw up.  Mr. Lewes was in the gallery and is mightily amazed at it, and I believe Mr. Gauden will make some stir about it, for he wrote to Mr. Coventry to-day about it to argue why he should for the King’s convenience have it, but Mr. Coventry most justly did argue freely for them that served cheapest.  Thence walked a while with Mr. Coventry in the gallery, and first find that he is mighty cold in his present opinion of Mr. Peter Pett for his flagging and doing things so lazily there, and he did also surprise me with a question why Deane did not bring in their report of the timber of Clarendon.  What he means thereby I know not, but at present put him off; nor do I know how to steer myself:  but I must think of it, and advise with my Lord Sandwich.  Thence with Creed by coach to my Lord Sandwich’s, and there I got Mr. Moore to give me my Lord’s hand for my receipt of L109 more of my money of Sir G. Carteret, so that then his debt to me will be under L500, I think.  This do ease my mind also.  Thence carried him and W. Howe into London, and set them down at Sir G. Carteret’s to receive some money, and I home and there busy very late, and so home to supper and to bed, with my mind in pretty good ease, my business being in a pretty good condition every where.

17th (Lord’s day).  All the morning at my office doing business there, it raining hard.  So dined at home alone.  After dinner walked to my Lord’s, and there found him and much other guests at table at dinner, and it seems they have christened his young son to-day-called him James.  I got a piece of cake.  I got my Lord to signe and seale my business about my selling of Brampton land, which though not so full as I would, yet is as full as I can at present.  Walked home again, and there fell to read, and by and by comes my uncle Wight, Dr. Burnett, and another gentleman, and talked and drank, and the Doctor showed me the manner of eating, turpentine, which pleases me well, for it is with great ease.  So they being gone, I to supper and to bed.