long life and happiness of our King and dread Soveraigne, that may last as long as the sun and moon endureth.

6th It fell very well to-day, a stranger preached here for Mr Ibbot, one Mr Stanley, who prayed for King Charles, by the Grace of God, &c, which gave great contentment to the gentlemen that were on board here, and they said they would talk of it, when they come to Breda, as not having it done yet in London so publickly After they were gone from on board, my Lord writ a letter to the King and give it me to carry privately to Sir William Compton,⁷⁸ on board the Assistance, which I did, and after a health to his Majesty on board there, I left them under sail for Breda.

7th My Lord went this morning about the flag-ships in a boat, to see what alterations there must be, as to the armes and flags He did give me orders also to write for silk flags and scarlett waistcloathes⁷⁹ For a rich barge, for a noise of trumpets, and a set of fidlers Very great deal of company come to-day, among others Mr Bellasses,⁸⁰ Sir Thomas Lenthropp, Sir Henry Chichley, Colonel Philip Honiwood, and Captain Titus,⁸¹ the last of whom my Lord showed all our cabbins, and I suppose he is to take notice what room there will be for the King’s entertainment.

8th My letters to-day tell me how it was intended that the King should be proclaimed to-day in London with a great deal of pomp I had also news who they are that are chosen of the Lords and Commons to attend the King And also the whole story of what we did the other day in the fleet, at reading of the King’s declaration, and my name at the bottom of it.

9th Up very early, writing a letter to the King, as from the two Generals of the fleet, in answer to his letter to them, wherein my Lord do give most humble thanks for his gracious letter and declaration, and promises all duty and obedience to him. This letter was carried this morning to Sir Peter Killigrew.⁸² who come hither this morning early to bring an order from the Lords’ House to my Lord, giving him power to write an answer to the King. This morning my Lord St John and other persons of honour were here to see my Lord, and so away to Flushing As we were sitting down to dinner, in comes Noble with a letter from the House of Lords to my Lord, to desire him to provide ships to transport the Commissioners to the King, which are expected here this week. He brought us certain news that the King was proclaimed yesterday with great pomp, and brought down one of the Proclamations, with great joy to us all, for which God be praised. This morning come Mr Saunderson, that writ the story of the King, hither, who is going over to the King.

10th At night, while my Lord was at supper, in comes my Lord Lauderdale⁸³ and Sir John Greenville, who supped here, and so went away after they were gone, my Lord called me into his cabbin, and told me how he was commanded to set sail presently for the King, and was very glad thereof I got him afterwards to sign things in bed.

11th This morning we began to pull down all the State’s arms in the fleet, having first sent to Dover for painters and others to come to set up the King’s There dined here my Lord Crafford⁸⁴ and my Lord Cavendish,⁸⁵ and other Scotchmen whom I afterwards ordered to be received on board the Plymouth, and to go along with us. After dinner we set sail from the Downes In the afternoon overtook as three or four gentlemen two of the Berties, and one Mr Dormerhay,⁸⁶ a Scotch gentleman, who, telling my Lord that they heard the Commissioners were come out of London today, my Lord dropt anchor over against Dover Castle (which give us about thirty guns in passing), and upon a high debate with the Vice and Rear Admiral whether it were safe to go and not stay for the Commissioners, he did resolve to send Sir R Stayner to Dover, to enquire of my Lord Winchelsea,⁸⁷ whether or no they are come out of London, and then to resolve to-morrow morning of going or not Which was done.

12th My Lord give me many orders to make for direction for the ships that are left in the Downes, giving them the greatest charge in the world to bring no passengers with them, when they come after us to Scheveling Bay, excepting Mr Edward Montagu, Mr Thomas Crewe, and Sir H Wright Sir R Stayner told my Lord, that my Lord Winchelsea understands by letters, that the Commissioners are only to come to