Diary, February 1667/68 | Page 6

and the Commissioners to-day about the prize
goods, in order to the considering what to do about my Lord Sandwich,
and did conclude to own the thing to them as done by the King's
allowance, and since confirmed. Thence to other discourse, among
others, he mightily commends my Lord Hinchingbroke's match and
Lady, though he buys her L10,000 dear, by the jointure and settlement
his father makes her; and says that the Duke of York and Duchess of
York did come to see them in bed together, on their wedding-night, and
how my Lord had fifty pieces of gold taken out of his pocket that night,
after he was in bed. He tells me that an Act of Comprehension is likely
to pass this Parliament, for admitting of all persuasions in religion to
the public observation of their particular worship, but in certain places,
and the persons therein concerned to be listed of this, or that Church;
which, it is thought, will do them more hurt than good, and make them
not own, their persuasion. He tells me that there is a pardon passed to
the Duke of Buckingham, my Lord of Shrewsbury, and the rest, for the
late duell and murder;
[The royal pardon was thus announced in the "Gazette" of February
24th, 1668: "This day his Majesty was pleased to declare at the Board,
that whereas, in contemplation of the eminent services heretofore done
to his Majesty by most of the persons who were engaged in the late
duel, or rencounter, wherein William Jenkins was killed, he Both
graciously pardon the said offence: nevertheless, He is resolved from
henceforth that on no pretence whatsoever any pardon shall be
hereafter granted to any person whatsoever for killing of any man, in
any duel or rencounter, but that the course of law shall wholly take
place in all such cases." The warrant for a pardon to George, Duke of
Buckingham, is dated January 27th, 1668; and on the following day
was issued, "Warrant for a grant to Francis, Earl of Shrewsbury, of
pardon for killing William Jenkins, and for all duels, assaults, or

batteries on George, Duke of Buckingham, Sir John Talbot, Sir Robert
Holmes, or any other, whether indicted or not for the same, with
restitution of lands, goods, &c." ("Calendar of State Papers," 1667-68,
pp. 192,193).]
which he thinks a worse fault than any ill use my late Lord Chancellor
ever put the Great Seal to, and will be so thought by the Parliament, for
them to be pardoned without bringing them to any trial: and that my
Lord Privy-Seal therefore would not have it pass his hand, but made it
go by immediate warrant; or at least they knew that he would not pass
it, and so did direct it to go by immediate warrant, that it might not
come to him. He tells me what a character my Lord Sandwich hath sent
over of Mr. Godolphin, as the worthiest man, and such a friend to him
as he may be trusted in any thing relating to him in the world; as one
whom, he says, he hath infallible assurances that he will remaine his
friend which is very high, but indeed they say the gentleman is a fine
man. Thence, after eating a lobster for my dinner, having eat nothing
to-day, we broke up, here coming to us Mr. Townsend of the Wardrobe,
who complains of the Commissioners of the Treasury as very severe
against my Lord Sandwich, but not so much as they complain of him
for a fool and a knave, and so I let him alone, and home, carrying Mr.
Moore as far as Fenchurch Street, and I home, and there being vexed in
my mind about my prize businesses I to my chamber, where my wife
and I had much talk of W. Hewer, she telling me that he is mightily
concerned for my not being pleased with him, and is herself mightily
concerned, but I have much reason to blame him for his little assistance
he gives me in my business, not being able to copy out a letter with
sense or true spelling that makes me mad, and indeed he is in that
regard of as little use to me as the boy, which troubles me, and I would
have him know it,--and she will let him know it. By and by to supper,
and so to bed, and slept but ill all night, my mind running like a fool on
my prize business, which according to my reason ought not to trouble
me at all.

6th. Up, and to the office, where all the morning,, and among other
things Sir H. Cholmly comes to me about a little business, and there
tells me how the Parliament, which is to