Diary, May 1660 | Page 5

and voted that all books whatever that are out against the
Government of King, Lords, and Commons, should be brought into the
House and burned. Great joy all yesterday at London, and at night more
bonfires than ever, and ringing of bells, and drinking of the King's
health upon their knees in the streets, which methinks is a little too
much. But every body seems to be very joyfull in the business,

insomuch that our sea- commanders now begin to say so too, which a
week ago they would not do.
["The picture of King Charles II. was often set up in houses, without
the least molestation, whereas a while ago, it was almost a hanging
matter so to do; but now the Rump Parliament was so hated and jeered
at, that the butchers' boys would say, 'Will you buy any Parliament
rumps and kidneys?' And it was a very ordinary thing to see little
children make a fire in the streets, and burn rumps." --Rugge's
Diurnal.--B.]
And our seamen, as many as had money or credit for drink, did do
nothing else this evening. This day came Mr. North (Sir Dudley North's
son) on board, to spend a little time here, which my Lord was a little
troubled at, but he seems to be a fine gentleman, and at night did play
his part exceeding well at first sight. After musique I went up to the
Captain's Cabin with him and Lieutenant Ferrers, who came hither
to-day from London to bring this news to my Lord, and after a bottle of
wine we all to bed.

3d. This morning my Lord showed me the King's declaration and his
letter to the two Generals to be communicated to the fleet.
["King Charles II. his Declaration to all his loving Subjects of the
Kingdome of England, dated from his Court at Breda in Holland 4/14
of April, 1660, and read in Parliament with his Majesties Letter of the
same date to his Excellence the Ld. Gen. Monck to be communicated to
the Ld. President of the Council of State and to the Officers of the
Army under his Command. London, Printed by W. Godbid for John
Playford in the Temple, 1660." 40, pp. 8.]
The contents of the letter are his offer of grace to all that will come in
within forty days, only excepting them that the Parliament shall
hereafter except. That the sales of lands during these troubles, and all
other things, shall be left to the Parliament, by which he will stand. The
letter dated at Breda, April, 4 1660, in the 12th year of his reign. Upon
the receipt of it this morning by an express, Mr. Phillips, one of the
messengers of the Council from General Monk, my Lord summoned a
council of war, and in the mean time did dictate to me how he would
have the vote ordered which he would have pass this council. Which
done, the Commanders all came on board, and the council sat in the

coach (the first council of war that had been in my time), where I read
the letter and declaration; and while they were discoursing upon it, I
seemed to draw up a vote, which being offered, they passed. Not one
man seemed to say no to it, though I am confident many in their hearts
were against it. After this was done, I went up to the quarter-deck with
my Lord and the Commanders, and there read both the papers and the
vote; which done, and demanding their opinion, the seamen did all of
them cry out, "God bless King Charles!" with the greatest joy
imaginable. That being done, Sir R. Stayner, who had invited us
yesterday, took all the Commanders and myself on board him to dinner,
which not being ready, I went with Captain Hayward to the Plimouth
and Essex, and did what I had to do there and returned, where very
merry at dinner. After dinner, to the rest of the ships (staid at the
Assistance to hear the harper a good while) quite through the fleet.
Which was a very brave sight to visit all the ships, and to be received
with the respect and honour that I was on board them all; and much
more to see the great joy that I brought to all men; not one through the
whole fleet showing the least dislike of the business. In the evening as I
was going on board the Vice-Admiral, the General began to fire his
guns, which he did all that he had in the ship, and so did all the rest of
the Commanders, which was very gallant, and to hear the bullets go
hissing over our heads as we were in the boat. This done and finished
my