fitted and manned; we did not stay long, but to enquire after her
readinesse and thence to Sheernesse, where we walked up and down, laying
out the ground to be taken in for a yard to lay provisions for cleaning
and repairing of ships, and a most proper place it is for the purpose.
Thence with great pleasure up the Meadeway, our yacht contending with
Commissioner Pett's, wherein he met us from Chatham, and he had the best
of it. Here I come by, but had not tide enough to stop at Quinbrough, a
with mighty pleasure spent the day in doing all and seeing these places,
which I had never done before. So to the Hill house at Chatham and there
dined, and after dinner spent some time discoursing of business. Among
others arguing with the Commissioner about his proposing the laying out so
much money upon Sheerenesse, unless it be to the slighting of Chatham
yarde, for it is much a better place than Chatham, which however the King
is not at present in purse to do, though it were to be wished he were.
Thence in Commissioner Pett's coach (leaving them there). I late in the
darke to Gravesend, where great is the plague, and I troubled to stay
there so long for the tide. At 10 at night, having supped, I took boat
alone, and slept well all the way to the Tower docke about three o'clock
in the morning. So knocked up my people, and to bed.

19th. Slept till 8 o'clock, and then up and met with letters from the
King and Lord Arlington, for the removal of our office to Greenwich. I
also wrote letters, and made myself ready to go to Sir G. Carteret, at
Windsor; and having borrowed a horse of Mr. Blackbrough, sent him to wait
for me at the Duke of Albemarle's door: when, on a sudden, a letter comes
to us from the Duke of Albemarle, to tell us that the fleete is all come
back to Solebay, and are presently to be dispatched back again. Whereupon
I presently by water to the Duke of Albemarle to know what news; and there
I saw a letter from my Lord Sandwich to the Duke of Albemarle, and also
from Sir W. Coventry and Captain Teddiman; how my Lord having commanded