them, whatever we pretend. And it seems all our Court are mightily for a
peace, taking this to be the time to make one, while the King hath money,
that he may save something of what the Parliament hath given him to put
him out of debt, so as he may need the help of no more Parliaments, as to
the point of money: but our debt is so great, and expence daily so
encreased, that I believe little of the money will be saved between this
and the making of the peace up. But that which troubles me most is, that
we have chosen a son of Secretary Morris, a boy never used to any
business, to go Embassador [Secretary] to the Embassy, which shows how,
little we are sensible of the weight of the business upon us. God
therefore give a good end to it, for I doubt it, and yet do much more
doubt the issue of our continuing the war, for we are in no wise fit for
it, and yet it troubles me to think what Sir H. Cholmly says, that he
believes they will not give us any reparation for what we have suffered by
the war, nor put us into any better condition than what we were in before
the war, for that will be shamefull for us. Thence parted with him and
home through the dark over the ruins by coach, with my sword drawn, to the
office, where dispatched some business; and so home to my chamber and to
supper and to bed. This morning come up to my wife's bedside, I being up
dressing myself, little Will Mercer to be her Valentine; and brought her
name writ upon blue paper in gold letters, done by himself, very pretty;
and we were both well pleased with it. But I am also this year my wife's
Valentine, and it will cost me L5; but that I must have laid out if we had
not been Valentines. So to bed.

15th. Up and with Sir W. Batten and [Sir] J. Minnes by coach to White
Hall, where we attended upon the Duke of York to complain of the disorders
the other day among the seamen at the Pay at the Ticket Office, and that
it arises from lack of money, and that we desire, unless better provided
for with money, to have nothing more to do with the payment of tickets, it