About the middle of this month, my son Peter had order to prepare moulds for a frame of a new ship of 500 tons, to be built by him at Woolwich, and was assigned to have the timber out of Stowood and Shotover in Oxfordshire.
About this time also, Sir Henry Palmer and myself were deeply questioned about making sale of brown paper stuff[556] which we claimed as a perquisite to our places, and by the information of Mr. Edisbury, our fellow officer, to Sir John Coke. The information was presented with a great deal of malice, and his Majesty was made acquainted withal; but it pleased God that their malice took no effect, the King giving us a free discharge, only we repaid the moneys received for the commodity to the Treasurer of the Navy for his Majesty's use.
The 3rd day of September, my son Peter came to Chatham accompanied with Mr. Sheldon[557] and Mr. Francis Terringham, and the next morning we embarked ourselves at the new dock, accompanied also with Mr. Bostock, cousin Joseph, and son Christopher, and all our provisions, and came on board the Henrietta pinnace at Gillingham, where Captain Cooke attended us ready to set sail; from whence with a prosperous gale, the wind at south-west and very fair weather, we came to anchor before Harwich about six of the clock. All our company went on shore to Harwich, where we lodged that night, and the next day from thence took our journey to Woodbridge, where we were joyfully received and entertained by Mistress Cole[558] and her friends. On Sunday following, being the 8th day of September, my son was married to Mistress Cole's daughter in Woodbridge Church after the sermon. On the Thursday after, all my company took leave at Woodbridge and came to our ship riding at Harwich, where we lodged that night, and on Friday morning embarked ourselves and set sail; having the wind fair, we got up as high as Oakham, where we anchored and took boats to St. Mary Creek, where we landed and walked home on foot, giving God thanks for our prosperous voyage and safe return.
The 8th of December, being Sunday, lying at my lodging in Mincing Lane, London, as I was going to church in the forenoon, I was set upon by six sergeants,[559] who arrested me at the suit of my sister Pett,[560] widow to my brother Peter; by whom I was used uncivilly, but after they were told by Sir Henry Palmer they would be called to account for abusing the King's servant they let me go; which turned me afterward to a great trouble and suit in law, to my great charge.
In the month of February were launched the Unicorn at Woolwich, built by Mr. Boate,[561] and the next spring following was launched the James out of Deptford Dock, built there by my nephew, Peter Pett; the King's Majesty being in person present at both places, where I attended his Highness all the time of that business.
The 22nd day of the same month, Sir Henry Palmer[562] and myself were commanded to attend the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, to answer the great information prosecuted against us by the malice of Secretary Coke by intimation of Mr. Edisbury, newly made Surveyor of the Navy, for selling the old brown paper stuff as perquisites of our places; we were not called in till the evening; none but Mr. Fleming[563] and myself appeared, Sir Henry Palmer purposely absenting himself. There were present at [the] council table, Earl Dorset,[564] Sir Henry Vane,[565] Secretary Coke and Secretary Windebank.[566]
Mr. Secretary Coke delivered his Majesty's pleasure, with despiteful aggravation of the fact and the dangerous precedent[567] to others. The conclusion was that his Majesty's command was we should be suspended our places. We were not suffered to make any reply, but dismissed and referred to his Majesty's further pleasure. On the Monday after, I attended to speak to his Majesty so soon as he was ready in his withdrawing chamber, where his Majesty was pleased to call me to him; and before all the lords there present and my professed enemy, Secretary Coke, his Majesty used me very graciously, with large expression and protestation of the continuance of his future favour and continued encouragements; which though Secretary Coke liked not, yet he made great show of his well wishing to me in his Majesty's presence; but notwithstanding all this, I repaid the moneys I had received for my share, being 86 pounds, to the Treasurer of the Navy for his Majesty's use, out of my yearly entertainment.
About the middle of March, my son brought his wife and his mother, with their family, from Woodbridge to my house at Chatham, where they all stayed with us till the 23rd of April following, and then went all to Woolwich, where my son was employed upon the building of his Majesty's ship the Leopard.
The 22nd of June was finished a little ship, being completely rigged and gilded, and placed upon a carriage with wheels[568] resembling the sea; was enclosed in a great case of deals and shipped for London in the Fortune Pink, and was out of her taken into a wherry and carried through bridge to Scotland Yard and from thence to St. James', where it was placed in the long gallery and presented to the Prince, who entertained it with a great deal of joy, being purposely made for him to disport himself withal.
The 26th of June, his Majesty came to Woolwich in his barge to see the frame of the Leopard, then half built; and being in the ship's hold his Highness, calling me aside, privately acquainted me with his princely resolution for the building of a great new ship, which he would have me to undertake, using these words to me:—'You have made many requests to me, and now I will make it my request to you to build this ship,' commanding me to attend his coming to Wanstead[569] where he would further confer with me about it.