The Diary Of John Evelyn Vol-2

1665 JOHN EVELYN

Bennet lately made a Lord) about other business. Dined
at my Lord Chancellor's; none with him but Sir Sackville
Crowe, formerly Ambassador at Constantinople; we were
very cheerful and merry.

24th April, 1665 I presented young Captain Evertzen
(eldest son of Cornelius, Vice-Admiral of Zealand and
nephew of John, now Admiral, a most valiant person) to
his Majesty in his bed-chamber. The King gave him his
hand to kiss, and restored him his liberty; asked many
questions concerning the fight (it being the first blood
drawn), his Majesty remembering the many civilities he
had formerly received from his relations abroad, who had
now so much interest in that considerable Province. Then,
I was commanded to go with him to the Holland Ambas-
sador, where he was to stay for his passport, and I was
to give him fifty pieces in broad gold. Next day I had
the Ambassador's parole for the other Captain, taken in
Captain Allen's fight before Calais. I gave the King an
account of what I had done, and afterward asked the same
favor for another Captain, which his Majesty gave me.

28th April, 1665. I went to Tunbridge, to see a solemn
exercise at the free-school there.

Having taken orders with my marshal about my prison-
ers, and with the doctor and chirurgeon to attend the
wounded enemies, and of our own men, I went to Lon-
don again, and visited my charge, several with legs and
arms off; miserable objects, God knows.

16th May, 1665. To London, to consider of the poor
orphans and widows made by this bloody beginning, and
whose husbands and relations perished in the London
frigate, of which there were fifty widows, and forty-five
of them with child.

26th May, 1665. To treat with the Holland Ambassador
at Chelsea, for release of divers prisoners of war in Hol-
land on exchange here. After dinner, being called into
the Council-Chamber at Whitehall, I gave his Majesty an
account of what I had done, informing him of the vast
charge upon us, now amounting to no less than ^1,000
weekly.

apth May, 1665. I went with my little boy to my dis-
trict in Kent, to make up accounts with my officers.
Visited the Governor at Dover Castle, where were some
of my prisoners,on (the SecretaryRoy le veult, as to public bills,