Samuel Pepys and King James II | Warrant signed by both, ordering payment of wages to a ship's crew, 1687

Samuel Pepys and King James II

Document signed by James II at the head ("James R") and Pepys at the foot

warrant to Sir John Tippetts, Sir Richard Haddock, and James Sotherne, as Commissioners of the Navy for the payment of wages to the officers and crew of the Dartmouth on her arrival at Deptford, 'where shee is ordered for that purpose', 1 page, folio, Whitehall, 29 April 1687, backed onto modern paper

HMS Dartmouth was captained by George St Loe. The ship was returning to Britain having abandoned its station in the West Indies after St Loe had quarrelled with a colonial Governor. St Loe had written to Pepys on 2 March 1687 to announce his arrival in the Downs, clearly unaware or heedless of the tighter discipline that followed Pepys second appointment to the Admiralty in 1684. Pepys's brisk reply conveyed the King's displeasure and announced an enquiry into the captain's conduct (printed in Bryant, Pepys, Vol. III, 1938, p. 211). This enquiry was undoubtedly followed by the direct supervision of the Dartmouth that is indicated by this warrant.

PROVENANCE:

Henkels, Philadelphia, 25 April 1933, lot 175