WHEN LONDON WAS IN PERIL

Evening Star, Issue 20129, 20 March 1929, Page 10

WHEN LONDON WAS IN PERIL

A LETTER TO PEPYS Although, to nso Macaulay's lavouritc expression, every schoolboy knows that during the reign ol Charles J in 1005, a Dutch fleet sailed up the Thames and Londoners suflered the humiliation of hearing loreign gnns ; it is not generally known that the Dutch landed a force of 3,1)00 men, and actually attacked the Landguard fort. Tho details of the incident, written by an eyewitness, Sir Anthony Deane, are given in an article in the ‘ National Review ’ by a descendant and namesake of Sir Anthony. Sir Anthony (then Captain) Deane was a. shipwright and a. subordinate and close iriend ol Samuel Pcpy.s. During the threat of invasion by "the Dutch his despatches, kept by Popys, of the movements of the enemy. Light of these despatches, which are preserved at the Bodleian, .in Oxford, survive. The writing, the absence of punctuation, and the reckless spelling hear evidences of desperate haste. One written at '• about 7 a Clockc in the morning” of June 3 is given in lull, but the spelling and punctuation of the original are amended. The letter runs:

“Honoured Sir, —Yesterday iu the afternoon the Dutch fleet landed about two miles from Lamlguard fort about 3.000 men, and ut the same time nine ships came near the fort and smartly played at the fort. The fort spent little more powder than to annoy them, for they lay round it. After an hour’s dispute with the ships the Dutch army boldly came to the’ fort walls. On their appearance the fort gave them a warm entertainment, which caused them to retreat to tho place they landed at. and left behind them twenty ladders and many arms. One part of the Dutch had made good a way down to the fort, but after’somc time, with the loss of twelve of our men, lhey_ put them also to tho boats. There in a body they continued till dark, and in the night we got from hence -5(10 men, and if they had stayed they had been by this time certainly well beaten. But now they all quitted tho land, and fheir ships fallen down to Oasly Bay. The- fireships of this place was the only cause they dare not bring their ships no further in, yet the winds so favour them that not one of ours could get to windward of them. The harm done, at the fort—one man killed, three wounded, with the governor (whose wound, we hope, of little harm) ; the Dutch about the fort, eight dead and wounded unknown. It is thought they got away the dead along with them, for it was a very hot dispute, and many shot fired. The militia have taken some, hut as yet wc know not the numbers nor what they killed. What they will do further we do not know, but it is believed they will scarcely attempt the’ land here any more—which is all at present from your Honour’s most humble servant at command, Anthony Deane.”

Correspondence with Popys discloses that he would not allow his personal friendship to interfere with his official duty. Concerning an appointment made by Deane with which he was dissatisfied, “J will not dissemble because 1 love you,” writes Pepys. “I am wholly dissatisefid with your proceedings.” After summarising the facts he goes on : “Mr Deane, I do hear you still good respect and (though it may fie you do not now think that worth keeping ),l should bo glad to have reason to continue: it to you. But uixm my word, 1 have not spared to tell the hoard my opinion of you about this business, as you will see shortly by a letter wo have wrote to Commissioner Taylor. Wherein I have been very free concerning you, and shall be more so, if ever I meet with the like occasion. The only kindness i have shown yon in it is that I have not acquainted Sir William Coventry with any part of it, and desire you will give no second occasion of doing it.” The reproof was taken in good part, and at Christmas Deane sent from Harwich as a present to Pepys “ four great turkeys.”