Folio 167: Commissioner Sir Richard Beach, Portsmouth. He has discharged the vessels...

Folio 167: Commissioner Sir Richard Beach, Portsmouth. He has discharged the vessels hired to help weigh the St. David. They planned to grave the Cambridge last night, but the stuff caught fire. They did manage to save enough to complete the graving. There is a need to check all the moorings but, unless they can offer pay, there are no men who will do it. They are expecting the Essex, Monck, Yorke and Mordaunt in, and probably the Hampton Court and Salamander from Plymouth. The Ropemakers are working two days in one to increase their production. Asks for a supply of brimstone. Mr. Winter has not yet come so can give no account of his masts. They have only supplied a proportion of the stores the Dutch ships have requested, and have sent the Black Dog and Grey Dog back to Holland as they were rotten. Is sending an account of the stores needed to supply the ships. They need money to pay their debts.