The Cambridge History of English and American Literature in 18 Volumes (1907–21).
Volume VIII. The Age of Dryden.
§ 11. Pepys on the Naseby
Through Montagu’s influence, he was appointed secretary to the two generals of the fleet (Monck and Montagu). On 30 March, 1660, Montagu and his party went on board the Naseby, the ship in which he had sailed to the Sound, Pepys accompanying him, in the previous year. Things went slowly as well as surely; so the ships remained in the neighbourhood of Deal, and it was not until 3 May that Montagu received the king’s declaration, and a letter to the two generals. He dictated to Pepys the words in which he wished the vote of the fleet in favour of the king to be couched. The captains all came on board the Naseby, and Pepys read the letter and declaration to them; and, while they were discoursing on the subject, he pretended to be drawing up the form of vote, which Montagu had already settled. When the resolution was read, it passed at once; and the seamen cried, “God bless King Charles,” a cry that was echoed by the whole fleet. About the middle of May, the English fleet was off the Dutch coast, and, on the 22nd, the dukes of York and Gloucester came on board the Naseby. Pepys took the opportunity to bespeak the favour of the former, and was overjoyed when the duke called him “Pepys.” This was the beginning of their long friendship.