Thomas Holden at Falmouth to Joseph Williamson, 12 September 1666. Catalogue ref: SP 29 171 f79.
Joseph Williamson (1633-1701) was the Under-Secretary of State 1660-74 and Keeper of the State Papers which he reorganised from 1661-1701. He also started the ‘Oxford Gazette’ at the time of the Great Plague in 1665, which later became established as the ‘London Gazette’.
- Why has Thomas Holden written to Joseph Williamson?
- How does Holden explain the cause of the fire?
- Can you find two other documents in this collection where the same view is shared?
- How would you explain the cause of the fire?
Transcript
Falmouth 12th September 1666
Sir,
I have your letter by this post & now to let you know that all sorts of people in these parts do very much lament the great loss that the city of London in particular hath received in this last fire & also sensible of the loss the whole kingdom will sustain in general. The Lord gives us all hearts to take no time of the threatening & judgment. God hath being pleased to forshame & bring upon this nation to turn from our sin and wickedness, humbly acknowledging & repenting for our sins past & deferring every one of us in our several plans & calling to break down all apparatus of iniquity that the Lord may have mercy upon us & give us health & peace.
There came an order to the vice admiral for the stopping of all Hamburgers in this harbour which was accordingly executed & the sails of two laden with salt, wine and brandy taken down and secured.
Simplified transcript
Falmouth 12th September 1666
Sir,
I have received the post and want to let you know that many people in these parts express their sadness at the great loss that the city of London has received in this recent fire and appreciate the loss it means for the whole kingdom. The Lord hath has seen fit to make this judgement upon this nation to turn us our sin and wickedness. We acknowledge this and ask forgiveness for our past sins as he is looking over us in our future plans and calls us to end injustice and wickedness, that our God may have mercy on us, and give us health and peace.
There came an order to the vice admiral to the stop all Hamburgers [Germans] in this harbour which was accordingly carried out and the sails of two laden with salt, wine and brandy taken down and secured.