PEPYS, Samuel (1633-1703). Diarist.
Document Signed, addressed at the foot to the Clerke of the Cheque of his Majesty's yard at Chatham, 1 page folio, Navy Office 6 January 1671/2. A warrant to enter (register) one hundred extra shipwrights who have been impressed and sent down by John Shish, signed also by Lord Brouncker and Sir Thomas Allin.

'Whareas for the sooner dispatch of the shippes now in docke and them that are to come in their roome his Royall Highness hath directed the Impresting of One hundred Shipwrights. These are to pray and require you to enter One hundred Such Shipwrights as the Master Shipwright of His Ma^ts yard at chatham shall by his notes direct you to enter, or shalbe sent down by Mr John Shish who is impowered to press some here in the River. ...'

On 31 May 1669, convinced that he was damaging his eyesight, Pepys had discontinued his shorthand diary ('which [is] almost as much as to see myself go into my grave') and prepared himself for blindness. His eyesight did in fact improve, although he never resumed the Diary, and the signature of the present document is large and bold, although the ink is slightly faint.
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