Mr. PEPYS To the Precedent and Governors of CHRIST-HOSPITAL upon the Present State of the said HOSPITAL.  
To the Honoured Sir John Moor, Kt. and Precedent, and the rest of my Honoured Friends, the Governors of CHRIST-HOSPITAL.  
York-Buildings. Monday, Novem. 21. 1698. Gentlemen,  
IN pursuance of a Resolution of his Lordship the present Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen at their last Sitting (our Worthy Precedent Sir John Moor present) in approval of a Proposition of mine on that behalf: I enclose You Copies of two Papers of mine lately wrote, and for their readier Use prepared as these are, and directed to the several Members of that Court; relating to what has passed between the late Lord Mayor, the said Court, and Myself, upon the present State of this Hospital.  
And this I do; as well for your Information in all my Proceed in this Matter, and satisfaction in the Regard shown therein to the Honour, no less than Service of this House (notwithstanding what has been so injuriously averred in it to the contrary) as for inlight'ning at once your whole Body, in the Truth, and Moment of the Particulars in present Debate concerning it.  
In order whereto, and for that the Court of Aldermen have not yet thought fit to allow of my repeated Suit to Them, for their disburthening me of the Charge I still lie under from them, as your Fellow-Servant. I do (as such) tender it as my earnest and humble Advice to you, that these Papers may not, like others of mine of equal Import, be taken-up, and the knowledge of them suppressed, to the (I fear) irreparable Wrong of this House: But, if it may stand with your good liking, communicated to a General Court specially called on that behalf. For as much as, that being done, I shall not doubt a much happier Issue of your Deliberations thereon, than can attend any longer want of it: Besides the preventing what I should otherwise be most unwillingly driven to, of supplying the ineffectuallness of these Papers thus addressed to You in a Body, by a several One to be transmitted to every Member of it. Which I cannot but think my Duty to see done; while standing all of us equally interested in the knowing, and accountable for the due improving thereof, to the Benefit of the Poor, and satisfaction of Those we stand intrusted-by for Them.  
Which praying your taking in good part from me, as the last Occasion, I hope, ever to have of ask it on these Terms; I do with most sincere Respect remain,  
Honoured Gentlemen, Your faithful and obedient Servant, S. Pepys.   

At a General Court holden in Christs-Hospital. the 21th. day of Novem. 1698.  
UPon reading a Letter with some printed Papers from Samuel Pepys, Esq; which were all enclosed in a Cover, and directed to the Precedent, and Governors of this Hospital, assembled in Court this 21th of November 1698. It was by this Court ordered, that a General Court shall be summoned to meet on Friday next in the Afternoon, particularly for consideration of these Papers; And Major Aungier is desired to attend Mr. Pepys, and acquaint him with the meeting of the Court next Friday. and request the favour of his presence, and to let him know, that if he doth not think that a convenient Day, than to desire him to appoint some other short Day, as may best suit with his occasions; and come provided with the particulars of his charge against this Hospital.  
William Parrey.   


To the Precedent and Governors of CHRIST-HOSPITAL assembled in Court, this 25th. of November 1698.  
York-Buildings, Friday, Novemb. 25th. 1698. Gentlemen,  
I Truly meant what I said, when in Apology for the trouble of mine of the 21th. instant, I bespoke your Pardon; as for the Last I then thought myself ever likely to have occasion of ask it from you on that Subject. But your Commands of the same Date, since brought me by one of your own Number, notifying your Concurrence with me, in assigning this day for holding a special Court upon the Papers I then presented you with; require my appearing to you once more, not with an Approval only, but with my most serious Thanks for what you have therein done; in confidence of its having the good Effects I then bespoke to this unhappy House from it.  
But having said this; there are two Particulars you at the same time demand of me, which for the sake of such Gentlemen (and those only) as the Extraordinaryness of the Summons may possibly draw hither, beyond what the common Businesses of the House either are, or can reasonably expect to be attended by; you have made it necessary for me, in right both to them and my self, to give you a more particular Return to, viz. your bespeaking my Personal Attendance at Your present Meeting, and the bringing with me the Particulars of my Charge against this Hospital.  
As to the Former whereof; it might possibly be deemed too much for me, here to anticipate the Satisfaction I have largely provided for these very Gentlemen on this Head, out of Your own Books, in that Report of mine, which has lain from more than eight Months since, in the Hands of Your late Lord Mayor, and is now remaining with his honourable Successor in the Court of Aldermen. From a Committee of whom, having lately had the Honour of a double Visit, upon the Subject thereof; I assure myself of your soon receiving from that Court, full Satisfaction in the Truth of what I here assert.  
In the mean time nevertheless, I shall crave leave to observe to these Gentlemen, that the Evils being all now actually falling on Us, which I so long ago foretold, and most painfully laboured to prevent; None, I presume, will wonder, if I forbear unnecessarily to bring myself within the Reach of a Ruin, I then in Writing advised you of the Reasons of my Withdrawing from; but will (may I pre-judge of any thing) see occasion, sooner to lament their own, than censure my Proceeding herein. Especially, when in the Public Inquisitions which this Matter must inevitably draw on Us, they shall find themselves, from the very Register of their Attendances, made accountable for the Obliquities of our Courts and Committees, even in those very Transactions, wherein themselves possibly were wholly passive, if not open Opposers: And this also most to be apprehended, from the very Men they were so overborne by, therein. For such was my Observation in my own Case, in more than a few Instances (still to be recurred to) before, for Self-security, I was forced to let fall the Personal Duty I had for seven Years had the honour of paying to this House; and not (I thank God) without some Marks still extant of the Fruits of it.  
But for the Other, relating to the Particulars you ask-for, of my Charge against this Hospital. I do not know, that in any thing I have hitherto said or done in this Cause, I have so demeaned myself; as to deserve being treated as your Accuser. Forasmuch, as had that been in my Eye, I should not have chosen either this Style or this Place for the exeeuting it in.  
But if there be any of our Number, whose Managements of their Trusts have been such, as will not endure a plain and impartial State of our Condition to be laid either before the House itself, or those to whom it stands immediately accountable for it (and that is all I have hitherto pretended to) without giving it the envious Brand of a Charge against them. I must not then disown my being indeed their Accuser: But in lieu of the former Difficulty, declare myself yet so much the more surprised, how they should come now to own the want of a Charge from me, whose every Paper, from the day of my Withdrawing from them to this, has been little other. A Truth that will but too soon become necessary to be shown them.  
But forasmuch as I have reason to believe this Demand to be owing only to the Vneasinesses it has been my Misfortune to occasion somewhere, by my late Inquiries into these Managements, and from my Endeavours to apprise this Court of the true Effects thereof, upon the miserable Infants we stand here accountable to Almighty God for. I shall take leave to put them in mind, of what was (at their own instance) laid before them from me on this Subject, now near twelve Months since. Whereof, lest it may have been the Fate of That also, to miss your View, as it has been Another's of a later Date: I am prepared for supplying you with such a Copy of it, as these Gentlemen will least question the Truth of, when they find it transcribed all with the Treasurer's own Hand, and attested by the Clerks of most present Credit with them, Mr. Reeve, Mr. Plumb, and Mr. Yeo. And if this Paper, with what it contains of the present State of this House, must be taken for a Charge against them; I am not surprised at their Disquiet under it: As knowing how much I should myself be grieved, to have that asserted to me of any One other Foundation of Charity in England, which is there said by me of this; without having to this Hour received from them one Word of Exception to it, though invited thereto, with an offer on my part, of exposing to them, from their own Books and Registers, the Grounds of every Article in it.  
And if this be the Case in this Instance; how much less will there appear of Reason for their calling on me for the Particulars of a Charge, when I shall yet refer them to my foremention'd Report (whereof this is but the Contents of one Part only) which was by me lodged with Sir Humphrey Edwin your late Lord Mayor, and directed to you so many Months since, with his then Undertaking for its speedy Delivery and public Enquiry into; and yet but now newly discovered, and taken into the Custody of his honourable Successor and the Court of Aldermen; for the Good, I hope, (as late as it is) of those for whose sake I provided it?  
In order to which, having thus said what I think needful and my Duty to do, in Return to this your Order; I shall (as One not yet free from my Obligation to this Place) take the liberty of giving it you as my most humble Advice, That this Court would (in the most satisfactory manner it may) apply itself to the Court of Aldermen for the Original or Duplicate of that Report. As that without which (in the Hands you at present are) I see not how possibly you will ever arrive at a true Knowledge of the wretchedness of your Condition, even in the single Point of your Revenue; which is the sole Subject of it. Besides what I have elsewhere noted, relating to the Moral Part: To which (at least in the Reproachfulness of it) you will, I fear, find that to bear no other Proportion, than the Deficiency of Light at a Gloomy Noon, does to that of the darkest Midnight.  
Nor can I permit myself to let pass unobserved to you on this occasion, what I have lately understood, touching the Difference now newly raised between the Court of Aldermen and this House, upon the General Point of Subordinacy, and particularly in that of Accounting.  
Concerning the former of which; let me beg you, as One whose Searches, in this your Service, have made him more than ordinarily conversant in the History of your Hospital; not to be misled to an Opinion contradictory to the Tenor of your own Books, and the Practice of your Predecessors, through all the Marks of Subjection incident to such a Relation. And this from the very first day of our Institution; confirmed by our having at this hour no other Title to the Trust we ourselves are now exercising in this Place, than our Election and Appointment thereto from that Court.  
And for the latter, touchiug our Accounting to them; I beseech You to consider, Who it is, we would be thought to own Ourselves accountable to, if not to those we are entrusted by? Or, Would we give the World ground to think; that while we stand answerable for our being able to convince all Gainsayers in the Matters of our Faith; and answer every Demand touching the Reason of our Hope; we would be exempt from an Accountableness to any body, for our Managements of Charity, that's Greater than Either of them?  
True it is; That for the Difficulty made by Your Treasurer and his Accountant in their Compliance with the late Orders of that Court, for their Signing and remitting thither under their Hands, the Accounts formerly sent them unsigned: There may be more Reason for it, than either Yourselves are permitted to know, or that Court can yet conceive; as being (I affirm to You) in no wise to be justified, when Signed. But as their Demand herein seems no otherwise restrained to these Accounts, than as they came to them Vnattested; nor Ourselves to be thought, at this time of day, unprovided for rendering them full Satisfaction in this Particular, after little less than two Years Notice given your Auditors, by the Treasurer's Resignation of his Office, of a Thorough-State necessarily to be adjusted of his Accounts, in order to Your Election of a Successor: Towards which nevertheless, I hear not of One Struck yet struck in November 1698, for so much as the Account of the Year 1697. So must that Gentleman be very little acquainted with the Practice of this House▪ who knows not how much it has in all Ages, not only been subject to the Demands of the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen in this Particular; but have Themselves made use of it in their Distresses, as their surest and indeed only Resort for their Supplies; I mean by their Applications to that Court, with their Accounts showing the Reasons of those Distresses. Besides that it is not only They, from whom alone (as before) we derive these our Trusts; but They also, who stand accountable to the Body Corporate of the City, as That also doth by solemn Covenants to the King, for our well-discharging the same.  
Be pleased then to think of putting a speedy End to this Dispute, that must otherwise prove destructive of the very Foundation we are concerned for.  
Nor let what is here offered You, lose any of its Force, for the sake of him that offers it. As being One, too well acquainted with other Subjects, more worthy his sacrificing so much of the little Residue of his Time and private Study to, than this before us: Were it not, that he would be glad, to convert some part of the Leisure God Almighty has been pleased to bless the Evening of his Life with, to a Good so publicly meritorious, as he takes This to be: and is therefore grieved to find Marks of Hardship placed by you upon those of your Servants, who can but be suspected of having given any Assistance towards it; and that most of all on him, from whom of the whole number of your Clerks I have received the least (as you may shortly have occasion to see) though from None of them more, than by their Duty and special Order of Court they were obliged to; nor yet All that when put together, near so much in the moment of it, as from the Treasurer himself and his Accountant, now lying by me under their Hands.  
But when the Management of Public Charities shall become a Business of Mystery; it will be time for Good men to think of being their own Almoners. And I pray God, it prove not our Misfortune, to set the first Copy towards it; there seeming nothing left within my Vein (should this my last Attempt with both Bodies, the Court of Aldermen I mean, and This, together fail) but a Royal Visitation to prevent it.  
With which; I do with the deepest Respect take my final leave of this sort of Intercourse between you and me on this Occasion; remaining,  
Honoured Gentlemen, Your most faithful and obedient Servant, S. Pepys.   

A COPY of Mr. Pepies forementioned Representation sent to CHRIST-HOSPITAL near 12. Months since.  
To the Honoured Sir John Moor, Kt. and Precedent, and the rest of my Honoured Friends, the Governors of CHRIST-HOSPITAL, assembled in Court this 17. of Decem. 1697.  
York-Buildings Decem. 17th, 1697. Gentlemen,  
I Have received the Notice ordered me from your last Court of the 10th. instant, touching the Respite then put to your Election of a new Treasurer, upon the Want, (as it would seem) of my expected Report of the State of your House.  
In answer whereto, and that the Consequences (if any) of that Delay, may not rest upon this supposed Failure of mine; be pleased to be reminded of your being expressly advertised of the readiness of that Report, by a Worthy Member of your Body, at a very full Court, upon the 28th. of September last, now near three Months since; without the least intimation given me, either then or since, of your desiring it from me, but rather the contrary, to this day.  
Nor durst I, unasked, take upon me the exposing of it; nor shall even now, of more than may be useful to the special Purpose for which you now demand it, relating to the Treasurer. And I pray God, the bringing even this, all at once, to a Public Court, may be followed with no inconvenience. But You have required it, and I obey; praying You to accept of what I have here with all respect to offer You thereon, in these few and succinct Propositions.  
1st.— That by the first General Audit, after your present Treasurer's Accession to his Office in 1683. (for I think it enough on my part, and no more than so on yours, that I go so far back in my Retrospection) he became charged with a Ballauce in Cash of 3300 l.  
2ly.— That upon a strict Collating of the Net Receipts of each Year, from that time to the Close of the Year 1696, or according to the peculiar Style of this House, to Midsummer 1697. I find to have been Received and Expended of the Stock of the Poor within this House (that Balance included) above 175000 l.  
3ly.— That neither, of this Sum, nor of any Part of it, nor of the State of your Revenue in general; has there ever been any one Representation made to, or Cognizance had of it by the Lord Mayor and Body Corporate of the City (the Only Governors of the Hospital-Revenues) though peculiarly Charged with an Accountableness for our Managements of the same, to the best Benefit of the Poor; But so much the contrary, that I find not one Account thereof to have been ever reported even to Yourselves, from your Committee of Auditors; much less controlled, approved, and confirmed by You in Court (as all Acts of Committees, especially in Fundamentals like this, aught to be) to this day.  
4ly.— That it doth not appear to me, either from your Books, or my best informations from your Clerks and Accomptants, that any Share of the Controlling and Auditing-Part of your said Accounts, is regularly Executed, by a Quorum of that Committee duly summoned thereto, saving the last Act of it only, I mean, the Signing of it de bene esse, after being ingross'd. Which (and that alone) appears indeed to have a solemn Day and Entertainment assigned for it, at the Charge of the Hospital.  
5ly.— That in consequence of this, and of the general Order of those your Accounts, I have not found any one Year's so digested, as that by it alone, a sincere and strict Enquirer could be either fully or truly apprised of the General State of the House's Revenue; or so, as to be able, though possibly true, to satisfy himself in its being so.  
6ly.— That as one Evidence only of this last Truth; You may be pleased with very little difficulty, to inform Yourselves, that in as ill a Condition as this House is on all hands known to be; there is not any one Year (as far as my strictest inspections can enlighten me) wherein Your General Account thereof so audited, has not declared You Masters both of a Remain of Cash and Balance in Stock, frequently to above 10. sometimes 11. and 12. and one Year with another to above 8000 l. (all Debts provided for) from the very first Entrance of this Gentleman upon his Treasurership, to this Day.  
7ly.— That notwithstanding the 175000l. received as before; with the continued Representations of our being always thus amply in Stock; We have at this day, not only Complaints hourly showered on Us, as well of our Wants at Home, as the Distresses of our Nurses and Children Abroad; but (as far as your own Books may in any wise be rely'd-on) stand indebted at this very hour, to the Wills of our Dead, and Appointments of our Living Benefactors, and to others our Creditors (beyond all We have in View towards discharging the same) to the Value, with the Interest upon both, of above 35000l.  
8ly.— That as surprising as this may appear at its first Opening to this Court; I am well convinced, that it will not do so, to any who shall apply themselves with the same Attention I have done, to the noting and considering all those unnecessary, unprecedented, wasteful and Arbitrary Methods, to be found in the Management of Our Expenses, wholly inconsistent both with the Orders and Ends of our Pious Benefactors.  
9ly.— That of this Debt of 35000 l. there rests no less than 19500 l. specially owing to the Royal Foundation; and of that, above 1300 l. unlay'd-out, of the Sums annually received by Us of the King's Bounty out of the Exchequer, for putting forth his Children to the Seas; notwithstanding what you were the last Year misled, to the asserting and imposing on the Lords of the Treasury upon that Subject, to the contrary. And this; without any one End of the whole Institution answered, or likely to be, under our present Managements; Or any one Year lately passed, wherein our Printed Reports thereof will bear Examination; any more than the present Year is likely to produce One Child of its whole Number, either duly Sent Abroad, or qualified for it as he ought to be; While the Season too is so near at hand, when Our Performances therein should entitle Us to another Year's Payment.  
10ly.— Lastly, That besides this Debt of 35000 l. thus lying on Us; We labour under a further Annual Charge amounting (by the Medium of Our last Seven Years Expenses) to above 14600 l. per. Ann. And this; without Aught in present View, towards either Clearing the One, or Supporting the Other, but a Revenue We ourselves published but at Easter last in Print, to be little more than a Moiety of our Necessary and unavoidable Charge.  
Which deing so; and for the better applying the same to the Oceasion for which you now call for it; it remains only, that I subjoin thereto these Three Short Reflections.  
1st.— That before the Address, (which I presume) will be of Course on this Occasion made, to the Lord Mayor and City, for their Concurrence to the Discharge of the present, and Admission of another Treasurer; it seems indispenceable on our Parts, that they be throughly apprised of the contents of this Paper; in order to their considering, what may be expedient to be first done for their own needful Security therein. And this the rather; for that, whatever they may think fit to do with respect to any other Article of it; I hold myself bound to tell you, that the Interest which myself in particular bear, in all that concerns the Mathematic Foundation (with regard no less to the Glorious End of it, in the Advancement of the Navigation of England, than my own special Misfortune, in contributing what I did, to the unhappy Choice made by my Royal Masters its Founders, of the Place they lodged the Trust of it in) will oblige me, as a standing Piece of Duty to the Crown, to insist upon a strict Account to be given, of so unexampled a Miscarriage, as that of this their Foundation, not yet 25. Year-old, yet every Penny of its Endowment already spent, and the Support of it thrown upon, and at this day wholly born, out of the Common Stock of of our otherwise sufficiently wretched Orphans, who have no relation to it. While at the same time, no single Instance is to be shown, of the End of its Institution answered, within the whole time of our present Retrospection.  
2ly.— That if in this Paper ought appears, whereto either the Treasurer, or any other Member of this Society, shall see reason to except; and exhibiting the same to this Court, shall have it communicated thence to me with their Approval; I shall most readily, from Your own Books and Registers, expose to you the Grounds of what I have asserted herein; as One, who am not conscious (though yet fallible) of any one single Prevarication from, or Aggravation of the Truth, in what I have here offered You.  
3ly.— Finally, That as unhappy as by this my Draught of it, the State of your House must necessarily be thought to be, with respect to its Revenue, Charge and Debt. I cannot but in faithfulness thereto further tell you, that it is yet the very best Side of the Prospect I have to give You of its Condition, in the other Parts of my Report. And that therefore I shall not dare to trust either my self or this Court, with the immediate Exposing of it, though Originally designed for You; as deeming it on many Considerations, more becoming me, and more behooveful to the Service of the House and its Poor; that I rather deliver it into the Hands, and submit it to the Disposal of Those, who as standing primarily accountable for Our Managements to the King, are entitled to our aceounting for the same first to Them: I mean, my Lord Mayor and the forementioned Body of the City; from whom alone, or in their Failure from a Royal Visitation, the same (if ever) must receive its Remedy.  
I am, gentlemans, Your most humble and faithful Servant, S. Pepys.    

The Summons to the forementioned Court at Christ-Hospital.  
SIR,  
YOur Worship is earnestly desired to be present at a Court to be holden in Christ-Hospital upon Friday next, being the 25th of this instant November, at 3 a Clock in the Afternoon precisely; for the due considering two Printed Papers lately presented by Mr. Pepys to the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen, and to the Court held at this House the 21st instant, Upon the present state of Christ-Hospital.  
William Parrey, Clerk. Christ-Hospital 24 Nou. 1698.   

To the Right Honourable Sir Francis Child Lord Mayor, and the Court of Aldermen.  
[Accompanying Copies of the preceding Papers.]  
York-Buildings, Tuesday, Dec. 6th. 1698. My Lord and Gentlemen,  
AS fully as I had determined against interrupting this Court or myself, with the Interchange of more Papers; I hold myself accountable to you for the Issue of your late Allowance of my communicating those I last sent you, to the Gentlemen of Christ-Hospital. Which I did; to the procuring the Call of an Extraordinary Court, for the Consideration of the same. Duplicates of which Transaction, with a Copy of the Summons itself provided thereto, I think it for your Service to lay before you; together with the Issue of the Whole, which you may please to take as follows.— Viz.  
1st.— The Number present at this Court of its near four Hundred Governors was Fifty six. Which, though short of what I have known attending the Choice of a Beadle, a Porter, or such only Occasion; was yet double the Appearance seen at Ordinary Courts.  
2ly,— As full nevertheless as it was, no Part of the Work it was specially called for, was either done, or had any Entry made towards it: the Papers themselves, in the full three Hours of its sitting, not having had so much as a Reading-Time allowed them, nor any other assigned for the doing it.  
3ly.— The Matter mainly handled therein, was that of their Treasurer's being required by this Court to Sign his Accounts, and present them back thereto, when Signed. In which I had the good Fortune of offering these Gentlemen, together with the forementioned Papers, some Thoughts of mine upon the Deference due to You, both from that and every other Hospital; so as to obtain the Reversal of their former Resolution in opposing it. But not till by the length of the Contest, their Fifty six were reduced to Twenty nine; and not then neither, upon a Division, by any greater Majority than of Three. And this too in the Case of an Account▪ wherein not their own Orders any more than yours, have 

Mr. PEPYS, upon the State of Christ-Hospital.  
Paper III.   been of force with either Accountant or Auditors, in more than two years, to produce any Compliance, or (for aught I can yet hear or see) any Preparation, Disposition, or even Capacity towards it.  
What rests there then for me to say, either to you, My Lord and Gentlemen, or Myself in this Cause; more than the recommending it to you, as I most earnestly therefore do? Either instantly to exert the Authority thus asserted by me in your Right, and since submitted to my honoured Friend Sir Robert Clayton, and your learned Council, with the Grounds of my doing so: to the end both you and I may have the Satisfaction of foreseeing some Effect of what we are now doing, towards the Remedying no less than Ascertaining the Evils we are in pursuit of, on behalf of our Orphans. Or leave me to the Method I have heretofore communicated by purpose to you of resorting to, by a Royal Visitation. Which from the Proof I lately gave you of it, in the Case of St. Catharines'; We are well assured, both can and will make itself equally effectual, to them and Us, in Both. I am  
My Lord and Gentlemen, Your most faithful and most obedient Servant, S. Pepys.   

Mr. PEPYS To the Precedent, and Governors of CHRIST-HOSPITAL upon the Present State of the said HOSPITAL.  
To the Honoured Sir John Moor, Kt. and Precedent, and the rest of my Honoured Friends, the Governors of CHRIST-HOSPITAL.  
York-Buildings. January 25th. 1698/9. Gentlemen,  
LET not (I beg you) my Appearance here yet once more as I now do, be imputed to any Satisfaction I have in the uneasiness of this Court, whose Honourer I truly am; nor yet to the Want of wherewith otherwise to employ every Hour of my Life, more to my own Content; but to the Sincerity of that Concernment for the Prosperity of this House, which I shall always bear about me, while They at lest who first called me to it (My Lord Mayor, I mean, and Court of Aldermen) shall think fit to suspend the Delivering me of the Share I yet hold, as their Servant, in the Charge of it. A Favour I have been long their Suitor for, and should thankfully acknowledge any Assistance from this Court towards it.  
Not that it is my Purpose to trouble You with aught I have at any time already laid before You: But what alone You have Yourselves been pleased to administer fresh Subject to me for, since the Date of my last. And particularly,  
1st.— In the unconcernedness wherewith this Court is still pleased (after all I have been able to inculcate concerning it) to overlook the making-up of your Public States and Lists of the Children of the Royal Foundation, annually required from You by the King, and expressly calculated for the Service of the Crown. Whereof not One has now for some Years past, been composed with the Integrity becoming the Dispenser's of so Sacred and Princely a Charity. Nor of them all; any One so little justifyable, as that which was last delivered as Your New-Years-Gift into the King's Own Hand by Your Treasurer's, in the Name not only of the Precedent and Body of us the Governors of this Hospital, but of the Lord Mayor also of this City, the First Trustee of the Crown for that Foundation.  
Which how far his Lordship or this Court shall think fit to sit-downwith, I ask not; but hold it my Duty to make (as I hereby do) my own most solemn Protest against it; as against a Paper, neither sincere, nor true; but (as such) most injurious to the Honour both of Hospital and City.  
2ly.— In your arraigning the Credit of your own Deal (beyond all that could be offered to it from without Doors) in the Public Review lately had by Your Order, of that One Chapter of Your Treasurer's Account which specially relates to that Foundation. An Account, that after a Demand of more than two Years standing, and as long a Preparation, has been once actually laid (as from this House) before the Court of Lord Mayor and Aldermen; with Copies of it gone abroad, and one of them now in my Hand. And this Review executed, not by the Body of Your Auditors, nor yet of those of them whose Hands lie originally at Stake for the Truth of it; But by a Junto of the Treasurer's single Appointment: of whom the Greater Part such, as appear not to have assisted at any One Audit, within the whole Time of his Treasurership; nor now disposed (for aught I hear) to assert under their Hands the Truth of what they have been so doing, and are this day designed to give You their Report of. A Proceeding most hazardous, if not of certain injury to the Honour of this Place; by adding to the Difficulty of justifying this Double Account, even where they agree; the yet greater of reconciling them, in what they differ.  
Which being the Case; the most effectual Proof I can hope to give You of my Solicitousness for the Credit of this Court, against the Inquiries of a yet Higher Form to be expected into this and every other Article of your Treasurer's Accounts; where not his Hand only (as now) but his Oath also and his Accomptant's will be held little enough to gain them Admission: is the directing you to the Worthy Members of this Body, whose singular Applications to, and long Inspection into the Business of your Compting-House, do especially entitle them to the Charge of seeing Right done both to Themselves, to you, and to the Poor therein,- viz. 

Sir Mat. Andrews.  
Sir Will. Russel.  
Mr. Stroud.  
Sir Edm. Turner.  
Mr. Lockington.  
Mr. Foster.   Who having, among them, been at the Audit of, and warranted by their Signing, every Account (from first to last) of the present Treasurer; have therein done more than any like Number, or even the whole remaining Ninety of your Committee of Auditors.  
Nor, for the same reason, ought I to neglect the noting to you the no less Worthy Gentlemen, to whose eight months' Labour, and special Influence, signalised at your late Select Committee for the State of your House, You stand most indebted; and for the advantageous Report they are pleased at this very day to entertain the World with, of it— viz. 

Mr. Midgley.  
Mr. St-Amand.  
Doctor Carr.  
Mr. Lane.  
Mr. Boddington.  
Mr. Mallory.   Upon whom also I do myself chief rely, for the Convictions promised me, of the Errors of my own less grateful Computations touching the same: When (by the Delivery of this Account of Yours to the Court of Aldermen) You shall become possessed of that Report of mine lying with them, by which you will be admitted to such a View of our Wretchedness, as was never yet exposed to, nor is (I fear) ever likely to be otherwise comeat, by this Court.  
On which Score, and that no Time may be lost in your Arrival thereat; let me once more beg Your hastening the Removal of the Impediment given thereto, by your Refusal of this Account to that Court: In contradiction to the most mature Resolution taken by One of your own, summoned in the most solemn Manner, and on the most solemn Occasion; that the Business or Trust of this House is capable of; and owing only to the Presumption of a Private One, not yet confirmed by any other; and so rendering the whole Transaction of this Committee entirely Extra-judicial; and as such, by a Worthy Member of this Body most justly and publicly protested-against.  
Besides; that till the matter of our Revenue (the sole Subject of that Report) receive a Decision; it seems too soon to proceed to what I have yet behind, upon the so-often-mentioned Article of the Moral State of this Hospital: As thinking it of little Use, and less Satisfaction, to be offering more Matter for Grief and Reproach from the Pollution of its Manners; till better assured of wherewith to support them, when (by being bettered) they shall be brought to deserve it.  
Which no Man (I fear) will think they now do▪ that is privy (as I am) to the Universal Looseness of them, both in Kind and Degree, beyond what is almost conceivable from a Nursery consecrated to Uses so pious, and to the Benefit of Objects so little to be suspected susceptible of the very thoughts of them.  
A Truth too extensive to be here enter'd-on, even were it now a Time for it. Let it only suffice, as an Instance of what I shall then have but too long and ungrateful a deduction to give you of; that I recommend to your present Enquiry, the prostituted Use made of the Public Access allowed to your Child's Devotions in the Hall and the adjacent Rooms on Sunday-Evenings; and particularly the Riot committed by their lewd Visiters in the Girls Ward, but on Sunday last. I say, the Girls Ward; where (as  as I take the Whole of our present Discipline to be) nothing appears more abandoned, than that Order and Modesty which, till now, has been ever held Sacred in that Place; whatever might haply be found less justifyable elsewhere.  
And This; notwithstanding the Infamy laid (but few Evenings before) at your own Door, by a Coach conducted by the Mob, charged with two of your Mathematical Boys, distinguished by the Badge of their Royal Founder, taken-up at Billingsgate, brought through the City, delivered to you (as before) Dead-Drunk, and by their Fellows discharged (insensible) into their Ward. Their Ward I say; wherein, as in the former, Excesses of the same Kind, though not in the same Measure, are (God knows) but too familiar: And particularly with Him of these Two, who being now Head of the School, and Leader in this Fact, is One, who after having enjoyed for near nine Years together, the Benefit of this House's Charity, and spent twice the Time originally established for his Stay in that School; was but lately rejected at the Trinity-House, as not yet qualified for the End of his so chargeable Education. And who being also arrived to the full Age limited for it by the King; it seems worthy your Considering, what it is you have now to expect from One, whom Debauchery has carried out of the reach of Command, before either his Learning or your Discipline has fitted him, for knowing how to Obey.  
Let me only, on this Occasion, take leave to lament a little more nearly, the unhappy Conduct of this House: By which it seems at this day brought under the greatest Weight of Reproach, from that alone, which was Originally calculated for, and accordingly received, as its greatest Honour and the largest Instance of Royal Beneficence, that was ever at once conferred on a House of Charity: I mean, this Mathematic Foundation.  
The Thoughts of which compel me so far at least to resume the mention of the Account relating to it; as once again to recommend it to this Court, that no more Impostors on his Majesty be adventur'd-on, by Applications to his Treasury for further Payments on that Score; till We shall have first discharged ourselves of the Debt I so long since noted to You thereon, without aught ever yet returned me in Solution of it.  
3ly.— In the little Regard had, after near two Years passed since the Treasurer's Resignation of his Office and Your accepting it, to the forwarding the Adjustments of his Accounts necessary to the Execution of it: We being now entering into 1699, without any Audit closed, much less engrossed and sign'd-to for the Year 1697.  
Besides that (by all I can yet learn of what is done towards it) Your Receipts for that Year have exceeded those of the Year preceding; as amounting to full 12000 l.: Without a Farthing of it yet applied to the lessening either Your 13000 l. Debt to Benefactors for Purchases, or the 20000 l. I make You accountable-for to the King on his Foundation. Nor yet above 200 l. Discharged of the 8400 l. lately owing for Principal Money taken-up at Interest; nor more than 100 and odd Pounds given-in for your Remainder in Cash. While at the same time I have it to observe to you; that in consequence of the Importunities you have heretofore suffered from me, for the discontinuing your so frequent and almost unlimited Admissions of Children (as the only certain Expedient I could then, or can yet propose for rescuing Us from Ruin) their Number is from 1030. lowered to 430; and consequently, your Charge diminished (through the successive Abatements of about 120 Yearly, between Easter 1694. and that now approaching 1699) by 600. Children: And the Save therefrom (of what, had the contrary Practice continued, your Expense must have amounted to) fallen little short of 15000 l; and the Condition also of your Purse, some way or other, been as much bettered. Whereas, if what has been above-informed me be true (which God forbidden, and yet I dare not disbelieve) This also is gone; and the Hospital rests in the same Degree of Distress it was in, when thought nearest being undone.  
And this too; without One Penny of our Charge retrenched, either in the Number or Expense of our Officers, from what it was when the Number of our Children was more by Three Fifths than they now are: But so much the Contrary, as to have the Charge of Officers said to be now Greater, by several Hundreds of Pounds, under our present 430 Children; than it was in the Years 1660 and 1661. with above 1100.  
For God▪ s sake therefore, Gentlemen, let us from these Effects be incited, instantly and closely to Consider in what Hands the Treasure and Stock of our Poor now lie. Hands, that (in one Word) need no other Evidence of their Vnsitness for the Trust; than the Public Reluctancy they are not ashamed to show, to every thing that but Looks like bringing them to an Account.  
Besides the Consideration, of how much more to be Lamented any Miscarriage would be, and less to be Excused, that should attend the Neglect of it, in case of any unexpected Change in the Person of our Treasurer; whose known Age will alone justify my Apprehension of it, even without the Help of that Declaration which Himself two Tears since thought fit spontaneously to make in open Court, of his Disability (even then) both in Body and Mind, for longer executing his Office; and therefore resigning it had it accepted of by you.  
4thly,— In the Liberty taken by some Gentlemen, not of the lowest Name in the Management of this House; of arraigning in Common Conversation as well as singly to myself, these Enquiries of mine on behalf of our Orphans; as tending at least (if not designed) to the wresting the Government of it out of their Hands, who valuing themselves upon the Title of Churches-of-england-man, seem impatient under the Apprehension of being supplanted in it by the fanatics. A Thought (God knows) of too little Weight with me, for Fither's sake, to trouble my Head with: As well knowing, how little the Felicity of Mankind has at any time been owing to Nominal Distinctions in Religion; and no less remembering, how little the Bishop of Jerusalem, St. James, could be thought ignorant of that best of Names (of Christian, I mean) when to ascertain the Religion intended by him under his Epithets of Pure and Undefiled, he waved the Use of either that or any other; and rather chose to distinguish it, by the Moral Lessons, of Visiting the Fatherless and the Widow in their Afflictions, and living unspotted of the World: Lessons read to Mankind, long before the Name of Christian or of its Holy Founder was ever heard of therein.  
In pursuance of which; If to subject our Orphans to all the Consequences of a Misspent Revenue; if to add to the Affliction of their Widow-mothers', the sorrowful Effects too often seen in them of a corrupted Education; if the Disappointments arising from both, to the religious Purposes of their pious and bountiful Benefactors, be in the Sense of these gentlemen's Church the fulfilling of that Description; Much Good may do them with their Churchmenships'; and may I be their Castaway.  
5thly.— Lastly, In the Proof so lately given me, of the little to be hoped-for of Remedy to these Evils, from what I must acknowledge my having lodged my last Relyance-on, towards it: namely, The getting them fairly laid before a General-Court. Forasmuch as from the Ineffectualness of all my Endeavours on that behalf, in the Solemnity of the Summons provided for that held the 25th of November last; I find the Predominancy of those whose Business it is to obstruct it, such; as to have been able to prevent the very Reading of the Papers it was alone called to the Hearing of; and consequently, to send them home as little apprised of the Import thereof to the Weal of the House, as they were at their coming thither.  
From which so fresh Confirmation of a Truth I had but too often before both experimented and complained of; and from the further Practices occurring to me on this occasion, of intercepting, suppressing, and otherwise indirect disposing of Papers not thought for some Private Turns fit to be admitted to Public View: I think it high Time for me, to lay-down the Tenderness wherewith I have hitherto governed myself, in the exposing of what I have already said, and may hereafter have further to say hereon; proceeding (as I lately told You, I should) to the communicating the same without Restriction to the Gentlemen of this House, in the like Open method I have (with good Acceptance) been for some time using towards the Honourable the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen our immediate Superiors, on the same Subject. I am with great respect,  
Gentlemen, Your most faithful and most humble Servant, S. Pepys.   

Mr. PEPYS, upon the State of Christ-Hospital.  
Paper IU.   

Mr. PEPYS To the Right Honourable Sir Francis Child, Kt. Lord Mayor, and to the Court of Aldermen, upon the Present State of Christ-Hospital.  
York-Buildings, March 7th. 1698/9. My Lord and Gentlemen,  
THAT nothing may rest uncommunicated to this Court, of what goes from me to that of Christ-Hospital; any more than, by your Allowance, I withhold from Them, aught of what I offer You: I here tender you a Copy of a Letter of mine thither, of the 25. of January.  
The Contents of which bearing my Farewell to Them, as with all respect my purpose is in this to You; I cannot but recommend the Perusal thereof to this Court; as carrying with them such a Representation of the perishing State of that House, in some fresh Particulars essential to the Wellbeing of it, as render it a thing little less than hopeless for me (by ordinary Means, at least) any longer to think of saving it: After finding myself put to above seven months' Labour, in compassing only its Treasurer's Signing that one Article of his Account, which you had before had from him Vnsigned; and more than ten, in finding Passage only, through this Court thither, to my late Report of the State of the same.  
And What it is that may be look't-for from it, even now it is there, with a Committee of few less than forty, and of them the Majority such, as will find little Work for them in it, but Self-Arraignment; I submit to your Lordship and this Court.  
Especially, when you shall be pleased to reflect upon the present Circumstances of that House's Government; viz.  
UNDER the Guidance of a Precedent, equal indeed to the worthiest of his Predecessors, both in his general Virtues, and special Munificence to that Place. But One, whose Piety has outlived his Strength for being otherwise personally aidful to it, in any of the Weightier Duties of that Charge.  
UNDER a Treasurer, who (besides what you have elsewhere before you concerning him) was also pleas d to declare himself unable both in Mind and Body, for the longer Execution of his Office; and therefore made his formal Resignation of it, and had it as formally accepted-of from him in Court there, above two years since.  
UNDER the Direction of Gentlemen acting indeed as Governors, and to whom as such I have for more than 23. years had the Honour of reckoning myself a Fellow-servant; but are said to stand reported to You at this day by your Learned Council, not to be such, nor capable of being so, without (what they have never yet had) the Confirmation of this Court.  
And lastly, UNDER an Administration also on the part of your Lordship and your Honoured Brethren, so Gentle; as to have suffered your Orders thither, even in Points the most important, to lie 7. Months together wholly neglected, and your Authority as openly renounced; without having yet thought fit to have ought done (within my Notice at least) in Assertion of it.  
A Reflection, My Lord, as hard to be accounted-for, as in itself Grievous ..  
Forasmuch as, If after so uninterrupted a Jurisdiction, as has been always exercised by this Court, and with a Submission as constantly paid thereto from these Hospitals; If after so long a Succession of Gifts and Bequests to them, and those to great Values, in reliance upon the Credit and Authority of this Court alone for their Security; If after so established a Veneration acquired to it, as Guardians of these Foundations, and particularly as the Moral Fathers of the Orphans of this House, when in your Easter and other Solemnities, They, as Your Children, bear no small part in the Honour of your Processions; And lastly, If after what in my particular I have been endeavouring herein for Your Service, and for the Service of the Poor; this Court shall appear to have been all this while thus credited and thus obeyed, without Authority at this day, under the greatest of their Miscarriages, to visit and reform Them; for so also your Learned Council are said to have determined. What must be thought of this mistake? And particularly,  
How will the Pious Credulity of our Princely Founders and past Benefactors be to be lamented; and what more to be either hoped or wished-for of Them, on these Terms, in time to come?  
What must the Apprehensions now be of Those, whose Subsistence rests upon the Authority only of this Court, for the Payments that House stands charged with to their Use, out of the larger Benevolences of their Charitable Ancestors?  
Or Theirs; whose Debts of more modern Date, lie unpaid (many Thousand Pounds deep) by that Hospital at Interest, upon no other Security?  
What is there to be rely'd-on of Fruit from the Retrospections said to be now on foot there, or those lying before your Lordship and this Court, from my Report?  
Or in a Word; What to be hoped-for either of Satisfaction for so much of our Poor's Stock and Benefactor's Bounty's as has already miscarried; or of better Provision in time to come, for securing the Remainder?  
What, I say my Lord, must the Result of all this be, and how to be answerd-for; should this Court be so unhappy, as knowingly to permit such a Foundation and its Revenue to rest one day longer, in Hands no otherwise qualify'd-for, nor better entitled to the Trust of it? While by a Resolution of its own, not yet 16. Months old, you have been pleased to declare yourselves standing Governors of the same, and (as such) required your being (as anciently) summoned to every of its Courts, and accordingly have ever since been so, and now are: To the entitling Yourselves (I fear) to a nearer Concernment in the Fate of it, than may have been yet sufficiently reflected on; and possibly, to an Accountableness with Them, for the good or bad Events of their Managements there.  
A Consideration I am the more willingly your present Remembrancer in, from the fresh Endeavours said to be now on foot there, for resuming their Old Liberty of taking-in Children, while unprovided of a Bit of Bread for those they now have, otherwise than by running into new Debt, or length'ning their Score of Interest upon the Old; Besides sacrificing the Innocence of so many fresh Infants, to the Dissoluteness of Manners now reigning, among those they are to be there mixed-with. The Evil of whose Contagion, and Pressure of which Debt, I take to be no otherwise removable, than by a total Stop to be for some time put, to the Occasions of Both.  
An Expedient, that I well know will at the first hearing be thought as Impracticable, as in other Respects Extraordinary.  
But the Case is Extraordinary too; and consequently, to restrain its Remedy to Ordinary Methods only, is little other, than to leave it Remedyless. Which I cannot think any Gentleman, who hath the Honour and Trust of a Governor there, will contentedly sitdown with, while furnished with any thing to offer towards the Saving it, as (for want of better) I do this: And yet with an Opinion so far from deeming it Impracticable, as to reckon it a Work neither of Length nor Difficulty; if, in Atonement for that Misconduct of ours, by which, from the Prosperity this House was in while under the Care but of 16. Governors with 500 Children, it has been brought into the Condition it now lies with 400. Governors (little more or less) and but 400. Children; if (I say) in Atonement for that Misconduct, we would improve the Opportunity of this nearness in our Numbers, to the ●asing the House at once of the Whole, by every governor's taking to himself One: Thereby leaving the Income of it entireiy free to the Discharge of its Debts, doing Right to its Founders and Benefactors, and that being done, to the setting-out afresh, with a Revenue cleared, its Discipline reformed, and Provision made for its future better Conduct through the Whole. And this I lay with all Deference before your Lordship and this Court, as that without which, or some other Equivalent, I must avow my Despair of ever seeing this unhappy House in the State it ought to be; and therefore would be glad, with your Concurrence and the Concurrence of the Gentlemen of that Body, to be doing my part, either in this or any other Effectual Proposition, towards it.  
I am well ware, My Lord, of the Censure this Fervour of mine may expose me to, as One overpressing in a Cause, wherein Others neither less interested nor less discerning than myself, are pleased to show so little of the Dissatisfaction I do; and without any surprise on my side at it, as well remembering how little different my own Sentiments were of it, while my Knowledge thereof (like theirs) had no other Direction, than the Information of Others. Whereas no sooner was I engaged in the closer and more deliberate Inquiries applied thereto of my own, but that Indifference of mine was awakened to the Degree of Concernment I now profess; and which, on like Conviction, would be no less in any other, whose Morals (like mine) know no middle, in matters of Trust at least, between scrupulously Just, and downright the Contrary. Or to speak more plainly; between mixing my own Hand in the Ruin of this Religious House, and sitting silently within View of its being brought-about, by the Vanity, Supineness, Prodigality, or Self-interest of Others.  
Indulge me therefore, My Lord, the Liberty of this One only closing Note to Your Lordship upon this Subject. Namely, That as the Direction of the Hospitals, has in all times hitherto been undeniably exercised by your Honourable Predecessors, in this Place; and as uninterruptedly submitted-to. So is it no less evident, that however an Occasion has now (after sevenscore years Practise) been administered to the questioning it; Your said Predecessors, (the Lord Mayor, Commonalty, and Citizens of London) upon Covenants first by Them entered-into with K. Edward VI for the good Government of Them, were by his special Charter of Incorporation as Governors thereof, furnished with all the Powers requisite to the enabling them to make-good those Covenants.  
In consideration of which, and in Duty to Your Lordship, to the City, to this Court, and to the Poor, I cannot (as a Servant to all) but most earnestly pray; that this Matter may without delay, be laid for Remedy before that Body Corporate, wherever it now rests; in order to the preventing, if possible, any unnecessary recourse to Methods Extraordinary, for what should be thought attainable by Ordinary. Especially while, Sitting a Parliament, with so many of your own Number, and of the Hospital's, Members therein, and with a Bill already (I take it) before Them, relating to Charitable Uses▪ not reasonable Supplement ought to be doubted from it, to that Ordinary Power: If any such can be judged wanting, after so illustrious a Proof, as I have sometime since given you, of the issue of his Lordship, the present Lord Chancellors Proceeding in the late Memorable Case of St. Katherine's A Proceeding I cannot but remind you of; as well as of the Check put but few years before at the Great Seal, to a Visitation then offered-at, in a Method less regular, in the Case of St. Thomas'.  
To conclude, My Lord, this Calamity of ours in our Hospital-concernment is a Spot not to be covered in our Feasts of Charity, once the Glory of this City. And a Spot not at the worst neither, but daily spreading, and daily deepening too, through every part of it. Witness its Appearance (where least to have been lookt-for) in the very last act of our Treasurer's signing this Account; as giving you therein, his own Hand in Evidence against the Truth of what you had had before from his Vnsigned▪ and in which, as in all other its former Editions, to myself, to the Hospital, and from thence to the Lords of the Treasury, there had been suppressed in the single Article of Sea Wages, a Sum no less than 1400 l. besides others of greater Moment yet behind. And this too, notwithstanding repeated Cautions to them concerning it; and particularly in my last, whereof this brings you a Copy. And since which (as fresh at it is) they have nevertheless adventured to ask, and actually received more than 700 l. upon that very Head on which the Treasurer has so lately owned his having twice that Sum of the King's in his Hand, yet to be accounted-for.  
Be pleased therefore to think of some speedy Prevention to the Growth of this our Reproach. And towards it, permit me only to say; That as uneasy as the Undertaking may appear to ' others; I see no Cause of apprehending any thing of more difficulty needful towards it (whether as to the due animadverting upon what is past, or better providing for what is to come) than a Right Choice of a very few Hands to be assigned thereto, supported with an Authority suited to the Work, and Powers requisite to the rendering their Labours and Determinations therein Effectual.  
Which being adjusted, and that only; I should with great assurance of success, both readily and gladly pay the utmost of my personal Service to the Gentlemen so commissioned; as well in detecting the Errors of my own Calculations (and which for the Poor's sake I could wish more, than I dare yet hope them to be) as suggesting and applying adequate Remedies, to what those Gentlemen in their happier Enquiries may find truly needing the same.  
But if after all (which God avert) it should be our Infelicity, even with the aid of that Charter, not to have wherewith of our own to help ourselves herein. The Cause nevertheless is too sacred, both in it self, and as it is the King's, to be permitted to sink, while within the support I have so often mentioned, of his Own Sovereign Visitation; And more particularly in what relares to Himself within our Care in the Mathematical Foundation; by translating it, from the Hands in which it now languishes, to those he is pleased to intrust with that of his Own later Erection, to the same Royal Purpose in the Advancement of Navigation, within his Own Palace and Inspection at Greenwich.  
I am in most respectful manner, My Lord and Gentlemen, Your ever most faithful and obedient Servant, S. Pepys.   

upon the State of Christ-Hospital.  
Paper V.   

Mr. PEPYS To the Precedent, and Governors of CHRIST-HOSPITAL, upon the Present State of the said HOSPITAL.  
To the Honoured Sir John Moor, Kt. and Precedent, and the rest of my Honoured Friends, the Governors of CHRIST-HOSPITAL.  
York-Buildings, March 30th. 1699. Gentlemen,  
YOUR Resolution of the 22th instant, importing your Election of me to the Treasurership of this Hospital, was delivered me by the worthy Gentlemen appointed thereto, with a degree of Respect as obliging on their part, as the Message itself was on Yours; and both surprising.  
Surprising I say; but without aught of what (I find) was in too much Tenderness apprehended from me by some of this Body concerning it; as being One, who think nothing below the Character of any Man to execute, in a Service of Charity: And who therefore in my late Searches into the Condition of this House, descended to Offices much beneath any thing that can occur in what you are now calling me to.  
I therefore do most thankfully own the Proof you herein tender me of the Continuance of your Esteem, after the unwelcome Freedom I have for some time been unavoidably exercising towards you, upon the Unhappy Subject of your present State; in which Yourselves are now pleased to give me this Testimony of your acquiescence: and in the Redress whereof, this Court shall never want any thing within my power improvable thereto.  
But whether in the method you now propose, is what I have made it my business for some days to consider; without being able to bring myself to any other Determination in it, Than that the giving you any conclusive Answer (whether of Acceptance or Refusal) before this Resolution of yours shall have passed the Censure of another Court, is a no less Exposing of Myself, than Imposing on You, (as in a very late Case) under the Uncertain Issue of a subsequent Court; and when that is over, of the Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen also: As that without which, by the known Constitution of all our Hospitals, no Election of a Treasurer is valid. A Consideration of more than common Weight at this time; from the Question under which the Authority of that Court now lies with this; without Aught I can hearof yet done on their side, in its Assertion.  
Which while in doing, and for Your clearer Guidance in Your second Debates on this matter at the next Court, I think it becoming me, in faithfulness both to You and Myself, to lay before You the few following Considerations.  
1st.— That I am no Freeman; and consequently, according to the Original Book of Ordinances by which alone (without entering into the Reason of it) this Court and that of the Lord Mayor and Aldermen are at liberty to Act herein; I neither am capable of being Your Treasurer, nor You nor They, apart or together, in a Capacity of making me so. Nor is there, I believe, any one Instance to be shown me, of a Treasurer not a Freeman: And should therefore most unwillingly subject Myself to Question, for meddling unwarrantably with a Revenue so Sacred as that of the Poor's; or be an Occasion of Your adventuring upon that in my Case, which was never yet done in any, nor can now justifiably be in this.  
2dly.— That the Office and Work of Your Treasurer ought not to be estimated by what we have seen of it in its Execution for some Years past; but by the Condition the House is reduced to, from its being executed no otherwise. As being an Office, that calls at once for Qualifications, such and so many, as rarely meet in the same Person: Such are (besides that of an approved Integrity) Vigour of Mind, Steadiness of Health, Entire Leisure, Vninterestedness, Zeal for and Tenderness towards the Poor, General Experience, and particular Practice in the Business of Accounts, a Genius fitted for Command joined with Temper, a Thorough-Insight into the Laws and Ends of our Constitution, and a Capacity of Controlling every of our Officers and Masters in the Execution of their Duties, with a constancy of Attendance and Application (in his own Person, and not by Others) to the Performance of his own. A Task both in Bulk and Weight, too much for my Age and known Infirmities; Besides the Disabilitys I am alone Conscious to myself of, for it.  
And though what I have here to add, might not possibly be reckoned of Moment enough alone in this Debate: yet in Conjunction with what is already said, I know not how without Injury to myself to omit the observing; that I can with no Satisfaction think of accepting of a Charge, which myself must be owned to have had the greatest Hand in the rendering Vacant.  
3ly.— That suitable to my Advice to you elsewhere on this Subject, I do not see with what Safety this Court can proceed to the giving a final Discharge to its late Treasurer, nor how it should expect his being Succeeded by any Person of Sincerity or Substance, till a State shall be first Adjusted of all your Accounts, Revenues, Charges and Debts, to your Own and Their Satisfaction; and that also laid before, and acquiesced-in by the Court of Aldermen. Besides the Review and fresh Establishment fit to be first had of the Work and Instructions of that Officer, before the Admission of a New. As foreseeing little Fruit from any Change of Hands (be it what it will) where those Hands shall be obliged by no other Rules nor Restrictions, than those we own our present Distresses to.  
For the more Successful Dispatch of which, as well on the part of your said Treasurer as Yourselves; I submit it to You, whether it may not be advisable, that the Current Work of this Office be for the Present lodged with a small Commmittee of Your own Number, properly chosen; till by the Adjustment of these Matters, You shall be in a Condition of restoring it to its Ordinary Methods.  
4ly.— Lastly, That no Degree of Industry, Experience, or other the Virtues (before required) in a Treasurer, can alone be thought Sufficient at this Juncture (where our Whole Constitution lies at once out of Order) to compass its Reformation, without equal Aid from a no less vigorous and persevering, however otherwise meritorious a Precedent. One, I mean, whose thorough-knowledge in the Design, Powers, Limitations, and Orders of this Pious Foundation, and the Rules of their Execution, is able both to preserve himself from being either discouraged or imposed-on, and by his Authority, Zeal and Vigilance, to prevent those Practices which, from the want hereof, the Generality of this House has been so long misled by, to its Undoing. A Reflection, that in one word, would alone suffice (lay there nothing else in my way) to deter me from the Undertaking You invite me to, under the Circumstances we at present labour in this Particular.  
Which having said, and the Reasons of it thus opened; it remains only for me to beg, that my declining Your present Offer may not be taken for a Declension in any part of my Concernment for the Prosperity of this House. Forasmuch as no Consideration shall ever discourage or divert me from the pursuit of it; till by some Means Ordinary, or Extraordinary (though much rather the former) I see it restored to the State wherein all Good men wish it.  
In view whereof, give me leave with great Satisfaction once more to assure You, that (without any such Obligation as this of your Treasurership) neither You nor Your helpless Orphans shall ever want the best Effects of my Personal Attendance and Service, from the Moment that, by Your thorough-Applications, and those of the Court of Aldermen towards it, I shall have any Grounds to hope, that such my Attendance and Service, may be followed with any Success, to the Recovery of the lost Honour of this House, by its Return to that Religious Strictness which once distinguished it from all others, in its Compliances with the holy and charitable Ends provided for by its Munificent Founders and Benefactors, I am  
Gentlemen, Your most humble and obedient Servant, S. Pepys.   

upon the State of Christ-Hospital.  
Paper VI