Editing Samuel Pepys (section)

===Public life===
[[File:PepysLetter.jpg|thumb|A short letter from Samuel Pepys to [[John Evelyn]] at the latter's home in [[Deptford]], written by Pepys on 16 October 1665 and referring to "prisoners" and "sick men" during the [[Second Dutch War]].]]

On the Navy Board, Pepys proved to be a more able and efficient worker than colleagues in higher positions. This often annoyed Pepys and provoked much harsh criticism in his diary. Among his colleagues were [[William Penn (Royal Navy officer)|Admiral Sir William Penn]], [[George Carteret|Sir George Carteret]], [[John Mennes|Sir John Mennes]], and [[William Batten|Sir William Batten]].{{sfnp|Knighton|2004}}

Pepys learned [[arithmetic]] from a private tutor and used models of ships to make up for his lack of first-hand nautical experience, and ultimately came to play a significant role in the board's activities. In September 1660, he was made a [[Justice of the Peace]]; on 15 February 1662, Pepys was admitted as a Younger Brother of [[Trinity House]]; and on 30 April, he received the [[Freedom of the City|freedom of]] [[Portsmouth]]. Through Sandwich, he was involved in the administration of the short-lived [[English Tangier|English colony at Tangier]]. He joined the Tangier committee in August 1662 when the colony was first founded and became its treasurer in 1665. In 1663, he independently negotiated a £3,000 contract for Norwegian masts, demonstrating the freedom of action that his superior abilities allowed. He was appointed to a commission of the royal fishery on 8 April 1664.

Pepys' job required him to meet many people to dispense money and make contracts. He often laments how he "lost his labour" having gone to some appointment at a [[coffee house]] or [[tavern]], only to discover that the person whom he was seeking was not there. These occasions were a constant source of frustration to Pepys.