盤子外交

最近虎斑貓幫古人查帳，查到一筆怪帳---：

Warrant for a discharge to Col. Wm. Lockhart, sent by the late usurping powers to negotiate with France, for a suit of hangings bearing Cromwell's arms, and some plate bearing those of the Commonwealth, which were disposed of for the negotiation, but for which he is liable to be called to account. [Document Ref.: SP 29/92 f.100 Date: Feb. 11 1664]

怪怪，盤子怎麼拿來作外交呢？繼續追查下去，原來是駐外單位搞外交搞到缺錢，就拿盤子去抵債。真的是盤子（仔）外交。



Clement Kinnersley, wardrobe keeper, to choose out for Sir Wm. Lockhart, ambassador in France, 16 silver dishes, 36 silver trencher plates, and 6 silver trencher salts, from plate provided for ambassadors still left in his charge, and have it new beaten, boiled, and burnished; also 12 large pieces of old tapestry from what belongs to the State, well lined, scoured, and mended, to be sent to France, and to deliver them all by indenture to Lady Lockhart; all to be returned at the end of his employment.