se as soon as he
heard I was there; and in his nightgown and shirt stood talking with me
alone two hours,. I believe, concerning his greatest matters of state
and interest. Among other things, that his greatest design is, first,
to get clear of all debts to the King for the Embassy money, and then a
pardon. Then, to get his land settled; and then to, discourse and advise
what is best for him, whether to keep his sea employment longer or no.
For he do discern that the Duke would be willing to have him out, and
that by Coventry's means. And here he told me, how the terms at Argier
were wholly his; and that he did plainly tell Lawson and agree with him,
that he would have the honour of them, if they should ever be agreed
to; and that accordingly they did come over hither entitled, "Articles
concluded on by Sir J. Lawson, according to instructions received from
His Royal Highness James Duke of York, &c., and from His Excellency
the Earle of Sandwich." (Which however was more than needed; but Lawson
tells my Lord in his letter, that it was not he, but the Council of Warr
that would have "His Royal Highness" put into the title, though he
did not contribute one word to it.) But the Duke of York did yesterday
propose them to the Council, to be printed with this title: "Concluded
on, by Sir J. Lawson, Knt." and my Lord quite left out. Here I find my
Lord very politique; for he tells me, that he discerns they design to
set up Lawson as much as they can and that he do counterplot them by
setting him up higher still; by which they will find themselves spoiled
of their design, and at last grow jealous of Lawson. This he told me
with much pleasure; and that several of the Duke's servants, by name my
Lord Barkeley [of Stratton], Mr. Talbot, and others, had complained to
my Lord, of Coventry, and would have him out. My Lord do acknowledge
that his greatest obstacle is Coventry. He did seem to hint such a
question as this: "Hitherto I have been supported by the King and
Chancellor against the Duke; but what if it should come about, that it
should be the Duke and Chancellor against the King?" which, though he
said it in these plain words, yet I could not fully understand it; but
may more here after. My Lord did also tell me, that the Duke himself
at Portsmouth did thank my Lord for all his pains and care; and that
he perceived it must be the old Captains that must do the business; and
that the new ones would spoil all. And that my Lord did