sed, down by water to Deptford, and
there did a great deale of business, being in a mighty hurry, Sir W.
Coventry writing to me that there was some thoughts that the Dutch
fleete were out or coming out. Business being done in providing for the
carrying down of some provisions to the fleete, I away back home and
after dinner by water to White Hall, and there waited till the councill
rose, in the boarded gallery, and there among other things I hear that
Sir Francis Prujean is dead, after being married to a widow about a
yeare or thereabouts. He died very rich, and had, for the last yeare,
lived very handsomely, his lady bringing him to it. He was no great
painstaker in person, yet died very rich; and, as Dr. Clerke says, was
of a very great judgment, but hath writ nothing to leave his name to
posterity. In the gallery among others met with Major Halsey, a great
creature of the Duke of Albemarle's; who tells me that the Duke, by
name, hath said that he expected to have the worke here up in the River
done, having left Sir W. Batten and Mr. Phipps there. He says that the
Duke of Albemarle do say that this is a victory we have had, having,
as he was sure, killed them 8000 men, and sunk about fourteen of their
ships; but nothing like this appears true. He lays much of the little
success we had, however, upon the fleete's being divided by order
from above, and the want of spirit in the commanders; and that he was
commanded by order to go out of the Downes to the Gun-fleete, and in
the way meeting the Dutch fleete, what should he do? should he not fight
them? especially having beat them heretofore at as great disadvantage.
He tells me further, that having been downe with the Duke of Albemarle,
he finds that Holmes and Spragge do govern most business of the Navy;
and by others I understand that Sir Thomas Allen is offended thereat;
that he is not so much advised with as he ought to be. He tells me also,
as he says, of his own knowledge, that several people before the Duke
went out did offer to supply the King with L100,000 provided he would be
treasurer of it, to see it laid out for the Navy; which he refused, and
so it died. But I believe none of this. This day I saw my Lady Falmouth,
with whom I remember now I have dined at my Lord Barkeley's heretofore,
a pretty woman: she was now in her second or third mourning, and pretty
pleasant in her looks. By and by the Council rises, and Sir W. Coventry
comes out; and he and I went aside