Lord Ashly, who was angry
much thereat, and I am sorry it fell to me to carry the order, but I
cannot help it. So, against his will, he signed a note I writ to the
Commissioners of Prizes, which I carried and delivered to Kingdone, at
their new office in Aldersgate Streete. Thence a little to the Exchange,
where it was hot that the Prince was dead, but I did rectify it. So
home to dinner, and found Balty, told him the good news, and then after
dinner away, I presently to White Hall, and did give the Duke of York a
memorial of the salt business, against the Council, and did wait all
the Council for answer, walking a good while with Sir Stephen Fox, who,
among other things, told me his whole mystery in the business of the
interest he pays as Treasurer for the Army. They give him 12d. per
pound quite through the Army, with condition to be paid weekly. This he
undertakes upon his own private credit, and to be paid by the King at
the end of every four months. If the King pay him not at the end of the
four months, then, for all the time he stays longer, my Lord Treasurer,
by agreement, allows him eight per cent. per annum for the forbearance.
So that, in fine, he hath about twelve per cent. from the King and the
Army, for fifteen or sixteen months' interest; out of which he gains
soundly, his expense being about L130,000 per annum; and hath no trouble
in it, compared, as I told him, to the trouble I must have to bring in
an account of interest. I was, however, glad of being thus enlightened,
and so away to the other council door, and there got in and hear a piece
of a cause, heard before the King, about a ship deserted by her fellows
(who were bound mutually to defend each other), in their way to
Virginy, and taken by the enemy, but it was but meanly pleaded. Then all
withdrew, and by and by the Council rose, and I spoke with the Duke of
York, and he told me my business was done, which I found accordingly in
Sir Edward Walker's books. And so away, mightily satisfied, to Arundell
House, and there heard a little good discourse, and so home, and there
to Sir W. Batten, where I heard the examinations in two of our prizes,
which do make but little for us, so that I do begin to doubt their
proving prize, which troubled me. So home to supper with my wife, and
after supper my wife told me how she had moved to W. Hewer the
business of my sister for a wife to him, which he received with mighty
acknowledgements, as she says, above anythi