ich I confess made me almost ready to cry
for sorrow and vexation, but that which was the most considerable was
when Sir G. Carteret did say that he had no funds to raise money on; and
being asked by Sir W. Coventry whether the eleven months' tax was not a
fund, and he answered, "No, that the bankers would not lend money upon
it." Then Sir W. Coventry burst out and said he did supplicate his Royal
Highness, and would do the same to the King, that he would remember who
they were that did persuade the King from parting with the Chimney-money
to the Parliament, and taking that in lieu which they would certainly
have given, and which would have raised infallibly ready money; meaning
the bankers and the farmers of the Chimney-money, whereof Sir, G.
Carteret, I think, is one; saying plainly, that whoever did advise the
King to that, did, as much as in them lay, cut the King's throat,
and did wholly betray him; to which the Duke of York did assent; and
remembered that the King did say again and again at the time, that he
was assured, and did fully believe, the money would be raised presently
upon a land-tax. This put as all into a stound; and Sir W. Coventry went
on to declare, that he was glad he was come to have so lately concern in
the Navy as he hath, for he cannot now give any good account of the
Navy business; and that all his work now was to be able to provide such
orders as would justify his Royal Highness in the business, when it
shall be called to account; and that he do do, not concerning himself
whether they are or can be performed, or no; and that when it comes to
be examined, and falls on my Lord Treasurer, he cannot help it, whatever
the issue of it shall be. Hereupon Sir W. Batten did pray him to keep
also by him all our letters that come from the office that may justify
us, which he says he do do, and, God knows, it is an ill sign when
we are once to come to study how to excuse ourselves. It is a sad
consideration, and therewith we broke up, all in a sad posture, the most
that ever I saw in my life. One thing more Sir W. Coventry did say
to the Duke of York, when I moved again, that of about L9000 debt to
Lanyon, at Plymouth, he might pay L3700 worth of prize-goods, that he
bought lately at the candle, out of this debt due to him from the King;
and the Duke of York, and Sir G: Carteret, and Lord Barkeley, saying,
all of them, that my Lord Ashly would not be got to yield to it, who
is Treasurer of the Prizes, Sir