s, but says that it
is not in his nature ever to do. He says that he believes but four men
(such as he could name) would do the business of both offices, his and
ours, and if ever the war were to be again it should be so, he believes.
He told me to my face that I was a very good clerk, and did understand
the business and do it very well, and that he would never desire a
better. He do believe that the Parliament, if ever they meet, will
offer some alterations to the King, and will turn some of us out, and I
protest I think he is in the right that either they or the King will be
advised to some regulations, and therefore I ought to beware, as it
is easy for me to keep myself up if I will. He thinks that much of our
misfortune hath been for want of an active Lord Treasurer, and that such
a man as Sir W. Coventry would do the business thoroughly. This talk
being over, comes his boy and tells us [Sir] W. Coventry is come in, and
so he and I to him, and there told the difficulty of getting this money,
and they did play hard upon Sir G. Carteret as a man moped and stunned,
not knowing which way to turn himself. Sir W. Coventry cried that he
was disheartened, and I do think that there is much in it, but Sir
J. Duncomb do charge him with mighty neglect in the pursuing of his
business, and that he do not look after it himself, but leaves it to
Fenn, so that I do perceive that they are resolved to scheme at bringing
the business into a better way of execution, and I think it needs, that
is the truth of it. So I away to Sir G. Carteret's lodgings about this
money, and contrary to expectation I find he hath prevailed with Legg
on his own bond to lend him L2000, which I am glad of, but, poor man, he
little sees what observations people do make upon his management, and
he is not a man fit to be told what one hears. Thence by water at 10 at
night from Westminster Bridge, having kissed little Frank, and so to the
Old Swan, and walked home by moonshine, and there to my chamber a while,
and supper and to bed.

25th. Received a writ from the Exchequer this morning of distrain for
L70,000, which troubled me, though it be but, matter of form. To the
office, where sat all the morning. At noon my wife being to Unthanke's
christening, I to Sir W. Batten's to dinner, where merry, and the rather
because we are like to come to some good end in another of our prizes.
Thence by coach to my Lord Treasurer's, and there being come too soon
to the New E