n a sad condition. We are
endeavouring to raise money by borrowing it of the City; but I do not
think the City will lend a farthing. By and by the Council broke up, and
I spoke with Sir W. Coventry about business, with whom I doubt not in a
little time to be mighty well, when I shall appear to mind my business
again as I used to do, which by the grace of God I will do. Gone from
him I endeavoured to find out Sir G. Carteret, and at last did at Mr.
Ashburnham's, in the Old Palace Yarde, and thence he and I stepped
out and walked an houre in the church-yarde, under Henry the Seventh's
Chappell, he being lately come from the fleete; and tells me, as I hear
from every body else, that the management in the late fight was bad from
top to bottom. That several said this would not have been if my Lord
Sandwich had had the ordering of it. Nay, he tells me that certainly had
my Lord Sandwich had the misfortune to have done as they have done, the
King could not have saved him. There is, too, nothing but discontent
among the officers; and all the old experienced men are slighted. He
tells me to my question (but as a great secret), that the dividing of
the fleete did proceed first from a proposition from the fleete,
though agreed to hence. But he confesses it arose from want of due
intelligence, which he confesses we do want. He do, however, call the
fleete's retreat on Sunday a very honourable retreat, and that the Duke
of Albemarle did do well in it, and would have been well if he had done
it sooner, rather than venture the loss of the fleete and crown, as he
must have done if the Prince had not come. He was surprised when I told
him I heard that the King did intend to borrow some money of the City,
and would know who had spoke of it to me; I told him Sir Ellis Layton
this afternoon. He says it is a dangerous discourse; for that the City
certainly will not be invited to do it, and then for the King to ask it
and be denied, will be the beginning of our sorrow. He seems to fear we
shall all fall to pieces among ourselves. This evening we hear that Sir
Christopher Mings is dead of his late wounds; and Sir W. Coventry did
commend him to me in a most extraordinary manner. But this day, after
three days' trial in vain, and the hazard of the spoiling of the ship
in lying till next spring, besides the disgrace of it, newes is brought
that the Loyall London is launched at Deptford. Having talked thus much
with Sir G. Carteret we parted there,