paid less; and at this
day have greater stores than they know where to lay, if there should be
peace, and than ever was any time this war. That they pay every man in
course, and have notice of the disposal of every farthing. Every man
that they owe money to has his share of every sum they receive; never
borrowed all this war but L30,000 by the King's express command, but do
usually stay till their assignments become payable in their own course,
which is the whole mystery, that they have had assignments for a fifth
part of whatever was assigned to the Navy. They have power of putting
out and in of all officers; are going upon a building that will cost
them L12,000; that they out of their stock of tallies have been forced
to help the Treasurer of the Navy at this great pinch. Then to talk of
newes: that he thinks the want of money hath undone the King, for the
Parliament will never give the King more money without calling all
people to account, nor, as he believes, will ever make war again, but
they will manage it themselves: unless, which I proposed, he would
visibly become a severer inspector into his own business and accounts,
and that would gain upon the Parliament yet: which he confesses and
confirms as the only lift to set him upon his legs, 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 muc