Yeabsly's business, where having come to agreement with him abating
him L1000 of what he demands for ships lost, I to Westminster, to
Mrs. Martin's lodging, whither I sent for her, and there hear that her
husband is come from sea, which is sooner than I expected; and here I
staid and drank, and so did toucher elle and away, and so by coach to my
tailor's, and thence to my Lord Crew's, and there did stay with him
an hour till almost night, discoursing about the ill state of my Lord
Sandwich, that he can neither be got to be called home, nor money got to
maintain him there; which will ruin his family. And the truth is, he do
almost deserve it, for by all relation he hath, in a little more than a
year and a half, spent L20,000 of the King's money, and the best part of
L10,000 of his own; which is a most prodigious expence, more than
ever Embassador spent there, and more than these Commissioners of the
Treasury will or do allow. And they demand an account before they will
give him any more money; which puts all his friends to a loss what to
answer. But more money we must get him, or to be called home. I offer
to speak to Sir W. Coventry about it; but my Lord will not advise to
it, without consent of Sir G. Carteret. So home, and there to see Sir
W. Batten, who fell sick yesterday morning: He is asleep: and so I could
not see him; but in an hour after, word is brought me that he is so ill,
that it is believed he cannot live till to-morrow, which troubles me and
my wife mightily, partly out of kindness, he being a good neighbour and
partly because of the money he owes me, upon our bargain of the late
prize. So home and to supper and to bed.

5th. Up, and to the Office; and there all the morning; none but my Lord
Anglesey and myself; but much surprized with the news of the death of
Sir W. Batten, who died this morning, having been but two days sick. Sir
W. Pen and I did dispatch a letter this morning to Sir W. Coventry,
to recommend Colonel Middleton, who we think a most honest and
understanding man, and fit for that place. Sir G. Carteret did also come
this morning, and walked with me in the garden; and concluded not to
concern [himself] or have any advice made to Sir W. Coventry, in behalf
of my Lord Sandwich's business; so I do rest satisfied, though I do
think they are all mad, that they will judge Sir W. Coventry an enemy,
when he is indeed no such man to any body, but is severe and just, as he
ought to be, where he sees