ents to, Cox, for the safety of the
Duke of York's person, to shorten sail, that they might not be in the
middle of the enemy in the morning alone; and Cox denying to observe his
advice, having received the Duke of York's commands over night to keep
within cannon-shot (as they then were) of the enemy, Bruncker did go to
Harman, and used the same arguments, and told him that he was sure it
would be well pleasing to the King that care should be taken of not
endangering the Duke of York; and, after much persuasion, Harman was
heard to say, "Why, if it must be, then lower the topsail." And so
did shorten sail, to the loss, as the Parliament will have it, of the
greatest victory that ever was, and which would have saved all the
expence of blood, and money, and honour, that followed; and this they do
resent, so as to put it to the question, whether Bruncker should not be
carried to the Tower: who do confess that, out of kindness to the Duke
of York's safety, he did advise that they should do so, but did not
use the Duke of York's name therein; and so it was only his error in
advising it, but the greatest theirs in taking it, contrary to order. At
last, it ended that it should be suspended till Harman comes home; and
then the Parliament-men do all tell me that it will fall heavy, and,
they think, be fatal to Bruncker or him. Sir W. Pen tells me he was gone
to bed, having been all day labouring, and then not able to stand, of
the goute, and did give order for the keeping the sails standing, as
they then were, all night. But, which I wonder at, he tells me that he
did not know the next day that they had shortened sail, nor ever
did enquire into it till about ten days ago, that this begun to be
mentioned; and, indeed, it is charged privately as a fault on the Duke
of York, that he did not presently examine the reason of the breach of
his orders, and punish it. But Cox tells me that he did finally refuse
it; and what prevailed with Harman he knows not, and do think that we
might have done considerable service on the enemy the next day, if this
had not been done. Thus this business ended to-day, having kept them
till almost two o'clock; and then I by coach with Sir W. Pen as far as
St. Clement's, talking of this matter, and there set down; and I
walked to Sir G. Carteret's, and there dined with him and several
Parliament-men, who, I perceive, do all look upon it as a thing certain
that the Parliament will enquire into every thing, an