d will be very
severe where they can find any fault. Sir W. Coventry, I hear, did this
day make a speech, in apology for his reading the letter of the Duke of
Albemarle, concerning the good condition which Chatham was in before
the enemy come thither: declaring his simple intention therein, without
prejudice to my Lord. And I am told that he was also with the Duke of
Albemarle yesterday to excuse it; but this day I do hear, by some of Sir
W. Coventry's friends, that they think he hath done himself much injury
by making this man, and his interest, so much his enemy. After dinner, I
away to Westminster, and up to the Parliament-house, and there did
wait with great patience, till seven at night, to be called in to
the Committee, who sat all this afternoon, examining the business
of Chatham; and at last was called in, and told, that the least they
expected from us Mr. Wren had promised them, and only bade me to bring
all my fellow-officers thitherto attend them tomorrow, afternoon.
Sir Robert Brookes in the chair: methinks a sorry fellow to be there,
because a young man; and yet he seems to speak very well. I gone thence,
my cozen Pepys comes out to me, and walks in the Hall with me, and
bids me prepare to answer to every thing; for they do seem to lodge the
business of Chatham upon the Commissioners of the Navy, and they are
resolved to lay the fault heavy somewhere, and to punish it: and
prays me to prepare to save myself, and gives me hints what to prepare
against; which I am obliged to him for, and do begin to mistrust lest
some unhappy slip or other after all my diligence and pains may not be
found (which I can [not] foresee) that may prove as fatal to a man as
the constant course of negligence and unfaithfulness of other men. Here
we parted, and I to White Hall to Mr. Wren's chamber, thereto advise
with him about the list of ships and commanders which he is to present
to the Parliament, and took coach (little Michell being with me, whom
I took with me from Westminster Hall), and setting him down in Gracious
street home myself, where I find my wife and the two Mercers and Willett
and W. Batelier have been dancing, but without a fidler. I had a little
pleasure in talking with these, but my head and heart full of thoughts
between hope and fear and doubts what will become of us and me
particularly against a furious Parliament. Then broke up and to bed,
and there slept pretty well till about four o'clock, and from that time