execution. But, Lord! what a tumultuous thing this
Committee is, for all the reputation they have of a great council, is
a strange consideration; there being as impertinent questions, and as
disorderly proposed, as any man could make. But Commissioner Pett, of
all men living, did make the weakest defence for himself: nothing to the
purpose, nor to satisfaction, nor certain; but sometimes one thing and
sometimes another, sometimes for himself and sometimes against him; and
his greatest failure was, that I observed, from his [not] considering
whether the question propounded was his part to answer or no, and the
thing to be done was his work to do: the want of which distinction
will overthrow him; for he concerns himself in giving an account of the
disposal of the boats, which he had no reason at all to do, or take any
blame upon him for them. He charged the not carrying up of "The Charles"
upon the Tuesday, to the Duke of Albemarle; but I see the House is
mighty favourable to the Duke of Albemarle, and would give little weight
to it. And something of want of armes he spoke, which Sir J. Duncomb
answered with great imperiousness and earnestness; but, for all that, I
do see the House is resolved to be better satisfied in the business of
the unreadiness of Sherenesse, and want of armes and ammunition there
and every where: and all their officers were here to-day attending, but
only one called in, about armes for boats, to answer Commissioner Pett.
None of my brethren said anything but me there, but only two or three
silly words my Lord Bruncker gave, in answer to one question about the
number of men there were in the King's Yard at the time. At last, the
House dismissed us, and shortly after did adjourne the debate till
Friday next: and my cozen Pepys did come out and joy me in my acquitting
myself so well, and so did several others, and my fellow-officers all
very brisk to see themselves so well acquitted; which makes me a little
proud, but yet not secure but we may yet meet with a back-blow which we
see not. So, with our hearts very light, Sir W. Pen and I in his coach
home, it being now near eight o'clock, and so to the office, and did a
little business by the post, and so home, hungry, and eat a good supper,
and so, with my mind well at ease, to bed. My wife not very well of
those.

23rd. Up, and Sir W. Pen and I in his coach to White Hall, there to
attend the Duke of York; but come a little too late, and so missed it:
o