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that the Duke of Albemarle put in one as bad as he in his room； and one that did as little。 Invited to Sir Christopher Mings's funeral； but find them gone to church。 However I into the church （which is a fair large church； and a great chapel） and there heard the service； and staid till they buried him； and then out。 And there met with Sir W。 Coventry （who was there out of great generosity； and no person of quality there but he） and went with him into his coach； and being in it with him there happened this extraordinary case； one of the most romantique that ever I heard in my life； and could not have believed； but that I did see it； which was this。 About a dozen able； lusty； proper men come to the coach…side with tears in their eyes； and one of them that spoke for the rest begun and said to Sir W。 Coventry； 〃We are here a dozen of us； that have long known and loved； and served our dead commander； Sir Christopher Mings； and have now done the last office of laying him in the ground。 We would be glad we had any other to offer after him； and in revenge of him。 All we have is our lives； if you will please to get His Royal Highness to give us a fire…ship among us all； here are a dozen of us； out of all which choose you one to be commander； and the rest of us； whoever he is； will serve him； and； if possible； do that which shall show our memory of our dead commander； and our revenge。〃 Sir W。 Coventry was herewith much moved； （as well as I； who could hardly abstain from weeping；） and took their names； and so parted； telling me that he would move his Royal Highness as in a thing very extraordinary。 The truth is； Sir Christopher Mings was a very stout man； and a man of great parts； and most excellent tongue among ordinary men： and as Sir W。 Coventry says； could have been the most useful man at such a pinch of time as this。 He was come into great renowne here at home； and more abroad in the West Indys。 He had brought his family into a way of being great； but dying at this time； his memory and name （his father being always and at this day a shoemaker； and his mother a hoyman's daughter； of which he was used frequently to boast） will be quite forgot in a few months as if he had never been； nor any of his name be the better by it； he having not had time to will any estate； but is dead poor rather than rich。 So we left the church and crowd。
14th。 With my wife and father to Hales's； and there looked only on my father's picture； （which is mighty like）； and so away to White Hall to a committee for Tangier。 Where the Duke of York was； and Sir W。 Coventry； and a very full committee： and instead of having a very prejudiced meeting； they did； though inclined against Yeabsly； yield to the greatest part of his account； so as to allow of his demands to the value of 7000l。 and more； and only give time for him to make good his pretence to the rest； which was mighty joy to me： and so we rose up。 But I must observe the force of money； which did make my Lord Ashly to argue and behave himself in the business with the greatest friendship； and yet with all the discretion imaginable； and it will be a business of admonition and instruction to me concerning him （and other men； too； for aught I know） as long as I live。
16th。 The King； Duke of York； and Sir W。 Coventry are gone down to the fleet。 It seems the Dutch do mightily insult of their victory； and they have great reason。 Sir William Barkeley was killed before his ship taken； and there he lies dead in a sugar… chest； for every body to see； with his flag standing up by him。 And Sir George Ascue is carried up and down the Hague for people to see。
18th。 Sir W。 Coventry is returned this night from the fleet； he being the activest man； in the world； and we all （myself particularly） more afraid of him than of the King or his service； for aught I see； God forgive us！ This day the great news is come of the French； their taking the island of St。 Christopher from us； and it is to be feared they have done the like of all those islands thereabouts： this makes me mad。
19th。 I to Sir G。 Carteret's by appointment； where I perceive by him the King is going to borrow some money of the City； but I fear it will do no good； but hurt。 He tells me how the Generall is displeased； and there have been some high words between the Generall and Sir W。 Coventry。 And it may be so； for I do not find Sir W。 Coventry so highly commending the Duke as he used to be； but letting fall now and then some little jerkes： as this day； speaking of news from Holland； he says； 〃I find their victory begins to shrinke there as well as ours here。〃 Here I met with Captain Cocke； and he tells me that the first thing the Prince said to the King upon his coming was； complaining of the Commissioners of the Navy： that they could have been abroad in three or four days but for us； that we do not take care of them： which I am troubled at； and do fear may in violence break out upon this office some time or other； for we shall not be able to carry on the business。
21st。 Up； and at the office all the morning； where by several circumstances I find Sir W。 Coventry and the Duke of Albemarle do not agree as they used to do； Sir W。 Coventry commending Aylett； （in some reproach to the Duke）； whom the Duke hath put out for want of courage； and found fault with Steward； whom the Duke keeps in； though as much in fault as any commander in the fleet。 Sir George Smith tells me that this day my Lord Chancellor and some of the Court have been with the City； and that the City have voted to lend the King 100；000l。； which； if soon paid； （as he says he believes it will；） will be a greater service than I did ever expect at this time from the City。
23rd。 Reading Pompey the Great； （a play translated from the French by several noble persons； among others； my Lord Buckhurst；） that to me is but a mean play； and the words and sense not very extraordinary。 From Deptford I walked to Redriffe； and in my way was overtaken by Bagwell； lately come from sea in the Providence； who did give me an account of several particulars in the late fight； and how his ship was deserted basely by the York； Captain Swanly； commander。
24th。 In the gallery among others met with Major Halsey； a great creature of the Duke of Albemarle's： who tells me that the Duke by name hath said that he expected to have the work here up in the River done； having left Sir W。 Batten and Mr。 Phipps there。 He says that the Duke of Albemarle do say that this is a victory we have had； having； as he was sure； killed them 8000 men； and sunk about fourteen of their ships； but nothing like this appears true。 He lays much of the little success we have had； however； upon the fleet's being divided by order from above； and the want of spirit in the commanders； and that he was commanded by order to go out of the Downes to the Gunfleete； and in the way meeting the Dutch fleet； what should he do？ should he not fight them？ especially having beat them heretofore at as great disadvantage。 He tells me further； that having been downe with the Duke of Albemarle； he finds that Holmes and Spragge do govern most business of the Navy； and by others I understand that Sir Thomas Allen is offended thereat： tha