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