forsworn as to what relates to me. So home to supper and to bed.

26th. Up, and by water to Charing Cross stairs, and thence to W. Coventry
to discourse concerning the state of matters in the Navy, where he
particularly acquainted me with the trouble he is like to meet with about
the selling of places, all carried on by Sir Fr. Hollis, but he seems not
to value it, being able to justify it to be lawful and constant practice,
and never by him used in the least degree since he upon his own motion did
obtain a salary of L500 in lieu thereof. Thence to the Treasury Chamber
about a little business, and so home by coach, and in my way did meet W.
Howe going to the Commissioners of Accounts. I stopped and spoke to him,
and he seems well resolved what to answer them, but he will find them very
strict, and not easily put off: So home and there to dinner, and after
dinner comes W. Howe to tell me how he sped, who says he was used civilly,
and not so many questions asked as he expected; but yet I do perceive
enough to shew that they do intend to know the bottom of things, and where
to lay the great weight of the disposal of these East India goods, and
that they intend plainly to do upon my Lord Sandwich. Thence with him by
coach and set him down at the Temple, and I to Westminster Hall, where, it
being now about six o'clock, I find the House just risen; and met with Sir
W. Coventry and the Lieutenant of the Tower, they having sat all day; and
with great difficulty have got a vote for giving the King L300,000, not to
be raised by any land-tax. The sum is much smaller than I expected, and
than the King needs; but is grounded upon Mr. Wren's reading our estimates
the other day of L270,000, to keep the fleete abroad, wherein we demanded
nothing for setting and fitting of them out, which will cost almost
L200,000, I do verily believe: and do believe that the King hath no cause
to thank Wren for this motion. I home to Sir W. Coventry's lodgings, with
him and the Lieutenant of the Tower, where also was Sir John Coventry, and
Sir John Duncomb, and Sir Job Charleton. And here a great deal of good