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s； at 4s。 a piece； which is the first time I ever sat in a box in my life。 And in the same box came by and by； behind me； my Lord Barkeley and his lady； but I did not turn my face to them to be known； so that I was excused from giving them my seat。 And this pleasure I had； that from this place the scenes do appear very fine indeed； and much better than in the pit。 The house infinite full； and the King and Duke of York there。 The whole house was mightily pleased all along till the reading of a letter； which was so long and so unnecessary that they frequently began to laugh； and to hiss twenty times； that had it not been for the King's being there； they had certainly hissed it off the stage。
20th （Lord's day）。 Up； and put on my new tunique of velvett； which is very plain； but good。 This morning is brought to me an order for the presenting the Committee of Parliament to…morrow with a list of the commanders and ships' names of all the fleets set out since the war； and particularly of those ships which are divided from the fleet with Prince Rupert； which gives me occasion to see that they are busy after that business； and I am glad of it。 This afternoon comes to me Captain O'Bryan； about a ship that the King hath given him； and he and I to talk of the Parliament。 And he tells me that the business of the Duke of York's slackening sail in the first fight； at the beginning of the war； is brought into question； and Sir W。 Penn and Captain Cox are to appear to…morrow about it； and it is thought will at last be laid upon Mr。 Brouncker's giving orders from the Duke of York （which the Duke of York do not own） to Captain Cox to do it； but it seems they do resent this very highly； and are mad in going through all business； where they can lay any fault。 I am glad to hear that in the world I am as kindly spoke of as any body； for； for aught I see； there is bloody work like to be； Sir W。 Coventry having been forced to produce a letter in Parliament； wherein the Duke of Albemarle did from Sheernesse write in what good posture all things were at Chatham； and that they were so well placed that he feared no attempt of the enemy： so that； among other things； I do see every body is upon his own defence； and spares not to blame another to defend himself； and the same course I shall take。 But God knows where it will end！ Pelling tells me that my Lady Duchesse Albemarle was at Mrs。 Turner's this afternoon （she being ill；） and did there publickly talk of business； and of our office； and that she believed that I was safe； and had done well； and so； I thank God； I hear every body speaks of me； and indeed I think； without vanity； I may expect to be profited rather than injured by this inquiry which the Parliament makes into business。
21st。 To Westminster； and up to the lobby； where many commanders of the fleet were； and Captain Cox； and Mr。 Pierce the Surgeon； the last of whom hath been in the House； and declared that he heard Brouncker advise and give arguments to Cox： for the safety of the Duke of York's person to shorten sail； that they might not be in the middle of the enemy in the morning alone； and Cox denying to observe his advice； having received the Duke of York's commands over night to keep within gun…shot （as they then were） of the enemy； Brouncker did go to Harman； and used the same arguments； and told him that he was sure it would be well pleasing to the King that care should be taken of not endangering the Duke of York； and； after much persuasion； Harman was heard to say； 〃Why； if it must be； then lower the topsail。〃 and so did shorten sail； to the loss； as the Parliament will have it； of the greatest victory that ever was； and which would have saved all the expence of blood and money； and honour； that followed； and this they do resent； so as to put it to the question； whether Brouncker should not be carried to the Tower： who do confess that； out of kindness to the Duke of York's safety； he did advise that they should do so； but did not use the Duke of York's name therein； and so it was only his error in advising it； but； the greatest theirs in taking it contrary to order。 At last it ended that it should be suspended till Harman comes home； and then the Parliament…men do all tell me that it will fall heavy； and； they think； be fatal to Brouncker or him。 Sir W。 Pen tells me； he was gone to bed； having been all day labouring； and then not able to stand； of the gout； and did give order for the keeping the sails standing as they then were all night。 But； which I wonder at； he tells me that he did not know the next day that they had shortened sail； nor ever did enquire into it till about ten days ago； that this began to be mentioned； and indeed it is charged privately as a fault on the Duke of York； that； he did not presently examine the reason of the breach of his orders； and punish it。 But Cox tells me that he did finally refuse it； and what prevailed with Harman he knows not； and do think that we might have done considerable service on the enemy the next day； if this had not been done。 Thus this business ended to…day； having kept them till almost two o'clock： and then I by coach with Sir W。 Pen as far as St。 Clement's talking of this matter； and there set down； and I walked to Sir G。 Carteret's； and there dined with him and several Parliament…men； who； I perceive； do all look upon it as a thing certain that the Parliament will enquire into every thing； and 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 came 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 thither to…morrow 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 cosen 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 lay 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。 This day I did get a list of the fourteen particular miscarriages which are already before the Committee to be examined； wherein； besides two or three that will concern this office much； there are those of the prizes； and that of Bergen； and not following the Dutch ships； against my Lord Sandwich； that I fear will ruin him； unless he hath very good luck； or they may be in better temper before he can come to be charged： but my heart is full of fear for him and his family。 I hear that they do prosecute the business against my Lord Chief Justice Keeling with great severity。
22nd。 Slept but ill all the last part of the night； for fear of this day's success in Parliament： therefore up； and all of us all the morning close； till almost two o'clock； collecting all we had to say and had done from the beginning； touching the safety of the River Medway and Chatham。 And having done this； and put it into order； we away； I not having time to eat my dinner； and so all in my Lord Brouncker's coach； （that is to say； Brouncker； W。 Pen； T。 Hater； and myself；） talking of the other great matter with which they charge us； that is； of discharging men by ticket； in order to our defence in case that should be asked。 We came to the Parliament…door； and there； after a little waiting till the Committee was sat； we were；