My Lord Sandwich is come back into the
Downes with only eight sail, which is or may be a prey to the
Dutch, if they knew our weakness and inability to set out any
more speedily.
31st. Prince Rupert I hear this day is to go to command this
fleet going to Guinny against the Dutch. I doubt few will be
pleased with his going, being accounted an unhappy man.
SEPTEMBER 5, 1664. With the Duke; where all our discourse of war
in the highest measure. Prince Rupert was with us; who is
fitting himself to go to sea in the Heneretta. And afterwards I
met him and Mr. Gray, and says he, "I can answer but for one
ship, and in that I will do my part; for it is not in that as in
the army, where a man can command every thing."
6th. This day Mr. Coventry did tell us how the Duke did receive
the Dutch Embassador the other day: by telling him that, whereas
they think us in jest, he believes that the Prince (Rupert) which
goes in this fleet to Guinny will soon tell them that we are in
earnest, and that he himself will do the like here, in the head
of the fleet here at home; and that he did not doubt to live to
see the Dutch as fearfull of provoking the English, under the
government of a King, as he remembers there to have been under
that of a Coquin.
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