But he confesses it arose from want of due intelligence.
He do, however, call the fleet's retreat on Sunday a very
honourable one, and that the Duke of Albemarle did do well in it,
and would have been well if he had done it sooner, rather than
venture the loss of the fleet and crown, as he must have done if
the Prince had not come. He was surprised when I told him I
heard that the King did intend to borrow some money of the City,
and would know who had spoke of it to me; I told him Sir Ellis
Layton this afternoon. He says it is a dangerous discourse, for
that the City certainly will not be invited to do it, and then
for the King to ask it and be denied, will be the beginning of
our sorrow. He seems to fear we shall all fall to pieces among
ourselves. This evening we hear that Sir Christopher Mings is
dead of his late wounds; and Sir W. Coventry did commend him to
me in a most extraordinary manner. But this day, after three
days' trial in vain, and the hazard of the spoiling of the ship
in lying till next spring, besides the disgrace of it, news is
brought that the Loyall London is launched at Deptford.
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