But most
strange the backwardness and disorder of all people, especially
the King's people in pay, to do any work, (Sir W. Pen tells me),
all crying out for money. And it was so at Chatham that this
night comes an order from Sir W. Coventry to stop the pay of the
wages of that Yard, the Duke of Albemarle having related, that
not above three of 1100 in pay there, did attend to do any work
there. This evening having sent a messenger to Chatham on
purpose, we have received a dull letter from my Lord Brouncker
and Peter Pett, how matters have gone there this week; but not so
much, or so particularly as we knew it by common talk before, and
as true. I doubt they will be found to have been but slow men in
this business; and they say the Duke of Albemarle did tell my
Lord Brouncker to his face that his discharging of the great
ships there was the cause of all this; and I am told that it is
become common talk against my Lord Brouncker. But in that; he is
to be justified, for he did it by verbal order from Sir W.
Coventry, and with good intent; and it was to good purpose,
whatever the success be, for the men would have but spent the
King so much the more in wages, and yet not attended on board to
have done the King any service.
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