Sir W. Coventry
did declare his opinion that if Tangier were offered us now, as
the King's condition is; he would advise against the taking it;
saying, that the King's charge is too great, and must be brought
down, it being like the fire of this City, never to be mastered
till you have brought it under you; and that these places abroad
are but so much charge to the King, and we do rather herein
strive to greaten them than lessen them; and then the King is
forced to part with them "as," says he, "he did with Dunkirke, by
my Lord Tiviott's making it so chargeable to the King as he did
that, and would have done Tangier, if he had lived." I perceive
he is the only man that do seek the King's profit, and is bold to
deliver what he thinks on every occasion. With much pleasure
reflecting upon our discourse to-day at the Tangier meeting, and
crying up the worth of Sir W. Coventry. Creed tells me of the
fray between the Duke of Buckingham at the Duke's playhouse the
last Saturday, (and it is the first day I have heard that they
have acted at either the King's or Duke's houses this month or
six weeks), and Henry Killigrew, whom the Duke of Buckingham did
soundly beat and take away his sword, and make a fool of, till
the fellow prayed him to spare his life; and I am glad of it, for
it seems in this business the Duke of Buckingham did carry
himself very innocently and well, and I wish he had paid this
fellow's coat well.
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