told, and he hath
found has been very suspicious in his absence, which I am sorry for. I to
the Hall and there walked long, among others talking with Mr. Hayes,
Prince Rupert's Secretary, a very ingenious man, and one, I think, fit to
contract some friendship with. Here I staid late, walking to and again,
hearing how the Parliament proceeds, which is mighty slowly in the
settling of the money business, and great factions growing every day among
them. I am told also how Holmes did last Sunday deliver in his articles
to the King and Cabinet against [Sir Jeremy] Smith, and that Smith hath
given in his answer, and lays his not accompanying the fleete to his
pilot, who would not undertake to carry the ship further; which the pilot
acknowledges. The thing is not accommodated, but only taken up, and both
sides commanded to be quiet; but no peace like to be. The Duke of
Albemarle is Smith's friend, and hath publiquely swore that he would never
go to sea again unless Holmes's commission were taken from him.

[In the instructions given to Sir Thomas Clifford (August 5th, 1666)
to be communicated to Prince Rupert and the Duke of Albemarle, we
read: "to tell them that the complaint of Sir Jeremy Smith's
misbehaviour in the late engagement being so universal, unless he
have fully satisfied the generals he should be brought to trial by
court-martial, and there purged or condemned." The Duke of
Albemarle answered the king (August 14th?): "Wishes to clear a
gallant man falsely accused, Sir Jeremiah Smith, who had more men
killed and hurt, and his ship received more shot than any in the
fleet. There is not a more spirited man serves in the fleet" On
October 27th H. Muddiman wrote to Sir Edward Stradling: "Sir Jeremy
Smith has got as much credit by his late examination as his enemies
wished him disgrace, the King and Duke of York being fully satisfied
of his valour in the engagement. It appears that he had 147 men
killed and wounded, while the most eminent of his accusers had but
two or three." With regard to Sir Jeremy's counter-charges, we
read: "Nov. 3. The King having maturely considered the charges
brought against Sir Rob. Holmes by Sir Jeremy Smith, finds no cause
to suspect Sir Robert of cowardice in the fight with the Dutch of
June 25 and 26, but thinks that on the night of the 26th he yielded
too easily to the opini