16th.  Up, and by coach to White Hall, and there to the Duke of York as usual.  Here Sir W. Coventry come to me aside in the Duke’s chamber, to tell that he had not answered part of a late letter of mine, because ‘littera scripta manet’.  About his leaving the office, he tells me, [it is] because he finds that his business at Court will not permit him to attend it; and then he confesses that he seldom of late could come from it with satisfaction, and therefore would not take the King’s money for nothing.  I professed my sorrow for it, and prayed the continuance of his favour; which he promised.  I do believe he hath [done] like a very wise man in reference to himself; but I doubt it will prove ill for the King, and for the office.  Prince Rupert, I hear to-day, is very ill; yesterday given over, but better to-day.  This day, before the Duke of York, the business of the Muster-Masters was reported, and Balty found the best of the whole number, so as the Duke enquired who he was, and whether he was a stranger by his two names, both strange, and offered that he and one more, who hath done next best, should have not only their owne, but part of the others’ salary, but that I having said he was my brother-in-law, he did stop, but they two are ordered their pay, which I am glad of, and some of the rest will lose their pay, and others be laid by the heels.  I was very glad of this being ended so well.  I did also, this morning, move in a business wherein Mr. Hater hath concerned me, about getting a ship, laden with salt from France, permitted to unload, coming in after the King’s declaration was out, which I have hopes by some dexterity to get done.  Then with the Duke of York to the King, to receive his commands for stopping the sale this day of some prize-goods at the Prize-Office, goods fit for the Navy; and received the King’s commands, and carried them to the Lords’ House, to my Lord Ashly, who was angry much thereat, and I am sorry it fell to me to carry the order, but I cannot help it.  So, against his will, he signed a note I writ to the Commissioners of Prizes, which I carried and delivered to Kingdone, at their new office in Aldersgate Streete.  Thence a little to the Exchange, where it was hot that the Prince was dead, but I did rectify it.  So home to dinner, and found Balty, told him the good news, and then after dinner away, I presently to White Hall, and did give the Duke of York a memorial of the salt business, against the Council, and did wait all the Council for answer, walking a good while with Sir Stephen Fox, who, among other things, told me his whole mystery in the business of the interest he pays as Treasurer for the Army.  They give him 12d. per pound quite through the Army, with condition to be paid weekly.  This he undertakes upon his own private credit, and to be paid by the King at the end of every four months.  If the King pay him not at the end of the four months, then, for all the time he stays longer, my Lord Treasurer, by agreement,