On Wednesday morning, being the 12th day, having acquainted Sir David Murray[260] with my business, and he delivering the same to his Highness, order was given to have the model brought and placed in a private room in the long gallery, where his Highness determined to see it in the afternoon, but my ever honoured old lord and master, unknown to me, studying by all means to do me good, had acquainted his Majesty with this thing, and the same day, unlooked for of any, procured his Majesty to make a purposed[261] journey from Whitehall to Richmond, to see the same model, whither he came in the afternoon about 3 of the clock, accompanied only with the Prince, the Lord Admiral and one or two attendants. His Majesty was exceedingly delighted with the sight of the model, and spent some time in questioning me divers material things concerning the same, and demanding whether I would build the great ship in all points like to the same, for I will (said his Majesty) compare them together when she shall be finished.
Then the Lord Admiral commanded me to report to his Majesty the story of the 3 ravens I had seen at Lisbon, in St. Vincent's Church,[262] which I did as well as I could, with my best expression, though somewhat daunted at the first at his Majesty's presence, having never before this time spoken before any King. It pleased his Majesty to accept all things in good part, and to use me very graciously; and so returned back to Whitehall again the same night.
The succeeding year brought with it many great troubles, for the Lord of Northampton having, by the instigation of some that were no great well willers to the honourable Admiral and some of the Principal Officers of his Majesty's Navy in especial favour with his Lordship, had procured a great and large[263] commission from his Majesty for the inquiring of all abuses and misdemeanours committed by all Officers in their several places, under colour of reformation and saving great sums to his Majesty, which he expended yearly in the maintenance of his ships; which inquisition was presented with such extremity of malice as not only many were brought into great question and tossed to and fro before the commissioners at Westminster, to their no small charge and vexation, but the government itself of that Royal Office was so shaken and disjointed as brought almost imminent ruin upon the whole Navy, and a far greater charge to his Majesty in his yearly expense, than was ever known before. In this great inquisition it pleased God, for punishment of my sins, to suffer me to be grievously persecuted and publicly arraigned, as shall be in his proper place at more large described.