" After finishing the model, he exhibited it to the Lord
High Admiral, and, after receiving his approval and commands, he
presented it to the young prince at Richmond. "His Majesty (who
was present) was exceedingly delighted with the sight of the
model, and passed some time in questioning the divers material
things concerning it, and demanded whether I could build the
great ship in all parts like the same; for I will, says His
Majesty, compare them together when she shall be finished. Then
the Lord Admiral commanded me to tell His Majesty the story of
the Three Ravens[23] I had seen at Lisbon, in St. Vincent's
Church; which I did as well as I could, with my best expressions,
though somewhat daunted at first at His Majesty's presence,
having never before spoken before any King."
Before, however, he could accomplish his purpose, Pett was
overtaken by misfortunes. His enemies, very likely seeing with
spite the favour with which he had been received by men in high
position, stirred up an agitation against him. There may, and
there very probably was, a great deal of jobbery going on in the
dockyards. It was difficult, under the system which prevailed,
to have any proper check upon the expenditure for the repair and
construction of ships. At all events, a commission was appointed
for the purpose of inquiring into the abuses and misdemeanors of
those in office; and Pett's enemies took care that his past
proceedings should be thoroughly overhauled,--together with those
of Sir Robert Mansell, then Treasurer to the Navy; Sir John
Trevor, surveyor; Sir Henry Palmer, controller; Sir Thomas
Bluther, victualler; and many others.
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