This resolution of his Majesty made known, there was preparation on both sides, to be provided both of information and defence, to give his Majesty satisfaction; but the contrary parties doubting their malicious practices would now be plainly discovered, never dreaming of such a course, they still laboured to bring disgraces upon me; informing, in this interim of ten days, if I might be suffered to continue the workmen upon the frames, I would so handle the matter that all things should be reformed that had by them been formerly found defective, both in point of materials and proportions; and therefore were earnest suitors to have all the workmen presently discharged, and the work to stand. His Majesty, upon the advice of some of the Lords, whereof the then Lord Treasurer, Sir Robert Cecil and Earl of Salisbury[278] being chief, would not consent on any condition to have the workmen absolutely discharged, but that order should be taken the work should cease, and the men continued at his Majesty's charge till the hearing should be past, and his Majesty determine what was after to be done. Whereupon his Majesty commanded a letter to be written to me to the same effect, charging me upon my allegiance to follow the directions therein contained, which I accordingly very carefully observed. In the mean time no day almost passed wherein Mr. Baker, Bright, Stevens, Clay, Graves, Captain Waymouth, with their malicious associates, did not meet at Woolwich to take all the dimensions of the ship, to deface the work by striking aside the shores, and condemning the materials, aggravating continual disgraces upon me, and railing despitefully to my face; which I was forced to endure with patience and put up with silence, flying to God, on whose mercy I wholly depended in these extremities.
The good Lord Admiral was not idle in this interim to provide for to give his Majesty full satisfaction in all things could be objected by the informers, and to that purpose carefully advising with Sir Robert Mansell and Sir John Trevor, principal Officers of his Majesty's Navy, together with myself, whom it did most concern, what course was to be held to meet all objections could be any ways produced against me; and for that the adverse part had made choice of a certain number of masters and builders in the river of Thames to strengthen their proceedings, it was held fit and resolved the like course should be taken by us for our better defence; whereupon sundry experienced men known to be honest and impartial of both kinds were nominated and appointed by warrant from the Lord Admiral to attend this service, some inhabiting about the river of Thames and others of remote places, with whom divers consultations were held, as well to inform them of the truth of every particular as also to satisfy their doubts in anything wherein it was fit they should be throughly resolved. I, for my own part, confident of mine own integrity, commending my cause to God, provided myself to be able to answer all objections whatsoever could be alleged against me, either in point of art, experience, or care, in this so weighty service of trust and consequence.