The treason of Russell is to be attributed partly to fractiousness; the treason of Godolphin is to be attributed altogether to timidity; the treason of Marlborough was the treason of a man of great genius and boundless ambition.
It may be thought strange that Russell should have been out of humour.
He had just accepted the command of the united naval forces of England and Holland with the rank of Admiral of the Fleet.

He was Treasurer of the Navy.

He had a pension of three thousand pounds a year.

Crown property near Charing Cross, to the value of eighteen thousand pounds, had been bestowed on him.

His indirect gains must have been immense.
But he was still dissatisfed.