Malta.
No. VII.
Charles the Second by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and
Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c.
To the most illustrious and most high Prince, the Lord Nicholas Cottoner,
Grand Master of the Order of Malta, our well-beloved cousin and
friend--Greeting:
Most illustrious and most high Prince, our well-beloved cousin and friend.
Having deemed it fitting to despatch a squadron of ships under the command
of our well-beloved and valiant Sir Thomas Allen, Knight, for the
protection of the freedom of navigation and commerce of our subjects in the
Mediterranean Sea, which is never too sure, and sometimes becomes
endangered, we have determined to request your highness, by right of amity,
to permit him and our ships under his command, as friends, to touch, in
case of need, at any of the coasts of your highness' dominions; and also to
allow our ships to make use of your highness' harbours, whenever it may
become necessary to refit or re-victual them; and that they may purchase at
a proper price those things which they may require, and experience such
other offices of friendship and humanity as may be needful: and as we no
way doubt of your highness' amicable feelings towards us and ours, we are
desirous that your highness should be assured that on any opportunity
offering, we will reciprocate with equal readiness and benevolence.
It only remains for us to express our wishes for your highness' perfect
health and prosperous success everywhere.
Given in our Palace of Westminster, on the 17th day of the month of
January, in the year of our Lord 1667-68.
Your Highness' good Cousin and Friend,