n the
original will was folded and sealed up, thus, viz., "My last will,
attested by Mr. Humphreys and Mr. Borsett."

This will was proved at London the 10th day of February, in the year of
our Lord God 1658, before the judges for probate of wills and granting
administrations lawfully authorised, by the oath of Collonell Anthony
Rouse, Esq., the sole and only executor named in the said will, to whom
administration of all and singular the goods, chattels, and debts of
the said deceased was granted and committed.

[Footnote 1: This appears to be an error.]

[Footnote 2: It should doubtless be 1657.]

* * * * *

ORIGINAL ENGLISH ROYAL LETTERS TO THE GRAND MASTERS OF MALTA.

(_Concluded from_ Vol. ix., p. 419.)

No. XI.

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 Cotoner,
Grand Master of the Order of Malta, our well-beloved cousin and
friend--Greeting:

It having appeared to us a matter of interest, not only to ourselves, but
likewise to the whole Christian world, that we also should keep in the
Mediterranean sea a certain number of galleys ready to afford prompt aid to
our neighbours and allies against the frequent insults of the barbarians
and Turks, we lately caused to be constructed two galleys, one in Genoa,
and the other in the port of Leghorn; in order to man these, we directed a
person well acquainted with such affairs to be sent, as to other parts, so
also to the island of Malta, subject to the rule of your highness, in order
to _buy slaves and procure other necessaries_. He having purchased some
slaves, it has been reported to us that your highness' collector of customs
demanded five pieces of gold of Malta money per head before they could be
permitted to embark, under the title of toll; at which proceeding we were
certainly not a little astonished, it appearing to us a new proceeding, and
one contrary to custom, especially it being well known to us that our
neighbours and allies, the Kings of France and Spain, are never accustomed
to pay anything under the title of toll {443} for the slaves which they
cause yearly to be transported from your island.

We therefore beg your highness, by the good and long friendship existing
between us, to grant to us the same privilege in _regard to this kind of
comme