rce_ within the territories of your highness, as is enjoyed by both
our said neighbours and allies, which although it ought to be conceded to
us simply on account of our mutual friendship and our affection towards
your highness and the illustrious Order of Malta, still we shall receive so
gratefully, that if at any time we can do anything to please your highness,
we shall be always ready to do it, with all attention, and most willingly.

In the meantime we heartily recommend your highness and all the members of
the illustrious Order of Malta, as well as all your affairs, to the Divine
keeping.

Given from our palace of Westminster on the 12th day of February, in the
year of our Lord 1673, and of our reign the 25th.

Your Highness' good Cousin and Friend,
CHARLES REX.

No. XII.

Charles the Second by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and
Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c.

To the most eminent Prince, the Lord Nicholas Cotoner, Grand Master of the
Order of Malta, our well-beloved cousin and friend--Greeting:

Most eminent Prince, our well-beloved cousin and friend.

The military order over which your eminence most worthily presides, having
always used its power to render the navigation of the sea safe and
peaceable for Christians, we in no way doubt that our ships of war, armed
for the same purpose, will receive from your eminence every office of
friendship. We therefore are desirous of signifying to your eminence by
these our letters that we have sent a squadron of our royal fleet to the
Mediterranean sea under the command of Sir John Narbrough, knight, to look
after the safety of navigation and commerce, and to oppose the enemies of
public tranquillity. We therefore amicably beseech your eminence that if
ever the above-named Admiral Narbrough, or any of our ships cruising under
his flag, should arrive at any of your eminence's ports or stations, or in
any place subject to the Order of Malta, that they may be considered and
treated as friends and allies, and that they may be permitted to purchase
with their money, and at just prices, and to export provisions and
munitions of war, and whatever they may require, which, on similar
occasions, we will abundantly reciprocate to your eminence and to your most
noble Order.

In the mean time we heartily recommend your eminence to the safeguard of
the Most High and Most Good God.

Given from our palace of Whitehall the la