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 last day of November, 1574.

Your Highness' Cousin and Friend,

CHARLES REX.