No. XVI
Charles the Second by the grace
of God, of
To the most eminent Prince the
Lord Nicholas Cotoner, Grand Master of the Order of
Our well-beloved and faithful Sir
John Narbrough, knight, latterly admiral of our fleet
in the Mediterranean sea, conveyed to us your eminence’s letters written under
the date of the 7th April last, which being most full indeed of affection and
gratitude on your part, we received and perused with equal feelings and
satisfaction. The acknowledgments of benefits conferred by us, which your
eminence so frequently expresses, causes us also to return similar thanks to
your eminence and to the whole of your sacred Order, for all those offices of
humanity and courtesy with which you assisted our above-mentioned admiral and
other our ships stationed in that sea, of which we shall always preserve the
memory indelibly engraved in our hearts. It is equally a source of pleasure to
us that our arms have been of help to your eminence and to your Order; and if
the expedition had been of no other benefit, we consider it ample compensation
in having restored to their homes so many persons celebrated through the whole
Christian and Infidel world who were recovered from the power and chains of the
barbarians.
May your eminence continue to
desire that we should freely divide the glory of rendering peaceful the
May the Most Good and Great God sustain and
preserve your eminence with all your religious Order!
Given from our
Your
Eminence’s good Cousin and Friend,
CHARLES
REX.