No. 18b
My Cousin,
We received with much
satisfaction your obliging letter of the 4th of April, from which, besides the
esteem and regard which you profess for our youthful Fitz James, we observe
with pleasure the zeal you evince to gratify our wish as expressed on a
previous occasion. For this reason we feel obliged and anxious on all accounts
to testify our gratitude towards you. This we do with all the sincerity of a
heart zealous in the cause of religion, and particularly for the glory of your
illustrious Order, to the aggrandisement of which we shall ever have infinite
pleasure in contributing.
And in order that our son may be
a subject worthy of serving God, and His holy Church, in the dignity of Grand
Prior of England, which you are willing to confer upon him, we will not allow
him to lose, any more time, though he be actually engaged in a campaign both
active and dangerous against our rebellious subjects who are the enemies of
religion, but forward the attestation, which our holy father has had the
goodness to send in his favour. For the rest, and for the success of our
affairs, we recommend ourselves to the prayers and good wishes of all your
Order, and pray God that He will have you in His holy keeping.
Given in our court, at the
The 13th of July, A. D. 1689.
Your affectionate Cousin,
JAMES R.
To my Cousin,
The Grand Master of
For
background information, Vide 18a