No. XXI.

George by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith.

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

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

The grief which we experienced at the decease of your most eminent predecessor was greatly alleviated by the receipt of your letter dated Malta the 23rd of last June, by which we were informed of your elevation to the Grand Mastership of that most celebrated order of knighthood. We certainly entertain such feelings of affection for persons coming from so many noble families of Europe, the flower and choice of different countries, that it is a source of great rejoicing to us that the serious prejudice occasioned by the recent death is now repaired by the elevation of your eminence, whom so many noble persons have reputed to be the most worthy among them.

We therefore prognosticate that your renowned military Order will continue from day to day to flourish more and more, and that the memory of the deeds formerly performed by it will continue to excite it in furtherance of the ancient glory of its name.

It remains for us to recommend your eminence, and all your Order, to the protection of the Most High and Most Great God.

Given from our palace at Kensington on the 24th day of the month of August, 1722, and of our reign the ninth.

GEORGE R.

Carteret.