No. VII.
Charles the Second by the grace of God, of
To the
most illustrious and most high Prince, the Lord Nicholas Cottoner,
Grand Master of the Order of
Most illustrious and most high Prince, our well-beloved cousin and
friend.
Having
deemed it fitting to despatch a squadron
of ships under the command of our well-beloved and valiant Sir Thomas Allen, Knight, for the
protection of the freedom of navigation and commerce of our subjects in the
Mediterranean Sea, which is never too sure, and sometimes becomes endangered,
we have determined to request your highness, by right of amity, to permit him
and our ships under his command, as friends, to touch, in case of need, at any
of the coasts of your highness' dominions; and also to allow our ships to make
use of your highness* harbours, whenever it may become necessary to refit or
re-victual them; and that they may purchase at a proper price those things
which they may require, and experience such other offices of friendship and
humanity as may be' needful: and as we no way doubt of your highness' amicable
feelings towards us and ours, we are .desirous that your highness should be
assured that on any opportunity offering, we will reciprocate with equal
readiness and benevolence.
It only
remains for us to express our wishes for your highness' perfect health and
prosperous success everywhere.
Given in our
Your
Highness' good Cousin and Friend,
CHARLES
REX.