Page:A History of the Knights of Malta, or the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.djvu/654

CHAPTER XXIV.

1669—1797.

Sir John Narbrough’s visit to Malta—Construction of the Cottonera lines—Death of Cottoner—Gregory Caraffa—Adrian de Vignacourt— Raymond Perrelos—Embassy from Russia—Mark Anthony Zondodari— Manoel de Villiena—Erection of Fort Manoel—Raymond Despui— Pinto do Fonseca—Plot of the slaves—His popularity—Condition of the navy—Francois Ximenes—Priestly insurrection—Emanuel de Rohan—C’hapter-general—-Earthquake in Sicily—Erection of Fort Tigné—The French revolution—Destruction of the French leagues—Death of de Rohan.

Although all connection between the kingdom of England and the Order of St. John had ceased from the time when the property of the English langue was sequestrated, still an interchange of correspondence appears to have taken place on matters connected with the navigation of the Mediterranean, and other kindred subjects, between Charles II. and the Grand- Master. We have already, when treating of the subject of slavery, quoted a letter from that king, dated in 1673. We have now to deal with another, which was written in order to secure a hospitable reception at Malta for a squadron which the king was sending there. The letter is as follows :—

“Charles II., by the grace of God of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, etc., Defender of the Faith, To the most eminent prince, the Lord Nicholas Cottoner, 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