Her Majesties letter to the Turke or Grand Signior 1581. promising redresse of the disorders of Peter Baker of Ratcliffe, committed in the Levant
.
ELIZABETH by the divine grace of the eternall God, of
England, France and Ireland
most sacred Queene, and of
the most Christian faith, against all the prophaners of his
most holy Name the zealous and mightie defendour, &c.
To the most renowned and Emperious Caesar, Sultan
Murad Can, Emperour of all the dominions of Turkie,
and of all the East Monarchie chiefe above all others
whosoever, most fortunate yeeres with the successe of al
true happinesse. As with very great desire we wish and
embrace tile love and amitie of forreine Princes, and in
the same by al good dueties and meanes we seeke to be
confirmed: so to us there may bee nothing more grievous
and disliking, then that any thing should happen through
the default of our Subjects, which any way might bring
our faith and fidelitie into suspition: Although wee are
not ignorant how many good princes by the like misadventure be abused, where the doings of the Subjects
are imputed to the want of good government. But such
matters of importance and so well approved we may not
omit: such is to us the sacred estimation of our honour,
and of our Christian profession, as we would the same
should appeare aswell in the concluding of our promises
and agreements, as in the faithful performing of the
same.
The matter which by these our letters wee specially
beholde, is a most injurious and grievous wrong which of
late came unto our understanding, that should be done
unto certaine of your subjects by certaine of our Subjects,
as yet not apprehended: but with all severitie upon their
apprehension they are to be awarded for the same. And
as the deede in it selfe is most wicked, so is it much more
intollerable, by how much it doeth infringe the credit of
our faith, violate the force of our authoritie, and impeach
the estimation of our word faithfully given unto your
Imperiall dignitie. In which so great a disorder if wee
should not manifest our hatred towardes so wicked and
evil disposed persons, we might not onely most justly be
reproved in the judgement of all such as truely favour
Justice, but also of all Princes the patrones of right and
equitie, might no lesse be condemned. That therefore
considered, which of our parts is ordained in this cause
which may be to the good liking of your highnesse, we
are most especially to request of your Imperiall Majestie,
that through the default and disorder of a sort of evill
and wicked disposed persons, you wil not withdraw your
gratious favour from us, neither to hinder the trafique of
our Subjects, which by vertue of your highnesse sufferance, and power of your licence are permitted to trade into
your dominions & countreys, or that either in their persons
or goods they be prejudiced in their traveyling by land or
by water, promising unto your greatnesse most faithfully,
that the goods whereof your subjects by great wrong
and violence have bene spoyled, shall wholy againe be
restored, if either by the lives or possessions of the
robbers it may any way be brought to passe: And that
hereafter (as now being taught by this evill example) wee
will have speciall care that none under the title of our
authoritie shall be suffered to commit any the like wrongs
or injuries.
Neither they which have committed these evil parts had
any power under your highnesse safeconduct graunted
unto our subjects, but from some other safeconduct,
whether it were true or fained, we knowe not, or whether
they bought it of any person within the government of
Marseils: but under the colour thereof they have done
that, which the trueth of our dealing doeth utterly
abhorre. Notwithstanding howsoever it be, wee will
surely measure their evill proceedings with most sharpe
and just correction, and that it shall repent them of the
impeachment of our honours, as also if shalbe an example
of our indignation, that others may dread at all times to
commit the like offence. Wherefore that our amitie might
be continued, as if this unfortunate hap had never
chanced, and that the singuler affection of our Subjects
towardes your Imperiall Majestie vowed, and dayly more
and more desired, might be conserved and defended, we
thereunto do make our humble suite unto your greatnesse :
And for so great goodnesse towardes us and our people
granted, doe most humbly pray unto the Almightie
creatour of heaven and earth, ever to maintaine and keepe
your most renowmed Majestie in all happinesse and
prosperitie.
Dated at our palace of Greenewich the 26. of June,
Anno 1581.
