: ‘To the Great King of Ardra
James, Duke of York & Albany etc., brother to the King of England, Scotland, France and Irland
Sendeth greeting
Whereas we have formerly writt to you by the hands of our sarvants Henry Cierke, our chief factor, and captaine Hunt and have received from them a good report of your kindnesse to our nation and the sarvants employed by us. It is our desire that you would continue these good inclinations. If you shall further us in the making a preparation of lading of our shipps again they come. And give us a freedome of trade in your dominions with all your subjects. It will move us to send you from time to time a plentifull supply of all sorts of goods that shall be most to your liking. But if wee shall be straighted in our trade and diminished in the priviledges we have formerly enjoyed, wee shall be forced to seeke our convenience in some other place. But we are confident you will have so much esteeme for the preserving of a full and friendly intercourse of trafffique betweene us, that you will rather enlarge your kindnesse towards our sarvants employed by us.
Wee have so great a value for your person and dignity, that we have sent you a present of a crowne which is the badge of the highest authority and a bed such as is used in these parts which we desire to accept of and be sure wee shall requite any favour you shall shew our factors and sarvants.
Dated at the Court att Whitehall the twenty second day of July Anno Domini 1664.
(signed) James’