1667] DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. 91 Majestic, our most dear and loveing brothers

Passages from the diary of General Patrick Gordon of Auchleuchries : A.D. 1635-A.D. 1699"

1667] DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. 91

Majestic, our most dear and loveing brothers most kind expressions in
severall former letters and ambassies to us, wherein your Imperiall Majestic
declared that the brotherly love and friendship, which your Imperiall
Majestic had for us, was more then ever had been befor between any of our
Royall predecessours, and that your Imperiall Majesties esteemc towards us,
was farr greater than what your Imperiall Majestic had for any other Christian
Prince ; upon the confidence whereof wee gave you, our loveing brother,
your Imperiall Majestic, notice of the present warr wee have with the
Estates of the Netherlands, and of the severall glorious victories which it
hath pleased God to give us over them. In answer to which, wee cannot
see by your Imperiall Majesties said letter, that your Imperiall Majestic
discovers any greater inclination or concerne for us then for the said States,
our enemies. Also, in our said letter, wee gave your Imperiall Majestic
notice that we, our Royall Majestic, had received advice that the subjects of
the said States of the Netherlands, our encmyes, did furnish themselves, out
of your Imperiall Majesties dominions, with masts for ships, and tarr for the
use of their ships of warr, which are employed against us and our Royall
navy ; and, thereupon, wee desired your Imperiall Majestic, out of the
brotherly love and affection which your Imperiall Majestie hath for us, our
Royall Majestie, not only to forbid the said subjects of the States of the
Netherlands to export any such navall provisions out of your Imperiall
Majesties dominions for the future, but that, on the contrary, your Imperiall
Majestie would give liberty to the officers of our navy or their assignes, to
buy up and transport, out of your Imperiall Majesties dominions, such masts
and tarr as, yearly, for fyve yearcs to come, should be, by the said officers
of our navy, found necessary for our immediate service, and the use of our
Royall navy. In answer to which, wee find ourself obliedged to you, our
most deare brother, your Imperiall Majestie, for the restriction which your
Imperiall Majestie hath caused to be made, both upon your Imperiall
Majesties river of Dwina and port of Archangell, that no man, upon paine
of death, Miall dare to sell any navall provisions to the subjects of the States
of the Netherlands, nor they to buy or export any such out of your
Imperiall Majesties dominions. But to make the obligation compleat, wee
can expect no lesse then your Imperiall Majestie should effectually comply
with our former desires, that navall provisions for our owne proper service,
and the use of our Royall navy, should be ffreely bought and transported out