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HISTORY or MALTA.

Subject. 4thly, A promise, that the admiral, or his lieutenant,should he chosen from the language of Italy ; ns well as that thoseon whom the command of squadrons might devolve, should be per-sons in whom the king of Sicily could confide. 5thly, The abso-lute necessity of the king’s consent to the transfer of the isle , ofMalta to any other power. In short, it was agreed, that com-missioners should be appointed to settle, in an amicable way, theindemnities due to those individuals who possessed fiefs in Malta, inconsequence of former grants from the king, and which the ordermight wish to take into its own hands.

The grand-master and the council having received the diplomaof the grant, examined it, and accepted the clauses. Two ambas-sadors were immediately sent to the viceroy of Sicily, to whom theytook the oath of fidelity; and received the act of investiture fromhis hands, in the name of the emperor. They then proceeded toMalta, accompanied by six commissioners named by the viceroy,who, in consequence of the power given them by the grand-masterand the council, solemnly swore, in their name, to preserve for theinhabitants of these islands their rights, customs, and privileges.

The Maltese, and their neighbours in Goza, received the am-bassadors with transports of joy; which were increased to thehighest degree when they learned that their new sovereign intendedto reside amongst them; as they expected, from his presence andfavour, a degree of happiness of which they had long been hopeless.

The university, as a proof of its satisfaction upon this occasion,gave up, in favour of the order, the thirty thousand florins with