CHAP. IV.]
ST. JOHN OF JERUSALEM.
135
It seems Urban VIII. had recommended theFranciscans of Holy Land to the grand master, ingeneral terms. But a letter from the FatherGuardian at Nazareth, on the strength of thatrecommendation, asked him for four slaves —thoughthe proper term, at present, would be prisoners ofwar—of whom the order must at all times have hadmany, for the greater part employed to row their gal-leys, and without similar unfortunates, there couldbe no navies then. Yet, as the Father mentionsnone in particular, they were probably for a pre-sent to Constantinople. In whatever case, it wasa charitable deed. 1
A reply of this grand master to a despatch fromthe King of France, shows the meaning of thelatter, 2 coinciding with a note of the council to theFrench Ambassador at Rome, 3 and another of thesame to the Prior of Thoulouse, 4 which threedocuments shall, in substance, be given’’] togetherin the Appendix. Other letters from the grandmaster and council, to the emperor, 5 to the King ofSpain, 6 and to the King of France, 7 supplicating
1 Cod. Dipl. Geros, ii, Kum. colxx.
2
id.,
id.
id.
cclxxvi.—Appendix ccxxv.
3
id.,
id.
Id.
cclxxvii. Id.
4
id.
id.
Id.
cclxxviii. Id.
5
id.
id.
Id.
cclxxxv.
6
id.
id.
Id.
cclxxxv.
7
id.
id.
Id.
cclxxxvi.