CHAP. V.]

ST. JOHN OF JERUSALEM.

169

asked his approbation of their election,” and not inthe least as an acknowledgment that his Holinesshad right either of accepting or refusing.” 1

It was to Wignacourt that the famous Doge ofVenice Eranciscus Maurocenus, wrote on the 30thSeptember, 1690. 2 Six weeks later the Pope againwrites to the grand master “ expressive of his deepgratitude, as was his duty, not to let slip any oppor-tunity of testifying by documentary evidence hissense of the order’s splendid benevolence.” 3

The Emperor Leopold to the grand master, re-commends him the Czar of Muscovy’s ambassador. 4Which czar carries on a ten years’ war against theTurk.—That therefore he has strongly recommendedhis ambassador to the Pope; and also gives him aletter of most friendly introduction to the grand masterJanuary 4th, 1693. 5

And indeed there is the czar’s own letter to thegrandmaster. 6 ' 1693

The Doge of Venice to Wignacourt, announcesthe conquest of Scio at cost of the lives of two

Dipl. Geros., ii.,

Hum.

ccclxxi.—Boisgelin: i. 192.

Id.,

•d

h-1

Id.

lii.—yiii. Giunta.

Id.,

id.,

Id.

ccclxxiii. App. Num.ccxxviii.

Id.,

id.,

Id.

cclxxiv.

Id.,

id.,

Id.

cclxxv.

Id.,

id.,

Id.

ccclxxvi.—Imperii, 15 anno.

6