The letters sent from the Imperiall Musulmanlike highnesse of Zuldan Murad Can, to the sacred regall Majestie of Elizabeth Queene of England
, the fifteenth of March 1579, conteyning the grant of the first privileges.
IN greatnes and glory most renowmed Elizabeth, most
sacred Queene, and noble prince of the most mightie
worshippers of Jesus, most wise governor of the causes
and affaires of the people and family of Nazareth
, cloud
of most pleasant raine, and sweetest fountaine of noblenesse and vertue, ladie & heire of the perpetuall happinesse & glory of the noble
Realme of England (whom all
sorts seeke unto and submit themselves) we wish most
prosperous successe and happie ends to all your actions,
and do offer unto you such pleasures and curtesies as are
worthy of our mutuall and eternall familiaritie: thus
ending (as best beseemeth us) our former salutations.
In most friendly maner we give you to understand,
that a certaine man hath come unto us in the name of
your most excellent Regall Majestie, commending unto
us from you all kindnesse, curtesie and friendly offices
on your part, and did humbly require that our Imperiall
highnesse would vouchsafe to give leave and libertie to him
and unto two other merchants of your kingdome, to resort
hither and returne againe, and that by way of traffike
they might be suffered to trade hither with their goods and
merchandizes to our Imperiall dominions, and in like sort
to make their returne.
Our stately Court and Countrey hath beene ever open
for the accesse both of our enemies and friends. But
because we are informed that your most excellent Regall
Majesty doth abound with good will, humanitie, & all
kind of loving affection towards us, so much the rather
shall the same our Countrey be alwayes open to such of
your subjects, as by way of merchandize shall trade
hither: and we will never faile to aide & succor any of
them that are or shal be willing to esteeme of our friendship, favour, & assistance: but will reckon it some part
of our dutie to gratifie them by all good meanes. And
forasmuch as our Imperiall highnesse is given to understand that your most excellent Regall Majestie doth excell
in bountie & curtesie, we therfore have sent out our
Imperial commandement to all our kings, judges, and
travellers by sea, to all our Captaines and voluntarie seafaring men, all condemned persons, and officers of Ports
and customes, straightly charging and commanding them,
that such foresaid persons as shall resort hither by sea
from the
Realme of England, either with great or small
vessels to trade by way of marchandize, may lawfully
come to our imperiall Dominions, and freely returne home
againe, and that no man shall dare to molest or trouble
them. And if in like sort they shall come into our
dominions by land, either on foote or on horsebacke, no
man shall at any time withstand or hinder them: but
as our familiars and confederates, the French, Venetians,
Polonians, and the king of Germany
, with divers other
our neighbours about us, have libertie to come hither, &
to returne againe into their owne countreys, in like sort
the marchants of your most excellent Regall Majesties
kingdome shall have safe conduct and leave to repayre
hither to our Imperiall dominions, and so to returne againe
into their own Country: straightly charging that they be
suffered to use and trade all kind of marchandize as any
other Christians doe, without let or disturbance of any.
Therefore when these our Imperiall letters shall be
brought to your most excellent Regall Majestie, it shall
be meet, according to our benevolence, humanity, and
familiarity towards your most excellent Majesty, that you
likewise bethinke your selfe of your like benevolence,
humanitie and friendshippe towards us, to open the gate
thereof unto us, and to nourish by all good meanes this
kindnesse and friendship: and that like libertie may be
granted by your Highnesse to our subjects and merchants
to come with their merchandizes to your dominions, either
by sea with their ships, or by land with their wagons or
horses, and to returne home againe: and that your most
excellent Regall Majestie do alwayes declare your
humanitie, good will, and friendship towards us, and
alwayes keepe open the dore thereof unto us.
Given at our citie of Constantinople the fifteenth day
of March, and in the yeere of our most holy Prophet
Mahomet 987.
