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SIR,
I Acknowledge the fresh Proof you give me of Old Friendship, in congratulating my Return; and, as you require an Account of the Residue of my Embassy, and what Occurrences have happened since my last to you, I will remember my Promise to you, and never disoblige so choice a Friend. Take them all in a Medley together, what comes next into my Head, as my Memory suggests things more, or less serious. My beginning is upon the mournful; it is this. I was scarce settled in my Mind, which was troubled for Bajazet's Misfortunes and Death, when, lo! I was struck with another Message as sorrowful as the former. We were all in great Expectation of the Success of the Turkish Fleet, which sailed toward the Isle of Meninge, (now called Gerse,) upon News that the Spaniards had prevailed there. For Solyman (being assured that Island was taken by the Christians, and that they had added new Fortifications to the old Castle therein, in which they had yet a very strong Garrison,) could not endure to be thus check'd in the midst of all the Prosperities of his flourishing Empire. Hereupon he equipp'd a Navy with Auxiliaries to relieve those that were Mahometans like himself; and made Pihal Bassa Commander of his Fleet. He
