Page 158
Sir Thomas Roe to the Marquesse of Buckingham Lord Admiral.
My Lord,
I Can give your Lordship no great account of any thing that hath occurred since my departure. I was bold to write to Mr. Secre∣tarie Calvert from Maliga of the great increase of the Pyrates in those Seas, and of the danger of the Merchants; with my own thoughts, if his Majestie have any farther purpose to attempt their destruction, which is both honourable and necessarie; if these Trades, or the other of Spain to the South of the North-Cape be of any consequence to his Majesties Kingdomes: if they be suffered to increase, they will brave the Armies of Kings at Sea in a few years, and attempt even the Coasts and Shoares with peril. And because they carry the name only of Thieves, they are yet contemned, or neglected; but they will become a dangerous enemie, when they shall rob with Fleets, and therefore would be in time considered. The Spaniards now make great offers to continue the Contract, though their performance be slow, and their own Estates chiefly interessed, yet besides the danger and ruine of the Merchant it is considerable, that this Army increa∣sing is at the obedience of the Grand Seignior the common Enemy, who hath no strength but Gallies. I know your Lordship will collect enough out of this without further pressure. The Armado's of Spain, Naples and Sicily, have been in the Archipelago, the Turks Forces ab∣sent in the black Sea. Yet they have done nothing of consequence, taken a few Carmisales and slaves, and are returned to the Port, where Don Philibert of Savoy Generalissimo is present, who is made Viceroy of Sicily, with absolute power to dispose of all offices, with∣out attendance from Spain, which is more then Vice-Re. He hath used me for his Majesties honour with very great respect, as I have in particular advised Mr. Secretarie. Among many courtesies, finding 13. English Captives in the Gallies, I thought it my duty to succour them. His Highnesse at the first instance, to expresse his good af∣fection to my Master, gave them to me all free, which I think is a good work, and not ordinary. I beseech your Lordship, that his Majestie may be pleased to take knowledge of it into Spain for the Princes honour, that he may in the like occasion, not think himself neglected.
The advice from Constantinople is seconded of the overthrow of the Turk. God grant it be true, and yet the pride of the Grand Seignior