Page:A History of the Knights of Malta, or the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.djvu/665

Rh embrace every occasion which may present itself of manifesting it. And as we have particular gratification in seconding your good intentions in such laudable designs, we have resolved to dedicate to the Order of the Knights of Malta Henry Fitz James, our natural son, already well known to you. For your kindness and civility extended to him when at Malta we have to thank you sincerely. Although young, he is not wanting in experience, for he has already crossed the sea, and for nearly two years fought against the heretics. Wherefore, when you have this attestation of his sanctity, which we have thought proper to send you on the subject, we hope that in your goodness you will kindly grant him the dignity of grand-prior of England, enregistering him according to the usual forms of that rank. And as we doubt not that you will grant this favour, we promise you all aid and assistance which is or shall be possible for the glory and advantage of so illustrious and useful an Order in the service of God and to the glory of His church. May God keep us in His holy care. My cousin, your affectionate cousin,.

“Given at St. Germain en Laye, 24th February, 1689.”

This request was naturally acceded to, as the dignity applied for was at the time a practical nullity. Moreover, by this appointment the Grand-Master felt that should James recover his throne (and the battle of the Boyne had not yet been fought), he would most certainly strive to render the defunct grand-priory something more than a barren title. It does not, however, appear that the young man, although duly made a grand-cross and grand-prior of England, was ever professed as a knight.

The last public event of Caraffa’s life did not end so successfully as those already recorded. The allies, in 1689, attempted the capture of Negropont, and met with a bloody repulse, in which the Order had to mourn the loss of twenty-nine knights and a large number of soldiery. Caraffa was already in a failing state of health when the news of this disaster reached Malta. The vexation and grief it caused brought on a violent attack of fever, from which he never rallied, and on the 21st July, 1690, he died, at the age of seventy-three. He was succeeded by Adrian de Vignacourt, nephew to the former Grand-Master