ftates, to ioyne together for their fpeedy fuppreffion,
and the difiointing of their late ftrengthned forces,
which continually encreafeth by the Ships of England,
and Holland, which they daily furprife. It will be difco-
modious to the ftate, and fo dangerous to the common
wealth, in fucceeding times, that Chriftendome muft
expect no Trafficke at Sea: for they are alreadie grown
to the number of fifteene faile of great fhips belonging
to Tunis, fome bearing 40. fome 30. and fome 20. peeces
of ordinance, with men accordingly, as 300. 250. and
200. men at the leaft, in every Ship, fo that I doubt, and
the caufe it felfe may breed a generall feare, that if ex-
pedition be not haftened againft them , the ftate may
heareafter fhare a part in that forrow, which wee poore
sea-faring men have already fuffered. I have fent you
a note by Leanard Crowder, of diverfe fhips, both Englifh
and Dutch, that have been taken fince Ianuary laft, which
although it be a bufineffe not much pertinent to gentle-
men of your profeffion ; yet I doe affure my felfe, that
you are fo faithfull a well-willer to the good eftate and
profperitie of the common-wealth, of which the Mer-
chant and Marriners are not the leaft members, that in
pitie of our loffes fuftained, with vs you could wifh, and
expect a reformation, fince the infinite wealth that our
nation hath fuffered ruine of, by the Turks this laft yeer
it were without doubt , incredible to report, fince hap-
pily you have heard, and I doubt not to proove that
Londons loffes hath amounted to above 200000. pound.
Thus having prefented you at this time, but with a re-
lifh and tafte of that which heereafter fhall bee ftored to
your expectation in a more ample and fuller feaft, I be-
feech you receive this my love, in good part.

Alwaies defirous to be

commanded yours

A n d r e w B a r k e r.