yr majtie’s most affectionat true friend ALLY BEYH Genrall of ye Camps and Kingdome of Tunis A few weeks later Ali Bey quarrelled with Muhamed Tabak Dey, and the latter was strangled at the gate of the Bardo. At this time the authority of the Deys was fast fading before the increased powers of the Beys, and the next Dey, Ahmed Chelebi, was actually appointed by Ali Bey, the murderer of his predecessor. The British Agent and Consul- General Baker remaining in England, Thomas Goodwyn was appointed to succeed him, and Charles II. wrote the following letter to Ahmed Chelebi:— Charles the Second by the Grace of God King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith etc To the Excellent the Bashaw, the Dey and the People of the Citty and Kingdom of Tunis, our well beloved friends and allyes Greeting. Having been pleased to give leave to our Trusty and Wellbeloved Francis Baker Esqr our late Agent and Consul Generall residing with you to returne back into this our Kingdome to attend his private concernes here. We have made choice of our Trusty and Wellbeloved Subject Thomas Goodwyn Esqre (as a person of whose integrity and fittnesse to supply that place we are fully satisfyed) to succeed him, and have accordingly by our commission, under our Royall Signet and Signe manuall constituted the said Thomas Goodwyn our Agent and Consul Generall with your Government. We have therefore thought fitt to acquaint you by these our Letters herewith, and to Recommend Our sayd Agent and Consul unto you, desiring you upon all occasions of our service, and the affayres of our merchants to give him free accesse and audience and to credit him in such things as he shall represent unto you in discharge of his duty according to our said Commission. And so we commit you to the Protection of the Almighty. Given under our Royall Signet and Signe Manuall at our Castle of Windsor the 27th day of August 1683 in the Five and Thirtieth yeare of our Reigne your Loving Friend CHARLES R. L Jenkins L.S In 1685 the French fleet appeared off Goletta, and the Dey consented to indemnify them for their losses by his corsairs, and to grant his authorisation for the opening a place of business at Cape Négre. Next year James II. wrote an autograph letter to Muhamed Baktache. This communication was as follows:—