S z2 TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 



Translation of an Arabic Letter from the King of Abyssi- 

 nia to M. du Roule. 



" The king Tecla Haimanout, king of the eflablifhed 

 * church, fon of the king of a thoufand churches. 



" This letter cometh forth from the venerable, augufl 

 " king, who is the fhadow of God, guide of Chrinian prin- 

 " ces that are in the world, the moll powerful of the Naza- 

 " rean kings, obferver of the commandments of the gofpel,. 

 " protector of the confines of Alexandria, he that maintain- 

 " eth order between Mahometans and Chriftians, defcended 

 " from the family of the prophets David and Solomon, up- 

 " on whom being the bleffings of Ilrael, may God make his 

 " happinefs eternal, and his power perpetual, and protect his 

 " arms — So be it. — To his excellence the moll virtuous and 

 M moll prudent man du Roule, a Frenchman fent to us, 

 " may God preferve him, and make him arrive at a degree 

 " of eminence — So be it.- — Elias, your interpreter whom you 

 " fent before you, being arrived here, has been well receiv- 

 " ed. We have understood that you are fent to us on the 

 " part of the king of France our brother, and are furprifed 

 " that you have been detained at Sennaar. We fend to you 

 " at prefent a letter for king Baady, in order that he may 

 " fet you at liberty, and not do you any injury, nor to thofe 

 " that are with you, but may behave in a manner that is 

 " proper both for you and to us, according to the religion 

 " of Flias that you fent, who is a Syrian ; and all thofe that 

 " may come after you from the king of France our brother, 

 *' or his conful at Cairo,. {hall be well received, whether they 



" be 



