He was not the owner of the goods, but only agent, with a partner of his, called Antonio Fernandez, for the real owners; there had been a quarrel between the partners; and the Parliament had stopped the goods till it should be decided by law who ought to have them.

Fernandez was willing to try the action in the English Courts; but De Lauzon had made no appearance there.

And now De Lauzon had hit on the extraordinary expedient of seizing Lucy's ship and dragging the totally innocent Lucy into an action in the French Courts.

All which having been represented to the Protector by Lucy's petition, it is begged that De Lauzon may be told he must go another way to work.
(CXIII.) TO THE DOGE AND SENATE OF VENICE, _Oct._ 1657:--A rather long letter, and not uninteresting.

First the Protector congratulates the Venetians on their many victories over the Turks, not only because of the advantage thence to the Venetian State, but also because of the tendency of such successes to "the liberation of all Christians under Turkish servitude." But, under cover of this congratulation, he calls to their attention again the case of a certain brave ship-captain, Thomas Galilei (_Thomam Galileum_).