William Mico, Leghorn Italy

According to George Mico,USA

The Earl of Winchilsea was a cousin to the king and also a cousin to Sir Henage Finch. During the time that the following letters were written Winchilsea was the ambassador to Turkey which in itself was a strange position. This position in Constantinople was largely sponsored by the Levant Company (of which Samuel Mico was a member and had connections in the Levant . MC) in which Winchilsea agreed to stay there for a period of five years to guard the company's interest. The Levant company in return paid his expenses for travel and allowed him 2000 per year in addition to the required staff. His rivals-----------made much of this arrangement of the English ambassador being tied to an organization of merchants and not truly representing the English government.

At the time of the first letter in Dec 1662, Turkey was preparing for war and Winchilsea himself hoped to be in a mediator role. It happened in May 1663 when the Vizier began his march from Sophia to Belgrade. In Sept. and Oct. 1633 the Turk's captured .........? and a town in Hungary. June 1644 Winchilsea wrote stating that the Turks had started the war at the wrong time. But in Aug 1644 the Turks captured a number of Turks (sic) on the Danube. In Sept. the Turks suffered and were defeated and there was talk of peace. Finally ........July 1655 peace with the Emperor was duly ratified

From the letters of the Earl of Winchilsea, we find a number of letters sent to William Mico at Leghorn, Italy. Most of the letters were written in 1644. In 1670 William Mico is mentioned at Livorno in a letter of Sir Thomas Clutterbuck to Lord Fauconberg....."states that Mr Lee and Co. and Messrs. Northleigh and Hodges ( a connection with the Hodges that married into the Croscombe family? MC) have subscribed for an allowance for a minister, which brings the amount up to 565 dollars per annum, and he believes Mr Mico may be prevailed upon to make it 600 dollars.

From A History of England by John Thorn, speaking of ports of entry for merchants......"Leghorn, which had a large colony of English merchants, was the centre of from which cloth was distributed throughout the Mediterranean countries"

From Finch (Blue Book)

Earl of Winchilsea toWilliam Mico, Leghorn

1662 December 18, Pera ___Desiring him to provide him with handsome horse litter, after the Italian fashion, for his wife. It is to be light, yet strong, very decent but not over costly and lined with crimson velvet or Russian leather.

1663 April 10 Pera___Thanking him for presents of wine, gunpowder and especially for a setting bitch.

1663 May___I send you my coach and furniture to dispose of it if it yeilds a tolerable price in Italy. You will receive some money from Mr White to be remitted for me in England.

1664 April 26 Pera___Thanking him for his care and "punctual advices", has the received the oil, which is excell. good and the horse litter which is very pleasing to his wife. Owing to a miscarry of a son she has not used it yet, but means to take much of her recreation in it this summer. Hears that the case of old Florence wine has arrived at Smyrna, for Mico's care as to which many thanks.

1664 June Pera___Desiring him to send 2 doz. pairs of white Italian gloves, 2ib of Camphire, and 1 lb of oil of petrol for fireworks. Also to provide him yearly "2 chests of red Florence " which is the only wine of Italy that pleases him.

1664 September 15 Pera___ The Bostangi Bassa (Captain of the Guard) wishes to procure a ransom of a Bostangi who was taken by the Livornese and is now in one of the Pope's gallies. If you can find him and "cut his ransome for a certain sum" I will get the money first in my own hands from the Basha, and send you orders to pay the ransom. I have the great desire to obtain some equisite cordials out of the Great Duke's fonderia but conceive that to write to him immediately would seem too much familiarity, and so command the office to you to impact my desires to his Highness as you shall find occasion.

1664 October 5 Pera___Thanking him for oil, gunpowder and papers of intelligence and acknowledging the honour by the merchants in naming their new frigate by his title. Pray send barrel of pickled herring and salt salmon for his Lenton provisions.