INTERNAL CONDITIONS
in Turchia.”1 In 1495 mention is made of the appointment of a Florentine consul and magistrate at Ragusa, while in 1514 the Ragusan Lorenzo Ragni (Ragnina ?) held office as magistrate and Councillor of Justice in Florence.2 Various other Christian Powers made use of Ragusa for their relations with the Turks, and even Francis I. of France is said to have had recourse to a member of the Gozze family in his negotiations with the Sultan.3
   Until the fifteenth century the vessels built on the territory of the Republic were small and chiefly used for the coastwise traffic, all foreign trade being carried on ships purchased from other Dalmatian towns or from Italy. Now, however, these sources of supply were found to be inadequate, and in 1525 the Senate decided to build a new shipping yard at Gravosa. This was completed the following year, and was a very admirable and elaborate establishment for the age. At the same time the docks at Slano, Isola di Mezzo, and elsewhere, which belonged to private persons, were enlarged and improved. But even these measures were insufficient for the ever-increasing business, and more ships were purchased at Curzola and at Messina.4
   The harbour and wharfing accommodation were enlarged. Work of this kind had been partially accomplished in 1468 under the direction of the Florentine architect Niccolò di Pasquale ;5 further improvements
  1	G. Müller, Documenti salle Relazioni delle Città Toscane coll' Oriente, p. 227.
  2	Makushev, p. 477.	3 I. von Diiringsfeld, A us Dalmatien.
   4	Gelcich, I Conti di Tuhelj, 68-70.
   5	Ref, Cons. Rog., Oct. 23, Nov. 22, and Dec. 2, 1468.
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