rendered the Turks so powerful as not ever more to be expelled or their off-spring extirpated from the Confines of that Island By this time the Pope's and Malta Gallies were come to their assistance and united with the Venetians so that Capello setting Sail from the Port of Suda resolved to engage the Enemy at St. Theodoro which was effected accordingly though with little success for the Turks had fortified themselves and secured their Gallies with that advantage that they could not be assaulted without great hazard of the Christians and when they endeavoured to burn them their 4. Fireships took fire too soon and proved of more fear and astonishment to the Turks to whom this invention was as yet unknown than of real dammage After this the Venetians returned again to Suda where having intelligence that 30. Turkish Gallies with men and Provision which they had collected in several parts of the Archipelago were on their Voyage to Canea Capello preparing to intercept them with a force of Galleasses and Gallies and leaving Grimani and Morosini to Gommand the main body of the Fleet he in person bent his course towards Cerigo In the mean time Mustapha Pasha departed from Canea in order to his return to Constantinople with 57. light Gallies 2. Ships 2. Galleasses and many Saiks but meeting in his passage with a hard storm of Northerly Winds he lost 7. of his Gallies and several other Vessels so that he resolved to divide his Fleet and send part of them to Scio and himself with the other part to make for Negropont This Fleet was followed by some other Vessels under the Command of Mahomet Celebee Brother of the Pasha of Algier who being as far in his way as the narrow Streights of Andra he was there stopped by the fury of the Northern Winds which are the Master Winds of those Seas and by the impetuous rage thereof was carried to the Island of Zia where having given Licence to the greatest part of his Souldiery to Land they carelesly strayed abroad and without suspicion of surprize merrily passed their time in eating and drinking In the interim advice hereof being carried to Tomaso Morosini then with some Ships in the Port of Milo he immediately without loss of time applied himself to assault the Turks and being followed by the Proveditor Grimani he took two of their Ships whilst Mehmet Celebce with about 200. of his men betook themselves to the weak shelter of an old demolished Fort and afterwards surrendred themselves to the discretion of the Conquerour Morosini and Grimani encouraged with this success resolved to pursue the Enemies Fleet in order unto which Morosini first putting out to Sea was instantly carried away by a sierce gale of Wind towards Ambro and separated from the rest of his Fleet and thence again was tossed by the impetuosity of the storms unto Rafti of which Mustapha Pasha having intelligence made haste to attack this single Vessel with 40. Gallies giving order to the Bey of Rhodes to lay him aboard with 15. Gallies the strongest and best armed of all their Squadron Morosini nothing dismayed bearing the same constancy of mind in the midst of his Enemies as at a distance boldly showed himself on the Quarter Deck encouraging his men with his words and by his example to actions worthy their Religion Faith and Country for which they contended The Turks continued for some time to batter the Ship at a distance with their Cannon but with little dammage to the Christians who returned their shot to better advantage Hereby the Turks perceiveing that blows given so far off did little Execution resolved to Board the Vessel and subdue her by force of Armes and being come to the side of the Ship the Souldiers were fearful to enter suspecting some trains of Powder to blow them up until Emurat one of the Captains struck off the Head of one or two of his own men whom he perceived backward in the Assault which affrighted the rest into the greater danger and forced them to enter the Ship who were soon followed by the Gallies of the Bey of Rhodes of Milo of Mehmet Bey and others so that now 200. of the Enemy were Combating with Swords and Half Pikes upon the Deck in which storm Morosini sighting amongst the thickest was shot through the Head with a Musket Bullet and so gloriously finished his days in the service and defence of his Country gaining to himself a Laurel and an Immortal name of Glory and Renown The Christian Souldiers little regarding all this time the fall of their General stoutly maintained their Fight in which they received encouragement from the prospect they had of 2. Galeasses making haste to their succour at whose nearer approach the Turks desisted from their farther attempt being unwilling to purchase a Victory at the dear rate it would cost them The Body of Morosini was transported to Venice and his Obsequies Celebrated in a manner more Triumphant than Funebrous the Proveditor Grimani was likewise declared Captain General in the place of Capello who having as it were Besieged the Castles at the Mouth of the Dardanelli taken several places in the Archipelago and put the Enemies Fleet often unto flight he thereby and by other acts of Valour rendered him justly renowned through all Christendom These were the chief and most memorable actions by Sea performed this Year Those by Land were acted chiefly in Dalmatia where the Turks poured in their Forces on the Venetian Dominions but were bravely repulsed by Leonardo Foscolo who took Ali Bey Prisoner the Commander in Chief of the Sangiac of Licca and slew his Son besides which he took Saccovar Polissano Islan and other Fortresses and Castles full of Armes and Ammunition which were the Magazines of the Country he also recovered Novegrade out of the hands of the Turks which was afterwards demolished by Order from the Senate which Victories were followed with other successes nothing being able to oppose the Valiant and Prosperous Armes of Foscolo for besides the taking and sacking of several other Forts and Castles in Dalmatia Obraozzo Carino Ottissina Velino Nadino Urana Tino and Salona in the Confines of Croatia and Bosna became a prey to the Venetian Armes But to this successful Progress of the War a stop was given for some time by the sickness of Fosiolo in which interim the new Pasha of Bosna called Mahomet Techli a Circassian born a person both Generous and Valiant with an Army of 4c thousand men besieged the strong Fortress of Sebenico but was bravely repulsed by the Valour of the Inhabitants the very Women exceeding the imbecillity of their Sex and Children and old Men with the weakness of their Age strengthened themselves with resolution against their Enemies and so valiantly behaved themselves in defence of their City that the Turk was sorced to raise his Siege having gained nothing but the loss and slaughter of many of his people and the best of his Souldiery whereby
Prince taking thereby from the People the free priviledge of Election Commanding them to accept him without farther dispute or repugnancy It is uncertain whether Berclay designed the Principality to himself by any instance he made to the Turks or whether his Election proceeded meerly from the Vizier himself yet this is certain that returning home Berclay applyed himself to establish his own Dominion and to disappoint the designs of his Predecessour and his party The Turks being satisfyed with this submission with the subjection of several places of importance with deposing of Ragotzki and establishment of a new Prince began to disband a great part of their Forces and the Great Vizier with the remainder returned towards Constantinople supposing the fire of this War to be totally extinguished In this condition of repose matters continued for about the space of two Years when Ragotzki impatient of his losses and of the exchange of his publick State to a private condition inveterate in his hate towards his Rival and Competitor resolved to tempt fortune once more and make his ultimate Assay either to establish himself in his Principality or at least to render himself equal with other mortal Princes in the Grave and so relying with much confidence on the zealous affection of his Subjects and the promise of powerful Adherents he once again justled himself into the Government by the expulsion of his Rival whom he could not behold with other than with an emulous and unpleasing eye Berclay perceiving himself thus ensnared neglected and persecuted by all parties represented these innovations to the Ottoman Port with the most aggravating circumstances imaginable beseeching them to afford him aid and vindicate their own honour in maintenance of him whom they had constituted a Prince and was a Creature formed by their own favour The Turks immediately touched with the sense hereof Issued out Orders to Ciddi Ahmet the new Pasha of Buda Commanding him without delay to gather what Forces he could to interrupt the designs of Transilvania and to put matters unto a stand until a greater Army could fecond him under the Command of Ali Pasha appointed General for this Expedition The Pasha of Buda readily obeyed and assembling what Forces he could in Hungary and joining with the Pasha of Temiswar passed the Danube and with a very considerable Army entered Transilvania Ragotzki undaunted at the near approach of his Enemy boldly entered the Field with his Forces and joined Battel with them in the Month of May 1660. between the Cities of Clansemburg and Giulia Alba. At first the Christians endeavoured to have intercepted the Enemies passage by some Ambuscado or stratagem of War but the Turks still advancing were at length met by the Van-Guard of the Christians to assistance of which several Bodies following one after the other it became a general Engagement of both Armies in which Battel Ragotzki gave his usual proofs of valour declaring by his actions that he was resolved to die or to Triumph But being at length wounded in four parts of his Body and his Army over-powered with numbers he was forced to yield the Fortune of the Day to the Turks leaving 8. pieces of Cannon and his Standard in their hands and the greatest part of his Army being either killed or taken he himself with a few of his Attendants recovered Varadin where after 18. Days distemper of his Wounds he expired his unquiet and troubled Soul This was the end of that vain Icarus who attempted to fly with feigned Wings and borrowed Feathers this is the fate of ambitious Spirits whom Pride elevates and exhales like a vapour unto that height until it dissolves them into Showers or precipitates them into the abysse of all Confusion This George Ragotzki was of a tall and well proportioned Stature black Hair and a frisled Beard his Eyes quick and lively of an active Body and healthy Constitution his Spirit was high and great which betrayed him to extravagancies his Comportment was generous and courteous towards all which rendered him exceedingly beloved and esteemed by his Nobility he was free in his Speech and eloquent in his Expressions prudent in his Counsels and Enterprizes had not the quickness and vivacity of his Soul made him something rash and violent in his Attempts he was of the Protestant Religion leaving behind him a Widow and a Son of hopeful and happy endowments After the Death of Ragotzki it might well be expected that these storms of War should be dispersed and that Transilvania should at length enjoy the Sun-shine and calmer Weather of Peace and Repose But Ali Pasha General of the Turkish Camp being by this time arrived the Confines with his powerful Army resolved not to return empty or in vain without advantaging the Ottoman Interest and making some satisfaction towards the expence and trouble of so great an Army Wherefore taking pretence against Varadin for receiving Ragotzki after his Defeat abetting his party and following his Interest designed to summon that important Fortress to surrender which is situated at the foot of those Mountains which open a passage into Transilvania The Inhabitants of Varadin terrified at the approach of this formidable enemy dispatched a Messenger to the Emperour imploring with most effectual Arguments his Sacred Protection and powerful Assistance against the Common Enemy to Christendome representing to his Cesarean Majesty how that the Turks in their Capitulations with him had agreed to build or erect no new Fort on those Frontiers and whereas it was the same thing to force and usurp a Fortress already made as to form a new one the taking of Varadin was to be esteemed a real violation of the Articles of Peace That his Majesty would be pleased to reflect on the fatal consequences which the loss of Varadin might prove to Hungary as well as Transilvania being that Gate which obstructed cuts off all intercourse between them and Germany These considerations with several others were exceeding prevalent in the Imperial Council so that it was resolved that General Souches should prepare his Army and put all things in readiness to afford the assistance which was desired supposing that with the German Regiments and Hungarian Forces might be formed an Army of about 25. thousand fighting men But in regard in those instructions given to Souches there was a Clause that he should be careful not to engage his Forces in any attempt where the event might be doubtful he assembled the principal persons of that Country and the Militia to consult whether succour and relief might be given to Varadin without hazarding the Army in a doubtful and a dangerous adventure in consideration of which point a true computation being made of all the Imperial Forces they were found much inferiour to that calculate which was made of them at Vienna For that since Tockai Zatmar Kalo and other places belonging to the State of Ragotzki had been Garisoned by German Souldiers there remained not of them above 4000. effective
Men the Hungarian Forces which were supposed to have consisted of 2000. Men could not form 600. the Haiduchs which were computed to be 6000. Men did not appear in the person of one being all dispersed and retired to their own homes The additional Forces from the Princes of the Empire were as uncertain as the expectation of them long and tedious for though the Imperial Forces united are of puissance sufficient to bid Battel and defiance to the numerous Troops of the Ottoman Power yet in regard the union of that Body depends on the Assembly of Diets Treaties and long Debates which are subject to time and delays caused by different Factions which are impossible to be avoided amongst different States whose Disunions Competitions Emulations and Pretences always in such meetings abound and prejudice the common cause and benefit of the Empire the raising of such a formidable Army becomes a matter always of time and difficulty Howsoever the Emperour whose Hereditary and Elective Possessions bordering on the Consines of the Enemy is necessarily engaged to be the standing Bulwark of the rest and a Bank against the inundation of barbarous Nations whilst other Princes whose Dominions are more remote and secure apprehend not the premures and storms that the Emperour sustains and is enforced to expel with the loss and diminution of his own people and impoverishment of his peculiar Treasure To these considerations which rendered these pious intentions towards Varadin almost impossible there wanted Money which is the Sinews of War and the Soul of all Enterprizes And that which farther retarded those succours and prosecution of the design in hand was the departure of his Cesarean Majesty from his Court at Vienna on occasion of a Progress as far as Trieste to take Homage of his Provinces of Stiria Carinthia and Cragno which was an action much against the Counsel and advice of the Arch-Duke Leopold his Uncle who foresaw how great disorders would ensue by the Emperours absence in this Conjuncture from his Imperial Court. Upon which considerations Count Souches sent a true List of all his Forces with an account of the strength of his Enemy remonstrating that it was impossible to convey Forces into Varadin without hazarding a Battel with Ali Pasha which would prove an absolute breach of the Peace which in this Conjuncture and want of preparation was neither honourable nor safe for the Empire In the mean time Ali Pasha proceeded and encamped with his Army before Varadin breaking first ground the 4th of July 1660. and beginning a Formal Siege he soon begirt the Town and continually labouring in making Trenches Batteries and Approaches they arrived in a few days to the Counterscarp of the Wall But the better to describe the Siege and Assaults on this famous City it will be necessary first to explain the Condition and Scituation of the place Varadin therefore is seated in a Plain on the Banks of the River Chrysé To the East it is environed with such craggy and rough Mountains as render it almost on that side unaccessible To the South the Town extended it self most To the North it is washed with the River over which some small yet fruitful Hills raise themselves it is encompassed with a Wall filled with Earth after the fashion of Modern Fortifications and strengthened with five main Bulwarks and a very deep Ditch filled with the River Water it was well provided both of Victuals and Ammunition and armed with Ordnance both great and small as was sufficient to have repulsed a puissant Enemy and have sustained a long and strait Siege But the Garison within consisted only of eight hundred and fifty Souldiers an inconsiderable number both in respect of the Circuit of the Fortress and of that gross Army which emcompassed it The Enemy being now as it is said before under the Counterscarp of the Wall they perceived that the Ditch was so deep and filled with Water that though their great Guns had made open Breaches in the Walls yet there was no possibility to storm them or bring the Souldiery to sealing Ladders or handy blows The besieged also made such continued Sallies with success and slaughter of the Enemy that after three and twenty days of vain labour to few the Ditch Ali Pasha was at length almost resolved to have raised his Siege and given over the Enterprize upon which whilst he considered and ruminated as ill Fortune would have it a certain Maid which formerly had been a servant to the Governour of the Garison then a Captive in the Turkish Camp having observed how on occasion the Citizens used to empty and drain the Ditch revealed the secret to the Turks hoping thereby not only to purchase her Liberty but with that also a Sum of Money for price of her treachery so that discovering where another Ditch was to be opened the course of the Water was soon diverted and the Walls of the Town laid dry and open to the Assailants As this happened without so another accident within equally dangerous befel the Besieged for one day an Officer of the Ammunition going into the Stores with a lighted Candle by chance dropped a spark of fire from his Lanthorn into the Powder which taking fire blew up the Powder Granadoes Fire-works and all other military Stores with the neighbouring houses and above a hundred men which loss alone was sufficient to have dejected the minds of frail men yet they so valiantly bore up their courages that they seemed not in the least abated but rather animated with the height of anger and despair The Turks having now free Access to the Walls undermined some small Forts which they blew up and thereby made so great a Breach that with facility hoping to gain the Town if they made use of the occasion they poured in such multitudes of people as the Besieged were scarce able to withstand and the Turkish Souldiery being also weary of their sufferings and irksomness of their tedious leagure resolved now or never to put an end to their labours so that advancing with their open Breasts to the top of the Battlements without fear either of Cannon or Musket shot they entered within the Walls and planted the Turkish Banners on the Works but being afterwards received by a resolute Company of the Defendants they were again thrown from the Walls and tumbled back into the Ditch with an incredible Slaughter It is impossible here to describe the anger the courage the despair which was apparent in the faces of the Besieged enflamed by the love of their own Country and hatred of the Turks so that three or four sustained sometimes the Assault of a Troop and a small number united opposed a whole Sangiack of the Enemy The Women also forgetting the imbecillity of their Sex renewing in themselves the Courage and Vigour of the Ancient Amazons exposed themselves without fear upon the Walls throwing sealding Water Stones burning Pitch and whatsoever came next to hand upon the Assailants
Plea or Endictment struck off his Head and threw his Body into the Sea on pretence that he was sent thither as a Spy for his Master and to give Intelligence and a beginning to Rebellion These were his colours and allegations for his deserved Death for Governours though never so wicked and so absolute and that have no need to render any other cause to the World of their actions than their own will yet esteem it necessary to act under the specious guise of justice and in the good opinion of the multitude The Aga of Babylon encountred the same Fortune for Mortaza giving place he thought it sit for himself to do the like resolving for Constantinople but being intercepted in his Journey by the new Pasha his Head was struck off and his Journey shortned But that which again renewed the trouble and fears of the Vizier was a report that the late Kahya-begh degraded at Adrianople was secretly returned to the City and lived concealed giving such Orders to the Janizaries as tended to Mutiny and Insurrection and that the pretences and reports of his being gone to Damascus and thence in his holy Pilgrimage to Mecha were but all false stories to conceal his Residence at Constantinople This set the Vizier all on fire and made him tremble with the thoughts of it wherefore search was made for him day and night but not found for in reality he was gone on his designed Journey only it was the misfortune of his Kahya or Steward as before it was of Mortaza's Emaum to fall into the Viziers hands who being beaten to confess where his Master was died afterwards of the blows But notwithstanding that Mortaza was fled yet the Vizier laid not aside his fears and thoughts concerning him not knowing how soon he might be recalled home and seated in his place of which various Examples are extant in Turkish History And therefore he sent orders to Mahomet Pasha his late Kahya now Pasha of Darbiquier as General with the knowledge and consent of the Grand Signior and to the Pashaws of Aleppo Erzirum and others near adjacent to prepare and assemble what Force was necessary to constrain the King of the Curdi to surrender Mortaza into their hands But whilst these matters were in agitation some unexpected troubles in Georgia diverted their Armes and held them for some time in suspense not knowing what the issue might be The Original and Ground thereof was this After Sultan Solyman had taken Erzirum it was agreed in the Capitulations between the Turks and Persians that of the seven Provinces of Georgia anciently called Iberia but now as supposed to have received the Denomination from St. George the Cappadocian Martyr there had in great esteem and reverence three should be tributaries to the Turk and three to the Persian all governed by Achic-bash as head and supreme Prince to whom the seventh should also be subjected without acknowledgment to either In payment of which tribute they continued most willingly lest for default thereof the importation of Salt of which their Provinces afford none should be hindred either from the Turkish or Persian Dominion And now it happened that Achic-bash dying his Wife married again who to gratifie her new Lover was contented to have the eyes of her Son put out who was the lawful Heir to the Government This Fact was so hainously received by the Princes of the three Provinces under the Persian that with common consent they elected one to succeed Achic-bash and extorted the power out of the hands of the Amorous Traitour The Princes of the three Provinces under the Turk alarm'd hereat made insurrection resolving rather than any Foreigner to set up one of the Kindred of Achic-bash which the Persian Provinces better understanding approved likewise and for confirmation and maintenance of their choice assembled an Army of threescore thousand men The Pashaws tending towards Curdi were surprized in their March with the news of these disturbances in Georgia and not rightly apprehending the causes of these sudden commotions gave an arrest to the progress of their Armes inclining towards the Parts of Georgia to be in a readiness to suppress all designs against the Ottoman Dominions so that the thoughts of War against the Curdi was for some time laid aside The news of these troubles did also alarm the Port with which also came a report That six hundred Tents of the Kuzilbashees which are the best sort of Persian Horsemen were pitched nigh the Consines of the Grand Signiors Territories so that Orders were dispatched to the aforesaid Pashaws to watch the motion and issue of those Affairs but those storms blowing over by the establishment of Achic-bash the Turkish Forces proceeded on their first design against Mortaza marching to the pass of the Country of the Curdi which is very steep asperous and rough The whole Kingdom being as it were one Mountain of dangerous and difficult access hath hitherto preserved the Inhabitants from the Ottoman Subjection The entrance thereunto being strong by Nature is also fortified with several Castles the chief of which possessed by Mortaza is called Zizri and the people thereabouts Zezidi The Turkish Army being arrived at this pass Mahomet the Pasha of Darbiquier appointed General as we have said before ordered five hundred of his select men to enter within the pass which the Curdi perceiving with little opposition put to slight being so commanded by the General The unadvised Curdi cagerly pursuing the enemy left the pass naked and undefended supposing their whole victory and success to consist in the Rout of those few whereupon the Turkish Army wisely possessed the pass and got between the Curdi and their place of Retreat and laying the Siege to the Castle required them either to surrender themselves or else Mortaza and his Complices into their hands The Curdi perceiving themselves thus hardly beset and in a manner defrauded their Garison which possessed the pass without the Confines the enemey gotten possession of the Gate which opened to their Countrey their Castles besieged and in danger to be gained and an inlet made to an Inundation by their Enemies caused them to request a three days truce for Consultation which being granted they began to consider whether it were better to hazard the welfare of their Country in a dangerous War of which the Turks having already compassed the passage had made half the Conquest or to surrender up Mortaza to his own King one in whom they had no part no interest nor relation The latter counsel was most generally pleasing wherefore they seized Mortaza promising at first to conduct him through the Mountains to the Persians but afterwards being on horse-back and about a mile distant from the Camp they bound his hands behind him and with his Steward the Master of his Horse and a Page delivered him into the hands of the Turks who immediately struck off their heads and sent them to Constantinople where for three or four days
expeditions had raised so that the Army both Horse and Foot began to transport themselves as fast as was possible to the other side but the multitudes crouded over in that disorder and hast that three or four thousand men had scarce passed the River before the Bridge was so broken and shattered that some time was necessarily required to repair it before the rest of the Army durst adventure to follow their Companions The Approach of the Turkish Army alarmed all that side of Hungary but especially the Inhabitants of Newhausel who observing the Turks to bend their Course that way plainly foresaw the Storm of War to be breaking on them the News also of the fall of the Bridge and thereby the Separation of about four thousand Turks from the Body of the Army was brought in by the Country people who forsaking their Villages fled for succour to the stronger Fortress of Newhausel Hereupon Forcatz the Governour of Newhausel a valiant and experienced Souldier though esteemed by the Turks unfortunate taking this Alarm judged that this occasion of cutting off that part of the Turkish Army which had past the River was in no wise to be omitted and therefore assembled a Council of War which consisted of all the principal Officers and Commanders of the Garison amongst which was Colonel Volter that commanded the four thousand men lately sent to reinforce the Town he declared that his opinion was Immediately to make a Sally on that part of the Turkish Army which had already passed the River before the Bridge was repaired for Transportation of the others which endeavours by Gods Assistance succeeding well might not only discourage the Enemy but be a means to divert them from their present design upon their City This Advice though he pressed with heat of Argument and violence of Speech yet could it not prevail with the rest of the Council which seemed wholly averse thereunto especially Volter who declared That his Commission was not to fight in the Field but to conserve himself within the Walls for maintenance of his Garison Some days passed in this Dispute whilst Forcatz growing more eager and hot on this design used opprobrious Terms and expressions of infamy towards the other Officers accusing all such of Cowardice and Treason who refused to concurr with him in this Enterprize and advantage on the Enemy which Heaven seemed to reach out to them for their Deliverance if their wisedom and courage afforded them only will and grace to lay hold on the opportunity These sharp words and resolution of the Governour provoked the minds of the Officers to a condescension and thereupon about eight thousand men of Choice and approved Souldiers well armed with stout hearts and hard Iron not suffering themselves to be upbraided with such reproach in the silence of the Night under the Conduct of Forcatz their own Commander Volter remaining in the Town took their way towards the Turkish Camp and being armed with Firelocks marched with all privacy without lighted Matches or sound of Drum or Trumpet But whilst the foregoing Dispute lasted the Turks had transported the gross of their Army over the River and then lay on her Banks resting securely under their Pavillions The Christians approaching near the Turkish Camp with the first twilight and dawning of the Morning perceiving the Enemy unprovided but not discovering their Force dealt at first onset their shot most plentifully amongst them and proceeding amidst the thickest cutting shooting killing and making havock of all before them The amazed Turks having many of their Companions brought to their last sleep before themselves were throughly awake and some flying before they discovered the reason or the danger an Alarm was given by the confused murmur of Allah Allah and that the Christians were upon them reached the farthest Quarters of the Turkish Army which immediately put themselves into Battalia and order of fighting whilst this handful of Germans proceeded forwards dealing their blows amongst their Enemies cutting the Cords of the Tents and destroying all before them But by this time the Turks having put themselves into a posture of Defence the Horse and Foot came marching in a Body extending their Wings in the form of a half Moon so as to enclose this small number and on all sides to assail them The Germans seeing this formidable sight approach and no safety in flight encouraged each other to sell their Lives at as dear a rate as they could all hopes of escape seeming desperate they fought with that courage and obstinacy as amazed the Turks and yielded not until their Spirits fainted with labour and their Swords were blunted by the Bodies of their Enemies The Count Forcatz hardly escaped but by the help of his Horse with some few others fled to Newhausel which unwillingly received him wishing that the rashness of his Counsels had only proved his own destruction and not involved so many brave and innocent Souldiers who were only unfortunate for being over-powered by his command and perswasions The rest overwhelmed with multitudes yielded for though they behaved themselves beyond the power and courage of men yet the numbers of the Enemy prevailed at length over these Christian Champions whose Gallantry was more eminent and conspicuous in being subdued than the Glory of their Enemies in the Victory In this Skirmish few escaped amongst which four hundred Gentlemen were slain and about eighteen hundred Prisoners reported to be taken a bad Omen at the beginning of this War This Rout being given the Turks triumphed in Blood and success and returned with their Captives and Trophies back to Strigonium where the Vizier mounting a Throne of State and Majesty treated these valiant Souldiers not like men of War or Captives taken in open Field but as a Judge condemned them to dye by the hand of the Hang-man or Executioner passing a formal Sentence of Death upon them as if they had been Thieves or Assasinates arrested by the hand of Justice The Sentence being passed and the Turkish Army drawn up these valiant Christians were ranked in order and sile to dye who had so lately with Swords in their hands ranged themselves in Battle against their Enemy and so soon as the Executioners fell to their work and the horrid Massacre was begun the Guns were fired and the whole Camp resounded with barbarous Musick and shouts In the mean while the most superstitious amongst them triumphed that God was now destroying the Infidels manifesting the truth of their Prophet and doing his own work not unlike the assertions and doctrines of those Pretenders to Religion who have always hallowed and excused their cruelties with the Name of God and sanctified the blood they have shed by making their Enemies Amalekites and by pretence of false Lights and Prophecies countenanced their most impious Sacriledge in Gods Churches and Invasions of their Neighbours Rights The merciless Executioners had proceeded to bereave of life about thirteen or fourteen hundred persons the Vizier standing a
and Articles of Agreement the Christians with this confidence marched near the Walls where the Turks espying their advantage on their Enemies now under command of their Guns fired upon them and did severe execution killing amongst others several principal Officers of which were General Hammerling and Count Harberstein which perfidious action so transported Serini that he resolved on a furious assault and performed it with that gallantry that on the 5 th of February he took the Town by storm and force of Arms and in recompence of their treacherous Stratagem put all the Inhabitants to the sword and gave up the Town to the Pillage and Plunder of the Souldiery and afterwards setting it on fire rendred it the most horrid spectacle of fire and sword that had as yet been seen or known in this present War These successes of Serini gained him the reputation of a valiant and fortunate Prince and his liberal hand in frankly bestowing the Booty and Pillages amongst the Souldiery invited great numbers to follow his Banner His active Spirit and Vigilance gained him likewise a reputation amongst the Turks that their principal fear and dread was of Serin-Ogli as of a watchful and politick Enemy for in every place he made great havock and spoil being reported to have laden two thousand five hundred Carts with Slaves Goods and Ammunition and to carry with him an hundred fifty five Pieces of Cannon taken out of small Forts and Palancha's and to have laid waste all the Country between the Dravns and the Danube In these Incursions and victorious and dreadful travels through the Enemies Country the valiant Serini at length arrived at Sigeth a Fortress consisting of a new and old Town conjoyned by a Bridge which crosses a famous Marsh or Fen ennobled by the Attempt made thereon by Solyman the Magnificent in the year 1565. with an Army of six hundred thousand men in defence of which Nicholas Serini the great Grandfather of the present Count immortalized his Fame and Memory with the loss of his life and renowned the place it self by his Feats of Arms. At this place Serini was resolved to revenge the blood of his Ancestors and sacrisice great numbers to the Ghost of his Grandfather to which end he sent the Count Olack before him with part of his Army to summon the Enemy and prepare the way to his own more effectual force Olack had ordered all things accordingly when Serini full of Glory and Spoils arrived him in his Leagure and joyning together appointed the day for a general storm but whilst these things were meditating and that Sigeth was reduced almost to the last extremity advice came of the near approach of a Body of twelve thousand Turks and Tartars to encounter which the Attempt was accounted difficult considering the loss and diminution of the Christian Forces which by continual actions and the bitter suffering of the Winter season were reduced to a number inferiour to that of their Enemies and wanting all sorts of Provision and Ammunition it was resolved as most expedient to raise the Siege which was the next day performed and the Souldiery taken into Garrisons to repose and recruit themselves But whilst by the active and zealous Spirit of this great Champion most matters proceeded successfully on the side of Croatia the Christian Affairs on the other side by the negligence of some Ministers ran into evident ruine and disorder For Claudiopolis which not many years past had defended it self so valiantly against the Turks under the Command of the Governour Retani did now wanting pay the sinew and life of the Souldiery follow the late example of Zechelhyd and surrendred it self into the hands of Apafi and though the complaints and murmurings of the Souldiers gave a sufficient time of warning to make due Provisions against a misfortune so imminent and plainly appearing yet the want of expedition at Vienna and the unprofitable application only of empty words and air to feed the penury and satisfie the appetite of starving men was a remedy so little available that the Garrison submitted to Apafi and yielded to Conditions whereby they might eat and live the story of which place compared with that of Zechelhyd was so shameful and pungent to men capable of any impressions of honour or duty that at length it awakened the Germans and admonished them to provide better for Zacmar and Tockay and other Frontier Garrisons lest they also should incur the like Fate and misfortune with the two former By this time the Actions of Serini were rumoured in the Grand Signiors Seraglio and the report of them became common in the mouths of the Vulgar wherefore full of anger and disdain the Sultan wrote severely to his Vizier reproving him of negligence for suffering Serini so freely to range his Countries without controul to the great dishonour of his Empire and damage of his People whereupon the Vizier not as yet having received his Recruits nor prepared so early for the March of the gross of his Army dispatched notwithstanding a considerable Force to precede him with Orders either by stealth to surprize Serinswar or else to lay siege unto it This Army marching by the way of Bosna the News thereof was brought to Count Peter Serini appointed by his Brother to stand Sentinel on the Guard of his Country whilst he in Person was busied in Hungary who immediately thereupon with what force he could collect ambushed himself at the narrow Pass of a Mountain called the Morlac where he had not long attended before the Turks without order or care entred with their whole Body but being on a sudden surprized by the Count were wholly defeated leaving two thousand dead on the place with many Prisoners The month of March being now well entred the Frosts began to thaw and the Air become more mild and moderate when Count Nicholas Serini entertained thoughts of laying siege to Canisia But to lay the foundation of this design with the better judgment it was thought first necessary to view the state and situation of the place wherefore the Count in person accompanied with about fourteen Officers went one day to take a survey thereof but he was not so private in his design but that it was known to the Turks who secretly laid five hundred men in wait to take him and upon the near approach of Serini started from their holes with shouts and out-crys but the Count was so well mounted on his Croatian Courser that he out-ran them all and got refuge in the Thickets of a neighbouring Wood where three hundred of his own Horse alarmed at a distance by the Echo's of the cry came in to his succour and making head against the Turks routed and defeated them killing and taking many Prisoners amongst the slain was found one armed cap-a-pe with a silk twist or cord of divers colours about his waste who was as reported by the Captives to have been one who resolved to have taken Serini
have been observed nover to have thrived where the Heads of Armies have been of dissenting humors of different interests This timidity on the Christian part raised in that manner the spirits of the Turks that without stop or opposition passing the River Muer they arrived at Serinswar where they immediately fell to their Mattock and Spade breaking ground for their Trenches which by continued labour they so diligently attended that in seventeen days they arrived at the very ditch of the Fort only whilst the Turks were transporting their Numbers over the River the generous spirit of Strozzi not enduring to see their passage so easie and open valiantly opposed himself and his small Force against the greater power of the Enemy and so resolutely performed the Action that he killed five hundred upon the place till at length being unfortunately shot by a Musket-bullet in the forehead he gloriously together with one Chisfareas a renowned Croatian Captain ended his days in defence of his Country and the Christian Cause In this interim General Montecuculi arrived with his Army and was received by Count Serini with all evidences and demonstrations of respect and hearty welcome and between both passed an appearance at least of friendly correspondence But as to the present Engagement Montecuculi was of opinion That the opportunity was over-slipt which should at first have been performed rather by way of surprize than open Battle before the Ottoman Army had arrived to its full numbers consisting now of an hundred thousand fighting men To which reasons Serini replied That the Christian Cause and the States and Confines of the Empire were not to be maintained by men that carry their thumbs at their girdles or by Armies made resty with ease and wanton with luxury That those Armies were raised not to consume and exhaust the Revenues of their Princes and Exchequers of their States without making satisfactory amends by a valiant defence of that Interest which they owned That the Enemy had not been before that time attempted was no fault or neglect of his who under the very Walls of Kanisia resolved to give them Battle but that the other Generals supposed it more prudence and caution to protract the Engagement till his Arrival who being now happily conjoyed with them nothing ought to deter them from a glorious Attempt on the Turks who not consisting of above thirty thousand men ill disciplined and worse armed were not able to withstand the prowess of their Veterane Army which far exceeded them in number discipline and courage These or such like expressions Serini used and to prove what he averred he dispatched a confident Person of his own who spake naturally the Turkish Language with a Letter to the German Resident then entertained under custody in the Turkish Camp to know of him the true 〈◊〉 and number of the Turks which Messenger soon after returned with this short account Nisi me mortuum velis ampliùs non rescribas hîc vix sunt triginta millia nec illa satis electa quid vos à pugna deterret Tormenta Arcis nimis in altum exploduntur Which in English is thus Unless you desire my death write not back to me again here are scarce thirty thousand men and those ill provided what then should deter you from an Engagement The Cannon in the Castle are too high mounted or shoot over Serini gave this Letter to Montecuculi who replied That so soon as General Sporch came up with his Forces he would immediately draw up the Army into Battalia Sporch being arrived he then resolved to expect Marquess Baden and so deferred the Battel from time to time until the Turks advantaging themselves by these delays had worked themselves under ground to the very Walls of the Castle At length Montecuculi entring into Serini's Fort it is not known upon what reasons of jealousie or discontent cleared Serini's Forces of the Garrison and dispossessed the Governour which when Sirini perceived full of anger and displeasure he quitted the Camp and retired himself to his Residence at Chiacaturno with intent to make his just Appeal and Complaint to the Emperours Court. The Turks availing themselves of these delays and discontents proceeded forward in their work so that having Mined to the very Walls on the 9 th of June they blew up one of the Half Moons at which the Defendants were so terrifyed that with amazement they left open one of their Sally Ports at which the Turks entering put the whole Garrison into disorder consisting of 1900. fighting men so that now no safety remaining but in flight they forsook their Fort and crouding over the Bridge in confused heaps broke it down with the over-pressure of its burden by fall of which many perished in the Waters and about 350 which remained were cut off by the Sword This was the fate of Serini's Fort built with Art and lost by Cowardice and ill Conduct which the Year before only with 20. Germans and 150. Hungarians withstood a most impetuous and fierce storm of the Enemy but now was less tenable than a Palancha though Garrisoned with 1900. men of whom in this last assault one alone had Courage to fire his Musket but none adventured to draw a Sword unless certain Voluntiers and French Officers whose Courage only renowned their own Deaths and served to upbraid the Cowardice of their Companions In the Fort were only found five small Field Pieces one whole Cannon a great Mortar piece and two small ones belonging to Count Serini there were also one Morter piece and two small Field pieces like to those of Serini belonging to the Emperour the other Guns of weight or value were carried out of the Fort as being judged not long tenable and decreed to be abandoned to the Enemy Serinswar being thus taken was immediately demolished by the Vizier and razed to the ground either because he would seem to maintain his word or Vow he had made or because he would not multiply Garrisons when the present occasions required rather the active Force of a moving Army But before we proceed farther it seems pertinent to our purpose to declare the reasons and grounds of the preceeding neglects and discountenance passed upon Serini by the Grandees of the Imperial Army which not being vindicated by the Emperour seem to have been cast upon him by his express Order or at least to have been willing for some private respects to have the person of Serini abased and his actions obscured It is therefore to be noted what before hath been said That the first pretence the Turks made for this War was this Fort of Serinswar raised against the Capitulations and Articles of the last Peace for which though the violence against Varadin may be pleaded as equal if not exceeding the present breach to which this was only subsequent and seemed to be but a just recompence or effect thereof yet because it was that stone of scandal and offence which
General falling from their resolutions and promises Count Leslie was revoked from his employment and the Imperial Interest and hopes disappointed of so considerable a succour Howsoever that the Pastoral care might not seem to be altogether dormant and careless of the Universal Flock the Pope having disbanded his Army could not do less than to supply the defect thereof with mony for raising of which he charged the Ecclesiastical State through all Italy the Dominions of Venice only excepted whose Wars already with the Turks exempted them from farther Taxes with an imposition of 6. per Cent. of their yearly Revenue under the notion of Tenths or Tiths which in all amounted to the sum of 700 thousand Dollars which by Bills of Exchange was remitted by way of Venice to the Imperial Court. In the mean time the French Troops were arrived in Hungary under the Command of the Count Coligni which joining themselves with the General Montecuculi followed the motion of the Viziers Army The Turks designed to pass the Danube for recovery of Lewa or Leventz and in their way to destroy and lay desolate the Country of Count Badian and in vertue and strength of that and former successes to pass forward to the subjection of Possonium and Vienna But God who disposes the affairs of this World and gives laws and bounds to the licentiousness and unlimited Pride and Avarice of Mankind took off the Wheels of the Turkish Chariots and caused them to move slowly and warily having an Eye always backwards to the Forces of Montecuculi who attended them along the Banks of the River Muer or Mura But whilst these two great Armies marched in view of each other the Walachian and Moldavian Forces joining with a considerable number of Turks and Tartars under the Command of Chusacin Pasha resolved to assault and again to recover Leventz which though scarce setled being so lately taken by the Christians yet valiantly repulsed two fierce assaults of the Enemy with that Courage and Bravery that 2000. were slain under the very Walls By which time it being the 〈◊〉 of July Count Soisé passed the Nitra with his Horse and Foot and thence hastning his march with all expedition he first Encamped at the foot of a Hill called S t Benet from whence he discovered the Enemies Body from the top of a Mountain and thence approaching nearer threw up some Earth and Works by the Banks of the River Grava the next day having found a fordable place of the Water Soisé in less than two hours passed the gross of his Army which the Enemy observing left their Siege abandoned their Trenches and displaid their Army in open Field which consisting of 25 or 30 thousand fighting men appeared much more numerous than the Christians For to these Forces under the Conduct of Husacin Pasha of Buda were joined the Pasha of Anatolia and Cidizade the Pasha of Temeswar four Boluchees of Spahees and a good Force of Tartars together with the Militia of Moldavia and Valachia under their respective Princes which composed an Army as was computed of above 25000. men Upon approach of Husaein Pasha the Christians gave way and retreated intending to receive their Enemy in a larger Field and afford an occasion to them of greater confidence in execution of the design they came to act The Turks supposing the Christians to be fled for fear with more boldness marched forward And believing this retreat to proceed rather of fear than policy continued to contemn the pusillanimity of the Christians and lest it should argue too much regard and esteem of their Force vouchsafed not to send Scouts abroad either to view their Camp or to prevent surprisal but some of their Officers wisely considering that a Souldier ought never to despise his Enemy they were perswaded to send a considerable Body of Horse to view and discover the Enemies Force who in the way meeting with a party of the Christians after a small Skirmish put them to flight and taking some Prisoners brought them before the General the Prisoners upon Examination confessed that Count Susa was fully resolved the next Morning to give them Battel and declared the number and courage of his Army to be such as altered the opinion Husaein had conceived of the Cowardice and weakness of the Christians power so that that whole night the Turks past with watchsul and vigilant Guards their Arms ready and their whole Camp in a posture of desence The next Morning being the 9 th of July the day breaking discovered the Christian Army at so near a distance as that their several motions might be discerned and putting themselves in Array for the Battel made two Wings of Horse each Wing consisting of 3000. Horse the most Armed Cap-a-pe and well provided the Foot marched in the Body of the Army well appointed and sitted with all sorts of Ammunition and Arms and so raised with chearful Courages as rendered them in appearance to the Turks a Warlike and formidable Army The Turks likewise drew themselves into Battalia defirous to try the fortune of the day the right Wing was Commanded by the Prince of Valachia and the left by the Prince of Moldavia The Body of the Army was composed of Turks and Tartars almost all Horse except 2 or 3000 Janizaries sent as an Auxiliary Force from Newhaufel and Strigonium These two Armies thus rauged in a posture of defiance stood in view each of other until Husaein Commanded his men to pass the Marsh or Fen which was between them and the Christians but several would have perswaded him the contrary lest the success of the day not proving to expectation the Marsh should be a disadvantage to their flight and an occasion of greater slaughter in the pursuit to which Husaein Couragiously answered That men who would Conquer were to look forward and not behind them those that would save their lives by slight were fit to perish in it and that for his part he was resolved to cut off all hopes of safety from his Army but what consisted in their Swords and Victory over their Enemies The Turks having thus passed the Marsh made a halt and faced the Christians until Noon who moved not a foot from their ground that so they might obtain the advantage of the Sun which in the Morning being in their Faces would upon declining be an offence unto the Turks In the mean time no question but both Generals made their Orations to their Souldiers encouraging them to fight in defence of their Faith and Religion of their Countries Glory and Safety suggested with those Arguments and Rhetorick as was agreeable to the principles and condition of both parties and which we may well suppose according to the Licence of Historians to have been in these words or to this essect The Speech of Count Susa to his Army WHen I see and consider besore us Fellow Souldiers those Enemies who are the object of our fury and rage I conceive words more
the Earth by Assistants about him two other Cavaliers were wounded with Granadoes and the Cavalier Feuillere who carried the Standard of Malta was shot into the Eye with a Musket The Proveditor General Corndro serving at the repair of the Breach was so wounded in the Belly by a Granado that his Bowels burst of which he died in three hours and with a piece of the same Granado the Count Vignole a French Gentleman of great Valour was likewise slain And so hotly the Turks plyed this Breach that from the 28 th of May to the 2 d of June they sprang five Mines which brake all the Palisades of the Christians the which the Turks seconded with that fury and mettle as if they intended to win the place and make an end of their work before the arrival of the Forces expected from Christendom And this Post was now grown so dangerous and weak that the Captain General the Marquess of Montbrun and all the chief Officers took up their Quarters at this place where his Excellency kept an open Table and the Marquess took up his Lodgings at Night that so the other Officers might have no excuse on account of attendances or orders to abandon these Quarters The Princes of Christendom all this time forgot not their besieged Brethren in Candia Popo Clement the IX pressed the most Christian King to make ready his succours in due time who had already himself prepared all things and elected the Duke of Beaufort his General of all the Forces by Sea whether of French or other Nations This Duke like a couragious and brave Prince thinking it little glory to command at Sea where the Enemy was of an inferiour and unable Force to encounter him did therefore desire Licence from his King to make tryal of his Fortune in the Field where he might evidence his Valour in the face of the Infidels and signalize his Fame either by Death or Victory The King unwilling to hazard so worthy a person of his bloud out of his due Command in the rank of an ordinary Souldier at first denied his requests but the Pope interceding for him whose General he was with holy Arguments and devout Contemplations of Martyrdom and Glory of dying for the Christian Cause at length obtained a concession from the King who of himself was flexible to so pious a request esteeming it unholy to deprive his Kinsman either of the Palm of a Martyr or the Lawrel of a Conqueror The Summer being come and all things provided the Duke ascended his Ship at Tolon a City in Provence the 6 th of June New-style with about seven thousand Land Souldiers commanded by the Duke of Navaille with the Marshals Lebret and Golbert and several other Worthies and Heroes of undaunted Courage and arrived before the Town of Candia the 19 th of the same Month having casually encountred together in the Seas on the 17 th with fourteen Sail of Venetian Ships laden with Horse and Ammunition to mount the Troops and relieve the Town which happy encounter and speedy passage seemed a happy Omen of the future success The appearance of this succour seemed to the Besieged as sent from Heaven and administred unto them new hopes and courage and the salutes passed between the Town and the Fleet with the usual Ceremonies and all the imaginable testimonies of joy and triumph No sooner were they arrived than the two Generals with other principal Officers immediately in their Shallops took the best view and survey they could of the Enemies Camp and the Condition of the Besieged in which whilst they entertained themselves they espied a small Vessel making towards them with S t Mark 's Colours in which was the famous Engineer Signior Castellano dispatched by the Captain General Morosini with an exact plat of the Town and disposition of the Turkish Camp which being particularly viewed and considered it was evident That if the Turks should make some very forcible Attempt before the new Forces could be landed as it was very probable they might they would put all in hazard of being lost wherefore the Captain General pressed to have some succours immediately supplied to be assistant in that case of extremity To which the Duke of Navailles immediately consented and landed himself that Night in person with sufficient Force to mount the Guard on the Breach of S t Andrea whose first Retrenchment was continually battered by the Turks and though there was a second Retrenchment in hand yet time being required for compleating thereof that part of the Town would be reduced to its ultimate hazard for should the Enemy spring a Mine which they feared was already formed under the present Work it would lay all open and naked without other Fortification The Duke being ashoar was received by Morosini with all demonstrations of Civility and Respect due to a personage of his Quality and Employment and with a welcome suitable to the present extremity of his Affairs all Ceremonies and Complements were soon passed over the urgency of matters not permitting them time to be long impertinent so that falling into the Discourse of the common safety it was resolved that the succours should be immediately landed which was performed with that diligence and expedition that in two days the whole Army came safe on shore excepting only some few cut short by shot from the Enemies Camp On the 23 d the Generals and other Officers held a Council of War amongst whom was also the Marquess of S t Andrea and did unanimously conclude that the Town was no longer tenable or to be maintained unless by some extraordinary enterprize attempted on the Enemy and by some furious Sally performed with resolution and stratagems of War in order unto which it was resolved That the 27 th should be the day of sally both with Horse and Foot and that the Fleet not to lose their part in this action should play with their great Guns on that side of the Turkish Army which lay incamped on the Quarters of St. Andrea All the Forces were landed on the 26 th and the whole night following was spent in preparations for the next days sally the Army being drawn up made four Batalions the first called the Admirals commanded by the Sieurs Martel Vandre and Gravier the second was the Vice-Admirals commanded by the Sieurs de la Mothe and Planta the third was the Rere-Admirals under Command of Chevalier de Bouillion Gabaret and the Chevalier Dailly the fourth was the Batalion of the Sieur d'Almeras commanded under him by the Sieurs Panetier de la Rogue Fontier Bitault and the Chevalier de Nemond and on the left hand of these aforesaid Batalions the Guards of the Duke of Beaufort were disposed The Duke of Beaufort unwilling to be a Spectator in this glorious Action without bearing a part in his own person after he had given order to the Fleet to accost the shore on the side of St. Andrea as near
as consisted with their security and from thence with their great Guns to annoy the Enemies Camp as much as was possible came that night on shore resolving to fight in the Head of the Forlorn Hope from which hazardous adventure no intreaties or counsel of his friends could prevail to disswade him The Forlorn consisted of 400 men on the head of which marched fifty men with hand Granadoes flanked with three Troops of Horse Commanded by Count Dampiere the Regiments of Guards with four Troops of Horse for their Wings flanked also with three Regiments of Foot followed the Forlorn The Reserve consisted of the Regiments of Harcourt Conti Lignieres Rosan Montpesat and Vendosme slanked with four Troops of Horse under Command of the Count Choiseul which placed themselves on a rising ground to hinder all Communication between the Vizier whose Camp was before S t Andrea and the Janizar Aga who lay before Sabionera Between the first and second line were placed fifty Musketiers of the King to be assistant on occasion and the other Troops of Horse were to take the left hand along the Trench leading to the Sabionera the Regiment of Montpeyroux was to mount the Guard on the Fort of St. Demetrius to secure the Retreat if occasion should require In like manner five hundred Pioniers were ordered to level the Trenches of the Enemy on the Quarter of St. Andrea whilst the Body of the Turks Army was imployed in repulsing the violence of the Sally Things being disposed in this manner and the morn approaching the Forces marched out by the Gate of St. George with all silence possible covering their Matches that the fire might not alarm the Enemy the Onset was to begin with the dawning of the day and the Signal was to be given by siring of the chief Mine Royal which being large and furnished with a great quantity of Powder might as was supposed make way to the slaughter of the Turks whom the Christians might sind terrified and disordered by such an unexpected accident This Mine was reserved for the last extremity but being low was full of water so that the Powder was stowed on floats and rafts to support it but yet received so great a damp and moisture that when they came to spring it the Powder took not fire which was the first disappointment of this Enterprise Though some are of opinion that the Mine was so vast and contained such a quantity of Powder that the Engineers were timorous to spring it lest it should reverse on the Besieged as well as take effect on the Enemies Camp But be it how it will a quarter of an hour before day the Generals expecting no longer the Forlorn Hope which lay within half a Musket-shot of the Enemy assaulted two Redoubts took them and put them all to the Sword with the like courage the other Regiments entred the Line and making themselves Masters of the Trenches after much blood and slaughter and storming a Fort on which was the Battery directed against St. Demetrio possessed themselves of it and therewith of a great Magazine of Powder belonging to the Enemy spiking all the Cannon that were found therein The day by this time being clearly broken out discovered the action so that the Turks with all expedition put themselves into a Body on the Hill near New Candy from whence observing and contemning the small number of the Christians came thundring down in great numbers to regain their Trenches The Duke of Navailles perceiving his Forlorn hardly beset came in to their assistance with two Regiments of Foot and two Troops of Horse which behaved themselves with that gallantry as ingaged the Turks again to quit their Trenches But whilst success seemed thus to smile on the Christians the Magazine of Powder which was newly won containing an hundred thirty four Kintals of Powder by what accident is not known took fire and blew up all into the air by which many were destroyed and wounded especially of the Batallion of the Guards with many Officers This fatal blow quite turned the Scale of Fortune For the Souldiers hearing the dreadful clap and feeling as it were the Earth to tremble under them supposed it to be the eruption of some Mine near them with which they were so amazed that they began with confusion to disperse to the right and left and put themselves into shameful flight In like manner the Forces near the Sea sensible of the blow began to retreat and abandon their design which no perswasions of their Officers or other incouragement could animate them to prosecute but that the faintness of a second Attempt an infirmity recorded of ancient Times to be incident to the nature of the French Nation prevailed upon their spirits beyond any possibility of arrest so that in a disorderly manner they fled into the Body of the first Battalion where being now united with the Reserve they for some time sustained the shock of the Enemy until other Bodies of the Turks from New Candia and St. Andrea over-powered them with greater multitudes so that then they wholly abandoned the field and every one as well as he could sought his Sanctuary and refuge within the Precincts of the Fortifications Howsoever Choiseul and Lebret each of which had a Horse killed under him incouraging their Troops disputed the case yet longer and still with other Officers made head upon the Enemy but at length with the Duke of Navailles and several other Gentlemen who made their way through the Enemy with their Swords they were forced to retreat honourably into the Town The Duke of Beaufort was said to have laboured much in resisting the shameful flight of his men and venturing his Person into danger from whence he resolved never to retreat was overwhelmed with unequal numbers and so fell amongst the common heaps but his body though much sought after being not found it was believed rather that he perished by that fatal Magazine of Powder which blowing up affrighted and disordered the whole Christian Army But not only did misfortunes attend the Land-Forces but the Fleet at Sea shared in the disasters For some few days after the wind blowing hard from the Sea caused the Ships to ride at a distance from the shore The whole Fleet consisted of eighty Ships small and great fifty Gallies and six Galleasses being the whole Force of that Year from France Italy and Malta All which being at Anchor in due order as near the shore as was safe or convenient made many shot into the Turks Camp but with little execution during which Action the Santa Teresa a French Ship of seventy Brass Guns blew up and her whole Company lost being about three hundred men of which seven only were saved the Admiral of France being near to this Ship received five shot from her which passed through her and by the Splinters and fall of Timbers the Vessel called La Reale had six Cavaliers killed and forty Souldiers Slaves were killed and wounded
Government was assailed on all sides both at home and abroad Various were the Counsels and Proposals in what manner to proceed in times of such emergency First it was resolved to proclaim a War both against the King of Persia and the Rebels in Asia and that whosoever took of the Grand Signior Pay from one Asper a day to a higher value should be in readiness to serve in the War upon penalty of losing his Estate of being accounted a Rebel and his wife and children sold for Slaves But the more sober and moderate sort judged it policy to take off Abassa by sending him a general Pardon with a concession of all his demands upon condition that he should turn his Arms upon the King of Persia who was the common Enemy of their Country and Religion but the Janisaries would by no means assent to this agreement with a person to whom they bore a more inveterate hatred than to the Persian himself as he did also to the Janisaries For that he might better justifie his pretence of revenge he declared That being one day in a Mosch at his Prayers the murdered Osman appeared to him and taking him by the hand said My faithful Mussulman since thou art the most generous of all my Slaves I command thee to revenge my death with the blood of sixty thousand Janisaries and Spahees good Fortune shall accompany thy Arms and Victory shall crown thy labours During these intrigues and difficulties of reconciliation Abassa spoiled the Lesser Asia and the Persian King conquered the City and Province of Bagdat or Babylon took Kur Asan Pasha an old Souldier Prisoner possessed himself of Mosul and Leska on the Persian Sea and meeting no considerable opposition he divided his Army into four parts The first was dispeeded into Mesopotamia commanded by the King himself The second made Incursions into Palestine The third infested the Coast of the Black Sea and the fourth marched towards Mecha with hope and design of sharing all the parts of the Eastern Empire Ali Pasha who opposed the King in Mesopotamia was slain and his Army wholly defeated so that the Province became a prey to the Enemy the success in Palestine was equally fortunate by the revolt of Damascus a place of great riches and importance the Coast of the Black Sea was grievously infested and a Port taken near to Trapezond and little opposition being made at Balsora the Town was taken by that Army in their March towards Mecha and the parts of the Red Sea where they rendered themselves Masters of Medina the City of their Prophet Mahomet To repair these losses and to encounter numbers so strong and valiant in all parts the Vizier was dispeeded with a powerful Force to the Town of Bagdat but by reason of Mutinies and Tumults amongst the Souldiery matters found not the success expected and the Garrison making valiant and vigorous Sallies against the imbecillity of the Turkish Souldiery which were always most obstinate and stout to oppose their own Commanders obtained an advantage in every Attempt by which discouragement many forsaking their Colours the Siege was raised with dishonour and the interest of the Turk impaired and almost irreparably lost in those Provinces This News arrived at Constantinople that the Camp was risen and fled by night that they were forced to burn their Tents and Provisions and to break their great Artillery and cast them into the Euphrates that the miseries in the Army had been such by Famine and Pestilence and want of all Provisions and Ammunition that the like was never known that the Vizier had beheaded three of his Pasha's that so he might cast the whole blame upon them and that now retreating with his Army into the Turkish Dominions the Persians pursued them in the Rear and for ten days did execution on them making the best use they could of their Victory which relation silled the hearts of all people with sadness and disordered the Counsels with confusion The cause of which ill success according to custom being imputed to the General he was deprived of his Office and sacrificed to the fury of the Janisaries These troubles were increased at Constantinople by the Addresses which the Prince of Transylvania made unto the Port by his Kapi-Kahya or Agent representing to the Grand Signior That he wanting Heirs Male to succeed him in his Principality the States at a Diet had with common consent elected his Lady for his Successour and therefore desired consirmation from the Port in excuse of her Sex he alledged the urgent necessity of the present times which perswaded rather to admit of the Government of a Woman than that his Principality should for want of an Heir fall into the hands of the powerful Family of Austria To make good this demand Duke John of Weymar and Count Mansfelt arrived in Silistria to whom the Prince of Transylvania joyned his Troops and Morteza Pasha of Buda wrote to the Port that he was marching towards Valz to meet the Prince and confer with him concerning these designs The Emperours Resident at Constantinople greatly exclaimed against these proceedings which something troubled the Counsels of the Turks who in that conjuncture were unwilling to give beginnings to a new War so that besides fair words they promised to write such Letters to the Pasha of Buda as should give a stop to the Investiture of the Princess but to say truly the Instructions given were in such ambiguous terms that they in essect lest the whole matter to the discretion of Morteza to act as he judged most agreeable to the state of Affairs on the Frontiers and security of the present Peace Thus did the Turkish Court seek to ward off the blow of a War with Germany and yet secretly nourished and encouraged it by giving Orders to the Pasha of Buda to take up his Winter-quarters with the Prince of Transylvania and to follow his directions but yet so to govern matters with caution as not to engage too far on uncertain grounds or doubtful hazard but to embrace Propositions of Peace if offered with honour and security In prosecution of these Rules Morteza observing that Weymar and Mansfelt having united their Forces with Gabor had formed a considerable Army and were able to sight with Wallestein General of the Imperialists joyned also his Forces to theirs judging it a prudent and politick design to wage a War at the blood and expence of others With these encouragements and with the favour of a good opportunity the Confederates fell upon the Army of Wallestein near the River Gran who not being able to withstand their force and fury was put to flight and pursued in the Rear with great slaughter and endeavouring to pass the River on two Bridges of Boats were closely followed by the Princes Forces who gaining the pass put the whole Army into great amazement and resolved to pursue them to the Gates of Presburg or Vienna Notwithstanding this success the Prince of Transylvania
observing the backwardness of his Allies to contribute the Succours of Men and Money which they had promised and fearing that the unfortunate estate of the Turkish Affairs should cause the Sultan to disown the War dispeeded a Messenger to the Emperour in the Winter-season to excuse the constraint upon him of taking up Arms and to offer Terms of Accommodation and Peace but the Emperour refused all Treaties until such time as Gabor had separated himself from his Allies and from association with the Turk upon which Answer Gabor retired to Cassovia and Morteza to Pesth This compliance gave beginning to a Treaty at Komara where the Commissioners on part of the Emperour of the Grand Signior and Prince of Transylvania assembled All Parties seemed inclinable to War and yet with occult intentions to make Peace being necessitated thereunto by the urgency of their distinct Interests The Emperour was urged by his Wars with the Protestants of Germany and apprehension of Forces from England in favour of the Elector Palatine then King of Bohemia the Grand Signior was encumbred by the unfortunate condition of his Wars in Asia and Bethlem Gabor jealous of being disowned by the Port deserted by his Allies and exposed to sight and contend singly with the Emperour In short Gabor concluded a Peace with the Emperour apart which gave some jealousies and displeasure to the Grand Signior howsoever he dissembled his discontent and willingly interessed Gabor with Morteza as Commissioner for him who being variously disposed yet moved with the considerations of their common advantage worked all differences into a Composition of Peace the Articles of which being brought to Constantinople by an Internuntio from the Emperour and delivered in presence of the two Ambassadours of Gabor they were accepted by the Chimacam and ratified by the Grand Signior Articles of Peace Concluded between the Emperour of Germany Ferdinand the Second and Bethlem Gabor in the Month of December 1626. I. THE Prince of Transylvania doth promise by the Faith of a Christian never to move Arms or use any Hostility against the Majesty of the Emperour or the House of Austria or their Successours much less to enter into their Dominions with an Army nor to aid his Enemies or keep a Correspondence with them not to plot any Innovation in the Kingdom of Hungary or other Christian Countries nor to stir up or provoke the Turks Tartars or others to invade them not to entertain or assist in any evil Counsel against his Majesty nor to give ear to the requests and desires of his Enemies but rather to reveal all their Conspiracies and Wickednesses which shall be made known unto him and by all means to demonstrate and shew a sincere mind truly desirous of Peace and sollicitous of the common Good II. That the Prince shall instantly depart with his whole Army out of the Territories and Cities of the Emperour and that he shall restore as well all Goods belonging to the Imperial Treasure as those of his faithful Subjects III. That he shall remove from him the Rebel Mansfelt and all other his Followers and Adherents desirous to invade the Dominions of the Emperour and that he shall not aid any Stranger whatsoever who at his instance hath entred into the Territories of his Majesty with Count Mansfelt to whom Letters of publick Safety shall be given that they may return by twenty or thirty in a Troop conditionally that in no placo of their Retreat they shall joyn with the Enemies of the Emperour IV. That seeing it is fit for Establishment of the Peace that the Inhabitants of Countries and Cities belonging to the Prince by consont of the Emperour should remain during his life in Obedience and Fidelity to him and that those Inhabitants should do Homage to the Emperour saving their corporal Oath to the Prince to keep inviolate these Articles That they should have leave by Letters of full Authority and Power granted them by the Prince in their first Assemblies and Conventions to make such Oath of Homage V. That at the same time of performing the Homage and Oath besides the Oath before the last War they shall take a new Oath according to the Agreement between the Prince and the Commissioners of the Emperour VI. The Prince shall procure that all Places upon the Consines which were taken by the Turks in the last War be restored and that all Captives taken Prisoners shall be set at liberty and that the Prince shall procure the freedom of all such the Emperours Subjects as shall be in the Turkish Captivity VII That all the Subjects of the Emperour lately incited and drawn to the Service of the Prince shall be free from their Oath and if the Prince hath any of their Writings Obligatory in his hands that he shall restore them and that these Conditions being confirmed all other things formerly treated shall remain in their former state and vigour VIII That if any other difficulties arise they shall be accontmodated with fidelity and quietness by Commissioners on both parts And that all those who in the last Commotions have served the Prince shall be absolved according to the Treaty and Agreement at Vienna IX That all the Inhabitants of Cities and Countries which have served the Prince shall be absolved only those excepted who have voluntarily taken up Arms against the Emperour for whom the Prince only shall intercede excusing always private men who have done private wrongs for they shall according to Law and Custom seek their restitution by Civil Action X. That all other Articles of Peace concluded at Nichilsburg and Vienna shall remain in their former vigour and force And that all Goods of the Emperours Clergie possessed by the Prince from the Year 1619. to this present day shall be restored except the Abbies of Replana belonging to the Seminaries of Strigonium for which the Prince shall pay yearly to the Emperour five hundred Florens These Articles being thus agreed and signed and approved by the Sultan in the month of September following 1627. the Articles between the Emperour and the Grand Signior were also agreed at Komara the which are as follow translated out of the Turkish word for word THat seeing the Peace established formerly at Zitwar Vienna Komara and Chiarman hath remained in the same state and in the same Articles without any alteration it shall not be violated by any new occasion of contention That the differences of Vatz whereof is made mention at the present shall rest in the same state that the Commissioners on both sides shall agree That the new Forts built upon the Confines of Croatia contrary to the Peace shall be demolished To which purpose our said Deputy Mehmet and our Vizier Mortesa Pasha shall meet upon the Frontiers of Buda with your Deputies at the time appointed by the Treaty and thereupon the places on both sides shall cause to be demolished the Forts built contrary to the Peace wherein if they find any impediment they shall chuse able
Son of Cant-Emir whom they cut in pieces the Father escaping in a disguise from the City The News hereof arriving at Constantinople was greatly displeasing and caused many serious Debates and Consultations thereupon the wisest and most sober of the Council was for dissembling the matter and with their usual dextcrity to suffer what they could not remedy for that it was by no means advisable in the present conjuncture of Affairs to proceed unto an open rupture with the Tartars fearing lest the Christians Persians and other Enemies should make a benesit of this occasion and joyning with a Nation so strong in Horse should dangerously press upon the Empire and force them to the ultimate extremity of affairs Wherefore an Envoyé Extraordinary was sent to the Tartars who covering the inward sentiments of regret and anger which the Sultan conceived for the late disgrace seemed to wonder at the cause and reason of the last Engagement as if it had been acted without the knowledge or order of the Grand Signior and thus with gentle terms insinuating that the Surrender of Cassa would be very acceptable to the Port and that which would atone for all miscarriages and be such an offering of pacisication as would reconcile all past differences and restore a perfect correspondence between the Sultan and them the Tartars readily assented to the demand upon condition that the Turks should impose no other King upon them than him whom by general consent they had elected for their Prince Though differences were thus concluded with the Tartars yet the Cosacks continued still their enmities entring the Black Sea with eighty Saicks which they so infested that the Turks could for that year avail themselves little of their Navigation in those Seas so that the Turks to curb these insolencies gave Orders to build two Forts at the mouth of the Black Sea the Polish Ambassadour made complaint hereof and protested against it as an Act contrary to the Capitulations of Peace but the Turks esteem little of the air of Bravadoes whilst they are not accompanied with something else more solid than their own levity But the grand Concernments which busied the thoughts of the Turks was the Rebellion of Abassa and the War in Persia the management of which was the charge and care of the Selictar Aga lately made Vizier called Serches Pasha His Head-quarters were at the beginning of this year taken up at Iconium called by the Turks Conie and Abassa was encamped at Kaisaria against whom the Vizier marched and being nearly approached the Janisaries earnestly urged that Battle might be given the Enemy but the Vizier having received Instructions not to engage if possible but rather to enter into a Treaty and to propose terms of Accommodation delayed the time and with various excuses eluded the present premures of the Janisaries at which they became so angry that they slew into an open Mutiny cutting the Cords of his Tents stoning him and wounding him in the head by which open violence the Vizier being compelled to make known his Orders he assembled the chief Commanders of the Spahees and Janisaries giving them to understand that the Grand Signiors pleasure was to make up the difference with Abassa as the only means to conclude an intestine and unnatural War and to be able to withstand the Persians and regain the Country and reputation which the Turks had lost This Proposition seemed plausible to the Commanders at the General Assembly and more especially because it was the pleasure and injunction of the Grand Signior but more difficult it was to incline the rough and obstinate minds of the Janisaries to a resolution so different to their natures and so contrary to that revenge which they had deeply rooted in their hearts and sworn to execute howsoever the perswasions which the Officers used to their inferiour Souldiers putting them in memory of the blood of their Companions and how destructive the continuance of such a War must necessarily prove for the future by those large essusions of blood hwich they must expect farther to make were so prevalent upon them that at length they condescended to a Treaty and to receive Abassa for a Friend and a Fellow-Souldier Abassa at first suspecting some treachery refused to give a private meeting to the Vizier but the Vizier giving his Brother the Beglerbegh of Caramania and the Pasha of Anatolia for Hostages the day and place for a Conference was appointed where both Parties meeting Articles were agreed that Abassa should still continue to be Pasha of Erzirum his Son Pasha of Bosra his Kahya or Lieutenant to be Pasha of Maraseh all which were places on the Confines of Persia a general Act of Pardon and Anmestie was to be given to Abassa and his whole Army and the Articles sworn unto in the most solemn manner by the Vizier and confirmed in the publick Camp of the Janisaries who also promised to maintain this word and promise of the Vizier to all which the Grand Signior gave his Hand and affixed his Royal Signature A Reconciliation being in this manner compleated the City of Erzirum resigned it self to the Obedience of the Grand Signior and the Army of Abassa was employed on the Confines of Persia and converted against the Enemy The Vizier also was appointed to proceed on the same Enterprise but his Army was so ill provided of all necessaries that he made his excuse and refused to march forward but on the contrary he returned to Constantinople in company with Abassa where with many demonstrations of friendship and respect he was conducted to the presence of the Grand Signior to receive Honour and the reward of his penitence and return to obedience The approach of these two great Personages near to Constantinople made much noise and rumor in the City some blamed the weakness of the Government for accepting an Enemy unto favour and that the crowning of his Rebellion with rewards was to encourage others in the like practices The Vizier was also murmured against for leaving the Army and the War contrary to the Royal Command by such as were emulous of his Greatness but as envy is converted into veneration and ceases as smoke doth when it is blown up by the flame of success and glory so those who were emulous of these persons submitted to all obsequious offices towards them and dissembling their malice went to meet them as far as Scutari that they might add to their Train and Equipage and help at the Solemnity of their Entrance All people now cast their eyes on the Vizier and Abassa as the two great men of this Age the first was esteemed for his dexterous and successful management in bringing over Abassa to his submission and obedience for though he was not famed much for his great Feats of Arms yet this Reconciliation of Abassa was accounted a Master-piece of Policy and better service than a Victory Abassa also drew the eyes of the people who crowded to see
so great a Captain that could contend with the Port and put all Asta into disturbance and in conclusion could make the same Arms serve his Master which had lately before given a check and stop to all the Ottoman Force The Vizier was the first introduced to the Royal Presence where being graciously received he was presented with a Vest of Sables and a Cemiter set with Jewels Abassa was afterwards admitted and having performed his obeisance by touching the ground with his forehead after their fashion he declared that he never was other than a faithful Vassal to the Sultan and that he had taken up Arms for his sake that he might subjugate the insolence of the Janisaries and with their blood revenge the death and sacrifice to the Ghost of his murdered Brother Osman that they might learn to reverence their Princes for the suture and learn to know how sacred the blood is of their Soveraign The Grand Signior seemed kindly to accept this Apology and as a token thereof bestowed three Vests upon him which was a treble Honour of that kind and made him Pasha of Bosna on which employment he immediately entred and though when such Offices are bestowed it is commonly the custom for that person who is invested in the Employment given to kiss the sleeve of the Grand Signior publickly by way of thanks yet lest such demonstration of Honour should ill afsect the eyes of the Janisaries and cause murmuring and repinings amongst the most envious of the Souldiery his last Audience was designed privately and his Dispatch procured in more secret and familiar manner and therefore more obliging than was usual To yield some assistance to the present growing Charges of the Empire the Vizier imposed a heavy Tax on the Christians and Jews on the first it was levied with all severity but the Jews found more favour by their Arts and secret management of Affairs for they are a people of some Authority and Power in Turkie they are cursed by particular persons but caressed by the generality they are Slaves in all Countries and yet acquire somewhat of Mastership and Propriety they are Vagabonds and yet every Country is their own they cannot buy Lands and yet daily increase their Fortunes they multiply in abundance because they all marry and are not destroyed by Wars they are great Confidents of the Turks and Enemies to the Christians In short covetousness in Constantinople is like a publick Courtisan to whom the Jews are the Panders and Ruflians The Grand Signior passing one day through the streets unhappily met with the Ambassadour of the Prince of Transylvania who because he did not immediately descend from his Horse in token of reverence he caused him and his whole Family to be imprisoned but being afterwards excused by the Chimacam to have only been a matter of inadvertency his omission was pardoned and so released from his restraint The Souldiery having for a long time been governed by a loose and gentle hand continued their licentious way of living committing many outrages on the Merchants and Inhabitants of Constantinople against which many Decrees having been published and Proclamations made without any effect or notice of the Souldiery the Vizier was unwilling to dally longer and therefore taking a Spahee and a Janisary hanged them up and cut off their Heads and with such course and method of severity he so abated the haughty stomachs of the Souldiers already mortified by the assumption of Abassa into favour that they began to yield unto Command and to behold their Rulers with an eye of respect as those which were seated in some degree above themselves for till now there was scarce a common Janisary but who thought himself to be the Creator or Elector of his General and therefore to be little inferiour to him in Power and Dignity And as this Vizier was severe towards the Souldiery so he demeaned himself with equal rigour towards the Pasha's and Grandees of the Court which though it was an humor in the Vizier at that conjuncture laudable and necessary yet it procured him such enmity as removed him at a distance and caused him to be sent into Persia to command the Army and by that means to expose him to the hazard and difficulties of doubtful success in a dangerous War The Vizier being departed the Grand Signior appeared in publick on Horse-back together with his Brother by his side an unusual sight amongst the Turks but the Queen-Mother who in absence of the Vizier ruled much commanded that it should be so the Grand Signior had this year a Son born which caused great rejoycing at Constantinople because there were few Males at that time surviving of the Ottoman Line but scarce was the Festival ended before the Child died But let us now for a while withdraw our Discourse from the Wars of Persia and look to the Actions in Poland and Transylvania Mehmet the late King of Tartary who was so displeasing to the Port as we have already related was now dead to whom succeeded a Kinsman of his called Fembeg Gheray universally pleasing and acceptable to that people This new King to demonstrate his prowess and to act something acceptable to the Port dispeeded forty thousand Horse into Podolia and Russia to sack and ravage the Country which dividing themselves into several Parties made their Incursions as far as Socal But in the mean time the Polonians and Cosacks having formed a strong Body of Horse under the Command of Stephen Chmieleskie met them at their return near to Burstinow where they gave them a total overthrow and in like manner Stanislaus Lubomiski encountred another Party and overthrow them leaving thirty thousand slain on the place and taking two thousand Prisoners amongst which was the younger Brother of the Tartar King This defeat as it was the greatest that ever was given to the Tartars so it is probable that had it been well prosecuted at that time by the Polonians they might have entred the Chersonesus Tauricus and without much opposition have put an end to that Kingdom but Sigismond King of Poland had other designs in hand such mixed Monarchies as that being better able to defend their own Dominions than to acquire or conquer others To this News ill received at Constantinople supervened the unexpected death of Bethlem Gabor unexpected I say because that though he had been long labouring under the diseases of Dropsie and Asthma yet the greatness of his Soul and activeness of his Spirit mastered for a long time his indisposition so that he seldom or never omitted his Counsels and business and to the very time of his death was meditating and contriving designs whereby to preserve his Dominions and enlarge them And indeed the Government of Transylvania required no less than such a stirring Spirit for being seated between two such powerful Monarchs as the Emperour and the Turk there was need of dexterity and courage to steer between the rocks of such opposite Interests
so far prevailed that Stephen Bethlem was put aside and Ragotski who attended the success of this matter at Varadin was with common consent elected Prince from whence being with great Acclamations and a general concourse of the people conducted to Alba Julia he there took the usual Oath with much Solemnity and Magnificence and with Princely Magnificence entertained and treated the two Ambassadours Stephen and Solomon and dispensed freely his money unto divers who before being Enemies were now reconciled and become his Friends and Admirers Liberality in a Prince is the most resplendent Gemm in all his Crown and is a light so forcible that it dazles envy it self and puts out all the eyes of suspicion and jealousie By this time the Great Vizier was far advanced with his Army into Persia having been encouraged to proceed by the feigned flight or rather retre at of the Enemy who burned destroyed and laid waste all round them as they retired which put the Turks to such inextricable difficulties that in two months March they had all the inconveniencies and miseries to contend with which commonly attend Armies in strange Countries the Plains through which they travelled were abandoned by the Inhabitants and void of provisions the Mountains were covered with Snow and comfortless and what was worst the Persians kept all the narrow passages so strongly guarded that the Vizier was now more in danger of Famine than of the Sword but being a person of great sense and experience in Military affairs he prudently disingaged himself from the intricacy of these dangers and encamping his Army in the Plain of Amedan he so provoked the hot Spirits of the Persians that they resolve to assault him on that side of his Camp which they judged to be the most weakly defended of which having some advertisement he secretly laid an Ambuscado in the way which so happily succeeded that he killed eight thousand Persians on the place but howsoever the Victory cost so dear and was so bloody by the loss of the stoutest Janisaries and the bravest of the Souldiery that the news thereof made little noise or rejoycing at Constantinople With this Intelligence the Vizier demanded new Recruits for that besides the abatement of his numbers by the last Engagement the multitudes of the Enemy increased and his own Souldiers fled from their Colours of which many being observed to enter Constantinople notwithstanding the severe Decrees of Martial Law published against them put the Grand Signior into a high choler and indignation And being desirous to reinforce the Viziers Army with all the Recruits that he was able Proclamations were made that all the Militia at Constantinople should immediately pass over unto Scutari under their respective Commanders and that whosoever received one Asper of Pay from the Grand Signior in quality of a Souldier should immediately pass the Chanel into Asta and follow their Leaders to the War But so great was the abhorrency which the Souldiers had to this March into Persia calling it the Sepulchre and Cemetery of the Turks that few or none would obey every one flying hiding and shifting for himself as well as he could during which fears and troubles the ways from Persia were so obstructed by the Curdes that in the space of three or four months no News arrived at Constantinople from the Army which caused as great apprehensions and affrightments there as if the Empire had been reduced to the utmost extremity Nor did the Sultan want jealousies and fears of receiving affronts from the Emperour and King of Poland the first of which had a fair opportunity presented of regaining all Transylvania especially at a time when that Country was divided by two several Factions but more pressing and troublesom were the Cosacks who daily infested the Black Sea and to the great reproach of the Imperial City perpetually disturbed it with Alarms passing up almost in sight of Constantinople of which complaints being made to the Polonian Ambassadours he answered with some indignation That the Cosacks had reason for what they acted for that since the Tartars had by Orders from the Grand Signior made their late irruption into that Country as they could well prove from the Commission taken amongst the Baggage of the Prince of Tartary in the last defeat the Cosacks might with all justice assume to themselves a method of revenge But the Grand Signior not being able to support this affront or to see himself braved on the very Banks of his Imperial Seat and his Villages and Towns round about burnt and pillaged by a crew of Free-booters and Pirates cast all the blame on the Chimacam to whom in his rage he gave such a blow with his sist on the face that blood issued from his nose and had not the Queen-Mother interceded for him he had been delivered into the hand of the Executioner to take away his life Nor was the Captain-Pasha in less danger at his return because that upon his assurance that the Cosacks would not for that year make any attempt in the Chanel of Constantinople the Grand Signior had assented that the Fleet of Gallies should that Summer make a Voyage into the Archipelago which mistake having been the cause of all this affront the Captain-Pasha was to share in the blame and had likewise in the punishment had not good Friends interposed between him and danger Nor were the Cosacks satisfied with their late Plunder but speedily made another return with two hundred Boats and though the whole Fleet of Gallies were then in Port yet they had the boldness to proceed as far as Pompey's Pillar and thereby to hinder all Provisions from passing to Constantinople by way of the Black Sea And what gave greater fear than all this was the News which came at the same time that the Poles were on the Frontiers with thirty thousand Horse to whom immediately a Chaous or Envoyé was dispatched with Propositions very advantageous to the Crown of Poland conditionally that the continual irruptions made by the Cosacks should be stopped and they restrained within the due terms of peace and moderation The Chaous found a civil reception from the Poles and promises of compliance in regard that the King had some intentions of making War upon the Moscovite but whilst these things were in agitation and that the Chaous was ready to return behold on a sudden News came that ten thousand Tartars were broken into Podolia which put all things back again and so changed the stile of Affairs that in the stead of Articles of Peace the Chaous was again returned with the menaces of War and with reproaches for the last perfidious action Notwithstanding all these troubles abroad the Puissance of the Ottoman Empire might have been able to have struggled with greater difficulties had not its own intestine distractions rendred all things dangerous and of a malevolent aspect The Government was at that time chiefly in the hands of the four Brothers-in-law who had married
four Sisters of the Grand Signior's and for that reason were powerful and employed in the principal Offices of State and commonly drew contrary to the opinions of the Mufti and Chimacam which two last were not well accorded between themselves for that the latter encroached on the Office of the Mufti to the great scandal and discontent of all the religious and literate men in the whole City howsoever they both joyned in consultation by what means they might best secure themselves and the Government from the lusts and evil designs of this quadruple Fraternity but their wisdom and interests were too weak to contrive remedies against such high oppressions for besides the violences daily practised by the Brothers the extravagant humors in the Sultan himself added to the disorders of State and increased the discontents and dissatisfactions of the people for though Morat was naturally endowed with a good wit and parts was stout and of a good courage yet as his perpetual debauchery in Wine rendred him in appearance but of a weak understanding mixed with much levity so it caused his accessions of the Falling sickness to which he was subject to return often whereby the strength of his brain was daily weakened and impaired he was negligent also in the performance of those Ceremonies which his Ancestors were accustomed to observe nor did he live with that gravity and regular course which is agreeable to the Grandeur of so great a Prince for sometimes he would go out of his Seraglio with no other Attendance than of three or four men which were for the most part Buffoons Players upon the Gittern and Eunuchs and with no better an Equipage would he sometimes be seen on Horse-back or in his Boat rowed on the Bosphorus with six Oars only by which actions and other mean sallies of Youth he created such a contempt towards his Person that evil men grew factions and weary and entred into Conspiracies against his life whilst the good men feared and presaged the ruine and downfal of the Empire for neither justice nor order nor obedience prevailed no Offices were conferred for Merit but by money or some other unlawful means there remained no Counsellors of true faith and integrity nor Souldiers almost either of experience for Sea or Land-adventures The people being burdened by double Taxes and Imposts were mutinous and ready to take the least fire of Rebellion the Souldiery were disorderly for want of Discipline and their constant Pay the Pasha's of remote Provinces grew insolent taking upon themselves rather an absolute than a depending Soveraignty In short all things looked with that black appearance that nothing seemed to keep the frame of Empire together but only the expectation of good success to the Army in Persia the which as it depended on uncertain events so the Ottoman Monarchy was then shaking and stood tottering on its deepest foundation Wherefore all people being intent to hear of good News from Persia were much pleased to understand that the Vizier having by advantage in the last Engagement laden his Army with Plunder and Spoils was now preparing to besiege Bagdat for whose good success Prayers were daily made in the Moschs and the Schoolmasters surrounded the streets with their young Scholars singing out Prayers with the Amen at every period according to the custom of that Country The Vizier marched towards Bagdat and began to besiege it about the 10 th of September in order whereunto he amassed great abundance of all sorts of Provisions and made his Magazine of them at Mosul two thousand Camels each laden with two Sacks of Cotton every Sack being of about ten foot long were carried to the Siege for shelter of the Souldiery and to fill the Ditches The Vizier having passed part of his Army over the River Tigris the rest with the Cannon remaining on the hither side he dispatched Nasuf Pasha of Aleppo with six thousand Spahees to take a view of the place and discover the Avenues unto it in his way thither he met with eight thousand Persian Horse sent to reinfore the Garrison which he valiantly engaged but being dangerously wounded was forced to retreat with the loss of almost half of his men part killed and part taken those which were carried Prisoners to Bagdat were treated with all civility by the Governour who gave them a view of the Garrison which consisted of twenty thousand effective men shewed them their Stores and Provisions and that there was scarce an unuseful mouth in all the City to devour them Notwithstanding this disaster at the beginning the Vizier nothing dismayed proceeded on his design spending the whole month of September in making his approaches In the month of October he mounted eighteen Pieces of great Cannon which for the space of twenty five days battered continually the Curtain between the two Bastions on which were four Pieces of Cannon not perceived by the Turks there was also a deep and large Ditch not discovered by them for that it was planked over with Boards and covered with a green Turff so that it appeared like a plain and firm ground the broach being made and seemingly undefended the Turks resolved to make an Assault wherefore the Vizier on the 20 th of November commanded the Spahees under the Conduct of the Beglerbei of Anatolia accompanied with Pasha's Sangiacks and other persons of note as also with Janisaries to the number of thirty thousand to enter the breach which being performed and great numbers crowding on the Turff the weight of them pressed down the Planks and therewith the whole Engine giving way five or six thousand were in a moment taken as it were in a Pit-fall and swallowed up without any possibility of succour to be yielded from their Companions After which on an instant there appeared fifteen thousand men on the breach and on the Bastions which with their Cannon and continual Vollies of Musket-shot so galled the Spahees that they broke their main Body and killed the Beglerbei of Anatolia with other persons of note and quality and made the whole Army to retreat Two days after this disgrace the Vizier raised the Siege and marched towards Mosul and the Persians encouraged with this success pursued the Turks with eight thousand Horse assailed the Rear-guard of the Enemy and though the conduct and care thereof was committed to the charge of the Pasha's of Aleppo and Damascus yet the Persians killed three thousand Turks and had defeated the whole Rear of the Army had not the Spahees turned their Horses and withstood the shock with great Valour Notwithstanding this dishonourable Retreat the Vizier lost not his courage or hopes of taking the Town in order unto which he appointed all things necessary to renew the Siege again in the months of September and October following for that the foregoing months are either too rainy or too hot in those Countries to undertake a design or enterprise of that nature he fortified all the small places in those
of his Conversion and thankfulness to God for this escape he ordered five thousand Dollars to be given in alms to the poor and Korban to be made of three hundred sheep and the Friday following he solemnly went to the Mosch to render thanks unto God for having so prodigiously preserved him from the Executioner of his Vengeance During all this time the Great Vizier wanting Succours and Supplies of men and money had great difficulty to contain his people in their due obedience or within the bounds of their Quarters for they were apt to leave their Colours and would really have disbanded had not their spirits been daily held up with the hopes and amusements of Pay and Recruits The four Brethren-in-law which greatly apprehended lest their Power and Authority should be abated by the return of the Vizier exercised all the diligence they were able to make new Levies the reinforcement of which might instill new courage into the Souldiery and be a means to continue the Vizier in those parts but the Mufti obstructed all Levies on the side of Greece and the Frontiers of Christendom alledging That the best Souldiers being sent from those parts would hazard the Empire by exposing and laying it open to the Incursions of the Christians by which contrary opinions and delays the Vizier wanting the assistance expected the Persians recovered all the little Fortresses which they had lost the year before with the considerable place of Illay which being taken by assault and by an absolute force of Sword and Arms the greatest part of the Garrison consisting of eight thousand men commanded by the three Pasha's before-mentioned were cut off which was an important loss to the Turks not only for the slaughter of so many brave Souldiers but also for the quantities of Provisions being the Granary and Magazine for the whole Army Therein were likewise taken forty Field-pieces carrying eight pounds Bullet with a great Chain of Iron which usually encompasses the Treasury which is carried into the Field With this ill success the Vizier retreated from Mosul as far as Mirdin from whence he redoubled his instances for Supplies for men and money At length it was agreed that an Army of thirty thousand Tartars should be sent thither but Ragotski advising that he was upon the point of breaking with the Emperour it was ordered that their number should be reduced to ten thousand the which taking their Journey into Persia by the way of Circassia were there encountred by Han Gherey the Prince of Tartary whom we formerly mentioned to have been deposed by that people and by him obstructed in their passage the Vanguard of their Army being cut off by him so that they were forced again to retreat and to embark their Men and Horse at Caffa to be transported by Sea to Trapezond which as it was a matter of great trouble so it was a course unpractised by the Tartars The G. Signior being unable to render a more considerable Succour than this unto his Army which was now reduced to the weak number of two thousand Janisaries and three thousand Spahees he resolved to condescend to Terms and Articles as the only means to save his Honour and the remainder of his Forces In order unto which he released a Persian Lord from his Imprisonment in the Seven Towers and qualified him with the Title of Ambassadour bestowing upon him an Equipage of Men and Horse agreeable to his Character with four thousand Dollars to defray his Expence and that the King of Persia might be assured of the Sultan's real intentions and desires of Peace he recalled his Army in the Spring whereby all Acts of Hostility ceased and thus the Vizier being returned to Constantinople that pride and rigour which he exercised towards all in the time of his prosperity laid him low by misfortunes in the esteem of his Enemies who gladly embracing the opportunity to disgrace him with all the terms of obloguy and detraction deprived him at length of his Office One of the four Brothers-in-law married to one of the Grand Signior's Sisters and Prime of the Cabal being constituted Vizier in his stead Nor did the late Vizier easily escape with his life until he had reprieved it with an atonement of an hundred thousand Zechins of Gold and some choice Horses which he presented to the Sultan the like Example other Pasha's his Companions followed in proportion to their Estates and Employments by which Presents the empty Treasury was in a manner recruited and the present necessities of the Sultan relieved But this new Vizier enjoyed not long either his Honours or his life for the first act he performed was to mitigate the Valedé Sultana or Queen-Mother to obtain a Hattesheriff or writing under the Grand Signior's Hand for cutting off the Head of Casref Pasha the Spaheeler-Agasi or General of the Spahees which being executed by Mortesa the Commander in Chief in Persia his Head was brought and thrown at the Gates of the Divan The Spahees astonished at this spectacle and enraged to see that Head on the ground which they so much esteemed and loved forgot all the terms of duty and obedience to their Superiours and without regard to the place wherein they were even within the Walls of the Grand Signior's Court they threw stones at the Vizier and beat him from his Horse which though the Grand Signior and all the Viziers highly resented as the most scandalous indignity that could be offered to the Majesty of a Supreme Ruler and to all Government yet their Counsels rather sought remedies to suppress the Mutiny than to make Proposals of executing Justice on the Offenders for the Spahees seconded by the Janisaries who were glad of any cause to make a commotion assembled in the Hippodromo from whence they sent an Arz to the Sultan requiring the Heads of the Great Vizier and of divers others as well within as without the Seraglio The Grand Signior denying positively to assent hereunto the Souldiery as plainly threatned to depose him and place his Brother in the Throne at which barbarous resolution the Grand Signior being affrighted his youthful constancy was so shaken that he wrote to his Mother to desire her excuse in case he assented to the death of her Son-in-law the Great Vizier for that the storm of the military fury was so great that he could not endeavour to protect him without the loss of his life and Crown wherefore the Vizier being turned out of the Gates of the Seraglio he was immediately butchered in the presence of the Sultan Nor did the impetuous rage of the Souldiery end here but they proceeded farther to demand the Head of the Janisar-Aga or General of the Janisaries who was reputed the chief Instrument of the death of Casref because he was a principal Favourite to the Grand Signior but he wisely taking divers off with Money and Presents sowed division between the Janisaries and Spahees so that some difficulty arising hereupon the determination
speedy stop thereunto by cutting off the Heads of fifty of the most seditious and so passed to Prusa with the attendance of six Gallies He caused a Kadi to be hanged to the great displeasure and universal resentment of the Ulemah who are Students in the Law who to make known their aggrievance and consult a remedy assembled in great numbers at the House of the Mufti The Queen-Mother being acquainted with this Meeting and fearing the ill consequences thereof gave immediate advice to the Sultan who with like expedition dispatched a Boat to bring over the Mufti and his Son to Prusa who were no sooner arrived than they were strangled being not permitted to speak for themselves or to alledge any plea or excuse for their lives This act of cruelty beyond the example of former Ages and never practised by the most tyrannical of his Predecessours struck a terrour on the whole Empire for men observing the unjust rigour which was executed on the Head and Chief of their Law the Oracle and Mouth which resolved their difficult Problems and whom the World so reverenced and honoured that few examples have been of Capital punishment executed on his reverend Head feared that innocence was not sufficient to secure their own less considerable Estates from his fury and violence There is a particular death allotted for Mufties which is by braying them in a Mortar the which Mortar is kept in the Seven Towers at Constantinople and there shewed to strangers the which Instrument hath been seldom made use of Morat being greatly addicted to Wine was sensible of the ill effects of it in himself and that the heat of debauchery inclined him to violence and cruelty and from hence collecting how dangerous this humor of drunkenness was in his people especially in his Souldiery for that much of the late Seditions might be attributed thereunto he published a most severe Edict against Wine commanding all Taverns to be demolished the Butts to be broken and the Wine spilt It was the common custom of the Grand Signior to walk the streets in disguise when meeting with any drunken person he would imprison him and almost drub him to death It was his fortune to meet a deaf man one day in the streets who not hearing the noise of the people nor the rumor of his approach did not so readily shift out of the way as was consistent with the fear and dread of so awful an Emperour for which default he was strangled immediately and his body thrown into the streets All people feared and trembled at these practices and were as careful to look out abroad for the Grand Signior lest they should be surprised with the bluster of his presence as Mariners are of being taken unprovided by some sudden Gust or Hurricane for there was scarce a day that one innocent or other was not sacrificed to his fury and tyrannical sancy One Thomas Zanetti a Venetian Merchant who had built a losty Jardac or a high Room of Prospective on the top of his House was accused to the Grand Signior to have designed that place for no other end than that he might with a Long-glass oversee the Chambers of the Ladies and the Gardens and Walks of the Seraglio for which reason without farther inquiry he was hanged in his shirt on the top of his Jardac with a red Streamer in his hand that so the Grand Signior might be sure that the Sentence was executed The Estate of Zanetti whether belonging to himself or Principals was consiscated but in regard the Goods for Security were privately conveyed to the Ware-houses of several Frank Merchants strict search was made for them but in regard the Marks and Numbers were altered they could not be distinguished wherefore the Grand Signior concluding that all the Frank Merchants had combined together to deceive him he imprisoned every man of them nor would he release them until they paid forty thousand Dollars for their ransom and liberty After which upon pretence of a Plot or agreement of the Franks to defend themselves from the leviation of this Tax the Turks searched their Houses for Arms in taking of which they were so rigorous that they spared not so much as a Birding-piece nor yet the Sword of Sir Peter Wych then Ambassadour for England though he alledged that it was the very Sword with which his Majesty had conferred the Honour of Knighthood upon him But from these transactions at home let us pass to the Wars in Poland and Persia. That invincible Prince Uladislaus King of Poland had gained such good success against the Czar of Moscovy that the Czar was forced to demand assistance from the Turks The Grand Signior though he had lately made a Peace with Poland and sworn to maintain the Articles of Chocin concluded by his Predecessour Sultan Osman yet the continual depredations which the Cosacks made did always administer reasonable pretences for a War to which Abassa one of his chief Counsellours a valiant and presumptuous Captain did much incite him for promising to himself the Conduct of that Army designed against Poland did much flatter the Sultan and himself with the fancy of mighty success The War being thus resolved upon the Turk who commonly strikes before he quarrels gave Orders to Abassa to make Levies of men in Moldavia and Valachia and to put the Tartars in Arms and the Militia of Buda and of the parts along the Danube into a warlike posture and with all expedition to enter Poland Abassa who had with wonderful diligence put his Troops in readiness ordered the Tartars with a Body of sifteen thousand men to enter Poland which they performed with such celerity that passing the River of Tyr above Chocin and Rinczug they in a few hours laid all waste for the space of ten leagues round Kemenitz and so retired with their Booty into Moldavia howsoever their haste was not attended with such good speed but that they were overtaken on the 4 th of July by Stanislaus Konispolzki General of the Polish Army with no greater Force than two thousand five hundred Horse howsoever surprising them whilst they were seeding their Horses he put them into such confusion and disorder that he easily recovered all the Booty and took five of their Chief men Prisoners of which the Son-in-law of Cantemir was one But this was a faint resreshment in respect to that terrible storm of sixty thousand men composed of Turks Tartars Moldavians and Valachians which under the Command of Abassa had already passed the Danube Konispolzki the Polish General having not sufficient Force to oppose them in open sield nor time to assemble a greater Army gathered what Supplies he could from the Cosacks and Lords of that Country and therewith encamped himself upon a Hill between the River Tyr and the Town of Chocin that he might be the better able to succour Kemenitz which the Enemy designed to assault Abassa who contemned this weak Force of the Poles resolved without
farther consideration to attack them in their own Camp and force them to sight of which the Poles being well advised placed several-Pieces of Artillery and lined all the Hedges and Ditches with Musquetiers where the Turks were necessarily to pass drawing out their whole Army into Batalia the Turks who hastened the nearest way to charge the Enemy fell into the Ambush where having lost about five hundred men they began to make a stand and to consider of some more advantageous way to their design Wherefore Abassa taking another course which he judged to be free from all concealed dangers ordered the Tartars to charge the right Wing and the Moldavians and Valachians the left of the Enemy and he with his Turks would fight the main Body The Tartars with great resolution performed their part and had wholly deseated that Wing had not Wisnovitzki with some Troops and a Train of small Artillery come in seasonably to their succour the Moldavians and Valachians sought so faintly against the Enemy whom they considered to be Christians Brothers and Neighbours that they soon turned their backs and fled but were not far pursued by the Poles Abassa receiving this repulse sounded a Retreat and immediately repassed the River Tyr and marched with all the haste he was able stopping no where until he arrived at Rinzur about thirty English miles from the place of the Fight and arriving at length on the Banks of the Danube he gave licence to his Souldiers to disperse into their Winter-quarters in the mean time Abassa dispatched Advice to the Grand Signior of the Particulars of the Fight and of his great Victory by an entire defeat of the Polish Army The Grand Signior believed the report which none durst to contradict and which was confirmed by the rumour of an Ambassadour coming from Poland For the Poles being at that time engaged in a War with Moscovy and apprehensive of another with Sweden judged it not seasonable to provoke the Turk but rather by way of Accommodation dispeeded an Ambassadour with a train of three hundred men to make complaints against the late Acts of Hostility committed by Abassa as if he had moved his Arms without the Orders or knowledge of the Sultan About that time that the Ambassadour approached near to Constantinople the Grand Signior had another Son born but of a weakly and sickly temperament howsoever great joy was expressed and all the City was enlightned with Torches Bonsires and Fire-works and that the Grand Signior might evidence his Greatness and Magnisicence to the Ambassadour he took this occasion of the Birth of a Son to make a solemn Entrance into the City and to make the greater show he armed all the Citizens and Inhabitants Before the Grand Signior would grant Audience to the Ambassadour he ordered that Abassa should treat with him and understand his business and desires Abassa carried himself high in the Negotiation he pretended the damages and charges of the War the demolishment of certain Palancas which were the places of Refuge for the Cosacks and the Tribute of ten years past with security of payment for the time to come The Ambassadour positively refused to hearken unto any terms about Tribute and that for other matters the Presents which he had brought to the Grand Signior would reasonably answer His Presents were A Coach lined with Velvet with six very fine Horses A Bason and Candlesticks of Silver richly gilt Four Clocks ten Vests of Sables six Quivers of Arrows with some Hunting Dogs Being at length admitted to Audience and thereunto conducted by the Aga of the Spahees and the Chaous Bashee the Grand Signior asked the Ambassadour which was not usual For what reason he was come thither To which he answered That he was come to bring his Majesty advice of the Coronation of his King and to establish a Peace if his Majesty should judge fit to accept thereof To which the Sultan replied That all Christian Kings ought either to receive the Ottoman Laws or pay him Tribute or try the sharpness of his Sword And taking a Cemiter in his hand which hung by him he drew it half out and said With this I will subdue my Enemies and though my War in Persia continues I do not fear to undertake another in Poland To which the Ambassadour returning a modest Answer was dismissed of the Royal Presence And now the Grand Signior to put a good face on the business and to make the World believe that he designed what he spake he proclaimed a War with Poland and ordered his Tents to be carried abroad supposing hereby to draw the Poles to his own terms of agreement and in pursuance hereof he mounted on Horse-back and rode in state through the City his upper Vest was made after the Hungarian fashion lined with Sables in his right hand he carried a Quiver of Arrows in his left two drawn Swords on his Turbant he wore a large Plume of Feathers encompassed with a Circle of Diamonds and in this manner entring his Tents he proceeded to Adrianople But before his departure the Count Puchen Ambassadour from the Emperour arrived with other sumptuous Presents offering Incense and gifts of Peace at the Throne of this Greatness But before we relate the transactions at Adrianople and the success of affairs at that place let us recount several dismal accidents at Constantinople The Grand Signior returning by Sea from a place called Stravosta in the Bay of Ismit anciently the Bay of Nicomedia where he had for some time held his Court and great Divan he was followed by several Vessels appointed to transport the people in one whereof were ninety five persons embarked all of them Pasha's Aga's and chief Officers of the Court the Vessel was over-set by a sudden gust of wind and all the people drowned excepting three Sea-men which saved themselves by swimming More considerable were the mischiefs by fire For on occasion of some Fire-works made in one of the Grand Signior's Chiosks or Houses of Pleasure the fire took so siercely on the Tavan or wooden Works of the Sieling that it endangered the whole Palace and had consumed all but that many hands and active men gave a stop to the farther progress This fire was but the fore-runner of a greater which began the 16 th of September in that part of the City of Constantinople which is called 〈◊〉 being between the Wall and the Port where live Taverners Butchers Fishmongers and others who sell provisions The fire took first in one of those Houses which had been a Tavern and are Buildings only made of Deal-boards and Timber which combustible matter flamed out so violently that it took hold on all the Houses round and was so quick in its motion as if it had taken by a train or that some wicked people with Fire-balls had employed themselves in the mischief the fire took its course against the wind burning on one side and the other to the Historical Pillar and to
promised the same faithfulness and devotion to the Sultan which was professed and maintained by his Ancestors and was natural to the Family of Gabor That as to Ragotski it was apparent that he entertained different principles that he was a person of elated thoughts and a turbulent spirit and was ever united in combination with the Emperour Germans and other Enemies to the Ottoman State The Turks moved with these reasons resolved to favour Stephen and to discountenance Ragotski and though the conjuncture of affairs was such as that any other Engagement in War besides that of Persia did not square with the present designs yet at all times it was judged convenient to sow the tares of discord and promote differences amongst Christians which have ever produced advantages to the Mahometan Cause and likewise the Pasha of Buda was commanded to enter Transylvania with a Force sufficient to contend with Ragotski and lest the Emperour should be alarm'd with this commotion a Chiaus was dispatched to give him a perfect understanding of the reasons why an Army marched into Transylvania the design of which was not intended in the least manner to impeach the Articles of Peace between him and the Grand Signior but only to displace a man of a furious and turbulent spirit and to ordain another in his stead of a more sober and quiet temper by whose moderation and prudence the Peace between the two Empires may be improved and continued Ragotski startled at this design intended against him assembled the States of his Country to determine and consult concerning a remedy and immediately dispatched a Messenger to the Emperour to desire and implore his Imperial succour and protection and though Ragotski was sensible of the disparity of his strength in comparison of that of the Turks yet neither did his counsels nor behaviour betray fear or want of constancy The Hungarians seconded those instances which Ragotski had made at the Imperial Court and the Party which he had made at Vienna brought the matter to a debate in Council which was argued on both sides with solid and convincing reasons Those who spake in disfavour of Ragotski alledged That all assistance contributed to him would be a just cause and pretence to the Grand Signior to make War with the Emperour That Ragotski himself was of an uniquiet temper not unlike to Gabor his Predecessor who had often bid defiance to the Emperour and over-running all Hungary and Austria had often erected his Standard in the sight of Vienna To protect and cherish a person of this disposition was no other than to nourish a Serpent or Viper in their bosom who being elevated at the expence of the Empire in successes against the Turk would convert that power which he had gained to the damage of the House of Austria combining with the Faction of other Princes to procure its destruction Let us therefore said they stand at a gaze and as men on the shore or in a good Port behold the agitation of Ships in the Ocean perhaps the change of a Prince in Transylvania may turn to our benefit and one may succeed into the place of such a mild temper and serene disposition as may better agree with the Maxims of this Court and may cultivate that Peace which can only render these Countries happy Howsoever there were other opinions to the contrary amongst which it is said that D. Annibal Gonzaga a person acquainted with the State of Transylvania and of the Turks and Director of the Imperial Army delivered himself in this manner May it please Your Sacred Imperial Majesty IF Ragotski had been the lawful Son and hereditary Successour of Gabor who was an Enemy to your Majesty we might then apprehend the evil consequences of a Son that traces the same path and footsteps of his Father But here is another person another Prince in emulation different and by enmity hating the House of Gabor wherefore I cannot imagine how this Prince can possibly entertain Maxims of like nature with the other For my part I believe that it behoves your Majesty to maintain a good correspondence with the Princes of Transylvania by a close Vnion against the Turk your adjoyning Countries being like contignous Buildings which are strengthned by a mutual support let us therefore support it for if it depends not on us it will be over-run and remain oppressed without us To aggravate the faults of Gabor to the disparagement of Ragotski is no Logical consequence unless you will argue that the faults of the guilty are to be punished on the innocent Let us therefore consider which agrees best with the security of the Empire that Transylvania should remain in the hands of Ragotski or of the Turk or that we had better strike against the rock of jealousie which we conceive against this Transylvanian or on that ruinous rock of the Turkish Power The Ottoman Counsels commonly look asquint they cast their eye on the Prince when their sight aims at the Principality and threaten the person when they design to vent their fury to the subjection of his Country The true intent of the Turk is to reduce Transylvania to the same condition with Moldavia and Valachia and to incorporate this with infinite other Provinces into the gross body of his Empire It is notorious to all the World that the Emperours your Predecessours have lost a large tract of Land by the Turks and your losses will every day be greater as their Conquests increase and when their Dominions in Europe are so enlarged that they are able to quarter their Asiatick Cavalry in these Countries your dangers must necessarily be inevitable and full of terrour For I compute that when the Turk designs to make War upon us he marches with an hundred thousand men and perhaps ten thousand Camels besides other beasts of burden so numerous a body as this cannot be maintained until the grass be fully grown which is not until the middle or end of June and from that time they have more than a month or six weeks March before they arrive upon our Consines the which consumption of time prolongs their Enterprises and protracts the time of our damages But if once they become Masters of Transylvania and that that Country be laid to Moldavia Valachia and other parts of Hungary they may then commodiously winter amongst us and begin their Wars and Attempts upon us early in the year and pursue them until the last season of the Autunin and in this manner whilst we are debating and taking our measures in our Diet they will fatten themselves and satiate their appetites with our spoils It is good therefore for us to defend Austria in Transylvania keeping the eaver as far from the heart as we are able Let us suppose that Ragotski is the most ungrateful man in the world and that after we have supported and succoured him that he will reverse his Arms upon us howsoever he is not so strong and considerable as to
do us much hurt and therefore it were better to have him our Neighbour and our Enemy than the Turk though our Friend the first can only administer some little causes of jealonsie but the other may destroy and supplant us the first is but like a putrid feaver which is cured with every small evacuation but the latter is a pestilence which dilates and diffuses it self and is deadly and irrecoverable Let not the seruple neither of breaking with the Turk trouble us for we may administer assistance under-hand and without noise effect our business without arriving at the extremity of a rupture It is folly and weakness in us to be charmed by the statteries of the Turks and the fair words of this Chaous or to imagine that when they have over-run all Transylvania they will stop in the midst of their career before they arrive at the Gates of Vienna no their intentions are to lull us asleep and to destroy our Neighbour first and then us they cannot devour us both at once but husband their diet and reserve us for another meal The Turk is like a Serpent who lyes quiet and coiled up all the Winter not because he wants either a sting or poison but being benumbed with cold wants warmth and heat to give it motion and operation This is my sense and opinion which I most humbly tender before the greater Wisdom of Your Sacred Majesty Notwithstanding these convincing Arguments the result of the Council determined otherwise and Ragotski was left to shift for himself and to stand upon his own legs which was a pernicious resolution and that which was afterwards the cause of the subjection of Transylvania to the Turk and the original of many mischiefs to the Empire but this was the fortune of the Turks more favourable to them than to the Christian State Ragotski being thus abandoned by the Imperialists and exposed to the mercy of an insatiable Enemy though his courage was good and resolute yet he began to despond of his Force unable to deal with such an unequal Match as that of the Turk and his Subjects being fearful of the event perswaded him to give way and resign his rule to the hands of Gabor his Competitor Ragotski that he might not seem to neglect the counsel of his Subjects and Friends and to gain time pretended to hearken to their advice and accordingly entred into a Treaty with Gabor During which debate he secretly obtained some Forces from Poland by connivance of that Government and the Hungarians being his friends privately favoured him knowing that the Conquest of Transylvania would be a step to their destruction and being at length well fortified and recruited he began to declare openly that he found no security to himself in this Surrender for that a place was denied him wherein he put his chief hopes of defence and therefore that he was resolved to support and maintain his state and cause in the best manner that he was able Hereupon the Turks entred Transylvania with an Army of twenty five thousand men under the Command of the Pasha of Buda Ragotski to obstruct their March dispeeded his General Cornis with seven thousand men to prepossess an advantageous ground with Order to entertain but not fight the Enemy until he could come up to him with the gross of his Army The Turks perceiving their advantage in number resolved to engage the Enemy before they were reinforced with new Succours to perform which they made a detachment of twelve thousand Horse and two thousand Janisaries and some Field-pieces commanded by the Pasha himself and Stephen Gabor Cornis not being able to disingage himself or avoid fighting made a vertue of necessity and put his Forces into form of Battel and exhorting his men to follow his example assured them that Victory was sooner acquired by valour than numbers and that Fortune was always more favourable to the valiant and brave than to the cowardly and pusillanimous Cornis unsheathing his Sword fought in the head of his men and led them through the thickest of his Enemies the first rank of which not being able to sustain the surious charge of the Christians gave way and being disordered the first Squadrons ran foul of the second and at length all of them betook themselves to a shameful flight The Transylvanians took all their Cannon and Baggage with ten Ensigns and killed three thousand Turks The Pasha of Agria was wounded and Olac Bei of Temiswar was taken Prisoner and the whole Army had that day been defeated had not the Janisaries who fortified themselves in a thick Wood given a stop to a farther pursuit Ragotski likewise in divers succeeding Skirmishes overthrew the Turks killing many Pasha's and Souldiers of quality and at length remained sole Master of the Field The Turks retired to Lippa and Stephen to Temiswar whilst Ragotski made his Incursions into the Country of the Turks burning and spoiling two thousand Villages with which being terrified and beaten into terms of reason they agreed to suffer Ragotski to injoy his Government conditionally that the Goods and Estate of Gabor in Transylvania should be restored unto him and thus Ragotski established himself in the Government and obtained a confirmation thereof from Constantinople to his Son accompanied with Presents and Ornaments of a Prince And this example shews us in what manner we are to deal with Turks resolution and rigour are better Arms against them than complements and with an Enemy it is more advantageous to make Peace with weapons in our hands than to condescend to the hard terms which a Tyrant pleases to impose on an easie and an unprovided People So soon as this News arrived the ears of the proud Sultan he was so incensed that in a fury he would have desisted from his present War in Persia to vent his revenge upon Transylvania but the cooler and more moderate counsels of wiser friends advised him to defer the execution of his anger until he could discharge it more to the purpose and in a conjuncture when it would fall more easie on himself and more heavy on his Enemy howsoever in the mean time Ragotski made such use of this remote diversion of the Ottoman Arms by advantaging himself of an Alliance with the Cosacks and by the ill correspondence and diffidence which at that time intervened between the Tartars and the Port that he not only avoided the revenge threatned by Morat but obtained an establishment of the Inheritance to his Son By this time Sultan Morat was arrived at Erzrum which is a City belonging to the Turks on the Confines of Persia where the first Act which he performed of Justice was to cut off the Head of the Pasha for his oppression and extortions inslicted on the people Entring into Armenia he was grieved to see the upper and lower Provinces so miserably destroyed and wasted by the War to recover which he commanded the people under pain of death
to return again to their ancient habitations within the space of twenty days but they being setled in other Cities where perhaps they had purchased Houses and Lands could not possibly comply with the severity of this Decree and therefore were constrained to buy a dispensation and release from the penalty for a Sum of money About the beginning of July in the parts of Erzrum Morat made a general review and Muster of his whole Army with which those he brought from Constantinople joyned to Recruits by the way and those Forces which had waged War in Persia amounted to near the number of three hundred thousand fighting men but such as were admirably well disciplined not only by the severity of their Soveraign but by the example he shewed them of frugality and patience for he often marched afoot in the midst of the heats he was extremely temperate in his diet though he was naturally of a gluttonous and luxurious palate for several months he made use of no other Pillow for his head than his Saddle nor other Blanket or Quilt than the Covering or Foot-cloth of his Horse Being arrived near to the City of Revan he bestowed that largess on the Souldiery of a Dollar a man which is accustomary to be given at all times when the Grand Signior marches in person and then made known to them his intentions of besieging that place and in case he took it not in the space of ten days that then he would leave it begirt with forty thousand men and dividing his Army into three Bodies he would enter the bowels of Persia by divers ways The Tents of the Grand Signior and of all the Camp were pitched Batteries raised the Trenches opened and all matters laid in the formal manner of a Siege The Garrison within commanded by Emir Gumir consisted of fifteen thousand men sitted and provided with all sorts of Ammunition and wanted neither courage nor provisions howsoever at the end of nine days the City was surrendred to the Sultan upon terms of quarter to the whole Garrison both for life and freedom of Estate and because this Governour Emir Gumir a principal Noble-man of Persia had by corruption thus voluntarily delivered up the City he acquired a place of high grace and esteem in the favour of the Grand Signior to which his courtly manner of indulging his humor and complying with him in his Wine and Feasts to which the joy of this present success priviledged him to return gave him daily a new Title to receive extraordinary Honours from him The news of this prosperous success was posted to Constantinople as the first essay of the good effects of the Sultan's presence and was there celebrated with Feasts Joy and Lights according to the Turkish fashion called Danalma to perform which the Turks obliged likewise the Christian Ambassadours saying that if they were friends they ought to evidence their satisfaction by demonstrations of joy in the prosperity of their Ally the Festival was kept for the space of four days during which two Brothers of the Sultan viz. Bajazet and Orchan were strangled the latter of which as is said was so brave and of that courage that he killed four of his Executioners before he submitted his neck to the fatal Cord. The Turk entring farther into Persia inconsiderately fell into an ambush where twelve thousand of their men were defeated howsoever the remainder of the Army not being discouraged with this Encounter proceeded on their March making most miserable havock and destruction of all before them carrying that dread and terrour to the Countries round that all people fled leaving their houses and things not portable to the possession of the Enemy Howsoever the Turks found greater difficulties than they expected for meeting frequently Parties of the Persian Cavalry which were practised to manage their Horse and Sword were often defeated at least endured and sustained the shock of bloody Skirmishes and then the Persians retiring into the Mountains known to them but unknown to the Turks which served them better than fortified places returned again when any advantage or Booty appeared which perpetually vexed and wearied the Enemy and burning all things which might afford them relief rendred that fruitful Country more desolate and barren than the Desarts of Libya or the Sands of Arabia In this manner the Turkish Army being destitute of all sorts of provisions and refreshments were forced to retire to the Country of Tauris which being harassed and impoverished like other Provinces caused a miserable famine in the Camp whereby multitudes of Horses and Camels perished for want of nutriment at which the Grand Signior being highly incensed against the Inhabitants of Tauris committed their City to the will and mercy of the Souldiery who having pillaged and sacked it left it a miserable spectacle of fire and sword The King of Persia seeing in what manner the Troops of his Enemy were wearied and consumed took hold of this opportunity as seasonable to propose certain Articles of Peace by an Ambassadour to which Morat seemed to incline a flexible ear but lodging his Souldiers in their Winter-quarters in the parts of Damascus and Aleppo he took his way towards Constantinople with intention to ease the hardships and labours of the Summers War by a voluptuous ease and Winters pastime in the delights and softness of the Seraglio The 16 th day of December he arrived at Constantinople having passed from Ismit through the Gulph of Nicomedia with the attendance of fourteen Gallies he made his Entry by the Jews Gate and not by that of Adrianople as was accustomary he was mounted on one of the best of his Horses and cloathed with a Coat of Mail a Casket on his head with three Feathers adorned with Pearls and precious Stones his Sword was girt to his side with his Bow and Quiver his beard was in a rough and neglected manner which made him appear more fierce and Martial the Chimacam came after him accompanied with the Traitor who surrendred Revan This Festival for his return was celebrated for the space of a whole week during which time the Shops were shut the doors and outsides adorned with green Boughs and Paintings and by night the streets with Torches were made as clear as the day howsoever the people secretly murmured that the War was not prosecuted and the advantages taken when Fortune began to smile and favour their Enterprises and that now desisting in the middle way the work was again to be begun and all the foregoing blood and treasure was spent and consumed to no purpose these murmurings of the people were not without some ground and cause for after the departure of the Grand Signior the Persians put themselves again into the field and recovered the Country which they had lost and having offered a Sum of money to Mortesa Pasha to surrender Revan which he refusing to accept on principles of fidelity and honour they prepared to lay close siege
to the place the Janisaries were also displeased to see themselves neglected and cast out of the Guard and their places supplied by the Bostangees nor less disgusted were the Lawyers to see several of their Judges and Kadies hanged and their heads cut off upon pretence of Sedition and Faction His ill humor more increased to the height of Tyranny by reason of certain twinges which he suffered of the Gout which is not usual in persons of his age not surpassing twenty six years and because his Physician a Jew forbid him wholly to drink wine as poison to his disease and complexion he was so enraged that he drove him from his presence with indignation and immediately conceived such anger and prejudice against the whole Nation that he caused their Houses to be searched and their Jewels taken from them But what was most strange was his horrid aversion to Tabaco the taking of which by any person whatsoever he forbid upon pain of death which sentence he so rigorously executed that he caused the legs and arms of two men one that sold Tabaco and the other that took it to be sawed off and in that manner exposed to the view of the people he also caused two others a man and a woman to be impaled alive for the same offence with a Roll of Tabaco about their necks As the Gout caused him to be froward and ill-natur'd so more especially when ill News came from Persia he was observed to be more raving and tyrannical than ever his Army in Persia wanting provisions disbanded Mortesa Pasha Governour of Revan being killed the Souldiers rebel open the Gates and yield themselves to the Persian for which offence the Janisaries fearing the Justice of their Master the Grand Signior two thousand of them took up Arms in service of the Enemy the sense hereof vexing Morat to the soul he caused the Register of the Janisaries to be hanged and another of their principal Officers to be beheaded and strowed the streets of Constantinople with dead bodies some for one cause and some for another which struck the whole City with a general dread and consternation He often walked in the night punishing quarrels and disorders of the streets and meeting two women wandring in the dark he caused them to be cut in pieces He put his Cook to death for not dressing his Meat well or not seasoning his Sauces according to his palate In his Seraglio sporting with his Arms he wounded himself with a Dart in the thigh and by accident wounded the Son of Mehmet the late Vizier with a Carbine-shot of which in a short time after he dyed The Persian having taken Revan as we have said instituted Chambers of Janisaries in that place after the Turkish fashion paying them in the same form as at Constantinople and to allure the Spahees to enter into his Service he offered to all that came in twelve Aspers a day of constant Pay and declared That their Faith and Law had no difference from the Mahometan The Grand Signior receiving these Advices with extreme indignation proclaimed his intentions to return again into Persia and though the design pleased not the Militia who were weary of the War yet his power was too great to be resisted and his humors too violent to be diverted by sober counsels for having subjected and absolutely subdued the insolence of the Souldiers and suppressed the arrogance of the Lawyers and Church-men he ordered every thing according to his arbitrary and uncontroulable pleasure which being rendred extravagant and unsupportable by reason that in his Cups and at the time of his debauchery he would often take his Counsels and determine his resolutions were notwithstanding with more patience endured upon hopes that they would not be lasting and that excesses would accelerate his death and the end of their oppressions The Pasha's of greatest note and richess he put to death and consiscated their Estates to his Exchequer and whereas avarice and cruelty were equally predominant in his nature there was scarce a day wherein he made not some demonstration of those dispositions the English Ambassadour making some instances for the releasement of English Slaves from Captivity was forced to purchase their liberty by giving two Russians or other Slaves in the place of one English-man He took a singular delight to sit in a Chiosk by the Sea-side and from thence to shoot at the people with his Bow and Arrows as they rowed near the Banks of the Seraglio which caused the Boat-men afterwards to keep themselves at a distance from the Walls of the Seraglio And as he likewise took pleasure to go from one Garden to another on the Bosphorus so if he observed any so bold as to put forth his head to see him pass he commonly made him pay the price of his curiosity by a shot from his Carbine In all his Gardens and places of pleasure his chief recreation was drinking in which his principal or almost sole Companions were Emir Gumir the Persian who betrayed Revan and a Venetian of the Family of Bianchi who having been taken by the Turks when he was young was placed in the Seraglio and educated in all the Learning and Customs of it and becoming as well a Proficient in drinking as in other vices he was made a Favourite and Companion to Morat And thus did they follow this trade of drunkenness so constantly that the health of the Grand Signior began to impair and at length he became so sensible of his extravagancies that he incharged the Chimacam not to obey him after dinner and when in the heat of his Wine he took a humor to ride through the streets the Janisaries and Officers would sometimes run before to advise the people to withdraw and sometimes drive them away with stones that so they might escape the hazard of this capricious Tyrant As it cannot be expressed in what dread and fear the people stood of him so neither in what Veneration he was with his Servants who observed the looks and every cast of his eyes had learned his nods and the meaning of every motion and gesture of his body It happened once that a paper falling casually from his hand out of a window the Pages ran in all haste down the stairs striving who should be the first to take it up but one more desirous than the others to evidence the zeal of his service took the nearest way and leaped out of the window and though with the fall he broke the bone of his thigh yet being the first that took up the paper he came halting to present it with his own hand this bold readiness in his service so pleased the Grand Signior that being cured he was afterwards preferred to one of the most considerable Offices of the Empire Thus was Morat revered in his Seraglio as he was feared abroad his Servants having the same awe of him as Bagotes the Eunuch had of Alexander the Great who holding the Pot of
Incense and Perfumes whilst his Master slept suffered his hands to burn to the bone rather than to awaken him by moving out of his place Q. Curtius But it is time now to leave off farther discourse of the Extravagancies of Morat and to return to the Wars in Persia howsoever before the departure of the Grand Signior it will be requisite to recount somewhat of the state of affairs in Europe On the Frontiers of Hungary and Poland there wanted not Exercises and Skirmishes to employ and practise the Souldiery and keep them in breath The Poles heightned with their good successes would not longer endure the Incursions of the Tartars complaining against the Turk that he had given Orders and secretly abetted them in their Robberies and Invasions against the Articles of the last Peace and therefore to avenge themselves the Poles appeared on the Frontiers with forty or fifty thousand Horse but the Grand Signior not willing in this conjuncture to break with the Poles absolutely disowned any such Order or permission given to the Tartars and being willing to continue the League that he might oblige the King of Poland gave liberty to all the people of that Nation and to the Russians who had been taken since the last Treaty positively prohibiting all people from buying or keeping any of the Subjects of that Country for Slaves during the continuance of this Peace In Hungary though the Ambassadour had but lately brought a Confirmation of tho Peace from Constantinople yet the Turks pretending that the Articles were not complied with continued to trouble and disturb those Frontiers for four thousand of them being gotten into a Body burnt certain Villages made divers Slaves and battered the Castle of Raab but being repulsed by that Garrison and by that of Komorra they again made Head and encamped within three leagues of Presbourg the which gave great trouble to the Emperour both because he had lately declared a War against France and because he apprehended that those Commotions of the Turks were designed to no other end than to engage him to renounce all assistance and succour to be given unto Ragotski We have already recounted in what manner the Turks had espoused the quarrel of Stephen Gabor and resolved to establish him in the Principality of Transylvania with the ruine of Ragotski which now being designed to be done by open Force several Troops were sent to the Frontiers of Transylvania which so alarmed the Hungarians that they put themselves on their Guard and obliged the Estates of Austria and Hungary to contribute towards the succour of the Transylvanian Prince The Emperour remained long in suspense what course to steer until at length the perswasions of the Confederate Princes the shame of abandoning a Friend and an Ally for a prey to the Turks and the fear of displeasing his hereditary Dominions in Hungary who considered Transylvania as the Bulwark of their Country induced him to promise secretly and underhand assistance to Ragotski As to the Turks themselves the effects did not correspond with their menaces for though they had gathered an Army of twenty thousand men at Buda they not only were disappointed of their design upon Newhausel but were openly repulsed and shamefully expelled the Frontiers by the Palatine of Hungary and Ragotski being recruited by Succours from the Emperour and by an Alliance with Poland desied the Forces of the Turk and contemned the reports of sixty thousand men preparing to march against him For indeed the Grand Signior had too great an incumbrance on his shoulders by the War in Persia to attend unto a perfect and studied revenge against Ragotski for Revan being recovered by the Persian as we have already declared was a matter of high moment and what distracted all his counsels and weakened his hopes When News came first of the Siege of Revan Orders were given to the Vizier to besiege Bagdat as a means to cause a diversion of Arms but the Souldiery entertaining an aversion to this Enterprise unanimously refused to march or to proceed farther than Erzrum Jambolat Ogli who commanded the Army before the arrival of the Vizier had strangled a Pasha and taken his Estate to supply the wants of the Army and had likewise put to death several Spahees and Janisaries for Mutiny and because they had declared an unwillingness to this War The Souldiery prepared to address themselves to the Vizier for justice against these violent proceedings but he not willing to hear them endeavoured to divert their complaints which caused a greater commotion and storm than before And though Jambolat pleaded his Orders and positive Commission from the Grand Signior for what he had acted yet that allegation not being accepted by the multitude as a justifiable plea the Vizier was forced to condescend to their desire and strangle Jambolat as he had done the others being the only means to quiet and compose this trouble of his Army But as after some great storm there is always remaining for a while a swelling and fluctuation in the waters so there still remained on the spirits of the Souldiery discontents and unquietness of mind wherefore the Vizier fearing lest the Enemy taking advantage of the present Seditions should charge them at a time of disorder he retired at a distance from them into the Plains of Erzrum but he was not able to continue long in those parts for want of fuel and of wood and planks to secure them against the rains and snow for it being Winter which is rigorous and cold in that Country their Tents were not sufficient proof to defend them against the extremity of the weather Whilst the Turkish Army remained at this place advice came that the Persians had besieged Van which is a strong Fortress situate on an inaccessible Rock on the Frontiers of the Province of Diarbequir And though the Persians were not able to take this place neither by storm nor famine yet during this Siege they made use of their time to ruine all the Country of Diarbequir which they left so desolate that the Turkish Army could not quarter there nor extract the least provision or subsistence from thence To all these misfortunes a greater was added by the treachery of a certain Curd one who pretending to be ill-satisfied with the Persian Party voluntarily offered himself to the service of the Turks and having done them some little services by being their guide through certain difficult passages he gained a confidence so far with them as that designing to surprise a quarter of the Enemy they committed themselves to his guidance and conduct who having brought them into a narrow passage where an Ambush of the Enemy lay he then turned his Coat and fought against the Turks of whom fifteen thousand were killed and taken in this snare In short all matters of this War proceeded cross and unfortunate for the Turks for besides their unlucky Fights with the Enemy their own Seditions in the Camp were
greater mischiefs for now enduring no longer these pungent miseries under the pretence of wanting Pay they cut in pieces the Treasurer of the Army two Aga's of the Spahees and the Chaousbashee of the Janisaries This News arriving at Constantinople when Morat was asslicted with a grievous accession of the Gout served to redouble his pains in which raving against the conduct of his Officers he immediately deprived the Vizier of his Charge and ordained Biram Pasha late Chimacam to succeed him in his Employment The new Vizier immediately set forth the Horses Tail which is a signal of departure with sound of Drums and Trumpets making Corban which is a distribution of Mutton to the poor in divers places his Retinue was speedily equipped with such sumptuous Magnificence that it looked rather like the Train of an Ambassadour which intended to make Peace than to the Troops of a General whose business was nothing but blood and destruction And indeed matters seemed to be inclining that way the Persians having far advanced in this Negotiation for they wisely pondering the immense Force of the Ottoman Empire with which they were now contending judged it the most politick course to make Peace under the auspicious Planet of their good Fortune for not knowing how long that might remain constant they might so soon as the wheel turns on the other side be forced to accept terms of less advantage than at present they might promise to themselves under their happy Stars Wherefore a Proposition being made of sending an Ambassadour to the Grand Signior he accepted of it and accordingly arrived at Constantinople in the month of August when the Vizier was scarce in the middle of his Journey The Grand Signior entertaining some real inclinations to Peace laid aside something of his usual Grandeur and State giving the Ambassadour Audience in a few days after his arrival and as nothing mollifies the hard mettle of a Turks spirit like a gentle shower of Gold and the emulgent softness of rich Presents so Morat understanding of Gifts with which he came accompanied afsorded to the Ambassadour an easie ear and a pleasing countenance The Presents for the Grand Signior besides those for the Court were these that follow Eight Indian Horses of great price Forty Dromedaries An hundred and fifty Meticals of Musk. As much Ambergriese made up in several Bags all sealed up with the Kings own Seal Thirty Bundles of the best black Sables Eight large Carpets mixed with Gold and Silver with divers others of Silk very rare and precious Many Pieces of the finest Linen to make Turbants A great number of the rarest Girdles Porceline to a great value Divers Pieces of Satin and Velvet with golden Flowers Fifty Pieces of silken Stuffs Eight Bows of excellent work These Presents so well disposed and prepared the mind of the Grand Signior towards an Accommodation that he bestowed a kind aspect and gentle words on the Ambassadour so that all the World expected that a Peace would have ensued And indeed one might well have believed his reality in this intention since the ardent passion he had to be revenged of Ragotski availed more with him than all other considerations in the world his Honour also called him to give a stop to the progress of the Moscovites who had taken Asac and the Tartars and Cosacks gave some ground of jealousie that before long they designed some Action on the Turkish Territories the reasons whereof we shall discourse in this following Year We have already related some Years past on what Terms the Tartars stood with the Turk how they refused to accept that King which the Port recommended to them though the eldest and first of the true Line how they fought and overthrew the Forces which the Grand Signior sent to compel them to the Election he desired and this last Year upon pretence of a War with Cantemir they refused to send their Army against the Persian as had always been accustomary to do against the Enemies of the Sultan whensoever required The Pasha Muftee and Kadi of Caffa which is the Grand Signior's Town in Tartary urged the Tartar Han to prepare and forward his Forces according to the duty and obligation which was incumbent on him and enlivening their arguments with reproaches of cowardise and ingratitude so far provoked the Han that he caused them all three to be strangled Notwithstanding this high provocation the Grand Signior dissembled the injury lest a due resentment should raise them into an open Rebellion and dissembling an approbation of the Fact as done with reason and justice sent to the Tartar Han a Sword and a Vest as signals of his favour and farther suspecting lest in prosecution of so sensible a blow the Tartar joyning in League with the Cosacks and Moscovites should make himself Master of Caffa he prudently touched the wound with a gentle hand offering to ordain such a Pasha as should be warranted with his assent and approbation The Tartar being overcome by such lenitives as these protested that he never entertained other thoughts than to maintain his Faith and Allegiance inviolable towards the Grand Signior and that the Alliance he had made with the Nogay Tartars and the Forces now raised were maintained with no other design than to suppress the rebellion and insolence of Cantemir This Cantemir being a person of a bold spirit and daring in all his actions did oftentimes by virtue of his own Authority lead a strong Party to the field being followed by the bravest and stoutest Souldiers of Tartary for which reason being hated by the Tartar Han and his life often attempted and his own spirit not supporting a subjection to any other he passed the Niester and retired with his own Troops and such others as would follow him into the Country of Budziak near to Beliegrod and Kilia confining on the Frontiers of Moldavia where he intended to plant and form a new Colony and Government In a short time divers chief Captains being desirous to follow the Ensigns of so famous a General came in to him and multitudes of people forsaking the sands and barren rocks of Tartary came crowding into this Country that the Plains of Budziack not being capable to contain them they passed into Moldavia where incroaching on the Lands of the proper Inhabitants gave a jealousie as if they intended to take possession of the whole Province The Poles being jealous of these ill Neighbours which lay at the Gate of their Country ready to enter on all occasions had made provision in their last Articles of Peace with the Grand Signior that he should force them to return and urged that point by the Ambassadour with all earnestness The Tartar Han also finding his Countries depopulated and weakened by so large an evacuation male also his complaints and addresses to the Port but the Grand Signior looking on this Colony as an increase of his Dominions and to be composed of such people whom
the Smede Upon this dishonourable demand the Emperour deferred the Embassy intended supposing it less perilous to adventure a War in Hungary than dishonourable to condescend unto a Proposition so derogatory to the Majesty of his Cesarean Greatness The Year 1643. being now entered the Prince of Transilvania conveyed his Annual Tribute being 10 thousand Zaichins to the Port which when the Agents of that Prince Presented before the Vizier he seemingly refused it protending that the compleat Tribute was to be 15 Thousand according to Agreement but the Agents replyed that five thousand had been remitted unto Bethlem Gabor not by way of Gratuity or Recompence for his Services but in Exchange or as the price of two Cities which the Prince had yielded to the Sultan out of his own proper Estate in Hungary with which Answer the Vizier remained satisfied being Jealous of the Turbulent and Active Spirit of that Prince During all these Wars and Revolutions in Kingdoms and States Sultan Ibrahim contained and contented himself within the Precincts of his Seraglio where becoming a Faithful and Valiant Souldier of Venus he consumed more Treasure in that War than his Brother Morat did in his Foreign Conquests and being as it were entered into the Mahometane Paradise where the Company of fair Women is the chiefest felicity promised he laboured to increase the Ottoman Family and to acquit his people of the apprehension they had of wanting an Heir to succeed in the Throne so that on the 15th of February he had a second Born and a third Son on the 12th of March following which absolutely took away the reproach of his frigidity or impotence proving afterwards the most lascivious and devout Sultan that ever aspired to the Mahometan Heaven This Year the Turks Armed out 20 Gallies more than usual besides 30 Sail of Ships and Gally Grosses in the beginning of June riding at the Seraglio point where the Commanders in Chief came to take their leave of Sultan Ibrahim they divided into two Squadrons one of which consisting of 20 Gallies under the Command of Beker Basha took their Voyage into the Black Sea the remainder under the Captain Pasha sailed for Cyprus with intention to do Justice on the Pasha of that Island whose Riches gained by Oppression had 〈◊〉 him from due Obedience towards his Prince and being arrived there without rumour or noise giving signs of good will and respects towards the Pasha one day he sent to invite him aboard to banquet with him where the Pasha foolishly coming and having well eaten and drank with him his entertainment had not time to digest before he breathed his last for being on his departure the Slaves assaulted him and strangled him by Order of the Captain Pasha No other matters remarkable did the Turkish Fleet perform this Year at Sea before they returned again to their Winter Quarters Howsoever this Year proved favourable to many poor Christians in Slavery for there happening a most miserable Plague in Alexandria which relaxed the spirits of men and rendered every one so negligent in his Office that about 4000 Slaves taking advantage of such remissness in their Guardians seized a Ship in Port and crouding themselves therein set Sail and landed some of their people at Candia others at Malta the rest at Marseillia by which means they happily regained their liberty on which incouragement 800 more adventuring to perform the like and fighting in a body at the Gate of Alexandria 300 of them were slain the rest leaped into a Gally which though without Oars had yet her Sails to the Yard and having the fortune of a favourable wind arrived safe at Candia in like manner they became free taking convenient passage from thence to divers parts of Christendom these Slaves were all redemanded by the Grand Signior from the Venetians in which no satisfaction being given was one cause and original of that War which afterwards ensued And now the Year 1644. being begun Ragotski who was never contented but in combustions and never at case but when he was proving new projects made demands of certain places on the Confines of Moravia scituated within the Mountains which he challenged as the Inheritance of his Son besides other pretences which he made in right of Bethlem Gabor To forward which designs moved with an inveterate enmity to the Austrian Family he endeavoured to win the hearts of the Commonalty with a plausible Declaration for Liberty and to throw off the Yoke which had so long gauled the neck of Hungary whereby having raised an Army of 20000 Horse and 30000 Foot he entred and spoiled the Country of his old Enemy and Neighbour the Count of Humanay an Hungarian took Solnock by Force and Besieged Filek and Cassovia for suppression of which Insurrection and Rebellion of Ragotski the Emperour was forced to a War and having Rendezvoused his Army at Presburg the Conduct thereof was committed to the Charge of Count Puecaim The Turks having intelligence of these Preparations for War Commanded 20 thousand men to march into those parts to oppose these Combustions on the Frontiers with 6000 of which the Count Puecaim Encountering furiously Assaulted and routed them And in the mean time Ragotski laying aside all care for the War in Hungary applyed himself to Relieve Olimz in Moravia but in his March thither he was recalled by the Inhabitants of Sendar which is a Castle erected on a Hill near Cassovia offering to surrender unto him but the Governour Forgatz and the German Garrison opposing this Mutiny of the People a Civil War began amongst themselves but at length the advantage falling unto Ragotski the Gates were opened unto the Transilvanians with which success their spirits being raised to higher matters they proceeded forward until General Getz with a strong Body gave a stop unto their progress And thus was the Fire of War rekindled again in Hungary by means of Ragotski to whom notwithstanding the Turks would never adhere being well acquainted with his turbulent and unsteady humour In the mean time the Emperour dispatched his Ambassadour with rich Presents to the Sultan desiring him to forbear giving farther assistance unto Ragotski but what between skirmishes propositions and treaties matters were not composed until the fourteenth of August 1645. at which time all Articles were concluded and signed between the Emperour and Ragotski But to return now to the Affairs of Constantinople Sultan Ibrahim having the Fortune of active and prudent Ministers attended entirely to his Pastimes and Pleasures without prejudice to his interest and the state of his Empire for the first Vizier being faithful and vigilant immediately cut off those Members with the Sword which he suspected in the least manner inclinable to Sedition amongst which were the Pashaws of Aleppo and Caffa For by this kind of seasonable and speedy remedies the Plethory of the Ottoman Empire is commonly evacuated and the Body Politick thereof restored to its pristine state of health and safety In like manner the Valede
found contrary Winds put into Rhodes from whence loosing with more favourable weather they unfortunately met with 6 Malta Gallies excellently well Manned and provided The Admiral Gally immediately Boarded one of the Saiks and took her Manned only by Greeks by whom they were informed of the condition quality and Cargo of the greater Ship which gave heat and resolution to the Souldiery In like manner with little Opposition the Gallies called the St. John and Joseph possessed themselves of one of the lesser Ships which being laden only with Timber brought from the Black Sea to build Ships at Alexandria was of little value having 40 Turks aboard 8 Women and a Child which sucked at the Mothers Breast In the mean time the three other Gallies called the St. Mary St. Lorenzo and Victory attacked the great Gallion and having cast their Iron Graples into the Ship with the motion of the Ship the Irons gave way and broke only that of the St. Lorenzo held fast so that the whole force of the Ship both of small and great Shot was poured in upon the Gally to their damage and loss of men In the mean time the Admiral Gally came in to their assistance and Assaulting the Ship on the other Quarter made a Diversion of their men and having thrown in their Graples they scaled the sides of the Gallion as if it had been a Fortress where being entred they remained for some time at handy-blows with the Turks but at length all the Gallies coming to their help having made an end of subduing the other Ships the Turks were forced to retire under Covert of their Decks which they defended still with singular valour wounding the Christians with their half Pikes through the Gratings But in fine the Captains of the Gallies perceiving that this was not the way to compel them to a speedy Surrender ordered several Musquetiers out of every Gally to fire in at the Windows and loop-holes of the Ship by which having killed their Commander in Chief their Valour and Constancy began to fail and desirous to save their lives with loss of Liberty and Estates they cast down their Armes and begged mercy In this Engagement were killed the Captain of the St. Mary and seven Gavaliers of which five were French one Italian and one German the Admiral himself and the Captain of his Gally were both wounded 79 Souldiers and Mariners killed and 132 wounded of the Turks it is not certain how many fell in regard as they were killed according to Custom they cast them over-Board the Eunuch himself though always educated in the softness of the Seraglio and in the Conversation of the Female Court yet in the end concluded his days like one of the Masculine Sex fighting valiantly with his Sword until over-whelmed by his Enemies by which it is observable that those persons loss not their Courage with their virile parts for it hath been known in former days how that Eunuchs have been Generals in the Turkish and other Armies and Conducted their affairs with admirable Courage and Success The prize which the Christians had gained in this manner was very considerable for besides the Gold Silver and Jewels which were theTreasure this Eunuch had amassed in the Reign of three several Sultans they gained 350 Slaves besides 30 Women some of which were young and Virgins so that there was not a Souldier or Seaman who had not a considerable share of 〈◊〉 proportioned unto him With this Fortune towing their prizes they in a short time came to an Anchor in the Port of Calismene in the Island of Candia called antiently Phenice on the South-side of the Island remote from all Venetian Garrisons and where as it is reported they were supplyed with no Provisions excepting a small quantity of Biskot which was furnished by a Country Fellow who for that very cause was shot to death Front hence the Gallies departing arrived in Malta with their Prizes where they were received in great Triumph The young Son of the Eunuch for so we call him was reported to be a Son of the Grand Signior sent into Egypt to be Educated and was accordingly saluted 〈◊〉 and reverenced by the Grand Master the same Opinion was dispersed and confirmed in all parts of Europe and the Errour for many years maintained at the expenoe of the Religion until the Boy growing up to a good Age and not judged worthy of a Ransom or enquiry after by the Turks it was thought convenient for him to put off his State and Greatness and become a Fryer and I think a Dominican and this is he who now goes under the name of the Padre Ottomano The news hereof arriving at the Ottoman Court Sultan Ibrahim was transported with Anger threatning Destruction and Ruin unto Malta besides he shewed a most inveterate Passion against the Venetians for not guarding the Seas from his Enemies and for relieving them in their Ports In which Rage and Fury he put his own Captain Pasha to death and Summoned the Christian Ambassadours braving them all for the little respect was shown to his proper Shipping and in short was angry with all but reserved the effect of his wrath to be poured on the Venetians to which this accident administred the first original and will afford us ample matter of discourse in this ensuing History For the Grand Signior first made his Complaints against Venice to their Minister or Bailo then residont at Constantinople called Soranço alledging that contrary to the Articles of Peace they had afforded Provisions and Entertainment to his Enemies in Candia and at a time when having made prize of his own Ship and Domestiques of his Seraglio they seemed with more extraordinary demonstrations of Hospitality than usual to receive them into their Harbours To which the Bailo made Answer That his Majesty was ill informed of the true state of those matters for that the Port to which the Malteses came had neither Castle nor Fortress belonging to it but was an open wide and unfortified place for if the Grand Signior is not able to defend those Ships from careening as they have often done before Rhodes it self how was it possible for the Venetians to drive them from the Seas and deny them the use of that Salt Water which hath neither Fort nor Castle to reach and Command them With which Answer Ibrahim seemed to remain satisfied and matters appeared so appeased on the side of the Venetians that Soranço though a person of a most acute and penetrating judgment imagined nothing less than a War and though he was assured otherwise by something that the English Ambassadour had discovered in that matter yet because it came not first from the report of one of his own Interpreters he would not seem to believe or give credit thereunto notwithstanding the strong probabilities that might perswade it Indeed Christian Ministers must necessarily with much difficulties and less inspection govern and penetrate affairs in the Turkish Court than in
he gained an assurance of the invincible strength of that place and the valour of the Inhabitants Foscolo in like manner recovering his health continued the un-interrupted course of his Victories and thereunto added the taking of Scardona so that in Dalmatia the Venetian affairs ran so prosperously that nothing could be desired to render them more happy and glorious For the Turks not only were expelled from the Confines of Dalmatia but likewise that Province became more quiet and secure than ever it had been in the times of Peace But the joy of these successes was very much allayed by the unhappy fate of a great part of the Venetian Fleet at the Island of Psara which being lanched from Candia with intention to assault the Turks within the Dardanelli unfortunately were driven by contrary Winds to that unsecure shore where contending with a most furious storm a great part of the Fleet was cast away and the General Grimani himself drowned About which time the Turks for the greater terrour of the Christians laid close Siege to the City of Candia and made many and various attempts thereupon carrying on their Assaults with the height of bravery and resolution the particulars of which require a distinct History but by the invincible Fortitude and Courage of the Christians they were repulsed with that slaughter and with the loss of so many men by sallies and other stratagems of War that the Turks were at length constrained to raise their Siege with dishonour and confusion during which time many of the Nobility and persons of Quality lost their Lives amongst which the principal were Vicenzo della Marra Governour General of the Armes of Candia and Count Remorantino natural Son of the Duke of Loraine Commander in Chief of the Forces that came from beyond the Alpes General Foscolo encouraged by the many glorious Enterprises that he had obtained resolved to consummate all by taking the strong and famous Fortress of Clissa scituate in the Confines of Dalmatia and Borders of Bosna on the top of a sharp and craggy Mountain invironed with Rocks and unaccessible passages the difficulty of the attempt rather inflamed than abated the Courage of Foscolo so that he Valiantly Besieged and Assaulted that place during which time the Priest D. Stesano Sorich Captain of the Morlachs intercepted the succours which were sent thither and Georgio the Proveditor overthrew Teccheli Pasha in a Field Battel so that the Inhabitants despairing of relief surrendered up themselves to the mercy of the Venetians and thus Clissa being taken the Senate Commanded that it should be more regularly Fortified And here the Christian Armes met some interruption For the Morlachs desirous to cast off the Turkish Yoke and return to the protection of the Venetians designed to surprize Scutari and at the same time the Archbishop of Durazzo with 7000. Albanians was to seize upon Croia and Allessio but the design being discovered by the traiterous practices of some false Brethren before matters were maturely grown or the time of Execution it had certainly cost the Life of all the Morlachs and 700. Venetian Souldiers joined with them had not the increase of the Waters hindered the speedy March of the Turks who resolved to cut them all off without mercy or regard to any so that having time to disperse themselves and take refuge in the Mountains the most of them preserved their lives from the Cruelty of their Enemies only some certain Ecclesiastical Persons falling into their hands they imputed unto them the cause of the Rebellion and in a barbarous manner impaled them on Stakes The Turks enraged for the loss of Clissa dispatched Dervis Pasha into the parts of Bosna with a potent Army threatning to Assault Spalatro whom to divert Foscolo together with Priest Sorich Captain of the Morlachs entered into the Enemies Country spoiling burning and destroying wheresoever they came The Morlachs more greedy of prey than ambitious of glory divided themselves into small parties to rob and pillage in which interim they were assaulted by the Turks but being scattered were so far from making a stout resistance that they committed themselves to a shameful flight in which great numbers of them were miserably Butchered nor could the valour of Sorich nor of the Governour Possidaria reduce them by their Examples into any Order whilst together with some few valiant Dalmatians and Morlach Captains they endured the shock of all the Enemies Fury in which Skirmish the Turks lost 7. Agas and about 70. Souldiers On the Christians side were killed 400. some few Slaves and about 70. Ensigns taken amongst the rest the good Priest Sorich scorning to turn his back had the misfortune to fall into the Enemies hands whom they flead alive and afterwards impaled and though they subdued his Body yet he was still master of his mind bearing the same constancy in his torments as he had showed Magnanimity and Courage in the Face of his Enemy Whilst these Martial Affairs were transacting with the bloud and life of many thousands on both sides Sultan Ibrahim like a stout Souldier of Venus waged another War in the Elysiums of Cupid and casting aside all thoughts of Candia remitted the sole care and management thereof to the Vizier and Pashas of the Divan following a life so lascivious and sensual as can neither be imagined with a chast fancy or described by a modest Pen. A principal instrument of his delights and Engine to compass his Amorous Designs was a certain cast Wench of his which he named Shecher Para which signifies a little piece of Sugar for it seems she was so complaisant and dulcid in her humour and discourse as meritted that apt name to express the sweetness of her Conversation this Woman having the convenience to visit all the Baths in Town took notice of every Woman which she saw of more than ordinary Features and proportion and having enquired her condition and dwelling presently reported the same with all advantage to her Sultan who having heard the beauty described became passionately Enamoured and could find no repose in his fancy until his instruments either by fair words or violence had seduced her or forced her to his Bed But growing now extravagant and over-wanton in his Amours he fell in love with the Sultana or Widdow of his Brother Sultan Morat To win her affections he had recourse to his Dear Shecher Para who used all her Arts in this service but her pretty wheedling terms could prevail nothing on this Lady who answered her in short that at the Death of her Lord Sultan Morat she had resolved upon a perpetual Widdowhood for that the memory of him was still so lively in her that she could not entertain the thoughts of admitting any new Embraces This repugnancy and opposition inflamed the heat of Ibrahim like a Feaver so that he resolved to assault her himself one day by force and took his time just as she came out of the Bath but she being a bold Woman
to utter to me on his death-bed and the day before he departed this life ANNO 1655. THE Great Vizier after all his evil insinuations against Chusaein Pasha fell very sick and insirm so that the Court considering him as a person uncapable of farther service cast their eyes on the Pasha of Aleppo who being a daring Martial Man was esteemed to be the better Chief in such a hazardous War which for being on the Sea was unusual and displeasing to the Turks Against him nothing could be objected besides his rebellions and contrariety to the Government but hereunto it was presently answered that the extravagance of his humour proceeded only from his Ambition of being Great Vizier which when he had attained that thirsty desire of Glory which he exercis'd for acquiring this office would be busied in thoughts to advance and improve his honour in actions beyond his Predecessours Letters being arrived at this Pasha's hands which called him to Court to accept this charge did secretly please the humour of his haughty spirit howsoever he remained for a while in some suspence and irresolution not being assured whether some deceit might not be concealed under this specious appearance of Preferment But considering that the way unto gains and advantage was by daring adventures he resolutely accepted the proffer and put himself in his March towards Constantinople with a glorious Equipage of forty thousand Men thinking therewith to make good his retreat and secure his person in case that deceit were discovered which he rationally suspected Being arrived near unto Constantinople he received from the Great Signior several messages of kindness and a good welcome and was accordingly received into the City and invested in the office with all the circumstances of favour and honour imaginable Having thus taken possession of his charge he promised the Grand Signior that he would employ all his endeavours to restore the decayed Estate of Affairs and reform the Government And as an earnest thereof he began to remove such Ministers from the Court which were suspected by him and to render himself the more absolute he cut off several others whom he imagined might in any wise disturb or controul him in the management of his Affairs After which he dispatched his orders to all Maritime Towns of the Empire to sit and make ready what Gallies and Ships were possible to be provided intending thereby to set out the greatest Fleet that ever was seen in the Levant but to compleat this work two great difficulties arose The first was to find a wise and well experienced Commander and the next was in what manner to perswade the Spahees and Janisaries to embark for they having heard and seen in what manner their Companions had perished in this miserable War absolutely refused to go and though the Animosities of these two orders of Souldiers were irreconcileable one to the other yet in this common Cause being united they raised so horrible a Sedition that they assaulted the Mufti in his very house and pursued him within the Gates of the Seraglio with a thousand reproaches and injuries as an Author of evil Counsels and a Disturber of the common Peace and quiet of the Empire Nor was it possible to appease this Tumult but by anticipating to them four months Pay with which their minds being made more pliable they gently yielded to Obedience and suffered themselves to be embarked for Candia Zarnozau Mustapha was made Captain Pasha or General of the Fleet which was very numerous and well equipped consisting of sixty Gallies eight Mahones thirty great Ships of War and sixty one Gallies belonging to the Beys After having remained three days at the mouth of the Dardanelles near the Castles they went out in this order The Beys Gallies were the first then followed the Ships next the Mahones and the Rear consisted wholly of the Grand Signiors Gallies The Van of the Fleet being the Beys Gallies which are always the best manned and provided were ordered to attack the main Body of the Christian Fleet for that being seconded with the Ships they would be able to sustain the shock until the Mahones could come up which were directed against the starboard Wing of the Enemy composed of Galleasses The Venetians though much inferiour in number yet as great in courage gave evident signs of their desire to fight with hopes by Gods Blessing to obtain a Victory The Venetians whilst the Turks passed remained still with their Anchors apique which the Turks interpreting as a token of their courage and boldness were so daunted that they began to ply towards the Coast of Greece but being forced to pass under the Guns of the Venetian Admiral they were so ill treated by his Broadsides that they were discouraged from making a second charge The Ships and other Vessels fared little better being forced to pass under the Guns of the Enemies Fleet. The Captain Pasha attempted to pass on the Coast of Anatolia with his lighter Gallies but being hindred by a strong party of the Enemy he was forced to follow the rest of the Fleet taking his Course with them by the Coast of Greece In this Charge one of the Turks Mahones was sunk and two disabled But the greatest Fight happened between a Squadron of the Turks Ships and four of the Venetians which had been hard put to it had not the Captain Mocenigo come in to their assistance howsoever the Venetian Captain of the Ship called the Crown was slain by a Musket shot In short the Christians boarded the Turks with so much vigour and resolution that they took several of their Ships and mixing with the thickest of their other Vessels they put many ashore and others escaping in their Boats left their Slaves and Gallies to the disposal of the Enemy so that the Venetians obtained that day a hundred brass Guns with a signal Victory having had no other important Loss unless the Ship called the David and Goliah which being overpowered was burnt by the Turks The People of the Turks who were in daily expectation to receive intelligence of a success agreeable to so great preparations were much troubled to hear the news of the Defeat given to their naval Forces of which miscarriage the World dividing it self into different conjectures the most part especially those of Constantinople attributed the misfortune of all to the ill Government and want of experience in the General Wherefore to appease the People especially the Merchants who were weary of this marine War from whence they reaped nothing but losses of their Ships and Goods It was thought fit to enter into a Treaty with Signior Capello the Venetian Bailo concerning a Peace but he having his Commission taken from him for the reason beforerelated his Secretary Ballarino supplyed his office and in order to an accommodation had two Audiences with the Great Vizier to whom and to others of the Divan he made Presents of rich pieces of Cloth of Gold in the name of the Republick Howsoever
thereby he might give some jealousie to the Rebels as if he designed to make a Peace with Venice to have more power and better leisure to make his War against them This Counsel though prudently given had yet little influence on the humour of the Pasha who continued his March fortifying himself in the most advantageous Passes of the Country But what was most bold of all his actions and rendred his pardon beyond the clemency of his Soveraign was the proclaiming a Youth of twenty years of Age then with him in his Army to be the Son of Sultan Morat and consequently the lawful Heir of the Crown and that in right of him he had taken possession of a great part of Asia and was marching towards Constantinople with resolution to dispossess Sultan Mehmet and exalt this lawful and undoubted Heir on the Throne of his Ancestors This and other rumours from Persia that that King taking the advantage of these disorders was making preparations to regain Bagdat or Babylon and revenge himself of all those cruelties which the Turks had inflicted on his Subjects and Country increased the fears and cares of the chief Ministers of State Notwithstanding which Chusaein Pasha prosecuted his business no less in Candia than formerly in hopes to put an end to the War there before the end of the Summer and in order thereunto he received a Recruit of five and twenty thousand men from the Morea But the daily increase of the Pasha's Forces and his approach towards Constantinople as it was a matter of the highest consequence so it required the most prudence and caution in the management In the first place therefore by Fetfa or Resolve from the Mufti the Pasha was declared a Rebel and guilty of High Treason against the Sultan notwithstanding which a Chaous was dispatched with Letters of Pardon if now repenting of his fault he would disband his Army and return to his former obedience he should be received into grace and favour The Pasha received the Chaous with the same Ceremony and honour as if he had been an Ambassadour being willing to consider him under that Character rather than under the notion of a Pursuivant or Officer sent to affright him into his Duty and in answer to the message replyed That it was not in his power to condescend to any conditions for that since he had assumed the Cause of this Youth who was the Son of Sultan Morat concealed to that Age by his Mother for fear of the power of his Uncle he could not assent to any terms or conditions less than the Exaltation of him to the Ottoman Throne and so carrying this Young Man with him as a property whereby to cover his Rebellion with the Guise of Justice and Duty he maintained a Court for him after the Ottoman fashion and causing the Tagho or Standards to be carried before him he permitted him to give Audiences send Dispatches and to take on him all the royal marks of Empire The Army of the Pasha was by this time encreased to seventy thousand Men one Part of which he sent towards Scutari and another towards Smyrna which alarm'd all the Countries round about and gave the Grand Signior such cause of apprehension that he tryed divers means and made many propositions of honours and benefits to the Pasha whereby to allure him to obedience One while he offered to him the Government of G. Cairo but that being rejected he endeavoured to raise men in Asia to oppose the progress of his Armes of which some numbers being got into a Body and perceiving the formidable Force of the Pasha revolted and joined themselves to his Party This extremity of Affairs caused the Grand Signior not only again to proclaim the Pasha a Rebel but to give liberty to his people to destroy him and his Souldiers in any parts where they should encounter them In pursuance of which Licence a Village in Asia having killed twenty five or thirty of the Pasha's men which came thither to refresh themselves the Pasha was so enraged thereat that he caused his Souldiers to put Man Woman and Child to the sword throughout the Village And in this manner the Affairs of the Turks remained in the greatest Confusion imaginable through the whole course of this year 1658. ANNO 1659. NOR did this Year begin with better Omens of success for to the other dangers was added a report that the Persian had taken the Field with two hundred thousand Men for recovery of Bagdat or Babylon which was the Ancient Patrimony of his Forefathers so that the Grand Signior being rendred thereby more willing to agree and accommodate Affairs with the Pasha proffered to him the Government of the Province of Soria for ever paying only a yearly homage of a hundred thousand Sultanees in lieu of three hundred thousand which that Country always yielded But the Pride of the Pasha scorned a proffer of so mean a consideration having nothing less in his thoughts than the entire enjoyment of the Empire or at least to partake an equal share thereof with the Sultan Forthe hopesof the Pasha encreasing with his Army which was now grown to eighty thousand men he took up for some days his head-Quarters near the Fortress of Tocacaia within ten days March of Smyrna and thence approaching towards Constantinople the chief Ministers concluded that there was no other safety but in their Armes and that the Pasha was not to be reduced to any terms of gentleness or moderation Accordingly the Great Vizier passed into Asia with a numerous Army and speedily joined Battel with the Pasha which continued for some hours with great slaughter on one side and the other but at length the fortune of the day turned in favour of the Pasha and the Viziers Army being routed he lost all his Cannon and Baggage and he himself was forced to save himself in the neighbouring Countries where not being pursued by the Pasha he had time again to collect his torn and scattered Troops The news hereof multiplied the disorders and confusions at Constantinople to which being added the motion of the Persians and that they were to join with the Pasha as also some troubles in Transilvania caused by the unquiet spirit of Ragotski together with the ill humour of the male-contents in the City made all things appear with equal or greater danger at home than abroad Wherefore as the ultimate remedy of these imminent dangers it was resolved that the Grand Signior should go in person to the War on supposition that Reverence to his Royal Person would produce that awe on the spirits of his Subjects which was not to be effected by violence or force of Armes According to this resolution the Grand Signior passed into Asia and joining his Forces with those of the Vizier composed an Army of seventy thousand Foot and thirty thousand Horse with which marching boldly towards the Enemy the heart of the Pasha began to fail him so that calling a Council of his
limits of Law either Civil or National The Venetians notwithstanding the War had two Ministers there resident the Ecc mo Capello Procurator of St. Mark a right worthy and noble person and Signior Ballarino a person vigilant and subtle who omitted no opportunities to advance his own Fortunes and with that the benefit of his Republick The Emperours Resident called Simon Renninghen a person sincere free and open hearted agreeable to the nature of the Germans had for some Years though with some difficulty continued the Peace or rather matters from breaking out into an open War the Incursions on the Frontiers and other accidents always administring occasions of discontent and complaints to both parties But that the series of this History may be continued with an even thread and clear light to the Reader we must cast back our Eyes to the Year 1657. when the Ambition of George Ragotzki Prince of Transilvania began new troubles in his own Principality and laid the Foundation of a future War between the Emperour and the Turks For now Poland was so wearied with the incessant Wars of Moscovy the inveterate Enemy of that Crown with the frequent Rebellions of the Cossacks and the invasion of the Swedes whom the traiterous Vice-Chancellour and his Adherents had invited to the spoils of their own Country that King Casimirus was reduced to the ultimate extremity of his Affairs the publick Exchequer and private Treasuries were exhausted the Villages dispeopled the Fields uncultivated Traffick and Commerce ceased nothing but Wars Robberies and confusion filled the Diurnals with News and the hearts of the Inhabitants with Sorrow and Calamities wherefore Casimir King of Poland vexed on all sides and not knowing where or how to apply a remedy dispatched his Great Chancellour Albertus Pravesmoski in Quality of Embassadour to demand assistance from Ragotzki promising in recompence thereof to adopt his Son to succeed him in that Kingdom No Message could arrive more grateful to ambitious Ragotzki who by so desired a proffer seemed to arrive the Zenith of his Prosperity which like the Land of Promise being only shewed to his Father in a long Prospective seemed now as it were by Inheritance to devolve upon his Son in order unto which many days of Treaty and Conferences were held between Ragotzki and the Polish Ministers but Ragotzki insisting on certain particulars which were not in the Power of the King or his Commissioners to grant without the approbation of a Diet the Treaty was dissolved and Ragotski remained displeased and angry pretending himself to have been deluded and slighted resolved to avenge the Affront and by his Armes gain to himself the Crown of that Kingdom so that raising a strong Army and joining himself in a Confederate League with Sweden he invaded Poland wasting all the Frontiers with Fire and Sword The Ottoman Port growing jealous of the successes of these Affairs and not so much of the Advance of Ragotski as of the growing greatness of the Swedes with whom unwillingly they would be Borderers issued an express Command That without contradiction or delay he should immediately give a stop to his March and return with his Army into Transilvania And though the Emperor of Germany and the Krim Tartar declared their dislike of his proceedings threatning to invade his Principality at home unless he retracted himself and desisted from this enterprize yet Ragotski having his understanding blinded with Ambition and the lust of Rule and Government stopped his ears to the menaces of his Enemies and the counsel of his Friends This Ragotski enjoyed a State most happy large fertile and populous in Power inferiour to few superiour to many so that he might have passed peaceably and honourably with all could his great spirit have bowed to and complied with his Potent Neighbours For on the one side the Puissant power of the Turk threatned him to whom the least Ombrages of displeasure administer occasion of War On the side of Hungary the Emperour over-awed him On the side of Valachia and Moldavia he lay open to the incursion of the Tartars So that a man might rationally expect That this Prince should have esteemed it honour enough to have conserved his own without rendring himself obnoxious to the jealousie and suspicion of his Neighbours But his great spirit was so enamoured of a Crown and so bewitched with the hopes of obtaining it that nothing seemed difficult or improbable to the acquisition of his longing desires which were the occasion of all those calamities and miseries in Hungary which afterwards ensued In contemplation of all which foreseen evils his Cesarean Majesty sent a Message to the Ottoman Port declaring against the temerity and audaciousness of Ragotski who in the mean time subdued the Fort of Bristia invaded with Fire and Sword the Province of Russia plundered Podolia and advanced as far as Camonitz a Fortress strong by Art and Nature and joining afterwards with the Swedes assisted them in the subjection of Cracovia About this time the Emperour Ferdinand the third began to send succours into Poland and to protest against the proceedings of Ragotski but being surprised by sickness soon after passed to a better life which for some time giving a stop to the assistance of Poland was interpreted by Ragotski as a happy Omen of his good Fortune But how vain and deceitful are humane hopes whose foundations are Ambition and Violence For Leopold succeeding in the place of his Father to Hungary and the Empire immediately prosecuted the design in favour of Poland and in the first place besieging Turone one of the chief Cities of Prussia taken by the Swedes forced it to a Surrender The King of Denmark also growing jealous of the encreasing greatness of the Swedes nourished by antient grudges and National Emulations took up Armes in defence of Poland and being at first flush of money gave constant pay and large donatives to mercenary Souldiers which encreased his Army drawing great numbers from the Swedish Colours so that being stoutly recruited he entered into the Enemies Countries possessed himself of the important Fort of Olme in Norway overthrew the Swedish Army at Vorgast and obtained a victory over their Flect in the Baltick Sea The Poles also themselves who at first revolted from their Prince and favoured the Swedish proceedings perceiving the Wind change and become contrary to that Party began to abandon the interest they prosessed and by degrees to return to the due obedience of their King Zerneski also the General and Lubomiski the Great Chancellour of Poland met the Swedish Forces near Cracovia where giving them Battel discomfited the whole Army killed fourteen thousand upon the place took all the Cannon and Baggage and won that day a most signal Victory Ragotski perceiving the face of things thus changed and being by Command of the Ottoman Port abandoned by his Moldavian and Walachian Forces began to turn his face towards Transilvania where now he wished himself and Army lodged in safety
But being overtaken by General Zerneski near the Mountains of Transilvania he was though unwillingly engaged to fight and was with that fury assaulted by the Polish Horse that though according to his usual Bravery he charged in Person at the head of his Troops yet he was not able to withstand a violence so disadvantageous in number but that his men being first put into disorder then to a Retreat and then to open flight his whole Army was defeated many of them perished by the Sword others flying through the Woods and Mountains died with famine and he himself obliged to buy a shameful Peace engaging by Word and Oath to the payment of a great summ of Money was permitted with a mean Retinue to return into his own Country Nor did these misfortunes end here but the Tartars commanded by the Turks in revenge and chastisement of Ragotski's Enterprize without their consent entered into his Principality with considerable Bodies of Horse against whose sudden Invasion an Army under the Conduct of his General Kemenius could not be so soon collected and disciplined as to be able to resist that fury of Tartars who at their pleasure burned the Towns and Villages and carried away multitudes of people of both Sexes and all Ages for Captives into their own Country amongst which some were of Quality and Condition Amidst which troubles came Letters from the Ottoman Port directed to the Nobles of Transilvania declaring Ragotski a Rebel and commanding that according to the laws and priviledges of that Principality they should proceed to the Election of a new Prince and in case of refusal all the ruines and calamities were threatned which they might justly expect in punishment of their disobedience from a severe and angry Emperour Ragotski being well informed what was designing against him at the Ottoman Port and knowing that his power was not able to oppose so much puissance resolved to give way to necessity and voluntarily depose himself before he should be engaged thereunto by the Imperial Decree so that he calmly receded from his Principality hoping that his humility and submission might procure his pardon at the Court The Nobility of Transilvania being as well desirous to evidence their affection to their old Prince as their obedience to the Grand Signior did immediately appoint a day for Election but with Proviso that a general Petition should be made in behalf of Ragotski that he might be again restored unto ancient Grace and Favour with the Port who in the mean time swore to live peaceably in a quiet and private condition without making disturbance or innovation in the Government and that when this Grace should accordingly be obtained then that the new Prince should recede and suffer things to return to their former and pristine Estate For which purpose there was choice made of one Francis Redeius a Person of a peaceable and gentle temper who would easily condescend to the terms agreed and as willingly resign up his Government again as he unwillingly received it But though Ragotski had renounced promised swore and in appearance seemed to recede from his Government and surrender all at the irresistible Decree of a superiour power yet his high Spirit and working Brain could not dislodge that Ambition of his heart which at first privately countermined and enervated the Power of the new elected Prince but afterwards his towering thoughts swelled too big to be suppressed under the cover of dissimulation yielded just reason to the Ottoman Port to suspect his designs who not being ignorant of what was past dispatched Orders to the Pasha of Buda to demand the strong Fort of Janoua for caution and security of the good Behaviour of the Transilvanians Ragotzki feeing himself thus discovered unmasked himself openly and threw away his Vizard and with a vigourous force and courage reassumed the Rights and Standard of his Principality forcing Redeius not only to relinquish his Power but to swear never again to usurp it though enforced upon him by the Authority of the Turks These extravagances so exasperated the minds of the Turks that whereas before they began to entertain tender thoughts towards Transilvania they now meditated its entire Ruine and Conquest and so laying aside Arguments and Treaties they made Levies of Horse and Foot both in Europe and Asia Ragotski foreseeing how unable he was to resist a Force so unequal as the puissance of the Ottoman Empire without the succour of Foreign Force resolved like the Prodigal Son to throw himself into the compassionate Arms of the Emperour as his Father earnestly supplicating That whereas before his disorderly and disobedient Life had rather merited punishment than favour yet in this Cause wherein the interest of Christendome was concerned he would compassionate the common Good of the Christian Church rather than chastise his particular misdemeanours With this message Michel Misces his Chancellour being dispatched was graciously received by the Emperour and readily assured of powerful aid and protection Ragotski elevated with this courteous Treatment and promises had his whole mind enflamed with hopes and desire of revenge so that assembling such Forces as he could he entered boldly into the Field against the Pasha of Buda who with a considerable Army was ordered to march before and enter the Confines of Transilvania and there unite with the Pasha of Temiswar In the Transaction of all these passages July was well entered when both Armies met in open Field and though the Forces of the Transilvanians were much inferior to those of the Turk yet Ragotzki full of his wonted Courage and heat so vigorously assailed the Enemy that he quickly broke and disordered their Ranks put them to flight and killed three thousand upon the place But little did this advantage benesit poor Transilvania for the Great Vizier soon after following with the gross of his Army consisting of little less than an 100. thousand men provided accordingly with Artillery and all other Military Ammunition seconded by the Tartars and assisted by the Moldavians and Valachians and a Rout of other barbarous Nations laid Siege to the strong Fortrefs of Janoua of which and of several others in a short time he rendered himself Master laying waste and desolate all the Countries round with Fire and Sword The Nobles of Transilvania sensible of these imminent and approaching mischiefs dispeeded three persons of considerable Quality amongst them in an Embassy to the Vizier viz. Francis Daniel John Lues and Acatius Berclay who greatly laboured by their Oratory to perswade the Vizier that they were in no wise consenting to the disobedience of their Prince but did always readily submit to the Ottoman servitude imploring his Clemency and Commiseration of their distressed and ruined State The Vizier inclining his Ear to their Petition stopped the progress of his Arms but increased their Tribute to such an excessive rate that the burden of it became insupportable and appointed Berclay one of the Embassadours to be
again over the River with the loss of about eight hundred Janisaries but the next day renewing the Fight with better courage and success passed the River in despight of the Imperialists whom they pursued almost as far as Presburg These Turks were seconded by a greater Body of Tartars every one after the manner of his Country leading one or two spare Horses made Inroads within five miles of Vienna destroying and laying in ashes all places before them things there resembling Dooms-day consumed with fire and not so much almost left as marks or appearance of habitation These Troubles and Confusions in Hungary were the talk and amazement of all Christendom and indeed little more they were than talk for the Christian Princes farther distant as less concerned stood at a gaze expecting the issue of that Treaty which was between the King of France and the Pope and the Princes of Germany whatsover was resolved at the Diet like men surprized knew not what Succours to afford some thought it now time to treat with the Emperour and recover the Rights and Priviledges they thought their due and to condescend to no Terms of confederate assistance against the common Enemy unless with advantageous considerations to their State and all in general acted with that negligence and coldness as if only the State of Austria and not the common Cause of Germany had been concerned The Election of a General for the Imperial Army admitting long debate was another retardment to the Preparations for the War the Duke of Brandenburg was nominated and sollicited to accept the supreme Command but the Title of being General of the Empire or the Imperial Army was a dispute undeterminable and a difficulty not to be overcome and though the Enemy had passed their Frontiers and triumphed in their Possessions and threatned the subversion of all Christendom yet Jealousies Niceties and acry Formalities took up all the time so that at length their Councils had no other result than an increase of Animosities and Difficulties amongst themselves The Emperour also terrified with the Siege of Newhausel and the near Incursions of the Turks abandoned his City of Vienna carrying with him the Records and greatest of his Richess to Lintz to the greater apprehension discouragement and fear of the whole Country in general and was an act which might have produced very fatal effects had not the Winter approached and the progress of the Insidels been interrupted by the Valour Vigilance good Fortune and Conduct of Count Serini who in requital of those Incursions the Turks made into the Christian Territories entred the Turkith Borders near Komorra and there with Fire and Sword destroyed all before him defeated a Party of about three thousand Janisaries taking from them a good Booty of Money and Provisions designed for Relief of the Leagure before Newhausel During these varieties of success the Turks still continued the Siege and having now made a breach and almost filled the graft with rubbish Faggots and other implements attempted a second storm on the 28 th and 29 th of August but were repulsed with an extraordinary loss by the couragious Gallantry of the Defendants on the 9 th of September was given another more furious Assault every Pasha leading his men in the Front so that the Action this day was so violently and couragiously performed that the Turkish Ensign was advanced to the top of the Rampire of the Fort Frederick where both sides coming to handy blows the dispute continued a long time but the courage of the Defendants at length prevailing the Turks were driven headlong from the Walls and their Colours wrested from them with the loss of about five thousand men and four hundred Christians Though the Turks were much abated in their courage by this days work yet the Vizier obstinately continued the Siege preparing speedily for another storm in which he hoped to force the Christians to a Surrender In the mean time to facilitate the design of the Turks on the 15 th of September the chief Magazine of Powder none knows how took fire and blew into the air by which blow fifty Souldiers and several Officers were slain but the worst was that the besieged were deprived of all their Powder unless what remained in private houses which so dismayed the Inhabitants that immediately with one voice they demanded a Parly the women also began a confused tumult crying out for a Surrender in which they were so impetuous and violent that they threw stones from their windows on the Souldiers Amidst of this confusion the Turks disposing their Companies to make another storm the Officers resolved upon a Treaty which concluded with these following Conditions First That the Commanders and Garrison should march out on the 17 th of September with Bag and Baggage and have safe conduct as far as Komorra and that for a convenience of the sick and wounded the Vizier should be obliged to provide four hundred Carts and more if there should be occasion Secondly That as such as desire to abandon their dwellings may have liberty to depart so such as desire to abide may continue their habitations and that the Religious and Ecclesiastical persons may perform their Functions as in former times Thirdly That upon the Surrender of the principal Works no Turk shall enter within the Town until all such as intend to depart have quitted their stations Fourthly That for performance of Articles two Aga's should be given for Hostages and that until the foregoing Articles were fully accomplished all acts of Hostility should cease Fifthly That the Garrison might not be necessitated to march through the Turkish Camp the Turks themselves were obliged to make them a new Bridge or repair the old to pass the Niter These Articles though punctually observed by the Turks yet the Tartars who are of a faithless and barbarous nature upon certain pretences assaulted the Garrison as they marched out and had doubtless moved the rest of the Camp Rabble to imitate their example had not many of the Pashaws at the Head of their Troops killed the most forward in this Rebellious attempt whose perfidious insolence and riot could not yet have been restrained had not the Garrison quickned their pace more like a flight than an orderly March But the Vizier on the contrary distributed money to the Garrison and especially to the Hungarians with design as is supposed to allure and attract their minds to a belief of the gentleness of the Turkish Yoke as if he compassionated the miseries of that Country which was the Stage whereon the Tragedies of so many miseries and slaughters were acted This Siege continued about the space of 43. Days of the Garrison marched out 3500. sound men and about 500. wounded those Inhabitants who would remain had protection and liberty The Army which besieged the Town consisted of 50000. men In the Town were found 60. pieces of Brass Cannon but most broken and unserviceable with little Ammunition but with great
and with that cord to have brought him bound to the feet of the Vizier Serini having thus escaped resolved to revenge himself of the affront and therefore made most dreadful spoils and confusion in all places round Kanisia so that the people flying thither for Sanctuary were refused entertainment by the Pasha who at that time labouring with scarcity and expecting a siege had no need of unnecessary guests Serini having now fully resolved to lay siege to Kanisia thought fit first to signifie the design to his Imperial Majesty for which purpose he dispatched away the Engineer General with Letters to the Council of War of the Lower Hungary containing a perfect relation of the success and progress of his Arms in that Winter and how he had laid waste and desolate all that circumference of Land which lyes between the River Dravus and Serinswar by which means Kanisia was already strained with famine and that now was the only season to recover that Fortress if the design were put into immediate execution before the Turks arose from their Winter-quarters or had time to afford a powerful Relief The resolution of Serini was so well pleasing to the Council that by the same Messenger they signified their approbation thereof to the Emperour then at the Diet at Ratisbone humbly desiring that this design might proceed which would undoubtedly take effect if the Count were provided only with thirteen thousand Foot and seven thousand Horse but then the Siege was to be laid before the beginning of April lest the early motion of the Turkish Camp should blast and defeat the too late beginning of this action The particular Journal of Serini's success was not less pleasing to his Caesarean Majesty than his present Heroical resolution against Kanisia who thereupon gave Orders to the General Council to supply him with all Provisions Ammunition and Men which were requisite for this Siege and was graciously pleased himself to express in a Letter to the Count the sense he had of his Merits and Valour which he applauded and extolled in the words following POstquam mihi Architectus Militaris de Vassemboij eximios Vestros progressus famosique Pontis Essolciensts exustionem coetera à Vobis edita Virtutis Militaris singularia specimina longa seric exposuisset supervenerunt Vestroe de 19. Februarii omnia breviori quà m tantorum gestorum magnitudo capit enarratione confirmantes Posuit fortunatus iste progressus labescenti rei Hungarioe sirmum adminiculum erexit consternatos meorum sidelium animos suturorum foelicium successuum non exiguum jecit fundamentum Proinde hoec Vestra egregia facta non minùs mihi grata accepta accidunt quà m in Nominis Vestri perennitatem augendam apud Posteros memoriam redundant Spero omnino per Divinam assistentiam virtutémque experientiam Vestram ejusmodi ultiores foelices successus atque hostilium armorum debellationem According to this Order of the Emperour the resolution of the Council of War was established on the 10 th of March and Serini published That on the 8 th of April he would begin the Siege but in regard the Germans in Stiria and the Forces of the Rhyne by reason of the absence of their General the Count Olack could not be so soon ready the time of the siege was deferred until the 30 th of April on which or the first of May the Town was formally beleagured not so much with hopes of success as with design to maintain the reputation of the Imperial Arms and to divert the gross of the Enemies force from the more easie and delightful Plains of Hungary or the plenteous Confines of Vienna to a Country less happy or fruitful encompassed with Fens and Marshes poisoned with bad Airs and Vapours and made more miserable already by the Desolations of War But let us leave Serini at his Siege before Kanisia and travel a while with our thoughts to the Diet at Ratisbone and understand what is there forming and designing towards Preservation of the Commonweal of the Empire The taking of Nemhausel and the Progress of the Ottoman Armes had awakened the German Princes with that sense of the common danger that a Diet was assembled at Ratisbone to consult of the most effectual means that might give a stop to the uncontrouled incursions of the Turk And not to trouble the Reader with the names of all those Princes and Ambassadours which there appeared it will be sufficient to signifie That besides his Cesarean Majesty there were present as his Plenipotentiaries the Elector of Mentz and Arch-Bishop of Saltzburgh And though many Princes showed themselves with Glory and Splendour yet none appeared with that Pomp and Magnificence as the Elector of Bavaria who for number of Coaches richness of his Liveries and compleat Government of his Retinue was so neat and polite that he seemed not only to exceed every Court in particular but in Elegance and Magnificence to equalize them all together Upon Debate of matters in reference to this War the Count of Olach was unanimously chosen General for the Confederates of the Rhime but the more hot Disputes between the Protestants and Papists about Election of other Generals kept matters in longer suspence yet at length the Marquess of Baden was chosen Marshal General in behalf of the League the Marquess of Durlach and the Bishop of Munster his Councellours and Directors of the War and Count Francis Fucher General of the Ordnance But in the Levies of their Forces they concurred more freely and willingly for besides the Imperial Forces which consisted of 41600 Foot and 13900 Horse the Allies and Confederates furnished 13850 Foot and 3350 Horse the Auxiliaries of the Empire made up a Body of 16991 Foot and 4037 Horse besides the Forces of Saxony and Brandenburgh and the Succours of France so that by Gods Providence the Christian Army was this year esteemed equal if not more numerous than the multitudes of their Enemies The next matter under consideration was the nomination of Ministers to be sent abroad to implore assistance from Christian Princes more remote the Count Piccolomini was to negotiate in the Courts of Italy but having taken a Distemper in his Journies died after a short Sickness at Milan Also the Count Colalto sent to his Majesty of Great Britain died in his Journey before he arrived at London notwithstanding which the generous piety of his Majesty was not wanting with a liberal hand to contribute towards the promotion of the Christian Interest From Poland nothing more could be obtained than Terms of Courtesie and Demonstrations of Good Will and Desires for that their Forces being employed against the Moscovite to recover the lost Countries of Lituania could not possibly attend the Service and Command of his Imperial Majesty though they could not but at the same time reflect on their premures and necessities with shame and confusion which disabled them from answering with like returns
at the door of the Tent at which the Young man being surprized sent to find out him who fired it which happening to be a poor Jew was condemned immediately by the Grand Signiors sentence to receive eighty blows on the soals of his feet but as report went this young Favourite not appeased with this slender punishment obtained the Sultans command to put him to death But to return to the Turkish Camp The Vizier was astonished to understand that Kanista was besieged and wondred much at the rashness of Serini in attempting a work so difficult without probability of success howsoever being advised that the Garrison was ill provided of Victuals and Ammunition he gave order for its supply In order to which eighty Carts laden with Provisions convoyed by a considerable number of Turks were conducted by way of Sigeth but being interrupted in their passage by Serini's Souldiers were routed put to slight and their Provisions taken In the mean time the Besieged made many vigorous Sallies and some not without loss to the Christians and to defend themselves the better uncovered the tops of their houses and made their Lodgings under ground secure from Granadoes or shot of the Enemies Batteries On the other side the Ammunition and Artillery from the Emperour came not so timely as was expected nor were the Bomboes and Granadoes so artificially made but that many of them spent themselves in vain the Succours likewise of men fell very short of the numbers promised and Souldiery being drawn from their Winter-quarters before the colds were past or the pasture grown began to murmur but nothing discontented them so much as want of Pay the just complaint of Souldiers which discouraged them more than the difficulty of their adventure against all which Serini provided as much as he was able out of his own Purse continuing the Siege more out of reputation than probable hopes of success for his Army was at least diminished two thousand in its number of which four hundred Hungars and two hundred Germans were lost in the first Assaults made upon the Suburbs and the rest perished by sickness and the vigorous and frequent Sallics of the Enemy Howsoever Serini seemed not to doubt of the success if he could but be for some time secured from the advance of the Vizier who now began to draw his gross and numerous Army out of their Winter-quarters into the open field and therefore with the other Officers before Kanista signified their advice to the Emperour and General Council of War That it was necessary that the Imperial Army should be as early in the field as the Ottoman and for the more methodical government of Affairs that the Army should be divided into three Bodies one to recruit the Forces before the Town a second to march to Osek and hinder the Enemies passage over the Dravns and a third to take the field and apply assistance where it was judged most useful This counsel being well accepted by the Emperour Orders were immediately issued forth to General Montecuculi to begin his March with design to obstruct the Turks passage over the Dravns for that the success against Kanista was of that high importance as might justly require the imployment of all the Christian Forces in its concernment Wherefore one Post was dispatched after the other to Montecucli to sollicite his speedy March and to give a stop to the Viziers progress But he answered That he attended General Sporch whom he every day expected to joyn with him but this Answer proving by the effect to be nothing more than a present excuse gave occasion of sulpicion and produced that discontent in the minds of the most zealous as spread a rumor through all Germany much to the disreputation of 〈◊〉 Time thus being protracted and no Forces appearing to recruit the Leagure at length advice came to the Generals when they were just going to dinner that the Vizier with a most numerous Army was within three Leagues of the Town For the Bridge of Osek was against the common opinion again rebuilt planked and compleated with new Timbers in the space of forty days many hands making light work which when first founded was the work of six years which Expendition was the more remarkable in regard that this Bridge was not formed out of the ruines of the old nor founded on the same ground but new framed out of the Woods with as much comliness and order as besits a Bridge of that nature and length passing over a wild Marsh or Fen. The news of the Viziers so near approach was strange to Serini who by the calculation made of his March did not yet expect him for several days but the Vizier apprehending the straitness in which Kanista might be leaving the gross of his Army made more expedite Journies with a Body of twenty thousand Horse which not being unknown to Serini his daring spirit was once resolved to give him Battel in which opinion was also Count Strozzi but Olach dissenting and refusing to ingage his Forces the Siege was raised and all the Forces with good order retreated to Serinswar where they arrived the day following leaving to the Enemy a great quantity of Powder Match Shovels twenty Carts of Meal and two Iron Guns broken No Pilgrim ever followed his way with more devotion to the sacred Shrine than the Vizier was willingly led in pursuit of his Enemy to the Walls of Serinswar being the place to which his intentions inclined as the beginning and consummation of the War Over against this envied Fort there is a little Hill strong by Nature incompasled with a narrow Ditch yet not so narrow as that a Horse can leap over it nor yet so shallow as to be forded This Hill Serini proposed to the rest of his Collegues or Coadjutors viz. Olach and Spaar as a place commodious to incamp their Army because lying open to the River could easily be relieved and would serve as a Redoubt or Out-work to the Fort in which upon all extremities they might find Sanctuary and refuge But the apprehension of the Viziers Numbers and his near approach had made that impression of fear in their minds that no safety seemed to remain unless they could see the River Mura between them and their Enemy Nor was Serini more successful in his perswasions to assault the Enemy whilst they were wearied with their March and busied in extending their Tents the other Generals being of opinion that it was too great a hazard for them alone to venture their Forces in so unequal a Combate but they ought rather to expect Montecuculi by the addition of whose Forces the lot of War would be less hazardous if not wholly certain In this manner great Enterprises have been disappointed which have wanted only resolution to make them successful Fortune being commonly favourable if not a servant to bold and daring Spirits the disunion also of Generals hath been the overthrow of the wisest Counsels and Wars
necessary to moderate the heat of your anger so as to sight with diseretion rather than to raise your Spirits to that height of Warlike Courage in which consists the sasety and glory of this days Fortune For these are they who lately in cool blood against the Laws of Arms and Nations unhumanly butchered our Countrymen and Kindred and made no difference between Captives of War and Malesactors but like Thieves and Murderers sentenced brave men to death who had no other crime than that they unhappily fought in defence of their Country These are they who in the very times of peace consume your Borders and rob your Markets and whose Capitulations of Peace make yet all acts of hostility lawful These are the grand Enemies and despisers of the Cross of Christ against whom whosoever dies is both a Conquerour and a Martyr This Army before your Eyes consists in part of Moldavian and Valachian Christians forced to this War by compulsion not of choice the rest are either Turks educated in the sostness of Asia or Tartars who never made advantage by Battle but by flight these are they with whom you have this day to contend before the Walls of Lewa where many of your Wives and Children and Friends are immured and are Spectators of your Vertue and Courage Let us therefore valiantly address our selves to this Battle on the success of which the fortune of Hungary and Germany depends The Speech of Husaein Pasha to his Souldiers WHilst our General the Grand Vizier is so successful in his Arms abroad having subdued the strong Fortresses of Oywar and Serinswar and struck a terrour and amazement to all the Enemies of our formidable Emperour let not us be unactive or want our share in the renown and fame of triumph and Victory I shall not need to put you in mind of the glorious exploits of your Ancestors whose Valour and Vertue which formed this vast Empire round about us you ought now to imitate and give the World new prooss how emulous you are to exceed the Courage and bravery of former times The other divisions of the Ottoman Power have contended hitherto with their Enemies on unequal terms and droven them forth from their shelters of Trenches and Bulwarks but here you have an open Field to fight nothing between you and the naked Breasts of your Enemies we stand in equal numbers and terms with them nothing can win the day but only Valour and nothing lose it but meer Cowardice These are the shattered Companies we have expelled last Year from Oywar and the Companions of those whose Bodies and Heads we have heaped before Strigonium should we submit to be subdued by these whom our Osmanlees have so often Conquered we should not only stain our selves with the highest infamy and shame but give a turn to the Universal Fortune of the Ottoman Arms. By this time it was Noon and the Sun turning it self from the Christian to the Turkish Army a Warning piece was fired from the Christian Camp at which sign their whole Army began to advance and with chearfullness to approach the Turks who stood ready to receive them At the first onset the Christians poured a plentiful Volly of shot on the Turks and Tartars which composed the main body at which immediately they put themselves to flight leaving the two Wings to an unequal Battel who resisted not long before they followed the example of their Companions leaving their Baggage and Cannon with the honour of the day unto the Christians who in the pursuit slew the Turks without compassion or resistance filling the Fields with dead Bodies and the Rivers with blood until Night which is the shelter of the distressed gave a stop to their farther slaughter such as escaped betook themselves to Strigonium where they were refused either passage over the Water or Provisions or any other refuge or entertainment after their wearisome flight for Strigonium it self was judged now in danger and the next attempt after the foregoing Victory and therefore there was no reason or policy to unfurnish themselves of necessary provisions to supply or relieve a discouraged and cowed Army Whereupon the Moldavians and Valachians sinding themselves half famished forced their Princes to return home being glad of the occasion to acquit themselves of the Turkish Wars in which they were used more like Slaves than Souldiers The Princes though sensible of the danger this unlicensed departure and desertion of the Wars might bring upon their persons were yet necessitated to yield to the violence and mutiny of their Souldiery in their march homewards they encountred no difficulties or opposition unless at the Tibiseus where a small number of Turks would have denied them passage but were soon dispersed by the Sword of the resolved Souldiery who having conducted their Princes to their usual Courts made an end betimes of this Years Campagna Husaein Pasha in the mean time being denied entrance at Strigonium fled to Newhausel where his presence was most acceptable for reinforcement of 〈◊〉 Garrison which now was in some danger of being recovered by the Christians Of the Turks were killed in this Fight 6000 of the Christians 150 none of Quality excepting one Kovari a worthy and stout Hungarian Captain 4000 Carts were taken laden with all sorts of Provision and Ammunition for War about 100 Colours and a great number of Tents and Arms of all sorts twelve pieces of Cannon about 1000 Horse and 140 Camels straying in the Fields without care of Keepers or Riders with great Droves of Cattle of all sorts and other good booty and spoil which remained as a reward to the Conquerour The number of Prisoners was not great by reason that the Souldiery in heat of the pursuit and in revenge of the Turks Cruelty towards the Garrison of Komar the less whom lately in a barbarous Cruelty they had put to the Sword were wholly inclined to slaughter and destruction only about 700 Moldavians and Valachians were spared until they came in sight of Strigonium where they erected several Gibbets and hanged them thereupon with their Muskets about their Necks requiting as they supposed part of the Viziers Cruelty and executing part of Gods Justice upon those who profess the name of Christ and yet sight under the Banner of Mahomet Soisé animated with the foregoing success designed to attempt Barcan a Palancha opposite on the other side of the Danube to Strigonium and to that end embarked ten thousand five hundred of his men on four Gallies and forty Galliots carrying the Teutonick Colours in regard that that religious Order had amply contributed towards the building of those Vessels when they were on the Stocks in the Arsenal of Vienna The Souldiers were so fleshed with the former Victory that nothing seemed difficult or hazardous so that Count Marset without Orders of the General rashly in a Bravado fell in upon the Town without any advantage of earth or other shelter but with open Breasts exposed himself
Wing of the Christians and in other places they made attempts only to divert the Army whilst the Janisaries threw up Earth to secure a passage for the rest which when the Christians espied they at first resolved to sound a Retreat but afterwards perceiving that the Trench was but newly begun Montecuculi drawing up the Body of the Army into a half Moon attacked the Janisaries on all sides with that fury ordering the Bodies of Horse to contend with the Spahees that the Turks now faintly fighting began to give ground to their Enemies at which instant turn of Fortune an outcry was heard That Serini on the other side had set on the Viziers Camp which so animated the Christians and terrified the Turks that the latter began to give back and put themselves to shameful flight leaving dead upon the Place eight thousand of their Companions and the Glory of the Day to the Christians The Turks who always fly disorderly not knowing the Art of a handsome Retreat crouded in Heaps to pass the River the Horse trampling over the Foot and the Foot throwing themselves head-long into the Water without consideration of the depth or choice of Places fordable those sinking catching hold on others who could swim sunk down and perished together others were carried away by the rapidness of the Stream and both Men and Horse were carried down the River and swallowed up in deeper Places the Water was died with Blood and the whole face of the River was covered with Men Horse Garments all swimming promiscuously together no difference was here between the Valiant and the Cowardly the Foolish and the Wise Counsel and Chance all being involved in the same violence of Calamity non vox mutui hortatus juvabant adversante undâ nihil strenuus ab ignavo sapiens à prudenti constlia à casu differre cuncta pari violentiâ involvebantur so that the Waters devoured a far greater number than the Sword whilst the Vizier standing on the other side of the River was able to afford no kind of help or relief but as one void of Counsel and Reason knew not how nor where to apply a remedy This defeat though in Christendom not greatly boasted by reason that the destruction of the Turks which was most considerable by the Water was partly concealed to them yet the Turks acknowledge that Ruine and Slaughter to have been of a far greater number than what the Christian Diaries relate confessing that since the time that the Ottoman Empire arrived to this greatness no Stories make mention of any Slaughter or Disgrace it hath suffered to be equal unto the calamity and dishonour of this On the Turks side were slain that day Ishmael the late Pasha of Buda and Kimacham of Constantinople by a shot from the Enemy passing the Water the Spaheelar Agasee or General of the Spahees the Janisar Aga the younger Son of the Tartar Han and several other Pashaws Alibegh General of Bosna thirty Capugibashees five and thirty Pages of the Vizier's and three hundred of his Guard five thousand Janisaries three thousand Spahees fifteen hundred Bosnacks eight hundred Albanians six hundred Croats and Hungarians of the Turks Subjects two hundred and fifty Valachians and Moldavians six hundred Tartars of Anatolia fifteen hundred and about four thousand other Asiaticks from the farthest parts of the Turks Dominions Eastward so that in all we may account seventen thousand slain on the Turks side besides which were taken sixteen pieces of Cannon a hundred and twenty six Colours with the Standard of the Viziers Guard five thousand Cemiters most of which were embossed with Silver and some beset with Jewels with many Horses of which six were sent as a Present to the Vizier Of the Christians were slain near three thousand Men those of note were The Count Nassau Count Charles of Bracondors Captain of the Guards to Count Montecuculi Count Fuchier General of the Artillery of the Empire Colonel Pleiter with his Lieutenant Colonel and Serjeant Major and with many other Gentlemen of the French Nation who deserve forever to be chronicled for their Vertue and Valour For herein the French Nation ought not to lose their just praise having made proofs of their Valour as well in this as in other Battels it being reported That Monsieur Coligni their General killed thirty Turks with his own hand The News of this Victory being posted to Vienna it is wonderful to consider with what Applauses with what Honours with what Encomiums the Fame of Montecuculi was celebrated for besides the Triumphs with 〈◊〉 sounding of Bells Banquets and other demonstrations of solemn Joy the Glory of Montecuculi was the Theme of every Ballad sung in the corners of streets which Honors of the Commonalty were seconded by greater and more substantial of the Imperial Court who conferred upon him the Title of Lieutenant General of the whole Army a Dignity so eminent as is inferiour to none except the Emperour in order of the Militia and was not without some scruple granted to the Archduke Leopold by his Brother Ferdinand the Third and withheld from Piccolomint Duke of Amalsi until he had highly merited it and made his way to it through bloody fields where Providence first crowned him with Laurels of Success and Victory And here is just occasion for us to doubt why Montecuculi should be thus admired and loaded with Honours whilst the services of Serini and Soisé were so far from being taken notice of that they seemed to effect the disgrace and ruine of these Worthies rather than to produce the favour of their Prince and the applause of their Country the natural Rewards of Valour and Vertue And indeed I cannot but confess I my self have wondred when in the Court of Vienna I have heard the Actions and Zeal of Serini so slightly spoken of or contemned when a Stranger took the liberty but to descant on his actions and to vent any thing which but savoured of his commendations The reason of which I adventure to assign unto two causes The first is that Antipathy or natural aversion the Germans have to the Hungarians and Croatians these endeavouring to maintain the Priviledges of a People who have a free liberty of the Election of their Prince whilst the others desirous to take occasion to weaken and impoverish them would necessitate them to yield their Kingdom to the Emperour by an hereditary Right The second is the fury of Serini and Soisé whose zeal without consideration of irritating the Turk or fear of moving the passion of the Lyon beyond the terms of an easie pacification transported them to commit all damage and ruine which are the just concomitants of War which rage seemed over-violent to the Court at Vienna and not to suit with the present Policy of the War which was designed to be carried on rather in a defensive than in an offensive posture imagining perhaps that the good nature of the Turk might be complemented
them to march and quarter in Alsatia but before their departure the Emperour honoured Monsieur de Coligni with his Picture incircled with Diamonds and the other Officers with Gold Chains and Medals ordering the Troops not to march above ten miles a day and every third to be a day of repose and to be entertained all the way at free Quarter so as to return into France jocund and healthy as they departed thence But before they would bid adieu to those Countries the General and Officers paid their Visit to Count Nicholas Serini presenting him with a Horse Furniture and Pistols as a small Tribute to that Great Captain whose Fame was celebrated through the whole world ingenuously confessing That the rumour of his name struck more amazement and terrour in the Enemy than the Armies that actually faced them and was more instrumental in obtaining the Victory on the Banks of Rab than their weapons or courage which fought against them But not long after this worthy Heroe Serini hunting one day separated from the rest of his Attendants in the Thickets of a Wood behold on a sudden was surprized by the rushing forth of a wild Boar which raging and made furious by some Wounds he had received first struck him in the Knee with which falling to the ground the fierce Beast not giving him leisure to recover himself ganched him again in the head with his broad Tusk which proved so mortal that in a short time he expired in the Arms of one of his Pages This was the end of this valiant Captain who unconquered in many and redoubled Conflicts of his Enemies was made the prey of an ignoble Beast Such are the secret and occult Providences of Heaven which men interpret or reflect on as they are governed by prejudice or interest And so did the Turks attribute the Fall of this their Grand Adversary to the righteousness of their Religion and justness of their Cause as if he had been a person unworthy to dye by the hand of a man was condemned to be executed by that Beast which is most abominated and detested by the Turkish Rites He was a Person as mortal an Enemy to the Turks as ever Hannibal was to the Romans in Dangers most couragious in War valiant and patient of labour in Peace courteous and moderate in his Pleasures his Diet was natural rather than artificial in Bankets or Drinking Meetings after the fashion of that Country was sparing in Wine and rather abstemious than intemperate Musick and Dances were the Entertainment of the softer and effeminate Part of his Court rather than his own Pastimes whose Recreations were chiefly in the Woods and in fuch Huntings as had something in them of similitude with Martial Exercises his Judgment was profound and deep and yet his familiar Discourse facetious his Conversation obliging his humour affable and yet severe and majestick he spake much and yet well his disposition was liberal and generous especially to his Souldiers whom he never restrained or defrauded of their Booty and Prey but contented every one with a just and exact Division In short he was one of those zealous Champions of the Christian Cause who in the Chronicles of past Ages ought to be placed and numbred amongst the worthiest Heroes The Winter now approaching and a conclusion in all appearance made of the War the Vizier returned to Belgrade designing to remain there until the German Ambassadour had entered the Turkish Borders and in the mean time sent for his Mother thither pretending that in an uncertain and changeable estate the Maternal Blessing is of highest Consolation it being esteemed pious amongst the Turks for a man to die at the Feet of his Mother This Mother of his was esteemed a cunning or wise Woman by whose Charms and Incantations his Father and he were supposed long to have conserved the Office of Vizier and as my own Ears can witness the common Souldiers Discourse That his Mothers Art consisted much in Philtrums and Charms reconciling affection and friendship and had a power over the Grand Signiors Inclinations and Understanding rendring all things and actions the Vizier had performed in this War full of merit and admiration This I say was the Discourse of some common Souldiers In the month of December that Blazing-star which appeared formidable to most parts of the known World was also seen within the Turkish Empire not without a general terrour of all as prognosticating disasters of Sword Pestilence and Famine and set the Turkish Astrologers at work to find out the mystery it portended from whose Art most commonly was divined the death of some great Person in the Empire which some would have to be the Grand Signior others the Vizier others both as they desired alteration and change of Government The Grand Signior continued all this time at Adrianople taken up with an extraordinary delight and pleasure in his Court there with which his aversion to Constantinople so much increased that he could not endure so much as the name of the place and if accidentally in his Hunting as is reported he chanced to fall into the road which led thither and remembring himself thereof would immediately turn thence as one that corrects himself of some desperate errour or avoids a path which tends to an evitable destruction The Kadelescher and the other grave Judges of the Law observing this unreasonable hatred of their Prince to his Imperial Seat considered how prejudicial it was to him and his People to have a City of that renown antiquity and commodiousness of living despised and abandoned and that perhaps the Souldiery now upon their March from the War might be impatient of returning home as all the Dependents on the Divan and Personages of great Quality desired to injoy their Habitations and Gardens at Constantinople from which discontent on all sides it was concluded That there might result dangerous Seditions and Mutinies and therefore resolved and as some say also at the instigation of the Vizier to prostrate themselves before the Grand Signior and tender him their opinions and sence in that particular which they accordingly performing and assigning the Kadelescher or the Chief Justice with all humility to be their Mouth in this Petition their counsel was received with that indignation that they were chased from the Grand Signiors presence with fury and high displeasure and the Kadelescher at that moment deprived of his Office To these other extravagances the Grand Signior would have added another of a higher nature and cruelty by causelesly putting to death his Brother Solyman whom all the time of his Raign together with another Brother he had kept Prisoner in the Seraglio for now having a Son of his own he conceived it more secure to remove all competition that might be for the Government according to the example and custom of the Ottoman Princes but suffering some remorse of conscience in the thoughts of imbruing his hands in the blood of
Bowels of the Empire under the Command of Monsieur la Feüvillade who under pretence of applying themselves to the assistance of Christendom were suspected to come with intentions to advance the interest of their King and force the next Diet to elect him King of the Romans in order whereunto and in consideration of farther assistance they demanded several Towns in Hungary to be delivered into their hands and made extravagant Propositions for Winter Quarters all which considered made the German Ambassadour more tender how he entered into Disputes with the Turk which might prejudice the essential points of the Peace or occasion a new War more destructive to Germany through the dangers before intimated than by the Arms and Hostility of the common Enemy These Considerations made the Ambassadour less zealous in the matter of Transilvania and in all others which were not really conducing to his Masters immediate service so that having no other difficulty remaining than the liberty of the Captives on the day of his last Audience with the Vizier being the 8 th of November he urged with more earnestness their Release which was in part granted those of the Gallies were delivered from their Chains and Oars but such as were of greater Quality in the seven Towers were detained untill the Emperor had on his part released the Turks of Quality in like manner and though it was agreed in the Article That Captives should on both sides be released yet the Vizier interpreted it to be in respect to Number and Quality of which I remember to have heard often Complaints and especially of those poor Gentlemen then under Irons and restraint who though afterwards received their freedom yet for the present endured more torment in their minds than if they had never been put in expectation to enjoy their hopes At the end of the Audience the Ambassadour proposed something in behalf of the Religious of Jerusalem That certain places of Devotion might be restored them which were injuriously taken from them by the Greeks and also that Licence might be granted for re-Edification of some Churches and Monasteries destroyed in Galata by the late Fire To the first of which the Vizier answered That the Franks with the Greeks of Jerusalem should have a fair and equal Tryal at Law about the possession of those places in difference and Justice and Right should be done unto the injured but the latter Proposition he positively denied for being a matter contrary to their Law and Religion was not dispensable by his Power nor ought he to expect a Complement from him or Gratuity of that nature which was inconsistent with the honour and conscience of the Donor but that in any thing else he was ready to yield to his Desires whereby he might understand the value he put upon his Person using this Expression That he was more satisfied that the Emperour had designed so illustrious and worthy a person to this Embassy than if he had sent him a hundred thousand Dollars more of Present and at the Conclusion of the Audience vested both the Ambassadour and Resident with Sables which ended with all imaginable satisfaction and mutual contentment On the 21 th of the month of November arrived at Constantinople Monsieur De Ventelay Ambassadour from the French King to the Grand Signior who was Son to the Sieur De la Haye the former Ambassadour a person much talked of before he arrived a generous and an accomplished Gentleman and one well practised in the Affairs of that Country To understand which story the better we must look back to the former Year at the beginning of which during the German War and that the Vizier remained in his Winter-quarters at Belgrade a Corrier with Letters from his most Christian Majesty to the First Vizier arrived who concealed not the occasion of his coming nor the contents of his Letters with that secrecy but that those who were imployed in the Translation of the Papers into Turkish made it publickly known to be no other than a recital of the many provocations his most Christian Majesty had received from the Pirates of Barbary containing a List of the Ships Men and Goods they had from time to time seized and made Prize in vindication of which indignities to his Honour and in protection of his People he could not do less than make a War upon those Pirates for as yet the advice was not come that the French had deserted Gigeri in which for the foregoing reasons the Grand Signior ought not to judge himself concerned And for the Succour given the Emperour it was not afforded as King of France but as one of the Princes of the Empire in which capacity by virtue of his Tenure he was obliged to contribute such Forces on the like emergencies and distresses of the Empire And if the foregoing reasons were available with the Sultan to induce him as in reason he ought to believe he continued in perfect friendship with him without breach of Articles he was then ready to send his Ambassadour to reside at the Port provided it might be Monsieur De Ventelay Son to Monsieur De la Haye late Ambassadour there who was the person that had some time since received indignities from the Vizier Kuperlee that so his Majesty might receive satisfaction by having the very person of Monsieur De Ventelay honoured by extraordinary demonstrations of respect in reparation of the former affronts This Messenger having translated his Papers obtained licence to ride Post to the Vizier and in the frosts and extremities of the weather in Jannary set forward on his Journey but in his passage through Adrianople visiting the Chimacam and desiring his licence in like manner to ride Post to the Vizier on publick affairs received such a lesson of scorn and disdain vented with the extremity of choler against the French Nation in publick Divan with terms undecent to be repeated and that in farther resentment if he were First Vizier he would refuse to accept any friendship or alliance with them but since he was inferiour to the Great Vizier he would dispeed him to the Camp and grant him a Command for his Post. But it seems this Corrier being arrived at Belgrade was received with better terms and more courtesie by the Vizier who had learned by experience of the late Christian Wars and proof of the Valour of the French Nation that the Propositions of that King were not lightly to be contemned And therefore consented that Monsieur De Ventelay might freely come using their common expression that the Arms of the Port are always open to receive the addresses of Friends Allies and Confederates With this Message and Letters the Corrier was dispatched by way of Ragusi with safe conduct and what else was requisite for his securer passage No doubt but his most Christian Majesty was the more urgent that the person of Monsieur De Ventelay who was the subject on whom formerly the Turks had exercised such
discouraged considering that if the ground was unsecure and unstable at that distance what abysses and chasmes must there be prepared to make them graves under the Walls or entrance to the City To second and justifie this Gun-powder Plot the Christians made two Sallies one by the Savoyards under Command of Colonel Profito Torse who issued forth from the Revelin of Betlem and made great slaughter of the Turks with Granadoes on the side of Panigra another was performed by Colonel Arborio and Colonel Marini accompanied with Count Brurasco Captain of the Guards to Marquess Villa who assaulted two Redouts of the Turks and forced them to flight and afterwards with some loss retreated victoriously to their Works In like manner Colonel Frigeri Commander of the Fort St. Demetrio made a Sally on Catirgi-Oglé near the Lazaretto and with some loss returned triumphant About this time arrived at Standi the Captain-General Francesco Morosini who after some Consultation disarming his Fleet of about a thousand men entred with that Succour into the Town and yet fitted out a convenient Squadron of Gallies and Galleasses to rove in the Archipelago to hinder the Enemies Succours and Recruits which were designed for Candia In this interim the Turks repaired the old Battery against the Lazaretto and laboured continually in their Galleries and subterranean Works so that by that time that the Christians had sprang five Fornelli upon them towards the point of the Half-moon of Mocenigo the Turks had advanced so well towards the Borders of Panigra that they sprang two Mines but these being but the first proofs or essays of this kind of invention reverted on themselves with the loss of two hundred of their men and again fired a third with little success which the Christians answered to better purpose blowing up sixty or seventy Turks Wherefore the Turks made a farther tryal of two Mines by the Half-moon rather to their own loss than to the damage of their Enemy In all the month of July passed not a day without some considerable action sometimes to good sometimes with bad success to both Parties every day Mines were sprang on both sides destroying the Lines and overthrowing the Galleries but the main force and heat of the War as it were concentring it self towards the Quarters of Panigra to defence thereof the Engineer Castellan as freely as couragiously proffered the use of his Art and the hazard of his Person In which whilst he imployed himself and endeavoured to cleanse the Galleries of their rubbish which the Enemies Mines had thrown down the Turks threw such quantities of Bomboes and Stink-pots into those Caverns as made the stench thereof so suffocating and noisom that two Officers were choaked or smothered that went to view the place and Lieutenant-Colonel Cavalli and the Engineer Castellan himself were brought away half dead poysoned with Sulphur and pestiferous smoke to purifie which Grota nothing could render the air more wholesom in expulsion of the preceding vapour than the smoke of Juniper and burnt Aqua vitae which being made use of with good success the Christians fired two Mines which opened so dreadful an abyss as served for the grave of great numbers of Insidels During this time of daily rencounters arrived the Auxiliary Gallies from the Pope and Malta commanded by Prior Bichi and Bali del Bene as also the Gallies of Naples and Sicily commanded by Gianettino Dorta and the Duke of Ferrandina of whom the Captain-General would have borrowed some Forces to have served at Land but their Commissions it seems or their courages were too strait to afford any such Supplies being designed to cruise in the Archipelago only the generous Chevalier d'Harcourt with ten other Camerades that were imbarked on the Gallies of Malta agreed to enter the Garrison having come with no other design from France than to offer themselves in defence of the Christian cause and in a time of Peace when their Prince had no need of their assistance and service to give the World true evidences and proofs of the value and greatness of their souls In all Enterprises this Person worthily descended of the House of Lorrain was a Companion to Marquess Villa and one day venturing on a design to disturb the Enemies approaches was shot in the face with a Musket-bullet of which wound recovering some time after he with his Companions returned to France having like Gavaliers Passant acted the parts of true Chivalry But neither did the Prior Bichi Commander of the Popes Gallies nor Doria Admiral of those of Naples act agreeable to the bravery of those French Gentlemen for they not only denied as we have said to land a small number of their men but as if they came only to make them a visit sent this short Letter of Advice dated the 24 th of August in these words The Auxiliary Gallies are obliged to depart this night and to return to Suda where they are to remain until the expiration of that time which is appointed for them in these Seas Prior Bichi likewise sent word to Marquess Villa That he judged it fit to depart by reason that no action presented for them to undertake to which the Marquess replied That he who seeks may find and that such opportunities never offer to those who endeavour to avoid them Doria also to colour his excuses said That his Orders were not to land men unless the Town were in the extremity of danger of being taken to which Villa replied That he could not well be assured in what condition the Town was since he never vouchsafed to set his foot ashore or conceived a curiosity of seeing the greatest and the most famous Siege that ever was in the World In short these Holy and Catholick Squadrons departed without contributing any assistance to the Christians incurring thereby the severe censure of the Commanders in chief with the anger and disdain of the Souldiery The Venetians have always thought it Policy to maintain an Agent in the Ottoman Quarters perhaps with design to afford them Intelligence or to be ready to apply Terms of Peace in times of most urgent necessities According to which Rule Signior Giavarina was sent to Candia upon the Venetian Armata now governed at Sea by one Pasqualino with Instructions to treat with the Vizier and perhaps to grant him any thing besides Candia though without this nothing could come either welcome or satisfactory to the Turks Howsoever to introduce him into the Camp a white Flag was displayed on the side of the Lazaretto which when the Turks perceived they flocked in great numbers to know the mystery of this Signal of Pacisication And though nothing appeared besides a Letter directed to the Great Vizier yet they hoped it might portend something of Treaty which in the end would produce a Peace and a conclusion of their labours before the Winter surprised them in their colder Lodgings The Vizier having read the Letter had his thoughts
raised as high as was possible in hopes of a Surrender and therefore most freely ordered That Signior Giavarina should the Sunday following come to the Valley of Gioffiro with what Attendance and Followers he judged sit proffering at the same time a cessation of Arms and all acts of Hostility but the Christians who were not reduced to that extremity as to crave Peace or a respite from action kindly refused his gentle proffer which so inraged the Vizier that in a fury he gave fire to a Mine on the left side of Panigra which was seconded with that furious assault that Panigra had boen put into great danger had not the courage of the Defendants been supereminent and repulsed the Enemy with so great a slaughter that the earth round about was covered with dead bodies which action was seconded by a brisk Sally performed by some Knights of Malta asla Maison Neufve do Langeron de Clement de Monrosier de Charboniere and de Blanbuisson though against the advice and counsel of Marquess Villa of which the two first were slain and the rest returned with honour and success At the end of this month of July the Garrison received a Supply of six hundred Foot under Command of Ottavio Abia a noble Venetian who likewise made his entry more acceptable by twenty thousand Ducats which he brought with him At the time of his arrival the Christians sired a Mine with good success but the Enemy had prepared another in revenge which took such effect on the right Angle of Panigra as broke the counterscarp ten paces and filled the Ditch with Earth on advantage of which the Turks came to an Assault but through the courage of Luca Grandis Serjeant Major and other gallant Officers a stop was given to the Enemies fury and they beaten off with considerable loss And now for the present all Sallies ceased whilst both sides carried on their designs under ground thwarthing and crossing the Mines each of other in which subterranean Travels and Passages the Miners often met and had frequent and bloody Encounters those that were strongest robbed the Powder and Utensils of the weaker so that the Scene of War seemed to be transferred ad inferos and to be carried on with more fury and violence in the Grave or the other world than it was in the open Air of the Cydonian Fields The Turks becoming now as expert as the Christians in their secret and hidden Traverses had penetrated so far that on the 8 th of August they fired a most dreadful Mine on the side of the half Moon which made so great a Breach in that work that eight men could march a breast which so animated the Enemy with the advantage that immediately in great numbers they mounted the breach to give an Assault but supplies being timely afforded in assistance of the Guard the Enemy was precipitated headlong and overwhelmed with such showers of Musket shot that the Retreat into their works was not only disorderly but the number of those who survived so few and diminished as gave proof how hazardous it was to attempt other more difficult and better fortified Bastions Nor was the success of the Turks less on the side of Panigra where having made a Breach they endeavoured to make good their ground under shelter of Sacks of earth which the Christians drew away from them with long iron hooks which was such a piece of sport to the besieged to see their Enemies dismantled of their shelter and lye open to their shot that a young Page of Marquess Villa called du Clos venturing in this action beyond his years was shot with a Musket Bullet in the head and so hastned to the other World covered with glory and renown There was scarce now a day which passed that was not signalized with the springing of several Mines both on one side and the other most of those made by the Christians were seconded with Sallies and those of the Turks with Assaults and Stormings of one Fort or other On the 10 th of September Signior da Riva a noble Venetian arrived with a Recruit of five hundred Souldiers and a great number of Pioniers and the same day was celebrated after the usual manner by springing of Mines one of which threw a Turk on the Fort of Panigra and ruined the Galleries of the Enemy the next day likewise several Fornelli were fired by the Enginier Lubatiers from the parts of the half Moon and of Panigra which filled up the Line and spoiled the Redoubts of the Turks On the 15 th the Christians vigourously sallied out with seventy Foot under the Command of Colonel Vechia and two other Captains from the Revelin of Panigra who after a valiant skirmish orderly retreated under the rampart of the Revelin to which place the Turks eagerly pursuing them were entertained with a Mine and tossed into the Air which being done the Venetians returned again and were in the same manner encountred by the Turks whereby a very hot fight began during which time the Captain General who stood on the Bastion of Betlem to observe the motions of the Enemy saluted them with a plentiful shower of Musket shot In short after the Venetians had for the space of an hour resisted the Force of the Enemy with much slaughter they retired with good order into the Ditch of the City On the 18 th Captain Fedeli with a hundred Souldiers made another Sally but being wounded he retreated with some loss which was retured again on the Enemy by a Mine which the Enginier Quadruplani sprang with happy success on the Quarter of Panigra and on the same day the Captain of the Galleasses called Gioseppe Morosini arriving with five hundred men and two hundred thousand Ducats together with good quantities of Ammunition and Victuals gave encouragement and relief to all the City with whom also came the Cavalier Gonges and his Brother in quality of Adventurers for Honour and Religion There was not one day in all this Month but divers Fornelli and Mines were fired on one side and the other and though the Christians exercised as much military Art Industry and Valour as men were capable to perform yet the Turks still gained ground and daily advanced their works upon the Christians wherefore the Captain General ordered that a Mine and three Fornelli should be fired by which a small Fort of the Turks near the Counterscarp was overthrown with divers other works lately raised The Turks had such good success with their last Mines that a Week after they fired another which was calculated so well that it ruined the Gallery of Communication between Panigra and its Out-works and threw the Counterscarp into the Ditch of the Town For the necessary repair of which Breach and clearing of the Ditch the Governors gave immediate Order and appointed a strong Guard for defence and protection of those that laboured and to make better dispatch a most ingenious Engine was contrived to remove
this for the present astonished the Turks and gave a stop to the farther proceedings of this Assault This proof gave an evident Conviction to the Grand Signior's Inquisitor of the strength of the place and difficulty of the Work and having been an Eye-witness of all returned with dismal Stories of a cruel War reporting perhaps and it was related in the parts of Christendom That this was a place where blood was spilt day and night where Gallant Men had forgot to sleep living in perpetual labours enured to intolerable sufferings and hourly dangers there being none secure either in the Church in the house or in the street for Granadoes rained Cannons thundred Arrows flew with stones like a Tempest so that there was none in that place but who quartered on the Brink of the Grave It now grew towards Winter and yet the Vizier thought of no other Quarters than his Trenches judging that if he should quit his station the labours and progress of the former Summer would be lost and the Work to be again begun in the Spring Wherefore resolving to keep his Works provided all conveyances to carry away the Water and sheds to cast off the Rain and warmer Tents for the Souldiery which yet could not so artificially be contrived but that the Camp was full of mire and dirt tedious and troublesome to Man and Beast and the Quarters of the Souldiery so damp between their Banks of Earth as caused Catarrhs Fluxes Feavers and other Camp Diseases with much mortality It was now the dead of Winter and yet Martial Exploits were as frequent as they had been in Summer and though the great rains and flouds of water extinguished the fires and made as it were a cessation of Armes and of all acts of hostility yet this interval of calmness and tranquillity the Christians made use of to repair the Palisade of S t Andrea and the Lines of Communication within the Ditch And because the main Bulwark was also shaken and in some danger all the Chiorma or Slaves of the Gallies were commanded ashoar to labour in the reparation and to make aninward retrenchment which in short time with admirable diligence was perfected and on all sides compleated The Turks in the mean time carried their Traverses forward as much as they could for they were now entered into the very Ditch of the Town and because there was no possibility to work in the Mines by reason that the Galleries were filled with water they attended wholly to employ their great Guns and fire Granadoes so that they raised a new Battery near the Work of Mocenigo which began to batter the lower parts of S t Andrea and raised another Battery on the ruines of the Revelin of Panigra which being lower ground could not much prejudice the main Bulwark The Sultan satisfied with the Relation given by his Messenger concerning the progress his Vizier had made upon the Town and of the hopes there was in time to gain it encouraged him with a Letter of Praise accompanied with a Sword and Vest of Sables the magnificent Signals of the Sultans favour And now besides the Force of Fire-Arms the Turks made use of Arrows shot into the Town carrying papers written in Italian and French perswading the Souldiers to fly to their Camp where they should receive civil treatment and a secure refuge which gave that encouragement to those wearied with the labours of the Siege and hard usage that many of them made Tryal of the Turks entertainment and escaping out of the Works fled to the Enemies Camp where they were cloathed received Conduct Mony and were permitted Licence to embark themselves for what place they pleased About this time the Proveditor General Barbaro and the Licutenant General of the Artillery Uvertmiller having obtained licence from the Senate returned to Venice the first was displeased that Marquess Villa should take the precedence of him and the other because his opinion of making a general Sally of all the Garrison on the Enemy was not followed but rejected by the Council of War as a design pernicious and over-hazardous for that the fighting with an Enemy more numerous than themselves fortified in their Redoubts and Works and hidden under ground in inextricable Labyrinths was an Enterprise so rash that no man wishing well to the Garrison and of sound judgment ought to advise The Turks having in this Campagne fixed themselves well in a formal Siege and gained ground and many advantages on the Christians of which the destruction of the Work of Panigra was none of the least the Vizier supposed it a seasonable time to enter into a Treaty by the hand of the Secretary Giavarina who was there entertained for that purpose but he falling sick of the Camp-distemper dyed in a short time whose death was soon after followed by that of Signior Padavino who finished his days at Caned the Plate Money and Houshold-stuff of both were carefully inventored and by the justice of the Vizier duly accounted for and administred to the Venetians The Instruments of Treaty being thus taken away the Captain-Pasha was dispatched to Constantinople carrying with him four thousand wounded and sick men and a Letter to the Grand Signior and Divan signifying his resolutions to win the place or dye under the Walls of it and to that end desired them to send him such Recruits of men and supply of Provisions as were requisite He complained of the cowardise of those to whom they had incharged the Convoys that he wanted both Powder and Bullet for default of which they could neither ply their great Guns nor go forward in their Mines that bread was so dear that no price could be set to it that his Souldiers by slaughter and sickness did daily diminish so that his Army was reduced to twenty three thousand Foot seven hundred Horse and two thousand Pioniers and in fine concluded with urgent instances to have Recruits of all dispeeded to him without which it was impossible to gain the Town or save himself Hereupon Recruits came from all parts both of Men Ammunition and Provisions especially from the Frontiers or adjacent places which by such vast evacuations were almost dispeopled more particularly in Albania and Castelnuovo extraordinary Preparations were making both of Men Horse and Camels and a report was spread that the Grand Signior intended to pass over in Person to Candia but this was soon disproved by his residence at Larissa where he remained to render assistance more easily and receive advices more speedily than could be performed at Adrianople Great quantities of Corn were also sent from divers places particularly from Smyrna where English French and Dutch Ships were taken up for that service to the prejudice of the Trade and damage of the concerned some of which Vessels were taken in their passago to Candia whilst others arrived in safety through the negligence as was supposed of the Commanders at Sea And indeed the Turks plyed their business with
Armata Of the Turks were slain Durach Bey the Bey of Coron and Hastam formerly Bey of Coron The Great Vizier from the Camp could all the time behold the flashes of the small and great shot and by help of the Venetian Lights perceive the success of his own Fleet not answerable to his expectation What loss the Turks sustained with Slaves and Souldiers is incertain only an hundred Christian Slaves were released and four hundred Turks captivated and amongst the slain was Durach Bey himself a stout Sea-man and a known Pirate who from a small Brigantine had raised himself to be Begh of the Morea and to command four or five Gallies of his own In like manner and not long after a Squadron of Venetian Ships were forced by storm in the night to anchor under Cape Spada where accidentally six Turkish Gallies were riding The Sky being very dark and close the first Ship ran foul of a Galley and so shattered and crushed her sides that being ready to sink the Turks forsook her and run aboard the Ship to save a life which was to be afterwards miserable and slavish The others assrighted at the arrival of these unexpected guests slipt their Cables to seek harbour in a tempestuous Sea but the weather being too boisterous for Gallies one of them was cast away and about an hundred and seventy men lost the news hereof being brought to Venice by Colonel Vecchia with the Ensigns and Spoils taken from the Enemy the Senate bestowed the honour of Knighthood on the Captain-General comforting the families of the slain and wounded with signal marks of Honour and Glory The Captain-Pasha put this year to Sea more early than was usual designing to make as many Voyages to Candia as was possible with Succours both of Men and Ammunition his design and work was wholly to avoid the Venetians and to steal ashore his Recruits to which end he made such expedition in every Voyage that scarce could the Christians have advice of his arrival in any part of the Isle of Candia before he was well forwarded in his return yet his haste was not so great but one time having fifty three Gallies in his Campany he adventured to look into the Port of Nio where he met four Corsaires or Free-booters under Maltese Colours commanded by two Brothers Themericort and by the Knights Verva and Bremont two of the Ships were on the Careen washing and tallowing their Vessels whilst the other two viz. the Themericort Brothers were on the Guard being at anchor in the narrowest entrance to the Harbour The Turks supposed at first that so formidable an appearance of their Fleet would affright the Christians to a Surrender rather than to contend on those unequal terms But it seems the Corsaires were more resolute than was imagined for no sooner did the Turks approach than the Christians discharged their Cannon and Vollies of small shot so plentifully as caused the Gallies to dispute at a farther distance where shooting as it were at rovers with their long Cashee Pieces not adventuring to come to a nearer Fight for the space of eight hours made as reported about eight thousand shot with little or no execution so that the Captain-Pasha made his sign of Retreat and forsook the Engagement as being too dangerous and difficult an Enterprise But better success had the Turks the next month at Sea against Captain Georgio an old and subtle Pirate who for many years had vexed and pillaged not only the Turks but Christians on all Isles of the Archipelago great fortune he had in taking Turkish Saiks and Vessels and some of them considerably rich and when that prey failed him or was scarce he then pursued his game on the shore from whence he often carried men women and children into slavery and oft-times had the fortune of considerable Booty The Islands which lay open and unguarded were his common Rendezvous where the men attended his service and the women his lust In this manner this Pirate passed for several years having obtained unto himself a fame and terrour with the Turks and richess at home the place which he commonly chose to wash and tallow his Vessels was amongst certain small Isles in the Bay of Edremit anciently Adrimetum opposite unto Mytilene from whence he had as from a Thicket or Wood a view of such Vessels as passed the great Road towards Constantinople these frequent successes rendred him so confident and secure that he still continued his station notwithstanding the Turkish Naval Forces which in the Summer season made their Rendezvous at Scio. But at length the Captain-Pasha with the whole Turkish Armata being at Scio and with him three Ships of Tripoli advice came that Captain Georgio had not forsaken his little Isles but was there careening his small Fleet which consisted of two Ships and a Brigantine hereupon the Tripoleses were commanded out to encounter the Enemy whom the next day they found so secure and negligent that he discovered not his Foes before they were ready to attaque him The Captain Pasha also fearing that the Tripoleses were not of sufficient Force to encounter so valiant and experienced a Commander both to make the Enterprize the more easie and certain and to gain the reputation of that business to himself went out in person with all his Gallies The Tripoleses had began to fire on Captain Georgio before the Pasha came in to their assistance but it falling calm and the Ships not able to join in a nearer fight gave way for the Gallies which being above fifty in number overpowered the Christians on all sides howsoever the two Ships defended themselves against all this Force until the Captain himself being killed his own Ship surrendred but so shattered that she was scarce able to swim above water This Ship being overcome the Turks boarded the other commanded by Captain de Leseases who seeing no remedy to avoid being taken he leaped into his Boat and blew up his Ship howsoever could not escape his destiny for having his Arm broke he became a prey and a slave to his Enemy The News of this Victory was celebrated with so much the more joy by how much this person was feared and hated and was not only a subject of rejoycing to the Turks but also to the Christians whose Parents and Relations this Corsaire had pillaged and enslaved so that the Inhabitants of the Archipelago for the most part were pleased with the revenge and promised more security and quietness to their open Coasts With no less triumph was this News posted to the Grand Signior who rewarded the Messenger with two thousand Dollars gratuity and caused demonstrations of joy to be made through the whole Court so dreadful was grown the Name of so inconsiderable a person in respect of the greatness of the Ottoman Empire But the success of this advantage did not heighten the courage of the Captain Pasha to that pitch as to make him more bold with the
repair of the breaches and amended what was deficient in the most distressed Fortifications And though the Turks fired a Mine the 22 th of August at the point of the Fort St. Andrea which made a most dangerous breach yet it was so valiantly defended and so speedily repaired that the Enemy gained little or no advantage and all by the extraordinary diligence of this Marquess St. Andrea who passed whole months without uncloathing himself and as his nights were without sleep so his days consumed without repose applying himself personally to all places where was most of danger especially at the Fort of St. Andrea where he took up his constant Quarters The Turks now daily pressing the Town more nearly than before Skirmishes and Sallies were more frequent and more bloody so that about this time the Proveditor General Bernardo Nani applying himself with all earnestness in the performance of his Charge was slain by a Musket-shot in his head his death was much lamented by all being a Gentleman who was born as may be said in the Fleet having had his Education there and passed his youth in Wars and dangers for the safety and honour of his Country Girolamo Bataglia was elected by the Republick to succeed him in the Office whose death was also seconded by that of Francesco Bataglia Brother of the Duke of Candia being shot in the breast with a Musket-bullet and though he was sent thither to administer Justice to the People yet his zeal and courage carrying him to Martial Acts beyond his duty made a grave for him amongst the other Heroes and Worthies of that place The Turks approaching daily nearer with their Works infested very much the passage of Vessels to the Town and shot so directly into the Port that no Ship Galley or Bark could remain in any security from their Cannon to remedy which a small Redoubt was raised at Tramata which being well and strongly fortified served for a small Port under the shelter of which the lesser Vessels found some protection and was of great relief to the distressed City About this time the Popes Gallies with those of Malta arrived commanded by Fra. Vincenzo Rospigliosi the Popes Nephew who having not brought a greater number of people than what served to man their Gallies they were not able to spare many for defence of the Town The long continuance of this Siege and the fame thereof noised through the whole World moved the heroick and gallant Spirits of our Age to descend into this Campus Martius this Field of War and give proofs of their Prowess and Valour in defence of the Christian Cause some being moved by a principle of vain-glory proceeding from the briskness of a youthful and aery Spirit and others from the sense of Devotion and fervour towards Religion amongst which none were more forward than some Gentlemen of the French Nation as namely Monsieur La Fueillade aliàs Duke of Roanez with the Count St. Paul a young Cavalier to forward which design taking first the Licence and Benediction of their King they appointed their Rendezvous at Tolon where they listed two hundred Gentlemen Cadets or younger Brothers who went in quest of Honour and not of Pay with four hundred ordinary Souldiers who expected their maintenance from the bounty of their Leaders The chief of whom was Monsieur La Fueillade and his Lieutenant the Chevalier De Tresines Their whole Body was divided into four Brigades The first commanded by Count St. Paul The second by the Duke De Carderousse The third by the Count De Villa Maur. And the fourth by the Duke De Chateau Tiery When these Persons of Honour and Courage arrived at Candia they found the City hardly beset and reduced to a strait and difficult condition for the Turks were advanced so near to the Fort of St. Andrea that the Souldiers within and without could cross their Muskets and reach Tabaco one to the other howsoever this breach was so well repaired with a good Palissado fortified with several Bonnets and a double Retrenchment on the Bastion it self and a third Retrenchment of squared stone withal that the oourage of the Besieged being nothing abated by the many and furious assaults of the Enemy the Town still remained in a defensible posture and still capable with good Succours and Supplies to yield matter of imployment for several years to the Ottoman Forces These worthy Champions as I said being arrived moved with the sense of Religion and desire of glory to themselves challenged the priviledge of mounting the Guard of St. Andrea but that being already prepossessed by the Knights of Malta and other Officers of the place was refused to them Howsoever the Captain-General Morosini was pleased to gratifie them with the Guard of a small Chapel over that Bastion on the right hand of the breach a place of no less danger and therefore of no less honour than the other with which the Cavaliers being satisfied Monsieur St. Paul mounted the Guard one day at six a clock in the morning and continued there until the same hour of the day following during which time he lost his Major Dupré and Monsieur De Marenval the latter of which had his brains knocked out with so violent a blow of a great shot that some pieces of his skull dangerously wounded the Sieurs De Chamilly and De Lare who were near to him and more maliciously did the Turks ply the stations of these new-come Guests than any others throwing Bomboes Granadoes Stink-pots and other sorts of artificial Fire without cessation into their Quarters notwithstanding which this young Prince and Monsieur La Fueillade exposed themselves like common Souldiers animating their men more with their example than their words And now by this time by so many Works and removals of Earth by so many Traverses and Mines under ground and throwing up the caverns and bowels of the Earth into the Air the soil became so brittle crumbling and as it were sandy and like ashes that it seemed not capable longer of enduring the Pick-ax or the Shovel and was so porous that the light of some Mines glimmering into the others Traverses easily discovered each others Mines whereby it became equally a trade and custom to steal Powder Howsoever the Venetians so closely worked with those Props and Arts that they formed a considerable Mine which on the first of December they sprang with so much success that they wholly overthrew a Battery of the Turks directed against St. Andrea and buried all their Cannon But these French Gallants intended not from the first of their design to make this War their Trade or the Town of Candia their place of habitation but as Passengers or Pilgrims whose souls are active and hate idleness to give the World some proofs of their Valour and so away wherefore La Fueillade their General pressed Morosini to give leave that he and his Fellow-Souldiers might make a Sally and enter into the Enemies Trenches so as
After this it was proposed in Council That another Sally should be made of ten thousand French to which the Duke De Navaille assented on condition that they might be preceded in the Van by four thousand Venetians who were well acquainted and versed in the nature of the place and knew the several Redoubts Galleries and Trenches of the Enemy But the Captain-General being desirous to reserve his own experienced Souldiers to the ultimate and last occasion of emergence refused to assent thereunto The loss the Turks sustained that day was uncertain of the French were only an hundred thirty five heads brought in by tale as I was informed from one who was present when they were counted amongst which were many principal Officers For besides the Duke of Beaufort were slain the Count Rosan the Chevalier di Villarceaux the Chevalier de Quelas the Sieur de Guene-gaud Marquis de Fabert Major of the Regiment of Lorrain the Sieurs de Montreüil Captain of the Guards de Beauvais and Do Garnier La Paneterie Touvenin Lanson Bellebrune Hautefage d'Avenne Maran de S. Jean de Chauveniere Goindreville Captain of the Regiment of Bretagne Forcan du Boulet Captains of the Regiment of Harcourt Chaselet Martinval de Bossemoat de la Haye de Bourneuf de Vandre Martel Captain of a Ship the Chevalier Lodevé with nine Captains and eight Lieutenants Reformades of the Brigade of Picardy Navarre and Normandy The Sieur Lebret was shot through the Buttocks with a Musket-bullet besides whom were wounded the Sieurs de Montagne Colonel of a Regiment de Castelan Major of the Guards de Cavison Croiselles de Montigny and de Moissac by the Battery which blew up the Chevalier d'Ailleurs was hurt with an Arrow through the Arm De la Marliere Lieutenant-Colonel of the Regiment of Lorrain with five or six Officers of that Body and Villiers Lieutenant-Colonel of the Regiment Jonzac were all wounded The Marquess of Lignieres had his Thigh broken and a Finger shot off and his Lieutenant-Colonel had his Arm broken The Marquess of St. Vallier Colonel with five or six of his Officers the Chevalier de Novion Colonel with several Officers of the Regiments of Bretagnie Montpezat Harcourt and Conti were all wounded with four other Captains of Horse and four Lieutenants also the Marquess of Uxelles the Chevalier de la Haugette the Count de Losse Captain of the Guards to the Duke of Navailles the Count de Montbrun Commander of the Kings Musquetiers and the Sieur de Tagni Quarter-master-General were wounded who being Persons of great Quality as well as Courage that left their Country and exposed themselves to dangers with no other motive than their own gallantry or defence of the Christian Cause ought be numbred amongst the Heroes and Champions of our Age. Of Prisoners there were not above seven or eight taken amongst which were the Sieur de Bois-Dauphin a Norman and Son of a Marshal of France and the Sieur de Chateau Neus the first for his Youth Beauty and Courage greatly esteemed by the Turks and both entertained by the Vizier with more generosity than usually possesses the Nature of Turks who after this success having gathered and thrown the heads of the slain according to their manner into a heap did one day in merriment pitch them upon the points of their Lances and ranking them in file and order with Hats and Feathers on them beat the French March amongst them with shouts and Vollies of Muskets Matters succeeding in this manner unhappily and the Enemy already almost in the midst of the Town being come to the last Retrenchment beyond which could be raised no more inward Fortisications the Officers as in like cases of misfortune began to throw the blame upon each other and the contest between the French and Italians grew as hot within the Town as the War was without so that the Duke of Navailles appearing discontented though in reality he might well be discouraged and might be apprehensive with due reason that the Town was in a desperate condition howsoever he pretended that the time was almost expired which the King had prefixed for the continuance of his Forces in Candia and that therefore he could not think of any other design for them than that which was in order to their imbarking The Captain-General being greatly surprised at this resolution endeavoured to perswade him to the contrary and being accompanied with the General of Candia and the Proveditor General waited on the Duke at his own Quarters where he represented to him in the most efficacious terms possible the present dangerous condition to which the City was reduced until which time under the Providence of God they acknowledged the preservation thereof to the magnanimous Arms of their religious King and therefore in such a conjuncture of misfortunes and extremity they knew not unto whom they might have recourse for assistance but to the Generosity of his Excellency and of those Gentlemen who for no other end but that of Religion and Honour had undertaken so great a Voyage and had voluntarily cast themselves into the hourly dangers of this Siege That the Succour they demanded was really great and most important for defence of the place in regard that thereon their whole safety depended Howsoever it might have cost some labour though not much blood to the French Forces if they would have worked on a new Retrenchment with the same celerity and deligence as they formerly used whereby the Siege might be prolonged until the Winter or till the Christian Princes might take new measures and send greater Recruits Hereunto Navaille gave answer That the zeal which the King his Master conceived for the conservation of Candia was evidenced by better effects than the empty promises without fruit of other Princes and that accounting the present number of Forces and Gentlemen of considerable Quality which were ingaged in this War together with the great expence and charge his Majesty had been at in maintenance of a Fleet to transport them his Majesties affection to the Republick was unquestionable and that both he and his Officers who had the honour to command those Forces had undertaken a long Voyage and entred into dangers with constancy and readiness of mind and had assaulted the Enemy almost before they saw them and given relief to the Town before they set their foot in it but if the issue of affairs did not correspond with a success agreeable to their good intentions and the primary design of this Enterprise they must have patience seeing that it cost no other than the slaughter of French-men and that there had been a large effusion of the Noble and Illustrious as well as of the common blood It was a species of ingratitude not to remain contented with such forcible arguments of friendship and it was a breach of modesty to pretend that because his King had lent them eight thousand men that therefore they should continue in Candia so long as one
night and the next morning opening the Castle-gates received the Enemy within the Walls making manifest the death of their Master and their own Treachery Osman Pasha being dead every one acted for a time what the wildness of an unruly multitude could suggest till such time as the Heads of the Rebellion could frame themselves into some form of Government which for the present was resolved to be by a Dei as most convenient for commanding of the Souldiery intending for the future to take the Algier Government by a Divan for their Pattern and Model of Rule under which the people of that place had found and experienced the sweetness of liberty richess and success These matters being agreed upon some of their Men of War were sent to give advice unto the Grand Signior of the revolutions of their City supplicating him to pardon the violence used against their Pasha Osman whose Covetousness and Tyranny forced them for self-preservation to precipitate that Authority which they knew on their complaints his Majesty would have granted them and that he would be pleased to receive them into his protection and favour as his faithful and humble Subjects and Slaves and as an evidence thereof would grant them a Pasha confirmed by his Royal Signature The Sultan though at first shewed himself much displeased with this manner of proceeding against Osman Pasha yet seeing that there was no remedy suffered himself to be mollified by their Presents and submission granting them a Pasha for their Governour whose power proved as unsignificant as his doth who bears that Title at Algier Matters being thus reduced to some tolerable condition amongst them they concluded That the most beneficial course of life to render them considerable as well as to amuse and divert the minds of their rude people from innovations against their Governours was to grant free liberty to whomsoever pleased to arm out Ships of War which Priviledge Osman Pasha reserved to himself and his Confidents and finding at present that they were able to set out six Sail from forty to fifty Guns and four more from twelve to thirty intending to accomplish in all the full number of fifteen Sail those who traded in the Levant Seas began to apprehend that this faithless and heady people would at a time when they found their advantage and the temptation of a rich Prize break their Peace with his Majesty our King the which Osman Pasha had notwithstanding conserved for several years without violation moved perhaps thereunto out of an apprehension that in such troubles which a War with England might bring upon them he might lose or impair his richess and bring the like confusion on his people as he had lately heard of in Algier on the like occasion but how and in what manner these matters succeeded and how at length this people broke their Peace and Faith we reserve to be recounted at the end of the Year 1674. Towards the end ' of the month of August it pleased God to take out of this life unto a better Sir Daniel Harvey his Majesties Ambassadour at Constantinople a man whose person being comely was extremely grateful to the Turks and for the experience he had at the Ottoman Court was equal in the happy management of Affairs to any of his Predecessours Anno 1673. Hegeira 1084. BUT it seems the Turks had made too much haste in their return to digest a Conquest of so large Extent so that they were scarce well warmed by their Winter-fires before they were alarmed again with Jealousies of Poland and the Seditions amongst the Cossacks whom Dorosenzko wrote he could not keep in subjection unless he had some Succours sent him from the Port. The rumors likewise that the Muscovite armed and was resolved to assist the Poles in recovery of their lost Country increased the apprehensions of the Turks who too late perceived the errour they had committed in so soon disbanding their Army which before some were scarce got home they were forced to recal But now the year was well begun and no grand preparations made so that it was impossible to collect an Army in so short a time considerable enough to be honoured with the Conduct of the Sultan wherefore it was resolved that all things this year should be disposed in a readiness against the next But the Grand Signior had a project of his own to depart speedily with his Court and to pass the heats of the Summer in the Mountains of Zegna about five or six days Journey on his way towards Poland which being reported to be a place well planted with Trees watered with cool and fresh Springs and abounding with all sorts of Game made him impatient to take up his Summer-quarters in a Country so agreeable to his humor and that he might cover the design of pleasure with that of profit and policy he pretended that the report of his proceeding so far would both hasten the Army and give a terrour to the Enemy But the Great Vizier and his Council who weighed all things better were of another opinion judging it neither honourable for the Court to be retired into Woods and Mountains nor the advantage of such a surmise able to countervail the expences and inconveniences of that Journey and therefore it was concluded to stand unto the first resolution That the Grand Signior with the main Body of his Army should not move until the following year but that in this interim all preparations should be made for Provisions and Ammunition in order unto which three thousand Janisaries were already sent away to Keminiecz under the Command of the Sampsongibashee and six thousand more under the Zagargibashee were to be landed on that Isthmus which joyns the Crim Tartar unto the Main from whence they had a short March to the assistance of Dorosenzko Chasaein Pasha lately come from Damascus was nominated for General to be sent into Silistria and there to command in Chief over the Militia of Dobriza Bosna and Runtelia in case of any alteration and disturbance in Poland this Person was always accounted a stout and valiant Souldier though seldom fortunate and was the same that lost the Battel before Lewa in the last German Wars as we have before intimated he was about this time grown infirm by a hepatical Dysentery which reduced him to a weak condition of body with little hopes of recovery In the mean time arrived at Adrianople an Ambassadour from the great Czar of Muscovy bringing Letters dated in April of the preceding year which was before the time that the Turks had entred Poland the contents of which were That the Grand Signior would do well to desist from his design against that Country for that if he did proceed and invade those Dominions he should find himself obliged to make War upon him and with his mighty and puissant Power to drive him back to his own Jurisdiction This Message appeared very unseasonable and caused much laughter at first for that
the Turk had since the Date of that Letter invaded Poland and possessed himself of vast Countries and yet neither encountred any opposition from the Muscovite nor so much as heard any rumor of his Motion Wherefore the Turks with scorn forbad the Ambassadour any farther Addresses and commanded him to be gone speedily saying That his Master had neither courage nor force to maintain his word of War nor wisdom to manage a Treaty of Peace The Reports now from the parts of Poland spake matters to be in a quiet posture and not likely to concern the Turks much for this year wherefore the Grand Signior began again to renew his purposes of pastime and pleasure in the Mountains of Zegna but because no true or perfect account could be given of the delights refreshments and situation of that place the Olack Celebi or chief Postmaster was sent to survey the Country and to return with a relation of all matters but in the interim the design was altered for the Grand Signior having begun a Fabrick in which he had expended about eighty thousand Dollars at a small Village about nine or ten miles from Adrianople the place and novelty of the Building so well pleased him that he sound in himself an inclination to pass the whole Summer there and becoming likewise enamoured of a young Lady in his Seraglio notwithstanding his former tenderness to his Queen and late aversion to all other Women he judged it was possible to divertise his time well in those parts and more to his contentment than in wild woods and uninhabited mountains Whereupon the intentions of Zegna were laid aside and nothing thought of but the rest and quietness of the Court for this year But because it was reported That the Czar of Muscovy made great Preparations for War it was judged necessary to command the Crim Tartar to be watchful of his motion by Land though the natural slothfulness of that people gave them no apprehension of their Arms for this year howsoever it being probable that they might prove more active and forward in the Black Sea than they were capable to do by Land by sending forth their small Boats down the Volga to take and pillage the Saiks and Vessels belonging to Constantinople and other parts the Captain-Pasha was ordered to pass into that Sea with thirty five or forty Sail of Gallies for defence of the Coast and for fortifying and repairing Asac and the Fortresses thereabouts but whilst these Preparations were making for the Euxine or Black Sea the other Seas were neglected and undefended for the Alexandrian Fleet consisting in all of eight Sail were encountred not far from Rhodes by some Maltese and Ligornese Corsaires the Ships of the Turks were most of them very great and potent Ships one of them was at least fifteen hundred Tuns and was capable to carry an hundred Guns the others of eight hundred or a thousand Tuns able to have resisted and overcome had they been well armed double the force that assaulted them but being now engaged with an Enemy though not so strong yet better experienced in marine Affairs than themselves they fought with them stoutly the first day but the next day six Gallies coming to the Christians assistance which had been harboured in some Port not far distant and led thither by the noise of the Cannon to which also a calm giving the greater advantage the Turks began to faint in their courage so that four Gallions and two Saiks yielded to mercy which was a Prize of so great value that it was supposed never to have been equalled since the time of Sultan Ibrahim when the loss of the grand Sultana and other Ships gave the first occasion of War with Venice This great Ship which was reported by those who saw her to be both longer and broader than the Soveraign carried only sixty Guns and was manned accordingly only with about an hundred Seamen and about two hundred more which were Land-men wholly unacquainted with the Sea or with Naval Fights the biggest Ship amongst the rest was belonging to the Queen-Mother and the others to the Grand Signior being freighted principally with Sugar Coffee Rice and other Provisions for the proper maintenance of their Courts which we may suppose will highly inflame these grand Personages with anger and disdain when they reflect on their own proper losses which touch them so nearly as their peculiar Goods and the Furniture of their Kitchins The Turkish Court now angered with this loss was more moved in the midst of May when a Messenger from Poland arrived with Letters from the Grand Chancellour declaring with modest terms That their Kingdom was unable or unwilling for many respects to pay the promised Tribute so that if they did not judge sit to wave or lay aside those pretensions they should be forced to take up Arms in defence of their Honour Safety and Priviledge of their Dominions The Turks surprised with this unexpected Message too late perceived the errour of the last years proceedings which were carried on with a clemency and confidence not agreeable to the disposition and humor of such an Enemy as is unacquainted with servitude and so far from being able to fupport a Foreign Yoke that they cannot endure subjection to their own Civil Government every Nobleman of which there are many in Poland being ambitious to be a Prince judges himself better than his elected King Hence proceeded all those dissentions which laid them open to the late invasion of their powerful Enemy the apprehension of whom having obducted for a while those sores of Faction which festered amongst them and that principle of self-conservation which by a forcible nature inclined them to Union at length armed them with a resolution to avenge the Liberties of their Country and assured them of the Truth of that Saying That a Kingdom divided against it self cannot stand The Turks now wished that they had either made a true use of their Victory and the opportune Conjuncture of the last years Affairs to have setled and secured their Conquests or that they had never begun the War for now finding themselves engaged in it they were in honour obliged to proceed and lose the fair opportunity which presented to make their advantage in Hungary to which place they had been and were still invited by the Rebels of that Country who to revenge the Cause of Serini Nadasti and some other Discontents and Aggrievances of which they complained and to defend the Protestant Religion in which by the zeal of some Churchmen they were disturbed resolved to abandon their Allegiance to their natural Prince and rather seek a protection for their Estates and allowance for their Religion under the Turk than remain beholding for either to a prevailing party at the Imperial Court The chief Authours of this Rebellion were Petrozy Sepesi Tende Gabor Sutrey and other principal persons amongst the Hungarians who having on their own strength opposed themselves against the
Emperour the last year were defeated in divers engagements and at length reduced to a very low and miserable condition Wherefore they renew again their Petitions and Presents to the Sultan sent by their Agents about the beginning of this Month of April begging his assistance and protection representing the easiness of the Conquest and how large a Gate they were able to open to his Armies and make a plain way for him into the most fertile and opulent Countries of the World of which he seemed already half possessed by reason of those Discontents and Factions that were amongst them The Turks though well satissied of the reasonableness of the design yet being engaged in honour against Poland knew not how to retract and therefore dispatched away the Messengers for the present with fair hopes and secret promises well treated in private though they received rather a Denial than Encouragement in publick For the expedition against Poland was that which employed solely the wisest heads of the Empire who as it were in fury issued out immediate Orders That all those who eat the Grand Signior's Bread should without farther delay prepare themselves for the Wars against Poland and that Provisions and Ammunition should be supplyed in all places according to the usual proportions The Tugh or Horse-Tail the Signal for departure was set forth the Tents ordered to be carried into the Field and such haste made in all parts as if the raising of an Army were the business but of one day resolving immediately to proceed against their Enemies to whom the Sultan returned a most dreadful and menacing Letter full of expressions agreeable to the Turkish Style which threatned Confusion Sword Famine Fire Destruction and a thousand other more direful Judgments but the Collection of this great Army and the appendages belonging thereunto were not so suddenly provided as to admit of such a dispatch as the Sultan's fury pretended wherefore in cooler blood it was concluded That for this Summer they should not pass much beyond the other side of the Danube that the Winter Quarters should be designed in Silistria from whence they might more effectually threaten and affright their Enemies with their near approach About this time the French found an opportune season to accommodate all their Affairs with the Port and to put a period to the several Articles and particulars they had for many years demanded For now the French King not only appeared very formidable by reason of his success against Holland but likewise instrumental to promote the designs of the Port whilst he kept the Brandenburghers employed and diverted the whole Armies of the Empire and now also that they might engage him not to contribute assistance to the Poles they judged it reasonable policy to evidence to that Ambassadour more external demonstrations of kindness and strain their courtesie beyond the terms which they could cordially and in reality afford them Wherefore at length the Capitulations were renewed and some Articles and Priviledges superadded which are these that follow First That all religious Persons and Bishops of the French Church shall remain and continue quiet and unmolested in their respective habitations and dwellings with liberty to perform all their Ecclesiastical Rites and Ceremonies Secondly That the religious of Jerusalem and of Bethlem shall conserve those religious places which they have anciently possessed and there may continue to celebrate their Worship of God and all their Devotions without any disturbance Thirdly That if these Religious of Jerusalem or Bethlem have any difference or dispute with the Officers thereof it shall be remitted to the decision of the Port. Fourthly All Frenchmen and all under their Banner shall safely at all times go to Jerusalem and return without molestation Fifthly The two Churches in Galata belonging to the Jesuits and Capuchins and anciently possessed by them are now again confirmed by these Presents one of which belonging to the Capuchins having been burnt free liberty is given for the rebuilding thereof and to remain as formerly in the hands of the French and in the Hospital in Galata if they will read the Gospel after their fashion none shall give them disturbance or hinder them Sixthly Whereas the French Nation formerly paid 5 per Cent. Custom now in regard they have been ancient friends to the Port and that they have renewed their Capitulations they shall pay no more than 3 per Cent. and accordingly let no more be demanded Seventhly All Portugueses Sicilians Catelans Messineses of Ancona c. that have no Ambassadours at the Port if they come under the French Banner shall pay no more than 3 per Cent. according as the French pay Eightly In payment of their Customs they shall pay the Currant Money such as passes in our Treasury and the Farmers of the Customs shall not refuse the same Ninthly The Mesteria they shall pay according to what the English Merchants pay and no more Tenthly All the Merchandise they bring or shall bring shall be valued according to the present estimation and no more pretended of them and if the Customers will notwithstanding raise the esteem of the Goods above the value then if the Merchant will pay his Custom in specie it shall not be refused Eleventhly The Custom of Silk being paid a new Custom ought not to be demanded Twelfthly The Custom being once paid the Customer shall not refuse to give his Teschare and the Merchant being willing to transport his Goods to another Scale another Custom shall not be demanded Thirteenthly The Officers and Customers at Sidon Birut Aleppo or Cairo shall not compel the Merchants to take Goods by Force not under any pretence whatsoever take one Asper from them nor demand mony to be lent unto them Fourteenthly The French Vessels may bring Goods from the Indies by way of the Red Sea unto the Port Suucis and having paid their Custom once there whatsoever Goods they cannot sell in that Country they may have liberty to transport over land to Alexandria and there relade them again on their own Vessels without paying another Custom or receiving molestation from any person Howsoever this Capitulation is to be understood with this condition that this point shall be signified to the chief Officers of Cairo who having called a Council of the most knowing and experienced persons to consider hereof and they concluding that this point is in no wife prejudicial to that Countrey nor to the interest of the Believers then this Article to be of force but if they advise the contrary then this to be of no effect Fifteenthly If the Fryars or Merchants or Druggermen will make Wine and transport it abroad none shall hinder them Sixteenthly The French Consuls and all under their Banner having a difference with any of or above four thousand Aspers it shall be decided at our publick Divan Seventeenthly If any man-slaughter shall happen in the street where French dwell they shall not be liable to pay the price of the Bloud unless it
condition that he humbly supplicated the Consul to contrive a way for his passage into England at which time His Majesties Frigate the Centurion being then in Port he was imbarked thereupon and so returned into his own Country The Particulars of all which having been amply related in Writing and Letters to private Friends I purposely omit the same in this place that so I might cast a veil over the nakedness and shame of our Nation in that City Howsoever I judge it requisite to recount this Story in brief and in general heads That men may know there is a God who rules above who rejects impious and licentious persons confounding the designs of those who betraying their Trust deviate from the common Rules of Morality and Honesty Anno 1674. Hegeira 1085. THis Year began at Smyrna with the happy Arrival of Sir John Finch sent by His Majesty for Ambassadour to the Grand Signior in the place of Sir Daniel Harvey who dyed in August 1672. at his Country-house not far from Constantinople His Excellency entred the City on the first day of January 〈◊〉 rejoycing the English Factory with the sight of their new Ambassadour that Office having been now void for the space of sixteen months who was welcome also to people of the Country judging him fortunate for arriving at the Feast of their great Biram nor less pleasing was the News thereof to the Court especially to the late Pasha of Tunis whose Goods and Monies taken by one Dominico Franceschi out of an English Ship called the Mediterranean in her passage from Tunis to Tripoli this Ambassadour had recovered from Ligorne and Malta which being an action without example was greatly admired and applauded by the Turks and esteemed an evident demonstration of that great Interest and Power which the Glory of our King hath acquired in Foreign parts and of the singular dexterity of such a Minister But to proceed to the Wars The Polanders being thus prosperous made use of their success and the sharp cold of the Winter-season to make their Incursions and Winter-quarters through all the Principalities of Moldavia for they being born in cold Countries and accustomed to the Snows and Frosts were more patient and enduring of extremity of weather than were the Turks who were brought forth from more mild and moderate Climates so that neither could the Poles be driven out from those Countries nor Keminitz be relieved by them until such time that the Sun getting high and thawing the Snows and warming the Earth prepared a season fit for return of the Turks again into those Countries who marching according to their custom with an Army composed of great multitudes quickly compelled the Poles to retire For the Grand Signior and Vizier having both seated their Winter-quarters on the Banks of the Danube were ready at the sirst opening of the Summer to enter their Arms into the Enemies Countries and having called the Tartars to their assistance did according to the usual custom make Incursions for depredation of Slaves Cattel and whatsoever else was portable in a running March The Chan or King of this People was at that time greatly indisposed in his health of which he advised the Great Vizier as if he intended thereby to obtain a release from his personal attendance that year in the War But the Vizier who either supposed this excuse to be only a pretence or that he had a kindness for his Person immediately dispatched away his own Physician called Signior Massellini an Italian born a worthy Learned man a good Christian and my intimate Friend with whom maintaining a constant correspondence by Letters he wrote me That from the Grand Signiors Quarters which were at Batadog near the Banks of the Danube he arrived after seventeen days Journey in Chrim where he said he was received with singular honour and kindness by the Great Chan whom he found to be a Prince of admirable prudence gentleness and generosity but greatly afflicted with a Hypochondriacal Melancholy which being an infirmity of some years standing was with the more difficulty removed howsoever he was so far from being uncapable to follow his Army that he advised him to divert his mind with the thoughts of War which counsel having taken after thirty days abode in the Camp he found himself much more chearful than before and greatly relieved of that pressure of Melancholy and caliginous Vapours which offended his Brain We are now said he at Ussia at the Mouth of the Boristhenes which we have passed from the other side unto this where the River is nine miles broad from hence we are marching towards Bender upon the Niester to pass into Moldavia and there to joyn with the Ottoman Army The Poles have sent to demand Peace but with condition that Kemenitz be restored to them which Proposition was with great disdain rejected and will never be granted whilst this Emperour reigns These people greatly desired a Peace with Poland which the Election of Sobieski for King may probably facilitate for not only they but the Turks also dread a March into Poland and are so inveterately bent to take revenge on the Muscovites and 〈◊〉 who lately became their Subjects that they could accept of any reasonable Terms of Accommodation with Poland I for my part found Tartary a very pleasant Country plentiful of all Provisions and the people much more courteous and obliging to Strangers and Christians than those Turks with whom you and I have conversed Thus far Massellini writes in commendation of the Tartars and in farther confirmation hereof I have read in some Books That as to their Morals there are very few Nations to be found less vicious they are extremely severe and faithful they have no Thieves or false Witnesses amongst them little Injustice or Violence and live in union and great tranquillity the marvellous fidelity of the Captive Tartars in Poland is every day to be observed who never fail to return at the time appointed when they are licensed upon their word to go and procure their Liberties by the exchange of Polish Prisoners which they execute punctually or return themselves not failing a minute And it is observed That the Polish Gentlemen do rather trust the young Tartars which are in their Service with the keys of their Money and Jewels than any of their Houshold The time for Armies to draw out of the Winter-quarters and take the Field being now come the Grand Signior and Vizier with great numbers both of Horse and Foot passed the Danube and prosecuting their March to the Confines of Poland they relieved Kemenitz in the first place the Poles at the News of their approach rasing the Siege Thence they proceeded to Chuozim a strong Fortress on the Niester taken from them the last year by the Christians after the defeat given to Chusacin Pasha as before related the which was surrendred without much difficulty on Articles which were ill observed the whole Garrison being afterwards put to the Sword Nor
the minds of the Commonalty About the beginning of October the Grand Signior set forward towards Adrianople being accompanied with the Mosayp which is his Favourite and Kara Mustapha who was his Chimacam taking his recreation by the way in Hunting but the Great Vizier Achmet Pasha continuing still sick of his Dropsie and Jaundice took his Journey by Water as far as Selebrea for his better ease and thence proceeding in a Horse-litter to Churlu which is the half-way to Adrianople on the 23 d of October expired his last his Disease though heightned by Wine and hot Spirits yet was in some part hereditary his Father dying of the Dropsie His Body was on the 25 th brought back again in a Coach to Constantinople with a small Attendance and buried in the same Sepulchre with his Father He was a Person for I have seen him often and knew him well of a middle stature of a black beard and brown complexion something short-sighted which caused him to knit his brows and pore very intently when any strange person entred to his presence he was inclining to be fat and grew corpulent towards his latter days If we consider his age when he first took upon him this important Charge the Enemies his Father had created him the contentions he had with the Valede Sultana or the Queen-Mother and the Arts he had used to reconcile the affections of these great Personages and conserve himself in the unalterable esteem of his Soveraign to the last hour of his death there is none but must judge him to have deserved the Character of a prudent and politick Person If we consider how few were put to death and what inconsiderable Mutinies or Rebellions happened in any part of the Empire during his Government it will afford us a clear evidence and proof of his gentleness and moderation beyond the example of former times for certainly he was not a Person who delighted in bloud and in that respect of an humour far different from the temper of his Father He was generous and free from Avarice a rare Vertue in a Turk He was educated in the Law and therefore greatly addicted to all the Formalities of it and in the Administration of that sort of Justice very punctual and severe He was very observant of the Capitulations between our King and the Grand Signior being ready to do Justice upon any corrupt Minister who pertinaciously violated and transgressed them of which I could give several instances but these being improper for this place are only in general to be mentioned with due gratitude in honour to his Memory As to his behaviour towards the neighbouring Princes there may I believe be fewer examples of his breach of Faith than what his Predecessours have given in a shorter time of Rule In his Wars abroad he was successful having upon every expedition enlarged the Bounds of the Empire He overcame Newhawsel or Oywar and laid thereunto a considerable part of Hungary which to this day continues subject and pays contribution to the Turk He concluded the War with Venice after twenty seven years continuance by an intire and total subjection of the Island of Candia having subdued that impregnable Fortress which by the rest of the World was esteemed invincible He won Kemenitz the Key of Poland where the Turks had been frequently baffled and laid Ukrania to the Empire reducing the Cosacks those mortal Enemies to subjection and to a desire of taking on them the Ottoman Yoke and finally ho imposed a new Tribute on all Poland After all which Glories he dyed in the 47 th year of his Age and 15 th year and 8 th day of his Government a short time if we consider it for such great actions howsoever if we measure his triumphs rather than count his years though he might seem to have lived but little to his Prince and People yet certainly to himself he could not dye more seasonable nor in a greater height and eminency of Glory Vtcunque Principi Reipublicae parum sibi certè satis suaeque Gloriae vixisse videbitur The Great Vizier having in this manner expired his last breath the Seal was immediately carried by his Brother to the Grand Signior who upon Receipt thereof according to common expectation conferred the same on Kara Mustapha Pasha who had for so many years formerly exercised the Office of Chimacam which is as much as Deputy to the Great Vizier of whom in other places we gave a Character of being a wise and experienced Person of a smooth behaviour and a great Courtier agreeable to which temper of mind so soon as he attained this promotion he sent an obliging and courteous Message to the Servants of the deceased Vizier condoling with them the death of their Master promising to take them and their Concernments into his Care and Protection according whereunto he advanced Solyman Kahya who was the late Vizier's Substitute and for some years had managed all Affairs to the Office of Embrahore which is chief Master of the Grand Signiors Horse and is a place not only of honour but of great security He that was his own Kahya he made a Vizier of the Bench and Chimacam in the same manner as he was to Achmet Vizier by which point of policy he seemed to have strengthened himself against all Enemies for having two Creatures of his own so well disposed one near the Person of his Prince who would be able to do him all good Offices and the other whensoever the Wars or other occasions should cause him to be absent from the Royal Presence might supply his place without attempting to supplant him The Kapisler-Kahyasee or Master of the Ceremonies to the late Vizier he made his own Kahya and all the other Agas which depended on that Court he received into his own service so that in effect there seemed by this great chance of Mortality to be little other alteration in the Court than of the single person of the deceased Vizier of whose Memory that the Grand Signior might evidence the love and esteem that he retained he did not intermeddle or appropriate unto himself any part of his Estate or disanulled his Testament but resigned all into the hands of his Relations challenging no share or proportion thereof And whereas the Vizier left no Children the Estate fell to his Brother and Sisters who to evidence their Devotion to Religion and good will to the Publick and to please the eyes of the envious World conferred on Mecha the Rent of the new Custom house the Besasteen and new Chan built at Smyrna and finished in the year 1677. At this first change there were rumours that the new Vizier had begun his Government in blood having cut off several Heads lately in Authority but all was false and only grounded on a displeasure which he was known to have conceived against certain persons Only one act he performed rather of justice than severity having cut off one of the Pay-masters
provision of Hungarian Wines The loss the Turks might receive is computed to have been of about 15000. men amongst which was slain the Spaheelar Agasee or General of the Horse Beco Pasha Beglerbeg of Romalia Vsasf Pasha of Anatolia and Ibrahim Pasha of Seydi with sixteen Captains belonging to Buda and nine to Constantinople The loss of Newhausell affected the Austrian Court with so drendful apprehensions of the Ottoman Fortune and Fury that they hastened the finishing of the Works and Fortifications of Vienna cutting down all the Woods and Boseage thereabouts which might benefit or thelter the Enemy and so great an impression did the fear of the Turks prevalency and power work on the minds of the Germans that they not only Fortified the Frontiers but secured the innermost parts of Austria which extend along the River as far as within three Miles of Lintz But above all Possonium which was upon the Frontiers though not an open Town yet of no strength or resistance was not neglected but reinforced with a considerable Garrison and the Works restored and repaired with as many additional Fortisications as time would admit But the Inhabitants had lost so much of their Spirit and Courage by the melancholy relation of the fate of Newhausel and the apprehension of the dreadful advance of the whole Turkish Force that their constancy to the Emperour began to waver and to entertain some thoughts of submitting to the mercy and clemency of the Turks who had newly declared that such as voluntarily submitted to the Ottoman Obedience should for three years be exempted from all Tribute or Taxes This consideration adjoined to fear so prevailed on those of Possonium that they shut the Gates against the Garrison which was sent to recruit and defend them some publickly declaring the extremity of their affairs had no other safety than in a surrender of themselves to the mercy and protection of the Vizier Howsoever the Count Strozzi with his Italian Artifices so wheedled the grosser humour of the Hungarians that they were perswaded to admit him and his Regiment within the Town where he disposed all things with that Conduct and built those Forts and in a short time so apparently rendered the Town tenable that the Inhabitants taking Courage resolved to defend themselves in obedience to their Prince to the ultimate point of Estates and Lives In the mean time the Turks made themselves Masters of Leventz a Town though tenable and not contemptible for its strength yet was by the peoples fears and allurements of the Viziers promises and fair Propositions committed to the mercy of the Turks and swore in Fealty to them the 23 d day of September By this time the news of the taking of Newhausell was arrived at the Ottoman Court where it was entertained with so much joy that a Dunelma or Festival was appointed for the space of seven days through the whole Empire which according to the fashion of the Turks is Celebrated by adorning the Gates and outward Walls of their Houses so soon as it begins to be dark with great store of Lamps and Candles during which time the Nights are spent with Musick and Bankets as the Dayes are with Visits and Presents and Corban which is an Almes which rich men make in flesh to the poor sort and is given either at the little Biram which is called the Feast of Corban or upon some publick Thanksgiving which is performed in this manner He that makes the Corban first layes his hand upon the head of the Sheep or Lamb makes a short Prayer and then in the name of God cuts the throat the Butcher afterwards fleying off the skin the Corbanist divides the flesh into small pieces to as many poor as slock to receive it In the heat of these Revels and Bankets every one spake high in praise of their fortunate Arms and Congratulated each with other the prosperous beginnings of this War promising to themselves the following year rather a time of Peregrination or Travel through the pleasant Countries and Cities of the Christians than blood and sweat in obtaining the possession of their Enemies Nor were such imaginations vain or absurd for the Commonalty to entertain in regard it was evident to the World in what manner the Ottoman Arms roved through Hungary uncontrouled without an appearance of any considerable Force to give them the least stop or interruption so that under the very Walls of Rab and Presburg and on the Banks of the Danube near Komorra Incursions and depredations were made and great numbers of people of both Sexes and of all Ages were carried into slavery the Country all round laid wast the Corn and Hay burnt with all other miserable effects and Concomitants of War In this manner all places seemed to fall down and yield at the very rumour of the Turks approach for not only Leventz surrendred it self but likewise Nitra though over-topped by a strong and an impregnable Castle was by the Cowardice of the Commander betrayed at the first Summons of the Turks for which action the Captain afterwards by express Command of the Emperour suffered Death After all these successes though no opposition appeared in the Field to obstruct the luxuriant and wanton march of the victorious Squadrons of the Ottoman Army and not only Hungary but Austria and the lower Germany was Alarmed and terrified with the rumour of the Turkish numbers and though the Vizier as it is said began this War with the ambitious thoughts of possessing Vienna it self and out-vying the Acts of Solyman the Magnificent Yet it seemed strange that being come thus far and almost in prospect of his hopes that he should give a check to his Fortunes and not advance towards Vienna to which now the passage seemed wide and open but it was almost a miracle that he should not make a Visit to Possonium before which had he only displaid his dreadful Arms it had surrendred at his first Summons and Appearance Instead whereof he attempted Schinta the Magazine of the Emperours Arms and Artillery but found not the same easy entrance as he did with the Governour of Nitra but instead thereof being stoutly repulsed after several assaults concluded the enterprize too difficult and requiring more time and bloud than could be countervailed by the acquisition of that place Wherefore raising his Camp he employed a considerable party to take Novigrade a Castle scituated on a high Rock encompassed with a Ditch of thirty four Foot deep Garrisoned with 600. Souldiers and provided sufficiently with Victuals and Ammunition howsoever by ill fortune and worse Conduct this place also was resigned into the hands of the Turks By this time the Winter approaching and the season of the Year beginning to be unfit for action the Great Vizier retreated as far as Belgrade to take up his Winter Quarters with the gross of his Army Where remaining with full satisfaction and glory contemplating the successes of the
past Year and promising to himself greater renown and exaltation of his mighty acts for that insuing he so contemned the Force of his Enemies that he Licensed great numbers of the Asian Spahces who came as far as from Babylon and Grand Cairo to return home to their own possessions Howsoever to vex the Christians with continual Alarms the Vizier ordered a flying Body of Turks and Tartars to the number of 30000. under the Command of Chengiogli to pass into Stiria and Croatia the Country of Count Serini and there to burn lay waste and depopulate all before them Count Serini was now newly returned from Hungary and supposing the Season for action sinished had lodged the greatest part of his Forces within their Winter Quarters and securely laid himself to repose when an Alarm came of the approach of thirty thousand Horse the Count rowsing his great Spirit from its case collected as many of his people into a Body as the shortness of time would permit which were not above 480. men and with these he betook himself to the 〈◊〉 Muer to give a stop if possible to the passage of the Enemy placing Centinels in all places where the River was fordable On the 17 th of November the Christians espyed the Turks Encamped on the other side and at the same time discovered 2000. of them to have passed the River on which Serini immediately made that furious Assault assisted with the Courage of Captain Chirfaleas a person who had often times given glorious proofs of his valour against the Turks that he soon put them to open flight and they seeking to pass the River and missing the place where the River was fordable threw themselves headlong into the Water where the most part of those perished who escaped the Sword The Turks on the other side were so amazed at this stupendious Valour of Serini that their Courages failing them they desisted from their farther attempt upon Croatia so that this poor Country seemed as it were for the present to be reprieved by Miracle from a total destruction THE HISTORY OF Sultan Mahomet IV. THE XIII EMPEROUR OF THE TURKS The Third BOOK Anno 1664. Hegeira 1075. THE Month of January was now well entered with its rigid Frosts when Apasi Prince of Transilvania beholding his Souldiers in their Winter Quarters and all things quiet and still about him judged it seasonable for his establishment to discover himself with some lustre to the World seated in the usual Throne of the Transilvanian Princes which sight appeared souniversally grateful to the people that they began to be enamoured of their Prince and to applaud his Person his Prowess and Vertues and to cast an ill and envious Eye on those Cities which were Garrisoned with German Souldiers About which time the Fortress of Zechelhyd revolted from Obedience of the Emperour unto Apasi the Prince for the Souldiery of that Garrison having long Arrears of pay due to them made a Mutiny and expelled their Colonel Dempenbal from his Office and pillaged his House placing the Quarter-Master of Strozzis Regiment in his stead The news of this Sedition flew quickly to Vienna from whence immediately a Messenger was dispatched with an Act of Pardon from the Emperour upon submission and proffers of full satisfaction of all Arrears but the Souldiery finding themselves only paid with words hearkened to the more effectual Propositions of Apasi who taking hold of this opportunity sent every Souldier ten Dollars with a Suit of Cloaths promising larger and more constant pay than they received from the Emperour with which the Garrison being satisfied surrendred up their City on the 20 th of January But whilst other Armies remained in their Quarters and other Commanders gave themselves up to ease and drowned themselves in Wine and Bankets and whilst Jealousies Envics and Ceremonies disturbed and confused the resolves of Diets and private Councils The generous and vigilant Serini having received advices from Adrianople that the Turks design in the next Campagna was to convert the whole heat and fury of the War upon Croatia and through that Country to open a passage unto Friuli his active Spirit conceived that heat and flame that the Winters cold could not chill his hot and eager desires from entering into the open Field and commencing some attempt and enterprize on his Enemy Wherefore on the 16 th of January he began his march from Serinswar with an Army of about 25000. men And in the first place marching along the Banks of the Dravus shewed himself before Berzenche which upon conditions of marching away with Arms Bag and Baggage was surrendered to him Bakockza was likewise yielded and a Palancha on the River quitted upon report of the Counts approach leaving behind them eight brass Guns in the Fort. From hence he marched towards Esseck otherwise called Oseck which is the only pass from the upper to the lower Hungary having a Bridge of Wood over a Moor or Fen about six or seven miles in length which once I remember with my Horse I was an hour and three quarters in passing as I observed by my Watch and reported to have been six years in building This Bridge Serini resolved to burn which cost the Turks 300000. Dollars and six Years time to build imagining that to rebuild it again was a work of that time as could not be repaired in one Summer and that by this means the Turks would be disappointed of all action the following Year and the Empire have time to breath and assemble the utmost of their strength and force together wherefore taking opportunity of the hard Winter when the Marsh was frozen and a strong wind to carry the flame he sent before him 2000. Dragoons and 3000. Croats which encountring 6000. Turks at the foot of the Bridge set for guard of that place were so ill treated by them that they had been wholly cut off had not a considerable Force of Horse and Dragoons come in to their assistance by whose resolution they not only routed the Turk but took the Palancha which was the defence of the Bridge and having gained it in hot blood put all to Fire and Sword after which Fire being set to the Bridge in divers places in a short time it was consumed and remained in ashes The news of this exploit was received at Vienna with great Joy believing that for the following Year they had disappointed the Turks of a passage but by the sequel it will appear how much they erred in the account made of the diligence of the Turks who in forty days repaired that which they esteemed a work of some Years and as I observed it was all built of new Timber and on another foundation different from the old From this place Serini marched to Quinque Ecclesiae or Five Kirk at whose near approach the Turks set out a white Flag on one of the Towers signifying a desire of Parley as if they had had intentions to surrender on Terms
licensing all the Asian Horse and Souldiers of remotest parts to return to their own Countries with liberty to appropriate the following year to their repose and care for their peculiar concernments To these Wars amongst secular Persons and men of Arms were added Differences and never to be decided Controversies between the Religious of the Roman and Greek Churches at Jerusalem who contending for the possession of the Holy Sepulchre of the King of Peace rent that seamless Coat of Christ and managed their Controversie with more malice and rancour each against other than Princes do who invade one the other with Fire and Sword For the Franks or Western Christians subjected to the Popes Dominion had possessed for several Ages a right to the Holy Sepulchre and enjoyed the honour of the custody thereof notwithstanding the pretences of the Greeks thereunto who for many years in vain attempted at the Ottoman Court to obtain that Priviledge for the Franks being ever more powerful by charitable contributions brought from Christendom besides large Sums of Money from the King of Spain did always outbid the Market of the Greeks and consequently made use of stronger arguments than the adverse Party could produce in defence of their cause Until such time that one Panaioti a Greek born in the Island of Scio having by his parts and excellent address arrived to the honour of being Interpreter for the Western Tongues to the Great Vizier at length obtained that favour with his Master that he seldom refused whatsoever he with reason and modesty requested and being a great Zelot in his Religion and esteemed the chief Patron and Support of the Greek Church he secretly begged in behalf of his Country the recovery of the Holy Sepulchre at Jerusalem out of the hands of the Franks which the Vizier would not deny him both to reward him for some services already performed and likewise because he knew that a concession of this nature would again raise the spirits and animosities of Christians the allaying and appeasing of which being an office solely in the power of himself and the supreme Authority would certainly prove beneficial to the Ottoman Court Panaioti having obtained this Command and considering that the defence thereof would be a trouble to him for that thereby he should create Enemies which were no less than Kings and Princes to contend with and perhaps should live to see it reversed wisely laid it by him there to remain dormant until the time of his death which happening the year past the Command was produced and brought to light and was before the Easter of this year set on foot at Jerusalem and by virtue thereof the custody of the Sepulchre sentenced by the Pasha and Kadi of that place to belong unto the Greeks the which was occasion of so great trouble and confusion as disturbed the Holy Feast and polluted the Sacrifices with the blood of one or two persons who most earnestly contended for the Priviledge of their Nation and Religion Nor could this difference be decided here but both sides appealed to the Court above which being heard and debated in publick Divan the possession of the Sepulchre was adjudged in favour of the Greeks the Franks being only to injoy a precarious use thereof as Pilgrims and Strangers to the Country Howsoever the Fryers of Jerusalem would not tamely yield up their Right but again resolved to try their Fortune at the Court having by means of F. Canisares their Commissario with expence of a great Sum of Money obtained a review of the case but without success for all these endeavours and charge proved fruitless the former sentence being confirmed in favour of the Greeks and the Franks having no other Expedient applied themselves to the assistance of the French Ambassadour to whose protection the Holy places are assigned by Capitulations But neither the power of the French Ambassadour nor of any other Christian Representative was available for the Vizier either mindful of his promise to Panaioti or being resolute to maintain the Command he had given would on no terms be perswaded to revoke it the which intention of the Vizier being made known to the Greeks their Patriarch earnestly pressed a hearing of the case but the Fryers not willing to abide the shock retired to Constantinople lest the Greeks forcing them to Justice they should be condemned in Judicio contradictorio and a Hoget or Sentence passing they should be condemned in Law as well as by Authority of the Hattelheriff Which to put in execution the Patriarch took out a Command whereunto was added That the Fryers in token of their subjection should pay a Drachm of Silver a head to the Patriarch and hold all their places of them This was the issue of the present controversies which is certainly determined for the time of this Vizier without revocation yet perhaps in the time of another it may admit of a review for money especially being received when as yet the new Minister hath not satiated his covetous desires howsoever the expence will always be chargeable and the success uncertain Thus have I seen and observed in this particular the effect and experience of two things viz. The covetousness and pride of Fryars and the conclusion of their Law-suits before Infidels The Franks or the Western Christians had until this time the custody of the Holy Sepulchre and the Greeks that of the Chappel of Bethlem but the use was free to both but the Franks not being able to enjoy the Sepulchre with contentment whilst with envious eyes they beheld the Greeks in possession of Bethlem were always contriving designs by force of money and power of Christian Ministers to eject them from that Right until that now in these contentions they have lost both being neither able to recover the one nor conserve the other Anno Christi 1675. Hegeira 1086. PRopositions of peace not being so earnestly pressed nor so advantageously proffered by the Poles as the pride of the Turks did expect the War still continued but not prosecuted either on the one side or on the other with the same violence with which it began For the Sultan designing this year to circumcise his Son the young Prince now about twelve years of Age and to marry his Daughter of seventeen to his Mosayp or Favourite Pasha of Magnasia commonly called by the Name of Kul-ogli which signifies the Son of a Slave he resolved to dedicate this whole Year to quiet repose mirth and jollity at home only two thousand Janisaries were sent to Ibrahim Pasha to recruit the Souldiers on the Frontiers of Poland and the Tartars were reinforced with some Turkish Troops under Usuff Pasha to assist Dorosensko against the Poles who were with a considerable Army fallen into Ukrania And the Captain Pasha with twenty eight Sail of Gallies was dispeeded into the Black Sea for carrying of such Provisions and Ammunition for War as was necessary for supply of the Army Besides which no preparations of War
were designed these being judged sufficient though not to conquer yet at least to repress the Incursions and amuse or keep the Armes of the Enemy employed For at the Ottoman Court the face of all things was become serene and calm no Seditions of great men nor discontents of the people nor black and cruel designs of State disturbed or clouded the splendour of the Solemnities or the brows of the great Statists but all matters ran in an uninterrupted course of Joy and Festivity The Sultan who in his actions shewed himself a most benign Prince sparing and compassionate of the blood and misery of his Subjects hath since his arrival to a mature Age exercised a wise manner of Government severe and just and yet void of the cruelty and tyranny of his Ancestors under whom the trading Christians enjoyed the priviledge of their Capitulations with more justice and less frequent Avanias The Vizier also and other great Officers being sensible of the benefit which Trade begat treated Merchants with more gentleness and respect than in former times their Ships not being forced on every occasion into the Grand Signior's service but rather perswaded to it by rewards and fair promises otherwise than in the times of former Viziers and it is to be wished also that the like might be said under the Government of those which are to succeed though if we look forward to the years 1678 and 1679 we shall find the Scene of things altered and not only Merchants but even Ambassadors and the Representatives themselves remain under sad discouragements Amongst these joys and gentle ways of Government the manner of this Court was much altered the Divan had not for two months space been opened for business to the great prejudice and interruption of Justice Wine that great abomination to the Turkish Law which four years past was by the Imperial Decree forbidden under pain of Death and a thousand Execrations and Curses was now the common Drink and divertisement in fashion used immoderately by all excepting the Grand Signior the Mufti and Reis Effendi the Vizier himself having been excessively intemperate therein had extinguished the natural heat of his stomach which could be warmed by no less heat than what proceeds from Aqua Vitae by which debauchery and indisposition all businesses were slowly and negligently dispatched and according to his example the Officers and Ministers acted in their Affairs which in former times being always dispatched by nine a Clock in the Morning that became now the time and hour of rising The Grand Signior himself though not taught by his Attendants to drink Wine lest it should perhaps betray him to some actions dangerous to them gave himself to Amours for falling in love with a Polish Woman lately captivated at Kemenitz he made her his Second Hasakee or Sultaness for having had the good fortune to bring him a Son that honour was the reward of her fruitfulness and that he might give other testimonies of his favour he cast his eyes on a poor Chinganee or Gipsy Boy who with singing and dancing so pleased him that he gave him six purses of money containing three thousand Dollars with Horses and Servants and took him into the Seraglio Amidst these Delights the Grand Signior gave order to the Vizier not to speak to him of three things Neither of returning to Constantinople nor against his Favourite nor against his Hunting in other matters he might use freedom Another alteration of a better nature with reference to Learning and Knowledge seems also remarkable in this Court for the Grand Signior having been some years past presented by the Dutch Resident with twelves large Volumes of the new Atlas upon an accidental sight thereof was so pleased that he commanded it should speedily be translated into Turkish to which Work Dr Alexandro Mauro Cordato the Viziers Interpreter who succeeded in the place of Panaioti deceased was nominated but he finding it too unweildy for him desired the assistance of a French Jesuit then at Scio skilful in the Turkish and Arabick Languages who was immediately sent for and therein employed and though it is thought that this business is above their Element and that it will soon cool and be neglected yet it seems to be the first step which the Turks have made unto Learning and therefore is the more observable And now the Festivals beginning on the 16 th of May we must for some days lay aside all business and observe with what order and form these Solemnities were performed In the first place On this day the Grand Signior with the young Prince his Son went to their Tents which were pitched very sumptuously in the Plain near the City and indeed were truly stately and magnificent all the great men as the Vizier Mufti and others having their Pavilions erected amongst which was raised a very stately Throne with a Canopy of Cloth of Gold extended under the shady leaviness of two tall Elms which set off with many Lamps in the Night represented a very pleasant and glorious Scene On this Seat of State the Sultan placed himself in the morning being accompanied thither by all the Pashaws then present and by the Representatives of those who were absent who according to their Degree in order kissing his Vest delivered in a Silk Purse a Note or Schedule of their Presents which were afterwards put into the Tefterdar's or Lord Treasurers hands to see and compare them with the particulars received which were so great and considerable that they far surpassed the Charges and Disbursments of the Solemnity Opposite to the Tents were several poles fixed between which at Night were hung Lamps of several shapes which being varied every Night made a very pleasing and magnificent Object by light of which in the Evening were exercised several tricks of Activity as Wrestlings Dancing and Singing and sometimes were acted Turkish Comedies which consist only of Farces and some ridiculous Dialogues and at last the divertisements of the night concluded with Fire-works which were so many that as reported 240 men were employed for four months time in the making of them and yet there are better made in Christendome only one seemed to excel the rest being a sort of Rocket which went up very high without any tail of fire like the common ones carrying only a small compacted Globe of red fire like a Star and making no noise in mounting but raised to its height breaks These were the pastimes of the Night in the day time all the several Arts and Trades some one day and some another passed before the Tents every one offering their Presents as they passed representing by some kind of Pageant and Procession their diversities of Trade this continuued for fifteen days On the 25 th of this instant May was a solemn Cavalcade in which marched the Janisaries with all their chief Officers Chiauses and Mutafaracas c. And of the Great Men the Vizier Mufti and Kul-ogli the Favourite the first on