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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A57997	The history of the Turkish Empire, from the year 1623, to the year 1677 Containing the reigns of the three last emperors, viz. Sultan Morat, or Amurat IV. Sultan Ibrahim, and Sultan Mahomet IV, his son, the thirteenth emperor, now reigning. By Sir Paul Rycaut, late consul of Smyrna.	Rycaut, Paul, Sir, 1628-1700.; Knolles, Richard, 1550?-1610. Generall historie of the Turkes. aut; Manley, Roger, Sir, 1626?-1688. History of the Turkish Empire continued. aut; Rycaut, Paul, Sir, 1628-1700. Memoirs. aut; White, Robert, 1645-1703,	1687 (1687)	Wing R2407; ESTC R8667	720,857	331

be an utter ruine and destruction to them and being touched in the most sensible parts of their interest and wilfare they generally concluded that there was now no safety but by making a peace with the English To farther which and to assist in the Office of Mediation it happened that there was at the same time at Tripoly one Haffse bey a great man of Tunis who had been Dei of that Country but being droven from thence by his Nephews was come to Tripoly with an immense treasure intending afterwards to Transport himself to Constantinople to make his aggreivances known at the Grand Signiors Court. Of this person we shall discourse more at large hereafter but in this place it is pertinent to relate how instrumental he was to effect this peace in which he laboured with the greater zeal that so by assistance of the English he might find a speedy and safe conveyance on their Ships of his Person Goods and Servants into the Morea from whence he designed by land to Constantinople The Treaty being thus began a peace was concluded between his Majesties of Great Britain c. and Halil Pasha Ibrahim Dey Aga Divan and Governors of the Noble City and Kingdom of Tripoly Dated the fifth of March 1675 / 6. Being the last day of the Moon Zelhedga and Hegeira 1086. By this instrument all the former Articles were again confirmed with addition of two others First that all Persons taken under English Colours should be delivered to Sir John Narbrough and set at liberty without payment of any ransom for them under which notion Mr. Foley Mr. Laxton Mr. Turner Mr. Gell and Mr. Tison with the Captain and Sea-men taken on the Bristol Merchant were freed whose ransom otherwise might have cost dear and perhaps almost the value of their private Estates Secondly That eighty thousand Dollars which was the account made of the value of goods and Mony taken on the Martin and Hunter should be made good to Sir John Narbrough in Mony or Goods and Slaves To which was adjoyned such a submission recantation and acknowledgment for their late offence and outrage as testifyed the sorrow of their true repentance as we shall see more at large in their following Articles And now the peace being concluded Sir John Narbrough returned to Malta and soon after came back to Tripoly to receive the remainder of the monies and goods agreed for the Slaves being delivered already In this interim the six Ships which had formerly broken out of the harbour and sailed to the Levant hearing of the peace returned to Tripoly where great feuds and dissentions arose the Souldiery accusing Ibrahim Dei nick named Misser ogli as the beginner and Author of the War and for continuing it so long with obstinacy until they were reduced to their last extremity In fine they threatned to cut him in Peices but at length they were contented to cashier him only from his Office after which he fled into the Morea and their Vice-Admiral Mustapha Grande was made Dei in his place with whom and with the Souldiers in general now returned Sir John Narbrough renewed the Articles of Peace and dated them the first of May 1676 which are these that follow Articles of Peace and Commerce between c. Articles of Peace and Commerce Between the most Serene and Mighty Prince Charles the Second by the Grace of God King of Great Britain France and Ireland Defender of the Christian Faith c. And the Most Illustrious Lords Halil Bassa Ibraim Dei Aga Divan and Governors of the Noble City and Kingdom of Tripoly in Barbary concluded by Sir John Narbrough Knight Admiral of his Majesties Fleet in the Mediterranean Seas 1. IN the first place It is Agreed and Concluded That from this day and for ever forward There be a true firm and Inviolable Peace between the Most Serene King of Great Britain France and Ireland Defender of the Christian Faith c. And the most Illustrious Lords The Bassa Dai Aga Divan and Governors of the City and Kingdom of Tripoly in Barbary And between all the Dominions and Subjects of either side And that the Ships or other Vessels and the Subjects and People of both sides shall not from henceforth do to each other any harm offence or Injury in word or Deed But shall Treat one another with all possible respect and Friendship II. That any of the Ships or other Vessels belonging to the said King of Great Brittain or to any of his Majesties Subjects may safely come to the Port of Tripoly or to any other Port or Place of that Kingdom or Dominions thereunto belonging freely to buy and sell without the least Disturbance paying the usual Customs as in former times hath been payd for such goods as they sell And for the goods they sell not they shall have free Liberty to carry on Board their own Ships without paying any Duties for the same And when they please they shall freely Depart from thence without any stop hindrance or molestation whatsoever III. That all Ships and other Vessels as well those belonging to the King of Great Brittain or to any of his Majesties Subjects as also those belonging to the People and Kingdom of Tripoly shall freely pass the Seas and traffick where they please without any search hinderance or molestation from each other And that all Persons and Passengers of what Country whatsoever And all Monys Goods Merchandize and Moveables to whatsoever People or Nation belonging being on board any of the said Ships or Vessels shall be wholly free and shall not be stopped taken or Plundred nor receive any harm or Damage whatsoever from either Party IV. That the Tripoly Ships of War or other Vessels thereunto belonging meeting with any Merchant Ships or other Vessels of the King of Great Brittains Subjects not being in any of the Seas appertaining to his Majesties Dominions may send on board one single boat with but two Sitters besides the ordinary Crew of Rowers and no more but the two Sitters to enter any of the said Merchants Ships or any other Vessels without the Express from the Commander of every such Ship or Vessel And then upon producing them a Pass under the hand and Seal of the Lord High Admiral of England the said Boat shall presently Depart And if the Merchant Ship or Ships Vessel or Vessels produce no Pass from the Lord High Admiral of England yet if the Major part of the said Ships or Vessels Company be Subjects to the said King of Great Britain The said Boat shall presently Depart And the Merchants Ship or Ships Vessel or Vessels shall proceed freely on her or their Voyage And if any of the said Ships of War or other Vessels of his said Majesties meeting with any Ship or Ships Vessel or Vessels belonging unto Tripoly if the Commander or Commanders of any such Ship or Ships Vessel or Vessels shall produce a Pass Signed by the chief Governor of Tripoly and a Certificate from

Mony Goods and Slaves to the aforesaid Sir John Narbrough Knight And moreover we do engage our selves and successors That if any Injuries for the future be done contrary to these Articles by the Government and People of Tripoly to the King of Great Britain and his Subjects if upon demand of satisfaction from the Government and people of Tripoly We or they refuse or deny to give satisfaction therefore so that a War be occasioned thereby between the King of Great Britain and the Government and people of Tripoly We do engage our selves and successors to make restitution for the Injuries done and likewise to make satisfaction to the King of Great Britain for the full charge and damage of that War. XX. That no Subject of the King of Great Britain c. shall be permitted to turn Turk or Moor in the City and Kingdom of Tripoly being induced thereunto by any surprizal whatsoever unless he voluntarily appear before the Dei or Governor with the English Consuls Druggerman three times in twenty four hours space and every time Declare his Resolution to turn Turk or Moor. XXI That at all times when any Ship of War of the King of Great Britain c. carrying his said Majesties Flag at the main-top-mast-head appear before the City of Tripoly and come to Anchor in the Road That immediately after notice thereof given by his said Majesties Consul or Officer from the Ship unto the Dei and Government of Tripoly They shall in honour to his Majesty cause a Salute of one and twenty Cannons to be shot off from the Castles and Forts of the City and that the said Ship shall return an Answer by shooting of the same Number of Cannons XXII That presently after the Signing and Sealing of these Articles by us Halil Bassa Ibraim Dei Aga Divan and Governors of the Noble Kingdoms and City of Tripoly all Injuries and Damages sustained on either part shall be quiet taken away and forgotten and this Peace shall be in full force and vertue and continue for ever And for all Depredations and Damages that shall hereafter be Committed or done by either side before Notice can be given of this Peace full satisfaction be immediately made And whatsoever remains in kind shall instantly be restored XXIII That whatsoever shall happen hereafter that any thing is done or committed by the Ships or Subjects of either side contrary to any of these Articles Satisfaction being Demanded therefore shall be made to the full and without any manner of Delay and that it shall not be Lawful to break this Peace unless such satisfaction be denyed and our Faith shall be our Faith and our word our word and whosoever shall be the Cause of the breaking of this Peace shall assuredly be punished with present Death Confirmed and Sealed in the Presents of Almighty God the fifth day of March Old Stile and in the year of our Lord Jesus Christ one thousand six hundred seventy five Being the last day of the Moon Zelheldga and the year of the Hegeira on thousand and eighty six WHereas there were several Articles of Peace and Commerce between the most Serene and Mighty Prince Charles the Second by the Grace of God King of Great-Britain France and Ireland Defender of the Christian Faith c. And the most Illustrious Lords Halil Bassa Ibraim Dei Aga Divan and Governors of the Noble City and Kingdom of Tripoly in Barbary lately made and concluded by the said Lords on the one part And by Sir John Narbrough Knight Admiral of his said Serene Majesties Fleet in the Mediterranean Seas on the other part and by them confirmed and Sealed in the Presence of Almighty God the fifth day of March Old Stile And in the year of our Lord Jesus Christ 1675 / 6 being the last day of the Moon Zelhedga And the year of the Hegeira 1086. Since which time of Confirming and Sealing the aforesaid Articles of Peace and Commerce The aforesaid Lord Ibraim Dei being fled away from the Government of the City and Kingdom of Tripoly in Barbary Now we Halil Bassa Aga Divan Governors Souldiers and People of the aforesaid City and Kingdom of Tripoly have Choosen and Elected Vice Admiral Mustapha Grande to be Dei of the aforesaid City and Kingdom of Tripoly to succeed Ibraim Dei in the aforesaid Government And now we Halil Bassa Aga Divan and Governors Souldiers and People of Tripoly aforesaid having seen the aforesaid Articles of Peace and Commerce which were lately made and concluded as aforesaid And having seriously perus'd and fully considered all particulars therein mentioned Do fully approve of all and every the aforesaid Articles of Peace and we and every one of us do now by these presents consent and agree to and with Sir John Narbrough Knight aforesaid for the just and exact keeping and performing of the said Articles And do accept approve ratifie and confirm all and every of them in the same manner and form as they are incerted and repeated in the preceding Articles aforesaid hereby firmly engaging our selves and successors assuring on our faith sacredly to maintain and strictly to observe perform and keep inviolably all and every the aforesaid Article and Articles of Peace and Agreements for ever And to cause and require all our Subjects and people of what degree or quality whatsoever within the City or Kingdom of Tripoly in Barbary or Dominions thereunto belonging both by Sea and Land punctually inviolably carefully and duly to observe keep and perform all and every the aforesaid Article and Articles thereof for ever And our Faith shall be our Faith and our word our word and whosoever shall at any time violate and break any part of the said Article or Articles of Peace they shall be assuredly punished with greatest severity and his or their heads shall be immediately cut off and forthwith be presented unto any Officer whom the most Serene King of Great Britain c. shall Authorize to make Demand thereof It is further agreed that the Subjects belonging unto the most serene King of Great Britain c. Trading unto the Port of the City and Kingdom of Tripoly in Barbary aforesaid or to any Port or Place of the Dominions thereunto belonging in any Merchants Ship or other Vessel belonging to the said Serene Kings Subjects shall not pay so much Custom by one per Cent. for whatsoever Goods or Merchandize they sell or buy as other Nations do for the Customs of the like Goods or Merchandize notwithstanding whatsoever is Specified in the Second Article aforesaid to the contrary And that the most Serene King of Great Britains Consul residing in Tripoly aforesaid shall have Liberty at all times when he pleaseth to put up his said Serene Majesties Flag on the Flag-staff on the Top of his House and thereto continue it spread as long time as he pleaseth likewise the said Consul to have the same Liberty of putting up and spreading the said Flag in his Boat when he

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 fight and contend singly with the Emperor In short Gabor concluded a Peace with the Emperor apart Peace concluded between the Emperor and Gabor 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 work'd all Differences into a Composition of Peace the Articles of which being brought to Constantinople by an Internuncio from the Emperor and delivered in presence of the two Ambassadors of Gabor they were accepted by the Chimacam and ratified by the Grand Signior Articles of Peace concluded between the Emperor 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 Emperor or the House of Austria or their Successors 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 Request 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 Emperor 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 Emperor And that he shall not aid any Stranger whatsoever who at his Instance hath entered into the Territories of his Mejesty 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 place of their Retreat they shall joyn with the Enemies of the Emperor IV. That seeing it is fit for Establishment of the Peace that the Inhabitants of Countries and Cities belonging to the Prince by consent of the Emperor should remain during his Life in Obedience and Fidelity to him and that those Inhabitants should do Homage to the Emperor 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 Emperor VI. The Prince shall procure that all Places upon the Confines 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 Emperor's Subjects as shall be in the Turkish Captivity VII That all the Subjects of the Emperor 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 accommodated 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 Emperor 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 Emperor's Clergy 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 Emperor 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 Emperor 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 Visier 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 and valiant Men to perform and execute the said Service That after the Approbation of this happy Peace your great Ambassador shall come to Komara and ours shall repair with our Imperial Letters to Strigonium and there one of them advising the other yours shall set forward to our happy Port and ours shall advance to you For so it is agreed by our Imperial Order both carrying with them the new Imperial Capitulations That all Complaints of Villages subject to both parts shall be laid aside and no Violences Taxes or Contribution contrary to our former Convention shall be exacted And all Forts built in the common Confines shall be raised And reciprocally it shall be made known according to the ancient Treaty what great Men do dwell amongst our Tributaries And for the execution of the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Articles of the Peace of Zitwa the Tenth of Vienna and the Fourth of Komara and Chiarman for such was then the Agreement two Capigi-Pasha's of our high Port shall be deputed and dispatched the one to

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 future 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 affect 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 The Jews at Constantinople how treated 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 Ruffians The Grand Signior passing one day through the Streets unhappily met with the Ambassador 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 inferior 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 Jembeg Gheray universally pleasing and acceptable to that People This new King to demonstrate his Prowess and to act something acceptable to the Port dispatched 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 Cossacks having formed a strong Body of Horse under the Command of Stephen Chmieleskie met them at their return near to Burstinow The Tartars overthrown by the Polanders where they gave them a total overthrow And in like manner Stanislaus Lubomiskie encountred another Party and overthrew them leaving thirty thousand slain on the plaee 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 The Death of Bethlem Gabor unexpected I say because that though he had been long labouring under the Diseases of Dropsy 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 Emperor and the Turk there was need of dexterity and courage to steer between the Rocks of such opposite Interests Sometimes it was necessary to join with one and anon with the other So Sigismond Battori Prince of Transylvania uniting his Forces with the Emperor's in several Conflicts overthrew the Turk and kept the Scale in an equal Ballance Gabor on the contrary inclined to the Turks and supported his Interest with the Ottoman Power following such Maxims as had been more ruinous to Christendom had he transferred them to a Son to imitate and pursue but dying without Issue the Government devolved to his Princess by Vote of

Princes Favour would again shine upon him Curdi These Curdi are called by some Writers Cordiaei from whence the Province had the name of Gordiene bordering on Assyria the Kingdom once of Zabienus who siding with Lucullus against Tigranes King of Armenia was by Tigranes murdered with his Wife and Children These People inhabit the Mountain Amanus dividing Syria from Cilicia which by reason of the difficult access thereunto was never yet subjected to the Ottoman Yoke they are said in former times to have worshipped a black Dog and dare not speak ill of the Devil not for love but fear But some report that have lately been amongst them that they have left off that hellish Superstition and embrace a certain sort of Religion mixed with Christianity and Turcism but yet without Baptism or Circumcision In brief they are a bad sort of gross People at the best contenting themselves with little Religion addicted to Blood and Robberies These Curdi or Gordeenes being a people retired keep within their Mountains are shy in their Conversation and Discourse and afford us little subject or opportunity of knowing with any Satisfaction their Religion or Manners but from such of our Country-men as have lately entertained Society with them we have this account They are seated on those Mountains as we have said before which of old are called Cordiaei or Gordiai beginning near Aleppo but running out as far as Persia they make shew of the Turkish Religion for fear but have in reality another of their own which permits them to eat Swines Flesh and drink Wine as the Druses and Kalbeenes Bacon being esteemed by them a particular Cordial or Restorative for the Sick. The chief Country and City of those near Aleppo is called Jeumee where they have a Convent of twelve Priests with a Superior over them and another of the like sort near Mosul or Nineveth The two Chiefs of these Monasteries meet at fixed times to consult for the good of the Common-weal Their Devotions are private in a Cave they tell us of but one Book which contains both their Law and their Rituals being asked what they thought of our Saviour they answered he was their Breath and their Soul at the name of Mahomet they Spit and with Nicodemus his Circumspection and Assurance of Secrecy they declared themselves and Christians the same which they would make appear so soon as they were delivered from their fear of Bondage to the Turk They say that they worship God and will not curse the Devil to which no Force or Power can compel them partly perhaps because they have heard of our Saviours Precept Bless and Curse not but rather because they hold that the Devil and his Followers shall one day be restored to their former seats of Blessedness and Dignity When their Priests are together and Wine brought in amongst them the Superior makes a sign for Silence and afterwards a short Admonition that Wine is the Blood of God. I have heard that a Capuchin Fryer was once invited amongst them with Promise to give him a sight of their Book of Rituals and being come to Jeumee was detained a day or two in a Cave on pretence that the other Superior of Mosul was then amongst them who being a severe Person if he knew of his being there would certainly put him to Death as one who came to alter their Religion upon which Suspicion the Capuchin forgetting his Curiosity fled for safety with all speed possible Their Priests are said to be Grave wearing black throughout their Garments plaited or quilted the Vestures of the Commonalty are agreeable to Mountainiers whose Natures are Rough and Boisterous addicted to Blood and Robbery the common Vice of those People I have heard that the Son of a Gourdeene Widow being killed by some of that Country She assembled her nearest Kindred and required them to bring her the Windpipe of the Murderer which when they had done She together with her Friends eat in it Revenge In fine their Religion may have some small Reliques of Christianity but mixt with the dregs of other Religions 'T is possible they may be of the Manichee Race Their Opinion of the Devils Restoration was once held in part by Origen that of Wine that it is the Blood of God was the Heathenish conceit of the Egyptian Priests Their whole Nation if well united may compose an Army of thirty or forty thousand Men. But to return to our purpose The news of the Flight of Mortaza to this Ignoble Prince troubled the Grand Signior who still retained some Impressions of kindness to his Person remembring his Generosity Valour and former Deserts the memory of which was encreased also by the Friends of Mortaza who wanted not in the Court to represent them with some Compassion arguing that his flight was not of Contumacy or Contempt to his Masters Protection but an effect of natural Preservation which worked so far on the Grand Signior that he immediately sent for the Vizier to enquire of him the State and Condition of Mortaza The Vizier to defend himself and make good what before he had counselled his Master aggravated his Adversary's Crimes and his Disobedience and Flight to an inconsiderable King with which and some other light Excuses and Perswasions that the removal of such a Person was agreeable to the present State of Affairs and conducing to his own Security easily pacified the Mind and Affections of the Grand Signior but no sooner was he returned to his House but advice was given him that the Emaum of Mortaza or his Priest or Chaplain was then at Constantinople whom the Vizier immediatly sent for and without any Plea or Indictment struck off his Head and threw his Body into to 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 fit 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

so that now no sasety 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 Three hundred and fifty which remained were cut off by the Sword this was the fate of Serini's Fort built with Art Serinswar taken and lost by Cowardice and ill Conduct which the Year before only with Twenty Germans and One hundred and fifty Hungurians withstood a most impetuous and fierce storm of the Enemy but now was less tenable than a Palancha the Garisoned 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 Vol●●tiers and French Officers whose Courage only renowned their own Deaths and served to up●raid 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 Mortar Piece and two small Field Pieces like to those of Serini belonging to the Emperor tho 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 Garisons when the present Occasions required rather the active Force of a moving Army But before we proveed farther Reflections on the disgrace of Serini it seems pertinent to our purpos to declare the Reasons and Grounds of the preceding neglects and discountenance passed upon Serini by the Grandees of the Imperial Army which not being vindicated by the Emperor seem to have been cast upon him by his express Order or at least to have been willing for some private respect to have the Person of Serini abased and his Actions obsc●red 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 tho the Violence against Va●adin 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 drew after it that deadly War in which the Emperor unwillingly engaged against the Ottoman Power and caused him freely to intimate unto Serini his desire rather to see that Fort demolished than the Peace interrupted to which Serini yielding no Ear drew upon himself the deserved displeasure of his most gracious Prince who permitted the act of his Obstinacy and Disobedience to become a just Snare to his own Folly. But perhaps that Displeasure which was Justice in the Emperor might be Envy and Emulation in his Ministers who beholding with jealous Eyes his Actions and Successes the Winter before which enraged his Enemies and exalted his Name to that Glory in all the Courts of Christian Princes that the Pope honoured him with Medals of Gold the King of Spain with the Order of the Golden Fleece the French King as a Demonstration of his Esteem with a Token of ten thousand Crowns and Cardinal Francis Barberini with a Pension of eight hundred Crowns a Month and all other European Princes at least made the most part Applications to him by Congratulatory Letters admiring his Virtues and applauding his Successes permitting their Gazets and Diurnals Weekly to divulge and publish his Praises From whence may rationally be collected the true occasion of that Envy which by cold assistances and slow succors obstructed as well the taking of Kanisia as the valiant defence of Serinswar which was decryed not only as a Fort erected without due and matue Consideration but without art or regular Proportions which might render it tenable accusing at the same time as well the Rashness and Temerity of Serini's Counsels as his want of Judgment and Experience in Military Affairs But to leave now the sad subject of the Christian misfortunes occasioned by their own quarrels and dissentions which the Grand Enemy of Gods Church always endeavoured to sow for advancement of his own Kingdom Let us cast our Eyes on the other parts of unhappy Hungary The Siege of Kanisia being raised and Serinswar taken and demolished success had swelled and puffed up the minds of the Turks to a height that nothing seemed difficult or impossible to their desires On the other side controversies and delays gave that advantage to the Enemy that nothing could be expected but losses slaughter and in the end a total-ruin But God who pitied the miseries of poor Christendom cast his Eyes of mercy on the Frontiers of the upper Hungary granting some more happy sucesses to the Christian Arms conducted by the Valour and Fortune of Count Soise a French Gentlelman who having the Command of an Army distinct from that of Montecuculi began his first attempt and enterprize upon Nitra where several Persons of Quality Nitra taken by the Christians and Officers of the Turkish Army were assembled to consider of the Affairs of War. Soise having taken his convenient measures and made his due approaches began to batter the Walls a great part of which in a short time he shook so shroadly that he opened a very wide Breach and continually plying Granadoes into the Town so affrighted the besieged that immediately they offered a Parly which Soise accepted and the rather upon advice that Varadin Solnoc Temiswar and the places adjacent were collecting Forces to raise the Siege and relieve the Town entered into Treaty and concluding upon Conditions the Town surrendered and the Turks marched out with the Colours folded and Muskets under their Arms leading their Horses had Convoy as far as Chomar Soise having obtained this success entered into Consultation about recovery of Newhausel but having not Forces judged sufficient to attempt the difficulty of that place he turned his endeavours and designs upon Lewa or Leventz but in the way thither he was casually engaged with a Body of fourteen thousand Turks and Tartars who were marching to the relief Nitra The Turks assault Soise and fell in unawares upon his Rereguard whereupon Soise commanded the Regiments of hsi Major General Guarnicri and of the Collonels Caprara and Zeitsch and the Horse and Dragoons of Brandenburgh then marching in the Van to face about and Charge the Enemy which they performed with that Courage and Vigour that they routed and pursued them as far as the River Giava At which place Soise Encamped with his Army and in an advantagious Situation made a line of Circumvallation about his Camp strengthening it with some Pieces of Cannon The Turks having recovered a convenient Retreat upon the River remained

proper loss and that Newhausel was given for a price of the common quiet which none but themselves paid and yet all Germany enjoyed the benefit That that Town was an appendage to the Kingdom of Hungary and to which the Emperour having only the claim as they pretended of an Elective Prince could not dismember any part without consent of the States thereof and this position they maintained with that heat and fury that they declared themselves disobliged from observation of the Articles resolving to vindicate their own right in despight of all opposition whatsoever and that since the Emperour had undertaken their Protection he was bound to assert their freedom and defend their Cities even with the expence of his own Treasury and at the hazard of his own hereditary Possessions But to these exorbitant Demands the Emperours Council replyed with these following reasons and moderation That they themselves were the first Beginners and Promoters of this War That His Majesty at their instance and request condescended to protect them as Subjects not only with draining of his own Exchequer and Blood of his Patrimonial Dominions but with the charge of hired and mercenary Strangers In the mean time what assistance had the Hungarians brought to this War or to their own defence What Contributions did they ever make What Forces did they ever unite in the Field by a general assent of their whole Kingdom Notwithstanding his Majesty was ready to continue the War could they themselves propose either a safe way for the maintenance of it or that the present Conjuncture did not offer honourable Conditions of a happy Composure Moreover The Emperors Reasons for a Peace That the King of Spain his Uncle and Father in Law being aged and decrepit leaving no other Heir than an infirm and sickly Child to support the charge and weight of all his Kingdoms it was requisite that at such a time as this he should be free from all incumbrances either to assist the Infant in Administration of the Government or to assert his own Rights if so it should please God in the Succession And that now since a Treaty was on foot for Election of a Successor to the Kingdom of Poland it was necessary for his Imperial Majesty to bear his part in that Transaction but above all it was considerable That the common Enemy being Rich and Powerful God had seemed to put his Victory into their Hands to no other end than to improve it unto a Peace which being at this time neglected the best that could ensue would be the miseries of War which turning on the inconstant Wheel of Fortune with variety of successes is always attended with Slaughter Captivity Fire Sword and a thousand other Calamities These and such like reasons moderated and mollified the exasperate spirits of the Hungarians so that they seemed to aquiesce and be satisfied and making a Vertue of Necessity had patience where there was no other remedy The sudden News of this unexpected Peace did in like manner affect the French King and the States of the Empire judging it unreasonable for them to be interessed in the War and yet unconcerned in the Conclusion of the Peace Howsoever things being well represented and as well received and understood his Most Christian Majesty accepted of the Reasons as just and satisfactory In the mean time the French had a free liberty to make choice of their Winter Quarters The French Army march homeward which they fixed upon in Bohemia but their King being unwilling to burden the Country with his Souldiers for a longer time than they were serviceable to them he ordered 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 sree 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 Serini's Death 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 The Character of Sirini 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 Banquets 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 such 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 Soldiers 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

business that it is diccicult to bring a corrupt Turkish Minister to Justice or punishment meerly for breach of our Capitulations or in respect to any difference or abuse offered to Christians unless the complaint be accompanied with Presents or Money which are most prevalent Arguments in the Turkish Court and in this case I really believe that had three or four thousand Dollars been offered as a reward for bringing the Customer to capital punishment the complaint had found acceptance and honourable success for default of which the Cause was starved and naked and carried no fire or heat in those aggravations with which it was represented It is likewise observable that business in the Turkish Court doth not always find that dispatch or expedition as is generally believed in Christendom unless it come accompanied with the interest of the Ministers themselves and then it is transacted in a moment which otherwise languished with delays and will never want excuses to deser it Anno 1666. Hegeira 1077. WE shall begin this Year with the strange rumour and disturbance of the Jews concerning Sabatai Sevi their pretended Messiah which for being most principally acted in Turkey may properly belong to the History of this time and place which therefore for delight of the Readers I shall here insert for though it may have been elsewhere published yet being an issue of my Pen I may lawfully now own it and annex it to this History in respect of that near coherence it may have therewith and that many other particulars have been added thereunto which succeeded until the Death of this Sabatai According to the Predictions of several Christian Writers especially of such who comment upon the Apocalypie or Revelations this year of 1666. was to prove a year of Wonders of strange Revolutions in the World and particularly of blessing to the Jews either in respect of their Conversion to the Christian Faith. or of their Restoration to their Temporal Kingdom This opinion was so dilated and fixt in the Countries of the Reformed Religion and in the heads of Fanatical Enthusiasts who dreamed of Fifth Monarchies the down fall of the hope and Antichrist and the greatness of the Jews insomuch that this subtil people judged this Year the time to stir and to fit their Motion according to the season of the Modern Prophecies Whereupon strange reports flew from place to place of the March of multitudes of People from unknown parts into the remote deserts of Arabia supposed to be the Ten Tribes and a half lost for so many Ages That a Ship was arrived in the Northern parts of Scotland with her Sails and Cordage of Silk navigated by Marriners who spoke nothing but Hebrew and with this Motto on their Sails The Twelve Tribes of Israel These reports agreeing thus near to former Predictions put the wild sort of the World into an expectation of strange accidents this Year should produce in reference to the Jewish Monarchy In this manner Millions of people were possessed when Sabatai Sevi first appeared at Smyrna and published himself to the Jews for their Messiah relating the greatness of their approaching Kingdom the strong hand whereby God was about to deliver them from Bondage and gather them from all the parts of the World. It was strange to see how this fancy took and how fast the report of Sabatai and his Doctrine flew through all parts where Jews inhabited and so deeply possessed them with a belief of their new Kingdom and Riches and many of them with promotion to Offices of Government renown and greatness that in all places from Constantinople to Buda which it was my fortune that Year to travel I perceived a strange transport in the Jews none of them attending to any business unless to wind up former Negotiations and to prepare themselves and Families for a Journey to Jerusalem all their Discourses their Dreams and disposal of their affairs tended to no other design but a re-establishment in the Land of Promise to Greatness and Glory Wisdom and Doctrine of the Messiah whose Original Birth and Education is first to be recounted Sabatai Sevi was Son of Mordecai Sevi an Inhabitant and Natural of Smyrna who gained his Livelihood by being Broker to an English Merchant in that place a person who before his Death was very decrepit in his Body and full of the Gout and other infirmities But his Son Sabatai Sevi addicting himself to study and learning became a notable Proficient in the Hebrew and Arabick Languages and especially in Divinity and Metaphysicks he was so cunning a Sophister that he vented a new Doctrine in their Law and drew to the profession of it so many Disciples as raised one day a tumult in the Synagogue for which afterwards he was by censure of the Kockhams who are the Expounders of the Law banished out of the City During the time of his Exile he travelled to Thessalonica now called Salonica where he married a very handsom Woman but either not having that part of Oeconomy as to govern a Wife or being impotent as to Women as was pretended or that she sound not favour in his eyes she was divorced from him Again he took a second Wife more beautiful than the former but the same causes of discontent raising a difference between them he obtained another Divorce from this Wife also And being now free from the incumbrances of a Family his wandring head moved him to travel through the Morea thence to Tripoli in Syria Gaza and Jerusalem and by the way picked up a Ligornese Lady whom he made his third Wife the Daughter of some Polonian or German her Original and Country not being very well known And being now at Jerusalem he began to reform their Law and to abolish the Fast of Tamuz which they keep in the month of June and meeting there with a certain Jew called Nathan a proper Instrument to promote his design he communicated to him his condition his course of life and intentions to declare himself the Messiah of the World so long expected and desired by the Jews This design took wonderfully with Nathan and because it was thought necessary according to Scripture and ancient Prophecies that Elias was to precede the Messiah as St. John Baptist was the Fore-runner of Christ Nathan thought no man so proper to act the part of the Prophet as himself and so no sooner had Sabatai declared himself the Messiah but Nathan discovers himself to be his Prophet forbidding all the Fasts of the Jews in Jerusalem and declaring that the Bridegroom being come nothing but joy and triumph ought to dwell in their habitations writing to all the Assemblies of the Jews to perswade them to the same belief And now the Schism being begun and many Jews really believing what they so much desired Nathan took the courage and boldness to prophesie That one year from the 27th of * June Kislau which is the Month of July the Messiah was to appear before the Grand

the English Consul living there Or if they have no such Pass or Certificate yet if the Major part of their Ships Company or Companies be Turks Moors or Slaves belonging to Tripoly Then the said Tripoly Ship or Ships Vessel or Vessels shall proceed freely V. That no Commander or other Person of any Ship or other Vessel of Tripoly shall take out of any Ship or Vessel of his said Majesties Subjects any Person or Persons whatsoever to carry them any where to be examined or upon any other pretence nor shall use any Torture or Violence to any Person of what Nation or quality whatsoever being on Board any Ship or Vessel of his Majesties Subjects upon any pretence whatsoever VI. That no Ship-wrack belonging to the King of Great Brittain or any of his Majesties Subjects upon any part of the coast belonging unto Tripoly shall be made or become a Prize And that neither the goods thereof shall be seized nor the Men made Slaves But that all the People of Tripoly shall do their best endeavours to save the said Men and their Goods VII That no Ship or any other Vessel of Tripoly shall have permission to be Delivered up or to go to any place in Enmity with the said King of Great Brittain to be made use of as Cosairs or Sea Rovers against his said Majesties Subjects VIII That none of the Ships or other smaler Vessels of Tripoly shall remain Cruising near his Majesties City and Garrison of Tangier or in sight of it nor any other way Disturb the Peace and Commerce of that place IX That if any Ship or Vessel of Tunis Argier Tittuan or Salli or any other place being in War with the said King of Great Brittain bring any Ships or Vessels Men or Goods belonging to any of his said Majesties Subjects to Tripoly or to any Port or Place within that Kingdom The Governors there shall not permit them to be sold within the Territories of Tripoly X. That if any of the Ships of War of the said King of Great Brittain do come to Tripoly or to any other Port or Place of that Kingdom with any Prize they may freely sell it or otherwise dispose of it at their own pleasure without being molested by any And that his Majesties said Ships of War shall not be obliged to pay Custome in any sort And that if they want Provisions Victuals or any other things they may freely buy them at the rate in the Market XI That when any of his said Majesties Ships of War shall appear before Tripoly upon Notice thereof given to the English Consul or by the Commander of the said Ships to the chief Governors of Tripoly Publick Proclamation shall be immediately made to secure the Christian Captives And if after that any Christians whatsoever make their escape on board any of the Ships of War They shall not be required back again Nor shall the said Consul or Commander or any other his Majesties Subjects be obliged to pay any thing for the said Christians XII That if any Subject of the King of Great Brittain happen to dye in Tripoly or its Territories his Goods or Monys shall not be seized by the Governors or any Ministers of Tripoly but shall all remain with the English Consul XIII That neither the English Consul nor any other Subject of the said King of Great Brittains shall be bound to pay the Debts of any other of his Majesties Subjects Except that they become surety for the same by a Publick Act. XIV That the Subjects of his said Majesty in Tripoly or its Territories in matter of Controversie shall be lyable to no other Jurisdictions but that of the Dai or Divan except they happen to be at Difference between themselves In which case they shall be lyable to no other Determination but that of the Consul only XV. That in case any Subject of his Majesty being in any part of the Kingdom of Tripoly happen to strike wound or kill a Turk or a Moor if he be taken he is to be punished in the same manner and with no greater Severity than a Turk ought to be being guilty of the same offence But if he escape Neither the said English Consul nor any other of his said Majesties Subjects shall be in any sort questioned or troubled therefore XVI That the English Consul now or at any time hereafter living in Tripoly shall be there at all times with entire freedom and safety of his Person and Estate and shall be permitted to chuse his own Druggerman and Broaker And freely to go on board any Ship in the Road as often and when he pleases And to have the Liberty of the Country and that he shall be allowed a place to pray in And that no Man shall do him any Injury in Word or Deed. XVII That not only during the Continuance of this Peace and Friendship but likewise if any Breach or War happen to be hereafter between the said King of Great Brittain and the City and Kingdom of Tripoly The said Consul and all other his said Majesties Subjects shall always and at all times both of Peace and War have full and absolute Liberty to Depart and go to their own or any other Country upon any Ship or Vessel of what Nation soever they shall think fit and to Carry with them all their Estates Goods Families and Servants although born in the Country without any Interruption or hindrance XVIII That no Subject of his said Majesty being a Passenger from or to any Port shall be any way molested or medled with although he be on Board any Ship or Vessel in Enmity with Tripoly XIX That whereas a War hath lately happened between the most Serene King of Great Brittain and the most Illustrious Lords Halil Bassa Ibraim Dai The Aga Divan and Governors of the Noble City and Kingdom of Tripoly in Barbary by reason of the Injuries done unto the King of Great Brittain and his Subjects by the Government and People of Tripoly contrary to the Articles of Peace We Halil Basla Ibraim Dai Aga Divan and Governors of the Noble City and Kingdom of Tripoly in Barbary do acknowledge the Injuries done And that the Breach of the Peace between his most Excellent Majesty of Great Brittain and Us of Tripoly was committed by our Subjects for which some are banished and some fled from our Justice And for further Satisfaction to his most Excellent Majesty for the Breach of Articles we are sorry for the same and do by these engage to set at Liberty and Deliver unto the Right Honourable Sir John Narbrough Knight Admiral of his Majesties Fleet in the Mediterranian Sea All English Captives Residing in the City and Kingdom of Tripoly and Dominions thereunto belonging without paying any Ransom for them And likewise by setting at Liberty and delivering unto the said Sir John Narbrough Knight all other Persons taken under English Colours without paying any Ransom for them And by paying eighty thousand Dollars in

Artillery they found in the place Hitherto fortune had been so favourable to the Imperialists The Siege of Buda that they began to think nothing insuperable to their courage This opinion made them pass the Danube again and undertake the Siege of Offen or Buda the Capital of the Kingdom sometimes the Residence of the Kings of Hungary and now of the Bassa's that govern that wealthy Kingdom with no less authority After some ruffling and skirmishes the City was invested and the Suburbs taken without any great opposition The Turks likewise quitted St. Gerards Hill and the besiegers began to batter the Walls with their Artillery The Turks abroad were not idle for having got twenty thousand Men together they were resolved to attempt the relief of Buda But the Christians having left all their Foot with what Horse was necessary to continue the Siege they marched with the rest of the Cavalry one thousand Foot under the command of Count Aversberg and two thousand five hundred Hussars of Count Esterhasis The Duke marched all Night to find out the Enemy who though well trenched at sight of the Christians came out of their Camp and embattell'd themselves for their defence The dispute lasted near four hours the Turks making several motions to gain the Flanks of the Enemy which being perceived the Christians used all possible diligence to prevent them and engaging at length after a sharp fight the Infidels being disordered were put to flight and so closely pursued that not only their Camp and Cannon were taken but at least four thousand of them slain and the great Standard the badge of the Grand Visier's dignity also surprised After this Victory the Duke returning to the Siege summoned the place but received for answer that the Governour had in the presence of his Messengers caused forty Christian Slaves to be hewed in pieces saying he wished he could do as much to all the Christian Army In revenge of this the Christians assaulted the place but in vain though upon a second attempt they carried the lower Town with their Swords in their hands notwithstanding the opposition they found was great They raised a Battery there of twenty four Cannon and seventeen Mortars from whence as also St. Gerards hill they battered the City Nor were the besieged idle who made a brave sally upon the Besiegers wherein they slew some hundreds of them with several considerable Officers besides the wounded The Christian Army beginning to want Forrage they made a Bridge to pass to the Isle of St. Margaret from whence they might be the better provided with all things Many were the attempts the batteries the sallies and endeavours on both sides The Christians endeavoured to hinder the Turks though in vain from watering at the Danube The Christians sprung a Mine by the great Tower which did indeed take effect but it was found that the Turks were too well provided to hazard an assault About mid August the Governour or Visier of Buda Kara Mehemet was kill'd with a shot he received in his face a Person very brave and very knowing Ephraim Bassa succeeded him in the Government but did not enjoy it long being likewise slain with a Cannon Bullet so that the Chief command was devolved upon the Aga of the Janizaries As the attack was vigorous so the defence was brave the Turks continually vexing the Christians with their Alarms and Sallies who on the other side continued their approaches with great resolution but their Foot being much spent it was judged advisable not to hazard a General assault before the Bavarian Forces which were daily expected were come up In the mean time the Serasquier Bassa formed a design to make a diversion some other way in order to which he marches towards the frontiers of Croatia where General Lesley was camped who had besieged Virovitza in July beaten the relief designed for their succour and thereupon had the place surrendered to him upon composition Having now notice of the Serasquier's design he went and posted himself within half a League off his Camp near a Bridge that was lay'd over the Danube at Turanowitz A while after the Turks approached who charged with great fury eight hundred Croats newly come to the Imperial Camp but with their accustomed misfortune They however returned immediately to the fight and forced the Croats to retire leaving them three Standards for prise so that being animated with this advantage they would attempt more and attacked the Imperialists in their Post but they were so ill received that they were obliged to retire with the loss of five hundred men which were killed upon the place The Christians lost two hundred Though this Siege for the Greatness and Fame of it deserves to be described in all its particulars the Approaches the Attacks the Mines the Battels the Batteries the Breaches of the Christians being carried on with so much Valour and Constancy that it amazed the wondering World yet the Greatness of the Garrison the Scituation and Strength of the Place the reiterated Succours that were brought in a potent Army commanded by a Seraskier within the noise of their Guns yea oft-times their view a vigorous and intrepid Courage in the Defendants frequent and furious Sallies Countermines and the advance of a wet Season so favourable to them rendred all the Endeavours of the Besiegers fruitless and forced them to a Retreat The Duke of Bavaria had indeed brought with his Person a considerable recruit to the Imperialists and they performed all that Courage could suggest but being the fatal moment of the reducing of this Capital City of the Kingdom was not yet come we will transmit the History of it till then when the same great Atchievements were in a manner acted over again and indeed by the same Generals on the side of the Christians but with better fortune The Siege had lasted from the fourteenth of July till the first of November at which time the Christians having transported their Baggage their sick and some pieces of Artillery to the Isle of St. Andrew the Army sending their great Cannon their Ammunition and the rest of their Baggage by Water for want of draught-Horses though well convoyed followed themselves in a Body uninterrupted and marched to their Winter Quarters the Bavarians into upper Hungary and the Imperialists into both the upper and lower Hungary Bohemia Silesia c. according to their Repartitions The Turks attempted nothing upon the Army in their retreat but brought near a thousand Prisoners which were left in the Isle of St. Margaret into the City not singly triumphing for so signal a deliverance Such was the end of this bloody Siege where following the common Opinion the Emperour lost twenty thousand Men and amongst them a great number of Officers Of those of most note were the Counts of Altheim two of the Starembergs James and Lewis Carlowitz Richtari Hoken-Zollern Furstenburg Nassau Durheim Chriminz and the young Counts of Harrah and great quantity of others The