We desire always to have and maintain with You. And hereupon We pray God That You may be most High c. as above in his Holy and Worthy Protection Written at Paris the twelfth day of January 1662. Your true and perfect Friend LOVIS De Lomenie The Viziers Answer to the foregoing Letters To the most Glorious amongst the Sublime Christian Princes chosen amongst the Great and Sublime of the Religion of the Messiah Mediator of the Affairs of all the Nazarene Nation Lord of Majesty and Reputation Master of Greatness and Power Louis Emperour of France the end of whose days be happy The Salutations which respect Friendship and are desired from Love and Affection being premised Your Majesty shall know that the Letter which was sent to Your Friend by the Honourable du Pressoir and Fountain hath been delivered me by the Sieur Roboli Agent and Attorney of the Embassy at the High and Imperial Port the Contents whereof We have apprehended to be as Your Majesty gives to understand touching the intire Amity and good 〈◊〉 Certainly Your Majesty knows that the Augmentation and daily Encrease of that Amity proceeds from the protection and honourable Observance of Conditions and Capitulations between both Parties By the Grace of the most High God the Sublime and Imperial Port of the most Happy most Puissant most Valourous most Magnificent and most Strong Emperour Support of the Mussulmans My Lord whose Armes God prosper with double Force is always open for our Friends and others without any Obstacle as all the World knows and particularly for Your Majesty Who is our Friend and hath been long in Amity with the most Serene Ottoman Family whom God establish until the day of the Ballance It being a most certain Truth that there hath happened neither on one side or other any Action contrary to the promised Faith And now since Your Majesty desires for a new Ornament of the Ancient and Good Correspondence and to the end that the Agreement and Conditions thereof be honoured as they ought that the considerable Person amongst the Nobles of the Court of Your Majesty the Sieur Denys de la Haye Son of the late Ambassadour a Subject of Reputation Your Gentleman of Credit whose Days may they conclude in happiness be sent to reside at this Happy and Imperial Port for Your Majesty according to the ancient custom To the end that the Intention of Your Majesty may be performed We have exposed it at the High Throne of the thrice Happy most Mysterious and most Great Emperour My Lord Who with an Imperial regard of courteous Demonstration hath accepted the said Demand with willingness and therefore in signification of his Pleasure We write You this Our present and friendly Letter and if it please God according to the ancient Custom when the said Embassadour shall arrive at this High Port with the Letters of Friendship from Your Majesty he shall be honoured on the Imperial part and entertained according to the ordinary custom the Imperial Capitulations shall be renewed the Ornament of Affection on one side and the other shall be confirmed and for an essicacious Consirmation of a good Peace between both Entperours an Imperial Letter shall be sent to Your Majesty whose health be happy and prosperous From the Imperial City of Constantinople The Poor Ahmet Pasha In Answer to the Kings Letter the Grand Signior made no reply but only by his Vizier by reason that in all the Ancient Turkish Registers and Archives there was no example found that the Grand Signior ever wrote to any King who had not an Ambassadour actually resident at his Port. But this Negotiation about a French Ambassadour took not effect until some time after in which other Letters and Messages intervened as will appear by the following Sequel of this History It was now towards the beginning of Winter when the Season of the Year compelled the Turkish Fleet of Gallies to return according to custom to the Port of Constantinople The whole Summer before they had for the most part passed in some Harbour or Creek amongst the Greek Islands having afforded nothing of Convoy or succour towards the safe Conduct of the Fleet of Grand Cairo but suffered them to fall into the hands of the Enemy as before mentioned and indeed for several years the Marine Affairs of the Turks have always gone decaying in Fame and Force and the preparations of the Armata every Spring have been of Form and Course rather than with hopes of success correspondent to the expence In their return home near Constantinople they encountred a sierce storm so that three Gallies were cast away at Ponte Piccolo by the Turks called Cuchuccheckmage about four Leagues distant from Constantinople Howsoever the Weather clearing the remainder of the Fleet got into Port entring with joy with vollies of great and small Shot with Streamers flying Pipes sounding and all other sorts of their Country Musick bringing with great Ostentation a small Flyboat which had been a Ligornese Man of War taken by them as she was cruising singly in the Arches of Pelago which was brought in with so much Ceremony used in toaing her into Port decking her with Streamers and Pendants with such signs of Victory and Triumph as if they had led Captive the whole Venetian Armata But I must not omit the relation of what befel one of the Beghs Gallies designed with the rest to rendezvous at Constantinople whilst she loitered amongst small Isles in the Gulf of Nicomedia It was a Gally the Commander of which had newly received as the Portion of his Wife being a Young man lately married who entertained great thoughts of raising his Fortunes by the spoils and prize he was to make At these Isles several of the Officers and Levents went on shore where whilst they entertained themselves with Wine and merriment the Slaves made an insurrection in the Gally seized the Captain cut off his Head and threw his Body into the Sea and so becoming Masters of the Vessel weighed Anchor and set sail Those on the shore admiring at the unexpected departure of the Gally accompanied her with their eyes and wonder as far as they could perceive her in sight but observing her to steer a different course from the Port to which they were designed suspected much of the truth of what had succeeded wherefore taking their Boat immediately they hastned to Constantinople to give advice of what had passed that if possible Orders might timely arrive the Castles on the Hellespont which might obstruct their farther passage But alas the poor Slaves were so dismayed with their own action and so transported with a slavish fear and apprehension of what might succeed should their escape not be effected that they knew not what course to steer all things seemed to contradict their liberty the Wind proved contrary their Spirits dejected their understandings void of counsel and contrivance so that wandring three or four days in the Propontis
At this time Christendom was embroiled in its usual combustions so that assistance from other Princes was not only uncertain but without all foundation so that the Venetians could have no sure trust to any other than their own Force In regard that many were desirous at that time to see the Venetians engaged with the Turk that so they might not be able to concern themselves in the War of Italy which then grew hot by the Wars of Savoy Modena and Matona favoured by the protection of the Spaniards by whose means all the differences arose about the Valtoline Considering which the wise Senate being willing to purchase so great a blessing to their Country by a moderate price gave liberty to their Bailo to compound for it at what rate and terms that he was able which by the Bailo's dexterity in the management was concluded for the Sum of two hundred and fifty thousand Zechins which was esteemed for a great service and redounded much to the reputation of the Bailo after which conclusion the former Articles were ratified and these which follow added thereunto That the Ambassadour or Bailo should be set at liberty and permitted to return to his own habitation That Commerce be renewed as formerly between the Subjects of both Countries That all Controversie about the matters happened at Valona for ever be silenced and forgotten When at any time the Pirates of Barbary shall happen to enter within the Ports of the Grand Signior they shall give security that they will commit no damage or spoil on the Subjects of Venice And in case they shall have taken any Prizes belonging to the aforesaid State they shall not be admitted nor protected in the Ports belonging to the Grand Signior Wherefore in virtue hereof all Aga's Captains of Castles and other Ministers who shall not obey and observe this Capitulation shall be deprived of their Office and if the Venetians shall then enter violently into the Port where such Enemies have taken refuge it shall not be imputed to them for a crime or esteemed a breach of the Capitulations And farther if the Venetians shall at any time encounter the aforesaid people of Barbary in the open Sea it shall be lawful for them to assault take and destroy them without notice or exceptions of the Ottoman Port. And lastly the new Bailo lately elected shall pay unto the Grand Signior five hundred thousand Pieces of Eight which make two hundred and fifty thousand Zechins of Gold This Writing was firmed and ratified about the middle of the Moon Rebiul in the Hegeira or Year of Mahomet 1049. Hereof authentick Copies were immediately dispatched to the Beglerbeys Sangiacks and Kadi's on the Coasts of the Mediterranean Sea and to the Pasha of Bosna for better publication of the Peace and free Traffick and Commerce between the Subjects of both people The Baron Chinski arrived at that time from the Emperour in quality of Envoyé Extraordinary to congratulate the Grand Signior's success in taking Bagdat and making a Peace with Persia but not bringing with him Presents to that value which on this occasion were expected he was not looked on nor considered with that favour and respect as was agreeable to his Character and Quality And there happening a dispute between this Envoyé and the English Ambassadour concerning precedency of place the Turks yielded it to the English being made to understand the difference which Christian Princes make between the Title of an Ambassadour and that of an Envoyé though the Turks use but that one word of Elchi to express both And though the Baron Chinski laboured to diminish the Dignity of an English Ambassadour at Constantinople by alledging that he was elected by the Company of Merchants for conservation of their Trade only and afterwards confirmed and honoured by the King yet this Argument was in no wise prevalent with the Turks who esteeming the Commission of the Prince and the charge of an Office the only qualification to ennoble a person made no difficulty to determine the point in behalf of the English And though some Italian Writers say that the English Ambassadour gave fifteen Purses of Money or seven thousand five hundred Dollars to the Chimacam for this favour yet those who understand how unwillingly the Turkie-Merchants part with their money on defence of such punctillios and niceties especially where the Ambassadour might have avoided the bringing them into dispute will more readily believe that the Turks from free motives of their own Justice and Reason judged this Honour due to the Ambassadour than that he should purchase this indisputable point by the disgraceful means of money ANNO 1640. All matters being now determined between the Turks and Persia and the black clouds blown over from the Venetians the Grand Signior studied how and where he might turn his Arms with most advantage he had conceived an irreconcileable pique against Ragotski and Matthew for the causes before related but having an intention to make use of their Force against Poland or Germany or against them both together he dissembled the passion he conceived against them and rather deferred his revenge than pardoned the liberty which they had exercised without his licence or assent Sometimes he resolved to recover Asac out of the hands of the Cosacks sometimes he thought of making War upon Poland judging himself much affronted by that King for not sending an Ambassadour to congratulate his late successes then he supposed that a War in Germany would be more easie and the Conquest more profitable by reason of the richess of the people and the fertility of the soil to which pretences could never be wanting on the score of those differences which always arise amongst the people of the Frontiers During these debates and counsels preparations were made for War both by Sea and Land as yet uncertain where they should be employed to command them the Great Vizier was ordered to hasten his journey from Persia whose arrival was celebrated at Constantinople with a solemn Entry and for a particular and distinguishing Honour the Grand Signior sent him a Vest from his own Back to wear on the day of his Triumph This Vizier was a person very austere in his behaviour bold and valiant as he evidenced by his actions in taking Bagdat zealous for his Master's interest and what is rare in a Turk not much addicted to his own he had acquired a great share in the esteem of his Master and his Authority increased as the daily decay of the Grand Signior's health rendred him less able for Government For now the strong complexion of Morat began to grow feeble by excesses of frequent debauchery his stomach was become cold and weak not able to digest the lightest meats his hand shook and a paralytical distemper seized him in every part so that his Mother and the Physicians perswaded him to forsake the use of Wine as poison and destruction to his health and he whilst he was sensible
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
sensible of the honour of being a Soltana of being Courted by his Majesty of the joyes delights and glory of the Seraglio but that when she reflected how that she was to bring forth Children to die by untimely Deaths and to end their Days by poison or the Bow-string or at least to live miserable lives separated from Mankind and immured within Walls and Intombed whilst they breathed she could not but tremble with some horrour and judge that all the blandishments of Worldly Fortune were but a transient Paradise which could not possibly recompence or out-weigh the sense and tenderness she conceived for the misery of her unfortunate Off-spring Howsoever she so couched her Discourse that she gave Ibrahim some hopes to overcome at length by which she appeased a little his fury and despair and extracted some Jewels and Gifts in reward of her past labour and encouragement for her future service In this manner Ibrahim had patience awhile expecting something farther from the industry of Shecher Para but finding no effect of all his expectations and gentleness at length resolved to break through all considerations of respect either to the Father as the Mouth and Oracle of the Law or to the simple and foolish innocence of the Maid and therefore ordered the Great Vizier to cause a Watch to be set on the Girl either going in or coming out of the Bath and without farther Ceremony to bring her unto him This Order being executed accordingly and the Maid hurried to the Seraglio Ibrahim possessed and enjoyed her for some days but with those tears reluctancy and sullenness as took off from the edge and appetite of enjoyment so that he returned her back again with scorn and contempt unto her Father who at first dissembled the injury with the same Countenance as he did before when he was interdicted the Sultan's presence suppressing his revenge like a concealed fire which bursts out afterwards with more violent Flames But though the sense of obedience and duty towards his Prince allayed much of the choler he conceived against him for the Rape of his Daughter yet he knew not how to pardon the Great Vizier whom he termed no other than a Ruffian or Pandor the Minister of his Masters Lusts and not of his Laws and of Justice Thus full of indignation he applyed himself and made his complaint unto one Mahomet Pasha a principal Member of the Divan one of great wisdom and practice in the conduct of affairs and one with whom he had a particular Friendship and intimacy Nor less interest had he with Janisar Aga or General of the Janizaries to both whom with tears in his Eyes and with such words as the sense of his injuries suggested he railed at the Vizier and aggravated the Ravishment of his Daughter with all the circumstances of Villany and Violence These two Friends heard the story with a sensible remorse and immediately concluded that for the honour and security of the Empire it was necessary to depose Sultan Ibrahim and for the same reason to cut off the first Vizier agreeing amongst themselves that Mahomet Pasha should receive the Seal and the Office To effect which they deemed it necessary to draw the Queen Mother into the Conspiracy being a Woman of great Authority and having as it were the Reins of Government in her hands by reason of the weak judgment of her Son But because it was difficult to perswade the tenderness of a Mother to the ruine of her Son the Wise Mufti resolved first to sound her inclinations and disposition towards this design and being well informed of her fierce Circassian nature and the jealousy and anger she conceived against Shecher Para obtained Licence to be heard by her as if he would beg her intercession with her Son in his behalf and being admitted to discourse with her he thereby plainly discovered her most inverterate hatred and displeasure against her Son not only for this but for many other actions of like nature This discovery which the Queen had made gave him the boldness to propose the confinement again of Ibrahim to his old Prison not that he should be absolutely laid aside and deposed but only corrected awhile and being put in remembrance of his past condition might be taught wisdom and instructed for the future what moderation and justice Sultans are obliged to exercise in the administration of Government and so subtlely did he insinuate his discourse that the Queen Mother assented to the proposal and that the Seal should be conferred on Mahomet Pasha for she had conceived an irreconcileable hatred against Achmet the G. Vizier by whose counsel she was sent to the old Seraglio and was united in Confederacy with the detested Shecher Para. The Mufti greatly satisfied to have gained so considerable a Conspirator to the party communicated the whole business with the Progress of it to the two Kadileschers or Lord Chief Justices of Romelia and Anatolia who approveing thereof and promising their utmost assistance the 7th of August was the Day appointed for the Insurrection of the Janizaries who being all in a readiness on that day went in a tumultuary way to call the Mufti the Kadileschers and other Officers and Ministers of the Law whom they seemingly forced to accompany them to the presence of the G. Signior of whom they demanded that the present Vizier Achmet should be deprived of his Office and that Mahomet Pasha should be constituted in his place The G. Signior at first refused their demand but being perswaded by his Mother that it was necessary to content the Militia in that tumult he consented thereunto and having called Achmet he took from him the Seal and conferred it on Mahomet Pasha and therewith the Office of G. Vizier Achmet trembling at the consequences hereof resolved to commit himself to the mercy of the Mufti and therefore hastned to his House to attend his return hoping to find him his Protector under whose shadow and roof he fled for Sanctuary The Souldiery having thus obtained the first-fruits of their Insurrection accompanied the Mufti unto his home where finding the deposed Vizier Achmet the Janisar Aga immediately Commanded him out of Doors from whence he had no sooner drawn his Foot than that he was seized upon and strangled and his Body thrown before the Gate of the new Mosch The next day being the 8th of August 1648. the Janizaries again arising in the like tumult as before came to demand of the Mufti whether that according to their Law Sultan Ibrahim as a Fool and a Tyrant and unsit for Government ought not to be deposed To which the Mufti giving answer in the affirmative sent to cite Sultan Ibrahim the day following to appear in the Divan to administer Justice to his Souldiers and Subjects who expected it from him But Ibrahim supposing that he had sufficiently satisfied the Souldiery by putting the Vizier out of Office laughed at the summons which the Mufti made him which being seconded by a Fetfa
to join Battel at which firmness of resolution the Turks being a little startled became willing to avoid the sight and to creep under the shelter of the point of Babiers which locks in one of the Bayes between the Castles and the Mouth of the Dardanelli But the Wind on a sudden turning favourable for the Venetians the Prior of Rochelle with his Squadron and Mocenigo with three Ships under his Command made up towards the Castles with design to cut the Turks off from their Retreat the others valiantly assailed the Turks who defending themselves like those whose chief security consists in their Arms there ensued a most miserable slaughter on one side and the other at length the success of Victory happened to the Venetians who were animated by the couragious Example of their General Marcello though he having Boarded and become Master of a great Ship called a Soltana with the Gally which attended her was shot in the thigh with a Cannon Bullet and thereby gained the glory to die Conquering and Triumphant After whose Death the Proveditor taking upon him the Command of the Fleet prosecuted the Victory so close that excepting 14. Gallies which escaped with the Captain Pasha and 4. Gallies of the Beyes all the whole Fleet was either taken sunk or burnt The Venetians not being able to Man all the Vessels that they had taken set many of them on fire in the Night excepting only 12. Gallies 4. Ships and 2. Galleasses which they reserved for a demonstration or evidence of their Victory With this glorious success 5000. poor Christians obtained their freedom and had their Chains and Shackles knocked off What number the Turks might have lost is uncertain but as to the Venetians it is reported that besides their General there were not above 300. Men in all killed and wounded The Venetians being encouraged by this success attacked the Island of Tenedos and in the space of four days became Masters of it as also in a short time afterwards of Stalimene antiently called Lemnos the which shameful losses and overthrow so irritated the mind of the G. Signior that he gave Orders to carry the War into Dalmatia intending the next Summer to go thither in person and in the mean time Commanded by the Pasha of Bosna that the City of Ragusa should be put into a readiness to receive his Troops being judged a convenient place for the Seat and Magazine of Arms for those Countries But the poor Republick greatly apprehending this misfortune than which there could be no greater mischief nor ruine to their Country dispatched certain Deputies with their yearly Tribute to the Port with instructions that in the way thither they should supplicate the Pasha to intercede with the G. Signior in their behalf representing to his Majesty that they paying their annual Tribute for protection ought not in justice to be exposed to the licentiousness of an Army which their little Territories were not capable to receive nor provide with convenient Quarters at which Message the Pasha being highly incensed answered rudely and imprisoned them threatning to strangle them in case their Government did not obey the Commands of the Sultan ANNO 1657. BUT the Chief Ministers at the Port taking into their consideration the present State of Affairs that the City of Constantinople was full of discontents the Persian on one side and Moscovite on the other ready to invade divers parts of the Empire that there were designs to depose the G. Signior and set one of his Brothers on the Throne besides a multitude of other dangers the resolution of the Courts removal and of the G. Signiors March into Dalmatia was suspended his presence and authority being esteemed most requisite in such a Conjuncture of troubles at the heart and center of his Empire After which the appearance of the G. Signior in publick was less frequent for that he might hasten the departure of the Spahees and Janisaries for Candia he deferred his Journy to Adrianople for some time but they being averse to this War refused to march until first they had received all Arrears which were due to them the which audacious proposal so inconsed the G. Signior that he caused the heads of two of the most forward Mutineers to be cut off in his presence This unseasonable rigour rather provoked the spirits of discontented men than abated them and the continual prizes which the Venetians made on the Turks and stoppage of provisions which did usually supply Constantinople from the Archipelago raised the price of Bread and of all Victuals in that populous City so that the people murmured and exclaimed as if they had been reduced to their last extremity The G. Vizier considering that the loss of Tenedos was the cause of all these inconveniences promised the Inhabitants of Constantinople that he would regain it in a short time in order to which he set forth a very numerous Fleet to besiege that Fortress but contrary Winds and bad weather forced them into a Neighbouring Port where they attended the Conjunction of the Beyes Gallies with them The General of the Venetians having received advice hereof put to Sea that he might hinder these two Fleets from joining and was no sooner in the Channel of Scio than that he met with 10. Sail of Barbary men of War convoying a great number of Saiques and other Vessels of which 14. were laden with provisions carrying also with them 200 thousand Crowns which was the Tribute of Rhodes these the Venetians assailed with such Courage and success that they burnt the ten Ships and many of the Saiques killed a thousand Turks took 400. Prisoners delivered 300. Christians with the loss only of 100. killed and 300. wounded This and other losses augmented the discontents at Constantinople so that the G. Vizier to hold up the spirits of the people resolved to go in person to Tencdos and accordingly Equipped a Fleet of 18. Ships 30. Gallies 10. Galleasses with an innumerable Company of Saiques and other Vessels whereon he Embarked 20. thousand Horse and 80. thousand Foot with which Army the Vizier sailed out of the Dardanelli on the 17th of July having first received intelligence that Mocenigo was not returned from the Morea where he had been for some time in chase of certain Ships Howsoever the Turks found not the passage so clear but that they encountred with a Squadron of 18. Sail of Men of War under the Command of Signior Bembo the which seeming an inconsiderable number to the Turks they assailed them with undoubted hopes of Victory The Admiral and Vice-Admiral of the Turks with five other great Ships charged the Venetian Admiral who defended himself so bravely that for three hours they lay Board and Board the rest of the Turkish Fleet assailed the other part of their Enemies Fleet so close that the Fight became terrible and bloody both for one and the other until at length the Turks being worsted were put to flight and in the pursuit a
stay my stomach supposing that hard Travels had sharpened my appetite About an hour after that he invited all my company and then we fed very plentifully of several dishes which the good Houswives had dressed within the Precincts of their poor Tents whilst the Shepherds had in the field killed a fat Kid and were then roasting it whole at the fuel of a tree which they had fell'd this Roast-meat they cut into quarters and with Bread and Salt put it into a Linen-cloth delivering it to one of my Servants for our Breakfast the next morning Having thus well refreshed my self with the charity of these good Shepherds I arose with the Moon about eleven a clock at night but before my departure I demanded what I had to pay to which the generous Shepherd replied That my acceptance was a sufficient payment for that all men were obliged to be civil and hospitable to men who travelled the World like me for publick service and withal desired me to speak well wheresoever I came of such poor men who led their lives in the sields who were instructed in these Principles viz. to hurt none and to be humane and helpful to all mankind In a few days after my Arrival at Smyrna I imbarked on the Bonaventure Frigat commanded by Capt. Berkeley afterwards Sir William Berkeley and shaping our course first for Tripoli in Barbary we came to Anchor before the Town the 29 th and immediately going ashore we were conducted to the Presence of the Pasha of that Country whom I acquainted with the occasion of this Address delivering into his hands two Copics of the late Treaty of Peace one confirmed by the Hand and Seal of His Majesty our Gracious Soveraign and the other of the Sultan both which he received with singular respect and reverence promising to maintain the Peace sacred and inviolable and so being dismissed fairly from him we speedily repaired on board and setting sail again that night with a prosperous gale we anchored in the Bay of Tunis on the second of September and the next day being landed we in the first place madc our Addresses to the Dey who bears the Office of Prince or Governour in Chief though in the Arabian Language the word signifies as much as Uncle to whom I tendred the Confirmations of Peace in the same form and manner as before at Tripoli the Dey received them with respect and honour promising to continue the Peace that part which was from our King he received himself but that which was from the Grand Signior he advised me to deliver to the Pasha for coming from his Master it might more nearly concern him than any other the Pasha having seen and read the Hattesheriff returned it again to the Dey to be placed amongst the Records and Registers of the Divan and so making a Visit to all the great men in power giving them notice of our business that so none might take exceptions or judge themselves neglected for want of Addresses we the same Night departed from Tunis and proceeded forward in our Voyage to Algier But before we arrive there I have time to acquaint the Reader of the pestilential Fever which then affected our whole Ship When we departed from Smyrna we had fourteen sick of the Autumnal Distemper but before ten Days we had ninety five out of a hundred and sixty men which lay sick on their Beds and Hamocks and we feared so general a weakness that we should not have had strength sufficient to have Sailed our Ship for I think there was scarce any amongst us in perfect health But God shewed his strength in our weakness so that in ten Days having buried nine of our men he was pleased with the change of our Climate to renew our health and in Answer to our Prayers as it were by a Miracle to restore us to all the Health and Strength and Comfort that we could desire At Algier that Den of Thieves and Harbour of Faithless Men and all Impiety we arrived the 10 th of September where immediately with assistance of the Consul we designed to tender the Confirmations of the Peace unto the Divan then the supreme and absolute power But whilst we imagined the Peace firm and improbable that those Articles which were concluded and agreed but the last Year should so easily and soon be forgotten we found the Scene of affairs greatly altered and sears of an unexpected rupture for the Ships of Algier roving in the Seas had lately sent in nine small English Vessels without a Pass from the Duke of York for want of which they pretended by a new Agreement they ought to be prize of which six by means of the Consul being released three only remained under detention at our Arrival when immediately we applyed our selves to Shaban Aga a Spanish Renegado then Cape or Chief of their confused Divan to him we first disclosed the import of our Message and shewed the Confirmations of our Peace subscribed by the King of England and the G. Signior After he had read them a Divan was called and the Confirmations openly published at which time it was assented and agreed that the Articles ought to be maintained and the Peace continued but to have this established by sirm Authority it was farther referred to the Great Divan which is a grand Assembly of the People who usually meet together every Saturday of the Week In the mean time having had an acquaintance formerly with the Pasha of this place sent hither by the G. Signior we were desirous to make him a Visit the better to discover in what nature they honour and own the Ottoman Port but before we could be admitted to his presence we were obliged to demand Licence of the Divan which they granted with some unwillingness and with the caution of two or three Witnesses of our Discourse We were scarce welcomed into the room and the usual salutations passed before we were interrupted by the Officers and not suffered to proceed so little esteem they made of the Pasha to whom notwithstanding they allowed twelve thousand Dollars a Year for his maintenance so as to carry the fair and specious outside at the Ottoman Court of receiving a Pasha from thence but were so far from permitting him to intermeddle in the Government that they confined him like a Prisoner not suffering him to stir abroad without permission and consent of the Divan and that very seldom though he often pleaded his health was much empaired by his restraint and craved enlargement rather for necessity than his pleasure The Day of the great Divans Assembly being come the Confirmations of the Peace were again read and well approved and so laid up in the Repository of their Writings and promise made us for releasement of our Ships But let us now observe the levity and unsteadiness of this popular Government for being the Day following appointed to receive our dispatches and discharge of the three Ships there arose unexpectedly
now for two years injoyed the benesit and the title without personal attendance on that important Charge The Grand Signior having received ' this Letter concurred in the same opinion with his Vizier and gave Orders to the Chimacam to prepare himself to serve that Summer at Sea for that now it was necessary he should be in person there and less requisite his presence in the City where his Office would speedily be made void by return of the Vizier The Chimacam immediately in obedience to his great Masters command put himself in a posture for his Voyage and in the first place sent away his Women to Constantinople and appointed the Fleet not to depart until his faither order yet in the mean time so secretly and under-hand made use of the friendship of the Court-Favourites representing as from themselves how useful the service and attendance of the Chimacam was as yet in the City by reason that the delays of the German Ambassadour made the Viziers return uncertain and that this Office would ill be supplied by any other they obtained licence for his continuance in Office and disappointed the intentions and designs of the Vizier About the end of May after long expectation arrived the German Ambassadour at Buda to the great joy of the Turkifh Camp I then was there my self and observed the general satisfaction at this news so that now the Ambassadour being entred the Frontiers and his arrival secured on the 29 th of May the Vizier began his March from Belgrade with the whole Army and I kept company with them for thirteen days On the last of June the Vizier arrived within six hours Journey of Adrianople intending in two or three days to prepare for his solemn Entrance But it is reported That the Viziers Mother had by her Art so affected the heart of the Grand Signior towards her Son that he could not longer want his presence and therefore in the way dispatched frequent Messages to him to hasten him as fast as his convenience would permit And better to assure him of his grace and favour sent his young Favourite a handsom Youth of about twenty years of age to meet him with a Present of five Horses richly adorned and furnished and to feast him plentifully on the way and being come within a few hours Journey the Grand Signior could not contain his desire of seeing him until the day of his Entry but ordered him immediately to come to him being impatient of a private Conference The Vizier accordingly obeying and being come to the Royal Presence the Grand Signior kissed him on the shoulder and honoured him with a Topoose of gold studded with precious Stones with a Sword a Dagger and a Horse richly furnished with which Regal Munificence he returned triumphing to his Tents being now fully assured of the real grace and constant favour of his Master The second of July the Vizier made his Entrance with solemn Pomp and Glory through part of the City passing again into the field to remain under Tents with the whole Camp being so ordered by the Grand Signior in regard the City was neither capable to contain so great a number without dispossessing the greatest part of the Inhabitants of their Houses nor in this hot season of the year was it so wholesom and cool as the open air of the Country Besides matters would be in a far greater readiness for a departure towards Constantinople to which place the Vizier had perswaded the Grand Signior to make a Visit after Audience given to the German Ambassadour whom the people now expected with wonderful impatience Not many days after arrived Count Lesly the Ambassadour Extraordinary from his Caesarian Majesty to the Grand Signior who made a solemn Entrance into the City passing first through the Turkish Camp where the Grand Signior remained and thence to the House furnished and appointed for him at the expence of the Sultan The Cavalcade was as followeth In the Front of all were the ten Chaouses which had attended the Ambassadour through the whole Journey these were followed by an hundred fifty five other Chaouses with Muzevegé with some Captains over the Janisaries The Ambassadour had of his own Retinue about a hundred and fifty Persons on horse-back well mountted and cloathed after the Hungarian fashion his proper Guard consisted of four and twenty Persons armed with Partisans before him went his Trumpets and Kettle Drums but not sounding with two Banners of Spread Eagles flying one of them richly embroidered carried by a Count of the Empire The Ambassadour himself was cloathed with a Cloth of Silver Vest lined with Sables on his Cap he wore a Feather after the Turkish fashion adorned with Jewels which they call Sargouch and is only used by the Grand Signior and his principal Vizier before him went eight led Horses richly furnished immediately after him followed the Pages and Servants of the Spaheelar Agasee and of the Aga which conducted him from the Frontiers Next came his Litter covered with Violet coloured Velvet and carried by Mules then his three Coaches with six Horses a piece one of which being richly gilded and made chearful with Glass Windows after the new mode the Grand Signior became much pleased with it and at his request it was presented to him after these followed four or five other Coaches of four Horses in which were Churchmen and unfirm persons and last of all came the German Waggons and other Carts with those of the Countrey with Baggage This Ambassadour was not long arrived before he was admitted to Audience with the Prime Vizier who bestowed on him a Vest of Sables with a Horse and Furniture of considerable value and a hundred of his Retinue were vested with Coftans which amongst the Turks are testimonies of favour and acceptance About four days after the Ambassadour had Audience with the Grand Signior himself at which were only forty Coftans given out which coming from so Grand a Personage were in value multiplied much above the number given by the Vizier The Presents brought by the Ambassadour were as followeth A Looking Glass of about a Mans height in a silver Frame standing on a pedestal of Silver turning round on every side 2 Great Basons of Silver supported with three Pillars at three Corners a Mans Body and a half high adorned with several Figures at one Pillar was fastned a gilded Bason over which was a Fountain Cock for 〈◊〉 Water to run through 2 Great gilded Basons full of holes at the Bottom to make a Passage for the water 12 Silver Candlesticks every one about two Ells high 6 Silver Flower-Pots 12 Gilded Ewers for sweet Waters 12 Silver Dishes with Covers made after the form of Turkish Turbants all gilded within side 12 Gilded Dishes for Confects set upon Pedestals of Silver 1 Round Table of Silver upon a Pedestal of about half an Ell after the manner of the Turkish Tables with many Devices 4 Guns with Silver Stocks and one
injurious violence should be accepted for Ambassadour and resolved unless they received him he would send no other that so his Honour which suffered before in this person might be repaired again by the respect and reverence they were to shew to him as Ambassadour as if in repentance of their former unkindness they should now strive to make amends by extraordinary demonstrations of honour to this Representative For it was judged in France and there concluded That there was no other means to repair the Kings Honour than by the Embassy of Monsieur De Ventelay to which that a greater reputation might be added he was transported in one of the Kings Ships called the Caesar accompanied with a Fire-ship and a small Patach for a Victualler and for his better Equipage was attended by four or five Marquesses and Persons of Quality Being arrived at the farther part of the City called the Seven Towers the Ships came to an Anchor from whence the Ambassadour sent to advise the Vizier of his arrival desiring as one mark of the extraordinary honour promised him that a return might be made to the Salute of his Ship from the Seraglio by the Cannon which lay under the Wall a Ceremony before never demanded or practised with respect to any Christian or Turkish Vessel and that his landing might be honoured with a more than usual reception by the attendance of Officers or at least equalled to the Formalities of the late English Ambassadour But the Vizier it seems judged that the reception of the English strained on a particular occasion was not to be brought into example and that a Salute from the Seraglio was so besides the ordinary custom that he esteemed the demand to be extravagant and that such a President would be dishonourable to his Master And therefore resolving not to exceed the particulars of former customs offered at his landing to have him accompanied to his House with ten Chaouses only the Ambassador not accepting hereof in a discontented manner entred with his Ship the day following and giving the usual Salutes to the Seraglio landed at Topenau a place near to his own Dwelling from whence with no other attendance than his own Company privately walked up and with no farther ceremony took possession of the place of Residence of former Ambassadours from France Notwithstanding this slight treatment the Ambassadour was not so much mortified but he conceived hopes that the Turks would at length in contemplation of his Masters greatness gratifie him with some signal demonstrations of extraordinary honour by concessions of unusual Priviledges and greater facility in his Negotiations and therefore was induced though as yet he had not had a personal Audience of the Vizier to desire a revocation of the agreement made with the Genoese the Marquess Durazzo of whom we have spoken before being just upon his departure protesting against it with all earnestness as a matter so prejudicial to the French Traffick and Commerce in those Dominions that if admission were given to the Genoese they must expect to lose friendship and commerce with France But notwithstanding this heat and other protestations against it the Vizier who inherited his Fathers spirit little regarded the discontent of the French but calmly answered That the Grand Signior was Master of himself and Country and might make Peace or War at his own pleasure without licence or permission of the French King and that such as were envious or discontented at the Peace had free liberty to depart and take their remedy as they esteemed most beneficial In this manner matters passed between the time of this Ambassadours Arrival and his Audience In which interim the curiosity of Monsieur Abermont Captain of the French Man of War had like to have proved fatal to him for whilst he viewed from the Gallery of his Ship the pleasant situation of the Seraglio and the Prospect of the Bosphorus behold at a distance appeared certain Gallies gently gliding down the stream dressed up with Flags and Streamers which all Ships and Saykes saluted with their Guns as they passed This Captain being informed that the Grand Signior was there in person and returned from his Hunting which he had made in certain Woods not far from the City saluted him also as he passed with twenty five Guns but being not able to discover his person presently fitted his Boat and followed him hoping to receive that satisfaction at his landing for conceiving that access to the Ottoman and Eastern Princes is as facile and grateful as it is to those of Christendom with all confidence endeavoured to accost the Person of the Grand Signior as near as was possible The Grand Signior turning his eyes and seeing a man habited as he conceived in a barbarous and extravagant dress apprehended the Majesty of his Person violated by so near and bold an approach of the curious Stranger and thereupon without farther inquiry being moved with scorn and indignation called for the Executioner who is ever ready at his hand But some persons then present especially the Bostangibashee being of more moderation beseeched the Grand Signior to have a little patience and to inquire of the Ghaur or Infidel as they call'd him the cause of this his boldness with which the Grand Signior suppressing a little his passion and having patience until one was sent to expostulate with the Captain who all this while though he perceived some disturbance was yet ignorant that the matter so dangerously concerned himself and not being able to understand the Messenger nor to be understood by him rendred the business more confused and less understood which the Messenger observing and knowing the danger of this worthy and innocent Gentleman being perhaps of a compassionate nature and prudent framed this excuse to the Grand Signior That he did not well understand the Infidels language but what he conjectured was That he being Captain of that Vessel which had newly saluted his Majesty as he passed with twenty five Guns was now come in confidence of his Royal bounty and clemency to receive a Coftan as a sign of his Majesties favour and reward of his own respect The Grand Signior having by this time his choler somewhat abated was better pacified with these gentle words the Bostangibashee also interceding at the same time in his behalf that he was a stranger and ignorant of the customs of their Court and that if he deserved punishment he might be remitted to the examination of the Vizier who might chastise him as he found it reasonable The Grand Signior contented herewith the rude Bostangees seized the Captain and hurried him to the Vizier who all this time was ignorant of his errour or his danger more than that he perceived by the accent of their words and by their gestures that something was amiss and debated in reference unto him The Drugger-men or Interpreters of the French Nation being sent for and the Vizier and the Captain both understanding the matter the crime
appeared only to be an absurdity committed through ignorance yet to please the Grand Signior and to make an appearance as if something were done in chastisement of this bold curiosity the Vizier ordered that the Captain should be conducted by two Chaouses to the Ambassadour there to be put in Chains and in Prison until satisfaction was made for his fault The Captain being thus brought before the Ambassadour this honest Gentleman was punished in the same manner as we do those in Christendom who crowd to see their Prince The Ambassadour had his first Audience with the Vizier on the 7 th of December which being insignificant to any other business more than to the delivery of his Masters Letter and other matters of Form and Ceremony we shall need to insist the less upon it His second Audience before that of the Grand Signior was in the beginning of January at which time the Ambassadour began to declare what he had in Commission from his King which principally related towards a satisfaction for those affronts formerly offered him in the person of his Father and himself inculcating into the Vizier a true apprehension of the greatness of his Master his Force by Land his powerful Fleet which should that following year be set forth in the Mediterranean Seas with other arguments which might challenge due respect and honor to so great a Prince These Proposals and Discourses though the Vizier seemed not to entertain with that benign and flexible ear as was expected or thought satisfactory and thereupon several disgusts did afterwards succeed howsoever in the end all matters cleared up again and his Excellency was permitted to return to his own House with all imaginable satisfaction as he was pleased to intimate to the Ambassadour for his Majesty of Great Britain Soon after followed his Audience with the Grand Signior according to the usual Ceremonies so that all things run smoothly with the French for several years after And here by the way it is observable That an English Ambassadour once arguing hotly with the Vizier on some points of the Capitulations in which judging himself wronged threw the Capitulations to the Vizier telling him that he might keep the Writing and Paper since he resolved not to obey the Letter The Vizier hereupon calmly took the Capitulations and laid them behind his Cushion which the Ambassadour in a more considerate temper could not again recover under an expence of fifteen hundred Pieces of Eight During the time of these Negotiations the Grand Signior wholly imployed his time and thoughts in Hunting ranging all the Woods for several days journies round Constantinople in which Exercise twenty or thirty thousand men were imployed collected from the Cities and Villages round about all which were paid at the publick expence and charge of House-keepers both Turks and Christians which in one hunt might amount to thirty or forty thousand Dollars With this burden the people being often oppressed and many perishing in the Woods with cold and hunger began to murmur at the excess of Tyranny cursing their Princes madness and folly maintained with the life and ruine of his Subjects But not withstanding all these whispered curses and secret menaces the Grand Signior followed his delights with such frequency and with that heat and eagerness that the people perceiving no end of their misery began to speak loudly and plainly and by some principal Persons gave the Vizier to understand That the people would not longer endure the extravagant Vagaries of their Prince at so dear a rate of which he that was his chief Councellour ought to inform and advise him The Vizier who was before sensible of the excess of his Masters humour in this particular and that immoderation even in lawful and innocent exercises may become a Vice and when acted with oppression of the Subject as dangerous as other terms which sound more of Tyranny and Violence resolved with courage and humility to represent to his Master the danger of such expensive Huntings especially when over frequent and therefore assured those who made their Complaints That for the future all matters should be redressed and the Grand Signior should not be so prodigal in his Huntings on the Purse of his Subjects And so sensible was the Vizier of the disorders which might arise from hence if some remedy were not speedily applied that he immediately departed Constantinople to find out the Grand Signior who was lodged in some retired cool place environed with Woods and Mountains leaving Solyman Pasha for Chimacam or Deputy in his place in whose former Government many terrible Fires had happened in Constantinople About this time Advice came to Constantinople of certain Addresses the Nogay Tartar had made to the Pasha of Silistria to obtain a Country to live in between the Rivers of Boristhenes and the Danube for that their own Country being full they were forced to abandon and empty it of forty or fifty thousand Families who lived in Waggons and had about a hundred thousand head of Cattle all which with their substance they proffered for Subjects to the Grand Signior if he pleased to afford them protection and Land for Pasture and habitation The Pasha approving hereof gave them assurance of security under the shadow of his Masters favours sending information thereof to the Port who willingly embraced these new-come Guests and entered into consultation what Country and Limits should be assigned them In the mean time the Krim Tartar jealous of this people and not knowing what inconvenience such Neighbourhood might produce fell upon them and cut off a great number of them forcing the rest to return into their own Country which though ill taken at first by the Turks was yet afterwards excused by the Tartar and dissembled by the Port. Though all things appeared quiet at Constantinople after the Peace concluded with the Emperour and that the German Ambassadour was returned back to his Master yet the Turks prosecuted their Designs against Venice and made great preparations in the Provinces of Albania Bossena and Licca which confine on the Venetian Territories and though in reality those Forces were not intended against those parts but in order to a more warm prosecution of the War in Candia whither the Vizier intended to transport himself in Person yet the Venetian State not fully penetrating the Design took the Alarm chiefly in Dalmatia and reinforced their Garrisons of Cataro and other Fortresses And that matters there might be well provided and all things acted with due circumspection Marquis Villa was ordered to visit those Garrisons in his Voyage to Candia so that departing from Venice attended with two Gallies he arrived in a few days at Zara and thence proceeding to Spalato where the Proveditor General Catarin Cornaro made at that time his residence they both joined together to survey the most important places of that Province They began with the City of Spalato which rather seems a place intended by Nature for a
which is a Mother in Israel to her Princes her Priests her Judges and especially to the perfect wise men and of greatest experience may the Lord God cause you to live before him and delight in the multitude of Peace Amen So be the will of the Lord. These our Letters are dispatched unto you to let you understand that in the place of your Holiness we have heard that the learned man which was in Gaza called Nathan Benjamin hath published vain Doctrines and made the World tremble at his words and inventions At this time we have received advice that this man some dayes since departed from Gaza and took his Journey by the way of Scanderone intending there to Embark for Smyrna and thence to go to Constantinople or Adrianople And though it seems a strange thing unto us that any man should have a desire to throw himself into a place of flames and fire and into the sparks of Hell Notwithstanding we ought to fear and suspect it for the feet of man always guide him to the worst Wherefore me underwritten do advertise you That this Man coming within the Compass of your Jurisdiction you give a stop to his Journey and not suffer him to proceed farther but presently to return back For we would have you know That at his Coming he will begin again to move those tumults which have been caused through Dreams of a new Kingdom And that miracles are not wrought every day God forbid that by his Coming the People of God should be destroyed in all places where they are of which he will be the first whose bloud be upon his own head for in this Conjuncture every little errour or fault is made Capital you may remember the danger of the first Combustion and it is very probable that he will be an occasion of greater which the tongue is not able to express with words And therefore by virtue of ours and your own Authority you are to hinder him from proceeding farther in his journey upon pain of all those Excommunications which our Law can impose and to force him to return back again both he and his Company But if he shall in any manner oppose you and rebel against your word your Endeavours and Law are sufficient to hinder him for it will be well for him and for all Israel For the love of God let these words enter into your ears since they are not vain things for the lives of all the Jews and his also consist therein And the Lord God behold from Heaven and have pity upon his people Israel Amen So be his holy will written by those who seek your Peace Joam Tob Son of Chanania Jacar Moisé Benveniste Kaleb Son of Cocham Isaac Alnacagua Samuel deceased Joseph Kizbi Moisé Barudo Samuel Acazsina Elihezer Aluf. Jehousual Raphael Benveniste By these means Nathan being disappointed of his wandring progress and partly ashamed of the Events contrary to his Prophecies was resolved without entring Smyrna to depart thence howsoever he obtained leave to visit the Sepulchre of his Mother and there to receive pardon of his sins according to the institution of Sabatai before mentioned but first washed himself in the Sea in manner of purification and said his Tevila or Prayers at the Fountain called by us the Fountain of Santa Veneranda which is near the Coemetery of the Jews and then departed for Xio with two Companions a Servant and three Turks to conduct him without admitting the Legates to audience or answering the Letter which was sent him from all the Communities of the Jews in Italy And thus the Embassy of these Legates was concluded and they returned from the place from whence they came and the Jews again to 〈◊〉 Wits following their Trade and Profession of Brokage as formerly with more quiet and advantage than the means of regaining their possessions in the Land of promise And thus ended this mad phrensie amongst the Jews which might have cost them dear had not Sabatai renounced his Messiahship at the Feet of Mahomet These matters were transacted in the Years 1665 and 1666 since which Sabatai hath passed his time devoutly in the Ottoman Court educated at the Feet of the learned Gamaliel of the Turkish Law viz. Vanni Effendi Preacher to the Seraglio or as we may so term him Chaplain to the Sultan one so literate as to be esteemed the Grand Oracle of their Religion so precise and conceited of his own Sanctity as a Pharisee and so superstitious that nothing seemed more to unhallow his Worship than the touch or approach of a Christian. To this Master Sabatai was a most docil Scholar and profited as we may imagine beyond measure in the Turkish Doctrine so that in exchange of such impressions Vanni thought it no disparagement from so great a Rabbin as his new Disciple to learn something of the Jewish Rites and rectifie those crude Notions he had conceived of the Mosaical Law In this manner Sabatai passed his days in the Turkish Court as some time Moses did in that of the Egyptians and perhaps in imitation of him cast his eyes often on the Afflictions of his Brethren of whom during his life he continued to profess himself a Deliverer but with that care and caution of giving scandal to the Turks that he declared Unless their Nation became like him that is renounce the Shadows and imperfect Elements of the Mosaical Law which will be compleated by adherence to the Mahometan and such other Additions as his inspired Wisdom should suggest he should never be able to prevail with God for them or conduct them to the holy Land of their Forefathers Hereupon many Jews flocked in some as far as from Babylon Jerusalem and other remote places and casting their Caps on the ground in presence of the Grand Signior voluntarily professed themselves Mahometans Sabatai himself by these Proselytes gaining ground in the esteem of the Turks had priviledge granted him to visit familiarly his Brethren which he employed in Circumcising their Children the eighth Day according to the Precept of Moses preaching his new Doctrines by which he hath confirmed many in their Faith of his being the Messiah and startled all with expectation of what these strange ways of Enthusiasm may produce but none durst publickly owne him lest they should displease the Turks and the Jews and incurr the danger of Excommunication from one and the Gallows from the other Howsoever in January 〈◊〉 appeared another bold Impostor amongst the Jews in Smyrna from the Morea as it was said or not known from whence who in despight of Sabatai and his own Governours pretended to be Messiah but with so inconsiderable and petty a Deluder as this the Jews thought to make quick work but being ashamed at first to bring another Messiah on the Stage by help of money they accused him of Adultery and procured a Sentence from the Kadi condemning him to the Gallies in order unto which and in proof of his good
that industry and diligence that notwithstanding the Force which the Venetians had at Sea their Recruits for the most part arrived safe and Corn began to be so plentiful that the Vizier gave a prohibition against having more imported and in short nothing wanted for prosecution of the War which was carried on in the Winter as far as the season or the weather would permit so that scarce a day passed without something of action either of storming or blowing up of Forts overthrowing Galleries filling Trenches the particulars of all which are so numerous that to recount them would fill a Volume and are more proper to be related in a Journal than a History in which minute matters ought to be passed by and nothing but acts of greatest moment be recorded Howsoever great Actions at this season ceased for a while on one side and the other only continual discharges of great shot and Bomboes were practised And the Turks endeavouring with artifice to cover their designs dispatched a Letter to the Senate of Venice by way of Suda and thence in a Galley to Candia touching certain Motives of Peace supposing that Propositions and Offers of Accommodation would loosen the minds of the Officers and render them less intent and diligent in their Affairs on receipt of which Letter though Marquess Villa replied That he had as much power from the Senate to conclude a Peace as the Vizier himself had from his Master yet the Vizier would not treat with him but sent a Letter which was consigned by an Aga at the Bulwark of Palma under the caution of a white Flag desiring that it should be forwarded to Venice About this time arrived to the great comfort of the Besieged the new Proveditor Bernardo Nani with five hundred Souldiers and Matteo Matheus Sergeant General with some Recruits from the Pope bringing with him three hundred Medals of Silver to bestow on such as deserved them with Jubilees and Indulgences without number and thus ended the Action of this Year Anno Christi 1668. Hegeira 1079. THE Spring approaching toward the end of January the Turks full of hopes to compleat their Conquest vigorously in all maritime Ports of the Empire made provisions of Corn and other Victuals to be sent to the Camp when occasion should require and opened a door for Janisaries according to the Turkish phrase the Formality of which is in this manner The Chief Officer appointed for that purpose asks severally such as come to be listed Of what Chamber they desire to be to which they making reply That they will be of the fifth sixth or seventh or the like the Officer gives them a blow under the ear with the palm of his hand and bids them repair to their Chamber with which they nimbly pass away But herein the due form and order of Janisaries was corrupted for in former days Janisaries were educated in that condition from children and from thence named Yenisheri or Tyrones or the young Souldiery but now on this necessity of raising Forces ancient men Fathers of Families with long beards were admitted to the disparagement of that Order and corruption of the exactness of that Discipline Considerable Supplies also were sent of Beldargees or Pioniers so that this year from several parts according to the best computation the Forces of Candia were recruited with a Supply of seventy thousand men for transportation of which and of their Provisions all Christian Ships were imbarged at Smyrna and Constantinople several of which in their voyage to Candia were intercepted by the Maltese Corsaires and particularly a French Ship called the Arms of France on which were between four and five hundred Turks was taken and in boarding of her about an hundred Turks were killed upon the Deck some other small Vessels one of which was a Ligornese under English Colours were taken the French Barks which had in this manner lost their Corn unadvisedly returned to Smyrna supposing the excuse of having done their endeavours and of being over-powered by a stronger Force was sufficient But the Turks who judge of nothing well but by the success having gotten them into their hands made them not only return their Freight but satisfie the loss of the Cargason In the Month of March the Vizier having intelligence of six or seven Venetian Gallies to be at Fodile not far from Standia under the Command of the Proveditor of the Armata Lorenço Cornaro gave order to Regep Pasha of Romelia who was Captain of the Souldiery and Durach Begh who commanded a Squadron of twelve Gallies to weigh Anchor in the night and there surprise them Durach Begh though sore against his will doubting the truth of the report yet readily obeyed and fitted his Gallies for the Enterprise The Captain-General having intelligence of the design prepared four Gallies in Port and imbarked that night with a French Regiment and some Italians to the number of six hundred besides two Companies of the Guards and one of the Proveditor Nani under the Command of Colonel André Facile and Montalto accompanied also with the Proveditor Extraordinary Daniel Justiniani Commissary of the Treasury of the Militia with several other Captains and Officers and arriving at Standia found the Proveditor General Cornaro newly entred there from crusing the Seas with sixteen Gallies to whom having communicated the design they immediately loosed from the Port and arrived at Fodilé before midnight The Turks having from the place of their Anchorage discovered two Sail hoped there might be no more and therefore came forth to sight them but ingaging farther met such a number as evidenced the danger and the little hope there was in other than in their Courage and Arms. The night being dark the Venetians not to mistake each other carried such great Lights on their Mast-heads as not only distinguished them from the Enemy but also directed them to give battle to the Turks which they prosecuted so home that they took and sunk five of the Turkish Gallies of which the Admiral commanded by Durach Bey was one the rest though much shattered and for the present unserviceable did yet by the help of their Oars and the darkness of the night find a way to escape nor was this Victory gained by the Venetians in a Fight of seven hours without the loss of two hundred Souldiers killed and about five hundred wounded besides some Persons of Quality and Command viz. the Cavalier Arasi Justiniani the Commissary Francesco Cornaro Foscarini c. the wounded were Georgio Greco Lorenço Bembo and Marco Balbi The Turks lost many of their best Sea-men and Souldiers besides Slaves and others counting on every Galley one with another three hundred persons amongst the Prisoners which amounted to four hundred and ten the Beys of Cyprus and Navarine with Mustapha of Anatolia and the Chiaus of the Pasha of Aleppo were taken together with eleven hundred Christian Slaves who were all freed on condition that they should serve the Summer following in the Venetian
of the near approach of the Excellentissimo Alvise de Molino Ambassadour from the Venetian Republick with propositions of peace But the Turks before they would admit the Embassy or the person which brought it to a nearer approach than a Days Journey from the Court would be resolved first whether he brought with him the Keys of Candia To which it was replied by the Interpreter That he was not able to give them satisfaction in that particular being but a mean and ordinary servant to whom the Secrets of State and resolutions of great men were not committed his Office being only to render faithfully the words and sence of his Masters and not to enter into the private thoughts and Cabinet of their Counsels To which the Chimacam proudly and barbarously made answer Go tell thy Master that unless he brings the Keys of Candia thy head shall pay for it And that he presume not in person to approach nearer unto this Court So the Ambassadour remained at a distance for some weeks and at length was transferred over to the Vizier at Candia who being more ready to hearken to propositions in hopes by some overture or other to hook in Candia gave an easie Audience to the Ambassadour and controverted several Articles and Propositions with all freedom and patience So that on the Venetians part the Surrender of Suda was offered and a Sum of money in compensation of the War The Vizier on the other side would be contented with nothing less than the Surrender of Candia and in lieu thereof to grant a Licence to rebuild Paleo-Castro an ancient Fortress But the Fortress it self of Candia being the prize and aim of both nothing could be concluded without that so that the Ambassadour in fine declared plainly That the City of Candia was maintained and defended by the Armes of Foreign Princes without whose consent it could not be resigned all the rest of the Island should be the reward of their bloud and labour only Candia was capable of no Conditions but what were imposed on it by force of Armes The Vizier whose honour could be salved and the glory of the Ottoman Empire maintained at no other rate than the subjection of Candia would hearken to no other terms or proposals so that the Treaty broke off and the Ambassadour returned to Canea there to remain until farther Overtures of an Accommodation should present It was now towards the depth of Winter when three men of War and a Fire-Ship sent by the most Christian King steered up the Hellespont with words and boastings as full of Wind as their Sails and being arrived at Constantinople vaunting of their Force as if sufficient to subdue the Turkish Dominions they uttered certain rumours that they were come to revenge the late affront offered to their Merchants to cause that money to be repaid which in late and frequent Avanias had been extorted from their Nation and to renew their Capitulations with more advantageous terms As namely That their Customs from 5 be reduced to 3 per Cent. as the English Dutch and Genoeses pay That their King be treated by the Sultan with the equal Presents and Gifts according to the Custom used with the Emperour and that at all times interchangeably Ambassadours be sent to reside in each others Dominions with other propositions which seemed as extravagant to the Turks as they appeared to others vain and to have no foundation but in the report of the Vulgar But that which was reported by the most judicious concerning these Ships was That his most Christian Majesty being made to understand perfectly the affronts put on his Nation by the Turks and not fully satisfied as is supposed with the respect they had shown to his Ambassador at Constantinople made it the chief Design of his Ships to withdraw him from thence supposing it a less diminution to his honour to have the person of his Agent subjected to affronts than of his Ambassadour to which it was imagined he might be obnoxious in consideration of those great supplies which were in the following year designed for Candia In what manner soever the Turks deemed of this appearance of Men of War to hector and brave them at their Imperial City they did yet for the present cunningly dissemble the matter giving the French fair words and what plenty of Provisions their occasions did require In what manner this Affair was transacted I shall not adventure to relate nor is it well or certainly known Yet not long after came Orders for the Ambassadour to repair to the Court at Larissa and that until the Grand Signior's pleasure was farther known the Ships of War were to be detained The Commander in chief called Monsieur d' Almeras was not a little trou bled to have his Ships thus embargued and labouring in his thoughts between the time limited in his Instructions by his Master and the restraint by the Turks he once bravely resolved to hazard his passage through the Castles but protracting the execution thereof from day to day even until the end of April at length Licence came for their departure and Orders to repair unto Vola near Larissa there to take an Ambassadour or Agent or Envoyé from the Sultan to their King For it seems the Vizier had intimated to the Grand Signior That it was not time to disgust the French King and to bring him under the notion of a declared and publick Enemy or at least to irritate him so far as might provoke him to send greater Forces than perhaps he designed the next year for Candia and that he ought to comply with the present conjuncture and salve that up for a time which he might afterwards open at his pleasure This counsel seeming reasonable to the Grand Signior and agreeable to the present necessity he ordered as I was credibly informed a thousand Dollars only to adorn his Ambassadour so pitifully do the Turks esteem of Christian Princes and so highly do they value themselves as if a Message from them would be reverenced in Christendom as a favour though brought by a Porter or a Slave But the French Ambassadour considering this allowance too mean a provision for a person qualified to appear before his Master did as it is said out of his own Purse and generous Soul contribute a far greater Sum with two Vests of Sables towards his better Equipage In this manner the Sultan dissembling an appearance of good correspondence with his Christian Majesty dispatched away his Envoyé on the Ships of War being a Person in quality of a Mutafaraca one of the same degree with a Chaous to expostulate with the King concerning several Particulars and especially his Reasons for sending for his Ambassadour without sending another according to ancient custom to supply his Office wondering much at this sudden alteration of friendship without any cause given on the Ottoman side and with these smooth and fair words the Turks imagined they might charm the Spirit of the
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
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
a Confident of the Vizier's together with Panaiotti the Vizier's Interpreter and then with more earnestness declaring That nothing would be heard unless in the sirst place they were resolved to deliver the Town and threatned them in case they returned without this Proposition The Captain General being advised hereof the next morning Anand and Scordili went again on the same message and meeting the Turks under Paleocastro they acquainted them that they had orders to treat about a Surrender but sirst desired to know what Articles they would give them and what Town in exchange for this In this manner a Treaty being begun it was resolved for better expedition to erect Tents nearer to the Town for the place of Conference where the Plenipotentiaries on both sides were to meet Ibrahim Pasha late Pasha of Aleppo Achmet Aga the Kahya-begh of the Janisaries the Spahyler Agasi and the Interpreter Panaiotti were the persons chosen by the Turks on the part of the Christians after some Debate no other persons were chosen besides Anand and Scordili who meeting the Turks at the time and place appointed demanded of them some other place in exchange for that of Candia To which the Turk 's with some heat replyed That it was against their Law to deliver Towns where Moschs were built into the hands of Christians To which the others answered That this could not be their Law since that in a Treaty some months past begun by the Cavalier Molino they had offered to deliver up into the hands of the Christians Candia Nuova Silia and Girapitra all places where Mahometan Moschs were erected and though the Turks might now imagine it easie to win the Town by sorce they assured them that greater difficulties remained and that if they remembred what bloud what labours and what Treasures their small acquests and advance had cost them they might thence calculate what Force still remained to conquer and that the last gasp of this dying Fortress would spend it self with more ruine and destruction than they had felt in all the other approaches and assaults thereunto In fine the Turks seeming resolved to be fole Masters of the whole Kingdom of Candia the Venetians began to condescend to receive some compensation in another manner Howsoever the difficulties were not yet ended but greater appeared for the Turks demanded satisfaction for the charge of the War and the Haratch or head-money which for all those years of the Wars they had not received from the people of the Isles of the Archipelago they demanded also a Tribute for the Forts and Islands of Cerigo Tino and Clissa and the other Conquests in Dalmatia all which points caused new Disputes which were maintained with those heats and with that obstinacy as if it had been impossible for both parties ever to meet in a conclusion Notwithstanding after long Debates on the fourth of September they came to agree of giving hostages and to certain proposals concerning the manner of surrendring the place The Turks demanded to have the Outworks put into their hands with one of the Gates of the City and the Palisade of the new Retrenchment To which Anand and Scordili answered That this was not a proposition to be made to the Captain General for that they were assured the Garrison would sooner suffer themselves to be cut in pieces than to commit themselves to the mercy of the Turkish Souldiery whose faith is recorded in the History of Famagusta and may serve for a true example and mirroir of their treachery and faithlesness to all Ages In this manner the Treaty had like to have been Broken off but at length they concluded That it was necessary to render an account to the Vizier of the particulars of this Conference adjourning the Treaty until the next Morning Notwithstanding all which the Turks did not abate in the least point their progress in the War labouring in their Works and fighting with more heat than ever The Venetians on the other side were not less active firing continually their Cannon and Granadoes and making some little Sallies endeavoured as much as they were able to cover the weakness of their Forces The Turks had raised a new Battery which broke a great part of the Palisade of the new Retrenchment upon which it was expected that they should make a strong attempt for whose better entertainment two Mines were prepared to receive them but they deferring the assault the Captain General gave orders to fire both the Mines at once which consisting of a hundred and fifty Barrels of Powder made the ground to tremble both in the City and in the Camp overthrowing several works with miserable slaughter of the Enemy The Turks observing this resolution in the Defendants became more tractable and less severe in their demands so that Ibrahim Pasha with the rest contented themselves with no other security for performances of Conditions than Hostages of which three were consigned mutually on both sides After which other Articles were with less difficulty concluded so that in the morning of the 6 th of September the Turks demanded that the Christians should give all their Articles in Writing whereupon the Council ordered Grimaldi to draw them up which were in substance as followeth First That for obtaining a good and lasting Peace it is agree'd That the City of Candia with all its Cannon which were planted there before the time of the War be consigned into the hands of the Vizier Secondly That quiet possession be given to the Republick of Suda Carabusa and Spina Longa with the Territories thereunto belonging with the Fortress of Clissa in Dalmatia Thirdly That the Venetians may carry away all the Cannon which have been brought into the Town since the beginning of the War Fourthly That for embarking the Souldiery Pioniers and Inhabitants of all Qualities and Conditions with their Arms Provisions and Baggage twelve days time shall be granted and assigned Fifthly That what shall remain unshipped at the end of the twelve days aforesaid the Vizier shall with his own Boats assist to the lading thereof Sixthly That during this time of truce no person whatsoever shall transgress his Limits or pass the bounds of his Station or Quarters and that he who doth shall be treated as an Enemy Seventhly That so soon as these Articles shall be subscribed under the white Flag all Acts of Hostility shall cease both on one side and the other Eighthly That for security of performance of these Articles three Hostages be mutually given on one side and the other Ninthly That for better assurance that the Venetians will use all their endeavours to embark their Men and Goods the Turks may employ two Officers for Eye-witnesses of the same Tenthly That for better effecting hereof all Ships Gallies and other Vessels may freely approach near unto the shore and enter into the Port both by Day and Night Eleventhly That the Venetian Fleet may remain at Standia or at any other Island in the Archipelago until such time as
had they worse success against the Muscovites who retreated backward as the Turk advanced leaving Asac aster it had been sacked and almost destroyed to be again rebuilt which was speedily effected by the assistance of the Captain-Pasha who was that year with thirty nine Gallies dispeeded into the Black Sea and with great numbers of Slaves and Souldiers repaired the ruines which the Muscovites had made In the mean time whilst the chiefest strength of the marine Force was thus employed a small Squadron of about ten Gallies were ordered for the Archipelago and the Levant under the Command of one Mahomet Pasha a Person that managed sundry great Employments but his prodigality and profuse way of living was the cause that he could thrive in none only he thereby gained so much interest and credit with the Grandees and Monied men of the Court who are the Pages and Eunuchs as served him to contract a debt of a thousand Dollars without any ability of his own to give them satisfaction of which these Creditors being assured made it their Petition to the Grand Signior to grant him the Command of that Squadron of Gallies which was that year designed for the Archipelago supposing that he in this Expedition being to pass unto many Islands and Countries knew how to make such use of his time and the advantage of his Employment as would gain him a sufficient benefit whereby to satisfie and clear all scores and accounts with them This Office being accordingly conferred Mahomet Pasha prepared himself to depart whilst the Creditors remained in full expectation of a profitable Voyage and speedy returns which to improve to the best advantage the Pasha first visited the open and undefended Isles from whence with the greatest severity and rapine imaginable he pillaged and plundered what he was able making some of them to ransom their whole Country with money Thence he proceeded to Scala Nova called by the Turks Koush-adasee a place on the Coast of Asia not far from Ephesus where he demanded of the people though all Turks the Sum of five thousand Dollars which they not finding to pay were treated with all kind of force and violence till at length paying down 1500 and engaging to pay the rest in a months time the Pasha departed leaving an Aga a Servant of his to receive the money at the time agreed In that interim the Kadi coming to be changed and another of more courage and spirit succeeding in his place believed that the best service at his beginning and entrance into Office which he could perform towards the people was to relieve them from the oppression of the Pasha and perswade them positively to refuse the payment who taking courage from their Chief drove the Aga out of Town with a thousand menaces and reproaches Upon this News Mehmet Pasha returned again full of anger and indignation but found not that easie reception nor kind entertainment as before but on the contrary the Gates were shut against him and the people abandoning their Habitations with common consent resolved to make a Journey to the Grand Signior and to shew they were in earnest proceeded so far in their way as to Ephesus which is about ten miles distant from thence the prejudice and danger of which complaint Mahomet Pasha greatly fearing sent Messengers to pacifie them with good words and promises to relinquish his pretensions in case they would return but the uproar was so great that they found as much difficulty to quiet it as the Town-Cerk in ancient times had to appease the Tumult raised by the Silversmiths about Diana of the Ephesians Being thus baffled at Koush-adasec he vented his fury on some poor Islands which he could more easily master and thence proceeded to Napoli di Romania where the people being already alarmed with his behaviour and violence of his actions in other places and encouraged by the example of Koush-adasec upon his arrival there without farther ceremony shut their Gates and appeared armed against him upon the Walls at which entertainment and unexpected opposition the Pasha fearing some evil consequences set sail from thence and crossing again the Seas into Asia made Rhodes his next Port. Thence he passed to Satalia to Cyprus and Scanderone and so again returned for Constantinople taking Smyrna in his way committing most extreme rapine and violence on the people whose complaints having gone before him to the Court he was immediately cut off at his arrival but in the first place his gains and ill gotten goods were seized on to satisfie the Grand Signior and his Creditors of the Seraglio who being sent to fish for Wealth was served like the Cormorants in the Indies which being made tame and taught to fish for the benefit of their Masters have a Ring clapped about their necks to prevent them from swallowing the prey they take But to return to the Actions at Land which were matters of the greatest importance The Turks had no sooner relieved Kemenitz recovered Choczim and caused the Muscovites to retreat and draw their Forces into their Country but being Masters of the Field and having the choice of acting according to their own pleasure resolved to secure the places they already possessed esteeming it more wisdom to make sure their late acquisitions than to add thereunto new conquesls which they could not maintain And therefore considering the inconstancy of the Cosacks who having abandoned their subjection to Poland had submitted themselves to their yoke and also how unable Dorosenzko their Governour was either to keep them in obedience or else to defend them from the Polonian Incursions they resolved for prevention of these inconveniences and for a secure remedy against any sinister accidents of this nature to make seisure of that Party of the Cosacks who had not submitted to them and transport them into other parts which they accordingly put into execution and sweeping all the Countries as they passed carried away men women and children into Captivity part of which such as belonged to the Grand Signior had some Lands assigned them along the Coast near the Black Sea the Armenians who were a Trading people and lived at Kemenitz were transported to Philipopoli of the Jews some were carried to Adrianople and others to Constantinople but the younger sort of both Sexes were permitted to the Souldiery to carry them for Slaves to their own homes and were in great numbers dispersed through all parts of the Empire a Policy anciently used by Pharaoh to his Egyptian Subjects who having bought their Lands of them did afterwards transport them from one end of the Land unto the other that so he might keep them in the greater servitude and subjection Gen. 47. 21. And as for the people he moved them from one end of the borders of Egypt to the other And in this manner the success concluding the year without any great Enterprise or Feats of Arms the Sultan returned to his Court at Adrianople about the end of November
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
the Camp But now the News of the designed return of the Grand Signior to his ancient Seat filled all places with joy and triumph especially at Constantinople which was not more satisfied with the consideration of the benefit and advantage it was likely to receive by the Royal Presence than that those suspicious and jealousies which formerly possessed the mind of the Sultan with a prejudice against this place did seem now to vanish and that he reassumed a confidence of his Royal City equal to that love and esteem which his Ancestors had of it so that the humour which then possessed Constantinople appeared like that of London at our Kings Restauration all joy even to transport for this unexspected Return the people in the streets congratulating their mutual happiness thanked God that they had lived to see that happy day and blessed hour The occasion of this unexspected and sudden resolution caused many roving guesses and opinations of the reasons of it Some said a Dream which the Grand Signior had and which gave great disturbance to his thoughts until he resolved for Constantinople Others said the revolt and troubles at Cairo of which we shall presently have occasion to discourse and some added certain Commotions at Bagdat or Babylon some reported that Xeriff of Mecha wrote him a Letter that he could not acknowledge him the Head and Protector of the Mussulmin Faith so long as he had abandoned his Imperial City and lived in the mountains and unknown places Others said that the Janisaries and Militia murmured and that his Coming to Constantinople was forced and not to be avoided and that the Sultan being now out of love with Adrianople had cursed it and sworn never more to set foot in it having ordered the Materials sent for the building of the Great Seraglio at Adrianople to be stopped on the way and returned back again At this rate all the World talked and discoursed joy and hopes made the people fancy every thing according to their wishes The Grand Signior being approached near to Constantinople fixed himself in his Camp in the Fields near a small Seraglio of his own called Daout Basha from whence the people for many days expected that he should according to the Custom of his Ancestors make a solemn Entry instead whereof he made some Sallies with a small Company through the Streets as it were incognito taking his pastime on the Water and on the sides of the Bosphorus in his Gallies and Boats but most commonly frequented his Palace of Scutari on the Asian side where with much delight and confidence he lodged and reposed his Court but made no solemn Entry through the City nor frequented his great Seraglio where though he might perhaps dine and pass certain hours yet he slept not one Night there of which the people took especial notice and thereby received consirmation of the jealousie their Soveraign had of them to their extraordinary grief and dissatisfaction however it was some contentment to the people and renown unto the City to have their Emperour so near though it was rumoured as if the Court towards the approach of Winter intended again to return unto Adrianople In the mean time the Grand Signior took his chief delight and divertisement on the Water passing in his Gallies and Pleasure-Boats up the Bosphorus to the mouth of the Black Sea and thence returning much frequented the Gardens and Houses of Delight upon the Banks of the River and visiting all places a Country House called Therapea belonging to the Dutch Resident received the honour of his Presence which he liked so well that he took it from the Proprietor and conferred it without any consideration of money on one of his Courtiers giving out a Proclamation That no Christian Minister should possess any Seat or Habitation on the side of the Bosphorus A strange thing and what is not to be paralleled in any part of the World About the beginning of this Year the Captain Pasha died and Zaid Ahmet Pasha-ogli then at the Camp succeeded him his Father was a famous Man and in the same Charge but cut off by old Kuperlee Soon after Ibrahim Pasha General of the Army at Kemenitz likewise died and his Office was conferred on Ibrahim Pasha that was Pasha of Candia of whom we have had often occasion to speak being a great friend to the English Nation The Great Vizier also was not far remote from the Consines of Death being now fallen by reason of immoderate drinking of Wine and chiefly of hot Cinamon Waters into a formed Dropsie and Jaundice In the preceding year we touched on the removal of the Tefterdar or Treasurer from his Office to the Government of Grand Cairo and the reasons for it which though it might be a preferment being the richest and most important Charge of the Empire to which the esteem the Sultan had of his parts and abilities might probably advance him yet the imploying of him at a distance so remote was certainly an effect of some displeasure whereby he or his Favourites judged him a Person not sit to remain longer near the Royal Presence Wherefore having commenced his Journey as before mentioned he arrived at Grand Cairo where he had not long continued before he began according to the natural acuteness of his mind and hugstering manner to pierce with a narrow inspection into all Affairs of that Government and particularly into the Revenue and Treasure of the Country contriving with himself by what means the disorders might be corrected and the Revenue and Tribute improved for he had an excellent Genius or Spirit in the matters of Money nothing in advantage of Interest could ever escape him so that he began to lay a new foundation in all proceedings he would not be contented with the old Taxes and Impositions and where he found Lands improved or the Customs augmented he would put in for a share of the Benefits and would reform every thing wherein he judged his Master to have been abused But though he was acute and sharp-sighted in such matters as these yet he wanted experience in the Government of Egypt for the great Beghs of this Country being alarmed with these innovations began to stand upon their Guard and to enter into private Consultations in what manner to oppose themselves to this new way of Government which looked like slavery and designs of bringing them into servitude and a subjection unknown to them and their Fore-fathers For indeed the Government of Egypt if well considered is rather Aristocratical than Monarchical for though they acknowledge the Sultan to be their Head and accept his Pasha for Ruler and pay a yearly Tribute yet the Beghs which are great Lords in their respective Countries carry the sway and Dominion in all other matters and will endure nothing which savours of oppression or innovation so that these persons grown jealous by the proceedings of the new Pasha flew into open Sedition and immediately to Arms with force
of which they assaulted the Pasha's Palace took him and threw him into Prison The News whereof flying with all haste to the Ottoman Court appeared at the first apprehension or surprise as if all Egypt had revolted and gave the World occasion to discourse That the Wars were to be carried Eastward and that the sudden resolution of removing the Court to Constantinople was in order to a farther March into those parts But frequent Messages with time making the business to be better understood caused the Grand Signior to dispeed with all haste another Pasha with Commission to remove the former and to continue all the ancient Customs and Priviledges from the beginning indulged to the Beghs of Egypt with which Message and gentle words of grace and favour from the Sultan all discontents being pacified the former Pasha was released from his Imprisonment and suffered to depart and thence proceeded to the Island of Candia where he entred on that Pashaluck succeeding Ibrahim Pasha in Charge who as before related was sent to Kemenitz to be General of the Army in place of the Pasha lately deceased But here I must not forget a story which happened during the time of this Summer whilst the Grand Signior had his abode and injoyed his Recreations in the circumjacent parts of Constantinople there was a certain Sultana which had been a cast Wench of Sultan Ibrahim who after his death having been married to some Pasha obtained her release from the old Seraglio and being also a Widow by the death of this Husband had liberty to take her habitation on the Banks of the Bosphorus or where she thought fit This Lady was called Soltana Sporcha in Turkish Mordar how she came to be so nominated I cannot tell perhaps some Italian Pages of the Court might in respect to her way of living impose this Name upon her for she was no other than a Bawd or something worse making it her Profession to buy young Girls and to educate them in singing dancing and in all the ways which best accomplish Courtisans Amongst this Train of Scholars she had one more brisk and aery than the others which could sing and dance and prate incomparably and was so quick in her Reparties that she greatly delighted the Pasha's and Lords whose pleasures she attended bringing from them considerable Gifts and Presents to the enriching of her self and Mistress and became so much the talk of the Court that at length the report of her arrived the ears of the Grand Signior who being also desirous to injoy some divertisement by the pranks of this witty Girl sent to the Sultana one of the black Eunuchs for her which Imperial Command she not daring to disobey consigned her with great submission into the hands of the Messenger but with this caution that she humbly desired the Sultan not to make any attempt on her Chastity in regard she was both a Virgin and a Free-woman The Grand Signior having pleased himself with the wantonness of this Wench began to take a fancy to her and resolved to take her into the Seraglio but she shewing a kind of nicety and coiness the Grand Signior who perhaps was better accommodated sent her back again to her Mistress reslecting as was supposed with some disgust on the cautions which accompanied her It happened not long after that this Girl exercising her Art in the presence of some great Persons one Chesmé Aga a Bosnian by Nation Captain of the Great Viziers Guard a stout and valiant man happening to be a Spectator one night became unfortunately enamoured of her and from that time not being able to remove the impression she had made in his heart resolved if possible to make her his Wife and to that end made his affections known and his intentions of Marriage both to her and to her Mistress The Girl was well enough pleased to become the Wife of so honourable a Person but the Sultana unwilling to lose the profit and benesit she daily brought her in refused the Match declaring That she was a Slave and not at her own disposal and therefore in no capacity of bestowing her self any way without her consent This impediment giving a stop to the Marriage put the two Lovers on plots and contrivances in what manner to injoy each other and Love being ingenious quickly found out a means to bring them together for the Girl escaping from her Mistress lodged her self in those Chambers which her Lover had found for her And being now missed none but Chesme Aga was charged with her of whom she complained to the Grand Signior and cited him before his Master the Great Vizier to answer for her but he denying to know any thing of her and no witness appearing against him all farther proceedings were superseded for the present But Soltana Sporcha keeping watchful spies upon all the motions of Chesmé Aga at length found him and his Mistress together and by the Authority of Officers brought them both before the Vizier to whom the Sultana sent a rude message That Chesmé Aga should be punished and that her Slave should be returned The Vizier hereof acquainted the Grand Signior and gave him to understand the message which the Sultana had sent him desiring to know what punishment he was pleased should be inflicted on them In which interim Chesmé Aga told the Vizier That he expected no other than a sentence of death from the Grand Signior only he desired that his beloved Mistress might be spared for he was sure he should live in her It was not long before the fatal Decree came for putting Chesmé Aga to death and sending the Woman to the Seraglio which was immediately executed which act might seem to denote a natural cruelty in the Sultan being in reality very severe though the whole course of his Reign hath been more gentle and mild than of any of the Ottoman Emperours only this fact proceeded rather from disdain than thirst of blood being angry that this Girl should prefer the Love of one of his Vassals before the Honours of the Seraglio and that her Mistress the Soltana should charm him with a lye of her being free when she was no other than a slave and not long before bought for an inconsiderable price Not long after this and towards the 11 th or 12 th of September when the Sun was come to the Equinoctial the Grand Signior prepared to depart The rumour of which displeasing and making sad the peoples hearts as much as his presence before comforted them it was given out That the Grand Signior intended to return with the Spring and divide the consolation which his residence produced between the two Regal Cities and for an evidence thereof he ordered a Platform to be laid for erecting a new Seraglio at Scutari and the Vizier designed another at Bezick-rash and the Palaces of the Pasha's and great Men were all putting into a way of Reparation which for some time amused and contented
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