and all the chief Commanders of the Souldiers of the Sacred War appointed him Governor of the Kingdom reserving unto himself only the Title of a King with the City of Ierusalem and a yearly Pension of ten thousand Ducats all which was done to the great disgrace and discontentment of the Count of Tripolis the old Governor It was not long but that Saladin having breathed himself a little after so great Labours came again into the Holy Land where he took many Castles and did infinite harm insomuch that the Country people were glad for fear to forsake their Houses and to fly into Cities The Christian Army in the mean time lying fast by at Sephor not once moving although many a fair occasion were offered for the chief Commanders affectionated unto the Count of Tripolis and envying the Preferment of Guy the new Governor were unwilling to fight but finding one excuse or other suffered the Enemy at his pleasure to spoil the Country and so in safety to depart which he had never before done in those Quarters Within less than a month after Saladin with a great Army well appointed with all the Habiliments of War needful for the besieging of a City or strong Castle came again into the Land of Palestine and passing through the Country beyond Iordan sate down at last before Petra in hope by the taking thereof to have made his passage between Egypt and Damasco more safe Of which his purpose King Baldwin having knowledge and taught by the evil success of late to what small purpose it was to commit the managing of his Wars unto a General so evil beloved and less regarded as way Guy his Brother in law sent against him with his Army Raymund the Count of Tripolis the old Governor whom he had again restored unto the Government and displaced Guy Of whose coming Saladin hearing raised his Siege after he had lien there a month and so departed A little before this Expedition the King still growing sicker and sicker his foul Disease still increasing by the common consent of the Nobility appointed Baldwin his Nephew by his Sister Sybilla a Child but of five years old to succeed him in the Kingdom and the Count of Tripolis to have the Government of the State during the time of his Minority This Sybilla the Kings Sister was first married to William the younger Marquiss of Mont-Ferrat who dying within three months after left her with child with this his Posthumus Son Baldwin now by his Uncle deputed unto the hope of the Kingdom After whose death she was married to Guy Lusignan Count of Ioppa and Ascalon the late Governor who taking in evil part this the Kings designment especially for the Government of the Kingdom by the Count of Tripolis departed from the Court as a man discontented unto his City of Ascalon whereof the Patriarch and the Princes of the Sacred War fearing and that not without cause great danger to ensue came to the King then holding a Parliament in the City of Acon most humbly requesting him for avoiding of further danger and the safety of his Kingdom to receive again into his Favour the Count Guy his Brother in law and to make an atonement betwixt him and the Count of Tripolis But this their request sorted to no purpose so that the Parliament was dissolved without any thing for the good of the Common-weal in that point concluded After that time the Kindgom of Ierusalem began still more and more to decline In the old King Baldwin sick both in body and mind was almost no hope in the young King yet unfit for so great a burthen much less and the dissention betwixt the two Counts Guy and Raymund with their Favorites was like enough to bring great harm unto the State. Besides that the Count of Tripolis fearing the Power of Guy his Enemy was thought to have secret Intelligence with Saladin the Turk insomuch as the King was almost in purpose to have proclaimed him Traytor Wherefore the King now rested only upon the Counsel of William Archbisâ—op of Tyre and the Masters of the Knights of the Sacred War by whose advice he sent Hâ—raclius Patriarch of Ierusalem Roger Molins Master of the Knights of St. Iohns and Arnold Master of the Templars Embassadors unto Lucius the Third then Pope unto Frederick the Emperor Philip the French King and Henry the Second King of England to declare unto them the dangerous State of that Christian Kingdom and to crave their Aid against the Infidels These Embassadors coming to the Council then holden at Vâ—rona with great gravity and diligence in the presence of the Pope and of the Emperor declared the hard estate of the Christians of the East with their humble Request unto them for Aid in such sort that they moved them with all the Princes there present to Compassion From thence they were by the Pope directed unto Philip the French King with whom having dispatched their Affairs they from him passed over into England and afterward into Germany and had at length brought their Negotiation to so good pass that in every place great preparation was made for a great Expedition to be made against the Turks for the Relief of the Christians in the East with which good News the Embassadors returning to Ierusalem filled the sick King with the hope of great matters But greater Quarrels shortly after arising betwixt the Pope and the Emperor and sharp War likewise betwixt the French King and the King of England and the other Christian Princes also being at no better quiet the notable Expedition that had with the expectation thereof so filled the World was again laid aside and quite dashed Whereof King Baldwin understanding both by Messengers and Letters from his Friends oppressed with grief and heaviness more than with the force of his Disease a man for his prowess and painfulness not inferiour to any his Predecessors died without Issue the 16 th day of May Anno 1185. being but five and twenty years old year 1185. whereof he had reigned twelve His Body was afterward with the general mourning of his Subjects solemnly buried in the Temple near unto the Mount Calvary together with his Predecessors the Kings of Ierusalem King Baldwin thus buried Baldwin the Fifth of that name yet but a Boy was Crowned King. But then began the Sparks which had of long lien raked up and hidden in the ashes to break out into a great fire for Raymund Count of Tripolis contended the whole Government of the Kingdom and tuition of the King to be due unto him by the appointment of the late King and consent of the Nobility and did so much that he had almost obtained it to have been confirmed unto him in open Parliament But Sybilla a woman of a most haughty spirit Sister unto the late King and Mother unto the young King yet living prickt forward her Husband Guy in no case to give place unto his Competitor Raymund and so animated
Beside the great number of Spaniards Italians and Burgundians the Bohemian Camp lay not far off strengthened with them of Silicia and Moravia There were also some Troops of Polonian Horsemen not sent thither by publick Authority but serving as voluntary Men King Sigismund winking thereat who as he was careful not rashly to break the League he had made with Solyman so lest he should seem careless of the Christian common cause by notable dissimulation left place for such of his Subjects as would as if it had been without his knowledge to shew their Valour in the most honourable War. The Christian Army ready to receive the Enemy lay in a great Field near unto Vienna in this Order Three great Squadrons of Pikemen standing one Squadron a great way distant from another were so placed against the Enemy with like and equal Front that all the Horsemen divided into two parts might well be received into the great spaces betwixt the three Squadrons for it was not thought convenient to oppose so small a number of Horsemen in open Field without the Footmen against almost three hundred thousand of the Turks Horsemen The right wing of the Horsemen was led by the Emperor himself and the left by King Ferdinand Before and behind and on every side of the three Squadrons of Pikes saving in those places which were left open for the Horsemen about thirty paces off were placed twenty thousand nimble Harquebusiers ranged in length and but five in a rank so that whilst the first discharged the second and after them the third and so the rest readily and orderly coming on might without let deliver their Bullets upon their Enemies neither was it thought any disadvantage to place them so thin for that if they found themselves by the Enemies oppressed they might easily retire amongst the Pikes standing fast at hand Before the Harquebusiers was planted the great Ordnance whereof the Emperor had such store and so well placed that he could therewith as with a most sure Trench have compassed in his whole Army Only the Hungarians Men well acquainted with the manner of the Turks fight chose to lie in the open Field in two great wings under the leading of their two valiant Captains Valentinus and Paulus Many noble Gentlemen beholding this goodly Army wept for joy conceiving a most assured hope of Victory if the proud Enemy durst with all his Forces joyn in Battel But Solyman who by all means sought with his great number of Horsemen to keep the wide and open Fields certainly advertised both of the Emperors strength and the manner of his lying got him over the River of Mura and at Marpurge by Bridges which he made on the suddain passed over the great River Dravus And so he which that Summer held almost all the World in suspence with the doubtful expectation of the success of that War having with all that his huge power wherewith he threatned the World done nothing at all worth the remembrance but was in every place either overcome or else shamefully repulsed left Stiria and returned the same way he came directly betwixt the Rivers of Savus and Dravus to Belgrade and so to Constantinople leaving here and there some remembrance of his barbarous cruelty and still looking behind him if the Emperor were not at his heels at such time as a few Dalmatian and Croatian Horsemen did still pursue the tail of his Army It is reported that he carried away with him thirty thousand Christians into Captivity besides many thousands of poor Country People slain by the mercilâ—ss Turks but especially by Cason and his Followers and so to his eternal infamy was twice in the space of a few years driven out of Germany The Emperor understanding of Solymans departure determined with all speed to return into Italy although King Ferdinand his Brother most earnestly entreated him before his departure in so fit a time to imploy those great Forces against King Iohn who now as it were forsaken of Solyman might easily with so puissant an Army have been thrust not only out of Buda but also quite out of the Kingdom of Hungary wherein he was by Solyman as his Vassal placed But the Emperor for that Winter began now to approach and the Plague was got into the Camp yea even into his Court continued in his former purpose of departing into Italy yet yielding so far unto his Brothers request as to leave behind him all the Italians who joyned with King Ferdinands own Forces were thought sufficient for the accomplishment of the Hungarian War. Over these Italians one Fabritius Maramaldus was by the means of Alphonsus Victius appointed General but no order taken for the payment of their Wages whereby the Souldiers might be the more encouraged to take in hand that War and also kept in obedience Which think at the first much offended the minds of the other Captains thinking themselves disgraced by the preferment of Maramaldus a Man of no greater account than themselves but as soon as it was known abroad the under Captains and Officers of the Bands led with the credit and favour of their old Captains said plainly That they would not go into Hungary except either King Ferdinand would in person go himself or else one of the great Commanders Vastius or Leva were appointed for the General and the Common Souldiers said flatly that they would ask leave to depart except they had three months Pay which they knew well they should never get of that poor King already brought unto great wants Vastius to appease this Mutiny travelled greatly with his Souldiers perswading them to remember the faith of Souldiers and by their constant perseverance to maintain their honour they had got by their chearful coming telling them That valiant Souldiers never wanted Pay furnishing themselves by their Victories with all things necessary from the Enemy And as for Maramaldus their General they had no just cause to mislike him being an old Captain of great experience for courage and policy not inferior to any of the greatest Commanders and placed by the Emperors own appointment as a Man most sufficient whose judgment they ought not in any case to dislike When Vastius had with these and such like reasons well appeased the tumultuous Souldiers and was gone out of the Camp into Vienna to take further order for the remedying of all difficulties Night the Nurse of sedition came on whose darkness excluding all modesty and fear gave further scope and place unto the mutinous Souldiers insolency By chance there was at that time brought out of the City into the Camp very course hoary mouldy Bread which some of the Souldiers having brought and thrusting it upon the points of their Spears shewed it unto their Fellows in great choler railing against King Ferdinand which in his own Kingdom in the beginning of the War had made no better Provision but with such corrupt and pestilent Bread to feed them being Strangers which were only for
do much to joyn in League with the King his Master against Charles the Emperor whose power began now to be dreadful to their Estate Polinus was not slack in his business but all the way as he went sought to win the favour of the Bassaes still giving them one Present or other and filling their minds with the hope of greater But when they were come to Constantinople in the later end of December Solyman promising what he had before said advised Polinus to return to France with his Letters and to bring him certain word back again from the King of the determinate time and full resolution of taking those Wars in hand and that he would in the mean time send Iunusbeius his Embassador to Venice who had been there divers times before and would provide to have such a Fleet in readiness as he desired Polinus exceeding glad of that answer with great speed returned back again to the King bringing with him as Presents from Solyman two goodly Turkish Horses and a Sword richly set with Stones of great price The French King having by his Embassador received Solymans Letters and Presents and three days together discoursed with him at large of the manner of his proceeding in the Turks Court in short time after sent him back again to Solyman with full instructions both of the time and places and other circumstances of the intended War. Polinus coming to Venice found not Iunusbeius there as he had well hoped yet to lose no time in expecting his coming he with Pellâ—cerius Embassador Lieger for the French King and other of the French Faction laboured the Senators in the behalf of the King. For it was thought like enough that the Venetians still measuring all their Councils by their profit would easily consent to that League especially being requested thereunto by Solyman and put in hope to have the Port-Town Maranus delivered unto them in reward thereof which otherwise the French in whose possession it was threatned to deliver to the Turks and to make them their evil Neighbours rather than to have it taken from them by the Germans Wherefore Polinus having audience given him in the Senate notably pleaded the French Kings cause grievously lamented the death of the Embassador slain by the Spaniards and bitterly enveighed against the ambition of the Emperor who as he said aspired to the whole Monarchy of Italy not by true vertue and valour but by meer craft and deceit encroaching still upon the liberties of the Free-States and by little and little imposing upon them the Yoke of Bondage In confirmation whereof he produced many examples to them well known requesting them as ancient Friends and Confederates of the French to joyn their Forces with the Kings in which doing they should assure themselves of such reward of the undoubted Victory as they could not desire greater Whereas if they should refuse so to do and would rather sit still and look on as neuters they should undoubtedly Fortune having decided the quarrel grievously offend both and might worthily expect of the vanquished hatred and of the conqueror injury Besides that in taking up of Arms they should highly gratifie Solyman who provoked with late injuries had determined with a puissant Army to invade Hungary and at the same time to send Barbarussa with a great Fleet against the Spaniards their common Enemies for the imparting of which his designs he would shortly send unto them Iunusbeius his Embassador As for the event of the War they needed not to doubt when as they of themselves were strong enough quickly to thrust the Emperor out of the Duchy of Millan being generally hated of the people feeding his Souldiers with the spoil of the Country and and on every side beset both by Sea and Land by two of the greatest Monarchs of the World. Whereunto the Senate delaying the time for certain days that Iunusbeius might in the mean time come thither gravely answered That the amity they held with King Francis ought to be unto them an ornament but no burden the like also they held with the Emperor whom they would in no case seem to cast off although they had been by him overwraught Wherefore the Senators and all the Citizens in general were of opinion to preserve their Peace as they which in the hard times of War had endured great extremities which would hardly be recovered with long Peace But if they did once see the Ensigns displaied and the Wars begun they would then take further advice Whether it were good for them to thrust themselves into those Wars or not when as they were in League and Friendship with three of the greatest Princes of the World. In the mean time Iunusbeius arrived at Venice and was there honourably received He requested That the League before made at Constantinople by Badoerius their Embassador might by the authority of the Senate be confirmed and so commended the French Kings cause to the Senate that he requested no more but that unto that amity which they already held with the French they would joyn further courtesies the rather for that Solyman had accounted him for his Brother and had undertaken to aid him against Charles King of Spain but as to joyn in League with him or in his quarrel to take up Arms he requested nothing Which was quite beside the expectation of Polinus and Pellicerius who by urging of the matter and by telling of all had thought easily to have perswaded the Senate to have granted what they requested and therefore thought the Turk who had so coldly spoken in the cause to be some way corrupted But as it afterward appeared there was such equity and modesty in Solymans Letters who was otherwise of a proud and insolent nature that he would not as then exact any thing of them which should not stand with the good of their Estate Wherefore Polinus having in vain staied certain days at Venice was in one of their publick Gallies transported to Ragufium and from thence travelled by Land to Constantinople where he found all things more difficult than ever he dreamed of For the great Bassaes said There could no Fleet be set out that year by reason that he was come too late to sue for such a matter the Spring of the Year being now past of all other times most fit for to take in hand so long a Voyage So that Polinus was above measure vexed with care and grief that he had so evil sped and was come so out of season both at Venice and Constantinople Dixius also one of the Masters of the Rhodian Gallies was come to Constantinople to carry news into France of the coming of the Turks Fleet who told Polinus That the Kings Sons were with strong power far entred into the Low-Countries and had already invaded Spain expecting nothing more than the coming of the Turks Gallies Wherefore Polinus as it easily chanceth to Men deceived by trust reposed in any other Mens promises and
Selymus he by their good means might the sooner obtain the Empire whereof he was the undoubted Heir Bajazet who of himself and according to his old good liking was altogether desirous of the Preferment of Achomates was by their perswasions easily intreated to hasten the performance of that he had before determined for the transferring of the Empire And making no great secret of the matter commanded certain Gallies to be made ready for the transporting of Achomates from Scutari to Constantinople But the great Bassaes with the Souldiers of the Court the secret Favourites of Selymus understanding the matter began again openly to resist and impugn his purposed determination and to alledge the same reasons they had before at Hadrianople alledged in fine they said plainly That they would by no means suffer him so far to disable himself as an insufficient man to resign the Empire who of late had with so valiant and couragious an heart fought for the honour of his Crown and Dignity and that therefore so long as he lived they would acknowledge no other Sovereign but Bajazet yet for all that as they meant not thereby to cut off Achomates his hope so neither ought he to distrust the good will of the Men of War but that he being a Man of most approved and known Valour might in due time with their general good liking enjoy his right which should then without all question be due unto him as the eldest Son of their Emperor They said moreover that they had in the late Battel against Selymus sufficiently declared what minds they were of both towards their Emperor and Achomates and what confidence they were to repose in the fidelity of their Souldiers who to manifest their Faithfulness and Loyalty had not refused to offer themselves unto the hazard of a most unequal Battel yea their lives unto death it self O foul dissimulation the covert Mask of all Mischief under which meer Treachery is here pretended for great Loyalty the aged Emperor too too much flattered Achomates shamefully deluded and the Man that might not as then without some addition of disgrace be named Selymus even Bloody Selymus secretly sought for above all Men to be preferred Bajazet by this offwardness and insolency of the Souldiers again disappointed of his purpose or else as some thought delighted with the sweetness of Sovereignty for that after the late Victory he seemed as one grown young again neither to feel himself old or unable still to govern so great an Empire sent word to Achomates how the matter stood and that he should forthwith depart from Scutari to his old charge at Amasia from whence he would again call him at such time as he had with new bounty won the minds of the Souldiers and procured the good liking of other the great men in Court whereby so great a matter and not usual might the better and with more security be effected Achomates thus deceived of his hope and expectation grievously complaining that he was so mocked of his Father and contemned of the Souldiers of the Court began to mix his new request with words of heat and discontentment and to inveigh against his Father for making him a by-word as he termed it and a laughing stock unto the World after he had taken the pains to come so far and that by his special appointment But if he proceeded so to doat and to make so great reckoning of the Souldiers of the Court that in respâ—ct â—hereof he neither regarded his promise nor thâ—â— was right and just he would himself by force oâ— Arms take upon him the defence of his own â—onour and right so lightly esteemed by his Father and revenge the disgrace offered unto him by others Whereunto Bajazet answered by the Cadelescher which is a man of greatest place and authority amongst the Turks in matters concerning their Superstition and therefore of them honoured above others as the sacred interpreter of their Law that he did neither well nor wisely without just cause to fall into so great rage and choler as by his speech and force to think to extort that good which was only by love and loialty to be gained whereas all things should be surely kept for him and the Empire undoubtedly descend unto him if by untimely haste he did not marr that hope which he ought by sufferance and patient expectation to cherish he might as the Cadelescher told him learn by that late example and fortune of his Brother Selymus what might be for his own good and welfare and that it was a thing of far more danger desperately to thrust himself headlong into such an action as he could not possibly see the end of than moderating by reason his hot passions to expect with patience the opportunity of time and fitness of occasion with the alteration of matters all tending to his good Achomates inflamed with anger and grief of the repulse all the while the Cadelescher was delivering his Fathers Message gave him many sharp taunts and had much ado to stay himself from offering of him violence oftentimes threatning him that in short time both his Father should dearly buy the changing of his purpose and the Souldiers of the Court their treacherous dealing and so sending him away with this short answer he presently rose with his Army and passing through Bithynia cruelly spoiled the Country in his return to Amasia There daily more and more enflamed with the grief and the indignity of the repulse before received he determined to invade the lesser Asia that if it should so fall out that he must needs by force of Arms trie his right against either of his Brethren he might therein use the Wealth of that rich Province Whereby if it should chance that he should by the practice of any fail of the whole Empire yet he should at the least wise be possessed of the one half thereof and be the readier for all events having all these great and rich Provinces in his power Wherefore calling unto him his two Sons Amurathes and Aladin young Princes of great hope after he had grievously complained of the unkindness of his Father Bajazet and of the injuries done against him by his Enemies in the Court he declared unto them that there was now no hope left for him to obtain the Empire except they would forthwith enter into Arms with him and so together with him defend both his and their own right and honour against the malice and injuries of their Enemies which he said would be an easie matter to do by surprising the lesser Asia if they would couragiously adventure upon it forasmuch as all Pisidia Lycaonia Pamphilia with the Sea-coast of Ionia were not as then kept with any Army or Navy And as for his Brother Corcutus there was no great doubt to be made of him who according to his quiet disposition would be content either to sit still or else in regard of his just quarrel take part with him or if he would
violate the Law of Nations especially with Christians presuming that all the World should bow unto them as if they were Gods upon Earth There was another Ambassador sent by Prince Alexander unto Bethlem Gabor who was Prince of Transilvania being at Furevar or Alba-Iulia whom he received very courteously to whom the Ambassador delivered the Subject of his Charge That Prince Alexander his Master had been advertised that he made some levy of men to joyn with Michna Prince of Valachia and to make War against him the which he could not easily believe for that he had made profession of Friendship to his deceased Father and had no cause now to leave it intreating and conjuring him not to meddle in the Affairs which he had to decide with Michna and that in requital if any occasion were offered to serve him he would employ all his means The Ambassador having ended his Speech he delivered his Princes Letters of Credit to whom Bethlem Gabor made this Answer That he never had any intent to take Arms nor to attempt any thing against Prince Alexander whose Father was his true Friend neither would he ever give any cause to discontinue this Love and Friendship betwixt them whereof he would give good proof in all occasions especially in this Subject now in question The Ambassador was much satisfied with this Answer the which was also confirmed by Letters yet notwithstanding he afterwards levied Forces against Prince Alexander but he would not joyn with Michna's Army To return to the course of our History Presently after the Bassa's Departure from Cicouch to return to Constantinople Prince Michna sent an Ambassador to Alexander with Letters by the which he excused himself for the ill usage of his Ambassador by the Bassa protesting that he was much grieved and that it was not with his Consent that he had carried him with him promising him to employ his best means to mediate his Delivery Moreover that he was not ignorant what Authority and Power the Grand Seignior had over him whom he might not resist nor by consequence his Bassaes that he had no Army on foot as he was given to understand and that his design was not to support the Cause of the Vayvod Stephano unless he were forced by the Commandment of the Grand Seignior And whereas he intreated him to deliver his Enemy Stephano into his hands he could not do it unless he should violate the Laws of Hospitality in betraying his Friend who had fled unto him for succour and withal he should incur the Indignation of the Sultan and be in danger to be dispossessed of his own Estate having no sufficient means to maintain himself against so great a Power Prince Alexander having heard this Ambassador and received an Answer from the Prince of Transilvania by the Advice of his Council dismissed all his Foot-men and part of the Cossacks retaining only five or six thousand men with him during the Winter About this time there was one of the most cursed and impious Acts committed that ever was heard of Prince Visuouisky who was a Protestant of the Greek Church having prepared at Christmas to receive the Communion after their manner the Priest who had usually served him in that Devotion being corrupted with money by his Enemies poisoned the Bread which the Prince having received he suddenly fell sick and his Torments were so violent as he died the next day This bred a suspition that he had been poisoned whereupon the Priest was apprehended who presently confessed that he was guilty and had been provoked by his Enemies As his offence was terrible being committed by a man of that Coat who had made use of so reverent a Sacrament to poison a Prince beloved of all men for his rare Virtues so his Punishment was very severe and long being bound in a Chair made of Copper-wire and a fire made round about him so as he was heard for twelve hours crying out fearfully for the insupportable Pains which he endured Whilst that Prince Alexander and his whole Court mourned for this fatal and unexpected accident there arrived a Spy which he had sent into Valachia to observe the Actions of Prince Michna who gave him to understand that there was a Bassa arrived called Skinder with a great and powerful Army and that Stephano was there in like manner who pressed them daily to march into Moldavia and to begin the War he sent four hundred men to surprise the Town of Berlada whereas Prince Coresky had left part of his men in Garrison during the Winter who keeping bad guard were surprised and most of them cut in pieces which so puffed up Stephano with Pride as he assured himself of an easie Victory But Prince Alexander hearing of this Defeat he sent four hundred Cossacks who made such speed as within three days after they arrived at Berlada a Town not walled no more than the rest where having set fire in many places they forced his men to come forth cutting them in pieces and the rest were burnt so as there escaped not above five or six to carry this bad news unto their Master who was much afflicted At the same instant when as the Cossacks were sent upon this Expedition Prince Coresky desiring to be revenged for the Defeat of his men took two thousand and five hundred choice Horse and put himself into Vasselloy fearing the Garrison he had left there would be in like manner surprised whereof the Bassa being advertised by some of the Country-men he sent his Son being twelve or thirteen years old and gave him an old Turk of â—reat experience for his Conductor with seven thousand men holding this a good occasion to get Reputation to his Son. Prince Coresky being advertised of his March by some Moldavians and that they should surprise them early in the morning knowing that they were of necessity to pass a Bridge of Wood over a River that runs by the Town he disposed his men in such sort as that the Enemy could hardly discover them some of them were lodged within Vasselloy and the rest were covered with a little mountain that adjoyned upon the Town when as some of the Turks had passed the Bridge two Squadrons sallied from the Town and charged their forâ—ward so furiously as they were in a manner all put to the Sword and amongst them the Conductor of the whole Troop the which was no difficult thing to exâ—cute for that the Turks who had marched in a manner all night to arrive early in the morning were benummed and half dead with Cold the rest of the Turks which had not yet past hearing the noise of this hot Alarm durst not advance but retired speedily fearing perchance that the Bassa's Son might be lost as well as his Conductor Prince Coresky pursued them unto a Village four Leagues distant from Vasselloy killing and taking Prisoners all he found in the way Among the Prisoners there was one who gave it out that
of us nay so much as intimation to us of the Grounds thereof or such Matters and Things as they pretend at least to have against us whereby we might answer for our selves and so whilst we are labouring as for these many Years we have done with all fidelity for them and their publick Interest whereof as we have proof sufficient in our Actions so we have him that is Iudg of the World for Witness to our Conscience they are contriving the ruin of us and our Posterity Which manner of proceeding so unjust horrid and odious before God and Man as in all reason we ought taking to heart and our serious consideration and as well that Violence which is offered to the Laws and his Majesty's Honour and Interest therein as our Self and our Family not pretending to extend that Authority which his Majesty hath put into our Hands to unlawful Ends but only to make a just use of it for the right and lawful defence of our selves and it in the several Occasions aforementioned finding by Accompt under the Hands of the Treasurer of the said Company here that for such Goods as they have brought in and carried out from the Port of Constantinople there is due unto us according to the Capitulations and the Grand Signior's Grants therein to the value of Dollars Ryals of 8 8 seventy four thousand and that for the like in Smyrna there is due Dollars Ryals of 8 8 one hundred thousand in circa and rating that Estate in Land which they have gotten into their power as aforesaid but at the value we were offered for it viz. at ninety seven thousand and five hundred Dollars in all two hundred seventy one thousand and five hundred Dollars Besides for ought we know to the contrary they may else have prevailed themselves upon of ours and as due to us by Privy Seal to the value of one hundred thousand Dollars and Leases under the Great Seal to near as great a value more We hereby enorder Sequestration of all Monies Merchandizes and other Goods and Faculties whatever within the Dominions of the Grand Signior where-ever belonging to the Parties and Members of the said Company in the Schedule hereunto annexed the chief Fomentors Contrivers and Abettors of these unjust and horrid Proceedings requiring you John Hetherington and you Lorenzo Zuma or one or both or either of you by the help and means of that Officer sent by the Vizier and those Commands in your Hands being now at Smyrna on other like Occasions according to your Instructions herewith sent to board and enter all Ships and Vessels and to break open and enter into all and every of the Houses Ware-houses Counting-houses of all and every of the Parties in the Schedule hereunto annexed and aforementioned and there to Attach Arrest and take into your custody and possession and as arrested and sequestred to take carry away and put into safe custody all such Monies Merchandizes other Goods and Faculties of what Nature soever that you shall discover find out and get into your power belonging to any of the Parties or under the Marks of the Schedule hereunto annexed and the same to keep so arrested and sequestred for our better Indemnity Satisfaction and Defence against all Pretences of the Levant Company before-mentioned whatever until we may be heard therein by due course of Law and till farther Order from us in that behalf for which this is to be your Warrant Dated in Pera of Constantinople this 30th of April Anno 1646. To our loving Friends and Servants Iohn Hetherington and Lorenzo Zuma Sackvile Crow To perform and put in execution the foregoing Warrant it was necessary to make use of the Turkish Officers Power and Authority Wherefore Sir Sackvile Crow demanding Audience of the Grand Vizier and representing Matters unto him in that manner as he judged most agreeable to his Cause was heard by him with a gentle and gracious Ear and assurances made to him of all Respect Favour and Assistance imaginable For the Turks had now smelt out a Cause in Transaction which with good improvement might be worth them many Purses of Mony and was of such a Nature as that their Religion and Doctrine obliged them to nourish having the prospect of gaining Mony and enflaming Christian Discord On these Grounds Sir Sackvile Crow easily obtained Commands from the Vizier directed to the Kadi of Smyrna to act all things according to direction of him the Ambassador and to enforce Matters with better execution a Chaous or Pursuivant accompanied with Iohn Hetherington and Lorenzo Zuma Interpreter was dispatched to Smyrna with Commands to carry up the Consul and Factors to Constantinople and to break open the Ware-houses and make seizure on such Estates belonging to the Turkie Company as would answer the Demands and Pretentions of the Ambassador Accordingly the Consul and Factory were carried up and with that other of Galata imprisoned in the Ambassador's House In the mean time the Agents at Smyrna with assistance of the Kadi sealed up all the Merchants Ware-houses but when it came to execution and Seizure more Difficulties arose for the Turks Armenians and Jew-Merchants made high Clamours to the Justice that many of the Goods belonged unto them some were not yet paid for others were only Pawns in the English Hands and all the Town being desirous to favour the Cause of the Merchants a great Uproar and Hubbub arose amongst the People The Kadi affrighted hereat grew more slack and faint in his Proceedings but the Cordial of 1500 Dollars and Gratuities to his Servants overcame the Difficulties and gave him new Resolution so that at length being attended with the Principal Officers of the Town he began first with the Consul's House making Seisure and delivering out of the Ware-houses all the Goods found there with some Caution howsoever and respect to those Pretensions which Stranger-Merchants made thereunto as appears by the following Letters Joh. Hetherington and Lorenzo Zuma their Letters to Sir Sackvile Crow advising further of their Proceedings dated in Smyrna June 16. 1646. Right Honourable YEsterday we received your Lordships of the 4 th present being the Copy of the 3 d And to day we received your Lordships's of the 8 th and rejoice to hear your Lordship is in such a readiness for your just Demands and wish your Lordship less Trouble and better Success than we this day have had and we doubt for many days shall incounter here This morning the Cadie's Son with his Neipe and principal Officers came and we began first with the Consul's House But before we began 't was spoken in the Kaddie's own House and all over the Town our Design to seize what we could find about seven a Clock his Son came and entred the Consul's House and opened all the Warehouses and took from thence with Elford's and Keeble's some four hundred Clothes and nine Bales Mohairs we left behind us 38 Bales of Silk 13 Bales his Servant pretended were sold by
fifth Son of Sultan Achmet born of the same Mother with Sultan Morat Educated like the other younger Sons of the Ottoman Family within the Walls of an obscure and unhappy Prison so that 't is no wonder if wanting the advantages of seeing and practising in the World he should neither have studied Men nor been experienced in the Art of Government Nor less strange is it being natural to humane Infirmity for Men who have lived under Restraint Affliction and fear of Death to become licentious and immoderate in all kind of Pleasures whensoever they pass on a sudden from the depth of Misery to some transcendent degree of Happiness and Prosperity which as I say all Men are naturally subject unto so more especially those whose Religion indulges them all kind of sensual Carnality in this Life Ibrahim was in his own Nature of a gentle and easy Temper of a large Forehead of a quick and lively Eye and ruddy Complexion and of a good Proportion in the Features of his Face but yet had something in the Air of his Countenance that promised no great Abilities of Mind And giving himself up to all kind of Effeminacy and Softness attended not unto the Government of his Affairs and therefore it was his greatest misfortune to be served by wicked and faithless Officers to whom he trusted and to whom he gave Credence wanting in himself the Talents of Wisdom and Discretion to discern their Malice The continual apprehensions that he entertained of Death during his Imprisonment had so frozen his Constitution with a strange frigidity towards Women that all the dalliance and warm Embraces of the most inflaming Ladies in the Seraglio could not in a whole Years time thaw his Coldness which was the occasion at first of that Report which spoke him to be impotent towards Women during which time he attended to his Ministers of Justice and to a management of the Affairs of his Empire which in the beginning of his Reign gained him a Credit and Reputation and raised a great expectation of his goodness and Care of his Subjects Welfare an evidence of which he gave in his Charge to the Great Vizier that he should put no Man to Death unless for Capital and Enormous Crimes But at length losing himself in Lusts and Sensualities he forsook the Helm of his Regency committing the guidance of his Empire to other Hands and as he was ignorant of War so he foolishly sported in the Calms of Peace and suffering himself to be guided only by Fortune felt the Stroke thereof in his last Unhappy Fate year 1649. THE REIGN OF Sultan MEHMET OR MAHOMET IV. THIRTEENTH EMPEROR OF THE TURKS ANNO 1649. SUltan Ibrahim perishing in this manner by the mutinous Violence of the Souldiery his Son Mehmet or Mahomet being a Child of seven Years of Age succeeded in the Throne During whose Minority which was to continue for the space of ten Years longer his Mother who was the first Sultana assisted with the Counsel of twelve Pashaws took upon her self the Regency and in the first place resolved to continue the War against the Venetians which Ibrahim intended to conclude having engaged himself far in a Treaty of Peace with the Bailo or Ambassador which resided at the Port for that Republick Whilst these Matters were transacting and Preparations making to prosecute the War the Malignant Humours of the Empire began to ferment unto that degree as affected the Body Politick at first with unnatural Heats which soon afterwards proceeded to a Feaver and then to a dangerous Convulsion The ill-affected Part was the Militia which is the Heart and Principal of the Life of that Government For the Spahees and the Janisaries being the Horse and Foot entred into a desperate Controversie The first judged it their Duty to revenge the Death of their Soveraign Sultan Ibrahim and in order thereunto demanded the Head of the Great Vizier as the Chief Author and Contriver of the Death of his Lord and Master The others being conscious to themselves of having by their Arms carried on the Conspiracy not only declared their Resolutions to defend the Vizier but owned that what he had acted was by their Order and at their Request and Instigation The Spahees being highly provoked with this Declaration swelled with Anger and Malice against the Janisaries and both sides being equally proud and rich could not bear each others Reproaches The Spahees being Men of Estates in Land looked on themselves as the Gentry and to have the greatest Share in the concernment of the Empire The Janisaries living regularly in their Chambers or Martial Colledges looked on themselves as the better Souldiers and the more formidable Party and the truth is both of them were proceeded to that height of Command and Authority in Government that had they not been suppressed by the cruel Hand and bloody Disposition of Kuperlee as shall be more largely related hereafter this Empire was then in danger of falling into as many Divisions as there were at that time Pashaws or great Captains The cause hereof proceeded from the warlike disposition of Sultan Morat who being the most Martial Man of his Age preferred none but Men of great Courage and such as had signalized their Valour by undoubted proofs And such Men as these he loaded with Honour and raised them to the highest aâ—d most eminent Charges in the Government But Morat dying soon afterwards these Great Men had time to enrich themselves during the gentle and easie Reign of Sultan Ibrahim which being seconded by the Minority of this Young Sultan their Pride knew no bounds either of Modesty towards their Commanders or Reverence towards their Sultan Hence it was that the Souldiery dividing so great a Sedition arose amongst them that at last they came to Blows resolving to decide the Controversy by the Sword. But the Quarrels of Turks amongst themselves not being commonly of long durance the Care and Vigilance of the Magistrates prevented all open defiance in the Field but yet could not so pacifie their Animosities but that several Skirmishes or Rencounters passed between them in the Streets wherein the Spahees were always worsted and at length were forced to abandon the City scarce daring for some time to own the Name of Spahee within the Walls of Constantinople These Disturbances gave the Venetians some hopes to accommodate their Peace with better Advantage but the Reply to this Proposition was more fierce and positive than ever and so ill resented that the Bailo going from his Audience was on the 27 th of April seized on and with all his Retinue clapped into Prison and Chains being sent to those Castles which are scituate on the Bosphorus in the middle way between Constantinople and the Black Sea. But this furious severity by the intercession of other Christian Ministers continued not long before the Bailo received more gentle Treatment by the Sacrifice which the Turks made unto themselves of Grillo his Interpeter who being called down from the
blood to men as well as sap and moisture unto Vegetables These Reasons being represented with all humility to the Grand Signior he seemed to rest satisfied and his heat of visiting Adrianople for the present allayed And in the mean time that the design against Germany might be the more covertly carried it was given out that the preparations were intended against the Venetian Territories in Dalmatia viz. Zara Sebenico and Cataro and Proclamation was made that all Souldiers should prepare themselves for the Wars against the next Spring In which Interim no accident intervening which might bring matters to an accommodation and better understanding the daily Skirmishes on the Frontiers made the Controversie every day more difficult to be reconciled and the breach the wider The Count Serini also proceeded in finishing the Fortification he had lately raised near Canisia and the other Commanders of the Cesarean Army seeing the great progress of the Turks in Transilvania secured Claudiopolis Somoswar Sechilhid Clewar alias Coloswar and Betlem with some other Towns and Fortresses The Turks on the other side under the Command of Ali Pasha penetrate into the very Center of Transilvania and conceiving a jealousie of War from the passages before mentioned lost no time to take their advantages so that the Pasha of Varadin not contenting himself with that Country and limits formerly prescribed for maintenance of his Fortress adjoined to his Jurisdiction what Villages and Towns he thought fit the whilst the poor Prince Michael Apafi though made by the Turks durst not lift a hand or interpose the least Obstacle or Impediment to his quiet progress or peaceable possession which so harrassed the People of the Country and wrought that misery and destruction therein that the Prince deprived of his power in Government and disabled by oppression to pay his Annual Tribute had no hopes of redress but from the assistance of Divine Providence governing the hearts of Christians and Turks to compassionate the misery of his Country Wherefore he craved the assistance of the Emperor and of the King of Poland acquainting other Christian Princes more remote of the sad estate of the Christian Cause he sent also his Ambassadors to the Port with most submissive Letters to the Vizier complaining against the Pasha of Varadin and craving his Commands for retirement of his Army within their due and ancient bounds Letters were also directed to the Publick Representatives of Christian Princes residing at Constantinople one of which was directed to the Earl of Winchelsea his Majesties Ambassador which being that which may conduce to the more full understanding of the present deplorable Condition of Transilvania I thought fit to be here mentioned Excellentissime Domine Amice observandissime AFflictiones Regni Transilvaniae quibus per complures annos justo Dei Iudicio castigatur toti Orbi Christiano manifestae sunt nec possumus non fateri inter duos Potentissimos Monarchas adeo indies hoc Regâ—um coangustari ut nisi extraordinaria Dei clementia aliquod subsequatur levamen vix immo ne vix quidem diu duraturum credamâ—s Sed ut ad rem proximius collimemus Potentissimus Imperator per Legatos Regni nostros nunc reduces Clementissimum suum patrocinium pollicetur interim autem Passa Varadinensis non contentus Villis ac Pagis ad dictam Arcem pertinentibus usque ad meditullium plane Transilvaniae metu Mortis integras ad deditionem cogit Regiones quae nunquam eidem Arci applicatae fuerant nec possible est Principatum Transilvaniae iis ademptis ulterius persistere Tributumque annuum persolvere posse Qua de re tam Potentissimum Imperatorem quam Supremum Vezirium denuo requirere cogimur vestram quocirca Excellentissimam Dominationem confidenter rogamus eo quo convenientius putaverit modo continuo nostro Oratori opitulari eaque qua pollet Authoritate Caâ—sam promovere ne gravetur rem non saltem Transilvaniae verum quoque Christianitati perutilem factura nosque ad vincula amicitiae arctissâ—me devinctura cui felicem vitam precamur manemus indubitati Datum in Castris ad Pagum Koozard positis die 26 Septembris An. Dom. 1662. Excellentissimae Dominationis vestrae Amicus Benevolus Michael Apafi In English thus Most Excâ—llent Lord and most worthy Friend THe Miseries of Transilvania with which for many years by the just Judgment of God we have been afflicted are manifest to all the Christian World nor can we but confess how between two most Potent Monarchs our Principality is so daily straitned that unless through the extraordinary Mercy of God we obtain some relief we believe not our selves longer able to subsist But to come nearer to our Business The Most Potent Emperor by his own Ambassadors and ours now lately returned hath promised us his most Gracious Protection yet notwithstanding the Pasha of Varadin not content with the Towns and Villages appropriated unto his Castle hath entered into the very middle of Transilvania and hath compelled for fear of death those Provinces entirely to yield themselves which never before were belonging to his Fortresses which being taken away it is impossible for the Principality of Transilvania longer to subsist and pay its annual Tribute wherefore we are constrained again to beseech the most Potent Emperor and the Supream Vizier as also we confidently desire your Excellency in that manner which your Excellency judges most convenient to be assistant to our Agent and with your Authority to countenance our Cause in which your Excelleney will not only perform a matter beneficial to Transilvania but to all Christendom and oblige us for ever with the Bonds of friendship and praying for all happiness of Life and Prosperity to your Excellency we remain your undoubted Friend Given in our Camp at the Village Koczard the five and twentieth day of September 1662. Your Excellencies Loving Friend Michael Apafi This Letter was received by His Majesties Ambassador with that humanity as was agreeable to his Noble Nature and with that sense of the Christian Cause as became a Religious Minister of the Faith's Defender and an Answer returned thereunto full of affectionate Piety and Compassion But it was feared that the time was elapsed and the Disease proceeded too far to admit a gentle Cure for it could not probably be expected that the Vizier should upon fair words or perswasions or by the force of passionate and Rhetorical expressions be induced to let slip the fair opportunity of an intire and total subjection of Transilvania And the truth is herein lay the ground of the great Quarral between these two Emperors for ever since the Defeat of Chimianus or as the Transilvanians call him Kemenius the Turk swallowing in his thoughts the intire subjection of that Country designed to reduce it to the Government of a Pasha rather than of a Christian Prince though elected at the Ottomon Port and in order thereunto advanced beyond the Limits of the ancient bounds and
was in him and Ioseph was made chief Governor and absolute Commander over all Egypt and by this means those Princes who gave themselves much over to softness and luxury could with more ease demand account of Miscarriages in the Rule of their Empire it being their Policy to constitute one on whom all the blame of Miscarriages in Government might be thrown The first constitution that we meet with in History of the first Vizier was in the time of Amurath the third King of the Turks who pasing into Europe with his Tutor called Lala Schabin he made him his chief Counsellor and committed to him the Charge of his Army with which he won Adrianople formerly called Orestias and ever since the Grand Signior hath continued to maintain that Office of Vizier using that common appellation of Lala which signifies Tutor whensoever in familiar Discourse he speaks to him There are besides the first commonly six other Viziers who are called Viziers of the Bench that have no Power nor Authority in the Government but only are grave Men that have perhaps had Charges and Offices and are knowing in the Laws and sit together with the first Vizier in the Divan or Court where Causes are tryed but are mute and cannot give their Sentence or Opinion in any Matter unless the first Vizier please to demand their Counsel or Judgment in point of Law which he seldom does not to disparage his own Reason and Experience Their Pay proceeds from the Grand Signior's Treasury and is not above 2000 Dollars a Year any of these six can write the Grand Signior's Firme or Autogra upon all Commands or Decrees that are sent abroad and because their Riches are but moderate and the Office they are in treats not much with the dangerous Parts of State they live long without Envy or Emulation or being subject to that inconstancy of Fortune and Alteration to which greater degrees of Place are exposed And yet when any great Matter is in consult and of considerable Importance these six with the first Vizier the Mufti and Caddeelescheers or Lord Chief Justices are admitted into the Cabinet-Council and are often permitted freedom to deliver their Opinions on the matter of Question The State and Greatness the Prime Vizier lives in is agreeable to the Honour of him whom he represents having commonly in his Court about 2000 Officers and Servants when he appears in any solemnity or publick Show he carries on his Turbant before two Feathers as the Grand Signior wears three set on with a handle of Diamonds and other rich Stones and before him are carried three Horse Tails called the Tugh upon a long Staff upon the top of which is a gilded Knob the like distinction of Honour is permitted only to the three other principal Pashaes within their Jurisdiction viz. the Pasha of Babylon of Cairo and of Buda the other inferior Pashaes have only one Horse Tail carried before them without other Distinction or Badg os Authority and these three forementioned Pashaes have a right to be Viziers of the Bench and can take their places in the Divan when the Time of their Offices are expired and any of them found at the Court in entire Grace and Favour The Prime Vizier as he is the Representative of the Grand Signior so he is the Head or Mouth of the Law to him Appeals may be made and any one may decline the ordinary course of Justice to have his Case decided by his Determination unless the Vizier through the multiplicity of his Affairs and a small consideration of the Case thinks fit to refer it to the Law. And that he may evidence his care of the Publick Good he is always present at the Divan four times a Week that is Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday and the other days excepting Fridays keeps Divan in his own House so diligent and watchful are these Men to discharge the Acts of Justice and their own Office. He is attended to the Divan which is the Chamber of the Seraglio by a great number of Chiauses and their Commanders in chief who are a sort of Pursevants and other Officers who only serve to attend him to the Divan called Muta-faracan and may be termed Serjeants or Tipstaffs as he descends from his Horse and enters the Divan or upon his return goes into his House he is with a loud Voice of his Attendants prayed for and wished all happiness and long Life not unlike the Salutations the Roman Souldiers used to their Emperors Cum sub auspiciis Caesaris omnia prospera felicia precabantur When he is set upon the Bench all Causes are brought before the Caddeelescheer who is Lord Chief Justice and by him all Judgments pass unless the Prime Vizier shall think the Cause proper for his Cognisance or shall disapprove at any time the Sentence of the Judg and then by virtue of his unlimited Power he can reverse the Verdict and determine as he pleases All Officers in the Divan wear a strange sort of dress upon their Heads called in Turkish Mugevezee The Lord Chief Justices which sit with the Grand Vizier are two of Romelia and Asia called Kadilescher or Judges of the Army And this shall in short serve for what is necessary to speak of the Divan in this place in regard we only touch upon it for the better explanation of the Vizier's Office. The Prime Vizier hath his Power as ample as his Master who gives it him except only that he cannot though he is the Elder Brother of all the Pashaes take off any of their Heads without the Imperial Signature or immediate Hand-writing of the Grand Signior nor can he punish a Spahee or Janisary or any other Souldier but by means of their Commanders the Militia having reserved themselves that Privilege which secures them from several oppressions in other Matters he is wholly Absolute and hath so great a Power with the Grand Signior that whomsoever he shall think fit of all the Officers in the Empire to proscribe he can speedily obtain the Imperial Hand to put it in execution Whatsoever Petitions and Addresses are made in what Business soever ought first to pass through the Hands of the Vizier but yet when a Party hath suffered some notorious Injury in which the Vizier is combined or hath refused him Justice he hath liberty then to appeal to the Grand Signior himself which is permitted by an ancient custom the aggrieved Person putting Fire on his Head enters the Seraglio runs in haste and can be stopt by no Body until he comes to the presence of the Grand Signior to whom he hath licence to declare his wrong The like was done by Sir Thomas Bendysh when Ambassador at Constantinople putting Pots of Fire at the Yard-Arms of some English Ships then in Port and came to an Anchor near the Seraglio The reason thereof was the violent seizure of the Merchants Goods as soon as arrived in Port for the Service of the Grand Signior without Bargain
Constitutions of the People they had conquered and accordingly made Provision and used proper Arts to keep them in Obedience and next by their Generosity and Wisdom won those Nations to admire and imitate their Vertues and to be contented in their Subjection But the Turks have but one sole Means to maintain their Countries which is the same by which they were gained and that is the cruelty of the Sword in the most rigorous way of execution by Killing Consuming and laying desolate the Countries and transplanting unto parts where they are nearest under the Command and Age of a Governor being wholly destitute and ignorant of other resined Arts which more civilized Nations have in part made to serve in the place of Violence And yet the Turks made this course alone answer to all the Intents and Ends of their Government For the Subjects of this Empire being governed better by Tyranny than Gentleness it is necessary that courses should be taken whereby these People may remain more within compass and reach of Authority which they would hardly be were every part of this Empire so well inhabited to afford entertainment within the Fortifications of its vast Mountains and Woods to the many unquiet and discontented Spirits that live in it And this may be one cause that so rarely Rebellions arise amongst the Turks though in the remotest parts of Asia and when they do are easily suppressed This also is one Cause why great Men so easily resign themselves up the Will of the Grand Signior to Punishment and Death whether the Sentence be according to Law or only Arbitrary This is the reason that Fugitives and Homicides cannot escape for having no place for flight neither the inhabited Cities which are immediately under the Eye of a vigilant Commander will afford them refuge nor can the desolate Countries entertain them and Christendom is so abhorred by them that they will never take it for their Sanctuary And thus deprived of all means of Safety they wholly attend to please and serve their Great Master in whose Favour and Hands alone is the Reward and Punishment Another Advantage and that not inconsiderable that this manner of dispeopling the Country brings to this Empire is the difficulty an Enemy would find in their March should they with a Land Army attempt to penetrate far into the Country for without great quantities of Provision they could not possibly be sustained from the Country none can be expected what little it affords the Inhabitants will conceal or carry away and leave all Places as naked and barren of Food for Man as the Sea it self And though it is known often that in Asia the Troops of some discontented Bei or Aga to the number of three or four hundred Men in the Summer-time having their retirements in the Woods and Mountains assault Caravans and rob all Passengers from whom there is any hope of Booty yet in the Winter they are dispersed because they have no Quarters against the Weather nor Provisions for humane Sustenance every one shifting for himself in some place where his Condition is the least known or suspected And it may not be here from our Purpose to admonish the Reader that as the Turks account it one good part of their Policy to lay a considerable part of their Empire desolate so on the contrary they observe in their new Conquests to fortify strengthen and confirm what they have gained by numbers of People and new Colonies of their own and when they have reduced any considerable Country to their subjection they commonly are inclined to make Peace with that Prince from whom they have won it so as to have time to settle and secure their new Conquests for Countries over-run in haste are almost as speedily again recovered and are like Tempests and sudden Storms which are the sooner dispersed for being violent Augustus Caesar who was a wise and judicious Prince considering the extent of the Roman Empire wrote a Book saith Tacitus which was published after his Death wherein he described the publick Reâ—enue the number of Citizens and Confederate listed for the War the Fleets Kingdoms Provinces Tributes Customs c. Addideratque insuper Consilium coercendi intra terminos imperii incertum saith that Author Tac. Lib. 1. Annal. metu an per invidiam Which doubtless this wise Emperor meant of a moderate and not a precipitate progress of their Arms as well as of prescribing fixed limits to the ultimate Confines of the Empire beyond which a Statute should be made of Non plus ultra notwithstanding the most promising Designs and Incitements that could offer CHAP. XVI All Hereditary Succession in Government as also the preservation of an Ancient Nobility against the Maxims of the Turkish Poâ—ity HAving formerly entred into Discourse of the several great Officers of State it will be necessary to declare what care the Turks take to preserve the Body of their Empire free of Faction and Rebellion for there being many Provinces in the Sultan's Gift which are remote rich and powerful and so administer temptation to the Governors to throw off the Yoke of their Dependance and make themselves and their Posterity Absolute great care is taken to prevent this Mischief by several Arts none of which hath been more effectual amongst the Turks nor more sedulously practised than the destruction of an Ancient Nobility and admitting no succession to Offices of Riches but only in the direct Ottoman Line as my Lord Verulam says Essay 14. A Monarchy where there is no Nobility at all is ever pure and absolute Tyranny as that of the Turks for Nobility attempers Sovereignty and draws the People somewhat aside from the Line Royal. By which means it comes to pass that Pashaws Education in the Seraglio in the manner as we have said before without knowledg of their Blood or Family and without the support of powerful Relations or Dependencies being sent abroad to Foreign Governments where they continue but for a short season have no opportunity or possibility of advancing any Interest of their own above that of the Sultan And though some have out of an aspiring and ambitious Spirit assumed a blind Confidence of renting away part of the Empire as Asan Aga Pashaw of Aleppo of late Years with a strong and powerful Army marched as far as Scutary threatning the Imperial City and the Turkish History tells us of the revolt of several Pashaws yet all these Rebellions have been but of short durance the Grand Signior never designing by open Force and Dint of Sword to try his Title to the Empire with his own Slaves but only by some secret Plot and Stratagem getting the Head of the Rebel he is assured of the Victory without other hazard or dispute of War for immediately thereupon the whole Army disperses and every one shifts by flight to save himself from the Sultan's Anger Nor is it imaginable it can be otherwise for these Men are but Strangers and Foreigners in the Countries they ruled