Tunnessians The Tunnies Gallies were arived who were no sooner discryed but the Algiers waighes to use the complement of meeting and then he was the bravest Gallant that could show most Silke And certainly their standards were for their worth and curiositie of rare verses written in them in Letters of Gold in the Turkish language to bee admired They gave each other their valleyes of small shot and their Ordnance and so ended their salutation Their thoughts travelled within them as a woman-in labour who findes no rest till she be delivered And they to hasten their designes went to Porta ferinea to tallow and with all celeritie set forward for the Christian shore The first ship we met withall was the Love of London neare the I le of Pautallereia shee was a goodly shippe and the weather faire but the Turke had nothing to say to her wee were next in chase of five Christian Gallies who nimbly got from us In the morning we arrived at Strombello where we put ashore a Frigat of Naples the men all ranashore three of them whether wilfully or otherwise I know not but were devoured by those afrighting fiers perpetually burning able to invoke remorse in the most Flagitious and obdurate hearts the noyse being like the roarings of Hell The others advised the Turkes that those Gallies which they had chased were of the Citie of Naples and not onely so but which is most to be lamented to see how voluntary Christians are to discover the greatest secrets though to the ruine of their owne countries for what places hath the Turke taken but by the information of spies natives of those places who casting off grace after their information receive rewards and turne Turke and are instruments to ruinate their whole posteritie I have knowne three that have Pilated the Turke to the place where they were borne and beene instruments in the captivating of their owne fathers and mothers and all their Lineage taking their parts of the price for which their Parents were sold for in the Market which served them for spending money on whores in Tavernes and for worse vices These Neapolitanes advised the Turkes of two Gallies of that Citie loaden with Silkes whose Cargassoones were of excessive value and bound for Ienemay and must passe that way and that within three dayes but God turned that counsell to foolishnesse for had they attended the time they could not have missed them Ocootrâ— a Citie in Galabria and in the kingdome Naples was next aimed at as a place of riches and in it esteemed 3000. people at mid day having stroke downe their Masts they Boaged for that place yet made such delayes as that they came not thither till faire day but landed boldly the people that could did runne away the Turkes tooke the Citie and rifled it and brought away 115. persons one whereof was the Bishop of that place and 15. Nunnes the chiefe of which was Cosen German to the Prince of Rochella the other were impotent and aged people then was the whole Coast in an uproare and as we were passing by they let flye their Ordnance at randome but the Turke to amplifie his glory to the ignominie and reproaches of the Italian passed through the vally of Messena that City thundered but to little purpose onely to shew the Turke what they could doe if they were neerer the bold Turke landed upon the maine and set on fire their houses burnt fisher boates passage boates horses and travellers provision without feare haryed all the Coasts killing beeves and other Cattle and setting whole fields of corne on fire and committing many other outrages to the great dammage of the Country insomuch as it was disliked by some Turkes themselves and being now come to Rochella they met with a Neapolitane ship of 20 gunnes and having discharged 3. of them they took his and afterward set fire on her and then being insolent were ready to attempt any thing their prosperity made them mad Mallapane a Renegado of the Greeke Nation who runne away with a Gally of the great Turkes which he sould in Tunnis for 26000. peeces of eight informed them of a Citie lately sunke wherein of many thousand Soules which perished by that disaster there onely remained about 400 persons possessing great riches living in cottages errected for their present necessities his information was most joyfully received and the projector not a little proud to be the Instrument of so great a benefit The attempt was prosecuted and at midnight 1500 Turkes Landed to captivate and spoyle those imagined more than distracted and forlorne people Malapane was generall conductour and he brought them to the Citie which the day shewed them to be standing and sumptuous who sent them such Orators as made them use more haste backe than good speede This City was well knowne to Allie Captaine Bashaw who with 80. Gallies and a power on Land battered it 3. dayes and returned with shame it is called Cotroone and lyes within 6. leagues of Cape St. Maries the entring in of the Gulfe of Venice Thus was Italy the eye of Christendome infestred by these Rovers The Levant wind being high caused them to continue â—kale there for 7. dayes space within a league of that City in which time the Turke foreaged the Country tooke many of the inhabitants that lived in villages and remote houses their Galleyes heads all day on Land and they cutting wood making water and dressing pillow a chiefe dish pleasing their pallats no Native appeared in all this time for resistance therefore by imagination they Reigned Kings the wind calming withall celeritie they advance for their great explot but he that with his incomprehensible eye seeth the actions and discerneth the intentions of all men disposing things according to his Divine Will as celeriously sends an obsticle to perturbe their way Such a Levant wind as for securitie they were forced to returne to their former place of Randevous The next intermission of such huge and unwonted gusts they againe set forward when not having rowed foure leagues were repulsed by the like occasion no sooner re-ankared but that furious Element converts it selfe to calme mildnesse and now the third time attempts the accomplishment of their high Ambition and are repulsed had they not beene more insensate than errationalls they could not but have repaired to the consideration from whence their so often countermand proceeded in summe God reserving them for a greater castigation calmes the wind and they joyously advances and now got Cape S. Maries the most orientalist part of Italy and not to be discovered strikes the Gallies Maste into the Cushea or downeupon the Decke and each rowes who shall be the formaste to arrive to that middle Island in the Gulf of Venice or as the Italian calls it Ill Isella de Methia the 3000. Christians promised them by the spie a man of more than sixtie yeares of Age and one that had lived a Christian in a Captives estate 37. yeares this great
by whom they may be relieved they are then forced to put might and maine to runne from them the Turkes standing with drawne sables over their heads and if by feabelnes any faints has his Armes or head Cut off they are beaten to put on their clothes and beaten to take them off they are beaten to eate drinke sleepe and wash and are beaten for doing any of these what shall I say more of these exorbitant men who had they the vertue of patience reposing sure confidence in the Divine Majestie I presume God would deliver them so wishing them grace whilst lamenting their estates left in those torments many of whom I love most deare doe end this discourse desiring God to send them libertie The End of the First Booke THE SECOND BOOKE Wherein is contained the discription of Argere its first rising to this Greatnesse its Government the particular denomination of its Governors its Revinewes its Forces by Sea and land its Victories its Inhabitants its Lands Territories and Riches HOw many thousand of the Europian people have not only lost their estates and beene utterly ruinated but also what an innumerable Company of Christian soules hath beene perverted by the Citie of Argere is by miserable experience knowne unto most people so her fame on the contrary hath spred it selfe unto all the Mahometan Nations insomuch as Chineses and those other Esterne people have beene allured unto her in all parts of the Great Turkes Dominions and amongst the fierce and warlike Tartars she is termed Sultan Iossier the Golden and King of Cities here Souldiers are of the bravest and most desperatest of all Turkes so esteemed for valour and that with the grand Segniour himselfe who ascribes them the preëxcellence of vertue above his owne Ianissaries this City was in the yeere of Grace 1414. taken from the Christians by Barba Rosha and other 32. Turkes Pirats in a Frigate accedentally putting into that Port yet hath for its situation bordering to the West the Kingdome of Muritaniea East the Kingdome of Cokosse South the Zara and North the Meditaranian sea situated 5 leagues in the Bay called Monta Fusa and is built on the side of a hill presenting it selfe to the spectators at Sea East West and North 8. or 10. leagues in forme of a top saile hoysed her houses built staire-like one over the other enjoying a most wholesome ayre and pleasant situation scarce any house of the City but hath the prospect of the Sea there are in her many stupendious and sumptious edifices though outwardly for the Major part present themselves but simple and rude her cercuite doth not exceede 3. Miles in which circumference are a multitude of people and excessive Riches in gold plate and houshold furniture her women for beautie give place to none So for their immunities are not to be paralleld by â—y they have an Indies in diamonds pearles gold chaines and other rich vestures insomuch that it occasioneth a Proverbe amongst the Turkes who sayes there is three things that distroyes the world the Christians in Law the Jewes in Feasts and they upon their wives But having spoken in generall of the wealth of this Citie I will also informe you who are the possessors of it the Turke is he that fights for all both by Sea and Land and by his power as Conquerer keepes all the other sort of the inhabitants as Vassals in great subjection yet in substance is but a slave unto them as possessing goods by imagination and the others possessing the essentialls for the Moores and Tageriens are the owners of Lands and ships and the onely Armorers of them whom I may compare to the maine Sea and the Turkes but as Rivelets or small streames to emptie themselves in the great Ocean for besides their pay and shares they get at Sea they enjoy for the Major part but little others of which the Tavernes Whores and worse Vices serve to spung them in summe they are slaves to the toyles and hazards of Fortune and their aussiduous travells and have no free exemption from them untill they come to be Bullabashes and when Musullagaes having passed all offices and made all benefits which their youthly toyles may infeâ—â—e them in they shoote their Arrowes and unbend their bowes and are exempted from all having 40. shillings a moneth pay with houses and enjoy a life voyde of all cares yet some Turkes there are of them that are excessively rich yet but few Of its Discription in Generall THis Citie on all parts to the Land is walled and of sufficient strength it is also moted and trenched besides being situated upon a hill that hath on the West side of it so great a dale and asscent as by ordinary conjecture there is no meanes possible to assault her on that side She hath a most sumptuous mould and on it built a Castle of excellent workemanship in the midst of it North upon a tide from the Sea gate in which is planted 16. peeces of brasse Ordnance the chiefest and strongest Fort to the Sea is that called the Tapona in which are 12. peeces of great weight and goodnesse many other block-houses are on that side but the Citie generally unwalled to the sea where shipe of greatest burthen may come within Musket shot and batter her nor can any shot be in vaine her edifices being as I have before rehearsed and are all built with bricke and that very slender her streetes narrow and she infinitely populour so that if ever shee be forced it must be with a good fleete by sea and also sufficient Land Forces must be necessarily required her walls are abundantly stored with brasse Ordnance and upon two Mountaines she hath as I may terme them the bridle and the saddle two Castles the one commenced in a night by Charles the fifth Roman Emperour the other built by the Tagerenâ— each commanding the other and both the Citie there is also the stirrups which they call the Alcassaba in which they hold their great Councell it is also their Magazin or great store house of Amunition and Provision and Treasure in which is yearely layd up for their future occasions 500000. dubles accounting each duble to the just English shilling and this great place of strength is onely kept by 200. Bullabashers chiefe men in Councell to the West neere halfe a mile without the Citie is also Babâ—lwaite Castle built at the charge of a certaine Bashaw or vice King of the Rowse Nation When it was taken by Barba Rosha it was no other than a vast wildernesse but he following his pirassis and getting wealth by that trade had in short time great companies of Turkes and Allarbies resorting to him whereby it greatly increased it not to fame commodiousnesse nor beauty untill Phillip the third King of Spaine banished the Moriscâ—â—s from his Country of which sort many came unto this Citty whereby it increased in ingenuitie of Arts in Fortifications in buildings in planting fruites not knowne there
shame but recovering it takes it up againe there might be hopes of them that at the hearing of the Cocke crow they might with Peter remember their sinnes get out of them and weepe bitterly There is hony to be taken out of the Lyon and such a plague is opportunitie that many aregular man is forced to sollicite their friends and dearely to esteeme of their acquaintance as well as to the perill I will ascribe to the Jeat stone his due The obligation I owe to some of them I have a just propension to requite them for but I am not oblieged to duske their vices nor contrarily will maliciously professe calumnies against them but condoling their destinies with them grace I was two yeares and fix moneths a slave to one of them in which terminie I knew not what sufferings was only aflicted by being an occular testator of the calamities of others I was not imployed in the least servility His presence did not disturbe me but I was most a Allegerie in his company and sure then to fare best none of my actions but was to his content and none so acceptable to him as my selfe My affabilitie freenesse of speech and boldnesse had so obliged his affections to mee as almost the world could not expiate And indeede he was an honest morall man Opportunitie gave me occasion sufficient to register the passages of those times happening in that Citie The first accident famous for memory in this terminie was in the yeare 1634. on Friday the 20. of Iune in blowing up the Cassaba or house of Councell and chiefe foretresse of that Citty Nature if it once degenerates growes more monstrous and extreame then dispositions borne to cruelties many yeares past the Turkes upon surmises of Treason plotted against them by the Collolies their owne children for so are they by them called banished all such of them as were of the Councell as by denomination Bulla Bashees and Odds Bashees and performed it with no little subtletie No word passed in the Citie of these suppositions nor had the Collolyes any thought that their so secret plots had beene the Turkes intelligences who knowing the danger neglected no time to remedy so great a threatned mischiefe all rested private untill the first Duanna day or day of great councell when 60. of the primest of them were banished strange that the Colloly should not know his guilt and more strange it is that the Turkes should banish a faction more powerful then themselves in number in friends and in estates and equall dignities all speaking one language yet the banished departed at the Turkes pleasure without demanding the cause and knowledge of their offence The pollitique Turke ordained the place no further then Bugea the next port towne to the Orient but with two Commissions given the Captaines to whose charge they were committed and appointed to open one after the other Wherein they were commanded to transport them to Tunnis a City absolute Vntill the next Councell day all rested without clamour and now 200. more of them are banished The Bellages Citizens and Natives Murmured but dare not make complaints of their griefes They neglected their accustomary course of trade The Turkes by Proclamation commanded all men to open their shoppes buy and sell and not to have any missupposition of their intente or doings past or to come betwixt them and their children as being differences among themselves also giving hopes to the banished in short time to be recalled to Argiere and raise them to their former dignities The third great Duanna or Councell day was banished 500. more of them without any insurrection or stirre made by the Collolyes and in fine on the fift day all the rest consisting of 1574. men chiefest in the Citie for esteeme in that they were descended from the ancient Turkes which conquered that country and in substance the richest hope is of that noble and couragions facultie that it commonly brings more then it carries away No advertisement all this time came to Argiere of the banished transportation from one port to another nor their friends any way suspecting them to be so farre banished as Tunnis But time the mother of all truth untaught the Collolyes errour and now by the experience of many yeares see themselves frustrate of all hopes to returne in a faire way to that terrene paradise They now combinde with difficultie to possesse themselves of that citie which once they being possessed of might facily make retention 60. of them of a more undaunted resolutiō then the rest vowed to surprise the Cassaba prime fortresse of the Citie the stratagem to affect it was thus They went thither in womens apparell wearing long Mantles to the ground and their faces covered as is the fashion of that country and having Cemitaries coyertly entered the Cassaba crying Sherillah or demanding Justice the day was Friday and the time the morning A great advantage to the Collolyes for it being the Turkes Sunday most of them that kept the sald Cassaba were in the Citie visiting their friends in briefe some one way and some another besides it was the 15. day when the Bashaw makes a feast to the whole Duanna In this manner 23. of the Collolyes enters this Cassaba the other 37. of the confederacy not present the Turkish Bulla bassawes which carelesly kept the gate not thinking them to be other then women the Collolyes now to imbrace their opportunitie draw their Curlesses kills all they finde in the Cassaba shuts the gate and for a while are masters of this sumptuous Fortresse and now displayes their Banners upon the walls which suddaine revolt comming to be the intelligence of the Aga Generall of the Souldiers and Bashaw vice King under the great Turke Yet not informed who they were that had surprised their Cassaba some conjectured them to be the Cookoose whose mother and sonne to that King was then prisoner in that Cassaba The jealous Turke makes Proclamation upon paine of death every Collolye to keepe his house nor any more Allarbyes or Tagarens subjected people to take Armes or weare a knife so poasted to the Cassaba and found them to be Collolyes men polliticke in warre powerfull in faction as being thousands of them unbanished which never had borne office having also the Allarbyes and Tagarens to their devotion all supposed enemies to the Turke who now give the assault The Collolyes defended from six of the clocke in the morning to ten at which time usually on all their Churches on Sundayes is hoysted up that ragge of Mahomet a geene Flagge The Turkes offered them pardon and the restauration of their goods detained from them they deny all composition and resolve not onely to defend what they had gotten as their owne patria but to get more if they could The Turke now impatient and well knowing the ensuing danger if they made not some speedy way before night assuring themselves that all that were weary of their governement malecontents and others then
would stirre and themselves doubtfull of one anothers Loyalties resolved to make Otote Obote something or nothing They bring Scales to the walls and enter The defendants seeing themselves desperated and unable to make any longer resistance fired 20000. Quentalls of powder blew a piece of Ordinance out of the Castle to the Fishgate a mile in length spoyled many houses and had destroyed the whole citie but that this Cassaba is seated upon a stupendious mountaine and the Citie lying all downe right under it and the nature of pouder to evaporate into a regular elevation the Skie was darkened with smoak dust and nothing heard but clamours in the streets as if the day of generall account had beene then Had those ignoble spirits that lived in worse Ignominy then the Iewes but stirred they might without an aking finger have extirpated the glory of the Turke there and honoured themselves with the Lordly command of the most flourishing City of Africa 6000. soules perished by that blow but of the Collolyes hee onely that fired the powder 22. of them being taken alive were most cruelly tortured some were crucified others having their bones broken were drawled along the streets at horse tailes others had their shoulders stab'd with knives and burning Torches set in them dropping downe into their wounds The Turkes biting of their flesh alive so dyed and some of them being walled in were starved to death A guiltie conscience projects terrible things What perplexitie the other Collolyes of the Citie were in I neede not recount All censured them dead persons but the councell disagreeing in themselves their fortunes were better then their deserts The Turkes now will not permit the Souldiers marriages and by that meanes extinct so monstrous a Liniage some of the counsell in detestation of that Race offered to kill their owne children upon condition all others to doe the like but others in the surplassage of their loves countermanded that bloody Decree and unnaturall Acts onely inqiusition was made for certaine women which had given entertainement to those Collolyes and were condemned to be all throwne into the Sea but being packed from one place to another and not to bee found at last was published a revocation of the sentence of their deaths and they escaped and enjoyed their ancient priviledges These combustions soone came Solicitours to the King of Cokoose who takes present occasion to lay siege to a Castle which the Algiers kept to his great annoyance in that countrey as speedily came newes to the Algiers of the Castles besieging who were then studious to fetch off 200. of their Souldiers in Garison there and also ceremonious to conserve their honour sent for both a Hamper or generall Army consisting of 5000. foot Turks and 3000. Swayvâ—s horsemen The King of Cokoose Semper idem continued the siege contayning his Forces within the mountaines whereon is situated the Castle the Turkes then according to their old custome trusted more to policie than valour They knew well the danger to assault the enemy at such an advantage and therefore propounded termes of peace and fortune helped them the Turkes were licenced to depart the Castle with honour and the Army returned to Argiere in peace and were received joyfully In August next they enlarged the Prince of that countrey giving him amongst other presents a Spanish Christian woman whom according to the custome of that religion he tooke to wife and the Queene mother of that King and Grandam to the Prince which also was a runagate of the Spanish nation and had beene long prisoner in Argiere They set at libertie In Iuly 1635. there arrived Mounsieur de Sampson French Embassadour in a Polacta of Mercellis with his Kings Flagge aloft bravely This gallant comes ashore with his retinue consisting of other Messers visited the Councell and King his action was stately The Agga or Generall called a Counsell sends a Chewse or Sergeant for the Embassadour who came before them they demanded his Embassage he answered he was sent by his King to demand his Majesties Subjects by vertue of that interchangeable league mutually conserved betwixt his Majesty and their Emperour they answered they knew none to command them in their governement And if his King had sent him to treate for the enlargement of those French which upon just occasion they detayned or for such slaves as were of that nation he should have the sole reference unto them 347. Free French men were then in Argiere being all taken without fighting and therefore unsold But in farre worse condition than those that were 400. Turkes and Moores were in the Mercillian Galleyes which Mounsieur offered to exchange for his freemen and the slaves which were 600. more which they refused but offered Mounsieur the slaves for the price they were sold for in the Market referring the freemen to the dispose of the Bashawes Mounsieur now treats with the Bashawe Hee demands ten peeces of eight per head for them Mounsieur stormes as I thinke he had good cause to doe having promised his King miracles in the accommodation of the French affaires He demands a second conference and it is granted him the slaves are offerd him for the monies they cost in the Market but the freemen raised to 20. peeces of eight per head Mounsieur according to the French fury boyles and illustrates the puissance of his King Fire and Towe meets together the Turkes furie is as much as the French chollor and he is now more affronted the Slaves are now become importunate vexing Mounsieur as the poore widdow did the unrighteous Judge but his answer to them was Imperiall hee had brought no moneys for them The freemen doe now sollicite his propence affection and implored his Christian care of their estats they offer to pay the said 20. peeces of eight per head with interest and the principallest of them to come in band for satisfaction and securitie and in summe every person to give perticular band to those which had so oblieged themselves Sure it was most piteous to see how many sufficient men of that Nation were put to most vile services where at if they had beene sold many had meanes to have given for their infranchisment which upon these differences were detained and most of them unable to comport with such barbarous indurances miserably perished Mounsieur demands a third conference and is admitted he demands an absolute answer for that he meant in all hast to bee gone the Slaves are offered him upon the former termes but the freemen now exhausted to 30. peeces of eight per head Mounsieur departs without any further treatie the Counsell sends to him to take in his Flag hee bids them doe it they take his Sailes from the Yard and Ruther all which they carry into their Magazine and with a Branos anissetim leaves him his Flag Mounsieur demanded licence to depart they denie him and having detained him foure moneths after and cost him some peeces of eight he
riding without Command the Councell sends the Trugman to have them come in or depart their Road to which they presently obeyed nor can I give them any terme of better grace they stand to the West and within an hower after weighes the Turkes who since have ended their voyage continently and returned to Argiere with great riches Three dayes after being the 11. of October arrived that noble Captaine and glory of the French nation Mounsieur de Mautie in a goodly shippe of 58. peeces of Brasse Ordnance alone and anchored without command The Duana or Councell sends to know what he came for hee answered to demand his Kings subjects which they dislegally detained with answer returned the Turkes resends their Trugman commanding Mounsieur presently to depart or come under command other wayes hee should know more from them Captaines were convocated and the Duana determined Abdera Manrine of the Moores nation a right valiant and expert Seaman should be presently armed to goe forth and fetch him in but Monnsieur weighed put out his bloody Flagge and departed The 13. dicto came in another of the same Fleete and put out a white Flagge using many other signes to parlie but in the night went out two Gallies whereupon the French distrusting the worst let slip her Cable and Anchor and was the next day weighed by the Turke carried to their Magazine which saved them a labour Ill newes hath wings it s now the 18. dicto when advertisement comes to Argiere of the taking Asatiea of Ally the Generals and they make it the common cause alledging the French met with her upon the coast of Barbary A goodly prize she had beene for in her besides rich loading was in ready Cashe 70000. peeces of Eight The whole inhabitants now boyles the French Councell is sent for and without any litigation of his cause is by the great Duana or Councell adjudged to be burnt at Babelwach gate Also Iacus Santo that paid the rents of the Bastione condemned to bee hanged at Babashon usuall places of Christians martirdome 18. thousand peeces of Eight a yeare payd the sayd Sancto to them A man which formerly had swayed a person of great experience in the Countrey and well studied in the Art Machivell and much hated by the poore French Captives as a perturber to their infranchisments In fine no rod is so fit for a mischievous man as his owne through â—mour of death they both would have turned Turkes but not permitted nor could any thing asswage the fury of the Duana but their deaths yet some gave the word that if they would dye Turkes they should be permitted and that for the saving of their soules Ally the Generall for so is this gallant called powerfull in the City and the Turkes glory interceded for them giving many pertinent and powerfull reasons for their remission The damage sayd he that is done is to me as being sole owner of the said vessell and her essentialls for which I desire no revenge for my owne perticular but as I am yours and all I have obliged to this City if your honours thinke it requisite to revenge the affront done us by this late Generall which with one onely shippe outbraved us in our most happy and invinceable Port famous for vertue and Ianezaries whose valour hath shaken and beene a terrour unto the mes-beleevers of all Nazarine Nations more then 100. yeares I have a just propention and am most prompt to adventure my life and substance in this most noble Cities quarrell and that the time of the yeare is now improper to invade any of the French territories I esteeme it most convenient there be presently armed six Saile of Gallies for the surprising of the Bastione to make a spoyle of what they finde there as well of people as others which will be sufficient satisfaction to us for the present and a reall demonstration to that Traleuian nation how little we esteemed them This oration highly esteemed was received as an Oracle the Duana commands the expedition of the Gallies who in two dayes were provided and the 19. of December at noone without making booke thy rowed from Argiere and in three dayes arived at the Bastwin no sooner Anchored but Mounsieur the Governour with other Messuers comes aboard to kisse the hand of Ally the Generall in fine many Madmoyssells and the people there were curious to see so great a man the visit and complement ended the Governour began to take leave of the Generall who now demands entertainement in the Bastione Mounsieur promises no man more welcommer they goe on land together but instantly followed such a crew of Turkes as they presently became masters of the Bastione Mounsieur that had Ciceroes eares diffident of the event of so unusuall a change shifts himselfe from the Generall takes Horse and happily recovered to Barko a Castle of the Ienewayes and escaped captivitie 312. were then captivated with 120. thousand peeces of eight in ready monies 400. Hogsheads of wine was there staved the lose redowning to the French more then 100. thousand pounds sterling besides the benefit which they made by the Scale of 100. thousand Ductets a yeare declared and so much for the French affaires with Argiere Servility and bondage to an ingenious spirit is worse then death which is common to all this to the miserable The danger of the Seas now keepes the Turkes at home and wee Gally slaves not to be idle are set to hayling the Cart in lew of Horses some to sell water to chop the Vineyard and others to builde houses in the interim I am devising some course of way to effect my libertie five of us combines together to take a Boate some two miles from the Towne which frequently loaded Ballast there having constantly but one Turke and two Christians Roars in her more Oares must be gotten a Mast and Sayle otherwise it had beene madnesse and to plunge our selves into more mischiefe in fine foure Oares a Mast and Saile Boraches for water Bread and Compasse was provided but all the difficultie was to get them out For a peece of Eight and halfe I got a French man native of Saint Mallo who had a good Mule to carry all hee and I loaded it our act was just but none of the wisest and the French man fit for the purpose we went in company to the towne gate without question but the ward overthrew the carriage as too suspitious and layd hands of the French man who doubting nothing of the sufficiency of my warrant having told him they were to be carried to my patrons Garden in sum I seeming all desperate whiles the French man was looking about for me to make answer I left him who could not accuse me as neither knowing my name my patron nor where I dwelt The poore man afterward with his partner and a Roague mearely maintained to prevent the escape of Christians sought me but I kept house till the wonder was over
whose absence wee used such Art as we got all the rest out of chaines and the Locks againe so put in as to be taken out with our fingers in the evening returnes our Keeper well fudled or well drunke whereby no search was made to our Fetters that night It being Saterday the 22. of October 1638. betwixt twelve and one houres in the night we rose together two rouses the ablest men amongst us throw their Coates over their faces and would not goe A Gersie man and by trade a Cooper was so drunke that he could not goe but my griefe is for those poore soules whose indisposition was such as they could not goe I was conscious to their pittious moanes but could not helpe them what became of our Keeper I cannot tell my consorts told me they had not done him any violence hee had good clothes and some peeces of eight of which wee tooke not any with us but left all as a testimony of our generosities as to contemne all terrene materialls preferring penurious libertie before Fetters of Gold our provision was some bread and we also carried a Boracha for water and a double Rope with which we scaled the Castle walls In this manner wee departed foure English men one Welch man a Gersie man two French men one Spaniard one Majorcine a Neopolitane a Greeke and a boy of Malta in our passing through the Castle although it be full of houses and people we heard onely the barking of a Dogge and having gone neare two miles took the shore side for our director God that never failes those that trust in him so provided for us that we found two Boates one of them having a Maste standing her we imbraced and sunke the other to prevent their persuing after us and having rowed two nights and a day wee recovered the I le of Corfue and landed at a Monistary called Saint Catterines where we were curteously received by the Greeke Fathers at noone wee rowed to the Monestery of Madone where wee had intelligence of a Gally being some two miles from thence cutting wood and that night to goe for the Citie of Corfue The Captaine Illustricemo de Molimea entertained us with all courtesie received us into his Gally and carried us for that Citie and presented us to the providitor of the Iland who after our examination not a little to his content sent us to the generall Gally of Venice where we had a supper and lodging that night and the next day a Passe and imbarcation for Venice being now to render thankes unto the Lord who has done this great worke for me in delivering me from such an inextrecable labarinth of misery blessed be God that hath broken that snare and set my fecte in a large roome not unto us O Lord let unto thy name be the glory I am now in my way to Venice upon the Gally of Counterine the first skale we made was at Budway in Epire our second at Catriea a sumptuous City in Sclavonia our third at Rogousea famous for antiquitie and strength being an absolute Sinurie having many other Cities to her obedience and in joying an ample patrimony onely it s her misery to be tributary to the great Turke to whom for dismollistation they pay yearely 40000. peeces of eight our fourth ankering was at Lessena our fift at Spellata our sixt at Sabainica a sweet Citie famous for her Port and invincible Castle in the Sea our seventh at Zara a sumptuous and spacious Citie we are shortning our way and come to Saint Peters in Dalmathiea and also passed other Cities not so remarkable as the rest I doe therefore omit to nominate at Polla in Istra wee met with the generall Gally of Argiere and sometime the glory of Barbary which with one more presented by the Venetians to the Pope are all that remaines of that 16. Gallies of the Turke the rest being sunke in Corfue wee are come to Ruena a pretty Citie and most fertile Countrey and from thence to Perenca a Citie destroyed by the Popes excommunication In summe with sight of other Cities I arrived in Venice where I imbarked upon the great Charles of Bristoll and having beene at Sefelenea and Zaunt am in agetation to survive to see the naturall place of my habitation Thus have I recorded a plenary memoriall of my seven yeares bondage but not the severall accidents of my indurances there wanting in me abilitie to devulge them for as there is no calamitie can befall a man in this life which hath the least parallell to this of Captivitie neither are the indurances of Captives equall although the least without the divine assistance were insupportable yet are they all easie in Comparison to that of the Gallies which is most inhumane and diabollicall and such as doth rather imperverse men then Repleate any good humour in them good fortune to mee is a singular mutive to modesty and a forcible spurre to moderation prayers winne mee menances reject me favours relent mee feares imperverseth me alas such are their ditraments as causeth them to curse the day of their Nativities and the parents that engendred them and if it were to dye to curse God himselfe I speake it with awfull timour in their passions they renounce heaven S. Peter and all sanctitie in their agonies or discontents they vessially spit against the wind disputing whether God and Nature be conspired against them when it is either calme or contrary for a drop of water they would pawne their soules and often are constrained to drinke of the Salt Oceans their repast at best but bread and water and for want of sleepe are in continuall extasies the strokes of the Oare is dollerous and with its ausideousnesse many splits their hearts at it in this miserie all things makes against themselves the scorching heate now penetrates their brains their flesh is burned off their backes when anon they are as much pinched with cold strong fetters are their neerest consorts from which they are never exempted unlesse for equall miseries their repose when they have any is sitting their pillow the banke up right and that dubble not having so much roome as to stretch their legges their sleepe when they have any is an houre in twelve and that at night when the one halfe Roaes and the other slumbers a call of a Whisell awakes them all three hundred or more of them their audiance and leape must be altogether the discpline take Oare in hand the stroke regular and punctiall their heads shaved unto the skull their faces disvigured with disbarbing their bodies all naked onely a short linnen paire of breeches to cover their privities they Mount and fall like Appe and Camille for so is the command from Poop to Prow nothing but excecrations and passing of blowes Who has not his head and face broken all their bodies pearled with a bloody sweate Nay which of their sences is not a window to let in sorrow if chased by the Christian Gallies
of Souldiers but with a handfull of men and they without discipline I meane of postures or common probabilitie they receive from their Campe called Tittere being North East from Argere bordering upon the Kingdome of Cookâ—â—e from which King they receive no Tribute but from the Allarbies inhabiting the plaines Vicenteres to that Prince they dubles have yearely 200000. From their second Campe called Piscarie in the sandie desarts bordering upon the Zara and Nigars Country 24 dayes in their March thither South upon a line in which Country growes do Corne graine their sole feeding being Rice and Dates payes them yearely 200000. They also by this Campe receive tribute from the Nigars who send them yearely 200. of their Children Thirdly Sharke extending West as far as Botâ—yea and the Kingdome of Muritanea or Tremassine payes 400000. Gorbe extending its teritorie as fâ—er in the Orient as Tobarco A Castle in possession of the Genousa payes 400000. From their Garissins as Constantina 050000. From Bonna a Port towne 050000. From the Bastyone when it was in possession of the French 090000. From Tobarco they receive yearely 010000. From Colla a Port Towne 040000. From Gigerie a Port Towne 015000. From Buggea a Port Towne 040000. From Shershell a Port towne they receive yearely 40000. From Massagan a Port Towne 50000. From Massagonem a Port Towne 50000. From Trimassin Metropolitan Citie of the Kingdome of Muritaâ—iea they yearely receive 100000. From the Allarbies of Montegerâ— and the vale of Medea and the farmes of the Citizens 800000. From the Gardens a joyning neere the Citie being 16000. 800000. By the Gates of the Citie 040000. They have rent from all shoppes in the Citie proportionally as they are let to those that occupies them which must bee very great yet I could never come to the true knowledge of it For their Sea revinues they are uncertaine they being as purchase comes in of all goods and people that are taken the Bashaw has the eight part and all shippes or other vessells solely to his owne particular with all other provision and Ammunition appertayning to them They have no constant trade but with the Legornesses and they when most comes but two small vessells in a yeare other trade they have the chiefest being for Alexandria in Egypt yet most performed by a people called Iarbines all paying 12. and a halfe purcenta in summe for their Campes Garisons Gardens and the like to my knowledge by good information they have certaine Rent 3475000. dubles accounting each duble to the just shilling English and is 34750000 Of their Sea Forces THeir Sea Forces chiefely consisted of their Gallies yet never exceeded the number of nine at one time Ally Pichelline with the foole in the Gospell resolved in the yeare 1639. to have brought them to twelve and to have built a Gally Groce but one was in the same yeare lost at Bonna by a tempest and the other eight all taken by the Venetians so that at that present there was never a Gally remayning in that Citie nor can I conceive that ever Ally will returne thither from the Levant where hee now is to build more So that their Sea Forces at the present consistes altogether in shippes which are sometimes more sometimes lesse When I was first brought thither in the yeare 1631. They had 90. vessells of all sorts which they Armed in robberies but in three yeares after they had not 30. and were utterly disanimated to arme their shippes in reprisall voyages nor would upon any tearmes of advantage deale with an English shippe of force untill a certaine Allerbie borne in the Mountaines of Cokoose Captaine of a Pinke of 26. peeces of Artillerie belonging to the Bashaw unfortunatly met with the Adventure of London a shippe of 21. peeces of Ordnance and 45. men which this Moore boarded and immediatly mastered shee being richly loaden for the accompt of Gennonesses which hath since imboldned that captaine to take divers English Ships of good force and refuses to fight with none that he meetes withall Thus much of their Sea Forces and shippes which may be at present 80. Saile most Flemish shippes some carrying 40. peeces of Ordnance Of their Land Forces NO Tagarine or Moore of the Citie may be a Souldier or goe in Land service they are onely allowed Armes in their houses to defend the Citie if it should be invaded in their foure Campes they send out 2400. men they have in their Garisons 1000. more in my time in their Hamper or Generall Armie which in 1633. they sent against the King of Cokoose when all their ships were in port and all their souldiers at home beside those in Garison they could make but 4500. Souldiers beside Bullabashes and Oddabashes their Commanders I will allow for sicke men and others in Merchant voyages 1000. more so that in my judgement they cannot have above 5000. Souldiers in pay and although there be Christians that daily turne Turkes and Turkes which daily comes out of the Lavante which are presently put in pay so by their fights on Land and at Sea there are daily killed more or lesse of them and that to the benefit of the Bashaw for if a Souldier dies without children hee inherits his goods they have also a people which followes them for spoiles called Swayves or Horsemen besides all these there are perminently in the Citie of Gentlemen Tagerines and Moores above 50000. able men to draw Sword and thus much of their Land Forces Of their Victories THe vertue of this people doth appeare by the large and ample patrimony which in that Country they command in despight of millions of their enemies and they a people framed to warre able of body fierce of nature and cruell of disposition the most excellent horsemen of the world I meane the Moores In 1542. with Ally their Bashaw they marched to the very gates of Fesse one of the most famous Cities of Africa and returned having made composition and received of the Citizens for each day to each Souldier as long as they had beene from Argiere a Ducate a day their officers advanced their reward as they were in dignitie and the Bashaw by their relation returned with excessive riches to his owne particular They did in the yeare 1620. fight many battailes with the King of Cokoose beate him out of his countrey onely leaving him a mountaine which by its unpassable wayes and difficult assent was the sole refuge hee had to keepe himselfe from their Swords they having burned his Cities of England of France Spaine Portugall Sicelia Naples Rome Venice Allimania and others which were and are yet called according to these principall places of Christendome In the yeare 1626. they conquered the Kingdome of Muritania from the Marrabote named Sedeabdelcadder and called by them Antichriste and that sumptuous Citie of Tremessine Metroppolis of that kingdome which Marrabote by his conjurations for so I esteeme them and that with good reason to bee Cunjurors Charmers and
bootie is now in an attained aggetation stately Catria a Citie in Sclavonia occulerly presents her selfe unto them the bagge or stroke of the Oare is reinforced to no little ditrament of the poore Christians the All-sufficient God conscious to their indurances commands the wind to Countermand the inexorable cruelties of their oppressors by whose furie the Turke is desperated of better fortunes nor had any of them the least hope but to have perished in that tempest the Turke ignorant of the coast in this extasie implors the knowledge of some Christian to whom the danger of death was alike equall and obtained all consenting for the preservation of so many Christians lives they harboured them in the port of Vollonia in the Duchie of Albaine but man that is not so sencible of the perfects health as of the least sickenesse so no sooner was this dangerover having recollected good tackling with other necessaries they reconsulted whether to goe all of them deepely protesting never to returne to Argere without sufficient purchase answerable to so many difficulties endurances so great an adventure their first project ever approved the best for that in that Island there were at least 300. Christians beside rich pillage and no difficultie in taking it as being unfortified yet others contrary opinioned opposed alleaged the danger of the sea which for a time caused a demurre in some of them yet concluded that when that should faile they would fall upon some Greeke Towne which lived under the Great Turkes obedience and let his greatnesse take it how he would they cared not Sollymon Agga governor of the Country advertised Allie the Generall the neernesse of Corfue and of 2 Gallie asses and 20. Gallies alwayes kept there by the state of Venice to deffend their seas who without all question would soone come to have intelligence of their being there but Allie bravely replies not to care for all the Gallies of Venice much lesse for those in Corffue Mahomet Bey a man better considerate and Captaine of the Tunise Gallies with other Captaines of both Cities intreates him to get some other Port for better securitie but all Councell the purchaser of goodnesse is contemned by him newes is at Corffue of these Gallants being in Vollonia Marino Capella Proveditore or generall of the Armatha withall religious care uses more than ordinary expedition for the Arming his Navie in a day and a night they are provided and ready and Saturday morning Iune 8. arrives in that Port with his whole Armatha the Turkish Gallies then at skale their powers upon the Land this Vollonia is a great Bay of 5 Leagues deepe or long Land lockt on both sides it hath in the plaine a great Castle and well fortified and in it a great number of excellent brasse Ordnance upon the hill or mountaine of exceeding great height is another Castle over-seeing a great part of the Country and farre discovering at Sea which Castle discovering the Venetian Navie shot a warning peece the word now forratendo for we had then our tents up to keepe us from the weather which then rained thundred and lightned in most terrible manner it is now time the Turke looke about himselfe they let slip their Cables and roade under the great Castle there being in sight those that before they cared not for now feares them it is too much to be a speaker and a dooer the deepest waters are the least heard whereas the shallowest makes the greatest noyse the Turke is now consulting for best order of defence and by generall consent brings their poopes to the shoare and their prowes to the Sea their Gallies lashed one to another only leaving distance for the slaves to use their Oares for the Gallies order the fowle weather and abundance of raine made the Venetian all improper to give an assault that day Sunday morning after the performances and rites of Christianity they put abroad their flagges and standard and with drummes and trumpets advances in the front where the two Gallyasses thundering with their Artillerie before the smaller Gallies Ordnance could doe execution Allie the Generall now solicits the verteous Mustapha Captaine of the Castell to defend his Navie and people from the violence of the Naizerian misbeleevers which with store of peeces of eight hee effected as the French Proverbe sayes silver answers to all it is so powerfull a prevailer with that Nation of the Turke that giving them money with one hand they may put out their eyes with the other powder and Gunners are sent into the Castle which is not a trivial one but containes an English mile in curcumference in sum it is a place strong both by Art Nature having in it more than 150 peeces of brasse Ordnance the best that ever I saw Mustapha the Captaine now displayes the Horse Taile or royall insigne of the great Turke and stoutly defends the Barbariscos partie the fight is hot on both sides and in spight of the Castle had the Venetian continued it but halfe an houre longer the Barbariscoes had all lept into the Sea and left their Gallies and 4500. Christians captives to their vertue but as to the unfortunate there never wants succeeding troubles in the interim this disaster befell us one of the Captaines of the Gallyasses lost his arme upon which she retired dissention falling betwixt the Venetians the major part of the Captaines commanded a retreate contrary to the will of that noble Generall Marine Capella who for his worth and valour may be ranked amongst the greatest Captaines of those times Thus ended that fight which had continued neare three houres to the glory of the Turke for that present who for joy gave their feesses or out cries Alla Alla Mahomet and Rosallah which is God God alone and Mahamet his prophet thundering with their great Ordnance and vallies of small shot in derision of the Christian vertue whiles the Venetian retired to their place of first ankoring Immediatly sent a Gally for Venice to advise the Serinissimo Prince and illusterous Sinate what accurred Demanding their future pleasures concerning those Turkish Pirates there 's many Snake lies hid under Stawbury leaves for all this great flash of the Turkish glory they are yet timerous what the event will be and to prevent the worst the same night they difinbarqued all their Christians carries them a mile into the countrey and erected Tents in the field for their randavowes being all well coupled tenne and tenne together in chaines they also makes a Trench opposite to their Gallies to play the brave fellowes in and having beene blocked up by the Venetians neare a moneth growes weary and distastefull of such command â— in summe the one and the other having their especialls of each others condition the Turke is informed the Venetian to be very slenderly manned as not having one Gally with another above fortie some but thirtie Souldiers which indeed was true the Turkes are now ashamed and blames somes cowardlinesse and