to raise new Works and repair the Old they soon made it a Fortress of Strength and Consideration This happening at a time when the Turks were diverted by the Persian War the Cossacks injoyed this new Conquest for the space of four Years without molestation until that in the Year 1641 it was recovered with much Blood and Slaughter by the Arms of Sultan Ibrahim as we shall hereafter recount in the sequel of this History And now because the taking of this Place was the Original from whence the Divisions and Civil Wars between the Poles and Cossacks derived their beginning and was the Occasion that the Cossacks revolted from their just Obedience to the Protection of the Turks the Relation will not only be curious but a digression necessary to the clearer Light of the present History Vladislaus the Fourth King of Poland being wearied with constant Complaints of the Robberies and Incursions made by the Cossacks upon the Turks The Cause of the Civil War between the Poles and Cossacks contrary to Articles and Treaties of Peace was at length perswaded by his Barons and Counsellors that the only Means to suppress the Violence of this unruly People was to disarm them and taking away their Weapons of War to supply them in lieu thereof with the Shovel and Mattock with Ploughts and Pruning-Hooks by which industrious Diverversion from a wicked Life of Blood and Robbery to honest Husbandry and lawful Arts of living they might with time be rendred useful to their own Prince and capable of Faith and just Communication with their Neghbours It is not one Age past since these people were called Cossacks The Cossaks Country described derived as is supposed from Cosai a word in their Language which signifies a Goat perhaps because of their Agility of Body or because their Garments are chiefly made of Goats Skins Pellibus laxis arcent mala frigora bracchis Oráque sunt longis horrida tecta comis The Country inhabited by them was at first on the Banks of the River Boristhenes about fifteen Leagues in length to the entrance into the Euxine Sea where it is reported that Ovid was banished and some say that from him a Village thereabouts called Ovidoua derives its denomination and hereunto we may afford the greater belief from one of his Elegies in his Book De Tristibus which seems to describe this Country and the fierceness of the Inhabitants Eleg. 8 lib. 5. Quam legis à Scythicâ tibi venit Epistola terrâ Latus ubi aequoreis jungitur Ister aquis Mista sit hac quamvìs inter Graecósque Getásque A malè placatis plus trahit ora Getis Sarmaticae major Geticaeque frequentia gentis Per medias in aquis Ãtque reÃtque vias In quibus est nemo qui non Coryton arcum Teláque vipereo lurida felle gerat Vox fera trux vultus verissima mortis imago Non coma non ullâ barba resecta manu At present the name of Cossacks and their Country also is of a far greater extent than it was formerly for they call now all such in Poland Cossacks that are light Horse armed with Bow and Arrow and Fire-arms and their Country since the late Commotions is measured from the farthest parts of the Palatinate of Chiovia for the space of and hundred and twenty Leagues on one side and the other of the Boristhenes which comprehends likewise all the Country of Vkrania This Country was always inhabited by the most Warlike People of Russia for that being subject to the frequent Incursions of the Tartars necessary Defence and constant practice in Arms endued them with a Bold and Martial Spirit Vkrania is a Country so fertile that it may compare with the most fruitful Soil in the World producing such quantities of Corn with little labour that the Husband-men being made negligent by their abundance produced with little Toil have leisure to apply themselves to Violence and Rapine They have no Wine but use themselves much to Strong-waters Their Houses are not built of Wood or Stone but of Osiers interwoven and daubed over with Earth and Lime so that they use no Nails or Iron they have no Merchants unless in Kiow nor do they serve themselves of Physicians or Apothecaries Their learned Language or the Tongue wherein they write is the Sclavonian anciently called the Illyrian so that in all things this People is rude and barbarous and though their manner of Government and Policy is not refined or methodically disposed yet nevertheless it is solid and of deep Foundation appropriated to the nature and disposition of that People This honest Design of King Vladislaus to reduce this People to a just and an industrious course of living not agreeing with their Temper and Customs they rather resolved to leave their Country and betake themselves to various Fortunes some of them passed into Moscovia to plant a Colony in those uninhabited Parts a Body of them to the number of six thousand joining together resolved to pass into Persia to offer their service unto that King and being on their Journey as far as the Tanais they encountred with a Party of Moscovite Cossacks who inhabited certain Islands of that River with whom entertaining Discourse they understood that Asac might easily be surprised by them if they could agree to unite Forces which together might compose a Body of ten thousand Men The Importance of the Place being well considered it was resolved that the March into Persia should be shortned and this City be ordained for the ultimate End of their Travels and Place of Repose According to this counsel Asac being assaulted and taken as we have already intimated the Cossacks fortified it in the best manner that they were able making an Arsenal for their Boats and Saicks whereby afterwards they did much more infest the Turks than before The other Cossacks who continued in their Country being much persecuted by the Polish Nobility chose Kilminieschi for their General the Son of a Noble Family in Lituania but banished and degraded of his Honour for his Criminal Offences and rebelled against the Government At first not being able to resist the Force of Poland they retired within the Woods but joining afterwards with other Cossacks they issued forth at the beginning of the Spring beat the Poles and carried away a considerable Booty Afterwards joining with the Tartars they made their Incursions as far as Zamosca within twenty Leagues of Warsaw and so Matters continued with various Successes not appertaining to this History Only thus far it is pertinent to the Matter discussed for us to have shewn That the Counsels of Poland were in a great Error when they resolved to change the Life and alter the Humour of this Warlike People which being protected in their Priviledges and encouraged in their Wars would at all Times as occasion served have been ready to have ejected great numbers of good Souldiers into the Ottoman Territories and might still have been conserved
by a common and unanimous Suffrage elected Francesco Erizzo then Doge General of the Sea judging that their Arms would prosper under his Command which had formerly been successful under the auspicious Conduct of his Ancestors and he though a Person of seventy four Years worn out with Age and Cares of the Publick did yet chearfully consecrate the remainder of his days to the Service of his Country But whilst he prepared to crown the end of his Life with the Glory of this important and generous Enterprize Death terminated all his Intentions leaving him with the honourable memory of his past Actions and with a Lawrel hanging over his Head which had his Life continued had been planted on his Brows But that this Accident might not give interruption to the weighty Affairs now in had Molino took his place and proceeded in his Voyage and Designs and arrived with the Venetian Fleet at the Island of Corfu In the mean time the Turkish Fleet careened and fitted themselves at Navarine with all Necessaries to assault Candia in which interim advice came to Canea that the the Bailo was imprisoned at Constantinople by a Letter from Soranço himself which he had dropped from the Window of his close restraint and dispatched by one of his Confidents with a Vessel express which was not sooner arrived than it was that Night confirmed by all the Beacons or Watch-Towers of the Country who having discoverd the Turkish Fleet far distant as Sea gave a general Alarm by the Fires they made The next Morning being the 23 / 13 of June they discovered the whole Fleet near Cape Spada which being drawn up in the form of an half Moon took up a vast tract of Sea and sailing slowly with fair Weather and a smooth Sea displayed themselves with the greatest terrour imaginable to the Islanders At length the lighter Vessels began to edge in with the Bank of Gogna which is a place distant about eighteen miles from Canea and were followed by the grosser and heavier part of the Armata And now before I proceed farther I should make a pause and describe the Antiquity the Geography and the present State of this famous and renowned Island but that is already performed so distinctly and elegantly by other Pens that it shall be sufficient for me to declare here in brief terms how this Kingdom became the Patrimony or Possession of Venice In the Year 1204 a Sale thereof was made to this Republick by the Marquess Bonifaccio of Montferratto by an Instrument sealed the 12th of August at Adrianople and signed and delivered in the presence of Marco Sanudo and Ravano du Verona Ambassadours in the time of Enrigo Dandola Doge but the People of this Island not consenting unto the sale opposed themselves against it until the Venetians by force of Arms procured their Obedience and confirmed their purchase by a double Title Hereupon such noble Citizens as adventured their Lives in his acquisition obtained the Estates of the Rebellious Greeks being obliged in proportion to the Lands they held to maintain Men and Horse at their own Charge and are therefore called the Feudatary Cavalry So that the whole Country is divided into three parts viz. the noble Venetians or Cavalry secondly the noble Candiots or Colony which were Infantry that came to inhabit from Venice and thirdly the Greeks or Natives of the Country which never rebelled but took part with the Venetian State the first two speak Italian and are of the Roman Church the others speak Greek and conserve the Right of that Religion The Ottoman Fleet now touching the Shoar at Gogna took Livery and Seizin quietly of that flourishing Isle of Candia where they Encamped a while to refresh their Forces and prepare all things in order to their Conquest In the mean time the news hereof alarmed all Venice and not only hastened them in the expedition of their Fleet but warmed their applications to all Christian Princes from whom they craved help in the general defence of Christendom which some at first imagined would have been granted as it was once in the time of the Holy War or that those whom the Declaration of a common Crusada or Devotion or sense of Religion could not move yet at least the consideration of their Countries Defence or the maintenance of a Bulwark of Christendom might perswade to wage Arms against the Turk as a Common Enemy but what cold Apprehensions the Christian Princes entertained hereof both the faint Supplies and Assistances they administred and their bloody and vigorous Wars one against another have abundantly testified to the fatal loss and ruin of that Country And though in the beginning there were better hopes by means of the Pope's earnest intercession with all the Princes of Italy to whom he shewed a fair Example by uniting his own Gallies with the Venetian Fleet and amongst the rest prevailed also with the Republick of Genoua to employ their Gallies in this Noble Enterprize which tended to the Glory of God and the common Safety and Preservation of Italy yet that Leaven of vain Punctilio's which hath so often betrayed the Christian Cause to the advantage of the Turk gave a stop for some time to these Proceedings For before they would enter into Arms they desired the Genoeses that the right of bearing the Flag should first be determined in favour of their Admiral before that of Toscany or Malta And though the Pope to take away this occasion of dispute proposed to have no other Flag worn besides his own under which all Italian Princes without impeachment of their Honour as Auxiliaries and Military Adventurers might promiscuously wage War yet this could not appear satisfactory to the Genoeses who not only took this occasion to demand the precedency before Toscany and Malta to which the G. Duke who was not inferiour in State and superiour in Title and the Malteses who time out of mind and by Decree of Charles the Fifth claimed Precedency on the Seas before them would never assent but also thought fit to avail themselves in this Conjuncture to obtain from the Pope the Grant of a Royal Court and that Treatment which is given to Kings or Crowned Heads But because these Demands seemed to contain those Difficulties in them which could not be granted without the manifest displeasure of other Princes the Pope resolved to afford what assistance he could from himself and therefore granted a Levy of a thousand Foot out of his own Dominions with free liberty to buy what Ammunition and Provisions were to be found in the Ecclesiastical State with imposition of a double Tithe or Tenth on the Goods and Dominions of the Clergy so that these Succours of the Pope and the Auxiliary Forces of Naples Toscany and Malta under the Command of Prince Ludovisio General of the Church being united to the Venetian Fleet did speedily compose a most puissant and formidable Force however by reason of Dissentions amongst the Commanders and other Misfortunes derived
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 Judicio castigatur The Prince of Transilvania's Letter to His Majesties Ambassador toti Orbi Christiano manifestae sunt nec possumus non fateri inter duos Potentissimos Monarchas adeo indies hoc Regnum coangustari ut nisi extraordinaria Dei clementia aliquod subsequatur levamen vix immo ne vix quidem diu duraturum credamus 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 Causam promovere ne gravetur rem non saltem Transilvaniae verum quoque Christianitati perutilem factura nosque ad vincula amicitiae arctissime devinctura cui felicem vitam precamur manemus indubitati Datum in Castris ad Pagum Koczard positis die 26 Septembris An. Dom. 1662. Excellentissimae Dominationis vestrae Amicus Benevolus Michael Apafi In English thus Most Excellent 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 pitched his Camp in the very Bowels of the Country These proceedings giving matter of jealousie to all the Captains of the bordering Christians the Count Serini first hastned the finishing of his fort as much as was possible and next according to his example the Imperialists in all parts of the Borders fortified their Towns and Castles and reinforced their Garisons which was answered by the Turks in the like preparations And thus mutual fears and jealousies effected that ill Correspondence in which the State of Affairs then remained And since Transilvania is the present Scene of Action it will not be much from our purpose to digress a little in declaring the state of that miserable Principality and by what ways and means the Turks encreased their Tribute and encroached on their Liberties the which Relation I received from one of the Transilvanian Agents to this effect In the time of Sultan Solyman A History of Transilvanian Misery Transilvania was governed by her own Laws and her natural Prince paying then only Thirty Thousand Dollars of yearly Tribute After which Ali Pasha taking Varadin on the Frontiers had some part of the Country alloted him for maintenance of his Garison and at that time solemnly swore That beyond those Limits allotted to Varadin the Turks should not farther enter into Transilvania but that Oath being little regarded they have since that time possessed themselves of six Provinces viz. Bichar Doboka Halnock Colos in which is Claudiopolis and of the best part of Zarand Nor were the Turks satisfied herewith but in the year 1658. the Vizier Kuperlee entered Transilvania and by force of Arms took the strong Town of Janova and demanded the Surrender of Lugas and Karansebes into his hands Nor could the allegations of the Oath of Sultan Solyman or of Ali Pasha or any other perswasions or submission induce him to moderate any part of his severe demands until first having miserably destroyed the whole Country and
with swelling Surges and being full of Water it will be so far from being eased by those opportune Remedies which I bring that it will rather be encreased by my Tears God grant by his miraculous Providence the Tranquillity which we desire and which by humune means will be difficult to obtain I had not the understanding to take Opportunity by the Foretop when She presented her self unto me with gentle and benign Appearance showing me the means to save this floating Vessel and spare our insidious rewards For this Reason my dejected but not conquered mind makes my very Bowels feel an unusual anguish of an over-troubled Estate May it please the Divine pity that these my Afflictions may prove the Off-spring of my own vileness but not the means of my Ruin. I trust therein I confess and yet frail hope amidst this Gulf of Sin induces me to expect doubtful Successes Yet certainly I will endeavour to avoid a shipwrack on those Rocks of Despair And so imploring the Patronage of your Excellency here on Earth I confirm my self From Pera of Constantinople the 19 of December 1662. This Letter seems to be wrote in the stile of a despairing Person yet if it be well considered the meaning is no other than what the Issue of Affairs some years afterwards did evidence and his Intentions were no other than to describe the ill nature of the Turkish Ministers and their obstinacy of continuing a War until they had wearied out the Venetians into an Humour of surrendring the whole Island of Candia unto them I had the Honour to be well acquainted with the Person of Signior Ballarino and I always esteemed him in his external Behaviour accomplished with the Excesses of Italian Civility he was endued with great fluency of Language both in Discourse and Writing he was Jealous Acute and Wary and in short was a proper Minister for that Republick well practiced and versed in the manner of Treaty with the Turkish Court. He at first was sent from Venice to Constantinople in quality of Secretary to the Excellentissimo Capello Procurator of St. Mark a Person eminent for his Office and the several great employments which he had exercised in that State he was sincere and of a generous Soul his comely Looks and grave Habit spoke him to be a Gentleman and a Senator In short he was so well estemeed of at Venice that he was thought worthy to be imployed in this Embassy to the Grand Signior which is commonly granted to Persons after they have run through all Services of the Commonwealth as a Consummation of their Honours and Richess This Gentleman then had the misfortune to be invested in this Honour in the worst of Times when the War was broke forth and being thereby exposed to their cruelty he was put into Prison where passing for some time a Life of Sorrow and Sadness he fell into a Melancholly which represented all things to him in the blackest manner so that I know not why his fancy suggested to him that he was not only miserable in his Imprisonment and Restraint amongst the Turks but that he was fallen also into disgrace and displeasure of his Prince at home I will not say that Signior Ballarino did nourish the Operation of this black humour in him but I have heard that he did not administer that comfort to him as might serve to dispel the thickness of that Vapour which obscured the generous temper of his Soul. In short he gave such way to this melancholly that he laid violent hands upon himself as we have said before but afterwards by the Care of his Friends and Servants being cured of his wounds he lived some years after by his Sorrows and Repentance for it to give Satisfaction to God and the World. Howsoever the Senate being informed thereof and judging this Act to be the effect of a violent Phrensy appointed Ballarino to take on himself the intire management of Affairs reserving only the Title and Honour to Signior Capello Ballarino now manageing all Affairs Capello looked on himself as neglected and laid aside howsoever comported his Condition with Submission and Gentleness never openly resenting the Honours of Ballarino or to see him preferred before himself Howsoever secretly nourishing an inward Discontent his robustious Nature upwards of eighty years of Age was forced to give way to its final Dissolution and falling Sick he sent to the Earl of Winchelsea then Ambassador for his Majesty at Constantinople to acquaint him of his Distemper desiring him to send me who was then his Secretary unto him At these Summons I was easily perswaded to go having always had his Person in great Reverence and being come to his Bed-side he raised himself upon his Pillows and embracing me in his Arms I fancied my self to receive the Benediction of one of the Ancient Patriarchs He began with a weak Voice to say to me Sir I am near my end expecting every Minute to render up my last Breath and therefore as a dying man I desire of your Master the Ambassador that so soon as I am dead he would be pleased to deliver this poor Carcass of mine from under the covering of this accursed Roof For Answer whereunto I did not stand to expostulate the Reasons with him well knowing the cause of his discontent but that I would communicate his desires to my Lord Ambassador and speedily return with my Answer to him Accordingly I departed from him and quickly brought from my Lord a Promise to endeavour his utmost to comply with his request at which he seemed to be much satisfied and commanded his Servants then present especially one called Sig. Tomaso Gobbato his great confident to be Witnesses thereof The next day he expired his last Breath and the day following his Body being embalmed his bowels were buried and the Funeral Rites performed with such order and decency as was seemly in a Country where he lived rather like a Prisoner than an Ambassador All things being thus prepared the Earl of Winchelsea according to the Will of the Deceased sent for his Body already embalmed which was immediately without opposition or scruple sent to his house where it remained for some months in expectation of a conveyance for Venice At length a Dutch ship being bound from Constantinople thither it was designed that the Body should be thereon imbarked but I know not for what reason the Customer refused to suffer it to pass though it may well and rationally be conjectured That Ballarino who was sensibly touched to have the care of the Body of his Master his Countryman and Colleague taken from him did with Presents prevail with the Customer to put difficulties in the way which he supposed might vex those who were thought worthy of this employment This opposition being made and not to be overcome without much Money it was contrived that the Ship departing should attend the Corps at Tenedos which was without the command of the Castles and the body being divided
know that the Letter which was sent to Your Friend by the Honourable du Pressoir and Fountain hath been delivered me by the Sieur Roboli Agent and Attorney of the Embassy at the High and Imperial Port the Contents whereof We have apprehended to be as Your Majesty gives to understanstand touching the intire Amity and good Correspondence Certainly Your Majesty knows that the Augmentation and daily Encrease of that Amity proceeds from the protection and honourable Observance of Conditions and Capitulations between both Parties By the Grace of the Most High GOD the Sublime and Imperial Port of the most Happy most Puissant most Valarous most Magnificent and most Strong Emperor Support of the Mussulmans My Lord whose Arms God prosper with double Force is always open for our Friends and others without any Obstacle as all the World knows and particularly for Your Majesty Who is our Friend and hath been long in Amity with the most Serene Ottoman Family whom God establish until the day of the Ballance It being a most certain Truth that there hath happened neither on one side or other any Action contrary to the promised Faith. And now since Your Majesty desires for a new Ornament of the Ancient and Good Correspondence and to the end that the Agreement and Conditions thereof be honoured as they ought that the considerable Person amongst the Nobles of the Court of Your Majesty the Sieur Denys de la Haye Son of the late Ambassador a Subject of Reputation Your Gentleman of Credit whose Days may they conclude in happiness be sent to reside at this Happy and Imperial Port for Your Majesty according to the ancient custom to the end that the Intention of Your Majesty may be performed We have exposed it at the High Throne of the thrice Happy most Mysterious and most Great Emperor My Lord Who with an Imperial regard of courteous Demonstration hath accepted the said Demand with willingness and therefore in signification of his Pleasure We write You this Our present and friendly Letter and if it please God according to the ancient Custom when the said Embassador shall arrive at this High Port with the Letters of Friendship from four Majesty he shall be honoured on the Imperial part and entertained according to the ordinary custom the Imperial Capitulation shall be renewed the Ornament of Affection on one side and the other shall be confirmed and for an efficacious Confirmation of a good Peace between both Emperors an Imperial Letter shall be sent to Your Majesty whose health be happy and prosperous From the Imperial City of Constantinople The Poor Hamet Pasha In Answer to the Kings Letters The Vizier stiles himself The Poor in respect to the Greatness of his Master the Grand Signior made no reply but only by his Vizier by reason that in all the Ancient Turkish Registers and Archives there was no example found that the Grand Signior ever wrote to any King who had not an Ambassador actually resident at his Port. But this Negotiation about a French Ambassador took not effect until some time after in which other Letters and Messages intervened as will appear by the following Sequel of this History It was now towards the beginning of Winter when the Season of the Year compelled the Turkish Fleet of Gallies to return according to custom The return of the Turkish Armata to winter at Constantinople to the Port of Constantinople The whole Summer before they had for the most part passed in some Harbour or Creek amongst the Greek Islands having afforded nothing of Convoy or succour towards the safe Conduct of the Fleet of Grand Cairo but suffered them to fall into the hands of the Enemy as before mentioned and indeed for several years the Marine Affairs of the Turks have always gone decaying in Fame and Force and the preparations of the Armata every Spring have been of Form and Course rather than with hopes of success correspondent to the expence In their return home near Constantinople they encountred a fierce storm so that three Gallies were cast away at Ponte Piccolo by the Turks called Cucuccheckmage about four Leagues distant from Constantinople Howsoever the Weather clearing the remainder of the Fleet got into Port entring with Joy with Vollies of great and small Shot with Streamers flying Pipes sounding and all other sorts of their Country Musick bringing with great Ostentation a small Flyboat which had been a â—â—ornese Man of War taken by them as she was cruising singly in the Arches of Pelago which was brought in with so much Ceremony used in toaing her into Port decking her with Streamers and Pendants with such signs of Victory and Triumph as if they had led Captive the whole Venetian Armata The Slaves make an Insurrection in one of the Beghs Gallies But I must not omit the relation of what besel one of the Beghs Gallies designed with the rest to rendezvous at Constantinople whilst she loitered amongst small Isles in the Gulf of Nicomedia It was a Gally the Commander of which had newly received as the Portion of his Wite being a Young man lately married who entertained great thoughts of raising his Fortunes by the spoils and prize he was to make At these sles several of the Officers and * The Soldiers at Sea â—alled by that name Levents went on shore where whilst they entertained themselves with Wine and merriment the Slaves made an insurrection in the Gally seized the Captain cut off his Head and threw his Body into the Sea and so becoming Masters of the Vessel weighed Anchor and set sail Those on the shore admiring at the unexpected departure of the Gally accompanied her with their Eyes and wonder as far as they could perceive her in sight but observing her to steer a different course from the Port to which they were designed suspected much of the truth of what had succeeded wherefore taking their Boat immediately they haâ—tned to Constantinople to give advice of what had passed that if possible Orders might timely arrive the Castles on the Hellespont which might obstruct their farther passage But alas the poor Slaves were so dismayed with their own action and so transported with a slavish fear and apprehension of what might succed should their escape not be effected that they knew not what course to steer All things seemed to contradict their liberty the Wind proved contrary their Spirits dejected their understandings void of counsel and contrivance so that wandâ—ing three or four days in the Propentis at last ran their Gally ashoar on the Asian side near Palermo from whence they were brought back to Constantinople and there by sentence of the Captain Pasha fourteen of them had their Legs and Arms broken and so suffered to die in that torture and afterwards their Bodies were thrown into the Sea to the terrour of all other Slaves who prefer a miserable Life at the Oar before the torments of some hours in dying Though the Turks
Article to be of force but if they advise the contrary then this to be of no effect Fifteenthly If the Fryars or Merchants or Druggermen will make Wine and transport it abroad none shall hinder them Sixteenthly The French Consuls and all under their Banner having a difference with any of or above four thousand Aspers it shall be decided at our publick Divan Seventeenthly If any man slaughter shall happen in the street where French dwell they shall not be liable to pay the price of the Bloud unless it be proved before the Justice that a Frenchman was guilty thereof Eighteenthly The Druggermen in service of the French Nation shall enjoy the same priviledges as before specified Nor was the French interest only available at that time to obtain the foregoing Articles and renew their Capitulations with such Additions but likewise to procure Licence for the Ambassador to travel into the remotest parts of the Ottoman Dominions The French Ambassador obtains licence to travel for though it were a thing never practised before and denied as is well known to other Christian Ambassadors yet it was granted to Monsieur de Nointel with so much freedom that first in a Brigantine he went to Scio thence visited the chief Isles of the Archipelago thence crossed to Rhodes and so proceeded to Satalia Cyprus and Jerusalem so much confidence had the Turks contrary to their custom in this Ambassador for as they stile all Representatives from Foreign Princes their pawns or pledges of Peace so had not the Turks in that conjuncture thought the interest of France worth the obliging they would never have deviated from their ancient Custom and given an example for other Ministers to demand a priviledge of the like nature But to return again to the designs against Poland The Turks resolve on a war against Poland the Sultan about the end of July marched with such Forces as were then in a readiness towards the Confines of that Country and though he had not with him above fifteen thousand men yet it was concluded that the Fame and terror of the Grand Signior's motion would either abate and bring low the spirits of the Poles and induce them to dispatch an Ambassador with terms of Peace or at least this readiness of the Turkish Camp would be an early preparation for the designs of the next year and put the whole Empire into a timely motion and that uniting with the Forces of the Frontiers they might make a Body sufficient to resist any sudden Incursion This resolution being taken the Great Vizier led the Van and encamped on the Banks of the Danube near a place called Isacgee where he with all diligence built a Bridge of Boats to pass his Forces with the greatest facility to the other side on which lies the Country of Moldavia The Sultan about a days journey short of the Vizier fixed his Court and Camp at a place called Babadog with intention after some days to cross the River and proceed as far as Kemenitz that by the influence of his powerful Presence he might encourage his Army there and provide all things necessary for security of that Garrison But in the mean time advices coming that the Polish Army consisting of about twenty thousand men was roving about the Confines of Leopolis under the Command of General Sobieski and that a reconciliation was passed between the King and him and that Zircha Commander of the Cosacks joyned to considerable forces of the Moscovite and Calmuck Tartars had made incursions into the parts about Osac caused the Sultan to desist from his designed progress to Kemenitz and to pass no farther than over the River into Moldavia for hunting or other pastimes By these matters the Turks being fully convinced that the Poles resolved not to pay their promised tribute nor to send an Ambassador with propositions which were condescending or supplicating for Peace the Sultan himself dispatched away an Aga with Letters into Poland full of threats menaces and protestations of bringing all that ruine misery and destruction on their Country which always attends the most cruel and bloudy War if they did not retrieve their error by a speedy submission and compliance with those Articles which were the last year accorded And this was the last motion the Turks made towards a Peace which they were desirous to embrace on any terms honourable that so they might have opportunity to divert their Arms to the more mild Climates of Hungary where besids the entertainment they expected to receive from friends who invited them they should not be liable to half those inconveniences of Cold Frosts and Famine as they were probable to meet in the parts of Poland But the Poles were so much in earnest and so little esteemed the menaces of the Sultan that they anticipated his threats by some acts of hostility and showed that they so much scorned his anger that they were resolved to be the first Aggressors The Poles pass the Neister For the great Mareschal Sobieski with his Lieutenant General Wisnowitzki marched forward and boldly passed the Niester with fifty thousand select Souldiers The General of the Turkish Army Chusaein Pasha alarmed hereat immediately issued forth such Orders for preparing and fitting his Camp as were agreeable to a speedy Battel and that he might understand the state of his Camp he called the Prince or Vayvord of Moldavia to examine him concerning the state and condition of his Forces the answer he gave proving not satisfactory to the expectation of the Turk who was enraged at the approach of the Enemy with high and proud words insulted over the Prince giving him no better terms than Dog and Infidel and at length struck him over the head with his Pole-Axe notwithstanding which and the disgrace he put upon him imprudently that night committed unto him and to the Prince of Valachia the care of the Guards which consisted of three thousand Men. The Valachians as near Neighbours and Associates with the others The Prince of Valachia carried by his own Souldiers to the Poles seemed at first more grievously to resent the affront than did the Moldavians and therefore that Night took their Prince by force and carried him to the Polish Army The Prince that he might make a Vertue of Necessity complained of no force or violence offered unto him by his Souldiers but as if he had voluntarily revolted showed outwardly a fair and serene countenance towards the Poles until such time as with forty of his Men he found an opportunity to escape but being by next morning at break of day overtaken by five Troops of Polonian Horse his whole Retinue was slain by them excepting five of his men who with himself saved themselves by the swiftness of their Horses Howsoever the Prince received a wound on his left hand with a Sword with which presenting himself before the Great Vizier and by that testimony boasting of his Faith and Loyalty to the Ottoman House was conducted
evacuated for them The Baron replied That he had no Commission to discourse of conditions but only to know from the Bassa himself whether he would surrender or no. That he might please to consider that the Christians were already Masters of the Walls of the City that it would be too late to capitulate if he stayed till another assault that it would not be in the power of the Generals to restrain the fury of the Souldiers or prevent this Siege from being as Tragical as that of Newheusel At this discourse the Bassa only lift up his shoulders but the Baron being upon the point to take his leave he desired him to enter with him into his Cabinet where calling the Mufti and three other Turks of the first rank he remonstrated to him again That he could not upon any consideration do so great a prejudice to the Grand Seignior as to surrender a place upon which depended two hundred Leagues of Country and which is the Key of Turky but offered again any Town in Hungary with its Appendances and Dependencies Yet declaring finally That if they would give him assurances of a general peace with the Port he would yet resolve to surrender Buda The Baron having no Orders to treat took leave of the Bassa telling him he would make report to the Elector and Duke of Lorrain of the Declaration he had communicated to him but that he could not assure him that things would be so concluded The Bassa desired this Declaration might be published in Writing through the Camp and invited him to stay all Night in the City But the Baron excused the later desiring to be reconducted to the place from whence he came which was done with great ceremony he being accompanied with many Turkish Officers to the Gate Nor the Baron nor his Interpreter could sufficiently demonstrate the ruines occasioned in the City by the Bombs and Carkasses which had beaten down the greatest part of the Buildings The Cessation which had been observed during this Parley was broke towards Evening the Cannon beginning to fire with more fury than formerly The Besieged sprang a Counter-mine in the Lorrain attack to ruine the Christians Mine made under their Battery opposite to the great Rondel but without success A while after two of the Besiegers Mines which were designed to fill the Ditch were fired with execution Count Starenberg looking betwixt two Gabions was hurt with a Musket-shot but without danger 20 or 30 more were hurt and killed in this and the Brandenburg attack Aug. 1. A Battery was finished in the Lorrain attack upon the Rondel upon which two pieces of Cannon were planted A Mine was sprung in the Morning near this Rondel and though it succeeded well there was no other attempt made because the Moat was not sufficiently filled and so it was resolved to fill it with Faggots with Sacks of Earth and the like Materials which were carried in abundance upon the place The Workmen perceived so great a stink in this Mine that they could scarce endure it two of them who were suffocated with it being carried out of it About Noon intelligence came that 7000 Turks were posted at Sexaritwan thirteen Leagues from Buda and that the Grand Visier had begun to pass the Bridge of Esseck with the Army that he had formed out of the Garrisons of Hungary and the Neighbouring places and with other Troops which he had got together amongst which there were 7000 men drawn out of Bossina It was further assured that the defection amongst the Turks was very great and that of 8000 Janizaries which the Grand Visier had brought from the middle of Turky 3000 had deserted upon the march and yet he pretended his Army consisted of 50000 Combatants resolving to attempt the relief of Budâ— General Dunewald returned this afternoon to the Camp with the Regiments of Horse with which he had been on the side of the Bridge of Esseck to inform himself of the march of the Enemy The Generals Caraffa and Heusler arrived also from Zolnock in two days with 5000 Horse and some Hungarians All things were disposed for to assault the second Wall. The Bavarians had thrown down a great part of the Wall with their Cannon and a Mine rendering themselves Masters of the second Zwinger where they at the same time seised upon the Enemies Cannon and Mortars which they turned against the City Aug. 2d They continued to fill the Ditch every thing was ready for the assault which was deferred because of the continual rains Upon the reiterated news brought in by Scouts of the Grand Visier having passed the Bridge at Esseck all necessary preparations were made to receive him well in case he attempted to relieve the Town Aug. 3. A Run-away who pretended to be a Domestick of one of the most considerable Officers in the Town declared that the Besieged had prepared a Mine and begun a second in the Brandenburg attack That they expected with great impatience their Succours and that of all those which the Bassa had sent out not one had returned which rendered him very uneasie and chagrin and that the number of serviceable Soldiers exceeded not 2000 besides the Inhabitants The Besiegers could not finish their great Mine because of a Rock they met Some small Banks and Parapets were made upon the Breach to secure the Souldiers firing during the assault which was ordered in the manner following At noon the Trenches were relieved and those that went off were appointed for reserves The first attack was to the right of the Rondel Fifty Granadeers with a Captain and Lieutenant and a Serjeant followed by 20 men preceded these were followed by 50 Fuseliers Officer'd as the first and 50 men which followed them with Hatchets The same method was held by the Brandenburgers on the left and the Hungarians fell upon the Curtain in the middle preceded by 30 Germans and followed by 60 with their necessary Officers The assault began betwixt 5 and 6 a clock in presence of all the Generals the Great Master of the Teutonick Order commanding the Trenches The design by reason the Mine had not the desired effect was but feigned but the Duke of Lorrain being advertised by an Adjoutant that the Elector of Bavaria had already effectively began the assault did also command the false attack to be converted into a real one The Fight lasted two hours There were 1000 Troopers on foot 300 whereof were employed in the assault who behaved themselves well as the Hungarians also did but the Breach being of difficult ascent the Besieged very well covered with Palisado's and defending themselves like desperate men the Duke would not risque more of his people contenting himself to make a Lodgment at the right of the angular Rondel where 40 men immediately intrenched themselves There were not many killed by the Besieged's fire but about 200 wounded by Stones and Arrows which were shot in such abundance that it resembled a shower of Hail Count Leopold
one with shame and silence shifting for himself retired to his own Country and Home And herewith easily ended this Civil War almost in a moment which but now threatned the Extirpation of the Ottoman Race The cruel Vizier retained his thoughts of Revenge which we shall shortly hear in what manner he vented on the great Spahees and rich Men in Asia who had joined themselves with the Pasha in this Rebellion This good Service promoted Mortaza and rendred him more considerable to the Grand Signior so that he was employed in the Assistance of the Tartars against Ragotski in Transylvania and afterwards preferred to the important Charge of Bagdat or Babylon of whose Success and Fate we we shall hear in the Sequal of a few Years But as yet the Commotions of Asia were not so wholly extinguished but that the Nephew of the Pasha of Aleppo in revenge of the treacherous Death of his Uncle took up Arms and was followed by the People of the Territories depending on Aleppo To his Assistance came in also the Son of Chusaein Pasha late General in Candia whom the cruel Vizier had put to death notwithstanding the merit of his late Services which might seem to atone for his former Misfortunes and make satisfaction for non-compliance with Instructions but this Vizier who never pardoned any Person would not begin with an Act of Clemency towards one who was none of his Creatures or Confidents depending on him To these joined the Bey of Torgue who casting off his Obedience to the Pasha of Cairo entred into the Cabal with ten thousand Horse so that a formidable Army being composed by this Union gave a new subject of Fear and Apprehension at Constantinople But the Great Vizier so dextrously managed his Affair by sowing Dissention between the Chiefs and bestowing Largesses on the Souldiery that the Army unsensibly mouldred away leaving their Generals and Commanders to shift for themselves and exposing them to the Justice of a Vizier who was unacquainted with Mercy and never pardoned any who was either guilty of a Fault or supected for it Towards the end of this Year the Vizier built the lower Forts which are scituated at the entrance into the Dardanelles commonly called by the name of the Queen-Mother's Castles And dispatched a Chaous to the Pasha of Canea to put all things in a Readiness for the Siege of Candia Orders were also given to the Pashaws of the Inland Countries to prepare themselves for the Wars against Dalmatia and Transilvania ANNO 1660. THE Rendezvous of the Army being appointed at Belgrade the Vizier hastened thither in Person to quicken the Preparations and March of the Souldiers which were flocking thither from all parts This Vizier Kuperlee though aged was yet very active and vigorous by which he created so much confidence of himself in his Master that he acted nothing in all the Government but by his Counsel and Direction which being always jealous and bloody towards those who had any Power in the Empire he for that Reason cut off the Casir of Damascus who though he was a good Governour and a faithful Servant yet because he was a Favourite of the Queen-Mother and conserved the State of his Affairs in a laudable posture he grew jealous of his Power and therefore sacrificed his Blood to his own Security and Bloody Disposition The which act of unjust Cruelty so enraged the Queen-Mother that she for ever after bore a mortal hatred to this Vizier and continued the same to his Son which was the famous Kuperlee but his Moderation and Discretion was so well tempered with respect towards her that She at length not only pardoned the Sin of his Father in him but became his Friend and relished the Services which he performed for his Master The Venetians having about this time received considerable Succours namely four thousand French Foot which his most Christian Majesty after the Conclusion of Peace at the Pyrenean Treaty had most generously Spared to that Republick were enabled to attempt some notable Enterpaize and thereby so hardly pressed the Pasha of Canea that he earnestly wrote to the Grand Signior for Succours assuring him that without present Relief he should be forced to surrender his Town to the Mercy of the Enemy The Grand Signior promised him speedy Relief and for his better encouragement sent him the Present of a Sword and a Vest of Sables in the mean time the Venetians took three Forts viz. Calamo Calegro and Epicarno and proceeded to lay Siege to Canea but the Enemy having received a Supply of three thousand Men into the Town the Christians quitted this enterprize in hopes of beating the Turks out of new Candia which was lately built near to the old Candia with design to keep that Town straitned by perpetual Alarms and by the vicinity of so bad a Neighbourhood The Grand Vizer being very Aged was subject to many Infirmities and falling sick at Belgrade he was advised by the Physicians to change the Air as the best Remedy for his Disease and indeed they were all careful to give him the best and safest Counsels for that he often threatned them if he died of that Sickness he would send them all to the next World before him The Vizier following the Advice of his Physicians returned to Adrianople where having in a good measure recovered his Health he sent Orders to Hali Pasha then General of the Forces in Hungary to hasten the Siege of Waradin being esteemed by the Turks an advantagious Fortress for carrying on their Conquests in that Country of the taking of which Town and of all the Trouble in Transylvania caused by the ambitious humour of Ragotzki we shall treat at large in the following History For being come to that time in which Providence allotted me a charge at Constantinople I was thereby somewhat elevated on a rising Ground whereby I could with my own Eyes survey the Transactions of that great Empire and for that Reason I call them my Memoirs which for being Matters transacted in my own Time I have thought fit to introduce them with a short Advertisement to the Reader THE MEMOIRS OF Sir Paul Rycaut Containing the HISTORY OF THE TURKS FROM THE YEAR 1660 to the YEAR 1678. With the most Remarkable Passages Relating to the ENGLISH TRADE In the space of Eighteen Years TO THE READER Courteous Reader THIS following History is some part of those fruits arising from my vacant hours of eighteen Years residence in Turky seven whereof I compleated at Constantinople in quality of Secretary to the Lord Ambassador and for eleven Years I exercised the Office of Consul at Smyrna In the first times of which I had great advantages to observe and make my Annotations having for the most part been acquainted with the persons as well as with the affairs of those concerning whom I write and indeed the incumbence which was then upon me obliged me to a knowledg both of persons and business My latter time which was that
besides that the Fortifications were after the Ancient Model it was unprovided of Cannon and other warlike Ammunition and therefore we are not to pass by the Governour Retani without due Commendations whose valiant and generous spirit with courage equal to his diligence knew how to fortify and to defend his Walls For out of the Town Bells he founded his Artillery he daily wearied the Enemy with Sallies surprised one of their Batteries which most annoyed the City composed the Mutinies of the Citizens within and in short against the Opinion of all he defended and maintained it in the possession and right of the Emperor Claudiopolis being thus relieved the Turks stomached inwardly the disgrace and yet thought it prudence for the present to dissemble and therefore upon some addresses made for Peace from Transilvania and certain Propositions tendered by the German Resident the Vizier coumerfeited his inclinations thereunto so far that he prohibited all farther Acts of Hostility upon the Frontiers Notwithstanding which the rumour at this time running of a Combination of all Christendom against the Turk with Men or Money The Turks jealousy forwarded by the endeavours of the Pope and the contrivances of Venice encreased the former jealousy and caused the Skirmishes on the Frontiers to be more hot and frequent And the Vizier being froward and cholerick and by nature jealous matters had immediately proceeded to an open rupture had not the German Pesident by his Moderation and Prudence represented affairs in the smoothest guise of Peace and delayed the War rather than composed it so that this whole Summer was spent in disputes messages and debates on both sides The Vizier designing this War in his Eye and desirous to comply with the vagrant humour of his Master The Turkish Court removes to Adrianople who was weary of his Seraglio at Constantinople resolved to transfer the Turkish Court to Adrianople so that toward the end of June they entered their Tents without the City But before they could dispose their affairs for to depart the Plague which is the Epidemical Disease of this Country and the common distemper of the Summer Season began to break forth and diffuse it self through all parts of the City that in a short time the Keys of many Houses were brought to the Grand Signior for want of Pretenders and Heirs surviving to possess them In greater Houses of Pasha's and others where have been a Hundred and fifty persons scarce five have remained alive for burial of the others what the fury of that Mortality might be was best conjectured by the daily account was kept of the Corps carried out of the City by the Gate only of Adrianople A great Plague at Constantinople which for some Weeks amounted I speak moderately to Twelve or thirteen hundred a Day it being observed amongst the Turks when above a Thousand in a Day are carried forth Dead by that Gate that then Prayers are to be made to Almighty God to withdraw that heavy judgment At which time the Greek and Armenian Patriarchs are likewise desired to offer up their Devotions and intercede with God for mitigation of the Pestilence and the same Day in a Field called Okmaidan do all assemble though divided apart to pray against the common Calamity it not seeming vain to them that every one should call upon his God. Nor did the Plague rage only in the City but the Ships and Turks Saykes were infected in parts remote on the Black Sea and the Propontis so that above a Hundred Sail were reported to be lodged at several Ports for want of Seamen to navigate them home The Camp also where the Grand Signior and Vizier remained was not exempted from this common Contagion for the necessary intercourse between that and the City communicated the evil equal unto both strowing the ways with dead Bodies in that manner as represented a passage conducting to a Coemetery or Charnel-house rather than to a Martial Camp or Court of a Great Emperor This mortality hastned the Grand Signior with his Army and Attendances into a better Air the Vizier was to follow a few days after but before his departure he setled and constituted his Son Chimacam or Governour of Constantinople Things in this confusion and haste not being well provided for the Grand Signiors reception at Adrianople caused him to prolong his Journey by taking a compass round by the Castles at the mouth of the Hellespont and from thence went to Dimotochum where having lingered out eight or ten days more he made a solemn entrance into Adrianople which will for some years following be discoursed in this History as the Seat of the Ottoman Empire The time of this great Mortality was no season for us to move in business or action we and all other Christians avoiding common conversation every one consulting his particular safety Howsoever two businesses brought our Lord Ambassador to Town from his Country Retirement One was to obtain justice from the Vizier on two miscreant Turks who had committed a Robbery on his Page and Steward as they were drinking at a Fountain near a place called Bauchasarai a Village inhabited by Greeks the Steward by the swiftness of his Horse escaped but the Page being sickly and weak fell into their hands and was grievously wounded by them The G. Viziers justice towards our Ambassador Complaints hereof being made to the Grand Vizier he seemed much concerned at the evil treatment of the Ambassadors servants and therefore sent the Nayp of the Kadi of Galata to take notice and write down the Wounds which the Page had received and at the same time dispatched Officers into all parts adjacent to take the Thieves and to examine and torment the people in places where it might be suspected only that they were harboured and that nothing should be neglected in order to this discovery It is incredible with what diligence severity and violence this command was executed the people in the Villages where they had lodged or been or but passed through were all seized and the men examined under the Cudgel with Drubs on their feet the men women and children of Baucha-sarai were carried and some of them in Chains to our Ambassadors House at Pera and all the Countries round were so ill treated that their common safety was concerned in the taking of these Thieves and the allarum was by this time so far spread that it was more pressing and urgent than our Hue-and-Cry in short one of the Thieves was taken and he discovered the abode of his Companion and both were brought to our Ambassadors House and there put into the Stocks laden with Chains and guarded by the Turkish Officers The next day they were carried before the Stambol-Efendi or Recorder of Constantinople they confessed the fact and Hoget or Sentence passed upon them which by Law could reach no farther than to the Gallies but being brought before the Vizier he had a mind to stretch the Law and their
in Case the Emperor desired a Peace he should resign into the hands and possession of the Sultan Zekelhyd Zatmar Clausenburg alias Colosvar with the late built Fort of Count Serini without which no Sacrifice could appease the anger and give a stop to the progress of the Ottomon Arms. Whilst these Propositions by Post were dispatched to Vienna the Vizier proceeded in his Journey to Strigonium now called Gran to which placer after sixteen Days time the Messenger returned with an Answer from the Emperor which showed an inclination towards an acceptance of Peace on the terms proposed but with instructions to his Ministers to moderate by their discreet management what was possible the rigour of the demands For by reason of the disaffection of the Hungarians whom the Emperor had lately disgusted by demolishing several of their Churches and discountenancing the Protestant Religion which they professed and by reason of the Phlegm of the Princes of Germany whom different interests made slow and unactive in their preparations against the common Enemy the Emperor was wholly unprovided to oppose the viloence of this over-flowing Torrent and became an unequal match for the Ottoman Force The Turks perceiving that the Germans began to condescend and yield to any conditions which might purchase their quiet This Tribute was paid by the Emperor to Sultan So lyman started a farther demand of Fifty thousand Florins of Yearly Tribute and two Millions of Crowns for expence of the War to be paid by the Emperor to the Sultan These proud and unexped Proposals startled not a little the Baron of Goez who readily made answer that he clearly perceived now that there were no intentions to a Peace since the Vizier was pleased to make the matter so difficult and impossible for that it were as easy to bring Heaven and Earth to meet as his Master to meet the G Signior in the Concession of this particular These extravagant demands a wakened the Imperial Court who now observing the Turks without their Vizard to march hastily to surprize them vigorously roused themselves to make that convenient provision and defence by War which the straitness of time permitted them So that in the first place they Assembled a Diet at Ratisbonne where it was resolved to raise four Armies the first for the Guard and defence of Moravia and Silesia under the Command of Count Susa a Native of Rochel The second under the Command of Count Raimond Monteculi for safety of Raab Newhausel and Komorra and the Frontiers of Hungary The third under Command of Count Nicholas Serini for defence of Croatia The fourth composed solely of Hungarians commanded by the Palatine of that Country which they reported to consist of Thirty thousand fighting men Fifthly It was ordered that all Garisons should be well provided of Victuals and Ammunition and that the Inhabitants of Vienna should take into every House a provision for a years maintenance and such as were not able at their own Cost were to abandon their Dwellings And in the mean time the Villages round about were demolished to the great amazement and confusion of the People The Turks now bearing in their thoughts nothing but War began to design and chalk out the best order and method for its prosecution The principal places then in eye of the Vizier were Raab and Komorra Fortresses of considerable strength maintained and defended by Souldiers of known prowess and conduct and provided equally with all sorts of Ammunition and Provisions agreeable to such considerable Bulwarks and Walls not only of the German Empire but I may say of all Christendom Raab called by the Italians Raab Javarin and by the Turk Yanick is scituated in a plain level and Champion Country the Town it self very regular and compact the Fortifications most exact according to the new model and much improved in its strength since the recovery of it from the hands of the Turk by whom it was once taken in the year 1594. it hath its name from the River Rab on which it is seated just on the meeting of the Danube Komorra Komorra is a stronger Fortress erected in an Island of the River Danube called after the same name which hath often been attempted by the Turks but with ill success at both which places I have personally been and viewed them with much delight Wherefore the Vizier considering the strength and difficulty of these places resolved to take due and mature consideration before he engaged himself in any enterprize and to that end assembled together in Consultation with him the most ancient and grave men that were Natives of the Country some of these being such who had lived in Rab been Slaves there The Turks deliberate of the method to be used in War. and had well marked and observed the strength of that Fortress both as to Nature and Art assured the Vizier That the Work was immense difficult and dangerous and not to be accomplished in the space of one Summer and that the Winters in that Countrey were very cold and rigid and ill agreeing with the temperament of the Asiatick Souldiery The Vizier though the farther considered that his Souldiers were as yet young and unexperienced and that a foyl encountred at the first Enterprize might be a discouragement from following the continued Tract and Course of this War which must be sustained with labour and patience and that to withdraw his Forces in the Winter would be a dishonour to the Ottoman Arms a blemish in the beginning to his own Reputation and an encouragement of the Enemy Howsoever having a violent Ambition and Desire to become Master of Rab he could not rest satisfied in this Counsel before he had consulted with Ali Pasha and other Pashaws of the Frontier Countries who duly considering the matter as it stood concurred in the same judgment that was formerly made of the difficulty of this design and herein they were the more strongly confirmed by the report of certain Hungarians whom some parties of Horse under the Command of Ali Pasha roving and sallying out near the Walls of Rab had surprized and taken who being brought bound before the Vizier related That the Town was well provided with all sorts of Ammunition and Provisions and the Garison reinforced by Count Montecuculi with supply of four Thousand men and in this manner reported the Work as difficult as the Turks of the Countrey had formerly signified This relation confirmed by so many hands diverted the Viz er from this Design for before that time imagining it a place which might easily be subdued he proposed to himself without any interruption a clear and undisturbed March to the Gates of Vienna which he swallowing also in his thoughts hoped by his own success to repair the shame of Solyman's flight from the Walls of that City and besides the glory of forcing the Emperor from his Imperial Seat he should atone for the sin of the Ottomon Cowardice and be the first who undertook to
comfort can I have there Hath not that place been fatal to my Father What benefit had my Uncle from thence or any of my Race Have not all my Princes Ancestors been subject to a thousand mutinies and Rebellions in that place I shall sooner than return thither set fire to it with my own hands and rejoyce to see that City with my Seraglio brought to ashes And that we may farther discover the strange aversion the Sultan had to Constantinople and his resolution to change the Seat of his Empire it is observable that he built a small Seraglio not far from Adrianople in imitation of that near Constantinople A small Seraglio by that name near Constantinople called Odout Pasha the place to which he most frequently resorted after that City fell under his dislike and hatred The Village where his Pallace was built was called Chiomlichoi or the Village of Pots where earthen Vessels were made but the Grand Signior changed the name and called it Odout Pasha with which name before the People were well acquainted and that it was accustomed to their mouths two poor silly Country men mistaking and calling it simply by the former name were apprehended by some of the Bostangees and brought before the Grand Signior as contemners of the Imperial Command and by his immediate Sentence were put to death About the end of May the Grand Signior had a Son born to him of one of his Women A Son born to the Grand Signior for joy of which seven days of Dunalma or rejoycing were appointed through all the Ottoman Dominions but especially at Adrianople the Solemnity was greatest all sorts of Artisans endeavouring to outvy each other in their Shows and Pastimes to entertain the City At the Gate of the Seraglio was erected a magnificent Pavilion for the Grand Signior before whom were shown rare artificial Fire-works invented by the most ingenious Masters thereof amongst the Jews one of which firing a Rocket which not ascending with usual strength unhappily fell on the Vest of the Grand Signiors Favourite standing at the door of the â—ent at which the young Man being surprized sent to find out him who fired it which happening to be a poor Jew was condemned immediately by the Grand Signiors Sentence to receive eighty Blows on the Soals of his Feet but as report went this young Favorite not appeased with this slender Punishment obtain'd the Sultans command to put him to Death But to return to the Turkish Camp. The Vizier was astonished to understand that Kanisia was besieged and wondred much at the rashness of Serini in attempting a Work so difficult without probability of success The Siege of Kanisia howsoever being advised that the Garison was ill provided of Victuals and Ammunition he gave order for its supply In order to which eighty Carts laden with Provisions convoyed by a considerable number of Turks were conducted by way of Sigeth but being interrupted in their passage by Serini's Soldiers were routed put to flight and their Provisions taken In the mean time the Besieged made many vigorous Sallies and some not without loss to the Christians and to defend themselves the better uncovered the tops of their Houses and made their Lodgings under ground secure from Granadoes or shot of the Enemies Batteries On the other side the Ammunition and Artiâ—â—ery â—rom the Emperour came not so timely as was expected nor were the Bomâ—oes and Granadoes so artificially made but that many of them spent themselves in vain the Succours likewise of men fell very short of the numbers promised and Souldiery being drawn from their Winter Quarters before the colds were past or the pasture grown began to murmur but nothing discontented them so much as want of Pay the just complaint of Souldiers which discouraged them more than the difficulty of their adventure against all which Serini provided as much as he was able out of his own Purse continuing the Siege more out of reputation than probable hopes of success for his Army was at least diminished two thousand in its number of which four hundred Hungars and two hundred Germans were lost in the first Assaults made upon the Suburbs and he rest perished by sickness and the vigorous and frequent Sallies of the Enemy Howsoever Serini seemed not to doubt of the success if he could but be for some time secured from the advance of the Vizier who now began to draw his gross and numerous Army out of their Winter Quarters into the open field and therefore with the other Officers before Kanisia signified their advice to the Emperour and General Council of War That it was necessary that the Imperial Army should be as early in the Field as the Ottoman and for the more methodical government of Affairs that the Army should be divided into three Bodies one to recruit the Forces before the Town a second to march to Osek and hinder the Enemies passage over the Dravus and a third to take the Field and apply assistance where it was judged most useful This counsel being well accepted by the Emperour Orders were immediately issued forth to General Montecuculi to begin his March with design to obstruct the Turks passage over the Dravus for that the success against Kanisia was of that high importance as might justly require the imployment of all the Christian Forces in its concernment Wherefore one Post was dispatched after the other to Montecuculi to sollicite his speedy March and to give a stop to the Viziers Progress But he answered That he attended General Sporch whom he every day expected to joyn with him but this Answer proving by the effect to be nothing more than a present excuse gave occasion of suspicion and produced that discontent in the minds of the most zealous as spread a rumour through all Germany much to the disreputation of Montecuculi Time thus being protracted and no Forces appearing to recruit the Leagure at length advice came to the Generals when they were just going to dinner that the Vizier with a most numerous Army was within * Fifteen English Miles three Leagues of the Town For the Bridge of Osek was against the common opinion again rebuilt planked and compleated with new Timbers in the space of forty days many hands making light work which when first founded was the work of six years which Expedition was the more remarkable in regard that this Bridge was not formed out of the Ruines of the old nor founded on the same ground but new framed out of the Woods with as much comliness and order as befits a Bridge of that nature and length passing over a wild Marsh or Fen. The news of the Viziers so near approach was strange to Serini who by the calculation made of his March did not yet expect him for several days but the Vizier apprehending the straitness in which Kanisia might be leaving the gross of his Army made more expidite Journeys with a Body of twenty thousand Horse
fearing the matter should be per eâ—tly discovered entred into consultation what course they should take to save their lives and their honour In fine they both concluded that in such an extremity desperate remedies ought to be used than which none was better than to set fire to the Seraglio The Seraglio at Constantinople set on fire by which means either the thing sought for would be esteemed for burnt and consumed by the fire or in so great a loss it might be hoped that matters of smaller moment would not be remembred Wherefore the bold Wenches without other consideration gave fire with their Candle to the roof of Cedar of which wood most of the Womens rooms in the Seraglio are made which in a moment made such a flame as with the help of a little wind was carried through all the quarters of the Womens Apartments and thence took its way to the Divan Chamber and other considerable parts of the Court where many Records and Registers of Law were consumed to ashes together with one of the lesser Treasuries where much richess which endured not the test of fire perished And the whole Seraglio had run an evident hazard had not the Bostangees and other Servants of the Court ventured far into the flames in which many of them miserably perished The fire being quenched and the Women afterwards I know not how detected to have been the Authors thereof were sent to Adrianople and being there accused were strangled by the immediate order of the Grand Signior But the destruction of that considerable part of the Seraglio was no impediment to the Grand Signiors return to Constantinople being rebuilt with that speed and industry equal or excelling the magnificence of the former that the day prefixed for the Journey thither was not prolonged by reason thereof Howsoever the Grand Signiors aversion to the place made the wheels of his Chariots move slow and the quickness of his Attendants grew slack and cold observing so much displeasure in their Emperor to the place designed For though he was pressed by the Vizier to begin his Journey and could not handsomly refuse to comply with the time appointed yet to defer this resolution as long as was possible he contriv'd a long way of Meander towards Constantinople forming his Journey in Company with the Great Vizier by way of the Dardanelli upon the Hellespont on pretence of viewing the Fortifications of the new Forts raised at the entrance of that Streight and sending some Provisions from thence for Relief of Candia wherefore the Captain-Pasha was commanded to Sea with three gallies and at Gallipoli to attend the Grand Signiors arrival being to transport him thence to the Castles and back again And the design being now resolved and hot to prosecute the VVar in Candia for transporting thither a numerous Army it was concluded That the Captain-Pasha should propose to the English Ambassadour the Grand Signiors desire of Fifteen Sail of Ships with consent of our King for this Service the Turks paying what reasonable Rates should be demanded But the Earl of Winchelsea then Lord Ambassadour modestly replied That though His Majesty of England did always entertain a good affection and a zealous disposition towards the Affairs of the Grand Signior yet at present the VVar with Holland and ill understanding with France made his occasions for his own Shipping more urgent than usual and the time most unseasonable to press his Majesty in this particular by which reply and several other excuses of the Ambassadour the Captain-Pasha perceiving an aversness to the Proposition and that Christians unwillingly arm Turks against the Cross gave an account of this discourse to the Grand Signior and Vizier who immediately gave order for the building of sixty Gallies against the next Spring which with what they had before would make up above an Hundred Sail. The Rendezvous of this Fleet together with Saykes and other Turkish Vessels The Turks prepare for a War on Candia from thence to transport the Vizier and his Army for Candia was appointed to be made at Malvoisia of the success of which we shall have occasion God willing to discourse in the following Year which gave a beginning as we may say to the total loss of that Country and to that famous Siege which in History will bear the Fame of one of the most memorable in the World. And as a preparation thereunto and as a supply of the present urgent necessities three Ships viz. one English another French and a third Dutch were laden with Corn and thirty Sail of Beys Gallies with all sorts of Arms and Ammunition with a Recruit of a thousand Janisaries were dispeeded from Constantinople for Reinforcement and Succour of that Island And now at length the Grand Signior after his long circuit arrived at Constantinople where he made his solemn Entry the Third of October but not with that Joy and Pomp which usually attended other Sultans in their return from the Wars and labours to their Imperial City but all things seemed like the Sultans humour sullen and displeased for he seldom lodged in his Seraglio or slept there but at a small Palace called Daout-Pasha The G. Signior arrives at Constantinople where he for the most part made his abode only sometimes in the day he passed a few hours at his Seraglio but rested not there in the Night The reasons hereof some attributed to the remembrance of those dangers and troubles which he had seen in that Court and which made so deep an impression on his fancy that he could never enter within those Gates without some sense of terrour for the late disorders The German War being thus concluded the Sultan returned to Constantinople and Affairs disposing themselves to spend their fury against Candia all things growing black and tempestuous towards that Coast the Venetians prudently provided to oppose the storm And as an able General Marquess Villa received into service of the Venetians and wise and experienced Captains are the supports of an Army and that the success of War depends much on Martial Discipline and on the vigilance and wisdom of the Commanders the Senate gave order to their Ambassadour at Turen called Catarin Belegno to offer unto Marquess Ghiron Francesco Villa a Native of that Country the honourable charge of General of the Foot with a stipend of 12000 Crowns of yearly Pay the said Marquess obliging himself to bring with him Four Captains and two Lieutenant-Generals for entertainment of whom the Republick allowed Five thousand Ducats besides Seventy Ducats a Month pay to an Engineer To this Marquess Villa a power was given to command in chief over all without subjection to any other than to the Captain-General and to the Proveditor General in Dalmatia when he waged War in that Province And in short his actions were not to be questioned or examined by any other than the Senate it self to whom he was immediately subjected and a Gally was to be allotted
Protestant Religion in which by the zeal of some Churchmen they were disturbed resolved to abandon their Allegiance to their natural Prince and rather seek a protection for their Estates and allowance for their Religion under the Turks than remain beholding for either to a prevailing party at the Imperial Court. The chief Authours of this Rebellion were Petrozy Sepesi Tende Gabor Sutrey and other principal persons amongst the Hungarians who having on their own strength opposed themselves against the Emperour the last year were defeated in divers engagements and at length reduced to a very low and miserable condition Wherefore they renew again their Petitions and Presents to the Sultan sent by their Agents about the beginning of this Month of April begging his assistance and protection representing the easiness of the Conquest and how large a Gate they were able to open to his Armies and make a plain way for him into the most fertile and opulent Countries of the World of which he seemed already half possessed by reason of those Discontents and Factions that were amongst them The Turks though well satisfied of the reasonableness of the design yet being engaged in honour against Poland knew not how to retract and therefore dispatched away the Messengers for the present with fair hopes and secret promises well treated in private though they received rather a Denial than Encouragement in publick For the expedition against Poland was that which employed solely the wisest heads of the Empire who as it were in fury issued out immediate Orders The rage of the Turks against Poland That all those who eat the Grand Signior's Bread should without farther delay prepare themselves for the Wars against Poland and that Provisions and Ammunition should be supplyed in all places according to the usual proportions The Tugh or Horse-Tail the Signal for departure was set forth the Tents ordered to be carried into the Field and such haste made in all parts as if the raising of an Army were the business but of one day resolving immediately to proceed against their Enemies to whom the Sultan returned a most dreadful and menacing Letter full of expressions agreeable to the Turkish Style which threatned Confusion Sword Famine Fire Destruction and a thousand other more direful Judgments but the Collection of this great Army and the appendages belonging thereunto were not so suddenly provided as to admit of such a dispatch as the Sultan's fury pretended wherefore in cooler blood it was concluded That for this Summer they should not pass much beyond the other side of the Danube that the Winter Quarters should be designed in Silistria from whence they might more effectually threaten and affright their Enemies with their near approach About this time the French found an opportune season to accommodate all their Affairs with the Port and to put a period to the several Articles and particulars they had for many years demanded For now the French King not only appeared very formidable by reason of his success against Holland but likewise instrumental to promote the designs of the Port whilst he kept the Brandenburghers employed and diverted the whole Armies of the Empire and now also that they might engage him not to contribute assistance to the Poles they judged it reasonable policy to evidence to that Ambassadour more external demonstrations of kindness and strain their courtesie beyond the terms which they could cordially and in reality afford them Wherefore at length the Capitulations were renewed and some Articles and Priviledges superadded which are these that follow FIrst That all religious Persons and Bishops of the French Church shall remain and continue quiet and unmolested in their respective Habitations and Dwellings with liberty to perform all their Ecclesiastical Rites and Ceremonies Secondly That the Religious of Jerusalem and of Bethlem shall conserve those religious places which they have anciently possessed and there may continue to celebrate their Worship of God and all their Devotions without any disturbance Thirdly That if these Religious of Jerusalem or Bethlem have any difference or dispute with the Officers thereof it shall be remitted to the decision of the Port. Fourthly All Frenchmen and all under their Banner shall safely at all times go to Jerusalem and return without molestation Fifthly The two Churches in Galata belonging to the Jesuits and Capuchins and anciently possessed by them are now again confirmed by these Presents one of which belonging to the Capuchins having been burnt free liberty is given for the rebuilding thereof and to remain as formerly in the hands of the French and in the Hospital in Galata if they will read the Gospel after their fashion none shall give them disturbance or hinder them Sixthly Whereas the French Nation formerly paid 5 per. Cent. Custom now in regard they have been ancient friends to the Port and that they have renewed their Capitulations they shall pay no more than 3 per Cent. and accordingly let no more be demanded Seventhly All Portugueses Sicilians Catelans Messineses of Ancona c. that have no Ambassadors at the Port if they come under the French Banner shall pay no more than 3 per Cent. according as the French pay Eighthly In payment of their Customs they shall pay the Currant Mony such as passes in our Treasury and the Farmers of the Customs shall not refuse the same Ninthly The Mesteria they shall pay according to what the English Merchants pay and no more Tenthly All the Merchandise they bring or shall bring shall be valued according to the present estimation and no more pretended of them and if the Customers will notwithstanding raise the esteem of the Goods above the value then if the Merchant will pay his Custom in specie it shall not be refused Eleventhly The Custom of Silk being paid a new Custom ought not to be demanded Twelfthly The Custom being once paid the Customer shall not refuse to give his Teschare and the Merchant being willing to transport his Goods to another Scale another Custom shall not be demanded Thirteenthly The Officers and Customers at Sidon Birut Aleppo or Cairo shall not compel the Merchants to take Goods by Eorce not under any pretence whatsoever take one Asper from them nor demand mony to be lent unto them Fourteenthly The French Vessels may bring Goods from the Indies by way of the Red Sea unto the Port Suucis and having paid their Custom once there whatsoever Goods they cannot sell in that Country they may have liberty to transport over land to Alexandria and there relade them again on their own Vessels without paying another Custom or receiving molestation from any person Howsoever this Capitulation is to be understood with this condition that this point shall be signified to the chief Officers of Cairo who having called a Council of the most knowing and experienced persons to consider hereof and they concluding that this point is in no wise prejudicial to that Country nor to the Interest of the Believers then this
yet receive their pay from which number those were excluded who had bought it or were not come legally by it which would save the Grand Signior a vast Sum of Money yearly and to help at this time of need the late Treasurer must refund and ease himself of money before he enters on that rich and important Office of Grand Cairo And Chusaein Aga the chief Customer who was a man that had inriched himself by many bad ways and arts was displaced from his Office and caused to disgorge great Sums of Money to add unto the Supplies of the Treasury He was a Person of a subtle disposition raised from the mean degree of a Shoemaker and being well acquainted both with good and bad ways of gaining money was a proper Instrument for the Turkish Government it being his fortune to fish riches rather for others than himself And now being deprived of his Office and the best part of his Wealth he resolved like all other discontented Ministers to take a Pilgrimage to Mecha and to that end made a solemn Visit to the Pasha of Cairo then in his Tents near Scutari acquainting him of his intentions to wait on him and perform his Respects in his passage to the Holy Keblech or Mecha The Turks have not of late years been very prodigal of the blood of their Subjects nor have those Executions been done of late on any Officer unless his Tyranny and Oppression of the people did justly draw due punishment upon himself And such was the case of the Kahya or Secretary of the Chimacam or Governour in the Viziers absence of Constantinople who taking on himself the management of all the Affairs of his Master acted every thing according to his own pleasure for finding that whatsoever he did or propounded was always confirmed and assented unto by his easie Lord he assumed a boldness to undertake any thing upon the proffers of mony so the Sum was in any manner agreeable to the greatness of the matter required The Chimacam of Constantinople his Steward cut off or to the danger he incurred by which means he involved his careless and unwary Master in such intrigues as could have no excuse besides his own supineness and the corruptness of his Servant At this manner of administring Justice the people being discontented hastened the removal of the Chimacam and now another entring on the Office the Kahya remained exposed to the malice and complaints of all his Enemies amongst which none was of greater force than an accusation laid against him for having granted leave to the Armenian Christians at Constantinople for a Sum of Money to erect a Church for which though a Command was granted by the Great Vizier obtained at a good price to build one there of Timber but of a low and mean Fabrick yet the Kahya for a greater Sum of twenty Purses of Money or ten thousand Dollars improved this Command and changed their Materials from Timber to Stone and Mortar the which Building beginning to rise with some magnificence offended the neighbouring Turks with so much scandal that great numbers of them carried the Complaints thereof to the Grand Signior who calling the Vizier and examining the Case the Vizier would own no other Command than for repairing of an old Church but not building one new Whereupon Sentence of Death being passed on the Kahya an Officer was sent to execute it And in his way to Constantinople at a place called Selebrea meeting with the Offender he caused him to return again with him to Constantinople where haveing strangled him his Body was thrown into the Sea. We have thus far discoursed of the Affairs at home which consisted for the most part in jollities and divertisements let us now look on the enterprizes and attempts abroad and we shall find no great matter of action this year performed against Poland more than some incursions made into Vkrania by the Turks and Tartars under the Conduct of Ibrahim Pasha in which we have no Battels nor great Skirmishes to recount only a seizure or surprize of those Cosacks which were not under the jurisdiction of Dorosensko who like sheep were driven from their pastures and Men Women and Children carried away into Captivity and transplanted into Countries where they might better serve the purposes and designs of the Turkish Empire to which ends also vast numbers of Tartars with their Families were called to inhabit the circumjacent parts of Kemenitz for better security of the Conquest to which the Tartars most willingly concurred esteeming it a happy Bargain to exchange the Soil of Tartary for the fruitful Plains and more gentle Air of Poland And thus we may consider what the intestine Discord of the Poles hath brought upon themselves that they who in former days maintained their honour and reputation with the Turks beyond any of the bordering Nations not having every suffered them to continue in their Country much less to sojourn or possess one palm of Ground therein can now more easily see them before the Walls of Leopolis or Cracovia and planted in the very Bowels of their Countrey rather than a King of their own Countrey set over them not agreeable to their own humour and fancy or perhaps rather than behold the envied exaltation of some persons to dignity or some little disorders in their Government of which the Turk knows well to make use it being no new Lesson for him to profit himself of the Discord and Animosities of the Christians In like manner the Marine Affairs of the Turks this year afforded little worthy of observation unless it were That the Captain Pasha was employed with about thirty Sail of Gallies into the Black Sea for transporting of Ammunition and Provisions to those Forces in Vkrania but he returned not with an equal number of Gallies with which he departed having lost five of them by storm and then arrived at Constantinople on the 26th of October called by the Greeks the Feast of St. Demetrius and by the Turks Cassin-gheun a day which is commonly remarkable for Storms at Sea of which the Turks and Greeks are so aprehensive or superstitious that on that day or near that time either before or after until the storm hath vented its fury and taken its course they will not adventure themselves unto the Sea upon the most pressing occasion or hopeful inducement whatsoever And here I judge it requisite to conclude this Year with two matters very observable relating unto Trade The first is with reference unto the Genoueses who in the Year 1666. first sent their Ambassador Signior Durazzo with many Presents and great Magnificence to conclude a Peace with the Ottoman Empire with the sole design and intention of Trade which having been established on no other foundation at the beginning than that of their Temins The Trade of Genoua and the Fabrick of their own Cloth when the first failed as it did in two years after and that their Cloth turned not to account but