Ambassadour had Audience with the Vizier and insisted on that point of our Capitulations which gives us liberty to trade in any part of the Grand Signiors Dominions and therefore to consent to be restrained or confined to any particular place was to assent to a breach of the Capitulations which was out of his power and only to be dispensed with by his Master the King of England and the Grand Signior by whom they were established and to connive or assent to the breach of one particular clause was to hazard the loss and breach of the whole for that our Capitulations to use the Turks saying are like a string of Beads of which when one link is broken the others drop off To which the Vizier replied that the Scale of Scanderone was open and clear as before for the English Trade but because the Tefterdar and Customer pretended that the Grand Signior was put to great expences for maintenance of a Watch and Guard at that Port which was only in respect to the security of the Merchants Goods Orders should be given for taking away those Officers as unnecessary and insignificant to the publick Service no Guards having ever been in that place the Embassadour judged his business to be granted and so thanked the Vizier and departed But not many days after the Tefterdar procured a Command for shutting the Scale of Scanderone and transporting the Factory to Tripoli which Command was rather intended to affright our Nation into some composition than really to be put in execution as appeared by the sequel for the Tefterdar better considered than to bring so great an odium upon himself from the whole Country and City of Aleppo and to enforce the Embassadour to have recourse to the Grand Signiors own person for redress of an abuse of so high a nature in derogation of his Imperial Capitulations Howsoever it is observable in the transaction of all this business that it is difficult to bring a corrupt Turkish Minister to Justice or punishment meerly for breach of our Capitulations or in respect to any difference or abuse offered to Christians unless the complaint be accompanied with presents or money which are most prevalent Arguments in the Turkish Court and in this Case I really believe that had three or four thousand Dollars been offered as a reward for bringing the Customer to capital punishment the complaint had found acceptance and honourable success for default of which the Cause was starved and naked and carried no fire or heat in those aggravations with which it was represented It is likewise observable that business in the Turkish Court doth not always find that dispatch or expedition as is generally believed in Christendome unless it come accompanied with the interest of the Ministers themselves and then it is transacted in a moment which otherwise languishes with delays and will never want excuses to defer it Anno 1666. Hegeira 1077. WE shall begin this Year with the strange rumour and disturbance of the Jews concerning Sabatai Sevi their pretended Messiah which for being most principally acted in Turkey may properly belong to the History of this time and place which therefore for delight of the Readers I shall here insert for though it may have been elsewhere published yet being an issue of my Pen I may lawfully now own it and annex it to this History in respect of that near coherence it may have therewith and that many other particulars have been added thereunto which succeeded until the Death of this Sabatai According to the Predictions of several Christian Writers especially of such who comment upon the Apocalypse or Revelations this Year of 1666. was to prove a Year of Wonders of strange revolutions in the World and particularly of blessing to the Jews either in respect of their Conversion to the Christian Faith or of their Restoration to their Temporal Kingdom This opinion was so dilated and fixt in the Countries of the Reformed Religion and in the heads of Fanatical Enthusiasts who dreamed of Fifth Monarchies the down-fall of the Pope and Anti-Christ and the greatness of the Jews insomuch that this subtle people judged this Year the time to stir and to fit their Motion according to the season of the Modern Prophecies Whereupon strange reports flew from place to place of the March of multitudes of people from unknown parts into the remote deserts of Arabia supposed to be the ten Tribes and a half lost for so many Ages That a Ship was arrived in the Northern parts of Scotland with her Sails and Cordage of Silk navigated by Marriners who spoke nothing but Hebrew and with this Motto on their Sails The twelve Tribes of Israel These reports agreeing thus near to former Predictions put the wild sort of the World into an expectation of strange accidents this Year should produce in reference to the Jewish Monarchy In this manner Millions of people were possessed when Sabatai Sevi first appeared at Smyrna and published himself to the Jews for their Messiah relating the greatness of their approaching Kingdom the strong hand whereby God was about to deliver them from Bondage and gather them from all the parts of the World It was strange to see how this fancy took and how fast the report of Sabatai and his Doctrine flew through all parts where Jews inhabited and so deeply possessed them with a belief of their new Kingdom and richess and many of them with promotion to Offices of Government renown and greatness that in all places from Constantinople to Buda which it was my fortune that Year to travel I perceived a strange transport in the Jews none of them attending to any business unless to wind up former Negotiations and to prepare themselves and Families for a Journey to Jerusalem all their Discourses their Dreams and disposal of their affairs tended to no other design but a re-establishment in the Land of Promise to Greatness and Glory Wisdom and Doctrine of the Messiah whose Original Birth and Education is first to be recounted Sabatai Sevi was Son of Mordechai Sevi an Inhabitant and natural of Smyrna who gained his Livelihood by being Broker to an English Merchant in that place a person who before his Death was very decrepit in his Body and full of the Gout and other infirmities But his Son Sabatai Sevi addicting himself to study and learning became a notable proficient in the Hebrew and Arabick Languages and especially in Divinity and Metaphysicks he was so cunning a Sophister that he vented a new Doctrine in their Law and drew to the profession of it so many Disciples as raised one day a tumult in the Synagogue for which afterwards he was by censure of the Kockhams who are the Expounders of the Law banished out of the City During the time of his Exile he travelled to Thessalonica now called Salonica where he married a very handsom Woman but either not having that part of Oeconomy as to govern a Wife or being impotent as to
which is a point of Law resolved by the Mufti who is the Mouth or Oracle thereof viz. That the G. Signior being called to account is obliged to appear before the Justice the Sultan in high disdain tore the Paper threatning the Head of the Mufti but it was now too late he having already sufficiently fortified himself with the power and strength of his Rebellious Companions This Fetfa was immediately seconded by another of a higher nature which declared that whosoever obeyed not the Law of God was not a true Mussulman or Believer and though that person were the Emperour himself yet being become by his filthy actions a Kafir or Infidel was ipso facto fallen from his Throne and no farther capable of Authority and Government This Fetfa being seen by Ibrahim he tore it in pieces Commanding the G. Vizier instantly to put the Mufti to Death as guilty of Treason against his Prince but having now lost his Authority his Commands were not longer regarded nor any reverence had of his person For the Janizaries being again assembled about five a Clock in the Afternoon came with their usual tumult to the Gates of the Seraglio And now Sultan Ibrahim losing all Courage at this third attempt fled into the Armes of his Mother begging her assistance and protection She being a bold and subtle Woman employed all her Rhetorick and Eloquence to perswade the Souldiery not to offer violence to the person of their Lord and Master promising that he should relinquish the Government and retire himself with a Guard into his old Lodgings Ibrahim comforted a little that he should save his Life shrunk himself willingly into his old Shell wherein he had so long conserved his Life In the mean time the Conspirators taking forth his eldest Son Sultan Mahomet set him on the Throne of his Father and planting the Sargouch or Imperial Feathers on his Head saluted him for Emperour with loud Acclamations Ibrahim continued his Imprisonment for some days with great patience but at length growing desperate and furious often beat his Head against the Wall until at length he was on the 17th strangled by four Mutes In this manner Sultan Ibrahim ended his Days which puts me in mind of the saying of a wiser and a better King than he That there is little distance between the Prisons and the Graves of Princes And this Example made a great Officer understand how King Charles the Glorious Martyr was put to Death For he I think it was the Great Vizier falling into discourse with the Chief English Interpreter at Constantinople not then calling to mind the Fate of Sultan Ibrahim demanded How and when King Charles was put to Death Sure said he Your King must have no Power or your People must be more Rebellious and Mutinous than other Nations of the World who durst commit an act so horrid and vile as this See said he How our Emperour is revered and observed and how submissive and obedient half the World is to the nod of our Great Monarch To which the Interpreter replyed that to recount unto him the History and occasion of this prodigious fact would be too long and tedious for him to hear but that the time it happened was some Months after the Death or Murder of Sultan Ibrahim which was an Item sufficient to give him a perfect understanding of what he required Sultan Ibrahim having in this manner ended his Dayes the Government was committed into the hands of the G. Vizier and the old Queen Mother which is she whom we call Kiosem in the Ottoman State and of 12. Pashaws who were to manage all Affairs with supream Power during the Minority of Sultan Mahomet who now Reigns Ibrahim was the sifth Son of Sultan Achmet born of the same Mother with Sultan Morat Educated like the other younger Sons of the Ottoman Family within the Walls of an obscure and unhappy Prison so that 't is no wonder if wanting the advantages of seeing and practising in the World he should neither have studied Men nor been experienced in the Art of Government Nor less strange is it being natural to humane insirmity for men who have lived under restraint afsliction and fear of Death to become licentious and immoderate in all kind of pleasures whensoever they pass on a sudden from the depth of misery to some transcendent degree of happiness and prosperity which as I say all men are naturally subject unto so more especially those whose Religion indulges them all kind of sensual Carnality in this Life Ibrahim was in his own nature of a gentle and easy temper of a large Forehead of a quick and lively Eye and ruddy Complexion and of a good proportion in the Features of his Face but yet had something in the air of his Countenance that promised no great abilities of mind And giving himself up to all kind of Effeminacy and softness attended not unto the Government of his Affairs and therefore it was his greatest misfortune to be served by wicked and faithless Officers to whom he trusted and to whom he gave credence wanting in himself the talents of wisdom and discretion to discern their malice The continual apprehensions that he entertained of Death during his Imprisonment had so frozen his constitution with a strange frigidity towards Women that all the dalliance and warm embraces of the most inflaming Ladies in the Seraglio could not in a whole Years time thaw his coldness which was the occasion at sirst of that report which spoke him to be impotent towards Women during which time he attended to his Ministers of Justice and to a management of the affairs of his Empire which in the beginning of his Reign gained him a credit and reputation and raised a great expectation of his goodness and care of his Subjects welfare an evidence of which he gave in his Charge to the Great Vizier that he should put no Man to Death unless for Capital and enormous Crimes But at length losing himself in Lusts and Sensualities he forsook the Helm of his Regency committing the guidance of his Empire to other hands and as he was ignorant of War so he foolishly sported in the calms of Peace and suffering himself to be guided only by Fortune felt the stroke thereof in his last Unhappy Fate Sultan MAHOMET the 4 th the Present Emperour of the Turkes When I an Infant in my Cradle Lay And Call'd Th' Ottinan Scepter for to Sway My Troopes Reuolt Seditions Men Incline To Rage and need a Stronger Head Then Mine But as my yeares So doth my power increase My Warres Succeed and Trumphs Neuer Cease By Christian Discords Help't my Mighty State Growes great Still Liuing I attend my Fate THE REIGN OF Sultan Mehmet OR MAHOMET IV. THIRTEENTH EMPEROUR OF THE TURKS ANNO 1649. SUltan Ibrahim perishing in this manner by the mutinous violence of the Souldiery his Son Mehmet or Mahomet being a Child of seven years of Age succeeded in the Throne During whose Minority
kept this Trophy for some days by him he sent it afterwards to Constantinople But before the News of this Defeat reached the ears of old Facardin the Captain-Pasha with his Fleet of Gallies arrived at the Port of Tripoli to whom Facardin being desirous to shew all friendship and profess loyalty to the Grand Signior he caused his Army to retire into the parts of Mount Libanus whilst he himself with about three thousand men between domestick Servants and his Guards went to Scida from whence he sent two Caramosauls laden with Provisions and refreshment to the Captain-Pasha for a Present assuring him that he was an humble Vassal to the Grand Signior and was ready to obey all his Commands and because the Sultan may probably have received sinister reports relating to the Arms he had taken up he assured him that they were no otherwise designed than to suppress the Robberies of the Arabs and the Incursions of their Kings and that he was ready to conduct his Army to any place where his Master the Grand Signior should think fit to employ them But these fair words could not divert the Captain-Pasha from his resolutions to enter the Port of Scida nor from his Instructions of demanding and upon refusal of forcing possession of the Castle which as it was the most considerable Fortress and the most pleasant Seat of all his Dominions so he could not without much regret and sorrow hearken to such a Proposition wherefore that the Pasha might not persist in this demand he secretly proffered him an hundred thousand Zechins as a Bribe to himself and his Son Mansour to be carried for a Hostage and Earnest of his faithfulness to the Grand Signior The Captain-Pasha liked well the hundred thousand Zechins and the Hostages but still required the Surrender of the Castle with them on which whilst Facardin deliberated News came of the death of his Son Ali and the destruction of his Army with which losing all courage he yielded his Castle of Scida to the Captain-Pasha retiring himself to his City of Barut nor could he rest quietly at that place for being pursued he was forced to quit it and retire with his Maronites and Druzes into the Mountains lest being inclosed within the Walls of a City he should fall alive into the hands of his Enemies And now all good Fortune forsaking unhappy Facardin the Maronites and Druzes his Subjects revolt to the Pasha of Damascus his Palaces and Gardens of Pleasure were all ruined his Friends forsook him his two remaining Sons were lost one carried to Constantinople for a Hostage and the other slain in fight his Towns of Gazir Saphet St. John d'Acria and others were surrendred to the Pasha of Damascus only some sew strong places in the Mountains remained to him where living in League with Reba a King of the Arabs he committed all the spoils he was able on the Lands belonging to the Pasha of Damascus But being hunted from one Mountain to another and from one Cave to another he was at length forced to surrender upon Conditions that he should have liberty to proceed unto the Grand Signior with his own Equipage of three hundred men and Trumpets founding and that he might carry with him all his Treasure consisting of a million of Zechins all in gold together with other Riches which were carried by fourteen Camels and that he should not be conducted as a Prisoner in Triumph but that he should with freedom approach the presence of the Sultan like other Pasha's who are in grace and favour These Proposals being granted Facardin with his two young Sons began his Journey to Constantinople and being about two days journey from thence he dispeeded eight Chests of Gold before him to prepare and make his way to the Grand Signior who being pleased with the gold and greatly rejoyced to receive the submission and Homage of one who had so long stood out in Rebellion he went out in a disguise and Habit of a Pasha to see and discourse with that person of whom there had been so general a rumor and having accordingly encountred with the Emir he sate down in his Tent with him desiring him to relate the story of his life with the several particulars of his late misfortunes Emir Facardin well knew the person of the Grand Signior but feigning as if he was unacquainted with whom he discoursed and that he took him for some Pasha began to recount the course of his life the reasons why his Enemies falsely suggested evil reports of him to the Grand Signior how he was forced for defence of his life to take up Arms and what ill success accompanied his affairs all which he represented with such quickness and eloquence that the Grand Signior pitying his misfortunes promised to be his Advocate and mediate with the Grand Signior in his behalf The day following Facardin made his Entry in a Triumphant manner and received a most favourable Audience from the Grand Signior and all the Pasha's and great men in conformity to their Master and in hopes of sharing some part of his gold shewed him a like kind favourable countenance and aspect But finding afterwards that Facardin increased daily in the esteem of the Grand Signior and that the old Rebel was become a new Favourite and that he was likely to over-top and out them they generally conspired together taking the Mufti on their side to accuse him of many crimes and more particularly that he was a Christian and an Apostate from the Mahometan Faith This point of Religion so sensibly touched the Grand Signior that he resolved to condemn him in a manner solemn and extraordinary for mounting one day on his Throne he commanded Facardin to be brought in and placed on a low chair where ordering his crimes whereof he was accused to be recited he passed a formal Sentence of death upon him but Facardin arising to justifie himself was not permitted to speak only he obtained a quarter of an hours reprieve to make his Prayers and afterwards was strangled by the hands of two Mutes ANNO 1634. Morat growing now into years took into his own hands the reins of Government resolving to rule singly and absolutely and to make himself rather feared than beloved he degraded four Viziers at once and banished them into Cyprus consiscating their Estates for no other reason than because they had denied him the use of their Mules and Camels on occasion of his service He became extremely severe against the Souldiery crushing them with all imaginable rigour on the least appearance of reluctancy to his Commands declaring that he expected blind and silent Obedience from all but especially from his Souldiery He imposed a great Tax upon Copper and because he had several Ware-houses filled with that Metal which had for many years lain by he forced the people to buy it at his own rates at which aggrievance the Commonalty growing desperate began to mutiny and rebel but Morat put a
speedy stop thereunto by cutting off the Heads of fifty of the most seditious and so passed to Prusa with the attendance of six Gallies He caused a Kadi to be hanged to the great displeasure and universal resentment of the Ulemah who are Students in the Law who to make known their aggrievance and consult a remedy assembled in great numbers at the House of the Mufti The Queen-Mother being acquainted with this Meeting and fearing the ill consequences thereof gave immediate advice to the Sultan who with like expedition dispatched a Boat to bring over the Mufti and his Son to Prusa who were no sooner arrived than they were strangled being not permitted to speak for themselves or to alledge any plea or excuse for their lives This act of cruelty beyond the example of former Ages and never practised by the most tyrannical of his Predecessours struck a terrour on the whole Empire for men observing the unjust rigour which was executed on the Head and Chief of their Law the Oracle and Mouth which resolved their difficult Problems and whom the World so reverenced and honoured that few examples have been of Capital punishment executed on his reverend Head feared that innocence was not sufficient to secure their own less considerable Estates from his fury and violence There is a particular death allotted for Mufties which is by braying them in a Mortar the which Mortar is kept in the Seven Towers at Constantinople and there shewed to strangers the which Instrument hath been seldom made use of Morat being greatly addicted to Wine was sensible of the ill effects of it in himself and that the heat of debauchery inclined him to violence and cruelty and from hence collecting how dangerous this humor of drunkenness was in his people especially in his Souldiery for that much of the late Seditions might be attributed thereunto he published a most severe Edict against Wine commanding all Taverns to be demolished the Butts to be broken and the Wine spilt It was the common custom of the Grand Signior to walk the streets in disguise when meeting with any drunken person he would imprison him and almost drub him to death It was his fortune to meet a deaf man one day in the streets who not hearing the noise of the people nor the rumor of his approach did not so readily shift out of the way as was consistent with the fear and dread of so awful an Emperour for which default he was strangled immediately and his body thrown into the streets All people feared and trembled at these practices and were as careful to look out abroad for the Grand Signior lest they should be surprised with the bluster of his presence as Mariners are of being taken unprovided by some sudden Gust or Hurricane for there was scarce a day that one innocent or other was not sacrificed to his fury and tyrannical sancy One Thomas Zanetti a Venetian Merchant who had built a losty Jardac or a high Room of Prospective on the top of his House was accused to the Grand Signior to have designed that place for no other end than that he might with a Long-glass oversee the Chambers of the Ladies and the Gardens and Walks of the Seraglio for which reason without farther inquiry he was hanged in his shirt on the top of his Jardac with a red Streamer in his hand that so the Grand Signior might be sure that the Sentence was executed The Estate of Zanetti whether belonging to himself or Principals was consiscated but in regard the Goods for Security were privately conveyed to the Ware-houses of several Frank Merchants strict search was made for them but in regard the Marks and Numbers were altered they could not be distinguished wherefore the Grand Signior concluding that all the Frank Merchants had combined together to deceive him he imprisoned every man of them nor would he release them until they paid forty thousand Dollars for their ransom and liberty After which upon pretence of a Plot or agreement of the Franks to defend themselves from the leviation of this Tax the Turks searched their Houses for Arms in taking of which they were so rigorous that they spared not so much as a Birding-piece nor yet the Sword of Sir Peter Wych then Ambassadour for England though he alledged that it was the very Sword with which his Majesty had conferred the Honour of Knighthood upon him But from these transactions at home let us pass to the Wars in Poland and Persia. That invincible Prince Uladislaus King of Poland had gained such good success against the Czar of Moscovy that the Czar was forced to demand assistance from the Turks The Grand Signior though he had lately made a Peace with Poland and sworn to maintain the Articles of Chocin concluded by his Predecessour Sultan Osman yet the continual depredations which the Cosacks made did always administer reasonable pretences for a War to which Abassa one of his chief Counsellours a valiant and presumptuous Captain did much incite him for promising to himself the Conduct of that Army designed against Poland did much flatter the Sultan and himself with the fancy of mighty success The War being thus resolved upon the Turk who commonly strikes before he quarrels gave Orders to Abassa to make Levies of men in Moldavia and Valachia and to put the Tartars in Arms and the Militia of Buda and of the parts along the Danube into a warlike posture and with all expedition to enter Poland Abassa who had with wonderful diligence put his Troops in readiness ordered the Tartars with a Body of sifteen thousand men to enter Poland which they performed with such celerity that passing the River of Tyr above Chocin and Rinczug they in a few hours laid all waste for the space of ten leagues round Kemenitz and so retired with their Booty into Moldavia howsoever their haste was not attended with such good speed but that they were overtaken on the 4 th of July by Stanislaus Konispolzki General of the Polish Army with no greater Force than two thousand five hundred Horse howsoever surprising them whilst they were seeding their Horses he put them into such confusion and disorder that he easily recovered all the Booty and took five of their Chief men Prisoners of which the Son-in-law of Cantemir was one But this was a faint resreshment in respect to that terrible storm of sixty thousand men composed of Turks Tartars Moldavians and Valachians which under the Command of Abassa had already passed the Danube Konispolzki the Polish General having not sufficient Force to oppose them in open sield nor time to assemble a greater Army gathered what Supplies he could from the Cosacks and Lords of that Country and therewith encamped himself upon a Hill between the River Tyr and the Town of Chocin that he might be the better able to succour Kemenitz which the Enemy designed to assault Abassa who contemned this weak Force of the Poles resolved without
of his languishing condition like a true Penitent made many protestations and vows against it forbidding the accursed poison to be received within the Walls of the Seraglio howsoever his kind heart could not possibly withstand the temptation of a Banquet to which his Pot-companions did sometimes invite him amongst which the Great Vizier would not be wanting also to please and cajol the humor of his Master with the liquor that he loved But his chief and constant Camerades in drinking were his Persian Favourite and Mustapha Pasha of Bosna one educated in the Seraglio promoted to the place of Selictar Aga to whom he gave the stately Palace of Ibrahim Pasha on the Hippodrome together with his eldest Daughter in Marriage These two stout Sons of Bacchus perswaded the Grand Signior to appoint one solemn Drinking-day in time of the Biram which is the great Festival of the Year and introduced by their Prophet in imitation of our Easter Morat being at this time possessed with the spirit of debauchery accepted the motion and invited the two Drunkards to dinner with him The Persian provoked his pleasure of drinking by salt Meats and by peppered and spiced Dishes the sort of Wine they most used was a sweet Malvoisia sometimes twisted and encouraged with the strong Waters called Rosa Solis of which they sucked so long and with such excess that falling under the force of it they were insensibly carried away to their several beds This dissolute repast became fatal to the Grand Signior for a fire being kindled in his veins and bowels he fell into a violent and continued Feaver The Physicians being called were fearful to administer Remedies lest proving unsuccessful their lives should pay for the ineffectual operation at length they agreed to let him blood but this hastened his death For he died the fourth day of his Feaver being the 8 th of February in the seventeenth year of his Reign and the one and thirtieth of his Age having ruled in the height of all disorders and irregular excesses which his youthful years enabled him to support With his death all his thoughts and designs of making War against Christendom perished having sworn after his return from Persia to reduce all his neighbouring Countries to the Mahometan Law He was of a most cruel and implacable disposition having amongst his other Acts of Tyranny imbrued his hands in the blood of his two Brothers Orchan and Bajazet as also strangled his Uncle Mustapha whose innocent weakness had been sufficient to secure his life against any but the most horrid Monster of humane Tyranny He left no Son for though he had divers they died in their infancy notwithstanding which his Kindred were so detested by him that he envied the descendence of Monarchy on his Brother Ibrahim who was preserved by a strange providence from his fury often saying that he wished that he might be the last of the Ottoman Line that the Empire of that Family might end with him and devolve unto the Tartar He was certainly the most absolute Prince that ever swayed the Ottoman Empire but of no Religion seldom fasting in the month of Ramasan contemning and laughing at the Santones and others of their Religious Orders He was very inquisitive into all Actions of the City for which he maintained his Spies and oftentimes took his rules and measures from discourses of people concerning his Government He was a great Dissembler ready active and revengeful covetous to extremity having left fifteen millions of Gold in his Treasury which was empty when he entred upon the Soveraignty In short he was so bad that he had scarce any allay of Vertue being so great a Tyrant that at length he became his own Assasinate and fell unlamented by all but the two Companions of his bestial excess The End of Sultan Morat's Life Sultan IBRAHIM Emperour of the Turkes Anno Dom. 1640 I That of Ottman Blood Remain Alone Call'd From a Prison to ascend a Throne My Silly Mind I Bend to Soft Delights Hating th'unpleasant thoughts of Nauall Fights Till Mad With Wanton Loues I Fall at First Slaue to My Owne Then to My Peoples Lust THE REIGN OF Sultan Ibrahim TWELFTH EMPEROUR OF THE TURKS Sultan Amurath or Morat after a Feaver of eight days continuance caused by an excess of Debauchery in Wine having on the eighth of February 1640. according to the New-Style expired his last Breath His Mother called Kiosem comforted her self with the thoughts that her Son Sultan Ibrahim still lived and was the sole Surviver and undoubted Heir of the Ottoman Family to whose Succession that She might make the more facile and undisturbed Entrance She consulted with all the Viziers requesting their consent and assistance in the lawful promotion of her remaining Son to the Throne of his Ancestors For She had understood that Morat who always abhorred the ill-shaped Body and weaker mind of his Brother envied him the Dignity of the Ottoman Scepter and therefore had bequeathed the Succession to the Tartar having in the heat of a Debauch and fumes of his Wine compelled his Pashas to swear to the performance of his Testament Wherefore the Queen assembling them together with gentle words desired them to remember That Ibrahim was the lawful Heir and their true Emperour that the Tartar Han was a Stranger odious to the Souldiery and not beloved by the People that an alteration of this nature could never be contrived and executed without danger to the Actors and that they to whom She assured the continuance of the same Honours and Offices in reward of their constant Allegiance would be in hazard of losing all by the coming of a Foreign Prince who having Confidents of his own to prefer and grand necessities to satisfie would make bold even with Estates and Provinces to prefer his Favourites his Kindred and Country-men and establish the firmness of his Government on their ruine Yet setting aside those considerations touching their own safety and interest She promised That if they would reach out their hands unto her Son for to lift him unto the Throne he should acknowledge his Empire from them and accordingly love tender and esteem such faithful Subjects The Viziers after some reflections on the tye and obligation which Sultan Morat had caused them to make to him declared and published it to be unlawful and void protesting that they were resolved to maintain inviolable the Allegiance they owed unto Sultan Ibrahim descended from the Ottoman-bloud which they reverenced and adored with an awe equal to the religious esteem which their Forefathers had of it and therefore with one voice they cryed out Let Sultan Ibrahim live Herewith the Council breaking up the Viziers accompanied with all the Officers and Attendants of the Seraglio went with Shouts and loud Acclamations to the Prison of Ibrahim to salute him Emperour for he poor Prince had now for four years remained a sad Recluse in a dark room where he had received neither light
them to march and quarter in Alsatia but before their departure the Emperour honoured Monsieur de Coligni with his Picture incircled with Diamonds and the other Officers with Gold Chains and Medals ordering the Troops not to march above ten miles a day and every third to be a day of repose and to be entertained all the way at free Quarter so as to return into France jocund and healthy as they departed thence But before they would bid adieu to those Countries the General and Officers paid their Visit to Count Nicholas Serini presenting him with a Horse Furniture and Pistols as a small Tribute to that Great Captain whose Fame was celebrated through the whole world ingenuously confessing That the rumour of his name struck more amazement and terrour in the Enemy than the Armies that actually faced them and was more instrumental in obtaining the Victory on the Banks of Rab than their weapons or courage which fought against them But not long after this worthy Heroe Serini hunting one day separated from the rest of his Attendants in the Thickets of a Wood behold on a sudden was surprized by the rushing forth of a wild Boar which raging and made furious by some Wounds he had received first struck him in the Knee with which falling to the ground the fierce Beast not giving him leisure to recover himself ganched him again in the head with his broad Tusk which proved so mortal that in a short time he expired in the Arms of one of his Pages This was the end of this valiant Captain who unconquered in many and redoubled Conflicts of his Enemies was made the prey of an ignoble Beast Such are the secret and occult Providences of Heaven which men interpret or reflect on as they are governed by prejudice or interest And so did the Turks attribute the Fall of this their Grand Adversary to the righteousness of their Religion and justness of their Cause as if he had been a person unworthy to dye by the hand of a man was condemned to be executed by that Beast which is most abominated and detested by the Turkish Rites He was a Person as mortal an Enemy to the Turks as ever Hannibal was to the Romans in Dangers most couragious in War valiant and patient of labour in Peace courteous and moderate in his Pleasures his Diet was natural rather than artificial in Bankets or Drinking Meetings after the fashion of that Country was sparing in Wine and rather abstemious than intemperate Musick and Dances were the Entertainment of the softer and effeminate Part of his Court rather than his own Pastimes whose Recreations were chiefly in the Woods and in fuch Huntings as had something in them of similitude with Martial Exercises his Judgment was profound and deep and yet his familiar Discourse facetious his Conversation obliging his humour affable and yet severe and majestick he spake much and yet well his disposition was liberal and generous especially to his Souldiers whom he never restrained or defrauded of their Booty and Prey but contented every one with a just and exact Division In short he was one of those zealous Champions of the Christian Cause who in the Chronicles of past Ages ought to be placed and numbred amongst the worthiest Heroes The Winter now approaching and a conclusion in all appearance made of the War the Vizier returned to Belgrade designing to remain there until the German Ambassadour had entered the Turkish Borders and in the mean time sent for his Mother thither pretending that in an uncertain and changeable estate the Maternal Blessing is of highest Consolation it being esteemed pious amongst the Turks for a man to die at the Feet of his Mother This Mother of his was esteemed a cunning or wise Woman by whose Charms and Incantations his Father and he were supposed long to have conserved the Office of Vizier and as my own Ears can witness the common Souldiers Discourse That his Mothers Art consisted much in Philtrums and Charms reconciling affection and friendship and had a power over the Grand Signiors Inclinations and Understanding rendring all things and actions the Vizier had performed in this War full of merit and admiration This I say was the Discourse of some common Souldiers In the month of December that Blazing-star which appeared formidable to most parts of the known World was also seen within the Turkish Empire not without a general terrour of all as prognosticating disasters of Sword Pestilence and Famine and set the Turkish Astrologers at work to find out the mystery it portended from whose Art most commonly was divined the death of some great Person in the Empire which some would have to be the Grand Signior others the Vizier others both as they desired alteration and change of Government The Grand Signior continued all this time at Adrianople taken up with an extraordinary delight and pleasure in his Court there with which his aversion to Constantinople so much increased that he could not endure so much as the name of the place and if accidentally in his Hunting as is reported he chanced to fall into the road which led thither and remembring himself thereof would immediately turn thence as one that corrects himself of some desperate errour or avoids a path which tends to an evitable destruction The Kadelescher and the other grave Judges of the Law observing this unreasonable hatred of their Prince to his Imperial Seat considered how prejudicial it was to him and his People to have a City of that renown antiquity and commodiousness of living despised and abandoned and that perhaps the Souldiery now upon their March from the War might be impatient of returning home as all the Dependents on the Divan and Personages of great Quality desired to injoy their Habitations and Gardens at Constantinople from which discontent on all sides it was concluded That there might result dangerous Seditions and Mutinies and therefore resolved and as some say also at the instigation of the Vizier to prostrate themselves before the Grand Signior and tender him their opinions and sence in that particular which they accordingly performing and assigning the Kadelescher or the Chief Justice with all humility to be their Mouth in this Petition their counsel was received with that indignation that they were chased from the Grand Signiors presence with fury and high displeasure and the Kadelescher at that moment deprived of his Office To these other extravagances the Grand Signior would have added another of a higher nature and cruelty by causelesly putting to death his Brother Solyman whom all the time of his Raign together with another Brother he had kept Prisoner in the Seraglio for now having a Son of his own he conceived it more secure to remove all competition that might be for the Government according to the example and custom of the Ottoman Princes but suffering some remorse of conscience in the thoughts of imbruing his hands in the blood of
beds at home unconcerned in the dangers labours and hazards of those who live and act abroad can make their reflexions and pass their censures on active and ingaged men not considering the state of affairs the uncertainty of Succours in so long and distant a tract of Sea as passes between Venice and Candia subjected to winds and a thousand casualties nor yet the numerous Troops of the Enemy nor the Puissance of that Empire which for its Power Richess and the Valour of its Souldiery may be esteemed the most Potent and considerable of all the Monarchies and known Kingdoms of the Universe But what conjectures soever envious men might make of the Conduct of Marquess Villa yet the Senate of Venice applauded his labours and owned his services as being such which having merited the admiration and esteem of all the World did in a particulae manner challenge their thankfulness and acknowledgments About this time the Gallies of Malta arrived at Candia where some dispute arising touching the place of precedence in the Fleet which the Venetians denied to them they departed thence with some dissatisfaction and returned to the Westward to transport the young Empress out of Spain into Italy And now Intelligence coming to Candia by divers Letters that the Great Vizier was departed from Adrianople with a numerous Army and was already arrived at Thebes where a general Rendezvous was appointed of the whole Army with resolution to be transported from Malvoisia to that Island the Venetian Generals and Commanders in chief concluded it necessary if possible to hinder their passage and rather to fight them at Sea which was their more propitious Element than to attend their landing where they would be forced to dispute with unequal numbers and on disadvantageous terms Accordingly the Captain-General reinforced his Fleet with two thousand Foot and a thousand Horse under the Command of Count Licinio Martinoni appointing the Rendezvous to be at Argentiera to which place also Marquess Villa repaired touching by the way at Milo for refreshment of his Horse it being an Island abounding with herbage the Captain-General being for some days detained at Standia by contrary winds a Consultation was held for the more advantageous management of the War after which the whole Fleet making sail was on August the 9 th scattered by a furious storm and not being able to recover Santoxini they by good fortune fetched Stampalia an Island abounding with generous Wines excellent Fruit Partridges and other Provisions at length after various fortunes arriving at Andra which is a great and populous Island another Council of War was held where it was again concluded That all care was to be taken to intercept the Succours which the Enemy daily sent to Candia to which end the Cavalier Grimani Captain of the Galleons was ordered to cruise about the Coast and hearing that twelve Turkish Ships were lading Provisions in the Gulf of Volo he repaired thither and had the good fortune to take them with all their lading but the other Squadrons missed of the like success for notwithstanding the care and vigilance which was used all matters seemed to succeed prosperous for the Turks and adverse to the Christians the designs of the first having an issue agreeable to their intentions whilst those of the latter were always disappointed either by Nature or by Fortune or rather by that secret hand of Providence which had allotted that Island for a Prize to the Ottoman Arms. By this time the Turkish Army being at their Rendezvous at Thebes the Great Vizier prepared to imbark and considering the difficulty of the passage thought it prudent first to make new Propositions to Signior Ballarino before he entred on this hazardous attempt supposing perhaps that the rumour of this March might have affrighted the Venetians to a Surrender of that Kingdom that they might spare the blood and charge of that War which afterwards ensued wherefore Ballarino being called from his house at Constantinople began his Journey towards Thebes on the 25 th of August accompanied by a Capugibashee and three Janisaries and in twenty three days arriving at Thessalonica now called Salonica he fell sick of a violent Feaver caused by that agitation of body in his Travels to which he was unaccustomed and for want of that sleep which he used to take after his slender dinner passing the rest of the day and night in continual watchings at first he felt only some little alterations which he hoping might pass over resolved to proceed on his Journey notwithstanding the perswasions to the contrary of Signior Patavino his Secretary with whom I was well acquainted and ever esteemed for an honest and a worthy Person but he continued resolute to proceed fearing left his delays by the way should lose him the opportunity of that moment of Treaty which was impossible afterwards to be retrieved for in his Journey he would often reason in this manner If I should stop here what censure would the World pass on me I may possibly excuse my self but in the mean time the Vizier may ingage too far in his design and frustrate all those methods and foundations which I have laid towards a Peace and then if I live I shall be over-burdened with the reproaches of the World for having abandoned the grand incumbence in its ultimate necessity which is charged upon me which will be a more sensible affliction than the agony of death My sickness will be esteemed by many to be rather dissembled than real The dead man lives in the memory of his faithfulness and constancy and the living man dyes in the indelible characters of his cowardise and misfortune These were his own words And thus travelling forward his Feaver daily increased to that excess that on the sixth day he was forced to stop at a City called Isdino where having instructed Signior Patavino in what manner he ought to manage affairs and recommending his services and children to the favour and protection of the Senate he passed to the other World being honoured by a solemn Funeral at the publick Expence and interred in the Church of St. Mark his Son Domenico Ballarino succeeding into the Office and Inheritance of his Father The Senate understanding by advices from Signior Padavino That the Vizier desired another Envoyé qualified with the Character of a publick Minister to reside with him in Candia dispatched the Secretary Girolamo Giavarina a Person of good abilities to that place And at the same time the Captain-General Andrea Cornaro pressing the Senate for licence to return to his own Country his request was granted and Francesco Morosini was appointed to succeed him in that important Charge and was accompanied at a time of so great emergency with powerful Convoys and with Recruits of Men Provisions and Ammunition sitting to carry on so pressing a War On the month of October the Great Vizier in person imbarking himself and Army at Malvoisia with many Pasha's and men expert and
present that would not permit him time to perfect all matters with the Ambassadour whom they should assure that at his return with Glory and Victory from the Enterprises in hand those requests should be granted and his promises performed and in the mean time his Nation should remain secure in these Dominions as in former times and the League and Friendship continued and maintained The Ambassadour was strangely surprised at this last Farewel but being a Gentleman of great Morality and Vertue knew no doubt how to bear such a disappointment with an equality of mind agreeable to the greatness of his Soul and therefore with a due resentment of the injury received he returned to Constantinople whilst the Sultan and his Vizier proceeded in their March towards the Confines of Poland But before I enter into a relation of the motives of that War and the success thereof which is the subject of the following Year let us return to the place from whence we have digressed and observe in this Year of Peace and repose of this Empire what the Sultan contrived for security of himself by the death of his Brothers We acquainted you formerly in what manner the Sultan was disappointed in his designs against his Brothers by means of his Mother to whom the Janisaries had committed the care of their safety which she according to her promise had maintained and tendered equally with her own But now the Vizier being returned from the Wars and the most seditions amongst the Janisaries withdrawn from Constantinople it was thought sit to make a new attempt on the Princes still residing in the old Seraglio which was performed with those due preparations and secrecy that it took effect on Sultan Orchan the eldest of the two who in the month of September 1671. dyed by a draught of poyson which was administred to him as a Present from his courteous Brother some say he was strangled and that before he submitted his neck to the Bow-string he killed one of the Executioners with his Hanjarre This Prince was reported by the people to be a comely Person of a strong and robustious body of large and black eyes like Sultan Morat his death was lamented by all and presaged as fatal to the Empire in regard that that very night that he was murthered the Moon suffered a greater Eclipse than it had done for many years before which happening out in this conjuncture was interpreted as ominous and served to increase the maledictions and evil speeches which the Turks in all places cast out upon those who gave this counsel to the Sultan About this time the State of Genoua desirous to change their Officers in Turkie sent a new Resident to Constantinople and a Consul to Smyrna which change was principally obtained at the request of the old Ministers who weary of an employment so tedious without a benefit corresponding to their melancholy life and perceiving their Trade decline before it was arrived to any tolerable state or degree of reputation by the assistance and mediation of friends sollicited their Letters of Revocation For the Trade of Genoua being chiefly founded on hopes of those advantages which they expected from a coarse or base alloy of money did instantly decay so soon as the Turks discovered themselves to be abused by the vast quantities of Temins imported as we have before related after which their profit failing the Consulage consequently decayed which is the only subsistence and encouragement of such Officers as are necessary to reside for the continuance of that Peace which but a few years before they unadvisedly made with the Turk The new Resident had no sooner arrived at Constantinople and considered the poor and mean estate and ill foundation of their Trade the growing charge of the Residency and the great debts thereof that were to devolve upon him from his Predecessour but he perceived into what a Labyrinth of troubles he had ingulfed himself instead of being preferred according to his hopes into a place of Honour and happy retirement In which confusion of thoughts arising one morning before day from his bed and sitting on his Close-stool as the servants of the house report reached at a Towel which being intangled within the Lock of a Carbine that hanged always charged near his bed unfortunately drew the Trigger too hard which with that gave fire and shot the poor Gentleman into the belly with a brace of Bullets of which being mortally wounded after Confession and some Prayers in a few hours he passed to another life unhappy mischance if it may be called a chance for I have understood from a sober person of that Nation that the anguish of mind which he conceived at the evil condition of his Affairs wrought in him a deepness of melancholy and despair under which languishing some days did at last most miserably lay violent hands upon himself And now it is time to recal to mind the Conspiracy of Count Serini Marquess Frangipani and Count Nadasti Persons of Quality and of great Power in Croatia and Hungary who as we said before had sent their Messengers to the Great Vizier then remaining in the Leagure of Candia with overtures of submission to the Ottoman Power It was strange News to the World to hear that the House of Serini should abandon the Christian Party and those renowned Defenders of their Country should apostatize though not from Christianity yet from that Cause and Liberty which their Ancestors and themselves had defended with Blood Treasure Valour and Constancy But dissentions and animosities sown by Satan the Enemy of the Christian Church did strangely corrupt the minds of those famous Persons and raise in them a Spirit resolved to avenge the neglect and injuries put upon them by the Ministers of the Imperial Court though at the expence and hazard of their fortunes and lives and ruine and shipwrack of their Honour and Consciences For the neglects and affronts undeservedly cast on Nicholas Serini during the late War as before related and the contempt and scorn put on the Croatian and Hungarian Nobility was supposed to have fired the hot and ambitious Spirits of these Persons who could more easily endure the slavery of the Turkish yoke than condescend to the Government and prevalency of a contrary Party Wherefore in prosecution of their design being resolved to submit to the Turk they dispatched two Gentlemen to the Ottoman Court who arrived at Adrianople the 11 th of February 167 demanding the protection of the Sultan for which they promised a Tribute of thirty Purses or fifteen thousand Dollars every year for those Lands they held in Croatia To make Answer hereunto a Divan or Council was called in which were weighed all the Arguments and Reasons on one side and the other The Muftee opposed their receiving into protection as being against the Capitulations and Agreement so lately concluded with the Emperour wherein the receiving or abetting of Rebels is expresly forbidden and provided against by
licensing all the Asian Horse and Souldiers of remotest parts to return to their own Countries with liberty to appropriate the following year to their repose and care for their peculiar concernments To these Wars amongst secular Persons and men of Arms were added Differences and never to be decided Controversies between the Religious of the Roman and Greek Churches at Jerusalem who contending for the possession of the Holy Sepulchre of the King of Peace rent that seamless Coat of Christ and managed their Controversie with more malice and rancour each against other than Princes do who invade one the other with Fire and Sword For the Franks or Western Christians subjected to the Popes Dominion had possessed for several Ages a right to the Holy Sepulchre and enjoyed the honour of the custody thereof notwithstanding the pretences of the Greeks thereunto who for many years in vain attempted at the Ottoman Court to obtain that Priviledge for the Franks being ever more powerful by charitable contributions brought from Christendom besides large Sums of Money from the King of Spain did always outbid the Market of the Greeks and consequently made use of stronger arguments than the adverse Party could produce in defence of their cause Until such time that one Panaioti a Greek born in the Island of Scio having by his parts and excellent address arrived to the honour of being Interpreter for the Western Tongues to the Great Vizier at length obtained that favour with his Master that he seldom refused whatsoever he with reason and modesty requested and being a great Zelot in his Religion and esteemed the chief Patron and Support of the Greek Church he secretly begged in behalf of his Country the recovery of the Holy Sepulchre at Jerusalem out of the hands of the Franks which the Vizier would not deny him both to reward him for some services already performed and likewise because he knew that a concession of this nature would again raise the spirits and animosities of Christians the allaying and appeasing of which being an office solely in the power of himself and the supreme Authority would certainly prove beneficial to the Ottoman Court Panaioti having obtained this Command and considering that the defence thereof would be a trouble to him for that thereby he should create Enemies which were no less than Kings and Princes to contend with and perhaps should live to see it reversed wisely laid it by him there to remain dormant until the time of his death which happening the year past the Command was produced and brought to light and was before the Easter of this year set on foot at Jerusalem and by virtue thereof the custody of the Sepulchre sentenced by the Pasha and Kadi of that place to belong unto the Greeks the which was occasion of so great trouble and confusion as disturbed the Holy Feast and polluted the Sacrifices with the blood of one or two persons who most earnestly contended for the Priviledge of their Nation and Religion Nor could this difference be decided here but both sides appealed to the Court above which being heard and debated in publick Divan the possession of the Sepulchre was adjudged in favour of the Greeks the Franks being only to injoy a precarious use thereof as Pilgrims and Strangers to the Country Howsoever the Fryers of Jerusalem would not tamely yield up their Right but again resolved to try their Fortune at the Court having by means of F. Canisares their Commissario with expence of a great Sum of Money obtained a review of the case but without success for all these endeavours and charge proved fruitless the former sentence being confirmed in favour of the Greeks and the Franks having no other Expedient applied themselves to the assistance of the French Ambassadour to whose protection the Holy places are assigned by Capitulations But neither the power of the French Ambassadour nor of any other Christian Representative was available for the Vizier either mindful of his promise to Panaioti or being resolute to maintain the Command he had given would on no terms be perswaded to revoke it the which intention of the Vizier being made known to the Greeks their Patriarch earnestly pressed a hearing of the case but the Fryers not willing to abide the shock retired to Constantinople lest the Greeks forcing them to Justice they should be condemned in Judicio contradictorio and a Hoget or Sentence passing they should be condemned in Law as well as by Authority of the Hattelheriff Which to put in execution the Patriarch took out a Command whereunto was added That the Fryers in token of their subjection should pay a Drachm of Silver a head to the Patriarch and hold all their places of them This was the issue of the present controversies which is certainly determined for the time of this Vizier without revocation yet perhaps in the time of another it may admit of a review for money especially being received when as yet the new Minister hath not satiated his covetous desires howsoever the expence will always be chargeable and the success uncertain Thus have I seen and observed in this particular the effect and experience of two things viz. The covetousness and pride of Fryars and the conclusion of their Law-suits before Infidels The Franks or the Western Christians had until this time the custody of the Holy Sepulchre and the Greeks that of the Chappel of Bethlem but the use was free to both but the Franks not being able to enjoy the Sepulchre with contentment whilst with envious eyes they beheld the Greeks in possession of Bethlem were always contriving designs by force of money and power of Christian Ministers to eject them from that Right until that now in these contentions they have lost both being neither able to recover the one nor conserve the other Anno Christi 1675. Hegeira 1086. PRopositions of peace not being so earnestly pressed nor so advantageously proffered by the Poles as the pride of the Turks did expect the War still continued but not prosecuted either on the one side or on the other with the same violence with which it began For the Sultan designing this year to circumcise his Son the young Prince now about twelve years of Age and to marry his Daughter of seventeen to his Mosayp or Favourite Pasha of Magnasia commonly called by the Name of Kul-ogli which signifies the Son of a Slave he resolved to dedicate this whole Year to quiet repose mirth and jollity at home only two thousand Janisaries were sent to Ibrahim Pasha to recruit the Souldiers on the Frontiers of Poland and the Tartars were reinforced with some Turkish Troops under Usuff Pasha to assist Dorosensko against the Poles who were with a considerable Army fallen into Ukrania And the Captain Pasha with twenty eight Sail of Gallies was dispeeded into the Black Sea for carrying of such Provisions and Ammunition for War as was necessary for supply of the Army Besides which no preparations of War
the Camp But now the News of the designed return of the Grand Signior to his ancient Seat filled all places with joy and triumph especially at Constantinople which was not more satisfied with the consideration of the benefit and advantage it was likely to receive by the Royal Presence than that those suspicious and jealousies which formerly possessed the mind of the Sultan with a prejudice against this place did seem now to vanish and that he reassumed a confidence of his Royal City equal to that love and esteem which his Ancestors had of it so that the humour which then possessed Constantinople appeared like that of London at our Kings Restauration all joy even to transport for this unexspected Return the people in the streets congratulating their mutual happiness thanked God that they had lived to see that happy day and blessed hour The occasion of this unexspected and sudden resolution caused many roving guesses and opinations of the reasons of it Some said a Dream which the Grand Signior had and which gave great disturbance to his thoughts until he resolved for Constantinople Others said the revolt and troubles at Cairo of which we shall presently have occasion to discourse and some added certain Commotions at Bagdat or Babylon some reported that Xeriff of Mecha wrote him a Letter that he could not acknowledge him the Head and Protector of the Mussulmin Faith so long as he had abandoned his Imperial City and lived in the mountains and unknown places Others said that the Janisaries and Militia murmured and that his Coming to Constantinople was forced and not to be avoided and that the Sultan being now out of love with Adrianople had cursed it and sworn never more to set foot in it having ordered the Materials sent for the building of the Great Seraglio at Adrianople to be stopped on the way and returned back again At this rate all the World talked and discoursed joy and hopes made the people fancy every thing according to their wishes The Grand Signior being approached near to Constantinople fixed himself in his Camp in the Fields near a small Seraglio of his own called Daout Basha from whence the people for many days expected that he should according to the Custom of his Ancestors make a solemn Entry instead whereof he made some Sallies with a small Company through the Streets as it were incognito taking his pastime on the Water and on the sides of the Bosphorus in his Gallies and Boats but most commonly frequented his Palace of Scutari on the Asian side where with much delight and confidence he lodged and reposed his Court but made no solemn Entry through the City nor frequented his great Seraglio where though he might perhaps dine and pass certain hours yet he slept not one Night there of which the people took especial notice and thereby received consirmation of the jealousie their Soveraign had of them to their extraordinary grief and dissatisfaction however it was some contentment to the people and renown unto the City to have their Emperour so near though it was rumoured as if the Court towards the approach of Winter intended again to return unto Adrianople In the mean time the Grand Signior took his chief delight and divertisement on the Water passing in his Gallies and Pleasure-Boats up the Bosphorus to the mouth of the Black Sea and thence returning much frequented the Gardens and Houses of Delight upon the Banks of the River and visiting all places a Country House called Therapea belonging to the Dutch Resident received the honour of his Presence which he liked so well that he took it from the Proprietor and conferred it without any consideration of money on one of his Courtiers giving out a Proclamation That no Christian Minister should possess any Seat or Habitation on the side of the Bosphorus A strange thing and what is not to be paralleled in any part of the World About the beginning of this Year the Captain Pasha died and Zaid Ahmet Pasha-ogli then at the Camp succeeded him his Father was a famous Man and in the same Charge but cut off by old Kuperlee Soon after Ibrahim Pasha General of the Army at Kemenitz likewise died and his Office was conferred on Ibrahim Pasha that was Pasha of Candia of whom we have had often occasion to speak being a great friend to the English Nation The Great Vizier also was not far remote from the Consines of Death being now fallen by reason of immoderate drinking of Wine and chiefly of hot Cinamon Waters into a formed Dropsie and Jaundice In the preceding year we touched on the removal of the Tefterdar or Treasurer from his Office to the Government of Grand Cairo and the reasons for it which though it might be a preferment being the richest and most important Charge of the Empire to which the esteem the Sultan had of his parts and abilities might probably advance him yet the imploying of him at a distance so remote was certainly an effect of some displeasure whereby he or his Favourites judged him a Person not sit to remain longer near the Royal Presence Wherefore having commenced his Journey as before mentioned he arrived at Grand Cairo where he had not long continued before he began according to the natural acuteness of his mind and hugstering manner to pierce with a narrow inspection into all Affairs of that Government and particularly into the Revenue and Treasure of the Country contriving with himself by what means the disorders might be corrected and the Revenue and Tribute improved for he had an excellent Genius or Spirit in the matters of Money nothing in advantage of Interest could ever escape him so that he began to lay a new foundation in all proceedings he would not be contented with the old Taxes and Impositions and where he found Lands improved or the Customs augmented he would put in for a share of the Benefits and would reform every thing wherein he judged his Master to have been abused But though he was acute and sharp-sighted in such matters as these yet he wanted experience in the Government of Egypt for the great Beghs of this Country being alarmed with these innovations began to stand upon their Guard and to enter into private Consultations in what manner to oppose themselves to this new way of Government which looked like slavery and designs of bringing them into servitude and a subjection unknown to them and their Fore-fathers For indeed the Government of Egypt if well considered is rather Aristocratical than Monarchical for though they acknowledge the Sultan to be their Head and accept his Pasha for Ruler and pay a yearly Tribute yet the Beghs which are great Lords in their respective Countries carry the sway and Dominion in all other matters and will endure nothing which savours of oppression or innovation so that these persons grown jealous by the proceedings of the new Pasha flew into open Sedition and immediately to Arms with force
the minds of the Commonalty About the beginning of October the Grand Signior set forward towards Adrianople being accompanied with the Mosayp which is his Favourite and Kara Mustapha who was his Chimacam taking his recreation by the way in Hunting but the Great Vizier Achmet Pasha continuing still sick of his Dropsie and Jaundice took his Journey by Water as far as Selebrea for his better ease and thence proceeding in a Horse-litter to Churlu which is the half-way to Adrianople on the 23 d of October expired his last his Disease though heightned by Wine and hot Spirits yet was in some part hereditary his Father dying of the Dropsie His Body was on the 25 th brought back again in a Coach to Constantinople with a small Attendance and buried in the same Sepulchre with his Father He was a Person for I have seen him often and knew him well of a middle stature of a black beard and brown complexion something short-sighted which caused him to knit his brows and pore very intently when any strange person entred to his presence he was inclining to be fat and grew corpulent towards his latter days If we consider his age when he first took upon him this important Charge the Enemies his Father had created him the contentions he had with the Valede Sultana or the Queen-Mother and the Arts he had used to reconcile the affections of these great Personages and conserve himself in the unalterable esteem of his Soveraign to the last hour of his death there is none but must judge him to have deserved the Character of a prudent and politick Person If we consider how few were put to death and what inconsiderable Mutinies or Rebellions happened in any part of the Empire during his Government it will afford us a clear evidence and proof of his gentleness and moderation beyond the example of former times for certainly he was not a Person who delighted in bloud and in that respect of an humour far different from the temper of his Father He was generous and free from Avarice a rare Vertue in a Turk He was educated in the Law and therefore greatly addicted to all the Formalities of it and in the Administration of that sort of Justice very punctual and severe He was very observant of the Capitulations between our King and the Grand Signior being ready to do Justice upon any corrupt Minister who pertinaciously violated and transgressed them of which I could give several instances but these being improper for this place are only in general to be mentioned with due gratitude in honour to his Memory As to his behaviour towards the neighbouring Princes there may I believe be fewer examples of his breach of Faith than what his Predecessours have given in a shorter time of Rule In his Wars abroad he was successful having upon every expedition enlarged the Bounds of the Empire He overcame Newhawsel or Oywar and laid thereunto a considerable part of Hungary which to this day continues subject and pays contribution to the Turk He concluded the War with Venice after twenty seven years continuance by an intire and total subjection of the Island of Candia having subdued that impregnable Fortress which by the rest of the World was esteemed invincible He won Kemenitz the Key of Poland where the Turks had been frequently baffled and laid Ukrania to the Empire reducing the Cosacks those mortal Enemies to subjection and to a desire of taking on them the Ottoman Yoke and finally ho imposed a new Tribute on all Poland After all which Glories he dyed in the 47 th year of his Age and 15 th year and 8 th day of his Government a short time if we consider it for such great actions howsoever if we measure his triumphs rather than count his years though he might seem to have lived but little to his Prince and People yet certainly to himself he could not dye more seasonable nor in a greater height and eminency of Glory Vtcunque Principi Reipublicae parum sibi certè satis suaeque Gloriae vixisse videbitur The Great Vizier having in this manner expired his last breath the Seal was immediately carried by his Brother to the Grand Signior who upon Receipt thereof according to common expectation conferred the same on Kara Mustapha Pasha who had for so many years formerly exercised the Office of Chimacam which is as much as Deputy to the Great Vizier of whom in other places we gave a Character of being a wise and experienced Person of a smooth behaviour and a great Courtier agreeable to which temper of mind so soon as he attained this promotion he sent an obliging and courteous Message to the Servants of the deceased Vizier condoling with them the death of their Master promising to take them and their Concernments into his Care and Protection according whereunto he advanced Solyman Kahya who was the late Vizier's Substitute and for some years had managed all Affairs to the Office of Embrahore which is chief Master of the Grand Signiors Horse and is a place not only of honour but of great security He that was his own Kahya he made a Vizier of the Bench and Chimacam in the same manner as he was to Achmet Vizier by which point of policy he seemed to have strengthened himself against all Enemies for having two Creatures of his own so well disposed one near the Person of his Prince who would be able to do him all good Offices and the other whensoever the Wars or other occasions should cause him to be absent from the Royal Presence might supply his place without attempting to supplant him The Kapisler-Kahyasee or Master of the Ceremonies to the late Vizier he made his own Kahya and all the other Agas which depended on that Court he received into his own service so that in effect there seemed by this great chance of Mortality to be little other alteration in the Court than of the single person of the deceased Vizier of whose Memory that the Grand Signior might evidence the love and esteem that he retained he did not intermeddle or appropriate unto himself any part of his Estate or disanulled his Testament but resigned all into the hands of his Relations challenging no share or proportion thereof And whereas the Vizier left no Children the Estate fell to his Brother and Sisters who to evidence their Devotion to Religion and good will to the Publick and to please the eyes of the envious World conferred on Mecha the Rent of the new Custom house the Besasteen and new Chan built at Smyrna and finished in the year 1677. At this first change there were rumours that the new Vizier had begun his Government in blood having cut off several Heads lately in Authority but all was false and only grounded on a displeasure which he was known to have conceived against certain persons Only one act he performed rather of justice than severity having cut off one of the Pay-masters
a confirmation of the same for his Son ibid. Revan betrayed by the Governour Emir Gumir to the Turks 57. recovered by the Persian pag. 59 S. SElictar Aga who 19. he is made Great Vizier ibid. gains a Victory over the Persians 26. besieges Babylon but is beaten off 28 29. he returns to Constantinople and is deprived of his Office pag. 32 Serches Pasha vid. Selictar Aga. T. TArtary the King thereof treacherously slain pag. 65 Tauris taken by the Turks from the Persian 15. utterly destroyed by them pag. 58 Pirates of Tunis infest the Seas 16. See Algierines V. VAlona the Venetian Admiral takes fourteen Algierine Gallies in this Port pag. 73. which boldness the Venetians are glad to make amends for to the Port pag. 86 Van besieged by the Persian pag. 62 THE TABLE TO THE Reigns of Sultan Ibrahim and Sultan Mabomet A. ABermont the Captain of the French Man of War whereon Monsieur de la Haye arrived at Constantinople incurs great danger of his life and wherefore Page 193 Achmet Great Vizier deprived of his Office and strangled 33 Aleppo the Merchants thereof more subject to troublesom Avania's than others and an instance given 116 Alexandria a Plague there 11. the Alexandrian Fleet encountred by the Venetians 101. taken by the Malteses in 1673. 304 Algierines make complaints at the Port of the English Fleet commanded by the Earl of Sandwich but find no encouragement 87. they make a peace with the English 113. the Articles signed by the Grand Signior 129. they are carried by the Author to Algier with a relation of two pleasant passages in his journey ibid. 130 131. they except against an Article of the Peace and send a Letter to his Majesty whereupon the War breaks out asresh 133 134. the inconstancy of their Government 133 Colonel Anand an English-man and one Stefano Cordili made Plenipotentiaries to treat with the Great Vizier about the surrender of Candia 273 Michael Apasi constituted Prince of Transylvania by the Turks 80. his Letter to the Earl of Winchelsea English Ambassadour at the Port 98. he is beloved of his people 146 Asac besieged by the Turks in the year 1641. but not taken 6 7. again besieged in 1642. and then taken being abandoned by the Inhabitants 9. After it had been sacked by the Moscovite in 1674. the Turk rebuilds it 313 Asan Pasha of Aleppo rebels and marches towards Constantinople 56. he joins battel with the Great Vizier and discomfits him 57. he is treacherously strangled by Mortaza Pasha 58 Asan Aga the Mosayp or Favourite his story 123 Austria spoiled by the Turks in 1663. 141 B. BAkockza taken by Count Serini 147 Ballarino Secretary to Signior Capello the Venetian Bailo supplies his Office 50. his sorrowsul Letter to Senator Nicolo Contarini 102. his Character 103. he is suspected by the Turks to use Sorcery 121 Balsora its Pasha rebels in 1667. and is forced to slee into Persia 230 Baltagibashee what 124 Cardinal Barbarini bestows a pension of eight hundred Crowns a mon h upon Count Serini 160. he supplies the 〈◊〉 with four thousand measures of corn in their Wars in Candia pag. 228 Barcan taken by Count Soisé and burnt 166 Girolamo Bataglia and Francesco Bataglia Proveditors General both killed at the Siege of Candia 249 Duke de Beaufort the Popes General at Sea desires of the King of France his natural Prince leave to try his fortune by Land at the Siege of Candia 263. he is killed there 267 Beker Pasha of Rhodes strangles the Pasha of Cyprus 11. made Captain Pasha 12. put to death by order of the G. Signior 15 Belgrade here the Great Vizier had his Winter-quarters the sirst year of the Hungarian war in 1663. 145. resides there the second winter after the peace made 176 Signior Bembo obtains a Victory over the Turks at Sea 54 Sir Tho. Bendish Ambassadour at the Port his Expedient for obtaining redress of wrongs offered to the Merchants 18. he opposes the forcing of English Ships into the Turks service against Candia but without effect 40 Berclay made Prince of Transylvania 73. the Transylvanians depose him 78 Berzenche taken by Count Serini 147 A Blazing-star seen in most parts of the known world in 1664. and particularly in Turkie with their opinion what it portended 177 Dukes of Brunswick and Lunenburg assist Candia with three thousand men 252 C. CAiro a Rebellion of the great Beghs there 153. another 330 Caminiecz taken by the Turks in eleven days 300. blocked up the Poles 311. but the Siege raised by the Turks 313 Candia the Isle how it became the possession of Venice 23. what the occasion of the Turks making war against it 13. the beginning of the war 20. The Turks Sea and Land-forces at first employed in it what 21. what the preparations of tho Venetians 22. The Turks land in this Isle pag. 24. what supplies the Venetians had towards this war from Christendom 25 Candia the City first besieged in 1647. by the Turks who were then forced to raise the Siege 28. besieged a second time in 1650. and again beaten off 41. 〈◊〉 a third time when the Turks losing three thousand men at one assault again drew off 43. this war carried on fainlly by the Turks for several years 85. prosecuted asresh in 1666. 221. what aid the Venetians then had from Christian Princes 227. the Fortisications of the Town described and what Quarters were possessed by the Besiegers and Besieged 332. the History of the Siege continued uninterruptedly from 232 to 254. and from 262 to 277. its Duke killed 253. large succours sent thither from France 263. the Garrison makes a notable sally but with bad success 266. French Officers slain in this sally 267. the French depart 268. a Council held to consider of the state of the Town 270. the result of the Council to enter into a Treaty with the Vizier 273. the conditions of peace 274. the Town delivered to the Turks 277. an account of the number of the slain on both sides the batteries storms sallies c. 276. what a sad spectacle of desolation at its surrender 278 Canea taken by the Turks 25. they land here forty thousand fighting men 26 Antonio Capello Commander of the Venetian Gallies 23 Gio. Capello made Doge General of the Sea 25. what his Armata ibid. Signior Capello Bailo at the Port imprisoned 45. his ill usage casts him into a deep melancholy 48. his Commission taken from him 50. he dyes at Constantinople but his Corps conveyed to Venice 104 Casimir King of Poland resigns his Crown and how affairs then stood there 297 Chirfaleas a couragious Captain 145. is slain near Serinswar 158 Chusaein Pasha General of the Turks in Candia 39. is made Great Vizier but to reside still in Candia 42. is discharged from the Office of Great Vizier 47. is put to death by the Great Vizier Kuperlee pag. 58 Chusaein Pasha of Buda besieges Leventz 162. is routed by Count Soise 164 Another
1677. Containing the Reigns of the three last Emperours viz. Sultan Moral or Amurat IV. Sultan Ibrahim and Sultan Mahomet IV. his Son the XIII Emperour now Reigning By Paul Rycaut Esq late Consul of Smyrna in folio 33. The present State of the Ottoman Empire in three Books containing the Maxims of the Turkish 〈◊〉 their Religion and Military Discipline Illustrated with divers Figures Written by Paul 〈◊〉 Esq late Secretary to the English Ambassador there now Consul of Smyrna The fourth Edition in 〈◊〉 34. The present State of the Greek and Armenian Churches Anno 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Written at the Command of His Majesly by Paul 〈◊〉 Esq late Consul of Smyrna and Fellow of the Royal Society in 〈◊〉 35. The Mevoirs of Philip de Comines Lord of Argenton containing the History of Lewis XI and 〈◊〉 VIII Kings of France with the most remarkable 〈◊〉 in their particular Reigns from the year 1464. to 1498. Revised and Corrected from divers Manuscripts and ancient Impressions by Denis Godesroy Counseller and Historiographer to the French King and from his Edition lately Printed at Paris newly translated into English in octavo 36. A Relation of Three Embassies from his Majesty Charles the Second to the Great Duke of Muscovy the King of Sweden and the King of Denmark performed by the Right Honourable the Earl of 〈◊〉 in the year 1663 and 1664. Written by an Attendant on the Embassies in 〈◊〉 37. Il Nipotismo di Roma or the History of the Pope's Nephews from the time of Sixtus the Fourth 1471. to the death of the late Pope Alexander the Seventh 1677. Written in Italian and Englished by W. A. Fellow of the Royal Society The second Edition in 〈◊〉 38. A Relation of the Siege of Candia from the first Expedition of the French Forces to its Surrender the 27 of September 1669. Written in French by a Gentleman who was a Voluntier in that Service and faithfully Englished in octavo 39. The Present State of Egypt or a new Relation of a late Voyage into that Kingdom performed in the years 1672 and 1673. By F. 〈◊〉 R. D. Wherein you have an exact and true account of many rare and wonderful particulars of that Ancient Kingdom Englished by M. D. B. D. in octavo 40. The History of the Government of Venice wherein the Policies Councils Magistrates and Laws of that State are fully related and the use of the Balloting-Box exactly described Written in the year 1675. by the Sicur Amelott dela Houscaie Secretary to the French Ambassador at Venice in octavo 41. An Historical and Geographical Description of the great Country and River of the Amazones in America with an exact Map thereof Translated out of French in octavo 42. The Secret History of the Court of the Emperor 〈◊〉 Written by Procopins of 〈◊〉 faithfully Englished in octavo 43. The Novels of the famous Don Francisco de 〈◊〉 Villegas Knight of the Order of St. James whereunto is added the Marriage of Bilphegor an Italian Novel Translated from Machiavel faithfully Englished in octavo 44. The History of the late Revolution of the Empire of the Great Mogul together with the most considerable passages for five years following in that Empire with a new Map of it to which is added an account of the extent of 〈◊〉 the Circulation of the Gold and Silver of the World to discharge it there as also the 〈◊〉 Forces and 〈◊〉 of the same and the principal cause of the decay of the States of Asia By Monsieur F. 〈◊〉 Physician of the Faculty of 〈◊〉 Englished out of French by H. O. Secretary to the Royal Society in two Parts in octavo 45. The Amours of certain Great Men and famous Philasophers Written in French and Englished by J. D. in octavo 46. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Seeing and 〈◊〉 are two things a pleasant Spanish History faithfully translated in 〈◊〉 47. The History of France under the Ministry of Cardinal 〈◊〉 viz. from the death of King 〈◊〉 XIII to the year 1664. wherein all the Affairs of State to that time are exactly related By Benjamin 〈◊〉 and faithfully Englished by Christopher Wase Gem. in octavo 48. The History of the Twelve 〈◊〉 Emperours of Rome Written in Latin by C. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 newly translated into English and illustrated with all the Casars Heads in Copper-plates in octavo 49. The Annals of Love containing select Histories of the Amours of divers Princes Courts pleasantly related Ry a person of Honour in eight Parts in octavo 50. A new Voyage into the Northern Countries being a description of the Manners Customs Superstition Buildings and Habits of the Norwigians Laplanders Kilops Borandians Siberians Samojedts Zemblans and Istanders in twelves 51. The present State of the United Provinces of the Low Countries as to the Government Laws Forces Riches Manners Customs Revenue and Territory of the Dutch Collected out of divers Authors by W. A. Fellow of the Royal Society The second Edition in twelves 52. The present State of the Princes and Republicks of Italy The second Edition enlarged with the manner of Election of Popes and a Character of Spain Written Originally in English by J. Gailhard Gent. in twelves 53. The Policy and Government of the Venetians both in Civil and Military Affairs Written in French by the Sieur de la Hay and faithfully Englished in twelves 54. The Voyage of Italy or a compleat Journey through Italy in two Parts with the Character of the People and the Description of the chief Towns Churches Palaces Villas Gardens Pictures Statues Antiquities as also of the Interest Government Riches Forces c. of all the Princes with Instructions concerning Travel By Richard Lassels Gent. who travelled through Italy five times as Tutor to several of the English Nobility Opus Posthumum corrected and set forth by his old Friend and Fellow-Traveller S. W. Never besore extant in twelves 55. A Relation of the French King 's late Expedition into the Spanish Netherlands in the years 1667 and 1668. with an Introduction discoursing his Title thereunto and an account of the Peace between the two Crowns made May 2. 1667. Englished by G. H. in twelves POETRY and PLAYS 56. 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