but especially in Bavaria to be made and divers Consultations in many Places to be holden against the States of the Religion his Imperial Majesty and the other his faithful Counsellors thereof not knowing which might tend unto the Ruine and Destruction both of his Majesty and of the whole Kingdom they themselves would take upon them the defence thereof and do their endeavour that furnished with Men and Arms they might to the uttermost of their power defend him their Sovereign together with themselves and the whole Kingdom against the Force and Invasion of their foreign Enemies In the mean time while these things were thus in doing an Ambassador came from the Duke of Saxony to Prague to intreat the Emperour for the States and for the granting of them the free Exercise of their Religion the Ambassadors of the States of Silesia forthwith following of them also who in like manner requesting also of the Emperour to have the liberty for the free Exercise of their Religion by him confirmed unto them promised their most ready help and aid unto the States of Bohemia if need should so require But the States of Bohemia having from day to day in vain expected answer from the Emperour turning themselves unto their former Resolution for the defence of themselves and of their Religion forthwith raised a great number both of Horse and Foot whom with their well-known Captains and Commanders they brought even unto the City of Prague Howbeit at length viz. the eleventh of Iuly the Saxon Ambassador earnestly solliciting their Cause and urging their request they according to their desire received answer from the Emperour by Letters from his Majesty written to this effect He gave all Men as he said to understand and by these his Letter witnessed to eternal Memory That after that all the free States of his Kingdom of Bohemia which in the receiving of the Lord Supper participate the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ under both kinds his faithful Subjects had in the Assembly holden in the Castle at Prague in the year 1608 in all humility requested That it might be lawful for them to hold and freely to Exercise their Religion according to the Confession of Augusta as some call it exhibited unto his Father Maximilian the Emperour of most happy Memory and by him unto the said States allowed and that he then and at that time by reason of other most weighty business for which that Assembly was then called and such as could suffer no Procrastination or delay had thought it good to deferr the allowing and ratifying of this their Petition unto this present Assembly of Parliament and that the same States now again assembled incessantly renewing this their former Petition and having thereunto joyned also the request and Intercession of certain Noble Personages had requested to be therein satisfied and that he with his Counsellors would consult how Provision might be made for his Subjects in the Kingdom of Bohemia as well Commucating under both kinds as under one now at length to have effected the same Wherefore seeing that his Will and Desire was that both in these and future times Peace and Quietness might for the increasing of the Kingdom be preserved and kept amongst his Subjects of all the three Estates of the Kingdom of Bohemia communicating as well under the one as under both kinds that both parties might freely and without any impediment or let have the free Exercise of their Religion whereby they were both in hope to obtain everlasting Salvation And to the intent that Accomplishment and Satisfaction might in all points be made as well according unto the breaking up of the Assembly of Parliament in the year 1608 as to the performance of his own Precept of late published whereby he hath acknowledged and even yet acknowledgeth those same Estates communicating under both kinds and subscribing to this Confession for his faithful and loyal Subjects unto whom the Rights and Immunities of the Kingdom of Bohemia belonged He by the common consent of the Counsellors and other Magistrates of the Kingdom did determine That his Subjects communicating both under one and both kinds should friendly and peaceably live together without wronging or reviling of one another and that upon the Pain and Penalty in the Law set down to be inflicted upon them that should otherwise do And moreover seeing that they which communicated but under one kind enjoyed the free Exercise of their Religion in all points throughout the Kingdom of Bohemia that he gave leave and commanded that they also which communicated under both kinds viz. all the States of the Religion with all such as embraced the Confession of Bohemia sometime exhibited to Maximilian the Emperour his Father in the Parliament holden in the year 1575 and now again to himself presented should every where and in all places of the Kingdom have the free Exercise of their Religion without the let or interruption of any to retain the same until a general Union of Religion and an ending of all Dissention and Controversies might be made Moreover That He did grant unto the States of the Religion this Favour That they should have the lower Consistory at Prague with Power to conform the same according to their own Confession That they might lawfully make their Priests as well in the Bohemian as German Tongue and set them over their Churches without any let of the Arch-bishop of Prague That he did also restore unto them the University of Prague which for many years ago belonged unto the States of the Religion under both kinds giving them Power again to open the same to furnish it with grave and learned Men of their own Confession to beautifie it with good Laws and to appoint certain of their own Company and Profession for Governours and Defenders as well of the Consistory as of the University whom so by the States appointed and chosen he without any stay or delay or other instruction or information than they should from the States receive would confirm in that their Office and pronounce them for the lawful Defenders yet so as that if he being letted by other greater business cannot perform the same within the space of fourteen days they shall nevertheless continue Defenders and as well enjoy the charge of the Office committed unto them as if they had been therein by him confirmed and that one or other of their number being dead it shall be lawful for the States to chuse others in their Places And if that beside the Churches which they now hold they would build other more or erect more Schools for the instructing of the Youth it shall be lawful for them freely and without any let so to do as well in the Cities as in the Country Towns and Villages And forasmuch as in some of the Cities of the Kingdom of Bohemia Men of both Religions dwelt together he therefore did will and command That for the preservation of Peace and Quietness
with most joyful Acclamations But the old Emperor hearing the great Tumult and Out-cry rose from his Pallet exceedingly troubled and destitute of all the help of his Captains and Souldiers for why his Palace was altogether desolate except of such as were his ordinary Waiters betook himself unto his Prayers beseeching God not to forsake him in so great a danger but in his mercy to defend him from the fury of those wicked men Who presently heard him and sent him present relief for whilst he was thus praying in the Palace the young Emperor without calling together all his Captains and Lieutenants straitly charged them upon pain of death neither by word nor deed to violate the Majesty of the old Emperor his Grandfather nor any other about him for this Victory said he God hath given us and not we our selves his Will ordereth all things whereunto all things obey the Stars the Air the Sea the Earth Men Floods Tempests Plagues Earthquakes Showers Dearth and such like sometime to our Bliss and sometime to our Correction and Destruction wherefore using us as the Instruments of his Chastisement he hath given unto us this present Victory which peradventure to morrow he will give to others to use against us and then as we have been unto them we have overcome such will they also shew themselves unto us again wherefore if neither nighness of blood neither that we be all of one Country may move us yet in respect of our selves let us use mercy that we feel not the Hand of God upon us in like case In the mean time a Courtier opened a Wicket unto the young Emperor with this Message from his Grandfather Forasmuch as God this day my Son hath given unto thee the Imperial Scepter taken from me I request of thee this one good turn for many which I have even from my birth bestowed upon thee for in this my hard estate I let pass that I next unto God have been the Author of thy Nativity and Increase give me my life spare thy Fathers head and with violent Weapon spill not that blood from which thou thy self hast taken the Fountain of life Man truly beholdeth Heaven and Earth and Heaven and Earth behold mens Actions wherefore make not the Heavens and the Earth beholders of so wicked an Outrage as never man ever committed If Brothers blood long ago cried out unto the Lord against Cain how much louder shall the Fathers Blood cry unto the Lord and declare so great a wickedness unto the Earth the Sun and Stars and make it abhorred of all the Princes of the World Regard my miserable old age which of it self promiseth unto me shortly death but unto thee a Rest after long Cares Reverence the â—ands which have oftentimes most lovingly embraced thee yet crying in thy swathing-Cloâ—ts Reverence those Lips which have oftentimes most lovingly kissed thee and called thee my other Soul Have pity upon a bruised Reed cast down by Fortune and do not thou again tread upon it And seeing thou art thy self a man be not too proud of thy present Fortune but consider the uncertainty and variety of worldly things taking by me Example see in me the end of long life and marvail how one night having received me an Emperor of many years leaveth me now subject unto another mans power for ever The young Emperor Andronicus moved with this Speech and taking great care of his Grandfathers safety scarce abstaining from tears entred the place and coming to his Grandfather humbly saluted him embraced him and with chearful words comforted him Straightway after he went unto the Monastery Manganium where as is aforesaid the Patriarch Esaeius was by the old Emperors Commandment kept in safe keeping whom the young Emperor now took from thence and carrying him away in one of the Emperors richest Chariots restored him again unto his Patriarchal Dignity wherein he afterwards spared not to revenge himself to the full and most cruelly to persecute the old Emperors Friends That day from morning unto night a man might have seen all the riches and wealth of such Noblemen as had taken part with the old Emperor carried away and their goodly Houses overthrown and made the scorn of the base common people but especially the House and Wealth of Theodorus Metochita a man but the day before in greatest favour with his Prince and of all others next unto the Emperor himself of greatest Authority and Credit whose whole Wealth not that only which was found in his house but that also which he had laid up in trust with his Friends discovered by Notes found in his Study became most part a prey unto the common people and the rest confiscated unto the Prince Thus he which earst of all others next unto the Emperor was accounted most fortunate was now upon the sudden with his Wife and Children brought unto extream beggery and after many years Felicity in one day cast into the bottom of despair and misery where a man might have heard many complaining say All that Wealth and Treasure to have been the blood and tears of the poor oppressed Subjects brought unto him by them whom he had made Rulers and Governors of the Provinces and Cities of the Empire to the intent that when they had dealt cruelly with the people as with their Slaves he might stop them for coming to complain of their griefs unto the Emperor and that the eye of the Revenger had not always slept but was now at length awaked and had of him yet scarcely taken sufficient punishment which every where to hear increased not a little his grief As for himself he was confined unto Didymotichum as the place of his exile and banishment where after he had a certain time poorly lived he was sent for back again to Constantinople where having nothing left to relieve himself for his house at the coming of the young Emperor was in the fury of the people pluckt down to the ground and the very pavement thereof digged up he went unto the Monastery of Chora there by which long before built by the Emperor Iustinian and become ruinous he in the time of his Prosperity had with great charge repaired and therein now having made shipwrack of all that he had quietly shrouded himself to the great comfort both of his Body and afflicted Mind where he not long after died But to return again unto the old Emperor as yet in doubt what should become of himself it fortuned that the same day that the City was taken the young Emperor at night returning to the Palace by the way met with Niphon sometime Patriarch who asked him how they meant to deal with his Grandfather Whereunto the young Emperor answering That he would deal with him honourably and Emperor like he was by him therefore blamed and reproved For this Niphon being of a crafty subtil Wit and malicious Nature besides that he secretly hated all them upon whom Fortune greatly either fawned or frowned
yet had nor never shall I will therefore my self provide that thou nor none for thee shall ever hereafter in such sort shamefully triumph over a poor crooked Wretch And having thus much said stab'd himself with his own Dagger into the Body whereof he in short time died Which so soon as it came to the old Tygers Ears it is hard to say how much he grieved His dead Body was by his Fathers commandment carried from Aleppo in Syria to Constantinople and afterwards honourably buried on the other side of the Haven at Pera. For all this bloody Tragedy his covetous mind was not so troubled but that he could forthwith command all Mustapha's Treasures and Riches to be brought to his Tent which his Souldiers in hope to have the same given among them for a Prey willingly hasted to perform In the mean time the Souldiers which were in Mustapha's Camp not knowing what was become of their Master seeing such a multitude of Souldiers thrusting into their Camp without all order to repress their tumultuous insolency stept out in their Armor and notably repulsed them not without much Bloodshed At length the noise of this stir was heard by the rest of the Kings Souldiers who seeing the Tumult to increase more and more ran in to help their Fellows so that in short time there began a hot skirmish and cruel fight on both sides insomuch that two thousand were slain and more wounded neither had the broil so ended had not Achomat Bassa a grave Captain and for his long experience of no small Authority amongst the Souldiers kept back the Janizaries and staid their fury and turning likewise to Mustapha's Souldiers by gentle and mild words and courteous perswasions in this manner appeased their rage What my Brethren said he will you now degenerating from your ancient Loyalty for which you have been for so many Ages commended impugn the command of the great Sultan our dread Sovereign Truly I cannot sufficiently marvel what thing should move you whom I have hitherto proved to have been most worthy and valiant Souldiers in this civil conflict to draw those Weapons against your Fellows and Brethren which you have most fortunately used against the Enemies of the Othoman Kings except you mean thereby to make your selves a joyful spectacle unto your Enemies who grieving to see themselves overcome by your Victorious Weapons may yet rejoice among themselves to see you turn the same one upon another Wherefore my Sons for your ancient honours sake be careful that you do not by this your insolency lose the reputation of your Wisdom Loyalty and Valor for which you have hitherto been above all others commended reserve these your Weapons which you have now too too much used among your Fellows against your Enemies of whom you may get more Praise and Honour This Speech of the old Bassa so mollified the stout Souldiers that they freely permitted all that was in Mustapha's Tents to be carried to Solymanâ— but so soon as the death of Mustapha was blown into the Ears of the Janizaries and the rest of the Army in Solymans Camp another Tumult rose among them worse than the first They were quickly all up in Arms again and with a great noise confused with Tears and Lamentation as they were in rage and fury brake violently into Solymans Pavillion with their drawn Swords which struck the Tyrant into such a fear that destitute of all Counsel in himself he was about with the extream peril of his life to have fled but being holden by his Friends and making a Vertue of Necessity upon the suddain adventured to do that which at better leisure he would scarcely have thought upon for going forth out of his Tent but with a pale and wan Countenance he spake unto the enraged Souldiers thus What Broil is this what Stir what so great Insolency what mean your inflamed fierce and angry Looks know you not your Sovereign and him that hath power to command you Have you so resolved to stain the ancient and invincible honour of your selves and your Ancestors with the Blood of your Lord and Emperor Whilst he was yet thus speaking the Souldiers boldly answered That they denied not but that he was the Man whom they many years before had chosen for their Emperor but in that they had by their own Valour got for him a large and mighty Empire and in like manner preserved it that was therefore of them done that he should for the same govern them vertuously and justly and not to lay his bloody hands without discretion upon every just Man and most wickedly embrue himself with innocent Blood and that they came thither armed they did it as they said moved with just cause to revenge the unworthy death of guiltless Mustapha and that for that matter he had no just cause to be angry with them Wherefore they required that they might publickly clear themselves of the Treason whereof they were accused by Mustapha's Enemies and that the Accuser might be brought forth to justifie his Accusation protesting that they would never lay down their Weapons until the Accuser made his appearance in Jugdment and commenced his Accusation judicially upon pain to endure the like punishment if he failed in proof Whilst these things were in doing the hainousness of the late committed fact caused every Man to shed Tears so that Solyman himself seemed to be sorry for the Murther so lately by himself committed wherefore he promised unto the Souldiers whatsoever they required and did what he could to appease their angry minds For all that they in the mean time lest he should craftily slip away and deceive them of that he had promised and of the expectation of such things as they had required with a marvellous care and diligence all kept Watch and Ward Solyman to appease this fury of the Janizaries deprived Rustan Bassa of all his Honours and took from him his Seal whereof he had the keeping and delivered it to Achomates Bassa But Rustan worthily strucken with fear and horror seeing himself now in no safety in his own Tents fled secretly to Achomates asking his Counsel what were best for him to do and what Course to take in so doubtful and dangerous a case To whom the Bassa answered that it were best for him to use the great Emperors advice and to do what he commanded Which answer well satisfied Rustan and so he which of late gave other Men access unto the Emperor at his pleasure was now glad by his old Acquaintance and Friends to prefer this poor suit To know his pleasure what he would have him to do from whom he received this answer That he should incontinently without further delay get him out of his sight and out of the Camp which the Bassa said he could not conveniently do being by his displeasure and the Souldiers rage disfurnished of all things necessary for his departure Whereunto Solyman sent him answer
you and plainly and openly to protest that we attribute this so notable and wonderful a Victory to our Lord Christ Iesus the greatest King of all Kings and Author of all good things Which that you may the more worthily and willingly do we will declare the whole matter not at large for that were to write an History but briefly and in few words Sultan Solyman the most mortal Enemy of the Christian Name and especially of our Society not contented to have spoyled us of the most famous Island of the Rhodes the Castle of Tripolis and almost whatsoever we had else commanded a great and strong Fleet to be made ready against us which departing from Constantinople the one and twentieth day of March arrived here the eighteenth day of May Which Fleet consisted of almost two hundred and fifty Gallies Galliots and other Ships The number of the Enemies that bear Arms according to the truth was about forty thousand more or less General of the Land Forces was Mustapha Bassa and of the Fleet Pial Bassa was Admiral who having spent a few days in landing their Forces viewing the places pitching their Tents and setting things in ordâ—â— as the manner of War is they began first to assail the Castle of Saint Elmo situate in the mouth of the Haven with great Force and most furious Battery Which when they had many days done without intermission and had opened a great part of the Wall and with all kind of Weapons assaulted the Breach yet was it by the Valour and Prowess of our Knights and other worthy Souldiers kept and defended by the space of thirty five days with the great loss and slaughter of the Enemy although the Castle it self in the Iudgment of many seemed not possible to be but a few days defended against so great a Force At length the four and twentieth day of June when our Men could no longer endure the multitude and fury of the Enemy environed and shut up both by Sea and Land and destitute of all help the Castle was taken by the Turks those few of our Men which were left being all slain Of which Victory they being proud began to besiege the Castle and Town of Saint Michael and this new City especially at the Castle and Portugal Bulwark and as their manner is with great diligence and greater force and number of great Artillery and Warlike Engins they began in divers places at once to batter and beat down the Walls Which Siege the dreadful Army of the Turks by Sea and Land made to be most fearful and terrible with such huge great Ordnance as the like for bigness and force was in no place to be seen day and night thundring out their Iron and Stone Shot five and seven hands about wherewith not the thickest Walls but even the very Mountains themselves might have been beaten down and overthrown by fury whereof the Walls in many places were so battered that a Man might easily have entred as on plain ground Where when the barbarous Enemies had with wonderful Force and hideous Outcries oftentimes attempted to enter so often were they with great Slaughter and Dishonour repulsed and beaten back many of their Men slain or wounded Their Generals as well at Sea as Land after that they had in so many places with all their Forces in almost four months Siege and Assault with exceeding fury in vain attempted the Breaches and lost the greatest part of their old Souldiers especially Winter now coming on wherein all Wars by Law of Nations ought to cease thought of nothing else but of departure or rather of flight which the coming of Garzias of Toledo Viceroy of Sicilia and Admiral of the King of Spain his Fleet with ten thousand select Souldiers amongst whom were at the least two hundred and fourteen of our Knights and many other noble and valiant Gentlemen which only with a Christian Zeal voluntarily met together from divers parts of the World to help and relieve us caused them to hasten So have you summarily and in few words the proceedings and flight of the Turks Fleet and the Victory by us by the power of God thereof obtained It shall be your part to consider and conjecture in what state our Order and this Island now standeth into what poor estate we are brought how many things we want wherein except we be relieved by the help and aid of our Brethren especially such as you are as we well hope and assuredly believe we shall our State will quickly take end Fare you well From Malta the ninth of October 1565. The Great Master thus delivered of so great a Siege and bountifully relieved by the Christian Princes and the great Commanders of his Order speedily repaired the Breaches and places battered and with new Fortifications strengthned those places as he had by the late passed dangers perceived to be most subject to the Enemies Force After the return of the Turks Fleet to Constantinople Solyman being exceeding angry with the Governor of the Island of Chios his Tributary as well for that he had during the late Siege of Malta had intelligence with the Great Master and revealed unto him many of the Turks Designs as also for detaining of two years Tribute which was yearly ten thousand Ducats and had also neglected to send his wonted Presents to the great Bassaes who therefore the more incensed the Tyrant commanded Pial Bassa his Admiral to make ready his Fleet and by Force or Policy to take that fruitful and pleasant Island wholly into his own hand Who without delay with a Fleet of eighty Gallies the fifteenth day of April in the year 1566 being then Easter day year 1566. arrived at Chios The chief Men of the Island upon sight of the Fleet forthwith sent Embassadors to the Bassa with Presents courteously offering unto him the Haven and whatsoever else he should require Pial with great kindness accepted their offer and presently possessed himself of the Haven in three places and afterward landing sent for the Governor of the City and twelve of the chief Citizens to come unto him as if he had some special matter to confer with him about from the great Sultan before his departure thence for Malta or Italy Who having a little conferred together went to him with great fear and that not without cause for as soon as they were come before him he commanded them to be laid hold upon and cast fast into Irons which done the Souldiers forthwith took the Town Hall and without resistance pulling down the Towns Ensign wherein was the Picture of Saint George with a red Cross instead thereof set up one of the Turks the like whereof was done with great rejoycing of the Turks through the whole Island After that they rifled the Churches and again consecrated them after their Mahometan manner The Governor of the City and the Senators with their Families the Bassa sent in five Ships to Constantinople as for the Vulgar People they were at
and his rest in Paradise This Paternal Empire and Monarchical Kingdom hath almost untill this present blessed time been always hereditary from Grandfather to Father from Father to Son and so cursively on that manner but having regard unto the Age and Years of our great and noble Vncle Sultan Mustapha he was preferred and honoured to sit on the Othoman Throne and being settled for some time took care for the Affairs of the Empire and for all that might concern the People both in general and particular But he having been many years retired in Solitariness and given to Devotion and Divine Obedience being also as it were wearied with the cares of the Empire of his own accord withdrew himself from the Government for that the Diadem and Scepter of the Empire of the seven Climates was the true Right and Inheritance of our most excellent Majesty of the which with the meeting and consent of all the Visiers and other Deputies of State of the Primate of the Mussulman Law and of the other honourable Doctors of the Souldiers and of all Subjects both publick and private the Almighty God hath made an high Present and worthy Gift unto us And in the happy day in the beginning of the Moon Rebea-il-evel of this present Year 1027 in an expected time and in an acceptable hour was our blessed and happy sitting establish'd upon the most fortunate Othoman Throne the Seat and Wisdom of Solomon In the Pulpits of all the Mosques the Congregations of the faithful and Devotion of the Musselmen throughout all our Dominions is read to our Imperial Name the Hutbeh And in the Mints where innumerable Sums of money are coined as well upon the Silver as the Gold our happy Name and Stamp is signed And our most powerful Commandments are obeyed in all the Parts and Dominions of the World and the brightness of the Light of the Sun of Iustice and Equity hath caused the darkness of Injuries and Molestations to vanish away Now seeing it hath been an ancient Custom of our famous Predecessors to give notice of the same unto such Princes as are in sincere Friendship and do continue it with the House of great Majesty and our Imperial Court We also have written these our princely Letters and appointed for their Bearer the choice among his Equals Hussein Chiaus whose Power is great one of the honoured and respected Servants of our magnificent Port the refuge of the World to the end that such News might cause great joy of our most honourable Assumption And we do hope that when they shall come to your hands in conformity of the well grounded friendship upon the sure League Articles and Writings which hath been established of old with our most Royal Race and permanent Empire you will manifest infinite Ioy and Gladness and certifie as much to the Rulers and Governours of the Dominions and Countries under you that they may know that the Articles of Peace and League and the points of the Oath which are firm and to be desired on both parts from the time of our Grand-father and Predecessor of Royal Stock now in Paradise whose Souls God inlighten undoubtedly during the time of our Reign shall be observed with all respect And let there not be the least imagination of any want of due observance of the signs of Friendship on our part or by any manner of means on your part for the violating the Foundation of the Peace and League The Copy of a Letter written by Halil Baâ—sa chief Visier and General in the Expedition against the Persian at his Return from the Wars to the City of Senit in April 1618 unto Sir Paul Pinder Knight then Ambassador for the King's Majesty at Constantinople The Humble Visier Halil Bassa TO the courteous Lord of the Nation of the Messiah both great and honourable among the people of Jesus and the true Determiner of Christian Affairs our good Friend Paul Pinder the English Ambassador whose latter days be with all felicity To whose noble presence after our many kind Salutations tending to all good Affection and manifestation of Ioy worthy and beseeming our Friendship our loving Advice is this That if you desire to hear of our Estate and Being you shall understand that after we departed from the happy Port with the Army for the Wars of Asia we arrived and wintered in Mesopotamia and removing thence in the Spring with all the Musselman Host always victorious we went to Van from which place untill we came to Tauris the Mussulman Army went on always sacking and destroying all those Places and Towns of the Persians which we met withal by the way in those parts where were burnt pillaged and ruined some thousands of Villages and tormenting all those people that came to hand And when we were come near to Tauris the General of the Persian Forces of perverse Religion called Carelghai Han the accursed retired himself into the said Tauris where beating up his Drums in every quarter he made a shew that he had a will to fight so we sent a little before us some Tartars and others of our Army to hearken out and take notice of the Enemy who meeting with seven or eight hundred Persians of note put them to the Sword very few escaping and that with very great difficulty and hazard by which the said General finding himself unable to resist the power and fury of the Mussulman Host or to stay any longer in the said place the very same day that we arrived there the said General having spoiled all the City sled away so we took the place ransacked it and burned all the Buildings Towers Gardens and whatsoever else we found in it And thus the great City Tauris by Divine Favour and Grace became ours Then forthwith we sent after the Enemy the Tartar with some Beglerbegs who overtaking them gave them Battel and albeit some of ours did fall yet they which fell on the Enemies side were innumerable And so going forward towards Erdevil their obscure Residence about ten days Iourney of the Country we went burning and sâ—oiling it and killing all the Persians that we met that indeed there was so much glory and honour won as that all the ancient men of the Country do affirm there was never seen the like insomuch that from the Confines of Erdevil twenty days Iourney of the Countâ—y was on that manner by us destroyed Thus afterward the King caused to empty the said place of Erdevil and sled into a place called Hulchal and caused his Army to go to the top of a high Mountain from whence having sent three or four times men of Quality unto us seeking and intreating for peace with promise to give yearly to our Emperour an hundred Somes of Silk and all such places as are upon the Confines gotten in the time of Sultan Solyman except Der Ne and Der Tink wherewith we were contented with the peace and his Ambassador is upon the way coming toward us And so
was sitting on Cushions in a little Room with a Fire and his Feet covered several Pashaws Pages and other Officers standing by him His Excellency and Sir Thomas Bendysh were seated on Two Velvet stools where first the Earl of Winchelsea having presented the King's Letters to the Vizier wrote in Parchment and put into a bag of Cloth of Gold Sir Thomas Bendysh began to inform the Vizier that this was that honourable Person of whom he had formerly acquainted him was coming to reside for Ambassador in his place That he was of that Nobility and relation to our King that had not his Majesty intended highly and in an extraordinary manner to Honour and oblige the Grand Signior he would not have exposed his Kinsman and a Person extraordinary to the hazard of a Voyage so long and dangerous as this Then the Earl of Winchealsea began to speak and relate the happy restauration of the King his Master to the Throne of his Ancestors extolling his Power Greatness and Clemency in pardoning all but such who were engaged in the Blood of his Father That in his passage to Constantinople he had by Command of the King touched at Algier endeavouring to renew the former Articles of Peace and release an English Lord meaning the Lord Obryan taken Captive by them contrary to the Articles of Peace but without success not being able to reduce them to any Terms of Reason or Justice And enlarging in his Complements with assurances of the friendship which the King his Master desired to conserve and maintain wiâ—h the Grand Signior as a token thereof he acquainted him that he was the first Ambassador sent abroad by his Master since his happy return before he had designed or appointed any to Christian Princes The Vizier readily answered That it was but Reason it should be so since the Grand Signior was an Emperor and they but Kings and he the greatest and most Soveraign Potentate of the World And that as to the Business of Algier he would take care of it and do him Iustice. This having passed Two China dishes with Sherbet were brought forth and given to the Two Ambassadors and Two larger bowles of the same to their Attendants Then the Present was brought forth and laid before the Vizier consisting of Twenty Vests Four of them were of fine English Cloth of several colours Four of several coloured Velvets Fourof several flowred Stuffs with Gold and Silver Four of watred Tabbies and Four of Sattins In recompence hereof both the Ambassadors were vested with Six others which Vests are of no great matter of use or value more than that they are evidences and badges of the Vizier's favour After this his Excellency with Sir Thomas Bendysh arose and departed wearing these Vests until they were passed without the Gates of the Viziers Palace and then they delivered them to be carried by their Servants as the others did and so his Excellency returned to his House at Pera with an appearance of a fair Correspondency and with assurances that the Capitulations and friendship should be maintained and conserved with a strict and inviolate Faith. The day of giving pay to the Janisaries drawing near the Ambassador's Audience with the Grand Signior was deferred until that time for with that occasion the Court would appear in the most solemn manner and the attendance of the Soldiery would render all things more great and powerful In the mean time the Grand Signior often took a view from his Seraglio of the Plymouth Frigat and frequently rowed round her in a Boat and some say he once came Incognito aboard to see her at length he was so pleased with her that he fancied her to be a very proper Vessel to carry Soldiers and Ammunition for Candia but proposing his Thoughts and intentions to the Vizier he was disswaded from the demand or constraint of the Ship being admonished that this was a matter unpracticable and uncivil towards a Prince who on confidence of Amity and Alliance with him had adventured his Ship within his Port. The Twenty sixth day of February being Pay-day of the Janisaries the Lord Ambassador had Audience of the Grand Signior which was performed in this manner His Excellency with Sir Thomas Bendysh departing from his House with his retinue on Horse-back by break of day in the Morning was met on Constantinople side by the Chaous-Bashee and his Chaouses and by them conducted to the Seraglio We rode through the first Court which was very spacious and then we alighted from our Horses and walked through another Court leading to the Divan or place of Judicature at the upper end of which the Great Vizier was seated on his right Hand sate Five Viziers of the Bench of which the Captain-Pasha or Admiral of the Seas was one on the left were the Two Kadileschers or Chief Justices one of Anatolia and the other of Romelia and by them the Tefterdar Pasha or Lord Treasurer with Three other Pasha's The floar of the Divan was covered with Carpets and on them a richer covering of Bags of Money for payment of the Janisaries The Two Ambassadors with about Six or Seven of their retinue amongst which I was one being admitted in and placed at the lower end their Excellencies approached toward the Vizier and were seated near unto him on Two stools covered with Crimson Velvet and some Discourse and Complement having passed between them they retired to another part of the Room that they might give way to Business In the mean time the payment of the Soldiers went forward every Churbagee or Captain taking from the heaps the Pay of his Soldiers and laying the Bags on their Shoulders made up to the Viziers and having kissed the Hem of his Vest on his Knees he retired with great Humility and hast from him passing away with his side towards him it being very unseemly amongst them to turn their backs to Personages of that Dignity The Payment being over Three small Tables were brought in the first of which was covered with a Silver Voyder at which the Two Ambassadors sate with the chief Ministers but the Great Vizier by reason of his Age and Weakness retired into another Room The other Two Tables were covered with a mixed Mettal which served in the place of a Table-Cloth at which the others sate We had no Knives Forks nor Plate but only Wooden Spoons were laid for us which was sufficient in that manner of eating for their Meats are most boyled and conveniently received by the Spoon or are so well roasted that they are easily parted with the Fingers The dishes were served in by one at a time but so fast that we had scarce tasted of one before it was snatched away to make place for another and I think there might be about Twenty several changes in this manner at the end of all to conclude our Feast a great Bowl of Sherbet was brought in and we drank of it as large draughts as we pleased Being risen from
overthrew two of their Redoubts and afforded them new work to repair them and the adjoining Traverses This was the present state of the miserable Candia when the Duke of Savoy recalled his Subject Marquess Villa from his honourable employment and a Ship called Alexander the Great by appointment of the Venetian Senate arrived at Standia to transport him and his Family to Venice so that on the 22 12 of April accompanied to Tramata by all the principal Officers of the Garrison he embarked in order to his Voyage whose place was about two Months after supplied by the Marquess St. Andrea Montbrun a Nobleman of France with whom the Venetian Ambassadour at Paris by order of that Republick had prevailed to take upon him the defence and protection of that deplorable City reduced now almost to its ultimate Crisis I cannot adventure to assign the reasons that might induce the Duke of Savoy to recal the worthy Governour from this glorious action Some say that those who were emulous of his glory procured his revocation Others that the Marquess himself desired it and that finding the Forces of the Town to decline and the Turks to encroach and penetrate daily into the innermost parts of strength he was desirous after so long a Siege to return with untainted glory or perhaps weary of a Siege so tedious and perilous he might desire to retire having performed sufficient already in his own person and enough to make all Christendom his Debtors and Admirers So that I cannot but reproach those tongues and pens which in report and writings attribute the cause of Marquess Villa's retirement to certain just occasions of discontent given him by the Captain General Francesco Morosini who envious of his Fame and actions and unwilling to have a conshater with him in his honours did usually thwart his Counsels and Proposals and more particularly contemned a Redoubt which Marquess Villa had built and of which he had a singular esteem Yet that Morosini might evidence the unsufficiency thereof 't is reported that he wrote a Letter to the Vizier to assault that Redoubt for if he did he promised to afford him opportunity to take it by withdrawing all Forces from thence which Letter it is said was betrayed to Marquess Villa and brought to his hands which he with great prudence and moderation dissembled until the hour of his departure and then produced it to the astonishment and shame of Morosini To this particular I give the less belief because I find it wrote in a Journal of this Seige by a person who was a great Favourer of the French and willing to share the intire glory to that Nation and the miscarriages to the Italian Whatsoever might be the motive to Marquess Villa to perswade his return is uncertain howsoever it is reported that being arrived at Zant in his way to Venice and there meeting a strong Convoy bound for Candia with recruits of Men and plenty of provisions he conceived new thoughts of the greatness of the Republick and beholding also with what vigour and vigilance they attended to the conservation of that place he began to testifie some remorse and dissatisfaction for having abandoned a Charge which rendred his Fame great through the World and the continuation of which labours being crowned with that success which his courage and conduct merited might have brought a Blessing to all Christendom and perpetuated his honour and glory to all posterity The Marquess being arrived at Venice was received with the usual Ceremonies and Honours from the Publick and being introduced after private Audiences into the Colledge he spake in this manner IF the thanks which I render to your Serenity and to your Excellencies could equal the greatness of those favours which I have received from you it would have been but an ordinary glory to you not to have infinitely surpassed the bounds of my acknowledgments as you have infinitely outdone the utmost of my Deserts Nor could this August Senate have been exalted to the most elevated point of Soveragin Power had I been able to render Services worthy of that generosity which composed it For as the affection of the Creatures towards God makes excuses for their wants and infirmities so having a zealous desire to contribute to the glories of this most Serene Republick not only my endeavours my labours and my bloud but also my life and my whole being I beseech you to accept thereof as an attonement for the weakness of my abilities This my Lords is that desire which I have ever demonstrated in all the wearisome performances of my Charge under the generous Conduct of the Captain General of your Armes whose Valour I have endeavoured to second and imitate This is that Desire which would have entertained me in the service of this most Serene Republick to the ultimate period of my life if the Command of my Prince concurring with the Assent of your Serenity had not enjoyned my return I confess that I should feel in my self an inward Consolation could I assist at the triumph of Candia which I hope in a short time to see victorious over all her Enemies until when my Lords the honour which you have been pleased to do me hitherto cannot but be relished by me as a Comfort of my life And what greater Glory can I imagine to my self than to have served a Republick which may be called the most perfect work of the hand of God which being founded like the Firmament upon the Waters communicates happy Tranquillity through all the World I am able now to boast That I have seen a City which of it self alone is able to resist the Puissance of all Asia and that I have proved and tryed the valorous opposition which it made against a formidable Enemy I can I say glory that I have awakened in the hearts of your Souldiery their ancient Valour and that I have sprinkled your Lawrels with my own Bloud and it is but just that I should distil it to the last drop for the service of this most Serene Republick which after so many Ages resigns it self up a Sacrifice for all Christendom It is by your Arms my Lords and by your immoveable Constancy that the City of Candia which in former Days was esteemed the weakest of all the Fortresses of Greece is become at present the most famous Theatre of War. I dare not only hope that the conclusion thereof will be happy so long as your Serenity watchfully attends to the conservation of that place but that also this August Senate will extend their Conquests into the most remote parts of all the East This would be most Serene Prince and most Excellent Lords the consummation of all my desires and also that I might finish my days in the Service of this most Serene Republick towards which I shall for ever conserve a most passionate zeal and an immortal acknowledgment The Senate that they might testifie the esteem they entertained of the person of
sustained on either part shall be quiet taken away and forgotten and this Peace shall be in fâ—ll force and vertue and continue for ever And for all Depredations and Damages that shall hereafter be Committed or done by either side before Notice can be given of this Peace full satisfaction be immediately made And whatsoever remains in kind shall instantly be restored XXIII That whatsoever shall happen hereafter that any thing is done or committed by the Ships or Subjects of either side contrary to any of these Articles Satisfaction being Demanded therefore shall be made to the full and without any manner of Delay and that it shall not be Lawful to break this Peace unless such satisfaction be denyed and our Faith shall be our Faith and our word our word and whosoever shall be the Cause of the breaking of this Peace shall assuredly be punished with present Death Confirmed and Sealed in the Presents of Almighty God the fifth day of March Old Stile and in the year of our Lord Jesus Christ one thousand six hundred seventy five Being the last day of the Moon Zelheldga and the year of the Hegeira on thousand and eighty six WHereas there were several Articles of Peace and Commerce between the most Serene and Mighty Prince Charles the Second by the Grace of God King of Great-Britain France and Ireland Defender of the Christian Faith c. And the most Illustrious Lords Halil Bassa Ibraim Dei Aga Divan and Governors of the Noble City and Kingdom of Tripoly in Barbary lately made and concluded by the said Lords on the one part And by Sir John Narbrough Knight Admiral of his said Serene Majesties Fleet in the Mediterranean Seas on the other part and by them confirmed and Sealed in the Presence of Almighty God the fifth day of March Old Stile And in the year of our Lord Iesus Christ 1675 6 being the last day of the Moon Zelhedga And the year of the Hegeira 1086. Since which time of Confirming and Sealing the aforesaid Articles of Peace and Commerce The aforesaid Lord Ibraim Dei being fled away from the Government of the City and Kingdom of Tripoly in Barbary Now we Halil Bassa Aga Divan Governors Souldiers and People of the aforesaid City and Kingdom of Tripoly have Choosen and Elected Vice Admiral Mustapha Grande to be Dei of the aforesaid City and Kingdom of Tripoly to succeed Ibraim Dei in the aforesaid Government And now we Halil Bassa Aga Divan and Governors Souldiers and People of Tripoly aforesaid having seen the aforesaid Articles of Peace and Commerce which were lately made and concluded as aforesaid And having seriously perus'd and fully considered all particulars therein mentioned Do fully approve of all and every the aforesaid Articles of Peace and we and every one of us do now by these presents consent and agree to and with Sir John Narbrough Knight aforesaid for the just and exact keeping and performing of the said Articles And do accept approve ratifie and confirm all and every of them in the same manner and form as they are incerted and repeated in the preceding Articles aforesaid hereby firmly engaging our selves and successors assuring on our faith sacredly to maintain and strictly to observe perform and keep inviolably all and every the aforesaid Article and Articles of Peace and Agreements for ever And to cause and require all our Subjects and people of what degree or quality whatsoever within the City or Kingdom of Tripoly in Barbary or Dominions thereunto belonging both by Sea and Land punctually inviolably carefully and duly to observe keep and perform all and every the aforesaid Article and Articles thereof for ever And our Faith shall be our Faith and our word our word and whosoever shall at any time violate and break any part of the said Article or Articles of Peace they shall be assuredly punished with greatest severity and his or their heads shall be immediately cut off and forthwith be presented unto any Officer whom the most Serene King of Great Britain c. shall Authorize to make Demand thereof It is further agreed that the Subjects belonging unto the most serene King of Great Britain c. Trading unto the Port of the City and Kingdom of Tripoly in Barbary aforesaid or to any Port or Place of the Dominions thereunto belonging in any Merchants Ship or other Vessel belonging to the said Serene Kings Subjects shall not pay so much Custom by one per Cent. for whatsoever Goods or Merchandize they sell or buy as other Nations do for the Customs of the like Goods or Merchandize notwithstanding whatsoever is Specified in the Second Article aforesaid to the contrary And that the most Serene King of Great Britains Consul residing in Tripoly aforesaid shall have Liberty at all times when he pleaseth to put up his said Serene Majesties Flag on the Flag-staff on the Top of his House and thereto continue it spread as long time as he pleaseth likewise the said Consul to have the same Liberty of puâ—ting up and spreading the said Flag in his Boat when he passeth on the Water and no Man whatsoever to Oppose Molest Disturb or Injury him therein either by Word or Deed. These and all other preceding Articles are to remain firm for ever without any alteration and in all other particulars not mentioned in any of these Articles the Regulation shall be according to the Capitulation general with the Grand Signior Confirmed likewise and Sealed in the Presence of Almighty God at our Castle in the noble City and Kingdom of Tripoly in Barbary the first day of May Old Stile and in the year of our Lord Iesus Christ 1676 being the twenty sixth day of the Moon Zaphire and the year of the Hegeira 1080. Halil Bassa's Seal Mustapha Dei's Seal Aga's Seal Ally Admiral 's Seal A True Coppy Examined out of Sir John Narbroughs Thomas Fowler HAving thus related the original cause proceedings and conclusion of our War with Tripoly Let us Travel to Tunis which though since the year 1655 hath ever maintained Peace with England yet the civil dissentions among themselves have administred unto us Subject of discourse and more especially since it hath some relation to Hoffse-bey whom formerly we named as Mediator of the Peace between Us and Tripoly On the sixth of September 1675. Morat Bei General of all the Land Forces in the Kingdom of Tunis dyed the most Politick and Popular Person that ever mannaged that Office his Sons Ciddi Mehmet and Ciddi Ali by the general approbation and consent of the Souldiery joyntly succeeding him in that charge But the ambition of these two young Gallants would admit no union in the Government the Elder would know no equal and the younger no superior so that it was necessary for one to govern or both to be laid aside the decision of which was referred to a full Assembly of the Turks In the mean time Hoffsey-bey Brother to Morat deceased and Uncle to the two
of Black and White Eunuchs to the Door advising them to arm themselves with what Weapons were next at hand and there to remain until they received farther Orders All the other Chambers of the Pages and Officers were in the same confusion and were commanded in the like manner to arm themselves The Grand Signior fearing all this while he should be put to death as his Father was could not be pacified untill Mustapha Pasha his Sword-bearer taking him by the hand shewed him his Attendants all armed and ready at his command and passing by one of the Windows of the Lodgings was descried by a young Man who cried out with a loud voice God grant our King Ten thousand Years of Life at which all the Chamber shouted Allah Allah this Acclamation rang through all the Seraglio so that it reached the more remote quarters of the Drogists Cooks Pole-axe-men Faulconers and others who being ready and armed as the others answered with the like shout These Preparations were not only in the Seraglio but likewise without for the Vizier had given order to all the Pashaws and Beglerbegs and other his Friends that without delay they should repair to the Seraglio with all the force they could make bringing with them three days Provision obliging them under pain of Death to this Duty In a short space so great was this concourse that all the Gardens of the Seraglio the outward Courts and all the adjoining Streets were filled with armed Men from Galata and Tophana came Boats and Barges loaden with Powder and Ammunition and other Necessaries so that in the morning by break of day appeared such an Army of Horse and Foot in the Streets and Ships and Gallies on the Sea as administred no small terrour to the Janisaries of which being advised and seeing the concourse of the People run to the assistance of the King they thought it high time to bestir themselves and therefore armed a great company of Albaneses Greeks and other Christians to whom they offered Mony and the Title and Privileges of Janisaries promising to free them from Harach or Impositions paid by the Christians which Arguments were so prevalent that most taking Arms you might see the Court and City divided and ready to enter into a most dreadful confusion of a Civil War. In the Seraglio all things were in good order the Morning Devotions being finished the Baltagees who are a guard that carry Poleaxes called to the Pages to join with them and accompany them to the Presence Chamber These Baltagees were in number about 200 strong of large stature and of admirable agility at whose beck the Pages ran with all alacrity to the door of the Chamber where they at first received a repulse from the Master of the Chamber who was an Eunuch and one faithful to the old Queen's Interest who to yield all possible furtherance towards the protection of her Person reproved the insolence of the Rout in coming so boisterously to the Royal Lodgings to which they unanimously answered that they would speak to his Majesty that it was their desire to have the old Queen Enemy to the King and the Mahometan Faith put to Death at which words he being enraged and relying on his Authority reproved them with Terms of Rebels and Traitors to their Master What have you to do with the Queen said he Are you worthy to open your Mouths against â—er serene Name He reiterating these and the like words one of this Rabble said Kill that Cuckold for he also is an Enemy of the Faith. And whilst one lifted up his hand to strike him he fled by the way of the Tarras into the Garden whither being pursued by five or six of them he was overtaken and catching him by the Collar would have cut his Throat but that at his earnest entreaty they gave him so much liberty as first to cast himself at the Feet of the Sultan whither being dragged he delivered to the King a Seal and a Key of secret Treasure and being about to say something in his own behalf and defence of his Life a bold Youth of these Baltages called Ialch-Leferli struck him on the Head with his Ax and cleft it in two pieces the others seeing this first blow given him fell on him with their Scimiters and cut him to pieces his Blood and Brains were dashed on the rich Carpets which moved fear in many who were secretly of the Conspiracy with the old Queen The young King himself ignorant of the good Intentions of his Servants at the sight of blood-shed being yet tender-hearted cryed and closely embraced the Selihtar who then held him in his Arms but upon the removal of the Corpse out of his sight and some smooth words as that it was a Sacrifice of Love to him and the like his childish Tears were soon wiped away In this interim the new created Mufti and Kenan Pasha one of the Viziers of the Bench and Balyzade Efende who was formerly Lord Chief Justice and well affected to the Spahee's Party entring the Hazoda or Presence-Chamber perceiving a Tumult in his Majesty's presence with different Voices and Languages for some cryed in Georgian others Albanian Bosnian Mengrelian Turkish and Italian remained in great confusion how to proceed with Order and Reason in this important Affair for the Mufti and others were of Opinion that the Sentence against the old Queen was not rashly to be pronounced and so the Matter might calmly be debated and if possible an expedient might be found for saving her Life and securing the Sultan But the Rabble impatient of Delay cryed out defer not the Sentence for otherwise we shall esteem thee as one of her Adherents By this time news was come to the young Queen that there had been a Fight in the Streets who as yet doubtful of the success and fearing if the Janisaries should gain the Advantage Bectas would revenge the Blood of the old Queen by her Death came covered with a Veil into the Presence-Chamber saying as she passed Is this the Reverence you owe to the King your Lord Do you know the place where you are What would you have of a Woman Why do you busie your selves in the King's Affairs Some presently apprehended that this was only a Plot of the young Queen to make the World believe she would rather assist the Grandmother than contrive against her which made the Pages the more importunately to persist with the Mufti for the Fetfa or Sentence against her But one of the Pages suspecting that this Woman so veiled might be the old Queen her self cried out This is she you seek for she is in your Hands take your Revenge upon her At which some bestirring themselves to seise her she ran to the Feet of her Son and laying hold on him cryed out No no I am not the Grandmother I am the Mother of this his Majesty and wiping the Tears from the Eyes of her Son with her Handkerchief made signs to keep
immense Riches and Wealth But of this the Prince and the Turkish Policy is not ignorant and accordingly provides Remedies to drain the Inundations of the Vizier's Coffers at first by extorting great Sums of Mony from him at his entrance to the Charge then under colour of Friendship and Favour the Grand Signior makes him Visits in requital whereof rich Presents are made him as gratitude for so much Honour next he many times sends to him for a Gift of 100000 Dollars for Jewels Horses and other things of great value and in this manner several Contrivances are used to turn these Rivulets to pay their Tribute to the great Ocean amongst which this present Grand Signior Mahomet the Fourth hath found out one way amongst the rest putting the Vizier often to the charges of his Dinner sending to his Kitchin for twenty Dishes of Meat which is the usual proportion of the Grand Signior's ordinary Table and by inviting himself to a Banquet many times at the Vizier's Expences and this being done so frequently gives the World occasion to believe that he demands it out of no other Design than narrowness of Soul to save the Charges of his own Dinner and the rather it is so believed because this Emperor is reputed of a covetous Disposition and of no affinity with Solyman the Magnificent But the Ways and Means by which the Grand Signior comes in the end to be possessed of the Gains and Profits collected by his Vizier and other Officers requires a particular Discourse apart which shall in its due time and place be treated of and this shall for the present suffice to have spoken concerning the Prime Vizier and his Office. CHAP. XII The Offices Dignities and several Governments of the Empire HE that will describe the Polities of a Country must endeavour especially in the most exact and punctual manner possible to declare the several Offices Dignities and Riches of it that so a more easy computation may be calculated of its Strength numbers of Men Fortifications Forces by Sea where best defended and where most easily vulnerable and exposed The next to the Vizier Azem or the first Vizier are the several Beglerbegs which may not unaptly be compared to Arch-dukes in some parts of Christendom having under their Jurisdiction many Sangiacks or Provinces Beyes Agaes and others To every one of these the Grand Signior in honour bestows three Ensigns called in Turkish Tugh which are Staves trimmed with the Tail of a Horse with a Golden Bull upon the top and this is to distinghish them from Bashaws who have two Ensigns and the Sanziach-beg who hath also the name of Pascha and hath but one When a Pascha is made the Solemnity used at the conferring his Office is a Flag or Banner carried before him and accompanied with Musick and Songs by the Merialem who is an Officer for this purpose only for investiture of Pashaes in their Office. The Government of Beglerbegs who have several Provinces called Sangiacks under their Command are two sorts the first is called Has ile Beglerbeglik which hath a certain Rent assigned out of the Cities Countries and Signiories allotted to the Principality the second is called Saliane Beglerbeglik for maintenance of which is annexed a certain Salery or Rent collected by the Grand Signior's Officers with the Treasure of the whole Government out of which are paid also the Sangiack Beglers that is the Lords of the several Counties Towns or Cities and the Militia of the Country It is impossible exactly to describe the Wealth and ways of Gains exercised by these potent Governors to enrich themselves for a Turk is ingenious to get Wealth and hasty to grow Rich howsoever we will succinctly set down the certain Sums of Revenue which are granted them by Commission from the Grand Signior assigned them out of every particular place of their Government besides which they have the Profits of all Wefts and Strays goods of Felons sale of vacant Church-Offices Mules Horses and Cattel which by Mortality or other Accidents have no certain Master to which may be added the benefit of their Avanias or false Accusations whereby they invade the Right and Estates of their Subjects as also of the Robberies of their People and Strangers by their own Slaves and Servants whom they send abroad with that design and having committed the Robberies themselve◠under pretence of discovery of the Crime and doing Justice they seize the Innocent People torture and imprison them and perhaps put some to death for expiation of their own Offences To come nearer to this purpose The Beglerbegs of the first sort are in number 22 who have their Revenue allotted them in the places that they Govern collected by their own Officers according to Commission of which the first is of Anatolia anciently called Asia Minor afterwards Anatolia 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from its more Eastern situation in respect of Greece the yearly Revenue of which in the Grand Signior's Books called the Old Canon is a Million of Aspers and hath under its Jurisdiction 14 Sangiack Kiotahi where the Beglerbeg resides in Phrygia Major Sarahan Aidin Kastamoni Hadanendighiar Boli Mentesche Augora otherwise Ancyra Karahysar Teke ili Kiangri Hamid Sultan Vghi Karesi with the command of twenty two Castles 2. Caramania anciently called Cilicia and was the last Province which held out belonging to the Caramanian Princes when all places gave way to the flourishing progress of the Ottoman Arms The Revenue hereof is 660074 Aspers and hath under its Jurisdiction seven Sangiacks viz. Iconium which is the Court of the Beglerbeg in Cappadocia Nigkde Kaisani otherwise Cesanca Ienischeheri Kyrschehri Akschehri Akserai And in this Principality are three Castles at Iconium one at Larende and Mendui under the Pasha's immediate Command and 17 others in several Sangiacks 3. Diarbekir otherwise Mesopotamia hath a Revenue of a Million two hundred thousand and six hundred and sixty Aspers and hath under its Jurisdiction 19 Sangiacks with five other Governments called Hukinmet in Turkish eleven of which Sangiacks are properly belonging to the Ottoman Royalties and eight are Curdian Countries or of the People called Kurts for when Curdia was conquered the Country was divided and distinguished into the Nature of Sangiacks but with this difference of right Inheritance and Succession to the Goods and Possessions of their Parents and succeed as Lords of Mannors or to other petty Governments by Blood and Kindred And as other Lords of Sangiacks Timariots or Barons pay the Grand Signior's Duties and hold their Lands in Knights Service or other Tenure whereby they are obliged to attend and follow their Commanders to the Wars whensoever they are called thereunto by the Grand Signior's Summons these that are registred for Hukiumet have no Timariots or Lords to command them but are free from all Duties and Impositions and are absolute Masters of their own Lands and Estates Those Sangiacks which are properly belonging to the Ottoman Royalties are C.
he capable of any for when any thing was propounded to him He answered Yes or No or with some very short Reply after the manner of Laconick brevity and then presently turned away to read the Alchoran He was at first reputed after the manner of his Father to be impotent as to Women but afterwards taking five or six into his Embraces he gave the World cause to conceive another Opinion of him He sat as aukwardly on Horse-back as his Father that Exercise being uneasie to him his chief Divertisements were his Books which we may believe he ill understood and sometimes taking the Air on the Water and in Chiosks or Garden Houses on the side of the Bosphorus he passed his pleasant time Yeghen still continued to Ravage the Country between Sophia and Belgrade as his Comrade Yedic that Arch-robber did in Anatolia And the Government being too weak to suppress two such Thieves or Highway-Men how much less was it able to contend with the German Troops They were forced to dissemble and give way to the present Extremities by making Yeghen Seraskier in Hungary whilst Hassan Pasha was forced to give way and fly privately out of the reach of his Competitor The News hereof flew with great hast to the Thieves in Anatolia who being encouraged with the Success of Yeghen under whose Government they all fancied to be made Pashas or Grandees came over in great numbers to joyn with him Amongst which one Temac Boluckbashee a leading Man with Four hundred of his Robbers passed boldly over from Asia to Constantinople and Yedic their General was not only pardoned but made a Pasha To this hard Plight and Extremity was the Ottoman Empire reduced when the Turks placing their greatest hopes in the Tartars dispatched away an Aga to Apafi Prince of Transilvania with a Patent to confirm him in his Principality and with Orders to demand of him in consideration thereof a round Sum of ready Money wherewith to Succour and pay the Garrisons on the Boristhenes and to provide for the Maintenance of Caminiec which was in want of Ammunition and all things necessary And to persuade Apafi hereunto he told Stories very improper and unfit to compass his ends for he rehersed all the Tumults of the Zorbas at Constantinople and that the Grand Seignior was forced to create Yeghen who was their Chief and Leader to be Seraskier in Hungary That in Constantinople there was want of every thing even to a Famine caused by the Seditions and Mutinies of the Soldiers and that for the appeasing these Tumults and for the Donative unto the Soldiers which is usually given by the Sultans at their Inauguration the Exchequer had been drained of Twenty Millions of Dollars wherefore he urged the States of Transilvania to grant him his Demands in failure of which he threatned them with the Incursions of the Tartars who had already passed the River Prut and were enter'd into the Neighbouring Provinces where they had left sad Marks of their cruel and miserable Devastations And that Sultan Galga and Noradin with a mighty Army were marching to oppose the Emperors designs upon Belgrade General Carafa having notice of these Practices upon Transilvania went with all hast thither and in a short time not only defeated this Aga in his Negotiations but also so well disposed Apafi and the States of Transilvania with entire Devotion to the Emperor that in despight of the Message brought by the Aga they absolutely renounced all Obedience and Duty to the Ottoman Port The which Renuntiation follows in this manner We Michael Teleky de Szek General George and Alexius de Bethlem Laodislaus Szekel of Boroszeno Valentine Frank one of the Iudges Christian Zato Consul of the City of Hermanstadt Counsellors to the Illustrious Prince of Transilvania As also Nicholas of Bethlem Stephen Appor Peter Alvinzy and John Starosy Principal and publick Notaries Michael Filstrick Iudge of the City of Braslavia Plenipotentiaries deputed by the Prince aforesaid and by the States of the Kingdom of Transilvania do hereby declare and make known unto all the World desiring that these Presents may remain upon Record for a lasting Testimony unto all Ages With great Reason may this present Age remain astonished and envious Eyes become dazled with the Splendor of the Divine Clemency which not suffering its beloved Christendom to Groan longer under the Yoak of Barbarous Pride nor remain in Bonds to Tyrannical Servitude nor longer to be overwhelmed and drowned after so many Wars in a Sea of Innocent Blood hath at length out of his great Compassion been pleased to exert the strong Power of his Omnipotent Arm to Rescue so many Kingdoms and Provinces from an unsupportable Slavery under the Turks who transported with senseless Fury had rendered themselves formidable to the World ruinous to their Neighbours and Despisers of all People besides their own But behold How the God of Hosts being justly displeassed with these vain Boastings hath thrown his Thunder-bolts amongst them and dispersed them making the most August Emperor Leopold the First an Instrument of his Vengeance and having showred Flouds of Blessings on his Glorious and Triumphant Arms hath encompassed his Royal Head with Wreaths of Victorious Laurel whilst the Ottoman Throne is dressed up with Mournful Cipress Such were the astonishing operations of the Divine Power made manifest to all the World. For when the barbarous Tyranny was in its full Career and was in the Trail of a hot Scent after Christian Blood then was God pleased to stop them in their Course and reduce their unstable and depressed Fortune to the doubtful Terms of Hope and Fear It is now near an Age that unhappy Transilvania hath been depressed by the unsupportable Ottoman Yoak and bewailed the loss of her lawful King and Lord And after having been Turmoiled tossed with Storms of War with Fire and Sword and Civil Dissentions all things have been so confused and defaced that scarce any thing hath remained on the Registers of it's ancient Glory only since the Dominion of the Turk gained by the intestine differences of it's own Princes some Memorials are written and reserved to represent to the World a History of a most direful Tragedy But now the maligne Influence of the Stars being either abated or entirely exhausted and the Ambitious Pride and Designs of private Men defeated Transilvania embraces the Paternal and Powerful Protection of the most August Emperor of the Romans Leopold the First and Hereditary King of Hungary and of all his Successors and particularly of the most Serene Prince Joseph King of Hungary whose Life may God long continue and of his Heirs after him according as it hath been concluded and agreed in the year 1687 at the last Diet at Possonium with full Consent Approbation and Concurrence of all the States of Hungary who have for a long time poured out their Prayers and Tears and Sighs before God that at length through the Divine Mercy they might
observantiae vinculum accipiet inducet cum omnia singula quae de Confiniis suprà recensito modo ultrò citroque promissa acceptata sunt tam de distinctionibus limitum quà m de evacuationibus demolitionibus plenarie in effectum executionem deducta fuerint ita ut absolutae designatione limitum in unoquoque Consinio statim subsequatur demolitio aut evacuatio quod ut quam câ—lerrimè succedat designentur ad limites terminos Confiniorum ponendos distinguendos ex utraque parte Commissarii qui die Aequinoctii scilicet 22. mensis Martii aut 12 secundum veterem Stylum Anni Millesimi Sexcentesimi Nonagesimi noni in locis inter Commissarios consensu Gubernatorum utriusque Confinii determinandis mediocri pacifico Comitatu conveniant atque intra spatium dúorum Mensium si possibile sit aut etiam citius ubi fieri poterit Confinia limitibus terminis manifestis per superiores articulos constitutis distinguant separent determinent Statuta inter legatos Plenipotentiarios utriusque imperii accuratissimè citissime exequantur XIX Has vero conditiones articulos ad formam hic mutuò placitam à Majestatibus utriusque Imperatoris ratihabitum iri atque ut solennia ratificationis Diplomata intra spatium triginta dierum à die Subscriptionis vel citius in Confiniis per Illustrissimos Excellentissimos legatos Plenipotentiarios Mediatores reciprocè recteque commutentur legati Plenipotentiarii utriusque imperii sese infallibiliter obligant atque praestituros compromittunt XX. Duret Armistitium hocce extendatur favente Deo ad viginti quinque Annos continuè sequentes à die qua ejusdem subscriptio facta fuerit quo Annorum numero elapso vel etiam medio tempore priusquam elabatur liberum esto utrique partium si ità placuerit Pacem hanc ad plures adhuc Annos prorogare Itaque mutuo libero consensu quaecunque stabilita sunt Pacta inter Majestatem Serenissimi Potentissimi Ramanorum Imperatoris Majestatem Serenissimi Potentissimi Ottommannorum Imperatoris Haeredes eorundem imperia quoque Regna ipsorum Terrâ item marique sitas Regiones civitates urbes subditos clientes observentur sanctè religiose ac inviolabiliter demandâ—tur seriò omnibus utriusque partis Gubernatoribus Praefectis Ducibus Exercituum atque Militiis quibusvis in eorundem clientela obedientiae subjectioni existentibus ut illi quoque praedeclaratis conditionibus clausulis pactis articulis sese adaequatè conformantes omnibus modis caveant ne contra Pacem amicitiam hanc sub quocunque nomine aut praetextu se invicem offendant aut damnificent sed quolibet prorsus inimicitiae genere abstinendo bonam colant vicinitatem certò scientes quod si eatenus admoniti morem non gesserint severrisimis in se poenis animadvertendum fore Ipse quoque Crimensis Chanus omnes Tartarorum Gentes quovis nomine vocitatae ad Pacis hujus bonae vicinitatis reconciliationis Jura ritè observanda adstricti sint nec iisdem contraveniendo hostilitates qualescunque exerceant erga quasvis Caesareas Provincias earumque Subditos aut Clientes Porro sive ex aliis Exercituum generibus sive ex Nationibus Tartarorum si quis contra Sacras Imperatorias hasce Capitulationes contra Pacta Articulos earum quidpiam ausus fuerit is poenis rigorosissimis coerceatur Incipiat verò modo dicta Pax Quies Securitas subditorum utriusque Imperii à supradata die Subscriptionis cessent exinde atque sustollantur omnes utrinque inimicitiae Subditi utriusque partis securitate tranquillitate fruantur Eoque fine quò magis per summam curam ac sedulitatem hostilitates inhiberi possint transmittantur quà m celerrimè Mandata Edicta publicandae Pacis ad omnes confiniorum Praefectos cumque spatium aliquod temporis requiratur intra quod officiales in remotioribus praesertim Confiniis istam conclusae Pacis notitiam obtinere valeant statuuntur viginti dies pro â—ermino post quem si quis hostiâ—e â—uidpiaâ—â— alterutra ex parte admittere praesumpserit poenis superius declaratis irremissibiliter subjaceat Ut demum Pacis Conditiones Viginti hisce articulis conclusae utrinque acceptatae debito summòque cum respâ—ctu inviolatae observentur Si quidem Domini Plenipotentiarii Ottomannici vi concessae iisdem facultatis Imperatoriae instâ—umentum Turcico sermone exaratum subscriptum legitimum validum nobis exhibuerint Nos quoque vi Mandati Plenipotentia nostra propriis manibus propriis Sigillis Subscriptas Signatas haâ—ce Pactorum literas in Latino Idiomate tanquam legitimum validum vicissim Instrumentum extradidimus THE INSTRUMENT OF THE Treaty of Peace BETWIXT THE GERMAN and OTTOMAN Empires Subscrib'd Ianuary 26. 1699. FOR the perpetual Memory of the Thing Be it known to all whom it may Concern That after a cruel and pernicious War had for 17 years been carried on with the Effusion of much Blood and Desolation of many Provinces between the most Serene and most Potent Prince and Lord Leopold Elect of the Romans and Emperor of Germany always August King of Hungaria Bohemia Dalmatia Croatia Sclavonia Arch-Duke of Austria Duke of Burgundy Brabant Styria Carinthia Carniola Marquis of Moravia Duke of Luxemburgh of the Upper and Lower Silâ—sia of Wirtemberg and Tecka Prince of Swevia Count of Hâ—bsburgh of Tyrol Kyburgh and Goritia Marquis of the Sacred Roman Empire of Burgovia of the Upper and Lâ—wer Lusatia Lord of the Marquisate of Sclavinia of the Port of Naon and the Salt Mines on one part And between the most Serene and most Potent Prince and Lord Sultan Muâ—â—apha Han Emperor of the Ottâ—mans and of Asia and Greece and his Glorious Predecessors on the other Part. These two most Potent Emperors out of a just Sense of Compassion towards their afflicted Subjects at length resolving to put an End to these Mischiefs every Day encreasing with Destruction to Mankind the Divine Goodness brought it to pass that by the Endeavours and Mediation of the most Serene and most Potent Prince and Lord William III. King of Great Britain France and Ireland and the High and Mighty Lords the States General of the United Belgic Provinces that Solemn Treaties of Peace were set on foot at Carlowitz in Sirmium upon the Confines of both Empires and there brought to a Conclusion There Meeting at the said place on the part of his Sacred Caesarean and Imperial Majesty of the Romans as his Plenipotentiaries the most Illustrious and most Excellent Lords Wolfang Count d'Ottingen of the Sacred Roman Empire Chamberlain of his Sacred Caesarean Majesty and Privy-Counsellor and President of the Imperiaâ— Aulic Council and the Lord Leopold Schlik Count in Passaun and Weiskirchen of the Sacred Roman Empire Chamberlain of his said Caesarean Majesty Captain General of the Guards and Colonel of the