and that by him these Orders were to be carried unto Algier from whence he was advised that the Algerines were ready to accept those Articles if one of his Majesties Ships singly appeared about the Treaty so that the World might not esteem their condescension to proceed from Force and Compulsion Hereof Advices being sent into England a Peace ensued in some Months after but what faith these Infidels kept will be related in the Sequel of this Story the Memory of which is engraven with the Point of a Diamond and the Losses which ensued thereupon to the Exchange at London deserve a particular Treatise which in the mean time many Families retain in a sad remembrance In May Advice was brought to the Lord Ambassador how that the Ann a Frigat of his Majesties Royal Navy commanded by Captain Jonas Pool which had convoyed the general Ships to Symrna in her passage homewards stopped at the Morea and came to an Anchor near a place in that Country called the Black Mountain commodious to Wood and Water in to which end were landed threescore men armed with Swords and Firelocks these made havock of the Woods on all sides loading their Boats away as fast as they could and not only so but set great Frees on Fire which in that dry Season of the Year dispersed it self far and wide which being seen at a distance in the Night alarmed the People of the Country so that the Begh or Governor came down with some Force to discover the matter supposing that some Malteses or Venetians might be landed At the approach of this Body of Turks our Men quitted the Woods and shifted away as fast as they could to their Boats of which Thirty eight escaped the rest falling short were intercepted by the Turks and Eleven of them were killed and Eleven taken Captives and of the Turks two Aga's and Two or Three others had the fortune to fall by some Musket-shot from our men whilst in this confusion they endeavoured to defend themselves On the news hereof our Lord Ambassador represented the whole matter to the Vizier declaring That it was lawful according to our Capitulations to take refreshments and supply our wants in any part of the Grand Signiors Dominions and that therefore he demanded Justice on the Begh of the Morea and restitution of the Captives But the Vizier understanding that some Turks were killed in the skirmish lent not so ready an ear to these Complaints howsoever to be acquitted of the Ambassadors solicitations referred the business to the Examination and Justice of the Captain Pasha But it falling out that at that time the Consul and Merchants at Smyrna had an unhappy difference with the Captain Pasha which shall in the next place be related was the Cause that all Applications to his Favour and Justice were suspended and a slow progress made towards obtaining the liberty of those poor unfortunate men Howsoever some months after it happened that the Begh of the Morea being removed from that Government and coming to Constantinople with his whole Estate brought with him the Eleven Englishmen which he had taken and offered them to sale unto the Ambassador who considering that they were Englishmen and such as had been enslaved in actual Service of their King he esteemed himself obliged both in Charity and Honour to redeem them But the Case appeared too foul to demand their Liberty by strength of the Capitulations for besides that the cutting Wood in places inhabited without permission is a Robbery and a Crime in its self not to be maintained by the Law of Nations the killing of a principal Aga and wounding others might sufficiently warrant the Turks without any Breach of Peace to detain these men as lawful Captives Wherefore the Lord Ambassador deeming it unseemly that those who had served in his Majesties Navy should be condemned to the Turkish Gallies disbursed Fourteen hundred Lion Dollars which was demanded for them which was afterwards repay'd him by his Majesty and having cloathed and provided them with necessaries for their Voyage conveyed them with the first occasions into England The difference between the English Nation and the Captain Pasha which impeded the Liberty for some time of these Captives had its Original at Smyrna where some English Merchants making Collation one Evening in a Garden were assaulted and beaten by certain drunken * Soldiers belonging to the Sea. The Garden Avania Levents belonging to a Gally then in Port in whose Company was a Portuguez Slave The News hereof flying to the Frank Street put all the Neighbourhood into an uproar so that divers People with such Weapons as came next to hand in a fury went in pursuit of the Levents and unhappily meeting one drew him into the English Consuls house where they treated him with such blows as abated much of the heat and fumes of his Wine during which disturbance and confusion the Portuguez Slave found an opportunity to make his escape The Consul knowing it some advantage in Turky to complain first sent to the Kadi giving him to understand the ill usage of Four of his Merchants whose names he gave in writing by the unruly Levents whilst they innocently and without injury to any divertised themselves in a Garden to which for the present little more was given in answer than that on a farther examination of the Business the Conful should receive Justice In the mean time the Turk who had been beaten in the Consuls House resolved not to leave the Gate till he had received satisfaction for his blows and the others that were his Comrades demanded their Slave from the English which was lost by whose means and assistance as they pretend he had made his Escape The matter came now to high Demands on both sides which the Kadi either not being desirous or not of sufficient Authority to compound the Gally departed without any agreement and the complaint was carried by the Turks to the Captain Pasha who then being with his Fleet at Mytiline with little other thoughts or business was glad of this occasion to get Money and therefore suddenly returned the Gally again with Orders to bring before him the Four Merchants whose names he particularized to make answer to their accusation of having beaten his Levents and contrived the escape of the slave The Consul and Merchants being affrighted by this Message and Command of so great a Personage endeavoured with Money to accommodate the Business by force of which it was at length taken up costing in all the summ of Two thousand seven hundred Dollars or thereabouts The which passage may serve for an example to such as live in Turky that all troubles of this nature are best compounded for at first for at the beginning nothing more was demanded than the price of the Slave of the broken pate of the Levent But being suffered to come under the Cognizance of powerful and coverous Tyrants as there is no fahtoming their unsatiable desires so there is
had amassed in the Reign of three several Sultans they gained three hundred and fifty Slaves besides thirty Women some of which were young and Virgins so that there was not a Souldier or Seaman who had not a considerable share of benefit proportioned unto him With this Fortune towing their Prizes they in a short time came to an Anchor in the Port of Calismene in the Island of Candia called anciently Phenice on the South-side of the Island remote from all Venetian Garisons and where as it is reported they were supplied with no Provisions excepting a small quantity of Bisket which was furnished by a Coutry Fellow who for that very Cause was shot to Death From hence the Gallies departing arrived in Malta with their Prizes where they were received in great Triumph The young Son of the Eunuch for so we call him was reported to be a Son of the Grand Signior fent into Egypt to be Educated and was accordingly saluted treated and reverenced by the Grand Master the same Opinion was dispersed and confirmed in all parts of Europe and the Errour for many Years maintained at the Expence of the * Of the Knights of Malta Religion until the Boy growing up to a good Age and not judged worthy of a Ransom or enquiry after by the Turks it was thought convenient for him to put off his State and Greatness and become a Fryer and I think a Dominican and this is he who now goes under the name of the Padre Ottomano The News hereof arriving at the Ottoman Court Sultan Ibrahim was transported with Anger threatning Destruction and Ruin unto Malta besides he shewed a most inveterate Passion against the Venetians for not guarding the Seas from his Enemies and for relieving them in their Ports In which Rage and Fury he put his own Captain Pasha to death and Summoned the Christian Ambassadors braving them all for the little respect was shown to his proper Shiping and in short was angry with all but reserved the Effect of his Wrath to be poured on the Venetians to which this Accident administred the first Original and will afford us ample matter of Discourse in this ensuing History For the Grand Signior first made his Complaints against Venice to their Minister or Bailo then resident at Constantinople called Soranço alledging that contrary to the Articles of Peace they had afforded Prvisions and Entertainment to his Enemies in Candia and at a time when having made Prize of his own Ship and Domestiques of his Seraglio they seemed with more extraordinary demonstrations of Hospitality than usual to receive them into their Harbours To which the Bailo made Answer That his Majesty was ill informed of the true state of those Matters for that the Port to which the Malteses came had neither Castle nor Fortress belonging to it but was an open wide and unfortified place for if the Grand Signior is not able to defend those Ships from careening as they have often done before Rhodes it self how was it possible for the Venetians to drive them from the Seas and deny them the use of that Salt Water which hath neither Fort nor Castle to reach and command them With which Answer Ibrahim seemed to remain satisfied and Matters appeared so appeased on the side of the Venetians that Soranço though a Person of a most acute and penetrating Judgment imagined nothing less than a War and though he was assured otherwise by something that the English Ambassador had discovered in that Matter yet because it came not first from the Report of one of his own Interpreters he would not seem to believe or give credit thereunto notwithstanding the strong Probabilities that might perswade it Indeed Christian Ministers must necessarily with much Difficulties and less Inspection govern and penetrate Affairs in the Turkish Court than in any other because access to the great Ministers is seldom privately or familiarly admitted from whence wise Men most commonly take their Measures and Observations but on the contrary are forced to act all by the Negotiation of their Druggermen or Interpreters and as they hear with their Ears so are they often-times beholden to their Reflections which how subject they may be to Error is best known to those Ministers who have practised much and long in that Court. And in this manner Ibrahim covered his Design against Candia by pretence of making War upon Malta to which he had lately received so just a provocation To this Enterprize none instigated him more than a certain Hagia or Tutor which had accompanied him in the time of his Solitude and had instructed him in the first Principles of the Mahometan Doctrine he was a subtil and understanding Man and one who kept a secret Correspondence in the Christian Courts for being Master of what Gold he pleased he paid for his Intelligence with Liberality and Secresy and though he was no Prophet yet he pretended to be a Magician or Conjurer or one that had a Command or Soveraignty over Familiar Spirits an Excellency greatly admired and reverenced by the Turks This Man had for a long Season attended an opportunity to promote a War against Venice esteeming their Territories very convenient to be laid to the Turkish Dominions and their Force an under-Match for the Puissance of the Ottoman Empire And now this Accident provoking the Desire of the Turks to this War and the Opportunity appearing commodious to cover the Design under pretence of Assailing Malta it was secretly resolved to attempt the Island of Candia for as its Strength and Situation made it the Key to all the other Isles of the Archipelago so it would be the Bullwark of the Maritime Countries from whence the Passage would be short and easy into Africa from whence the Gallies might advantagiously relieve Cyprus and guard the Fleet from Egypt and from thence might be opened a Door to invade Sicily and the other parts of Italy On these Considerations War being resolved against Candia Reports divulged the Design only against Malta and for that end Orders were issued for building and fitting an hundred Gallies and as many Ships of War and Commands sent into Barbary for assistance of all their Naval Force and the Day appointed for Rendezvous and Departure all which time the Enterprize was kept secret and by no more Symptoms suspected unless by the unusual Caresses the Turks at that time over-acted in their officious kindness towards the Venetian Bailo The Report of these great Preparations flying over all Parts of Europe was entertained at Malta with some Apprehensions as being the Place on which all the Storm was to refund its Fury Whereupon the Cavaliers or Knights of that Place summoning a Council resolved to cite all the Fraternity to repair to the Defence of their Capital Seat and of their Order and Patrimony Likewise Letters were directed to the several Officers to prepare and send Powder Match and Lead Iron Buckets and Timber to make Carriages for Cannon and for other Uses
Company and leaves us there alone so we resolved to have done it our selves but the Merchants had so worked with the Hamalls that there was not one to be seen so being alone and seeing his Boat coming ashore well mann'd and fearing a surprize we presently repaired to the Chiouzes and desired him to go with us to the Caddies to see if we could have any better assistance from him By this time the Town was in a great Uproar and the People something too insolent the Caddie to prevent the worst presently caused the Shops to be shut up and immediately sent for all the chief Men of the Town who by Presents before we had made our Friends and there before them all and a great company of the Townsmen cause the Commands to be read and told them how much they were bound to see the Grand Signior's Commands put in execution and what dishonour it would be for one Ship to command the Town .. So after they had disputed the Business the Caddie sends an Officer aboard accompanied with the Druggermen to the Nation to know whether he would hinder the prosecution of the Grand Signior's Command or no and to know his Answer He presently denied he ever intended to shoot at the Town only desired his own So presently after the People were a little appeased we went to work again and so this day have finished all it being done in such confusion we cannot give your Lordship that exact Accompt you may expect within a day or two for then we will send your Lordship the Particulars with the Values in mean time we stand upon our Guard having some 20 or 30 of the Souldiers of the Castle to keep watch every night for my Lord here is no small Hobbub in the Town and threatning both of us and the Estate but we will secure both as well as we can We have sent your Lordship a rough Draught of what we have and what we have left sealed up and find it fall short far of what your Lordship expected the sooner your Lordship disposes of it the better for assure your self there is daily some Design or other hatching We should be very sorry after all this to have it miscarry therefore pray my Lord dispose of it to prevent the worst as soon as you may Your Lordship was pleased to inorder us to change our Lodging being too near the Water-side and in a Merchant's House which as soon as we can get a secure House we will but the farther from the Water-side the more dangerous if the People of the Country should intend us any ill The French and many others pretend Debts of many of those People that are gone up and would know who shall pay them and pretend to be paid out of their Estates but we have put them off telling them we believe your Lordship will hardly let your Estate go to pay their Debts nevertheless shall advise your Lordship of it so have secured none only to one Huzoone Amet Aga one of the chief Men in the Town here Mr. Lancelott having given him a Bill of Exchange for 475 Dollars and the Bill returned unpaid we were forced to deliver into the Hangee's Hands for his Security 10 Cloathes We have given the Ships liberty to lade by reason of their continual grumbling but fear our Design on the Jonas will not take for the Caddie seeing the stubbornness of Terrick will not assist us as he promised We have not ought to inlarge at present but to subscribe our selves Your Honours John Hetherington Lorenzo Zuma Matters running thus high and the Breach made so wide there remained little hopes of an Accommodation For now the Merchants at Galata having obtained their Liberty from the Ambassador's House by the Vizier's Command entred into a Consultation in what manner to govern their Affairs electing some particular Men to that Employment which they called by the Name of the Sealed Knot which much provoked the Anger of Sir Sackvile Crow and more because that deserting his Protection they made Applications to the Heer Coppes Agent for the States of Holland who readily embraced the defence of their Cause and willingly represented to the Grand Vizier the Aggrievances and ill Treatment of which they complained The French Ambassador on the other side being a great Favourer of Sir Sackvile Crow and his Proceedings assisted him both at Smyrna and Constantinople All which will more particularly appear by the following Letters The Factors General Letter to the Levant Company dated the 28th of June 1646 in Constantinople Right Worshipful SIrs at present we have our Heads and Hands full and all little enough to preserve your Estates from devouring and out selves from that Evil Consequence might ensue upon such unheard-of Proceedings and Intentions as have been long in private agitation but when the Monster came to the Birth there wanted strength to bring forth so in a good hour we may say the Snare is broken and doubt not the Devices of the Crafty is frustrate by him whose Almightiness shews it self most when we Mortals are least capable to help our selves We shall according to our Obligation give your Worships some account of the last Progressions of his Lorship Sir Sackvile Crow whom his Majesty sent hither Ambassador and to be a Protector of your Estates and our Persons how he hath performed this Charge and Duty formerly your Lorships have in part heard what hath happened of late we shall now chiefly insist upon After his Lordship had caused the stay of the Ships in this Port and at Smyrna under pretence of this State 's requiring it in respect of their Wars with the Venetians the Sampson and Smyrna Merchant having been here almost seven Months to the great loss and damage of Ships and Goods he picks a quarrel with the Factory of Smyrna for not complying according to his Order in the paiment of their Parts of the last Leviation-Mony and hereupon sends down John Hetherington one of his Servants a most lewd debaucht prophane riotous Fellow yet his Lordship's Kinsman accompanied with two Chiouzes two Druggermen a Janizary and other Servants to proceed with those who should refuse to pay their Leviation according to the Instructions he had given the said Hetherington and Lorenzo Zuma Druggerman But before the arrival of these Agents the Nation there had undertaken the paiment by an Obligatory Letter to his Lordship this would not satisfy nor deposition of Goods for Security until Answer should come from hence of the paiment of their Bills of Exchange which was tendred but the second day after their arrival Hetherington and his Retinue goes to the Caddie's and thither causes the Consul and all the Nation to come where it was pretended they had laden the William and Thomas with Corn and sent her away and therefore by virtue of an Imperial Command very privately here procured the Consul and six more of the Nation were delivered into the Hands of the Chiouz and so
Order for rescuing both Factories from his Lordship's Imprisonment and particular Advice to some of us here left for appreheading the Persons of the said Hehterington and Lorenzo and to keep them in safe Custodies on board our Ships fearing we having no Order as yet to receive our Estates out of their Possessions they might convey our said Estates away or sell them for half their Worth and so make their private escapes out of Town expecting daily a Chiouz to carry up their Persons to Constantinople and to free our Goods hoping all will go well again for us Hereupon the very same day the said Hetherington and Lorenzo without any noise or rumour were by the Mariners conveyed on board several Ships from the said Hetherington's Lodging viz. Hetherington on board the Triangle William Hodges Commander and Lorenzo on board the Hopewell Nicholas Terrick Commander where now they remain to the contentment of the Inhabitants here who daily expect their sending up to the Port there to answer to such Crimes and Insolencies as shall be objected and proved against them Thus we have presumed plainly and distinctly accordingly as we conceive it becomes us though briefly to present unto your Worships perusal the whole Process of his Lordship's Proceedings against us here in Smyrna since our last according to our experience of the Passages by which your Worships may easily conjecture his Lordship's farther Intentions And for what hath occurred at Constantinople your Worships will receive by this Conveyance advise to both which we pray you to be referred which being taken into your deliberate Considerations may afford such future Means of Protection and incouragement to enter into a way of setling this Turky Trade in such a posture that we hope these Losses may be repaired with advantage And so we humbly take our leaves having given your Worships testimony of our Concordance in the discharge of our Obligations and Duties and in conformiâ—y we subscribe evermore resting Smyrna July 4. 1646. Your Worships humble and obliged Servants Robert Keble Thomas Lancelot John Wild junior Lawrence Chambers Will. Oxwieck Arnold White Daniel Bassano William Whetcombe Robert Dawes Samuel Browning But not to insist long on a Subject so ungrateful as the Difference was between the Ambassador and his Merchants the Conclusion and Issue of all was this After Sir Sackvile Crow had spent at the least seventy thousand pieces of Eight of good ready Mony and the Turky Company two hundred thousand the Turks finding the Ambassador's Exchequer to be almost exhausted for that Presents and Purses of Mony came not in so plentifully as at first and on the contrary feeling the Spring of the Levant Companies Treasury still to run fresh and quick their Inclinations towards the Ambassador grew more cold and faint his Agents were not admitted so readily to Audience as formerly nor his Petitions and Addresses received with that candor as when Mony and Interest made their entrance easy in the mean time the Merchants were heard with great patience their Cause and Complaints esteemed reasonable and in short Sir Sackvile Crow was dismissed from Constantinople in a manner not usual for Ambassadors nor agreeable to that Quality and Character and was succeeded by Sir Thomas Bendysh who was Authorized and constituted in that Embassy by Commission from his Majesty King Charles the First of ever blessed and glorious Memory Gio Capello being constituted General in the place of Molino as we mentioned at end of the preceding Year departed from Venice early in the Spring having under his Command fifty Gallies six Galleasses and forty Ships of War and four Fire-ships besides other Vessels which are necessary Attendants on so great an Armata which grand Preparations raised the Minds of the Christian World to expect the abatement of the Ottoman Pride and other Effects equal to the magnificent Ostentation and triumphing Glory of this mighty Power But God who gives not always Success to the Powerful nor the Battel to the Strong was not it seems so well satisfied for the Sins of Christendom as to judge it worthy to be delivered from the Scourages of its Grand Oppressor Whilst Capello remained with the best part of the Fleet at Candia Tomaso Morosini Admiral of the Ships shewed himself in a Bravado with twenty two Sail before the Castles of the Hellespont called the Dardanelli defying the whole Turkish Power with Colours flying and Drums beating nor did they dare to answer the bold Challenge until in a dead Calm some few light Gallies presented themselves in a seeming Battel with whom for want of Wind the Ships were on the disadvantage and rather received Prejudice than gave it so that both sides were contented with the Action Morosini withdrew from that Station and returned to his General at Candia to whom having joined his Forces he earnestly perswadâ—d him together with the Proveditor Grimani to engage the Turkish Fleet which they assured him was much inferior to them both in number of Vessels and in Skill and Courage of the Combatants and that the Success of this Year consisted in the cutting off the Enemies Succours which was their sole Relife and Dependance without which they could not longer maintain the Ground they possessed but must deliver up that and themselves to their pleasure But the cautious General would not assent to this Resolution judging it over-rash and precipitate for that the Fortune of Candia and other Isles of the Archipelago was not to be hazarded on the Success of one Battel During which Dispute and irresolution of Affairs the Turkesh Fleet consisting of three hundred Sail arrived at Canea where they landed forty thousand fighting Men which turned the Scale of the War and rendred the Turks so powerful as not ever more to be expelled or their Off-spring extirpated from the Confines of that Island By this time the Pope's and Malta Gallies were come to their Assistance and united with the Venetians so that Capello setting sail from the Port of Suda resolved to engage the Enemy at St. Theodoro which was effected accordingly though with little Success for the Turks had fortified themselves and secured their Gallies with that advantage that they could not be assaulted without great hazard of the Christians and when they endeavoured to burn them their four Fire-ships took fire too soon and proved of more fear and astonishment to the Truks to whom this Invention was as yet unknown than of real dammage After this the Venetians returned again to Suda where having intelligence that thirty Turkish Gallies with Men and Provision which they had collected in several parts of the Archipelago were on their Voyage to Canea Capello preparing to intercept them with a Force of Galleasses and Gallies and leaving Grimani and Morosini to command the main Body of the Fleet he in person bent his Course towards Cerigo In the mean time Mustapha Pasha departed from Canea in order to his return to Constantinople with fifty seven light Gallies two Ships two
by a Wise and Grave Company of Experienced Merchants hath by Gods blessing brought an inestimable Treasure and advantage to the English Nation which that it may still continue increase and flourish in all Ages and times to come is the hearty desire and Prayer of him who is a true and faithful Servant to that worthy Society and a sincere Wellwisher to his Country Farewel THE HISTORY OF Sultan Mahomet IV. THE XIII EMPEROUR OF THE TURKS Beginning in the NINTH YEAR OF HIS REIGN The First BOOK Anno Christi 1661. Hegeira 1072. IT was now the beginning of this Year when the Earl of Winchelsea arrived at Constantinople the first Embassadour sent abroad from His Majesty of Great Britain Charles the Second after his happy Return to the Glorious throne of his Ancestors to Sultan Mahomet the Thirteenth Emperour of the Turks it being judged fit that amongst other Alliances which were to be contracted with Foreign Princes and States this of Turkey should not be omitted but rather in the first place considered In regard that as the flourishing Estate and Prosperity of England's richess depends absolutely on her Foreign Trade so on none more particularly than on that of Turkey which consumes great quantities of her most staple and substantial Manufactures and makes returns in whatsoever Employs and gives Bread to the poor and industrious of the Nation But before we come to treat of the Successes of this Ambassador and the various Transactions in the Turkish Affairs we shall relate some accidents which befel us in our Voyage by Sea to Constantinople The Earl of Winchelsea and his Lady with a numerous Retinue being embarked on the Plymouth Frigat commanded by Sir Thomas Allen and accompanied with a Catch and two Merchants Ships the Prosperous and Smyrna Factor for Turkey set sail from the Downs on the Twentieth of Octob. 1660. And proceeding with a favourable Gale and fair Weather until we were come to the heighth of the Norward Cape or Cape Finisterre we then contended with so severe a storm that we were forced to bring our Ship under a main course to fasten our Helm and lye and drive In the Twenty nineth about Five in the Morning our main Tack flew which shook and strained our Mass so violently that it was shivered in two places between Decks The danger hereof might have proved of ill consequence had the Mast gone by the Board for in all probability it would have carried up our Decks unfixed both our Pumps and laid us open to the Sea but the Providence of God and the diligence of our Seamen was such that we soon struck our Top Mast boared our main Yard and so fished the Mast it self where it was defective that with the help of our sore-Sail and the benefit of better Weather we safely arrived on the Thirty first in the Port of Lisbon Lisbon The Match being then in Treaty between Charles the Second our Dread Soveraign and Catherine the Infanta of Portugal now our gracious Queen all the concernments of England were extreamly acceptable to the Court of Portugal and particularly the Person of the Earl of Winchelsea a Peer of England qualified with the Character of Ambassadour Extraordinary to the Ottomon Port. For at our first arrival there I being then Secretary to the said Earl was employed to carry a Letter to the King which was received by the Councel of State then sitting After the Letter had been read and considered I was called in and an answer given me by the Marquis de Nissa and D. Gasper Faria de Sevarin then Secretary of State to this purpose That they were glad so grateful an opportunity presented whereby they might Demonstrate their warm and real affections towards the King of England by serving his Ambassadour in so necessary a piece of Service as that which was required That Orders were given to furnish the Ship with a Mast and what she wanted out of the Kings Stores and that both his Excellency and Lady with all their Retinue should be welcomed a shore with due regard to their Quality and Condition The Day following his Excellency was complemented from the King by a Maestro de Campo sent to him on Ship-board and being come ashoar and lodged at the House of Mr. Maynard the English Consul he was visited by D. Francisco de Melo who had besore and was afterwards employed Ambassadour into England and by D. Antonio de Saousa and others After Eight days his Excellency had Audience of the King and the Queen Mother and was received by both with many demonstrations of a hearty desire to contract a firm Alliance with England He was afterwards invited by the Conde de Odemira Governour of the young King and Chief Minister of Portugal to a Quinta or Garden-house at Bellain where were present the Duke of Calaval the Visconde de Castel Blanco and D. Francisco de Melo the entertainment was very splendid with variety of Dishes and Wine corresponding rather with the inordinate Tables of English than with the frugality and temperate Diet of Spaniards Our Ship being in this interim refitted we returned aboard on the Twelsth of November the Earl of Winchelsea being presented by the King with several Hampers of sweet-Meats Vessels of Wine and other Provisions for his Voyage and his lady by the Queen Mother with a Jewel of considerable value and with diverse boxes filled with Purses of persumed Leather and Amber Comfits On the Thirteenth we set Sail being design'd by Order of his Majesty for Algier Algier to settle a Peace with that unsetled People where arriving on the Tewenty second day about Three a Clock in the Afternoon we came to an Anchor about Two Miles distant from the Town which we saluted with Twenty one Guns but received none again in answer thereunto it being the custome of that People not to acknowledge Civilities but to repay injuries and not requite benefits We found that they had already begun to break the Peace Having brought in thither an English Ship which lay between hope and fear of freedom or seizure So soon as we had dropt our Anchors a Boat came from that Ship acquainting us of the State of Algter and how near Matters were to a Rupture with them by this Boat my Lord Ambassadour sent a Letter to the Consul appointing him to come aboard who the next Day being the Twenty third appeared accordingly to whom his Excellency imparted the Instructions and Orders from his Majesty to renew the Peace on the former Articles and particularly to insert a Caution That the Algerines should on no terms search our Ships but that the Passengers and goods thereon whether of English or Strangers should be free and exempted from all seizure and Pyracy whatsoever I being appointed to assist the Consul in this Treaty accompanied him ashoar and in the first place we applyed our selves to Ramadam Bullock-bashee then the Chief of their Divan and Head of their Government whom we acquainted that
reasonableness of that Article on which we insisted For shall we said we protect your People and will you require and impose it upon us as a matter Just and Sacred And shall not the greatness of our King have a Liberty to dispence the like Priviledge to other Nations his Neighbours and Allies governed by Kings and Princes who are Christian and of his Kindred and near Relations But neither this nor any other argument was Reason or Sence to them nor did they care to answer it by other arguments than that of their own disadvantage thereby and that if they assented thereunto their Ships might better rot in the Mould than to venture them out at Sea with expectation of booty They told us also stories of English Ships which had delivered some Algerines to their Enemies and one particularly who had sold a Hundred Turks to the Venetians In answer hereunto we assured them that upon complaints and proofs made hereof to our King his Justice was such as that he would not suffer a piece of such Treachery to escape unpunished And as to that argument which they urg'd that in this Case none would be employed besides English ships we largely represented the necessity of employing French and Dutch and the Ships of other Nations But these People being Deaf and Blind to any Reason but that which agrees with their interest we concluded nothing for after a long and loud discourse and repetition of the same things over and over again we at length told them that it was not in our Commission to conclude on these terms but that we should inform the Lord Ambassadour of their desires and resolution and that we would return the next Day with his peremptory Answer not but we knew that the Instructions from his Majesty extended not so far but that we might have occasion to leave matters as it were in suspense and part fairly from them at the present For as to my own particular I did not like to remain with such Company not knowing how far the perfidiousness of that People might transport them to a Barbarity against the Laws of Reason and Nations The wind blew all this day so hard at West that our Ship drove and a great Sea went so that there was some difficulty for me to get aboard howsoever in regard it was necessary to render his Excellency an account of the proceedings of that Day I eased the Pinnace of all Provisions and unnecessary Company and so by God's Providence got safe though wet aboard that Evening I did not fail immediately to render an account most exactly how every thing passed to the Lord Ambassadour letting him know what fruit was to be expected by a farther Treaty with this People Wherefore it was thought fit rather to keep the business in suspence than to come to an open rupture with them and rather than to use long discourse to them or perswasions to little purpose to write them this short Letter the superscription of which was to Ramadam their Governour in Chief and to the rest of the Divan WE are sorry that there should be still one difference in our Treaty The last Letter to the Divan relating to the search of Ships and delivering up Merchants Forreigners and Strangers goods This is an Article which the King my Master did not think you would have insisted Usurpers and his Subjects and therefore did not impower me to conclude with you in it Howsoever I shall acquaint the King my Master of your earnest Desires and Resolves in this Business and doubt not but what is Just and Reasonable will be assented unto Wherefore in the mean time we must desire you whilst his Royal assent is expecting to your proposals that the Peace may continue on the same Terms that it now stands Let your Friend and Kinsman come aboard as is desired and he shall be welcome and we shall protect him to the uttermost of our power And on this Promise and word of ours you may rely on as of a Christian and a true Englishman Our desire also farther is that the Lord Obryan may remain in the Consuls House until such time as his Ransom comes And so we wish that a hearty and long Peace may be continued between the two Nations Given aboard the Plymouth Frigat November 25. 1660. Winchelsea Upon delivery of this Letter it was concluded that the former Articles should stand in force only that difference about searching our Ships should remain in suspence and be specified as not fully agreed on Howsoever they would search our Ships and it should not be accounted a breach of our Capitulations until the King should intimate his dislike thereof And that when Notice should come from his Majesty to Algier that he approved not thereof then it should be lawful for both sides to break into Acts of Hostility This moderate course we thought to be less prejudicial to us for the present than an open and sudden War For by this means we gained the releasement of two small English Ships which their Men carried in thither and had time to give notice to our Merchants in all Ports and places of the true state of our business with Algier On the Twenty-seventh of November we departed from the bay of Algier with a prosperous and steddy Gale steering N.E. and N.N.E. for Messina from whence we intended to dispatch Letters unto all places rendring advices to his Majesty and the Merchants of the State and Condition of our Affairs and Negotiation at Algier And whilst we pleasantly sail'd with a prosperous wind on a sudden a cry was made of Fire in the Ship which astonished us all with a great amazement For the Cooper it seems going into the Steward's Room to stave a Cask which formerly had some Brandy in it by chance a Snuff of the Candle fell in at the bung which put the whole Vessel into a Flame But the same Man immediately stopping the Bung soon smothered the Fire and therewith extinguish'd thatand our fears As to other Matters Messina our Voyage to Messina was speedy and happy for we arrived there on the Second of December Some Days passed before we could get pratick for having touched at Algier a place always suspected for the Plague great scruple was made of admitting us to free converse in the Town Until the Lord Ambassadour gave under his Hand and Seal an assurance of the Health of our Ship on confidence of which we received Pratick and the Palace called Paradise where commonly the Vice-Kings are lodged was appointed to receive his Excellency and his Retinue and the Furniture thereof ordered by D. Francisco de la Villa Padierna a Spaniard who was Stratago which is as much Commander in chief of all the Castles and Forts in and about Messina So soon as his Excellency landed this Stratago made him a Visit and at his departure left his Guard with him in a Complement but in the mean time the Jurati who were six
have their Affairs but ill managed at Sea and their success accordingly fortunate yet their preparation for Land services are more expedite and executed with that secresy and speed that oftentimes Armies are brought into the Field before it is so much as rumoured by common Mouths that any designs are in agitation For though it was now Winter yet the design against Germany went forward Forces were daily sent to the Frontiers Cannot and Ammunition for War transported by way of the black Sea and the Danube Orders issued out to the Princes of Moldavia and Valachia to repair their Wharfs and Keys along the River The Preparations for the German War. for the more convenient landing of Men and Ammunition and to rebuild their Bridges for the more commodious passage of the Tartars that Horses should be provided against the next Spring for drawing all Carriages of Ammunition and Provisions their Magazines stored with quantities of Bread and Rice their Fields well stocked with Sheep and other Cattel and that no necessaries be wanting which concern the victualling or sustenance of a Camp. The Tartars were appointed to have in a readiness a Hundred thousand Horsemen to make Incursions on the Frontiers likewise the Pashaws of Darbiquier Aleppo Caramania and Anatolia received their orders and seven and twenty Letters accompanied with as many Vests after the Turkish manner were sent to as many Pashaws of the Empire to dispose the strength of their Countries in a Warlike posture so as to march when the Grand Signiors Commands should require them to attend his designs And that the occasion of the War might appear the more justifiable it was resolved That no Acts of Hostility or other Breaches of Peace should be pretended than the Fort built by the Count Serini being a matter really against the Articles of the last Peace the Demolishment whereof the Ottomon Force intended to make the principal end of their first Enterprize in which if they encountred any opposition from the Emperor the Cause of their War would be then the more plausible for as yet the Emperour had not fully declared his approbation of that Work raised by Serini as agreeable to his Assent or Pleasure On the other side with no less caution and labour did the Christians endeavour to secure their Frontiers by raising their Militia and reinforcing their Garisons and especially to perfect the new Fort near Canisia which as it was thought so considerable as to countervail the inconveniencies and miseries of a War so the Turk thought it neither honourable nor secure until he had seen it razed and levelled with the ground All things thus growing black and stormy round about An Accident disposing the Christian Affairs to a peace with the Turk that nothing seemed less probable and it may be said less possible than an accommodation behold on a sudden an Accident fell out at Rome from whence this War with the Turks received its life and heat which becalmed much of the fury and storm on the Christian Confines and inclined matters in Germany towards propositions of Peace fearing that Italy who had begotten this War was not able as things stood to contribute towards its maintenance and support The occasion was this It happened that in the streets of Rome the French Ambassadours Coach was assaulted by the Corsi Natves of the Islle of Corsica which are of the Popes Guard the Page killed at the Boot of the Coach and the Ambassadors Lady wounded whether this barbarous act was designed against the Person of the Ambassador by any Persons of Eminency or malice of the People is little to the purpose I have now in hand only the King took this Affront so heinously that for the present no acknowledgments or satisfaction the Pope could make could allay his just resentment or any thing be imagined possible to expiate this indignity besides a VVar. This News of this Division between the Son and the spiritual Father filled all the Ministers of Constantinople with much Joy and with subject of Laughter and expectation of the Event judging now that their daily Prayers for the Discord of the Christian Princes amongst themselves were heard and granted since they had so far availed as to disunite the very Oeconomy of Christendom And now they imagined that this difference would have a forcible influence on their Affairs in Hungary and either incline the Emperor speedily to a Peace or otherwise to undertake a War on disadvantageous terms Things had an issue accordingly for in a few Weeks after advice came by Post from Ali Pasha then at Temiswar that is Salam-Chaous called Chusaein who had long since been sent to Vienna with more distinct Demands of what the Turks proposed and being supposed through his long stay to be detained a Prisoner The Baron of Gowez sent to Ali Pasha was again returned and with him had brought the Baron of Goez as Internuncio sent to Ali Pasha to receive a more particular Imformation of the Turks propositions for that the Emperor pretended he was not as yet throughly satisfied therein And thus matters beyond all expectation began to incline to an agreement in regard that Rome being now in danger her self not by the Turks but by the Christians held her self uncapable to administer that Fuel to the Fire of War which she had promised so that the League treated there beginning to fail the Emperor grew faint and the Princes cold in their Preparations wishing some Course could be effected which might bring matters to an accommodation Such were the Discourses and imaginations of the Turks in which condition we leave the state of Affairs until the beginning of the next year and in the mean time it may not be from our purpose nor tedious to the Reader to record what befel this year most remarkable to the English Nation and their Trade in Turky which also may be beneficial by instruction of past examples to such who shall for the future be concerned in the Traffick and Business of the Levant What Remarkable accidents befel the ENGLISH Nation and their Trade this Year in TURKEY THE Messengers from Algier as before related having promised better Obedience for the future to the Commands of the Grand Signior obtained a new Pasha for their City and Country thereunto belonging who before his departure was enjoyned by the Grand Signior to dispose Affairs with the Earl of Winchelsea his Majesties Ambassador at Constantinople as might demonstrate his dispositions towards a Peace and his desire that the Algerines should do the like and accept of that Clause in the Articles prohibiting the search of English Ships either for their own or Strangers Goods The place appointed for the meeting between the Embassador and the Pasha was a certain Chiosk or Garden house belonging to an Eunuch the Aga of a Seraglio at Pera where both parties being met the Pasha declared that the Grand Signiors desires were That a Peace should be concluded on the Ancient Capitulations
of the Peace was again read and well approved and so laid up in the Repository of their Writings and promise made us for Releasement of our Ships But let us now observe the levity and unsteadiness of this popular Government for being the day following appointed to receive our dispatches The unconstancy of the popular Government at Algier and discharge of the three Ships there arose unexpectedly at the Divan certain Scruples and Jealousies amongst them which immediately quashed all our Negotiations and instead of confirming the Peace produced a War. For the Divan being met they were afraid to release the Ships lest the Soldiers who had sent them in being then abroad should call them to question for it at their return and not to release them might be an occasion of a War which not succeeding according to their desire the causers thereof might be called into question and punished for it of which still remained the fresh memory of late Examples In this Dilemma of their Affairs they resolved to make the Act herein to be of general and publick Assent and to that end they Assembled a Grand Divan calling the Captains of Ships and Gallies then in Fort unto their Council who without Hesitation or questioning other Matters declared that the three English Ships were lawful Prize and that it was no longer requisite to maintain the second Article of freeing Strangers Goods on English Vessels it neither being the design nor interest of Algier to benefit all Christendom by their Peace with England this Sentence was followed by the whole Rabble of the Divan with cry and noise to which the wiser sort notwithstanding our Plea and Reasons to the contrary which lasted for full two hours were forced to condescend and concur in the same Vote Howsoever by Importunity and something of the force of Reason which in the most blind and obscure minds of Men hath something of forcible Violence we obtained the release of the three Ships upon discharge of the Strangers Goods and payment of their Freight But the second Article of Peace forbidding the search of English Ships for Strangers Estates or their Persons was declared null and no longer to be maintained nor the Peace likewise unless His Majesty would accept it upon that Condition to which end they wrote this following Letter The Letter of the Government of Algier to His Majesty GReat and Christian Prince King of England After Health and Peace c. Since we have made Peace with You unto this day there have no Injuries nor Damages been offered by Vs Your Ships that have been as Prizes for Your sake we have let free not offering them the least Injury nor diminishing any thing from them in the least until such time as Your Consul gave Vs Counter-passes that what Ships were found with them to be let free and those that are without them to be brought in And we have found divers without them which for Friendship sake which is between Vs We have let go free Now from henceforth if that we find any of our Enemies Goods or Men in Your Ships we shall take the Goods and Men paying the Freight to their Port. And we shall desire you as soon as you shall receive this our Letter that you will send your answer hereunto for we shall think it long until we receive it from You and for the future what Ships shall be brought in without a Pass-port we shall take them and detain them here until such time as we have an answer from You which pray send without delay The end of the Month Sefar 1074. which was then in the Month of September 1633. In this manner a second War broke forth in the space of two Years by which a Person may judg of the inconstancy and unsteady humour of this People who but three days before gave us all the evidence of fair Correspondence and Friendship and it is probable that when they entered the Divan they came not with Resolutions or Thoughts of War however accidents and occasional Discourses each with other following the cry and humour of some rude Savage Person which leads the rest carried all things with Violence towards a Breach So that by what preceded and from these following Reasons it may be concluded impossible to maintain a firm and lasting Peace with this People First Because these People are composed of the worst Sort or Scum of the Turks and worst of Christians which are Renegadoes who have renounced God and their Country and a Generation of People who have no Religion nor Honour Peace cannot be longer expected or maintained than fear or interest enjoins them to compliance Secondly The Government of Algier being popular and in the hands of a vile Commonalty who are ignorant Persons guided by no Rules or Principales unsteady in all their Councils not resolving or consulting any thing before they enter the Divan do commonly follow that Resolution which they perceive to be carried on with the greatest noise and therefore are a People not capable of Peace or Friendship Thirdly This irrational Commonalty is over-awed by a heady Soldiery who are only then affrighted into a Peace whilst a stronger force compels them into good Manners But when that Power and Punishment is withdrawn they again harden their hearts like Pharaoh and then when the Temptation of rich Merchant-men presents it self their natural Inclination to Piracy returns and their Covetousness again prevails an then they curse the Peace and the makers of it and without remorse break their Articles and their Faith having neither Honour nor Conscience to restrain them Wherefore unless the Heads of the chief Causers of the War he given in satisfaction or Money paid for the expence and Hostages given for security of it it can never be expected that a lasting Peace should be maintained with this People the Proof of which hath been made appear by the sequel of affairs and by those Wars which have ensued since this time And now let us return to the Wars in Hungary and become Spectators of those Transactions which were then the general Concernment of the Eastern and Western World. The Proceedings of the War in HUNGARY WE lest the Grand Vizier on his March towards the parts of Hungary with an Army as computed to consist of Eighty Thousand fighting men and of about Seventy Thousand designed for Pioniers and other necessary services of the Army In this march the Vizier out of design to slacken the warlike Preparations of the Christians The Vizier desires a Treaty to amuse the Christians and to discover the inclinations of the Emperor to Peace desired a Treaty that if possible matters might be reduced to terms of accommodation The Resident of Germany was then in the Army but he not being impowered singly for any such Treaty the Baron of Goez then with Ali Pasha at Temeswar was sent for and being arrived were both called into the Viziers Tent at Belgrade to whom it was proposed That
fearing the matter should be per eâ—tly discovered entred into consultation what course they should take to save their lives and their honour In fine they both concluded that in such an extremity desperate remedies ought to be used than which none was better than to set fire to the Seraglio The Seraglio at Constantinople set on fire by which means either the thing sought for would be esteemed for burnt and consumed by the fire or in so great a loss it might be hoped that matters of smaller moment would not be remembred Wherefore the bold Wenches without other consideration gave fire with their Candle to the roof of Cedar of which wood most of the Womens rooms in the Seraglio are made which in a moment made such a flame as with the help of a little wind was carried through all the quarters of the Womens Apartments and thence took its way to the Divan Chamber and other considerable parts of the Court where many Records and Registers of Law were consumed to ashes together with one of the lesser Treasuries where much richess which endured not the test of fire perished And the whole Seraglio had run an evident hazard had not the Bostangees and other Servants of the Court ventured far into the flames in which many of them miserably perished The fire being quenched and the Women afterwards I know not how detected to have been the Authors thereof were sent to Adrianople and being there accused were strangled by the immediate order of the Grand Signior But the destruction of that considerable part of the Seraglio was no impediment to the Grand Signiors return to Constantinople being rebuilt with that speed and industry equal or excelling the magnificence of the former that the day prefixed for the Journey thither was not prolonged by reason thereof Howsoever the Grand Signiors aversion to the place made the wheels of his Chariots move slow and the quickness of his Attendants grew slack and cold observing so much displeasure in their Emperor to the place designed For though he was pressed by the Vizier to begin his Journey and could not handsomly refuse to comply with the time appointed yet to defer this resolution as long as was possible he contriv'd a long way of Meander towards Constantinople forming his Journey in Company with the Great Vizier by way of the Dardanelli upon the Hellespont on pretence of viewing the Fortifications of the new Forts raised at the entrance of that Streight and sending some Provisions from thence for Relief of Candia wherefore the Captain-Pasha was commanded to Sea with three gallies and at Gallipoli to attend the Grand Signiors arrival being to transport him thence to the Castles and back again And the design being now resolved and hot to prosecute the VVar in Candia for transporting thither a numerous Army it was concluded That the Captain-Pasha should propose to the English Ambassadour the Grand Signiors desire of Fifteen Sail of Ships with consent of our King for this Service the Turks paying what reasonable Rates should be demanded But the Earl of Winchelsea then Lord Ambassadour modestly replied That though His Majesty of England did always entertain a good affection and a zealous disposition towards the Affairs of the Grand Signior yet at present the VVar with Holland and ill understanding with France made his occasions for his own Shipping more urgent than usual and the time most unseasonable to press his Majesty in this particular by which reply and several other excuses of the Ambassadour the Captain-Pasha perceiving an aversness to the Proposition and that Christians unwillingly arm Turks against the Cross gave an account of this discourse to the Grand Signior and Vizier who immediately gave order for the building of sixty Gallies against the next Spring which with what they had before would make up above an Hundred Sail. The Rendezvous of this Fleet together with Saykes and other Turkish Vessels The Turks prepare for a War on Candia from thence to transport the Vizier and his Army for Candia was appointed to be made at Malvoisia of the success of which we shall have occasion God willing to discourse in the following Year which gave a beginning as we may say to the total loss of that Country and to that famous Siege which in History will bear the Fame of one of the most memorable in the World. And as a preparation thereunto and as a supply of the present urgent necessities three Ships viz. one English another French and a third Dutch were laden with Corn and thirty Sail of Beys Gallies with all sorts of Arms and Ammunition with a Recruit of a thousand Janisaries were dispeeded from Constantinople for Reinforcement and Succour of that Island And now at length the Grand Signior after his long circuit arrived at Constantinople where he made his solemn Entry the Third of October but not with that Joy and Pomp which usually attended other Sultans in their return from the Wars and labours to their Imperial City but all things seemed like the Sultans humour sullen and displeased for he seldom lodged in his Seraglio or slept there but at a small Palace called Daout-Pasha The G. Signior arrives at Constantinople where he for the most part made his abode only sometimes in the day he passed a few hours at his Seraglio but rested not there in the Night The reasons hereof some attributed to the remembrance of those dangers and troubles which he had seen in that Court and which made so deep an impression on his fancy that he could never enter within those Gates without some sense of terrour for the late disorders The German War being thus concluded the Sultan returned to Constantinople and Affairs disposing themselves to spend their fury against Candia all things growing black and tempestuous towards that Coast the Venetians prudently provided to oppose the storm And as an able General Marquess Villa received into service of the Venetians and wise and experienced Captains are the supports of an Army and that the success of War depends much on Martial Discipline and on the vigilance and wisdom of the Commanders the Senate gave order to their Ambassadour at Turen called Catarin Belegno to offer unto Marquess Ghiron Francesco Villa a Native of that Country the honourable charge of General of the Foot with a stipend of 12000 Crowns of yearly Pay the said Marquess obliging himself to bring with him Four Captains and two Lieutenant-Generals for entertainment of whom the Republick allowed Five thousand Ducats besides Seventy Ducats a Month pay to an Engineer To this Marquess Villa a power was given to command in chief over all without subjection to any other than to the Captain-General and to the Proveditor General in Dalmatia when he waged War in that Province And in short his actions were not to be questioned or examined by any other than the Senate it self to whom he was immediately subjected and a Gally was to be allotted
should have a fair and equal Tryal at Law about the possession of those places in difference and Justice and Right should be done unto the injured but the latter Proposition he positively denied for being a matter contrary to their Law and Religion was not dispensable by his Power nor ought he to expect a Complement from him or Gratuity of that nature which was Inconsistent with the honour and conscience of the Donor but that in any thing else he was ready to yield to his Desires whereby he might understand the value he put upon his Person using this Expression That he was more satisfied that the Emperor had designed so illustrious and worthy a person to this Embassy than if he had sent him a Hundred thousand Dollars more of Present and at the Conclusion of the Audience vested both the Ambassadour and Resident with Sables which ended with all imaginable satisfaction and mutual contentment On the 21th of the Month of November arrived ar Constantinople Monsieur De Ventelay Ambassadour from the French King to the Grand Signior An Ambassadour arrives from France who was Son to the Sieur De la Haye the former Ambassadour a Person much talked of before he arrived a generous and an accomplished Gentleman and one well practised in the Affairs of that Countrey To understand which story the better we must look back to the former Year at the beginning of which during the German War and that the Vizier remained in his Winter-quarters at Belgrade a Courier with Letters from his most Christian Majesty to the First Vizier arrived who concealed not the occasion of his coming nor the contents of his Letters with that secrecy but that those who were imployed in the Translation of the Papers into Turkish made it publickly known to be no other than a recital of the many provocations his most Christian Majesty had received from the Pirates of Barbary containing a List of the Ships Men and Goods they had from time to time seized and made Prize in vindication of which indignities to his Honour and in protection of his People he could not do less than make a War upon those Pirates for as yet the advice was not come that the French had deserted Gigeri in which for the foregoing reasons the Grand Signior ought not to judge himself concerned And for the Succour given the Emperor it was not afforded as King of France but as one of the Princes of the Empire in which capacity by virtue of his Tenure he was obliged to contribute such Forces on the like emergencies and distresses of the Empire And if the foregoing reasons were available with the Sultan to induce him as in reason he ought to believe he continued in perfect friendship with him without breach of Articles he was then ready to send his Ambassadour to reside at the Port provided it might be Monsieur De Ventelay Son to Monsieur De la Haye late Ambassadour there who was the Person that had some time since received indignities from the Vizier Kuperlee that so his Majesty might receive satisfaction by having the very Person of Monsieur De Ventelay honoured by extraordinary demonstrations of respect in reparation of the former affronts This Messenger having translated his Papers obtained license to ride Post to the Vizier and in the frosts and extremities of the weather in January set forward on his Journey but in his passage through Adrianople visiting the Chimacam and desiring his license in like manner to ride Post to the Vizier on publick affairs received such a lesson of scorn and disdain vented with the extremity of choler against the French Nation in publick Divan with terms undecent to be repeated And that in farther resentment if he were First Vizier he would refuse to accept any friendship or alliance with them but since he was inferiour to the Great Vizier he would dispeed him to the Camp and grant him a Command for his Post But it seems this Courier being arrived at Belgrade was received with better terms and more courtesie by the Vizier who had learned by experience of the late Christian Wars and proof of the Valour of the French Nation that the Propositions of that King were not lightly to be contemned And therefore consented that Monsieur De Ventelay might freely come using their common expression that the Arms of the Port are always open to receive the addresses of Friends Allies and Confederates With this Message and Letters the Courier was dispatched by way of Ragâ—si with safe conduct and what else was requisite for his securer passage No doubt but his most Christian Majesty was the more urgent that the Person of Monsieur De Ventelay who was the subject on whom formerly the Turks had exercised such injurious violence should be accepted for Ambassadour and resolved Reflexions of the Turks on the Embassy of Monsieur De Ventelay unless they received him he would send no other that so his Honour which suffered before in this Person might be repaired again by the respect and reverence they were to shew to him as Ambassadour as 〈◊〉 in repentance of their former unkindness they should now strive to make amends by extraordinary demonstrations of honour to this Representative For it was judged in France and there concluded That there was no other means to repair the Kings Honour than by the Embassy of Monsieur De Ventelay to which that a greater reputation might be added he was transported in one of the Kings Ships called the Caesar accompanied with a Fire-ship and a small Patach for a Victualler and for his better Equipage was attended by four or five Marquesses and â—ersons of Quality Being arrived at the farther part of the City called the Seven Towers the Ships came to an Anchor from whence the Ambassadour sent to advise the Vizier of his arrival desiring as one mark of the extraordinary honour promised him that a return might be made to the Salute of his Ship from the Seraglio by the Cannon which lay under the Wall a Ceremony before never demanded or practised with respect to any Christian or Turkish Vessel and that his landing might be honoured with a more than usual reception by the attendance of Officers or at least equalled to the Formalities of the late English Ambassadour But the Vizier it seems judged that the reception of the English strained on a particular occasion was not to be brought into example and that a Salute from the Seraglio was so besides the ordinary custom that he esteemed the demand to be extravagant and that such a President would be dishonourable to his Master And therefore resolving not to exceed the perticulars of former customs offered at his landing to have him accompanied to his House with ten Chaouses only the Ambassadour not accepting hereof in a discontented manner entred with his Ship the day following and giving the usual Salutes to the Seraglio landed at Topenau a place near to his own Dwelling from
was The Grand Signior displeased with Tobacco he sent an Officer to make Enquiry who returned with Answer that it was Ibrihim Aga the Kahya or Steward to the Chimacam and in effect Chimacam himself having a great share in the mannagement of Affairs but the smoke had like to have smothered him and all his Fortunes for this Grand Signior who is as great an Enemy to it as King James was or Sultan Morat would have made him the Sacrifice to that Incense had not those present interceded for him who with the Chimacam's own mediation and the cost of fifty Purses or five and twenty thousand Dollars ransomed his Life The Sultan being arrived at Larissa An Ambassador sent from Venice News came of the near approach of the Excellentissimo Alvise de Molino Ambassador from the Venetian Republick with propositions of peace But the Turks before they would admit the Embassy or the person which brought it to a nearer approach than a Days Journey from the Court would be resolved first whether he brought with him the Keys of Candia To which it was replied by the Interpreter That he was not able to give them satisfaction in that particular being but a mean and ordinary servant to whom the Secrets of State â—nd resolutions of great men were not committed his Office being only to render faithfully the words and sence of his Masters and not to enter into the private thoughts and Cabinet of their Counsels To which the Chimacam proudly and barbarously made answer Go tell thy Master that unless he brings the Keys of Candia thy head shall pay for it And that he presume not in person to approach nearer unto this Court. So the Ambassadour remained at a distance for some weeks and at length was transferred over to the Vizier at Candia who being more ready to hearken to propositions in hopes by some overture or other to hook in Candia gave an easie Audience to the Ambassador and controverted several Articles and Propositions with all freedom and patience So that on the Venetians part the Surrender of Suda was offered and a Sum of mony in compensation of the War. The Vizier on the other side would be contented with nothing less than the Surrender of Candia and in lieu thereof to grant a Licence to rebuild Paleo-Castro an ancient Fortress But the Fortress it self of Candia being the prize and aim of both nothing could be concluded without that so that the Ambassador in fine declared plainly That the City of Candia was maintained and defended by the Arms of Foreign Princes without whose consent it could not be resigned all the rest of the Island should be the reward of their bloud and labour only Candia was capable of no Conditions but what were imposed on it by force of Arms. The Vizier whose honour could be salved and the glory of the Ottoman Empire maintained at no other rate than the subjection of Candia would hearken to no other terms or proposals so that the Treaty broke off and the Ambassadour returned to Canea there to remain until farther Overtures of an Accomodation should present It was now towards the depth of Winter when three men of War and a Fire-Ship French Ships of Wâ—r sail to Constantinople sent by the most Christian King steered up the Hellespont with words and boastings as full of Wind as their Sails and being arrived at Constantinople vaunting of their Force as if sufficient to subdue the Turkish Dominions they uttered certain rumors that they were come to revenge the late affront offered to their Merchants to cause that mony to be repaid which in late and frequent Avanias had been extorted from their Nation and to renew their Capitulations with more advantageous terms As namely That their Customs from 5 bâ— reduced to 3 per Cent. as the English Dutch and Genoeses pay That their King be treated by the Sultan with the equal Presents and Gifts according to the Custom used with the Emperor and that at all times interchangeably Ambassadors be sent to reside in each others Dominions with other propositions which seemed as extravagant to the Turks as they appeared to others vain and to have no foundation but in the report of the Vulgar But that which was reported by the most judicious concerning these Ships was That his most Christian Majesty being made to understand perfectly the affronts put on his Nation by the Turks and not fully satisfied as is supposed with the respect they had shown to his Ambassador at Constantinople made it the chief Design of his Ships to withdraw him from thence supposing it a less diminution to his honour to have the person of his Agent subjected to affronts than of his Ambassador to which it was imagined he might be obnoxious in consideration of those great supplies which were in the following year designed for Candia In what manner soever the Turks deemed of this appearance of Men of War to hector and brave them at their Imperial City they did yet for the present cunningly dissemble the matter giving the French fair Words and what plenty of Provisions their occasions did require In what manner this Affair was transacted I shall not adventure to relate nor is it well or certainly known Yet not long after came Orders for the Ambassador to repair to the Court at Larissa and that until the Grand Signior's pleasure was farther known the Ships of War were to be detained The Commander in chief called Monsieur d' Almeras was not a little troubled to have his Ships thus embargued and labouring in his thoughts between the time limited in his Instructions by his Master and the restraint by the Turks he once bravely resolved to hazard his passage through the Castles but protracting the execution thereof from day to day even until the end of April at length Licence came for their departure and Orders to repair unto Vola near Larissa there to take an Ambassador or Agent or Envoyé from the Sultan to their King. For it seems the Vizier had intimated to the Grand Signior That it was not time to disgust the French King and to bring him under the notion of a declared and publick Enemy or at least to irritate him so far as might provoke him to send greater Forces than perhaps he designed the next year for Candia and that he ought to comply with the present conjuncture and salve that up for a time which he might afterwards open at his pleasure The Grand Signior sends a Messenger to the French King. This counsel seeming reasonable to the Grand Signior and agreeable to the present necessity he ordered as I was credibly informed a thousand Dollars only to adorn his Ambassador so pitifully do the Turks esteem of Christian Princes and so highly do they value themselves as if a Message from them would be reverenced in Christendom as a favour though brought by a Porter or a Slave But the French Ambassador considering this allowance too
mean a provision for a person qualified to appear before his Master did as it is said out of his own Purse and generous Soul contribute a far greater Sum with two Vests of Sables towards his better Equipage In this manner the Sultan dissembling an appearance of good correspondence with his Christian Majesty dispatched away his Envoyé on the Ships of War being a Person in quality of a Mutafaraca one of the same degree with a Chaous to expostulate with the King concerning several Particulars and especially his Reasons for sending for his Ambassador without sending another according to ancient custom to supply his Office wondering much at this sudden alteration of friendship without any cause given on the Ottoman side and with these smooth and fair words the Turks imagined they might charm the Spirit of the King for a while and suspend his Succours from Candia until at last it were beyond his power and wisdom to relieve In the mean time the Ambassador from the most Christian King was detained as an Hostage for the other of whose return we shall speak in its due place Towards the end of this year Sir Daniel Harvey Lord Ambassador from His Majesty of Great Britain arrived at Constantinople Sir Daniel Harvey Ambassador from his Majesty succeeding in the place of the Earl of Winchelsea who could not obtain Audience with the G. Signior until the end of the following year by reason of the Sultans unsetled abode and far distance who at length coming to Salonica summoned the Ambassador thither and there conferred on him the usual Ceremonies and Honours due to the Ambassador at first Reception Candia was now hardly assailed in four places A Relation of the state of Candia toward the end of this year viz. on the side of Betlem Panigra St. Andrea and Sabionera These places being twice stormed in which the Turks lost thirty thousand men so many Mines and Fornelli were fired that the ground lay open like a vast abyss with strange heaps of confused and undigested Earth and hindred the Enemy from approaching to the Wall but Sabionera and St. Andrea being esteemed the most weak because they were not fortified by any considerable Out-works or compassed with any depth of Ditch were pressed and forced upon by the Turk with more violence than any parts of the City The Enemy having by their great number of Pioniers elevated the confused Earth they formed some Batteries fortifying them and sheltering their people with Sacks of Wool and a Labyrinth as we may say of Redoubts they advanced foot by foot upon the Revelin of St. Andrea being destitute of all Mines to stop their proceedings and having at length blown up the Revelin and with fire and earth having taken the Out-work they penetrated into the Ditch which was not deep with four Traverses and came now to the very foot of the wall of the Bulwark fortified with eighteen pieces of Cannon six of which carrying fifty pound Bullet shot into the Ditch eight flanked that side which was opposite to Panigra and four on that part towards the Revelin of St. Spirito notwithstanding which they stormed the Walls in nine places And beginning to make a breach by firing certain Mines which opened a wideness of forty two paces at the point of that Bulwark and continuing their breaches towards the Sea breaking in their way the Front of the Fort Priulo they proceeded almost to the Gate of St. Andrea and opened forty eight paces more in all ninety paces Afterwards they ruined the remainder of the Wall and that which was called the Scotch Fort to the very Sea so that the Christians were forced to retire from their Out-works and contract their Precincts to the Walls of the City To add unto the misery of this place an unfortunate shot from the Turks Camp entred that Magazine which was near St. Peter Church where the artificial Fires were made and meeting several shells of Granadoes already charged with thirty Barrels of Powder all took fire and blew into the air and burned all the houses which were near thereunto At this unlucky accident the Besieged fearing a general assault and seeing the Turkish Horse draw into a Body near Sabionera the whole Garrison ran to the Walls but no farther Attempt being made towards evening they blew up a Lodge of the Enemy with all the people that were therein Anno Christi 1669. Hegeira 1080. TOwards the end of the last Year and at the beginning of this the Turks began to open their eyes and find themselves defrauded with the grossest cheat that ever was imposed on a people who had either reason or humanity For now three or four years had ran on that the French Dutch Italians and other Nations had introduced into all parts of the Turkish Dominions unless in those Eastward as Aleppo The story of the false Reaux or Temins and farther a sort of small Mony called by some Luigini by others Ottavi and by the Turks Temins worth about five pence English which appearing pleasant and bright to the eye and commodious for change and common expences so bewitched the Commonalty that Pieces of Eight Zaichins and other merchantable Money were laid aside as neither currant or valuable At first about nine years past they were of good and warrantable Silver but afterwards with time by little and little grew worse and of baser alloy at length the people doting more and more upon them they came coarser every day than other and being still currantly passable every person that was failed and of bad reputation entred into the Trade who knowing no bounds of honesty or of gain composed their Mony wholly of Copper or coarser Metals with a fair gloss and resemblance of Silver buying therewith the Commodities of the Country and at length amassed up all the Gold Silver and whatsoever came to hand was the price of their false and bastard Coin with which they filled and abused all Asia nor was this Money only of one Mint but of divers Stamps and Mottoes reproachful to the Turks and it is pity they had not wit enough to understand them as namely Voluit hanc Asia mercem De procul pretiam ejus and such like which were so various that many who had the curiosity to make a collection of them found no less than an hundred and twenty several Stamps The Commonalty still enamoured with the brightness of their colour and commodiousness of their change little reflected on the ill consequence to the generality having seldom more than to supply their daily wants And the Officers of the the Customs finding a benefit extraordinary to themselves upon the vast Sums of Money imported little cared how it fared with the publick In the mean time the whole currant of Merchandise in the Levant was dispossessed of its ordinary and true chanel for vast quantities or a glut of Turkish Goods filled all Christendom the prices low and cheap and no profit to any Merchant
Minister hath not satiated his covetous desires howsoever the expence will always bechargeable 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 Before we end this year of 1674. and begin that of 1675 it will be necessary for us to discourse of the cause and original of that War which England had with the Government of Tripoli in Barbary and the success and conclusion thereof In the year 1672. War with Tripoli Old Mahomet boar at Scio and of the Greek race who for many years by Baratz or commission from the Grand Signior had boaren the Office and Title of Pasha of Tripoli and being grown very rich and covetous by the Pyracies his Ships made on the Christians and oppression of his people not dividing amongst the Souldiery that just proportion of the prey which of right belonged to them so incensed the minds of that people that conspiring against him they murdered him in his Castle and seized all his riches to the use of the Publick The Pasha being dead all his creatures and persons that boar Office in his time were displaced and others of more justice and bravery as they imagined put in their places and a New Governor being set up he began to make a through Reformation and to alter and change every thing according to his own humor and pleasure In the first place he gave leave to all people to Arm in Corso or to set out Private Men of War as every one pleased and was able different to the practise of the former Pasha who reserved that benefit and priviledge to himself and next it was proposed to constitute a Divan after the manner of Algier in whom the supream power of all should be lodged In order hereunto they immediately set forth to Sea six Sail of Ships from forty to fifty Guns excellent Saylors and armed them with the best and stoutest of their Men together with four more from twelve to thirty Guns with these Ships they took many prizes belonging to French Venetians and other Nations and though they had long desired to taste also of the sweetness of English Estates yet not encountring a prize worthy the trouble and evil consequences of such a breach they for some time deferred the design which they had long meditated Till at length about the Month of August 1674. they unhappily encountred the Martin a rich Ship bound from Venice to Cadiz which they carried to Tripoly and on the 17th of September following they seconded this outrage by other of the like nature committed on the Hunter Fregat Thomas Parker Commander bound from Ligorne to Smyrna whom the Tripolines meeting with six Men of War at the entrance into the Arche-pelago they brought her into the Port of Tripoly where having plundered all the strangers goods laden upon her to the import of forty thousand dollars the particulars of all which were given under Oath of the Commander the Ship was dismissed and dispeeded on her Voyage to Smyrna with no other damage to the English then the embezelment of 726 dollars robbed or pilfered by the Souldiery together which such charge as the Consul of Tripoly challenged for his service therein This news being advised into England as a breach of Peace his Majesty out of his usual and gratious care of the welfare of Trade was pleased to order Sir John Narbrough his Commander in chief in the Mediterranean Seas to demand satisfaction from that people who accordingly Sailing thither and requiring restitution of the goods injuriously taken received a denial and denunciation of War. Whereupon Sir John Narbrough wrote to the Consul of Smyrna in this manner These are to advertise you that the people of Tripoly have broken the peace with his Majesty they are resolved to take all the English Ships they can meet and overcome I have been there with a Squadron of his Majesties Ships to demand restitution of the goods taken out of the Martin and Hunter they refuse to make any so that now it is open War with those people I am now at Malta taking in water I intend to fit at Ligorne I suppose his Majesty will have a Squadron of Ships to look after these people of Tripoly this Summer Sir I pray signify this to my Lord Ambassador at Constantinople and to all others his Majesties Subjects where you converss that they way prevent falling into their hands in hast I conclude and kiss your hand and I remain On board his Majesties Ship Henrietta at Malta March 15th 1674 / 5. Your Humble Servant John Narbrough Sir John Narbrough having fitted himself at Ligorne and recruited with an additional Squadron of six or seven Men of War he departed for Tripoly taking under his Convoy the Vyner Bristol Merchant and Mediterranean for Smyrna and now appearing before the Port of Tripoly in a formidable manner the Pyrates began to repent of their late violation knowing that they must now either disgorge their ill got goods or prove the evil effects of War their hearts began now to fail them so that they unrigged all their Ships laying them up close in the harbour and with them for the present all thoughts of roving on the Seas for supposing that the English Ships could not lye alwaies in that Station but that bad weather or want of provisions would enforce them some time to retire they hoped in that interval to find an opportunity to lanch into the Seas where being clear and good Saylors they might have room enough to escape Howsoever Sir John Narbrough with his Squadron continued with such diligence on the coast plying them with continual allarms standing off to sea at night and towards the land in the day that they found not the heart nor opportunity to adventure abroad until one of their Ships which had formerly been their Rere-Admiral bound with Negroes for the Morea resolved to hazard an escape but not being able to make her passage good she was forced ashoar and burnt by our Ship most of the Negroes falling into the English hands some few days after Sir John Narbrough fired three of their Galeots burnt a Satee took a fisher-boat and a Sambechin with which success being encouraged and the Enemy affrighted their Ships were blocked up in Port for some months whist ours found free
passage on the Seas until that at length growing weary of so long a demorage necessity drove them to adventure abroad which two of their best Men of War successfully effected on the 8th of September in despight of the English Squadron being assisted with calm weather and help of their Oares four others observing the success of the former in a few days after attemted the like and escaped in the same manner And now the Commanders of English Ships in diverse Ports taking false measures on confidence that the Tripolines were blocked up in their Ports trusted themselves with unadvised security into the Seas amongst which none was so unfortunate as a Ship called the Bristol Merchant one Plummer Commander laden with eighty two Bales of Silk besides other rich commodities bound from Smyrna to Ligorne whereon were several Merchants some of which having lived many years in Smyrna had acquired plentiful Estates namely Mr. John Foley Mr. Thomas Laxton Mr. Jacob Turner Mr. Phillip Gell and Mr. Tison Nephew to Mr. Foley Persons who expected a prosperous Voyage and a happy arrival in their own Country But observe here the course of humane disappointments for being imbarked on the Ship aforsaid they set Sail from Smyrna the 10th or 11th of September in company with the Vyner which happened to be about two or three days after the Tripolines had first broken out of their Port these two Ships by bad weather or want of due care lost company each with other in the Arche-pelago which proved a happy fortune to the Vyner for the Bristol Merchant some few days after being off of Cape Sapientia encountred the two Tripolines which first came out of Port and being Vessels of forty to fifty Gunds soon made themselves Masters of a Merchant-ship laden and of mean force The Tripolines were greatly elevated with this rich prize which they immediately carried to a place called Derno and there landing their goods and men for better security transported them over land to Tripoli The Persons we mentioned before were forced for the most part to walk all the way a foot being thirty four days journey unless some times they were favoured to mount a Camel which is such an unpleasant way of riding that walking is much more easie and travailing in a sandy dry Country water was very scarce the days journies being commonly proportioned according to the distance of the Wells of Water which they drank with tetter Appetites and Pleasure then they formerly rellished the most pleasant Wines Being arrived at Tripoli they were ill wellcomed by the severe looks and hard diet which they received from their Hests and the Plague raging greatly in the City added to the miseries and dread of the place The Tripolines encouraged with this prize and with the expectation of the farther success of their Ships abroad hoped to weary out the English Squadron which still continued to infest and trouble their coasts taking their Corn Boats and interrupting all Commerce which that Town had with the Sea. At length the English resolved to make an attempt on the Ships in Harbour which they resolutely performed in the night and with great success according to this relation which Sir John Narbrough gave under his own hand Friday the 14th of January 1675 / 6. I Being before Tripoli in Barbary with his Majesties Ships under my command namely these Harwich Fregats Henrietta Fregats Portsmouth Fregats Anne and Christopher Fire ships Holmes Fire ships Guinny Merchants Ships attending for Convoy Martin Merchants Ships attending for Convoy And seeing four of the Tripoly Ships of War in the Port of considerable force preparing to go out and cruise I fitted a fire-boat out of the fireships and commanded that all theboats of my Squadron being twelve in number should be manned armed and fitted with Fire-works also I ordered a considerable Officer to be a Commander in every boat and my Leiutenant Cloudisly Shovel to be Commander in chief of them all for being resolved by Gods permission to attack the Enemy that night in Port I gave instructions requisite for such a design About twelve a clock in the night my boats resolvedly entred the Port took and seized the guard boat and killed the people in her boarded the Ships and fired them and utterly destroyed them all some Turks and Moors slain the 〈◊〉 fled to save themselves These four Ships lay under the Dey's Castle Walls which was all that were in Port except a Tunis Merchant Ship which I ordered should not be medled with and so escaped firing This Action was performed in less then an hours time without sustaining the least damage on our side then the expence of some Ammunition Firworks and Fireboat which were effectually bestowed as designed to the great astonishment of the Turks who endeavoured to impede our design by plying several great and innumerable small shot at our boats and men which were within Pistol-shot of the Dey's own Castle and Palace Such was the wonderful mercy of God towards us that not one man of ours was killed wounded or touched nor a boat any way disabled but all returned in safety bringing the Guard boat two Moors and the Turkish Colours of the four Ships in triumph along with them to my Ship. Our men employed in the boats on this occasion were one hundred fifty and seven they all behaving themselves as became Englishmen To God alone be the Glory Names of the Tripoly Ships of War that were burnt with their Guns  Guns White crowned Eagle 50 Looking-Glass 34 S ta Chiara 24 French Petach 20 Guard boat brought off with one Peterero and two Moors in her I verily believe that in case I had landed at that time with five hundred men only I might have carried the City for the Turks were so amazed that they fled out of it they fired several great and small shot all to random without hurt to any of cur men God being pleased so to direct it The 26th of January I fired about one hundred shot into the City of Tripoly amongst the Inhabitants The first and third of February I took and destroyed five Corn boats twenty Leagues to the Eastward of Tripoly and landed and burned a Stack of wood and Tinther which was for building their new Ship and some smal Masts and Yards and some bags of bread brought off and two Guns spiked which could not be got off it beginning to blow and likely to be bad weather so I was constrained to leave them and repair on board and leave the coast The tenth of this Month the Portsmouth took a Sambechee in her ballast thirty Leagues to the Eastward of Tripoly she belonging to that Government the Moors got all ashoar but the Sambechee was brought to Malta From aboard his Majesties Ship Harwich March the 18th 1675 / 6. John Narbrough The Tripolines being discouraged and affrighted with this boldness and diligence of the English and apprehending that they would always infest their coast which would
be an utter ruine and destruction to them and being touched in the most sensible parts of their interest and wilfare they generally concluded that there was now no safety but by making a peace with the English To farther which and to assist in the Office of Mediation it happened that there was at the same time at Tripoly one Haffse bey a great man of Tunis who had been Dei of that Country but being droven from thence by his Nephews was come to Tripoly with an immense treasure intending afterwards to Transport himself to Constantinople to make his aggreivances known at the Grand Signiors Court. Of this person we shall discourse more at large hereafter but in this place it is pertinent to relate how instrumental he was to effect this peace in which he laboured with the greater zeal that so by assistance of the English he might find a speedy and safe conveyance on their Ships of his Person Goods and Servants into the Morea from whence he designed by land to Constantinople The Treaty being thus began a peace was concluded between his Majesties of Great Britain c. and Halil Pasha Ibrahim Dey Aga Divan and Governors of the Noble City and Kingdom of Tripoly Dated the fifth of March 1675 / 6. Being the last day of the Moon Zelhedga and Hegeira 1086. By this instrument all the former Articles were again confirmed with addition of two others First that all Persons taken under English Colours should be delivered to Sir John Narbrough and set at liberty without payment of any ransom for them under which notion Mr. Foley Mr. Laxton Mr. Turner Mr. Gell and Mr. Tison with the Captain and Sea-men taken on the Bristol Merchant were freed whose ransom otherwise might have cost dear and perhaps almost the value of their private Estates Secondly That eighty thousand Dollars which was the account made of the value of goods and Mony taken on the Martin and Hunter should be made good to Sir John Narbrough in Mony or Goods and Slaves To which was adjoyned such a submission recantation and acknowledgment for their late offence and outrage as testifyed the sorrow of their true repentance as we shall see more at large in their following Articles And now the peace being concluded Sir John Narbrough returned to Malta and soon after came back to Tripoly to receive the remainder of the monies and goods agreed for the Slaves being delivered already In this interim the six Ships which had formerly broken out of the harbour and sailed to the Levant hearing of the peace returned to Tripoly where great feuds and dissentions arose the Souldiery accusing Ibrahim Dei nick named Misser ogli as the beginner and Author of the War and for continuing it so long with obstinacy until they were reduced to their last extremity In fine they threatned to cut him in Peices but at length they were contented to cashier him only from his Office after which he fled into the Morea and their Vice-Admiral Mustapha Grande was made Dei in his place with whom and with the Souldiers in general now returned Sir John Narbrough renewed the Articles of Peace and dated them the first of May 1676 which are these that follow Articles of Peace and Commerce between c. 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 concluded by Sir John Narbrough Knight Admiral of his Majesties Fleet in the Mediterranean Seas 1. IN the first place It is Agreed and Concluded That from this day and for ever forward There be a true firm and Inviolable Peace between the Most Serene King of Great Britain France and Ireland Defender of the Christian Faith c. And the most Illustrious Lords The Bassa Dai Aga Divan and Governors of the City and Kingdom of Tripoly in Barbary And between all the Dominions and Subjects of either side And that the Ships or other Vessels and the Subjects and People of both sides shall not from henceforth do to each other any harm offence or Injury in word or Deed But shall Treat one another with all possible respect and Friendship II. That any of the Ships or other Vessels belonging to the said King of Great Brittain or to any of his Majesties Subjects may safely come to the Port of Tripoly or to any other Port or Place of that Kingdom or Dominions thereunto belonging freely to buy and sell without the least Disturbance paying the usual Customs as in former times hath been payd for such goods as they sell And for the goods they sell not they shall have free Liberty to carry on Board their own Ships without paying any Duties for the same And when they please they shall freely Depart from thence without any stop hindrance or molestation whatsoever III. That all Ships and other Vessels as well those belonging to the King of Great Brittain or to any of his Majesties Subjects as also those belonging to the People and Kingdom of Tripoly shall freely pass the Seas and traffick where they please without any search hinderance or molestation from each other And that all Persons and Passengers of what Country whatsoever And all Monys Goods Merchandize and Moveables to whatsoever People or Nation belonging being on board any of the said Ships or Vessels shall be wholly free and shall not be stopped taken or Plundred nor receive any harm or Damage whatsoever from either Party IV. That the Tripoly Ships of War or other Vessels thereunto belonging meeting with any Merchant Ships or other Vessels of the King of Great Brittains Subjects not being in any of the Seas appertaining to his Majesties Dominions may send on board one single boat with but two Sitters besides the ordinary Crew of Rowers and no more but the two Sitters to enter any of the said Merchants Ships or any other Vessels without the Express from the Commander of every such Ship or Vessel And then upon producing them a Pass under the hand and Seal of the Lord High Admiral of England the said Boat shall presently Depart And if the Merchant Ship or Ships Vessel or Vessels produce no Pass from the Lord High Admiral of England yet if the Major part of the said Ships or Vessels Company be Subjects to the said King of Great Britain The said Boat shall presently Depart And the Merchants Ship or Ships Vessel or Vessels shall proceed freely on her or their Voyage And if any of the said Ships of War or other Vessels of his said Majesties meeting with any Ship or Ships Vessel or Vessels belonging unto Tripoly if the Commander or Commanders of any such Ship or Ships Vessel or Vessels shall produce a Pass Signed by the chief Governor of Tripoly and a Certificate from
the English Consul living there Or if they have no such Pass or Certificate yet if the Major part of their Ships Company or Companies be Turks Moors or Slaves belonging to Tripoly Then the said Tripoly Ship or Ships Vessel or Vessels shall proceed freely V. That no Commander or other Person of any Ship or other Vessel of Tripoly shall take out of any Ship or Vessel of his said Majesties Subjects any Person or Persons whatsoever to carry them any where to be examined or upon any other pretence nor shall use any Torture or Violence to any Person of what Nation or quality whatsoever being on Board any Ship or Vessel of his Majesties Subjects upon any pretence whatsoever VI. That no Ship-wrack belonging to the King of Great Brittain or any of his Majesties Subjects upon any part of the coast belonging unto Tripoly shall be made or become a Prize And that neither the goods thereof shall be seized nor the Men made Slaves But that all the People of Tripoly shall do their best endeavours to save the said Men and their Goods VII That no Ship or any other Vessel of Tripoly shall have permission to be Delivered up or to go to any place in Enmity with the said King of Great Brittain to be made use of as Cosairs or Sea Rovers against his said Majesties Subjects VIII That none of the Ships or other smaler Vessels of Tripoly shall remain Cruising near his Majesties City and Garrison of Tangier or in sight of it nor any other way Disturb the Peace and Commerce of that place IX That if any Ship or Vessel of Tunis Argier Tittuan or Salli or any other place being in War with the said King of Great Brittain bring any Ships or Vessels Men or Goods belonging to any of his said Majesties Subjects to Tripoly or to any Port or Place within that Kingdom The Governors there shall not permit them to be sold within the Territories of Tripoly X. That if any of the Ships of War of the said King of Great Brittain do come to Tripoly or to any other Port or Place of that Kingdom with any Prize they may freely sell it or otherwise dispose of it at their own pleasure without being molested by any And that his Majesties said Ships of War shall not be obliged to pay Custome in any sort And that if they want Provisions Victuals or any other things they may freely buy them at the rate in the Market XI That when any of his said Majesties Ships of War shall appear before Tripoly upon Notice thereof given to the English Consul or by the Commander of the said Ships to the chief Governors of Tripoly Publick Proclamation shall be immediately made to secure the Christian Captives And if after that any Christians whatsoever make their escape on board any of the Ships of War They shall not be required back again Nor shall the said Consul or Commander or any other his Majesties Subjects be obliged to pay any thing for the said Christians XII That if any Subject of the King of Great Brittain happen to dye in Tripoly or its Territories his Goods or Monys shall not be seized by the Governors or any Ministers of Tripoly but shall all remain with the English Consul XIII That neither the English Consul nor any other Subject of the said King of Great Brittains shall be bound to pay the Debts of any other of his Majesties Subjects Except that they become surety for the same by a Publick Act. XIV That the Subjects of his said Majesty in Tripoly or its Territories in matter of Controversie shall be lyable to no other Jurisdictions but that of the Dai or Divan except they happen to be at Difference between themselves In which case they shall be lyable to no other Determination but that of the Consul only XV. That in case any Subject of his Majesty being in any part of the Kingdom of Tripoly happen to strike wound or kill a Turk or a Moor if he be taken he is to be punished in the same manner and with no greater Severity than a Turk ought to be being guilty of the same offence But if he escape Neither the said English Consul nor any other of his said Majesties Subjects shall be in any sort questioned or troubled therefore XVI That the English Consul now or at any time hereafter living in Tripoly shall be there at all times with entire freedom and safety of his Person and Estate and shall be permitted to chuse his own Druggerman and Broaker And freely to go on board any Ship in the Road as often and when he pleases And to have the Liberty of the Country and that he shall be allowed a place to pray in And that no Man shall do him any Injury in Word or Deed. XVII That not only during the Continuance of this Peace and Friendship but likewise if any Breach or War happen to be hereafter between the said King of Great Brittain and the City and Kingdom of Tripoly The said Consul and all other his said Majesties Subjects shall always and at all times both of Peace and War have full and absolute Liberty to Depart and go to their own or any other Country upon any Ship or Vessel of what Nation soever they shall think fit and to Carry with them all their Estates Goods Families and Servants although born in the Country without any Interruption or hindrance XVIII That no Subject of his said Majesty being a Passenger from or to any Port shall be any way molested or medled with although he be on Board any Ship or Vessel in Enmity with Tripoly XIX That whereas a War hath lately happened between the most Serene King of Great Brittain and the most Illustrious Lords Halil Bassa Ibraim Dai The Aga Divan and Governors of the Noble City and Kingdom of Tripoly in Barbary by reason of the Injuries done unto the King of Great Brittain and his Subjects by the Government and People of Tripoly contrary to the Articles of Peace We Halil Basla Ibraim Dai Aga Divan and Governors of the Noble City and Kingdom of Tripoly in Barbary do acknowledge the Injuries done And that the Breach of the Peace between his most Excellent Majesty of Great Brittain and Us of Tripoly was committed by our Subjects for which some are banished and some fled from our Justice And for further Satisfaction to his most Excellent Majesty for the Breach of Articles we are sorry for the same and do by these engage to set at Liberty and Deliver unto the Right Honourable Sir John Narbrough Knight Admiral of his Majesties Fleet in the Mediterranian Sea All English Captives Residing in the City and Kingdom of Tripoly and Dominions thereunto belonging without paying any Ransom for them And likewise by setting at Liberty and delivering unto the said Sir John Narbrough Knight all other Persons taken under English Colours without paying any Ransom for them And by paying eighty thousand Dollars in
Mony Goods and Slaves to the aforesaid Sir John Narbrough Knight And moreover we do engage our selves and successors That if any Injuries for the future be done contrary to these Articles by the Government and People of Tripoly to the King of Great Britain and his Subjects if upon demand of satisfaction from the Government and people of Tripoly We or they refuse or deny to give satisfaction therefore so that a War be occasioned thereby between the King of Great Britain and the Government and people of Tripoly We do engage our selves and successors to make restitution for the Injuries done and likewise to make satisfaction to the King of Great Britain for the full charge and damage of that War. XX. That no Subject of the King of Great Britain c. shall be permitted to turn Turk or Moor in the City and Kingdom of Tripoly being induced thereunto by any surprizal whatsoever unless he voluntarily appear before the Dei or Governor with the English Consuls Druggerman three times in twenty four hours space and every time Declare his Resolution to turn Turk or Moor. XXI That at all times when any Ship of War of the King of Great Britain c. carrying his said Majesties Flag at the main-top-mast-head appear before the City of Tripoly and come to Anchor in the Road That immediately after notice thereof given by his said Majesties Consul or Officer from the Ship unto the Dei and Government of Tripoly They shall in honour to his Majesty cause a Salute of one and twenty Cannons to be shot off from the Castles and Forts of the City and that the said Ship shall return an Answer by shooting of the same Number of Cannons XXII That presently after the Signing and Sealing of these Articles by us Halil Bassa Ibraim Dei Aga Divan and Governors of the Noble Kingdoms and City of Tripoly all Injuries and Damages sustained on either part shall be quiet taken away and forgotten and this Peace shall be in full 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 Jesus 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 putting up and spreading the said Flag in his Boat when he
which by good experience appears in no manner agreeable to their Country nor yielding success answerable to the long expectation of ten years past In this Year it was that the Grand Signior and Great Vizier at the instigation of Chusaein Aga the chief Customer whom we have before mentioned casting their eyes on Smyrna and finding it a place of a great Trade and a convenient Port for which in ancient times it was always famous and for the same cause was frequented by Merchants both from the Eastern and Western parts of the World so that it was become the only great and considerable Mart or Scale within the Precincts of the Turkish Empire considering it I say in this manner with a benign eye as bringing great profit and advantage they began to think it worthy the Ornament of some publick Edifices founded with that Magnificence as might endure long and renew the ancient Honour and Reputation of Smyrna A Besasteen and new Custom-house and a Royal Chan built at Smyrna Hereupon they erected in the first place a Besasteen which is in the nature of our Exchange where several Shops are made and variety of Goods sold and to make the better Front towards the Sea it was founded therein on vast Stones and Piles fit to support a weighty Building The next Edifice erected was a Custom-house built into the Sea only on Piles of Timber with a handsom Front towards the Sea and this the Great Vizier judged to be a work not only necessary but also agreeable to the Majesty of his Master for until this time the Customer lived in a hired House not unlike the others which Merchants inhabit And now this House being compleated a Hattesheriff or Royal decree came down from the Court commanding that all Ships that came into that Port either to lade or unlade should lay their sides to that Custom-house Scale and thereon discharge their Goods and receive others And now whereas the Merchants injoyed at all times in former days the convenience of having their Goods landed on and laden from their own Keys or Scales they greatly resented this innovation and as they unwillingly quit any Priviledge so they judged this not unworthy to be contended for with singular constancy and resolution the commodiousness of which was thought so considerable that it not only caused this place in former days to flourish and to be distinguished from all the Marts in the World but also the injoyment thereof invited the Inhabitants from the more elevated parts of Smyrna where was health and pleasure to the lower Bogs and Marishes exchanging health and chearful air for profit and convenience of Commerce Hereupon applications were made by all the Consuls of the Frank Nations to their Ambassadours and Ministers at the Grand Signiors Court. In the mean time Trade by common agreement was interdicted at least as to the lading or unlading of Ships which continued for several days and touched somewhat grievously the English and Dutch Nations the first having two Ships and the latter six Merchants-ships in Port. The English Ambassadour being then personally at Adrianople was the first who without the assistance of any other Minister moved in this affair but found great opposition in it from the Turkish Officers who with some resentment of the present reluctancy of the Merchants declared not without passion the resolution the Grand Signior had to conform the honour of the Custom-house in some semblance with those of Christian Princes and therefore did wonder that the Christian Merchants could so easily condescend to the rules of those Custom houses in their own Countries where they were Natives and yet could not support the same in these parts where they were Aliens and Strangers And as a farther evidence of the Turks resolution to maintain this point it was said by the Vizier's Kahya that the Grand Signior was resolved to blow up both Port and Town rather than not be obeyed in his own Dominions with this Answer Merchants despairing of the success began to unlade their ships at the Custom house or to give an account there of the Goods in their Boats for the Customer was become sensible there was not sufficient Water for ships to ride at the Key of the Custom house and did also indulge unto the Merchants several other particulars herein that so the innovation might sit the more lightly on them which he perceived was so ill resented and taken to heart And this was the first beginning in the Months of August and September when this priviledge was taken from the Merchants And in this Year also the Great Chan next to the Besasteen was in Building and the first Foundation thereof laid and the great Aquaduct brought from the Plains of Bogiaw and little Harchi-bonar At the end of the year 1674 we have related the beginning proceedings and conclusion of the War which our Gracious King was pleased in defence of his Subjects and Commerce to make on Tripoly which we brought down to this year 1676 when Sir John Narbrough Sailing home for England touched in his way at Algiers for better understanding of the State of all matters with that Government Things had for some time remained in a doubtful condition between England and that people who having lately proved the smart effects of War with us were not very forward to make a breach Howsoever it being that time when by means of a General Peace which we enjoyed with all the World and of a War in which the rest of Christendom was involved that our navigation flourish'd and that few other Ships besides English passed the Seas the Algerines grew weary of a Peace with us And herein they seemed to have some more reason then usual because that when it was their fortune to meet with strangers they were so disguised with English Colours and Passports surreptitiously and fraudulently procured that they could not distinguish their Friends from Enemies whereof they made frequent Complaints and addresses to his Majesty The King out of a sence of Justice and a tender care of his Subjects welfare knowing that such indirect practises must necessarily produce a War was pleased by a Letter to that People to signify his care in that particular and recalling all Passports formerly given promised a better regulation of them for the future as appears by the Proclamation here following which was inclosed and sent in the Letter to Algiers By the King. A PROCLAMATION Relating to the Articles concluded between His MAJESTY and the Government of Algiers CHARLES R. WHereas by the late Articles of Peace concluded between His Majesty and the Government of Algiers His Majesty out of His Royal Care of the Persons and Estates of His Subjects did agree and provide That none of His Subjects employed or trading in any English Ship or Vessel should for the future be taken and sold as Slaves or his or their Goods made Prize by any of the Subjects of the said Government of Algiers And also that
any of His Majesties Subjects going in Foreign Ships as Passengers only and having Authentick Passports testifying the same should have the like freedom for their Persons and Goods aboard such Foreign Ships And whereas His Majesty is informed that divers of His Subjects contrary to the effect and true meaning of the said Treaty do take upon them to colour and conceal the Ships of Foreigners with whom the said Government of Algiers is in War and to that end do either wholly Navigate the Ships of such Foreigners or otherwise serve in the same as Mariners or Souldiers Which way of proceeding as it doth for the present administer just cause of Complaint from the said Government of Algiers so will it in a short time if not prevented indanger the Security intended by the said Articles for the Ships Persons and Estates of His Majesties Subjects His Majesty doth therefore by this His Royal Proclamation strictly forbid all His Subjects that they do not for the future Navigate the Ships or Vessels of any foreigners in War with the said Government nor presume to serve in the same either as Mariners or Souldiers And His Majesty doth hereby further Declare That if any Offenders contrary to this His Royal Proclamation shall be taken His Majesty will not require any release of their Persons or Estates from the said Government of Algiers but that they must expect to be excluded as they were intended out of the benefit of the said Articles His Majesty also strictly charging such persons as shall hereafter go as Passengers in foreign Ships or Vessels to take care that they have Passports with them signed by His Majesties proper Ministers in England or His Ministers or Consuls abroad expressing the Names of their Persons and the Contents and Qualities of their Goods at their perils Given at our Court at Whitehall this Two and twentieth day of December 1675. in the Seven and twentieth year of Our Reign God save the King. This Care and just Expedient of his Majesty to prevent Fraud and Abuses in this business was otherwise construed by the Algerines and made use of in a contrary sence then was intended by his Majesty For now whatsoever Ships they met with without these new Passes they began to send to Algier and make prize of their goods not considering that the meaning of the King was by these Passes to determine doubtful cases about Ships and not to make a snare to entrap Ships English built manned with English Men and freighted with the goods of his Subjects But these Pyrates and ungracious Villains would find a knot in a Bull-rush and a scruple where none was for now they seized most English Ships they met with for few had been so cautious as to procure the new Passport so that by this pretence having made themselves Masters of a considerable Estate belonging to English Merchants and denying to restore the same a War was the necessary consequence of their refusal which broak out in the year 1676 the success of which we may perchance have occasion to relate in the following years Anno Christi 1676. Hegeirae 1087. THis Year began with joyful News to the whole Turkish Empire all Places and Cities of less renown rejoycing to hear the intentions of the Sultan to refresh and adorn again his Capital Throne of Constantinople with the Imperial Presence for that City which is the most proper Scituation of the World to be made the head of a great Empire having now almost for sixteen years wanted the Rays of Majesty and the Countenance of the Sultan became almost abandoned and forsaken of its Inhabitants so that the spacious Seraglios or Palaces of the chief Ministers and Officers of the Empire began to decay and run to ruine and the Artisans and Shop-keepers to leave their dwellings and to follow their Trade at Adrianople The G. Signior returns â—o Constantinople or in 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 especialy 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 suspicions and jealousies which formerly possesed 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 unexpected 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 unexpected 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 Conjectures concerning the reasons of the Grand Signiors return to Constantinople 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 Salies 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 Place 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 not 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 confirmation of the jealousie their Soveraign had of them to their extraordinary grief and dissatisfaction however it was some contentment to the people and
the Christians in the heat of the Battel as being habited after the Turkish fashion By day there was not a Turk left though they were traced during the obscurity of the Night by the Villages on fire the Infidels having marked their retreat with this last cruelty after they had first burnt their Camp as far as the precipitation of their flight and the fear which obliged them to be gone would permit them They retired also out of the Isle by favour of their lower Bridge the upper Bridge which they had layed being possessed by the Christians upon their arrival The same evening many Cavaliers and Souldiers entered the City with great Droves of Cattel which they found in the Camp and near it which continuing the following days Beef became so cheap that they were sold for five and six Florins each The Duke of Lorrain being now assured that he had no more Enemies to combat dispatcht the Count of Aversberg Son to the Prince of that name to the Emperor to inform him with the happy success of that day On the morrow of the fight being the 13th the fire took in the Powder which the Turks had left a League from the City and confumed an infinite number of Bombs Granadoes and other artificial fire-works This accident was attributed to the negligence of some Christian Souldiers and yet there were prodigious quantities of Powder Bullets c. left behind It was observable that many of the Cannon which the Turks had abandoned were marked with the Arms of the Emperours Ferdinand the first and Rodolf the second After the Souldiery had pillaged the immense Riches of the Camp which amounted to many Millions the King of Poland entered into the City accompanied with Count Starenberg the Governour many Commanders and a great number of the Polish Nobility where Te Deum being sung he the Duke of Bavaria and several Grandees were sumptuously treated by the Governour the People by their joyful acclamations eechoing the praises of their Deliverers In the mean time the Duke of Lorraine was employed in giving the necessary Orders for the Army part of it beginning to discamp and all together with the Poles designing to go in pursuit of the Enemy which favourable conjuncture was omitted in expectation of the Emperour who also arrived that evening at Vienna where he was received coming out of his Boat by the two Electors and the principal Officers of War and Justice Having taken a view of the Enemies works He caused Te Deum to be sung with all the solemnity possible in the Church of St. Stephen That done he caused the Crescent and Star the Ottoman Arms to be taken down from the Spire of that Steeple placed there since the time of Solyman being these last Turks did not cease shooting at it and raised the Cross in their place Wednesday being the 15th the King of Poland sent his Grand Chancellor to the Emperor with a numerous Train to complement him and offer him a part of the booty which he had found in the Grand Visier's Tent and amongst other things the Standard which was always carried before him when he marched It was made of Horse-hair work'd with the Needle and embroidered with flowers the staff of it was guilt as also the Apple which was of brass They call it Tugh in their Language which is to say Horse Tayle The Chancellor made a very elegant Latin Speech and the Emperour answered it with Sentiments of esteem and acknowledgment for his Majesty of Poland After a quarter of an hours conversation with this Envoy and hearing Mass in our Lady of Loretto's Chappel he took Horse to ride to the Camp where he was to visit the King of Poland There was some difficulty about the upper hand This Prince pretended it and there were examples contrary to this pretension In the mean time what he had done deserved particular consideration To conclude it was resolved for the removing of these obstacles that the Emperor should go see the Troops that they should be ranged in Battalia and that these two Sovereigns should advance within twenty steps of each other which was performed in the manner following The Emperour having seen the Bavarians in Battalia continued his way to Ebersdorff where the first Squadrons of the left Wing were drawn up and thence he went to Swech where the right Wing was posted and where the King of Poland expected him Being within Pistol-shot of each other the King with the Prince his Son upon a little gallop moved forwards and then both Princes uncovered at once saluted and covered again in a moment The Emperor spoke first and told the King That he was extremely obliged to him for leaving his Country and undertaking a long and painful voyage to come and combat his Enemies and deliver Vienna that all Christendom shar'd in the obligation and that he had covered himself with glory by so generous an action The King of Poland answered him that it was to God alone that we ought to render our thanks for this Victory that he had done nothing but what every Christian Prince was obliged to do upon the like occasion and that he would endeavour for the future to do yet more for the Interest of Religion that all his displeasure was that he was not in a condition to pursue the Enemy upon their defeat but that his Troops after a march of three days required some rest especially his Cavalry the Horse being extremely tired Prince Alexander who by order of his Father was clothed that day after the German fashion kissed the Emperour's hand who thereupon returned into the City and the King further into his Camp. His Imperial Majesty in his return observed that all the Villages and Palaces were burnt around except the place where Solyman had formerly camped when he besieg'd Vienna in memory whereof the Emperour Rodolf had caused a house of pleasure to be built in that place with Towers which were covered with guilt Copper in the same symmetry or figure that the Sultans Tents were so that the Turks being informed that this building had been made after the Model of Solymans Camp would not ruine it during the Siege but had made a Magazin of it where was also found a great quantity of Bread and Bisquet The Emperour employed the rest of the time that he stayed at Vienna in visiting the Retrenchments and Fortifications with Count Starenberg had made behind the Bastions and the Walls to defend the Ground foot by foot The Prince Elector of Saxony parted the fifteenth with all his Troops His retreat seemed precipitated and supposed to be upon account of the Protestants of Hungary thinking perhaps he had done enough in saving of Vienna whereto he nobly contributed The Emperour willing to recompence Count Starenberg's Services made him Marshal General of the Field and of his Privy Council he gave him 100000 Florins and writ to the King of Spain to send him the Order of the Golden Fleece He
Assault which was resolved upon in a day or two Sept. 1. Three thousand Turks appeared before day by Moon-light on the Bavarian side but seeing the Christians in good order and ready to receive them they retired without any Engagement The Great Chancellor Count Straatman being arrived yesterday at the Camp with a secret Commission called a Council of War in which the Duke of Lorrain the Elector of Bavaria and all the Imperial and Auxiliary Generals did meet The Chancellor exposed his Commission which contained his Imperial Majestie 's desires to put an end to this bloody Siege and that they should consult on the means the most proper and expedient for the terminating of it Two points were chiefly deliberated upon whether they should go with the greatest part of the Army leaving a sufficient number to guard the Lines to force the Grand Visier or should make a General assault upon the place and that with more Forces than had hitherto been employed The later was approved by most of the Generals and it was resolved to assault the place the next day for which purpose every thing that was necessary was prepared that the enterprise might not fail and lest the Enemy might know it it was given out that they would the next day go and fight the Grand Visier which caused great joy amongst the Officers and Souldiers desirous of signalizing themselves The Cannon of all the attacks were in the mean time imployed to inlarge the Breaches and cast down the Enemies fences Sept. 2. All the Generals mounted on Horseback and the Troops put themselves in order to quit the Lines and go to their place of Arms and march towards the Grand Visier making as if they would go and attack them in their Camp. The Duke of Lorrain and the Elector of Bavaria visited their Quarters encouragaing the Officers and Souldiers to maintain the cause of God and the Glory of the Emperour The Infantry was ranged into Battalions whilst the firing in the three attacks was redoubled and a vast quantity of Bombs and chained Bullets were shot against the besiegeds defences which were for the most part thrown down and as the Troops were put in order to march towards the Grand Visier the motion of the Vanguard was instantly changed and at three in the Afternoon the Infantry that composed the Rear-guard was commanded to mount to the assault which was done in the three differing attacks of Lorrain Brandenburg and Bavaria besides which there were two false attacks to divert the Enemy And however that all imaginary precautions were put in use to render the assault easie they encountred so brave a defence in the besieged that they had much ado to surmount them they defended themselves for three quarters of an hour with Halbirds Half-Pikes Partizans and threw such a vast number of Stones Arrows and Granades that they repulsed the Assailants more than once until the Christians encouraged by the presence of their Generals returning with greater force rendred themselves at length Masters of the Breach in all the three attacks The Turks defended themselves by retiring from Retrenchment to Retrenchment so that the slaughter was very bloody and to conclude the besieged being beaten from all their fences the Assailants entred by force into the City ran thro' the streets killed all they met with sparing neither Sex nor Age so that all was filled with the dead bodies of these Infidels The Bavarians in pursuit of their point attack'd 1000 Turks who retired into a Redoubt at the foot of the Castle where they defended themselves with extream Obstinacy until despairing of their safety they hungout a white Flag and demanded quarter but as they had slain many of the Aggressors and had resisted two whole hours without submitting the Duke of Lorrain and the Elector of Bavaria were of Opinion they should have no quarter given them but considering their number that they might yet do much harm that the Night was coming on and that the Souldiers were wearied and ought to rest that the Grand Visier was not far off with a formidable Army and that the fire was in several parts of the City reducing all to Ashes it was resolved they should have their Lives given them which being notified to them they miserable Bravos threw down their Arms. There were about 1000 more who being retired into Cellars and Caverns obtained the same grace The number of the slain amounted to 3000 besides the wounded who were but few so that the Garrison was stronger than it had been reported by the fugitives to have been Abdi Bassa died bravely in the Breach where he fought valiantly with his Sable in his hand without giving back or demanding quarter not to degenerate from the glory and heroick Vertue of the antient Ottomans nor falsifie the Oath which he made to the Grand Seignior to preserve him the place or to end his days gloriously in it The Vice Bassa is also an Officer of great reputation he had defended the Castle and seeing that all was lost retired fighting into the already mentioned Redoubt at the foot of the Castle where he thought to hold it out and give the Grand Visier liesure to come and relieve him but seeing that all was desperate he chose rather to implore the Clemency of the Conquerours than suffer himself and those that were with him to be massacred without any advantage to his party and so he was made a Prisoner with those with him by the Bavarians The Aga of the Janizaries and some chief Officers fell to the Duke of Lorrains share so that the number of Prisoners did not exceed 2000 of 13000 brave expert Souldiers and the very Nerves of the Ottoman Empire which were in the place at the beginning of the Siege The Christians loss in this assault was inconsiderable not above 400 slain and half as many wounded in which number were many Voluntiers but few Officers Collonel Spinola an Officer of good merit was killed at the head of the Assailants and Baron Asti who had been twice already hurt during the Siege received now a third which was feared would prove fatal The plunder which the Souldiers got was extraordinary the riches of this City were vastly great which those of the other Cities of Hungary under the domination of the Turks brought thither as to a place of refuge and impregnable There were found Ammunition and Provisions sufficient for two Months longer The Arsenal was full of all sorts of offensive and defensive Arms to arm 30000 men Harnesses Saddles Boots and other equipage for Horses besides 400 pieces of Cannon and Mortars whereof 170 were mounted and no way prejudiced It is impossible to particularize every thing it may suffice to say that a City could not be better furnished to support a Siege vigorously than this was nor defended by a more brave Garrison But if the opposition hath been surprising so much greater is the glory of those brave Officers Voluntiers and Souldiers that