the next World or are banished into remote Parts The Mutability of the Turkish Court. and sometimes the whole Set of Officers and Ministers of State are changed with him This Man had a corrupted Court and was served by Instruments of the same Humour and Temperament like himself and which were either naturally ill-inclined or made so by his Example With him died the Tefterdar or Lord Treasurer and several other Engines of his Rapine and Violence The Estates of these Malefactors were seized and converted to the Grand Seignior's Coffers which were esteemed in all to amount unto 14 Millions of Dollars to which Sum and a far greater it was believed that Estate only of the Vizier would have amounted unto but it is most certain he had disbursed vast Sums of Mony in this Expedition out of his own Treasure hoping to have had a return tenfold out of the Estates and Spoils of the Christians instead whereof his own Riches became a Prey to his Enemies all the Mony which as some Report amounted to above two Millions found in his Tent were all his own and as they had been Acquisitions obtained by Force and Rapine so they became the Booty and Spoil of the King of Poland passing from the possession of one Covetous Man into the Coffers of another The sublime Office of Great Vizier being now vacant the difficulty of the present Affairs required to have it supplied with a Person of Valour Wisdom and Experience this Office for which many Candidates pretended in former times did now appear so weighty and full of Thorns that the most ambitious amongst the Turks were willing to decline it or at least not seem to seek or affect it The Selictar Aga or Sword-bearer to the Grand Seignior called Soliman Aga Soliman Aga. an accomplished Person in Mind and Body a Man of good Sense being always in the Eyes of his Master and a Favourite was pitched upon as the most fit and proper of any for this Employment But he excused himself to the Sultan with this Complement That thô nothing in this World could be more desirable to him than this Office yet since the execution thereof must necessarily carry him from the adorable Presence of his Master under the Shadow whereof he desired always to live he could not withdraw himself from thence without much Reluctancy and Discomfort and therefore desired that the Seals might be conferred on some other Person more worthy than himself The Grand Seignior judging that these Expressions proceeded from a Heart truly devoted to him accepted of the Excuse and resoved to constitute Ibrahim Pasha then Caimacam with him at Adrianople commonly known by the Name of Kara Kaia Kara Kaia made Vizier in the Vizier's Office He had formerly been Kaia or Steward to Kuprioglee and after his Death was made Embrahose or Master of the Horse He was afflicted with a Distemper called a Serpentine or Cancer which some Years since was caused by an Erysipelas some said it was a politick Disease to excuse himself from going to the War He was a close politick Man and become very weary and cautious by the Dangers and evil Fate of his Predecessors As one means to secure his Condition he frequently called and assembled all the Officers of the Divan and with them consulted all of the Methods in what manner the declining Condition of the Empire might be recovered concerning which speaking his own Sense he often declared That the Errors of the late Vizier were to be retrieved and a quite different Course to be steered for whereas he had contrary to the publick Faith broken the Truce with the Christians without just Reasons before the time was expired for which the Mussulmen had tasted the Displeasure of the Divine Vengeance They were now to appease the Anger of God The Vizier proposes Peace by renewing the same Truce which had been injuriously violated with the Emperor and observing it for the future with such Faith as becomes the common Honesty of Mankind Disliked by the Grand Seignior But this Proposal was in no manner agreeable to the Mind of the Grand Seignior for thô he was naturally a gentle and a peaceable Prince and disliked this War at the beginning Yet like an unlucky Gamester he was unwilling to give over with an ill Hand hoping that the Wheel of Fortune might once again turn in his Favour He had also promised Tekeli considerable Aid and Assistance against the next Campaign and was unwilling to forfeit his Promise and Reputation with him The Vizier finding a Disposition in the Grand Seignior to continue the War desired to be released from his Office which the weakness of his Body rendred him uncapable to discharge to which the Sultan reply'd That he was one of those who had opened the Gate by which much Dishonour and Mischief was entred into the Empire and now would with-draw his Neck out of the Collar but if he did not shut the Gate again he would hang him in all his Divan Robes The Turks indeed were then very low and reduced to such distress for want of Soldiers that from Selibrea which is about thirty Miles from Constantinople in all the Country of Romania except the Sea-coast all that were capable of bearing Arms were sent to the War but being raw Country People proved of little Force against a Veterane Army The Vizier finding himself disappointed in this Contrivance and sensible of the present Disadvantages proposed that the War should be managed on the defensive part rather than to adventure the whole Concernment of the Empire on the Hazards and Chances of War A defensive War intended which seemed to be governed by some evil Influences of the Stars which at that time were not very propitious to the Ottoman Cause This Council being generally well approved it produced two Resolutions one was to divert the intended Design of the Grand Seignior's going in Person to the War for in that Case nothing could become the awful presence and appearance of the Sultan but Fire and Slaughter and direful Vengeance wheresoever his terrible Sword was drawn it being agreeable to the Opinion which the Turks fancy and conceive of their Emperor That he is Omnipotent and that in one Hand he carries all the Riches and Honours of the World and in the other Victory and all sorts of Delights for ever But to draw this Case a little nearer to the Person of the Vizier himself it was farther resolved That in case a defensive War were to be managed it were neither consistent with the Reputation of the Grand Vizier who was the Sultan's Deputy and Representative but more becoming a Sardar with Title of Seraskier or General to wage a War in which the chief Art is to decline a Battel and all Engagements Thus had this old and politick Vizier obtained his Point by sitting at Home and seeing others play the Game which he could approve or disapprove without danger according to the
with whom I also leave a Copy of this as I will likewise do with the Grand Vizier not designing to expose the Confidence they have in my King to the Hazards of any Accidents which might prove equally prejudicial to both Empires I took this Opportunity to shew my self equally Charitable towards the Poor Christians taken in Orsoua and made Slaves as was reported after they had Capitulated to have safe Conduct into the Emperor's Territories I was answer'd That they had Surrendred themselves with condition That if Belgrade were lost they would be Prisoners of War and that the Grand Vizier was not capable of violating the Publick Faith so shamefully I demanded concerning some other Prisoners recommended to me by their Friends but was answer'd That they were all the Grand Seignior's Captives and without his express Order they could not treat either for their Ransom or Exchange He told me That all Officers were well treated and kept without Irons in a Chamber apart with their Servants at the Expence of the Grand Seignior I left 100 Ducats of Gold to be distributed by Capt. Runkel to the Poorest of them which was all the Service I could do them and of which I intreat your Excellency to give their Friends an Account A Courier being dispatched to Constantinople I have had Permission to Write to the Grand Vizier and Sir William Trumbal giving Information of my Arrival I purpose suddenly to continue my Voyage with full intention to do all the Service I can to both Empires in execution of the Commands of my King in whose Name I continue to press as desired your Excellency that some Means may be found out to prevent the Rapines daily practised upon the Poor Country People The inclosed short Letter for my Lord Pagett I intreat your Excellency wou'd transmit to him as also this Original that his Lordship being sufficiently informed may better know what to sollicite from the Emperor and what to acquaint the King my Master I am Belgrade April 30. May 10. 1691. Sir William Hussey's Letters to the Lord Pagett at Vienna Adrianople May 25. 1691. My Lord I Sent a full Account of our Arrival at Belgrade April 30. S. N. From thence we came by Water to Rustick two Days lower than Nicopolis and thence in eight Days Land-Journey hither whence we advanced forwards two Days but met there by my Secretary and Interpreter from Constantinople with Letters and Advice from Sir William Trumbal that the Vizier was upon departure and ordered us to stay his Arrival at Adrianople We returned back two Days past I have been received and treated in all Places with singular marks of Respect and Honour equal to any in the same Character I send this upon Fortune to inform your Lordship of our Arrival As to our Negotiation I must attend the Audience before I can give you any Account still in suspence God be praised we are all well and my Secretary I brought from Vienna The Turks pretend to have a great Army and design chiefly towards Transylvania If this meets a quick conveyance I beg your Lordship to acquaint my Lord Nottingham of my Arrival I have wrote to the Dutch Ambassador for his Advice and Consideration in respect to me and his Stay or Journey hither since I cannot be permitted to attend him at Constantinople How I shall proceed to Constantinople stay here or follow the Campaign your Lordship must expect hereafter My Secretary has added a few Lines I inclose to your Lordship My humble Duty to all the Ministers Nothing shall be wanting which is in my Power I am c. Adrianople June 3 13. 1691. My Lord THE Vizier made his Entrance first with no great Train nor in the Publick Streets but past direct to his Tents half an Hours distance the Grand Seignior enter'd on the 29th with a fair shew to us but to others very short of former Splendour he was in a Litter one of his Court with him at the other end The Vizier sent his Emeen Chewse the 2d in that Office with eight more the same Afternoon he entred that he being in haste desired me to be ready to come to Audience next Day We were surprized because our Druggermen in good Manners thinking that Day due to his Repose did not design to have carried my Complement and to desire leave of Audience till next Day but I sent them immediately to perform my Duty in congratulating his Excellency's Arrival and to concert Matters for next Day also to desire it might be private in regard I was without Equipage suitable to a Publick Appearance The Chewse Bassa told the Vizier in regard I had no great Retinue his Personal Attendance might be wav'd but he commanded him to come in Person Accordingly on Monday Morning June 1 11 about nine a Clock we set forward in the best Accoutrements we could I was in my Embroider'd Scarlet Coat six English Footmen in my English Lac'd Liveries six in red Liveries al modo Turchesco 18 Chewses in Van two Druggermen after them then my self with the Chewse-Bassa on my right Hand and about 10 Gentlemen on Horseback following me some of my own Company others that came from Belgrade with me and several other Turks that we made a large Train and drew Crouds of Spectators In half an Hour we arrived at his Camp conducted into his Tents we past one very large one and through that into another his Officers were all drawn in Lines they brought me a Stool to sit on and immediately the Vizier enter'd sat down upon a Bed carpeted his People made a Prayer at his Entrance he bid me welcome and I acquainted him with my Commission delivering him the King's Letter and its Translation after this was over the Tent full of Officers and his two Sons standing on his right Hand I ask'd his Excellencies leave now or when he pleas'd to speak in private he told me after Sherbet Coffee c. the Turkish Treat the Company should retire and he being in haste desired it now when we discoursed according to the Relation I send inclosed Verbatim as nigh as we four could remember and to which we all put our Hands viz. my self Senior Marsigli Mr. Coke Secretary and Senior Antonio Perrone chief Interpreter there remained none in the Room but the Vizier as before mentioned and one Druggerman more At Departure I was Vested and 11 more all that I had of Quality and conducted back with some Respect His Excellency was very courteous and we had all the Marks possible of a very kind Reception with as much Honour as any in the Character My Lord The Point resolved was That his Excellency would not own the Turks at Vienna under any Publick Character would neither write to them or send any other When I told him the Emperor had accepted the King of England and States of Holland to assist and was well disposed to a Peace and if his Excellency did incline also I hop'd there might be
greatest Captains in the World But now in regard this Pass of Vypalancha was too far within the Territory of the Enemy to be any long time maintained for that should the Garrison be German or Rascian it would be too much exposed without any possibility of Relief the General Rabutin resolved to Slight and Demolish the Place and accordingly he gave all up to the Flames And on the seventh Day so soon as the Cannon were carried away it was put into execution which was soon effected by the great Numbers of Country-men and Peasants employed upon that Work and the same Morning the Camp was removed nearer to the Palancha The Particulars of Men Killed and Wounded in the Assault of Vypalanca GERMANS Killed Men 10 Horses 26 Wounded Men 87 Horses 21 Of the ARTILLERY Killed 0 Wounded 1 RASCIANS Killed 4 Wounded 18 Found in the Place 16 Ensigns exposed round the Town 63 Turkish Prisoners and 32 Women 11 Pieces of Cannon of Copper carrying from two to eight Pound Ball. 200 Granadoes for the Hand some Powder and some few other Warlike Arms. About 200 Bushels of Grain with some Flour of Wheat Besides which all other things were given up to the Plunder of the Soldiers Besides which there were above 1000 Pieces of Rock-Salt which were brought from Valachia These Successes which the Christians had gained over the Turks in all Places through the whole Course of this Year 1697 put them into a kind of Despair of being any more Victorious but rather to yield to the Hand of God and to fix a Period to the Limits of their Empire which they believed by the Providence of God was no farther to be extended These Thoughts put all the Great Men and Governors of the Ottoman Empire into such a Melancholy that contrary to their usual Humour of Pride and Vain Imaginations of Riches and Enlargement of Empire as if the Ottoman Arms were never to be weakened or brought low all the Powerful and Warlike Men together with the Sultan concluded That after such a Series of Misfortunes both by Sea and Land God frowned on their Enterprises and would no longer favour their Martial Proceedings And therefore that until such time as God's Anger against them was appeased there was no safety but in a Happy Peace to be Negotiated by the only true Allies of the Ottoman Empire namely the Great King William of Great Britain and the Most Potent Lords the States General of the Low-Countries or United Provinces for whom at that time namely for the first the Lord Paget was then Ambassador at the Port and for the latter was the Heer Colyer both of them Persons qualified by their Offices and long Experiences in the Turkish Affairs to become Mediators and Ministers for their Powerful and Puissant Masters in Treating a Peace of the greatest Importance of any that hath happened in this or in the preceeding Age unless it be the General Peace in which all Christendom was so nearly concerned What farther moved the Turks to desire and promote this Peace was their Ill Successes at Bassora where that Pasha whom we have formerly mentioned had carried for some time all before him and tho' the Persians had often promised their Assistance to the Turks for Suppression of that Rebellion yet nothing was acted by them in reality until the Grand Seignior and the whole Government became sensible that nothing was to be expected of good either by War or Peace but by their own Negotiations in pursuance of which the Mediation so often offered was at length accepted and put into execution at the beginning of the Year 1698. Anno 1698. THIS Year was happily begun with a Resolution on all sides to make the Peace January Howsoever at the beginning thereof things looked very frowningly without that gentle Prospect which is commonly the Fore-runner of a Peace For at the beginning of this Month three Aga's were dispatched from Adrianople to the Chimacam of Constantinople with Orders to facilitate their Passage into Asia by the most Expedite Posts that could be formed howsoever in their Passage they entered into Conferences with the Chief Ministers at Constantinople giving them to understand That they had Orders to Summon the Tartar Han to appear in Conference at Adrianople with the Sultan Mufti and Grand Vizier whose Opinions and Resolutions were at first to continue the War which they declared themselves very able to do for tho' it was true that they had lost the best part and the most flourishing of their Janisaries and Infantry yet their Cavalry was almost entire and able to Engage the Enemy with an Advantage and were able to form a better Army this than the last Year The Tartar Han declared That he did not fear the Muscovites so much as he did the Cossacks and the Poles but of them they are in no great Apprehensions neither for that the French Ambassador had promised and assured them That the Prince of Conti should so disturb the Affairs of Poland that no danger needed to be feared from that People And now to strengthen these Proposals the Sultan decreed That new Contributions should be required over all Asia and Men of great Authority were sent with Bands and Troops of Segmen and other Militia to raise the Money by force and power Orders were also sent to the Chimacam of Constantinople to put the Forges of Constantinople at work for founding great quantities of Cannon And that the Maritime Affairs might not be neglected Mezzo Morto was continued in the Office of Captain-Pasha or Admiral with Orders and Instructions to sight the Venetians Thus all things looked as if nothing had been intended besides a War Howsoever the Great God of Hosts in whose Hands remains the Balance of Peace and War having designed otherwise and at length to give repose and rest after so long Wars to the Nations of the Earth was pleased in his Divine Providence to direct a Conference in the Month of May between the Great Vizier the Tartar Han and the Mufti at Adrianople who having considered of the many Difficulties under which the Mahometan Religion and the Ottoman Empire laboured gave it as their Opinions to the Sultan that there could be no safety to either but in a Peace for which they produced many Reasons but none of greater force than that for this Year no Assistance could be expected from Asia nor was it possible to recruit in one Years time the lost Body of the Janisaries which is the Nerve of the Ottoman Militia in which Opinion the Chimacam of Adrianople called Mustapha Pasha who had formerly been Grand Vizier concurred with the others and all of them joyning together in the same Opinion made their Applications to the Sultan giving him to understand That having duly considered of this important matter nothing seemed so necessary as a Peace which God had now pleased in his Goodness for the Comfort and Relief of the Mahometan Cause to offer unto them The which Declaration and
much known to the World either for Friends or Foes tho' they began now under the present Czar by the taking of Asac and some other Actions to make themselves known to the Turks and other Nations of the World It being now resolved on all sides to make the Peace the Mediators who were to manage the Treaty were nominated and appointed and the most proper Persons esteemed to be the Ambassadors from England and Holland both of which having never been Engaged in the War on any of the sides but had always been true and ancient Friends to the Port the Turks could have no Objections to alledge against either nor had the Christian Princes any cause to suspect the Faith and Friendship of two such Ambassadors whose Offices and Persons were acceptable to the Turks and not displeasing to the Christians The Names of these Ambassadors designed to this so Necessary and Most Honourable Employment were the Lord Paget Ambassador for William King of Great-Britain and the Heer Colyer Ambassador for the Lords the States of the United Provinces All Matters being now ripe for Action and a willing mind for Execution the Turks moved with their Camp on the 11th of June 1698. commanded by the Grand Vizier the Grand Seignior still remaining behind in his Tent and with them also moved the two Ambassadors with their Equipages And to put every thing into a good posture and a way of Dispatch the Lord Ambassador's Secretary was dispatched away a second time as he had been the first on the 10th of May for Vienna from whence he returned on the 5th of July to Sophia where on the same Day he there met with the Lord Ambassador Paget to whom he Communicated the good News of the Happy Inclinations of the Emperor and that Court towards the Peace But that no delay should be made therein the same Secretary was again dispatched away to hasten the Emperor's Ambassadors to the Place appointed and agreed upon for the Treaty and to procure and bring with him Passes and safe Conducts for the Turkish Plenipotentiaries who were the Reis Effendi Chief Chancellor or Secretary and Maurocordato who was the principal and first Interpreter to the Grand Seignior These two Persons together with the Lord Paget and the Dutch Ambassador set out from Sophia before the Camp on the 15th of July and on the 24th they had passed 10 Hours beyond Nissa and on the 31st they arrived happily at Belgrade The Ambassadors remained at this place for the space of two Months that is of August and September the which passed soon away in regard that the Expectations of Peace had so filled Mens Hearts that nothing was heard in all Places but the Voices of Peace and Joy in all their Quarters At length the Mouth of October being entered the Proclamation of Neutrality was first published at Peter Waradin to the great Pleasure and Satisfaction of all People both Christians and Turks and afterwards at Belgrade On the 9 19th of October the Lord Paget and the Dutch Ambassador left their Camp near the City raised on an Eminence where was a good Air and a good Prospect over the Countries round about and upon the same Day early in the Morning they passed the Save a River which runs from Bosnia and falls into the Danube at Belgrade where it loses its Name In passing this River this Order was observed First went an Allai-Bey or the Marshal of the Show with about 50 Horse Then 60 Chiauses on Horseback A Guard of Janisaries being about 330 Men all on Foot An Aga belonging to the Ambassadors with his own Servants and six Domestick Janisaries After which followed two Flags one with the English Coat of Arms and the other was a large Red Cross in a White Field Then followed the English Ambassador's 6 led Horses covered with very rich Furniture followed by the Gentleman of the Horse to my Lord Ambassador attended by a Giovane di Lingua or a young Druggerman or Interpreter Then came up the two Interpreters attending His Excellency the Lord Ambassador on each side of his Horse and they attended with two Heydukes in their own Country Habit and on both sides 10 Chiohadars or Servants who carry the Cloaks or Vests of the Great Men in White Vests with their Carbines on their Shoulders The Brother to the Lord Ambassador road afterwards with six Chiohadars Then followed the Secretary and Doctor with two English Gentlemen one from Aleppo and the other from Tripoli Also six Pages with the Lord Ambassador's Coach with a Turkish one which went before the Common Servants who marched all on Horseback two and two At their Passage over the Bridge of the Save which was lined with Janisaries three Guns were fired from the Castle and the Gallies Saicks and the Frigats as they passed fired eaâ—h a Gun About half the way to Semblin the Chiaus and others whom the Vizier had sent along with them made a Halt and having wished a good Journey to those whom they conducted returned back About an Hour after these Matters had passed the Dutch Ambassador followed and was used with the same Civility as those preceding The Emperor's Ambassadors because they sent Passports to the Turkish Ambassadors Signed by the Emperor's Hand desired to have others Signed by the Sultan But because it was considered that this exchange of Passports would take up a great deal of time the Mediators found out and agreed upon this Expedient That the Proclamation being made in both the Emperors Names no Passports should be delivered either from the Germans to the Turks or from the Turks to the Germans but that a Pleni-power should be given to the Midiators to grant Passports to People who were going up and down within the Limits of Neutrality agreed on both sides So the German Ambassadors resolved to go to Carlowitz within three Days time tho' their Wooden Houses were not arrived as yet The Mediators also agreed upon the same and to place themselves so that their Doors might be over against each other at a good distance whereby the Turks remained wholly on the Belgrade side and the Germans towards Peter Waradin The 11 21st the Venetian Ambassador arrived at Futack but the Muscovite Ambassador after their unthinking manner came directly the same Day to Peter Waradin without giving the Governour Notice of his coming by which Neglect of the Moscovite no Salutes were passed on him of which he complained to the Governour but that was easily answered by saying That he knew nothing of his coming down the River and therefore hoped to be excused In fine To Accommodate this Matter it was agreed That the Boats of the Moscovites should remove from the place where they first Landed and by a Signal given by the Ambassador's Trumpets the Guns should be fired which was done both from the Castle the Town and the Fleet. On the 15 25th of this Month of October the Turkish Ambassadors arrived at two Hours distance from the Tents of the
commodè iter suum perficiant omni favore coadjuventur XVIII Pax ista quamvis secundum propositas conditiones conclusa tum demum integrum ex omni parte robur obligationis debitae observantiae vinculum accipiet inducet cum omnia singula quae de Confiniis suprà recensito modo ultrò citróque promissa acceptata sunt tam de distinctionibus limitum quà m de evacuationibus demolitionibus plenarie in effectum executionem deducta fuerint ita ut absolutae designatione limitum in unoquoque Confinio statim subsequatur demolitio aut evacuatio quod ut quam celerrimè succedat designentur ad limites terminos Confiniorum ponendos distinguendos ex utraque parte Commissarii qui die Aequinoctii scilicet 22. mensis Martii aut 12 secundum veterem Stylum Anni Millesimi Sexcentesimi Nonagesimi noni in locis inter Commissarios consensu Gubernatorum utriusque Confinii determinandis mediocri pacifico Comitatu conveniant atque intra spatium duorum Mensium si possibile sit aut etiam citius ubi fieri poterit Confinia limitibus terminis manifestis per superiores articulos constitutis distinguant separent determinent Statuta inter legatos Plenipotentiarios utriusque imperii accuratissimè citissimè exequantur XIX Has vero conditiones articulos ad formam hic mutuò placitam à Majestatibus utriusque Imperatoris ratihabitum iri atque ut solennia ratificationis Diplomata intra spatium triginta dierum à die Subscriptionis vel citius in Confiniis per Illustrissimos Excellentissimos legatos Plenipotentiarios Mediatores reciprocè recteque commutentur legati Plenipotentiarii utriusque imperii sese infallibilitèr obligant atque praestituros compromittunt XX. Duret Armistitium hocce extendatur favente Deo ad viginti quinque Annos continuè sequentes à die qua ejusdem subscriptio facta fuerit quo Annorum numero clapso vel etiam medio tempore priusquam elabatur liberum esto utrique partium si ità placuerit Pacem hanc ad plures adhuc Annos prorogare Itaque mutuo libero consensu quaecunque stabilita sunt Pacta inter Majestatem Serenissimi Potentissimi Ramanorum Imperatoris Majestatem Serenissimi Potentissimi Ottommannorum Imperatoris Haeredes eorundem imperia quoque Regna ipsorum Terrâ item marique sitas Regiones civitates urbes subditos clientes observentur sanctè religiosè ac inviolabiliter demandetur seriò omnibus utriusque partis Gubernatoribus Praefectis Ducibus Exercituum atque Militiis quibusvis in eorundem clientela obedientiae subjectioni existentibus ut illi quoque praedeclaratis conditionibus clausulis pactis articulis sese adaequatè conformantes omnibus modis caveant ne contra Pacem amicitiam hanc sub quocunque nomine aut praetextu se invicem offendant aut damnificent sed quolibet prorsus inimicitiae genere abstinendo bonam colant vicinitatem certò scientes quod si catenus admoniti morem non gesserint severissimis in se poenis animadvertendum fore Ipse quoque Crimensis Chanus omnes Tartarorum Gentes quovis nomine vocitatae ad Pacis hujus bonae vicinitatis reconciliationis Jura ritè observanda adstricti sint nec iisdem contraveniendo hostilitates qualescunque exerceant erga quasvis Caesareas Provincias earumque Subditos aut Clientes Porro sive ex aliis Exercituum generibus sive ex Nationibus Tartarorum si quis contra Sacras Imperatorias hasce Capitulationes contra Pacta Articulos earum quidpiam ausus fuerit is poenis rigorosissimis coerceatur Incipiat verò modo dicta Pax Quies Securitas subditorum utriusque Imperii à supradata die Subscriptionis cessent exinde atque sustollantur omnes utrinque inimicitiae Subditi utriusque partis securitate tranquillitate fruantur Eoque fine quò magis per summam curam ac sedulitatem hostilitates inhiberi possint transmittantur quà m celerrimè Mandata Edicta publicandae Pacis ad omnes confiniorum Praefectos cumque spatium aliquod temporis requiratur intra quod officiales in remotioribus praesertim Confiniis istam conclusae Pacis notitiam obtinere valeant statuuntur viginti dies pro termino post quem si quis hostile quidpiam alterutra ex parte admittere praesumpserit poenis superius declaratis irremissibiliter subjaceat Ut demum Pacis Conditiones Viginti hisce articulis conclusae utrinque acceptatae debito summóque cum respectu inviolatae observentur Si quidem Domini Plenipotentiarii Ottomannici vi concessae iisdem facultatis Imperatoriae instrumentum Turcico sermone exaratum subscriptum legitimum validum nobis exhibuerint Nos quoque vi Mandati Plenipotentia nostra propriis manibus propriis Sigillis Subscriptas Signatas hasce Pactorum literas in Latino Idiomate tanquam legitimum validum vicissim Instrumentum extradidimus THE INSTRUMENT OF THE Treaty of Peace BETWIXT THE GERMAN and OTTOMAN Empires Subscrib'd January 26. 1699. FOR the perpetual Memory of the Thing Be it known to all whom it may Concern That after a cruel and pernicious War had for 17 years been carried on with the Effusion of much Blood and Desolation of many Provinces between the most Serene and most Potent Prince and Lord Leopold Elect of the Romans and Emperor of Germany always August King of Hungaria Bohemia Dalmatia Croatia Sclavonia Arch-Duke of Austria Duke of Burgundy Brabant Styria Carinthia Carniola Marquis of Moravia Duke of Luxemburgh of the Upper and Lower Silesia of Wirtemberg and Tecka Prince of Swevia Count of Habsburgh of Tyrol Kyburgh and Goritia Marquis of the Sacred Roman Empire of Burgovia of the Upper and Lower Lusatia Lord of the Marquisate of Sclavinia of the Port of Naon and the Salt Mines on one part And between the most Serene and most Potent Prince and Lord Sultan Mustapha Han Emperor of the Ottomans and of Asia and Greece and his Glorious Predecessors on the other Part. These two most Potent Emperors out of a just Sense of Compassion towards their afflicted Subjects at length resolving to put an End to these Mischiefs every Day encreasing with Destruction to Mankind the Divine Goodness brought it to pass that by the Endeavours and Mediation of the most Serene and most Potent Prince and Lord William III. King of Great Britain France and Ireland and the High and Mighty Lords the States General of the United Belgic Provinces that Solemn Treaties of Peace were set on foot at Carlowitz in Sirmium upon the Confines of both Empires and there brought to a Conclusion There Meeting at the said place on the part of his Sacred Caesarean and Imperial Majesty of the Romans as his Plenipotentiaries the most Illustrious and most Excellent Lords Wolfang Count d'Ottingen of the Sacred Roman Empire Chamberlain of his Sacred Caesarean Majesty and Privy-Counsellor and President of the
Imperial Aulic Council and the Lord Leopold Schlik Count in Passaun and Weiskirchen of the Sacred Roman Empire Chamberlain of his said Caesarean Majesty Captain General of the Guards and Colonel of the Regiment of Desvetorii Both these at these Treaties of Peace with the Ottoman Port Deputed Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiaries But on the part of his Imperial Ottomannick Majesty the most Illustrious and most Excellent Lords Mehemet Effendi Supreme Chancellor of the Ottoman Empire and the Lord Alexander Mauro Cordato of the Noble Family of Scarlati Privy Counsellor and Secretary of the said Empire By the Intervention and Care of the most Illustrious and most Excellent Lords the Lord William Paget Baron Beaudesert and the Lord Jacob Colyer Ambassadors from the most Serene King of Great Britain and the High and Mighty States General to the Ottoman Port and both of 'em Ambassadors Extraordinary for the Establishment of this Peace and both of 'em perform'd the Office of Mediator with Integrity Industry and Prudence after having Invok'd the Name of GOD and Exchanged the Powers receiv'd the Twenty following Articles of Peace which were Agreed upon to the Glory of GOD and the Safety of both Empires I. THE Region of Transylvania as it is at present in the Possession and in the Power of his Caesarean Majesty so it shall remain under his Dominion Bounded by the Confines of Podolia and with the Mountains on the side of Walachia which were its Antient Limits before the present War between Transylvania on one part and Moldavia and Walachia on the other and on the side of Walachia it is to extend to the River Merisch to be Circumscrib'd by the Mountains that were its Antient Boundaries and so the Antient Limits are to be observ'd by both Empires without extending or diminishing them on either side II. The Province subject to the Fortress of Temeswaer with all its Districts and Rivers shall remain in the Possession and under the Power of the Sublime Ottoman Empire and it shall remain Bounded by Transylvania on one side and by Walachia on the other to the River Merisch the Antient Boundaries of Transylvania mention'd in the former Article Then from the River Merisch to the nearer Banks of the Tibisch and from the Tibisch to the Danube to be Limited by the hither Banks of the Tibisch and as for Caransebes Lugos Lippa Csanad Kiscanisia Betche Betskerecke and Sablia which are comprehended within these prescrib'd Limits between the Merisch and the Tibisch and were before the present War belonging to the Territories of Temeswaer both these and any other place of the like Nature shall be slighted by the Imperialists so that by Virtue of this present Treaty they may not be Rebuilt and this foresaid Region of Temeswaer is to be left Free and Entire so that for the time to come neither in these Places nor on the Banks of Merisch or Tibisch shall it be lawful to Build any Places that shall carry the Appearance of Fortifications The use of the Rivers Tibisch and Merisch between the Province of Temeswaer and those subject to the Imperialists shall be left Free and Common to those Subjects of both Empires as well in relation to the Watering of their Cattle as to the Fishing and any other Conveniencies to both Subjects Ships of any Burden coming from Parts subject to the Imperialists whether it be from the Merisch into the Tibisch and from the Tibisch into the Danube are by no means to be hindred or stop'd whether they are going up or down the Streams so that the Naviation of German Ships or other Subjects of the Empire are neither going nor coming to be Incommoded but their Passage both going and coming is to be Free in both the said Rivers And because the common Convenience of mutual Friendship and Kindness requires that the Ottoman Subjects should likewise partake of the Benefits of these Rivers therefore they may freely make use of Fishermens Ships or other Boats But Mills built on Bottoms of Ships can be only planted there where they do not Obstruct the Navigation of the Imperialists and that to be done by Communicating with and Consent of the Governours on both sides and the Intent of this is That the Navigation of the Merisch be not rendred worse to the Imperialists whether it be by lessening the Stream for the sake of Mills or any other pretence whatsoever The Islands in both the said Rivers that are in the possession of the Imperialists are to remain so and that the Subjects on both sides may live Quietly and Peaceably is to be provided by severe Edicts forbidding all sort of Insolencies and Contraventions to the present Articles III. Considering the Region commonly call'd Batska betwixt the Tibisch and the Danube is in the sole Possession and under the Power of his Imperial Majesty it is agreed it shall for the future continue so and Titul is not to be more Fortify'd than it is at present IV. A right Line to be drawn from the Extreme Bank of the Tibisch opposite to that of Titul and to that Angle of Land made by the Conjunction of the Tibisch and Danube to the Bank on the other side the Danube and thence to be stretch'd streight to Moravitz on the hither Bank of the River Bossut and from thence to the place where the Grand Stream of the River Bossut falls into the Save and Moravitz is to remain without any Fortification and only open Villages to be built on both sides the River and the Empires shall remain separated by the foresaid Line to be mark'd out either by Ditches Stones or Pales or any other way after the following manner viz. That part of the Country within the foresaid Limits towards Belgrade shall remain Subject to the Ottoman Emperor but the Country on the other side the said Line shall continue under the Dominion and in the Possession of the most Potent Roman Emperor and accoridng to the foresaid Boundaries the adjacent Rivers are to remain in the Possession of each Party V. Reckoning from the River Bossut flowing into the Save and likewise the Entrance of the River Unna into the same River that part of the Save adjoyning to the Imperial Country is to remain to his Imperial Majesty and the other part to the Turkish Emperor The River Save flowing betwixt both Dominions and the Islands situated in it shall be common to the Subjects of both Empires as well for the Use of Navigation up and down the River as any other sort of Conveniencies who are to enjoy a peaceable and undisturb'd Commerce That Country on the side the River Unna towards Bosnia belonging to the Turkish Empire shall be terminated by the Banks of that River Novi Dubizza Jessenovitza Doboy and Brod on the side of Bosnia are to be Evacuated and ev'ry other such like place in this Tract of Land and the Imperial Garrisons to be all withdrawn and the Country to be left Free But Castanovitz and the
c. and Lord Jacob Colyer performing the part of Mediators with great good Offices and Diligence Deputed so to do by the most Glorious amongst the most Illustrious Christian Princes and the Resort of the Rulers of the Nations William III. of England Scotland and Ireland King and the States General whose Ends God crown with Salvation and Righteousness altho' both Parties show'd a Propensity and Inclination to Peace and Reconciliation but considering in so short a time it was not easie to remove all Difficulties and to settle all things Agreeable to Friendship and good Neighbourhood Therefore least the Continuance of these good Treaties should be interrupted but that they should proceed and be brought to an End with this Intent on both sides by mutual Consent the Term of Two Years is Agreed on to begin from the 25th of December Christmas-day A. Heg 1110. within which time this good Treaty may be reduced into Order and by the Grace of the most High God a Peace or Truce may be concluded betwixt the Sublime Empire and the Muscovitish Czareate by which perpetual and ancient Friendship may be Renew'd Therefore within the Term thus prefix'd by unanimous Consent all War Battles and Skirmishes shall cease and all Hostilities shall be remov'd and forbid to the Subjects of the Czar of Muscovy both Muscovites and Cossacks and all others there shall be no Excursion Hostility Damage whether privately or publickly done or committed upon the Musulman Confines subject to the Sublime Empire whether in the Crimea or any other Places or upon the Subjects of this Empire In like manner on the part of the High Empire no Army of what Condition soever especially belonging to the Crimean Cham and all sorts of Tartars or Hords shall make any sort of Excursion nor commit Damage privately or publickly upon the Cities and Towns and Subjects or Dependants upon the Czar And if contrary to this Compact and Agreement which is made betwixt us any either privately or publickly shall raise any Commotion or make Preparation for it or shall commit Hostility or make Incursion or shall be Obstinate or not Obedient let 'em be of what side they will they shall be Apprehended Imprison'd and Punish'd without Mercy Therefore after this method shall this Truce be cultivated and observ'd during the time of it all Conflicts and Hostilities shall be remov'd and extinguish'd and both Parties with full Inclination shall apply themselves to the Conclusion of a Peace and the Crimean Cham shall be included in this Place by reason of the Obedience and Subjection he owes to the Sublime Empire That it may be receiv'd and observ'd on both sides the Plenipotentiary Ambassador and Commissary of the highly foremention'd Czar by Virtue of his Powers and Authority has deliver'd an Authentick Instrument in due Form written in the Muscovite Language We likewise by Virtue of our Powers and Deputation have deliver'd this Authentick Instrument in due Form Subscrib'd with our Hands and Seal'd with our Seals God is favourable to Justice A COPY OF THE Muscovite Treaty WITH THE TURKS IN the Name of the Omnipotent Lord God One in Holy Trinity By whose Grace the most Serene and Potent Lord Czar and Great Duke Peter Alexovic Emperor of the Whole Great and Little Russia of Muscovy Kiovia Wolodimiria Novogardia Czar of Carania Czar of Astrachan Czar of Siberia Lord of Plescovia Great Duke of Smolenscum Lord of Treria Ingoria Permia Viatka Bolgaria and of other Dominions Great Duke of Novogardia of the Lower Country of Csernihovia Resania Rostovia Jarosclavia Belovroria Valoria Obdoria Condinia and Emperor of all the Northern Country and Lord of the Land af Iveria Czar of the Cartalinensians and Grunizensians and Duke of Karbardia of the Csercassians and Mountaneers and many other Dominions and Lands to the East West and North from Father and Ancestors Heir Successor Lord and Commander between his Majesty and the most Mighty Great Lord Sultan Mustapha Han Son of Sultan Mehmet Han Lord of Constantinople of the White Sea the Black Sea of Anatolia Rumia Romania of the most Honour'd Mecca and Medina and Holy Jerusalem of Egypt of the Abyssines of Babylon and Rica and Commander of Damascus Emperor of the Tartarian and Crimean Hords as also of many other Dominions Kingdoms and Cities Islands and Provinces Whereas the War for many years has been the Cause of the Misery of the Subjects and Dependants on both Parties that Friendship and Kindness might be restor'd and by that means the Civil Affairs might become better settled and all things chang'd into a more flourishing Condition with this intent a Congress was had in Sirmium on the Confines of Carlovitz with the most Illustrious and most Excellent the most Select Lord Great Chancellor Reis Mehmet Effendi and the most Select Lord of the Privy Council Mauro Cordato of the Family of Scarlati Plenipotentiary Commissioners and Ambassadors Extraordinary of the highly mention'd Sultan Majesty Deputed with full Powers to Treat of and Settle the Business of a Peace through the Mediation of his most Serene and most Royal Majesty of Great Britain and of the States General of the Netherlands by their most Excellent Plenipotentiaries Ambassadors Extraordinary the Lord William Lord Pagett Baron de Beaudesert c. and Lord Jacob Colyer c. both sides show'd an Inclination to a Peace and Truce but in so short a time it was not easie to remove all Difficulties and put all things into an Order agreeable to Friendship and Good Neighbourhood yet least the Continuance of these Treaties should be Interrupted and that they might be perfected and brought to an end with this Intent by mutual Consent on both sides a Truce betwixt the two great highly mention'd Lords is Agreed on for Two Years to Commence from Christmas-day the 25th day of December Anno Domini 1698. within which Term this Treaty may be reduc'd into good Order and by the Blessing of God a perpetual Peace or a Truce for a sufficient Number of years may be Concluded and Antient Friendship restor'd betwixt his Czarish Muscovite Majesty and Turkish Sultan Majesty Therefore within this prefix'd time all War Battles Fights and Skirmishes shall Cease and on both sides all Hostilities shall be remov'd and extinguish'd nor shall any Incursion or Hostility be done or any Damage committed either privately or publickly by the Subjects of his Czarish Majesty whether Muscovites or Cossacks or others within the Mussulman or Crimean Confines or within any other of his Sultan Majesty's Dominions or on any of his Subjects In like manner on the part of his Sultan Majesty no sort of Troops of what Condition soever shall be brought against his Czarish Majesty especially the Crimean Cham and the Tartars of what Nation or Hord soever shall be oblig'd not to make any Incursions or do any Damage publickly or privately either in the Cities Towns or Territories Subject to his Czarish Majesty And if contrary to this Constitution and Agreement made betwixt us
altè memorati Poloniarum Regis Domini mei Clementissimi Successorum ejus Rempublicam Polonam ex altra parte Serenissimi Potentissimi Musulmannorum Imperatoris ejusdemque Haeredum ex voluntate Clementia Dei perpetua stabilis firma inconcussa permaneat conservata atque custodita sit ab omni turbatione mutatione confusione violatione uno eodemque tenore firmissimè perseveret constantissimè continuet ut omnes omnino hostilitates amoveantur atque sustollantur quà m citissimè notitia praebeatur in Confiniis Praefectis Gubernatoribus ut sibi caveant ne imposterum transgressiones fiant neve altera pars alteri damna inferat Verùm enimverò omnes utrinque sincerè amicè sese praestent juxta istam almam Pacem Ut autem omnibus cognita comperta sit istius almae Pacis Conclusio triginta dies pro termino ponantur post quem nullus praetextus nullaque excusatio acceptabitur sed in eos qui adversabuntur editis Edictis exactam obedientiam merentibus severissimè animadvertatur Post Subscriptionem autem Instrumentorum utriusque Partis Ablegatus priùs à Polonia missus ad Fulgidam Portam veniens juxta antiquam consuetudinem afferat Regias publicas Literas Ratificationem Pactorum Instrumentis declaratorum continentes atque Literas Imperatorias ratificatorias item accipiat deducat Postea verò ad solennem confirmationem Pactorum Pacis perfectionem reciprocae sinceritatis absolutam terminationem mutuae Amicitiae dispositionem ac digestionem reliquarum rerum juxta laudatum veterem morem adventurus Magnus Legatus quamprimùm commodè fieri poterit moveat ac proinde undecim numero Pactis conclusa juxta istas conclusiones alma Pax ab utraque Parte acceptetur atque colatur Cùm verò altè memorati Illustrissimi Excellentissimi Domini Excelsi Imperii Plenipotentiarii Commissarii existentes Legati vi suae Facultatis auctoritatis Turcico Sermone exaratum legitimum validum instrumentum tradiderint ego quoque vi Facultatis Deputationis meae propriâ manu subscriptas Sigillo sigillatas à me praesentes Pactorum Literas tanquam legitimum validum Instrumentum tradidi THE TREATY OF PEACE BETWEEN The Most Serene and Most Potent King AND Republick of POLAND AND The Sublime OTTOMAN Empire Made at Carlovitz in Sirmium in a General Congress of the Confederate Plenipotentiaries In the Name of the most Holy and Individual Trinity TO the perpetual Memory of the Thing Be it known to all and every one whom it may Concern Whereas there has been a long War between the Kingdom of Poland and the Sublime Empire to stop the Effusion of humane Blood and with Desires of Restoring a mutual Quiet the most Serene and most Potent William III. King of Great Britain France and Ireland and the States General of the United Provinces in order to set on foot this Treaty of a happy Peace have interpos'd their Mediation all the Duties and Conditions of which Mediation have with great Study and Industry been perform'd by their Excellencies the Plenipotentiary Ambassadors to the Fulgid Port on the behalf of his Britannick Majesty by William Lord Pagett Baron de Beaudesert in the County of Stafford Lord Lieutenant of the said County and on the part of the States General by Lord Jacob Colyer which War through GOD's Blessing by Reciprocal Inclinations on both sides has been Compos'd and wholly Extinguish'd at Carlovitz on the Confines of Sirmium where according to the Designment of the Illustrious Mediation a Congress of the Plenipotentiary Ambassadors was appointed and Treaties of Articles of Peace begun with the most Illustrious and most Excellent Lord Mehmet Effendi Creat Chancellor of the Sublime Empire and the most Illustrious and most Excellent Lord Alexander Mauro Cordato of the Noble Family of Scarlati and Privy-Counsellor of the Sublime Empire Ambassadors Extraordinary for the Treaty of Peace and after some Sessions at length by the Divine Goodness this Business of a happy and desir'd Peace was Digested into Terms agreed on both sides and a most entire Friendship and Peace was Perfected and Concluded Restor'd and Renew'd between the most Serene and most Potent Emperor Sultan of the Musulmen Sultan Mustapha Son of Sultan Mehmet and the most Serene and most Potent King Augustus II. my most Noble Lord and the Republick of Poland which Peace is to be Religiously observ'd betwixt both Dominions and is Digested into Eleven Articles which follow one by one I. BY the Help and Blessing of God Hostility with the High Empire founded on Eternity having for some time ceas'd and now the Ancient Friendship Agreeable to the Nature of Reconciliation and good Neighbourhood reviving that all Acts of Hostility may be prevented and the Subjects enjoy their Ancient Security Quiet and Tranquillity the Ancient Limits shall be establish'd and restor'd to what they were before the two last Wars and the Confines of the Provinces subject to Poland shall by these Ancient Boundaries be separated and distinguish'd as well from the Imperial Confines of Moldavia as of those of all other Countries subject to the Sublime Empire nor shall there on either side be any Pretension or Extension made but the Ancient Limits without Change or Disturbance shall as Things Sacred be Religiously observ'd and maintain'd II. Whatsoever Fortifications or Places great or less which before the War before this lay within the Limits of Moldavia and have hitherto been in the Possession of Polish Masters the Polish Garrisons shall be withdrawn and they shall be Evacuated and the Province of Moldavia shall remain as free as ever and in the same peaceable State it was before the last War III. The Fortress likewise of Caminiec being before the two last Wars situated within the Ancient Limits towards Poland shall be Evacuated and the Musulman Garrison withdrawn and shall be entirely left Nor shall the Sublime Empire hereafter make any Pretensions upon the Provinces of Podolia and the Ukrain and the Deputy of the Ukrain Cossacks who goes by the Title of Hatmannus now residing in Moldavia shall be remov'd And considering the Ancient Limits of Poland and Moldavia are very plain if the Season permits the Evacuations on this side shall be begun by the beginning of the ensuing March and the Polish Troops shall be withdrawn out of Moldavia as soon as possible and the Fortifications and Places shall be Evacuated and Moldavia left free And at the same time from the beginning of March the Evacuation of Caminiec shall Commence and the Business of the Evacution shall without Hesitation Neglect or Delay be put in Execution as soon as it can be perform'd and the said Evacuation of this Fortress of Caminiec shall at farthest be compleated by the 25th of May and that the Evacuation of the said Fortress may be perform'd with Speed and Ease The Poles shall as much as possible in order to the Lading and
Example of so great a General To which the Duke rerurned answer That his Majesty had not only amazed him with the heroick and generous Act of so long and tedious a March but had astonished him with the excess of his Favour and obliging Expressions towards him That next to the Service of the Emperor he desired to live that he might perform something acceptable to his Majesty and to all his Relations That as to the Forms and Rules of War no Person alive was so well versed in them as his Majesty from whom all the Generals and Captains of the World might without discredit not be ashamed to learn the Lessons of Military Discipline After which the Generals of the Army the Nobility and Vice-Chancellor of that Kingdom came and paid their Respects to the Duke of Loraine And then being mounted on Horse-back the King having the Duke on the Right-hand and the Prince on the Left The order of their Supper they enter'd into Discourse concerning the State of the War and continued the same until they came to the Camp where in the King's Tent a sumptuous Supper was prepared at a long Table the King sate in the middle on his Right-hand the Duke was placed and on his Left the Prince of Poland after which the King ordered all the Nobility who came with the Duke of Loraine to sit also The Supper being ended at which various Discourses passed but most relating to the present Enterprise the Duke of Loraine returned to his own Camp much satisfied with the Courtesie and Resolution of the King who dispatched Messengers with all diligence to the General who brought up the Rear to hasten the March of the Army with all convenient speed And the next day the King dining with the Duke of Loraine at his Tent resolved to meet the Emperor at Krembs on the second of September where the Interview was appointed and there it was where all things were to be concerted about the Passage over the Danube and Conjunction of the Armies Whilest these things were projecting Count Sciamburg came from Nayburgh bringing Advice That the Elector of Saxony with his Forces could not be at Krembs until the third or fourth of this Month upon which it was computed that the Relief of Vienna could not possibly be until the 12th Intelligence of all these Matters being carried to the Emperor the Presence of his Imperial Majesty was judged necessary at Krembs where the place of general Rendezvous was appointed both to animate and inspirit the Army and to accommodate compose and silence such Quarrels and Punctilio's as might arise amongst so many Princes of different Countries concerning Place and Precedency but the Emperor in his way thither being taken ill of some Indisposition in his Health proceeded no farther than Lintz where he remained until he received the happy News of the Relief of Vienna and the Confusion of his Enemies In the mean time a general Council of War being held at Edendorf at which the Elector of Saxony was present the Duke of Loraine by his Prudence so ordered and disposed Matters that no Questions about Place or Precedence came into competion A meeting at Edendorf For so it was order'd That at a long Table the King of Poland should sit in the middle on his Right-hand the Elector of Saxony and next to him all the Generals of the Empire and on the Left the general Officers of Poland Over-against the King the Duke of Loraine took his Place who was to be chief Speaker at that Assembly A Council of War held there in regard he was best able to render a true Account of the State of the War The Council being sate in this form it was laid down as a general Rule That all Colonels with the Concurrence of their General Officers should give in writing to the King of Poland a true State of their respective Regiments and of the Places where they were Quartered and that from his Majesty they should receive Rules and Instructions for their March to the Relief of Vienna It was farther agreed after some debate That the Conjunction of the Army with the Auxiliary Troops should be on the 5th of September in the Plains of Tuln That the Army of Poland should pass the Danube at the same place with the Emperor's Army That the Forces of Saxony should pass the River by way of the Bridge at Krembs And that all the Bavarian Forces which lay encamped with some German Troops under the Command of Count Lesly should March directly towards Tuln to joyn with the Imperial and Polish Forces The execution of these Designs was deferred until the 7th when the King towards the Evening began to pass the River and was forthwith followed by the Duke of Loraine at the Head of the Imperial Army having first made a Detachment of three Regiments which were to joyn with three Thousand Poles to cut off all Communication of the Turks and Malecontents with the Vizier's Camp Colonel Heisler with his Regiment of six Hundred Horse was ordered to take his March by the way of Clossen-neuburg and to make Fires upon the Hills of Kalemberg to give notice unto the Besieged of their approaching Relief which was the Signal agreed between them But before we come to this glorious Atchievement let us see what was acting for Defence of the Town and Difficulties to which the Besieged were reduced Sept. 2. In the Morning of this second day the Point of the Court-Bastion was overthrown which gave the Turks occasion to carry their Galleries farther to the utter ruin of that Fort. Count Staremberg believing that the remaining part of the Bastion could not be longer defended gave Order to Huiternian a Captain of his Regiment whose turn it was to mount the Guard that Night to abandon the Ravelin in case he found himself over-pressed by the Turks and under covert of the dark Night to make his Retreat But this stout Captain having taken this Post with fifty Men so bravely defended the remains of the tottering Fortress that thô the Turks burnt the Palisadoes which were his chief Fortification yet he repulsed them by the Fire of his Musquets with loss of twenty of his Men and remained on the place until the Morning having killed two Janisaries with his own Hands 3d. Next day the Governour finding it impossible to maintain that Post any longer gave order to the Guards to retire and abandon it to the possession of the Turks who had little more to boast of than the acquist of that Ravelin after an Attempt of six Weeks continuance made thereupon The fourth was a bloudy day 4th both to the Christians and to the Turks for the latter had sprung a Mine under the Court-Bulwark which not only opened a Breach of seven Geometrical Paces but shook the whole City with the violent concussion of the Air. Five thousand Turks A bloudy Fight immediately with Cemyters in their Hands mounted the Breach
and the Bravest of their Soldiery and so fatal was this Fight to them that they never recovered their Courage and Spirits again but suffer'd themselves for several years afterwards to be beaten and baffled by their Enemes After which we shall find them still decaying and giving Ground and at length falling into Discords and Civil Dissentions the Ottoman Empire had nearly expired had not the Christians falling into Wars amongst themselves which have always proved advantagious to the Turks given new Life and growth again unto that People This Victory obtained the King of Poland with his General and Senators justly applauded the Wisdom and Conduct of the Duke of Loraine and Valour of the German Troops to whom he acknowledged the whole Success of that day was to be attributed In the Quarters of the King Te Deum being sang and Thanks returned to Almighty God for so signal a Blessing the Duke of Loraine took a Survey of the Fort of Barcan to see in what manner it was possible to be put in a condition to offend Gran which was Situate on the other side of the Water just in opposition to it But such was the Fury of the Soldiers that they burnt almost all the Palisadoes and set fire to part of the Town and so ravenous were they after the Plunder of the Place that the Germans and Poles had fallen into Civil Wars amongst themselves had not Count Staremberg put an end to the Scuffle by commanding the Germans to with-draw and leaving the Poles Masters of the Place they made all the Spoyl they were able in revenge of the Loss they had suffered the day before Nothing could come more seasonable nor more advantagious to the Christian Arms than this Victory for besides the Loss as we have said of the best of their Men there remained not above two or three Thousand alive of all that Army which consisted of Fourteen thousand of their best Horse and Twelve hundred Janisaries commanded by the new Pasha of Buda Haly Pasha of Aleppo and six other Pashas Twelve hundred or One thousand Prisoners were taken and amongst them the Pashas of Aleppo and Silistria with several other Agas The Consequences of which Victory were very happy to the Christians for besides that it administred new Courage to the drooping Spirits of the Poles it totally dismayed the Malecontents and produced such Disorder in the Turkish Army that the Great Vizier Mutiny against the Great Vizier with all the Authority with which he was clothed was not able to contain them within any bounds or limits of Duty but rather fearing to be Murdered by them than hoping to Appease them was forced to abscond himself from their Rage in obscure Retirement By this Overthrow the Grand Vizier lost all the remainer of his Baggage which had been saved at the Battle of Vienna with Twelve Pieces of Cannon which had been advanced some Hours on the way before the Siege was raised and was employed by the new Vizier of Buda for the Service of this Camp The Duke of Loraine pursuing the course of his good Fortune was desirous to conclude this Campaign with the taking of Gran which was the glorious period to which the Emperor directed him if possible to advance his Affairs The Siege of Gran intended In order hereunto the Duke of Loraine taking first according to his usual Methods a judicious Survey of the situation of the Place and the way thereunto observed that in the middle of the River something below Gran there was an Island in which was not only good Forage for the Horse but also an ancient Intrenchment which with some little Labour might be made useful and defensive against the Cannon of the Town And from the farther side of that Island with the help of a few Boats the whole Army might find an easy Passage The King of Poland approving this Design Boats were ordered down from Comorra for framing the Bridge But whilst this was doing the late Successes which had brought great Reputation to the Emperor's Affairs had moved Tekeli to send the Count de Humanay in Behalf of the Malecontents to offer Terms of Peace and Pacification The Duke of Loraine who had been long versed in the Practices of Tekeli and his Associates was of opinion Tekeli sends Deputies to the Duke of Loraine That the Malecontents were not as yet reduced to such Terms as might render them fit and disposed for a Treaty Howsoever at the desire of the King of Poland being admitted to Audience they proposed a Cessation of Arms and an assignment for Winter-quarters To which the Duke of Loraine reply'd That such Concessions at present were not agreeable to the Interest and Dignity of the Emperor and took from hence occasion to make some Discourse of the Laws and Constitutions of their Kingdom and to reproach them for their Rebellion and want of Faith towards their Sovereign In short he told them That if they would hope to tast of the Emperor's Clemency they must without any previous Conditions lay down their Arms and renounce all Alliance with the Turk which was the first Preliminary or Step to a Treaty With this answer the Deputies being retired in a few days afterward Several Towns and Counties Submit not only Papa and Totis as we said before submitted but Wespring and Levents received German Garrisons and the Counties of Trinschin Tirnaw Nitria and Levents declared against the Cause and Interest of the Malecontents and received the Garrisons into their Castles and Fortresses which were sent thither by order of Count Caraffa to take Possession thereof The Bridges being finished by the 16th of this Month of October and the Bavarian Troops come up to joyn with the Army the Duke of Loraine desired the King of Poland according to his Place of Precedency to lead the way with his Troops but the King made some difficulty thereof The King of Poland proposes enquiries concerning the State of Gran. alledging That a Survey ought first to be taken of the situation of the Place and Enquiries made how well it was provided with Men and Ammunition and how far the Vizier with his Forces was retired from affording it Relief or disturbing the Siege Accordingly Two thousand Horse being appointed to take a View of the Country they passed the Bridges without opposition or disturbance and so dismayed the Turks that they deserted Thomas-burg a Palanca not far from Gran and set it on Fire but was soon quenched and Possession taken by the Imperialists Upon the appearance of a Party on this side of the River two Hungarians of Totis brought Intelligence that the Vizier was marched with his Army towards Esseck having left a small Force encamped near unto Buda This News hastned the Passage of the Christian Army over the River tho' the Poles remained in their Camp and moved not as yet and gave Encouragement to the Generals to hope that the Siege would not be of long
were just Grounds and Reasons for breaking that Peace which was concluded with them after the loss of Candia in the year 1668. This happy League was farther improved by Applications to the Czars of Moscovy who had not long before signified unto the Court of Poland their inclinations to enter into this Alliance to forward which the Baron of Zerowski was dispatched into Moscovy and in his way thither by Poland to take Blumferg with him being both Commissionated to Sollicite the Czars for their Assistance and Union with the other Confederates The like Addresses were made to the Princes of Italy who being encouraged and warmed by the late prosperous Successes were ready to contribute all the Force and Aid within their Power The City of Rome moved by the Exhortations and Examples of the Pope did chearfully Concur and the Cardinals Princes and Prelates did all Contribute immense Sums for carrying on this Holy War And the Pope did not only Issue forth liberally Monies out of his own Coffers but sent Forces which were raised in his own Dominions and Territories to joyn with the Imperial Army in Hungary Aids from Italy Thus did all things according to the usual course of Nature Concur towards the Prosperity of the Christian Affairs for Mankind naturally sides with the uppermost and strongest side and are ready to depress and beat down the weak and dejected Party Nor did the Emperor only endeavour to fortifie and strengthen his side by united Interests and Alliances but to weaken his Enemies by with-drawing from them the Malecontents who were their Associates and the first Incentives to this war The Successes of the Emperor had damped the Spirits of the Malecontents in such manner that they began now to believe the Turks were vincible and that they had put their Trust in a feeble Arm of Flesh which could not Defend them and engaged their Interest with a party from which they could promise themselves no Security or Redress Wherefore Some of the Malecontents fall off to the Emperor seriously laying aside their former ill Principles many of the Counties and Cities began to Capitulate and desire to have their Aggrievances redressed upon which they promised to submit unto the Emperor's Pleasure and return to their Obedience But this good Humour being not general amongst all the Malecontents but confin'd to some few Cities and Counties no Capitulations or Articles were Signed or Concluded so that notwithstanding their good Intentions the Imperialists made Havock of them in all Places and the Turks hearing of their Inclinations to return again to their Obedience to the Emperor and of the Steps they had made towards it Their ill Condition Treated them in all Places like Enemies with Fire and Sword so that miserable was the State of this poor People who were become Obnoxious to both Parties they had been the Original causes of the Mischief and were likely to Perish in it But the Clemency of the Emperor Commiserating their unhappy Condition Published an Act of General Pardon to all the People of Hungary who had been mislead A General Pardon and debauched from their Duty and Allegiance to their lawful Sovereign Dated at Lintz in the Month of January 1684 whereby a Door was opened to a Treaty and Pardon offer'd to all such who were desirous to return to the Protection of his Imperial Majesty and to renounce their dependance on the Turks This Edict was affixed in all publick Places as Church-doors and the Market Crosses and dispersed in all the Frontier Garrisons being Written in the Latin and the Hungarian Tongues that none might pretend ignorance thereof The direction was in this manner To all the States and Orders as well Prelates Barons Nobles as to all Free and Royal Cities Counties and People and to all Persons whatsoever none excepted within the Kingdom of Hungary In the first place The sad and deplorable Condition of that Kingdom being bewailed caused by civil and intestine Discords which evil and perverse Spirits had raised and by their evil Perswasions had deluded many Thousands of poor Innocent Men to Sacrifice their Lives and Fortunes to their Lust and Revenge and even to joyn and unite themselves with the Turks who were the ancient and irreconcilable Enemies to the Kingdom of Hungary and the Christian Religion And tho' His Imperial Majesty having been thus highly provoked by the Rebellions and Outrages of the People and by the Power of his Victorious Arms might justly exempt and reject them from all Pardon Yet his gracious Clemency prevailing he doth once again offer his Mercy to as many as before the end of February next ensuing shall renounce and abandon the interest and party of the Malecontents and union with the Turks and repair to Presburg where Commissioners shall be appointed to receive them and to deliver out Pardons to them taking a new Oath of Allegiance to their King with assurances to remain for ever as good Subjects in perfect Loyalty and Obedience to his Majesty which being perform'd such as are of the Nobility shall be restor'd to their Honours Dignities and Estates And in case any such have formerly enjoy'd Honours and Places of Trust their Case shall be consider'd by the Commissioners who are to make Report thereof unto the Emperor who will be ready in such Cases so to Act as shall be most suitable to the Royal Service Such Soldiers as having been seduced by their Commanders to leave and relinquish the Imperial Army shall return again to their Duty and to their Colours shall have the same Post allotted to them as formerly and shall be received again into the Garrisons or Regiments respectively All Counties and Cities who by their Deputies shall appear before the Commissioners in order to such Reconciliation shall have safe Pasports to go and return with all security As to matters of Religion the Worship of God and Restitution of Churches all the particulars agreed unto and promised at the last General Diet held at Edemburg shall be perform'd and inviolably maintained As to the Statute made in the year 1655. concerning the Coronation of the King of Hungary on which various Glosses and Interpretations have been put which have caused great disorders and disturbances the same shall be referr'd to the next Convention of the States to consider thereof and Decrees therein what shall be most agreeable to the Fundamental Constitutions of the Nation So that a true and impartial Interpretation being put on all things as well in Religious as in Temporal Matters a good and lasting Peace and right understanding may pass between the King and his People And as to those who shall not take hold of this Golden Scepter now held forth unto them with this opportunity and within the time limited It is declared That they are excluded from Mercy and are guilty of all the Miseries which shall fall upon themselves and their Country and shall be Prosecuted as Rebels Outlawed and Felonious Persons and such as
Favourites no true Cause in my Opinion can be assigned unless finding in that Person of whom they make choice for their Companion a certain Harmony of Affections and Humour they love him by Sympathy and adore their own Image in him without which all other Qualities would be mean and contemptible But to return to the Vizier his greatest Study and Application was to make Levies by Land both in Europe and Asia Commands were dispatched to that Purpose to Aleppo Damascus Diarbiquier and Gran Cairo the remotest parts of the Empire but those being Countries ill Peopled Levies made in Europe and Asia Levies were made with much difficulty and such as were constrained to go by reason of the far distance from the Rendezvous came late many sickned in the March and some ran away and deserted and diverse of the European Troops which had been harassed the last Year retired into the Mountains where they passed the whole Summer and in the Winter came out from thence and returned home where they told Stories as if they had been engaged in all the Sieges and Battles which had happened that Year The Grand Vizier finding the numbers allotted to be raised to fall much short of the Quota and of a reasonable Calculation attributed the Default thereof to the negligence of the Musselims or Deputy-Governours to the Pashas for which some of them were punished with Death and others being affrighted hereby used all the Tyranny and Force imaginable to compel the poor People unto the Wars to which many of them going with much unwillingness stole aside and never came so far as the Camp Howsoever it was impossible but that out of so vast a Tract of Ground as is the Ottoman Empire consisting of many Kingdoms and Principalities there must be some out of every part who having Courage enough to sacrifice their Lives for their Religion and Country came in and united themselves with the Camp and these thô inferiour to the numbers designed and expected yet composed an Army very formidable and such as was able to bid defiance to the Forces of Germany Howsoever the Turks did not think fit to trust so much to their Arms but that they would first assay and try if it were possible to put an end to the War by a fair Accommodation The Person appointed to manage this Treaty was Shitan Ibraim as yet Vizier of Buda a Person as we have before-mentioned of refined Parts and good Address The Turke propose a Treaty and a Courtier fitted for such a Negotiation In pursuance of this Design this Vizier wrote Letters of Complement to the chief Ministers of State at Vienna acquainting them of the Grand Seignior's Inclinations to a Peace And thô it had never been the Custom of the Sultans to be the first Promoters of Peace or to ask it before it was offered or begged yet such was the Clemency and Compassion of this Emperor and his desire to stop the Effusion of Human Blood that contrary to the Dignity of his Sublime Station raised above the Throne of earthly Kings he would now condescend so low as to be the first who should make this Religious Motion in order unto which he desired that a Pass-port should be sent him for a Chiaus who was an Armenian by Nation and as I think by Religion a Christian freely to pass and repass and to carry the Proposals and to Treat thereupon The Pass-port was accordingly sent A Chiaus sent to Vienna and the Armenian conducted to Comorra where being taken rather for a Spy than an Ambassadour he was so closely confined and guarded that he complained of his Restraint to be contrary to the Laws of War and Nations at length he was guarded to Vienna where he was detained under Custody with as jealous and watchful an Eye as when he was at Comorra Howsoever the reception of this Chiaus became the Subject of much Discourse and Talk in the City and gave occasion to the World to censure as if the Emperor had designed to make a Peace under-hand without the Privity and Concurrence of the Allies The Audience of this Chiaus was deferred for some time until it was promoted and hastned by the Envoy from the Prince of Transilvania then residing at that Court and by him at length conducted to the presence of the President of the Council to whom he delivered the Propoposals and Articles of Peace The which after mature Examination seemed to be projected with such Sagacity and Subtlety without sincere and open Terms that they were generally concluded to be Fallacious and not to be Grounds for a faithful and lasting Peace And so in sine the Armenian was dispeeded back with this Answer only That the Emperor could not conclude a Peace without the Concurrence of the King of Poland He is sent back and the State of Venice the true Allies and Confederates with the Emperor by which Answer the Minister from Apasi Prince of Transilvania being assured of the Emperor's Resolutions to continue the War changed the Tenure of his former Memorials and in his Master's Name proposed that he might remain in a Condition of Neutrality thinking it more secure to remain as a Friend to both sides rather than by adhering to one to rise or fall according to the dubious fortune of War But if we look into the Winter-quarters before we Treat of the Feats of War which were Actions most fit for the Summer Season A miserable Plague and Famin. we shall find the Imperialists and Bavarians so miserably in want of all Provisions and of things necessary for the sustenance of Human Life That one would wonder how it were possible for these Men to be so soon recover'd and made fit for new Services and Fatigues For such was the Famine in the Lower Hungary that the Inhabitants were forced to Abandon their Dwellings and Fly for Bread into the Town of Buda where they were entertained for Day-labourers to Repair the Fortifications with the Wages of eight pence a Day two pounds weight of Bread and a pint of Wine In the Emperour's Country a Bushel of Wheat which in the times of Peace was worth no more than ten Groats was now advanced in price to Eighteen shillings In Presbourg the Streets were cover'd with famished and dying People the Soldiers were either Dead or Languishing or had deserted their Colours A Pestilence as is natural followed the Famine and Cattle died of the Murrain The Island Schultz which used to be the Granary of the Upper Hungary was now in a Starving condition and the Inhabitants forced to Eat Roots and the Barks of Trees Nay this Misery and Desolation extended even to Vienna it self where in the Garden of the Archbishop two Women were seen to Eat the Raw-flesh of a Horse lately Dead But for a remedy to this Epidemical Calamity the Emperor who is the Common Father of his People caused great quantities of Corn to be brought from all the Neighbouring Countries
Deum sung In the mean time the Mass was continued by the Archbishop who being come to the Gospel the Emperor himself arose and taking the Scepter in his Right Hand and the Globe in his Left he held the same in that manner until the Gospel was ended and then the Young King received the Sacrament All the Ceremonies being ended the King descended from his Throne and walked in Procession habited in his Royal Garments the Bishops and all the Orders of State marching before him to the Church of the Franciscans discalced all the Streets being hung with White and Red and Green Cloth and crouded with an infinite Number of Spectators Being come into the Monastery several Ceremonies were performed and the King having conferred the Honour of Knighthood on divers Gentlemen he was entertained with a Dinner and some Refreshments after the Solemnities of Four hours in the Refectory of the Convent After which the King mounted on Horse-back and being attended with a Noble Cavalcade of most of the Nobility of the Kingdom and always accompanied by the Prince of Salm his Tutor under Title of Lord High Steward of his Houshold he was conducted through the Gate of St. Michael to a Theatre erected against the Monastery called the Brothers of Mercy on which the King ascended and being Seated under a Canopy all the Guns from the Walls of the City and Fortresses were Fired and then the King in the face of all the People took an Oath to conserve all the Privileges of that Kingdom as lately agreed by the Estates in several particulars After which the Palatine turning to the People cried with a loud Voice Vivat Rex Hungariae Then the King descended and went in like manner as before to another Theatre raised on a little Hill near the Fish-gate where unsheathing his Sword he therewith made Four Crosses towards the Four Quarters of the World as a Signal that therewith he would Fight against all the Enemies of that Kingdom and of the most August House of Austria After which the King descended followed by the Lord High Chamberlain of the Mountain Cities and Baron Viechter of the Emperor's Privy-Council who scattered Money amongst the People and being entred within the Castle all the Canon were Fired and the King dismounting from his Horse was attended to the Emperor's Apartments with a splendid Train of the Nobility and Gentry and being thence conducted to the Imperial Hall he was entertained there with incomparable Musick both Vocal and Instrumental and with a Sumptuous and Royal Banquet where also all the Prelates Grandees and Strangers were treated at Eighty several Magnificent Tables After which the Solemnities and Triumphs of the day were ended with great Joy Honour and Satisfaction And now in this place it is worthy our Observation that whilst the Germans were employed in the Exaltation of Joseph the Arch-Duke to the Throne of the Kingdom of Hungary the Turks were on the other side busy in pulling down and deposing Mahomet their Sultan and in his place raising and setting up his Brother Solyman to be their Lord and Emperor Whilst these things were in agitation the Blocade of Agria continued and the place greatly straitned by Marquess Doria And the Duke of Loraine having agreed all things with the Prince and Estates of Transilvania and setled and secured his Army in their Winter-Quarters found a vacancy to absent himself from the Camp and ease his mind after the troubles of a long and hazardous Campaigne Accordingly the Duke in company with the Marquess of Baden Durlach took his Journey towards the Imperial Court and in his way visited Marquess Doria and taking a survey of the Blocade of Agria gave such Orders therein as were most convenient to force a speedy surrender of the place and thence proceeding to Possonium he was there received by his Imperial Majesty with such Honours and gracious Expressions as befitted the Worth and Merit of so brave and fortunate a General And having remained some few days at this place he took his leave of the Emperor and his Journey to Insprug being all the way honoured with the Praises Acclamations and Blessings of the People In the mean time Agria being miserably straitned for want of Victuals many died and others to avoid Famine abandoned the Town and fled privately to other places Those which remained within grew desperate of all relief For Tekely had promised them Succours and in pursuance thereof intended to pass the Tibiscus but meeting there with some Forces under Count Sarau was forced to retire leaving Agria to its own Fate Of which the People having Information they all arose and with one consent laying before the Pasha their miseries in which they must if not prevented in a short time inevitably perish they constrained him to propose a Treaty and send Two Hostages to the Imperial Camp which being accordingly done the Marquess of Doria accepted them and in exchange thereof sent Two others to the City The Articles were easily agreed but not so soon executed for the Pasha out of an unnecessary caution required that the Capitulations should be confirmed by the Hand of the Emperor in compliance with which demand Marquess Doria dispatched Count Anthony of Lamberg a Carinthian Gentleman with an Aga to make tender of the Articles to the Emperor the which having been examined were Approved Confirmed and Signed by his Imperial Majesty The Articles being returned with their Confirmation and the Writings of Treaty exchanged Count Marsigli with a Commissary of the Artillery was sent into the Town that with his usual Zeal and dexterous Management of Affairs which he had evidenced in several occasions in the Emperor's Service he might take notice of the state of the place and the Provisions belonging to it The Count being entred into the Gates was received kindly by the People and with much faithfulness was shewed all the Magazines Stores and Ammunition of the place We must not expect to receive any account of Victuals for those were long since consumed but as to Ammunition there were Twenty thousand Cannon-Bullets remaining of which Four Thousand were for Whole Cannon One Thousand hundred Weight of Powder Twenty thousand Hand-Granadoes besides great quantities of Bombs and Carcasses many thousands of Match One hundred and Ten Pieces of Cannon five Mortar Pieces and nine Mines and Countermines notwithstanding all which Famine being a stronger Enemy within than all the Troops and Forces were without on the 16th of December the City was surrender'd and according to the Capitulations Carts were provided and the Soldiers and Inhabitants with their Women and Children and with their Goods and Baggage were permitted to March out and then Russan the Pasha deliver'd up the Keys of the City Castle and Magazines to the Hand of General Caraffa who at the Head of the Imperial Troops ranged in good order stood ready to receive them General Caraffa treaâ—s the Pasha of Agria Then the General conducted the Pasha to his Tent
The Imbrahor or Master of the Horse invited the Grand Seignior into the Fields to see in what order his Horses were governed at their Pasture and there gave him a very Splendid Entertainment The Grand Seignior was so pleased with the Dinner the Air and the Fields that in two or three days afterwards he went again to the Meadows at Cat-Hanah The People displeased with the New Sultan about two English Miles at farthest from Pera where he was again feasted not without the Censure and Murmuring of the People who said That in a short time he would follow the Example of the late Sultan in his Diversions and Negligence in the Government so they should have changed as indeed they had to little purpose It began now plainly to appear That the Turks by reason of their intestine Divisions had made very inconsiderable Preparations either by Land or Sea Howsoever something was necessary to be and therefore in the first place Eleven Gallies were sent to Guard the Black Sea against the Cosacks who as was reported were preparing to make Incursions into the Parts near Constantinople as they had usually done in former times The Turks make small Preparations But their chief Apprehensions and Fears were raised from a Report that the Imperialists were marching towards Belgrade And indeed they had great Reasons for it for they had nothing of Force on the Frontiers nor nothing to oppose them in case the Emperor should think fit to push forward his Conquests which nothing could obstruct besides Famine and Hunger in a March through a ruined and a desart Country The Turks in these extremities finding no safety or success and protection in their Arms had recourse to their last refuge which was if possible to obtain a Peace with the Emperor They seek for Peace a Method which they had never practised before since they were an Empire to be the first to Sue for a Peace But now Necessity pressing them they were for dispatching an Ambassador to the Kings of France An Ambassador designed for England England and the States of Holland whose design substance and main drift of his Embassy was only pretended to give notice unto those Powers of the Exaltation of Sultan Solyman to the Throne of the Ottoman Empire But with private Instructions to insinuate unto those Princes severally to interpose in a Mediation of Peace and to use their endeavours to give a stop to the Career of the Imperial Arms which good Offices in order to a Peace might reasonably be expected from Kings and Princes who had for many years maintained a happy Peace and Correspondence with the Ottoman Port where their Ambassadors had been treated with Friendship and their Merchants with Security and their Trade flourished on all sides with Profit and Advantage One Achmet Aga being proposed for this Embassy he was severally treated and feasted by the three Ambassadors who by the Discourses they had entertained with him observed him to be a Person discreet and better practised in Affairs of Countries different to their own than commonly Turks are who think it an Indignity to them to look into the States of Christian Princes which so lately the Ottoman Empire overlooked as unworthy their Consideration To Transport this Ambassador a French-ship was appointed and his Equipage prepar'd The Embassy put off but by the Conduct of Sir William Trumbal English Ambassador then at Constantinople and the confused Affairs of the Turks this Embassy did not succeed And indeed the Turky Company could not expect to Reap any thing from thence but trouble and expence and perhaps displeasure at the Port in case his Entertainment had not equalled that which he had received at Paris Howsoever the Turks were better resolved in the Point of that Embassy designed to the Emperor And to that end they chose Hamedi Effendi one who had been bred up a Clerk Ambassadors designed to the Emperor and afterwards came to be first Accountant in the Treasury and Mauvro Cordato a Greek by Nation a Man of Intrigue and Business having for many years been employed for Interpreter to the Grand Vizier ever since the Death of Panaioti The Turks being ashamed as a thing below the Dignity of their Empire to Sue for Peace thought it might prove a certain consequence in Answer to a civil Letter written by the Grand Seignior to the Emperor giving notice of his Exaltation to the Ottoman Throne much after the same Tenour with that which was written to the other Powers with this Addition and Alteration That whereas the ancient Amity and Friendship had been broken during the Reign of his Predecessor he as to his own Person had not been consenting nor instrumental thereunto and that God having punished the Authors of this War he resolved to take different Measures and considering the Emperour as his Neighbour he was desirous to enter into a League of Friendship with him and to establish a firm and lasting Peace in case the Emperor should be inclining thereunto These Ambassadors were appointed to begin their Journey towards the end of June towards whose expences the Grand Seignior intended to allow Six thousand Dollars which was esteemed a sufficient Provision for them until they came to the Confines whence according to the ancient Canon they are to be conducted by the Emperor's Guards and defray'd at his Expence Their Retinue consisted of 60 persons half of which was habited in the Turkish and half after the Grecian Fashion As yet they had received no Passports for them but in assurance that they would be granted the Ambassadors were posted away to Belgrade there to remain in expectation of them The New Grand Seignior during all these Combustions and Negotiations minded little or nothing of Business nor indeed was he capable of any for when any thing was propounded to him The Humour of Sultan Solyman He answered Yes or No or with some very short Reply after the manner of Laconick brevity and then presently turned away to read the Alchoran He was at first reputed after the manner of his Father to be impotent as to Women but afterwards taking five or six into his Embraces he gave the World cause to conceive another Opinion of him He sat as aukwardly on Horse-back as his Father that Exercise being uneasie to him his chief Divertisements were his Books which we may believe he ill understood and sometimes taking the Air on the Water and in Chiosks or Garden Houses on the side of the Bosphorus he passed his pleasant time Yeghen still continued to Ravage the Country between Sophia and Belgrade as his Comrade Yedic that Arch-robber did in Anatolia And the Government being too weak to suppress two such Thieves or Highway-Men how much less was it able to contend with the German Troops They were forced to dissemble and give way to the present Extremities Yeghen made Seraskier by making Yeghen Seraskier in Hungary whilst Hassan Pasha was forced to give
way and fly privately out of the reach of his Competitor The News hereof flew with great hast to the Thieves in Anatolia who being encouraged with the Success of Yeghen His Complices on couraged under whose Government they all fancied to be made Pashas or Grandees came over in great numbers to joyn with him Amongst which one Temac Boluckbashee a leading Man with Four hundred of his Robbers passed boldly over from Asia to Constantinople and Yedic their General was not only pardoned but made a Pasha To this hard Plight and Extremity was the Ottoman Empire reduced when the Turks placing their greatest hopes in the Tartars An Aga sent to Transilvania dispatched away an Aga to Apafi Prince of Transilvania with a Patent to confirm him in his Principality and with Orders to demand of him in consideration thereof a round Sum of ready Money wherewith to Succour and pay the Garrisons on the Boristhenes and to provide for the Maintenance of Caminiec which was in want of Ammunition and all things necessary And to persuade Apafi hereunto he told Stories very improper and unfit to compass his ends for he rehersed all the Tumults of the Zorbas at Constantinople and that the Grand Seignior was forced to create Yeghen who was their Chief and Leader to be Seraskier in Hungary That in Constantinople there was want of every thing even to a Famine caused by the Seditions and Mutinies of the Soldiers and that for the appeasing these Tumults and for the Donative unto the Soldiers which is usually given by the Sultans at their Inauguration the Exchequer had been drained of Twenty Millions of Dollars wherefore he urged the States of Transilvania to grant him his Demands in failure of which he threatned them with the Incursions of the Tartars who had already passed the River Prut and were enter'd into the Neighbouring Provinces where they had left sad Marks of their cruel and miserable Devastations And that Sultan Galga and Noradin with a mighty Army were marching to oppose the Emperors designs upon Belgrade General Carafa having notice of these Practices upon Transilvania went with all hast thither and in a short time not only defeated this Aga in his Negotiations but also so well disposed Apafi and the States of Transilvania with entire Devotion to the Emperor that in despight of the Message brought by the Aga they absolutely renounced all Obedience and Duty to the Ottoman Port The which Renuntiation follows in this manner We Michael Teleky de Szek General George and Alexius de Bethlem Laodislaus Szekel of Boroszeno Valentine Frank one of the Judges Christian Zato Consul of the City of Hermanstadt Counsellors to the Illustrious Prince of Transilvania As also Nicholas of Bethlem Stephen Appor Peter Alvinzy and John Starosy Principal and publick Notaries Michael Filstrick Judge of the City of Braslavia Plenipotentiaries deputed by the Prince aforesaid and by the States of the Kingdom of Transilvania do hereby declare and make known unto all the World desiring that these Presents may remain upon Record for a lasting Testimony unto all Ages With great Reason may this present Age remain astonished and envious Eyes become dazled with the Splendor of the Divine Clemency which not suffering its beloved Christendom to Groan longer under the Yoak of Barbarous Pride nor remain in Bonds to Tyrannical Servitude nor longer to be overwhelmed and drowned after so many Wars in a Sea of Innocent Blood hath at length out of his great Compassion been pleased to exert the strong Power of his Omnipotent Arm to Rescue so many Kingdoms and Provinces from an unsupportable Slavery under the Turks who transported with senseless Fury had rendered themselves formidable to the World ruinous to their Neighbours and Despisers of all People besides their own But behold How the God of Hosts being justly displeassed with these vain Boastings hath thrown his Thunder-bolts amongst them and dispersed them making the most August Emperor Leopold the First an Instrument of his Vengeance and having showred Flouds of Blessings on his Glorious and Triumphant Arms hath encompassed his Royal Head with Wreaths of Victorious Laurel whilst the Ottoman Throne is dressed up with Mournful Cipress Such were the astonishing operations of the Divine Power made manifest to all the World For when the barbarous Tyranny was in its full Career and was in the Trail of a hot Scent after Christian Blood then was God pleased to stop them in their Course and reduce their unstable and depressed Fortune to the doubtful Terms of Hope and Fear It is now near an Age that unhappy Transilvania hath been depressed by the unsupportable Ottoman Yoak and bewailed the loss of her lawful King and Lord And after having been Turmoiled tossed with Storms of War with Fire and Sword and Civil Dissentions all things have been so confused and defaced that scarce any thing hath remained on the Registers of it's ancient Glory only since the Dominion of the Turk gained by the intestine differences of it's own Princes some Memorials are written and reserved to represent to the World a History of a most direful Tragedy But now the maligne Influence of the Stars being either abated or entirely exhausted and the Ambitious Pride and Designs of private Men defeated Transilvania embraces the Paternal and Powerful Protection of the most August Emperor of the Romans Leopold the First and Hereditary King of Hungary and of all his Successors and particularly of the most Serene Prince Joseph King of Hungary whose Life may God long continue and of his Heirs after him according as it hath been concluded and agreed in the year 1687 at the last Diet at Possonium with full Consent Approbation and Concurrence of all the States of Hungary who have for a long time poured out their Prayers and Tears and Sighs before God that at length through the Divine Mercy they might obtain the Enjoyment of this long wished Felicity Be it therefore Enacted Established and made known to this present and to future Ages That to the Glory of the Omnipotent God and for the more quiet and prosperous State of this Principality both in this and in Ages to come We the said Plenipotentiaries deputed by the Illustrious Prince and States of this Kingdom do with our free Will and Christian Zeal Renounce all Protection from the Turk declaring that for the future We will send him no Presents nor pay him Tribute Nor will we maintain any Correspondence with the Ottoman Port their Adherents or Dependants whether Turks or Christians or with any others who are Enemies to the Majesty of the Roman Emperor our gracious Lord or to his lawful Successours and Hereditary Kings of Hungary upon Penalty of High Treason to be punished according to the Laws of this Country after due Conviction of the Crime And in lieu of that Power which we have now renounced We do with all Sincerity and Purity of Heart Enter and List our selves under the Protection of the most
favour of the Germans had changed her Kindness which we shall find in the following Year inconstant and favouring the Enterprize of the Turks It is a most unaccountable Infatuation That the Imperial Court observing before their Eyes the vast Preparations of France to attack the Empire Mustapha Aga comes to renew the Treaty of Peace should not have endeavoured to quench the Fire of War on one side an Opportunity for which so fairly offered it self by the Arrival of Mustapha Aga sent with Letters from the Ottoman Port to the Turkish Ambassadors detained in the Castle of Puttendorf to renew the Treaty which had for some time been laid aside The Imperial Court was at this time at Auspurg busied in the Election and Coronation of the King of the Romans and therefore the Emperor appointed Count Quintinio Jergher Knight of the Golden-Fleece and Counsellor of State and Lord Lieutenant of the Hereditary Countries of Austria together with Baron Dorsch Secretary and Counsellor of War to enter into Conference with the Turkish Ambassadors to whom also was joyned the Cavalier Girolamo Venier who was Ambassador to the Emperor from Venice and there attending the Interest of that Republick in regard to this Treaty But before the Turks would enter into the Particulars they dispatched a certain Bey to the Congress with some Considerations and Reflections which might represent the State and Temper of the Ottoman Empire not to remain in so vile and debased an Estate as to beg a Peace but that they were still able with their Swords in their Hands to Treat and in case of failure of an Agreement to maintain a War The Considerations offered were these Considerations Offered by the Turks I. THAT they should conceive a right Notion of the great Power of the Ottoman Port. II. That the Christians favoured rather by Fortune than by the strength of their own Power had gained all those Victories of which they now Triumph III. That all the Insurrections in Asia and Civil Commotions amongst themselves were now appeased IV. That the Sultan had diminished much of his Expences and reduced the Number of useless Officers in his Seraglio whereby vast Sums were spared for Maintenance of the War V. That the Taxes on the People were raised from five Dollars on every House unto a hundred VI. That it might now be hoped that the Anger of God being appeased for the Sins of the Believers the Christians turn would shortly come when they also should be punished for their Offences VII That the Ottoman Empire was still powerful both in Men and Money VIII That the Sultan would in lieu of Belgrade which upon the Peace must be surrendered that the Save might be made the Confines of both Empires yield up to the Emperor some other Fortresses as an Equivalent for that important City These preliminary Suggestions were generally turned into Ridiculous Interpretations and Commentaries thereupon so that in Answer thereunto these following Reflections were drawn up which evidenced the Scorn and Disdain the Imperialists at that time conceived of the Turkish Power Answers to the Considerations Offered TO the First it was reply'd That the Ottoman Power consisted more in Numbers than in Force an Evidence whereof appears to the World in that the Turks who for the space of 300 Years had waged a War in Hungary do now scarce possess a Foot or Palm of that Kingdom unless in some few Cities which are yet so streightned by Blockades that they are ready to perish with Famine and offer themselves up to the Mercy of the Emperor Witness also the Success before Vienna when Besieged by 300000 Turks were not yet able to render themselves Masters of the same but were forced to fly and ignominiously to turn their Backs to a quarter part of their Number and forced to return without other Glory than that only of burning some Villages which might have been done by a Rabble of People or 100 Incendiaries To the Second it was said That with the Divine Assistance the Christian Troops tho' much inferiour in Number to those of the Turks had won divers Battles during this War and made themselves Masters of many Towns and Castles and particularly of Buda and Belgrade the Capital Cities of great Provinces which were not subdued by long Sieges but by Storms and dint of Sword To the Third it was said That the Troubles in Asia still continued and their Civil and Domestick Seditions not as yet appeased and were yet likely to increase higher by reason of their Tyrannical Government which the oppressed People would not longer endure To the Fourth it was said That the Discharge of the Women and Officers to the Number of 4000 out of the Seraglio was an evident Token of their want of Money to sustain the War To the Fifth it was said That the heavy Burden of Taxes from five to a 100 was the ready means to move the People to a Rebellion of which there are frequent Examples in all Histories To the Sixth that howsoever the Turks might flatter themselves with the pacification of God's Anger against them they would yet find the contrary and prove the just Revenge of the Just God whom they had provoked by the Breach of their Faith and Oppressions of those People whom they had subdued To the Seventh That there was great difference between Soldiers and Incendiaries in the latter of which the Turks ought rather to be reckoned than amongst the former To the Eighth which concerns the Surrender of Belgrade it was replyed That the Emperor would sooner surrender Newstadt in Austria or the Gardens about Vienna than that City with which this Conference was concluded Amongst all the foregoing Particulars we find nothing solid or material or under any Dispute unless that point of exchanging Belgrade for some other place or places not as yet Conquered in Hungary that so the River Save might be the limit and confine between the two Empires Nor was it probable that the Turks would have broken off the Treaty on this Point only had they not hearkened to the Promises of the French who now being sensible how useful and necessary the Alliance of the Turks would be to them The French and Court of Rome obstruct the Peace were resolved not to lose the Benefit of so helpful an Associate and therefore used all their perswasive Arguments to continue the War which were inculcated with mighty Presents to the principal Officers of State and Assurances that with the next Spring they would not only enter the Empire with such vast Armies as should oblige the Emperor to withdraw his Forces out of Hungary but also assist them both with Money and with able Engineers and Officers to carry forward the War And indeed tho' in the following Year of 1690 we shall not find any great matter warmly acted by the French on Germany pursuant to the Promises they had made unto the Turk yet we shall find them in a Year or two afterwards entering
Esseck at the latter of which places the General Rendezvous of the Imperial Army was appointed The Turks on the other side began to draw some Troops out of their Garrisons of Great Waradin and Temeswaer consisting of 200 Foot and 1000 Horse carrying some great Guns with them in their march seeming as if they intended an Attempt upon Lugos with hopes to surprize it of which Antonio having had some intelligence happily met with them and having a stronger Body of Horse and Dragoons fell on the 200 Foot and defeated them killed 61 of them on the place took some Prisoners the rest saving themselves in the Marshes and Woods adjacent By some of these Prisoners Antonio received Information that the 1000 Horse were marched towards Lugos and accordingly directing his Course thither he surprized and took several of them who were separated from the rest and causing all the Rascian Drums Trumpets and Kettle-Drums to sound they struck such a Terrour in the Turks that they fled from their several Quarters with such Confusion that dispersing themselves many of them were taken and amongst them an Aga with many other principal Turks The time now approaching near for Action 1690. June Count Guido of Staremberg drew out several Troops which were quartered in the Neighbourhood into a Body the other Troops which lay about Pest where they had had their Winter-quarters were drawn over to the opposite side where joyning with those of Buda they encamped at Souseberg Whilst these Troops were drawing together a Party of Rascians surprized and took Titul in which they found 400 Turks and put them all to the Sword In this interim General Veterani received Intelligence That 300 Ships laden with Provisions under the Convoy of 4000 Men were speedily designed from Widin to Belgrade for subsistence of that place and hereupon the General sent Orders to the Colonels Pohland and Antonio to intercept them in their passage These two Braves having joyned their Forces making together 4000 Men lay in wait for the Enemy about two days and on the third seeing them begin to appear they drew their Forces so close together that they seemed not to make above 400 Men in all The Turks contemning so small a number detached a Party of 1000 Jannizaries to attack them which running upon them with fury and precipitation were so rudely treated by the Rascians that the Turks were forced to send a stronger Party to their assistance the which also were so bravely received that above 1000 Turks were killed on the place and many drowned in their retreat but the Ships betaking themselves to the other side of the River were saved Nor were the Rascians less fortunate some days afterwards having taken 400 Waggons laden with Ammunition and Provisions in their passage from Belgrade to Temeswaer besides several Prisoners amongst which were three Turks of good Quality Another strong Party of Rascians making an Incursion near Mitrovitz attacked Kathana Mustapha and killed 1500 of his Men on the place took several Prisoners four Guns and all his Baggage upon which the Turks quitting Mitrovitz the Rascians entered and possessed themselves of it These Successes being the Preludes to the ensuing Campagne were good Omens of a happy and glorious Victory the truth whereof will speedily appear by what is to follow before the Conclusion of this Year By all the Misfortunes which had attended the Turks in this War it was believed not only at Vienna but concluded as well in England as in all parts of Germany that the Turks were become weary of the War and that there was nothing now wanting to beget a Peace but a good Mediator acceptable to both the Emperor and the Sultan The Turks had already given Proofs of their Inclinations to a Peace by the Ambassadors which contrary to the Custom of the Turks and which had never been practised before had sent their Ambassadors in a manner to supplicate Peace with the Emperor and who remained still in the Imperial Dominions tho' confined to the Castle of Puttendorf in the nature of Prisoners the which was excused by the Austrians by the constant practice of the Turks who had for the most part Imprisoned Ambassadors or put Guards upon them at all times when their Negotiations succeeded not or that Propositions were offered not very pleasing to the Grand Seignior But be it how it will it being now evident that both Parties had need of a Peace no Princes appeared capable of the Office of Mediation but only William King of Great Britain and the States General of the United Provinces being both Friends to the Port and to the Emperor and his Allies About that time Sir William Trumball sent by King James II. to reside Ambassador at Constantinople being recalled Sir William Hussey one of the Members of the Turky Company Sir Will. Hussey chosen Ambassador for Turky was Elected by that Company according to their Privileges to reside Ambassador at the Ottoman Port And being afterwards presented to His Majesty King William to receive His Royal Consent and Confirmation he was accepted by His Majesty and received his Commission and Instructions accordingly by which he was appointed in the Name of King William and Queen Mary to Offer unto the Sultan Their Majesties Mediation For better effecting of which Sir William Hussey was appointed to take a Journey by Land to the Ottoman Port and in his way to call at Vienna there to receive such Directions about Treating this Peace as should be delivered him by the Emperor the King of Poland and the State of Venice then in an Alliance together Sir William Hussey not leaving England until the latter end of the year 1690. and having his Lady with her Women in his Company he arrived not at Vienna until the beginning of the Winter when the Danube being frozen up and no passage without great danger by Land and the Instructions according to the slow Motions of the Imperial Court not formed nor delivered to the hands of Sir William Hussey until towards the Spring he arrived not at Adrianople till the Month of June where the Grand Vizier was still remaining and preparing for his march with the Army towards Belgrade But before he departed he first gave Audience to Sir William Hussey the English Ambassador at which little passing besides Ceremony no Judgment could be made of the Viziers Inclinations to a Peace whose Thoughts were taken up with the Contrivances for the War for the Turks being resolved to try the fortune of the following Campagne would not much hearken to Proposals of Peace especially being offered with an Uti Possidetis The Grand Vizier noâ— inclined to a Peace that is to make short work That both Parties should be contented with what they had in Possession and so an Amnesty to pass What the Vizier had in his Mind he was not willing to declare but by the Sequel it appeared that he resolved to Fight and to adventure his own Life with the Fortune of
the Turks began to Fly an Old Turkish Prisoner kept in the Common Prison at Vienna suddenly cry'd out with a great Passion We are Ruin'd and Undone c. And being ask'd What was the Reason of his Noise he could give no other Account but that he had an Impulse which forc'd him to cry out in that manner MEMOIRS OF Sir WILLIAM HVSSEY's Reception and Negotiations at Belgrade dated the 30th of April 1691. To Chancellor Straatman AMET Pass of Dierbekir and Seraskier in these Parts of the Save has desired me for the Common Good of the Poor Christians hereabouts so much oppressed to write to your Excellency and interpose in their behalf the good Offices of His Majesty of Great-Britain my Master which I the more readily perform as being pursuant to the Orders of my King equally a Friend to both Empires to contribute all possible Means and apply my best Endeavours to the removing the pernicious Effects of this so long and Bloody a War and changing it into an honourable lasting Peace Your Excellency may be sensible that besides the Obligations of Christian Charity 't is my Interest also to correspond and cherish by good Offices that Confidence and Esteem which they here express for the King my Master and therefore I doubt not but your Excellency will comply herewith as far as is in your Power and likewise sollicit the Court for more ample and positive Orders to which Charitable Work my Lord Pagett His Majesty's Envoy Extraordinary at Vienna will I am sure be earnestly assistant I intreat your Excellency also to send this Original by a Staffettee to his Lordship that he may understand how well I have been received here and give an Account thereof to the King my Master As soon as I entred into the States of the Ottoman Empire I was met by the Beg or Commandant of every Place attended by the Militia who furnished me with all Necessaries both for my Journey and Subsistence At Peter Waradin I was Complemented by an Aga sent from the Seraskier and at the Mouth of the Theysse was met by many Barks guarded by Janisaries who conducted me to Belgrade where I was presently Complemented by the principal Officers of the Seraskier's Court who sent his own Horses to convey me and my Family to the Tents which were pitch'd on the Shoar and appointed to receive me The next Day I was received by the Seraskier in full Divan composed of all the Principal Officers both Civil and Military where when I had given Thanks for the Honours received the Passa answered me That such were the Ancient Customs of the Ottoman Empire which they were resolved to observe and abolish the Abuses introduced by the late Grand Seignior and his Prime Vizier Mustapha Then the Seraskier with much earnestness did exaggerate the Unjust Oppression which was practised by Christians to those of the same Faith who Inhabited the Country called Syrmium situate between the Drave Save and Danube who were barbarously spoil'd of their Cloaths robb'd of their Cattle and obliged to pay excessive Impositions against all Laws of Humanity and a regulated Government whereas on the contrary their Sultan sent Money to be distributed among the Poor Subjects to buy them Cattle and Seed thereby shewing himself a Father of the Miserable and not a Tyrant and this Charity continued he which ought to be natural to you Christians towards one another need not hinder the Hostility of Soldiers when they meet and encounter leaving the poor Country-Men in Peace who labour only for the Publick Good and the Service of that Prince whom God shall place over them I answered with applauding such Pious Maxims and that I hoped so good Dispositions would incline them more favourably to hearken to what I was to propose in the Name of my King towards the ending this Bloody War between the two Empires and that as to the Particulars he mentioned I being a Stranger knew nothing of them He then proceeded to charge Count Chizzaola Commandant of Esseck to have deceived him on several Occasions after his Word given a Crime says he which will be punished by God and if the Charity of my Emperor towards the Poor Subjects and Country-men had not restrained me what wou'd have hindred me this Winter to have made Excursions even to Buda But all I shou'd have gained wou'd have been only the Tears and Curses of the Miserable I answer'd with commending the generous Clemency and Mercy of the present Government and our Conference ended with the usual Ceremonies of Coffee Sherbet and Perfumes In the Afternoon I was call'd for by the Seraskier to a Private Audience at which only his Effendi and my Secretary who was instead of an Interpreter were present I represented to him that this perillous Journey I had undertaken and by a way so unusual to Ambassadors from England was a Mark of the high Friendship and Affection which the King my Master bore to the two Empires of Germany and Turkey who resenting sensibly the fatal Consequences of so long and bloody a War commanded me to pass by Vienna there to receive the Orders and Instructions of the Emperor of the Romans towards the amicable ending of it to which good Work shou'd not the Grand Sultan and His Ministers likewise correspond it might be justly feared that the Mischiefs and Desolations hereafter ensuing wou'd call down Vengeance from God upon the Musselmen The Seraskier applauding the King 's Generous Design took notice that there never yet was between England and the Ottoman Empire either War or any alienation of Affection but always perfect Friendship which he beg'd God wou'd continue He commended the Wisdom of the present Vizier his Humanity and Treatableness and approved my Solicitous Earnestness to continue my Voyage leaving it to my Choice either to go by Land or Water I told him I resolved to go by Water as far as Rusgiuk a Days Journey below Nicopolis and to Travel thence by Land He again renew'd the Complaints made in the Divan in behalf of the Poor Inhabitants of Syrmium and press'd me to Write to your Excellency to forbid the Plundering of Villages and Excursions of the Heydukes who behave themselves more like Thieves than Soldiers and that your Excellency wou'd order that they who are Peaceable and Disarm'd may continue not only in Repose but also be protected to the Benefit of that Prince to whom God shall give the Government He assured me further That whatsoever Expedient shall be proposed by the Imperialists towards the preventing such Violences he will readily agree to and cause it to be rigorously observed and in this so Christian a Cause intreated me to interpose the good Offices of my King I do therefore beseech your Excellency to Correspond herein with Amet Passa either by Letter or by Deputies on both sides to meet on the Confines and to be pleased to inform me of your Resolution herein by an open Letter sent to the Seraskier
a happy issue he reply'd He was for Peace but upon Terms of Honour and if I had Power to treat would call for Pen. I reply'd It could not be expected I should have full Authority before his Excellency's Mind had been known and that Vienna was thought the properest Place in regard there had been some Overtures already made and Representatives of all Parties present That to arrive at an end there must be a beginning and that if his Excellency permitted I would send my Secretary to Vienna to perswade His Imperial Majesty to impower his General that so his Excellency being now upon departure for the Confines they might treat there and if his Excellency judged my Person and Presence necessary to so bless'd a Work I would wait upon his Excellency and attend his Camp He told me there was no occasion I should take so much trouble but said Send your Secretary to Vienna that the Emperor send a Person according to custom fully impowred to treat here or else that we are as we are And to this he added two or three Lines To this there 's no Reply My Lord I spoke several times that the Commission was to me and the Dutch Embassador equally which I did and now repeat to avoid all Thoughts because the Vizier when he spoke said Let the Emperor send his Commission to me not naming the Dutch and to this no Reply 'T is not an Ambition I desire nor shall I less communicate with the Dutch Embassador whose Counsel I shall always desire My Lord I am very glad I have the Opportunity of returning Count Marsigli who will supply by Parole what I may omit or what is not convenient for a Letter and that your Lordship will transmit it to my Lord Nottingham 'T is absolutely necessary that the Emperor resolves that he adjusts the Points with the Allies or treats without them which the Turks would imbrace greedily but since His Imperial Majesty will not relinquish them nor they able to defend but must disgorge and be swallowed up if alone 't is I think very reasonable that the Emperor requires them to positive and convenient Conditions The Turks Nature is to do at once and therefore considering well there must be a Power intrusted I shall be very ready to give all the possible assistance I can and if required readily pass to the Camp or Confines for obtaining so pious a Work grateful and most heartily wish'd by the poor Subjects of both Empires and I hope I shall have the better fortune for the many hearty Prayers and good Wishes I have gain'd on both sides God Almighty prosper and direct you to compleat it What you send to me pray let be clear to avoid Replies and that Count Marsigli may be perfectly instructed who knowing the posture and humour of Affairs here will I hope expedite their Counsels and resolve them The Juncture seems very favourable and the Allies I believe very pressing this Opportunity lost God knows the Consequences Senior Marsigli will tell your Lordship some things I have charged to his Memory and desire your Lordship to send to my Lord Nottingham My haste and length of Letters will not permit me to use Cypher at present I have presumed to write to His Imperial Majesty and most of the Ministers to acknowledge my Obligations and readiness in their Interests which I humbly beg of your Lordship to deliver and if the Bearer who goes directly to your Lordship be present he can supply all that is deficient God Almighty prosper your good Offices I am with all Respect My LORD Your Lordship 's Most Devoted Servant William Hussey In the last Month of July we left the two Ambassadors Sir William Hussey and the Heer Collier at Adrianople where having received the News of the total Defeat of the Turkish Army with the Death of the Grand Vizier a stop was given to their present Motion towards Belgrade with intention to proceed with the New Vizier thither and there to reassume the Mediation towards a Peace for which the present Conjuncture seemed very seasonable The New Vizier was called Ali Pasha A New Vizier Ali Pasha had been Pasha of Scio and Kahya or Deputy to Kupriogli the Grand Vizier now slain in Battle But whilst they were meditating of these Matters and preparing to accompany the New Vizier in 10 or 12 Days as was given out unto Belgrade The Death of the Lord Ambassador Sir William Hussey it pleased God that the English Ambassador Sir William Hussey fell Sick and Died the 14th of September after 13 Days of Sickness at Adrianople He was a Person much lamented by all for his excellent Qualities and Experience in the Affairs of Turkey of which he had learned much at Aleppo and there gained a good Estate with which returning for England he Married the Daughter of that Worthy Person and Citizen Sir John Buckworth after whose Death he was chosen by the Levant Company to be their Deputy-Governour in the Place of Sir John Buckworth his Father-in-Law Deceased in which Office having acquitted himself for some Years with much Honour he was afterwards sent by King William and Queen Mary to succeed Sir William Trumball in that Embassy His Excellent Lady resolving to accompany him in all his Travels and Dangers patiently bore and sustained all the Fatigues and Inconveniencies of a Journey over Land which was never performed before by any other English Ambassador designed for Turkey who were always Transported either in the Companies own Ships or the King's Men of War by Sea But now things had changed their Face and as it was dangerous whilst the French were Masters of the Mediterranean Seas to expose those rich Ships to the danger of the Enemy so it was thought most convenient to hasten the Journey of the Ambassador by Land and that taking the Imperial Court at Vienna in his way he might there receive such Instructions from the Emperor and his Allies the King of Poland and the State of Venice as were most proper at that time in order to a Peace with the Sultan of which King William of England and the States of Holland offered themselves by their Ambassadors to be the Mediators Upon this Occasion Sir William Hussey with his Lady remained some Months at Vienna before he could procure his Dispatches and then the Winter coming on when the Danube was frozen up he departed not from Vienna until the Spring and arrived as we have related before in the Month of June of this present Year And whereas the Mediation of this Peace was of high Concernment to all Europe we shall here insert the Methods Rules and Instructions which the Emperor and his Allies gave to the English Ambassador in this Matter The first Paper given to Sir William Hussey at Vienna was dated March 1691 and called Informations for the English Ambassador designed to be Mediator of the Peace at Constantinople and which may serve to obviate the Objections which the
four Years engaged them in a War the most Bloody the most Ruinous and most destructive to the Ottoman Empire that was ever known The French Ambassador fearing that these Tumults and the Inclinations of some of the Ministers would at length prevail for a Peace he bestowed his Money very liberally where he thought it might be well placed for as yet the French King wanted not Money as he did some Years afterwards but he could not as yet fix any on the Chimacam Chusaein Pasha at Constantinople who always told the Ambassador's Servants that he wanted none of his Presents being well provided with what was necessary for his Maintenance and Equipage The Difficulty of this Great Minister's Proceedings did not a little trouble the Thoughts of the Ambassador especially when he had understood that this Chimacam had wrote to the Mufti to perswade to a Peace The Chimacam of Constantinopâ—e an 〈◊〉 my to the French the League with France being apparently destructive to the Empire saying as it were How long shall these People be a Snare to us And hereof the Ambassador was the more apprehensive when he heard that the Sultan was returning to Constantinople for his Health being perswaded by the Physicians That the Air of that City and the Sea would be more conducing to his Health than that of Adrianople by which he feared that the Chimacam might have the better opportunity to instill these Imaginations into the Head of the Grand Seignior than he could at a distance But before the Departure of the Grand Seignior from Adrianople for Constantinople a General Council of War was held by all the Chief Officers of the Army At which three principal Points were concluded The First was Resolutions at a Council of War To do their best Endeavours and use all possible means for the Relief of Great Waradin But on the other side it was considered That the Militia on the Frontiers was tyred out and become weak by their Labours and Disgraces of the preceding Campaign so that the Means for executing this Design was not prescribed A Second Proposal was not to conside much in the Counsels of the French but to consult the Opinion of the Soldiery whether they were inclinable to a Peace And Thirdly In case the Soldiery shou'd be averse to a Peace that then Preparations should be made with all diligence to raise Men and make Provisions of War for the ensuing Year But whilst Matters were disposing to quiet the Minds of the Soldiery of which great Numbers were passed over into Asia much harassed and discontented so that some Insurrections were feared in those Countries Tumults against Copper-Money Behold on a sudden the People murmured against the base Allay of the Money which was nothing but Copper or at best mixed with a little Silver which was a mighty prejudice to Trade and caused a dearness of all Provisions so that the Poor were almost Starved whereupon the Rabble in a furious manner assaulted the Mint-Office and Killed the Master who was set over the Coinage and committed many other Insolences and were not appeased until an Order was published That the Copper-Money should be no longer Currant at which the People dispersing Silver-Money was issued from the Mint where the Officers worked Day and Night in Coining Aspers and greater Money and with Promises of being paid shortly in this Money the Soldiers were very much pleased and satisfied tho' the Discontents of the Asiatick Soldiers gave great Apprehensions and Fears to the Port of some Revolt or Insurrection in Asia which had it at that time happened it had in all probability produced a Peace But this Blessing both to the Christians and the Turks was reserved for a more happy time as we shall see if God gives us Life some Years afterwards with which we shall put a Period to this History Anno 1692. THE English Ambassador Sir William Hussey designed to Negotiate the Peace together with Monsieur Colyer the Ambassador of Holland between the Emperor and the Sultan Achmet as we have said being Dead an end was put for the present to that Negotiation and the Ambassador of Holland returned back from Adrianople without being able to effect any thing in order thereunto the Resolution of continuing the War was the loud Report and Discourse common in the Mouths of all People and that no Treaty should be set on Foot The Turks resolve to continue the War until the Recovery of Buda from the Germans and of Morea from the Venetians and herein were the Turks more animated by the Assurances of the French Ambassador that his Master was sending two great Men of War from France laden with Bombs Granadoes Carcasses and with all sorts of Military Preparations and with them 200 French Engineers and Gunners of great Experience in the Management of Fire-Works and other Warlike Instruments fit and proper both for Sea and Land And farther to show his Zeal in this Cause the Ambassador promised to go himself in Person to the War To give more life to the Ambassador's Words the Son-in-Law to Tekeli returned from France and in the beginning of this Year arrived at Smyrna whence immediately without any stop or stay he took Post for Adrianople being fully freighted with Letters and Promises from the French King to the Sultan and presents to the Chief Officers of State to perswade them to Continue and Maintain the War so that now all Thoughts and Imaginations of a Peace were vanished and laid aside Wherefore in order to a War a Project was laid by the two Cadileskers or Chief Justices to raise both Men and Money by a more easie way and manner than had formerly been done for these being the Chief Justices on whom all the other Inferiour Justices of the Empire depended an Exact and Secret Calculate was made of the true Number of the Spahees and of the People in the several Provinces and Districts through the whole Empire This Calculate was secretly carried to the Vizier and Mufti where after it had been very seriously debated it was well approved as a Means to ease the Publick Treasury by a more equal Tax on all Villages and Towns according to the Number of the Inhabitants and hereon a great Foundation was made of raising many Thousands of Men and much more Money than the last Year During all this time the Turks remained in great apprehension of some suddain Insurrection of the Arabs and discontented Militia in Asia and whereas the greatest danger appeared to be in the Parts A Teftish Pasha sent into Asia and Country of Sebaste or Sivas a Teftish Pasha or General Inquisitor was sent with a strong Party of Horse to enquire after all loose People Vagabonds or such as could give no good Account of themselves with a full Power of Life and Death which the Turks commonly execute with all Rigour and Arbitrary Power imaginable I have known a Teftish Pasha sent into Asia to enquire after Vagabonds
the Ports As the Grand Vizier was depos'd for the reasons aforesaid Chimacam Ahmet Pasha banished so also was the Chimacam called Calailicos Ahmet Pasha of Greek Extraction in danger of being strangled had not the Queen Mother and the Kuzlir Aga or Chief Eunuch procured the favour to have his Punishment altered and changed to an Exile into Egypt for the many Tyrannies and Cruelties he had committed and particularly for that he had taken away the Ancient Church called St. George at Constantinople belonging to the Patriarchate for some hundreds of Years before that time In his place Jeien Pasha a prudent Person and one very well practised in Affairs was constituted Chimacam and being the Nephew of the famous Kupriogli gave general satisfaction to all People and particularly to the Greeks and Christians to whom he always shewed much favour At this time as is usual there were two great Factions at Adrianople one in the Seraglio consisting of the Queen Regent the Kuzlir-Aga and other Principal Courtiers the other Party in opposition to these were the Mufti the Grand Vizier and Principal Officers of the Janizaries and Spahees To strengthen these after the Death of Osman Pasha the Selictar-Aga was chosen Chimacam being a Young Man a Chircassian by Nation of a very good understanding and for his years very well versed in Affairs This Person being promoted to this Office without the knowledge or consent either of the Grand Vizier or the Mufti but only by the Machination or Contrivance of the Kuzlir-Aga and Queen Mother rendred his Condition the more unsetled and uncertain And indeed not only the Court but all the Empire was in great Confusion by reason of the weakness of three or four Sultans successively of whom we have already given a Character and particularly of this Sultan Achmet of whom the best we can say is that he was a Good Natur'd Jolly Prince and feared no hurt nor wished it to any Person whatsoever But how the state of Affairs were in those days we may learn from a Letter which my Lord Paget wrote to a Person of Quality at Vienna dated April 24. N. S. 1694. Lord Paget's Letter SIR THEY so often change their Ministers here that an Ambassador can scarce come to treat twice with the same Person Since my arrival here at the Port they have had three Grand Viziers three Chimacams of Adrianople four Chimacams of Constantinople three Aga's of the Janisaries three Tefterdars or Lord Treasurers two New Cadileschers or Judges of Asia and Romelia and in short all the Great Officers of the Empire were changed the Mufti only excepted by which there was such a New Set of Idiots and Fools got into Places as would overturn the best settled Government in the World For these Officers being only such as Chance offers it is a doubtful Wager whether he proves a Fool or a Wise Man and in case he should prove a Man of Parts yet he is suffered so short a time to remain in his Office that he is in no capacity to improve them Ambassadors unless it be at their first Audience and at that of Congedie have no Conversation or Access to the Grand Seigniors and then they affect such a sort of Grandeur as may best cover all their Thoughts by a Silence so that they give no place for any debate and a Man can never lay any foundation upon their Words For as their Ally of France scorns to be a Slave to his word so they hold it to be no dishonour to be open and esteem nothing for a Secret It is true that very seldom or never a Minister shall receive a flat denial from a Turk for he shall train you on to the very last point and when you come to the last Argument and Upshot of all then a Sum of Money must make the Conclusion The disorders made by the Arabian Princes in the Countries about Aleppo did still continue which caused great fears and apprehensions at Constantinople it self but those Countries being far remote and distant made little alterations or noise at Court The Negotiations of Poland at Adrianople had no success April so that the Envoy was dispatched away re infectâ Some few days afterwards the Tartar Han quitted the Court with dissatisfaction and all things seemed in much disorder however they talked high of great preparations for the following Campagne And to make some evidences thereof they dispatched away 1200 Janisaries from Adrianople to Belgrade moreover they sent away 32 Saiques for the Danube About this time the Grand Vizier arrived from Tripoli de Soria where he had been Pasha and was sent for by the Grand Seignior to head the Army in Hungary having been recommended by some Favourites to have been the wisest and most experienced General in the Empire but the trial shewed him to be a Man rather of the Pen and good Language than of Arms. But to speak more fully and pertinently concerning the Negotiations of the Polish Envoy at Adrianople he was lodged at Demerdesh about an English Mile from the City in a poor Village without Ceremony or any great Equipage he had a Coach with six Horses in which was a French Jesuit His Business was declared rather to be designed to the Tartar Han who was at that time at Adrianople than to the Grand Seignior and accordingly had Audience of him In the first place it was observable Polish Envoy's Audience with the Tartar Han at Adrianople that during the time of his Audience with the Tartar Han the Polish Envoy kept his Cap off until he was bid to sit down and be covered after a few words of Complement he arose up and delivered his Letter The Han asked him whether he had any other Letters for him to which he replied no. He asked him from whom that Letter was he answered from the King his Master The Han asked him whether he had any thing to say to him by word of Mouth to which he answered no for that all was contained within the Letter The Han spake in the Tartar Language and the Pole in his own The Audience ended the Pole arose kissed the Han's Vest retired backwards with his Face towards the Han which is a part of respect amongst Turks and Tartars and most of the Eastern People all which was over in less than half an Hours time The which Passage seemed very Mysterious and not well understood from whence and from whom this Envoy was sent but being gone out of the Presence of the Han the Negotiation appeared to concern War and Peace and a Treaty proposed to be held in order thereunto between the Turk and Tartar on one side and of the Emperor King of Poland and the Venetian State on the other Hereof intelligence was given by my Lord Paget Monsieur Heemskirk and Heer Colyer to the Emperor Venetians and all the Allies whom it might concern the which seemed very strange that such a Negotiation should be set
very dear both in Adrianople and Constantinople by reason that the Seas were obstructed by the Venetians so that no Coffee Rice nor Sugar could be transported from Egypt into those Parts the French Ambassador undertook to supply the same with French Ships demanding only That when such Commodities arrive the Turks should pay no more for them than in Times of Peace which besides some other private Contracts were very pleasing to the Turks and served to confirm the Friendship and increase the Confidence between the two People As the Eyes of all the Turkish Officers were intent on the War there being a Design to recover Scio in the Winter Season before the Venetians could come forth with their Fleet the Sultan sent for Mezzo Morto who was Admiral of the Fleet together with six Captains of the Men of War reproaching them for Cowardice for that in case they had done their Duty in the last Engagement against the Venetians Scio had not been lost wherefore these Officers were discharged of their Commands and Sarhos or Drunken Chusaein Pasha was declared Captain Pasha or Admiral in the Place of Mezzo Morto being esteemed a Man of more Boldness and Courage and Conduct than the other and such was the Shame and Confusion that the Turks conceived for the loss of Scio that even in the Winter a thing not practised by the Turks Orders were given to the New Admiral to prepare and equip an hundred Frigats Whilst all things were preparing for this Years War and in an especial manner for the recovery of Scio on the 27th of January Sultan Achmet's Death Old Stile the Grand Seignior Sultan Achmet dyed which for that present put a stop to all Business then in agitation both in regard to the War or Peace For as to the latter my Lord Paget arrived at Adrianople on the 23d and next Day desired an Audience of the Grand Vizier which was promised to him on the 31st when the Propositions he had to make were so reasonable and the Turks in so good a Temper that the Ambassador perswaded himself that they would be accepted the Great Vizier and Chimacam showing themselves not averse but rather well inclined to a reasonable Peace But whilst they were thinking of these things the Court and City and all People were surprized to hear the News of the Death of the Sultan who at the time of his last Agony desired to see and speak with his Successour Sultan Mustapha who could not be perswaded to go to him and so he died without that Satisfaction by a great Defluxion or Catarrh which fell upon his Lungs Only he left it in Commission to his Servants to acquaint his Nephew Sultan Mustapha who was undoubtedly to succeed him That all he had to desire of him was to desire him that he would permit his Son to live but whether this Request was granted him or not is not yet known for Matters of this Nature are seldom reported without the Walls of the Seraglio So soon as he was dead Mustapha Eldest Son to Sultan Mahomet IV. was proclaimed and saluted Emperor and all passed without any Disturbance Disorder or Inconvenience whatsoever In very few Hours afterwards the Body of the Deceased Achmet was hurried away to Constantinople and with a small Attendance buried in the Sepulcher of his Brother and immediately the Sultana his Mother was required to hasten thither and retire and Expresses dispatched to all Parts to carry and divulge the News and most especially acquaint the New Valide Sultana with the Exaltation of her Son to the Throne of his Father For the present Sultan Mustapha being about 33 Years of Age and in his Prime appeared very Robust and Comely and to show a mildness of Spirit at the beginning he for the present confirmed the Great Vizier in his Place by restoring the Seals to him which he had resigned into his Hands and giving him a Coftan lined with Sables His Mother was now every Day expected at Adrianople until whose coming thither nothing was to be done for as she was a Person highly beloved and esteemed by her late Husband Sultan Mahomet Father of the present Sultan Mustapha as we have manifested in our foregoing History so she was a Woman of Intrigue and one who had so great a Power over her Son that he entirely gave himself up to the Government and Guidance of his Mother The Queen Mother She was a Native of Canea tho' some say she was a Circassian born and taken from thence when the Place was first possessed by the Turks her Father was a Protopapa or Bishop of that place His first entrance into Business was to enquire after the State of the Treasury and to inform himself therein Sultan Mustapha's Beginnings he called for the Treasurer and demanded of him How much Money there was in the Treasury To which Answer was made Fifteen Purses What then said he is become of all the rest To which it was answered That his Predecessor had disposed of it It is well said he and I shall take it from them who have received it With these Beginnings it was much feared that he would prove a troublesome Neighbour to all Christendom and a Cruel and a Severe Master to all the surviving Ministers of State but things were carried so closely that the Government had no News of any thing until the Successor had carried his Point and secured every thing for his Establishment to which many things concurred as that he was the Son and lineally descended from Sultan Mahomet IV who after a Reign of 48 Years was Deposed by reason of the Ill Fortune and Avaritious Temper of some of his Ministers or to please the Soldiers who said That he had Lived and Reigned long enough Moreover the People had a great Esteem for this his Son being Young and Handsome and in his Robust and Mature Age nor was there any Person able to stand against him nor capable of being offered to the Soldiery for their Emperor There was none of the Ottoman Family known unto the World but a Child of two Years old the Son of the late Sultan Achmet and of such an one in such a Conjuncture of time it was not so much as to be thought of tho' most of the Ministers in Power did all they could to keep Sultan Mustapha from the Throne Sultan Mustapha the Second the Present Emperour Eldest Son to Sultan Mahomet the 4th p 522 M. Vander Gucht Scul When the Grand Seignior Vested him as is commonly done by every Sultan at his Inauguration Sultan Mustapha his Saying he told him That he should be careful what he did that he should treat his Soldiers well and above all that he be sure to tell him the truth and if not he should soon know and be sensible of what would follow But since this Severity The Sultan's Humour and sharp Saying he remitted something of his Angry Temper and became more mild and easie so that