Sr. Paul Ryeant many years Consul of Smyrna now his Brittanique Majties Resident at Hamburgh and Fellow of the Royall Societie P. 〈◊〉 Pinxit R White Sculpsit THE HISTORY OF THE TURKS BEGINNING With the Year 1679. Being a full Relation Of the Last Troubles in Hungary with the Sieges of Vienna and Buda and all the several Battles both by SEA and LAND between the CHRISTIANS and the TVRKS until the End of the Year 1698 and 1699. IN WHICH The Peace between the Turks AND THE Confederate Christian Princes and States was happily Concluded at Carlowitz in Hungary By the Mediation of His Majesty of Great Britain and the States General of the Vnited Provinces With the Effigies of the Emperors and others of Note Engraven at Large upon Copper which Compleats the Sixth and Last Edition of the History of the Turks In Two Vol. in Folio By Sir PAVL RYCAVT Kt. Eighteen Years Consul at Smyrna now his Majesty's Resident at Hamburg and Fellow of the Royal Society LONDON Printed for Robert Clavell in St. Paul's Church-Yard and Abel Roper against St. Dunstan's Church in Fleetstreet MDCC TO THE King's Most Excellent MAJESTY WILLIAM III. King of Great Britain France and Ireland Defender of the Faith c. Great SIR THE Dedication of this following History of the Turks may most justly be Addressed to the Clemency and Patronage of Your Majesty for Two Reasons First Because the greatest Part of this Treatise was Written at Hamburg whilst I was actually employed for the space almost of Eleven Years in the Service of Your Majesty the which I hope will not be looked upon as a Point of my Demerit or Neglect in my Duty to have taken out so many Hours as this Work might Require from the Service of Your Majesty For I can safely say and that Your Majesty's Secretaries also in England and Abroad can Attest for me that I have been diligent in my Office and have neglected nothing therein which my Duty and Services to Your Majesty might require and expect from me for it was Written at my Vacant Hours when nothing of my other Services could give me the least Avocation But what may chiefly oblige me farther to this Dedication is the Healing Powerful and Successful Hand which Your Majesty hath Applied by Your Ambassadors in making that Peace at Carlowitz between the Christians and the Turks which will ever be remembred in Future Ages and which as Your former Actions shewed the World You were a great Captain in the Arts of War so this will give good Proof You were a Wise and Prudent Governor in the Exercises of Peace And may deserve to have that Motto inserted in Your Escocheon Beati sunt Pacifici And so may Your Majesty be always Blessed and Prosperous in this Life and Your Great Good Works Rewarded in Heaven Which are the most Devout Prayers of Your MAJESTY's Most Obedient Subject and most Humble Devoted and Dutiful Servant Paul Rycaut Hamburgh Jan 15. 1700. THE PREFACE TO THE READER Courteous Reader I Would not have Thee entertain a worse Opinion of this History by Reason of the Place where it was Wrote and Finished being at a far distance both from Constantinople and Vienna Though perhaps it might have been more lively had its Colours been laid on in the Places themselves where the Actions were performed and at a time when the Humour of the Turks and the Idea I conceived of their Actings had taken so strong an Impression in my Mind that whilst I was upon the Place I could suffer nothing to pass my Pen without its due Observation Being thus accustomed to such Contemplations as these in my more Youthful Days I could not let pass the continual News and the constant Intelligences I received from Hungary and other Parts which were the Seats of War between the Christians and the Turks without making some Reflections thereupon After which I might justly challenge the Privilege of an Exauctorate or of a Miles Emeritus And I think I need not Blot any more Paper for the future on any Subject relating to the Turks for having arrived at that great Period of the last Wars concluded between the Emperor of Germany and all his Allies against the Turks It may appear how much the Ottoman Force is able to avail when it is put into the Scale and Ballance against all Christendom It hath been an ancient Custom and Policy amongst the Turks in the time of their prosperous Successes by which their Empire was enlarged never to continue a War longer than for three Years in which time they always advanced considerably and would make no Peace with their Neighbours until their Triumphs and Acquisitions would answer the expences and effusions of their Blood and Treasures After which they commonly fixed Twenty Years for the Settlement and Security of those new Conquests and Plantations in which time many young Soldiers being Born and Bred up in Arms they not only took those Habitations for their Native Soil but esteemed them also to be by the Mahometan Religion obliged ever to defend and maintain them But these last Wars have quite put the Turks out of their Ancient Methods for instead of maintaining a War no longer than Three Years they have been forced to continue it for more than Twenty to the great Ruin and Destruction of their Empire I have always been of Opinion That the Turks could never maintain a VVar for longer than Three Years I mean with benefit and profit to the advancement of the Ottoman Empire of which I once made very perspicuous Observations Whilst I was in the Camp with them I found the Timariots very poor and wanting at the end of that Term so that they stoal from each other their Bridles and Saddles Lances and all other necessaries of War and would excuse themselves by saying that they could not do otherwise in so long a War of more than their Three Years And in like manner the Janisaries by their ancient Constitution might challenge a Privilege to quit the Service at the end of the Month of October and in case they were not called they might then Disband themselves on St. Demetriu's Day which is the 28th Day of October at which time the Janisar Aga could not without danger of his own Life in some mutiny deny them dismission for that Year's Campaign VVhich the Janisaries esteemed always a Privilege due to their Order but the Asiatick Timariots called Timar Spahcelar were always sooner dismissed in consideration of the long Journies they were to make to their VVinter-Quarters some of them being as far distant as Bagdat or Babylon as Damascus or Scham as Aleppo and Iconium and other Parts which to Travel backwards and forwards would take up commonly four or five Months time After which to pass a Summers Campaign was very Laborious for the Asiatick Forces to undergo who commonly are esteemed a soft People which yet they were obliged to do on Forfeiture of all their Hereditary Estates in which
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
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
Deputati à questa opera corrispondendo con previi avisi faranno la loro congiunzione in luogo conveniente con comitiva di Gente militare bensì mà pacifica e quieta d'ugual numero e coll'ajuto d'Idio cominciaranno la loro funzione dal giorno dell'Equinotio de'i 22 12 Marzo dell'anno corrente adopraranno ogni diligenza nella distinzione dell'uno e dell'altro Confine delle sudette parti affinche con prestezza finiscano nel termine di due Mesi e più presto se si può fare XII Quanto più è desiderata la fermezza dell'amicizia e la quiete delli Sudditi di ambe le parti tanto più devono essere ugualmente abominati quelli che portati dal reprobo loro ò genio ò costume anco nel tempo di Pace con ladronecci altri ostili essercizii intorbidano la tranquillità del Confine perciò nè dall'una parte nè dall'altra si darà ricetto ò fomento à tali forusciti di qualsivoglia sorte mà saranno perseguitati presi e consegnati acciò che ad essempio di altri siino col meritato castigo puniti e sarà per l'avenire proibito l'appoggio il mantenimento di questi mali Huomini XIII A cadauna delle parti sia lecito di risarcire riparare e fortificare le posseduto Fortezze mà non già di fabricarne di nuovo altre Fortezze appresso il Confine ò le Fortezze demolite dalla Republica di Venezia nelle Sponde della Terra ferma Per la commodità però de'i Sudditi sia lecito di porre Borghi e Villaggi per tutto osservandosi trà di loro pacificamente ogni buona corrispondenza e vicinanza e contenendosi nelli proprii termini e se à caso succedesse frà lora alcuna differenza subito convenendo li Prefetti del Confine d'ambe le parti amichevolmente e con ogni giustizia levino l'occasione di qualsivoglia contrasto XIV Tanto per la Religgione e par la libertà e permuta degli Schiavi quanto per il Traffico si osservarà lo Stile e tenore delle antecedenti Capitolazioni e sarà lecito all'Ambasciatore della Republica di portarne le sue ulteriori istanze al Soglio Imperiale Intanto circa il Traffico siano confermati anco per questa Pace li sacri commandamenti concessi peravanti alla Republica il Traffico haverà da godere la sua forma che haveva avanti questa ultima Guerra e li Mercanti della Nazione Veneta tutti li Privileggi che le sono stati concessi XV. Sin' al giorno delle immediate Sottoscrizzioni frà li Plenipotenziarii dell'Eccelso Imperio e della Republica di Venezia dal giorno della Sottoscrizzione delli Plenipotenziarii di Sua Maestà Cesarea e di Polonia dell'accordato per la Republica deve cessar ogni ostilitâ d'ambe le parti tanto per Terra quanto per Mare osservarsi ogni buona corrispondenza affinche li Rettori di ogni Confine habbiano la notizia di questo Armistizio si pone per le parti di Bosnia Albania e Dalmazia il termine di trenta giorni e per le parti dell'Isola di Candia e di Morea e gli altri Confini di quelle parti si pone il termine di giorni quaranta doppo e dentro quali termini al possibile dal canto dell'Eccelso Imperio e dal canto della Republica di Venezia non si contravenirà ad alcuno di questi Articoli che si potranno osservare Si concede inoltre alli Sudditi una vera universale amnestia e qualsivoglia loro fatto ò delitto commesso in tempo di Guerra passando in totale oblivione nissuno di essi come delinquente sarà per l'avenire castigato e molestato THE TREATY of PEACE BETWEEN The Sublime OTTOMAN Empire AND Most Serene Republick of VENICE THE Treaty of Peace between the Sublime Ottoman Empire and the most Serene Republick of Venice concluded in the Congress of Carlovitz in Sirmium under Tents the 26th Jan. 1699. The Ambassadors there present on the part of the Sublime Empire were the most Illustrious and most Excellent Signiore's Mehmet Effendi Great Chancellor and Alexander Mauro Cordato and on the part of the most Serene Republick the most Illustrious and most Excellent Signior Charles Ruzini Kt. The Mediators the most Illustrious and most Excellent Signiore's William Pagett Ambassador of his Britannick Majesty and James Colyer Ambassador of the High and Mighty States General of the United Provinces besides the most Illustrious and most Excellent Signiore's Ambassadors Plenipotentiaries of his Coesarean Majesty and of Poland c. I. THE Morea with all its Cities Fortresses Castles Lands Villages Mountains Rivers Lakes Woods Ports and ev'ry thing else that is found within the Circumference of it now in the Possession of the Republick of Venice shall remain peaceably in the Possession and the Dominion of the said Republick as it stands Bounded by Sea and by Land by that Line where remain the footsteps of the Antient Wall so that from within the Morea that Land shall not be Extended any farther towards the Terra Firma nor on the side of the Terra Firma shall they exceed these Limits of the Morea II. The Terra Firma that is in the Possession of the Sublime Empire shall remain entirely in the Possession and Dominion of the said Empire exactly in the State it was in in the beginning of the last War The Fortress of Lepanto shall be Evacuated by the Republick of Venice the Castle of Rumelia on the side of Lepanto shall be Demolish'd and likewise the Fortress of Preveza shall be Demolish'd and the Terra Firma on that side shall be left in its first intire State III. The Isle of St. Maura with its Fortress and that Entrance upon the Bridge call'd Peracia without any farther Extension of it towards the Terra Firma and the Island of Leucade adjoyning to St. Maure shall remain in the Possession and Dominion of the Republick of Venice IV. The Evacuation of Lepanto and the Demolishment of the Castle of Rumelia and of Prevesa shall be perform'd immediately after the Separation made of the Limits of Dalmatia and in the mean time to prevent all Hostilities and all Occasions of Complaint the Garrisons of the Three said Places shall keep themselves at Home and shall not make any Excursion into the Terra Firma nor any Demand upon what pretence soever and the Inhabitants of the said Places may either stay behind or go away without any Violence to be us'd towards ' em V. The Gulphs that are betwixt the Terra Firma and the Morea shall remain in Common and each Party does oblige it self to Clear and Preserve 'em free from Robbers VI. The Islands of the Archipelago and of those Seas shall remain in the State they were before the beginning of this
last War in the possession of the Sublime Empire and the Republick shall not pretend from 'em any Duties or Contributions or any thing else introduc'd in the time of the present War VII For the time to come the Sublime Empire shall not pretend from the Republick of Venice or from the Inhabitants any Pension pass'd or future upon account of the Island of Zante The Island of Egina with its Fortress being adjacent to the Morea and in possession of the Republick of Venice shall in its present State remain in the Possession and Dominion of that Republick VIII In Dalmatia the Fortresses of Cnin Sing Ciclut and Gabella being at present in the Possession and Dominion of the Republick of Venice shall remain in the quiet Possession and Dominion of the same but because the Limits ought to be put into such a Form that Possessions may be distinguish'd and the Subjects of both Parties rest in Quiet and Tranquillity and that they may not come to any sort of imaginable Difference which might Disturb the Peace of the Confines it is agreed that a streight Line be drawn from the Fortress of Cnin to the Fortress of Verlika and from that to the Fortress of Sing and from that to the Fortress of Duare call'd Zadveria and from that to the Fortress of Vergoratz and likewise from that to the Fortress of Ciclut and Gabella a streight Line shall be drawn and thus the Confines shall be separated so that within the Lines towards the Venetian Dominion and the Sea all the Lands and Districts with the Castles Forts Towers and inclos'd Places shall remain in the sole Possession and Dominion of the foresaid Republick and the Lands and Districts which shall be without the said Line shall remain in the Possession and Dominion of the Sublime Empire with all the Castles Forts Towers and inclos'd Places that are there and for the time to come no sort of Encroachment Extension or Restriction on one side or other shall be permitted And the said Lines according to the nature of the Place shall be made plain and manifest by the Boundaries either of Hills or Woods or Rivers or Currents and where the place won't afford the evidence of such Marks there shall these Distinctions be made by Ditches or Pales or Pillars as shall be agreed by the Commissaries of both Parties by common consent design'd for this purpose and that these Fortresses might have in the Front of 'em a convenient space of Territory The Commissaries shall assign a quantity of Land of about one Hour about three miles to the Fortresses of Cnin Verlika and Sing Duare and Vergoratz and Ciclut to be measur'd either in a right or semicircular Line according as the Convenience and Circumstances of the Land will permit the Fortress of Cnin shall have its Flank towards the Parts of Croatia even to the Confines of the Caesarean Dominion without any prejudice to those Three Potentates the Boundaries of whose Dominions terminate thereabouts but the Rights accorded to each of these Three Governments by this Universal Peace shall always be observ'd The foresaid Line shall be observ'd by each Party but if in the Neighbourhood of it or within it there happens to be any Fortress belonging to the Sublime Empire which just behind it has an entire Territory belonging to it then shall it enjoy from the Front the quantity of Land of an Hour Circumscrib'd within Semicircular Circumference and as to the Fortress of Ciclut that shall likewise have from the Front a Territory of one Hour and in the Flank besides that Line the space of two Hours of Land to be measur'd by a right Line to the Sea And in this Form and by this Regulation the Confines distinguish'd and the Limits settled and the Lands of each Possession separated shall be inviolably observ'd and without any alteration and if any one shall have the Boldness to violate these Marks for Boundaries or commit Trespasses on these Limits and even Officers that shall be wanting of a due Care in punishing Delinquents shall be severely punish'd as well on one side as on the ' tother And in Case the Commissaries shall meet with any Difficulty which they can't Agree they shall truly and sincerely inform their Patrons to the end that by the good Offices of the Representatives to the Fulgid Port of their Caesarean and Britannick Majesties and of the High and Mighty States General of the United Provinces the matter may be amicably determin'd and from any such like Difference about the Confines no Hostilities shall ensue nor shall the peace of the Subjects be disturb'd nor shall it be interpreted to break the Peace concluded with the Sublime Empire IX The Territory and Districts of the Signory of Ragusa shall continue joyned to the Territories and Districts of the Sublime Empire and all Obstacles shall be remov'd that may hinder the Continuation and Communication of the Lands of the said Signory with the Lands of the foresaid Empire X. All in the Neighbourhood of Cattaro Castelnuovo and Risano that is actually in the possession and Dominion of the Republick of Venice shall remain in the peaceable Possession and Dominion of the said Republick with all the Lands appertaining and this same is to be understood of any other Fortress on that side being now actually in the possession of the said Republick And the Commissaries that shall be appointed on one side and the other shall be Men of an Experienc'd Probity that they may without partiality and prejudice equally decide this important Affair And here two Separations shall be made by evident Signs that all occasions of Disturbance may be remov'd but good notice is to be taken that the said entire Continuation of the Lands of Ragusa be not interrupted XI The Distinction of the Limits on both sides in Dalmatia and about Cattaro being to be set on foot as soon as ever the Season will permit the Commissaries design'd for this work giving previous Advices they shall indeed have a Military Attendance but a peaceable and quiet one of equal number on each side and by the help of God they shall enter upon this Office on the day of the Equinox of this instant Year viz. 12 22 March and shall in the foresaid Places use all their Diligence in distinguishing and separating one Confine from the other that they may with Expedition finish the matter in two Months and sooner if it be possible XII As the Continuance of the Friendship and Quiet of the Subjects on both sides is earnestly desir'd so ought those to be equally abominated who carry'd on by their own ill Disposition or Custom do in the time of Peace with Robberies and other hostile Acts disturb the Tranquillity of the Confines therefore no Reception nor Encouragement shall be given to these Banditti of what sort soever by either Party but they shall be pursu'd taken and deliver'd up that for an Example to others they may undergo their deserv'd Punishment and
the hands of its late barbarous Masters In which Action this Noble person deserves as much Honour as he purchased in the Conquest of it It being no less a Vertue to defend and conserve than to gain or win according to that old saying Non minor est virtus quà m quaerere parta tueri It being a great eye-sore to the Turks to see Singh their own Native Habitation in the hands of the Christians they were moved with indignation and with a passionate desire to recover it again into their own possession In pursuance whereof Atleegick lately made Pasha of Bosna drew out his Army in sight of Singh The Turks endeavour to take Singh and encamped in the Plan of Clivino where he pitched many Tents and his Army being encreased by great Numbers of Albanians and the choicest Soldiery of the Provinces round about and provided with all sorts of Ammunition and Victuals both for Man and Horse and with a considerable Train of Artillery they thought upon their first appearance to affright the Garrison of Singh into a surrender But the place having before been well provided with all things necessary and defended by a valorous Garrison they contemned the Summons of their Enemies resolving to maintain the place to the last extremity Whereupon the Turks having raised their Batteries began to play upon it with their Cannon but without any damage to the Besieged Hereupon the Turks changed their Attack from that to another part where their Horse and Foot were drawn up in Military Order with resolution to Storm the place which they attempted by break of day in the Morning falling on with great fury Singh assaulted by Turks and with their Scemyters in their hands thought immediately by force of Arms to carry the place But the besieged so bravely defended themselves that they gave them such repulse as caused them to sound a Retreat leaving behind them many of their Soldiers dead on the place to the number of about Two hundred of which the greatest part were Albanians In the Town the loss was very inconsiderable They are repulsed there being only the chief Engineer killed and some few persons wounded In the mean time the Proveditor-General Cornaro being informed of these successes resolved to give effectual relief to the Town and accordingly he detached several Parties of Morlachs to infest the Enemy on all sides which they performed so successfully that they returned with the Heads of many Turks with Prisoners in Chains and with a considerable booty and Numbers of Cattle having had the fortune to defeat a Convoy which was sent with Ammunition and Provisions to the Turkish Camp Howsoever the Turks still continuing the Siege which had now lasted Seventeen days to which they had called all the Netferee which are the Trained-Bands of the Country and brought thereunto all the Cannon which remained in the fortified places round about they did not doubt in a short time of the success they desired The Siege raised But all these hopes vanished away so soon as News came to Atleegick that the Venetian Army was on their march to relieve the Town with which they were so alarum'd and affrighted that raising their Camp Tents and Baggage they quitted the Siege and ran away with a shameful and precipitate Cowardice And thus ended the Successes of this Year 1687 to the Glory of God and Confusion to the Enemies of the Christian Faith The Victories and Triumphs in Hungary gained by the Imperial Arms were almost miraculous as is before related the successes in the Morea with the subjection of Patras Athens and other places of Greece were wonderful and the relief given to Singh and taking of Castel Nuovo were all works of the Divine Providence And when we farther consider the Tumults Seditions and Mutinies amongst the Turks themselves to the deposing of their Sultan himself and destruction of their Chief and Principal Officers by the madness and fury of the Soldiers even almost to to the total destruction of their Empire we may believe that the Hand of God was lifted up against this People to bring them to the brink of Ruin and Misery and cause them to cease and be no longer a People Let us therefore proceed to the Ensuing Year and therein relate the sequel of the wonderful works of God in whose hands are the disposal of Empires and Kingdoms ANNO 1688. THE Emperor who had from the time of the Incoronation of the King of Hungary remained at Presburg otherwise called Possonium with all the Imperial Court returned now at the beginning of this year to Vienna and arrived there on the 26th of January The Emperor prepares for the next Campaign The Season was now come for making Preparations for the next Campaign against the Turks and Consultations were held not only to secure the new Conquests but to advance farther and to enlarge the Imperial Dominions at all which his Cesarean Majesty was pleased to assist in Person But in regard the Work was great and the Charges immense to Recruit the old Regiments and raise new to provide Ammunition Provisions and Forage for that vast Army which was designed for Hungary His Imperial Majesty was pleased to convene all the States of Austria and of his Hereditary Dominions who accordingly meeting and forming an August Assembly The States of Austria convened the Chancellor in the name of the Emperor declared unto them in a Florid Oration the neccessity that there was for a large supply of Money whereby to carry on the War against the Turks not only on the defensive part but also to advance forward in that way which God had opened and to enlarge the Dominions and extent of Christendom They promise Money At the Conclusion of the Speech the States of Austria having with most profound Reverence and Respect returned their most humble Thanks to his Imperial Majesty for his gracious Clemency they promised in the most submissive Terms imaginable to answer the just Demands of his Majesty to the utmost of their Power The like was done by the States of Stiria the Governour of which Province called Stubemberg having offer'd to his Majesty the Sum of Three hundred thousand Florins As do also the States of Stiria besides the One hundred and Sixty thousand which those States annually pay for Maintenance of their own Charges both Civil and Military and of the Militia which is quarter'd on the Confines of Sclavonia Moreover Messages were sent to the several Princes of the Empire to send their respective Quotas and Contingents and numbers of Soldiers according to the ancient Constitutions of the Empire And in the mean time the Imperial Chamber took such due means and measures in order to the preparations of all things necessary that Recruits were made the Artillery mounted the Magazines filled with Ammunition and Provisions and all sorts of Carriages Pontons Boats Barges and all other appointments for War were provided in great abundance In the mean
Turks were killed on the place with many Prisoners In short the plunder of the City was given for a Prey to the wearied Soldiers who had well deserved it for a Reward of their Valour and indefatigable Labours and for an Encouragement to future Services The Germans gained greater Honour by this Action than by any other of this Summer's Expedition for their Forces were few and the Enemies fought with more Resolution and Bravery than they had done in any former Engagement for in none were more killed and wounded than in this Count Veterani received a Wound with a Musket-shot and Count Trautmansdorf with a Scimetar and both in the Head and Baron Orlich a Lieutenant Colonel was killed on the place But as yet the Castle of Widin held out for which reason the Soldiers kept a watch about it all Night that the Defendants might not have an opportunity to make their Escape The next Morning the Castle was summoned but no Answer being given the Prince sent a Turk to the Commander to let him know The Turks refuse to deliver the Castle of VVidin That unless he did Surrender up the Castle and Garrison that very Day he was not to expect any Quarter or Conditions of Mercy It was not long before the Turk returned from the Castle with a fierce Answer from the Governour That he and his Companions were resolved to defend the Castle to the last drop of their Blood Prince Lewis was not a little displeased at this Answer because for want of Provisions he was in some haste to remove his Camp but not to leave such a necessary Work as this imperfect he immediately dispatched away to Semendria for Cannon Mortars and Ammunition And having raised on the 16th of October a Battery he plied the Castle so hard that the Turks spread a white Flag and came to Capitulations which were soon agreed upon Terms The Castle of VVidin surrenders That the Garrison and People therein might march forth with all their Goods for Carriage of which 30 Boats were to be assigned them The Soldiers and People march out but in regard Boats were not to be procured 200 Carts were provided in the place thereof So that on the 19th of October 2559 Soldiers all Armed with about as many Inhabitants marched out of the place which were Convoyed by 200 Dragoons towards Nicopolis and the Hostages being committed to safe Custody five Companies of the Regiment of Dunghen were placed therein for a Garrison Upon the Report only of the march of the Imperialists towards Widin Tekeli abandoned the City tho' he had a stately House therein and very well furnished yet so debased was he in his Courage that he fled before the Battle towards Nicopolis from whence he came with a sad Countenance and Tears in his Eyes to meet the Garrison and People expelled from the Town and Castle Howsoever he showed a courteous Aspect to the German Soldiers who were appointed for Convoy to the People of Widin and in a Friendly manner treated them with Wine and a plentiful Entertainment Widin a place of much advantage to the Christians As Widin was a great loss to the Turks so it was of high advantage to the successful Arms of the Emperor for by taking this place all the Conquests made by the two last Victories namely the Territory of Nissa and other Places possessed on the Way to Sophia were all covered and the Way secured for importing Forage and Provisions and all Necessaries for support of the advanced Troops under Piccolomini posted for guard and defence of the Conquered Countries and free Communication and Correspondence with the Neighbouring Principalities And on the contrary the Turks of Temeswaer and other Garrisons maintained in the Upper Hungary were all greatly streightned and annoyed thereby without any hopes of being succoured or relieved and thereby Tekeli also was dislodged from those Parts in which he had perswaded the People by his fair Words and Promises to remain constant and faithful and stand by the Grand Seignior with their Lives and Fortunes Winter Quarters provided for the Soldiers It being now towards the end of October it was judged high time to give refreshment and ease to the wearied Soldiery by putting them into warm and commodious Quarters during the Winter Season The Province of Walachia was a Country near to them abounding with all sorts of Provisions and there it was intended to Quarter a great part of the Army Upon which Resolution Prince Lewis dispatched to the Prince of Walachia these following Propositions requiring an immediate Compliance therewith otherwise that he would do himself Reason with his Sword giving him only six Days time to return an Answer The Propositions made to the Prince of Walachia and the States of that Province dated the 28th of October were as followeth Propositions made by the Prince of Walachia WHEREAS it hath pleased Almighty God to give many signal Victories unto His Imperial Majesty whereby several Cities Countries and Provinces have been recovered out of the Barbarous Possession of the Turks and thereby also Walachia secured from Servitude and Slavery in consideration whereof it was demanded from the Prince and States that Winter Quarters be given for the space of seven Months for 15000 Men Horse and Foot according to the Rules and Proportions which have been setled by the Imperial Decrees in former times both in Hungary and Transilvania That is to say from the first of November 1689 to the last of May 1690 in the manner following I. That two Pounds of Bread shall be provided for every Man per Day For Winter Quarters with a Pound of Flesh and a Measure of Wine besides his Bed Salt Candle Wood and all other Necessaries for support of Humane Life That four Bushels of Oats a Month eight Pounds of Hay a Day with two Bundles of Straw a Week shall be allowed for every Horse II. That the Prince and States shall pay unto the Soldiers 800000 Florins within a certain time III. That the Prince and States shall find 1500 good Horse to mount those Cavaliers who have lost their Horses and also shall find them Armour within a certain time according as hath been practised in Hereditary Kingdoms and Provinces the Arms for Cuirasiers shall not be valued at more than 30 Dollars for every Horseman and 25 for every Dragoon the which shall be defalked out of the Sum of the ready Money which is to be paid IV. That the Deputies sent by the Prince and States shall return to them again and in the space of six Days shall come back to the Imperial Camp with the positive Resolution of what shall be performed in this Matter and shall bring with them Commissaries who shall allot to the Soldiers their respective Quarters V. That the Prince and States shall appoint and ordain Hostages namely two Barons of the chief Nobility in the Province who shall remain with the Imperial General as Guarantees for performance of
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
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
the late Prince Ragotski directed him in the first place towards Mongatz that he might if possible come to a sight of that Lady for whom he had so great a passion But upon the approach of these Troops her Mother-in-Law who was zealous for the Interest of the Emperor gave Orders to the Forces which were rais'd within her State to fall upon Tekeli Tekeli defeats the Troops of the Princess Ragotski Dowager whose Quarters were not far distant from Mongatz The Fight was bravely maintain'd on both sides till at length the Troops of the Princess were forc'd to give way and 200 of them being slain on the place and many Prisoners taken amongst which the Count Serini was one the rest were put to flight being entirely defeated With these Successes the Army of the Malecontents daily increas'd to which an additional Force of eight or nine thousand Tartars being added the Emperor thought it necessary to recruit his Army with a Regiment of Horse under the Command of Count Stirum and with some other Troops which were in Bohemia and Stiria EMERIC COMTE DE TEKELI p 44 M. Vander Gucht Scul The Emperor perceiving that he was very unable to resist the Forces which were now in open Field and in defiance against him had his Recourse to the Old Project of making New Propositions and Offers of Peace to the Malecontents But this was always so unluckily managed and with so ill a grace that it was no wonder if it found no better Success But now as if it were intended to make things more plain and satisfactory to the World without Disputes or Qualifications a Manifesto was publish'd by the Emperor's Command The Emperor publishes a Manifest Granting and Indulging unto all a General Act of Pardon and Oblivion a Restoration to their Estates a Free Exercise of Religion and a Right and Privilege of being equally admitted into Places of Trust and Offices of Court with the Germans and others of the Roman Catholick Religion provided that within the space of three Months they lay down their Arms and submitted to the Clemency of his Imperial Majesty And as to those who should still stand out and obstinately persevere in their Rebellion he requir'd the States of Hungary and all his Loving Subjects of that Kingdom to joyn their Forces unto his for the subjection of such Rebellious Persons who were Enemies to himself and to their own Country But least these fair Offers should Operate any thing on the Minds of the People Tekeli offers new Aggrievances Tekeli at the same time to make the Embroils more confused sent a List to the Emperor of fresh Aggrievances for which he desir'd some Remedies might be consider'd All which the Emperor referr'd to the Examination of a Diet which was suddenly to Assemble And in Order thereunto the General Baragotzi sent Passports to the Chief of the Malecontents Passports given to meet at a Diet. that they might freely come to the Diet and return without molestation Insinuating unto them that their Government by a Palatine should be restor'd and whatsoever they could expect to gain by force of Arms should now be more easily yielded and granted by Covenants of an Amicable Agreement But all these Hopes and Expectations were overthrown by the heats which arose between the Emperor's Ministers at Vienna and the Deputies appointed by the Malecontents to Treat and prepare Matters against the Meeting of a Diet. For one day The Diet disappointed and how when the Differences were in debate it happen'd that the Chancellor Oker unadvisedly said That the Hungarian Nation had always been Faithless and Rebellious against their Prince Which words being immediately catch'd at by the Great Chancellor of Hungary It is unjust said he to Charge the Crime of some particular Persons on the whole Nation To which Oker with more passion than before made this Reply That it would be happy for the Emperor if one in twelve were found that truly and sincerely adher'd to his interest At these words Count Palfi the Treasurer of Hungary not being able to contain himself longer burst out into a passion and call'd the Chancellor Traytor Knave and Rascal And Count Harcani another of the Deputies as Gouty as he was made a shift to get upon his Legs and perswade his Companions to break up the Assembly and be gone to avoid the noise of such Ribaldry and affrontive Language And as they were going out of the Room the Chancellor of Hungary and Count Forgatz added Know said they that we have never betray'd our King nor pleaded for our Kindred who were found guilty of base and perfidious Actions Consider that we have not forgot how far you Countenanc'd the Governour of Freibourg To all which Oker made no Reply but return'd to the Emperor to give him an account of what had pass'd at this Conference In the mean time Tekeli thinking of nothing less than Peace The Proceeding and Actions of Tekeli or means of Accommodation burnt the Suburbs of Cassovia and having receiv'd a Recruit of four hundred Horse which the Brother of Baragotzi who Revolted to his Party had brought over to him he seiz'd on the Citadel of Zeilaverd where were found sixteen pieces of Ordnance He then designing to pass the River of Tourna to re-take the Fortress so call'd which the Enemy had lately gain'd he found the Passage obstructed by a Party of the Imperialists on the other side but bringing four pieces of Cannon to play on the Enemy they clear'd the way and kept them at a distance by which means a Regiment of the Poles first passed and after them the whole Army Thus Fortune favouring the Malecontents a hundred Soldiers of the Imperial Troops revolted over on this Occasion to the Enemy Some of the Imperialists revolt such prevalence hath Success always on the Minds of Mankind the which facilitated also the taking of Tourna which was Surrender'd at discretion After this Tekeli March'd towards Chiacatorno and in his way he took Zerenetz and Melkasso which yielded also at discretion without any resistance but Podrach standing out was taken by force and all the Garrison put to the Sword except some Officers who were conserv'd and made Prisoners of War Tekeli Master of the Field Whilst these Successes attended the Malecontents Tekeli remain'd Master of the Field so that the Count de Wourmb neither durst remove his Encampment from before Esperies nor Count Lesley adventure on a March to joyn with him until Tekeli removing from those parts towards Strigonium and to make himself Master of Leventz the Imperial Forces found an opportunity to March as far as the River of Waagh where they joyn'd with the Regiments of Dunewald Holstein Massigni Caraffa and Strazoldo which came lately out of Silesia and tho' these Forces were joyn'd together with those also of Count Lesley yet they were not sufficient to withstand the Army of Count Tekeli which consisted of at least twenty thousand effective
quadriviorum compitorum campepestrium loca amandata totali integro actuali Articularis Ecclesiae Helvetio Evangelicae beneficio esset orbatum quare plenariam sui praemissorumque occupatorum ablatorum prohibitorum omnium realem restitutionem redintegrationem vi praespecificati Articularis indulti jure merito expeterent Par ratio Oppidi Jaszbrinij Oppidi Comarom Non sine animi dolore conquererentur quoque cives incolae stipendiarij item Milites Hungarici Confinij Comaromiensis Augustanae Helveticae Confessionis Quod posteaquam vigore Articuli 26. Diaetae Soproniensis ubi idem Confinium perexpressum denominaretur tam liberam publicae Religionis exercitij praxin quam Templorum etiam ac Scholarum Parochiarum pacificam adepti fuissent ac in iis imperturbate sine laesione Catholicae Religionis perstitissent utque dum Artic. 1683. ob fatales belli tumultus insperatam Oppidi Conflagrationem Ministris eorundem Evangelicis una cum civibus hinc inde dispersis tale liberum Religionis exercitium quodammodo intermitti contigisset jamnunc annis fatis clementioribus supervenientibus ubi virtute praescripti Articuli 26. idem publicum Religionis suae exercitium reassumere Ministros suos Ecclesiasticos reducere voluissent intervenientibus Excellentissimi D. Comitis à Hoffkircher dicti Confinii Commendantis loci Cleri contradictionibus id effectuare in praesens usque nullatenus permissi imo de die in dies gravioribus minis absterriti totali Religionis suae exercitio inhibiti privati sunt pro uti talem inhibitionem ulterius quoque praeattacti D.D. Catholici practicaturi tribus abhinc mensibus circiter ad pulsum tympani per plateas Confinij factum etiam ad circumjacentia loca egressum Evangelicis pro peragenda devotione sua sub incaptivatione aliis gravibus poenis severissime interminati sunt prohibitis etiam precibus in privatis alias aedibus peragi solitis Hinc non absimiliter pro Articulari sui praemissorumque restitutione redintegratione supplicarent His accederet Inferioris Hungariae Possessionis Hodos nuncupatae Praedicantem Evangelicum Samuelem Riczkey dictum non obstantibus Protectionalibus ex intimo Consilio Bellico eidem Possessioni gratiose elargitis binis vicibus per homines Celsiss Rever D. Archiepiscopi Strigoniensis esse expoliatum omni supellectili domestica privatum ultimum etiam in persona 22 praeteriti mensis Martij captum Posoniumque ad aedes Archiepiscopales in carceres deductum ubi dire dure tractatur nonnisi sicco pane squalida aqua emaceratur Similiter superioris Hungariae Possessionis Totthfalu Praedicantem Evangelicum per Naghybaeniarensis Residentiae Patrem Jesuitam Ravasz vocatum captum vinctumque ad carceres Szatthmarienses deduci curatum ubi etiamnum detineretur miserrime tractaretur Diaetae Posoniensis Ann. 1687. Articulus XXI In negotio Religionis renovantur Articuli 25 26 Ann. 1681. cum interjecta Declaratione LIcet quidem in Negotio Religionis Augustanae Helvetiae Confessioni addicti Articulis 25 26 novissimae Diaetae Soproniensis oppositam iisdem per reclamationem suam abutentes ipso facto eorundem beneficij participes esse desiissent propter bonum nihilominus domesticae unionis pacis internamque Regni tranquillitatem cum sua Majestas Serenissimae ex gratia clementia sua praecitatos Articulos adhuc ratos fore benignissime resolvisset eosdem status quoque ordines ad mentem Paternae resolutionis Cleri aliorum secularium Catholicorum contradictione non obstante pro renovatis priori firmitati restitutis censendos acsi in quantum hactenus ineffectuati vel verò per aliquos abusus ab una aut altera parte medio tempore introductos violati fuissent suae debitae executioni tempore eorundem conditorum Articulorum vel expost occupatorum aut reoccupatorum impendendae restaurationi utprimum demandandos esse statuerunt THE GRIEVANCES Of the two Imperial and Free Cities of Vpper Hungary Cassovia and Epperies wherein are Contain'd the Injuries done to all the Protestant Citizens and Inhabitants of the three Ranks as well in their Civil Liberties against the 25th 26th and 41st Articles of the Diet of Sopron An. 1681. together with their Demands FIRST It must be allow'd that in the 26th Article of that Diet by the Special Favour of His most Sacred Majesty 't was expresly Ordain'd in these very Words But in other parts 't is Order'd according to His Majesty's Gracious Resolution that Places be appointed for the Building of Churches and Schools and Erecting Parishes for the Conveniency of those of the Helvetian Confession and of that of Ausbourg That instead of the Churches Schools and Parishes taken from the Protestants there should be Assign'd them by Commissioners appointed from His Majesty commodious and convenient Places and that without any Restriction even in the Cities of upper Hungary according to the literal and genuine sense of the Clause of the said Article which saith Furthermore in the Free and Mountain Cities as also in all the Cities of upper Hungary are Places to be allow'd for the Building of Churches and Schools and Erecting Parishes Nevertheless in the beginning of January in the year 1687. His Majesty's High-Commissioners appointed with so much Clemency in upper Hungary were so far in their proceedings from satisfying either His Majesty's pious Resolution or the true and clear intent of the Article that even in contempt of them all and in compliance with their own false Glosses they did assign to the Protestants inconvenient and undecent places without the said Cities which have no Suburbs and consequently very remote in the Fields to the evident exterminating of the free Exercise of our Religion from the said Cities Wherefore we do constantly insist on the most Holy Resolution of His Majesty as it is declar'd in the express'd words of the Article before alledg'd and by vertue thereof do humbly implore that instead of the inconvenient appointed Places such others as shall be both commodious and free from all Civil Taxes or Contributions according to the intention of the 8th Article An. 1647. and the 12th An. 1649. in the above-mentioned Cities and within the Walls of the same without any Ambiguity since the before-cited 26th Article includeth the inward not the outward parts of the Cities be granted and assign'd to us the true and lawful Citizens and in no wise deserving so unjust a Banishment from the midst of the Cities Secondly 't is also undeniable that in the 25th Article immediately foregoing the Gracious Resolution of His most Sacred Majesty is declar'd in these very words To all and every one through the Kingdom no Protestant Inhabitant of whatsoever State and Condition or in whatever part of the Kingdom excepted according to the 1st Article in the year 1608. published before the Coronation a free Exercise of their Religion in general is granted and also that none of the
said Inhabitants shall any wise be disturbed for the future in the free Exercise of their Religion on the severe punishment that is expresly set down in the 26th Article of the Diet of Sopron Notwithstanding which when the said Protestants of Cassovia and Epperies would have freely us'd and enjoy'd their Right Establish'd by His Majesty's Warrant and continu'd their way of Worship as also the Instruction of their Youth within the said Cities and their Walls as places provided by the above-mention'd Articles and formerly us'd and allow'd they were not only not admitted but severely prohibited and hindred by the Magistrates and Clergy of these Cities nay sent away and Banish'd till this time to the fore-specified places in no wise convenient for them as if they were Strangers and wholly incapable of the Common Liberties of the Kingdom Wherefore in this Point also Relying on the Gracious Resolution of His most Sacred Majesty and the Articles he has been pleased to make with us We do most Humbly implore a lawful Restitution and firm Establishment of the free exercise of our Religion in its former State according to the said Article 1st Anno 1608 viz. within the Walls of the said Cities We also submissively beg that till we have a convenient opportunity of Building and Erecting new Churches Schools and Parishes which by reason of our great Poverty and the vast Taxes and Contributions to the present War we are not able now to perform it be graciously granted to us that we may anew freely enjoy the said exercise of Religion in certain private and convenient places and have Schools for the Instruction of Youth Thirdly Though the indifferent and common life of Bells and Burials was every where permitted as well to the Protestants as Catholicks by these express words of the 26th Article of the Diet of Sopron The free use of Bells and Burials is left to the Catholicks of those places as well as to those of the Helvetian Confession and of that of Ausbourg Which nevertheless the Catholick Magistracy and Clergy of Cassovia and Epperies have fully deny'd and do still deny the said free use of Bells and Burials to the Protestant Inhabitants of the said Cities forbidding them with most severe Threats to perform the usual Ceremonies of Burials within the Walls of the said Cities notwithstanding the gracious resolution of His most Sacred Majesty made to the illustrious States of the Kingdom in the Diet of Sopron December the 10th Anno 1681. So that we earnestly desire the common use of Bells and Burials for the Protestants as well within as without the City Walls free from any molestation or disturbance conformable to the Pious Grant of His most Sacred Majesty Fourthly It is evident also that by Vertue of the general Clause inserted in the end of the so often mention'd 26th Article in these words Provided always That the Laws of the Kingdom confirm'd by the Royal Charter be not hereby prejudiced The standing Laws of the Kingdom concerning the Ecclesiastical Revenues of those of the Helvetian Confession and of that of Ausbourg were left in force and consequently any Arbitrary proceedings forbidden especially such as against the instinct of Nature tend to the enriching of some Persons to the Damage and Wrong of others Nevertheless the Roman Catholick Magistrate and the Clergy of Cassovia and Epperies by their own Authority and by Force have taken and appropriated to themselves all the pious Legacies and Gifts left by Will through the pious zeal of the Protestants for the use of Protestant Churches and Schools viz. in Cassovia four Houses standing within the Wall of the said City one of which the Magistrate has sold and alienated to the illustrious Michael Domeczki a Garden and certain Plow Lands lying in the Territory of the same City as also a Vineyard formerly called Varghaszóló lying in the Territory of Tokai And in Epperies certain Vineyards likewise lying in several Territories of Upper Hungary together with their Revenues actually retaining the same for their own use and for the most part turning them into prophane uses against the 11th and 14th Articles of the year 1647 to the great injury and damage of the Protestants Wherefore in this Case also the Protestants appealing to the aforesaid Laws and Constitution of the Kingdom do lawfully require that all the pious Legacies and Church Lands violently taken away and retain'd from them who are the right Owners be restor'd together with their Revenues according to that Rule of Common Justice Render to every one his own Fifthly It is certain likewise that for the paying of the Protestant Ministers and of the Catholick Curates it was evidently enough provided not only by the often mentioned 26th Article in these words Nevertheless the Catholicks shall not be obliged to pay any thing to the Ministers of the Protestants nor the Protestants to the Curates of the Catholicks But also by the 11th Article of the year 1647 in these words Let no Protestant be obliged to pay any thing to the Catholick Curates nor the Catholick to the Protestant Ministers Nay in the following 12th Article of the said year 1647 are contained these words Concerning any use whatever of the Ministerial Functions but where the Protestants have no Parishes let them pay the Ministers that they employ as the Catholicks are to pay their Catholick Curates and where hitherto the Protestants did pay nothing to the Catholick Curates they shall not be obliged hereafter to pay any under any pretence whatsoever nor the Catholicks to the Protestant Minsters Which words together with these of the same 12th Article concerning the Revenues of Schools but in any place whatsoever the Catholick Curates and the Protestant Ministers shall receive the Revenues of Schools from their respective Followers only Establish this positive Law and Constitution that the Protestants pay the Protestants and the Catholicks the Catholicks Notwithstanding this the Protestants are forced maugre themselves to pay the Catholick Curates whilst not only a Weekly allowance together with other perquisites is constantly paid to the Catholick Curates by the Magistrate out of the publick Purse wherein the Protestants put most being three for one Catholick but also the Revenues of Schools are adjudged and paid to the same Catholick Curates and with the greatest injustice deny'd to the Protestant Ministers and School-Masters Therefore they demand with all Submission and Justice that the Protestant Ministers and School-masters be allow'd out of the publick Purse a Salary equal with that of the Catholick Curates or that neither of the Parties be paid out of that Fond but each by their respective Followers according to the intention of the before mention'd Articles Sixthly Every body knows that by Vertue of the 25th Article not only a free return and stay in the Kingdom is granted to the Banisht Ministers and School-masters but also a free exercise of their Religion and Profession and by Vertue of the following 26th Article it is Order'd That amongst
and down yet since the Troubles are appeased they desire in vain to reassume their publick exercise of Religion and to call back their Ministers being hinder'd from the same by the Earl of Hoffkirchen Governour of this Territory who every day growing severer forbids with greater Threats the total Exercise of the Protestant Religion Nay three Months ago the Roman Catholicks did Proclaim with the Beat of Drums that no Protestant should presume to go out of the Territory of Moramoruss to any Neighbouring to perform the Duties of his Religion nor Exercise it in his private House under pain of Imprisonment and of other severe Punishments Therefore they Humbly beg That this their Grievance may be redressed and they re-established in the Privilege granted by the Article It may be added to the foregoing Grievances that one Samuel Bizkey a Protestant Minister of a place of Lower Hungary called Hedes notwithstanding the Protection granted to him by the Council of War has been Plunder'd twice of all the means of Life Clothes Books and Furniture by some Emissaries of the Archbishop of Gran and at last on the 22d of the last Month of March was taken and carried to Presburg into the Prisons of the Archbishop where he has nothing allowed him but dry Bread and dirty Water Likewise the Protestant Minister of Tottfalu in Upper Hungary has been taken by a Jesuit called Father Ravasz residing at Naghybania and carried in Fetters into the Prisons of Zatmar where he is still detain'd and most barbarously used The XXI Article of the Diet of Presburg in the year 1687 in the business of Religion the 25th and 26th Articles of the year 1681 are renew'd with the inserted Decleration ALthough they of the Helvetian Confession and of that of Ausbourg by their protesting against the 25th and 26th Articles of the late Diet of Sopron have unworthily abused the same and thereby forfeited ipso facto the benefits granted in them nevertheless since His most Sacred Majesty tending the Union and the general quiet of the Kingdom through his great Favour and Clemency has most Graciously resolved that the said Articles shall yet be in force the States have Order'd That the same shall be lookt upon as renewed and reinforced notwithstanding the opposition of the Catholick Clergy and other secular Persons and that as far as they have hitherto been infringed through Abuses introduced by the one or the other party they shall forthwith be put in Execution To these Agrievances the Emperor returned a very Gracious Answer and made several Proposals tending to a Peace And First He offer'd a General Pardon unto all even to Tekeli himself provided he would personally appear to make his Submission Secondly That every Person should be restor'd to his Lands and Goods confiscated again restor'd Thirdly That free exercise of Religion should be allowed but the manner how and the Regulation thereof should be determined at a General Diet which was judged of absolute necessity for the repose and quiet of Hungary Fourthly That all the vacant Offices Governours and Balliages of that Kingdom should be indifferently conferr'd upon Hungarian Gentlemen who were capable by their Natural parts and Abilities to Merit and Discharge such Preferments And Lastly That his Imperial Majesty would vacate the Office of Vice-King and return to the ancient constitution of a Palatine whose Election should be free according to the usage of former times The Plague which still Raged in Austria and Hungary prevented the proceedings of this Treaty which might have taken effect some time before How the Treaty was broken off and answer'd all the Demands of the Malecontents but now so much Blood had been drawn in all Parts and Corners of that unhappy Kingdom that it was past the Art of Man to stanch the Bleeding And besides Tekeli and his Malecontents were so nearly adjoyn'd and engaged in secret Leagues and Alliances with the Turk that it was almost impossible to destricate and disentangle themselves from the invitations they had made and from the Assurances and Pledges they had given to the Turks Howsoever the Emperor not to leave any means unattempted until all was become desperate dispatched Count Esterhasi into Hungary in quality of his Plenipotentiary to put those Overtures into Execution which had been fram'd and debated in the Emperor's Council But whilst these things were in agitation they received another Impediment by a discovery made of a Correspondence which several Principal Officers held with the Maleconts upon which Filek and two other Councellors and Mannagers of the Revenue of Hungary were Arrested and accused of having moved and promoted an Insurrection in divers Counties Towards the end of this year when the Armies were drawn into their Winter quarters new Treaties were set on foot The Baron de Kaunitz the Emperor's Resident at Constantinople labour'd to continue Kaunitz Treats with the Grand Seignior and renew the Truce but the Grand Vizier would not agree thereunto on any other Terms than that it might be allowable for the Grand Seignior to afford aid and assistance to the Malecontents But this was to cure a Soar with a greater Evil and what was inconsistent with Reason to make a Peace and yet to continue a War When the Emperor believed all Accomodation with the Malecontents impossible at least far distant Behold on a suddain and much unexpected the Counts Tekeli Tekeli and others offer Conditions Pestrozzi and Wessellino in despight of their Engagements to the Turks offer'd to make Terms by themselves and to abandon their People and their Cause in case they assented not thereunto The Conditions were to have all their Churches restor'd with their Goods and Estates which had been Confiscated To which the Emperor readily assenting there never appear'd at any time a greater probability and likelyhood of an Agreement than upon this overture But whereas to establish and confirm such an Accomodation it was necessary to convene a Diet which by reason of the present Contagion could not be done a Cessation of Arms was in the mean time concluded But whilst in order thereunto a Conference was held at Tokai Count Caprara unluckily march'd out of his Quarters with a considerable force towards that place Is again broken upon which the Malecontens were so Allarum'd that they Sallied out of their Winter quarters in great numbers leaving the Treaty imperfect and the Cessation of Arms broken and violated ANNO 1681. Notwithstanding the unlucky Accidents which had happen'd to hinder and disappoint the Progress of the aforesaid Treaties Yet at the beginning of this year new overtures were made to the Malecontents by the Bishop Sebestini And tho' some of the most considerable Persons of the Hungarian party refused to hearken to any Offers which the Emperor should make them yet Tekeli and others Tekeli and other chiefs send Deputies to Lintz formerly the most averse to all Accommodation did now at least in a seeming manner favour the Methods which
26 novissimae Diaetae Soproniensis oppositam iisdem per reclamationem suam abutentes ipso facto eorundem beneficij participes esse desiissent propter bonum nihilominus domesticae unionis pacis internamque Regni tranquillitatem cum sua Majestas Sacratissima ex gratia clementia sua praecitatos Articulos adhuc ratos fore benignissime resolvisset eosdem Status quoque Ordines ad mentem Paternae resolutionis Cleri aliorum secularium Catholicorum contradictione non obstante pro renovatis priori firmitati restitutis censendos acsi in quantum hactenus ineffectuati vel verò per aliquos abusus ab una aut altera parte medio tempore introductos violati fuissent suae debitae executioni tempore eorundem conditorum Articulorum vel expost occupatorum aut reoccupatorum impendendae restaurationi utprimum demandandos esse statuerunt Pacifications Viennensis Ann. 1606. Articuli Primi Continentia haec est QUantum itaque ad Religionis Negotium attinet non obstantibus prioribus pro tempore Constitutionibus Publicis sed neque Articulo postremo Anno 1604. cum is extra diaetam sine Regnicolarum assensu adjectus fuerit propterea etiam tollitur deliberatum est Ut juxta Serenissimae Caesariae Regiaeque Majestatis priorem Resolutionem ad quam se Regnicolae in sua Replicatione referunt nimirum Quod omnes singulos Status Ordines intra ambitum Regni Hungariae solum existentes tam Magnates Nobiles quam liberas Civitates Oppida Privilegiata immediatè ad Coronam spectantia Item in Confiniis quoque Regni Hungariae Milites Hungaros in sua Religione Confessione nusquam numquam turbabit nec per alios turbari aut impediri sinet Verum omnibus praedictis Statibus Ordinibus Regni liber Religionis ipsorum usus exercitium permittetur absque tamen praejudicio Catholicae Romanae Religionis ut Clerus Templa Ecclesiae Catholicorum Romanorum intacta libera permaneant atque ea quae hoc disturbïorum tempore utrimque occupata fuere rursum eisdem restituantur Anno 1608. Articuli Primi ante Coronationem editi de Ne Negotio Religionis tenor talis est QUantum itaque ad Primum Constitutionis Viennensis Articulum attinet deliberatum est per Status Ordines Inclyti Regni Hungariae ut Religionis Exercitium tam Baronibus Magnatibus Nobilibus quam etiam Liberis Civitatibus ac Universis Statibus Ordinibus Regni in suis Fisci bonis item in Confiniis quoque Regni Hungariae Militibus Hungaris sua cuique Religio Confessio nec non Oppidis Villis eam sponte ac libere acceptare volentibus ubique liberam relinquatur nec quisquam omnium in libero ejusdem usu ac exercitio quoquam impediatur Quin imo ad praecavenda inter Status Ordines aliqua odia dissensiones ut quaelibet Religio suae Professionis superiores seu superintendentes habeat statutum est N. B. Ut utposterior hic Articulus primus Ann. 1608. Ann 1618. Articulo 77. renovatus Ann. 1622. tempore Ferdinandi 11. Imperatoris Regio diplomati per Generales Regni Constitutiones Conditione 6 clariori sensu insertus Ann. 1625. Artic. 22. Ann. 1630. Artic. 33. Ann. 1635. Artic. 29. identidem tam idem Articulus quam etiam praedeclarata Conditio sexta suo vigori restituti Ann. 1638. memorata Conditio 6. diplomatis Regij Ferdinandi 11. similiter diplomate Regio Ferdinandi III. Imperatoris aeque Conditione 6ta per expressam de verbo ad verbum confirmata Ann. 1647. Artic. 5to novo diplomate Regio Pacificationis cum Illustrissimo Principe Transylvianiae Domino Georgio Ragoczy conditae diversisque aliis subsequentibus uti 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14. Articulis quod ad diversos casus stabilitus Ann. 1649. Artic. 10. Ann. 1655. Artic. 18. qua praeattacta pacificatio Rakocziana qua praespecificati Articuli Anno 1647. pariter ratificati Denique Anno 1659. moderni Imperatoris Leopoldi Regio insimul diplomate Publicis quoque Regni Constitutionibus Articulo 1. indito Conditione similiter 6ta per omnia ut in prioribus Ferdinandorum II III. Imperatorum diplomatibus Verbo Regio ratihabitus esset his nihilominus non obstantibus omnes praevij hi Articuli Conditiones diplomaticae omni sua firmitate privati sunt Exercitio Religionis Evangelicae contra omnes Sanctiones Articulares publicas Regni Constitutiones sacra item Regia diplomata in ipssisimo Exterminio jamnum effectivè versante Most Sacred Imperial and Royal Majesty Most Gracious Sir ALthough we have already made it appear to Your most Sacred Majesty and to the Ministers of Your most Imperial Court that many Injustices were done to us in the Year 1681 against the clear and evident Grants of the 25th and 26th Articles of Sopron Humbly solliciting this full Year and a Half the Observation of the same and the Redressing of the Grievances of our Evangelical Religion yet because it is daily Reported that by Virtue of Your Majesty's Commissions appointed last Year and before through Hungary nothing was Ordered against the full intent of the said Articles and that we desire more than is granted in them We thought it our Duty to justify both our Complaints and our repeated Requests the reather because the Worthy Ministers of Your Imperial Court have often assur'd us that without any delay or difficulty we should be maintain'd in the clear Grants of the said Articles of Sopron in order to which we shall set down here as in a kind of Table the very words of the said Articles together with our Requests against the Misintepretation of the said Articles either by Your Majesty's Commissioners or by other Persons under pretence of fulfiling the same and the Decisions made thereupon by that means we shall shew Evidently that the said Articles were Infring'd to our great prejudice and that our Requests are most Just The XXV ARTICLE runs thus AND because his Majesty intending the Peace and general Quiet of the Kingdom was pleased also to come to a Gracious Resolution upon the business of Religion therefore the States of the Kingdom insert the said Resolution in the Articles I. And Principally whereas the free exercise of Religion granted in the year 1606. by virtue of the Peace of Vienna has been disturbed in part during these Troubles therefore the first Article of the said Peace being hereby confirm'd the same free exercise of Religion is granted to every Person and every where in the Kingdom according to the first Article made before the Coronation in the year 1608. Provided that the Privileges of Lords of Manors be not hereby prejudiced Hereupon we require in the Article's own words that the same free exercise of Religion as was disturbed in part during the Troubles and before the Troubles did include Evangelical Ministers or Preachers be granted to every Person
the Lords of the Privy Council so to Establish us in the Liberty of Religion to the Immortal Fame of Your Royal Government after the Example of Your Glorious Predecessors that being reliev'd We may speedily Return to our Principals and God will recompence this Imperial Royal Favour with all sort of Happines from above Deliver'd to His Sacred Majesty at Aix la Chapelle upon his going to Vienna the 24th day of April in the year 1689. Your most Sacred Majesty's most Humble and Faithful Subjects the Deputies of the Evangelicks in the Counties Cities Towns and Frontiers of Upper and Lower Hungary about the Business of their distressed Religion The First Article of the Peace of Vienna in the Year 1606. AS to the Business of Religion notwithstanding the former publick Constitutions and the last Article of the Year 1604 which was made without the Diet and the consent of the Subjects and therefore is annulled it is granted That according to his Imperial Majesty's former Resolution to which the Subjects refer themselves in their replying all and each State of the Kingdom of Hungary as well the Peers and Noblemen as the free Cities and the Privileged Towns belonging immediately to the Crown and all the Hungarian Soldiers in the Frontiers shall any where and at any time profess and exercise their Religion without any Disturbance either from His most Sacr'd Majesty or from any Person whatsoever a free exercise of Religion being hereby granted to all the said States of the Kingdom Provided always That the Roman Catholick Religion be not thereby prejudiced That the Roman Catholick Clergy Churches and Chappels remain free and unmolested and that what has been taken from them in these Troubles be restor'd The First Article made before the Coronation in the Year 1608. concerning Religion COncerning the first Article of the Treaty of Vienna it is resolv'd by the States and Orders of Hungary that the Exercises of Religion shall be left free not only to the Noblemen and to the Inhabitants of the free Cities but also to the Hungarian Soldiers in the Frontiers of the Kingdom of Hungary and to all the Farmers and Peasant that will freely accept the same nor shall any of 'em be disturbed in the free Exercise of Religion but to prevent any effect of hatr'd and dissension between Roman Catholicks and Protestants It is Order'd That each Party shall have a Superior or Surperintendant of his own Profession Although this last first Article of the Year 1608 was renew'd in 77th Article of the Year 1618 inserted in the General Constitutions of the Kingdom by Order of the Emperor Ferdinand the Second in the Year 1622 restor'd to his Force by the 22d Article of the Year 1625 by the 33d Article of the Year 1630 and by the 29th Article of the Year 1635 confirm'd in the 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 and 14th Articles of the new Treaty of Peace made with George Ragoczy Prince of Transilvania in the Year 1648 Ratifyed both in the aforenamed Articles of 1649 and in the 10th Article of the Year 1649 and in the 18th Article of the Year 1655 made at Rakoczia and lastly confirm'd again and inserted in the Constitutions of the Kingdom by Order of Leopold the present Emperor in the Year 1659 yet notwithstanding all these the said Article remains without Force and the Exercise of the Protestant Religion is wholly exterminated against the Articles and the publick Constitutions of the Kingdom as well as against the Sacred Imperial Letters Patent And yet all this contributed little towards a Peace for the Results of this Diet concerned none but the good and quiet Men and such as were zealous for the Settlement and Peace of their Country Whilest Tekeli and others of that Spirit whose Minds were possess'd with virulent Malice and Ambition were plotting and contriving the means to set up their own Authority and give themselves into the Hands of the Turks rather than to the Power of their Sovereign Prince of whose natural Clemency thô they were well assur'd yet they suspected and fear'd his Councils which being chiefly influenced and directed by Jesuits and the Spirit of the Clergy could never be reconciled in any tollerable manner to the Protestant profession Tekeli besieges Kalo Thus whilest things were Negotiating in the Diet Tekeli besieg'd Kalo which surrendr'd at discretion with little or no resistance and Prince Apafi joyning with some Parties of the Malecontents laid Seige to Zatmar with an Army composed of Transilvanians Moldavians Turks and Malecontents of Hungary all which acted in four separate Bodies being well provided with Cannon and all sorts of Ammunition and Provisions so soon as Apafi had form'd his Siege he put forth a Manifest or Declaration which he caused to be privately stolen into the Town and there dispers'd signifying that out of Christian piety and compassion to the miserable state of that Kingdom Apafi's Declaration he had left his Country and Dwelling with no other intent than only to cause their Churches to be restor'd to them with a free Liberty of Conscience and Exercise of Religion and that their Estates which had been confiscated for the sake of their Religion and defence of their Rights and Privileges might be again restor'd to them To which he added many Solemn Protestations that he had no other end nor intention than the welfare and happiness of the Kingdom Farther also he said that he had a power sufficient for this Enterprise being well seconded by the Grand Seignior and acted by his Commission and that the Succession to the Principality was promised unto his Son to whom besides the Forces with him he had left a Guard of 20.000 Men. Having made thus much known to the Inhabitants of Zatmar he vigorously proceeded in the Siege Apafi invests Zatmar having received a Recruit of 8000 Men from the Pasha of Buda being a Detachment from 40.000 which were Encamp'd before the place whereof he was Governour And thô with these Forces the Town of Zatmar was taken yet Serini who Commanded the place retiring into the Castle or Citadel he so well defended the same that Apafi was forc'd to raise the Siege and march away burning several Towns The Siege raised and taking a Thousand Prisoners in his Retreat The raising of this Siege was variously interpreted and so ill taken by the Turks that Complaints were made thereof against Apafi at the Port. But it was no time now to make alterations or disturbances in Transilvania Towards the end of this year the Emperor being desirous to Crown the Empress at Oedembourg sent a Convoy of 500 Hussars 100 Heyduks The Empress Crowned Queen of Hungary and 500 Cuirassiers to fetch the Crown of St. Stephen from the Castle of Presburg where it is always lodg'd which being brought thither the Empress was Crown'd Queen of Hungary with great Solemnity And that this Ceremony might be performed with the more order and security a Cessation
their Governors howsoever they still held out resolving as yet to hearken unto no terms which should be offered them by the Enemy Notwithstanding which the Marquess of Baden who was President of the Council of War for his Imperial Majesty being commanded to pass from his Government of Javarin or Rab unto Ratisbon there to reside as Plenipotentiary for his Imperial Majesty at that Diet did think fit before his departure to regulate some Affairs within his Jurisdiction and particularly to appoint Count Ricceardi accompanied with an Interpreter and a party of Hungarian Horse to view and observe the State of Alba Regalis and to try if he could incline and persuade the Turks to surrender but they being quite of another humour not being reduced as yet to the utmost point and extremity of Famine cryed out with a loud Voice Denies to surrender that they would maintain their City to the last drop of Blood and even to more violent necessities than those of Agria Ricceardi returning with this report to Giavarin the Marquess of Baden issued out new Orders to straiten the Town with more rigour and closeness The Blocade closely watched than before and not only reinforced the Castles of Palotta Zioccha and Schambegh warning them to be more diligent and watchful for the future to prevent all Communication between Alba Regalis and the Neighbouring Villages and to make the Blocade more formal General Batthiani was not only commanded to march into those Quarters with his Hungarian Troops but likewise caused them to be reinforced by some of the Militia belonging to the Circles of Franconia and other Troops under the Command of Count Erdeodi Lieutenant-General at that time of Giavarin Moreover the Marquess of Baden before his departure disposed the March of the Militia and ordered their several Quarters in parts adjacent to Oseck there to oppose the passage of the Enemy over the Drave After which all matters being well ordered with excellent Methods and Rules of Government the Marquess took Post for Vienna where having received Instructions from the Emperor for better Government of his Presidency at Ratisbon he proceeded thither Marquess of Baden at Ratisbon and there he held several publick and private Conferences for the better Regulation of the Military Affairs for the Ensuing Campaigne In the mean time Recruits were made and Horses provided to Remount such as wanted them and whilst it was doubted Whether the Elector of Bavaria could be present in Person to conduct his Army this Year into Hungary upon a jealousy that the French would fall into the Palatinate yet the Treaty was concluded for the Bavarian Troops to continue in Hungary and serve with their best assistance to forward the Progress of the Imperial Arms. Mareschal Caprara commanding now in Chief in Hungary provided Oseck with all things necessary for their Subsistence and gave Orders to those Captains C. Caprara commands in Hungary who commanded upon the Save to provide great Numbers of Boats and Barges and Floats for making Bridges over that River and as occasion served therewith to Transport Provisions and Materials for War The Turks on the other side had also Erected another Bridge for the better security of Bosnia and assembled at Costanovitz on the River Unna with design to make Incursions into the Confines of Croatia but that Country was so well guarded and defended by the vigilance of Count Erdeody the Banno or Chief Governor thereof that all attempts of the Turks on that side were wholly disappointed and defeated And farther to render the Actions of the Turks fruitless and ineffectual in Sclavonia where they had made Provisions of Victuals and Ammunition and had laided therewith Lighters and Barges to supply their smaller Garrisons on the River Save The designs of the Turks defeated in Sclavonia Baron de Tunkel was dispeeded with a Detachment of Two hundred Horse and a Regiment of Dragoons with some Haiducks to oppose the intentions of the Enemy and being come as far as Valkovar the Scouts brought word that Rustan Pasha the late Governor of Agria with about One thousand Horse and Foot had conducted into Illoch a very great Convoy of about Two hundred Waggons laden with Provisions and that afterwards he himself was returned unto Belgrade Tunkel being disappointed of this Design was more successful in another Attempt which he made on a place called Ratza situate on this side of the Save defended by some Spahees and Janisaries to which privately marching in the Night he surprized the place about Two hours after Midnight with the Death of about Three hundred Turks and Seventy Slaves and set at liberty Fifty Christians and took Sixty Horses with great Numbers of Cattle and Three Ensigns Ratza taken from the Turks and burnt and having set Fire to the City he returned in Safety and Triumph to Oseck laden with Honour and Spoyls On the other side the Pasha of Gradisca having advice that Count Caprara was upon his march towards Oseck with a strong Party to Conduct and Convoy many Waggons laden with Ammunition and Provisions in order to some extraordinary Enterprize the Pasha apprehending that his Design might be upon Belgrade resolved to pass the Bridges which he had laid over the Save with design to surprize Possega and Zernech and thereby to divert the Attack intended upon Belgrade In pursuance of which the Pasha marched with a Body of Three thousand Five hundred men towards Zernech but not with that Privacy as Tunkel had lately done for in their way they set Fire to all the Villages round and killed the People which gave such an Alarum to that Garrison by the affrighted Peasants which had escaped that they immediately put themselves into a posture of defence And Colonel Baron Amanzaga having also News thereof hastned with a Body of Horse and some Foot and came so seasonably to the succour of the Town that they encountred the Turks in their march and charged them with so much bravery that they not only put the Cavalry to Flight but also forced them to abandon the Janisaries Baron Amanzaga defeats the Pasâ—a of Gradisca and to expose them to the Sword of their Enemies The greatest part of which to the Number of about Five hundred were Slain upon the place and Two hundred made Prisoners amongst which was the Commander in Chief of the Janisaries Four Aga's and the Son of the Pasha of Gradisca with several Colours and Drums The News of which Baron Amanzaga dispatched to General Caprara with all Expedition About the same time or the Day before another Party detached from the main Body made an Attack upon the Out-guards of Possega which being over-matched in numbers retreated under the Gates of the City The Lieutenant Governour to whom at that time with some veterane Soldiers and subaltern Officers the Command of the Town was committed took the Alarum but not being cautious enough to be informed of the Strength and Numbers of
Speech exalting the generous Piety and Clemency of the Emperour who having all the Inhabitants and Soldiers of Sighet in his Hands and at his Disposal so as either to put them to Death or make them Captives was yet pleased out of a Natural Principle of Mercy to consider their Distresses to spare their Lives and give them Liberty In sense of which Hassan Bei acknowledged the truth of what had been uttered and in token of Thanks to the Vice-President in the Name of the Pasha and People of Sighet with Eyes full of Tears he received the Capitulations and kissed them with profound Reverence and Submission So soon as Hassan Bei had received these Capitulations he departed with all speed by the Post towards Sighet being fully satisfied with the obliging Entertainment he had received during his stay at Vienna where he was sumptuously lodged in the House of Marquis Ferdinando Obizzi Hassan Bei being returned with the Articles subscribed to Sighet no time was lost to put them into execution for all things being prepared and the River open about the beginning of February February the Turks quitted Sighet leaving one of the chief Fortresses in the World esteemed both by Nature and Art to be impregnable in the Hands of the Emperour Sighet For Sighet hath both a Castle and a City fortified after the ancient manner with Earth lined with Brick hath four very fair Towers encompassed with a very deep Ditch full of Water and environed round with Fens and Marshy Grounds which make the Town inaccessible So that it seems no wonder that Solyman the Magnificent Emperor of the Turks should have spent three Years in taking thereof and not being able to take it in his Life time his Grand Vizier afterwards subdued it by Storm with the loss of 36000 Men. The Turks took it on the 7th of September 1566 after a most valiant Resistance made by Nicholas Esdrin Count of Serini Great Grandfather of the Famous Nicholas Serini who vanquished the Turks in many Battels and died in the Year 1664. The Town hath three Gates one called Quinque Ecclesiae another Siclos and a third Canisia because they lead to those places The Castle is fortified with three Walls and a treble Ditch and is the Capital City of that Province so named There are three Moschs all stately Buildings and covered with Lead The Country round is Pleasant and Fruitful especially one Hill about two Miles from the City which the Turks call Turbe Doggi which was rarely planted with Vines and all sorts of Fruit-Trees and is famous for Cherries of an extraordinary bigness of which there are none so good either in Hungary or in any part of the Ottoman Dominions the Ponds and Lakes are filled with Fish and the Woods yield store of Deer Hares Partridges and all sorts of Game so that no place in the World can afford greater plenty of all things to support Humane Life or to furnish the Tables of the greatest Monarchs Howsoever Canisia refused to follow the Example of Sighet Canisia refuses to surrender being not as yet it seems reduced to such a Condition of Famine as to oblige them to a Surrender for living in hopes that the Turkish Ambassadors would be able by their Negotiations to obtain a Peace they suffered the utmost Extremities of Want with much patience that in reward thereof they might preserve their Dwellings and Lands and obtain the Honour due to the Constancy of good Soldiers and the Praise and Commendation of their Prince In the mean time the Turkish Ambassadors pressed with much Importunity to be admitted unto Audience The Turkish Ambassadors desire Audience that they might deliver their Credentials and execute the Commands of their Master But the Imperial Ministers were not it seems so much in haste intending first to deliberate in what manner they were to be received and what Answers were to be given to their submissive Requests for Peace a Matter unknown before to the Turks who since the beginning of their Empire had never before been acquainted with the manner of supplicating for Peace But the Fortune of the World being now changed and the Game running high on the Emperor's Hand Expedients were contrived rather to return a plausible cause of denial and a justifiable ground for continuing a War than how to form and project advantageous Articles for a Peace Howsoever the Resolutions being taken what to do it was judged necessary to admit the Ambassadors to Audience for by the Law of Nations that could not be refused and so accordingly it was agreed That on the 8th of February an Audience should be given them In order unto which two Days before the Ambassadors were conducted from the Castle of Pottendorff into the Suburbs of the City and lodged in that Street called Landt Strass being attended by two Regiments of Foot The Solemnity observed at the Audience The Day appointed for the Audience being come they were brought with a Party of Horse to the Gate of Carinthia about Two a Clock in the Afternoon and there consigned up to the Guard of the City from whence they proceeded to the Emperor's Palace in the manner following In the first place two Turkish Chiauses on Horseback led the way with Staves in their Hands denoting Peace or Amity after whom came two led Horses followed by the Secretary of the Ambassadors carrying the Credentials made up in Purses of Cloth of Gold holding them up in his Hand that they might be seen by the People who flocked in great Numbers to see this Entry After these followed several Attendants with led Horses all richly Harnassed and covered with Embroidered Cloths Then came Zulfigar Effendi the Ambassador in the Emperor's Coach accompanied with Alexander Maurocordato a Greek Associate to Zulfigar and Interpreter to the Grand Seignior together with Lacovitz the Imperial Interpreter On the right side of the Coach walked the Ambassador's Footmen cloathed in Green and on the left those of Maurocordato being Rascians with Liveries of Yellow all which were followed by a numerous Train of Attendants belonging to the Ambassador amongst which there was one Coach with the Ambassador's Kinsman and Senior Tarsia chief Interpreter to the State of Venice at the Ottoman Port who were likewise attended with led Horses and Footman In this manner being come to the Gate of the Palace it was permitted only to the Ambassadors to enter into the first Court-Yard the others alighted at the Draw-bridge and walked on Foot to the Stairs whence the Ambassadors with the Secretary carrying the Credentials before them were conducted between the Guards of Archers and Halberdiers to the first Antichamber being followed by great Crowds of People In the mean time whilst they were ascending the Stairs The Emperor seated on his Throne His Imperial Majesty came out of his private Apartment and entered into the Chamber of Audience and seated himself under a rich Canopy of State opposite to the Entrance into the
Chamber having the chief Princes and Ministers of State ranked on each Hand according to their several Degrees and Qualities They are admitted to his Presence Then were the Ambassadors admitted in without other Attendance than their Secretary who carried the Credentials before them they were then conducted to the Foot of the Throne the Turk wearing his Turbant on his Head and Maurocordato carrying his Cap in his Hand with his Head uncovered after the Christian manner Zulfigar Effendi having made three very low Bows in his approach to His Majesty took the Credentials into his Hands and with another profound Obeisance was offering to present them when His Majesty making a Signal with his Hand they were laid on a Side-Table near the Chair of State and then both one and the other kneeled a little and kissed the Hem of the Imperial Mantle After which retiring at some distance back Zulfigar Effendi made his Speech in the Turkish Language to this effect The Ambassador's Speech THE Most Puissant and Great Emperor of the Musselmen the Highest Monarch of the Universe Sultan Solyman Han Son of Sultan Ibrahim Han our Lord and Master hath sent us to you who are the Most High and Most Glorious Emperor amongst the Christian Kings and Princes to deliver this His Imperial Letter to You His Friend The Summary Contents of which is to signifie unto You His Exaltation to the Throne of his Ancestors which hath happened in the Year or Hegeira 1099. on the 2d Day of the Month Meherem And also to put â—ou in remembrance of the ancient Friendship and mutual good Correspondence which passed between his Progenitors and Your famous Predecessors with all Sincerity And hath commanded â—s his Servants to signifie unto You His Great Friend the High Respect he bears in His Imperial Breast to the ancient Friendship which intervened between the Progenitors on both sides May the High God inspire and instill into the Hearts of both Monarchs that which is profitable and best for the Devout Servants of God To this Speech His Imperial Majesty did not vouchsafe to return an Answer by Words from his own Mouth because that as yet no Treaty was begun nor the least step made thereunto and likewise because that the Persons who brought these Letters were not qualified with the Character of Ambassadors but rather of Messengers sent to prepare the way in order to a stricter and closer Treaty and therefore the Baron de Herbert a Gentleman of the Emperor's Bedchamber and Councellor of State by Command of the Emperor returned an Answer in the manner following An Answer return'd by Baron Herbert THE Most August Puissant and Invincible Emperor of the Romans King of Hungary and Bohemia Arch-Duke of Austria c. Our Gracious Lord hath heard and understood what hath been most humbly proposed to His Sacred Caesarean Majesty in the Name of the Most Serene and Most Powerful Prince Sultan Solyman notifying by You His Exaltation to the Throne And whereas You have made mention of the ancient Friendship which intervened between the Ancestors of both these Sublime Monarchs You are to reflect and consider That it never entered into the Thoughts of His Imperial Majesty to trouble or dissolve that friendly Correspondence but would rather most sacredly have continued the same until this very Hour had he not been most Unjustly Attacked against the League and Articles stipulated and Sworn by both Monarchs by which the Effusion of much Humane Blood would have been spared Of all which the Most Just God being Witness hath Crowned the Peaceable Mind of Our Most August Emperor with Wonderful Success and Glorious Victories Howsoever the Mind of His Imperial Majesty being still inclined to a Peace he resolves so soon as he shall have read the Contents of the Letter to give Order unto His Ministers to receive and consider what farther Proposals shall be given thereupon and to enter into the Particulars of a Treaty which is all that I am Commanded by my Imperial Master to say in this Matter To which Zulfigar Effendi made this short Reply The Ambassador's Reply THAT tho' many times most grievous Wars have arisen between Great Monarchs yet frequently even in the heat thereof a Peace hath unexpectedly ensued And whereas they had been employed and diâ—patched from the Ottoman Port on a Work so beneficial and happy to a great part of Mankind they did not doubt but upon the Treaty and Conferences such Expedients would be found as would bring all Matters to a happy Conclusion And farther he said That he had another Letter from the Grand Vizier directed to the President of War beseeching His Majesty that he would be pleased to behold the same with a Gracious Eye The Audience being in this manner ended The Ambassadors return from Audience which lasted about the space of half an Hour the Ambassadors for so they were called in Turkish returned from the Palace in the same Form as they came thither and conducted to their Lodgings where at the Charge of the Emperor a most sumptuous Dinner was provided for them sufficient to entertain a Hundred Persons Tho' the Ceremonies observed at this Audience and the Honours and Treatment given to these Ambassadors were much inferiour to those which had at other times been shown to Persons dispatched on the like occasions from the Ottoman Port yet the Concourse of the People who are fond of new Sights was not less numerous all the Streets Balconies and Windows being filled with Spectators who came to behold the mean Reception of the debated Turks who never came before to beg Peace but with a proud and haughty Behaviour to give the Conditions of it The next day the Ambassadors much in the same manner were conducted to Audience of Count Staremberg A Treaty begun and in his Coach who was Marshal and Vice-President of the Supream Council of War in the absence of Prince Herman of Baden who resided at Ratisbonne in Quality of Plenipotentiary for his Imperial Majesty at the Diet. The Ambassadors being Introduced into a Chamber of his Palace and caused to Sit down at a Table opposite against him they delivered the Vizier's Letter to him which being Read after some Complements which passed on both sides they returned again to their Lodgings The Letters being afterwards Read The Turks submissive and Observed contrary to the Custom of that Proud Nation to contain unusual Expressions of Submission and earnest Desires for Peace the Emperor appointed Four Commissioners to Treat with these Ambassadors Namely Count Kinnisek Great Chancellor of Bohemia Count Straatman Great Chancellor of the Court the Commissary General Count Caraffa and Marshal Count Staremberg These Commissioners being assembled together with Baron Razinsky Envoy Extraordinary from Poland and the Cavalier Frederico Cornaro Ambassador from the Republick of Venice to the Imperial Court with his Secretary Capello the Turkish Ambassadors were called to hold a Conference with these Ministers of the Allies at a Palace
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