The Turkish history from the original of that nation, to the growth of the Ottoman empire with the lives and conquests of their princes and emperours / by Richard Knolles ... ; with a continuation to this present year MDCLXXXVII ; whereunto is added, The present state of the Ottoman empire, by Sir Paul Rycaut ...

THE REIGN OF Sultan IBRAHIM, TWELFTH EMPEROR OF THE TURKS.

SVltan Amurath, or Morat, after a Fever of eight Days continuance, caused by an excess of Debauchery in Wine, having on the eighth of February, 1640, ac∣cording to the New-Stile, expired his last Breath. His Mother, called Kiosem, comforted her self with the thoughts that her Son Sultan Ibrahim still lived,* 1.1 and was the sole Surviver, and undoubted Heir of the Ottoman Family. To whose Succession, that she might make the more facile and undisturbed Entrance, she con∣sulted with all the Viziers, requesting their Consent and Assistance, in the lawful promotion of her remaining Son to the Throne of his An∣cestors: For she had understood, that Morat, who always abhorred the ill-shap'd Body, and weaker Mind of his Brother, envied him the Dignity of the Ottoman Scepter, and there∣fore had bequeathed the Succession to the Tartar, having, in the Heat of a Debauch, and Fumes of Wine, compelled his Pasha's to swear to the performance of his Testament.

Wherefore the Queen, assembling them toge∣ther, with gentle Words, desired them to re∣member, That Ibrahim was the Lawful Heir, and their true Emperor; that the Tartar Han was a Stranger, odious to the Souldiery, and not beloved by the People: that an Alteration of this Nature could never be contrived and exe∣cuted, without danger to the Actors; and that they, to whom she assured the continuance of the same Honours and Offices, in Reward of their con∣stant Allegiance, would be in hazard of losing all, by the coming of a Foreign Prince, who having Confidents of his own to prefer, and grand Necessities to satisfy, would make bold even with Estates and Provinces to prefer his Fa∣vorites, his Kindred, and Country-Men, and establish the firmness of his Government on their Ruin. Yet, setting aside those Considerations, touching their own Safety and Interest, she pro∣mised, That if they would reach out their Hands unto her Son, for to lift him unto the Throne, he should acknowledg his Empire from them, and accordingly love, tender, and esteem such faithful Subjects.

The Viziers, after some Reflections on the Tye and Obligation which Sultan Morat had caused them to make to him, declared, and pub∣lished it to be unlawful, and void; protesting, That they were resolved to maintain inviolable the Allegiance they owed unto Sultan Ibrahim, descended from the Ottoman Blood, which they reverenced and adored, with an Awe equal to the Religious Esteem which their Fore-fathers had of it; and therefore, with one Voice they cried out, Let Sultan Ibrahim live.

Herewith the Council breaking up, the Vi∣ziers, accompanied with all the Officers and At∣tendants of the Seraglio, went with Shouts and loud Acclamations, to the Prison of Ibrahim, to salute him Emperor; for he, poor Prince, had now for four Years remained a sad Recluse in a dark Room, where he had received neither Light nor Air, but what came from a little Window, which sometimes in favour was opened to him from Above; and what was worse, the conti∣nual expectations, and fear of Death, without Friends, Conversation, or Hope, rendred those Apprehensions worse than Death it self; which daily were represented to him in that Solemnity, as might terrify a Mind more constant and firm than his.

So soon as he heard the SHouts and Voices of a Multitude near his Door, he immediately con∣ceived, that the Fate was now come which he had so long expected, and therefore he barred his Door, and denied to give Entrance: And when the Viziers proclaimed him Emperor, (fearing it might be some Artifice of his Brother,

to see with what Joy he would entertain the News) he answered, That he did not so much as think of the Empire, nor desire it, but only prayed that Sultan Morat might live, to whom he pretended not to be a Brother, but a Slave: And when he perceived that they began to force the Door, though with terms of Respect and Observance, he still endeavoured to keep it close; for Nature had taught him to conserve a Life, howsoever Miserable, and void of Conso∣lation.

He continuing thus resolute not to open, Re∣verence to his Person commanded them to for∣bear any ruder Violence; until the Queen-Mother over-hearing all this Stir, descended her self in Person; and first causing the dead Corps of Sul∣tan Morat to be extended before his Door, with gentle Compellations, and confident Assurances, averred the Death of his Brother. The Voice of his Mother began to dissipate the Fears, and being in part already convinced by his Ears, he adventured to peep at the Door, and giving then entire Credence to his Eyes, his Heart and Spirits consented to revive; and so retiring back into his Chamber, he willingly received the Congratulations of the Ministers and Souldiers; which being past, he readily applied his Shoul∣ders to the Coffin of his dead Brother; and having bore his share of that dear Burden to the Gate of the Seraglio, he there resigned it to his Domestick Officers, who buri••d him in the Sepulchre of Sultan Achmet.

From thence he took Boat, and passed to the Mosch of Iub's Seraglio, where in the space of eight days, he compleated all the Ceremonies of his Coronation; and afterwards, according to the Custom of his Ancestors, he rode through the City to his great Palace; but whether it were for want of practice, or by reason of a Posture natural unto Fools, he sat so ridiculously on his Saddle, as moved rather the Laughter than the Acclamation of the People.

In fine, being entred the Seraglio, he began to breath, and enjoy the Air of Liberty, with so much contentment and satisfaction, that he un∣willingly would empair the least Particle of his late acquired Freedom, by thinking, or attend∣ing to Business, and as if he enjoyed sufficient, committed all to the management of his Mother; howsoever, being desirous to handle something of the Government, he did it with so little Grace and Dexterity, that it plainly appeared, that that Soul animated a Body not fit to sway or wield a Scepter.

The Queen-Mother, to maintain the Word she had given to the Viziers, continued them all in their respective Offices; so that, though there was great disproportion in the Mind of the two Princes, yet the Ministers being the same, there seemed to be little or no Alteration in the Government.

The Great Vizier remembring well the thoughts of War which Sultan Morat meditated against the Cossacks, and being desirous of Glo∣ry, and continuance of his Power, resolved to prosecute the same Design, hoping to meet a Spirit in Ibrahim equal to the Generosity of his Brother.* 1.2 To this War many and various were the Motives; as ••irst, A natural desire of Revenge on the Cossacks, for having infested the Black Seas, that they might thereby provoke Poland to a War, which when they had reduced to some Extremity, the Emperor would consequent∣ly fall in to their Assistance, and thereby create Quarrels▪ which must necessarily open a large Field of Troubles; which being sown with the Seed of Discord, could not fail to produce Cau∣ses and Pretentions for a War.

It being thus resolved, to which the Vizier nei∣ther wanted Eloquence nor Reasons to perswade, great Preparations were made for a War, which was intended to be maintained for many Years: During which time, God, who disposes all Things at his Pleasure, permitted a false Report to fly, that the Persians were providing a great Army to besiege Bagdat; to which the Turks giving entire Credence, it was resolved in the Divan, that those Preparations against Christen∣dom, should be diverted towards the Parts of the Eastern Countries. By this vain Rumour only were all these Grand Designs disappointed, and all farther Thoughts vanished for the pre∣sent of molesting the Christians. From whence it is observable, how necessary are the Foreign Residences of Ministers, and how absurdly the Turks err; who, by reason of their Pride, vouchsafe not to entertain Ambassadors in the Courts of Strangers, being beholden to the Jews, or Armenian-Merchants for all their Intel∣ligence they receive touching the Affairs of Neighbouring Kingdoms.

The Wars being thus suspended, the Great Vizier had time to cast his Eyes about him, and contrive the Ruin of such whom he suspected most dangerous to his Condition. Amongst the rest, none appeared more formidable than Mu∣stapha Pasha, Captain-Pasha, a young brisk Per∣son, and Favourite of the Queen-Mother, whom to remove was difficult and dangerous, being a Vizier as well as he, and in one of the most emi∣nent Degrees of Dignity in the whole Empire: And therefore that he might touch him with smooth and gentle Terms, he practised upon him the ordinary Decoy of Preferment, prof∣fering him the Government of Buda; which whilst the one seemed out of modesty to refuse, the other with the greater force of Complement, and obliging expressions of Friendship, pressed him to accept. At length, overcome with im∣portunity and kindness, Mustapha received the Proffer; whereby being divested of the Queen's Protection, he was soon after overtaken in his Journey towards his Principality, and by ano∣ther Mandate required to take his way to the Province of Silistria, the smallest, and most in∣considerable of the Empire: in which he was no sooner invested, than a second Edict took off his Head.

But another Mustapha, more fortunate, was sent Pasha to Grand Cairo in Aegypt; he was a mortal Enemy to the Crim Tartar, of whom he shewed his hatred at Rhodes, by putting his Son to Death, for having said, That Sultan Morat, and Sultan Ibrahim dying without Issue, the Em∣pire was to descend to his Family. This Son of Tartar was then at Rhodes, it being a Custom al∣ways to have one of them as a Hostage for the Father's obedient Comportment towards the Turks, their place of Residence being either at Rhodes, or some Town on the Black Sea, as we have elsewhere declared.

The Sultan in this Interim had little regard un∣to the Government, both for want of Capacity, and by reason of his luxurious and wanton Ap∣petite, the which he indulged in the highest ex∣cess of Sensuality; for having been accustomed to a Prison, and Restraint, he knew not how to enjoy that freedom he had recovered, but by subjecting it to the imperious servitude of his Lusts. This Humor the Vizier and great Mi∣nisters cherished in him, by continual Banquets, Feasts, and Entertainments, in which he always

took high contentment and satisfaction. His other Recreations were, Horse-races, and Shoot∣ing with the Bow, rewarding the most dexte∣rous Archers. Business was a Stranger to him, he knew not what it meant, nor thought there was other Employment for the Emperor than to study those Pastimes, which most corresponded with his Youth and Nature: only the Vizier would sometimes, in Matters of high Impor∣tance, demand his Assent, which was either out of formality, or else to secure himself with the Name and Authority of his Master.

The News of Sultan Ibrahim's promotion to the Throne being arrived at Venice, the most serene Republick dispatched Pietro Foscarini as their Ambassador Extraordinary to complement the Sultan.* 1.3 The Prince of Transylvania in like manner sent his Tribute, which was some Hawks, and twelve Vessels of Gilded Plate, as feudatary Acknowledgments for the Lands held, and for his Confirmation in the Principality.

The Ministers of other Princes having passed the like Addresses, which were customary, the Ambassadors of Poland made Complaints of the Tartars, whose Incursions against them, the Turks, by Conditions of Peace, were obliged to restrain; but in this, as in other Occasions since that time, the Poles could obtain no Re∣dress from the Turks, who willing to have the Christians oppressed or ruined, either seem∣ed not to give Credit to the Subject of Com∣plaints, or else to find out Excuses to acquit the Tartar; which being so known and common a Practice with the Turk, it is to be wondred why the Poles have sent so many late Messages of this Nature, which in former, as well as in this present Age, have proved fruitless; a pregnant Example of which we shall find in the Reign of Sultan Mahomet, Son of this Ibrahim.

Amongst other Corruptions of these Times, Aspers were so cut and clipt, that the Dollar rose from eighty to an hundred and twenty A∣spers; which Irregularity being complained of in the Divan, all Monies were reduced to their intrinsick Value; and the Aspers called in to be coined in the Mint, to the great Damage of the People.

But this Matter will not appear strange, if it be compared to the Vellion of Spain, and to the Permission in Turkey, of the base Alloy of Te∣mins, by which never any Nation before was ever so cheated and abused.

And now the Storms of War, which threat∣ned from Persia, being blown over, it was judged seasonable to reassume the thoughts of War so long meditated against the Cossacks: In order unto which, Gallies were commanded to be built, which should draw little Water, and purposely made to pass the Shoals on the Black Sea near Asac, for the recovery of that Place out of the Hands of the Enemy. Another Squa∣dron also of Gallies was designed for the Archi∣pelago, to oppose the Gallies of Malta and Na∣ples, which much infested those Seas.

To the first Enterprise, the Tartar much ex∣cited the Turk, by reason that Asac did not on∣ly hinder his Incursions by Land, but rendred his Navigation in the Black Seas very unsecure. To the second, The Gallies of Malta much pro∣voked them, under the Command of Frederick the Landgrave of Hesse; who by the Perswa∣sions of the Cardinals of Savoy, and Barberini, from a Protestant was become a Roman Catho∣lick, and had obtained the great Cross of Malta; and with several Gallies and Ships, performed some Exploits at Biserta, and at the Golletta near Tunis.

The Year 1641 being now entered; [year 1641.] the Sul∣tan passed a most Luxurious Life in his Seraglio, consuming an immense Treasure on his Women; and whilst these two Fleets were preparing to proceed on their respective Expedition, that in∣tended for Asac had almost been diverted by the Rumors and Disturbances on the Frontiers of Hungary; but they were soon afterwards ap∣peased, by an appearance of an Envoy from the Emperor, and return of a Chiaus to Vienna, with Ratification of all the former Articles and Conditions of Peace. Howsoever the German Internuncio was braved at the Port, for not ap∣pearing sooner with his Presents and Comple∣ments of Congratulation, for the happy En∣trance of Sultan Ibrahim to the Ottoman Throne; so apt are the Turks to believe Acts of Civility, or Ceremony, to be Parts of Obedi∣ence and Submission; and what Christians have once given them voluntarily, is afterwards ex∣acted as a Matter of Debt or Duty.

And being thus freed from a Suspicion of Troubles in Hungary, and exempted from the Fears of waging two Wars at once, (which the Turks always studiously avoid) they dispatched a Letter into Poland, to demand passage for their Army, through that Country, to the Siege of Asac; but that not being consented unto, the Turks prepared to open their way by Force, and the Poles to defend the Passage. In which interim, many Disasters concurred, sufficient to discourage the Turks in their Design; who are a People, that superstitiously calculate the Suc∣cess of their Enterprises, by the difficulty or smooth success of their first beginnings: For when the Vizier was ready to depart, a dreadful Fire happened in Constantinople, to the quench∣ing of which, applying not only his Orders, but his own Person; he adventured so far, that he burned both his Hands, and singed his Beard in that manner, that he was forced to take his Bed for several Days, where he was honoured with a Visit of the Sultan.

News also came at the same time, that Tauris, or Ecbatan, on the Borders of Persia, was mi∣serably ruin'd by an Earthquake; and what was worse, the Sultan himself was seized with an Apoplexy, which turned to a Paralytical Distem∣per, the Cause whereof was attributed to his excessive use of Women; to whom he was so immoderately addicted, that he consumed his Days and Nights in their Apartments. This Disease, which is ra••ely or never cured, being joined to a Report given out by his Ladies, that notwithstanding his Venereal Heat, he was yet Impotent as to Women; created a Belief, or at least a strong probability, that he might die without Issue, which caused high Confusion in the Counsels of the Grandees, that no Design could make any chearful Progress, until Provi∣sion was first made for Supply of the Ottoman House; for the Succession of the Tartar was in no manner convenient or secure; but rather that the Throne should be furnished with the Son of a Sister, or of a Niece, than to subject them∣selves to the Rule and Passions of a Foreign Prince. And though the Sultan did afterwards recover his Health, yet all suspected and feared, that by the immoderate Heat of his Venerial In∣clination, he would die without Children; eve∣ry one discoursing, as moved by his Passion, or his Interest.

About this time arrived an Ambassador at Constantinople from the Softa of Persia, bringing a Ratification of the Peace; who was so much the more welcome, by how much more the pre∣sent

Conjuncture rendred it advantagious; and being ushered in with exceeding rich Presents, ravi••hed the Hearts of the Turks, whose good Nature melts and dissolves with the sight or hopes of Gifts.

In Dalmatia, near the Confines of Zara, the Turks made Incursions on the Venetian Terri∣tories, and caused some Disturbances: but being chastised by an Ambush laid for them, whereby about two hundred of them perished; all Mat∣ters were again reconciled, and the Peace re∣newed.

And now one would imagine, that the De∣sign against Asac, by such diversity of Obstructi∣ons, were absolutely laid aside; which though they were of that Importance, and especially the fear of Ibrahims's Death, to detain the Vi∣zier at Home; yet he thought fit to prosecute the Design under the Command of the Pasha of Silistria, to whom he had committed the Con∣duct of this War.

* 1.4The Pasha proud of his Charge, rejoiced to be imployed in a War, wherein he apprehended so little difficulty, and prognosticated to himself nothing but Glory and Victory; esteemed the Defendants for no other than Fishermen, and better experienced to sail their Boats, and go∣vern their Saiks in the Black Seas, than to draw up an Army in the ••ield, or defend their Walls, This Confidence was farther increased, by an Embassy at the same time from the Moscovite, who not only renounced all Assistance or Con∣cernment for that Town, but renewed with them his Friendship, and Articles of ancient Agree∣ment.

The Ottoman Army, besides Janisaries, and other Turks, consisted of Moldavians, and Wa∣lachians, and a great number of Tartars▪ which at first entred into their Trenches, and besieged the Town; but here they rested not securely, by reason of the frequent Sallies the Besieged made upon them; and more especially by the Mines which they sprang, to the terror and damage of their Enemies. The Turks moved hereat, made furious Assaults, but were as valiantly repulsed by the Defendants, who threw scalding Water, and Pitch, and burning Sulphur upon the Assai∣lants; so that not being able to take the Town by Force, they retired to their Trenches, and deliberated in what manner, by fair Promises, and Mony, they might invite them to Surren∣der. Hereupon the Captain-Pasha, the Tartar Han, and others, tried the Efficacy of large Proffers of Priviledges to the Town, their Country, and Inhabitants; with a Gratuity of twelve thousand Hungers of Gold: But these Promises could make no more entrance into their Hearts, than the Turks could do into their Walls, which they seemed resolute to defend, wanting neither Provision, nor Ammunition, nor courage for the War; but on the contrary side, all these were wanting in the Turkish Camp; so that fifteen days passed without any Action, until they were supplied by the arrival of cer∣tain Brigantines, and light Vessels, dispatched with all expedition with the necessaries of War: At the coming of which, the Turks prepared for another Assault, which they continued un∣cessantly for the space of seven days, but were received with that ••igour by the Besieged, that they could not gain one palm or inch of ground; So that at length with disgrace, and discourage∣ment, they were forced to give over their At∣tempt, despairing to gain the Town in the time, and with the Force which was allotted for this Enterprize.

With this ill Success, Extremity and Famine pinched the Turks in their Trenches so much, that an Ox was sold for fifteen Zechins, a Lamb for three, and a Measure of Barley, which ser∣ved a Horse for one time, for a Dollar; so that at length they were forced to raise the Siege; and the Captain Pasha, by tempestuous Weather, was constrained to shelter his Fleet in the Port of Caffa. In their return Home, the General was fearful of having forfeited his Head; the Commanders were silent, and ashamed of their Success, and the Souldiers discouraged, famished, and poor; for they had lost three thousand Spa∣hees, seven thousand Janisaries, and eight hun∣dred other Souldiers, besides Moldavians, Wa∣lachians, and Tartars; those that survived of the Foot were naked▪ and many sick; the Spa∣hees were without Horses, with which they were supplied by the Tartars; and in fine, so unsuc∣cessful were all Mat••ers, that the Veteran Soul∣diery avouched, that they never endured a more cruel, nor a more miserable War.

And now we shall end this Year 1641,* 1.5 with the ruin of Emir Guimir, a Persian by Birth, a Favourite, and yet Traitor to his Natural Prince. This Emir, in the last Wars which Sul∣tay Morat waged against Persia, was entrusted with an Embassy, and with Conduct of part of his Army, but he betrayed both to the Turk, under whose Protection he took Sanctuary, and obtained great Gifts and Preferments, for a Re∣ward and Price of his Treachery. Sultan Morat afterwards bestowed a magnificent Seraglio upon him, situated on the Bosphorus, enriched him with a vast Treasury, and what is more, with his Favour, making him his Companion in his Pastimes, and his Confident in his serious Coun∣sels: It wa•• he that first perswaded the Sultan to drink Wine, in which both of them were beast∣ly intemperate, and mighty and valiant to bear, until the heat thereof having extinguished the natural heat of their Stomachs, it became too cold and crude, unless corrected, or fortified with Rach, or distilled Spirits. The Fumes of such strong Drinks, were the cause of the ex∣travagant Actions which Morat practised in his Life, and afterwards became the means to hasten his Death; whose days being ended, it was time also for prosperous Wickedness to expire, and to meet a Punishment equal to its Demerits. Where∣fore one day, (having desired License of the Vi∣zier to return to his own Country, where it is be∣lieved he had by Mony purchased his Pardon) he was called to the Vizier's Presence, and there, without any Impeachment, Process, or Accusa∣tion, had the String applied to his Throat, and strangled on the place; the reason hereof some give, to be the immense Riches which Sultan Mo∣rat had bestowed upon him, though there wan∣ted not many Causes to render him suspected, and obnoxious to the present Government; first, because he was too well acquainted with the Se∣crets of the Seraglio, and of that State, to live in any other Country than the Turkish Domi∣nions; then it was feared that the Persian Am∣bassador might make use of this Person to act what Treason he pleased on the remainder of the Ottoman Family, on promise that such an Attempt should expiate his former Villany, and regain the favour of his natural Prince. But such signal Actions as these, are commonly wrote in such large Characters of Divine Justice, which never left Treason unpunished, either in this Life or the other; that we need not search or enquire for a further Cause or Occasion of this Punish∣ment.

[year 1642.] The Year 1642 being now entred, and the Turks desirous to repair their last Years Dis∣grace, resolved again, with better Preparation and Conduct, to attempt Asac; but before they would engage, according to their usual Custom, they determined to conclude all Um∣brages, and Matters of Dispute arisen on the Confines of Hungary. To which end, the Em∣peror deputed the Baron of Questemberg, with other Barons; and the Turks on their side com∣missionated the Pashaws of the Confines, with In∣structions not to insist too strictly on the Con∣ditions, lest it should retard the Peace, and ob∣struct the other Design of War: Wherefore ••he Turks condescending to Matters reasonable, and yielding up part of their Usurpation, a Peace was concluded for twenty Years, much to the Advantage and Favour of the Christians.

* 1.6And now, to give farther Courage to the Pro∣••ecution of higher Attempts, the whole Tur∣kish Empire was replenished with Joy, for the Birth of a young Prince Sultan Mahomet, than now reigns; so that the supposed Impotency of the Father (whereby the Ottoman Family might have been extinguished) was proved otherwise by plain Effect; and the fear of those that ru∣led the Empire vanishing by the Rising of this new Star, all places were filled with Joy and Triumphs; only the Tartar Han finding himself thus disappointed, was supposed not willing to concur heartily in this common Joy. In this manner vanished the appearance of Civil Dis∣sention in that Family, which now flourishes and encreases every day, and insensibly creeps for∣ward to the Design (which they hope) of an Universal Monarchy. Pardon me, O Christian Kings, if I say insensibly, for methinks you are sensible of the least touch you receive from one another, but feel not the gripes and pinches of your Common Enemy, who like a Hectick Feaver hath mingled with your Blood, and sto∣len into the Marrow of your Strength, where he will lurk until he hath dissolved the Fabrick of your Christian World, unless expelled by Con∣cord amongs•• your selves, and the Divine Assi∣stance favouring your united Forces.

But now to return again to the famous Siege of Asac;* 1.7 It being the custome to cast all Miscar∣riages in War on the General, the Visier dis∣placed the Captain-Pasha, taking upon himself that Office and Title, of which there was never any former Example. In the Place likewise of the Pasha of Silistria, was constituted Mustapha Pasha of Aegypt; which Government, though much inferiour to his former, yet was received without sence of Disgrace, it not being the Rich∣es or Power of any Office that confers Honour, but the Favour and good Will of the Sulan. Nor did only the Miscarriage of the late War tend to the disrepute of the former Pasha of Silistria, but the Report of his having poisoned the Tar∣tar Han encreased the difficulty of reconcilement with his Superiors, which being a Matter rather suspected than proved, excused him from far∣ther punishment than only a deprivation of his Office.

The new Pasha of Silistria thus taking upon himself the Command of the Army, and Con∣duct of this War, assembled a Force of Turks, Tartars, Moldavians, and Walachians, far exceed∣ing the number of the last Year. At the News of which, and of the Fleet of Gallies designed to besiege them by Sea, they apprehended their Danger so great, that without the Assistance of the Moscovite, they concluded it impossible to defend their City; to him therefore they made Applications for Succour, representing unto him the extremity their Affairs were in, by reason of that powerful Enemy which threatned them; and that having always acknowledged him for their Protector, there was no Refuge left them but under the defence of his Arms. But hereun∣to the Moscovite gave a brief reply, That he had lately concluded Peace with the Turk; since which, having received from him no occasion of breach, he could not with any Justice engage so soon against him in a War.

The Cossacks being thus disappointed of their principal Hopes,* 1.8 resolved to abandon thei•• Ci∣ty; but to make the best advantage of their flight, they carried with them all their Move∣ables; and demolished their Walls, and ruined their Houses, leaving the Place a notorious Spe∣ctacle of Despair and Ruin; and no other Pos∣session to their Enemies, than the compass of so much ground pestered with Rubbish, and rude heaps of Stones. The Pasha howsoever abun∣dantly contented, that his ve••y Name was suffi∣cient to affright his Enemies▪ entred the City with Triumph, where he began to repair the Walls, and in••ite the Inhabitants to return, with all assurance of Security, and Protection. This gentle Treatment recalled many back to their Homes, so hardly are Men weaned from their Native Country; and in a short time the City beginning to fill, all Matters seemed to re∣turn to their pristine State and Condition.

About this time the Persian, by his Ambassa∣dor, renewed his League with the Turk,* 1.9 and confirmed it in the Name of the new King; which was performed on condition that the Softi should demolish the Fortress of Fortrina, which he had, contrary to Articles, built on the Fron∣tiers, not far from the Caspian Sea; which that it might assuredly be performed, a Capugibathee was dispatched to see it effected.

And in this manner, Asa•• being subdued, and a Peace secured with the Persian; The Turks, who can neither live in quiet with their Neigh∣bours, nor observe Capitulations longer than they turn to their advantage, contrived to take Giavarine, alias Rab, a strong Fortress on the Confines of Hungary, by a Stratagem which they designed in this manner: Certain Souldiers ha∣bited like Peasants,* 1.10 were crouded into several Carts, covered with Hay, which being entered within the Walls, were immediatly to leap forth, and surprise the Centinels and Guards at the Gates (which might easily be executed on Men, whom twenty Years before of Peace had made secure) these were to be seconded by four thou∣sand Souldiers, which lay ready in a Neighbou∣ring Vally; but it happened, That an Officer of the Garrison returning from Hunting, had by chance discovered this strong Party of Turks, which caused him to quicken his pace towards the Town, and overtaking in his way certain Carts of Straw, which appearing to be laden in a form different to what was usual, increased in him a farther suspicion of Treachery; howso∣ever, he proceeded forward with the more haste, yet without any appearance of Jealousy: until being entred into the Town, he declared what he had seen, at which the Garison was immedi∣ately in Arms; and having permitted the Carts to enter, the Bridg was drawn up, and the Carts be∣ing searched, the whole Fraud and Treachery was discovered; and having made the Turks Pri∣soners, and armed the Walls with Souldiers, the whole Design was disappointed; so that those who lay in Ambush returned to their own Cities. The Emperor hereupon resolved to send

an Ambassador to Constantinople, to complain of this Treachery; whereof the Turks being a∣shamed, and the more because it did not succeed; refused to admit the Ambassador, unless the Em∣peror would first agree to pay a yearly Charge of an hundred thousand Rix-Dollars to the Port; not by way of Tribute, but of Present; in which unreasonable Demand, they took more confidence, in regard they perceived that the Em∣peror was engaged in a War against the Swede. Upon this dishonourable Demand, the Emperor deferr'd the Embassy intended, supposing it less perilous to adventure a War in Hungary, than dishonourable to condescend unto a Proposition so derogatory to the Majesty of his Cesarean Greatness.

[year 1643.] This Year 1643 being entered, the Prince of Transylvania conveyed his Annual Tribute, be∣ing ten thousand Zechins, to the Port; which when the Agents of that Prince presented before the Vizier, he seemingly refused it; pretending that the compleat Tribute was to be fifteen thousand, according to Agreement: but the A∣gents replied, that five thousand had been re∣mitted unto Bethlem Gabor, not by way of Gra∣tuity or Recompence for his Service, but in Ex∣change, or as the price of two Cities, which the Prince had yielded to the Sultan, out of his own proper Estate in Hungary: With which Answer the Vizier remained satisfied, being jealous of the Turbulent and active Spirit of that Prince.

During all these Wars and Revolutions in Kingdoms and States, Sultan Ibrahim contained and contented himself within the Precincts of his Seraglio; where becoming a faithful and va∣liant Soldier of Venus, he consumed more Trea∣sure in that War, than his Brother Morat did in Foreign Conquests; and being, as it were, en∣tered into the Mahometan Paradise, where the Company of fair Women is the chiefest Felicity promised, he laboured to increase the Ottoman Family, and to acquit his People of the appre∣hension they had of wanting an Heir to succeed in the Throne; so that on the 15th of February he had a second Son born, and a third on the 12th of March following; which absolutely took away the Reproach of his Frigidity or Impo∣tence, proving afterwards the most lascivious and devout Sultan that ever aspired to the Ma∣hometan Heaven.

This Year the Turks armed out twenty Gal∣lies more than usual, besides thirty Sail of Ships, and Gally-Grosses; in the beginning of Iune, riding at the Seraglio Point (where the Com∣manders in Chief came to take their leave of Sultan Ibrahim) they divided into two Squa∣drons; one of which consisting of twenty Gal∣lies, under the Command of Beker Pasha, took their Voyage into the Black Sea; the remainder under the Captain Pasha, sailed for Cyprus, with intention to do Justice on the Pasha of that Island, whose Riches gained by Oppression, had de∣bauched him from due Obedience towards his Prince; and being arrived there, without Rumor or Noise, giving signs of good Will and Re∣spects towards the Pasha, one day he sent to in∣vite him Aboard to banquet with him; where the Pasha foolishly coming, and having well eaten and drank with him, his Entertainment had not time time to digest, before he breathed his Last; for being on his departure, the Slaves assaulted him, and strangled him by Order of the Captain-Pasha.

No other Matters remarkable did the Turkish Fleet perform this Year at Sea, before they re∣turned again to their Winter-Quarters. Howso∣ever this Year proved favourable to many poor Christians in Slavery; for there happening a most miserable Plague in Alexandria, which re∣laxed the Spirits of Men, and rendered every one so negligent in his Office, that about four-thousand Slaves taking advantage of such Remis∣ness in their Guardians, seized a Ship in Port, and crouding themselves therein, set Sail, and landed some of their People at Candia, others at Malta, the rest at Marscillia, by which means they happily regained their Liberty: on which incouragement eight hundred more adventuring to perform the like, and fighting in a Body at the Gate of Alexandria, three hundred of them were slain, the rest leaped into a Gally, which though without Oars, had yet her Sails to the Yard, and having the fortune of a favourable Wind, arrived safe at Candia; in like manner they became free, taking convenient passage from thence to divers parts of Christendom: These Slaves were all redemanded by the Grand Signior from the Venetians; in which no Satisfaction be∣ing given, was one Cause and Original of that War which afterwards ensued.

And now the Year 1644 being begun, [year 1644.] Ra∣gotski, who was never contented but in Combu∣stions, and never at ease but when he was proving new Projects, made Demands of certain Places on the Confines of Moravia, scituated within the Mountains, which he challenged as the Inheritance of his Son; besides other Pre∣tences which he made in right of Bethlem Gabor. To forward which Designs, moved with an in∣veterate Enmity to the Austrian Family, he en∣deavoured to win the Hearts of the Commonal∣ty with a plausible Declaration for Liberty, and to throw off the Yoke which had so long gauled the Neck of Hungary; whereby having raised an Army of twenty thousand Horse, and thirty thousand Foot, he entred, and spoiled the Coun∣try of his old Enemy and Neighbour the Count of Humanay an Hungarian, took Solnock by force, and besieged Fileck, and Cassovia: For suppression of which Insurrection and Rebelli∣on of Ragotski, the Emperor was forced to a War; and having Rendezvoused his Army at Presbourg, the Conduct thereof was committed to the Charge of Count Puceain.

The Turks having intelligence of these Pre∣parations for War, commanded twenty thou∣sand Men to march into those Parts to oppose these Combustions on the Frontiers; with six-thousand of which the Count Puecaim encoun∣tering furiously, assaulted and routed them. And in the mean time Ragotski laying aside all care for the War in Hungary, applied himself to relieve Olimz in Moravia; but in his March thither he was recalled by the Inhabitants of Sendar, which is a Castle erected on a Hill near Cassovia, offer∣ing to surrender unto him; but the Governor Forgatz, and the German Garison opposing this Mutiny of the People, a Civil War began a∣mongst themselves, but at length the advantage falling unto Ragotski, the Gates were opened un∣to the Transylvanians; with which Success their Spirits being raised to higher Matters, they pro∣ceeded forward, until General Getz with a strong Body, gave a stop unto their Progress. And thus was the Fire of War rekindled again in Hungary, by means of Ragotski; to whom notwithstanding the Turks would never adhere, being well acquainted with his turbulent and unsteady Humour. In the mean time the Empe∣ror dispatched his Ambassador with rich Presents to the Sultan, desiring him to forbear giving far∣ther Assistance unto Ragotski; but what between

Skirmishes, Propositions, and Treaties, Matters were not composed until the 14th of August 1645, at which time all Articles were concluded and signed between the Emperor and Ragotski.

But to return now to the Affairs of Constanti∣nople; Sultan Ibrahim having the Fortune of Active and Prudent Ministers, attended en∣tirely to his Pastimes and Pleasures, without Prejudice to his Interest, and the State of his Empire; for the first Vizier being Faithful and Vigilant, immediately cut off those Members with the Sword, which he suspected in the least manner inclinable to Sedition; amongst which were the Pashaws of Aleppo and Caffa. For by this kind of seasonable and speedy Remedies, the Plethory of the Ottoman Empire is common∣ly evacuated, and the Body Politick thereof restored to its pristine state of Health and Safety.

In like manner the Valede Sultana, being a Woman of great Courage and Abilities, attend∣ed carefully to the Welfare of her Son, whom she sometimes decked up, and set forth as a Property of Majestick Gravity to the People, whilst she her self assumed the Authority, and carried all things with a high and imperious Spi∣rit; and being ambitious to be feared as well as honoured, she laid violent Hands on the first Vi∣zier, called Mustapha, and strangled him; for though he was an Active and Faithful Minister, yet because he passed something on her which she imagined did savour of neglect, and because she ap∣prehended his Power, which was greatly confirmed by the Interest and Favour he had with the Janisa∣ries, and their Favourers, she resolved to make him an Example, as well of her Revenge, as her Power; after whose Death the Charge of first Vizier was conferred on Mahomet the Pasha of Damascus.

The same Fate befel the Captain-Pasha, who was likewise strangled for having over-boldly, or peremptorily, made answer to some Imper∣tinencies of the Grand Signior; and his Office was afterwards conferred on Beker Pasha of Rhodes. With such Rigour as this do the Sul∣tans govern, who resolve to be obeyed, and to have their Commands executed without delay or contradiction.

* 1.11Whilst these Matters were in agitation, the Tartars forgetful of their Peace, made another Incursion with thirty thousand Men into Russia, against whom Konispolski having made Head with twenty thousand Men only, overthrew them, and killed twelve thousand, and took three thousand Prisoners, pursuing the rest to the Borders of Walachia. In like manner Wisno∣wick, a noble Polander, happily encountred ano∣ther Party of Tartars, as they were on their re∣turn from spoiling the Countries of Moscovia; of whom having killed 10000 Men, he recovered their Booty, and sent the rest Home naked and empty. This was the true and most effectual Means for the Polanders to avenge and right their Injuries, and more prevalent than Ambassies and Messages of Complaint unto the Port; which we have experienced since, and in the present Reign of the Son of Ibrahim, to have been so far from producing Matter worthy so much as the Charge of the Ambassador, that they have been retorted with Ignominy and Affronts.

But here Ibrahim perceiving how the Poles had avenged themselves with their own Sword, would seem to approve of the Action, which he could not hinder; and to appear a sincere Observer of the Peace, he deposed the Tartar Han for his unlawful Incursions; which was such a satisfacti∣on to the Crown of Poland, as they never could obtain by force of Justice, Complaints, and Vertue of passive Valour, until their active Fortitude took their Cause in Hand, and pleaded for them.

On the 19th of March of this Year, a fourth Son was born to Sultan Ibrahim; and on the 19th of February following, being in the Year 1645, notwithstanding all the Reports of his Impotency, was born a fifth Son, named So∣lyman, to the great contentment of his Peo∣ple.

The Turks Gallies this Year, under the Com∣mand of Beker their new Captain-Pasha, made an Attempt on the Coast of Calabria, bringing from thence two hundred Slaves; and attempting the like near Corton, paid for their former Booty, with the loss of five hundred Men.

Howsoever, the Gallies of Malta, being six in number, had better Success as to themselves, though the Consequences thereof proved fatal to the Venetians, having given the first occasion of that long War, which afterwards ensued be∣tween the Turk and them.

The truth of which Story is this,* 1.12 free of all Romance or Fable, which the Knights of St. Iohn or Malta would mix therewith: It happened that the Kuzlir Aga, or chief Eunuch, which governs the Women in the Signior's Seraglio, having cast his Eye on a fair Slave, then set to sale by a Persian Merchant, became so enamoured of her, that he purchased her for himself, under the No∣tion of a Virgin, at the price of four hundred and fifty Dollars: But the Eunuch had not long entertained this Lady in his Service, before she proved with Child; not by him (you may con∣ceive) if you understand how the Eunuchs of this Country are disarm'd of their Virility: At which he was so greatly offended, that he ba∣nished her from his Society, and confined her to the House of his Steward. The time being come for her to be delivered of her great Belly, it proved a Son; and some Months after, the Aga being desirous to see the Babe, was so pleased with the Aspect of it, that he resolved to adopt it for his own, ordering it Cloaths, and other Nece••saries agreeable to its Condition. It hap∣pened that about that time Sultan Mahomet (which now reigns) was then born; and there wanting a Nurse for the Child, this beautiful Slave was preferred to the Honour; so that she was entertained near two Years in the Seraglio: During which time Sultan Ibrahim took such an affection to the Nurse's Boy, that he loved him better than his own eldest Son, who was of a bad Complexion, and of no better Air in his Face than his Father, and took great delight to play and sport with him; at which the Mother of Sultan Mahomet was so displeased, that she could not longer endure either Nurse or her Boy; and for her sake, took so much displeasure against the Kuzlir Aga, who preferred her, that neither his Presence nor Service were acceptable; and so violent she was in her Passion, that one day, when Sultan Ibrahim was playing with his Wo∣men and Children in the Garden, according to his usual Custom, throwing them one on the other into the Water, the Queen grew so furi∣ous, that she could not contain longer from venting her Anger in unhansome Terms, and jealously against the Nurse and her Son. At which the Sultan being much displeased, and be∣ing ill-natured, (if we may speak boldly of an Emperor) took her Son (which is now Sultan Mahomet) out of her Arms, and with some few Curses swung him into a Cistern; where he had been certainly drowned, had not every one in that instance applied themselves to save him; at

which time he received the Mark or Scar he wears at this day in his Forehead.

All th••se Matters served for farther Fuel to nourish the implacable Spirit of the Queen; which the Kuzlir Aga well observing, judged it prudence to give way to her Fury, and so beg∣ged his Dismission from the Court, together with his Slave and Son; and that having visited Mecha, according to his Law, he might enjoy a R••tirement in Egypt, which is the Portion of ba∣nished Eunuchs.

The Queen easily consented hereunto; nor was it difficult to procure the Licence of the Sul∣tan, who was as easily perswaded to any by those who were about him; wherefore the Eunuch ha∣ving provided to be gone, shipped himself with his great Treasure, on the Fleet which was now designed, and ready to depart for Alexandria, which consisted of three Ships; one a great Gallion, and two others of lesser Burthen, and seven Saiks; these having at the beginning of their Voyage found contrary Winds,* 1.13 put into Rhodes; from whence loosing with more favou∣rable Weather, they unfortunately met with six Malta Gallies, ex••ellently well manned, and provided. The Admiral Gally immediately Boarded one of the Saiks, and took her, man∣ned only by Greeks; by whom they were in∣formed of the Condition, Quality, and Cargo of the greater Ship, which gave Heat and Re∣solution to the Souldiery. In like manner, with little Opposition, the Gallies called the St. Iohn, and Ioseph, possessed themselves of one of the lesser Ships, which being laden only with Tim∣ber, brought from the Black Sea, to build Ships at Alexandria, was of little value, having forty Turks aboard, eight Women, and a Child which sucked at the Mother's Breast. In the mean time, the three other Gallies, called the St. Mary, St. Lorenzo, and Victory, attacked the great Gallion, and having cast their Iron Graples into the Ship, with the Motion of the Ship, the Irons gave way and broke, only that of the St. Lorenzo held fast, so that the whole force of the Ship, both of small and great Shot, was poured in upon the Gally, to their damage and loss of Men. In the mean time the Admiral Gally came in to their Assistance, and Assaulting the Ship on the other Quarter, made a Diversion of their Men; and having thrown in their Graples, they scaled the sides of the Gallion, as if it had been a Fortress; where being entred, they remained for some time at handy-blows with the Turks; but at length, all the Gallies coming to their help, having made an end of subduing the other Ships, the Turks were forced to retire under Covert of their Decks, which they defended still with singular Valour, wounding the Christi∣ans with their half Pikes through the Gra∣tings.

But, in fine, the Captains of the Gallies, per∣ceiving that this was not the way to compel them to a speedy Surrender, ordered several Musque∣tiers out of every Gally, to fire in at the Win∣dows and loop-holes of the Ship; by which ha∣ving killed their Commander in Chief, their Va∣lour and Constancy began to fail, and desirous to save their lives with loss of Liberty and E∣states, they cast down their Arms, and begged Mercy.

In this Engagement were killed the Captain of the St. Mary, and seven Cavaliers, of which sive were French, one Italian, and one German; the Admiral himself, and the Captain of his Gally were both wounded; seventy nine Soul∣diers and Mariners killed, and an hundred thirty two wounded: Of the Turks it is not certain how many fell, in regard as they were killed, according to Custom, they cast them over-board; the Eunuch himself, though always educated in the softness of the Seraglio, and in the Conver∣sation of the Female Court, yet in the end con∣cluded his days like one of the Masculine Sex, fighting valiantly with his Sword, until over∣whelmed by his Enemies: by which it is obser∣vable, that those Persons lose not their Courage with their virile Parts; for it hath been known in former days, how that Eunuchs have been Generals in the Turkish and other Armies, and conducted their Affairs with admirable Courage and Success.

The Prize which the Christians had gained in this manner, was very considerable; for besides the Gold, Silver, and Jewels, which were the Treasure this Eunuch had amassed in the Reign of three several Sultans, they gained three hun∣dred and fifty Slaves, besides thirty Women, some of which were young and Virgins; so that there was not a Souldier or Seaman who had not a considerable share of benefit proportioned un∣to him. With this Fortune, towing their Pri∣zes, they in a short time came to an Anchor in the Port of Calismene, in the Island of Candia, called anciently Phenice, on the South-side of the I••land, remote from all Venetian Garisons; and where (as it is reported) they were supplied with no Provisions, excepting a small quantity of Bisket, which was furnished by a Country Fellow, who for that very Cause was shot to Death. From hence the Gallies departing, ar∣rived in Malta with their Prizes, where they were received in great Triumph. The young Son of the Eunuch (for so we call him) was reported to be a Son of the Grand Signior, sent into Egypt to be Educated, and was accordingly saluted, treated, and reverenced by the Grand Master; the same Opinion was dispersed and confirmed in all parts of Europe, and the Er∣rour for many Years maintained at the Ex∣pence of the * 1.14 Religion, until the Boy grow∣ing up to a good Age, and not judged worthy of a Ransom, or enquiry after by the Turks, it was thought convenient for him to put off his State, and Greatness, and become a Fryer, and I think a Dominican, and this is he who now goes under the name of the Padre Ottomano.

The News hereof arriving at the Ottoman Court, Sultan Ibrahim was transported with An∣ger, threatning Destruction and Ruin unto Mal∣ta; besides he shewed a most inveterate Passion against the Venetians, for not guarding the Seas from his Enemies, and for relieving them in their Ports. In which Rage and Fury, he put his own Captain Pasha to death, and Summoned the Christian Ambassadors, braving them all for the little respect was shown to his proper Ship∣ing; and in short, was angry with all, but re∣served the Effect of his Wrath to be poured on the Venetians, to which this Accident admini∣stred the first Original, and will afford us am∣ple matter of Discourse in this ensuing Histo∣ry.

For the Grand Signior first made his Com∣plaints against Venice, to their Minister, or Bai∣lo, then resident at Constantinople, called Soranço; alledging, that contrary to the Articles of Peace, they had afforded Provisions and Entertainment to his Enemies in Candia, and at a time when having made Prize of his own Ship, and Dome∣stiques of his Seraglio, they seemed, with more extraordinary demonstrations of Hospitality than usual, to receive them into their Harbours.

To which the Bailo made Answer, That his Maje∣sty was ill informed of the true state of those Mat∣ters; for that the Port to which the Malteses came, had neither Castle nor Fortress belonging to it, but was an open, wide, and unfortified place; for if the Grand Signior is not able to defend th••se Ships from careening, as they have o••ten done before Rhodes it self, how was it possible for the Venetians to drive them from the Seas, and deny them the use of that Salt Water, which hath neither Fort nor Castle to reach and command them? With which Answer Ibrahim seemed to remain satisfied; and Matters ap∣peared so appeased on the side of the Veneti∣ans, that Soranço, though a Person of a most acute and penetrating Judgment, imagined no∣thing less than a War: and though he was as∣sured otherwise, by something that the English Ambassador had discovered in that Matter; yet because it came not first from the Report of one of his own Interpreters, he would not seem to believe or give credit thereunto, notwith∣standing the strong Probabilities that might per∣swade it.

Indeed, Christian Ministers must necessarily, with much Difficulties, and less Inspection, go∣vern and penetrate Affairs in the Turkish Court than in any other; because access to the great Ministers is seldom privately or familiarly ad∣mitted, from whence wise Men most commonly take their Measures and Observations; but on the contrary, are forced to act all by the Nego∣tiation, of their Druggermen or Interpreters; and as they hear with their Ears, so are they often-times beholden to their Reflections; which how subject they may be to Error, is best known to those Ministers who have practised much and long in that Court.

And in this manner Ibrahim covered his De∣sign against Candia, by pretence of making War upon Malta, to which he had lately recei∣ved so just a provocation.

To this Enterprize, none instigated him more than a certain Hagia, or Tutor, which had ac∣companied him in the time of his Solitude, and had instructed him in the first Principles of the Mahometan Doctrine; he was a subtil and un∣derstanding Man, and one who kept a secret Cor∣respondence in the Christian Courts; for being Master of what Gold he pleased, he paid for his Intelligence with Liberality and Secresy; and though he was no Prophet, yet he pretended to be a Magician, or Conjurer, or one that had a Command or Soveraignty over Familiar Spirits; an Excellency greatly admired and reverenced by the Turks. This Man had for a long Season at∣tended an opportunity to promote a War a∣gainst Venice; esteeming their Territories very convenient to be laid to the Turkish Dominions, and their Force an under-Match for the Puis∣sance of the Ottoman Empire. And now this Accident provoking the Desire of the Turks to this War, and the Opportunity appearing com∣modious to cover the Design, under pretence of Assailing Malta, it was secretly resolved to at∣tempt the Island of Candia; for as its Strength and Situation made it the Key to all the other Isles of the Archipelago, so it would be the Bull∣wark of the Maritime Countries, from whence the Passage would be short and easy into Africa; from whence the Gallies might advantagiously relieve Cyprus, and guard the Fleet from Egypt, and from thence might be opened a Door to in∣vade Sicily, and the other parts of Italy. On these Considerations, War being resolved against Candia, Reports divulged the Design only against Malta, and for that end, Orders were issued for building and fitting an h••ndred Gallies, and as many Ships of War; and Commands sent into Barbary for assistance of all their Naval Force••, and the Day appointed for Rendezvous and De∣parture; all which time the Enterprize was kept secret, and by no more Symptoms suspected, un∣less by the unusual Caresses the Turks at that time over-acted in their officious kindness to∣wards the Venetian Bailo.

The Report of these great Preparations fly∣ing over all Parts of Europe, was entertained at Malta, with some Apprehension, as being the Place on which all the Storm was to refund its Fury.

Whereupon the Cavaliers or Knights of that Place, summoning a Council, resolved to cite all the Fraternity to repair to the Defence of their Capital Seat, and of their Order and Pa∣trimony. Likewise▪ Letters were directed to the several Officers, to prepare and send Pow∣der, Match, and Lead, Iron Buckets, and Tim∣ber to make Carriages for Cannon, and for other Uses; as also Corn, Bisket, Salt, Flesh and Fish, Vinegar, Wine, and all other sorts of Ammunition. They likewise instituted some Officers over the Waters, to see that the ••oun∣tains and Conduits should be made clear which were to serve the City; and that those with∣out, that were to remain in the possession of the Enemy, should be carefully and artificially poi∣soned; all the Mills remaining in the Fields were transported into the Town; the Doors and Windows of Wood belonging to the Pea∣sants Houses, were taken down and carried into the City, with all their Utensils, and what else was portable, so that nothing remained but the wide Fields, and an open Air to breath in.

In the mean time, the Venetians being a wise and jealous State, suspected the worst of all E∣vents, and feared what their Minister at Con∣stantinople could not discover; which caused them to make some Preparations, but yet with that dexterity and secresy, as not to render them diffident of the Turks Proceedings. For to be jealous of a Friend, is sometimes to make him an Enemy; and Distrust always argue. Disaf∣fection, which Prudence teaches to conceal from those who are more powerful than our selves. Some were notwithstanding of Opinion, that the Complaints of Ibrahim were only Artifices to extract the Blood of Gold, which they judged fit to administer, if it were possible to satisfy the Appetite of those Leeches. Others were of a contrary sense, and would by no means admit it for good Counsel, or Policy, to buy their Peace of the Turk; for, besides that it was disagreeable to the Grandeur of Venice, it was but a Shadow that they purchased, since their Enemies could on every slight Occasion reassume what they had sold, and make the Menaces of War, and the Sale of Peace, serve them for a perpetual Fountain, and Mine of Gold and Treasure; and that since it was necessary, at one time or other, to cast off this Yoke of Tyran∣ny; the sooner it was done, the Advantage would be the greater, and the Honour more ap∣parent to the World, seeming to make War ra∣ther their Choice, than their last Remedy. How∣soever Orders were given to the Bailo, with all Prudence and Art, to touch gently the Pulse of the Turks, to discover if Mony would redeem the present Quiet of their State.

But the Resentment that the Turks had con∣ceived, was grown apparent in the comportment towards the Bailo; for having one day demanded

Audience, he attended several hours without ad∣mission; yet when the Ambassador of Ragotski come to the Vizier, he no sooner entred the House than he was received: and at the same time it was told the Bailo, that he might retire, for that there was no Place nor Season at present to a••••ord him Audience. In the mean time Ibra∣him himself walked often to the Arsenal, to for∣ward and hasten his Preparations, laying an Em∣bargo on all Strangers Vessels in all▪ Ports of the Ottoman Dominions. Orders were likewise dispatched to Th••bes, Negropont, and other Parts of Greece, for making Bisket; and to the Mo••ca for cutting and squaring of Timbers, and sacking Wools to fill up Trenches; in all which Rumor and Stir, there was no other discourse but of Malta, and of throwing that Island into the Sea with the Shovel and Mattock, and rendring it the most dreadful Example in the World of the Ottoman Rage and Greatness.

With such Preludes as these, began a War of long continuance, maintained with various Suc∣cesses for divers Years; the fatal Issue whereof, we our s••lves have seen and heard. But it is s••range to consider, that an Exploit so Martial as this, should commence in the Reign of a Sul∣tan wholly given up to his Pleasures, and so swallowed in Sensuality, that all those luxu∣rious and wanton Actions which are recounted of Sardanapalus and Heliogabalus, are flat and f••i••t Similitudes of that prodigious Effeminacy, in which this Sultan outdid all other Examples of former Ages.

Amber was the common Perfumes which bur∣ned perpetually in the Womens Apartments, and the common Sauce to most of his Viands; not perhaps because it so much pleased his Pa∣late, as that it was a provocative, and incite∣ment to his Lusts.

And this puts me in mind of a Story I have heard of an English Merchant, living then at Galata, who was Master of a rare piece of Am∣b••rgrie••e, which was in form like a Pyramid; the News whereof was told to the Grand Signior late at Night, when the Smoke of the Perfumes b••gan to abate: Which so soon as he heard, though it was near Midnight, he dispatched a Messenger to call the Merchant with his Amber∣griese; who being knocked out of his Bed in haste, by the importunity of the Officer, came to the Seraglio Gate two hours before Day; where he attended until it was broad Light, and then, without more words, found a Market for his Amb••r, and before his departure received 13 thousand Dollars. The Female Court was then extreamly rich and splendid, all Italy was scarce able to supply it with Silks, and Cloth of Gold; so that the Trade was in those days flourishing above other Times, and gave great employment to English Shipping: and so impatient were the Women for their Gay Cloaths, that so soon as the News of a Ship from Italy came, and that she was arrived within the Castles of the Helle∣spont, but there detained by contrary Winds, Gallies were immediately dispatched to bring up their Silks, which they oftentimes forced away without any Account or Price made with the Merchant; of which that worthy Gentleman, Sir Thomas Bendysh then Ambassador, complain∣ing to the Vizier, and finding no other Relief than good Words, resolved on an Expedient of making known his Cause to the Grand Signior, which was this.

In Turkie they have a Custom, that when any one receives a notable Injury, or Injustice, from the Chief and Great Ministers of State, they put Fire on their Heads, and running to the Grand Signior, no Man can hinder or deny them access to his presence. In like manner the Eng∣lish Ambassador not being able to obtain Satis∣faction from the Vizier, in return to his many Complaints, drew out all the English Ships in Ga∣lata, which were then thirteen in number, and drawing in their Guns, and shutting the Ports, put fire on every Yard-Arm of their Ships, and came to an Anchor just before the Seraglio. The Customer being the first that espyed this unusual sight, immediately apprehended the Reason, and sent to acquaint the Vizier thereof in all haste; the Vizier likewise fearful left the Complaints should by this means come to the Grand Signior's Ear, sent the Customer aboard with a considerable part of the Mony, and de∣sired that the Fires might be extinguished, pro∣mising faithfully to comply in paiment of the rest; hereupon Consultation being had between the Ambassador and the Merchants, the Ships returned to their Stations, not seeming to have been taken notice of by those in the Seraglio.

And notwithstanding the great number of Women within the Seraglio, all which were at the Devotion of the Sultan; yet Ibrahim not be∣ing contented herewith, passing one day to S••u∣tari, had by chance cast his eye on an object which much pleased him: what it was, becomes not the modesty of my Pen to relate; but being re∣turned to his Seraglio, he sent Orders to the Vi∣zier, to seek out for him the biggest, and best proportioned Woman which was to be found in all Constantinople, and the parts thereabouts. Hereupon Emissaries were dispatched into all Quarters of the City; at length they happily procured a huge tall Armenian Woman, well proportioned according to her height, and a Giantess for her Stature; which being found, she was presently washed and perfumed in the Bath, and as richly Cloathed and Adorned as the shortness of time would permit: There was no great difficulty to perswade her to become Turk, having so high preferment in her pro∣spect. So that being introduced to the Grand Signior's presence, he became immediately Ena∣moured, and was so pleased with her Society, that he preferred her before all the Women of his Court; an Evidence whereof he gave, in that he could not deny her in any request she could make, and particularly about that time the Pashaluck of Damascus being void, this Wo∣man begged it for her self, substituting another in the Office, who was accountable to her for all the Profits and Emoluments thereof: By these particulars of favour the Queen-Mother becom∣ing jealous, one day inviting her to Dinner, caused her to be strangled, and perswaded Ibra∣him that she died suddenly of a violent Sickness, at which he poor Man was greatly afflicted.

But not to insist long on these luxurious Pas∣times, we shall return again to Matters of high∣er Concernment: Ibrahim had now understood, that the Venetians growing jealous of his Pre∣parations, began likewise to Arm, and provide for the worst; which being in no wise pleasing to the Turks, who were apprehensive that their Marine Forces consisted most in surprize, caused Ibrahim to complain of the Defensive Posture in which they Arrayed themselves, alledging, that Suspicions of this Nature argued no hearty Disposition towards their Friends; nor was any thing more contrary to a good Correspondence, or more disobliging than such like Jealousies, which oft-times beget that Enmity which was never designed; and farther it was judged neces∣sary,

if possible, to disswade the Bailo from a belief of any Hostility designed against his Re∣publick; to inculcate which, none was esteemed so proper an Instrument as the old cheating Ho∣gia, who was the first Motive to the War; a Preacher who imagined that the excellency of his Religion afforded him a priviledg to falsify, lye, and commit any Act for advantage thereof, though never so contrary to Truth and Morality. This Santone, with the Testimony of one or two more grand Professors, with many Asseve∣rations and Vows, endeavoured to perswade the Bailo, of the Grand Signior's good Intentions towards Venice, and his fixed Resolutions to de∣stroy Malta. And though the Concernment which those godly Elders shewed, and the ear∣nestness they used, whereby to inculcate a Cre∣dence to what they affirmed, were enough to discover their contrary Intentions; and though it is said, that the Venetians could not heartily believe what they so strongly suspected; yet hereby, and by the common vogue of the Peo∣ple, they abated much of their Caution and Heat, which they otherwise had used in due Pre∣parations and Provisions against an Evil so fatal and destructive in the sequel.

* 1.15The first Act of Hostility was committed by Giacomo da Riva, who being sent for Sopravedi∣tor to Tino, was in his way to touch at Candia, there to deliver Ammunition and Provisions for War; but being encountered by some barbarous Vessels, who assailed him for a Merchants Ship of small Force, were received so warmly that he sunk one of them, with which the rest left him and fled, relating at Constantinople, that they had been ill treated by the Venetians, and that they gave the first Assault upon them, because they were called to the Assistance and Service of the Grand Signior.

The Fleet and Land Forces being already put to Sea, the Report and Opinion still continued, that the War was designed against Mal∣ta; wherefore such as apprehended the Hazard, and were acquainted with the Difficulty of such an Enterprize, began to inform the Grand Sig∣nior how impossible it was that this Action should be accompanied with good success. To which Arguments he made no other reply, than by a seeming obstinacy, resolved with the Ot∣toman Sword, to cut all those Knots and Dif∣ficulties which opposed him in the Work. At length one Salee Efendi, a Preacher, who had obtained some more than ordinary Esteem with the Grand Signior, advised him, That before he commenced a Work of that importance, he should inform himself of the true state of that Place, from a certain Aga, who was lately re∣turned from Malta. The Grand Signior being very willing to hear any thing of this nature, called the Aga, who related to him how im∣pregnable both the City and Castle were; how the Knights were provided against all Assaults; that the Island it self is only a Rock, not con∣taining Earth enough for an Army to intrench; that the Approaches must be made by the Pick-Axe and Mattock, it being all Stone. In short, it was not a place to be taken in one Summer, and the Winter coming on, it affording no shel∣ter, nor provisions of it self, was not capable of relief in Seas so stormy, and from Countries so remote, without hazards, losses, and frequent Shipwracks. Ibrahim, who had designed all along to make War upon Candia, seemed little concerned or moved at this Discourse. The Gallies and Ships which were now all in a rea∣diness, being come forth to the Seraglio point, the Grand Signior entered his Grand Chiosk, situated on the Bank of the Sea; where the Se∣lictar Aga, General, and all the Chief Com∣manders, came to perform the usual Ceremonies of Obedience and Duty before their Departure. At this solemn Assembly the Grand Signior de∣clared, That his Intentions were to make War upon the Infidels, according as every one should understand by his respective Commissions, which should now be delivered unto them: That he expected the highest Demonstrations of Courage in them imaginable, and what was agreeable to the Conductors of the Ottoman Armies: That Reward and Punishment were in his Hands, and that he resolved to dispense them according to their Merits: That they should not doubt of all due Assistance and Succours; for he had so well contrived, and so justly fitted all his Measures, that he was already provided of Men, Timber, Ammunition, and Mony sufficient to maintain and carry on this War for seven Years. At which they all gave a shout, and declared, that they were ready to spend their Blood and Lives in Execution of his Commands. Whereupon every one received a rich Coftan, or Vest, and the General a Scimitar set with Diamonds; who being a young Man of about 26, or 27 Years of Age, had a Council of six graver Pasha's al∣lowed him; and then the Commission for the War was brought forth sealed, with Orders not to open it, until they were past the Dardanelli. Hereat the noise of great and small Shot from the Gallies and Ships, resounded through all Con∣stantinople, and the Commanders repairing to their Vessels, the Assembly broke up, and every thing was put in a posture to make Sail.

It was now the last day of April, 1645;* 1.16 old Style, when the Fleet first broke ground, which consisted of 73 Gallies, besides the 8 Gallies of Barbary; 2 Mahons, or Galleasses, one great Gallion called the Sultana, 10 Ships of Alexan∣dria, 2 of Tunis, and 10 of English and Dutch Ships, which coming to Constantinople for Trade, were there pressed into the Service, with about 300 Saiks and Caramussals, which carried Soul∣diers, Provisions, Ammunition, and Utensils for War. Their Militia consisted of 7000 Ja∣nisaries, 14000 Spahees, and about 50000 Ti∣mariots, and other Souldiers, with about 3000 Pioniers; these all were to Rendezvous at Scio; where they arrived the 7th of May. But before their departure from Constantinople, the Bailo Soranço, or the Venetian Ambassador, thought fit, in Complement, and for discovery, to make a visit to the Captain-Pasha, by whom he was received with frank Courtesy, and assurance of Friendship; so that though he suspected the worst, yet could he collect no certain assurances of Peace, or War; however he advised Signi••r Cornaro, then Governour of Candia, that though he could not certainly penerate into the bottom of the Turks Design, yet he apprehen∣ded that the Storm might fall on that Kingdom, understanding that the Captain-Pasha was not well inclined towards the most Serene Repub∣lick: wherefore, he ought to be watchful and circumspect, yet with as little demonstration of jealousy as was possible; so that if the Turks should there arrive, he should afford them all conveniencies of Watering, Provisions, and other Refreshments.

The Fleet being departed from Scio, for Na∣poli di Romagnia, the Northern Wind so freshned, and blew so hard, that the Gallies were separa∣ted, and forced to put into divers Ports, and the Saiks and Caramussals to Anchor at Micono

and Tino. At the latter of which, belonging to the Venetians, they had licence to Water, and and were refreshed with such provisions as the Island afforded; and now after this flurry of Wind, the Fleet being again united, they were seen off at Sea from Cerigo, an Island of the Ve∣netians at the Mouth of the Archipelago; and sailing towards the Channel of Braccio de Maina; and the next day 9 Gallies, a Gallion, and a Brigantine, made towards the Isle of Cerigo, and sent a Letter a shore by a Boat to the Pro∣veditor, from the Pasha of Rhodes, demanding their usual present of Coffee and Sugar, which was given them, they assuring all Friendship, and real good Intentions towards the People, and Dominions of Venice.

But in the mean time a Satia laden with Arms and Ammunition from Venice, bound for Retimo, unhappily falling into the Turkish Fleet, was intercepted by them, and taken, which un∣masked all the Design, and made the Turks ap∣pear in their true Colours, notwithstanding all their religious Protestations, and outwardly fair Comportment, the usual disguise of the Maho∣metan Sincerity.

Towards the end of May the Turkish Fleet was discovered from Carabuso, a small Fortress of the Venetians, some distance off at Sea, standing to the Westward, which gave some jealousie to them at Candia; and being compa∣red with some precedent Acts, as that of sound∣ing the depth of Water about St. Theodoro with a Brigantine, (which is a small Rock lying off of Canea) which pretended to come from Sancta Maura with Turky Merchants, afforded unde∣niable grounds of assurance to those in Candia, that the War was designed against them; how∣soever, the Ottoman Fleet rendezvousing again at Navarino, a place far distant from Candia, altered their Apprehensions at Venice, and else∣where of this War, deeming it now certain, that this Design had no other aim or mark but that of Malta.

But this opinion was no sooner entertain'd, than it was confuted by open Acts of Hostility; for the Captain-Pasha being arrived at Cape Co∣lonna, by some called Sunio, immediately dis∣patched a Brigantine to Constantinople, with ad∣vice of his Proceedings and Intentions to pass directly for Candia; whereupon it was thought seasonable to publish the War against Venice, which was performed with committing the Am∣bassador Soranço to Prison, and giving Orders through all the Archipelago to destroy or enslave all the Subjects of that Republick. And here the Turk practised his usual beginnings of War with more than ordinary Caution; for though with other Princes, whose Territories border on him by Land, he usually endeavours to strike at the same time when he gives the Salutations of Peace; Yet here being to contend at Sea, where he is conscious his Forces are inferiour to those of Venice, he practised all those feigned Artifices, confirmed with as many holy Vows and Pro∣testations, as their Religion hallows, and makes lawful, when they can bring advantage and en∣crease to the Mahometan Faith.

But though the Venetian Republick was so politick as outwardly to demonstrate a Religious Confidence of their potent Neighbour, whom they were conscious not to have provoked by any breach of Capitulations; yet were not so secure of his Faith, and so easie to believe his fair Dissimulations, as not prudently to provide against the utmost Effects of his Power and Treachery. Wherefore, whilst the Turk pre∣pared, they armed likewise secretly, made con∣siderable Levies without noise, commissionated thirty extraordinary Commanders of Gallies, took up seventeen English▪ and Dutch ships into their Service, armed out two Galliasses extra∣ordinary; and when the Turk had unmasked his Design, they then imparted their Condition to all the Christian Princes, craving their Suc∣cour and Assistance to maintain the common Bul∣wark of Christendom against the common Ene∣my. The Galleasses were commanded by Giro∣lamo Morosini; the Gallies, of which fifteen were made ready, and afterwards put to Sea, all commanded by Noblemen, were under the Con∣duct of Antonio Capello. Francesco Molino was made Proveditor General, a Person of untainted Justice and Honour, and extraordinary zealous and vigilant in the Publick Interest, whose in∣defatigable Labours and Care of his Country, promoted him afterwards to be Doge of Ve∣nice. By his Order and Counsel, extraordinary Proveditors were sent to Candia, Cerigo, and Tino, as Places most feared, and in danger; and Orders were dispatched to Andrea Cornaro, then General and Inquisitor in Candia, to arm out twenty Gallies from the Arsenal of Canea; and to promote this Design the better, he hired two English, and one Dutch Ship, then in Port of Malomocco, to carry unto Candia Timbers fitted, and already squared at Venice, for building Gal∣lies; besides which he sent Cannon, Corn, and all Ammunition of War, with fifty thousand Zechins in Gold for encouragement of the Mi∣litia, with a recruit of two and twenty Compa∣nies of Foot, formed and collected out of di∣vers Nations.

Intelligence being come of the imprisonment of the Bailo at Constantinople, the Senate by a common and unanimous Suffrage elected Fran∣cesco Erizzo, then Doge, General of the Sea; judging, that their Arms would prosper under his Command, which had formerly been success∣ful under the auspicious Conduct of his Ance∣stors; and he, though a Person of seventy four Years, worn out with Age and Cares of the Publick, did yet chearfully consecrate the re∣mainder of his days to the Service of his Coun∣try. But whilst he prepared to crown the end of his Life with the Glory of this important and generous Enterprize, Death terminated all his In∣tentions, leaving him with the honourable me∣mory of his past Actions, and with a Lawrel hanging over his Head, which had his Life con∣tinued, had been planted on his Brows. But that this Accident might not give interruption to the weighty Affairs now in hand, Molino took his place, and proceeded in his Voyage and De∣signs, and arrived with the Venetian Fleet at the Island of Corfu. In the mean time the Tur∣kish Fleet careened and fitted themselves at Na∣varine with all Necessaries to assault Candia; in which interim advice came to Canea, that the the Bailo was imprisoned at Constantinople, by a Letter from Soranço himself; which he had dropped from the Window of his close restraint, and dispatched by one of his Confidents with a Vessel express; which was not sooner arrived, than it was that Night confirmed by all the Bea∣cons or Watch-Towers of the Country; who having discovered the Turkish Fleet far distant at Sea, gave a general Alarm by the Fires they made.

The next Morning being the 23/•••• of Iune, they discovered the whole Fleet, near Cape Spada, which being drawn up in the form of an half Moon, took up a vast tract of

Sea; and sailing slowly with fair Weather, and a smooth Sea, displayed themselves with the greatest terrour imaginable to the Islanders. At length the lighter Vessels began to edge in with the Bank of Gogna, (which is a place distant about eighteen miles from Canea) and were fol∣lowed by the grosser and heavier part of the Ar∣mata.

And now, before I proceed farther, I should make a pause, and describe the Antiquity, the Geography, and the present State of this famous and renowned Island, but that is already perfor∣med so distinctly and elegantly by other Pens, that it shall be sufficient for me to declare here in brief terms, how this Kingdom became the Patrimony or Possession of Venice. In the Year 1204, a Sale thereof was made to this Repub∣lick, by the Marquess Bonifaccio of Montferratto, by an Instrument sealed the 12th of August at Adrianople, and signed, and delivered, in the presence of Marco Sanudo, and Ravano du Vero∣na, Ambassadours in the time of Enrigo Dandola Doge; but the People of this Island not consent∣ing unto the sale, opposed themselves against it, until the Venetians by force of Arms procured their Obedience, and confirmed their purchase by a double Title. Hereupon such noble Citi∣zens as adventured their Lives in this acquisition, obtained the Estates of the Rebellious Greeks, being obliged in proportion to the Lands they held, to maintain Men and Horse at their own Charge, and are therefore called the Feudatary Cavalry. So that the whole Country is divided into three parts; viz. the noble Venetians or Ca∣valry; secondly, the noble Candiots, or Colo∣ny, which were Infantry that came to inhabit from Venice; and thirdly, the Greeks or Na∣tives of the Country which never rebelled, but took part with the Venetian State: the first two speak Italian, and are of the Roman Church; the others speak Greek, and conserve the Right of that Religion.

The Ottoman Fleet now touching the Shoar at Gogna, took Livery and Seizin quietly of that flourishing Isle of Candia, where they Encamped a while to refresh their Forces, and prepare all things in order to their Conquest. In the mean time, the news hereof alarmed all Venice, and not only hastened them in the expedition of their Fleet, but warmed their applications to all Christian Princes, from whom they craved help in the general defence of Christendom: which some at first imagined would have been granted, as it was once in the time of the Holy War; or that those whom the Declaration of a com∣mon Crusada, or Devotion, or sense of Religion could not move, yet at least the consideration of their Countries Defence, or the maintenance of a Bulwark of Christendom, might perswade to wage Arms against the Turk, as a Common Enemy: but what cold Apprehensions the Christian Princes entertained hereof, both the faint Supplies and Assistances they administred, and their bloody and vigorous Wars one against another, have abundantly testified, to the fatal loss and ruin of that Country. And though in the beginning there were better hopes, by means of the Pope's earnest intercession with all the Prin∣ces of Italy, to whom he shewed a fair Example, by uniting his own Gallies with the Venetian Fleet, and amongst the rest prevailed also with the Republick of Genoua, to employ their Gallies in this Noble Enterprize, which tended to the Glory of God, and the common Safety and Preservation of Italy: yet that Leaven of vain Punctilio's, which hath so often betrayed the Christian Cause to the advantage of the Turk, gave a stop for some time to these Proceedings. For before they would enter into Arms, they desired the Genoeses, that the right of bearing the Flag should first be determined in favour of their Admiral, before that of Toscany, or Mal∣ta: And though the Pope, to take away this occasion of dispute, proposed to have no other Flag worn besides his own, under which all Ita∣lian Princes, without impeachment of their Honour, as Auxiliaries, and Military Adven∣turers might promiscuously wage War; yet this could not appear satisfactory to the Genoeses, who not only took this occasion to demand the precedency before Toscany and Malta; to which the G. Duke (who was not inferiour in State, and superiour in Title) and the Malteses (who time out of mind, and by Decree of Charles the Fifth, claimed Precedency on the Seas before them) would never assent; but also thought fit to avail themselves in this Conjuncture, to obtain from the Pope the Grant of a Royal Court, and that Treatment which is given to Kings, or Crowned Heads. But because these Demands seemed to contain those Difficulties in them, which could not be granted without the manifest displeasure of other Princes, the Pope resolved to afford what assistance he could from himself, and therefore granted a Levy of a thousand Foot out of his own Dominions, with free liberty to buy what Ammunition and Pro∣visions were to be found in the Ecclesiastical State, with imposition of a double Tithe or Tenth on the Goods and Dominions of the Cler∣gy; so that these Succours of the Pope, and the Auxiliary Forces of Naples, Toscany, and Malta, under the Command of Pri••••e Ludovisio, General of the Church, being united to ••he Ve∣netian Fleet, did speedily compose a most puis∣sant and formidab••e Force; however, by ••ea∣son of Dissentions amongst the Command••rs, and other Misfortunes derived from thence, to the Christian Arms, nothing succeeded for••u∣nately this Year. For the Turks having g••i••ed their landing at first without opposition, over∣threw the Christians in several small Skirmishes, and afterwards forced Canea, the second City of that Island, which they took with much blood and slaughter of the Christians.

The Turks having made so successful a pro∣gress this first Year, [year 1646.] as to possess themselves of one of the most considerable Cities, took Cou∣rage to proceed in their Conquests; in which they had the fortune to make themselves Masters in the next place of Retimo; in defence of which, the General Andrea Cornaro, lost his Life by a Musket shot. Nor more successful were the Venetians this Year at Sea; for what with Quarrels among the Commanders, and with their coldness and negligence in their Business, they suffered the Turkish Vessels to pass freely, with∣out giving them that interruption which was very facil to Men resolute and concerned: Nor was the opportunity which presented to ruine the Turkish Fleet made use of, then lying half disarmed, and ill provided, at the Isle of St. Theodoro, (which is a Rock opposite to Canea) where at that time, it is believed, they might all have been burned, had the occasion been im∣proved, agreeable to that Advantage which then offered: so that towards the latter end of the Year, the General Molino returning Home, either by reason of some distemper, or by re∣vocation from the Senate, which seemed to be ill satisfied with his ill Fortune, or his ill Manage∣ment of the Publick Affairs; he was dismissed

from his high Charge. And Gio. Capello, Pro∣curator of St. Mark, was constituted in his place.

This Year was remarkable for the ruinous Dif∣ferences between Sir Sackvile Crow Baronet, our King's Ambassador then residing at Constantinople, and the Turky Company. The Original of which seemed to arise from the Civil Dissentions at Home; for so unhappy were those Times, and so ill affected were English Minds with Rancour and Malice against each other, that this Leaven of Discord could not be confined within the Banks of Great Britain and Ireland, but seemed to disfuse it self over the Seas, and as a Conta∣gion, infected the Minds, Goods, and Interests of the English, to what Quarter or Climate soever they were transported.

In the Year 1638, Sir Sackvile Crow was, with the Consent and Approbation of the Turky Company, dignified by his Majesty with the Ti∣tle and Authority of his Ambassador to the Grand Signior. For Maintenance and Support of which, the said Company were to pay him the yearly Sum of five thousand Zechins, in four e∣qual Proportions, which is above the value of two thousand Pounds Sterling. And farther, be∣fore his departure from England, paid him six hundred Pounds Sterling towards the Furniture of his House, Plate, and other Necessaries; de∣fraying all the Charges expended for Transpor∣tation of his Lady, Followers, and Provisions to Constantinople.

Sir Sackvile Crow, from the time of his arrival at the Ottoman Court, until the end of the Year 1645, managed the Affairs of the Com∣pany to their general Satisfaction, and with the Esteem and Honour of the Turkish Ministers, who considered him as a Person of Courage and Resolution, and in every way qualified for that Employment.

At length Differences arose between this Am∣bassador and the Company, touching the Right and Title to that Bene••it which is called ‖ 1.17 Stran∣gers Consulage; the first pretending to the same on a Grant made to him thereof by his Majesty, and the Custom of Sir Peter Wych, and other preceding Ambassadors. The others challenging the same, as the chief and principal Means they had to ease the vast Expences they were at, for maintenance of their Trade and Government; for which they had always contended and strug∣led with the Power of preceding Ambassadors, and which Sir Sackvile Crow himself seems, by an Article which he had made with the Company to have relinquished to them in these words.

That during the time of his Employment as Ambassador, he would content himself with such Allowance from the said Company for his Pains and C••re to be taken in their Business, as is spe∣cified in the said Articles, being 5000 Zechins per Annum.

This Right of Strangers Consulage, is now con∣firmed to the Turky Company, by virtue of their Charter which his Majesty was pleased, in the Year of his Happy Restauration, graciously to Re∣new, Confirm, and Amplify to them; the which was more easily granted, by the concurrent Assi∣stance of the Right Honourable the Earl of Win∣chelsea, then designed for Ambassador to Constan∣tinople, who on some Considerations offered from the said Company, assented thereunto.

But Matters of a higher Nature than this, in∣flamed the Accounts and Differences between the Ambassador and Company. For first, one Iohn Wolfe, at that time Treasurer at Constantinople, becoming Insolvent for great Sums of Mony, Sir Sackvile Crow alledged, that those Debts were National, arising from the late Changes of State Officers, their extravagant Exactions, and Ava∣nious Practices: and therefore to extinguish this Publick Debt▪ he made a Leviation of one hun∣dred and ten thousand, nine hundred and fifty Dollars on the English Estates at Constantinople and Smyrna, detaining the Companies Ships in those Ports, until the aforesaid Debt was satis∣fied and cleared. The Ground and Cause of which, will more plainly appear by this follow∣ing Warrant.

Sir Sackvile Crow his Order, dated in Pera of Constantinople the 26th of Ianuary 1645. Directed to all Cap∣tains, Commanders of Ships, &c. Prohibiting the lading of any Goods or Estate on their Ships.

WHereas by the unhappy failings of some of our Nations here, and at Smyrna, and through the many late Changes of this State's Officers, and their extravagant Ex∣actions on us in those Difficulties; and by sundry other avanious ways, our Nation is brought into a great Debt: For which We, or those, and that Estate which shall remain on the Place, who, and whatever, in case of Exigent, and force of Paiment, when-ever that shall happen, must (if not otherwise pro∣vided for) in all probability, and according to the rude Customs of this State in like case, look to be made liable unto. There being at present a full and competent Estate of the Levant Companies arrived here, and at Smyrna, which as well by the Obligations of their Charter, as by the Laws of England, the said Companies own Institutions and Cu∣stoms in cases of like Nature, ought as well to bear the said extraordinary as ordinary Charges, and so pay those Debts, which ei∣ther are, or shall be adjudged and declared to belong unto them. We having taken pains in drawing the said Accompts to a Head, and for discovery of the Truth thereof; and (af∣ter a Certificate being directed thereon) for the more formal Satisfaction only of the said Company, being advertised that some of those who with us have had the view, and been pre∣sent at the Examination of the said Ac∣compts, whom it concerns on the Companies behalf to make such Certificate, on our Or∣der; for some private Respects, make scru∣ple to certify the said Debts, as they appeared before us and them: And hearing also that the General Ships here in Port, and that at Smyrna, prepare, and make haste to be gone: In Providence, as well for own safety in the Premisses, as for that due regard we owe to his Majesty's Honour, and the Publick Inte∣rest for the future, We find it requisite, and hereby order and require, that until the said Debts shall be fully declared, and their pai∣ment setled by Leviation, and the same paid

or undertaken, in, and by some such fitting and secure way, or ways, as in such case is requisite, and by us shall be determined and so declared: That none of the Factors of this Scale, or that of Smyrna, by themselves, or others whoever, after publication hereof, here and there respectively, lade on Board either of the General Ships, or other Ships whatever, any Goods, Faculty, or Estate whatever, for themselves or other whoever. And that the Captains and Commanders of the said Ships, in the mean time, and until Our father Or∣der in this behalf, not only forbear to take in, and lade aboard either of their Ships any such Goods or Faculties for any of his Majesty's Subjects, or other Strangers whoever; but al∣so that they abide and depart not, either this Port, or that of Smyrna Respectively, un∣til our farther Order and Licence in that be∣half: Whereof not only the Merchants, Factors, Masters, and Commanders afore∣mentioned; but our * 2.1 Druggermen, and other Vnder-Ministers here or there, are to take notice, and observe accordingly; as they, and every of them concerned herein, will answer the contrary at his or their Peril. Dated in Pera of Constantinople this 26th of Janua∣ry, 1645.

To all Captains, Commanders of Ships, Merchants, Factors, Drug∣germen, and all other his Majesty's Subjects and Ministers whoever, in the Ports of Constantinople and Smyrna.

SACKVILE CROW.

The Turkie Company was altogether unsatis∣fied with this Leviation, alledging that a great part of this Debt arose from Monies lent by Sir Sackvile Crow himself to Wolfe, at a high In∣terest; for securing of which, and of his Prin∣cipal, he had in this manner taxed and charged their Estates. But Troubles and Differences ended not with this Paiment; for still the Con∣troversy about Strangers Consulage was de∣pending, which with other Matters, caused great Heats and Animosities on both sides: So that some of the Turkie Company, Men of the better Principles, thought it most advisable to Petition his Majesty to constitute another Ambassador, with Letters of Revocation, to recal this; but others, who were the zealous Men of those Times, who had tasted the sweetness of Seque∣strations, and proved it to be the Grand Catho∣licon of all Remedies, perswaded that his Estate should be Sequestred. This, I say, may per∣haps have been the attempt of some few; though the generality of the Company have so far disa∣vowed the Seizure of his Lands and Estate in Eng∣land, that they declared themselves ignorant of any Estate he had there. Howsoever this Appre∣hension being fixed in the Mind of Sir Sackvile Crow, he proceeded to strange Extremities against the Company: For he not only caused all the Goods and Monies belonging to them, within the Grand Signior's Dominions, to be sequestred and seized by his Agents, but also imprisoned the Persons of all the English Merchants and Fa∣ctors which were considerable, either at Constan∣tinople or Smyrna. The Particulars of all which will appear with more clearness by this follow∣ing Warrant.

Sir Sackvile Crow his Second Warrant, dated in Pera of Constantinople the 30th of April 1646, directed to Iohn Hetherington, Lorenzo Zuma; Enordering (upon false Pretences) the Sequestration of the Merchants Estates at Smyrna, according to a Schedule.

WHereas the Levant Company, some∣time before our coming to this Place, by a Court of their Assistants, thereunto espe∣cially authorized, treated with Vs touching a yearly Allowance for our Care and Pains during our residence here as his Majesty's Am∣bassador; to be had and taken in such Parti∣culars as might have relation to their Trade and Occasions: And for a conclusion of such Treaty as aforesaid, did offer unto us the election of any one of their Agreements, for∣merly made with any of our Predecessors in like occasion. And for a further manifesta∣tion of their sincerity in their said Offer, upon our accord thereunto, did, at the Court afore∣said, in publick give into our Hands and Possession the Copies of five of their Agree∣ments, made with our said Predecessors, with Power to chuse which of them we should best like of, to be a Rule and Pattern for an absolute Conclusion and Condition to be drawn up between us and them; thereon also pro∣mising that they would make, grant, and con∣firm the like unto us. And whereas we there∣on, and to the Purposes and Ends aforemen∣tioned, chose and fixed upon that Agreement, which the said Company had made with Sir Thomas Glover, formerly Ambassador, Resi∣dent for the Crown of England, with this State: And his Majesty by his Favour, did assure the same unto us, graciously promising to make his Employment of us here, as good and beneficial in all the Allowances and Per∣quisites thereof, as it had been to any of our Predecessors whoever, and we expected no less. The said Company finding themselves mis∣taken in their Offer, (as they pretended) first retired from the same, denying their said Agreement, (though sufficiently proved be∣fore his Majesty); and then by force of Pre∣sents and Mony given under-hand to the Officers of that Time, so prevailed against us, that we could not only not obtain that Right, which since hath appeared unto us, and (as well by their own Agreement, as by his Majesty's Iudgment then, Custom, and their former Contracts) was due unto us; but were forced after to other Agreements with the said Company, by which (over and above all such Rights, Priviledges, and Per∣quifites, as then were and should be granted

unto us by his Majesty's Capitulations; and besides all other Gratifications and Allowances accustomed to be given to his Majesty's Am∣bassador, (which in Houshold Provisions only the said Company assured us, were to the va∣lue of 800 l. per Annum Sterling, at least) and over and above such Plate and Houshold-Stuff as they assured us, we should find of theirs here, and hold to our use during our Residence, (of which we found not the value of an Asper) the said Company did cove∣nant with us, (for and in respect of our Pains and Care only therein agreed to be taken by us, in their Affairs and Occasions as afore∣said, for and during all our time as his Maje∣sty's Ambassador with this State) they would pay, or cause to be paid unto us, the Sum of 5000 * 3.1 Chickeens per An. to be paid by e∣qual Proportions quarterly before-hand; by their failing wherein (besides our other Engage∣ments for them to a very good Value) twenty and five thousand Dollars or thereabouts, rests at this day due and unpaid unto us: And whereas also after the Agreements aforesaid, upon several Arguments held before his Ma∣jesty, concerning the Rights of that Consu∣lage, which amongst other things is granted by the Grand Signior, and payable by his Ca∣pitulations to his Majesty's Ambassador Resi∣dent at this Imperial Port from Strangers, (to which the said Company could shew no likely or probable Title) the said Company were adjudged to relinquish their Pretences to the said Consulage; and a Grant thereof under his Majesty's Royal Hand and Signet, was thereon made and given to us, for our better support during the time of our Residence here. The said Company (upon Conditions between them and us agreed) did also promise to give us Content therefore; with intent nevertheless thereby to get advantage of our credulity and absence, and to draw us out of suspect of their evil Intentions towards us, which hath since (as well by their several inter∣ruptions and hinderances here in the Collecti∣on thereof, as their practices, and endeavours at Council Table before his Majesty, and by their other Appeals to the Courts of Parlia∣ment, where in these Times of Distractions, they presumed of some better advantage) hath appeared unto us: Whereby, and by suggest∣ing several Vntruths against us, and by o∣ther false ways they have endeavoured not on∣ly to deprive us of the Strangers Consulage, and benefit thereof; but under that colour al∣so, and these their Pretences, to keep them∣selves from paying, as us from taking such other Consulage, as was, and is as much our right and due unto us from themselves, by the said Capitulations, and the Grand Sig∣nior's Grant thereon, for all their own Goods traded in: And now of late, but suspecting our just Intentions of making a claim there∣to, (for until this present day we never made any demand thereof, or publick pretence there∣in to prevent what they suppose we might justly do in our own Right, (for we take God to Witness we knew no other cause): under like unjust and scandalous Pretences, we are certi∣tified, that they not only go about to get us removed from our Employment here, but up∣on false Suggestions, loose and bare Suspicions only, have gotten Order for the seizure of all our Lands and other Estates in England into their power; as some of their own Ser∣vants and Factors here have the confidence to report and affirm: and as we are assured from thence, without hearing of us; nay, so much as intimation to us of the Grounds thereof, or such Matters and Things as they pretend at least to have against us, whereby we might answer for our selves; and so, whilst we are labouring (as for these many Years we have done, with all fidelity) for them and their publick Interest (whereof, as we have proof sufficient in our Actions, so we have him that is Iudg of the World for Wit∣ness to our Conscience) they are contriving the ruin of us and our Posterity. Which manner of proceeding, so unjust, horrid, and odious before God and Man (as in all reason we ought) taking to heart, and our se∣rious consideration, and as well that Violence which is offered to the Laws, and his Majesty's Honour and Interest therein, as our Self and our Family; not pretending to extend that Authority which his Majesty hath put into our Hands to unlawful Ends, but only to make a just use of it for the right and lawful de∣fence of our selves and it, in the several Oc∣casions aforementioned; finding by Accompt under the Hands of the Treasurer of the said Company here, that for such Goods as they have brought in and carried out from the Port of Constantinople, there is due unto us according to the Capitulations, and the Grand Signior's Grants therein, to the va∣lue of Dollars Ryals of 8/8, seventy four thou∣sand: and that for the like in Smyrna there is due Dollars Ryals of 8/8, one hundred thousand in circa; and rating that Estate in Land which they have gotten into their power as aforesaid, but at the value we were offered for it, viz. at ninety seven thousand and five hundred Dollars; in all, two hundred seven∣ty one thousand and five hundred Dollars. Besides, (for ought we know to the contrary) they may else have prevailed themselves upon of ours, and as due to us by Privy Seal to the value of one hundred thousand Dollars, and Leases under the Great Seal to near as great a value more. We hereby enorder Se∣questration of all Monies, Merchandizes, and other Goods and Faculties whatever, within the Dominions of the Grand Signior where∣ever, belonging to the Parties and Members of the said Company, in the Schedule here∣unto annexed, the chief Fomentors, Contri∣vers, and Abettors of these unjust▪ and hor∣rid Proceedings; requiring you, John He∣therington, and you Lorenzo Zuma, or one, or both, or either of you, by the help

and means of that Officer sent by the Vizier, and those Commands in your Hands, (being now at Smyrna on other like Occasions) ac∣cording to your Instructions herewith sent, to board and enter all Ships and Vessels, and to break open, and enter into all and every of the Houses, Ware-houses, Counting-houses, of all and every of the Parties in the Sche∣dule hereunto annexed and aforementioned; and there to Attach, Arrest, and take into your custody and possession; and as arrested and sequestred, to take, carry away, and put into safe custody, all such Monies, Merchan∣dizes, other Goods and Faculties of what Na∣ture soever that you shall discover, find out, and get into your power, belonging to any of the Parties, or under the Marks of the Sche∣dule hereunto annexed; and the same to keep, so arrested and sequestred, for our better In∣demnity, Satisfaction, and Defence, against all Pretences of the Levant Company before∣mentioned whatever, until we may be heard therein by due course of Law, and till farther Order from us in that behalf; for which this is to be your Warrant. Dated in Pera of Constantinople, this 30th of April, An∣no. 1646.

To our loving Friends and Ser∣vants, Iohn Hetherington, and Lorenzo Zuma

Sackvile Crow.

To perform and put in execution the fore∣going Warrant, it was necessary to make use of the Turkish Officers Power and Authority: Wherefore Sir Sackvile Crow demanding Audi∣ence of the Grand Vizier, and representing Mat∣ters unto him in that manner, as he judged most agreeable to his Cause, was heard by him with a gentle and gracious Ear; and assurances made to him of all Respect, Favour, and Assistance imaginable. For the Turks had now smelt out a Cause in Transaction, which with good im∣provement might be worth them many Purses of Mony; and was of such a Nature, as that their Religion, and Doctrine, obliged them to nou∣rish, having the prospect of gaining Mony, and enflaming Christian Discord. On these Grounds Sir Sackvile Crow easily obtained Commands from the Vizier, directed to the Kadi of Smyrna, to act all things according to direction of him the Ambassador; and to enforce Matters with better execution, a Chaous, or Pursuivant, accompa∣nied with Iohn Hetherington, and Lorenzo Zuma Interpreter, was dispatched to Smyrna, with Commands to carry up the Consul and Factors to Constantinople, and to break open the Ware∣houses, and make seizure on such Estates belong∣ing to the Turkie Company, as would answer the Demands and Pretentions of the Ambassa∣dor. Accordingly the Consul and Factory were carried up, and with that other of Galata, im∣prisoned in the Ambassador's House.

In the mean time the Agents at Smyrna, with assistance of the Kadi, sealed up all the Merchants Ware-houses; but when it came to execution and Seizure, more Difficulties arose; for the Turks, Armenians, and Jew-Merchants, made high Clamours to the Justice, that many of the Goods belonged unto them, some were not yet paid for, others were only Pawns in the English Hands; and all the Town being desirous to fa∣vour the Cause of the Merchants, a great Up∣roar and Hubbub arose amongst the People: The Kadi affrighted hereat, grew more slack and faint in his Proceedings; but the Cordial of 1500 Dollars, and Gratuities to his Servants, overcame the Difficulties, and gave him new Re∣solution; so that at length, being attended with the Principal Officers of the Town, he began first with the Consul's House, making Seisure, and delivering out of the Ware-houses all the Goods found there; with some Caution howsoever, and respect to those Pretensions which Stranger-Merchants made thereunto; as appears by the following Letters.

Joh. Hetherington and Lorenzo Zuma, their Letters to Sir Sackvile Crow, advising further of their Proceedings; dated in Smyrna, June 16. 1646.

Right Honourable,

YEsterday we received your Lordships of the 4th present, being the Copy of the 3d: And to day we received your Lordships's of the 8th, and rejoice to hear your Lordship is in such a readiness for your just Demands, and wish your Lord∣ship less Trouble, and better Success than we this day have had, and we doubt for many days shall incounter here. This morning the Cadie's Son, with his Neipe and principal Officers came; and we be∣gan first with the Consul's House. But be∣fore we began, 'twas spoken in the Kad∣die's own House, and all over the Town, our Design to seize what we could find; about seven a Clock his Son came and en∣tred the Consul's House, and opened all the Warehouses, and took from thence, with Elford's and Keeble's, some four hun∣dred Clothes, and nine Bales Mohairs; we left behind us 38 Bales of Silk, 13 Bales his Servant pretended were sold by his Ma∣ster to Mr. Brent, to be paid by Bill of Ex∣change at Constantinople, and when advice came the Bills were paid, the Goods should be delivered; in the mean time they lie in Mr. Lancelot's Warehouse, with some 40 Clothes, 60 Barrels of Tin, which Tin be∣longs to Mr. Sainthill, and sealed up by the Neipe and us. Before we had ended at this House, the whole Town was in an Uprore, being fomented by Jews, and fome of the young Fry left behind, and pro∣claimed in the Streets, that the Town would be undone, the Trade lost and go to wrack, if this was suffered; so that be∣fore the Consul's Door were so many of the scum of the Town, the Streets were packed thick of them. On the other side, a more unruly Enemy threatned worse things, the Master of the Golden Lion, who had before given Barnardiston 9000

Dollars at Cambio, and had no Goods in his Possession, hearing how it would fare with them, Lands forty Men at Barnardiston's House, and vowed he would have his Mo∣ny or Goods, or swore he would beat down the Town; so likewise the Ionas got her Sails to Yards, that the Kaddie's Son and the Chiouz, desired to let it alone until a∣nother day, for fear of worse Events: So when they had made an end at Lancelot's House, would stay no longer, but pro∣mised to come another day. The Estate before mentioned we carried away in spight of Envy, and have put it up in a safe Cane. As soon as this was done, because the Captain would not come ashore, I got Iordan to go aboard the Golden Lion, and know the Master his Intent, and to ac∣quaint him with the Danger might ensue thereon; all we could urge was nothing, except he had satisfaction for his 9000 Dol∣lars; at last told him, if we knew where his Estate lay, we would endeavour to help him to it; so he found it out, and we delivered it to him, and the Man was ve∣ry well satisfied. And now we hope to find little Impediment, and to morrow Morning the Caddie's Son promiseth to come again, and we doubt not the same day but to make an end. If your Lordship saw the little regard these People bear to the Grand Signior's Commands, the Caddie, or ought else but their private Ends, your Lordship would (as we hope your Lord∣ship will) not blame us if we procured but the half of what your Lordship's Letter mentions. To morrow (if God bless us) we shall send your Lorship more punctual Advice, and for the present crave leave to subscribe our selves,

Smyrna, June 16. 1646.

Your Honours Most faithful, most obliged, and most humble Servants,

• ...Iohn Hetherington.
• ...Lorenzo Suma.

John Hetherington, and Lorenza Zu∣ma's Letter to Sir Sackvile Crow; dated in Smyrna, Iune 19. 1646.

Right Honourable,

OUrs of the 16th advised your Lord∣ship, how with the Caddie's Son, his Niepe, and Chia, we had entred the House of Mr. Lancelott, and taken into our possession the Goods we found therein, not pretended unto by Strangers; and how by the insolency of Nicholas Terrick, Ma∣ster of the Hopewell, (formerly the Golden Lion) we were interrupted that day from proceeding any farther; and how by the means of Captain Iordan, we had pacified that young, rash, and undiscreet Man; and that we hoped the next Morning to proceed without interruption, but it fell not out so: for the next Morning we went to Barnardiston's House, thinking to make all sure there; and when we had begun, in comes the Master with a Crew of his own, and said, those Goods he had received were not sufficient to give him satisfaction, and demanded of us the rest. We answered, We could not give him these Goods we had sealed up before he came into Port, for what he demanded; but assured him, if he knew of any thing standing out, we would endeavour, the best we could, for his Sa∣tisfaction: Upon this, as we understood since, a young Man of the House whis∣pered the Master in his Ear, and told him, if he were not satisfied before the Goods went out of the House, all was lost, he would never have a Penny of it: Upon this, away goes the Master aboard, with this young Man in his company, and loo∣sed his Sails, but threatned nothing. Upon this comes in the Jews, and told the Niepe and the Chia, that the Master would shoot down the Town; but for all our perswa∣sions that he durst not, away runs the Niepe & his Company, and leaves us there alone: so we resolved to have done it our selves; but the Merchants had so worked with the Hamalls, that there was not one to be seen; so being alone, and seeing his Boat coming ashore, well mann'd, and fear∣ing a surprize, we presently repaired to the Chiouzes, and desired him to go with us to the Caddies, to see if we could have any better assistance from him. By this time the Town was in a great Uproar, and the People something too insolent; the Caddie, to prevent the worst, present∣ly caused the Shops to be shut up, and im∣mediately sent for all the chief Men of the Town, (who by Presents before we had made our Friends) and there before them all, and a great company of the Townsmen, caused the Commands to be read, and told them how much they were bound to see the Grand Signior's Commands put in execution, and what dishonour it would be for one Ship to command the Town. So after they had disputed the Bu∣siness, the Caddie sends an Officer aboard (accompanied with the Druggermen to the Nation) to know whether he would hinder the prosecution of the Grand Sig∣nior's Command, or no, and to know his Answer? He presently denied he ever in∣tended to shoot at the Town, only desired his own: So presently after the People were a little appeased, we went to work a∣gain, and so this day have finished all: it being done in such confusion, we cannot give your Lordship that exact Accompt

you may expect within a day or two; for then we will send your Lordship the Par∣ticulars, with the Values; in mean time we stand upon our Guard, having some 20 or 30 of the Souldiers of the Castle to keep watch every night; for (my Lord!) here is no small Hubbub in the Town, and threatning both of us and the Estate, but we will secure both as well as we can. We have sent your Lordship a rough Draught of what we have, and what we have left sealed up, and find it fall short far of what your Lordship expected: the sooner your Lordship disposes of it, the better; for assure your self, there is daily some Design or other hatching: We should be very sorry, after all this, to have it miscarry, therefore pray (my Lord!) dispose of it (to prevent the worst) as soon as you may. Your Lordship was pleased to inorder us to change our Lodg∣ing, being too near the Water-side, and in a Merchant's House; which, as soon as we can get a secure House, we will; but the farther from the Water-side, the more dangerous, if the People of the Country should intend us any ill.

The French, and many others, pretend Debts of many of those People that are gone up, and would know who shall pay them, and pretend to be paid out of their Estates; but we have put them off, telling them, we believe your Lordship will hard∣ly let your Estate go to pay their Debts; nevertheless, shall advise your Lordship of it: so have secured none, only to one Hu∣zoone Amet Aga, one of the chief Men in the Town here, Mr. Lancelott having gi∣ven him a Bill of Exchange for 475 Dol∣lars, and the Bill returned unpaid, we were forced to deliver into the Hangee's Hands, for his Security, 10 Cloathes.

We have given the Ships liberty to lade, by reason of their continual grumbling, but fear our Design on the Ionas will not take; for the Caddie seeing the stubborn∣ness of Terrick, will not assist us as he pro∣mised. We have not ought to inlarge at present, but to subscribe our selves,

Your Honours,

• ...Iohn Hetherington,
• ...Lorenzo Zuma.

Matters running thus high, and the Breach made so wide, there remained little hopes of an Accommodation: For now the Merchants at Galata, having obtained their Liberty from the Ambassador's House, by the Vizier's Com∣mand, entred into a Consultation in what man∣ner to govern their Affairs, electing some parti∣cular Men to that Employment, which they cal∣led by the Name of the Sealed Knot, which much provoked the Anger of Sir Sackvile Crow, and more, because that deserting his Protection, they made Applications to the Heer Coppes, A∣gent for the States of Holland; who readily em∣braced the defence of their Cause, and willingly represented to the Grand Vizier the Aggrievan∣ces, and ill Treatment of which they complain∣ed. The French Ambassador, on the other side, being a great Favourer of Sir Sackvile Crow and his Proceedings, assisted him both at Smyrna and Constantinople. All which will more particularly appear by the following Letters.

The Factors General Letter to the Levant Company, dated the 28th of June, 1646, in Constantinople.

Right Worshipful,

SIrs, at present we have our Heads and Hands full, and all little enough to pre∣serve your Estates from devouring, and our selves from that Evil Consequence might ensue upon such unheard-of Proceedings and Intentions, as have been long in pri∣vate agitation; but when the Monster came to the Birth, there wanted strength to bring forth; so, in a good hour we may say, the Snare is broken, and doubt not the Devices of the Crafty is frustrate by him, whose Almightiness shews it self most, when we Mortals are least capable to help our selves. We shall, according to our Obligation, give your Worships some account of the last Progressions of his Lorship Sir Sackvile Crow, whom his Ma∣jesty sent hither Ambassador, and to be a Protector of your Estates, and our Per∣sons; how he hath performed this Charge and Duty formerly, your Lorships have in part heard; what hath happened of late, we shall now chiefly insist upon.

After his Lordship had caused the stay of the Ships in this Port, and at Smyrna, under pretence of this State's requiring it, in respect of their Wars with the Vene∣tians, the Sampson and Smyrna Merchant, having been here almost seven Months, to the great loss and damage of Ships and Goods; he picks a quarrel with the Facto∣ry of Smyrna, for not complying accord∣ing to his Order, in the paiment of their Parts of the last Leviation-Mony; and hereupon sends down Iohn Hetherington one of his Servants, a most lewd, debaucht, prophane, riotous Fellow, (yet his Lord∣ship's Kinsman) accompanied with two Chiouzes, two Druggermen, a Janizary, and other Servants, to proceed with those who should refuse to pay their Leviation according to the Instructions he had given the said Hetherington, and Lorenzo Zuma, Druggerman: But before the arrival of these Agents, the Nation there had un∣dertaken the paiment by an Obligatory Letter to his Lordship; this would not satisfy, nor deposition of Goods for Secu∣rity, until Answer should come from hence of the paiment of their Bills of

Exchange, which was tendred; bu•• the second day after their arrival, Hetherington and his Retinue goes to the Caddie's, and thither causes the Consul and all the Nati∣on to come; where it was pretended they had laden the William and Thomas with Corn, and sent her away; and therefore, by virtue of an Imperial Command, (ve∣ry privately here procured) the Consul, and six more of the Nation, were deli∣vered into the Hands of the Chiouz, and so brought up hither, not being suffered to return to their own Houses, but put a day and a night into an offensive dark place, the Doors and Windows not only shut, but nailed upon them, not suffering either their Friends or Servants to come at them, or a Window open till the evening, for which also they paid Dollars 100. In this disgraceful manner they were brought hither, where they have been since the 22d of the last Month, Prisoners in his Lordship's House to the 21st present, not∣withstanding they had complied in paying the Leviation Monies in less than a Week after their arrivals; and by fair Promises, put off from day to day, for their dispatch to their Business at Smyrna, which could not but much suffer by their absence: Their Magazines and Counting-houses continued sealed from the time of their Attachments; the Ships not permitted to lade, or depart, though empty; and no Debts due to them would be paid in this their Absence and time of Distraction.

The Leviation Monies being satisfied, (of which Dollars 31000, his Lordship forced into Cancellaria); and we of Smyr∣na expecting no more rubs in the way, his Lordship, the 16th Instant, calls a Court, and there declared, That of what Monies had been collected, there would not remain much on the old Accompt; therefore pro∣vision must be made for the future growing Charge, for so much as upon this pretended Imbargo, no Ships would come in haste, and he and his must be maintained, which he would provide for: Hereupon, when we could not do otherwise, Dollars 25000 was promised, half by this Factory, for which his Lordship caused us to enter into Bond, as he did those of Smyrna for the other half; this being effected, which we should not neither altogether have been so ready to have complied in, but thereby to put a period to all other Demands, and en∣able our selves to proceed in our Business for your Worships better Service.

The 18th present his Lordship calls a∣nother Court; and after arguing of some General Matters, with a seeming sadness, tells us how that he had been wronged by false Information from hence and Smyrna, (but he was so far from proving it, as that he would not discover so much as whom he suspected) and thereupon the Levant Company at Home had, by means of the Parliament, procured Sequestration of his Estate and Lands in England, and endea∣voured to surprize his Person; and there∣fore, according to Religion, Reason, and common Policy, he ought to secure him∣self and his Hostages; and thereupon he departed from us, requiring the Nation speedily to resolve of some present Satis∣faction that might secure his Estate at Home, and Person here, otherwise he vowed to God, he would suddenly do it himself, with no little disadvantage to our selves and Principals. These strange, unreasonable, and unexpected Demands, filled us with amazement, not knowing what Answer to give to such a groundless demand; we desired the Secretary Signior Dominico to know his Lordships more par∣ticular Desires therein, that so we might better understand him, and to put his De∣mands into such a moderate way, as he might receive some Satisfaction. He re∣turned us Answer, that we must resolve to satisfy his aforesaid Demands before we went thence: Whereupon the Gates were shut, and also Guards set upon us, that we should not converse with any, or convey so much as Paper out of Doors. Thus we are all surprized, made close Priso∣ners, and our Counting-house, Ware-house, and Chambers sealed up, to make sure of our Goods and Estates there also. Conti∣nuing in this sad Condition all Night, and finding no Motion to proceed from his Lordship to declare himself farther, four or five of us was appointed by the genera∣lity, personally to crave his Lordship's particular Desires and Demands of us: Whose Answer was, That the lowest va∣lue he could put upon his Lands the Com∣pany had sequestred, was 25000 pounds Sterling; and for the loss he should su∣stain by being put out of the Ambassador∣ship, which he saith his Majesty hath granted him for his Life; therefore the Strangers Consulage he rates at Dollars 5000 per Annum; which for the clear Gain of seven Years to come, is Dollars 35000; for which he declared that he would not accept of any Personal Security or Obligation whatsoever, but a present disposition of Dollars 160000 in Mony or Goods, into his own hands must be made. And if to this we would not condescend, he told us, That he at the last Sacra∣ment had vowed to God (as he doth now) to sacrifice his Estate, Himself, Wife and Children, for the execution of this his absolute Intent; and till then, neither our Persons, Estates, Ships here, or at Smyrna, should be free. We told his Lordship, that finding not any of us had heard of any such Things was (or intended to be) done against him by the Company, it would give us great Satisfaction, to shew

us those Advices he grounded this Pretence upon. To this no Answer was then gi∣ven by himself, but dismissed us, leaving it to our last and speedy Resolution, be∣cause he was resolved to strike home. Im∣mediately after he sent us word by a se∣cond, That he could not let his Honour descend so low, as to shew his Advices to any. This empty Reply, gave us too much reason, not only to conclude this to be a feigned Pretence, but made us suspect his Intention and Aim was at all the Na∣tion's Estate in the Country; and there∣fore we returned him this reasonable and defensive Answer, as your Worships will particularly perceive by the inclosed Pa∣per: whereunto is adjoined his Reply to that our Answer, as he pretended; tho it appears it was intended before, it being dated a day before our Answer. Whilst thus we continued, it happened that those four of us were fortunately absent from Court that day, who hearing of our Con∣ditions, wherefore, and why we were thus detained, and what an ill Period these Proceedings tended unto, if not timely and prudently prevented; they used their best endeavours to free us and your Livelihoods from the Claws of Ty∣ranny and Covetousness; they applied themselves to Signor Illustrissimo Coppes, the States of Hollands Agent: who as he was ever a Friend and Favourer of the Nation, so now he gave us good and great testimo∣ny thereof in this our greatest Need and Extremity: and chiefly by his means with a Sum of Mony; together with the Cla∣mors of the Jews, and many other of the Grand Signior's Subjects against this our present Abuse, and destruction of future Trade: The Vizier (whom they had well and fully possessed with the Truth of all Things) after three days Imprison∣ment, sent a Chiouz for us to his Lord∣ship's House, from whence we were car∣ried before the Vizier, who much up∣braided his Lordship, saying, He never gave him Commands for such Proceedings, notwithstanding his Lordship's avaneous Allegations against his own Nation, by saying, an English Ship at Smyrna was la∣den with Powder, Ammunition, &c. and there resided for assistance of the Turks Enemies; and other the like Abuses, and destructive Courses against those here; tending not only to the confiscation of Ships and Estates, but the risgo of en∣slaving our Bodies, if not the loss of all or some of our Lives, had his Hellish Plots taken effect. The next day after our ge∣neral Commitment, arrives five more of our fellow Factors from Smyrna, there seized upon and made Prisoners; and so by his Lordship's Command, in that nature brought to his House, and put amongst us, notwithstanding the advice from their Correspondents hence was at Smyrna, (be∣fore their departure thence) that their part of Leviation Mony was all paid in here; yet their Leviation, with one third more in Monies and Goods, was taken a∣gain from them by his impudently impi∣ous Ministers there, and all the rest of their Goods continued sealed up: So the Intent (as your Worships may plainly perceive) was no other than first to get the Monies here paid, then to seize upon their Per∣sons, and next to take away and secure their Estates; thereby to prevent a just, reasonable, and natural Defence; and now it too plainly appears, (because his Lord∣ship's Imployers had taken course no Mes∣sengers should come unto us); Horsemen are daily dispatched unto us by our Friends at Smyrna, advising us to the 20th Instant, of the unnatural and devouring Progres∣sions they had there made; which was done by the assistance of the Caddie, whom they had well bribed, beginning to act there at the same time as we were here all imprisoned; so there was no intent of staying for our Answer to his extravagant Demands. They first fell upon Mr. Lan∣celot's House, thence proceed all through∣out the Nation; so that they have not on∣ly taken away all the Goods, Monies, and Effects whatsoever they could find in their Houses, at Home or Abroad, but broke open and ransack'd all our Chambers, Trunks, and Counting-houses, which mounteth to a far greater value than his demands of Dollars 160000; and by large Promises to Informers, endeavour to dis∣cover and take what is owing them abroad by People of the Country; and have so threatned our Friends and Servants to de∣liver our Books, and declare where's more of our Estates, that they are constrained to leave our naked Houses to the open World, and betake themselves to the Ships in Port for Refuge. All this it seems contents them not, but are contriving Provisions, by policy and force of some Rogues of the Country, to unlade what Goods the Na∣tion had put on board the Ionas. For all which, we have not only the advice of our distressed Friends there, but such in∣fallible Information, as your Worships may perceive by the inclosed authentick Co∣pies of Letters from his Instruments at Smyrna to his Lordship here; by which you will too plainly perceive his Lordship did, and still doth aim at all the Estate the Nation had in the Country; and for that cause he was so much enraged for the de∣parture of the Hercules, and William and Thomas, whose Goods he esteemed as so much loss to him.

We have been now seven days out of his Lordship's hands, and are endea∣vouring to free that Estate they have al∣ready taken at Smyrna, as also to defend

our Selves and your Estates in future from him, and free the Ships out of Port, (which no question at last will be proved have been detained by his Lordship to this ill pur∣pose) and if possible, to procure the re∣turn of Dollars, 20 in 30000, his Lord∣ship hath unavoidably forced from us in the Leviation Accompt, upon strange Preten∣ces. All which (by the assistance of our obliged and worthy Friend Signior Illustris∣simo Coppes; together with the expence of Dollars 30 in 40000, to the Vizier and o∣ther Turkish Ministers) we doubt not but speedily to effect; for without this ho∣nest defensive Remedy, we can expect no∣thing but ruin to all your Estate in the Country, which still he threatneth, and endeavours by all his devilish Policy and Means to effect: But the Vizier, and the two Caddeleskiers, who are our Judges, are so possest with the Truth and Reason of our Cause, as well by the People of the Country, as our Selves, that they have given us full assurance, by Promises, Pro∣testations, and found Probabilities, that our just Demands shall be accomplished; for which we all faithfully and earnestly endeavour Night and Day, and so do hourly expect a good determination of it: and till there be an Issue or Settlement given to this our confused Condition, (which we hope will not continue for many days) no particular Principal must expect Advice from any Factor here, because no private Man can fitly advise any thing, till the ge∣neral Business be better ordered: And as we proceed therein, we shall by all Ways and Conveyances give your Worships a true and exact Account. We do humbly beseech your Worships to acknowledg the good Offices of the State's Agent to their Ambassador with you, and so fully certify him, that Illustr. Sign. Coppes appeared no ways against his Lordship as Ambassador, or trenching on the King's Honour, but respectfully and modestly for the safety of your Estates.

To particularize all Passages and Cir∣cumstances in this Business, would prove more troublesom than needful to your Worships, so please to accept of this Re∣lation; for this is the present state of yours and our Condition; which though not so well as we could wish, yet better than we could imagine; for the Hand was up, the Match lighted, and a little more time would have blown up all. We need not put your Worships in mind speedily to send us another Protector, seeing the Ne∣cessity of your Occasions craves it too plain∣ly; and in confidence of your speedy Re∣solution thereof, we shall continue, hoping our Desires will be satisfied, and the Estates in better security, by his speedy arrival here, which God in Mercy grant.

His Lordship's Cause is so bad, that Signor Dominico your Secretary, Signior George, and all other Druggermen, have not only declined his Lordship, but apply themselves to us, (and especially the for∣mer). In fine, we conceive his Lordship finds his former bad Proceedings have made him uncapable to return into Eng∣land, and also uncertain of his Residence here; which, together with the improvi∣dent use he hath made of his Golden Time, that he intended to seize upon all He and his unworthy Instruments could catch hold of; for to this purpose he diverted the Gol∣den Fleece's advantagious Design for Venice; which at first was approved and caused by his own consent; and occasioned her Fa∣ctor here, to whom she was consigned, to let her him to fraight, that so Himself, Fa∣mily, and undue gotten Estate, may be conveyed (as is supposed) into France, with whose Ambassador, there hath been often a more than ordinary correspondency of late.

Galata of Constantinople June 28. 1646.

Before the sealing up of our Letter, we have procured an Imperial Command for the recovering of the Estate into our Hands, taken away at Smyrna; as also for the attaching the Persons, and bringing tho••e good Agents of his Lordships hither, to answer their Proceedings and Behavi∣our: the obtaining of which Command, we are not a little glad of, being our Obli∣gatory Testimony of the Vizier's being our Friend, and ties him thereby to conti∣nue so, which we hope effectually to find, two days hence, when his Lordship is to appear with us before him; but in case he refuseth (as already he hath done) the Vizier will give Sentence against him.

Your Worships may be pleased to take notice, that his Lordship's chief Counsel∣lor, in these his undue Proceedings, is Mr. Henry Hyde, of whose good Service in your former Occasions at the Morea, we need not to give testimony; but can assure your Worships, that since his coming hi∣ther, he hath occasioned great Disturbance among the Nation; and now at last (had the Design before mentioned taken effect) might have raised his decayed Fortunes, by the ruin of Yours and our Estates; but, thanks be to God, the Counsel of Achitophel is turned into Folly. And for your late Treasurer Iohn Woolf, the satisfying of whose Debts hath so mounted the last Le∣viation, he is so far from acknowledging the Courtesies done in acquitting him from his Creditors, that he is become Assistant (though a weak one) to his Lordship in the Proceeding aforementioned: And ha∣ving deserted Galata, with Mr. Henry

Hyde, resides at his Lorship's, laying their Heads together in contriving Mischief a∣gainst those from whom they have had their Maintenance.

In case your Worships should not be in a posture to procure an Ambassador so soon as you may desire, that you would please in the interim, and as soon as may be, to obtain a Letter from his Majesty to the Grand Signior, or Vizier, in appro∣bation and acknowledgment of what is done; and that his Lordship be not nim∣bler than your Worships in getting the like against us, which doubtless he will en∣deavour. We shall not farther inlarge at present, but intend shortly, when all things shall be fully and absolutely setled, to write to your Worships again. So we rest.

At Instant a Copy of his Lordship's Letter, with others directed to him, be∣ing come to hand, we send them herewith; and from Smyrna are advised that the Per∣sons of Hetherington and the Druggerman are detained aboard our Ships there; and by this time the Command is with them, which will warrant the bringing them up with their Papers▪ that are also aboard; by which the Plot will more plainly ap∣pear. To morrow we expect his Lord∣ship's appearance before the Vizier, when we have hopes to reward the Trouble he intended others, &c.

Kept until the6th of July, 1646.

Your Worships most obliged and humble Servants,

• ...Iohn Wyld,
• ...Iohn Lancelot,
• ...Nicholas Read,
• ...William Ashley,
• ...Thomas Berkley,
• ...Dixwell Brent,
• ...Nath. Barnardiston,
• ...Iames Moyer,
• ...Iames Modyford,
• ...Daniel Edwards,
• ...William Chappel,
• ...Roger Fouke,
• ...Gyles Ball,
• ...Iohn Tye,
• ...Iohn Ball,
• ...William Pearl,
• ...Iohn Pixley,
• ...George Hanger,
• ...Samuel Barnardiston,
• ...Iohn Swift,
• ...William Gough,
• ...Thomas Pigot,
• ...Iohn Abney,
• ...Francis Ashwell,
• ...Robert Frampton,
• ...Gyles Davis,
• ...Iohn Plomer,
• ...Iames Davison,
• ...William Osburn,
• ...Henry Davy,
• ...Richard Strode,
• ...Philip Farewell,
• ...Iohn Erisey,
• ...Ionathan Dawes,
• ...Ralph Gosnold,

Your Worships most obliged, most humble, and faithful Servant, Domenico Timone, Secretary.

The Factors General Letter from Smyr∣na, dated the 4th of July, 1646, to the Levant Company.

Right Worshipful Sirs,

IT may please you, our last from hence was by the Ship William and Thomas, advising his Lordships Proceedings for ano∣ther Leviation, for discharging your Debts at Constantinople, being then informed that the whole amounted unto Dollars 118109; and how we were resolved to withstand it, until your Worships further Pleasure should be signified unto us concerning the same, for such Reasons as we then presumed to lay open unto you; and that in the mean time we had presented our Grievances to his Lordship's gracious perusal, the Copy whereof went annexed to our said Letter, to both which you may please to have refe∣rence.

The 24th of March following, our Con∣sul called a Court, and declared his Lord∣ship's Answer to our said Letter, disliking our Proceedings; and by a new Order pro∣hibited the lading of Goods, and receiving them on Board, and the departure of Ships, until the said Leviation were paid, accord∣ing to his former Order, and Schedule now set down, shewing each Man his propor∣tionable part for his Factory of Smyrna, amounting in all to Dollars 54950, and for the Factory at Constantinople, to Dollars 56000, is together Dollars 110950. Where∣upon, we generally desired that his Lord∣ship would be pleased to suspend the exe∣cution of the said Order of Leviation, un∣til such time we should receive your Wor∣ships farther Order about it, without which we our selves were like to pay it out of our own Purses, as in the last Leviation; receiving since particular Orders from some of our Principals, not to pay any Levia∣tions, otherwise it should be for our own Accompts, and not theirs.

The 24th of April, the Consul called another Court, signifying unto us, that his Lorship did require an account for the departure of the Ship William and Thomas, and Success, contrary to his Lordship's Commands, there being an Officer of the Vizier's come down to apprehend Captain Tho. Porter, and to carry him up to Con∣stantinople, (which Ships departed at their own pleasures, being not in our powers to stay them). And that concerning the Le∣viation it was inevitable, and his Lordship was resolved upon it, and therefore would force us unto it, and expect repair of Ho∣nour from the Delinquents. Whereupon fear∣ing his Lordship's farther displeasure, which might beget some greater Inconveniences amongst us, we presumed to yield unto his

Lordship's Commands, by way of a sub∣missive orderly complyance, and conform our selves unto the paiment of our parts of the said Leviation, in proportion to the Estates were received on the last general Ships, Hercules, Sampson, and Smyrna-Merchant, according to our particular As∣sessments; as appeareth by our general Letter presented to his Lordship, and en∣tred in Cancellaria, grounded upon the re∣sult of this days Court; desiring his Lord∣ship would be pleased to allow us four Months time for paiment, for such Rea∣sons as we have alledged in the same.

The 6th of May, the Consul told us he had received other Letters from his Lord∣ship, prohibiting not only the Lading of Goods, and the Departure of any Ships, until the Leviation be setled; but also therein more fully signifies and declares, That until the Grand Signior's Fleet be gone forth, he cannot permit any Ship, either at Constantinople, or here, to lade or be dispatched; and that accordingly his Lordship is so required of this State. And in like manner hath ordered and com∣manded those whom it concerns, both a∣bove, and in this Port, to observe the same. And moreover farther witnessing, which accordingly (as he said) he was bound to acquaint us, how that the Em∣bargo at Constantinople, and here, was se∣conded; and his Lordship, to avoid far∣ther Dangers and Inconveniences to the Publick, could not refuse his Consent there∣unto.

The 10th of May arrived here Mr. Iohn Hetherington, a Servant to his Lorship, and Signior Lorenzo Zuma a Greek, one of his Lordship's Druggermen, from Constan∣tinople; who the next Morning moved our Consul to call a Court for the Nation; where being assembled, the Consul told the said Hetherington and Lorenzo, That their Desires were performed, and there∣fore required them to deliver what they had in Commission from his Lordship: who produced an Order of the 27th of April, directed to the Consul and Us, for paiment of the said Leviation forthwith, or else to proceed according to his farther Order, Warrant, and Instructions in such behalf; and we to be answerable to such Loss, Damage, and Inconveniencies as may ensue thereby. To which we answered, That the Leviation was subscribed unto, and therefore desired the said Hetherington and Lorenzo to stay four or five days, until his Lordship should return▪ Answer to our Letter of the 24th of April. The said Lorenzo told us, He would retire and per∣use his Lordship's Commission, and in two hours return, to have a more full and satisfactory Answer from us: which being expired, he declared, That his Lordship's Commission required forthwith ready Mony or Goods, (being his Instruction, from which he could not vary). Where∣upon Mr. Iohn Lancelot first answered, (as he was a Merchant) He could not depo∣sit his Cloth, for his Credit's sake, but would give his Bills for his and Mr. Dix∣well Brent's proportionable part of the Le∣viation, payable at Constantinople per Mr. Thomas Pigot, at five days sight, into his Lordship's Cancellaria; which was refused, unless they would deposit the value in Cloth, and one third part more towards Charges, in the possession of him the said Lorenzo; which they said again, for their Credits sake (as they were Merchants) could not consent unto; so referred them∣selves unto the said Lorenzo's farther pro∣ceedings, if these Proffers would not be accepted of, being not possible for them at present to procure Monies at Interest, or otherwise.

The like Conditions we all in general proffered for our proportionable parts, but were refused by the said Hetherington and Lorenzo. Whereupon the Consul told them, they had all our Assents for pai∣ment of the Leviation; and if that, with such Reasons and Proffe••s as we propound∣ed, might not be satisfactory, the Consul, and we in general, referred our selves to the said Lorenzo's farther Proceedings.

After this, the said Hetherington and Lorenzo presently repaired to the Cad∣dies, accompanied with a prime Chiouz of the Vizier's, and declared their farther Commissions: After publication whereof, the Caddie sent for the Consul, and all our Nation, where the Capitulations were first taken away by Warrant, and the Con∣sul in a most barbarous manner was laid hold on, with Dixwell Brent, Daniel Ed∣wards, Iohn Pixley, Samuel Barnardiston, George Hanger, and Iames Moyer, and com∣mitted Prisoners into the Custody of the said Chiouz and Officers, and transported to a House (taken by them on purpose) where they were violently, and in a for∣midable manner, thrust into a dark Cham∣ber, and at length were forced to present Dollars 300, to have a Window set open to give them Light and Air; the Consul telling the said Hetherington and Lorenzo, before he was surprised, in the presence of the Caddies, That neither he, or the Na∣tion, had any ways transgressed the Grand Signior's, or his Lordship's Commands, and that he did not fear what they could do unto him, no not so much as to die, in performance of his Faith and Trust to the Levant Company, whom he had truly served; as likewise for his Love and Affe∣ction he bore to the Nation here under his Charge, whom he would never betray, hoping shortly to see his own Country a∣gain. And in two hours after, the said Hetherington, Lorenzo, and Chiouz, Caddie,

and Neipe, sealed up all the Counting-houses, Magazines, and some Chambers; and in two days after, transported the Pri∣soners over-land up to Constantinople, where they were delivered to his Lord∣ship's Power and safe Custody; we in the mean time being left like so many Sheep without a Shepherd, and ignorant where to seek protection.

The next day after departure of these Prisoners, the said Hetherington and Lo∣renzo sealed up our Cloth in our own Warehouses, for what concerned our pro∣portionable part of the Leviation, at the rate of Dollars 45 per Cloth, and one third part more towards Charges.

The 18th day of May, at the instance of the said Hetherington and Lorenzo, the remainder of us left here behind met to∣gether, where the said Hetherington told us we had not brought in our Bills of Ex∣change for Constantinople, for the parts of our Leviation, and one third part more; unto which we answered, We had com∣plyed with his Lordship's Commands, in all willing and obedient manner, accord∣ing to our present Possibilities, until we should be able to satisfy the same with our ready Monies here, or by our Bills payable in Constantinople, at five days sight, where∣in we promised to use our utmost Endea∣vours, hoping to redeem our Cloth again, which we had deposited, and they sealed up, for our proportionable Parts of the Leviation.

In few days after arrived here one of the principallest Chiouzes of the Grand Signior, with new Commands sent down by his Lordship; by virtue whereof the said Hetherington and Lorenzo seized upon the Persons of Iohn Ball, Henry Davey, Phillip Farwell, Nathaniel Barnardiston, and Iohn Ingoldsby, who were committed Prisoners to the said Chiouz, who used them with some humanity, and sent up the next day to Constantinople, to be deli∣vered unto his Lordship's Power; after whose departure (all Law being set aside) the said Hetherington and Lorenzo by this Command came down, opened all our Warehouses, and by Violence carried all our Goods away into several Canes of the Turks; as well what they had sealed up, for the Leviation, as all other Goods of what nature soever they could find, unless it were such as was sealed up, and be∣longed to Turks, and other of the Grand Signior's Subjects; and left many of us so bare, that we had not wherewithal to af∣ford us a piece of Bread to keep Life and Soul together, only bare Promises. The said Chiouz remaining behind, put us daily into great Fears that we should all be sent up, or clapt up here in Prison, which caused many of us to repair on board the Ship for Succour, here being in Harbour the Ships Rainbow, Ionas, Hope∣well, and Triangle.

In all which time of this Distraction and Sufferings, our Miseries have been much condoled by the chief Turks and Inhabitants of this Place, who seem to sympathize with us in our sad Conditions; and had not the Commands been so powerful, the whole Town would have risen up in our Defence and Protection, who have privately advised of these A∣buses; which as they themselves confess, are like to ruin, not only this Scale, but that of Aleppo and Constantinople also, to the Dishonour of the Grand Signior, and ruin of many of his Subjects; and of a profitable and acceptable Friend (our Na∣tion) to become a potent Enemy against them.

The 28th of Iune came Letters from Constantinople, advising the Vizier's Or∣der for rescuing both Factories from his Lordship's Imprisonment, and par••icular Advice to some of us here left, for appre∣hending the Persons of the said Hethering∣ton and Lorenzo, and to keep them in sa••e Custodies on board our Ships, fearing (we having no Order as yet to receive our E∣states out of their Possessions) they might convey our said Estates away, or sell them for half their Worth, and so make their private escapes out of Town, ex∣pecting daily a Chiouz to carry up their Persons to Constantinople, and to free our Goods, hoping all will go well again for us. Hereupon the very same day, the said Hetherington and Lorenzo, (without any noise or rumour) were by the Mari∣ners conveyed on board several Ships from the said Hetherington's Lodging, viz. He∣therington on board the Triangle, William Hodges Commander; and Lorenzo on board the Hopewell, Nicholas Terrick Com∣mander; where now they remain, to the contentment of the Inhabitants here, who daily expect their sending up to the Port, there to answer to such Crimes and Inso∣lencies as shall be objected and proved a∣gainst them.

Thus we have presumed plainly and distinctly (accordingly as we conceive it becomes us) though briefly, to present un∣to your Worships perusal, the whole Pro∣cess of his Lordship's Proceedings against us here in Smyrna, (since our last) ac∣cording to our experience of the Passa∣ges; by which your Worships may easily conjecture his Lordship's farther Inten∣tions. And for what hath occurred at Constantinople, your Worships will receive by this Conveyance, advise to both which we pray you to be referred; which being taken into your deliberate Considerations, may afford such future Means of Prote∣ction, and incouragement to enter into a way of setling this Turky Trade in such a

posture, that we hope these Losses may be repaired with advantage.

And so we humbly take our leaves, having given your Worships testimony of our Concordance, in the discharge of our Obligations and Duties; and in conformi∣ty we subscribe, evermore resting,

Smyrna, July 4. 1646.

Your Worships humble and obliged Servants,

• ...Robert Keble,
• ...Thomas Lancelot,
• Iohn Wild junior,
• ...Lawrence Chambers,
• ...Will. Oxwieck,
• ...Arnold White,
• ...Daniel Bassano,
• ...William Whetcombe,
• ...Robert Dawes,
• ...Samuel Browning,

But not to insist long on a Subject so ungrate∣ful, as the Difference was between the Ambassa∣dor and his Merchants; the Conclusion, and Is∣sue of all was this. After Sir Sackvile Crow had spent at the least seventy thousand pieces of Eight of good ready Mony, and the Turky Company two hundred thousand; the Turks finding the Ambassador's Exchequer to be almost exhausted, for that Presents and Purses of Mony came not in so plentifully as at first; and on the contrary, feeling the Spring of the Levant Com∣panies Treasury still to run fresh and quick, their Inclinations towards the Ambassador grew more cold and faint, his Agents were not admit∣ted so readily to Audience as formerly, nor his Petitions and Addresses received with that can∣dor, as when Mony and Interest made their en∣trance easy; in the mean time, the Merchants were heard with great patience, their Cause and Complaints esteemed reasonable; and in short, Sir Sackvile Crow was dismissed from Constantino∣ple, in a manner not usual for Ambassadors, nor agreeable to that Quality and Character: and was succeeded by Sir Thomas Bendysh, who was Authorized and constituted in that Embassy, by Commission from his Majesty King Charles the First of ever blessed and glorious Memory.

[year 1647.] Gio Capello being constituted General in the place of Molino, as we mentioned at the end of the preceding Year, departed from Venice ear∣ly in the Spring, having under his Command fifty Gallies, six Galleasses, and forty Ships of War, and four Fire-ships, besides other Ves∣sels, which are necessary Attendants on so great an Armata; which grand Preparations raised the Minds of the Christian World to ex∣pect the abatement of the Ottoman Pride, and other Effects equal to the magnificent Ostenta∣tion, and triumphing Glory of this mighty Power: But God, who gives not always Success to the Powerful, nor the Battel to the Strong, was not, it seems, so well satisfied for the Sins of Christendom, as to judge it worthy to be delivered from the Scourges of its Grand Op∣pressor.

Whilst Capello remained with the best part of the Fleet at Candia, Tomaso Morosini, Admiral of the Ships, shewed himself in a Bravado with twenty two Sail before the Castles of the Helle∣••••ont, called the Dardanelli, defying the whole Turkish Power, with Colours flying, and Drums beating: nor did they dare to answer the bold Challenge, until in a dead Calm, some few light Gallies presented themselves in a seeming Bat∣tel, with whom, for want of Wind, the Ships were on the disadvantage, and rather received Prejudice than gave it; so that both sides were contented with the Action.

Morosini withdrew from that Station, and re∣turned to his General at Candia; to whom having joined his Forces, he earnestly perswad••d him, together with the Proveditor Grimani, to engage the Turkish Fleet, which they assured him was much inferior to them, both in num∣ber of Vessels, and in Skill and Courage of the Combatants; and that the Success of this Year consisted in the cutting off the Enemies Suc∣cours, which was their sole Relief and Depen∣dance, without which they could not longer maintain the Ground they possessed, but must deliver up that and themselves to their pleasure. But the cautious General would not assent to this Resolution, judging it over-rash and preci∣pitate; for that the Fortune of Candia, and o∣ther Isles of the Archipelago, was not to be ha∣zarded on the Success of one Battel.

During which Dispute, and irresolution of Affairs, the Turkish Fleet, consisting of three hundred Sail, arrived at Canea, where they landed forty thousand fighting Men, which tur∣ned the Scale of the War, and rendred the Turks so powerful, as not ever more to be ex∣pelled, or their Off-spring extirpated from the Confines of that Island. By this time the Pope's and Malta Gallies were come to their Assistance, and united with the Venetians; so that Capello setting sail from the Port of Suda, resolved to en∣gage the Enemy at St. Theodoro; which was ef∣fected accordingly, though with little Success, for the Turks had fortified themselves, and se∣cured their Gallies with that advantage, that they could not be assaulted without great hazard of the Christians; and when they endeavoured to burn them, their four Fire-ships took fire too soon, and proved of more fear and astonishment to the Turks (to whom this Invention was as yet unknown) than of real dammage. After this the Venetians returned again to Suda, where having intelligence that thirty Turkish Gallies, with Men and Provision (which they had col∣lected in several parts of the Archipelago) were on their Voyage to Canea, Capello preparing to intercept them with a Force of Galleasses and Gallies, and leaving Grimani and Morosini to com∣mand the main Body of the Fleet, he in Person bent hi•• Course towards Cerigo.

In the mean time Mustapha Pasha departed from Canea, in order to his return to Constanti∣nople, with fifty seven light Gallies, two Ships, two Galleasses, and many Saiks; but meeting in his Passage with a hard storm of Northerly Winds, he lost seven of his Gallies, and several other Vessels, so that he resolved to divide his Fleet, and send part of them to Scio, and him∣self with the other part to make for Negropont. This Fleet was followed by some other Vessels under the Command of Mahomet Celebee, Bro∣ther of the Pasha of Algier, who being as far in his way as the narrow Streights of Andra, he was there stopped by the Fury of the Northern Winds, (which are the Master-Winds of those Seas) and by the impetuous rage thereof, was carried to the Island of Zia; where having gi∣ven Licence to the greatest part of his Souldiery to Land, they carelesly strayed abroad, and without suspicion of Surprize, merrily passed their time in eating and drinking. In the inte∣rim, advice hereof being carried to Tomaso Moro∣rosini,

then with some Ships in the Port of Mi∣lo, he immediately, without loss of time, ap∣plied himself to assault the Turks; and being followed by the Proveditor Grimani, he took two of their Ships, whilst Mehmet Celebee, with about two hundred of his Men, betook them∣selves to the weak shelter of an old demolished Fort, and afterwards surrendred themselves to the discretion of the Conqueror.

Morosini and Grimani, encouraged with this Success, resolved to pursue the Enemies Fleet; in order unto which, Morosini first putting out to Sea, was instantly carried away by a fierce gale of Wind towards Ambro, and separated from the rest of his Fleet, and thence again was tossed by the impetuosity of the Storms unto Rafti; of which Mustapha Pasha having Intelli∣gence, made haste to attack this single Vessel, with forty Gallies; giving order to the Bey of Rhodes, to lay him aboard with fifteen Gallies, the strongest and best armed of all their Squadron: Morosini nothing dismayed, bearing the same constancy of Mind in the midst of his Enemies, as at a distance, boldly shewed himself on the Quarter Deck, encouraging his Men with his words, and by his Example, to Actions wor∣thy their Religion, Faith, and Country for which they contended. The Turks continued for some time to batter the Ship at a distance with their Cannon, but with little dammage to the Chri∣stians; who returned their Shot to better ad∣vantage. Hereby the Turks perceiving that Blows given so far off did little Execution, re∣solved to Board the Vessel, and subdue Her by force of Arms, and being come to the side of the Ship, the Souldiers were fearful to enter, suspecting some trains of Powder to blow them up, until Emurat, one of the Captains, struck off the Head of one or two of his own Men, whom he perceived backward in the Assault, which affrighted the rest into the greater danger, and forced them to enter the Ship, who were soon followed by the Gallies of the Bey of Rhodes, of Milo, of Mehmet Bey, and others; so that now two hundred of the Enemy were Com∣bating with Swords and Half Pikes upon the Deck;* 8.1 in which storm, Morosini fighting amongst the thickest, was shot through the Head with a Musket Bullet, and so gloriously finished his Days in the Service and Defence of his Coun∣try; gaining to himself a Laurel, and an Im∣mortal Name of Glory and Renown.

The Christian Souldiers little regarding all this time the fall of their General, stoutly maintained their Fight, in which they received encouragement from the prospect they had of two Galleasses making haste to their Succour; at whose nearer approach, the Turks desisted from their farther Attempt; being unwilling to purchase a Victory at the dear rate it would cost them.

The Body of Morosini was transported to Venice, and his Obsequies Celebrated in a man∣ner more Triumphant than Funebrous; the Pro∣veditor Grimani was likewise declared Captain General in the place of Capelo; who having, as it were, Besieged the Castles at the Mouth of the Dardanelli, taken several places in the Ar∣chipelago, and put the Enemies Fleet often unto flight, he thereby, and by other Acts of Va∣lour, rendred him justly renowned through all Christendom.

These were the chief and most memorable actions by Sea, performed this Year; Those by Land were acted chiefly in Dalmatia, where the Turks poured in their Forces on the Venetian Dominions, but were bravely repulsed by Leo∣nardo Foscolo, who took Ali Bey Prisoner, the Commander in Chief of the Sangiac of Licca, and slew his Son; besides which, he took Sac∣covar, Polissano, Islan, and other Fortresses and Castles, full of Arms and Ammunition, which were the Magazines of the Country; he also recovered Novegrade out of the hands of the Turks, which was afterwards demolished by Order from the Senate; which Victories were followed with other Successes; nothing being able to oppose the Valiant and Prosperous Arms of Foscolo; for besides the taking and sacking of several other Forts and Castles in Dalmatia, Obraozzo, Carino, Ottissina, Velino, Nadino, V∣rana, Tino, and Salona, in the Confines of Croa∣tia, and Bosna, became a Prey to the Venetian Arms.

But to this successful Progress of the War, a stop was given for some time by the sickness of Foscolo; in which interim, the new Pasha of Bosna, called Mahomet Techli, a Circassian born, a Person both Generous and Valiant, with an Army of forty thousand Men, besieged the strong Fortress of Sebenico; but was bravely repulsed by the Valour of the Inhabitants,* 8.2 the very Women exceeding the imbecillity of their Sex; and Children and old Men, with the weak∣ness of their Age, strengthened themselves with Resolution against their Enemies, and so valiantly behaved themselves in defence of their City, that the Turk was forced to raise his Siege, having gained nothing but the loss and slaughter of many of his People, and the best of his Souldiery; whereby he gained an assu∣rance of the Invincible Strength of that place, and the Valour of the Inhabitants.

Foscolo in like manner recovering his Health, continued the un-interrupted course of his Victo∣ries, and thereunto added the taking of Scar∣dona; so that in Dalmatia the Venetian Affairs ran so prosperously, that nothing could be de∣sired to render them more happy and glorious. For the Turks not only were expelled from the Confines of Dalmatia, but likewise that Pro∣vince became more quiet and secure than ever it had been in the Times of Peace.

But the joy of these Successes was very much allayed by the unhappy Fate of a great part of the Venetian Fleet, at the Island of Psara; which being lanched from Candia with inten∣tion to assault the Turks within the Dardanelli,* 8.3 unfortunately were driven by contrary Winds to that unsecure shore; where contending with a most furious Storm, a great part of the Fleet was cast away, and the General Grimani him∣self drowned. About which time, the Turks, for the greater Terror of the Christians, laid close Siege to the City of Candia, and made many and various Attempts thereupon, carry∣ing on their Assaults with the height of bra∣very and Resolution, the Particulars of which require a distinct History; but by the invincible Fortitude and Courage of the Christians, they were repulsed with that slaughter, and with the loss of so many Men, by Sallies and other Stra∣tagems of War, that the Turks were at length constrained to raise their Siege with dishonour and confusion; during which time many of the Nobility and Persons of Quality lost their Lives; amongst which, the principal were, Vicenzo della Marra, Governour General of the Arms of Candia, and Count Remorantino, natural Son of the Duke of Loraine, Comman∣der in Chief of the Forces that came from be∣yond the Alpes.

General Foscolo encouraged by the many glo∣rio••s Enterprises that he had obtained, resol∣ved to consummate all by taking the strong and famous Fortress of Clissa,* 8.4 scituate in the Con∣sines of Dalmatia, and Borders of Bosna, on the top of a sharp and craggy Mountain, invironed with Rocks and unaccessible Passages; the diffi∣culty of the attempt rather inflamed than abated the Courage of Foscolo, so that he Valiantly Be∣sieged and Assaulted that Place; during which time, the Priest D. Stephano Sorich, Captain of the Morlachs, intercepted the Succours which were sent thither, and Georgio the Proveditor, overthrew Teccheli Pasha in a Field Battel; so that the Inhabitants desparing of Relief, surren∣dered up themselves to the mercy of the Ve∣netians; and thus Clissa being taken, the Se∣nate Commanded that it should be more regular∣ly Fortified.

And here the Christian Arms met some inter∣ruption. For the Morlachs desirous to cast off the Turkish Yoke, and return to the protection of the Venetians, designed to surprize Scutari; and at the same time the the Arch-bishop of Duraz∣zo, with seven thousand Albanians, was to seize upon Croia, and Alessio; but the Design being discovered by the traiterous practices of some false Brethren, before Matters were ma∣turely grown, or the time of Execution, it had certainly cost the Life of all the Morlachs, and seven hundred Venetian Souldiers joined with them, had not the increase of the Waters hin∣dered the speedy March of the Turks, who re∣solved to cut them all off without mercy, or re∣gard to any; so that having time to disperse themselves, and take refuge in the Mountains, the most of them preserved their Lives from the Cruelty of their Enemies; only some certain Ecclesiastical Persons falling into their Hands, they imputed unto them the cause of the Rebel∣lion, and in a barbarous manner impaled them on Stakes.

The Turks enraged for the loss of Clissa, dispatched Dervis Pasha into the parts of Bosna, with a potent Army, threatning to Assault Spa∣latro; whom to divert, Foscolo, together with Priest Sorich Captain of the Morlachs, entered into the Enemies Country; spoiling, burning, and destroying wheresoever they came. The Morlachs more greedy of Prey than ambitious of Glory, divided themselves into small Parties to rob and pillage; in which interim they were assaulted by the Turks, but being scattered, were so far from making a stout resistance, that they committed themselves to a shameful flight, in which great numbers of them were miserably Butchered; nor could the valour of Sorich, nor of the Governour Possidaria, reduce them by their Examples into any Order: whilst to∣gether with some few valiant Dalmatians, and Morlach Captains, they endured the shock of all the Enemies Fury; in which Skirmish the Turks lost seven Agas, and about seventy Soul∣diers: On the Christians side were killed four hundred, some few Slaves, and about seventy Ensigns taken; amongst the rest the good Priest Sorich scorning to turn his back, had the mis∣fortune to fall into the Enemies hands, whom they flead alive, and afterwards impaled; and though they subdued his Body, yet he was still master of his mind; bearing the same constan∣cy in his Torments, as he had shewed Magnani∣mity and Courage in the Face of his Enemy.

Whilst these Martial Affairs were transacting, with the Blood and Life of many thousands on both sides, Sultan Ibrahim, like a stout Souldier of Venus, waged another War in the Elysiums of Cupid; and casting aside all thoughts of Candia, remitted the sole care and management thereof to the Vizier and Pashas of the Divan; following a Life so lascivious and sensual, as can neither be imagined with a chast Fancy, or described by a modest Pen.

A principal Instrument of his Delights, and Engine to compass his Amorous Designs, was a certain cast Wench of his, which he named She∣chir Para, which signifies a little piece of Sugar; for it seems she was so complaisant and dulcid in her Humour and Discourse, as merited that apt Name to express the sweetness of her Con∣versation; this Woman having the conve∣nience to visit all the Baths in Town, took notice of every Woman which she saw of more than ordinary Features and Proportion, and having enquired her Condition and Dwelling, presently reported the same with all advantage to her Sul∣tan, who having heard the Beauty described, be came passionately Enamoured, and could find no repose in his Fancy, until his Instruments, either by fair words or violence, had seduced her, or forced her to his Bed. But growing now ex∣travagant and over-wanton in his Amours, he fell in love with the Sultana, or Widow of his Brother Sultan Morat: To win her Affections he had recourse to his Dear Shechir Para; who used all her Arts in this Service: but her pretty wheedling Terms could prevail nothing on this Lady, who answered her in short, That at the Death of her Lord Sultan Morat, she had resol∣ved upon a perpetual Widowhood, for that the memory of him was still so lively in her, that she could not entertain the thoughts of admit∣ting any new Embraces. This repugnancy and opposition inflamed the heat of Ibrahim like a Feaver, so that he resolved to assault her himself one day by force, and took his time just as she came out of the Bath; but she being a bold Wo∣man, and disdaining the wandring loves of Ib∣rahim, laid her hand upon her Dagger, (which Sultana's and great Ladies usually wear) threat∣ning to wound him in her own defence; the noise and brawling hereof being over-heard by the Queen-Mother, called her from her Retire∣ments, and concerned her in the Quarrel; who whilst she reproved her Son, for the rape he in∣tended on his Brother's Wife, gave opportunity to the Sultana to escape; and so delivered her out of the hands of this Satyr. But Ibrahim mad with love, and fuming with disdain to be checked and opposed by his Mother, Command∣ed her immediately to the old Seraglio, where he confined her to several days Imprisonment, during which time he understood in what man∣ner she had treated his large-siz'd Armenian, of whom we have already spoken; whereof the Queen-Mother being conscious, submitted her self with all humility to her Son, begging his Favour and Pardon; and so well acted her part by those who carried her Addresses, that she overcame quickly his easy Nature, and was again restored to his Grace, and her Lodgings in the new Seraglio.

In the mean time Shecher Para travelling over all the Baths in Town, to discover new delights for her Master, at length had the fortune to cast her Eyes on a Daughter of the Mufti, a Maid of Incomparable Beauty and Features of Counte∣nance, and proportion of Body, which she re∣ported to Ibrahim so sensibly, as if she her self had been in love; and after she had praised every Part and Member of her, she concluded in sum, that she was the most Excellent and admirable

Piece that ever Nature framed. The Sultan had no sooner heard the Story, but according to his usual Custom, fell most desperatly in love, and had immediately, without farther consideration or counsel, dispatched his Emissaries; or with∣out other Preamble, Ceremony, or Courtship, to have fetched her to him; had not the sense of the late Rebuff he had received from his Bro∣ther's Wife, made some impression of fear in him; and the apprehension he had of the Power of the Mufti, created in him a certain Caution and Respect in the treatment of his Daughter: wherefore he rather resolved to send for the Mufti, with whom he treated of honourable Terms concerning Marriage; promising to take her into his Bosom, and prefer her in Honour equal to any other of his Sultana's.

The old Man who was tender of, and doated on his Daughter, knowing well the wandring humour of the Sultan in his Amours, intended rather to marry her to some great Personage, with whom she might be more happy, than in being a Soltana: for he considered, that Ibra∣him having already other Sons, her Issue would either be Sacrificed for security of their Bro∣thers, or else spend their days in a Prison, and become Grey-headed, whilst they breath in a medium between Life and Death, and are sad Recluses in the Grave of their unhappiness. These considerations were well imprinted in the mind of the Mufti: but because he durst not deny his proposal, he dealt with him as Inferi∣ours usually do with their Lords and Superiours; that is, he returned him thanks, expressing infi∣nite Obligations, that he would vouchsafe to cast his Princely Eyes on the unworthiness of his Family: however he advised him, that accor∣ding to the Canons of their Law, of which he was the Expositor, and obliged to be a severe and precise Observer; it was great Impiety in a Father to impose on the Affections of his Child; so that though he could heartily wish that his Daughter would embrace this Honour, to which he would exhort her with all the ear∣nest Perswasions of a Father; yet if she proved refractory thereunto, it would not be becoming his Power to force her; and therefore hoped his Majesty would believe, that in proceeding thus far, he had performed that Duty which be∣came him, both as a Father, and a Loyal Sub∣ject.

Ibrahim supposing that by this Concession he had gained his Design, thanked and imbraced the old Man, whom dismissing with plenary satis∣faction, he remained now with an impatient ex∣pectation and hopes of enjoyment. Next Morn∣ing the Mufti returned early to the Grand Sig∣nior, and having first sufficiently instructed his Daughter to refuse the Sultan's Proffers, told him plainly, that he had used all his paternal Au∣thority and interest with his Daughter, that he might induce her to accept this mighty Fortune, which cast it self upon her; but that it found not that ready acceptance with her as he expect∣ed; what could be the reason he knew not how to conjecture, since Women are commonly ir∣regular, and unreasonble in their Affections.

Ibrahim being in this manner disappointed, and more angry to encounter any boundary or re∣straint to the imperious violence of his Lusts, than opposition against the puissance of his Arms; dismist the Mufti with some neglect and disdain, whom he resolved to treat with Rigour, and his Daughter with Courtship. In order to the first, he banished him the Court, and forbad him his presence in any other place; grew sullen and unsatisfied at all his administra∣tions of Justice, intending thereby to induce him to a resignation of his Office. there being nothing more irksome to an ingenuous Spirit, than to serve and not to please. On the other side he dealt with the young Lady in a different manner, by the crafty and flattering insinuations of his trusty Shechir Para, who so forcibly man∣naged her Tongue full of curious Words, mix∣ed with Threats, representing the Storms and Fury of the Sultan's Rage; and again, the Glo∣ry, Splendour, and Happiness of the Seraglio; where she should Reign as Empress and Sove∣raign of the World: all which she expressed with that passion, and lascivious enticement, as would have shaken a firmer Constancy, than the Vertue of a Turkish Maid: but she being well admonished by her Father, remained obstinate in her Denial: but to quiet the importunity of this Seducer, she begged her not to sollicite her Father in this Request, but rather that she would intercede in her behalf with the Sultan ••pplica∣ting him with all humility to pardon her Childish refusal, and to leave her unto her unto her own Liberty and Choice, and a single Life: to ob∣tain which favour from her, she produced a Dia∣mond of considerable value, desiring her to ac∣cept of that from her, and to become her Friend, her Assistant, and Protectress. Shechir Para be∣ing overcome by her Maiden Modesty, could no longer resist such forcible Entreaties; and having her Eyes obscured with the lustre of the Jewel, promised to change her Note, and ex∣cuse her refual with all the advantagious and compassionate Terms possible; and so taking her leave with a courteous farewel, repaired to the Sultan, to give an account of her Negotia∣tions.

Ibrahim having with more doubtful Fear at∣tended the Issue of this last Conference, than he did the Success of his War with Venice; re∣ceived his Shecher Para with exceeding joy, who being come in, began to recount all the Particu∣lars that had passed: but the sum of all was, that this silly Maid was sufficiently sensible of the honour of being a Soltana, of being Cour∣ted by his Majesty, of the Joys, Delights, and Glory of the Seraglio; but that when she re∣flected, how that she was to bring forth Chil∣dren to die by untimely Deaths, and to end their Days by Poison, or the Bow-string, or at least to live miserable Lives separated from Man∣kind, and immured within Walls, and Intombed whilst they breathed; she could not but trem∣ble with some horrour, and judg, that all the blandishments of Wordly Fortune were but a transient Paradise; which could not possi∣bly recompence, or out-weigh the sense and tenderness she conceived for the misery of her unfortunate Off-spring. Howsoever she so cou∣ched her Discourse, that she gave Ibrahim some hopes to overcome at length; by which she ap∣peased a little his Fury and Despair, and ex∣tracted some Jewels and Gifts in reward of her past Labour, and encouragement for her future Service. In this manner Ibrahim had patience a∣while, expecting something farther from the in∣dustry of Shecher Para; but finding no effect of all his expectations and gentleness, at length re∣solved to break through all Considerations of Respect, either to the Father as the Mouth and Oracle of the Law, or to the simple and foolish innocence of the Maid; and therefore ordered the Great Vizier to cause a Watch to be set on the Girl, either going in, or coming out of the Bath, and without farther Ceremony to bring

her unto him. This Order being executed ac∣cordingly, and the Maid hurried to the Serag∣lio; Ibrahim possessed and enjoyed her for some days, but with those Tears, Reluctancy, and Sullenness, as took off from the edg and appe∣tite of Enjoyment; so that he returned her back again with scorn and contempt unto her Father; who at first dissembled the injury with the same Countenance as he did before, when he was interdicted the Sultan's Presence; sup∣pressing his revenge like a concealed Fire, which bursts out afterwards with more violent Flames. But though the sense of Obedience and Duty to∣wards his Prince allayed much of the choler he conceived against him for the Rape of his Daugh∣ter, yet he knew not how to pardon the Great Vi∣zier, whom he termed no other than a Ruffian or Pandor; the Minister of his Master's Lusts, and not of his Laws, and of Justice.

Thus full of indignation he applyed himself, and made his complaint unto one Mahomet Pasha, a principal Member of the Divan; one of great Wisdom and Practice in the Conduct of Affairs, and one with whom he had a particular Friend∣ship and Intimacy. Nor less interest had he with Janisar-Aga, or General of the Janizaries; to both whom, with tears in his Eyes, and with such words as the sense of his injuries suggested, he railed at the Vizier, and aggravated the Ra∣vishment of his Daughter with all the circum∣stances of Villany and Violence.

These two Friends heard the Story with a sensible remorse, and immediately concluded, That for the Honour and Security of the Em∣pire, it was necessary to depose Sultan Ibrahim, and for the same Reason to cut off the first Vi∣zier; agreeing amongst themselves that Maho∣met Pasha should receive the Seal and the Office. To effect which, they deemed it necessary to draw the Queen-Mother into the Conspiracy, being a Woman of great Authority, and having, as it were, the Reins of Government in her Hands, by reason of the weak Judgment of her Son. But because it was difficult to perswade the tenderness of a Mother to the ruin of her Son, the wise Mufti resolved first to sound her Inclinations and disposition towards this Design: and being well informed of her fierce Circassian Nature, and the Jealousy and Anger she con∣ceived against Shechir Para, obtained Licence to be heard by her, as if he would beg her Inter∣cession with her Son in his behalf; and being admitted to discourse with her, he thereby plain∣ly discovered her most inveterate hatred and displeasure against her Son; not only for this, but for many other Actions of like nature.

This discovery which the Queen had made, gave him the boldness to propose the confine∣ment again of Ibrahim to his old Prison; not that he should be absolutely laid aside and depo∣sed, but only corrected awhile, and being put in remembrance of his past Condition, might be taught Wisdom, and instructed for the future, what moderation and justice Sultans are obliged to exercise in the Administration of Govern∣ment; and so subtilly did he insinuate his Dis∣course, that the Queen-Mother assented to the Proposal, and that the Seal should be conferred on Mahomet Pasha; for she had conceived an irreconcileable hatred against Achmet the Grand Vizier, by whose Counsel she was sent to the old Seraglio, and was united in Confederacy with the detested Shechir Para.

The Mufti greatly satisfied to have gained so considerable a Conspirator to the Party, com∣municated the whole Business, with the Pro∣gress of it, to the two Kadileschers, [year 1648.] or Lord Chief Justices of Romelia and Anatolia; who ap∣proving thereof, and promising their utmost assi∣stance, the 7th of August was the Day appointed for the Insurrection of the Janizaries, who being all in a readiness on that day, went in a tumul∣tuary way to call the Mufti, the Kadileschers, and other Officers and Ministers of the Law, whom they seemingly forced to accompany them to the presence of the Grand Signior, of whom they demanded, that the present Vizier Achmet should be deprived of his Office, and that Ma∣homet Pasha should be constituted in his place. The Grand Signior at first refused their De∣mand, but being perswaded by his Mother that it was necessary to content the Militia in that tumult; he consented thereunto, and having called Achment, he took from him the Seal, and conferred it on Mahomet Pasha, and therewith the Office of Grand Vizier. Achmet trembling at the consequences hereof, resolved to commit himself to the Mercy of the Mufti, and there∣fore hastned to his House to attend his return, hoping to find him his Protector, under whose Shadow and Roof he fled for Sanctuary.

The Souldiery having thus obtained the first-fruits of their Insurrection, accompanied the Mufti unto his Home, where finding the depo∣sed Vizier Achmet, the Janisar-Aga immediately Commanded him out of Doors, from whence he had no sooner drawn his Foot, than that he was seized upon and strangled, and his Body thrown before the Gate of the new Mosch.

The next day being the 8th of August, 1648, the Janizaries again arising in the like Tumult as before, came to demand of the Mufti, Whe∣ther that according to their Law, Sultan Ibrahim as a Fool, and a Tyrant, and unfit for Govern∣ment, ought not to be deposed? To which the Mufti giving Answer in the Affirmative, sent to cite Sultan Ibrahim the day following to appear in the Divan, to administer Justice to his Soul∣diers and Subjects, who expected it from him. But Ibrahim supposing that he had sufficiently satisfied the Souldiery, by putting the Vizier out of Office, laughed at the Summons which the Mufti made him; which being seconded by a Fetfa, which is a point of Law resolved by the Mufti, who is the Mouth or Oracle thereof, viz. That the Grand Signior being called to ac∣count, is obliged to appear before the Justice; the Sultan in high disdain tore the Paper, threat∣ning the Head of the Mufti: but it was now too late, he having already sufficiently fortified himself with the Power and Strength of his Rebellious Companions. This Fetfa was immediately se∣conded by another of a higher nature, which declared, That whosoever obeyed not the Law of God, was not a true Mussulman or Believer; and though that Person were the Emperor him∣self, yet being become by his filthy Actions a Kafir or Infidel, was ipso facto, fallen from his Throne, and no farther capable of Authority and Government. This Fetfa being seen by Ibrahim, he tore it in pieces, commanding the Grand Vizier instantly to put the Mufti to Death, as guilty of Treason against his Prince: but having now lost his Authority, his Commands were not longer regarded, nor any reverence had of his person: For the Janizaries being again assembled about five a Clock in the Afternoon, came with their usual tumult to the Gates of the Seraglio.

And now Sultan Ibrahim losing all Courage at this third attempt, fled into the Arms of his Mother, begging her Assistance and Protection.

She being a bold and subtle Woman, employed all her Rhetorick and Eloquence to perswade the Souldiery not to offer Violence to the Person of their Lord and Master; promising that he should relinquish the Government, and retire himself with a Guard into his old Lodgings. Ibrahim comforted a little, that he should save his Life, shrunk himself willingly into his old Shell, wherein he had so long conserved his Life.

In the mean time the Conspirators taking forth his eldest Son Sultan Mahomet, set him on the Throne of his Father, and planting the Sar∣gouch, or Imperial Feathers on his Head, salu∣ted him for Emperor with loud Acclamations. Ibrahim continued his Imprisonment for some days with great patience, but at length growing desperate and furious, often beat his Head a∣gainst the Wall, until at length, he was on the 17th strangled by four Mutes.

In this manner Sultan Ibrahim ended his Days, which puts me in mind of the saying of a wiser and a better King than he, That there is little di∣stance between the Prisons and the Graves of Prin∣ces. And this Example made a great Officer understand how King Charles the Glorious Mar∣tyr was put to Death. For he, I think it was the Great Vizier, falling into Discourse with the Chief English Interpreter at Constantinople, not then calling to mind the Fate of Sultan Ibrahim, demanded, How, and when King Charles was put to Death? Sure, said he, Your King must have no Power, or your People must be more Rebel∣lious and Mutinous than other Nations of the World, who durst commit an Act so horrid and vile as this. See, said he, How our Emperor is revered and observed; and how submissive and obedient half the World is to the No•• of our Great Monarch. To which the Interpreter re∣plyed, that to recount unto him the History and Occasion of this prodigious Fact, would be too long and tedious for him to hear: but that the time it happened, was some Months after the Death or Murder of Sultan Ibrahim; which was an Item sufficient to give him a perfect under∣standing of what he required.

Sultan Ibrahim having in this manner ended his Days, the Government was committed into the hands of the Grand Vizier, and the old Queen-Mother (which is she whom we call Kio∣sem in the Ottoman State) and of twelve Pa∣shaws; who were to manage all Affairs with su∣pream Power, during the Minority of Sultan Mahomet, who now Reigns.

Ibrahim was the fifth Son of Sultan Achmet, born of the same Mother with Sultan Morat, Educated like the other younger Sons of the Otto∣man Family, within the Walls of an obscure and unhappy Prison; so that 'tis no wonder, if wanting the advantages of seeing and practi∣sing in the World, he should neither have stu∣died Men, nor been experienced in the Art of Government. Nor less strange is it, being na∣tural to humane Infirmity; for Men who have lived under Restraint, Affliction, and fear of Death, to become licentious and immoderate in all kind of Pleasures, whensoever they pass on a sudden from the depth of Misery to some transcendent degree of Happiness and Prosperi∣ty; which as, I say, all Men are naturally sub∣ject unto, so more especially those whose Religion indulges them all kind of sensual Carnality in this Life.

Ibrahim was in his own Nature of a gentle and easy Temper, of a large Forehead, of a quick and lively Eye and ruddy Complexion, and of a good Proportion in the Features of his Face, but yet had something in the Air of his Coun∣tenance, that promised no great Abilities of Mind. And giving himself up to all kind of Effeminacy and Softness, attended not unto the Government of his Affairs; and therefore it was his greatest misfortune to be served by wicked and faithless Officers to whom he trusted, and to whom he gave Credence, wanting in him∣self the Talents of Wisdom and Discretion to discern their Malice.

The continual apprehensions that he enter∣tained of Death during his Imprisonment, had so frozen his Constitution with a strange frigi∣dity towards Women, that all the dalliance and warm Embraces of the most inflaming Ladies in the Seraglio, could not in a whole Years time thaw his Coldness; which was the occa∣sion at first of that Report, which spoke him to be impotent towards Women: during which time he attended to his Ministers of Justice, and to a management of the Affairs of his Empire, which in the beginning of his Reign gained him a Credit and Reputation, and raised a great ex∣pectation of his goodness and Care of his Sub∣jects Welfare; an evidence of which, he gave in his Charge to the Great Vizier, that he should put no Man to Death unless for Capital and Enormous Crimes. But at length losing him∣self in Lusts and Sensualities, he forsook the Helm of his Regency, committing the guidance of his Empire to other Hands: and as he was ignorant of War, so he foolishly sported in the Calms of Peace; and suffering himself to be guided only by Fortune, felt the Stroke thereof in his last Unhappy Fate.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Vid. the Ott. State.
• * 1.2

  Re••sons for a War with the Cossaks.
• * 1.3

  Ambassa∣dors sent to complement Sultan Ib∣rahim.
• * 1.4

  The Siege of Asac.
• * 1.5

  The just pu∣nishment of a Persian Traytor.
• * 1.6

  The Birth of Sultan Mahomet.
• * 1.7

  The War renewed a∣gainst A∣sac.
• * 1.8

  The Inhabi∣tants aban∣don Asac.
• * 1.9

  The Persian renews his League.
• * 1.10

  The Turks seek to take Rab by Stratagem▪
• * 1.11

  The Tar∣tars make Incursions into Po∣land, not∣withstand∣ing the Peace.
• * 1.12

  The Story of Kuzlir Aga, his Slave and Sone taken by the Mal∣teses.
• * 1.13

  T••e En∣gagement of the Tur∣kish with the Malta Gallies.
• * 1.14

  Of the Knights of Malta.
• * 1.15

  The begin∣ning of the War.
• * 1.16

  1645▪
• ‖ 1.17

  Strangers Consulage is 2 i•• the hundred, in the value of all the goods belonging to Stranger-Merchants, laden on English Ships, and all other Ships which not being in amity with the G. Si••∣nior, s••t up the English Colours, & come under the English Protection, as is law∣ful by our Capit••la∣tions.
• * 2.1

  Inter∣preters.
• * 3.1

  VIII ster∣ling.
• * 8.1

  Morosini flair.
• * 8.2

  Sebenico b••si••ged.
• * 8.3

  The man of the Venetian Armata at Psara.
• * 8.4

  Clissa ta∣••en.