The history of the Turkish empire from the year 1623 to the year 1677 containing the reigns of the three last emperours, viz., Sultan Morat or Amurat IV, Sultan Ibrahim, and Sultan Mahomet IV, his son, the XIII emperour now reigning / by Paul Rycaut, Esq. ...

THE REIGN OF Sultan MORAT OR AMURAT IV. THE Eleventh EMPEROUR AND Twenty first MONARCH OF THE TURKS.

THE weak Understanding of Sultan Mustapha, and his in∣ability [unspec 1623] for Rule, caused the Affairs of State both at home and abroad to move disorderly and irregular. Where vio∣lence and injustice prevail, there is so little distance between the most eminent height of Grandeur and the lowest abyss of misery, that a Prince may in a moment step from one unto the other. The Janisa∣ries and Military Officers commanded more now than the Civil, all things being guided by the air and fancy of the Souldiery, who placed and dis∣placed with that wind of favour and displeasure, which is agreeable to the humor of a multitude and the licentiousness of Arms. For at the same time there were three Emperours, seven Great Viziers, two Ca∣ptain-Pasha's, five Aga's of the Janisaries, three Treasurers, six Pasha's of Cairo, and in proportion the changes and alterations were as many in all the Provinces of the Empire. All this confusion evidently proceeding from the weak and almost sensless understanding of Mustapha; the Mi∣nisters

and people concurred as it were in an universal consent to de∣throne him a second time, and exalt into his place Sultan Morat Brother to Osman, who was murthered the year before. The principal Actors in this contrivance were Kiosem the Mother of Morat, and the Mufti; but in the execution hereof three difficulties occurred. The sirst was Chusaein Pasha the Great Vizier, who by reason of the inabilities of Mustapha, being become absolute Lord and Soveraign of all, would be unwilling to assent unto that Proposition, which might degrade him of his Dignity, and divest him of his Power. A second obstacle was the fancy and humor of the Souldiery, who having with much zeal and pas∣sion exalted Mustapha to the Throne, it might be doubted, that in main∣tenance of the same humor they would with equal obstinacy persevere in their Election. A third was the poverty or low ebb of the Exche∣quer, which at that time was in no capacity to supply that Donative to the Souldiery, which was usual and customary at the Inauguration of every Sultan. To forward and hasten this change and ripen this Plot, the News of the Rebellion of Abassa did much contribute, who with a Body of fifteen thousand Horse roved over all the Plains of Kara-hisar, calling himself Avenger of Sultan Osmans Murder, and Enemy of the Jani∣saries, by whose Mutiny and Conspiracy he was put to death; in satisfa∣ction for which he not only killed all Janisaries which fell into his hands, but their wives, children, and those allied to them he destroyed with implacable malice and bloody rage. Upon this advice the Janisaries at Constantinople being moved with equal fury and desire of revenge, ap∣plied themselves to their Aga, proposing a speedy union with the Spahees for suppressing this Rebellion before time gave it greater growth, and made the humor more stubborn and difficult to be purged. At the same time also came Letters from Cicala Pasha (who was dispeeded into Asia with a strong Party to give a stop to the farther progress and advance of Abassa) advising that upon his near approach to the Enemy, so general a fear possessed his Souldiery, that most of them disbanded and forsook their Colours; and that at present he had no more than five hundred Janisaries, and two hundred Spahees under his Command, which he found to be an unequal match to contend with the increasing power of Abassa. This Intelligence served happily the occasion of the Mufti, Vizier, and Aga to give a turn to the desired change, and supplied them with an answer to the Janisaries, that they were ready to yield compliance unto their Address, but that the incapacity of their Soveraign obstructed their proceedings, and that the defect in the principal wheel disordered all the motions of good Government. At which reply the Janisaries becoming more unquiet, assembled themselves in a tumultuous manner at the Mosch of Sultan Solyman, where making an * 1.1 Ayack Divan, (so called, be∣cause they sit not down, but stand on their legs to denote the present haste and urgency of their affair) it was enacted by an unanimous con∣sent of the Civil and Military power, That young Morat or Amurat should be promoted to the Throne, and that Mustapha should be depo∣sed: and because the Exchequer was at its lowest ebb, and wholly ex∣hausted by miscarriage of the Officers, the Souldiers were contented to dispense with their Donative, which they relinquished in consideration of the publick good, reserving still their Title and Claim thereunto at times of a more happy Inauguration. With this News the Vizier imme∣diately mounted on Horse-back to signifie this universal Decree to Mu∣stapha,

but he found him so stupid, as if he had been insensible of the Message; and his Mother wanting power to resist this strong convul∣sion, gave way to necessity, and seemed to embrace what she could not oppose.

Thus Mustapha falling from the Heaven of his Throne to the Abyss of his Prison, seemed to return unto his centre; for being only by the wild-fire of Fortune carried as far aloft, as the force of popular powder could reach, he afterwards by the meer weight of his earthly temper returned with the like quickness of motion to the place from whence he ascended.

Hereupon Sultan Amurat, a Youth of about fourteen years of age, was brought forth to the people, and placed in the Throne with all the acclamations and rejoycings of the people. And being taught by his Mother in a feigned manner to refuse acceptance of the Empire, he pre∣tended that the Exchequer was exhausted, and that therefore he was not able to demonstrate the affection and esteem he had for them, and that since they had killed their former Sultans, he was fearful lest the tenderness of his age should betray him to the like violence: but the Souldiery having not the patience to hearken to his excuses, immediate∣ly carried him to the Divan, where having cloathed him in white, they * 1.2 seated him on a Safraw erected with four Pillars studded with precious Stones; the Covering of which was of Crimson Velvet richly embroide∣red with Gold and Oriental Pearl. And being so seated, the Mufti with all reverence approached, and kissed his hand; and then turning to the people he demanded of them, if they were contented with that Prince whom they now beheld in the Seat of the Ottoman Kings; to which they having given assent by their loud acclamations, Morat with a be∣coming gravity encharged the Mufti to take care that Justice and the Law be executed, and so retired to his Lodgings with general satisfa∣ction. The next morning he was carried by Water to the Mosch of Jub in the Suburbs of Constantinople, where according to the Solemnity of the Ottoman Empire, having performed his * 1.3 Corban or Sacrifice, and having his Cemiter girt to his side by the Emirsheriff, he mounted on Horse-back, and with a magnificent Train entred by the Gate of Adria∣nople. In the mean time Mustapha, who was more worthy to bear a Fools Cap than an Imperial Diadem, was conducted to Prison, and more narrowly guarded than formerly; howsoever no man offered to take away his life, the persons of Fools and Idiots being sacred in esteem of the Turks, and the least injury offered to them accounted irreligious and unlucky.

Morat was of a lively countenance, full-fac'd, dark hair, of a black and lively eye, ruddy and sanguine Complexion, and in every degree of a promising and hopeful Aspect: but his exteriour appearance did not correspond with the internal cruelty of his violent Spirit, having some similitude with the Swan, which hath white feathers and black flesh.

The Great Vizier who assisted at this Solemnity was (as we have said) Chusaein Pasha, a person of self-interest, who had wasted and consumed the Treasury, and converted a great part thereof to his own benefit; he was a Tyrant, hated of all men, and supported himself by no other Art than bribing of the Souldiery: and to his other Crimes he added that of having unjustly persecuted Halil Pasha, and deprived him of his Office, his power not reaching to the taking away his life; which being

reserved for better times, he was again recalled from his retirement, and [unspec 1624] by special command of the Sultan, was unwillingly restored to the Office of Vizier, being best pleased with a quiet and pacifick life, to which his melancholy temper had naturally disposed him. In the mean time Chu∣saein Pasha being terrified by the sensible touches of his own conscience, took his flight by way of the Black Sea, and being out of the reach of Justice, a Fine was set of five thousand Zechins, and of Lands to the Revenue of an hundred thousand Aspers a year, to be given unto him who should bring his head; many of those who had sold him their friendship and favour being affrighted with this Sentence, voluntarily disgorged the rewards they had received, and amongst the rest the last Aga of the Janisaries, who had been his Kahya or Steward for the space of three months, restored eight hundred thousand Dollars as an atone∣ment for his sin, and a ransom for purchasing his own life and Office. At length by force of the foregoing reward Chusaein Pasha was betrayed and taken alive, and being brought to Constantinople, was immediately strangled before the gate of the Divan.

Many were the difficulties which this young Sultan was to encounter, the greatest of which was the insolence of the Janisaries, who feeling themselves empty of money, began to repent of the prodigal and easie remission of their Donative, and in a tumultuous manner to redemand it again. There was no argument or debate to be used against men of the Sword, who hearkned to no other reason than their own wants, and to satisfie them there was no other remedy than compliance; wherefore all Officers and persons not employed in Military Affairs were forced to contribute towards a large Tax, and a shameful demand was made for the Loan of thirty thousand Zechins from the four Christian Ambassa∣dours resident at the Port, that they also as Friends might yield an assist∣ing hand towards the present urgency of Affairs: so little consideration and shame have Turks to lay open the nakedness and distress of their Country even to strangers and enemies of it. And indeed such was the insolence and uncontroulable power of the Souldiery, that their desires and commands were Laws, and their determinations Rules for their Sul∣tan and his Subjects.

This humor of Usurpation and unlimited Power wearied all the Offi∣cers of the Empire, and inclined them secretly to approve the cause of Abassa Pasha of Erzirum, who declared and stiled himself Enemy to the Janisaries; and of Bechir Pasha of Babylon, who was joyned with him. The Vizier also finding his power abridged by the arbitrary will of the Souldiery moved slowly and coldly into Asia, where all the Force he could make consisted of no more than fifty thousand new and unexperienced men, such as were uncapable to contend with a more numerous Army of veterane Souldiers; to which also the Beglerbei of Anatolia joyned him∣self, as did all other the chief Timar-Spahees, who conspired together to confound and destroy the pride and government of the Janisaries. The Vizier also was of the same Party, and coldly at first answered the request of the Janisaries, when they earnestly pressed him to lead them against Abassa their common and mortal Enemy: at length being fortified with the Force of the Timar-Spahees, he told them plainly, That if they would go and fight, he would be a Spectator of the success, but would not ingage himself in a quarrel wherein the blood of Musselmen might be spilt on one side and the other: by which means the Rebels in Asia took

head, increased in force, and every day rendred them in a more formi∣dable [unspec 1625] and dangerous posture.

But this was not all the trouble which ensued; for the Tartars having refused that King whom the Grand Signior had appointed them to re∣ceive, declared for Mehmet his Brother, who was seconded by the Votes of the generality, and maintained by the strongest nerve of that Nation. The Vizier was unwilling to ingage in this quarrel, alledging, That a Civil War was the worst of evils, and that it was better to coanive at a present inconvenience, than in this distracted time of Affairs to pollute the Empire with the blood of Tartars, who were their Brethren and of the same Religion and Alliance with them. Howsoever the Divan was of another opinion, and resolved to dispeed the Captain-Pasha with a Force sufficient to re-instate Gherey (for so the elder Brother was called) in the Government of that Kingdom: but yet the Instructions given ra∣ther directed him to act with dexterity than with force, supposing that the Authority of the Turks abetted with the presence of a considerable Force would create an inclination in the Tartars to obedience, so soon as they discovered them to appear on their Coast. The Captain-Pasha being arrived at * 1.4 Caffá, declared, That he was sent by the Grand Signior not to exclude either one or other of the Pretenders, but only to be Witness of a free and fair Election, that so all Civil discord ceasing, that Party might be chosen who was most pleasing to the generality of the people: to which end two Standards were erected, one for * 1.5 Gherey the elder Brother desired by the Turks, and the other for Mehmet beloved of the Tartars. The people in multitudes ran to the Standard of Mehmet, and but few to that of Gherey, which demonstrated at how mean a rate the Tartars esteemed the protection and favour of the Port. The Ca∣ptain-Pasha vexed hereat, denied to give his assent to the confirmation, on pretence, that he was first to demand the Grand Signior's pleasure; but at length was perswaded by Gherey to land a Force of about eight thousand men to owne and maintain his Cause, on hopes, that ra∣ther than ingage against the Turks, the people would condescend to Terms in his admission and favour. The Tartars not being in the least dismayed hereat, arrayed themselves in a warlike posture, and feigning fear and flight, allured the Turks to a pursuit of them, until they had brought them to a place where thirty thousand Horse lay in ambush, which on a sudden arising and encompassing them round, had entirely destroyed them, had not Salil the Brother of Mehmet given a stop to the slaughter, on hopes, that such a testimony of friendship would recon∣cile the spirits of the Turks, at least might render his Brother's prefer∣ment more tolerable and grateful to the Turks. In this conflict Ibrahim and Chusaein who were Viziers of the Bench, the Kahya and a Capigi∣bashe of the Seraglio were slain, whose bodies were afterwards trans∣ported to Constantinople, six hundred Janisaries and as many Sea-men were killed, and fifteen hundred Prisoners were taken, whose liberty was procured at a mean ransom for the sake of that Faith and Religion which they joyntly professed; they also took thirty Pieces of Cannon, and might also have become Masters of the whole Fleet consisting of thirty six Gallies, had they been desirous to have prosecuted their Vi∣ctory to the utmost advantage: and moreover in that conjuncture of affairs, when a general consternation had overspread the principal parts of the Ottoman Dominions, when the Counsels were feeble and faint,

and that a languishing pulse beat in all the Government, had the Tar∣tar with an Army of fifty thousand Horse then ready to march, made up to the Walls of Adrianople; it might have proved such an opportu∣nity for dividing and destroying this Empire, as hath not offered at any time since that occasion. But the two Brothers Mehmct and Salil stiling their War forced and defensive, used that moderation in their Victory which might not provoke a desire of revenge in the Turks. The Ca∣ptain-Pasha being thus permitted to depart from Caffa with his Fleet, sailed to Varna, a Port in the Black Sea about two hundred miles distant from Constantinople; where the News of this defeat being arrived, put all the City into confusion, and raised the Viziers at midnight to consult of those remedies and expedients, which were agreeable to the present emergency of Affairs. The Great Vizier Ali was of opinion, that the Grand Signior ought to condescend to Terms of Accommodation, though to the disadvantage and disreputation of his power; and that accordingly a Letter should be wrote to Mehmet the Tartar, beginning with the usual Complements of Friendship and Salutation; and after∣wards declaring, That it was never the intention of the Port to ingage in a War against him, the late conflict having only proceeded from a mistake and misinterpretation of Orders; and that there was no other design than to compose the Civil differences amongst themselves by ad∣vancing that Prince to the Kingly Dignity who was most pleasing and grateful to the people. This advice was approved by the rest of the Council, and a Messenger dispatched with the Letter, accompanied with a Cemiter and Vest of Sables, which are the Signals of the Sultans favour. In the mean time the people murmured at the pusillanimity of the Go∣vernment, saying, That they had sent an Ambassadour to thank the Tartar for not seizing their whole Fleet, and acknowledge their obliga∣tion to him for the blows and wounds he had given their Army. The Tartars also gloried in this submission, and took the boldness to vaunt of their Linage and Descent to be more Ancient and Noble than that of the Ottoman Family; and that in this time of decay and degenerate procedure of that Monarchy, it appertained to the Greatness of the Tar∣tars to stir up the fire and snuff the lamp, that the Splendour of that Empire might become more bright and shining than in former Ages: and so little respect did they now maintain for the Port, that they surprised two Ambassadours sent from the Moscovite in their way to Constantino∣ple, robbed and killed them, as also the Turkish Chiaus that was with them, lest his testimony should be brought in for an evidence against them.

During these Troubles the Cosacks taking advantage of the Captain-Pasha's [unspec 1626] absence in Tartary, entred the Bosphorus with about an hundred and sifty Sail of Saicks and Boats; these Boats and Vessels which the * 1.6 Cosacks use are built long and light with ten Oars of a side, and two men to an Oar; the Head and Stern are not unlike, so that they hang the Rudder sometimes at one end, and sometimes at the other, being not obliged to turn their Vessel, but without loss of time to proceed with that end which happens to be foremost. Each Boat carries fifty select men armed with Fire-arms and Cemiter, in the management of which they are very expert; and are a People sober, enduring labour and hard diet, and so speedy in their Incursions, that they forestal the advices, and commonly strike before they threaten. With these Boats

and people (as we have said) they entred the Bosphorus, where they burnt several Villages and Houses of Pleasure; on the Grecian side they burnt Boyuc-deri and Yenichioi, on the Asian side Stenia. The appearance of this Enemy so near the Imperial City caused a general consternation, not unlike that at London, when the Dutch entred the River of Chatham. To oppose this Force there was not one Gally in readiness, so that Saicks, Chimbers, and small Boats were armed to the number of four or five hundred, and man'd with such people as the present haste and expedition offered; the great Chain was then brought forth to cross the Bosphorus, which the Grecian Emperours used at the Siege of Constantinople: and ten thousand men were issued from the City to defend the shoar from depredation and farther mischief. The Turkish Fleet faced the Cosacks to give them a stop, whilst they hovered about the middle of the Cha∣nel in form of a Half-Moon, and so continued the whole day until Sun∣set; when with the night they returned into the Sea, carrying with them, besides their Booty, glory sufficient to have entred the Chanel, and without blows or opposition to have braved the Capital Seat of the Ot∣toman Monarchy, and the most formidable City of the whole World. Not many days after they returned again with a greater Force than be∣fore, which put the City into the like consternation; and having hove∣red about three or four days at the Mouth of the Black Sea, they burnt the Pharos or Lantern with certain Villages thereabouts, and being laden with Spoils and Glory, they again returned into their own Country. Thus we may observe, how bold Enemies are made with the weakness of a State: a Horse is soon sensible of his Rider, when backed by a faint hand and an unaccustomed lightness, but a stisf Rein and a close knee makes him obedient to his Ruler. All people having discovered the im∣becillity of the Government, made head against it: and the young Sul∣tan had those for his Enemies in the time of his Nonage, which in his strong and fiercer years became the most submissive and fawning Slaves in the World.

And though at this time the Turkish Ministers were corrupt and rebellious, and the Souldiery mutinous; yet Bethlem Gabor Prince of Transylvania, a Christian, was observant to the Port, demanding licence * 1.7 to wage War against the Emperour, which was easily granted, and upon payment of the usual Tribute of ten thousand Hungars, the Ambassadour with thirteen of his Followers received Coftans or Vests of Honour, and a promise of Succour and Protection, as the condition of his Affairs should require. Thus we see, that whilst the Turks themselves endeavoured to rent in pieces their own Monarchy; to which one would have thought, that the Christians had most reason to contribute: yet such was the unhappy Fate of Christendom, that Gabor was the only person at that time to court the Turks; and that for no other reason, than that he might be supported and abetted in a War against the Emperour and other Christian Princes of Germany.

The Army of Bethlem Gabor consisted of above thirty thousand men, with which he marched over all Hungary, having taken most Towns of consideration, unless Presburg aliàs Possonium, Rab, and Komorra: but if we penetrate into the depth and foundation of this War, we shall find that it had a deeper interest than that of Gabor, and had its Original from the discord and Civil War of Germany. For the House of Austria being at that time in a condition to render it self formidable, and in a

posture to create a jealousie in all the Princes subjected to it, did under colour of subduing the Palatine of the Rhyne, oppress also the liberty of the Empire, and of the several States which composed it. For after the Emperour against the Constitutions of the Golden Seal, and the sense of the Electoral Colledge, had divested the Palatine and his Children of their Estates and Dignity, not so much by force of Arms as by deceit and breach of promise; instead of disbanding the Army, which was to have been performed according to agreement, new Troops were added; and though the Protestant League was dissolved, yet the Catholick Combination with all its Adherents remained armed and immoveable to compel the Protestants to a restitution of the Ecclesiastical Revenue, notwithstanding the Articles of Peace to the contrary: so that the Princes and Towns of the Lower Saxony entring into a new League raised an Army under the Command of Christian of Brunswick Bishop of Alberstadt. Bethlem Gabor having his interest adjoyned to this Party, entertained the same desires and intentions to suppress the Greatness of the Emperour; and having the just complaint to alledge of wanting his annual Pension of fifty thousand Crowns, as was agreed by the Treaty of Niclasbourg, he resolved to force it by Arms, and take part with the Princes of the Protestant Religion which he professed: but because his strength and power was not sufficient without the assistance of the Turks, he not only obtained their permission and approbation of this War, as we have said before, but by payment of fifty thousand Dollars presented to the first Vizier, and of forty thousand by way of annual Tribute, he procured an auxiliary Force of fifty thousand Turks and Tartars; with part of which, commanded by Budiani, he made an irruption into the Lower Austria, and with the other Bethlem himself about the beginning of October entred into Moravia, defeated the Regi∣ment of Tissenbach, retook the Town of Turnova, and routed the Count of Montenegro General for his Imperial Majesty before the Town of Gho∣ding on the Frontier of Moravia, which he afterwards beleagured and held besieged until the 20^th of November, when Stanislaus Turzow a Hun∣garian Palatine became Mediator of the Peace, and at length obtained a Truce: the principal Articles of which were as followeth.

1. That on both parts Arms be laid down for ten months, and all Acts of Hostility cease, that on neither side any attempt should be made either by force or fraud to take any Castles, Forts, Cities, or places of de∣fence during this time; and that both Germans, Hungarians, and Turks should be alike comprehended.

2. That if the Emperour were desirous to treat and conclude a final Peace with the Grand Signior, he should use Bethlem Gabor as Mediator, and do nothing therein without his privity.

3. That all Places and Forts taken by the Prince of Transylvania in his late Expedition, and that all Cities and Castles now in possession of either, should so remain without any alteration.

4. That all Passages should be open for free Trade of Merchants, and all other the Subjects and Friends of either side.

A Truce being thus concluded, the Turks in their return made great havock, carrying with them great numbers of poor Christians into Sla∣very, which Gabor out of compassion seemed willing to redeem with a low price at his own charge, which the Turks refusing, carried those miserable Wretches into Captivity. The Count Esterhast Governour of

Newhausel for the Emperour, being highly incensed at this treacherous action contrary to the Truce so lately concluded, having drawn out a sufficient Force from the neighbouring Garrisons, fell on the Rear of the Turks in their March towards Buda, and charged them so home on the Banks of the River Niter, that he killed five hundred of them on the place, took all their Baggage, with divers Prisoners, and gave liberty to many Christian Slaves. The next day but one after he charged ano∣ther Party of them, as they attempted to pass a Bridge, which the night before he had caused to be broken down; of which having killed a great number, the rest saved themselves by swimming: howsoever many Christians procured their liberty thereby, and a considerable Booty was made of Horses, Camels, Waggons, and all Provisions. The other Troops consisting of greater numbers were worse treated than the former; for Esterhast having received a Recruit of Horse from Reiffemberg Governour of Komorra, and Breuner of Javarin or Rab, he proceeded boldly to meet the Turks, and joyning Battel with them, he slew twelve hun∣dred on the place, gave liberty to fourteen hundred Christians, took divers of their principal Commanders with all their Bag and Baggage, besides a considerable quantity of Gold and Silver in Plate and Money. Nor were Reiffemberg and Breuner less successful over those who passed through their Quarters to joyn with the Garrisons of Alba Regalis and Canisia, having killed seven hundred of them, and taken all their Bag∣gage. Moreover Count Serini in his Journey towards Vienna defeated six hundred of them, and presented their Colours to the Emperour: and Esterhast in like manner after his several Exploits offered thirty Cor∣nets at his feet, with six Prisoners of Quality, one of which was Kinsman of Bethlem Gabor.

These rebuffs cooled the courage of the Turks a little, and altered the resolution of the Council for carrying forward the War on the side of Germany, as was intended, had the success answered expectation: For these misfortunes abroad, and intestine troubles at home, with Pesti∣lence and Famine, which at the same time greatly afflicted the parts of Constantinople (whereby an hundred thousand people dyed) abated the mettle of the Turks, and caused them to take new measures in all their determinations: and for that reason Ambassadours were sent both to Vienna and into Poland to renew the Articles of Peace, and so to con∣firm the League, that whilst the Sultan was imployed in his Wars with Persia and the Eastern Countries, nothing should intervene from the Western parts to trouble or obstruct his progress, or recal him from his Enterprise. For now the Rebellion of Abassa, joyned with Bechir Pasha of Bagdat, growing daily more considerable, and his strength increasing to that condition, that he was able to keep the field in despight of the Grand Signiors Forces, he adventured to quarter within five days March of Constantinople: and at the same time Letters coming from Hafish Pa∣sha General of the Army in the Province of Bagdat, that the King of Persia was entred into the Dominions of the Turk with a powerful Ar∣my, a general consternation seized the whole Turkish Court, the wisest and stouiest having occasion to call up for all their wisdom and courage to assist at a time when the Government was assailed on all sides, both at home and abroad. Various were the Counsels and Proposals in what manner to proceed in times of such emergency. First it was resolved to proclaim a War both against the King of Persia and the Rebels in Asia,

and that whosoever took of the Grand Signior Pay from one Asper a day to a higher value, should be in readiness to serve in the War upon penalty of losing his Estate, of being accounted a Rebel, and his wife and children sold for Slaves. But the more sober and moderate sort judged it policy to take off Abassa by sending him a general Pardon, with a concession of all his demands, upon condition, that he should turn his Arms upon the King of Persia, who was the common Enemy of their Country and Religion: but the Janisaries would by no means assent to this agreement with a person to whom they bore a more inveterate ha∣tred, than to the Persian himself, as he did also to the Janisaries. For that he might better justifie his pretence of revenge, he declared, That being one day in a Mosch at his Prayers the murdered Osman appeared to him, and taking him by the hand said, My faithful Mussulman, since thou art the most generous of all my Slaves, I command thee to revenge my death, with the blood of sixty thousand Janisaries and Spahees, good Fortune shall accompany thy Arms, and Victory shall crown thy la∣bours. During these intrigues and difficulties of reconciliation, Abassa spoiled the Lesser Asia, and the Persian King conquered the City and Province of Bagdat or Babylon, took Kur Asan Pasha an old Souldier Prisoner, possessed himself of Mosul and Leska on the Persian Sea, and meeting no considerable opposition, he divided his Army into four parts. The first was dispeeded into Mesopotamia commanded by the King him∣self. The second made Incursions into Palestine. The third infested the Coast of the Black Sea: and the fourth marched towards Mecha, with hope and design of sharing all the parts of the Eastern Empire.

Ali Pasha, who opposed the King in Mesopotamia, was slain and his Army wholly defeated, so that the Province became a prey to the Ene∣my: the success in Palestine was equally fortunate by the revolt of Da∣mascus, a place of great riches and importance; the Coast of the Black Sea was grievously infested, and a Port taken near to Trapezond; and little opposition being made at Balsora, the Town was taken by that Army in their March towards Mecha and the parts of the Red Sea, where they rendered themselves Masters of Medina the City of their Prophet Mahomet.

To repair these losses, and to encounter numbers so strong and valiant in all parts, the Vizier was dispeeded with a powerful Force to the Town of Bagdat; but by reason of Mutinies and Tumults amongst the Souldiery, matters found not the success expected: and the Garrison making valiant and vigorous Sallies against the imbecillity of the Turkish Souldiery, which were always most obstinate and stout to oppose their * 1.8 own Commanders, obtained an advantage in every Attempt; by which discouragement many forsaking their Colours, the Siege was raised with dishonour, and the interest of the Turk impaired and almost irreparably lost in those Provinces. This News arrived at Constantinople, that the Camp was risen and fled by night, that they were forced to burn their Tents and Provisions, and to break their great Artillery and cast them into the Euphrates: that the miseries in the Army had been such by Fa∣mine and Pestilence, and want of all Provisions and Ammunition, that the like was never known: that the Vizier had beheaded three of his Pasha's, that so he might cast the whole blame upon them; and that now retreating with his Army into the Turkish Dominions, the Persians pursued them in the Rear, and for ten days did execution on them, ma∣king

the best use they could of their Victory; which relation silled the hearts of all people with sadness, and disordered the Counsels with con∣fusion. The cause of which ill success according to custom being impu∣ted to the General, he was deprived of his Office, and sacrificed to the fury of the Janisaries.

These troubles were increased at Constantinople by the Addresses which the Prince of Transylvania made unto the Port by his Kapi-Kahya or Agent, representing to the Grand Signior, That he wanting Heirs Male to succeed him in his Principality, the States at a Diet had with common consent elected his Lady for his Successour, and therefore desired consir∣mation from the Port; in excuse of her Sex he alledged the urgent ne∣cessity of the present times, which perswaded rather to admit of the Go∣vernment of a Woman, than that his Principality should for want of an Heir fall into the hands of the powerful Family of Austria. To make good this demand, Duke John of Weymar and Count Mansfelt arrived * 1.9 in Silistria, to whom the Prince of Transylvania joyned his Troops; and Morteza Pasha of Buda wrote to the Port, that he was marching towards Valz to meet the Prince, and confer with him concerning these designs. The Emperours Resident at Constantinople greatly exclaimed against these proceedings, which something troubled the Counsels of the Turks, who in that conjuncture were unwilling to give beginnings to a new War; so that besides fair words they promised to write such Letters to the Pa∣sha of Buda, as should give a stop to the Investiture of the Princess; but to say truly, the Instructions given were in such ambiguous terms, that they in essect lest the whole matter to the discretion of Morteza to act, as he judged most agreeable to the state of Affairs on the Frontiers, and security of the present Peace.

Thus did the Turkish Court seek to ward off the blow of a War with Germany, and yet secretly nourished and encouraged it, by giving Or∣ders to the Pasha of Buda to take up his Winter-quarters with the Prince of Transylvania, and to follow his directions; but yet so to govern mat∣ters with caution, as not to engage too far on uncertain grounds or doubtful hazard, but to embrace Propositions of Peace, if offered with honour and security. In prosecution of these Rules, Morteza observing, that Weymar and Mansfelt having united their Forces with Gabor, had formed a considerable Army, and were able to sight with Wallestein Ge∣neral of the Imperialists; joyned also his Forces to theirs, judging it a prudent and politick design to wage a War at the blood and expence of others. With these encouragements, and with the favour of a good opportunity the Confederates fell upon the Army of Wallestein near the River Gran, who not being able to withstand their force and fury, was * 1.10 put to flight, and pursued in the Rear with great slaughter; and en∣deavouring to pass the River on two Bridges of Boats, were closely fol∣lowed by the Princes Forces, who gaining the pass, put the whole Army into great amazement, and resolved to pursue them to the Gates of Presburg or Vienna.

Notwithstanding this success, the Prince of Transylvania observing the backwardness of his Allies to contribute the Succours of Men and Money which they had promised; and fearing that the unfortunate estate of the Turkish Affairs should cause the Sultan to disown the War, dispeeded a Messenger to the Emperour in the Winter-season to excuse the con∣straint upon him of taking up Arms, and to offer Terms of Accommoda∣tion

and Peace: but the Emperour refused all Treaties, until such time as Gabor had separated himself from his Allies, and from association with the Turk; upon which Answer Gabor retired to Cassovia, and Morteza to Pesth. This compliance gave beginning to a Treaty at Komara, where the Commissioners on part of the Emperour, of the Grand Signior, and Prince of Transylvania assembled. All Parties seemed inclinable to War, and yet with occult intentions to make Peace, being necessitated thereunto by the urgency of their distinct Interests. The Emperour was urged by his Wars with the Protestants of Germany, and apprehen∣sion of Forces from England in favour of the Elector Palatine, then King of Bohemia: the Grand Signior was encumbred by the unfortunate con∣dition * 1.11 of his Wars in Asia: and Bethlem Gabor, jealous of being disown∣ed by the Port, deserted by his Allies, and exposed to sight and contend singly with the Emperour. In short, Gabor concluded a Peace with the Emperour apart, which gave some jealousies and displeasure to the Grand Signior: howsoever he dissembled his discontent, and willingly interessed Gabor with Morteza as Commissioner for him; who being va∣riously disposed, yet moved with the considerations of their common advantage, worked all differences into a Composition of Peace, the Ar∣ticles of which being brought to Constantinople by an Internuntio from the Emperour, and delivered in presence of the two Ambassadours of Gabor, they were accepted by the Chimacam, and ratified by the Grand Signior.

Articles of Peace Concluded between the Emperour of Germany Ferdinand the Second, and Bethlem Gabor in the Month of December 1626.

I. THE Prince of Transylvania doth promise by the Faith of a Christian never to move Arms, or use any Hostility against the Majesty of the Emperour, or the House of Austria, or their Successours, much less to enter into their Dominions with an Army, nor to aid his Enemies, or keep a Cor∣respondence with them: not to plot any Innovation in the Kingdom of Hun∣gary or other Christian Countries: nor to stir up or provoke the Turks, Tar∣tars, or others to invade them: not to entertain or assist in any evil Counsel against his Majesty, nor to give ear to the requests and desires of his Enemies; but rather to reveal all their Conspiracies and Wickednesses, which shall be made known unto him, and by all means to demonstrate and shew a sincere mind truly desirous of Peace, and sollicitous of the common Good.

II. That the Prince shall instantly depart with his whole Army out of the Territories and Cities of the Emperour; and that he shall restore as well all Goods belonging to the Imperial Treasure, as those of his faithful Subjects.

III. That he shall remove from him the Rebel Mansfelt, and all other his Followers and Adherents desirous to invade the Dominions of the Emperour; and that he shall not aid any Stranger whatsoever, who at his instance hath entred into the Territories of his Majesty with Count Mansfelt, to whom Let∣ters of publick Safety shall be given, that they may return by twenty or thirty in a Troop, conditionally that in no placo of their Retreat they shall joyn with the Enemies of the Emperour.

IV. That seeing it is fit for Establishment of the Peace, that the Inhabi∣tants of Countries and Cities belonging to the Prince, by consont of the Empe∣rour,

should remain during his life in Obedience and Fidelity to him; and that those Inhabitants should do Homage to the Emperour (saving their corporal Oath to the Prince) to keep inviolate these Articles, That they should have leave by Letters of full Authority and Power granted them by the Prince in their first Assemblies and Conventions to make such Oath of Homage.

V. That at the same time of performing the Homage and Oath, besides the Oath before the last War, they shall take a new Oath according to the Agreement between the Prince and the Commissioners of the Emperour.

VI. The Prince shall procure, that all Places upon the Consines which were taken by the Turks in the last War, be restored; and that all Captives taken Prisoners shall be set at liberty: and that the Prince shall procure the freedom of all such the Emperours Subjects as shall be in the Turkish Ca∣ptivity.

VII. That all the Subjects of the Emperour, lately incited and drawn to the Service of the Prince, shall be free from their Oath: and if the Prince hath any of their Writings Obligatory in his hands, that he shall restore them: and that these Conditions being confirmed, all other things formerly treated, shall remain in their former state and vigour.

VIII. That if any other difficulties arise, they shall be accontmodated with fidelity and quietness by Commissioners on both parts: And that all those who in the last Commotions have served the Prince, shall be absolved according to the Treaty and Agreement at Vienna.

IX. That all the Inhabitants of Cities and Countries, which have served the Prince, shall be absolved; only those excepted, who have voluntarily ta∣ken up Arms against the Emperour, for whom the Prince only shall intercede, excusing always private men, who have done private wrongs; for they shall according to Law and Custom seek their restitution by Civil Action.

X. That all other Articles of Peace concluded at Nichilsburg and Vienna, shall remain in their former vigour and force: And that all Goods of the Emperours Clergie, possessed by the Prince from the Year 1619. to this present day, shall be restored; except the Abbies of Replana belonging to the Se∣minaries of Strigonium, for which the Prince shall pay yearly to the Empe∣rour five hundred Florens.

These Articles being thus agreed, and signed, and approved by the Sultan, in the month of September following 1627. the Articles between the Emperour and the Grand Signior were also agreed at Komara, the which are as follow translated out of the Turkish word for word.

THat seeing the Peace established formerly at Zitwar, Vienna, Komara, and Chiarman, hath remained in the same state, and in the same Ar∣ticles, without any alteration, it shall not be violated by any new occasion of contention.

That the differences of Vatz, whereof is made mention at the present; shall rest in the same state that the Commissioners on both sides shall agree.

That the new Forts built upon the Confines of Croatia, contrary to the Peace, shall be demolished. To which purpose our said Deputy Mehmet, and our Vizier Mortesa Pasha, shall meet upon the Frontiers of Buda with your De∣puties, at the time appointed by the Treaty, and thereupon the places on both sides shall cause to be demolished the Forts built contrary to the Peace: where∣in if they find any impediment, they shall chuse able and valiant men to per∣form and execute the said service.

That after the approbation of this happy Peace, your great Ambassadour shall come to Komara, and ours shall repair with our Imperial Letters to Strigonium: and there one of them advising the other, yours shall set for∣ward to our happy Port, and ours shall advance to you. For so it is agreed by our Imperial Order, both carrying with them the new Imperial Capitu∣lations.

That all complaints of Villages subject to both parts, shall be laid aside, and no Violences, Taxes, or Contribution, contrary to our sormer Convention, shall be exacted. And all Forts built in the common Consines shall be rased. And reciprocally it shall be made known, according to the ancient Treaty, what great men do dwell amongst our Tributaries. And for the execution of the sixteenth and seventeenth Articles of the Peace of Zitwa, the tenth of Vienna, and the fourth of Komara and Chiarman (for such was then the agreement) two Capigi-Pasha's of our high Port shall be deputed and dispeed∣ed, the one to this side, and the other to that side of the Danube. And upon your part you shall send two such qualified persons to the same places: who being met together with the Deputies of Mortesa Pasha and the Palatine of Hungary, shall rectifie all disorders, and see that good Justice be done on both Parties: for so it is our most high pleasure.

That the Slaves which have been taken during this our Treaty, shall be freed and set at liberty without any ransom: and those who were taken before the said Treaty shall be exchanged and redeemed, according to their qualities and estates, by the interposition of Mortesa Pasha and the Palatine of Hungary deputed for that purpose.

For the good of poor people on both sides, the Commissioners have thought it fit to conclude this renewed Peace for twenty five years from 1627. Where∣unto we have given our Imperial assent.

That all Merchants, and other our Subjects on both parts, shall have safe passage and conduct through both our Dominions: and we have given Com∣mand to our Pasha's, Beglerbeghs, Generals, Beghs, and Captains, upon our Consines, to apprehend, bring into Justice, and punish all such as shall any way disturb or molest them contrary to the Peace. As likewise the Palatine of Hungary and other your Ministers shall do on your part, is they find any such offendors.

That our Beglerbeghs, Sanzacks, Captains, and Governours; and your Generals, Commanders, and Captains shall upon occasion imploy all such per∣sons as are lovers of the Peace and common Good.

That there shall be no damage or hurt done to any of our Subjects in any of your Kingdoms or Dominions, neither by Sea nor Land: as there shall none be done to yours in our Dominions.

That all by-past wrongs, enmities, and unkindnesses on both parts shall be forgotten and laid asleep: and that this happy Peace shall be sincerely and firmly continued and kept inviolate.

Upon condition that the Emperour perform and observe all the aforesaid Articles, and that there follow no action from any Ministers, contrary to the said Peace; We promise and swear by God our Creator, who made the whole world of nothing, and by the honour which we bear to our most high Prophet Mahomet Mustapha, That there shall not be done during the whole term of the said Peace, the least hurt or damage to the Subjects, Countries, King∣doms, Castles, or Forts of the said Emperour, by any of our Ministers or Armies, nor to any Christian Slaves subject to our happy Port.

By these Articles we may observe, that both Parties were desirous of a present Peace, rather than one which was durable; for things are so slubber'd over to serve the present occasion, that they leave all disputes undecided, till time should happen more proper to interpret them with the Sword, than with the Pen: like sores obducted by an unskilful Chi∣rurgion, which festering within, must be again opened before they are cured: howsoever they served the turn of Gabor, whose interest it was to maintain an ill correspondence between the two Emperours. Peace [unspec 1627] being thus concluded between Ferdinand the Second and Sultan Morat, gave some reputation to the Affairs of the Turks: so that notwithstand∣ing the late success of the Persian in their War by raising the Siege of Bagdat, and overthrow of the Turkish Army; yet that King finding himself now engaged alone, and singly to contend with the Ottoman Power, feared the Puissance of that Empire, lest being roused and heat∣ed with the sensible pinches of the late disgrace, they should call up and invigorate all their Forces to a revenge, which might at length tend to a ruine and destruction of Persia, unless Fortune which attended the first auspicious beginnings with success, did also continue constant, and still accompany their Arms, which could hardly be expected.

Wherefore on these considerations becoming more faint in prosecution of the War, the Persian dispatched an Ambassadour to Constantinople, furnished with various Proposals and projects for a Peace; but still mat∣ters driving so as to reserve the City and Province of Bagdat or Babylon in the hands of the Persian, the Treaty became ineffectual, in regard the Vizier (who was then called Halil Pasha) judged it a high and an irreco∣verable disreputation to the Empire to be dismembred of so principal a part of it. Wherefore the Ambassadour being dispeeded away with some neglect, the Turks armed with that diligence and heat, that they entred Persia with an Army of an hundred and fifty thousand men, with which appearance the people being dismayed, suffered Tauris to be ta∣ken without much opposition. From hence marching to Bagdat, they found the City well provided and defended with a numerous Garrison, from whence many Sallies were made with variety of Fortune, till at length the Turkish Souldiers being wearied and tired with incessant la∣bour and watchings, many of them fled from their Colours; and with such diminutions, the Army being much abated in its numbers, the Vi∣zier withdrew them from the Persian Dominions.

Some months after the Turkish Army being reinforced, the Vizier entring again into Persia, overthrew the Turcmen who opposed him in * 3.1 his March, and destroyed the Gregorians, who were friends to the Per∣sian, with a very great slaughter, took Moroc their General and cut off his head, and adding to these Victories the report of having taken some few inconsiderable Towns, this Expedition ended without other ad∣vantages, or progress of their Arms. This ill success much troubled the Councils at Constantinople; for they considered that they had now waged an expensive, laborious War for the space of three years without any effect agreeable to the blood and charge which maintained it, but rather to the loss and damage of the Empire. The Souldiers abhorred the length and tediousness of the way, and the misery of the March, being to pass over vast Countries and Desarts, where there was nothing be∣sides rocks, sands, and barrenness: many Horses, Camels, and other Beasts of burden perished for want of nourishment; and where provisions

were to be had, the price was so excessive, that the Timariots and other Souldiers had not a purse to defray their charges. The Enemy likewise was very strong, for the Sosi was at the head of forty thousand brave Horse, which daily infested the Ottoman Camp, beat their Convoys, and cut off their Provisions, and so obstructed them, that they could not advance. The Vizier Halil then General being discouraged by these * 3.2 disasters, was inclinable to accept of the Proposition made by the Per∣sian, viz. That Babylon should remain to his eldest Son in Fee, and to his Heirs and Successours, acknowledging to the Grand Signior a Tribute as great as the yearly Revenue which proceeded from it, at the time when it was in the hands of the Sultan. But this middle way seemed an Ex∣pedient dishonourable to the Greatness of this Empire, and that which argued pusillanimity and want of courage in the Government, and therefore was rejected by the Council of State as well as by the Military men. Howsoever the Persians taking their measures by the disposition they discovered in the Vizier thereunto, adventured to dispatch an Am∣bassadour to Constantinople with tender of the same project; but as he was coldly and faintly received, so he was in a few days dispatched with few words and little respect, as if he had been sent as a Spy to discover * 3.3 the state and condition of the City, and the inclination of the Prince, rather than to obtain any benefit by a Treaty. For now Amurat grow∣ing into years, increased in spirit, and discovered a Martial courage; he began to leave his delights, and walks in gardens, and the society with his Mother and Women, and to assume thoughts of War and Govern∣ment: such as entertained him in softness and luxurious pastimes were reproved by the Ministers about him, and by them perswaded to buckle on his Armour, and to delight in Martial Exercises: so that now new measures were taken in all Affairs; and in the first place Halil the Great Vizier was recalled from being General in Persia, and the Pasha of Dar∣biquier put into his place; and though he was Brother-in-law to the Grand Signior, yet being esteemed at Court as a person who had amas∣sed great richess in his employment, he was forced to disgorge five hun∣dred thousand Crowns as an ease of his burden, and an atonement to pacifie the Sultan for the fault of his misfortunes and ill success.

In these times of licentiousness and revolt, the Pirates of Algier and Tunis began also to cast off their respect and reverence to the Ottoman Empire; for being become rich by the Prizes they had taken on Chri∣stian Vessels, they resolved to set up for themselves, and to esteem the * 3.4 Peace which Christian Princes had made with the Grand Signior not to concern them; but as if their Governments had been independent, de∣manded a particular Treaty, and distinct Articles with themselves: so that now daring to do any thing, six Vessels of Tunis chased some Chri∣stian Ships into Rhodes, and there attaqued them, notwithstanding that the Castle shot at them: they afterwards took a Dutch Ship which had laden at Alexandria; and entring the Port of Salines in Cyprus, they en∣gaged with two Venetians: the lesser Ship made a good resistance, but having no help she was thrice fired, and at last burnt: the other being a Ship of eight hundred Tuns, was cowardly set on fire by the Mariners, and abandoned, escaping ashore with their Boats. Then they sailed for Scanderone, where finding a Dutch Ship and a Polaca they took both, and then landed. The Aga of the Scale with all the Inhabitants fled, so that finding no opposition they ransacked and robbed all the Ware-houses,

and afterwards set them on fire: the greatest loss fell upon the English and Dutch, the first lost about ten thousand Dollars, and the latter about thirty thousand. Of these losses and breach of Peace the Christian Ambassadours much lamented; and complained, that if some remedy were not applied thereto, all Trade must be given over, no security be∣ing to be expected in the Articles and Faith of the Grand Signior: to which, though the Vizier and Great men did seem to yield a favourable ear, and promise redress; yet being corrupted with some share of the Spoils, and sweetned with part of the robbery, they began to reject the Memorials of the Ambassadours, and to allow the pleas of the Pirates as grounded on some solid foundation of reason and Religion: fuffering them to publish discourses, that the Turks were obliged to maintain a perpetual War with the Christians, as Enemies to their Law and Alcho∣ran; and though policy may suggest some conveniencies by peace with them, yet those considerations are matters of sin rather than of reason. To make all this good, the Divan of Tunis sent two Deputies to remon∣strate the great benefit and advantage the Port received by the depre∣dations and hostile acts which they committed on the Christians; and to inculcate this argument the better, they declared, That they had lately taken two Gallies of Malta, out of the spoils of which, they pre∣sented unto the Sultan two Stirrups of Gold, with divers Slaves, two of which were Cavaliers, one of the Roman, and the other of the French Nation: those which were Youths, and comely in shape and feature, were entred into the Service of the Seraglio, and the more strong and robustious were committed to the service of the Gallies; so that the Turks were inwardly pleased with these Piracies, howsoever gave good words to the Christian Ambassadours, promised much and effected no∣thing. At that time Trade flourished greatly in those parts, and had done much more, had it not been interrupted by the Piracies of Barbary; and the Trade was especially so great with Venice, that a Turkish Mer∣chant called Rodul Aga, whose whole Negotiation and dealing was for that place, dyed worth a million of Soltanees, of which for want of children the Grand Signior became the sole Heir. But one accident hap∣pened about this time on the Seas worthy to be recounted. The Seas (as we have said) swarming then with Pirates, the General of Candia with three Gallies coasting on the Seas for defence and protection of Merchant-Ships, arrived in the Port of Andro, from whence espying a Gally plying close under the shore, and believing her to be a Corsaire or Pirate, made up to her; and because it was about the glimpse of the evening, so that she could not be well known or distinguished, the Ge∣neral rashly charged her, and meeting a stout resistance, many were killed before it was known that the Gally belonged to the Archipelago, commanded by Dervis Bei, one of the Grand Signiors Captains: but so * 3.5 soon as the mistake was discovered, the Candiot General demanded of the Turk a thousand excuses, returned him his Gally and Slaves again, and whatsoever was taken from him, bestowing with them an infinity of complements, supposing that thereby the spirit of the Turk being some∣what appeased and mollified, he would represent this encounter with the more favourable terms and advantage at the Port. Notwithstand∣ing which offices of kindness, Dervis Bei without farther loss of time pas∣sed up to Constantinople, bringing his Gally in without Lantern, shot thorough, ill treated, and shattered, feigning himself also to be wound∣ed

related that he had lost forty four Levents, and seventy seven Slaves which were killed; and that all the Haratch or Tribute-money, which was collected for the Grand Signiors service from the several Islands, was robbed and embezled by these Candiots. His complaints were aggrava∣ted by many circumstances, and being assisted with the clamours of other Beys or Captains of Gallies, the noise and dispute was exceeding high in the Divan, urging, that the Venetians were obliged to make good a loss which they had caused rather out of malice than mistake. At that time Georgio Giustiniano resided at Constantinople for the most Serene Re∣publick, who to oppose the high clamours of these Complainants, shew∣ed courage, and accompanied his answers with prudence and resolution, which are often very convincing in the Turkish Court. They alledged, that the Peace was broken, he answered, That it would not be the first time, and that they ought not to yield entire credit to the relation of persons passionate and partial in their own cause; that such accidents as these were as ordinary and common in the World as cold and heat, as fair and foul weather; and that so soon as the errour was discovered, and the Gally known not to belong to Barbary, but to the Grand Sig∣nior, it was punctually and entirely restored with all the excuses imagi∣nable. In short, this business which had so bad an aspect at the first, by the dexterity of this Minister, and giving something to Dervis Bei where∣by to stop his mouth, the complaint ceased, and all farther proceedings were superseded.

The Wars in Persia being unsuccessful, it was proposed in Council, * 3.6 that a Peace should be made, if possible, with Abassa Pasha; that his de∣mands, whatsoever they were, should be granted, and promises given him of Honours and Preferment: but the inveterate enmity and hate which the Janisaries bore him, and the difficulty there was to perswade Abassa, that the overtures made him were free and candid, and not mix∣ed with treachery and design, were obstructions not to be obviated or overcome. Wherefore Abassa keeping mutual Intelligence with the Per∣sians, and receiving assistance and succours from them, was become very formidable and strong, and the Town of Erzirum well fortified with Works and a numerous Garrison. Howsoever the Janisaries, his mortal Enemies, pressing the Vizier to proceed against him, at length obliged him to besiege the place; which having done, and closely begirt it, the most forward and brave amongst the Janisaries were the first to scale the Walls, but were repulsed by the valour of stout and resolute Souldiers; * 3.7 for they knowing that there was no other safety but in their Arms, and no other mercy than an ignominious death, being the just reward of their Rebellion, refused to give or to receive quarter: wherefore they made frequent Sallies on the Enemy, and as many Janisaries of them as they took Prisoners, they immediately hanged about the Walls, as a spe∣ctacle of horrour to their Associates. This resolution and cruelty deter∣red the Turks from their frequent assaults and storms made upon the Town; and the many Batteries and Fortifications rendred the place al∣most impregnable, so that there seemed no other hopes to remajn, but to overcome them by a long Siege and Famine: but Abassa had so well provided against this danger, with such plenty of provisions, that the Turkish Army began to be more straitned for want of sustenance than the besieged; so that becoming weary and discouraged amidst so many difficulties, they raised the Siege with such disorder and haste, that they * 3.8

left several Pieces of Cannon behind them, and retiring with some con∣fusion, were charged in the Rear, so that many Janisaries fell a Sacrisice to the hate and revenge of the Enemy. The News of this success co∣ming to Constantinople, was ill received; but the disaster thereof, accord∣ing to the usual custom, was attributed to the Vizier who was General; for which cause he was deprived of his Office, and the Selictar Aga (who carries the Sword before the Grand Signior) was put into his place, a person of a fierce, bloody, and cruel disposition.

To these, new troubles were added out of Tartary. For Mahomet the King of that Country, exalted to the Princely Dignity (as we have al∣ready declared) by the favour and Election of that People, though con∣trary * 3.9 to the sense and pleasure of the Port, was now fallen from the good esteem which they conceived for him, because he gave some hinderance to their usual Incursions on the Polonians and Cosacks out of memory and gratitude to the assistance they had contributed towards his Ele∣ction; for which reason being as it were famished for want of their usual depredations, they refused to obey his Commands, and then openly threw off their Obedience to him as their Prince. The Turks, who al∣ways envied this Dignity to Mahomet, rejoyced to see this discord be∣tween him and his People, and therefore thought it time to make use of this occasion to re-instate Gherey the elder Brother into the possession of his Kingdom; whom the Turks, for his better security, having placed at Rhodes, the usual Retirement of the Tartarian Princes, dispatched a Squadron of Gallies to fetch him from thence to Constantinople; where being arrived, he was received with a magnificent and Princely Enter∣tainment by the Sultan: that so the Fame thereof forerunning his arrival in Tartary, the people might be better prepared to concur with the Port in their acceptance of him for their King. He was afterwards conducted to Caffa, the Grand Signiors Town in Tartary, with a strong Fleet of fifty Gallies, where at his first landing he was received by Cant-Emir, a rich and powerful Tartar, and Chief of the Turkish Faction, and by many others with great honour and solemnity, with whom also a considerable Party most willingly engaged. But the Cosacks of Poland and Circas∣sians, friends to Mahomet the Brother, joyning their Troops to his For∣ces, became too strong for the Turks; for giving them Battle near the Inclosures of the Danube, at a place called Bandet, they defeated them, and killed three or four thousand of their men, putting all to Fire and Sword round about; and entring on the Seas with their Fleet of Boats, took five of the Turkish Gallies: with which ill success the Tartars, which took part with Cant-Emir, being discouraged, abandoned their Colours and fled; so that Cant-Emir was forced to take Sanctuary in Caffa, which being a Town belonging to the Grand Signior, it was hoped, that the reverence they owed to that Name, would cause them to refrain all violence thereunto. But the Tartars, provoked by this late effusion of blood, lost all respect to that Government; so that be∣sieging the Town, they assaulted and took it, and therein the Son of Cant-Emir whom they cut in pieces, the Father escaping in a disguise from the City. The News hereof arriving at Constantinople was greatly displeasing, and caused many serious Debates and Consultations there∣upon; the wisest and most sober of the Council was for dissembling the matter, and with their usual dextcrity to suffer what they could not remedy: for that it was by no means advisable in the present conjuncture

of Affairs, to proceed unto an open rupture with the Tartars, fearing lest the Christians, Persians, and other Enemies should make a benesit of this occasion, and joyning with a Nation so strong in Horse, should dangerously press upon the Empire, and force them to the ultimate ex∣tremity of affairs. Wherefore an Envoyé Extraordinary was sent to the Tartars, who covering the inward sentiments of regret and anger which the Sultan conceived for the late disgrace, seemed to wonder at the cause and reason of the last Engagement, as if it had been acted without the knowledge or order of the Grand Signior; and thus with gentle terms insinuating, that the Surrender of Cassa would be very acce∣ptable to the Port, and that which would atone for all miscarriages, and be such an offering of pacisication, as would reconcile all past differences, and restore a perfect correspondence between the Sultan and them, the Tartars readily assented to the demand, upon condition, that the Turks should impose no other King upon them than him, whom by general consent they had elected for their Prince.

Though differences were thus concluded with the Tartars, yet the [unspec 1628] Cosacks continued still their enmities, entring the Black Sea with eighty Saicks, which they so infested, that the Turks could for that year avail themselves little of their Navigation in those Seas: so that the Turks, to curb these insolencies, gave Orders to build two Forts at the mouth of the Black Sea: the Polish Ambassadour made complaint hereof, and protested against it, as an Act contrary to the Capitulations of Peace; but the Turks esteem little of the air of Bravadoes, whilst they are not accompanied with something else more solid than their own levity.

But the grand Concernments which busied the thoughts of the Turks was the Rebellion of Abassa, and the War in Persia, the management of which was the charge and care of the Selictar Aga lately made Vizier, called Serches Pasha. His Head-quarters were at the beginning of this year taken up at Iconium, called by the Turks Conie; and Abassa was encamped at Kaisaria, against whom the Vizier marched; and being nearly approached, the Janisaries earnestly urged, that Battle might be given the Enemy; but the Vizier having received Instructions not to engage, if possible, but rather to enter into a Treaty, and to propose terms of Accommodation, delayed the time, and with various excuses eluded the present premures of the Janisaries; at which they became so angry, that they slew into an * 3.10 open Mutiny, cutting the Cords of his Tents, stoning him, and wound∣ing him in the head: by which open violence the Vizier being compelled to make known his Orders, he assembled the chief Commanders of the Spahees and Janisaries, giving them to understand, that the Grand Signiors pleasure was to make up the difference with Abassa, as the only means to conclude an intestine and unnatural War, and to be able to with∣stand the Persians, and regain the Country and reputation which the Turks had lost. This Proposition seemed plausible to the Commanders at the General Assembly, and more especially because it was the pleasure and injunction of the Grand Signior; but more difficult it was to incline the rough and obstinate minds of the Janisaries to a resolution so diffe∣rent to their natures, and so contrary to that revenge which they had deeply rooted in their hearts and sworn to execute: howsoever the per∣swasions which the Officers used to their inferiour Souldiers, putting them in memory of the blood of their Companions, and how destructive the continuance of such a War must necessarily prove for the future by those

large essusions of blood hwich they must expect farther to make, were so prevalent upon them, that at length they condescended to a Treaty, and to receive Abassa for a Friend and a Fellow-Souldier. Abassa at * 3.11 first suspecting some treachery, refused to give a private meeting to the Vizier; but the Vizier giving his Brother the Beglerbegh of Caramania and the Pasha of Anatolia for Hostages, the day and place for a Confe∣rence was appointed; where both Parties meeting, Articles were agreed, that Abassa should still continue to be Pasha of Erzirum, his Son Pasha of Bosra, his Kahya or Lieutenant to be Pasha of Maraseh (all which were places on the Confines of Persia) a general Act of Pardon and Anmestie was to be given to Abassa and his whole Army, and the Articles sworn unto in the most solemn manner by the Vizier, and confirmed in the publick Camp of the Janisaries, who also promised to maintain this word and promise of the Vizier; to all which the Grand Signior gave his Hand, * 3.12 and affixed his Royal Signature. A Reconciliation being in this manner compleated, the City of Erzirum resigned it self to the Obedience of the Grand Signior, and the Army of Abassa was employed on the Con∣fines of Persia, and converted against the Enemy. The Vizier also was appointed to proceed on the same Enterprise; but his Army was so ill provided of all necessaries, that he made his excuse, and refused to march forward; but on the contrary, he returned to Constantinople in company with Abassa, where with many demonstrations of friendship and respect, he was conducted to the presence of the Grand Signior to receive Honour, and the reward of his penitence, and return to obedience. The approach of these two great Personages near to Constantinople made much noise and rumor in the City; some blamed the weakness of the Government for accepting an Enemy unto favour, and that the crown∣ing of his Rebellion with rewards, was to encourage others in the like practices. The Vizier was also murmured against for leaving the Army and the War, contrary to the Royal Command, by such as were emu∣lous of his Greatness: but as envy is converted into veneration, and * 3.13 ceases as smoke doth, when it is blown up by the flame of success and glory; so those who were emulous of these persons, submitted to all ob∣sequious offices towards them, and dissembling their malice, went to meet them as far as Scutari, that they might add to their Train and Equipage, and help at the Solemnity of their Entrance. All people now cast their eyes on the Vizier and Abassa, as the two great men of this Age; the first was esteemed for his dexterous and successful management in bringing over Abassa to his submission and obedience; for though he was not famed much for his great Feats of Arms, yet this Reconciliation of Abassa was accounted a Master-piece of Policy, and better service than a Victory. Abassa also drew the eyes of the people, who crowded to see so great a Captain, that could contend with the Port, and put all Asta into disturbance, and in conclusion could make the same Arms serve his Master, which had lately before given a check and stop to all the Otto∣man Force. The Vizier was the first introduced to the Royal Presence, where being graciously received, he was presented with a Vest of Sables and a Cemiter set with Jewels. Abassa was afterwards admitted, and having performed his obeisance by touching the ground with his fore∣head after their fashion; he declared, that he never was other than a faithful Vassal to the Sultan, and that he had taken up Arms for his sake, that he might subjugate the insolence of the Janisaries, and with their

blood revenge the death, and sacrifice to the Ghost of his murdered Brother Osman, that they might learn to reverence their Princes for the suture, and learn to know how sacred the blood is of their Soveraign. The Grand Signior seemed kindly to accept this Apology, and as a token thereof bestowed three Vests upon him, which was a treble Honour of that kind, and made him Pasha of Bosna; on which employment he im∣mediately entred: and though when such Offices are bestowed, it is commonly the custom for that person who is invested in the Employ∣ment given, to kiss the sleeve of the Grand Signior publickly by way of thanks; yet lest such demonstration of Honour should ill afsect the eyes of the Janisaries, and cause murmuring and repinings amongst the most envious of the Souldiery, his last Audience was designed privately, and his Dispatch procured in more secret and familiar manner, and therefore more obliging than was usual.

To yield some assistance to the present growing Charges of the Em∣pire, the Vizier imposed a heavy Tax on the Christians and Jews; on the first it was levied with all severity; but the Jews found more favour by their Arts and secret management of Affairs; for they are a people * 3.14 of some Authority and Power in Turkie: they are cursed by particular persons, but caressed by the generality: they are Slaves in all Countries, and yet acquire somewhat of Mastership and Propriety: they are Va∣gabonds, and yet every Country is their own: they cannot buy Lands, and yet daily increase their Fortunes: they multiply in abundance, be∣cause they all marry, and are not destroyed by Wars: they are great Confidents of the Turks, and Enemies to the Christians. In short, co∣vetousness in Constantinople is like a publick Courtisan, to whom the Jews are the Panders and Ruflians.

The Grand Signior passing one day through the streets, unhappily [unspec 1629] met with the Ambassadour of the Prince of Transylvania, who because he did not immediately descend from his Horse in token of reverence, he caused him and his whole Family to be imprisoned; but being after∣wards excused by the Chimacam to have only been a matter of inadver∣tency, his omission was pardoned, and so released from his restraint.

The Souldiery having for a long time been governed by a loose and gentle hand, continued their licentious way of living, committing many outrages on the Merchants and Inhabitants of Constantinople, against which many Decrees having been published, and Proclamations made without any effect or notice of the Souldiery; the Vizier was unwilling to dally longer; and therefore taking a Spahee and a Janisary, hanged them up, and cut off their Heads, and with such course and method of severity he so abated the haughty stomachs of the Souldiers already mor∣tified by the assumption of Abassa into favour, that they began to yield unto Command, and to behold their Rulers with an eye of respect, as those which were seated in some degree above themselves; for till now there was scarce a common Janisary, but who thought himself to be the Creator or Elector of his General, and therefore to be little inferiour to him in Power and Dignity. And as this Vizier was severe towards the Souldiery, so he demeaned himself with equal rigour towards the Pa∣sha's and Grandees of the Court; which though it was an humor in the Vizier at that conjuncture laudable and necessary, yet it procured him such enmity, as removed him at a distance, and caused him to be sent into Persia to command the Army, and by that means to expose him to

the hazard and difficulties of doubtful success in a dangerous War.

The Vizier being departed, the Grand Signior appeared in publick on Horse-back, together with his Brother by his side, an unusual sight a∣mongst the Turks; but the Queen-Mother, who in absence of the Vi∣zier ruled much, commanded that it should be so: the Grand Signior had this year a Son born which caused great rejoycing at Constantinople; because there were few Males at that time surviving of the Ottoman Line; but scarce was the Festival ended before the Child died.

But let us now for a while withdraw our Discourse from the Wars of Persia, and look to the Actions in Poland and Transylvania. Mehmet the late King of Tartary, who was so displeasing to the Port (as we have already related) was now dead, to whom succeeded a Kinsman of his called Fembeg Gheray, universally pleasing and acceptable to that people. This new King, to demonstrate his prowess, and to act something acce∣ptable to the Port, dispeeded forty thousand Horse into Podolia and * 3.15 Russia to sack and ravage the Country, which dividing themselves into several Parties, made their Incursions as far as Socal. But in the mean time the Polonians and Cosacks having formed a strong Body of Horse under the Command of Stephen Chmieleskie, met them at their return near to Burstinow, where they gave them a total overthrow; and in like manner Stanislaus Lubomiski encountred another Party, and over∣throw them, leaving thirty thousand slain on the place, and taking two thousand Prisoners, amongst which was the younger Brother of the Tar∣tar King. This defeat, as it was the greatest that ever was given to the Tartars, so it is probable, that had it been well prosecuted at that time by the Polonians, they might have entred the Chersonesus Tauricus, and without much opposition have put an end to that Kingdom; but Sigis∣mond King of Poland had other designs in hand: such mixed Monarchies as that being better able to defend their own Dominions, than to ac∣quire or conquer others.

To this News ill received at Constantinople supervened the unexpected death of Bethlem Gabor; unexpected, I say, because that though he had * 3.16 been long labouring under the diseases of Dropsie and Asthma, yet the greatness of his Soul, and activeness of his Spirit mastered for a long time his indisposition, so that he seldom or never omitted his Counsels and business; and to the very time of his death was meditating and contri∣ving designs, whereby to preserve his Dominions, and enlarge them. And indeed the Government of Transylvania required no less than such a stirring Spirit: for being seated between two such powerful Monarchs, as the Emperour and the Turk, there was need of dexterity and courage to steer between the rocks of such opposite Interests: sometimes it was necessary to joyn with one, and anon with the other: so Sigismond Bat∣tori Prince of Transylvania uniting his Forces with the Emperour's in se∣veral Conflicts overthrew the Turk, and kept the scale in an equal ba∣lance: Gabor on the contrary inclined to the Turks, and supported his Interest with the Ottoman Power, following such Maxims as had been more ruinous to Christendom, had he transferred them to a Son to imi∣tate and pursue; but dying without issue, the Government devolved to his Princess by Vote of the States of the Country, and by Confirmation of the Turk, as we have already intimated. Gabor knew so well how to deal and treat with the Turks, that he gained an abatement of ten thousand Dollars of the annual Tribute; he managed his affairs so

subtilely with the Emperour, that he was always invited to a Peace, and accordingly made his advantage by the Treaty. The other Princes of Christendom in like manner courted him, and particularly the Cardinal Richelieu employed one Bornemis, a Gentleman of Transylvania, a Lover of the French Interest, to be always about him, by whose means, and with the assistance of twenty thousand Crowns of yearly Pension, he obliged him to make War on the Emperour, at such seasons as it should be intimated unto him to be most conducing to the advantage of France. At length, as we have said, giving way to mortality, he died on the 15^th of November, after he had reigned eighteen years: he was a Prince of great abilities, but exercised them ill to the damage of Christendom; howsoever he was a Souldier of extraordinary courage and conduct, ha∣ving begun to manage his Sword at seventeen years of age, and as it is said, had been engaged in forty two several Fights. His Widow Ka∣therine, Sister of the Elector of Brandenburgh, rendred an account to the Port of this accident, and the Grand Signior immediately returned An∣swer by Sulficar Aga, condoling the misfortune, and encouraging her to a dependence on the Port: which she accepting with due resentment promised obedience to the Grand Signior, and begged his Protection. But the weather was too boisterous and rude for a Vessel to be naviga∣ted well under the Pilotage of a Woman; for the situation of the Coun∣try between two mighty and potent Monarchs required more than a masculine mind and courage to free and defend it from the plots, snares, and violence with which it was, as with a toile, encompassed by those two great Nimrods of the East and West. And though the Sultan un∣dertook to defend his Female Ally, yet the diversion of the Ottoman Arms in Persia, the intestine distractions, and the Minority of the Em∣perour were such burdens on the foundation of Empire, and obstructions to great and Heroick Atchievements in behalf of the distressed Princess, that all the promises made to her were unavailable and ineffectual. For Stephen Bethlem, a Kinsman of the deceased Prince, a man conspicuous * 3.17 in his own Person and Estate, as well as for the several Governments divided amongst his Sons, and the interest he had gained in his Country, procured means to convoke the States at Claudiopolis, and insinuating the foregoing inconveniencies of a Female Government, so prevailed with the Assembly, that they perswaded the Princess to yield up her Sove∣raignty to Stephen Gabor, as one better capacitated for Rule and Sove∣raignty than her self. Stephen having thus obtained his intent, entred into a serious Consultation with his Friends and Relations, whether he should labour to confirm the Government to himself and entail it to the Family, or renounce it to some other. The first seemed a matter very dubious and difficult; for that Bethlem Gabor his Predecessour had dis∣obliged the principal Boyards or Barons of the Country, and thereby derived an envy and hatred to all his Family: his long and violent go∣vernment annexed to the interest of the Turk, had not only rendred his Memory odious to his own-People, but likewise to the House of Austria, which would be ready to continue the like prejudice and aversion to any of the same Family, as it did to the last thereof. For which Reasons, after due and mature consideration, it was resolved to offer the Govern∣ment to George Ragotski, a person rich in money and of great interest, by reason of the Jurisdiction and Castles which he possessed in Hungary, belonging to his own paternal Inheritance; and in pursuance thereof they

sent Stephen the second Son, and Solomon a Kinsman of that Family for Ambassadours to Ragotski, representing to him, that they had preferred his Merit before the Interest of their own Family, and therefore desired * 3.18 him, that he would be pleased to take upon himself the Regency of the Principality. The offer of Government was a savoury bait to the palate of Ragotski, which he embraced with singular afsectation and content∣ment, and was easily perswaded on this occasion to take a Journey to Varadin, one of the principal Fortresses and places of consideration in that whole Province, and was there received by Stephen the Ambassa∣dour, Governour of the Citadel, with firing all the Cannon, and with the common Joy and Festivity of the whole City. But in the midst of this mirth, an unexpected Messenger arrived with News, that the States had with common consent elected another Prince, which was Stephen Bethlem, Father of the Ambassadour, and Author of this Counsel. Ra∣gotski was strangely surprised with this Intelligence, and the Ambassa∣dours were put to the blush to see their Negotiations under such a shame∣ful defeat: howsoever resolving to continue constant to their first Ele∣ction, and to renounce the interest of their own Family, they still main∣tained the same obsequious offices of Honour and Reverence towards Ragotski, as formerly. And notwithstanding the Orders received from the States to abstain from any other demonstrations of Honour to Ra∣gotski, than what were ordinary towards a private person of his Quality and Riches; and that he should retire from the Confines of Transylvania to the Precincts of his own Castles: yet they still persisted to execute their first Commission, and so to attract people to his Party; that the number thereof daily increasing, it was at length agreed, that the first Election not being fair, the point in Controversie should be determined at Sazburg, a City of Saxony. The States General being assembled, Ra∣gotski accompanied his pretensions with a large effusion of Gold, the most powerful and most convincing Argument imaginable: to which he ad∣ded, That he had no design to affect the Principality, had not the same been first offered to him from Stephen Gabor the Father by the hand of his Son: that it was very improper for that person to offer a Dignity to another, which he affected for himself: that it was in the power of the Transylvanians not to have offered him the Principality; but having once chosen him to it, they could not, without his disparagement and prejudice, retract from their Election. In short, these considerations, assisted by the interest of the Princess Dowager, so far prevailed, that Stephen Bethlem was put aside, and Ragotski, who attended the success of this matter at Varadin, was with common consent elected Prince; * 3.19 from whence being with great Acclamations, and a general concourse of the people, conducted to Alba Julia, he there took the usual Oath with much Solemnity and Magnificence; and with Princely Magnifi∣cence entertained and treated the two Ambassadours Stephen and Solo∣mon, and dispensed freely his money unto divers; who before being Enemies, were now reconciled, and become his Friends and Admirers. Liberality in a Prince is the most resplendent Gemm in all his Crown, and is a light so forcible, that it dazles envy it self, and puts out all the eyes of suspicion and jealousie.

By this time the Great Vizier was far advanced with his Army into [unspec 1630] Persia, having been encouraged to proceed by the feigned flight, or rather retre at of the Enemy, who burned, destroyed, and laid waste all

round them, as they retired; which put the Turks to such inextricable difficulties, that in two months March they had all the inconveniencies and miseries to contend with, which commonly attend Armies in strange Countries; the Plains through which they travelled were abandoned by the Inhabitants, and void of provisions, the Mountains were covered with Snow and comfortless; and what was worst, the Persians kept all the narrow passages so strongly guarded, that the Vizier was now more in danger of Famine than of the Sword: but being a person of great sense and experience in Military affairs, he prudently disingaged himself from the intricacy of these dangers; and encamping his Army in the Plain of Amedan, he so provoked the hot Spirits of the Persians, that they resolve to assault him on that side of his Camp, which they judged * 3.20 to be the most weakly defended; of which having some advertisement, he secretly laid an Ambuscado in the way, which so happily succeeded, that he killed eight thousand Persians on the place; but howsoever the Victory cost so dear, and was so bloody by the loss of the stoutest Jani∣saries, and the bravest of the Souldiery, that the news thereof made lit∣tle noise or rejoycing at Constantinople.

With this Intelligence the Vizier demanded new Recruits; for that besides the abatement of his numbers by the last Engagement, the mul∣titudes of the Enemy increased, and his own Souldiers fled from their Colours; of which many being observed to enter Constantinople, not∣withstanding the severe Decrees of Martial Law published against them, put the Grand Signior into a high choler and indignation. And being desirous to reinforce the Viziers Army with all the Recruits that he was * 3.21 able, Proclamations were made, that all the Militia at Constantinople should immediately pass over unto Scutari under their respective Com∣manders; and that whosoever received one Asper of Pay from the Grand Signior in quality of a Souldier, should immediately pass the Chanel into Asta, and follow their Leaders to the War. But so great was the abhor∣rency which the Souldiers had to this March into Persia, calling it the Sepulchre and Cemetery of the Turks, that few or none would obey, every one flying, hiding, and shifting for himself as well as he could; during which fears and troubles, the ways from Persia were so obstruct∣ed by the Curdes, that in the space of three or four months no News arrived at Constantinople from the Army, which caused as great appre∣hensions and affrightments there, as if the Empire had been reduced to the utmost extremity. Nor did the Sultan want jealousies and fears of receiving affronts from the Emperour, and King of Poland; the first of which had a fair opportunity presented of regaining all Transylvania, especially at a time when that Country was divided by two several Fa∣ctions; but more pressing and troublesom were the Cosacks, who daily * 3.22 infested the Black Sea, and to the great reproach of the Imperial City perpetually disturbed it with Alarms, passing up almost in sight of Con∣stantinople: of which complaints being made to the Polonian Ambassa∣dours, he answered with some indignation, That the Cosacks had reason for what they acted; for that since the Tartars had by Orders from the Grand Signior made their late irruption into that Country, as they could well prove from the Commission taken amongst the Baggage of the Prince of Tartary in the last defeat, the Cosacks might with all justice assume to themselves a method of revenge. But the Grand Signior not being able to support this affront, or to see himself braved on the very Banks of his

Imperial Seat, and his Villages and Towns round about burnt and pilla∣ged by a crew of Free-booters and Pirates, cast all the blame on the Chimacam, to whom in his rage he gave such a blow with his sist on the face, that blood issued from his nose; and had not the Queen-Mother interceded for him, he had been delivered into the hand of the Executio∣ner to take away his life. Nor was the Captain-Pasha in less danger at his return; because, that upon his assurance, that the Cosacks would not for that year make any attempt in the Chanel of Constantinople, the Grand Signior had assented, that the Fleet of Gallies should that Sum∣mer make a Voyage into the Archipelago; which mistake having been the cause of all this affront, the Captain-Pasha was to share in the blame, and had likewise in the punishment, had not good Friends interposed between him and danger. Nor were the Cosacks satisfied with their late Plunder, but speedily made another return with two hundred Boats; and though the whole Fleet of Gallies were then in Port, yet they had the boldness to proceed as far as Pompey's Pillar, and thereby to hinder all Provisions from passing to Constantinople by way of the Black Sea. And what gave greater fear than all this, was the News which came at the same time, that the Poles were on the Frontiers with thirty thousand Horse; to whom immediately a Chaous or Envoyé was dispatched with Propositions very advantageous to the Crown of Po∣land, conditionally that the continual irruptions made by the Cosacks should be stopped, and they restrained within the due terms of peace and moderation. The Chaous found a civil reception from the Poles, and promises of compliance, in regard that the King had some intentions of making War upon the Moscovite; but whilst these things were in agitation, and that the Chaous was ready to return, behold on a sud∣den News came, that ten thousand Tartars were broken into Podolia, which put all things back again, and so changed the stile of Affairs, that in the stead of Articles of Peace, the Chaous was again returned with the menaces of War, and with reproaches for the last perfidious action.

Notwithstanding all these troubles abroad, the Puissance of the Otto∣man Empire might have been able to have struggled with greater diffi∣culties, had not its own intestine distractions rendred all things dange∣rous, and of a malevolent aspect. The Government was at that time chiefly in the hands of the four Brothers-in-law, who had married four * 3.23 Sisters of the Grand Signior's, and for that reason were powerful, and employed in the principal Offices of State, and commonly drew contrary to the opinions of the Mufti and Chimacam, which two last were not well accorded between themselves; for that the latter encroached on the Office of the Mufti, to the great scandal and discontent of all the reli∣gious and literate men in the whole City; howsoever they both joyned in consultation by what means they might best secure themselves and the Government from the lusts and evil designs of this quadruple Fraternity; but their wisdom and interests were too weak to contrive remedies a∣gainst such high oppressions; for besides the violences daily practised by the Brothers, the extravagant humors in the Sultan himself added to the disorders of State, and increased the discontents and dissatisfactions of the people: for though Morat was naturally endowed with a good wit and parts, was stout and of a good courage; yet as his perpetual debauchery in Wine rendred him in appearance but of a weak under∣standing, mixed with much levity, so it caused his accessions of the Fal∣ling

sickness (to which he was subject) to return often, whereby the strength of his brain was daily weakened and impaired: he was negligent also in the performance of those Ceremonies which his Ancestors were accustomed to observe; nor did he live with that gravity and regular course which is agreeable to the Grandeur of so great a Prince: for some∣times he would go out of his Seraglio with no other Attendance than of three or four men, which were for the most part Buffoons, Players up∣on the Gittern, and Eunuchs; and with no better an Equipage would he sometimes be seen on Horse-back, or in his Boat rowed on the Bosphorus with six Oars only: by which actions and other mean sallies of Youth, he created such a contempt towards his Person, that evil men grew fa∣ctions and weary, and entred into Conspiracies against his life, whilst the good men feared and presaged the ruine and downfal of the Em∣pire: for neither justice, nor order, nor obedience prevailed; no Of∣fices were conferred for Merit, but by money, or some other unlawful means; there remained no Counsellors of true faith and integrity, nor Souldiers almost either of experience for Sea or Land-adventures. The people being burdened by double Taxes and Imposts were mutinous; and ready to take the least fire of Rebellion; the Souldiery were disorderly for want of Discipline and their constant Pay: the Pasha's of remote Provinces grew insolent, taking upon themselves rather an absolute than a depending Soveraignty. In short, all things looked with that black appearance, that nothing seemed to keep the frame of Empire together, but only the expectation of good success to the Army in Persia, the which, as it depended on uncertain events, so the Ottoman Monarchy was then shaking, and stood tottering on its deepest foundation.

Wherefore all people being intent to hear of good News from Persia, were much pleased to understand, that the Vizier having by advantage in the last Engagement laden his Army with Plunder and Spoils, was now preparing to besiege Bagdat, for whose good success Prayers were * 3.24 daily made in the Moschs; and the Schoolmasters surrounded the streets with their young Scholars, singing out Prayers with the Amen at every period, according to the custom of that Country. The Vizier marched towards Bagdat, and began to besiege it about the 10^th of September; in order whereunto he amassed great abundance of all sorts of Provi∣sions, and made his Magazine of them at Mosul, two thousand Camels, each laden with two Sacks of Cotton, every Sack being of about ten foot long, were carried to the Siege, for shelter of the Souldiery, and to fill the Ditches. The Vizier having passed part of his Army over the Ri∣ver Tigris, the rest with the Cannon remaining on the hither side, he dispatched Nasuf Pasha of Aleppo with six thousand Spahees to take a view of the place, and discover the Avenues unto it: in his way thither he met with eight thousand Persian Horse sent to reinfore the Garrison, which he valiantly engaged; but being dangerously wounded, was for∣ced to retreat with the loss of almost half of his men, part killed, and part taken; those which were carried Prisoners to Bagdat were treated with all civility by the Governour, who gave them a view of the Garri∣son, which consisted of twenty thousand effective men, shewed them their Stores and Provisions, and that there was scarce an unuseful mouth in all the City to devour them. Notwithstanding this disaster at the beginning, the Vizier nothing dismayed proceeded on his design, spending the whole month of September in making his approaches. In the month * 3.25

of October he mounted eighteen Pieces of great Cannon, which for the space of twenty five days battered continually the Curtain between the two Bastions on which were four Pieces of Cannon not perceived by the Turks; there was also a deep and large Ditch not discovered by them, for that it was planked over with Boards, and covered with a green Turff, so that it appeared like a plain and firm ground; the broach be∣ing made, and seemingly undefended, the Turks resolved to make an Assault; wherefore the Vizier on the 20^th of November commanded the Spahees under the Conduct of the Beglerbei of Anatolia, accompanied with Pasha's, Sangiacks, and other persons of note, as also with Janisa∣ries, to the number of thirty thousand, to enter the breach: which be∣ing performed, and great numbers crowding on the Turff, the weight of them pressed down the Planks; and therewith the whole Engine gi∣ving way, five or six thousand were in a moment taken as it were in a Pit-fall, and swallowed up without any possibility of succour to be yield∣ed from their Companions. After which on an instant there appeared fifteen thousand men on the breach and on the Bastions, which with their * 3.26 Cannon and continual Vollies of Musket-shot, so galled the Spahees, that they broke their main Body, and killed the Beglerbei of Anatolia with other persons of note and quality, and made the whole Army to retreat. Two days after this disgrace the Vizier raised the Siege, and marched towards Mosul, and the Persians encouraged with this success, pursued the Turks with eight thousand Horse, assailed the Rear-guard of the Enemy; and though the conduct and care thereof was committed to the charge of the Pasha's of Aleppo and Damascus, yet the Persians killed three thousand Turks, and had defeated the whole Rear of the Army, had not the Spahees turned their Horses, and withstood the shock with great Valour.

Notwithstanding this dishonourable Retreat the Vizier lost not his courage, or hopes of taking the Town, in order unto which he appoint∣ed all things necessary to renew the Siege again in the months of Septem∣ber and October following; for that the foregoing months are either too rainy, or too hot in those Countries to undertake a design or enterprise of that nature: he fortified all the small places in those parts round, and quartered his Souldiers in them; so that having all conveniencies of li∣ving, they might be induced to continue, and not abandon their Co∣lours: especially he took care to fortified Illay, a place of about two days journey from Bagdat, reinforcing the Garrison with six thousand men under the Command of three Beglerbegs, in regard that it was a very considerable Pass, and the principal Magazine and Granary of Corn and other Provisions. At the same time he sent Letters to Constantino∣ple, representing the state of his affairs to be in a hopeful condition; and desiring Recruits both of men and money, gave great assurances of con∣quering the City at the next Attempt.

In this perillous condition of the Ottoman State one would have ima∣gined, that Christian Princes would have seen their own interest, and made use of their advantage; but God not having as yet fixed a period * 3.27 to the bounds of this Empire, was pleased by his secret Providence to divert both the Emperour and the King of Poland from making War with the Turk, inclining them to employ their Arms on their Christian Neighbours. For though the Chaous (as we have said before) was re∣turned from Poland with disdain, and with an angry Message; yet the

Chimacam, when he made Moses Vayvod of Moldavia, encharged him to perform all offices of Mediation between the Grand Signior and the Poles, perswading them to restrain the Incursions of the Cosacks, and to send an Ambassadour to the Port: in which affair Moses so well per∣formed his Negotiation, that applying Lenitives to the anger of the Poles, he reduced them to Articles of Peace, and to promises of re∣straining the Cosacks, on condition, that the Turks reciprocally forbid and withhold the Tartars from joyning or affording assistance to his Enemies the Moscovites. These Conditions being agreed, an Ambassa∣dour was sent from Poland to Constantinople, where he was received with as much joy as he was expected with impatience. The Cosacks and Tartars were two sorts of people which lived equally on Spoils and Boo∣ty, the first as offensive to the Turk, as the latter to the Pole; and * 3.28 therefore as it was an equal benefit, so it was an agreement of even Terms to counterchange the caution given reciprocally for one and the other. But the Engagement for such wild people was more easily given than performed, which because it was a point agreeable to both Parties, it was expressed with the most clear words and strict terms possible. The Poles were weary and grieved to see their Provinces depopulated by the Tartars, who yearly carried away some thousands of souls: the Turks on the other side were not less infested with the Cosacks, who captiva∣ted their people, burnt their Towns and Villages, and kept them in con∣tinual Alarms. But because these people are hardly restrained from their robberies and pillaging, the Poles, as a remedy, resolved to carry the Cosacks to the War against the Moscovite, and better to secure the Tar∣tar, the Polish Ambassadour obliged to pay them twenty thousand Flo∣rins yearly, and six thousand pair of Boots, according to the ancient Ar∣ticles of Peace; on which considerations the Tartars were engaged never to enter Poland in a hostile manner, but to serve that King in his Wars against all Nations whatsoever, the Turks only excepted.

In this manner were the Turks this year freed from all apprehensions [unspec 1631] of Alarm from the Cosacks, and of War with Poland. And the Empe∣rour was so busied concerning the surprize of Mantoua, and engaged in the quarrel about that Dutchy, and with some ambitious thoughts rela∣ting to Italy, that the Turks hoped to have prosecuted their Wars in Persia without fear of diversion from the Western parts. But yet the af∣fairs * 3.29 towards the parts of Germany were not so well secured, but that the turbulent spirit of Ragotski administred subject for dissention; for being lately seated (as we have said) in his Principality, he was doubtful, whe∣ther it were most for his interest to incline unto the Emperour, or to the Turk; and whilst both Parties courted his friendship, and cheapned his acknowledgments (for of necessity he must be a Vassal to one or the other) the Heyducs who were Tenants to the Lands of Gabor, refused to return to the obedience of the Emperour, demanding protection from the Grand Signior. The jealousie of those ill consequences which this com∣motion might produce alarmed all the Country; and the Emperour and Ragotski being hereby raised to a mutual defiance, advanced their Troops one against the other upon the Frontiers; but all Hungary trembling with fear of those calamities which ensue from War, several of those con∣cerned interposed so far towards an Accommodation, that Deputies were appointed to meet at Cassovia to treat of Peace: but in the mean time the Palatine of Hungary passing eight thousand men over the River Ti∣biscus

to make seisure of a certain Fort built by George Basta, so alarmed and awakened Ragotski, that he dispatched a Gentleman to him to de∣mand the cause of this motion; and not receiving an answer agreeable to his expectation, he advanced upon him with an Army of ten thousand men, and engaging him with great resolution, killed four thousand on the place, and so caused him to retire: from these beginnings all the mischiefs of a bloody War had certainly ensued, had not Ragotski refused to receive Succours from the Turk; but he depending on his own strength (having fifteen thousand men in Arms for defence of his here∣ditary Lands in Hungary) contemned all external assistances, as savour∣ing too much of vassalage and dependence; howsoever the Pasha's of the Frontiers assembled their Forces, and yet acted with such caution, as not to proceed to an open Rupture; for the Wars in Persia being unsuccessful and pressing, required moderation and Lenitives on this side, that so the differences now on the Frontiers might be transferred to an opportunity more seasonable for dispute.

In the month of September Sultan Morat being at his small Seraglio cal∣led Daout Pasha, and sleeping there one night in his Bed, he was on a sudden awakened by a terrible Lightning; which entring his Chamber * 3.30 rounded his Bed, leaving several marks on his Sheets and Quilts; and whilst he sought some place to hide himself in, it passed under his arm, and burnt part of his shirt, the affrightment of which so astonished him, that he remained for some time in a swound, which for ever after did much impair the strength of his brain: he now began to be sensible that there were other Thunder-bolts than those that proceed from his own Throne; and like Tiberius learned to tremble at the voice of God, whilst he heard him speak in the clouds: Nec Deum unquam nisi iratum pertimuit, & turbatiori Coelo fulminantem. And so affected was the Sultan with this accident, that afterwards he dismissed divers of his Buffoons from the Court, and particularly a Mute whose ridiculous gestures were his common Divertisement, and for some time caused him to abstain from Wine; and as a farther token of his Conversion and thankfulness to God for this escape, he ordered five thousand Dollars to be given in alms to the poor, and Korban to be made of three hundred sheep; and the Friday following he solemnly went to the Mosch, to render thanks unto God for having so prodigiously preserved him from the Executioner of his Vengeance.

During all this time the Great Vizier wanting Succours and Supplies of men and money, had great difficulty to contain his people in their due obedience, or within the bounds of their Quarters; for they were apt to leave their Colours, and would really have disbanded, had not their spirits been daily held up with the hopes and amusements of Pay and Recruits. The four Brethren-in-law which greatly apprehended lest their Power and Authority should be abated by the return of the Vi∣zier, exercised all the diligence they were able to make new Levies, the reinforcement of which might instill new courage into the Souldiery, and be a means to continue the Vizier in those parts; but the Mufti ob∣structed all Levies on the side of Greece and the Frontiers of Christen∣dom, alledging, That the best Souldiers being sent from those parts, would hazard the Empire by exposing and laying it open to the Incur∣sions of the Christians: by which contrary opinions and delays the Vi∣zier wanting the assistance expected, the Persians recovered all the little

Fortresses which they had lost the year before, with the considerable place of Illay; which being taken by assault and by an absolute force of Sword and Arms, the greatest part of the Garrison consisting of eight thousand men commanded by the three Pasha's before-mentioned, were cut off, which was an important loss to the Turks, not only for the slaughter of so many brave Souldiers, but also for the quantities of Pro∣visions, being the Granary and Magazine for the whole Army. Therein * 3.31 were likewise taken forty Field-pieces carrying eight pounds Bullet, with a great Chain of Iron, which usually encompasses the Treasury which is carried into the Field. With this ill success the Vizier retreated from Mosul as far as Mirdin, from whence he redoubled his instances for Sup∣plies for men and money. At length it was agreed, that an Army of thirty thousand Tartars should be sent thither; but Ragotski advising, that he was upon the point of breaking with the Emperour, it was orde∣red, that their number should be reduced to ten thousand; the which taking their Journey into Persia by the way of Circassia, were there en∣countred by Han Gherey, the Prince of Tartary, (whom we formerly men∣tioned to have been deposed by that people) and by him obstructed in their passage, the Vanguard of their Army being cut off by him; so that they were forced again to retreat and to embark their Men and Horse at Caffa to be transported by Sea to Trapezond; which as it was a matter of great trouble, so it was a course unpractised by the Tartars. The G. Sig∣nior being unable to render a more considerable Succour than this unto his Army, which was now reduced to the weak number of two thousand Janisaries, and three thousand Spahees, he resolved to condescend to Terms and Articles, as the only means to save his Honour, and the re∣mainder of his Forces. In order unto which, he released a Persian Lord from his Imprisonment in the Seven Towers, and qualified him with the Title of Ambassadour, bestowing upon him an Equipage of Men and Horse agreeable to his Character, with four thousand Dollars to defray his Expence; and that the King of Persia might be assured of the Sultan's real intentions and desires of Peace, he recalled his Army in the Spring, whereby all Acts of Hostility ceased: and thus the Vizier being returned to Constantinople, that pride and rigour which he exercised towards all in the time of his prosperity, laid him low by misfortunes in the esteem of his Enemies; who gladly embracing the opportunity to disgrace him with all the terms of obloguy and detraction, deprived him at length of * 3.32 his Office. One of the four Brothers-in-law married to one of the Grand Signior's Sisters, and Prime of the Cabal, being constituted Vizier in his stead. Nor did the late Vizier easily escape with his life, until he had reprieved it with an atonement of an hundred thousand Zechins of Gold and some choice Horses which he presented to the Sultan; the like Ex∣ample other Pasha's his Companions followed in proportion to their Estates and Employments; by which Presents the empty Treasury was in a manner recruited, and the present necessities of the Sultan relieved.

But this new Vizier enjoyed not long either his Honours, or his life; for the first act he performed, was to mitigate the Valedé Sultana or Queen-Mother to obtain a Hattesheriff, or writing under the Grand Sig∣nior's Hand for cutting off the Head of Casref Pasha, the Spaheeler-Agasi, or General of the Spahees, which being executed by Mortesa the Com∣mander in Chief in Persia, his Head was brought and thrown at the Gates of the Divan. The Spahees astonished at this spectacle, and enraged to [unspec 1632]

see that Head on the ground which they so much esteemed and loved, forgot all the terms of duty and obedience to their Superiours; and without regard to the place wherein they were, even within the Walls * 3.33 of the Grand Signior's Court they threw stones at the Vizier, and beat him from his Horse; which though the Grand Signior and all the Vi∣ziers highly resented, as the most scandalous indignity that could be of∣fered to the Majesty of a Supreme Ruler and to all Government, yet their Counsels rather sought remedies to suppress the Mutiny, than to make Proposals of executing Justice on the Offenders; for the Spahees seconded by the Janisaries, (who were glad of any cause to make a com∣motion) assembled in the Hippodromo, from whence they sent an Arz to the Sultan, requiring the Heads of the Great Vizier, and of divers others, as well within as without the Seraglio. The Grand Signior de∣nying positively to assent hereunto, the Souldiery as plainly threatned to depose him, and place his Brother in the Throne; at which barba∣rous resolution the Grand Signior being affrighted, his youthful con∣stancy was so shaken, that he wrote to his Mother to desire her excuse in case he assented to the death of her Son-in-law the Great Vizier; for that the storm of the military fury was so great, that he could not en∣deavour to protect him without the loss of his life and Crown: where∣fore the Vizier being turned out of the Gates of the Seraglio, he was immediately butchered in the presence of the Sultan. Nor did the im∣petuous rage of the Souldiery end here, but they proceeded farther to demand the Head of the Janisar-Aga, or General of the Janisaries, who was reputed the chief Instrument of the death of Casref, because he was a principal Favourite to the Grand Signior; but he wisely taking divers off with Money and Presents, sowed division between the Ja∣nisaries and Spahees; so that some difficulty arising hereupon, the de∣termination of his death was deferred for a while; howsoever they pro∣ceeded to demand, that the Mufti should be discharged of his Office, and that the Tefterdar or Treasurer should be delivered into their hands. To the first the Grand Signior assented; but being willing to save the other, he pretended, that he was escaped and fled; but when he was found, he should run the same Fate with the Vizier. But the military Sedition not being appeased with this answer, they roved through the whole City, and Galata, and other parts of the Suburbs: the Spahees persisting to require the Head of the Janisar-Aga, and not finding him in his House, they plundered it, and departed; and meet∣ing with a Youth, a Favourite of the Grand Signior's, they killed him; and so returning with the like fury to the Seraglio, they required ad∣mission to the New Vizier and Mufti. Regep Pasha, another of the Bro∣thers-in-law, was then made Vizier, who with the new Mufti trembling at these Tumults, were careful to treat the Souldiery with all lenity and condescension imaginable, desiring them to declare their grievances, and whatsoever might give them satisfaction should be granted. The sedi∣tious Souldiers replied, That they were resolved to see the Grand Sig∣nior's Brother, for that when the present Sultan did not govern well, they might know from whence to produce another of better abilities, and more agreeable to the designs of the Empire. That necessity which caused the late easiness of condescension to former demands, made way also for compliance with this; so that the young Prince being brought forth, they obliged the Sultan not to attempt any thing against his life,

and caused the Vizier and Mufti to become caution and security for it. Nor did these concessions contribute towards a pacisication; but rather their insolence increased thereby, renewing their exclamations at the Gates of the Seraglio for the Heads of the Janisar-Aga and the Testerdar; nor would they be satisfied with answer, that these men were not found in the Seraglio, but still persisted in their rude out-cryes and menaces, losing all respect and reverence to the Sultan and the Superiours; so that the Grand Signior resolved once to sally out upon them with his own Guard; but trying their temper and resolution, he discovered most of them to be poysoned with the like spirit of Sedition, and combining with the others as Associates in the Treason. The Viziers and other principal Officers perceiving the Mutiny to increase daily, and not know∣ing to what degree it might arise, made it their business to search out for those proscribed by the Souldiery: at length the Aga was happily discovered by a certain person, to whom a reward was given of a thou∣sand Zechins, with the Office of Zorbasi or Captain; and the Aga con∣fessing that he had counselled the death of Casref, he was immediately strangled, and his body hanged upon a tree to publick view. The like Fate befel the Testerdar, who being also taken, was killed and hanged up, together with the body of the Aga. All which persons thus in∣humanely murdered by the Souldiery, were the Enemies of the present Great Vizier Regep; for which cause the Grand Signior suspecting that he secretly contrived and nourished these Rebellions, never after looked on him with a gracious eye. Of which the Vizier being sensible, com∣bined with the Souldiery; and judging it almost impossible to set him∣self right in the affection of his Master, he courted the favour of the Militia, as the only means to protect his life, and maintain his Power. But as the revenge of Princes is not like a Thunder-bolt, which wounds on a sudden, but rather like a Mine which requires time to form, and is then sprang, when it may do the best execution: so in the same man∣ner, the Grand Signior dissembled his hate towards the Vizier, until one * 3.34 night being present with him in the Seraglio to see certain Fire-works, he called him aside, and whispered to him, that he should go into his private Lodgings, where being entred, the door was shut upon him, and he strangled by certain Eunuchs, who were appointed to attend him for that purpose. But little benefit or riches did the Grand Signior reap by his death; for the Vizier having for some time expected this blow, had concealed his Treasure, and conveyed it away for the use of his Posterity. The like hatred did the Sultan conceive against the Souldie∣ry, resolving in his mind to execute his revenge especially on the Jani∣saries, as the most turbulent Fomenters of Rebellion and Treason, and to vent his anger either by the Cord or Sword, or some other more expe∣dite way, as opportunity presented: and to prevent or oppose the like Seditions for the future, he fortified the Seraglio, and brought Arms in thither by night, chusing into his Guard select men of còurage and faith∣fulness: and being sensible, that the being of his Brother attempered his Soveraignty, and drew away the hearts and eyes of his Souldiers and People from fixing entirely on his own person; he therefore intended to cut him off, but the caution and security given by himself and chief Ministers to preserve his life, diverted him from this resolution.

In place of the deceased Vizier, Mehmet late Pasha of Cairo was con∣stituted, and the Seal consigned to him, with whom the Grand Signior consulting of the present emergency of affairs, often uttered his displea∣sure

against the late Seditions, and signified his intentions to redress them for the future; in order unto which, he caused the Heads of the most mutinous Spahees to be cut off, and on various pretences separated the Souldiery each from other into divers parts; some numbers of Jani∣saries he commanded to march to the Confines of Persia, and caused ma∣ny others of them to be killed by night, and by various other means greatly weakened the Chambers, both by diminishing the numbers, and taking off such who were the men of best courage and conduct: many bodies were found swimming in the Bosphorus, and known to be Spahees; great part of the Lands belonging to the Timariots was taken away, and the Pay of the Spahees was abated, and divers Offices of Profit and Honour were taken from the Militia, that so men might be made sensible of the indignation of their Prince, and that there is no sport or jesting with the anger of a provoked King, who knows no other mean of his passion than the total evaporation of his choler and venge∣ance. To maintain and make good these several acts of just punish∣ment, young Morat growing in courage with his years, mounted on Horse-back well armed, and like a Souldier attended with a select Party of Cavalry, passed through the most publick streets of the City in a huffing manner, and casting a stern eye upon the Souldiery and People as he went, and making a hundred passes through the midst of them, struck them with an awe of his Majesty, and admiration of his warlike and Martial appearance; with which severity and gallantry the Soul∣diery being affrighted, began to consider, that they were not longer to be governed by a Woman, or a Child, but by the most brave Prince that ever swayed the Ottoman Scepter; and thereupon for the future resolved upon an impartial submission and obedience unto him. To encourage them in which, and to reconcile their spirits and affections to him, Morat oftentimes assembled his Souldiery at Ackmeidan, where he exercised with them shooting with the Bow at Marks and at Rovers, rewarding those who shot best with adding an Asper a day to their Pay; besides which he distributed six thousand Hungars amongst them, to demonstrate that wise Princes are used to mix Lenitives with their rigour.

These Mutinies and Seditions in the Capital City encouraged rebel∣lious Spirits in divers other places: so that a certain bold and audacious Fellow drawing a number of Miscreants after him, possessed himself of the City of Prusa: another of the same temper called Elia Pasha made himself Master of Magnesia, where he committed all the outrages which * 3.35 Enemies inflict on a conquered People; and being about twenty four miles distant from Smyrna, so assrighted the people of that place, who were Merchants, and such as lived by Trade, that they fled with their Wealth, and such things as were portable, left they should be exposed to the robbery and spoil of Thieves and Rebels. But the Beglerbey of Anatolia suffered not Elia to reign long in his lust, but giving him Bat∣tel in those Plains, wholly defeated him, and sent twenty of the Heads of the chief Commanders to the Sultan for a Present; and pursuing Elia and the rest of his Army to Magnesia, besieged him in that City. The Grand Signior being advised hereof, and fearing left the Siege should take up too much time, and move other ill humors in that Country, dispatched Orders to offer Terms and Conditions of Accommodation with Elia, which were secretly treated, and great promises made him of

favour and rewards from the Grand Signior. The easie Fool accepted the Conditions, and embraced the promises; and leaving his City of Magnesia, proceeded confidently to Constantinople to receive the graci∣ous rewards of the Sultan for his past Services. At his Entry into the Seraglio in place of the Kapislar-Kahyasee or Master of the Ceremonies, he was received by Officers with a Cord in their hands, who bestowed on him the gracious reward of his Masters ultimate favour.

These Rebellions were no sooner suppressed in Asia, but that other Mutinies of the Janisaries for want of Pay began at Buda in Hungary, * 3.36 where they threw stones at their Aga, and pursued him to the very Pa∣lace of the Pasha, electing another into his place. They also cut in pie∣ces the Governour of Pest, and bestowed his Office upon his Lieutenant. To remedy these disorders, and extinguish the Mutiny, the Grand Sig∣nior sent Commissioners to examine the matter, and to render him an account of the grievances and demands of the Souldiers: but they fear∣ing to be surprised with some severe acts of Justice, prevented or fore∣stalled the inquiries of the Commissioners by acknowledging their fault, and demanding pardon, with surrender of four of the Ring-leaders to punishment, declaring, That by their seducement and evil perswasions, they were debauched into that disorderly course of proceedings: the Sultan accepted the submission, and all things were quieted in Hungary.

Howsoever new troubles arose in Moldavia: for that People being * 3.37 oppressed over-much by their Prince Alexander, made an Insurrection against him, and drove him out of the Country, who for refuge fled to Constantinople. And the people desirous that one Bernoschi, a Polonian by Nation, might be put into his place, to obtain his Confirmation he came to the Port, and offered himself before the Grand Signior; but Morat suspecting, that to obtain the Principality for himself, he had se∣cretly instigated and nourished the late popular Commotions, caused his Head to be cut off in the publick Divan.

Amurat had now born to him a seventh Daughter by his Slave, called the shining Star; and though he was much troubled that she had not brought him forth a Son and Heir, yet so much was she beloved by him, that he resolved to create her Queen, had not his Mother declared against it, as a thing not usual for any Woman to be honoured with that Title before she had supplied the Inheritance by the Birth of a Male Child. And that he might now totally extinguish the fire of Sedition amongst the Souldiery, he caused Ferdum Efendi and Saluc Aga, two prime Chiefs of the Spahees, with eight principal Janisaries, to be put to death; after which severity, fearing another Insurrection, he passed the Water, and retired to his Seraglio at Scutari, where he fortified himself.

It happened about that time, that a Turk Woman a Slave was found aboard a French Ship, ready to sail from Constantinople, which the Turks highly resented, and aggravated the crime so much against the French Ambassadour, that they imprisoned his Son then embarked, and would have confiscated the Vessel and her Lading. In those days the Christian Ambassadours resident at that Court, kept better Union and Correspon∣dence amongst themselves than they do at present; so that all of them as concerned, joyned together to represent before the chief Ministers, that such a fault merited not so grand a forfeiture, for that it was most probable to have been committed without the privacy either of the Ambassadour or Commander of the Ship. The Ambassadours then resi∣dent

were Sir Peter Wych for England, the Sieur Marcheville for France, and Pietro Foscarini for Venice, at whose warm and urgent instances the Turks condescended to release the Vessel and the Goods laden upon her, with free liberty to depart. Howsoever it being represented to the Grand Signior by the Captain-Pasha (who is Admiral of the Seas) that one Baldasar, an Armenian by Nation, but Dragoman or Interpreter to the French Ambassadour, was a principal Instrument to move the Ambassadours to unite in this pretence; and being observed to manage the Interest of his Master with warm and earnest sollicitations, the surly Sultan grew so angry that one of his own Slaves should presume to ma∣nage a dispute with him, in fury and rage commanded, that he should * 3.38 be immediately empaled; and that he might be assured that his Sen∣tence took effect, he would see him with his own eyes on the Stake be∣fore he would pass the Water to his Seraglio at Scutari. The resolution was so sudden, and the Execution so speedy, that there was neither ear lent to hear, nor time given to mediate in his behalf; and the act be∣ing performed, complaints would not serve to redress a tyrannous acti∣on now past remedy, and not to be recalled: wherefore as the Ambas∣sadours were forced to acquiesce and patiently endure the affront; so if they would have resented it, they could scarce have found one amongst their Interpreters of so bold a spirit, who durst have opened his mouth after so terrifying an example. The truth is, the Dragomen or Inter∣preters to Ambassadours at Constantinople are required to be men of Learning, Courage, and Courtship, their studies ought to endue them perfectly with the Turkish, Greek, and Arabick Languages, with some knowledge also of the Persian, and with good Elocution, and readiness of Tongue: their constancy and presence of mind is always necessary at their appearance before those Grandees or Great men, who are ever proud, haughty, and arrogant in all their expressions and ways of Treaty, the which they commonly manage towards Christian Ministers with the same respect which we use towards our Servants, or our Slaves. And therefore by reason of this and other Presidents of like nature, Drago∣men have been always timorous in representing the true sence of the Am∣bassadours and Consuls; at least have so minced and tempered their words, that they have lost much of that vigour and accent which is neces∣sary to inculcate perfectly a business into the Understanding of a Turk, especially if you intend to incline him to Reason and Justice. Where∣fore it would be an excellent Qualification for an Ambassadour himself to understand and speak the Turkish Language, or at least to have a young man by his side of the English Nation educated in the Turkish Court, who should be ready to explicate those matters which are too thorny and prickly for Subjects of that Country to handle.

Had all the foregoing Troubles, Mutinies, and Misfortunes encoun∣tred the spirit of an easie and a gentle Sultan, certainly the Fate of this Amurat had been the same with that of Osman, who retiring within his [unspec 1633] Seraglio, could never have appeased the seditious humor with all the concessions he could give to an unreasonable multitude: but being a resolved and busling Prince, he at first gave some few steps backwards, as if he would yield somewhat to the impetuosity of that Torrent which he could not resist; yet it was only like a Ram who retires, that he may butt with the greater force. Howsoever the Politicians and sober men attributed the true cause of all these Commotions in the Souldiery, to

have no other foundation than the ill success and miseries which attend∣ed the War in Persia; for the way being long, and the Countries hot, barren, and for the most part void of all comfort, the Souldiers abhorred the fatigues, and march thither, and hated to consider, that they should be made a Sacrifice to the lust of voluptuous Ministers, who, to gain Estates and Riches out of those Monies, which were designed to carry on the War, did not care, whilst they lived at ease and in delights, what labours, wants, and dangers attended the Militia. These considerations made likewise some impression in the Sultan, who therefore inclined to hearken unto those Propositions of Peace which were brought him by an Ambassadour from Persia; and being accompanied with very great Presents, the Peace was clapt up and concluded on a sudden. But as * 3.39 things quick in their birth and production are not long-liv'd, nor long durable; so this Peace was broken the same year with an inconstancy equal to that inconsideration with which it was agreed and signed. For no sooner was the News hereof flown into the Eastern World, than the Great Mogol dispatched his Ambassadour with Letters to the Grand Sig∣nior, perswading him to make War again with the Persian, promising to assist him therein, by stopping up the passage of Nachivan, which is a City in the Lesser Armenia, built upon the River Aranes, and is the common Road into the Indies; the which motion, as it was pleasing to Morat, so being accompanied with Indian Curiosities and Presents of an inestimable value, the Ambassadour was graciously received and treated with such Feasts and Entertainments as are not usually known amongst the Turks; and returned again with Letters giving hopes, that he would speedily take an occasion to break with the Persian. But those who had experienced the difficulties of a War with Persia, and observed, that in the present Conjuncture of Affairs it might be more easily and with ad∣vantage waged on the side of Hungary, endeavoured with many preg∣nant arguments to perswade the Grand Signior thereunto, giving him * 3.40 to understand, that Gustavus Adolphus King of Sweden being victorious over the Emperour in Germany, had taken many Towns and Cities of great strength; and having overthrown him in divers Battels, had slain or taken his best Captains and most Martial men of Valour; and that other Christians, who were desirous to abate the pride of the Austrian Family, were ready to embrace the same Conjuncture, whereby they might entirely shake off the yoke and servitude to the Imperial Tyran∣ny. These advantages being well represented, took place easily in the mind of Morat, so that he dispatched express Orders to the Pasha of Buda to assemble his Forces, and put all things in a readiness on the Frontiers: in compliance with which, though the Pasha set forth his Tents, and made great appearance of a March, yet some secret designs caused him to move slowly, and to affect a Peace rather than a War; so that receiving an Ambassadour from the Emperour at Pesth, he rea∣dily admitted him, and gave him safe conduct and Convoy unto Constan∣tinople: at which time Advices coming, that the Great Gustavus Adol∣phus was slain, and that the Affairs of the Swedes went backwards and unsuccessfully in Germany, altered all the measures of the Ottoman Counsels; and though Ragotski endeavoured all he was able to foment the differences, and encourage the Turks to a War, having besides other specious pretences, an Army of thirty thousand men in a readiness to joyn with the Turks against the Emperour; howsoever the Turks look∣ing

on the condition of the Swedes as desperate, and the proffers of Ra∣gotski to be uncertain, and of no true foundation, and the state of affairs amongst themselves to be turbulent and unsetled, gave a kind reception * 3.41 to the Emperours Ambassadour, and signed the Agreement for continu∣ance of the Truce. By this and other actions of like nature Ragotski lost much of his esteem with the Emperour and the Grand Signior; the first always looked on him as an ambitious Prince, exciting the Turk against him, and ready on the least occasion to enter his Country with fire and sword; the other looked on him as a false Friend, who never made proffers but those which squared with his own designs and interest, and particularly he had disgusted the Port by presuming to instate one Mathias in the Principality of Valachia, and to eject another constituted there by Authority of the Grand Signior, called Stridia Bei, or Lord Oysters, because his Father was a Fisher-man, and gained a good Estate by the Trade of Oysters; howsoever it being the Grand Signior's plea∣sure to ordain such a person to that Office, it was a presumption and a bold piece of Usurpation in Ragotski to dispose of that Government by virtue of his own single Power: howsoever the Grand Signior, to avoid contention with the resolved spirit of Ragotski, confirmed Mathias, up∣on condition of a double Tribute paid for the Investment to the Prin∣cipality. But besides these reasons for a Peace with the Emperour, the designs the Grand Signior entertained of making War upon Poland with the assistance of the Moscovites and Tartars, and of dispossessing Emir Facardin of his Government, were strong inducements to make fair weather on all other sides of the neighbouring Princes. The envy which the riches and greatness of Emir Facardin (who was a Prince in∣habiting in the parts of Arabia, to whom a large tract of Land with se∣veral Fortresses did belong) had contracted to him from the Pasha's of Damascus, Tripoli, and Gaza, caused them to accuse him before the Grand Signior of Rebellion and other enormous Crimes: the Plea against him was managed especially by the Pasha of Tripoli, who alledged, That he was an Enemy to the Mahometan Law, destroyed the Moschs, kept cor∣respondence with the Malteses and the Corsaires of Ligorn, permitting them freely to take water in his Country; that he openly favoured the Christians, suffering them freely to build Churches in his Country. That he continually fortified his Castles, and encroached on the Lands and Territories of the Emirs his Neighbours. In short, his riches were so great, that every one feared and envied him, and therefore represented his case in that manner, that the Grand Signior resolving to destroy him, sent great Forces into those Countries under the Command of the Pasha * 3.42 of Tripoli, to whom he commanded the Pasha's of Damascus, Gaza, Aleppo, and Cairo to joyn their Forces: and for better expedition, the Captain-Pasha was appointed to equippe his Fleet, to transport Men and Ammunition into those parts. The Captain-Pasha in his passage by Sea encountred two English Ships lading Corn in the Gulph of Vola, called the William and Ralph, and Hector: this being a prohibited Commodity * 3.43 not to be transported under penalty of forfeiting Ships, Goods, and Li∣berty of the men, moved the Pasha with the sight of such a Booty to command his Gallies to seize the Vessels; which being only two, it was imagined, that they would immediately yield and surrender without contest. But these bold Brittons knowing the consequences of such a surrender, resolved not tamely to yield themselves, at least to sell their

liberties, lives, Ships, and Goods to the Turks at the dearest rate they were able: wherefore cutting their Cables, put themselves under Sail, and got into the main Sea, fighting with the whole Fleet above three hours; sometimes they were boarded by one Gally, sometimes by two at once; but plying their Quarter-deck Guns with small shot, and de∣fending themselves manfully with their half-Pikes, they often cleared their Decks, and put off the Enemy with great slaughter: the Captain-Pasha being ashamed to see such resistance made by two such Vessels against his whole Force, resolved to enter his men at the Gun-room port of one of the Ships, and running the Prow of the Gally into the Stern-port, the valiant crew of the Gun-room clapt an Iron Spike into the Trunnel-hole of the Prow, whereby the Gally being wedged fast to the Timbers of the Ship, they brought their Stern-chase laden with cross Bars, pieces of Iron, and Parteridge-shot to bear upon them, which raking them fore and aft, killed the Captain-Pasha himself, with near three hundred out of the Bastard Gally. At length having spent all their shot, they charged their Guns with pieces of Eight, and being over-powered by numbers of their Enemies, and not able farther to resist, they set fire to their Ships, which blowing up, destroyed two or three of the Gallies which laid by their sides, together with those men which were then fighting aboard at handy-blows on the Deck with the defendants; so that none of the En∣glish were taken, unless three or four fished out of the water. An end being in this manner put to the Fight, the Turks gained the Victory, with the loss of twelve hundred Slaves killed and wounded, besides Turks, and were forced into Port, where they remained a full month to repair their Gallies; the which Fight affected all Turks with an asto∣nishment of the English Bravery, or obstinacy, (as they call it) and is a matter remembred and talked of to this day, especially by the Son of the Captain-Pasha who was slain, called Omem, Pasha Ogli, who is Pasha of Rhodes at present, (as I remember) and commands three or four Gal∣lies; for which reason he is so inveterate an Enemy to the English, that to satisfie his revenge, he buys what English Slaves he can get into his Gallies, and sells none out under a double price or ransom. The News of this Fight coming to Constantinople provoked the Grand Signior to the height of indignation; howsoever the Officers either being ashamed of their loss, or entertaining some secret admiration of the English Bravery, suffered the matter to be compounded for the Sum of forty thousand Dollars, of which the English paid only their share with the French and Venetians, whom (for I know not what reason) the Turks equally con∣cerned in the occasion.

Whilst the Turks were appointing a new Captain-Pasha, and again refitting their Fleet, the Pasha of Damascus dispatched a Summons to Facardin to surrender Seida up to him, with other Castles and places of strength. The Old man resided then at Barut, where pretending to be retired from all business, answered, that he had resigned the whole Go∣vernment into the hands of his Son Ali, as he had already testified by publick Acts: that he was but a Subject, and a Souldier under his Son, and therefore to him they ought to make their applications. Facardin had at that time an Army of twenty five thousand men, the which he divided into two Bodies, commanded by his two Sons. Ali his eldest he ordered with twelve thousand men (a thousand of which were Ma∣ronites, and two thousand Druzes) to march to Saphet for hindering the

conjunction of the Emirs of Ferue and Therabith, and the Pasha's of Gaza and Damascus, whose Forces being joyned together, did not compose a greater number than that of Facardin. Ali encountring with them, and being a brisk and hot-metled Prince, engaged and charged them so home, that he defeated them, and killed eight thousand of their men; but such a Victory as this not costing him less than seven thousand of his men, was in effect his own overthrow; for being the next day charged again by the Enemy, both sides fought with that obstinacy, that (as is reported) * 3.44 there remained not above an hundred forty six of all the Souldiers which followed Ali; and he himself having his Horse mortally wounded under him, and being out of breath, weary, and faint, yielded himself to a common Souldier who promised him quarter; but afterwards having him in his power he stranged him with his Match, and cut off his head * 3.45 and his little finger on which he wore his Seal-ring, and so presented both to the Pasha. But this proud Conquerour refused to accept this Present without Ceremony, until first the Head had been perfumed with sweet waters, the beard combed out, and covered with a rich Turbant, and having kept this Trophy for some days by him, he sent it afterwards to Constantinople. But before the News of this Defeat reached the ears of old Facardin, the Captain-Pasha with his Fleet of Gallies arrived at the Port of Tripoli; to whom Facardin being desirous to shew all friendship, and profess loyalty to the Grand Signior, he caused his Army to retire into the parts of Mount Libanus, whilst he himself with about three thousand men between domestick Servants and his Guards went to Scida, from whence he sent two * 3.46 Caramosauls laden with Provisions and refreshment to the Captain-Pasha for a Present, assuring him that he was an humble Vassal to the Grand Signior, and was ready to obey all his Commands; and because the Sultan may probably have received sinister reports relating to the Arms he had taken up, he assured him, that they were no otherwise designed, than to suppress the Robberies of the Arabs, and the Incursions of their Kings; and that he was ready to conduct his Army to any place, where his Master the Grand Signior should think fit to employ them. But these fair words could not divert the Captain-Pasha from his resolutions to enter the Port of Scida, nor from his Instructions of demanding, and upon refusal of forcing posses∣sion of the Castle; which as it was the most considerable Fortress, and the most pleasant Seat of all his Dominions, so he could not without much regret and sorrow hearken to such a Proposition: wherefore that the Pasha might not persist in this demand, he secretly proffered him an hundred thousand Zechins as a Bribe to himself, and his Son Mansour to be carried for a Hostage and Earnest of his faithfulness to the Grand Signior. The Captain-Pasha liked well the hundred thousand Zechins and the Hostages, but still required the Surrender of the Castle with them; on which whilst Facardin deliberated, News came of the death of his Son Ali, and the destruction of his Army, with which losing all courage, he yielded his Castle of Scida to the Captain-Pasha, retiring himself to his City of Barut; nor could he rest quietly at that place; for being pursued, he was forced to quit it, and retire with his Maro∣nites and Druzes into the Mountains, lest being inclosed within the Walls of a City, he should fall alive into the hands of his Enemies. And now all good Fortune forsaking unhappy Facardin, the Maronites and Dru∣zes his Subjects revolt to the Pasha of Damascus, his Palaces and Gardens

of Pleasure were all ruined, his Friends forsook him, his two remaining Sons were lost, one carried to Constantinople for a Hostage, and the other slain in fight; his Towns of Gazir, Saphet, St. John d'Acria, and others were surrendred to the Pasha of Damascus: only some sew strong pla∣ces in the Mountains remained to him, where living in League with Reba a King of the Arabs, he committed all the spoils he was able on the Lands belonging to the Pasha of Damascus. But being hunted from one Mountain to another, and from one Cave to another, he was at length forced to surrender upon Conditions, that he should have liberty to proceed unto the Grand Signior with his own Equipage of three hundred men and Trumpets founding, and that he might carry with him all his Treasure consisting of a million of Zechins all in gold, together with other Riches, which were carried by fourteen Camels; and that he should not be conducted as a Prisoner in Triumph, but that he should with freedom approach the presence of the Sultan, like other Pasha's, who are in grace and favour. These Proposals being granted, Facardin with his two young Sons began his Journey to Constantinople, and being about two days journey from thence, he dispeeded eight Chests of Gold before him, to prepare and make his way to the Grand Signior; who being pleased with the gold, and greatly rejoyced to receive the submis∣sion and Homage of one who had so long stood out in Rebellion, he went out in a disguise and Habit of a Pasha to see and discourse with that person, of whom there had been so general a rumor: and having ac∣cordingly encountred with the Emir, he sate down in his Tent with him, desiring him to relate the story of his life, with the several particulars of his late misfortunes. Emir Facardin well knew the person of the Grand Signior; but feigning as if he was unacquainted with whom he discour∣sed, and that he took him for some Pasha, began to recount the course of his life, the reasons why his Enemies falsely suggested evil reports of him to the Grand Signior, how he was forced for defence of his life to take up Arms, and what ill success accompanied his affairs; all which he represented with such quickness and eloquence, that the Grand Signior pitying his misfortunes promised to be his Advocate, and mediate with the Grand Signior in his behalf. The day following Facardin made his Entry in a Triumphant manner, and received a most favourable Au∣dience from the Grand Signior; and all the Pasha's and great men in conformity to their Master, and in hopes of sharing some part of his gold, shewed him a like kind favourable countenance and aspect. But finding afterwards that Facardin increased daily in the esteem of the Grand Signior, and that the old Rebel was become a new Favourite, and that he was likely to over-top and out them, they generally conspired together, taking the Mufti on their side to accuse him of many crimes, and more particularly that he was a Christian and an Apostate from the Mahometan Faith. This point of Religion so sensibly touched the Grand Signior, that he resolved to condemn him in a manner solemn and extra∣ordinary; for mounting one day on his Throne, he commanded Fa∣cardin to be brought in, and placed on a low chair, where ordering his crimes whereof he was accused to be recited, he passed a formal Sentence of death upon him: but Facardin arising to justifie himself, was not permitted to speak, only he obtained a quarter of an hours reprieve to make his Prayers, and afterwards was strangled by the hands of two Mutes.

ANNO 1634.

Morat growing now into years, took into his own hands the reins [unspec 1634] of Government, resolving to rule singly and absolutely, and to make himself rather feared than beloved: he degraded four Viziers at once, and banished them into Cyprus, consiscating their Estates, for no other reason, than because they had denied him the use of their Mules and Camels on occasion of his service. He became extremely severe against * 3.47 the Souldiery, crushing them with all imaginable rigour on the least ap∣pearance of reluctancy to his Commands, declaring, that he expected blind and silent Obedience from all, but especially from his Souldiery. He imposed a great Tax upon Copper; and because he had several Ware∣houses filled with that Metal, which had for many years lain by, he forced the people to buy it at his own rates; at which aggrievance the Commonalty growing desperate began to mutiny and rebel; but Morat put a speedy stop thereunto by cutting off the Heads of fifty of the most seditious, and so passed to Prusa with the attendance of six Gallies. He caused a Kadi to be hanged, to the great displeasure and universal re∣sentment of the Ulemah, who are Students in the Law; who to make known their aggrievance, and consult a remedy, assembled in great num∣bers at the House of the Mufti. The Queen-Mother being acquainted with this Meeting, and fearing the ill consequences thereof, gave imme∣diate advice to the Sultan, who with like expedition dispatched a Boat to bring over the Mufti and his Son to Prusa, who were no sooner ar∣rived than they were strangled, being not permitted to speak for them∣selves, or to alledge any plea or excuse for their lives. This act of cru∣elty beyond the example of former Ages, and never practised by the most tyrannical of his Predecessours, struck a terrour on the whole Em∣pire; for men observing the unjust rigour which was executed on the Head and Chief of their Law, the Oracle and Mouth which resolved their difficult Problems, and whom the World so reverenced and ho∣noured, that few examples have been of Capital punishment executed on his reverend Head, feared that innocence was not sufficient to secure their own less considerable Estates from his fury and violence. There is a particular death allotted for Mufties, which is by braying them in a Mortar, the which Mortar is kept in the Seven Towers at Constantinople, and there shewed to strangers; the which Instrument hath been seldom made use of.

Morat being greatly addicted to Wine, was sensible of the ill effects of it in himself, and that the heat of debauchery inclined him to vio∣lence and cruelty, and from hence collecting how dangerous this hu∣mor * 3.48 of drunkenness was in his people, especially in his Souldiery, for that much of the late Seditions might be attributed thereunto, he pub∣lished a most severe Edict against Wine, commanding all Taverns to be demolished, the Butts to be broken, and the Wine spilt. It was the com∣mon custom of the Grand Signior to walk the streets in disguise, when meeting with any drunken person, he would imprison him, and almost drub him to death. It was his fortune to meet a deaf man one day in the streets, who not hearing the noise of the people, nor the rumor of his approach, did not so readily shift out of the way, as was consistent with the fear and dread of so awful an Emperour, for which default he was strangled

immediately, and his body thrown into the streets. All people feared and trembled at these practices, and were as careful to look out abroad for the Grand Signior, lest they should be surprised with the bluster of his presence, as Mariners are of being taken unprovided by some sudden Gust or Hurricane; for there was scarce a day, that one innocent or other was not sacrificed to his fury and tyrannical sancy. One Thomas * 3.49 Zanetti, a Venetian Merchant, who had built a losty Jardac, or a high Room of Prospective on the top of his House, was accused to the Grand Signior to have designed that place for no other end, than that he might with a Long-glass oversee the Chambers of the Ladies, and the Gardens, and Walks of the Seraglio: for which reason, without farther inquiry, he was hanged in his shirt on the top of his Jardac with a red Streamer in his hand, that so the Grand Signior might be sure, that the Sentence was executed. The Estate of Zanetti, whether belonging to himself or Principals, was consiscated; but in regard the Goods for Se∣curity were privately conveyed to the Ware-houses of several Frank Merchants, strict search was made for them; but in regard the Marks and Numbers were altered, they could not be distinguished: wherefore the Grand Signior concluding, that all the Frank Merchants had combined together to deceive him, he imprisoned every man of them, nor would he release them until they paid forty thousand Dollars for their ransom and liberty. After which upon pretence of a Plot, or agreement of the Franks to defend themselves from the leviation of this Tax, the Turks searched their Houses for Arms; in taking of which they were so rigorous, that they spared not so much as a Birding-piece, nor yet the Sword of Sir Peter Wych, then Ambassadour for England, though he alledged, that it was the very Sword with which his Majesty had conferred the Honour of Knighthood upon him.

But from these transactions at home, let us pass to the Wars in Poland and Persia. That invincible Prince Uladislaus King of Poland had gain∣ed such good success against the Czar of Moscovy, that the Czar was for∣ced to demand assistance from the Turks. The Grand Signior, though he had lately made a Peace with Poland, and sworn to maintain the Ar∣ticles of Chocin concluded by his Predecessour Sultan Osman; yet the con∣tinual depredations which the Cosacks made, did always administer reaso∣nable pretences for a War: to which Abassa one of his chief Counsellours, a valiant and presumptuous Captain, did much incite him; for promising to himself the Conduct of that Army designed against Poland, did much * 3.50 flatter the Sultan and himself with the fancy of mighty success. The War being thus resolved upon, the Turk who commonly strikes before he quarrels, gave Orders to Abassa to make Levies of men in Moldavia and Valachia, and to put the Tartars in Arms, and the Militia of Buda, and of the parts along the Danube into a warlike posture, and with all expedition to enter Poland. Abassa who had with wonderful diligence put his Troops in readiness, ordered the Tartars with a Body of sifteen thousand men to enter Poland; which they performed with such cele∣rity, that passing the River of Tyr above Chocin and Rinczug, they in a few hours laid all waste for the space of ten leagues round Kemenitz, and so retired with their Booty into Moldavia; howsoever their haste was not attended with such good speed, but that they were overtaken on the 4^th of July by Stanislaus Konispolzki, General of the Polish Army, with no greater Force than two thousand five hundred Horse; howso∣ever

surprising them whilst they were seeding their Horses, he put them into such confusion and disorder, that he easily recovered all the Booty, and took five of their Chief men Prisoners, of which the Son-in-law of Cantemir was one. But this was a faint resreshment in respect to that terrible storm of sixty thousand men composed of Turks, Tartars, Mol∣davians and Valachians, which under the Command of Abassa had al∣ready passed the Danube. Konispolzki the Polish General having not sufficient Force to oppose them in open sield, nor time to assemble a greater Army, gathered what Supplies he could from the Cosacks and Lords of that Country, and therewith encamped himself upon a Hill be∣tween the River Tyr and the Town of Chocin, that he might be the better able to succour Kemenitz, which the Enemy designed to assault. * 3.51 Abassa who contemned this weak Force of the Poles, resolved without farther consideration to attack them in their own Camp, and force them to sight; of which the Poles being well advised, placed several-Pieces of Artillery, and lined all the Hedges and Ditches with Musquetiers where the Turks were necessarily to pass, drawing out their whole Army into Batalia; the Turks who hastened the nearest way to charge the Enemy, fell into the Ambush, where having lost about five hundred men, they began to make a stand, and to consider of some more advantageous way to their design. Wherefore Abassa taking another course, which he judged to be free from all concealed dangers, ordered the Tartars to charge the right Wing, and the Moldavians and Valachians the left of the Enemy, and he with his Turks would fight the main Body. The Tartars with great resolution performed their part, and had wholly de∣seated that Wing, had not Wisnovitzki with some Troops and a Train of small Artillery come in seasonably to their succour: the Moldavians and Valachians sought so faintly against the Enemy, whom they consi∣dered to be Christians, Brothers, and Neighbours, that they soon turned their backs and fled, but were not far pursued by the Poles. Abassa re∣ceiving this repulse sounded a Retreat, and immediately repassed the River Tyr, and marched with all the haste he was able, stopping no where, until he arrived at Rinzur about thirty English miles from the place of the Fight, and arriving at length on the Banks of the Danube, he gave licence to his Souldiers to disperse into their Winter-quarters; in the mean time Abassa dispatched Advice to the Grand Signior of the Par∣ticulars of the Fight, and of his great Victory by an entire defeat of the Polish Army. The Grand Signior believed the report, which none durst to contradict, and which was confirmed by the rumour of an Am∣bassadour coming from Poland. For the Poles being at that time en∣gaged * 3.52 in a War with Moscovy, and apprehensive of another with Sweden, judged it not seasonable to provoke the Turk, but rather by way of Accommodation dispeeded an Ambassadour with a train of three hun∣dred men to make complaints against the late Acts of Hostility commit∣ted by Abassa, as if he had moved his Arms without the Orders, or knowledge of the Sultan. About that time that the Ambassadour ap∣proached near to Constantinople, the Grand Signior had another Son born, but of a weakly and sickly temperament, howsoever great joy was expressed, and all the City was enlightned with Torches, Bonsires, and Fire-works; and that the Grand Signior might evidence his Great∣ness and Magnisicence to the Ambassadour, he took this occasion of the Birth of a Son to make a solemn Entrance into the City, and to make 〈1 page duplicate〉〈1 page duplicate〉

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the greater show he armed all the Citizens and Inhabitants.

Before the Grand Signior would grant Audience to the Ambassa∣dour, he ordered that Abassa should treat with him, and understand his business and desires: Abassa carried himself high in the Negotiation, he pretended the damages and charges of the War, the demolishment of certain Palancas, which were the places of Refuge for the Cosacks, and the Tribute of ten years past, with security of payment for the time to come. The Ambassadour positively refused to hearken unto any terms about Tribute, and that for other matters the Presents which he had brought to the Grand Signior would reasonably answer. His Presents were

• A Coach lined with Velvet, with six very fine Horses.
• A Bason and Candlesticks of Silver richly gilt.
• Four Clocks, ten Vests of Sables, six Quivers of Arrows, with some Hunting Dogs.

Being at length admitted to Audience, and thereunto conducted by the Aga of the Spahees and the Chaous Bashee, the Grand Signior asked the Ambassadour, which was not usual: For what reason he was come thi∣ther? To which he answered: That he was come to bring his Majesty advice of the Coronation of his King, and to establish a Peace, if his Majesty should judge fit to accept thereof. To which the Sultan replied: That all Chri∣stian Kings ought either to receive the Ottoman Laws, or pay him Tribute, or try the sharpness of his Sword. And taking a Cemiter in his hand which hung by him, he drew it half out, and said: With this I will subdue my Enemies, and though my War in Persia continues, I do not fear to under∣take another in Poland. To which the Ambassadour returning a modest Answer, was dismissed of the Royal Presence.

And now the Grand Signior, to put a good face on the business, and to make the World believe, that he designed what he spake, he pro∣claimed a War with Poland, and ordered his Tents to be carried abroad, supposing hereby to draw the Poles to his own terms of agreement: and in pursuance hereof he mounted on Horse-back and rode in state through the City, his upper Vest was made after the Hungarian fashion lined with Sables; in his right hand he carried a Quiver of Arrows, in his left two drawn Swords, on his Turbant he wore a large Plume of Feathers encompassed with a Circle of Diamonds; and in this manner entring his Tents he proceeded to Adrianople. But before his departure the Count Puchen, Ambassadour from the Emperour, arrived with other sumptuous Presents, offering Incense and gifts of Peace at the Throne of this Great∣ness.

But before we relate the transactions at Adrianople, and the success of affairs at that place, let us recount several dismal accidents at Constantinople. The Grand Signior returning by Sea from a place called Stravosta in the Bay of Ismit, anciently the Bay of Nicomedia, where he had for some * 3.53 time held his Court and great Divan, he was followed by several Vessels appointed to transport the people, in one whereof were ninety five per∣sons embarked, all of them Pasha's, Aga's, and chief Officers of the Court; the Vessel was over-set by a sudden gust of wind, and all the people drowned, excepting three Sea-men which saved themselves by swimming. More considerable were the mischiefs by fire. For on occasion of some Fire-works made in one of the Grand Signior's Chiosks or Houses of Plea∣sure, the fire took so siercely on the Tavan or wooden Works of the

Sieling, that it endangered the whole Palace, and had consumed all, but that many hands and active men gave a stop to the farther progress. This fire was but the fore-runner of a greater, which began the 16^th of September in that part of the City of Constantinople, which is called 〈◊〉〈◊〉, * 3.54 being between the Wall and the Port where live Taverners, Butch∣ers, Fishmongers, and others who sell provisions. The fire took first in one of those Houses which had been a Tavern, and are Buildings only made of Deal-boards and Timber, which combustible matter flamed out so violently, that it took hold on all the Houses round, and was so quick in its motion, as if it had taken by a train, or that some wicked people with Fire-balls had employed themselves in the mischief; the fire took its course against the wind, burning on one side and the other to the Historical Pillar, and to the Mosehs of Sultan Mahomet and Sultan Selim; so that in a short time one third of the City was reduced to ashes. It is difficult to express the lamentable destruction was made hereby, what Riches, what Palaces, and Moveables were consumed in it, there being twenty thousand houses reported to be burnt; which mi∣sery is best represented by the remembrance of our calamitous Incendia∣tion at London, the greatest difference between one and the other was, that that at Constantinople was more quick in its motion; for it burnt a larger compass of ground in one third of the time, than ours did at London; for that City for the most part consisting of slight Buildings of Wood met not the resistance which ours sometimes did against the Walls of Brick and stones. The fire being extinguished, and men ha∣ving time to lament and think, began to impute the cause and fault to those whom they most suspected; sometimes they accused the Persians for having fired the City, for which crime one of them the next year suffered death: some attributed the cause of all to the Janisaries, and that they out of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to the Inhabitants, or for the sake of Plunder, if they did not begin, yet at least increased the fire; which they the more suspected, because the Janisaries refused not only to work themselves, 〈◊〉〈◊〉, that they expected Orders from their Aga, but likewise hin∣dered and discouraged others. Howsoever the Grand Signior not want∣ing on his own part to contribute all assistance possible, sent four thou∣sand men out of his Seraglio to work about the fire, not excusing the very Officers of his Royal Chamber from contributing their authority and personal aid; some of which ventured far into the fire to demon∣strate their courage, activeness, and obedience to the Commands of their Emperour: but all this was too little against an obstinate and an invin∣cible Enemy, for the fire slamed and proceeded until it wanted nourish∣ment and food to consume. In fine, twenty thousand houses were burnt, two hundred Mosehs, and the library of the Mufti, which for the number of the Arabick and Persian Books was curious and of high esteem: the Albengs or Habitation of the Janisaries containing three hundred Chambers, of which each Chamber was capable to receive four hundred men, were all burnt and reduced to ashes. The which fatal and miserable spectacle did a little touch the heart of Sultan Morat; so that he gave out considerable Sums to comfort the distressed who had most suffered by this calamity, and to raise from its ashes his consumed and languishing Constantinople, which being revived and slourishing, was again miserably consumed by flames in the month of April 1660. But such is the benesicial and commodions situation of that place, and the

riches thereof by trade, and the presence of the Ottoman Court, that the Inhabitants again rebuilt it in fewer years than could be imagined.

But now to return to the Grand Signior at Adrianople, we find him resolutely designed to make a War upon Poland, to which he was indu∣ced by the perswasions of Abassa, and the present conjuncture of advan∣tage to joyn with the Moscovite, it seeming great Policy not to suffer * 3.55 the Countries of Moseovy to be over-run, or the Poles, who is a warlike and dangerous Nation, to grow puissant and powerful by his success and Conquest over his Neighbours: wherefore preparations were made on all sides for the War; great quantities of Provisions and Ammunition were sent into Moldavia by way of the Black Sea and the Danube. The Tartar Han sent word that all his Forces were in readiness, and expected nothing but their Orders to march; the Beglerbey of Greece made his Rendezvous at Philippolis with an Army of thirty thousand men, where he attended to joyn with the Forces of Bosna, Silistria, and other parts of Europe; Moldavia and Valachia made an appearance of levying men, and joyning with the Turk, but their hearts were towards the Poles, with whom they kept a secret correspondence, and would be ready to adhere on the least opportunity. In short, the Army of the Turks was so great, and all his affairs in that readiness, that he scorned to incline an ear to Propositions of Peace; in which opinion Abassa humoured and perswa∣ded him, that the Poles were so fearful of his Forces, that they had al∣ready yielded to Terms of compounding for a yearly Tribute. All which proved false; for in the mean time Vladislaus King of Poland re∣mitting nothing of the heat and vigour of his War against the Mosco∣vites, he was so successful therein, that he forced an Army of eighty thousand men, which he had besieged in their Camp, to lay down their Arms, and surrender themselves, which was an action scarce to be cre∣dited, * 3.56 at least to be paralleled in any History, and with this Conquest he might have proceeded to the Capital City of Mosco, and concluded the War and that Empire: but Gods Providence which governs all things altered this Counsel, and diverted those victorious Arms to the Siege of Bial; which Town being well fortified and garrisoned with∣stood many assaults of the Enemy, and blunted the Spirits and Swords of the Conquerour; for losing much time in this Siege, other Towns made use of the opportunity to provide and fortifie themselves, whilst the Poles growing weary, and wanting Pay raised divers Mutinies and Seditions in the Camp. These difficulties and inconveniences inclined the King Vladislaus to bend a favourable ear to the many supplications and instances which the Moscovites made for Peace; so that the Pleni∣potentiaries being assembled, it was agreed, that the Dutchy of Smo∣lesko and Czernieschou, which two hundred years past had been taken * 3.57 from Poland and Lituania, with many other Towns and Countries to the extent of two hundred leagues, should be restored to the Kingdom of Poland.

The News of this sudden Peace coming unexpectedly to Sultan Morat caused his Bravadoes against Poland to cease, and to turn the stile of his fury and indignation against the Moscovites, whom he vilified with all imaginable terms of perfidiousness and cowardise, and abused and impri∣soned their Ambassadours. He considered that he had provoked an Ene∣my who was victorious, valiant, and powerful, and one who at any time was able to contend with his united Force, much more whilst it was se∣parated

and disjoyned by his War in Persia: wherefore in all haste he dispatched an Ambassadour into Poland called Shahin Aga, desiring to renew the ancient League and Articles of Peace. This Ambassadour * 3.58 found the King at the Diet in Warsaw, where he publickly endeavoured to excuse his Master for the late Acts of Hostility, assuring them, that they were not performed according to his Masters desires and original intentions, but as they were moved and guided by the evil suggestions and artifices of Abassa, who being solely culpable of this fault by gi∣ving ill counsels to his Master, he assured them in the Name of the Sul∣tan, that he should receive such punishment, as they should think sit to inflict upon him. Hereunto the King Vladislaus gave this answer, That since the Grand Signior could so easily infringe the Articles of that Peace which had been solemnly and sacredly established, it was now his part, and the wisdom of that grave Assembly to contrive such conditions and bonds wherewith to oblige his Master, as could not easily and at his pleasure be broken or avoided: and at the same time the Polish Am∣bassadour being returned from Constantinople, and discoursing in the Diet of the pride and perfidiousness of the Turks, and the scorn where∣with they received Christian Ambassadours, so incensed the spirit of the whole Assembly, that with a general consent they approved the words of the King, adding, that they would no longer be subject to the insults and falsities of that Tyrant, whom they would make to know, that they wore as well offensive as defensive Arms, and were not of that ab∣ject spirit or mean condition to permit the Sultan to violate the most sacred Articles of Peace, and then at his pleasure to salve them with a fawning acknowledgment, or a flattering speech. In this manner the Turkish Ambassadour was returned, whilst the King Vladislaus went into Podolia to take a view of his Armies, which he found to consist of eighty thousand fighting men, all well accoutred, of good courage, and ready to follow their King to the Walls of Constantinople.

The fear of the motion of this great Army in a conjuncture when the Wars broken out again in Persia were not prosperous, affected the mind of Morat with much terrour; so that he became very sollicitous to find out and make some substantial Proposition in order to an Accommoda∣tion. One of the Viziers called Morteza was very active in this business, plying continually the General Konispolzki with Letters, Ossers, and Ex∣pedients for a Peace; to facilitate which and shew that the Grand Signior did heartily relent, Abassa was strangled by two Kapugees, and given * 3.59 for a Sacrifice to appease the anger of his Enemies; a person who was a stout Souldier, and one who had performed great and signal services in the War of Persia. But the Poles not being pacified with this single act of penitence, but thirsting farther after the blood of the Turks, de∣sired to spoil and pillage their richer Provinces. Howsoever at length the Council of Poland entring into more serious debates, considered that the Troops lately come from Moscovy were but in a bad condition, that the part of their Army which consisted of Voluntiers would not endure a long and tedious War, and that the expence and charge of this * 3.60 great Army was immense and almost insupportable: for which reasons it was resolved, that a Peace should be made, which was soon afterwards concluded and agreed on these following Articles.

That the Vayvods of Moldavia and Valachia should be confirmed by the Grand Signior with the consent and recommendation of the King of Poland.

That Cantemir and his Tartars should abandon the Country of Buck∣zac, and in case of refusal, that then the Turk and Tartar Chan should joyn their Forces to expel them from thence.

That the Poles shall suppress all Acts of Hostility of the Cosacks in the Black Sea.

That the Turks renounce for ever all demands, or future pretence of Tribute from Poland: and that they shall build no new Forts on the Frontiers.

That the Navigation on the River Nieper shall remain free and un∣disturbed to the Poles. That all other Articles shall remain as formerly in their true force and virtue.

In this year happened out great differences between the French Am∣bassadour and the Turkish Officers. The first disgust had its original from the year 1631. when the Marquess of Marcheville going Ambassa∣dour * 3.61 to Constantinople, was in his Voyage met off of Scio by the Captain-Pasha and his Fleet of Gallies, who immediately sent off a Boat to ad∣vise him, that he should strike his Flag, and make ready the Presents which were due to the Grand Signior's Admiral: Marcheville duly con∣sidering, that this submission would blemish the Honour of his Master, and the Dignity of his Character, refused compliance either in one or the other; howsoever that he might testifie the friendship and good correspondence which he came to confirm between the two Kings, he stood off at some distance and fired five Guns to salute the Grand Sig∣nior's Standard; but the Captain-Pasha not contenting himself here∣with, required the Ambassadour to come aboard and speak with him, which after divers Messages from one Vessel to another, the Ambassa∣dour was counselled to perform, not knowing how far otherwise he might engage the Honour of his Master. Marcheville being arrived at Constantinople did greatly complain of the affront and violence he recei∣ved from the Captain-Pasha; which though the Grand Signior and other Ministers seemed not to approve, yet the Ambassadour received little other satisfaction than fair words and promises, that his Honour should be again repaired. At the Arrival of the Sieur Marcheville the Count Cesi, who was the former Ambassadour, was to return into France; but the debts which he had contracted by a certain way of li∣ving, were so great, that the Creditors would not suffer him to depart without payment; for default of which he endured many affronts offer∣ed to his own person, and was detained at Constantinople until this year 1634. during which time the Marquess Marcheville managed all the Af∣fairs of the Embassy, who keeping still in mind the affront offered him before Scio, watched all opportunities to disparage the actions and person of the Captain-Pasha; who at length returning from the Black Sea, where he had some success against the Cosacks, was graciously received by the Grand Signior; and being advertised, how during his absence the French Ambassadour had endeavoured to blast his reputation by many instances of diminution, which he often inculcated by his Druggerman, took advantage of the Grand Signior's good humour, to vent before him the resentment which he conceived thereof: the Grand Signior to gratifie the Pasha, promised to hang the Druggerman, which the Pasha acknowledged as a singular favour, and returned from the presence of the Sultan full of joy and contentment: but better to cover his malice, and to ensnare the poor Wretch, he sent a Messenger to the Ambassa∣dour,

assuring him that he desired his friendship; and that there might be a right understanding between them, he perswaded him to send his Druggerman to him, that by his mouth he might signifie the esteem he had for the Ambassadour, from whose spirits he was willing to take off all jealousies and ombrages of discontent. The Ambassadour not suspe∣cting the perfidiousness of the Pasha, sent his Druggerman to him, who * 3.62 being come within his power, was immediately hanged by the Grand Signior's express Command, and ordered that he should remain on the Gallows with his Velvet Cap on his head, which in this Sultan's Reign all Druggermen wore to distinguish them from others. The Ambassa∣dour complained greatly of this affront and violation of Articles, to the Chimacam and other Officers, but could receive no other answer or satisfaction than that the Grand Signior might execute Justice, as he plea∣sed, on his Subjects, without asking leave, or concerning the King of France or his Ambassadour in the matter. But Marcheville not resting satisfied with this reply, still prosecuted his pique and animosity to such height, that the Captain-Pasha farther incensed thereat, obtained Au∣thority from the Grand Signior to dispeed him away: so that sending one day for Marcheville, and first reproaching his contrivances and de∣signs against him, told him plainly, that it was the Grand Signior's plea∣sure that he should depart at that instant; to which he constrained the Ambassadour so precipitately, that he would not give him time to ad∣vertise his Servants, or make up his Baggage; but forced him aboard a French Ship then in Port, which he immediately compelled to sail; and the wind being contrary, caused the Vessel to be toaed abroad by two * 3.63 Gallies into the open Sea of the Propontis. After the injurious departure of this Ambassadour, the Count Cesi, who had been detained at Constan∣tinople for the reasons before denoted, took again upon him the function of Ambassadour, to execute which in better advantage of Trade and Commerce, he was advised to a compliance with the Captain-Pasha, and to use such means as might mitigate that acrimony of spirit, which this Pasha nourished against the French Nation. These disputes between the French and the Turkish Officers revived certain disgusts and aver∣sion against all the Frank Nations, which favoured the Latine Rites; so that in despight to them the Grand Signior restored again Cyrillus the Patriarch to the Patriarchal Jurisdiction, who had long been persecuted by the Jesuits, and by their means been deposed, promising that for the future he should continue undisturbed, in opposition to all those of the Roman Religion.

The Peace (as we have said) being concluded with Poland, the Grand Signior was more at leisure to attend the Wars in Persia, with the labours and toils of which the Janisaries being wearied, began new troubles and Seditions in the Camp; the which disorder Morat attributing to the ne∣gligence or cowardise of the Officers, as wanting courage to suppress * 3.64 them, summoned the Janisar-Aga to appear before him, and without long process or excuse cut off his Head, and consiscated his Estate to the Exchequer, which amounted to a million and seventy thousand Dollars: another Janisary also more rich than seditions, was in like manner sacri∣ficed, and an hundred and sixty thousand Dollars of his Estate added to the Treasury of the Sultan. The Pasha also of Damascus, with several other Officers of the Army enriched with spoils of the people, fell a Sa∣crifice to Morat's avarice and cruelty; to whom riches and blood were

so pleasing, that none acquired a higher degree of grace in his favour, than those who could give him notice of opulent men, who having found riches he undertook to find them guilty, and to prove their wealth so corrupted by extortion and violence, that nothing could hal∣low or purifie it but his Coffers.

The next News from Persia brought advice, that that King at the Head of a powerful Army was encamped in the Country about Van, with which the Turks not having sufficient Force to fight, the Vizier wrote to the Grand Signior, that his presence was necessary to increase the Army, and encourage the Souldiery; whereupon he resolved to leave Adrianople, and transfer his Court to his Seraglio at Scutari, that * 3.65 so remaining on the Banks of Asia, he might be nearer to his business, both to receive Intelligence and administer Supplies; and because Sedi∣tions and discontents in the people do always obstruct the motion of publick Affairs, he not only ruined the Taverns and Tabaco-shops, but forbid Coffee-houses, and other idle places of concourse; nay into Bar∣bers shops no more than one was suffered to enter at a time; for those being places of resort, Treason was frequently vented there, men of that profession being notorious through the World for their talk and intem∣perance of language: and farther to restrain Meetings and secret Con∣ventions strict Orders were given, that after an hour and half in the night all fires and candles in the City should be extinguished, which was the general discontent of all people. But what shewed much of the fierce spirit of the Sultan, was a certain fury which he conceived on this occasion. On a certain day riding on his Horse, thirty Indian Pilgrims met him in the way to demand his charity, and being in a different ha∣bit to what the Turks wear, and not accustomary in that Country, the Grand Signior's Horse started at the sight of them; and being spurred for bogling in that manner, the Horse capred and reared an end, so that he threw his Rider; at which the Grand Signior being highly enraged, drew out his Cemiter, and with his own hand killed his Horse, and in∣stead of alms prepared a place of entertainment in the Gallies for those un∣happy Indians.

The Grand Signior being returned to his Palace at Scutari, which is seated on the Asian side opposite to Constantinople, applied his whole mind entirely to the Affairs in Persia; and being resolved to march thi∣ther * 3.66 in person, he put abroad the Horse-tail, which is a signal of depar∣ture, he visited the Sepulchres of his Ancestors, made his Corban, which is a distribution of flesh to the poor, for a Blessing on his Enterprise. The Officers of the Army contended to out-vy each the other in their Pre∣sents to the Grand Signior, some furnished him with Royal Tents, others with curious and light Arms; and others with Horses and Furnitures of value. Great Sums of Money were extracted out of the Exchequer for Military preparations and payments of the Souldiery. The charge of Affairs in absence of the Grand Signior was committed to the Bostangi∣bashee, who was made Chimacam of Constantinople; and so with a fierce spirit, and aspect full of indignation and anger he mounted his Horse at the head of an Army of an hundred thousand; he departed from Constan∣tinople about the end of April.

But before we recount the particulars of what succeeded in Persia, it is requisite to cast our thoughts back to the troubles of Transylvania oc∣casioned [unspec 1635] by the competition of Stephen Bethlem and George Ragotski for

that Principality. Bethlem (as we have said before) being grieved and discontented at his hard Fortune in being put by the Government, and resenting the punishment which Ragotski inflicted on his Son for the * 3.67 crime of manslaughter, he went to Buda, and there renewing his old complaints to the Pasha, he was with recommendations from him ac∣companied to the Port, where being introduced to the presence of the chief Ministers, he at large declared the Merits and good Services of his Family towards the Sultan:

That for this reason only, in dishonour * 3.68 and despight to the Ottoman Empire, he was excluded from the Go∣vernment; and therefore challenged its assistance to re-establish him therein, in consideration of which, he promised the same faithfulness and devotion to the Sultan, which was professed and maintained by his Ancestors, and was natural to the Family of Gabor. That as to Ragotski it was apparent, that he entertained different principles; that he was a person of elated thoughts and a turbulent spirit, and was ever united in combination with the Emperour, Germans, and other Ene∣mies to the Ottoman State.

The Turks moved with these reasons, resolved to favour Stephen, and to discountenance Ragotski; and though the conjuncture of affairs was such, as that any other Engagement in War, besides that of Persia, did not square with the present designs; yet at all times it was judged convenient to sow the tares of discord, and promote differences amongst Christians, which have ever produced advantages to the Mahometan Cause: and likewise the Pasha of Buda was commanded to enter Tran∣sylvania with a Force sufficient to contend with Ragotski; and lest the Emperour should be alarm'd with this commotion, a Chiaus was dis∣patched to give him a perfect understanding of the reasons, why an Ar∣my * 3.69 marched into Transylvania; the design of which was not intended in the least manner to impeach the Articles of Peace between him and the Grand Signior, but only to displace a man of a furious and turbu∣lent spirit, and to ordain another in his stead of a more sober and quiet temper, by whose moderation and prudence the Peace between the two Empires may be improved and continued.

Ragotski startled at this design intended against him, assembled the States of his Country to determine and consult concerning a remedy, and immediately dispatched a Messenger to the Emperour, to desire * 3.70 and implore his Imperial succour and protection: and though Ragotski was sensible of the disparity of his strength, in comparison of that of the Turks; yet neither did his counsels nor behaviour betray fear or want of constancy. The Hungarians seconded those instances which Ragotski had made at the Imperial Court, and the Party which he had made at Vienna brought the matter to a debate in Council, which was argued on both sides with solid and convincing reasons. Those who spake in disfavour of Ragotski, alledged, That all assistance contributed to him would be a just cause and pretence to the Grand Signior to make War with the Emperour. That Ragotski himself was of an uniquiet tem∣per, not unlike to Gabor his Predecessor, who had often bid defiance * 3.71 to the Emperour, and over-running all Hungary and Austria, had often erected his Standard in the sight of Vienna. To protect and cherish a person of this disposition, was no other than to nourish a Serpent or Viper in their bosom; who being elevated at the expence of the Empire in successes against the Turk, would convert that power which he had

gained to the damage of the House of Austria, combining with the Fa∣ction of other Princes to procure its destruction. Let us therefore, said they, stand at a gaze, and as men on the shore or in a good Port behold the agitation of Ships in the Ocean; perhaps the change of a Prince in Transylvania may turn to our benefit, and one may succeed into the place, of such a mild temper and serene disposition, as may better agree with the Maxims of this Court, and may cultivate that Peace which can only render these Countries happy.

Howsoever there were other opinions to the contrary, amongst which it is said, that D. Annibal Gonzaga, a person acquainted with the State of Transylvania and of the Turks, and Director of the Imperial Army, delivered himself in this manner.

May it please Your Sacred Imperial Majesty,

IF Ragotski had been the lawful Son and hereditary Successour of Gabor, who was an Enemy to your Majesty, we might then apprehend the evil consequences of a Son, that traces the same path and footsteps of his Father. But here is another person, another Prince, in emulation different, and by enmity hating the House of Gabor; wherefore I cannot imagine, how this Prince can possibly entertain Maxims of like nature with the other. For my part I believe, that it behoves your Majesty to maintain a good correspon∣dence with the Princes of Transylvania by a close Vnion against the Turk; your adjoyning Countries being like contignous Buildings, which are strength∣ned by a mutual support: let us therefore support it, for if it depends not on us, it will be over-run, and remain oppressed without us. To aggravate the faults of Gabor to the disparagement of Ragotski, is no Logical consequence, unless you will argue, that the faults of the guilty are to be punished on the innocent. Let us therefore consider, which agrees best with the security of the Empire; that Transylvania should remain in the hands of Ragotski, or of the Turk; or that we had better strike against the rock of jealousie, which we conceive against this Transylvanian, or on that ruinous rock of the Turkish Power. The Ottoman Counsels commonly look asquint, they cast their eye on the Prince, when their sight aims at the Principality, and threaten the person, when they design to vent their fury to the subjection of his Country. The true intent of the Turk is to reduce Transylvania to the same condition with Moldavia and Valachia, and to incorporate this with infinite other Provinces into the gross body of his Empire. It is notorious to all the World, that the Emperours your Predecessours have lost a large tract of Land by the Turks, and your losses will every day be greater, as their Conquests increase; and when their Dominions in Europe are so enlarged, that they are able to quarter their Asiatick Cavalry in these Countries, your dangers must necessarily be inevitable and full of terrour. For I compute, that when the Turk designs to make War upon us, he marches with an hundred thousand men, and per∣haps ten thousand Camels, besides other beasts of burden; so numerous a body as this cannot be maintained until the grass be fully grown, which is not until the middle or end of June; and from that time they have more than a month or six weeks March before they arrive upon our Consines; the which con∣sumption of time prolongs their Enterprises, and protracts the time of our da∣mages. But if once they become Masters of Transylvania, and that that Country be laid to Moldavia, Valachia, and other parts of Hungary, they may then commodiously winter amongst us, and begin their Wars and At∣tempts

upon us early in the year, and pursue them until the last season of the Autunin: and in this manner, whilst we are debating and taking our mea∣sures in our Diet, they will fatten themselves, and satiate their appetites with our spoils. It is good therefore for us to defend Austria in Transylvania, keeping the eaver as far from the heart, as we are able. Let us suppose, that Ragotski is the most ungrateful man in the world, and that after we have supported and succoured him, that he will reverse his Arms upon us: howso∣ever he is not so strong and considerable as to do us much hurt, and therefore it were better to have him our Neighbour and our Enemy, than the Turk, though our Friend: the first can only administer some little causes of jealonsie, but the other may destroy and supplant us: the first is but like a putrid fea∣ver, which is cured with every small evacuation; but the latter is a pestilence, which dilates and diffuses it self, and is deadly and irrecoverable. Let not the seruple neither of breaking with the Turk trouble us; for we may admi∣nister assistance under-hand, and without noise effect our business, without arriving at the extremity of a rupture. It is folly and weakness in us to be charmed by the statteries of the Turks, and the fair words of this Chaous, or to imagine, that when they have over-run all Transylvania, they will stop in the midst of their career, before they arrive at the Gates of Vienna; no, their intentions are to lull us asleep, and to destroy our Neighbour first, and then us; they cannot devour us both at once, but husband their diet, and reserve us for another meal. The Turk is like a Serpent, who lyes quiet and coiled up all the Winter, not because he wants either a sting or poison, but being benumbed with cold, wants warmth and heat to give it motion and operation. This is my sense and opinion, which I most humbly tender before the greater Wisdom of Your Sacred Majesty.

Notwithstanding these convincing Arguments, the result of the Coun∣cil determined otherwise, and Ragotski was left to shift for himself, and * 3.72 to stand upon his own legs, which was a pernicious resolution, and that which was afterwards the cause of the subjection of Transylvania to the Turk, and the original of many mischiefs to the Empire; but this was the fortune of the Turks, more favourable to them than to the Christian State.

Ragotski being thus abandoned by the Imperialists, and exposed to the mercy of an insatiable Enemy, though his courage was good and re∣solute, yet he began to despond of his Force, unable to deal with such an unequal Match, as that of the Turk: and his Subjects being fearful of the event, perswaded him to give way, and resign his rule to the hands of Gabor his Competitor; Ragotski, that he might not seem to neglect the counsel of his Subjects and Friends, and to gain time, pretended to hearken to their advice; and accordingly entred into a Treaty with Gabor. During which debate he secretly obtained some Forces from * 3.73 Poland, by connivance of that Government; and the Hungarians being his friends, privately favoured him, knowing that the Conquest of Tran∣sylvania would be a step to their destruction; and being at length well fortified and recruited, he began to declare openly, that he found no security to himself in this Surrender, for that a place was denied him, wherein he put his chief hopes of defence; and therefore that he was resolved to support and maintain his state and cause in the best manner that he was able. Hereupon the Turks entred Transylvania with an * 3.74 Army of twenty five thousand men under the Command of the Pasha of

Buda: Ragotski, to obstruct their March, dispeeded his General Cornis with seven thousand men to prepossess an advantageous ground, with Order to entertain, but not fight the Enemy, until he could come up to him with the gross of his Army. The Turks perceiving their advan∣tage in number, resolved to engage the Enemy before they were rein∣forced with new Succours; to perform which they made a detachment of twelve thousand Horse, and two thousand Janisaries, and some Field∣pieces commanded by the Pasha himself and Stephen Gabor. Cornis not * 3.75 being able to disingage himself or avoid fighting, made a vertue of ne∣cessity, and put his Forces into form of Battel, and exhorting his men to follow his example, assured them, that Victory was sooner acquired by valour than numbers, and that Fortune was always more favourable to the valiant and brave, than to the cowardly and pusillanimous. Cornis unsheathing his Sword fought in the head of his men, and led them through the thickest of his Enemies, the first rank of which not being able to sustain the surious charge of the Christians, gave way; and be∣ing disordered, the first Squadrons ran foul of the second, and at length all of them betook themselves to a shameful flight. The Transylvanians * 3.76 took all their Cannon and Baggage with ten Ensigns, and killed three thousand Turks. The Pasha of Agria was wounded, and Olac Bei of Temiswar was taken Prisoner; and the whole Army had that day been defeated, had not the Janisaries, who fortified themselves in a thick Wood, given a stop to a farther pursuit. Ragotski likewise in divers succeeding Skirmishes overthrew the Turks, killing many Pasha's and Souldiers of quality, and at length remained sole Master of the Field. The Turks retired to Lippa, and Stephen to Temiswar, whilst Ragotski made his Incursions into the Country of the Turks, burning and spoil∣ing two thousand Villages; with which being terrified and beaten into terms of reason, they agreed to suffer Ragotski to injoy his Government, * 3.77 conditionally, that the Goods and Estate of Gabor in Transylvania should be restored unto him: and thus Ragotski established himself in the Go∣vernment, and obtained a confirmation thereof from Constantinople to his Son, accompanied with Presents and Ornaments of a Prince. And this example shews us in what manner we are to deal with Turks; re∣solution and rigour are better Arms against them than complements, and with an Enemy it is more advantageous to make Peace with weapons in our hands, than to condescend to the hard terms which a Tyrant pleases to impose on an easie and an unprovided People. So soon as this News arrived the ears of the proud Sultan, he was so incensed, that in a fury he would have desisted from his present War in Persia, to vent his re∣venge upon Transylvania; but the cooler and more moderate counsels of wiser friends advised him to defer the execution of his anger, until he could discharge it more to the purpose, and in a conjuncture when it would fall more easie on himself, and more heavy on his Enemy: howsoever in the mean time Ragotski made such use of this remote diver∣sion of the Ottoman Arms, by advantaging himself of an Alliance with the Cosacks, and by the ill correspondence and diffidence which at that time intervened between the Tartars and the Port, that he not only avoided the revenge threatned by Morat, but obtained an establishment of the Inheritance to his Son.

By this time Sultan Morat was arrived at Erzrum, which is a City belonging to the Turks on the Confines of Persia; where the first Act * 3.78

which he performed of Justice, was to cut off the Head of the Pasha for his oppression and extortions inslicted on the people. Entring into Ar∣menia, he was grieved to see the upper and lower Provinces so miserably destroyed and wasted by the War; to recover which he commanded the people under pain of death to return again to their ancient habita∣tions within the space of twenty days; but they being setled in other Cities, where perhaps they had purchased Houses and Lands, could not possibly comply with the severity of this Decree; and therefore were constrained to buy a dispensation and release from the penalty for a Sum of money.

About the beginning of July in the parts of Erzrum, Morat made a general review and Muster of his whole Army; with which those he brought from Constantinople joyned to Recruits by the way, and those Forces which had waged War in Persia amounted to near the number of three hundred thousand fighting men, but such as were admirably well disciplined, not only by the severity of their Soveraign, but by the ex∣ample he shewed them of frugality and patience: for he often marched afoot in the midst of the heats, he was extremely temperate in his diet, though he was naturally of a gluttonous and luxurious palate; for se∣veral * 3.79 months he made use of no other Pillow for his head than his Sad∣dle, nor other Blanket or Quilt than the Covering or Foot-cloth of his Horse. Being arrived near to the City of Revan he bestowed that lar∣gess on the Souldiery of a Dollar a man, which is accustomary to be gi∣ven at all times, when the Grand Signior marches in person, and then made known to them his intentions of besieging that place; and in case he took it not in the space of ten days, that then he would leave it be∣girt with forty thousand men; and dividing his Army into three Bo∣dies, he would enter the bowels of Persia by divers ways. The Tents of the Grand Signior and of all the Camp were pitched, Batteries raised, the Trenches opened, and all matters laid in the formal manner of a Siege. The Garrison within commanded by Emir Gumir consisted of * 3.80 fifteen thousand men, sitted and provided with all sorts of Ammunition, and wanted neither courage nor provisions; howsoever at the end of nine days the City was surrendred to the Sultan, upon terms of quarter to the whole Garrison both for life and freedom of Estate; and because this Governour Emir Gumir, a principal Noble-man of Persia, had by corruption thus voluntarily delivered up the City, he acquired a place of high grace and esteem in the favour of the Grand Signior, to which his courtly manner of indulging his humor, and complying with him in his Wine and Feasts (to which the joy of this present success priviledged him to return) gave him daily a new Title to receive extraordinary Ho∣nours from him. The news of this prosperous success was posted to Con∣stantinople, as the first essay of the good effects of the Sultan's presence, and was there celebrated with Feasts, Joy, and Lights, according to the Turkish fashion, called Danalma; to perform which the Turks obliged * 3.81 likewise the Christian Ambassadours, saying, that if they were friends, they ought to evidence their satisfaction by demonstrations of joy in the prosperity of their Ally: the Festival was kept for the space of four days, during which two Brothers of the Sultan, viz. Bajazet and Orchan were strangled; the latter of which, as is said, was so brave, and of that courage, that he killed four of his Executioners before he submitted his neck to the fatal Cord.

The Turk entring farther into Persia, inconsiderately fell into an am∣bush, where twelve thousand of their men were defeated; howsoever the remainder of the Army not being discouraged with this Encounter, proceeded on their March, making most miserable havock and de∣struction of all before them, carrying that dread and terrour to the Countries round, that all people fled, leaving their houses and things * 3.82 not portable to the possession of the Enemy. Howsoever the Turks found greater difficulties than they expected; for meeting frequently Parties of the Persian Cavalry, which were practised to manage their Horse and Sword, were often defeated, at least endured and sustained the shock of bloody Skirmishes; and then the Persians retiring into the Mountains known to them, but unknown to the Turks, which served them better than fortified places, returned again when any advantage or Booty appeared, which perpetually vexed and wearied the Enemy; and burning all things which might afford them relief, rendred that fruitful Country more desolate and barren than the Desarts of Libya, or the Sands of Arabia. In this manner the Turkish Army being destitute of all sorts of provisions and refreshments, were forced to retire to the Country of Tauris; which being harassed and impoverished like other Provinces, caused a miserable famine in the Camp, whereby multitudes of Horses and Camels perished for want of nutriment; at which the Grand Signior being highly incensed against the Inhabitants of Tauris, committed their City to the will and mercy of the Souldiery, who having * 3.83 pillaged and sacked it, left it a miserable spectacle of fire and sword.

The King of Persia seeing in what manner the Troops of his Enemy were wearied and consumed, took hold of this opportunity as seasonable to propose certain Articles of Peace by an Ambassadour, to which Morat seemed to incline a flexible ear; but lodging his Souldiers in their Win∣ter-quarters in the parts of Damascus and Aleppo, he took his way towards Constantinople, with intention to ease the hardships and labours of the Summers War, by a voluptuous ease and Winters pastime in the delights and softness of the Seraglio. The 16^th day of December he arrived at Constantinople, having passed from Ismit through the Gulph of Nicomedia with the attendance of fourteen Gallies: he made his Entry by the Jews Gate, and not by that of Adrianople, as was accustomary; he was mount∣ed on one of the best of his Horses, and cloathed with a Coat of Mail, a Casket on his head with three Feathers adorned with Pearls and pre∣cious Stones, his Sword was girt to his side with his Bow and Quiver, his beard was in a rough and neglected manner, which made him ap∣pear more fierce and Martial; the Chimacam came after him, accompa∣nied with the Traitor who surrendred Revan. This Festival for his re∣turn * 3.84 was celebrated for the space of a whole week, during which time the Shops were shut, the doors and outsides adorned with green Boughs and Paintings, and by night the streets with Torches were made as clear as the day: howsoever the people secretly murmured, that the War was not prosecuted, and the advantages taken when Fortune began to smile and favour their Enterprises; and that now desisting in the middle way, [unspec 1636] the work was again to be begun, and all the foregoing blood and trea∣sure was spent and consumed to no purpose: these murmurings of the people were not without some ground and cause; for after the depar∣ture of the Grand Signior, the Persians put themselves again into the field, and recovered the Country which they had lost; and having

offered a Sum of money to Mortesa Pasha to surrender Revan; which he refusing to accept on principles of fidelity and honour, they prepared to lay close siege to the place: the Janisaries were also displeased to see themselves neglected, and cast out of the Guard, and their places sup∣plied by the Bostangees; nor less disgusted were the Lawyers to see se∣veral of their Judges and Kadies hanged, and their heads cut off, upon pretence of Sedition and Faction. His ill humor more increased to the height of Tyranny, by reason of certain twinges which he suffered of the Gout, which is not usual in persons of his age, not surpassing twenty six years; and because his Physician a Jew forbid him wholly to drink wine, as poison to his disease and complexion, he was so enraged, that he drove him from his presence with indignation, and immediately con∣ceived such anger and prejudice against the whole Nation, that he cau∣sed their Houses to be searched, and their Jewels taken from them. But what was most strange, was his horrid aversion to Tabaco, the taking * 3.85 of which by any person whatsoever he forbid upon pain of death; which sentence he so rigorously executed, that he caused the legs and arms of two men, one that sold Tabaco, and the other that took it, to be sawed off, and in that manner exposed to the view of the people: he also caused two others, a man and a woman to be impaled alive, for the same offence, with a Roll of Tabaco about their necks.

As the Gout caused him to be froward and ill-natur'd, so more espe∣cially when ill News came from Persia, he was observed to be more ra∣ving and tyrannical than ever: his Army in Persia wanting provisions disbanded; Mortesa Pasha Governour of Revan being killed, the Soul∣diers * 3.86 rebel, open the Gates, and yield themselves to the Persian; for which offence the Janisaries fearing the Justice of their Master the Grand Signior, two thousand of them took up Arms in service of the Enemy: the sense hereof vexing Morat to the soul, he caused the Register of the Janisaries to be hanged, and another of their principal Officers to be be∣headed, * 3.87 and strowed the streets of Constantinople with dead bodies, some for one cause, and some for another, which struck the whole City with a general dread and consternation. He often walked in the night, pu∣nishing quarrels and disorders of the streets, and meeting two women wandring in the dark, he caused them to be cut in pieces. He put his Cook to death for not dressing his Meat well, or not seasoning his Sauces according to his palate. In his Seraglio sporting with his Arms, he wounded himself with a Dart in the thigh; and by accident wounded the Son of Mehmet the late Vizier with a Carbine-shot, of which in a short time after he dyed.

The Persian having taken Revan (as we have said) instituted Cham∣bers of Janisaries in that place after the Turkish fashion, paying them in the same form as at Constantinople; and to allure the Spahees to enter into his Service, he offered to all that came in twelve Aspers a day of constant Pay, and declared, That their Faith and Law had no diffe∣rence from the Mahometan. The Grand Signior receiving these Advices with extreme indignation, proclaimed his intentions to return again into Persia; and though the design pleased not the Militia, who were weary of the War, yet his power was too great to be resisted, and his humors too violent to be diverted by sober counsels; for having subjected and absolutely subdued the insolence of the Souldiers, and suppressed the arrogance of the Lawyers and Church-men, he ordered every thing ac∣cording

to his arbitrary and uncontroulable pleasure, which being ren∣dred extravagant and unsupportable, by reason that in his Cups, and at the time of his debauchery he would often take his Counsels and deter∣mine his resolutions, were notwithstanding with more patience endured upon hopes that they would not be lasting, and that excesses would ac∣celerate his death, and the end of their oppressions. The Pasha's of greatest note and richess he put to death, and consiscated their Estates to his Exchequer; and whereas avarice and cruelty were equally predo∣minant in his nature, there was scarce a day wherein he made not some demonstration of those dispositions: the English Ambassadour making some instances for the releasement of English Slaves from Captivity, was forced to purchase their liberty by giving two Russians, or other Slaves in the place of one English-man. He took a singular delight to sit in a Chiosk by the Sea-side, and from thence to shoot at the people with his Bow and Arrows, as they rowed near the Banks of the Seraglio, which caused the Boat-men afterwards to keep themselves at a distance from the Walls of the Seraglio. And as he likewise took pleasure to go from one Garden to another on the Bosphorus, so if he observed any so bold, as to put forth his head to see him pass, he commonly made him pay the price of his curiosity by a shot from his Carbine. In all his Gardens and places of pleasure his chief recreation was drinking, in which his princi∣pal or almost sole Companions were Emir Gumir the Persian who betrayed Revan, and a Venetian of the Family of Bianchi, who having been taken by the Turks, when he was young, was placed in the Seraglio, and educated in all the Learning and Customs of it, and becoming as well a Proficient in drinking, as in other vices, he was made a Favourite and Companion to Morat. And thus did they follow this trade of drunken∣ness so constantly, that the health of the Grand Signior began to impair, and at length he became so sensible of his extravagancies, that he in∣charged the Chimacam not to obey him after dinner: and when in the heat of his Wine he took a humor to ride through the streets, the Jani∣saries and Officers would sometimes run before to advise the people to withdraw, and sometimes drive them away with stones, that so they might escape the hazard of this capricious Tyrant. As it cannot be ex∣pressed in what dread and fear the people stood of him, so neither in what Veneration he was with his Servants, who observed the looks and every cast of his eyes, had learned his nods, and the meaning of every motion and gesture of his body. It happened once, that a paper falling casually from his hand out of a window, the Pages ran in all haste down the stairs, striving who should be the first to take it up; but one more desirous than the others to evidence the zeal of his service, took the nearest way and leaped out of the window; and though with the fall he broke the bone of his thigh, yet being the first that took up the pa∣per, he came halting to present it with his own hand: this bold readi∣ness in his service so pleased the Grand Signior, that being cured, he was afterwards preferred to one of the most considerable Offices of the Em∣pire. Thus was Morat revered in his Seraglio, as he was feared abroad, his Servants having the same awe of him, as Bagotes the Eunuch had of Alexander the Great, who holding the Pot of Incense and Perfumes whilst his Master slept, suffered his hands to burn to the bone, rather than to awaken him by moving out of his place. Q. Curtius.

But it is time now to leave off farther discourse of the Extravagancies

of Morat, and to return to the Wars in Persia; howsoever before the departure of the Grand Signior, it will be requisite to recount somewhat of the state of affairs in Europe. On the Frontiers of Hungary and Po∣land * 3.88 there wanted not Exercises and Skirmishes to employ and practise the Souldiery, and keep them in breath. The Poles heightned with their good successes, would not longer endure the Incursions of the Tartars, complaining against the Turk, that he had given Orders, and secretly abetted them in their Robberies and Invasions against the Arti∣cles of the last Peace; and therefore to avenge themselves, the Poles appeared on the Frontiers with forty or fifty thousand Horse; but the Grand Signior not willing in this conjuncture to break with the Poles, absolutely disowned any such Order or permission given to the Tartars, and being willing to continue the League, that he might oblige the * 3.89 King of Poland, gave liberty to all the people of that Nation, and to the Russians, who had been taken since the last Treaty, positively pro∣hibiting all people from buying or keeping any of the Subjects of that Country for Slaves, during the continuance of this Peace. In Hungary, though the Ambassadour had but lately brought a Confirmation of tho Peace from Constantinople; yet the Turks pretending that the Articles were not complied with, continued to trouble and disturb those Fron∣tiers; for four thousand of them being gotten into a Body burnt certain Villages, made divers Slaves, and battered the Castle of Raab; but be∣ing repulsed by that Garrison, and by that of Komorra, they again made Head, and encamped within three leagues of Presbourg: the which gave great trouble to the Emperour, both because he had lately declared a War against France; and because he apprehended, that those Commo∣tions of the Turks were designed to no other end, than to engage him * 3.90 to renounce all assistance and succour to be given unto Ragotski. We have already recounted in what manner the Turks had espoused the quarrel of Stephen Gabor, and resolved to establish him in the Princi∣pality of Transylvania with the ruine of Ragotski; which now being de∣signed to be done by open Force, several Troops were sent to the Fron∣tiers of Transylvania; which so alarmed the Hungarians, that they put themselves on their Guard, and obliged the Estates of Austria and Hun∣gary to contribute towards the succour of the Transylvanian Prince. The Emperour remained long in suspense what course to steer, until at length the perswasions of the Confederate Princes, the shame of abandoning a Friend and an Ally for a prey to the Turks, and the fear of displeasing his hereditary Dominions in Hungary, who considered Transylvania as the Bulwark of their Country, induced him to promise secretly and under∣hand assistance to Ragotski. As to the Turks themselves, the effects did not correspond with their menaces; for though they had gathered an Army of twenty thousand men at Buda, they not only were disappoint∣ed of their design upon Newhausel, but were openly repulsed, and shame∣fully expelled the Frontiers by the Palatine of Hungary: and Ragotski being recruited by Succours from the Emperour, and by an Alliance with Poland desied the Forces of the Turk, and contemned the reports of sixty thousand men, preparing to march against him.

For indeed the Grand Signior had too great an incumbrance on his shoulders by the War in Persia, to attend unto a perfect and studied re∣venge against Ragotski; for Revan being recovered by the Persian, (as we have already declared) was a matter of high moment, and what di∣stracted

all his counsels and weakened his hopes. When News came first of the Siege of Revan, Orders were given to the Vizier to besiege Bag∣dat, as a means to cause a diversion of Arms; but the Souldiery enter∣taining * 3.91 an aversion to this Enterprise, unanimously refused to march, or to proceed farther than Erzrum. Jambolat Ogli, who commanded the Army before the arrival of the Vizier, had strangled a Pasha, and taken his Estate to supply the wants of the Army, and had likewise put to death several Spahees and Janisaries for Mutiny, and because they had declared an unwillingness to this War. The Souldiery prepared to ad∣dress themselves to the Vizier for justice against these violent proceed∣ings; but he not willing to hear them, endeavoured to divert their complaints, which caused a greater commotion and storm than before. And though Jambolat pleaded his Orders and positive Commission from the Grand Signior for what he had acted; yet that allegation not being accepted by the multitude as a justifiable plea, the Vizier was forced to condescend to their desire, and strangle Jambolat, as he had done the others, being the only means to quiet and compose this trouble of his Army. But as after some great storm there is always remaining for a while a swelling and fluctuation in the waters, so there still remained on the spirits of the Souldiery discontents and unquietness of mind: where∣fore the Vizier fearing lest the Enemy taking advantage of the present Seditions, should charge them at a time of disorder, he retired at a di∣stance from them into the Plains of Erzrum: but he was not able to continue long in those parts for want of fuel, and of wood and planks to secure them against the rains and snow; for it being Winter, which is rigorous and cold in that Country, their Tents were not sufficient proof to defend them against the extremity of the weather.

Whilst the Turkish Army remained at this place, advice came, that the Persians had besieged Van, which is a strong Fortress situate on an inaccessible Rock on the Frontiers of the Province of Diarbequir. And * 3.92 though the Persians were not able to take this place neither by storm nor famine; yet during this Siege they made use of their time to ruine all the Country of Diarbequir, which they left so desolate, that the Tur∣kish Army could not quarter there, nor extract the least provision or subsistence from thence. To all these misfortunes a greater was added by the treachery of a certain Curd, one who pretending to be ill-satisfied with the Persian Party, voluntarily offered himself to the service of the Turks; and having done them some little services by being their guide through certain difficult passages, he gained a confidence so far with them, as that designing to surprise a quarter of the Enemy, they committed themselves to his guidance and conduct; who having brought them into * 3.93 a narrow passage, where an Ambush of the Enemy lay, he then turned his Coat, and fought against the Turks, of whom fifteen thousand were killed and taken in this snare. In short, all matters of this War proceed∣ed cross and unfortunate for the Turks; for besides their unlucky Fights with the Enemy, their own Seditions in the Camp were greater mischiefs; * 3.94 for now enduring no longer these pungent miseries, under the pretence of wanting Pay, they cut in pieces the Treasurer of the Army, two Aga's of the Spahees, and the Chaousbashee of the Janisaries.

This News arriving at Constantinople, when Morat was asslicted with a grievous accession of the Gout, served to redouble his pains, in which raving against the conduct of his Officers, he immediately deprived the

Vizier of his Charge, and ordained Biram Pasha, late Chimacam, to succeed him in his Employment. The new Vizier immediately set forth the Horses Tail, which is a signal of departure, with sound of Drums * 3.95 and Trumpets, making Corban, which is a distribution of Mutton to the poor, in divers places: his Retinue was speedily equipped with such sumptuous Magnificence, that it looked rather like the Train of an Am∣bassadour, which intended to make Peace, than to the Troops of a Ge∣neral, whose business was nothing but blood and destruction. And in∣deed matters seemed to be inclining that way, the Persians having far advanced in this Negotiation; for they wisely pondering the immense Force of the Ottoman Empire, with which they were now contending, judged it the most politick course to make Peace under the auspicious Planet of their good Fortune; for not knowing how long that might remain constant, they might so soon as the wheel turns on the other side, be forced to accept terms of less advantage, than at present they might promise to themselves under their happy Stars. Wherefore a Pro∣position being made of sending an Ambassadour to the Grand Signior, he accepted of it; and accordingly arrived at Constantinople in the * 3.96 month of August, when the Vizier was scarce in the middle of his Jour∣ney. The Grand Signior entertaining some real inclinations to Peace, laid aside something of his usual Grandeur and State, giving the Ambas∣sadour Audience in a few days after his arrival: and as nothing mollifies the hard mettle of a Turks spirit, like a gentle shower of Gold, and the emulgent softness of rich Presents; so Morat understanding of Gifts with which he came accompanied, afsorded to the Ambassadour an easie ear and a pleasing countenance. The Presents for the Grand Signior, be∣sides those for the Court, were these that follow.

• Eight Indian Horses of great price.
• Forty Dromedaries.
• An hundred and fifty Meticals of Musk. As much Ambergriese made up in several Bags, all sealed up with the Kings own Seal.
• Thirty Bundles of the best black Sables.
• Eight large Carpets mixed with Gold and Silver, with divers others of Silk very rare and precious.
• Many Pieces of the finest Linen to make Turbants.
• A great number of the rarest Girdles. Porceline to a great value.
• Divers Pieces of Satin and Velvet with golden Flowers.
• Fifty Pieces of silken Stuffs.
• Eight Bows of excellent work.

These Presents so well disposed and prepared the mind of the Grand Signior towards an Accommodation, that he bestowed a kind aspect and gentle words on the Ambassadour, so that all the World expected that a Peace would have ensued.

And indeed one might well have believed his reality in this intention, since the ardent passion he had to be revenged of Ragotski, availed more with him than all other considerations in the world: his Honour also cal∣led him to give a stop to the progress of the Moscovites, who had taken Asac; and the Tartars and Cosacks gave some ground of jealousie, that before long they designed some Action on the Turkish Territories, the reasons whereof we shall discourse in this following Year.

We have already related some Years past, on what Terms the Tar∣tars stood with the Turk, how they refused to accept that King which [unspec 1637]

the Port recommended to them, though the eldest and first of the true Line; how they fought and overthrew the Forces which the Grand Sig∣nior sent to compel them to the Election he desired, and this last Year * 3.97 upon pretence of a War with Cantemir they refused to send their Army against the Persian, as had always been accustomary to do against the Enemies of the Sultan, whensoever required. The Pasha, Muftee and Kadi of Caffa (which is the Grand Signior's Town in Tartary) urged the Tartar Han to prepare and forward his Forces according to the duty and obligation which was incumbent on him; and enlivening their ar∣guments with reproaches of cowardise and ingratitude, so far provoked the Han, that he caused them all three to be strangled. Notwithstand∣ing this high provocation, the Grand Signior dissembled the injury, lest a due resentment should raise them into an open Rebellion; and dissem∣bling an approbation of the Fact, as done with reason and justice, sent to the Tartar Han a Sword and a Vest, as signals of his favour: and farther suspecting, lest in prosecution of so sensible a blow, the Tartar joyning in League with the Cosacks and Moscovites, should make him∣self Master of Caffa, he prudently touched the wound with a gentle hand, offering to ordain such a Pasha, as should be warranted with his assent and approbation. The Tartar being overcome by such lenitives as these, protested that he never entertained other thoughts, than to maintain his Faith and Allegiance inviolable towards the Grand Signior, and that the Alliance he had made with the Nogay Tartars, and the Forces now raised were maintained with no other design, than to suppress the rebel∣lion and insolence of Cantemir.

This Cantemir being a person of a bold spirit, and daring in all his actions, did oftentimes, by virtue of his own Authority, lead a strong Party to the field, being followed by the bravest and stoutest Souldiers of Tartary; for which reason being hated by the Tartar Han, and his life often attempted, and his own spirit not supporting a subjection to * 3.98 any other, he passed the Niester and retired with his own Troops, and such others as would follow him into the Country of Budziak, near to Beliegrod and Kilia, confining on the Frontiers of Moldavia: where he intended to plant and form a new Colony and Government. In a short time divers chief Captains being desirous to follow the Ensigns of so fa∣mous a General came in to him, and multitudes of people forsaking the sands and barren rocks of Tartary, came crowding into this Country, that the Plains of Budziack not being capable to contain them, they passed into Moldavia, where incroaching on the Lands of the proper Inhabitants, gave a jealousie as if they intended to take possession of the whole Province. The Poles being jealous of these ill Neighbours which lay at the Gate of their Country ready to enter on all occasions, had made provision in their last Articles of Peace with the Grand Signior, that he should force them to return, and urged that point by the Ambas∣sadour with all earnestness. The Tartar Han also finding his Countries depopulated and weakened by so large an evacuation, male also his complaints and addresses to the Port: but the Grand Signior looking on this Colony, as an increase of his Dominions, and to be composed of such people whom necessity must render obedient; and that they could easily at his command make irruptions into Poland, Hungary, and Transylvania, seemed deaf to all applications in this business; and as if they were a people in whom he had no part, shewed no concernment for them,

though secretly he promised them his protection. Hereupon Vladislaus King of Poland being wearied with delays, resolved by force of Arms to drive out this detestable Neighbourhood: but the Tartar Han whom this business more nearly concerned, being more speedy in execution * 3.99 than the Poles, having raised an Army of thirty thousand men, encoun∣tred Cantemir with twenty thousand, and charged him so furiously, that he killed seven thousand of them on the place, and put the rest to flight, pursuing them through the Plains of Dobruc on the other side of the Danubc. The Grand Signior who had all this time remained a Spectator of this success, began now to take the part of Cantemir, and severely to reprove the proceedings of the Tartar Han, for having disturbed Cantemir whilst he was preparing to serve him in the Wars of Persia. But the Tartar Han having shaken off much of his respect and reverence towards the Grand Signior, despised the menaces which he vented against him, and proceeded in his own business, compelling his people to return again to their Country, and to their ancient Habitations. Morat being forced to suffer what he could not remedy, summoned Cantemir with all diligence to render himself at Constantinople, where being arrived, he was at first regarded with a favourable eye; but his Son soon after having in a private quarrel killed a Tartar near the Walls of the Seraglio, was for that fact justly strangled by Order of the Grand Signior; the day fol∣lowing Cantemir was also imprisoned, and in a short time underwent the * 3.100 like Fate with that of his Son.

During these troubles a Nephew of Cantemir feigning himself to be disgusted with his Uncle, revolted to the Party of the Tartar Han with no other than a treacherous design to take away the lives of the two Brothers; the which he compassed at a time of their Hunting, when be∣ing far remote from their Attendance, following their Game in untrod∣den paths, he set upon them with an hundred Villains, and perfidiously * 3.101 took away their lives. The News hereof was highly applauded at Con∣stantinople, and the Traitor extolled as a person of mighty courage and wonderful ingenuity, so that now different counsels and new measures were taken concerning the Affairs in Tartary.

Beehir Gherey Brother to those Princes of Tartary which were killed, was then at Jamboli, a City in Thrace, retired thither under the Prote∣ction of the Grand Signior, for fear and jealousie of treachery from his * 3.102 elder Brother. Morat caused him to be brought to Constantinople, where he was sumptuously received and conducted to Audience by the Chima∣cam, who gave him the upper hand, which is the left amongst men of the Sword, as the right is amongst men of Learning or of the Pen; for as the right hand governs the latter, so the first is appendent to the left side. The bodies of the two dead Brothers were brought to Constanti∣nople, where fetulent or stinking, they were exposed to the sight of Mo∣rat, who to gratifie his own humor of revenge, caused them to be thrown into the Sea.

This good News from Tartary was attempered with a worse from Asac., which the Moscovites and Cosacks had besieged. This Town is situated * 3.103 at the mouth of the River Tanais upon the declining of a Hill; it is in form four-square, and may be of about twelve hundred paces in compass. Before it fell into the hands of the Turks, it was a famous Scale for all sorts of Merchandise, especially for Butter, Cheese, salt Fish, Leather, Slaves, and other Commodities brought hither by Turks, Tartars, and

Moscovites. The Venetians when they addicted themselves more to Traffick and Commerce than they do at present, took this Scale for their way into Persia. This Town was fortified with ancient Walls flank∣ed with capacious Towers, and with a Castle which being in the middle and on the side of the Water, divides the Town as it were into two equal parts. The Garrison consisted not of above three or four hundred men; for being a place remote from powerful Enemies, it fell not under any great jealousie, nor was it deemed worthy the charge of nume∣rous defendants. The City being in this weak condition, the Cosacks soon made themselves Masters of it, which after they had sacked and pillaged to the utmost, they considered it as a place worthy of better Fortifications; and therefore applying themselves to raise new Works, and repair the old, they soon made it a Fortress of strength and consi∣deration. * 3.104 This happening at a time, when the Turks were diverted by the Persian War, the Cosacks injoyed this new Conquest for the space of four years without molestation, until that in the Year 1641. it was recovered with much blood and slaughter by the Arms of Sultan Ibra∣him, as we shall hereafter recount in the sequel of this History. And now because the taking of this place was the original from whence the Divisions and Civil Wars between the Poles and Cosacks derived their beginning, and was the occasion that the Cosacks revolted from their just Obedience, to the Protection of the Turks; the relation will not only be curious, but a digression necessary to the clearer light of the present History.

Uladislaus the Fourth King of Poland being wearied with constant * 3.105 complaints of the Robberies and Incursions made by the Cosacks upon the Turks contrary to Articles and Treaties of Peace, was at length per∣swaded by his Barons and Counsellors, that the only means to suppress the violence of this unruly people, was to disarm them; and taking away their Weapons of War to supply them in lieu thereof with the Shovel and Mattock, with Ploughs and Pruning-Hooks: by which in∣dustrious diversion from a wicked life of blood and robbery, to honest Husbandry and lawful Arts of living, they might with time be rendred useful to their own Prince, and capable of faith and just communication with their Neighbours. It is not one Age past since these people were * 3.106 called Cosacks, derived, as is supposed, from Cosai, a word in their Language which signifies a Goat, perhaps because of their agility of bo∣dy, or because their garments are chiefly made of Goats skins.

Pellibus & laxis arcent mala frigora bracchis, Orá{que} sunt longis horrida tecta comis.

The Country inhabited by them was at first on the banks of the River Boristhenes, about fifteen leagues in length to the entrance into the Eu∣xine Sea, where it is reported, that Ovid was banished; and some say, that from him a Village thereabouts called Ovidona derives its denomination; and hereunto we may afford the greater belief from one of his Elegies in his Book De Tristibus, which seems to describe this Country, and the fierceness of the Inhabitants. Eleg. 8. lib. 5.

Quam legis à Scythicâ tibi venit Epistola terrâ, Latus ubi aequoreis jungitur Ister aquis.

Mista sit haec quamvis inter Graecós{que} Getás{que} A malè placatis plus trahit or a Getis; Sarmaticae major Geticae{que} frequentia gentis, Per medias in aquis it{que} redit{que} vias. In quibus est nemo, qui non Coryton, & arcum, Telá{que} vipereo lurida felle gerat. Vox fera, trux vultus, verissima mortis imago, Non coma, non ullâ barba resecta manu.

At present the name of Cosacks and their Country also is of a far greater extent than it was formerly; for they call now all such in Poland Co∣sacks that are light Horse armed with Bow and Arrow and Fire-arms: and their Country since the late Commotions is measured from the far∣thest parts of the Palatinate of Chiovia for the space of an hundred and twenty leagues on one side, and the other of the Boristhenes, which comprehends likewise all the Country of Ukrania. This Country was always inhabited by the most warlike people of Russia; for that being subject to the frequent Incursions of the Tartars, necessary defence and constant practice in Arms endued them with a bold and Martial spirit. Ukrania is a Country so fertile, that it may compare with the most fruit∣ful soil in the World, producing such quantities of Corn with little la∣bour, that the Husband-men being made negligent by their abundance, produced with little toil, have leisure to apply themselves to violence and rapine: they have no Wine, but use themselves much to Strong-waters: their houses are not built of wood or stone, but of Osiers inter∣woven and daubed over with Earth and Lime; so that they use no nails or iron: they have no Merchants unless in Kiow: nor do they serve themselves of Physicians or Aporhecaries. Their learned Language or the Tongue wherein they write is the Sclavonian, anciently called the Illyrian: so that in all things this people is rude and barbarous; and though their manner of Government and Policy is not refined or metho∣dically disposed, yet nevertheless it is solid and of deep foundation, ap∣propriated to the nature and disposition of that people.

This honest design of King Uladislaus to reduce this people to a just and an industrious course of living, not agreeing with their temper and customs, they rather resolved to leave their Country, and betake them∣selves to various fortunes; some of them passed into Moscovia to plant a Colony in those uninhabited parts: a Body of them to the number of six thousand joyning together, resolved to pass into Persia to offer their service unto that King; and being on their Journey as far as the Tanais, they encountred with a Party of Moscovite Cosacks, who inha∣bited certain Islands of that River, with whom entertaining discourse, they understood that Asac might easily be surprised by them, if they could agree to unite Forces, which together might compose a Body of ten thousand men: the importance of the place being well considered, it was resolved, that the March into Persia should be shortned, and this City be ordained for the ultimate end of their travels and place of repose. According to this counsel Asac being assaulted and taken, (as we have already intimated) the Cosacks fortified it in the best manner that they were able, making an Arsenal for their Boats and Saiks, where∣by afterwards they did much more infest the Turks than before.

The other Cosacks who continued in their Country, being much per∣secuted

by the Polish Nobility, chose Kilminieschi for their General (the Son of a Noble Family in Lituània, but banished and degraded of his Honour for his criminal offences) and rebelled against the Government. At sirst not being able to resist the Force of Poland, they retired within the Woods; but joyning afterwards with other Cosacks, they issued forth at the beginning of the Spring, beat the Poles, and carried away a considerable Booty: afterwards joyning with the Tartars, they made their Incursions as far as Zamosca within twenty leagues of Warsaw; and so matters continued with various successes not appertaining to this Hi∣story. Only thus far it is pertinent to the matter discussed for us to have shewn, That the Counsels of Poland were in a great errour, when they resolved to change the life, and alter the humour of this warlike people, which being protected in their Priviledges, and encouraged in their Wars, would at all times, as occasion served, have been ready to have ejected great numbers of good Souldiers into the Ottoman Territories, and might still have been conserved to balance the Power of the Tar∣tars, which now daily infest and ruine the Borders of Poland. These people were like ill humors, which being vomited out into the Domi∣nions of the Turk, eased and made healthy the Body politick of Poland; but being conserved within the stomach, caused Syncopes, Convulsions, and such Commotions, as have of late years shaken the whole Body of the Polish Kingdom: and at length withdrawing themselves entirely from all Obedience, together with that large Province of Ukrania, as they have weakened that Government; so now of late years seeking protection from the Turk, have added to his Kingdom, and enfeebled that of Poland.

When the News arrived first at Constantinople that Asac was besieged, the Captain-Pasha going then to instate Bechir into his Kingdom of Tar∣tary, received Orders to relieve Asac, and if possible, to raise the Siege; but the Succours coming too late, and the Town being taken, the loss thereof was not esteemed important enough to divert either thoughts or Forces from the Persian War.

For now Morat resolving to prosecute the War in Persia, which could not be successful without the united Power of his whole Empire, con∣ducted by his own person, he resolved to make a second journey into * 3.107 those parts, and with his own hand to knock at the Gates of Babylon. To prepare and dispose all matters in order hereunto, he in the first place countermanded his Decree, which prohibited a farther increase of the number of Janisaries; for now being desirous to augment his Army be∣yond the account of ancient Registers, he opened the Janisaries door, (as they call it) and enrolled six thousand more into that Order. To conserve still the Order of this Militia, he appointed Officers strictly and severely to take the Decimation of the Christian children in Europe, and lest (as was usual) they should be corrupted by the parents, who often give Presents, whereby to blind the eyes of the Ministers, that so they may oversee their children, or in lieu of the comliest and most fit for service, accept of the sickly and impotent, or such as are unworthy of the bread and education given them by the Sultan, he most severely injoyned this service, and under a thousand menaces encharged the care hereof to be executed without favour or partiality to any. He carefully reviewed the Books of the Timjar-Spahees, counting the number exactly that every Country yields, and comparing them with those mustered in the Field,

he consiscated the Lands of those that wanted, being forfeited for non-appearance: he would admit of no excuse or delay to the matter in hand. The Superintendant of the Ordinance but making a seruple about the proportion of some Guns, as too weighty and unwieldy for so long a March, lost his life for doubting or making a difficulty in what the Grand Signior proposed or designed. And that no commotions at home might divert or call him back before his business was perfected, he encharged his Pasha's of the Frontiers to live quietly with their Neigh∣bours, and to be sure to give no occasions of complaint, or cause for War during his absence, recommending to the prudence of the Pasha of Silistria the care of composing certain differences between the Princes of Moldavia and Valachia. Having secured matters as well as he could at home, he ordered the Horse-tail to be set forth at the gate of the Di∣van, and all Pasha's and Officers of the Army did the like at their own doors. His Troops began now to grow numerous; the Spahees and Timariots appointed for the Guard of the Grand Signior's Tents, toge∣ther with other Cavalry which hold their Lands under Service, amount∣ed unto two hundred thousand. From the hundred seventy two Cham∣bers of Janisaries he drew forth thirty thousand. From the Topgees or Gunners, whereof there are no more than twelve hundred in their Chambers at Constantinople, yet make up twelve thousand in other parts, he drew out three thousand for the present Service. The Shepherds and Plough-men of Dulgaria made up twenty thousand, which with Water-bearers, Smiths, Bakers, Butchers, and all other Tradesmen which fol∣lowed the Camp, were in vast numbers; so that the whole Army with the Attendants belonging thereunto were at a moderate calculate com∣puted to amount unto near five hundred thousand men, whereof three hundred thousand were fighting men.

The Pestilence which is the Epidemical disease of Turkie, and which abates the numbers and pride of that people, raged this year greatly in Constantinople, and in the parts of Romagnia; it entred into the Seraglio, and amongst others took-away the only Son of the Grand Signior of two or three years old. This caused Morat to pass most part of the Summer at a Palace on the Bosphorus, where he recreated himself with his drun∣ken Companion the Persian Traitor, and hereby he contradicted the Proverb, That Princes love the Treason, but not the Traitor; for Mo∣rat it seems loved them both, entertaining this Fellow in his bosom: his Cloaths, his Garb, his Horses, and Equipage might rival with that of the * 3.108 Sultan's; he took place of the Chimacam in all publick appearances, and what was most strange, he preceded the Mufti; which was a new form, never before practised, and would have afforded matter of wonder and discourse, but that the World considered this Novelty as a method agree∣able to the extravagant humour of the Sultan. Amongst his pastimes nothing was more pleasing than some divertisement acted with blood; he shot the Son of a Pasha with his Gun, for daring to approach near the walls of his Seraglio, supposing that he came with curiosity to dis∣cover his pleasures and manner of voluptuous recreations; for the same reason he would have sunk a Boat laden with women, as it glided slowly by the banks of his Garden. He would himself behold two Thieves im∣paled, which were condemned to die for robbing something out of his Seraglio: he commanded the Head of the Treasurer of Cyprus to be cut off in his presence; as also the Master of his Musick, for daring to sing 〈◊〉〈◊〉

certain Air which seemed Persian, and to praise the Valour of that Na∣tion. The Pasha of Temiswar he put to death at a full Divan, for fight∣ing unfortunately against Ragotski. To these severe Acts of Cruelty, which he called Justice, he added one not unpleasant. A certain Greek called Stridia Bei or Lord Oysters, who had been Prince of Valachia, and one whom we have before mentioned, having by his oppression and harassing that people amassed a considerable Sum of money, essayed a second time by force thereof to obtain the Principality, and making his offer and request before the Grand Signior, he was heard with some rail∣lery; at length the Grand Signior told him, that he was too proud and aspiring, and therefore ordered the tips of his nose and ears to be cut off, telling him, that that was to clip the wings of his ambition. But that before his departure for Persia he might consummate his Acts of Ty∣ranny, he practised one upon his Brother, a Youth of twenty two years of age, of great hopes and good endowments. He was conducted to the presence of his Brother at the Biram to pay his respects, as is usual at that Festival; and having performed the Ceremony, he enlarged him∣self in high praises and admiration of the Grand Signior's Generosity and Bravery, who for recovery of Bagdat, was contented to expose his Per∣son to the inconveniences of a long Journey, and the dangers of a ha∣zardous War, and that therein he equalled, if not surpassed the Glory of his Ancestors: which courtly and rational manner of discourse did not please Morat, but rather administred subject of jealousie, fearing that he knew too much, and that as he could speak well, so he might act ac∣cordingly; wherefore the same day he caused him to be strangled, to the great sorrow of the people, and detestation of his abominable Tyranny: but to amuse the minds of the multitude, and cease their murmurings, he caused it to be divulged abroad, that fourteen of his Women in the Seraglio were with child; which was all false, there remaining none of the Ottoman Race besides his Brother Sultan Ibrahim, who was weak as well in body as Understanding, and whose imperfections secured and compounded for his life; and to suppress the discourse about his Brothers Murder, he changed it into a talk about his Preparations for War, and his departure for Persia. Wherefore the Fore-runners and Harbingers of the Army being sent away with Labourers to repair Bridges, and to level the ways for the more easie passage of the Cannon, Morat passed over to his Tents at Scutari cloathed in a Coat of Mail, and with a Head-piece set with precious Stones, and his Sargoutch or Feathers cla∣sped to it with Buckles of Diamonds. As he landed at Scutari he was received by three Squadrons of Souldiers, each Squadron consisting of four thousand men well armed, and richly attired; the garments of one Squadron of which were provided at the expence of the Grand Signior, and of the other two at the charge of his Favourite and of the Captain-Pasha; the latter of which presented to the Grand Signior thirty Purses of Money, for bestowing on him the honour to command that Gally which transported him to the Asian Coast. The Ambassadour sent from Persia was detained at Constantinople until this time, and after the Turkish fashion not permitted to depart at his own liberty; but being now or∣dered to follow the Camp, his Port and Quarters were assigned, that so he might be a Spectator of that Tragedy which was now to be acted. All things were now disposed in good posture with much Solemnity in order to a March; the Conacks or days Journies with their places of

Quarters were laid out in an hundred and twenty days of March from Scutari to Babylon, and seventy days of Otorack or of repose: the Jour∣nies with the gross Body of such an Army could not be long, and the joyning with other Forces in the way required leisure and time.

In short, the Horse, after the Turkish manner, having eaten their [unspec 1638] grass and been soiled, this powerful Army decamped from Scutari about the end of May. The sirst day of Otorack or repose was appointed at * 3.109 Ismit, where the Grand Signior made a review of his Army; such as were aged, and unable to endure the fatigues of a long March he dis∣missed, giving them half Pay for their lives with the name of Otoracks, which is the same with Milites Emeriti amongst the Romans: with exact Order therefore and severe Discipline, to which their fierce Monarch had reduced them, marched this numerous Army; no Villages were abused, nor Country-people plundered, and all things were purchased with ready money: and the Grand Signior himself being rendred more gentle and tractable in the Field than in his Seraglio, heard all complaints, and di∣stributed Justice with an equal and an impartial hand.

In the mean time at Constantinople due care was taken to keep things quiet and in order; the Bostangibashee like Lord High Chamberlain, had the Charge committed to him of the Seraglio and the Moveables of it; he frequently made his Rounds both by Sea and Land, punished those whom he found in Taverns; nor would he suffer any Candles to be lighted after two hours in the night: the Chimacam and the Captain-Pasha likewise executed their Offices with all care and severity in their respective stations.

At this time, to the great dissatisfaction of the Greek Nation, Cyril * 3.110 the Patriarch, who had been in England, and greatly affected with the Discipline of our Church, was deposed, imprisoned in the Seven Towers, and strangled: in his place one Carsila was ordained Patriarch, and his Commission or Baratz obtained from the Grand Signior at the expence of fifty thousand Crowns, one moity whereof was paid from Rome, the whole design against Cyrillus being managed by the Jesuits and other Religious living at Galata, who accused him before the Turks of keep∣ing a secret correspondence with the Moscovites and Cosacks; for which losing his life, Carsila a pretended Friend to the Roman Faction was in∣stituted Patriarch.

The Grand Signior marching with his potent and numerous Army, all the world remained at a gaze what the issue would be of this mighty Enterprise; yet most were of opinion, that the Honour and Riches of the Ottoman Empire being now at stake, the War could not otherwise con∣clude than with the Conquest of Babylon. All that could be feared was some diversion by the Christian Princes, who taking hold of the present conjuncture, should enter the Frontiers with a powerful Army, and thereby force the Sultan to return; but as to Poland the jealousie soon vanished. When the News came of a Civil War between the Poles and the Cosacks, and that ten thousand of the latter were slain in a Battel, this Intelligence came most seasonable and grateful to the Port, expecting now a Meslage from the Cosacks, desiring succour in their extremity; for such accidents as these have nourished the Turkish Interest, which hath grown out of the Civil discords of Christian Princes.

By this means as the apprehensions of War by Land ceased, so there appeared some clouds of storm at Sea, which doubtless might have pro∣duced

a War with Venice, had the Turks been at leisure to attend it; for sixteen Gallies belonging to Algier, Tunis, and Biserta well armed with Slaves and Souldiers, and provided sufficiently with Cannon, Powder, * 3.111 and Bullet, commanded by Ali Picenin, united together and formed a small Fleet, with design to rove over the Adriatick Sea, and infest the Coast of Italy. Their intentions were to plunder the Riches of Loretto; but being hindred by contrary Winds from entring so high into the Gulf, they made a descent in Puglia, and sacked all the Country of Nicotra, carrying away a great Booty, with Slaves, and amongst them several Nuns which they prostituted to their lust; thence they passed over to the side of Dalmatia, and in sight of Cataro took a Vessel, and made Prize of all Ships which they met in those Seas, the rumour of which made great noise over all Italy, the people exclaiming against their Prin∣ces for suffering their lives and Estates to remain subject to the petty Force of a few Pirates. For the Vessels of Malta and Florence were dis∣joyned, and roving after purchase in the Archipelago, took little notice of what was acted in the Gulf. The Spaniards after their fashion were slow in arming, and spent the Summer in preparations, till the Pirates laden with Booty, were departed towards the Winter; so that none remained to take care of Italy and the Venetians Gulf, but Venice only, to whom the Dominion of those Seas are rightly appropriated. To sup∣press therefore the insolence of these Pirates, the Republick set forth a Fleet consisting of twenty eight Gallies and two Galleasses under the Command of Marin Capello, with Instructions to sink, burn, and destroy those Pirates, either in the open Seas, or in Harbour of the Turks; for that by the Articles of Peace between the Grand Signior and the Vene∣tians, it was agreed, That no Port or Harbour of his should be privi∣ledged to afford entertainment or protection to any Free-booter or Pi∣rate of that nature. It happened about that time, that the Malteses and Florentines crusing in the Archipelago, had done great mischief to the Turks in those Seas; to revenge which, and to prevent farther da∣mage, the Captain-Pasha sent Orders to these Vessels of Barbary imme∣diately to come to his assistance; to which they were now more easily perswaded; for being already laden with Booty and Spoils, they con∣tented themselves with a change of their station: but to give a farewel to those parts, they first resolved to spoil and plunder Lissa aliàs Lesina, an Island belonging to the Republick; but being overtaken by the Ve∣netian Fleet in their Voyage thither, near to Valona, a Port and Har∣bour belonging to the Turks, they put themselves under the defence of the Town and Castle, which received them willingly to their protection, notwithstanding all Articles and Agreements to the contrary. The Venetian Fleet saluted the Castle without a shot, desiring, that accord∣ing to the Capitulations of Peace the Pirates might be rejected, and * 3.112 commanded to abandon their Port: in answer hereunto the Turks re∣plied with a shot, making known their intentions to defend their friends: wherefore the Venetians retiring at some distance came to an Anchor, designing to block up the Port. Many days had not passed before the Pirates endeavoured by help of their Oars and a gentle gale to make their escape; and being with the gray of the morning, advanced without the Port, they were espyed by the watchful Venetians, who dividing their Fleet into two Squadrons charged them with high courage; the Fight continued for the space of two hours, during all which time the

Castle of Valona fired at the Venetians, and shot down a Mast of one of the Galleasses, a splinter of which wounded Lorenzo Marcello the Com∣mander; at length five of the Gallies of the Pirates being disabled, and many of their people killed, they began to fly and retire again under the protection of the Town; as also did the Venetians to their place of Anchorage. A distinct Advice of all Particulars being dispatched to Venice, the Senate wrote to Capello, That since the respect which the Re∣publick owes to the Ottoman Court was not unknown to him, he should by no means make any attempt against those Pirates upon the Land, but meeting them fairly at Sea, he ought then to make use of all the valour and force he was able. In the mean time the Duke of Medina las Torres Vice-King of Naples dispatched an Express to Capello, with Letters ap∣plauding the generosity of the design, wherein he was now engaged for the Glory of his Republick, and the common good of all Christendom, proffering to supply him with refreshments and Ammunition, and what else might supply his occasions; expecting that by such encouragement as this, he might be induced to assault the Enemies in Valona, without respect to the Grand Signior, or any inconveniences which might arise thereby. On the contrary the Governour of the Castle and Kadi of the Town wrote a Letter to Capello, putting him in mind, that he was with∣in the Grand Signior's Dominions, and that he should be careful how he offered any violence to those places, which would certainly prove a violation of the Peace, and be the Original of an inevitable War.

Capello had now lain a whole month before the Port, having all the time injoyed fair weather and a smooth Sea, against the hope and desire of the Turks, who expected, that by means of some storm the Enemy would be forced to remove their Quarters to some secure Harbour, and thereby afford them an opportunity to escape. But Capello growing weary of such tedious attendance, resolved to expect no longer, nor * 3.113 yet to lose the present advantage of rendring himself Master of the Vessels of the Enemy: wherefore dividing his Fleet into several Squadrons, he advanced near the Port, firing several shot at the Tents of the Pirates, of which one from a Galleass struck a Mosch; and arming with store of men the Galeotes and Brigantines they entred the Port, and to the asto∣nishment and vexation of the Turks possessed all the sixteen Vessels, and brought them to their Admiral: which though they had disfurnished of all their chief Booty, yet their Cannon and Arms remained, of which there were twelve Pieces of great Brass Guns, besides others of Iron, with divers Falcons and lesser Arms.

The Intelligence hereof being carried to Venice, Orders were given, that all the Vessels should be sunk in the Port of Corfu, excepting only the Admiral of Algier, which was to be brought to the Arsenal of Venice, there to remain as a Trophy of Victory, and for a perpetual Memory of this glorious Atchievement. Howsoever this Exploit was variously in∣terpreted at Venice, and approved or disproved according to the diver∣sity of humors. The younger men applauded it as an action of great Gallantry, excusing his transgression of the Senates Orders by a transport of passion and zeal towards his Country, and desire of Glory. But the Senators and men of mature Judgments highly resented this breach of their Orders, which as they are strictly enjoyned, so they expected that they should be punctually obeyed. That this action was a sufficient and just cause alone to kindle a War, and that it was a matter intolerable,

that a single Citizen should of his own head and humor presume to act such things, as must necessarily involve the Publick in a War contrary to their pleasure, and in opposition to their express commands. For which crime and other subsequent defaults Capello was afterwards forced to justifie himself, as will be signified in the sequel of this History.

The Particulars of this Advice were by an express Messenger dispatched to Luigi Contarini the Bailo or Ambassadour for the Venetians at Con∣stantinople, a Person of great reputation and esteem, having been con∣versant in the principal Courts of Christendom, and employed for the space of seven years at Munster, where he was assistant with the Nuntio Chigi afterwards Alexander VII. in the general Peace of Europe. The Turks also receiving this News aggravated to them with all the foul circumstances imaginable, the Chimacam immediately summoned the Bailo to Audience, and with an angry countenance began to exclaim:

That taking advantage of the Grand Signior's absence in remote parts, the Venetians had in a perfidious and hostile manner assaulted and de∣stroyed the Fleet of Barbary, which were his Subjects, and such as he had called to his assistance against the Corsaires of Malta and Ligorne. That being accidentally compelled by storm to enter into the Port of Va∣lona, they were forcibly taken thence, and violence offered to the Grand Signior's Port and Castle by way of a manifest and open breach. If this presumption were grounded on the long distance of the Grand Signior from these parts, the Venetians would do well to consider, how that they provoke an angry Prince, and one who esteems neither ex∣pence, hazards, nor labours to compleat his revenge. If this were a design to divert the Grand Signior's Arms from Persia, they would do well to consider, that the Sultan was not so far advanced, but that he could turn a currant, if he pleased, sufficient to drown, and in an in∣stant to overwhelm the Dominions of Venice; or could at least collect Forces from nearer parts able to revenge his quarrel, and vindicate his Honour from the disdain and scorn of such petty Neighbours.

Here∣unto the Bailo or Ambassadour made this Reply:

That this Piratical peo∣ple was the same which the year before had landed in Candia, and made spoil of the Estates of the Inhabitants, and carried many of them into slavery; and not contented with this Booty they entred the Gulph, and penetrated into the very bowels of Italy, with design to sack and plunder the Island of Lissa, which was under the Dominion of the Republick. That the Venetian General friendly saluted the Castle of Valona, which was returned with several shots from thence; that had it been his intention to have attempted the Port in the beginning, he would not have lain thirty seven days in expectation of the forth∣coming of those Pirates, it being only respect to the Grand Signior, which obliged him to that attendance. At length being wearied, and provoked by the insolence of that people, he forcibly entred the Port, knowing that by Capitulations with the Grand Signior, it was agreed, that all Ports should be forbidden, and that to these Pirates, unless they first gave security and caution not to injure and make Prize of the Subjects of the Republick. The Chimacam replied hereunto, That there were ten thousand Souldiers and Slaves belonging to those Gal∣lies, which had taken their refuge in Valona; and therefore he requi∣red the Venetians to permit them free passage into their own Country, and to restore their Gallies, unless they intended to come to an open Rupture with the Grand Signior.

The Chimacam also pressed more urgently for restitution of the Gal∣lies, in regard that having advised the Grand Signior of this disaster, he had at the same time given him hopes and almost assurance to believe, that by his Negotiations he should recover them out of their hands: but the Senate was of a different opinion; and therefore gave express Or∣ders to their Officers of the Marine Affairs immediately to sink all those Vessels, that so the expectation of the Turks being disappointed by an impossibility of recovery, might not by the rude instances and threats of Morat oblige them to a dishonourable and an undecent restitution.

The News of this misfortune made greater noise and disturbance in the Divan of Algier than at Constantinople, that rude rabble raved and * 3.114 railed and threatned, laying the blame sometimes on one, then on ano∣ther, being ready to come to blows amongst themselves; but that being obliged by order of their Divan to keep their thumbs within their gir∣dles, they durst only express their anger by punches and thrusts of their elbows. At length coming to cooler Terms, they charged all the fault on their Admiral Ali, and resolved to make applications to the Grand Signior for redress, and reparations on the Estates of the Venetians in his Dominions.

The News also hereof overtaking Morat in his March into Persia an∣gred * 3.115 him to the heart, and transported him to that heat of indignation, that he immediately ordered, that the Venetian Bailo with all his Na∣tion in the Ottoman Dominions should without exception be cut to pieces; but the Great Vizier and his Favourite suffering him for some time to vent the impetuosity of his fume and rage without contradiction, gave a stop for thirteen days to the dispatch of these fatal Orders; until taking him in a more gentle mood, they perswaded him to change this sentence of death, to the imprisonment only of the Bailo; and such care was taken, lest the News of a War with Venice should fly into Persia, and thereby prejudice the Terms of Peace, that this accident was kept as a secret and communicated to none, but such as were nearly concern∣ed in the Government. The Command for the Bailo's Imprisonment being arrived at Constantinople, he was summoned to Audience by the Chimacam; and though at that time he was exceedingly afflicted with the Gout, yet the Turkish obedience to Imperial Commands admitting of no excuse, he was forced to an attendance; and being brought in his Sedan, he was carried to the Chamber of Audience, where he expected some time until the Chimacam came to him; in the interim being en∣tertained by some Aga's, whom the Chimacam had employed to sound him touching the restitution of the Vessels; who finding by his discourse that they were sunk, without possibility of recovery, and that there could be no compensation made for them, they returned with this answer to the Chimacam; of which being now informed he came in, and having no farther to expostulate on this matter, produced the Grand Signior's Command for his Imprisonment, and kissing it first caused it to be read * 3.116 The Bailo replied, that he was ready to submit, being not only willing to suffer Imprisonment, but also Martyrdom, accompanied with the se∣verest pains, for the sake of his Prince and his Country.

To soften and mitigate matters, the other Christian Ambassadours then resident at the Port, had made Arz to the Grand Signior, wherein with all reverence and respect they offered themselves for Mediators in this difference, engaging themselves but not the parole of their Princes, for

the person of the Bailo, that he should not fly from the Port, nor yet refuse any reasonable Terms by way of Accommodation. This Media∣tion of the Ambassadours seconded with some Presents from the Bailo to the Turkish Ministers, so facilitated matters, that the Bailo at first was conducted to the * 3.117 Kahya's Chamber, and afterwards was con∣fined to his own House in Galata, guarded by four Chiaouses, with free liberty to all Visitants whatsoever. There was now no other rumour or discourse in Constantinople, but of a War with Venice, so soon as that with Persia was concluded; and in the mean time the Grand Signior gave Orders, that ten Gallies should be built in his own Arsenal at his charge, and presented to the Barbarouses, with condition that they should stay until the Spring, and accompany his Fleet to Sea. But Ali Picenin the Admiral suspecting that this was only a snare to engage him and his men for ever in the Grand Signior's service, refused the obligation, and set two Gallies on the stocks for his own account.

Advice of the Bailo's Confinement being come to Venice, with a re∣port of the passion and rage of the Sultan, they expected nothing more than a War with the Turk, which they communicated to all Christian Princes, requesting their succours and assistance against the common Ene∣my. These addresses produced rather compassion of their case, than substantial Contributions, Pope Urban himself giving them great assu∣rances of some help from the Ecclesiastical Revenues, besides Processions, Masses, and Benedictions for their good success, in as great a number as they could desire: notwithstanding which due care was taken to make ready and provide against all Encounters. Letters were wrote to the Captain-General in the Levant to make due Preparations against the Enemy: sixteen Gallies were armed out of Candia, to which were joyn∣ed other Galleasses under the Command of Antonio Pisani and Sebastiano Veniero: Souldiers were levied in every place, and all Garrisons provi∣ded with Ammunition and Victuals, and reinforced with numbers of an auxiliary Militia. Howsoever it was not the business nor advantage of the Venetians to make a War with the Turks, but rather whilst they feared the worst, and made provisions against the utmost extremities, they endeavoured to enter into Treaties of Peace, and to qualifie the hot Spirit of the Grand Signior with the gentle lenitives of fair words, and proffers of making attonement with the Sacrifice of Gold and other Presents: in order unto which they wrote a Letter to the Grand Signior to this effect. That being provoked by the insolence and frequent robberies of the Pirates of Barbary, who did not esteem faith or obedience to his Maje∣sty, nor the Commands which he had often sent to restrain them, they were induced out of natural defence of themselves, to chastise and correct them; but as this was acted without intention to disoblige his Majesty, so they were ready to maintain and cultivate that ancient friendship and correspondence which was ingrasted on the firm root of his glorious Progenitors. Morat, though he received this Letter in a huff, and gave an Answer to it with disdain, which breathed nothing but threats of revenge and total de∣struction; yet he sent it by an Express of his own to Venice, couching something within the terrour of his words, as if there was place left for an Accommodation, if the Venetians knew what salve was to be applied to obduct the skin of this bleeding wound. The Venetians quickly ap∣prehended, that Gold was the only remedy, of which they were ready to contribute freely; since they could make no better a purchase with

their money than Peace, nor could make a better bargain than with such a Sum as would serve only to make the first Preparations of War, to evade all hazards, troubles, and calamities by a happy and safe con∣clusion of Peace. The which notwithstanding took no effect, until the return of Morat from Persia; and therefore we shall defer discourse thereof to its proper place. Amurat marched now at the Head of a for∣midable * 3.118 Army, cloathed in the Habit of a Janisary, to render himself acceptable to the Militia, whom having subdued by rigour and severe Discipline, he would now oblige by courtesie and fairer treatment: with courage and great patience he marched through sandy Desarts and unfrequented places; and being the first who offered to expose himself to dangers and sufferings, the Souldiery followed willingly his example, esteeming no attempts either hazardous or tedious, in which they saw themselves preceded by their valiant General. In this March he was overtaken by one who rode hard to demand Mostaluck, which is the reward of good News for the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of a Son, of which one of his Sul∣tana's was delivered at Ismit: the Messenger was secured until the News was confirmed; which being afterwards turned to the Birth of a Daugh∣ter, the poor man suffered death, being cruelly impaled for his unadvi∣sed haste and excess of officious respect towards his Prince.

The Great Vizier met his Master at Iconium with a moderate Equipage to give more room for the Quarters of the Army; and rendring himself more gracious in his eyes by a Present of fifty thousand Dollars, he was again remunerated with a Cemiter and a Vest of Sables, which are the usual signals of the Sultan's favour. All Asia was now in Arms, and the Princes and Great men came in to perform their duty, accompanied with their Forces and Attendance: only complaints were made of a certain Shegh, Santone or Preacher belonging to the Mountains of Anatolia, who * 3.119 had refused to do Homage, or serve in the War; he was one, who by a feigned Sanctity had acquired a great reputation amongst his people; and having declared himself to be the Mehedy or the Mediator, which according to the Mahometan Doctrine is to fore-run Antichrist, for re∣ducing all the World to one Unity of Faith: he had perswaded his peo∣ple, that he and they under him were by Priviledge of his Office exem∣pted from all Taxes, Contributions, or Impositions by any Secular Power whatsoever. The Grand Signior who could not understand or believe this Doctrine, presently detached a strong Body with some Cannon un∣der Command of the Captain-Pasha (who, as we have said, was to accompany the Grand Signior in the War) to confute the Principles of this Rebel, and to reduce him to obedience. These Forces being en∣tred on his Dominions, Proclamation was made to the people, that they should deliver up their Impostor into the hands of Justice; which if * 3.120 they refused to do, then Fire and Sword was to be their portion, and destruction to extend even unto their children of seven years of age. This terrible denuntiation of the Sultan's Sentence struck all the people with cold fear and amazement; howsoever the Shegh availing himself on certain Prophecies, which he interpreted in his own favour, adven∣tured to stand a shock with the Grand Signior's Forces; but being over∣come by them, the Shegh was taken alive and carried to the Grand Sig∣nior; who having given a stop to his March at Iconium, until the end of this business, he condemned him to be flead alive; and in this guise being a horrid Spectacle to all Beholders, he was carried upon an Ass to

the Wheel, on which he seemed to endure the remainder of his punish∣ment without any sensible touches or pangs in the torments.

This success being attained, Morat proceeded in his March, and passing through Alexandretta or Scanderone, he was there saluted by the Guns of all the English and Dutch Ships then in Port, and presented by the Mer∣chants and Consuls, especially by the Venetian called Marco Foscolo, whose Presents were computed to amount unto the value of ten thousand Dol∣lars. Thence he proceeded to Antioch, where he refreshed his Army for a few days, observing the Antiquities of that place. At Aleppo he was met by the Pasha of Grand Cairo, who brought with him a rich Tribute, accompanied with an Army of twenty four thousand Souldiers, all choice men well armed and well cloathed; at the same place also the Forces of Palestine joyned with him, so that his Army was now increased to a vast number. Proceeding forward new Sangiacks came in daily belonging to the Countries through which they marched, and a strong Party of Tartars despairing of being able to act any considerable matter against Asac, offered themselves to the service of the Grand Signior.

The King of Persia entred the Field at the Head of an hundred and twenty thousand Horse; but being inferiour in force, made only use of them to reinforce his Garrison of Bagdat with an addition of thirty thou∣sand * 3.121 men; which now being well provided, he judged that the Force within and the strength of the place would be able to endure a long Siege, and with time weaken, if not destroy the vast numbers of the Turks, of which there were former examples: with the rest of his Forces he returned to encounter the Great Mogul, who (as we have said) pro∣mised Morat to assist him in this War, and attack the Persian on the other side of his Dominions, which served for an advantageous diversion to the Turk. This was the reason that no memorable Battels succeeded in the Field, there being none of greater note than a Fight which Qui∣nan Pasha had with two thousand Persians belonging to Revan, with whom accidentally encountring, he killed fifteen hundred of them on the place, and took the rest Prisoners, which being five hundred in number were brought before Morat, and all barbarously put to death by him.

During the time of this March Morat often exercised himself in Feats of Arms, to shew his strength of body and dexterity of hand; amongst other things wonderful to the Souldiers, he pierced a Suit of Arms of Musket-proof with a Dart, called by them a Gerit, thrown from his hand; for evidence of which the Armour is placed on one of the Gates of Aleppo with an Inscription under it.

About the beginning of the month of August the Turkish Army passed the River Euphrates by means of a Bridge, which was not so well built, * 3.122 but that it sunk under the weight of Horses, Camels, and Baggage, by which disaster many perished in the water, which great rains had swel∣led above the bounds of its Banks. As this numerous Army proceeded, so all petty Princes applied themselves to perform their Homage; amongst which one Tarpos a King of the Arabs came with his Wife, Mother, and Son to prostrate himself before the Sultan: he was entertained in the Tent of the Favourite, who being always in company with Morat, was never suffered to separate from him, and his Tent more for ostentation than to serve his occasion. Tarpos being admitted to Audience, was re∣ceived with respect and a favourable countenance, and presented with a

Vest of Cloth of Gold lined with Sables and a small Purse of Gold: in recompence whereof the Arab Prince returned certain choice Horses and two Leopards. In like manner the Georgians and Mengrelians, who are Tributaries to Turk and Persian, and commonly incline to the strongest side, whose Nations we have described in the present State of the Ottoman Empire, would not be wanting at this time to bring their Tribute of eighty thousand yards of Linen-cloth, which they pay every three year, with some Children of both Sexes chosen out of the comeliest and most healthful amongst them.

At Mosul the Army lay encamped for some time, where was a gene∣ral Rendezvous and confluence of people from all parts, and every thing * 3.123 ordered and modelized for a War. Severe Discipline was kept amongst all, Offenders were impaled, flead alive, their bowels ript out, and thrown into the publick ways: nor did Takers of Tabaco escape with less punishment than the rest. In the mean time Wine was forbid to his whole Camp, unless to himself and his Favourite, being a Royal drink; and when the chief Physician commended the admirable virtue of Opium, advising Morat to use it in the place of Wine, he enjoyned him to make his words good by his own example and thereby forced him to take so much, that he was overcome, and died by swallowing too great a quantity.

From Mosul the Army marched in due order to Babylon, where the Great Vizier arrived with thirty thousand men about the 19^th of Octo∣ber: * 3.124 but by reason of the great weight of Artillery, and the many im∣pediments which attend such vast numbers, the Grand Signior came not thither till the 5^th of November, and on the 9^th the whole Turkish Army presented it self before the Walls of Babylon.

Babylon the ancientest City of the World, reported to be built by Nimrod on the Banks of the River Euphrates, and afterwards beautified and enlarged by Semiramis the Wife of Ninus, is recorded in History for the vastness thereof to be one of the seven Miracles of the World. After∣wards the furious Inundations of the River, and the Iron teeth of devour∣ing time, and the subjection thereof to the Macedonian Empire, did much eclipse the glory of that City, and caused Seleucus Nicanor, one of Alex∣ander's Captains, to build a new one where the Tigris and Euphrates meet, forty miles more Northwards than the old Babylon, which he therefore called Seleucia after his own Name. In the year of our Lord 753. Abugiafer Almansor an Arab King enlarged this City to the Eastern side of the Tigris, as being less subject to the Inundations of the River, giving it the Name of Bagdat, or the place of Gardens; but his Son Almolied being more pleased with the Western side, encouraged people to build the stateliest Palaces and best Fabricks near the place where he delighted to keep his Court, so that the River Tigris divided the City. The which with the Country thereabouts was subdued by Solyman the Magnificent; and afterwards in the Year 1625. it was recovered by Abas King of Persia, until at length in this of 1638. it was vanquished by the mighty force and prowess of this Magnanimous Sultan, as we shall now understand.

The numerous Troops of the Ottoman Army covering all the Plains, * 3.125 a general Council of War was called of the chief Commanders of the Ja∣nisaries and Spahees, especially of such who had been practised in the Sieges of the strong Fortresses in Hungary. After some debate and long

consideration, it was agreed, That the City should be battered in three places. One Battery of twelve Pieces of Cannon commanded by the Great Vizier was to be erected against the Bright Gate: the second against the Dark Gate of ten Pieces of Cannon, under the Command of the Captain-Pasha: and a third of eight Pieces directed against the Gate of Persia, under the Government of Chusaein Pasha Beglerbei of Ana∣tolia. The Grand Signior in the mean time habited like an ordinary Souldier, that he might be the less exposed to danger, visited all Posts and places, encouraging them with his words and presence, protesting that he would not change his Cloaths for ever in any place but within the Walls of Bagdat. In the space of three days the Trenches were ope∣ned, the Batteries raised, and the Cannon planted; and Morat having made Korban, gave fire to the first Cannon with his own hand, as he had brought the first Basket of Earth to raise the Works. The Defen∣dants within consisted of eighty thousand fighting men, with which they made frequent Sallies of four and five thousand men at a time, who being retired were again seconded by another of the like number, which put the Turkish Camp into much confusion, and into danger of having their Trenches levelled, and their Cannon spiked; but the Turks valiantly fighting, the slaughter proved bloody on both sides: and being guided rather by the bravery of their courage, than by Art or Experience in War, they carried their Works forward to the very brink of the Ditch, having an Italian and a Candiot for their chief Enginiers; who though they were not persons of that ability, as our modern times have produ∣ced, yet they were such, as for want of better, served the presented occa∣sions, where force and numbers, with small additions of Art, were the most available. For in this Siege the Sword was more exercised than the Spade or Matock, and there was more need of Arms than Works; for the constant Sallies kept the Turks always watchful and imployed, and perpetually disturbed them, until at length they were forced with great labour to raise a high Circumvallation with a very deep Ditch defend∣ed by several Redoubts; whereby the Besieged being kept in, their numbers decreased by former Sallies, and their courages abated by de∣spair of Relief, they began to grow cold in the Acts of Bravery, and to reserve their men for the ultimate and last efforts of defence. In the mean time the Turks plied their Batteries so hotly, that in a few days the Walls were laid open almost fifty paces wide. In this condition the Defendants having no other refuge than some small Retrenchments, which they had made during the Siege, were exposed to the open force of the Enemy. For now the Turks having filled up the first and second Ditches with Sacks of Wool, Faggots, and other Rubbish, crowded in vast numbers to enter the Breach, which the Persians defended as stout∣ly with Stones, Bullets, artificial Fires, and all Instruments of death, which fell like showers of Hail on the heads of the Enemy. The Great Vizier signalizing himself above all by his undaunted courage, command∣ing with his hand and voice, was unhappily shot by a Musket-bullet, and fell on the heaps of the dead, amongst whom there is no distinction between the common Souldier and the bravest Captain. This Fight within the Breach continued for five days, where both sides fighting like men in despair, the dead bodies lay in heaps, and blood was stag∣nated like a Pool to wade thorough. At length the numbers of the Turks prevailing, commanded now by Mustapha the Captain-Pasha,

entred the Town by force of Arms on the 22^th day of December about the time of Sun-set, when the Royal Standard of the Turks was planted in this City. Howsoever twenty four thousand of the Persians remain∣ing still alive, and united in a Body capitulated for Quarter, otherwise threatning not to die unrevenged: Pardon and Quarter for their lives was readily granted, on confidence of which the Persians threw down their Arms, and submitted to the publick faith or the Sultan's clemency. But the Grand Signior afterwards considering, that the granting Quar∣ter * 3.126 at Revan had been the cause of the loss of the City, he repented him of his promise, and gave Order to the Janisaries most inhumanely to open a torrent of blood, and make a barbarous Massacre of those who had newly thrown down their Arms at his feet, not sparing either wo∣man or child, either sex or age; the which slaughter, like a work of darkness, was acted in the night by the light of Torches and Lanthorns, and appeared a horrid spectacle to all, especially to the Persian Ambassa∣dour, who being conducted like a Prisoner in the Camp, was a sad Spectator of his Countries destruction on the horrid Theatre of its capital City.

So soon as Bagdat was taken, Morat dispatched away Posts imme∣diately with the News into all parts, and wrote a Letter with his own hand to the Chimacam, ordering a Dunalma or Feast of Thanksgiving, and rejoicing for the space of twenty days; during which time no busi∣ness was to be acted, the Houses were to be adorned both without and within with the best Furniture, and every House was to set forth Lights, Torches, and Fire-works agreeable to the condition and ability of the person. The people exclaimed hereat as too great an expence, and the vacation from business seemed too long for those who lived by their daily labour. The chief Ministers and Grandees evidenced external actions of joy, but inwardly feared and trembled, suspecting that the fierce and cruel humour of their Sultan would be elated, and rendred more tyran∣nical, and untractable by success and a favourable Fortune. The Chri∣stian Princes received this Intelligence like bad News, and as an Alarm to awaken them from the easiness of Peace, to expectations of War: for War with Persia was like an Ulcer in the Bowels of the Turkish Empire, which gangrened and consumed the strength and marrow of their Power; which now being cured, and the Body politick rendred healthy by such a seasonable success, would convert it self to Enterprises pernicious and dangerous to the neighbouring States.

After the Conquest of this City Morat gave out, That he resolved to proceed with his Army into Persia, and to enter the Walls of Spahan; but having some indispositions of health upon him, and recalled by the charming Letters of a Favourite Mistress, whom he had left at Diarbechir, he inclined to return again to Constantinople. Wherefore mustering first his Army, he found that it was abated near an hundred thousand men, two thirds whereof being killed in the War, the rest perished by the Pe∣stilence, and other diseases and maladies incident to Camps; a great part of the slaughter fell on the most veterane Souldiers of the Janisaries and Spahees, of which many of the Chief being slain, their Lands and Reve∣nues returned to the Grand Signior, and gave him both opportunity and ability to reward many with such Offices and Gifts as came by the death and fall of other Commanders. Thus the Captain-Pasha, whose Valour had rendred him famous, was made Great Vizier in the place of him that was

slain, and the Persian Favourite was constituted Captain-Pasha; and though many repined at this advancement, as conferred on a Stranger, and a Person without Merit, yet the Grand Signior considered him as one whose Experience in that Country, and the Information he had gi∣ven him of the situation and strength of Babylon, had made abundant compensation for the favour and honour he had bestowed upon him.

The Grand Signior having left a Garrison of thirty thousand men in Bagdat, dispeeded the Great Vizier with a considerable Army to pene∣trate [unspec 1639] far into the Country of Persia. And having now released the Per∣sian Ambassadour, giving him liberty to return to his Master, wrote by him this braving Letter.

I That am Lord of Lords, and Conquerour in the parts of Arabia, Persia, and Greece: King that commands with eminent Rule in the World, exalted by Divine assistance to the Empire of the Vniverse; the most Invin∣cible Possessor of the White and Black Seas, and of all the Cities and For∣tresses which encompass them. Lord of the Divine and Prophetick Temple, that is, of Mecha and Medina, as also of Jerusalem, Aleppo, Damascus, and of all those Holy and Venerable Countries, of Grand Cairo, Salutiferous Babylon, and of Van, of Ethiopia, Balsora, and the Lesser Asia; of all the Countries of the Curds, Georgians, and Tartars; of Moldavia, Valachia, and universally of all the Provinces and Regions of Greece and Anatolia. And in summ, Supreme Lord of the Seven Climates, the Victorious and Tri∣umphant King in the Service of God Sultan Amurat Han, to the Valiant Sofi, to whom may God give peace, if he deserve it. This Imperial Letter worthy of Obedience being come to thee, Be it known unto thee, That the Ambassa∣dour which Thou didst send to my happy Port with desires of Peace, I have detained until this time in which I have subdued Bagdat, by means of the keen edge of my Invincible Cemiter. If thou desirest Peace, surrender those Provinces which belong to the Dominions of my Victorious Predecessors, into the hands of my Beglerbeys, who are now marching at the head of my Victo∣rious and Inexpugnable Army: otherwise expect me next Spring with my Troops more numerous than the sands of the Sea, within the bowels of thy Dominions; where I will appear on Horse-back to unkennel thee from the Caverns wherein thou now lurkest, not daring to manage those Arms, which are unworthily girt to thy side. That afterwards shall succeed, which was determined from all Eternity. Peace be to him who directs his ways aright.

This Letter being dispatched, the Grand Signior recalled the forty thousand men which he had lent, from the Service of the Great Mogul, which he quartered about Bagdat to hinder the attempts of the Persians, in case they should design to pursue him in the Rear, and disturb his return into Europe. By reason of the rigour and extremity of the Win∣ter, and a certain defluxion which falling on his Nerves, made him some∣thing paralytical, the Grand Signior departed not from Bagdat until the 15^th of April, and then for recovery of his health, and to soil the Horses * 3.127 by the way with convenience of grass, short days journies were appoint∣ed. The Grand Signior's indisposition increasing with some cold and shi∣vering sits, gave the first Symptoms of a Feaver; but afterwards it plainly appearing to be a paralytical distemper, suspected by the Physi∣cians to end in an Apoplexy, it was rumoured abroad, that Morat was dead; but it was whispered with such caution, as if they had feared lest

the Grand Signior would have over-heard them, and risen from his grave to punish their secret and inward joy. Being somewhat recovered from the last accession of his Palsie, the humour fell into his legs, and swelle so much, that he could scarce sit upon his Horse; howsoever he hastened us fast as he could to Constantinople to disprove and confute the falsity of that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 concerning his death. In the mean time it is not to be ex∣pressed with what sear and terrour the Chimacam and other great Mi∣nisters of State expected the return of their formidable Prince, not know∣ing where the Thunderbolt of his cruel disposition would strike, until at length it fell on the head of the poor Sultan Mustapha, whose weak∣ness, as it rendred him unable for Government and Command, so it made him stupid and insensible of death.

At length on the 10^th of June the Grand Signior arrived at Constan∣tirople: the Favourite Soltana, which had accompanied him to the War, passed by water from Ismit attended with six Gallies, and took her * 3.128 Lodging the first night of her arrival at a small Chiosk or House of Plea∣sure under the Wall, so as to make a magnificent Entry the day follow∣ing. Her Coach was covered with Cloth of Gold, and the Spokes of the Wheels were gilded, and the Wheels shod with Silver; she was followed by twelve Coaches, and the Mufti, Pasha's, Kadees, and other Officers went before to conduct her to the Seraglio. The Grand Signior, who arrived the same day attended with fifty six Gallies, made not his solemn Entry until two days after, being performed with all the Ceremony, State, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 which could be contrived. The Grand Signior in his own Person appeared in the Persian Habit, with a Leopards skin thrown over his shoulders, after the manner of a Kausee (as they call them) or a brave husting Champion, having his Stirrup attended with twenty two of the chiefest Nobles, whom he had reserved at Bagdat purposely to lead in Triumph when he made this Entry. The Treasure brought to Constan∣tinople was landed at the Seraglio out of ten Gallies, and calculated to amount to a greater Sum than that which was carried from thence; for besides the Riches taken in the Plunder of Babylon, seisure was made in divers places of the Estates of Pasha's and other Great men, which by death, or for crimes escheated to the Grand Signior.

After the Grand Signior's departure out of Persia, little of action suc∣ceeded, as if by mutual agreement, a Truce or Cessation of Arms had been contrived. The Persians desired a Peace, because they were en∣feebled and tired with the War: The Turks had regained their Honour by the Conquest of Bagdat; and being unwilling to lose it by change of unconstant Fortune, and longer consume their riches and men in a tedious and remote March, were attending to receive Propositions of Peace first offered by the Persian. To effect which the Great Vizier, who was left at Bagdat to command the Army, intimated to the Go∣vernours of the Frontiers, that a proffer of Peace should be accepted; * 3.129 which being made known to the King of Persia, he immediately dis∣patched an Ambassadour to the Grand Signior to propose Terms of Ac∣commodation. The Ambassadour being arrived at Constantinople, was grateful and acceptable to all, and his day of Audience appointed after the usual manner on the Pay-day of the Janisaries, when the floor of the Divan is covered with Sacks of Money: before the door of the Cham∣ber of Audience stood the Persian Captives all cloathed in rich Vests. The Ambassadour being conducted to the Royal Presence with the usual

Ceremonies (of which we have given an account in another place) was received by the Sultan sitting upon a Saffaw covered with Crimson Vel∣vet embroidered with Pearl; his Turbant was encompassed with a Chain of Diamonds, cloathed with a rich Vest lined with Sables; he cast no pleasantness of aspect on the Ambassadour, but beholding him with a fierce and scornful look, received the Letter in a kind of careless disclain, behaving himself in every motion, as if he neither esteemed the King, nor his Ambassadour; or as if the Persian had been wholly conquered by him, had sent to beg Peace, and pardon for his life: The Ambassadour was soon dismissed from his Presence; and matters being referred to the Negotiation of the Chimacam, no other difficulty arose besides the dis∣pute concerning Revan, which at length was agreed by another Ambas∣sadour * 3.130 sent to the Vizier on the Frontiers to remain unto the Persian, as Bagdat was consirmed to the Turk: and so Peace was without long de∣bate clapt up; the Grand Signior, by reason of his indisposition which increased upon him, being not inclinable to trouble his head with the burden of business.

Peace being thus concluded with Persia, there appeared a perfect Sun∣shine and fair weather in the Ottoman Court, neither dissentions at home, nor Wars abroad troubling the quiet and repose of the Sultan; until some differences happening between the Princes of Moldavia and Valachia exhaled the first cloud of disturbance. At that time Lupulo was Prince of Moldavia, a Person of evil Principles, covetous and unjust. Matthew was Prince of Valachia, a good man, zealous for the Christian Religion, and one who administred equal Justice to his people. Lupulo not con∣tenting himself with his own, but desirous also of his Neighbours pos∣session, made instances to the Port to have the Principality of Moldavia conferred upon his Son, alledging that thereby he should be better en∣abled * 3.131 to balance the power of Ragotski in Transylvania, and on all occa∣sions be rendred more serviceble to the Grand Signior's designs and inte∣rest: and seconding this Proposition with a Present of fifty thousand Dollars to the Chimacam, and promise to increase the annual Tribute, he obtained the Chimacam's friendship, at whose instance the Grand Sig∣nior was perswaded to write unto Matthew to surrender up his Province into the hands of the Son of Lupulo; declaring, That it having been ac∣customary to change the Princes of those Countries every three years, he ought after an injoyment of above seven years to content himself with a quiet and voluntary resignation, unless he would desire to draw upon himself a ruine by the anger and displeasure of the Sultan. Matthew ha∣ving no posterity, resolved not to surrender his Government but with his life; and having a particular animosity against Lupulo, could by no means incline his mind to make his Enemy happy with the Spoils of his Estate. Wherefore having obtained assistance from Ragotski, he resol∣ved to withstand the Forces of young Lupulo, and engage with them: and being ready to mount on Horse-back and begin the Battel, he first dispatched an humble Message to the Grand Signior, acquainting him,

That he was ready at his Command to resign his Principality into the hands of the meanest Greek his Majesty would appoint; who being the source of all Equity and Justice, he hoped that he would not ob∣lige him to such Terms as would raise his mortal Enemy upon his ruine; a man so intent to his own interests, and so unconscionable to compass them, that all late Revolutions, Wars, and Commotions have

been raised either by him, or by his Instruments.

This Letter being received and read by the Grand Signior, was seconded in a few hours after, with News of the total defeat of young Lupulo; which put the Grand Signior so much into choler, that he immediately committed the Chimacam to the Seven Towers, for being the Projector and Author of this Counsel. It was supposed however, that Morat's anger would not proceed to that degree, as to extend to his life; but being informed, that he was rich, and that he was possessed of two millions of Dollars, which lay by him in ready Money, it was concluded, that so vast a wealth could not in a short time be honestly gained; which appearing as an undeniable evidence and testimony of his violence and oppression, the Grand Signior made no difficulty to pass the Sentence of death a∣gainst * 3.132 him, nor to condemn the Money to his own Exchequer. His Office was given to Sinan Pasha, and the Principality confirmed unto Matthew.

During all this time, the quarrel which the Turks conceived against the Venetians for violating their Port of Valona, was not yet composed; but now having time to peruse and consider old accounts, the Venetian Bailo was called by the Chimacam to Audience, and to a Conference with him concerning this matter. In the first place therefore the Bailo alledged,

That the Pirates of Barbary had for the space of twenty years roved in the Venetian Gulf, and made Prize in that time of so many Ships and Goods belonging to Merchants, that the Republick had been prejudiced by them in several millions; which also did in some man∣ner prejudice the Customs of the Grand Signior, to whom the Vene∣tian Merchants pay for the most part yearly the Sum of an hundred thousand Dollars in Custom for their Goods, besides the benefit which the Ottoman Dominions receive by so profitable a Commerce.

Here∣unto the Chimacam replied:

That the damages which the Turks recei∣ved by the Corsaires or Free-booters at Sea under the Colours of Malta, Ligorn, Majorca, and other places were greater and more dis∣honourable to the Majesty of the Ottoman Grandeur, than the depre∣dations of the other side were to Venice: and therefore it would be necessary for the good of the World, that such violences were pre∣vented in all places; and that men of such wicked profession should be esteemed for universal Enemies, and to have no other Quarter, nor Articles granted them, than what we give to wild and hurtful beasts, whom we destroy by snares and gins, and all advantages. The which also was never denied to the Venetians, whilst they encountred and took them in the open Seas; but to enter into priviledged places, and violate a Sanctuary of the Grand Signior's, without respect to the mighty Power of so dreadful a Monarch, was an act so insolent, as could never obtain pardon without a due compensation for the of∣fence; which could not be done, but either by a restitution of the Vessels, or else of a like number in the places of them.

Hereunto the Bailo replied:

That if an Accommodation could not be made on other Terms, nor Peace maintained, but by a submission to Pirates, and supportation of all their injuries and robberies, a War must inevitably ensue; for the good success of which they depended on the Blessing of God Almighty, and the general assistance of all Christendom, which will esteem it self universally concerned in this Cause, and obliged as well to make good this quarrel against Pirates, as to preserve Venice for

their main Bulwark and defence against the Ottoman Force.

You make me smile (answered the Chimacam) when you tell me of the power of Christendom, which contains nothing more of terrour than the name. Do not I know, who have been Pasha of Buda; that the Emperour hath no money; and that when the Swedes, a small and inconsiderable people, have made War upon him, they have almost over-run his Country? As for France, if they understand their own Politicks, they will scarce be perswaded to lend assistance to the Em∣pire, when we make war against it. The Spaniards have so much to do at home, and to conserve themselves from the incroachments of their powerful Neighbour the French, that they are wholly unable to lend Forces to wage a war at such a distance from their Dominions. Wherefore considering the advantage we have upon you, which we well know and understand; you must either have war on these ha∣zardous terms, or else purchase your peace with a considerable Sum of money. In making of which bargain you must consider, that you have to deal with a mighty Prince, and not with a Merchant; and therefore your offer ought to be large at first, so as it may gain credit, and be received with a favourable ear; for a small Sum to him is like a little morsel given to an hungry stomach, which serves only to in∣crease the appetite. And you know, that we our selves are often forced to sacrifice to the avarice of our Prince, by effusions of vast Sums of money, which are always best compounded for, when they are done readily, and at first, before we give our Master time to con∣sult with his pillow, and to make up our accounts according to the calculate of his own reckoning. Let me therefore exhort you to fol∣low the like example, and immediately make an offer of three hun∣dred thousand Zechins of Gold, which if you will do, and employ my interest to make this composition for you, I hope, though with some difficulty, to gain its acceptance. To talk and reason of things past is but to beat the air, because the time is vanished and gone; but you may consider of the present, that you may secure the future. We sell you peace at this price, if it be worth your money take it; if not, refuse it, as you judge the purchase most agreeable to your interest.

At this time Christendom was embroiled in its usual combustions, so that assistance from other Princes was not only uncertain, but without all foundation; so that the Venetians could have no sure trust to any other than their own Force. In regard that many were desirous at that time to see the Venetians engaged with the Turk, that so they might not be able to concern themselves in the War of Italy, which then grew hot by the Wars of Savoy, Modena, and Matona, favoured by the pro∣tection of the Spaniards, by whose means all the differences arose about the Valtoline. Considering which, the wise Senate being willing to pur∣chase so great a blessing to their Country by a moderate price, gave li∣berty to their Bailo to compound for it at what rate and terms that he was able; which by the Bailo's dexterity in the management was conclu∣ded for the Sum of two hundred and fifty thousand Zechins, which was esteemed for a great service, and redounded much to the reputation of the Bailo: after which conclusion, the former Articles were ratified, and these which follow added thereunto.

That the Ambassadour or Bailo should be set at liberty, and per∣mitted to return to his own habitation: That Commerce be renewed

as formerly between the Subjects of both Countries. That all Contro∣versie about the matters happened at Valona, for ever be silenced and forgotten. When at any time the Pirates of Barbary shall happen to enter within the Ports of the Grand Signior, they shall give security, that they will commit no damage or spoil on the Subjects of Venice. And in case they shall have taken any Prizes belonging to the afore∣said State, they shall not be admitted nor protected in the Ports be∣longing to the Grand Signior. Wherefore in virtue hereof all Aga's, Captains of Castles, and other Ministers who shall not obey and ob∣serve this Capitulation, shall be deprived of their Office; and if the Venetians shall then enter violently into the Port, where such Enemies have taken refuge, it shall not be imputed to them for a crime, or esteemed a breach of the Capitulations. And farther, if the Venetians shall at any time encounter the aforesaid people of Barbary in the open Sea, it shall be lawful for them to assault, take, and destroy them without notice, or exceptions of the Ottoman Port. And lastly, the new Bailo lately elected shall pay unto the Grand Signior five hundred thousand Pieces of Eight, which make two hundred and fifty thousand Zechins of Gold. This Writing was firmed and ratified about the mid∣dle of the Moon Rebiul in the Hegeira or Year of Mahomet 1049.

Here∣of * 3.133 authentick Copies were immediately dispatched to the Beglerbeys, Sangiacks, and Kadi's on the Coasts of the Mediterranean Sea, and to the Pasha of Bosna, for better publication of the Peace, and free Traffick and Commerce between the Subjects of both people.

The Baron Chinski arrived at that time from the Emperour in quality of Envoyé Extraordinary to congratulate the Grand Signior's success in * 3.134 taking Bagdat, and making a Peace with Persia; but not bringing with him Presents to that value, which on this occasion were expected, he was not looked on, nor considered with that favour and respect, as was agreeable to his Character and Quality. And there happening a dispute between this Envoyé and the English Ambassadour concerning prece∣dency of place; the Turks yielded it to the English, being made to understand the difference which Christian Princes make between the Title of an Ambassadour and that of an Envoyé, though the Turks use but that one word of Elchi to express both. And though the Baron Chinski laboured to diminish the Dignity of an English Ambassadour at Constantinople, by alledging, that he was elected by the Company of Merchants for conservation of their Trade only, and afterwards confirm∣ed and honoured by the King: yet this Argument was in no wise preva∣lent with the Turks, who esteeming the Commission of the Prince, and the charge of an Office the only qualification to ennoble a person, made no difficulty to determine the point in behalf of the English. And though some Italian Writers say, that the English Ambassadour gave fifteen Purses of Money or seven thousand five hundred Dollars to the Chima∣cam for this favour; yet those who understand how unwillingly the Turkie-Merchants part with their money on defence of such punctillios and niceties, especially where the Ambassadour might have avoided the bringing them into dispute, will more readily believe, that the Turks from free motives of their own Justice and Reason judged this Honour due to the Ambassadour, than that he should purchase this indisputable point by the disgraceful means of money.

ANNO 1640.

[unspec 1640] All matters being now determined between the Turks and Persia, and the black clouds blown over from the Venetians, the Grand Signior stu∣died how and where he might turn his Arms with most advantage: he * 3.135 had conceived an irreconcileable pique against Ragotski and Matthew for the causes before related; but having an intention to make use of their Force against Poland or Germany, or against them both together, he dissembled the passion he conceived against them, and rather deferred his revenge, than pardoned the liberty which they had exercised without his licence or assent. Sometimes he resolved to recover Asac out of the hands of the Cosacks; sometimes he thought of making War upon Po∣land, judging himself much affronted by that King, for not sending an Ambassadour to congratulate his late successes: then he supposed, that a War in Germany would be more easie, and the Conquest more profita∣ble by reason of the richess of the people, and the fertility of the soil, to which pretences could never be wanting on the score of those differences which always arise amongst the people of the Frontiers. During these debates and counsels, preparations were made for War both by Sea and Land, as yet uncertain where they should be employed: to command them the Great Vizier was ordered to hasten his journey from Persia, * 3.136 whose arrival was celebrated at Constantinople with a solemn Entry; and for a particular and distinguishing Honour, the Grand Signior sent him a Vest from his own Back to wear on the day of his Triumph. This Vizier was a person very austere in his behaviour, bold and valiant, as he evidenced by his actions in taking Bagdat, zealous for his Master's in∣terest; and what is rare in a Turk, not much addicted to his own: he had acquired a great share in the esteem of his Master, and his Autho∣rity increased, as the daily decay of the Grand Signior's health rendred him less able for Government. For now the strong complexion of Morat began to grow feeble by excesses of frequent debauchery, his stomach was become cold and weak, not able to digest the lightest meats, his hand shook, and a paralytical distemper seized him in every part: so that his Mother and the Physicians perswaded him to forsake the use of Wine, as poison and destruction to his health: and he, whilst he was sensible of his languishing condition, like a true Penitent, made many protestations and vows against it, forbidding the accursed poison to be received within the Walls of the Seraglio: howsoever his kind heart could not possibly withstand the temptation of a Banquet, to which his Pot-companions did sometimes invite him: amongst which the Great Vizier would not be wanting also to please and cajol the humor of his Master with the li∣quor that he loved. But his chief and constant Camerades in drinking were his Persian Favourite and Mustapha Pasha of Bosna, one educated in the Seraglio, promoted to the place of Selictar Aga, to whom he gave the stately Palace of Ibrahim Pasha on the Hippodrome, together with his eldest Daughter in Marriage. These two stout Sons of Bacchus perswa∣ded the Grand Signior to appoint one solemn Drinking-day in time of the Biram, which is the great Festival of the Year, and introduced by their Prophet in imitation of our Easter. Morat being at this time pos∣sessed with the spirit of debauchery, accepted the motion, and invited the two Drunkards to dinner with him. The Persian provoked his plea∣sure

of drinking by salt Meats, and by peppered and spiced Dishes; the sort of Wine they most used was a sweet Malvoisia, sometimes twisted, and encouraged with the strong Waters, called Rosa Solis, of which they sucked so long, and with such excess, that falling under the force of it, they were insensibly carried away to their several beds. This dissolute repast became fatal to the Grand Signior; for a fire being kindled in his veins and bowels, he fell into a violent and continued Feaver. The Physicians being called, were fearful to administer Remedies, lest pro∣ving * 3.137 unsuccessful, their lives should pay for the ineffectual operation: at length they agreed to let him blood, but this hastened his death. For he died the fourth day of his Feaver, being the 8^th of February, in the seventeenth year of his Reign, and the one and thirtieth of his Age, ha∣ving ruled in the height of all disorders and irregular excesses, which his youthful years enabled him to support. With his death all his thoughts and designs of making War against Christendom perished, ha∣ving sworn after his return from Persia to reduce all his neighbouring Countries to the Mahometan Law. He was of a most cruel and impla∣cable disposition, having amongst his other Acts of Tyranny imbrued his * 3.138 hands in the blood of his two Brothers, Orchan and Bajazet; as also strangled his Uncle Mustapha, whose innocent weakness had been suffi∣cient to secure his life against any, but the most horrid Monster of hu∣mane Tyranny. He left no Son; for though he had divers, they died in their infancy, notwithstanding which his Kindred were so detested by him, that he envied the descendence of Monarchy on his Brother Ibra∣him, who was preserved by a strange providence from his fury: often saying, that he wished that he might be the last of the Ottoman Line, that the Empire of that Family might end with him, and devolve unto the Tartar. He was certainly the most absolute Prince that ever swayed the Ottoman Empire: but of no Religion, seldom fasting in the month of Ramasan, contemning and laughing at the Santones, and others of their Religious Orders. He was very inquisitive into all Actions of the City, for which he maintained his Spies, and oftentimes took his rules and measures from discourses of people concerning his Government. He was a great Dissembler, ready, active, and revengeful, covetous to ex∣tremity, having left fifteen millions of Gold in his Treasury, which was empty when he entred upon the Soveraignty. In short, he was so bad, that he had scarce any allay of Vertue; being so great a Tyrant, that at length he became his own Assasinate, and fell unlamented by all but the two Companions of his bestial excess.

The End of Sultan Morat's Life.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Avack in Turkish signi∣fies a Foot.
• * 1.2

  Amurat instal∣led.
• * 1.3

  Which is a dispensing of Mutton to the Poor.
• * 1.4

  The chief City of the Krim Tartar.
• * 1.5

  Gherey the name of the Family.
• * 1.6

  The form of Cosacks Boats.
• * 1.7

  Bethlem Gabor desires assi∣stance against the Emperour.
• * 1.8

  The Siege rai∣sed at Bagdat, and the Turks overthrown.
• * 1.9

  Duke of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and Count Mansfelt joyn with the Prince of Transylva∣nia.
• * 1.10

  The Empe∣rours Army deseated.
• * 1.11

  Peace conclu∣ded between the Emperour and Gabor.
• * 3.1

  Another Ex∣pedition into Persia.
• * 3.2

  Proposition made by the Persian for a Peace.
• * 3.3

  Rejected by the Turk.
• * 3.4

  The Pirates of Tunis and Al∣gier trouble the Seas.
• * 3.5

  A Fight at Sea by mistake.
• * 3.6

  Proposals of Accommoda∣tion with A∣bassa.
• * 3.7

  Erzirum be∣sieged.
• * 3.8

  The Siege rai∣sed.
• * 3.9

  New troubles from Tartary
• * 3.10

  The Janisaries mutiny.
• * 3.11

  They consent to treat with Abassa.
• * 3.12

  Abassa recon∣ciled to the Grand Sigmot.
• * 3.13

  The Vizier and Abassa make their Entry in∣to Constantino∣ple.
• * 3.14

  The Jews at Constantinople how treated.
• * 3.15

  The Tartars o∣verthrown by the Polanders.
• * 3.16

  The death of Bethlem Gabor.
• * 3.17

  The Widow of Bethlem Gabor perswaded to quit her Go∣vernment.
• * 3.18

  The Principa∣lity offered to Ragotski.
• * 3.19

  Ragotski cho∣sen Prince.
• * 3.20

  A Victory gai∣ned by the Turks over the Persians.
• * 3.21

  The difficulty of sending men into Persia.
• * 3.22

  The Cosacks trouble the Turks.
• * 3.23

  The disorders in the Ottoman State.
• * 3.24

  The Vizier prepares to be∣siege Bagdat.
• * 3.25

  The Siege.
• * 3.26

  The Siege rai∣sed.
• * 3.27

  The Poles and Turks make Peace.
• * 3.28

  The Cosacks and Tartars compared.
• * 3.29

  Troubles in Hungary.
• * 3.30

  The G. Signior affrighted with Lightning.
• * 3.31

  Illay retaken from the Turks.
• * 3.32

  The Vizier de∣prived of his Office.
• * 3.33

  Mutiny of the Spahees joyn∣ed with the Ja∣nisaries.
• * 3.34

  The Vizier strangled by order of the Grand Signior.
• * 3.35

  Rebellion in Anatolia.
• * 3.36

  Mutinies at Buda.
• * 3.37

  Troubles in Moldavia.
• * 3.38

  The French Interpreter empaled.
• * 3.39

  The Peace made with Persia, and speedily bro∣ken.
• * 3.40

  Perswasions for a War a∣gainst the Em∣perour.
• * 3.41

  A Peace made between the Emperour and the Grand Sig∣nior.
• * 3.42

  Preparations of War made a∣gainst Emir Facardin.
• * 3.43

  A Fight of the whole Turkish Fleet against two English Ships.
• * 3.44

  The Son of Fa∣cardin over∣thrown,
• * 3.45

  and is stran∣gled.
• * 3.46

  A sort of Ves∣sel or Ship so called by the Turks.
• * 3.47

  Morat exerci∣ses several acts of Tyranny.
• * 3.48

  Morat destroys the Taverns.
• * 3.49

  Hangs a Vene∣tian Merchant.
• * 3.50

  The Turks make War on the Poles.
• * 3.51

  A Fight be∣tween the Turks and the Poles.
• * 3.52

  An Ambassa∣dour sent to the G. Signior from Poland.
• * 3.53

  Several mis∣chiefs by water and fire.
• * 3.54

  A terrible fire at Constantino∣ple.
• * 3.55

  Reasons for a War with Po∣land.
• * 3.56

  The Victory which the Poles obtained 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Mos∣covites.
• * 3.57

  They make a Peace.
• * 3.58

  The Turk sends an Am∣bassadour into Poland to de∣sire a Peace.
• * 3.59

  Abassa stran∣gled.
• * 3.60

  Articles of Peace agreed between the Poles and the Turks.
• * 3.61

  A difference between the French Am∣bassadour and the Captain-Pasha.
• * 3.62

  The French Druggerman hanged
• * 3.63

  The Sicur Marcheville forcibly sent away.
• * 3.64

  Acts of cruelty.
• * 3.65

  The G. Signior returns to Scu∣tari.
• * 3.66

  The G. Signior resolves to go to Persia in person.
• * 3.67

  Bethlem renews his complaints to the Grand Signior.
• * 3.68

  His reasons to be re-inslated.
• * 3.69

  The Turks send an Army into Transyl∣vania.
• * 3.70

  Ragotski im∣plores aid from the Emperour.
• * 3.71

  It is debated in Council.
• * 3.72

  The Emperour resuses succour to Ragotski.
• * 3.73

  Ragotski ob∣tains succours under-hand.
• * 3.74

  The Turks en∣ter Transylvania.
• * 3.75

  They fight with Cornis,
• * 3.76

  are over∣thrown.
• * 3.77

  Peace is made.
• * 3.78

  Morat at Erzrum.
• * 3.79

  The Grand Signiors pati∣ence and la∣bours.
• * 3.80

  Revan betray∣ed and surren∣dred by Emir Gumir.
• * 3.81

  Rejoycing and a Festival kept for it at Con∣stantinople.
• * 3.82

  The Turks en∣ter farther into Persia.
• * 3.83

  Tauris destroy∣ed.
• * 3.84

  Festival for re∣turn of the G. Signior.
• * 3.85

  His aversion to Tabaco.
• * 3.86

  Revan regain∣ed by the Per∣sian.
• * 3.87

  The Grand Signiors seve∣rity and cruel∣ty.
• * 3.88

  Disturbances in Poland and Hungary.
• * 3.89

  The Turks confirm the Peace with Po∣land;
• * 3.90

  Send Forces against Ragot∣ski.
• * 3.91

  Mutiny in the Turkish Army.
• * 3.92

  Van befieged by the Persi∣ans.
• * 3.93

  Fifteen thou∣sand Turks kil∣led in an Am∣bush.
• * 3.94

  Mutiny of the Souldiers.
• * 3.95

  A new Vizier sent to the Ar∣my.
• * 3.96

  A Persian Am∣bassadour sent to the Grand Signior.
• * 3.97

  Troubles in the lesser Tartary.
• * 3.98

  Cantemir makes a new Colony.
• * 3.99

  He is over∣thrown by the Tartar Han.
• * 3.100

  Cantemir put to death.
• * 3.101

  The King of Tartary killed.
• * 3.102

  Beehir Gherey ordained King of Tartary.
• * 3.103

  Asac besieged.
• * 3.104

  Is taken by the Cosacks.
• * 3.105

  The cause of the Civil War between the Poles and Co∣sacks.
• * 3.106

  The Cosacks Country de∣scribed.
• * 3.107

  Preparations for the War in Persis.
• * 3.108

  The extrava∣gant pleasures and cruelties of Morat.
• * 3.109

  The March of the Turkish Army.
• * 3.110

  Cyrillus the Pa∣triarch stran∣gled.
• * 3.111

  The Pirates of Algier and Tunis insest the Gulf of Venice.
• * 3.112

  capello blocks up the Pirates in Valona.
• * 3.113

  He assaults them in the Port.
• * 3.114

  The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 angry at this News.
• * 3.115

  The Grand Signiors anger against the Ve∣netians.
• * 3.116

  The Venetians Bailo impriso∣ned.
• * 3.117

  〈◊◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊◊〉.
• * 3.118

  Morat marches to Persia.
• * 3.119

  A Shegh re∣bels.
• * 3.120

  He is over∣come and pu∣nished.
• * 3.121

  The Persian Army dares not give battel to the Turk.
• * 3.122

  The Turks pass the River Ell∣phratis.
• * 3.123

  The Turkish Army at Mosa.
• * 3.124

  The descripti∣on of Babylon or Bagdat.
• * 3.125

  Bagdat desieg∣ed.
• * 3.126

  Bagdat taken.
• * 3.127

  The Grand Sig∣nior returns to Constantinople.
• * 3.128

  The Grand Sig∣niors Entry in∣to Constantino∣ple.
• * 3.129

  An Ambassa∣dour sent from Persia to the Grand Signior.
• * 3.130

  A Peace con∣cluded.
• * 3.131

  Troubles in Moldavia and Valachia.
• * 3.132

  The Chimacam put to death.
• * 3.133

  September 1639.
• * 3.134

  An Envoyé sent from the Emperour to the Grand Sig∣nior.
• * 3.135

  The Turkish Counsels un∣certain about a War.
• * 3.136

  The Vizier re∣turns from Per∣sia.
• * 3.137

  The death of Sultan Morat.
• * 3.138

  His Character.