The fourth volume of letters writ by a Turkish spy who lived five and forty years undiscover'd at Paris : giving an impartial account to the Divan at Constantinople of the most remarkable transactions of Europe, and discovering several intrigues and secrets of the Christian courts (especially of that of France) continued from the year 1642 to the year 1682 / written originally in Arabick, translated into Italian, and from thence into English, by the translator of the first volume.

LETTER XVII.

To the Chiaus Bassa.

THE Peace agreed on last Year between the Germans and Suedes, is not yet fully establish'd and confirm'd. There has been a Cessation of Arms since that Time. And now the Duke Amalfe, on the Emperor's Side, the Duke of Vandort for the King of France, and he of Ersken for the Crown of Suedeland, are met at Norimbergh, to conclude a Final Ra∣tification of the Articles.

During this Consult, the Suedish Army, are permitted by the Emperour's Agreement, to Quarter up and down in Seven Circles of the Empire, and not to be discharg'd, till all their Arrears are paid at the Cost of the Ger∣mans. 'Tis said, it will amount to Three Millions of Sequins. This War has lasted near Thirty Years; in which, above Three Hundred Thousand Men have lost their Lives.

As to the English Affairs, the Prevailing Party there, have declar'd that Ancient King∣dom to be a Free State, and the Monarchy is

Abolish'd by a Publick Act. Nevertheless, after Charles was beheaded, his Eldest Son was Proclaimed King, both in England and Ireland, by some of the Nobles and Gentry, that were Friends to that Royal Family. And in Ireland, a certain great Duke appear'd at the Head of a Numerous Army, in Behalf of the Young King's Interest, having laid Siege to the Metropolis of that Kingdom; which, with one o∣ther Town, were the only strong Holds, that resisted the King's Party. But in the 8th. Moon, the Army which the English States had newly sent over to that Island, engag'd with the Forces of this Duke, entirely routed them, killing Two Thousand Men on the Spot, and taking many Thousand Prisoners, with all their Ammunition and Baggage. This being seconded with other Victories, in a short Time, reduc'd that Kingdom, under the Obedience of the English States.

In the mean Time, I hear no pleasing News from the Levant. Vessels daily arrive in the Havens of France, who confirm each other's Relations, of a Dreadful Naval Combat, be∣tween Our Fleet and that of the Venetians; wherein they say, we have lost Seventy Two Gallies, Threescore Merchant-Vessels, and Eighteen Ships of War: That in this Fight, Six Thousand Five Hundred Mussulmans have lost their Lives, and near Ten Thousand were taken Prisoners.

I tell thee, these are great Breaches in the Navy, which, belonging to the Lord of the Sea and Land, has assum'd to it self the Epi∣thet

of INVINCIBLE. These are Ble∣mishes in the Ensigns of high Renown; Re∣proaches to the Empire, which we believe is to subdue All Nations. I reflect not on the Courage, or Conduct, of the Captain Bassa. Neither am I willing to help forward the Ru∣ine of a Man, who cannot expect to be ho∣nour'd with a Vest, a Sword, or any other Marks of the Sultan's Favour for his Service in this Sea-Campagne. I am Naturally com∣passionate. 'Tis not in my Praise I speak it; for, I believe this Tenderness, to be rather a Vice of my Constitution, than to have any Rank in the Morals, much less to be of Kin to the Family of Vertues. I pity a Man falling into Disgrace, on whom the Weather of the Seraglio changes, from which he must expect Nothing but Clouds and Storms. Those Tem∣pests will prove more Fatal to him, than any that ever toss'd his Fleet on the Ruffled Ocean. In all Probability, he will suffer a Shipwreck of his Fortune, if not of his Life. Therefore, 'tis with extreme Regret, I must say that which may hasten his Fall.

But I am commanded, not to conceal any Intelligence that relates to the Interest of the Sublime Port; nor to spare the Son of my Mother, if I know him Guilty of Criminal Practices.

All that I have to lay to the Charge of the Bassa of the Sea, is, a Private Correspon∣dence which he holds with Cardinal Maza∣rini. This I discover'd by the Assistance of a Dwarf, whom I have often mention'd in

my Letters to the Grandees of the Port. I need not repeat to thee, what I have said already to them, of the Birth, Education and Genius of Osmin, (for, so is the little Spark call'd) nor of the Method I have put him upon, to wind himself into the Secrets of the Publick Ministers. Onely thou mayst report to the Divan, That this diminutive Man, continues to pursue his Advantages of Access to the Clo∣sets of the French Ministers, whereof I gave an Account last Year, in a Letter to Chiurgi Muhamm••t Bassa.

Thou mayst assure them also, that when he was Yesterday in the Chamber of Cardinal Mazarini, he cast his Eye on a Letter, which lay open on the Table; whilst the Cardinal was in earnest Discourse, with an Extraordinary Courier from Rome. He had not Opportu∣nity to read more than the Superscription, and a Line or two of the Matter; which con∣tain'd these Words:

The Mild Commander, The humble Shadow of the Bright Star of the Sea, Bilal Cap∣tain Bassa.

To the most Illustrious Prince of the King∣dom of the Messiah, Eminent among the High Lords of Holy Honour, the Sub∣lime Directors of the People of Jesus, Assistant to the Chair of Sovereign Dig∣nity, the Seat of the Roman Caliph, Julio Mazarini, Cardinal, and our Friend.

May whose later Days, encrease in Happiness.

THY affectionate Letter and Presents, were deliver'd safe to me, as I lay at Anchor with the Fleet under my Command, not far from the Island of Chios. And as a Mark of my Acknowledgment, and good Will to thee, and all the Nazarenes; I em∣brac'd in my Arms, the Noble Captain, Sig∣nior Antonio Maratelli, who had the Ho∣nour to be trusted with this Negotiation. I immediately disrob'd my self, and caus'd that brave Italian, thy Messenger, to be vested with my own Garment, as a Pledge of —

Before Osmin cou'd read farther, the Car∣dinal approach'd the Table, and took up the Letter, letting fall some Words to the Cou∣rier, by which the Dwarf was confirmed in his Suspicion of the Bassa's Perfidiousness, and that this Letter newly came from him. He posted immediately to give me an Account of this Passage; believing it to be, as it is, of great Import. For, he has a singular Regard for the Family, which first exterminated the Greeks from Constantinople.

Thou know'st what Use to make of this In∣telligence. I am not Cruelly inclin'd, but I must do my Duty. The Rest I refer to thy Prudence.

I will only advertise thee of One farther Remark of Osmin; who by comparing what he has seen now, with a Discourse he once before over-heard between Mazarini and a French Nobleman, whilst he lay under the Cardinal's Table, (which I have inserted in one of my Letters) concludes, That the Bassa there mention'd by the Cardinal, was this same Bilal Bassa, who was at the In∣stance of the Janizaries, made Bassa of the Sea.

I could not without making my self an Ac∣complice, conceal so foul an Ingratitude to the Grand Signior, and so Villainous a Treason against the Empire, which holds the First Rank among all the Dominions on Earth.

Paris, 24th. of the 9th. Moon, of the Year 1649.