The history of the Turkish Empire, from the year 1623, to the year 1677 Containing the reigns of the three last emperors, viz. Sultan Morat, or Amurat IV. Sultan Ibrahim, and Sultan Mahomet IV, his son, the thirteenth emperor, now reigning. By Sir Paul Rycaut, late consul of Smyrna.

ANNO 1653.

BUT these Troubles being with time com∣posed, the Grand Vizier desired greatly the Conquest of Candia, which being by experience proved to be with difficulty guined by the Sword, he endeavoured to win it by fairer Terms; and to that end wrote a Letter to the Republick of Venice, in Letters of Gold; wherein he decla∣red, that it seemed strange to him, that the Se∣nate had not dispatched their Ambassador to him with the surrender of Candia, in regard that thereby they might assure themselves to purchase a certain Peace, which they vainly re∣tarded by such delays. Howsoever in these Let∣ters no mention was made of the Causes, or Reasons, why Signior Capello, who was an emi∣nent Person, being Procurator of St. Mark, and sent thither for Bailo, was so ill treated with Im∣prisonment at his Arrival, notwithstanding the permission and encouragement which was given for his kind reception, obtained at the instance of the French Ambassador; but this Restraint continued not long upon him, before he was released with a daily Allowance (which con∣tinued for some time) of 1200 Aspers a Day; and afterwards the Court returning from Adria∣nople to Constantinople, he was permitted to lodg in the Palace which belongs to the Bailo's of Venice.

The Venetian Fleet being Victorious at Sea, made it their work to keep the Mouth of the Dardanelles always blocked up, whereby they hindered all Succours from Candia: notwith∣standing which diligence, the Venetians being sometimes forced, for the sake of Water and Provision, to abandon that Station; the Turks took hold of the opportunity to escape forth; but being eagerly pursued by the Venetians, they were forced to take Sanctuary in Rhodes, where being again blocked up, the affairs in Candia suffered much, and the Complaints from thence were loud at the Court. So that Orders were sent, and often repeated unto the Captain-Pasha, that he should spend no longer time in

Rhodes, but that in despight of all Difficulties, he should immediately proceed to Candia, and fight through the Venetians in case they remain∣ed in the way to interrupt his passage; but the Captain-Pasha notwithstanding these Orders, and Menaces which accompanied them, could not perswade himself to the Hazard of a Bat∣tel; till at length, the season of the Year spend∣ing, and being wearied in the Port of Rhodes, he resolved to adventure abroad; but instead of going to Candia, he plundered the Islands as he passed, and returned to Constantinople, with 40 Gallies, where he hoped with the Booty he had plundered to appease the anger of the Di∣van against him: but this Sacrifice did not much avail, for he was not sooner arrived, than his Person was seized, and Goods sealed up for the use of the Grand Signior; the which Seal his Sons broke open, and taking with them the richest and most considerable part of their Fa∣ther's Estate, laded it on one of the Gallies, and fled therewith into Foreign Parts, little re∣garding that danger in which they had left their Father to perish. During which time the Ve∣netions still maintained their Guards on the Coasts of Candia, not suffering any Recruits of Men, or Provisions for War, to be transported thither; so that if the Turks designed to pro∣secute this War, it must be by new Forces, and such as were able to encounter the Marine Power of the Enemy; the which being resolved upon by the Council, a heavy Tax was laid on the people to carry on the Design, which they not willingly supporting, made a publick Insur∣rection in the City; and at the same time also the ancient Quarrel between the Spahees and Jani∣saries, began again to ferment; which Trou∣bles being added to a Rebellion raised by the Pasha of Aleppo, who increasing in strength and number, came marching towards Constantinople, put that great City into a horrible Fear and Confusion.