INTERCOURSE OF FOREIGNERS.—FOREIGN CONSULS.—HOW FAR THE NATIVES ARE
BENEFITED BY THEIR INTERCOURSE WITH FOREIGN RESIDENTS.
A considerable number of foreign Europeans reside in both
principalities, where they are attracted by a variety of resources.
The principal merchants and bankers, either from birthright or from
foreign naturalisation, carry on their business under the immediate
protection of European courts; without which the general system of the
local governments, so prejudicial to the interests of trade, would give
but little security to their operations.
There are at both capitals several German and French coachmakers,
carpenters, builders, architects, teachers of European languages and
music, physicians, and apothecaries, all of whom have rendered
themselves extremely useful to the native inhabitants, and derive no
small profit from the exercise of their respective professions. Almost
all the importers of foreign furniture, luxuries in ladies’ apparel and
other kinds of retail trade, undertakers of subscription-clubs, and of
coffee-houses of the better sort, ladies’ shoemakers, mantuamakers, and
taylors, are also European foreigners.
A great number of Transylvanian and Hungarian gentry of the inferior
rank are attracted by the advantages of renting the Boyars’ estates.
According to the treaties existing between the Porte and other powers,
foreign subjects are not permitted in any manner to hold, as
proprietors, landed property in the Ottoman dominions; the prince of
Moldavia observing how little this stipulation had been attended to in
his principality, thought it necessary, in 1815, to issue a decree which
ordered the expulsion of foreign farmers. The Boyars, whose best estates
were under their management, and who had every reason to be satisfied
with them, strongly opposed the measure; their representations finally
induced the prince to give his tacit consent to their wishes; and,
properly speaking, this stipulation of the treaties does not include the
principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia, and ought not to be applied to
them.
The progress of the Russian arms previous to the peace of Kaïnargik, had
enabled the cabinet of St. Petersburgh to become the arbiter of the fate
of Turkey. Whatever might have been the Empress Catharine’s motives for
consenting to the conclusion of that peace, she did not remain less
sanguine in her favourite project of conquering the empire of the East,
and the special clauses in the treaty, which gave her the power of
interfering in the affairs of the Wallachians and Moldavians, were
calculated not only to secure to her the affections of the people for
whom they were most immediately intended, but at the same time to
incline the other Christian subjects of Turkey to look upon her as their
natural defender, and their future deliverer.
No subsequent events prevented her from employing her right of
interference, though, according to circumstances, it may at times have
been exercised with more or less energy; and the policy pursued by her
successors evidently denotes the continuation of a system which has an
important object in view, however distant the possibility of attaining
it.[43]
In order, however, to exercise her influence with the activity necessary
to ensure success, the empress had insisted also that the Porte should
acknowledge the residence in the two principalities of imperial agents,
to whom she thought proper to give the title of consuls, as most adapted
to screen her views, and to justify her apparent one of enlarging the
trade of her empire, and giving protection and assistance to those of
her subjects who were willing to extend their commercial transactions to
the principalities. This pretext was in fact plausible; for the Russian
merchants who had till then been in the habit of trading in those
countries, had complained much of the difficulties and vexations they
had constantly experienced from the irregularities of the local
governments.
However unwilling to recognise the future residence of public agents
from the court of Russia, the Porte was unable to oppose it with any
prospect of success, and consequently consented.
The court of Vienna soon after followed the example, though from motives
of a more commercial nature; and the consuls of Russia once admitted,
the Ottoman government could not refuse to acknowledge those of Austria.
The Greeks saw with no little regret the arrival of these foreign
agents, who not only checked their authority over the foreign trade, but
became also competent witnesses of their political system and
administration, and the accredited reporters of all their actions. But,
as it was out of their power to oppose the arrangements of the imperial
courts, they thought it best to set their submission to the profit of
their vanity in receiving the consuls as envoys sent by foreign powers
to independent princes. They introduced for their reception the
formalities and ceremonial of the public audiences given by the Grand
Vezier to European ambassadors at Constantinople, and they revived the
custom of the Voïvodes, of being seated on an elevated throne on similar
occasions.
Under the republic of France, French consuls were sent for the first
time to reside in the principalities, and their establishment has been
kept up without interruption under the successive governments of France.
On several occasions they were very useful to Buonaparte.
A British consul-general was for the first time appointed in 1802 to
reside at Bukorest, chiefly for the purpose of facilitating the overland
communications between England and Turkey. After the peace of Tilsit he
was recalled, and the consulate was renewed in 1813, with the additional
motive of promoting commercial intercourse with the principalities.
The pope has for many years been represented by a bishop in Wallachia,
and by a vicar in Moldavia; the latter has recently been promoted to the
rank of a bishop.
The number of Roman Catholic inhabitants is considerable; most of the
Servian, Bulgarian, and Transylvanian settlers belong to that
persuasion. They have two fine churches at Bukorest and at Yassi.
There are also two protestant churches originally founded by Charles
XII. of Sweden during his long residence in the principalities. They are
superintended by a vicar appointed and paid by the archbishop of
Stockholm. The protestant inhabitants are German, and their number
amounts to one thousand. All foreign churches, provided they profess the
doctrines of christianity, are not only tolerated in the principalities,
but allowed a variety of privileges which they cannot enjoy in any part
of the Turkish dominions. The metropolies seldom interfere with their
affairs, and when any circumstance obliges them so to do, they bear
every possible regard to their institutions, and never assume the tone
of superiority.
In general, the social intercourse between the natives and foreign
inhabitants is carried on upon a much more friendly footing than might
be expected from the number of national prejudices that still divide
them, in opinions, religion, and established customs. The natural
hospitality of the Boyars makes no exceptions with foreigners; and if on
one hand this quality loses a part of its merit in being the mere effect
of custom, on the other it does not deserve the less credit when totally
divested of ostentatious motives.
It would appear that little benefit is to be expected by the inhabitants
of a country long occupied by Russian armies, and made the principal
theatre of military operations. Yet the late intercourse between those
of the principalities, and the Russians, and the prospect of their being
incorporated with the Russian empire, have, in many respects, improved
their civilisation. A variety of barbarous customs existing before have
been abolished; usages and institutions were introduced which tended to
their improvement, and the exterior manners of the Boyars have undergone
a polish which is not unworthy of more enlightened nations. Those of
Moldavia would view with pleasure any political change in their country
which offered to them the sure prospect of improvement in civilisation.
Those of Wallachia have long since consoled themselves for the
improbability of any early change, by taking a very active part in the
general system of rapacity, of which it has become the lot of their
countrymen of inferior order to bear the weight.
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS
ON THE
POLITICAL POSITION OF THE PRINCIPALITIES.
When we reflect upon the deplorable condition of Wallachia and Moldavia,
examine the causes of their evils, and cast an eye upon the numerous
gifts with which nature has enriched them,—when we compare the effects
of demoralisation and ruin, which are the natural consequences of their
present system of administration, to the advantages that would accrue to
them from a regular and permanent form of government,—it is hardly
possible not to regret that the question of a change in their political
fate was not proposed and resolved at the late congress of Vienna.
A variety of facts related in the foregoing pages have, perhaps,
sufficiently demonstrated the nullity of the independence still
acknowledged by the Ottoman Court to the constitution of its
transdanubean Principalities, and the little regard it bears to the
common prosperity of their affairs. That those countries should resume
independency, and maintain themselves in it by their own means alone,
would, however, be as absurd, as it is impossible to expect. But that
they should be rescued from the hands of those who act as their worst
enemies, and placed under the special protection of some great Christian
power, under whose influence they might be enabled to employ their
resources to their own profit and to that of their neighbours, give to
their trade all the extent it is capable of compassing,—under which, in
short they might have the hope of soon placing themselves on a footing
with the civilised world—formed an object which called forth the
attention of Christian Europe, and which, in magnitude and importance,
had at least equal claims to it as the question relating to the Ionian
Islands, to which the Turks had no smaller pretensions, though neither
more nor less valid.
Conformity of religion, and the old standing connections between Russia
and the principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia, point out that power
as their natural protector; but, if the security of Europe forbids the
recognition of further encroachments of the Russians on Turkey, though
at the same time the political change in the principalities had been
once regularly admitted, would not a partition made of them between
Austria and Russia have been equally beneficial in its consequences, and
at all events preferable in every respect to the _statu quo_? Indeed,
upon the very principle of impeding the progress of Russia, the
occupation of Wallachia by the Austrians was a measure of the first
necessity, as sufficiently capable of forming an insurmountable barrier
against the Russians. Without it, what obstacle will ever prevent these
from extending the whole of their frontier on the side of European
Turkey to the Danube? and once entirely masters of the borders of that
river, the road to Constantinople is open to them, and the political
existence of the Turkish empire is left to depend on the will and
pleasure of the Russian emperor.
Austria, as long as she is willing to maintain her present extent of
power, would certainly feel herself far from secure at the approach of
the Russians on so great a line of her eastern frontiers, and would not
tacitly consent to be severed from Turkey in a manner so as to alter
materially the course of her communications with that country, and
almost to preclude the possibility of affording it future assistance;
neither would the rest of Europe, interested in obstructing the further
designs of aggrandisement of Russia, view such an event without alarming
apprehensions.
The precautions which the best political prudence could have suggested,
ought, therefore, to have brought the Austrians into Wallachia, where
they should have improved the fortifications at the most essential
points. Such a measure, carried into execution, the Russians would in
vain have attempted new encroachments; they could not have made one step
into Turkey without the permission of the Austrians.
It has been said that the Russian plenipotentiaries at the congress of
Vienna observed so profound a silence with respect to Turkish affairs,
and so carefully avoided any opportunities of hearing them named, as to
prove evidently, that in her concerns with that Power Russia wishes to
remain her own arbiter. Perhaps, by that conduct, she prevented what she
feared; for, had the partition of Wallachia and Moldavia been proposed
to her, with the cession of the latter province to herself, could she
possibly have brought forwards any reasonable objections? The
arrangement would have appeared so suitable to all parties, that she
could not have opposed it without betraying ambitious and subversive
views; Turkey must have consented, if she bore any regard to her own
future safety; and the inhabitants of the principalities,
notwithstanding that they would in both have preferred the patronage of
Russia to any interference of Austria, would soon have begun to feel the
importance of the change in their favour.
What are the effects of the present system?—
The policy of the Turks in the principalities, renders them detestable
to their inhabitants. They send men devoid of principles, bereft of all
feelings of humanity, to exhibit a farce of sovereignty over them, and
to display an arrogant and insulting power, in order to intimidate them
into submission, and to impose with less difficulty an almost
intolerable yoke. These agents of authority are looked upon by the two
nations, whom they are sent to govern, not as their natural
well-wishers, but as the chief enemies of the State; and the Turks being
justly considered as the true authors of all their evils, the hand of
vengeance is constantly raised over them, waiting for the opportunity
when it can act with most efficacy.[44]
Russia is perfectly aware that such sentiments and dispositions
constantly prevail amongst the Wallachians and Moldavians. The authority
which she holds from her treaties with the Porte, enables her to
interfere in all manner with their affairs, and to create, through their
means, motives of discord between herself and Turkey whenever she finds
a moment propitious to a rupture; and she may even, when she thinks
proper, give an apparent urgency to such circumstances to justify any
sudden seizure of the two provinces, operated without any previous
declaration of war, and before the Porte could have entertained a
suspicion of her intentions.
Turkey then, in being possessed of Wallachia and Moldavia on the present
footing, is only favoured with a momentary advantage, very
disproportionate to the danger of being involved through them in war
against Russia, an event which must necessarily follow any attempts on
the part of the latter to seize on the principalities, and which,
according to the present political arrangements existing in Europe,
would not fail to create again general convulsion.
From these considerations, it would appear evident, that as long as the
transdanubean provinces continue to be a source of discord between
Russia and Turkey, and as long as the important question relating to
them remains unsettled, peace and tranquillity in Europe will only be of
imaginary stability.
In the pacific sentiments which so eminently distinguish the Emperor
Alexander, we have, indeed, a solid guarantee against any hostile
attempts on Turkey; but the life of man being so precarious, is the hope
of a long and uninterrupted peace to rest on the mere knowledge of that
sovereign’s personal character? And even if the Emperor Alexander
should, contrary to present expectations, march his armies again into
Moldavia and Wallachia, for the purpose of taking permanent possession
of them, could we, in strict justice, accuse him of ambition in the
performance of an act which common humanity dictates to any Christian
power?
It is asserted that the success of the late great efforts against
Buonaparte had, in a great measure, depended upon the Porte’s forbearing
to take a part against Russia, and that the allies, in order to induce
the Turkish cabinet to adhere to the resolution it had evinced of
remaining neutral, had promised to guarantee, whatever might happen, the
integrity of the Ottoman empire; that the Porte, subsequently relying on
this promise, declared itself entirely foreign to the objects in
discussion at the congress of Vienna, and consequently was not invited
to send ministers to it.
Now, that the co-operation of Turkey, with or against Russia and her
allies, could have made the least impression on the destinies of Europe,
at a time that the nation itself seemed so decidedly averse to the
resumption of a war, and that the state was exhausted, appears most
doubtful; but that the participation of the Turks in the transactions of
the Congress might have settled affairs in a much more solid and lasting
manner, is extremely probable. It is at that universal tribunal alone,
formed for the vast purpose of creating a just and unchangeable
equilibrium in the political affairs of Europe, that the Turks might
have been made to understand and to feel the necessity of renouncing to
possessions beyond the Danube, which, as they have no longer the means
of maintaining and defending them, must, in their hands, continue to be
a source of unceasing contentions, and a subject of wars, which will not
only endanger the safety of the Ottoman empire, but also compromise the
tranquillity of all Europe; and that the Danube being, in fact, the
natural frontier of their present extent of empire in that part of it,
is alone calculated to offer them security. And those tottering
Ottomans, whose existence in Europe is already tolerated with too much
indulgence, and who must be aware, notwithstanding the high opinion they
entertain of their own importance, how much they are at the mercy of
Christian powers, would they have ventured to combat any decisions of
the congress which deprived them of a comparatively small extent of
territory to enable them to preserve the remainder of their possessions
in Europe? Could they have insisted upon the strict observance of former
promises, when circumstances so important, concurring even to their own
safety, revoked them, and whilst they themselves have, in many
instances, been guilty of infractions to their very treaties?
No opportunity was ever, or will, perhaps, be again so favourable to the
decision of this important question, as the Congress of Vienna; however,
it passed there under general silence. This silence may indeed have
originated in motives of great weight, but it could only have been of a
momentary necessity, and probably it will not a little contribute to the
causes of the first hostile shot that will be fired on the continent of
Europe.
APPENDIX.
No. 1.
_Translation of a Beratt, or Diploma, given by the present Sultan
Mahmoud, Emperor Of Turkey, to Mr. Wilkinson._
The Emperor Sultan Mahmoud,
Son of Sultan Abdoulhammid
Ever Victorious!
By that glorious and imperial sign, I, who am the conqueror of the
world, and whose authority is derived from Divine will,
Ordain as follows:
The Model of the Great amongst the nation of the Messiah, the Ambassador
Extraordinary from the Court of Great Britain residing at my Sublime
Porte, Robert Liston, (whose end be happiness,) has presented to my
Imperial Porte an official note, by which he states that it is agreed by
the Imperial capitulations that the English shall have the right to name
consuls to Smyrna, Alexandria, Aleppo, Tripoli, Algiers, Tunis, and
various other parts of my Empire; and that, when they wish to recall
them no opposition shall be made: that in virtue of this agreement,
Francis Summerers had been named the 3d of the Ramazan, 1217 (6th
January 1802), consul-general in the principalities of Wallachia and
Moldavia, (acknowledged by Imperial Beratt,) to protect the affair of
the English merchants and other subjects who carry on business with
those Countries, as well as to assist the passage of couriers and
letters to and from England, and having resigned that office, the bearer
of this Imperial document, one of the most noble of the nation of the
Messiah, William Wilkinson, has been appointed consul-general in his
place. The aforesaid Ambassador, in notifying his nomination, requests,
that in virtue of the Imperial capitulations, this Imperial Beratt be
given him.
Conforming myself to what has been hitherto practised and to the
imperial capitulations, I give this imperial and august sign to the said
William Wilkinson, and I ordain that he shall have henceforward the
power of exercising the functions of British Consul in the aforesaid
principalities; that he shall, according to the imperial capitulations,
have to direct the public affairs of the English in Wallachia and
Moldavia, and give every assistance with regard to the expedition of
couriers and dispatches to and from England. All individuals, subjects
of Great Britain, shall have to apply directly to him when they
encounter difficulties in their affairs, and none must be permitted to
depart from those Countries without being furnished with a passport from
him.
It is not allowed that the servants of consuls be called upon to pay the
capitation tax called _Haratsh_, nor the common contributions called
_Avariz_, nor any of the arbitrary taxes and imposts levied under the
name of _Russumus_, and _Tekaléfi-Urfié_. No one is permitted to demand
of the consuls _Haratsh_ or other contributions because they may have in
their service slaves of the one or the other sex. No one shall molest
them with regard to their private property, baggage, or provisions; and,
according to former practice, they are exempted from custom-house and
other duties for all such objects. And as consuls are the
representatives of their governments, they shall never be arrested;
their houses shall never be sealed, and no troops shall ever be
quartered in them.
The abovementioned Consul, with his people and slaves, is therefore
exempted from _Haratsh_, _Avariz_, _Hassabié-Ahtshessi_, and all other
taxes, impositions, &c. If any one has a lawsuit with him, it shall be
heard no where but at my Sublime Porte.
If the said Consul shall, at any time, wish to travel to any part of my
dominions, he shall not be molested by any one, either going or coming,
by sea or by land, in private houses or post-houses, neither for his
baggage, equipages, or servants. Wherever he goes provisions shall be
given him at the common prices of the market, and no one shall have to
make the least difficulty. Wherever he may meet with danger he is at
liberty to wear the Turkish dress with the white turban, as also any
military dress with the sabre, bow and arrows, spurs, &c. The princes,
governors, and other officers, not only shall not molest him, but shall
likewise give him every assistance and attention.
All such as do not abide by these orders shall be punished accordingly.
Every one is to conform himself to the Imperial capitulations, and to my
glorious signature which prescribes submission; no contrary proceeding
shall be permitted or tolerated.
Given at my Imperial residence of Constantinople the well-guarded, 24th
Gemassielevel, 1229. (24th May, 1814.)
APPENDIX, No. 2.
_Additional Articles to the Treaty signed at Kaïnargik, the 10th July,
1775, relating to Wallachia, Moldavia, &c._
The Court of Russia restores to the Sublime Porte the whole province of
Bessarabba, with its fortified places, viz. Akkerman, Killia, Ismaïl,
Bender, and the other towns and villages within that province; as well
as the principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia, with the fortresses,
capitals, towns, and villages belonging to them.
The Sublime Porte, in taking possession of them, solemnly engages to
observe the following conditions, without the least deviation:—
1st. To acknowledge and maintain the constitutions of the two
principalities, the established customs, rank, dignities, property, and
churches of the two nations, without any exception whatever: to give
them total amnesty and pardon conformably to the 1st article of the
general treaty: to leave unmolested all such persons as have not
remained faithful to the Ottoman interest; to admit them to their former
ranks, and to restore to them any property and possessions they had
previous to the war.
2d. To oppose no sort of difficulty to the free exercise of the
Christian religion in the said principalities, nor to the repair or
construction of churches and other buildings.
3d. To restore to the monasteries in the neighbourhood of Ibraïl, Hotim,
and Bender, all the property belonging to them, and which had, contrary
to justice, been taken from them.
4th. To acknowledge and bear all due regard to the ecclesiastical order.
5th. To permit those families and individuals who have any desire of
retiring to Russia, or elsewhere, to depart freely with their moveable
property, and to allow them a year’s time previous to such departure
that they may settle their affairs in the country.
6th. To renounce entirely the payment of old accounts, for whatever
relates to former contributions.
7th. To claim no tribute from the inhabitants of the said province and
principalities for the space of time that they have been occupied by the
Russians, and in consideration of the losses and sufferings sustained by
them on account of the war, to claim no sort of tribute from them for
the space of two years after the date of the treaty.
8th. The Porte engages to show every regard and humanity to the
inhabitants of the said countries, at and after the expiration of the
term mentioned in the 7th article, relative to the tribute and taxes
which they shall then be called upon to pay, and will neither suffer nor
permit any Pasha or other person, to oppress and molest them after the
payment of the ordinary tribute. And also to allow them the free and
entire exercise of the privileges they enjoyed during the reign of
Sultan Mehmet 4th, father to the present Sultan. And the Porte shall
permit the Hospodars of Wallachia and Moldavia to have one or more
public agents to reside at Constantinople, Greeks by nation or religion,
who shall have to transact the affairs of the princes; and not only
consents to acknowledge and treat with them, but also promises to
observe in them the privileges due to persons who treat public rights
and interests, and are not under the controul of power.
The Sublime Porte also acknowledges and admits, that the Russian
ministers residing at Constantinople, shall have the right of
interfering in behalf of the affairs of the two principalities
abovementioned, and engages to pay every regard to their
representations.[45]
APPENDIX, No. 3.
_Extracts of Two Letters written from Bukorest to Mr. Wilkinson, in
London, containing the particulars of Prince Caradga’s fight from
Wallachia._
On the 7th instant (October, 1818), a messenger arrived in three days
from Constantinople to the Prince, and in the course of the same day, a
report was circulated all over the town, that the prince was preparing
to depart. On the following morning the Postelnik Vlaccuzzi, with his
wife[46] and family, was seen to go out of town in a travelling
carriage, and great preparations of departure being continued at court,
the rumours increased, and people began to be alarmed.
On Sunday the 11th, after the accustomed ceremonial at court of the
Turkish Baïram, the prince conferred titles on several persons, and made
changes in the public offices. In the afternoon he accompanied the
funeral procession of the old Bann Golesko, and on his return home, he
called the Spathar Balliano, the Aga Vakaresko, and a few others into
his closet, and informed them that his life being in danger if he
continued longer in the country, he was on the point of departure. He
recommended a good police regulation to maintain order and tranquillity,
and he named a provisional government composed of the metropolitan,
Brancovano, and Samourkash, whom he instructed to act during his
absence, until the Porte should determine on new measures of
administration. He also sent for the Russian Consul-General Mr. Pini,
and after having prevailed on him to take charge of such private
concerns as he had not had time to settle, he took a friendly leave of
them all, and got into his ordinary _calèche_, attended by two servants
only, as if going to take his usual evening drive. He repaired to
Banessa, where he was joined by the princess his wife, the princess
Rallou his daughter, and her husband the Bann Argiropulo, the young
prince Constantine, the Postelnik Mavrocordato, the Aga Vlangalli, and a
few servants, who were all waiting with travelling carriages and
post-horses, baggage, &c. They all set out together, and at a mile’s
distance from Banessa, they were joined by four hundred Albanians, (the
prince’s body-guards) well mounted and well armed. They directed their
course to Kronstadt in Transylvania, where they arrived in safety, after
four days journey, and were well received by the Austrian General
commanding on the frontiers.
The four hundred guards were sent back, and the Prince, whilst on the
road, transmitted various orders to the provisional government, as if he
continued to be the only chief of the country.
It is said he will not stop long at Kronstadt, but will proceed on to
Switzerland, where he intends to fix his abode.
Immediately after his departure, the Russian consul placed the imperial
seal on all the apartments of the court, some of which contained
furniture, and other articles of much value, after which he laid a
formal sequester upon the Prince’s private property, under the plea that
he had left unpaid several debts to Russian merchants.
All the Boyars assembled on the 12th, and wrote to the Porte the
particulars of this unexpected event, they have since held several
deliberations, and have finally agreed to send a petition to the Sultan,
representing all the miseries to which they were exposed under the
administration of Greek Princes, praying that he would henceforward
confide the government of the principality to the Divan alone, and
engaging themselves to observe faithfully all the conditions that have
been hitherto prescribed to the Hospodars. We are now waiting with
anxiety to learn the nature of the measures that the Porte will deem
most proper to adopt, and the moment is of no small importance to the
fate of this country. Meanwhile we live under continual apprehension
that the Turkish Pashahs of the neighbourhood may take upon themselves
to send troops in order to occupy the country, a circumstance which,
instead of producing the good effects of precaution, will throw every
thing into confusion and disorder, and frighten away a great number of
families, who, in that expectation, are already making preparations to
retire into Transylvania and Moldavia.
* * * * *
_10th December._—Every thing went on quietly. The Sultan, after
deliberating in his council on the subject of the Boyars’ petition, has
refused to comply with their demand, and has appointed Prince Alexander
Sutzo new Hospodar of Wallachia. His Caïmacams have already arrived, and
have taken the momentary direction of public affairs. We know for
certain that Prince Caradja, who has left Kronstadt, will fix his
residence at Geneva.
APPENDIX, No. 4.
_Derivation of various words in the Wallachian or Moldavian language,
from the Latin, Italian, Greek, and Turkish._
Wallachian. Latin. English.
Domno Dominus Lord.
Formos Formosus Handsome.
Massa Mensa Table.
Cappo Caput Head.
Venat Venatio Game.
Vorba Verbum Word.
Alb Albus White.
Sunt Sunt I am.
Lacrymæ Lacrymæ Tears.
Bunn Bonus Good.
Respuns Responsum Answer.
Pallatur Palatium Palace.
Pescator Piscator Fisher.
Pritshep Percipio I understand.
Luminar Lume Light.
Locul Locus Place.
Dzio Dies Day.
Degete Digiti Fingers.
Negro Negrum Black.
Nushtio Nescio I know not.
Scamn Scamnum Chair.
Vitric Vitricus Glass.
Incep Incipio I begin.
Ris Ris To laugh.
Böo Bos An Ox.
Parinte Parens Parents.
Unde Unde Where.
Cum Cum With.
* * * * *
Wallachian. Italian. English.
Luna Luna Moon.
Firestra Finestra Window.
Fier Ferro Iron.
Porta Porta Door.
Ochi Ochi Eyes.
Limba Lingua Tongue.
Puine Pane Bread.
Appa Aqua Water.
Mancare Manggiare To eat.
Nopte Notti Night.
Muna Mano Hand.
Frunte Fronte Forehead.
Dintz Denti Teeth.
Camascia Camicia Shirt.
Bine Bene Well.
Ann Anno Year.
Acro Acro Sour.
Argint Argento Silver.
Aür Oro Gold.
Peshte Pesce Fish.
Naz Naso Nose.
Occit Accetto Vinegar.
Pace Pace Peace.
Amavut Ho avuto I have had.
Ce fatshe Che fate? What are you doing?
Dorm Dormo I sleep.
Battut Battuto Beaten.
Cal Cavallo Horse.
Clappon Cappone Capon.
Tsara Terra Land.
Dattor Debitore Debtor.
Dinderet Di dietro Backwards.
Drept Dritto Right.
Dreptate Rectitudine Rectitude.
Disfacut Disfatto Undone.
Morte Morte Death.
Greo Grave Grave.
Genuchi Ginschia Knees.
Cuïna Cucina Kitchen.
Fericit Felice Happy.
Nefericit Infelice Unhappy.
Cumper Comprare To purchase,
Unire Unire To unite.
Vin Vino Wine.
Vie Vigna Vineyard.
Mio Mio Mine.
Cassa Casa House.
Miere Mielle Honey.
Place Piace To please.
Remast Rimasto To remain.
Pling Piango To weep.
Gustare Gustare To taste.
Viatsa Vita Life.
Striga Strilla To scream.
Stregoica Strega A witch.
Inghietsit Inghiottito To swallow.
Agiun Digiuno Fasting.
Dulce Dolce Sweet.
Amar Amaro Bitter.
Musica Musica Music.
Fuoc Fuocco Fire.
Dulceazza Dolcezza Sweet-meats.
Kimpo-lung Campo-lango Long-field.
_Wallachian Numerals_:—uno, doï, tre, patro, cintsh, shasse, shapte,
aht, noo, zece.
_Italian Numerals_:—uno, due, tre, quattro, cinque, sei, sette, otto,
nove, dieu.
Ce hai scris? Cosa hai scritto? What have you written?
N’hai faccutto bine. Non hai fatto bene. It is not well done.
Adam parinte al nostro Adam padrie nostro ha Our father Adam has
ha peccattuit. peccatto. sinned.
Christos ha patsit Christo ha patito per Christ has suffered for
pentro peccattele li peccati nostri. our sins.
nostre.
Voi se intra la shola. Voglio intrar ’nella I wish to enter the
schola. school.
Ha perdutt viatza. Ha perduto la vita. He has lost his life.
* * * * *
Wallachian. Modern Greek. English.
Pajoss πεζός Pedestrian.
Sindrofia σινδροφία Company.
Daskal δάσκαλος Tutor, or rather
School-master.
Affanissit αφανισμένος Ruined.
Ha costissit εκόστισεν The cost in a purchase.
Peristassis περίστασις Circumstance.
Ifos ύφος Arrogance.
Procopsit προκομένος a clever man.
Pnevma πνεύμα Wit.
Katandissit κατανδισμένος reduced in
circumstances.
Droom δρόμος Road.
M’am aposessit απόρεσα I was astonished.
Zahar ζάχαρι Sugar.
Pethepsit πεδευμένος Punished.
Kindin κίνδινο Risk or danger.
Periorissit περιορισμένος Engaged.
Thiazeeon διαζίων Act of divorce.
Yeftin φθινό Cheap.
Tropos τρόπος Means.
Mere μίλα Apples.
Ipokeemen υποχίνενος An individual.
Thiathisis διάθισις a strong desire.
Proerisis προέρισις Inclination.
Simandicos σιμανδιχός a person of note.
Staré στάσιμον State, or situation.
Kivernisis χιβέρνισις a living.
* * * * *
Wallachian. Turkish. English.
Perdé Perdé Curtain
Duckian Duckian Shop
Chismé Chismé Boots.
Paputsh Paputsh Shoes.
Chiorap Chiorap Stockings.
Shapka Shapka Hat.
Ocka Ocka an Oke (weight).
Dram Dram a Dram.
Massalla Mashalla a Flambeau.
APPENDIX, No. 5.
_An explanation of the Nizam-y-Gedid institution, and some curious
remarks concerning it. Written by Tshelebi-Effendi, one of the chief
dignitaries of the Ottoman Empire, Counsellor, Minister of State, &c.
and translated from the original Turkish manuscript._
PREFACE.
The most high God, who hath willed that the race of the children of Adam
should endure from the time of Adam, even unto the day of judgment,
hath, by the mysterious decrees of his Divine Providence, created an
Emperor of the world, to administer with justice the affairs of the
whole company of his servants, and to protect them from their
enemies.[47]
It is by repelling hostile violence that the affairs of the world are
maintained in due order; since the Divine Majesty hath subjected the
earth to government in such a manner that it is divided into many
regions, each of them should have its own Sovereign, and that the places
subject to each Sovereign, and the servants of God whom they contain,
should find in their rulers (each according to the power he possesses,
and the age in which he lives) a protection and security from the malice
and treachery of their hostile neighbours and other enemies.
As those States which guard against dishonour, and by daily improving
and confirming their system of government, obtain in these respects a
superiority over the neighbouring nations, have flourished accordingly;
in like manner, decay and destruction have been the lot of such as in
these points have been inferior to the countries adjoining them; because
it is the invariable nature of the children of Adam to lengthen the hand
against the dominion and wealth of the weak and indolent.
It is said in the history which treats of the terms of peace concluded
by the sublime person who has received the mercy of God[48], that those
States which from carelessness did not take proper precautions to guard
against the violence of strangers, have remained without either honour
or reputation, and dependent upon others. Or even from the consequence
of their negligence, having fallen entirely into the hands of
foreigners, their kings have become subjects, and their rich men poor.
It is a principle to be observed by those who rule governments, and are
men of understanding and penetration, that, “even if your enemy is an
ant, you should use every effort against him;” that conformably to this
proverb, they may not suffer themselves to be brought into calamity, by
the treacherous machinations of the neighbouring States, and other
hostile nations.
The purpose of this preface is as follows:—In the period which elapsed
from the year 1150 to the year 1182 of the Hejira, the greatest part of
those who had seen service before the conclusion of the wars, went to
the confines of nonexistence.[49] And those who had not seen service,
having never travelled an hour’s journey from home, were entirely
ignorant of the affairs of the enemies of religion.[50] It followed that
the greater part of the inhabitants of the Sublime Empire[51] lived in
an easy, careless manner, and had never experienced the vicissitudes of
fortune. The corruption and disorder that prevailed in the discipline of
our troops during the Russian war which broke out in the year 1182[52],
gave rise to the confusion in which the world has been involved from
that time to this, a space of near forty years. Although the truth of
this is evident to a few men of sagacity and penetration, who, remaining
from the former generation, may be enumerated out of the vulgar herd,
yet, on account of the situation in which the world is, and the
circumstances of the times, most of them are obliged, in their
discourse, to appear to agree with the opinions of the people at large.
For some time past, a rabble composed of the dregs of the populace,
setting themselves up for judges of the times, and assembling in the
coffee-houses, barbers’ shops, and taverns, have, in vain speeches,
unbecoming their station, indulged themselves in the liberty of abusing
and calumniating the Sublime Government; and as they have not been
visited by the punishment which they deserve, people of this sort have
thence been emboldened to say whatever they please. This system has
often brought the Sublime Government into trouble.
In the times of Suleÿman Khan Kannuni[53] the Just, a few ignorant men
who did not approve of the new system then promulgated, having got
together in one place, railed against the Sublime Government, uttering
whatever tedious and absurd speeches came uppermost in their mouths.
This circumstance coming to the knowledge of the Emperor, he cut off the
ears and tongues both of the railers and listeners, and nailed them, for
an example to the world, on the upper porch of a small gate near the
palace of Sultan Bayazid. As this place was a thoroughfare for the
public, all those who with their eyes contemplated the sight, learned to
restrain their tongues. At that time, as at the present period, the
greater part of the vulgar, in their ingratitude for benefits conferred,
resembled the children of Ismael. This sort of rabble being ignorant
that from themselves springs the corruption of the world, give their
opinions on affairs as though they had by inspiration received intuitive
knowledge of them, and taking no blame to themselves, as though their
own inertness was not the cause of such misfortunes, have rendered
themselves the devil’s laughing stock. As no public examples are made of
them, owing to the lenity which now prevails, and to certain
considerations, the temper of these times is neither fit for peace or
war, and is incapable of rendering service to government and religion.
Nevertheless, that the world may not remain empty, a company of hogs,
corrupt and degraded like those who preceded them, assemble in taverns,
coffee-houses, and brothels, in order to abuse and vilify the Sublime
Government. This perverse race are outwardly Mussulmans[54], yet have
they not the least idea of religious purity, and are indeed a collection
of baccals[55], boatmen, fishermen, porters, coffee-house keepers, and
such like persons.[56] Although it would be requisite to punish many of
them for opening their mouths on state matters, and to make public
examples of them for the purpose of restoring order to the world, yet
the force of necessity obliges the government to overlook their faults.
A treatise which should contain an accurate account of the consequences
produced by the insolence and folly of the vulgar of this day, and
especially a correct statement of some events which ought to be made
public, having been required of us from the highest quarter, we have
undertaken to write it in a style which is simple, and easy to be
understood. Under the Divine favor, those who study this book with
sentiments of religion, will thereby be enabled to make themselves
acquainted with the present condition of the world.
SECTION I.
_An Explanation of the Causes which have occasioned Trouble in the
World._
“This institution of the Nizam-y-Gedid has caused the established order
of the world to be disturbed, and has given cause to the insolent
conduct of the mountaineers in the country of Rumelia.” Such are the
expressions employed by a set of contentious and ignorant men, incapable
of learning reason. I have sometimes questioned such persons, saying as
follows:—“Ho, friend! allow me in the first place to ask you a question.
What is this institution against which you make such continual and
senseless outcry? First know precisely what it is, and then continue to
oppose it. If there be reason in what you say, I am open to conviction,
and am ready to concede the point in dispute.” On hearing this, all they
could say was, that what they call the Nizam-y-Gedid, is a body of
troops trained and exercised; beyond which, and a mere profession of
their aversion to it, they plainly showed that they knew nothing about
the matter. Although I saw that an attempt to make this kind of rabble
understand public affairs, is like trying to make a camel leap over a
ditch, I proceeded to put some questions that occurred to me, as
follows:—“Shall I give you some account of the troubles which occurred
in the world before the Nizam-y-Gedid existed, during the reigns of
their highnesses the former Ottoman Sultans, who have found mercy from
God? Such as the disturbances raised in Anatolia by the Gellalli[57],
and the insolence of Sarry Beÿ Oglou in the reign of Sultan Mahmoud, and
especially the events which passed in Egypt, occasioned by Sacka-Yorghi
Alli-Beÿ, the son of a glass-blower; and the affairs of Emir-Daher, of
Abou-Vahib, all of which happened during the reign of Sultan Moustapha;
and the calamities inflicted by the unemployed Levendis,[58] who turned
the province of Anatolia upside down; and the continued bad success
which attended the arms of the followers of Islam, for the space of
seven years, during the Muscovite war, which began in the year 1182; the
defeats which our great armies suffered every year, with the loss of so
many thousand tents, such abundance of camp equipage, treasure,
artillery, bombs, and military stores, sufficient for the consumption of
many years, and so great a loss of our troops, either taken, drowned, or
killed, and the capture as well of our small forts and retrenched posts,
as of our large fortresses, some of which were reduced by famine and
others by force; and the impossibility of delivering so many thousand
women and children whom they contained, and who, still remaining in
captivity, pass their lives in tears. These are things, the bitter
remembrance of which can never be erased from our hearts. Some of these
calamitous events may be found in our annals, and some have happened in
our days. Pray was the Nizam-y-Gedid the cause of all these disorders
and disgraceful occurrences? It did not exist at that time, and yet you
see that confusion was already introduced, and the regular order of
things interrupted. Is then the Nizam-y-Gedid the only cause of
revolution? On what does your dispute now rest, and what answer can you
give to my question?” After I had thus spoken, some of them who were
disposed to hear reason yielded to conviction, and remained abashed,
having nothing to answer. But some others, less reasonable, who knew
nothing of the things which I had spoken, answered thus:—“What need I
know about the troubles that have formerly happened in the world? I am
well aware that those which now prevail are caused by the
Nizam-y-Gedid.” To these ignorant and pertinacious adversaries, I again
addressed myself in these terms:—“Disturbances having broken out in the
regions of France, the people eat each other’s flesh[59], and the
Crals[60] having declared war against them, for the space of exactly
fifteen years, battles have been fought without intermission, so that
the country of France has been turned upside down, and the inhabitants
have drank each other’s blood, and poured it out in the streets like a
torrent, and have, until this day, with the fury of dogs, changed their
country into a slaughter-house for swine. Behold such troubles are not
confined to[61] Frenghistan alone. Neither India, nor China, Arabia,
Persia, nor the new world[62], are at present exempt from confusion and
carnage. These things being so, is their source to be attributed to the
Nizam-y-Gedid? We may observe, likewise, that although trouble and
bloodshed prevail in Rumelia, yet, thanks be to God, Anatolia is free
from these calamities (may the ears of Satan be stopped with lead[63]).
Shall we say, then, that the fatal contagion of the Nizam-y-Gedid is
confined to Rumelia, and that it has not infected Anatolia; or rather
have not these things proceeded from the decrees of Providence? Should
not that consideration strike us? After reflecting and meditating on
what I have said, what reply can you make?”—“Good God!” says my
opponent, “I thought Rumelia alone had been disturbed.”—“Then,” I
replied, “if you are ignorant that every part of the world is thus
convulsed, and such things happen when there is no Nizam-y-Gedid, and
disturb the tranquillity of the universe, you should not, by any means,
impute the origin of dissension to that establishment.”
By thus addressing them, I succeeded, by Divine favour, in bringing many
of them to conviction. With respect to those persons, who, although they
are acquainted with the true origin of such events, and the course of
worldly affairs, and understand and know the commands of the great
Prophet (on whom be salvation and the peace of God), yet persevere in
their perverse opposition; and who, because they were formerly authors
of sedition, are ashamed to belie their words, and therefore maintain
the dispute, and uphold contention; who, having originally calumniated
the corps of cannoneers of the Nizam-y-Gedid, and abuse those who were
the authors of it, uttering speeches which do not become their lips, on
a subject above their comprehension; with respect, I say, to such
persons, who, although they themselves confessed that the excellence of
these new troops was seen in the French war, and that to their good
conduct many of us owed our escape from captivity, yet afterwards
forgetting this avowal, are not ashamed to indulge in extravagant abuse
of them, it remains only, that at the five stated times of prayer, we
beseech the Divine Providence to grant them understanding, and a
knowledge of the right way, that they may distinguish good from evil,
and acknowledge the power of the Sublime Government with whose bread
they are fed; and that thus, by a sincere union of hearts in the way of
truth and justice, we may obtain complete success over the enemies of
the state and of our religion. Thus did I manage my dispute and
conference with those adversaries who attributed to the Nizam-y-Gedid
the troubles of the world. Long and tedious indeed it was; yet by the
favour of the Divine Majesty, and the protection of the great Prophet of
miraculous memory, many of the opponents, who were at first unwilling to
hear reason, have been convinced, and brought to entertain a just idea
of those affairs; and using their efforts to convince others, have
entered into the congregation of well-wishers to government.
SECTION II.
_An Explanation of the Causes which gave rise to the Establishment of
this Nizam-y-Gedid, about which so much noise has been made._
Be it known to men of understanding, that after the conclusion of peace
with the Muscovite infidels, in the year 1206[64], when ambassadors were
passing to and fro, at the time that the prisoners were released,
diligent enquiry was made of many persons who had been in the hands of
the Russians, with regard to the power and condition of the enemies of
our faith. In the city called Petersburgh, which is the residence of the
Russian sovereign, are to be found men of all nations. Among these was a
certain infidel, formerly an Ottoman Rayah, but fixed, by his
employments, in the Russian states; a man extremely rich, and a complete
master of the art of deceit, acute and lively in speech, and devoid of
shame and modesty.
This man, who was at that time become an ambassador[65] said one day to
the[66]sovereign, in a familiar society of Franks[67], “Why should you
give yourself the trouble of carrying on long and obstinate wars with
the Ottomans? If your design be to take Constantinople, why should you,
by carrying on operations on the land side, struggle with so many
difficulties? Nothing is more easy than the capture of Constantinople.”
On the sovereign’s desiring to know which was this easy method, the
wicked person answered as follows:—“The _Cralyä_[68] having formerly
carried on two or three successful wars, and possessed herself of the
kingdom of the Crimea, equipped a fleet on the Black Sea, and after
annihilating the Tartar nation, and taking many forts and castles,
reduced to her obedience the rayahs of the White Sea[69] and many
trading communities, it would be easy, by following up a certain plan,
to accomplish in two days the conquest of Constantinople, which need
only be attacked by a single streight.” The Cralyä, pleased with this
suggestion, said, “If you prove yourself useful in rendering me that
service, I will appoint you King of Constantinople for the term of your
life, in the same way that I appointed a king over the country of
Poland.” The person then spoke again thus:—“None of all the Ottoman
troops are now ready to take the field: those of Anatolia are employed
in cultivating the land, and smoking their pipes; such as inhabit
Constantinople are either busied in carrying on various trades, or at
least are not subject to any good discipline. Were they to assemble
troops with the greatest possible expedition, they would require at
least a month for that purpose. Behold, the water used for drinking in
so great a city, comes from certain reservoirs which are without it.[70]
It is not, therefore, expedient for us to carry on a troublesome war
with ships and troops by sea and by land. We need only dispatch to the
Crimea all the Russian ships that are in the White Sea, and there,
filling with troops all our vessels, large and small, we will disembark
them suddenly without the channel of the Black Sea, in the district that
contains the reservoirs, the walls of which we will beat down with our
cannon and[71]destroy. In one hour this may be effected. On the waters
running out, the consequence will be a great tumult at Constantinople,
the news being every where spread that the Russians have destroyed the
reservoirs of water, that they are about to assault Constantinople with
all their forces, and that their ulterior projects are not known. In the
space of one day the want of water will produce confusion among them,
which will be augmented by our zealous partisans of the Greek nation.
The troops which are in Constantinople, instead of marching immediately
against us, will pillage the public treasures, and those of their
emperor, ministers, and rich men; and putting their booty hastily on
board such boats and vessels as they find at hand, will endeavour to fly
to Anatolia and elsewhere. The residue of the inhabitants, who remain at
Constantinople, being left to themselves in this calamity, and
overwhelmed with astonishment, having no water to bake bread, or to
drink, will, in the course of two days, be reduced to the last
extremity. So that the Russian troops, gradually advancing and entering
the city, will make themselves entire masters of it.”
The Sublime Government having received intelligence of this
conversation, and of the decision taken in consequence of it[72], the
infernal treachery of the aforesaid wicked person, seemed really to have
conceived a feasible project. Water sleeps, and enemy is sleepless.[73]
It is especially to be considered, that the distance from the peninsula
of the Crimea to the channel of the Black Sea, is such, that a ship may
cross it without altering a sail; and whatever confidence we may place
in our own strength, yet, God forbid that so cunning an enemy should
find us in an unguarded posture; particularly since we are instructed by
the example of so many States, that owed their loss of reputation and
ruin to the want of care in observing the machinations of their enemies,
and in neglecting to provide in proper time efficient troops and
military stores. From this source their calamities have arisen, as is
written and set forth, as well in other histories, as in that which
treats of the misfortune of the Sublime Person, who has received the
mercy of[74]God, and of the peace which he concluded. The Russian
infidels having withal greatly improved the state of their dominions
within the space of seventy or eighty years, and manifested their thirst
of glory by their arrogant and insolent interference in the interior
affairs of other States, and having annexed several foreign countries to
their own dominions, especially the kingdom of Poland, we must not, by
any means, consider ourselves secure from so treacherous and deceitful a
nation. Besides all this, the upright and provident ministers of the
Sublime Government, who are aware of the evil designs of the enemy,
having represented to the Emperor, (who is at the summit of power, and
inhabits the mansions of wisdom and understanding,) that if such an
attempt as that suggested to the Cralyä by the before-mentioned
reprobate, should actually take place against the reservoirs, (which God
forbid!) as there had been no care taken to provide either money or
troops, it would be utterly impossible to dispatch with expedition
against the enemy forces that were under no discipline, or to repulse
them with such soldiers; and that the people of the Empire of Islam,
reposing entirely on the protection of Providence, would not make the
least resistance. That therefore, as it was a maxim established that in
an urgent case, when some remedy must be sought, resources must be found
in the whole body of those who are attached to government, without
consulting the lower orders; there was no other method of dispelling and
removing the danger we have spoken of above, but by keeping a body of
troops on foot ready for service. It was also taken into consideration,
that even if the description of force required for the purpose really
existed at Constantinople; yet in case of any danger arising on the side
of the reservoirs in the way we have mentioned, (which Heaven forbid!)
as the intelligence must be conveyed from thence to Constantinople, and
as the troops must assemble, it would require five days at least before
they could reach their destination. May God protect and guard us! “The
serpent kills a man in Egypt whilst the Teryak[75] is coming from
Venice,” as the proverb says.
With regard to the apprehensions entertained for the reservoirs, it
appeared in every case indispensably necessary, that on that side a body
of troops should be kept in readiness in some fixed station, and
provided with requisite supply of artillery, ammunition, and military
stores; and such troops as should not, like the rest of our forces, be
composed of sellers of pastry, boatmen, fishermen, coffee-house keepers,
baccals, and others who are engaged in the thirty-two trades, but of
well disciplined men, who would take care to have their cannon and
muskets ready for service, and on an urgent occasion, would be prepared
in the space of half an hour to engage the troops and artillery of the
enemy; to repulse them, and retaliate on them their own hostile devices.
After these points had been taken into serious consideration, some men
were in the first place dispatched to the corps of the Janissaries for
the purpose of selecting from thence some young and chosen soldiers,
whom they were to discipline and train to the use of arms. Upon this,
our bravoes who are engaged in the thirty-two trades, considering that
if they were obliged to attend punctually to the exercise of cannon and
small arms, they would be occupied with that instead of their private
affairs, and would be brought into trouble, no longer receiving their
pay once in three months gratuitously, and without doing any thing for
it, began to ponder the matter, stroaking their beards and mustachios,
and to vent their discontent by saying, “We are not made for this sort
of work, and we will have nothing to do with it.” Whatever pains were
taken to enlighten their understandings, they obstinately persisted,
addressing each other by these or similar terms, “Ho! Alli Sacka Baba,
Oda Bashi, Bash Karakouloukgee![76] what say you to this business? the
exercise of the Nizam-y-Gedid is now introduced; henceforth no pay is to
be had without service, and what they call exercise is a very
troublesome service; it is true that drawing up in a line makes a better
show; but if they send us to war, we can fire our muskets, and then
charging sword in hand, we can put the Russians to flight and storm
their camp. May Heaven preserve from decay our corps and our chiefs! we
shall then take our pay when it is issued, and pass our time agreeably.”
Such were their expressions, as though they could by frigid reasoning,
and senseless allusions, induce the Sublime Government to abandon this
enterprise, when the experience of two wars had proved, beyond dispute,
both the total inefficiency of their services, and the feeble condition
of the Mahometan community.
With respect to the apprehensions entertained of the destruction of
those fine reservoirs by the Russian infidels, the first step which was
taken for the purpose of procuring speedy and effectual means of
guarding against so devilish a piece of treachery, consisted in an
ordinance for levying a body of Bostangees[77], who were to be quartered
at the Levend-Chifflick, a military post newly established at no great
distance from the reservoirs, in order that in an urgent crisis when we
fly for refuge to Divine protection, they might be ready for service in
a very short space of time. But the most important point is this: that
the new levied troops, instead of engaging in trade, should remain day
and night in their quarters, applying themselves daily to military
exercises, and keeping their arms, cannon, muskets, and warlike
implements of every description necessary for immediate service; thus
practising a discipline suitable to their appellation of soldiers of the
new regulation. To complete all, every Orta[78] led an _Imam_[79]
attached to it for the due performance of religious worship, that
nothing requisite might be omitted. Besides this, numerous batteries are
established on the shores of the canal of the Black Sea[80], well
furnished with artillery, and a sufficient number of gunners were
appointed to serve them, and to oppose any attempt which might be made
by the enemies of our faith, to force the passage of the said canal. As
the perfect discipline of the garrisons of those forts, rendered the
passage of a ship altogether impracticable, the enemies of our faith
clearly saw that the attempt must end in their destruction; and thus,
under the Divine favour, their wicked projects, which we have already
related,were rendered fruitless and abortive.
The continual and daily progress which these new soldiers have been
making in discipline and order, and the excellent conduct and steady
valour which a handful of our regular troops displayed at Alexandria,
Cairo, and Acre, have caused the hearts of the foes of our religion to
melt within them, on seeing and hearing these things. We trust, that by
the favour of Heaven, when this description of our force called
Nizam-y-Gedid shall have become sufficiently numerous, terror and
consternation will take possession of the hearts of the Russians, the
Germans, and the other enemies of our faith and Empire, to such a
degree, that they will no longer think of imposing on the Sublime
Government hard and insolent conditions; and that, lastly, this
institution of regular soldiers, proceeding from the habitation of the
great Spirit which rules over our faith and Empire, will perpetuate the
duration of the Sublime Government even to the end of the world, and
will give us victory over all our enemies.
It has happened to me a thousand times to find myself engaged in dispute
with a crowd of contentious fools, who say, “Is there any occasion for
these new troops of the Nyzam-y-Gedid? At the time that the Ottoman race
conquered the world with the sabre, there were no such forces. Let the
enemy present himself, and we will lay our hands on our sabres, and at a
single charge make piece-meal of them. Only let us see the intentions of
our enemy, we will storm their camp, sword in hand, upset their Cral
from his throne, trample his crown under our feet, and penetrate even to
the most distant of their countries.”
To these bravoes I thus addressed myself: “Hark ye, comrade! do you know
that ever since the year 1146 I, as well as my father, have served with
all my might in the corps of Janissaries, and have been engaged in
several wars, and have seen the world both hot and cold, and feeding
from the world’s basket, have passed through the hoop of the
elements.[81] Having moreover been a prisoner in the hands of the
enemies of religion, I became fully acquainted with their deceit and
treachery, their discipline, and the successes which they have obtained
over the Sublime Government. It has thus been easy for me to gain an
intimate knowledge of many things, the truth of which cannot be easily
understood from the mere perusal of our annals. As I am now eighty-seven
years of age, if all those affairs that have passed since the year 82,
with which I am thoroughly conversant, were to be written, they would
fill several volumes. There are, however, certain events taken as well
from history as from what has fallen under my own observation, which I
wish to relate to you; and as my discourse shall be free from
malevolence and bad passions, I trust in God that you will hear me with
satisfaction, and will one day bless me.”
SECTION III.
The subject that we are now to treat is as follows:—
At the accession to the throne of that flower of Emperors, Sultan
Suleÿman Kannuni, the science of firing with quickness artillery in
position, making use of muskets, and practising such like military
exercises, and of defeating large armies with a very small body of
troops, was not known amongst the foreign states of Europe and other
nations. In this state of things they carried on wars against us; and in
such contests the pious enthusiasm of the soldiers of Islam caused the
gales of victory and conquest to blow on the side of the Sublime
Government. Sometimes, also, they were on that of the enemy. It came to
pass by a disposition of Divine Providence, that His Highness Sultan
Suleÿman having for some years following continually met with bad
success in his wars against the Germans, and perceiving that his defeats
were owing to the unskilfulness and want of discipline of our soldiers,
employed himself in creating a corps of regular troops[82], and
inscribing recruits for that purpose. Immediately a number of idle and
ignorant vagabonds, who disapproved of this institution of troops,
quarters, and military regulations, began to murmur, saying, “Was the
world originally conquered by the Janissaries? No; it was subdued by the
Segbans, and other valiant companies.[83] What sort of corps is this?
and what is the meaning of these dresses? What strange things are the
water-carriers, cooks, and servants, with their various dresses and
titles!” By disseminating these seditious speeches, they entirely
corrupted the minds of those soldiers who had been, or were to be
enrolled in the new corps of Janissaries. So that, for instance, if an
hundred recruits had their names inscribed to-day, to-morrow two hundred
would desert.
His Highness the said Emperor, reflecting on what passed, and
considering the favour which had been granted by Divine Providence to
our magnificent Lord[84]; understanding also that every age was gifted
with some polar star of intellectual excellence, discovered that there
existed at that period from among the sons and successors of Hagee
Bektash, the polar star of the times. The Emperor having caused this
personage to be brought to him from Anatolia, spoke to him of the new
corps which he had formed for the purpose of snatching victory from the
infidels, and giving it to the people of Islam, and demanded the prayers
of this Sheich, that the soldiers enrolled in the corps, instead of
deserting, might display constancy and firmness. The said personage
having therefore prayed, from that day forth the recruits no longer
fled, but looking upon themselves as the children of Hagee-Bektash,
firmly persevered in their service; and thus, when expeditions were
undertaken against the enemy by these regular troops, who were kept
closely to the pitch of discipline necessary at that time, the happy
influence as well of the Emperor of Islam who is the chief of religious
conquerors, as of the aforesaid holy personage, had so beneficial an
effect, that they overthrew the armies of the enemies of the faith, and
gained such signal advantages, that were we to describe them at large,
our discourse would be too prolix. Before much time had elapsed, the
enemy being broken and routed, and perceiving by experience the
advantages of this discipline, obtained peace with a thousand
entreaties. Hereupon all the Crals[85] being seized with consternation,
after communicating with each other, held a council in a place
appointed, to which they invited men of wisdom and experience. The
conclusion they came to was this: “The Ottoman Emperor having introduced
an admirable system into his army, and established a corps for the
express purpose of keeping it up, we shall no longer be able to keep
face with such well disciplined troops: as the soldiers of the Islam are
naturally brave, they will fall in among us, sword in hand, and make a
speedy end of us; and as the opinion which they hold that those who die
in war are martyrs, and go immediately to Paradise, makes them fight
with great zeal, it is evident that if we do not establish good and
sufficient military regulations, the Ottomans will conquer the whole of
Europe, and oblige us all to pay the Haratsh. It is our business
therefore to find some method of preventing those soldiers from closing
with us.” They concluded their conference by forming a masterly project,
and inventing a method of using with expedition their cannon, muskets,
and other instruments of war, and prohibiting their troops from engaging
in commerce, they obliged them to pass their whole time in learning
military exercises, in which they made such progress that it became at
last impossible to break their ranks. In truth, it is well known to
those who are acquainted with history, that in the wars which have taken
place since the invention of this new system of tactics, the Ottomans
have been most frequently worsted, because they found it impossible to
make use of their sabres among the infidels as they wished to do; for
their regular troops keep in a compact body, pressing their feet
together that their order of battle may not be broken; and their cannon
being polished like one of[86]Marcovich’s watches, they load twelve
times in a minute, and make the bullets rain like musket balls; thus
they keep up an unintermitted discharge of artillery and small arms.
When the Islamites make an attack upon them with infantry or cavalry,
the enemies of our faith observe a profound silence, till the soldiers
of Islam are come close up to their front, and then at once giving fire
to some hundred carriage-guns, and to seventy or eighty thousand
muskets, overturn our men in heaps without so much as receiving a bloody
nose. When they have thus by a few volleys caused thousands of the
people of Islam to drink the sherbet of martyrdom, the surviving remnant
are wont to fly. Our troops perceiving how skilful the enemy are in the
use of fire-arms, and seeing many thousand men slain in the space of
half an hour, while they are unable to avenge themselves on their
opponents, have necessarily begun to lose courage. But although the
wicked infidels, exerting their whole strength, have with great prudence
and boldness invented so masterly an art of war, yet the soldiers of
Islam, who have not been able to make any stand against them, may justly
assert that the fault does not belong to themselves; for since the enemy
sends us eighty thousand charges of grape before a thousand of our men
have time to fire their muskets, it is certain that resistance in such a
case is beyond their power. Thus during the period which elapsed before
the reign of his Highness Sultan Mustapha Khan, although we were
sometimes victorious and sometimes vanquished, yet success was, for the
most part, on the side of the infidels.
By explaining all this, and by giving answers founded on the knowledge
of passing events, I have succeeded in convincing many persons, who by
falsehood endeavoured to support the unjust opposition of the partisans
of the Janissaries. What remains to be mentioned is this: His Highness
Sultan Mahmoud, having enquired the reason of the successes of the
infidels, and the defeats of the people of Islam, a dissertation,
treating of the way to victory, and entitled “The Origin of Discipline,”
was composed and published; and as it afforded satisfaction to the
Emperor, copies of it were disseminated amongst the public. I have, in
the year 1206, undertaken to write a description of the new troops,
being encouraged thereto by the favour which the Emperor has been
pleased to bestow both on the motive and the work; but as, by the mercy
of Heaven, I have reached the extreme period of life, it is very
uncertain whether I shall be able to finish the execution of it.
SECTION IV.