A true Relation of the Cariage of the Right Honourable Sir Thomas Bendish, Barr. Lord Ambassadour with the Grand Signieur at Constantino­ple, together with his Letters and Arres he sent abroad to severall of his Opposers in his Embassie.

TWo dayes before his Lordship came to Brushia, (for he came from Smyrna overland) Mr. Lancelot the Agent sent him a Letter, that hee Vizeere was cut off, withall, telling him, that hee had sent to this new one, to congratulate him in his place, and did intend (by his leave) to visit him within three or foure dayes, and Distill our Case into him, with the best Oratorie he had, withall telling him, that he was a Rugged harsh man, and not likely to favour our Cause. Hereupon my Lord (considering how little need the Company had of this unnecessarie charge) did forthwith dispatch a Post to him, with a few lines to this purpose; That he would not have him upon any tearmes to make a Visit, nor act in any businesse further, for it was not fitting, nor would be ex­pected, his Lordship being so neer the Port; he told him that the di­stilling the Case into his head, was crosse to his Lordships designe, who came peremptorily to demand justice, and cared not whether the Vizeere were good, bad, or indifferent. But before this Messen­ger could arive him▪ he had not only visited him with a good pre­sent but (to my Lords great vexation & future trouble) had delive­red in the Hattecherife, which cost us not lesse then 40000 l. to intan­gle Sir Sac. Crow; for the words of the Hattecherife under the Grand Signieurs hand, (which is as the Law of the Medes and Persians) [Page 2] were these, (let the Ambassadour have no more to doe with the English Nation) while this was in our hands, he could never stirre against us, nor durst publike ministers suffer him, but just now (without, if not contrary to advice) against my Lord should set foot on this shore, our chained enemy is let loose upon him; and indeed but that my Lord could not find any designe he had in it, but meere want of resolution and judgement, the world could never have perswaded him, but that the Agent had done it on purpose: for Sir Sack. Crow straightwayes provides a very great present, and with full attendance goes to the Vizeere, the day before my Lord arrived, with confidence hee should bee yested (which had been re-establishment) but was deceived. The next day being the 16. September, my Lord early in the morning (having come all night by Sea in a Boat) arrived here, and after hee had reposed himselfe some houres, went together with the Agent in his Coach, attended by his Retinue, and us, to that house the Agent had pro­vided for him; The next day my Lord calls a Court, and resolved there to send Mr. Agent to the Vizeere to demand Audience for him of the Grand Signieur, and to tell him hee could not expect justice from him, who had broke open the Merchats houses but three dayes bofore his comming, and had taken out goods to the value of 40000. pounds. This Message was so in pieces delivered, as the Vizeere though he did, yet hee would not understand it but asked if he had Letters for him, yes said the Agent, let me see them said he, that I may know what to doe, and you shall have Audience with the Grand Signieur. Upon this answer my Lord resolves to visit him next himselfe.

Now you must know, that when my Lord came first to Smyrna, a Letter wat conveyed into his sons hands to give him, this came from Sir Sack. Crow, and was verbatim as followes.

To which my Lord returned this answer following.

It was delivered by Master Ayloffe, who receiv'd this answer by word of mouth, that he was very sorry Sir Tho Bendish did give so little credit to his Letters, and was so discourteous in the long de­ferring his answer, and gave him so little satisfaction in the strength or vertue of his comming, and if he did not give him that honour he pretended hee had, it was his fault that would not send him a Copy of the Letter; The next day therefore after my Lord arived, when he sent the Agent to the Vizeere, he sent a Copy of the Letter of revocation from the King, inclosed in this, by two of his ser­vants, reserving the Letter it selfe for his own delivery.

WHen they remembred my Lord Ambassadours love to him, he told them they were welcome as from Thomas Bendish, but not as Ambassadour; he opened and read them, and said that the Copy he read, he could not believe to be the Copy of the Kings Let­ter; that in the very first line or two, there was a double contradi­ction, and that the whole frame, stile, matter and language was so unlike those of his Majesties, that if the Originall was not bet­ter then the Copy, he should not care a rush for it, and that he could not believe Sir Thomas Bendish had any such Letter from the King of England, and therefore could not receive him as Ambassadour; that hee would further consider of the Letter, and if hee thought convenient would send him answer by some of his owne poelpe within a day or two, which he did, but that being so Tedious, con­taining nothing but false surmises, and daring expressions, from the businesse, so that as my Lord thought it not worthy his answering, so wee conceive it not convenient to trouble your patience with it in this place. Now the next thing that my Lord aimes at, is for a [Page 7] faire and sitting Audience with the Vizeere, who offered him to come when he pleased; but my Lord was privatly informed he in­tended an affront by not Vesting him. My Lord at a Court then holden, desires six of us might be chosen to meet constantly to advise with him; When it was agreed that the best way was privately by two or three of the Merchants to found Aronomone the Vizeers Jew; after much debate with him for the space of foure houres, telling him, except my Lord were sure of his dues, he would come without a present, at last he promis'd that he should be Vested with his son, and at least one or two more; Hereupon he sent to the Vi­zeere, that he would visit him upon Thursday the 23. September, ha­ving been just a week in town, and in the mean time had neither been sent to by the Emperours Agent, the French Ambassadour, nor the Lord Bayliffe (only the Dutch Merchants did, whose A­gent is not yet conformed, but will see what successe wee have) for Sir Sackvile Crow hath wrought all those firme to him. Now was the Town full of expectation, nothing talked of but our businesse. On Thursday about twelve a clock, with all the Merchants, and my Lords retinue, my Lord went to the Vizeere, who being set before he came, stirred not from his seat, neither did my Lord mind him untill he was set as well as the Vizeere; Then he spake to him to this effect, that the King of England saluted him, and wished him health and happinesse, and had sent him his Ambassadour to keepe his Merchants and subjects from doing, and suffering wrong, and commanded him to indeavour to keep and uphold the Peace be­tween the Nations, and also to give thankes for the Justice the Vi­zeere shewed to the Merchants, when the Ambassadour would have ruined them, and also to desire him to send the said Ambassadour home, that the King his Master, hearing their Difference, might judge him according to merit; and while he was saying this, hee presented the Kings Letters to him, which he read before us; to this the Vizeere replyed, that the old Ambassadour had Letters, and did pretend to be Ambassadour as well as his Lordship, and hee knew not how to decide the businesse, but must heare them both to­gether; to which my Lord answered, My Lord, you mistake me, I come not hither to be judged, neither is it for my honour to ap­peare here with that man, which your own Lawes have judged un­worthy, neither may I countenance him without the just displea­sure [Page 8] of the Grand Signieur; the French Ambassadour also (said the Vizeere) could say something in the Cause; The French Ambassadour (said my Lord) hath nothing to doe with our State; have you a Letter to the old Ambassadour (said the Vizeere) from the King of England, I have, said my Lord, which I desired to deliver him before witnesse, therefore he asked him for two Chou­ses, you shall have it (said the Vizeere) but give mee the Letters and I will deliver them my selfe; My Lord told him hee could not, for the King his Master commanded him to deliver them with his own hand; then said he, I will send for him hither, if you doe so (said my Lord) I will have no Contract with him, I hope those Letters will witnesse the truth of my Embassie; Yes, said he, I be­lieve you are the true Ambassadour, but I would heare him what he can say, and see the delivery of the Letters, and I will soon end the businesse; doe so if you will (said my Lord) and I will stay here till he come; so hee was immediatly sent for, but he excused, saying he had taken physick that day, but to morrow hee would come at one a clock; when my Lord heard that, he said, My Lord, doe not you by these Letters acknowledge me to be the true Ambassadour? yes, said he, then what need you trouble your selfe further with him said my Lord; upon this he knew not what to say, but rose up on a sudden to be gone, saying he must speak with Sir Sackvile Crow. When my Lord perceived he would not Vest him, hee desired him to speak one word more; then he sate down again, and my Lord spake; My Lord, you seem to be unsatisfied in this businesse, Look behind, I have all the Merchants my witnesses, and all the Mer­chants of Aleppo Alexandria and all the Coasts of Turky; I have ships at Smyrna Laden for this Port, and divers more ready to come out; Let Sir Sackvile Crow shew me two Merchants, and halfe a ship, and I will yield him the place. The Vizeere riseth to be gone, but my Lord spake on, I hope my Lord, if I be an Ambas­sadour, as you say, and having brought you a Present as befits you, you will not deny me the Honour due to me in Vesting me? With this he turned away, and answered not a word, in an uncivill clow­nish way, which when my Lord saw, he was moved with passion, and with a great stamp upon the ground, said, Never Ambassadour was so basely used as I am, which the great men sitting by observing his anger, were something amazed, and inquired what hee said, [Page 9] which was told them. This was his first entertainment, which as we are certainly informed since, was procured by five bags of mo­ney given him by the Venetians that day to hinder his Lordships Ve­sting. When he came away, he commanded all his Drugermen that none should attend any more his Court, for he had one with him. The next day about 9. of the clock came two Chouzes to my Lord, to tell him from the Vizeere, that the Ambassadour Crow would be there, and he would have my Lord meet him▪ no (replyed my Lord) tell your Lord I will not meet him, nor come at his house any more, he hath used me unworthily and basely, and so tell him from me. What (replyed the Chouzes) will you not come no more at his house? let not my Lord say so; the Vizeere is a great man, Vicegerent to the Grand Signeur and wee dare not carry him such a sleighting Message. A great man? And so am I a great man too, said my Lord; If he be Vicegerent to the Grand Signeur, tell him that I am Ambassadour to the King of England. Then they desired my Lord, that some of his own men might carry that Message, for they would not, tis no matter said my Lord. I will make his usage of me ring all Constantinople over before 24. houres come about; and indeed my Lord had provided Arres to send about, to declare his usage of him. Now was Sir Sackvile Crow with the Vizeere ex­pecting to be vested (as he had bragged the day before) but how or what part of this message they delivered I know not, but Sir Sackvile Crow after he had rayled upon my Lord before the Vi­zeere and called him furfant, came home no wiser then hee went, and the next morning the Vizeere sent three Chouzes (one a man of great qualitie, and had been foure times Ambassadour with for­raigne Princes) remembred his kind love to my Lord, and sent him word that he had sent him a man of honour, that should goe with him to Sir Sackvile Crow, and see him deliver his Letters, and he would soon make an end of the businesse. This civill respectfull Messenger, and Message▪ pleased my Lord again so that he accep­ted this as a favour, and the rather it pleased him, because he should crosse Sir Sackvile Crowes humour, for not above an houre before they came he sent to him, to tell him he would come to him (if he were at home) to deliver him Letters from the King▪ at first hee lovingly sent my Lord word, that his dores were as well open to his foes as to his friends, but presently sends word again upon bet­ter [Page 10] consideration, that if my Lord would come privately he might, but as a publike minister he would not receive him, but afront him; those Chouzes he sent to deliver the Message to Sir Sackvile Crow, from the Vizeere▪ and withall that he was ready; Sir Sackvile Crow said he would not receive him, but shut the dores against him, (such a horror did this Letter of revocation strike into him) but they returning with that passage to the Vizeere, hee seemed so in­censed, that he commanded them to take three more to them, and to command him to let my Lord deliver his Letters, and bring him word what his answer was; then his stout heart was fain to stoope, and my Lord having such warning, because he would he sure not to goe privately, got us and all his attendance after him, who when they came into the room after him, they that knew him formerly, said that he was much daunted; then my Lord saluted him by the name of my Lord; he replyed, Sir, you are welcome: The King my Master (said my Lord) commanded mee to deliver you this Letter; then they both sate down, and Sir Sackvile Crow looking upon the Company, said, you have a great many witnesses here, my Lord told him yes, the better for him if his Cause were good he did not love to do things in corners; then he took the Letter & smi­led, and sometimes winked upon his own people, when presently he called the French Ambassadours Secretarie to beare witnesse what passed; what have wee to doe (said my Lord) with the French Am­bassadours Secretary? yes said he, the French Ambassadour hath to doe in this businesse; how (said my Lord) hath any to doe with the English here besides you and I? that will be seen hereafter: then he pawsed a while, and straight asked my Lord, if the King delive­red this Letter to him with his own hand? my Lord told him no; marke this said he to the Frenchman; Sir, said my Lord, my words are true, I said his Majestie commanded me by a Letter of his, to deliver you this; What logick make you of this now? then he as­ked my Lord when he saw the King, but my Lord desired he would excuse him, saying Excuse me Sir, I am not bound to give you an answer: then he asked him where his Commission was, he told him it was at his house; he demanded to see it, my Lord told him it con­cerned himselfe only, and not him, and if I act contrary (said my Lord) to my Commission, I must answer it, and not you; here is my Commission, saith he, and I charge you in the Kings name to shew [Page 11] me yours: your Cōmmission sayd my Lord hath no power to examine mine, I have Cōmission to give you this Letter, not my Commission. Here was some pawse of speech, which when the Chouzes saw, and that he would not open his Letter, they stood up, and required him to open it, then he did, and told them he would answer the Letter to the King, and send his mind in writing to the Vizeere, which hee did the next day, and this it was (as the Vizeere sent my Lord word by his Druggerman) That those Merchants were Rebels, and that my Lord was the head of them, and other words, as if the King were forced to write those letters. His Lordship having delivered his Letters according to the Kings command, tooke his leave very fairly of him, and he of my Lord, but came no further with him then the middle of the roome, where at first my Lord found him. Now the next worke my Lord indeavoured was to get to be Ve­sted by the Vizeere, and obtain Audience with the Grand Signeur, to this purpose he sent his Druggerman to hasten it; the Vizeere al­wayes after this sent him good words, as that all things should bee done to his minde, and wished him not to bee troubled with any thing, and so protracted time from day to day. All this time my Lord Crow is not idle, although he keeps his house yet he employes the French Agent, and the Venetians, whose Druggerman Gryllo is alwayes attending upon the Vizeere, and feeds him with moneys and presents to work us out, the French Ambassadour talkes with the Vizeere privately, and but that my Lord Crow and the Vizeere told my Lord he had to doe in the businesse, my Lord would scarce have taken him for his enemy, yet one day he was heard to tell the Vi­zeere, my Lord had offered my Lord Crow 30000 l. to be gone out of the Country, by which (said he) you may judge the truth of his Message, and withall told him that the King of France his Master would be much troubled, if he should change this old Ambassadour, for the new, and this report that my Lord would give the Lord Crow money to depart hence, was not only sent to him by the Vi­zeeres Jew, but by the Kogag, which my Lord to vindicate him­selfe, and make appeare to the world how much hee detested such by-wayes, he was forced to write this Warrant in Italian, and send it down to Gallatta by two Janisaries and a Druggerman pro forma; and fix one upon the Treasurers house, the other upon Mr. Pearles house, that all Jewes & Merchants might take notice of it.

And because the French Ambassadour was so busie, sent him this Letter.

[Page 13]THe Venetian Baliffe being guilty of his neglects towards my Lord, and perceiving he understood of his Merchants actions, & his Druggermans dilligence sent by my Lords Druggerman this private Message, That he hoped my Lord tooke no distast at him, who is confined to his house, and had no notice of his comming, and that he heard my Lord tooke distast at his Merchants as actors against him, if my Lord pleased to let him know who they were, he would make them, or would himselfe, give my Lord satisfaction. My Lord sent him this answer, That for his own person, as hee was a Prisoner, he could not expect his Visit, yet if he had born respect to our King, or love to our Nation, he would have sent a salute to him before this time, having been a fortnight in this Port. As for his Merchants that should oppose him, he wished him to looke to them himselfe, for if he found them faulty, as he believed he should, he would take his time to make them repent it. But for all his threats to them, he knew not how lyes might worke with the Vi­zeere, wherefore he sent to him this Arres, and to divers great men about the Town, that if possible, it might reach the Grand Signi­eurs eares.

MY Lord, I cannot out of my well-wishes to you and the good of this State, but give you this timely information, that the Venetians and the French doe endeavour both by moneys and all incouragements to maintain the Man-sold Ambassadour against me, and that Regall power which sent me hither, thereby to make a breach between this and the English Nation and so to advance their own designe, which either by Peace or Warre will prove very pre­judiciall to this Emperie, besides the Consideration of the great Trade our Nation brings to supply the Emperie. Whether you had rather have it by the hands of Enemies or Friends (if they could maintain it) I leave your wise consideration, none obstanding that the said former Ambassadour being proved to be an oppressor, the Grand Signieur deprived him from the Charge of the Embas­sie with his Hattesherife, for which his Majestie of England with his Letters, now sent by me his Ambassadour, doth give him many thankes therefore.

From the Venetians he never heard word since, nor from the French Ambassadour, although he told my Lords servants he would answer him in writing, but wee heare he is so troubled in mind, [Page 14] the truth being so apparent, that he cannot deny it, and what title to give my Lord he cannot resolve, if hee acknowledges him Lord Ambassadour, he hath said the contrary to the Vizeere, and so gives himselfe the lye, if no Lord, and he should be Confirmed, he makes my Lord his enemie for ever. But to our businesse, whilst my Lord is thus deluded, and fed with faire words, all attempts are made, and Traps laid, how to get my Lord to compound himselfe by mo­nies into his rights and dues, the Vizeeres Jew hath tempted us, the Merchants, the Kogag hath spoke to my Lords Drugerman many times, that if he would not come off, his businesse would never bee done; My Lords Druggerman told him alwaies, that my Lord would sooner lose his life, then come in upon such dishonourable tearmes; My Lords Drudgerman being sicke, on Sunday the third of October, he sent Master Juate and another Merchant to tell the Vizeere so, and that he sent them to receive his Message; he gave them no answer but this, Bid the Druggerman come to mee on Tuesday. This vexed my Lord, but he was resolved to try another day; on Tuesday the Druggerman went to him, and then he told him plainly that he could not decide the Controversie between the two Ambassadours, but must send a Chouze for England: as soon as my Lord perceived he had delayed him all this time for this, hee presently wrote him this Letter, or Arrs, and sent him the next morning.

Upon this he said (looking upon the Letter) what? here is no­thing, and would have had some body gone with the Drugerman to [Page 16] treat with my Lord, untill the Druggerman told him 'twas in vain; well then (said he) tell your Lord, if hee will come to morrow, I will vest him, and to morrow morning will send a Chouze to know who he will have Vested, and indeed was as good as his word; and when my Lord came to him, he was very pleasant, and did Vest his Lordship and seven more, the usuall custome being but five, with so much chearfulnesse, as all admired at it and presently told him that the Grand Signieur would be impatient untill hee were with him, and asked him if he were Ready. My Lord told him 't was impossible without three or foure dayes warning, hee pitched on Monday, and after some Debate, as the urgency of the Affaires of the State, the necessitie of the ships speedy comming in, &c. My Lord consented to it, but withall made him promise him, that ac­cording to the honour, and dues of Ambassadours he should be entertained, and feasted at the publique Druanine, which he did very willingly agree unto.

Monday morning being come, The Vizeere sent Hyssan Aga, one of the principall Chouzes, with two Chouzes more, to attend My Lord, who conducted him to the water side, and upon his landing on Constantinople side, the Chouze Basha, with fourty two Chouzes more on horseback, conducted him thence to the Vizeeres house, where he stayed in his Yegays Chamber, till the Vizeere sent to the Grand Signieur, to tell him his Lordship was ready for Audi­ence: his Majestie sent word he would receive him at the Keske, (being a kind of a Banqueting-house, or for Repose, very stately) by the water side in his Seraglio, whether the Vizeere went before him, and his Lordship followed with the Chouse-Bassa, and fourty two Chouzes attending him (besides all the Merchants, and all his own Gent. and attendance, no Ambassadour heretofore ever having the like) he came to a gate which opened into the Garden where the Keske stood there my Lord with 18. more were Vested, but none suffered to goe in but only my Lord, who was led by the Chouze-Bassa on his right hand, and the Bustange Bassa on the left; Signieur Dominico his Secretary, who carryed the Letter in a gold and sil­ver bag, led by two Chouses more, and Master Vernon his Drugger­man led by two other Chouzes. When my Lord came within sight of the Grand Signieur, they suffered him not to goe forwards, but side-waies untill he came just against him (hee being set upon an [Page 17] Ivorie and mother of Pearle Couch, the seates being lined with Lusin Furres) and then brought him forwards untill he came with­in the space of 20. paces, where my Lord made a low obedience to him, and the Grand Signieur (which was never seen before) bowed very much, and saluted my Lord, at which my Lord bowed very low again. After Dominico had read in Turkish my Lords Speech, with a laudable voyce, the Grand Signieur by his actions seemed much pleased at it, and having done, replyed (which was never known to any Ambassadour before) That if the King of England would hold that Amity and Friendship with him, which his Maje­sties Predecessors did with the Grand Signieur before, and his Merchants did come with that duty and respect as they ought, hee would protect and defend them strongly (for his hand hee said was strong) from all their Enemies, and they should freely Trade in his Dominions. Signieur Dominico replyed from my Lord, that it was his intentions to increase the Trade, so as the ships and Mer­chants may have the Freedome and liberty of their goods and per­sons, according to the Capitulations; he replyed again, tell him, his Ships shall be Free to goe out, and come in, when they please, and the Merchants should have their Liberties, and their goods, and he would confirme the Capitulations, and no body should medle with them throughout his whole Dominions, and he would protect them, but said, let them see they did their duty, else his hand would reach them where ever they were, so now he may goe. When he tooke the Letter, he asked if the Translate was in it, they told him yes, Said he (pointing to his eyes) I will read it every word, every word. Now into that bag with the Letter, my Lord caused certaine grievences to bee put, as also his owne Speech being translated into Turkish, that when the Grand Signieur looks upon the one he might also read the other, both which are as followeth.

These Grievances, and my Lords Speech, were all read over af­ter the Kings Letter, by the Grand Signieur himselfe, and as my Lord was told by some of the great men, hee liked them, and was very much pleased at them, and gave strict Command they should be redressed.

My Lord having done with the Grand Signieur, he went through the Seraglio Garden with all his attendance to the gate, where his horse stood, and by the Chouze Bassa, and his 42. Chouzes was at­tended back again to the water side, and by Hassen Aga, and his two Chouzes was attended home to his house.

After my Lord had been received with such honour, and had gotten such firm footing, he suffered not the Vizeere to rest, but the next morning sent his Druggerman to him, to thank him for his reall performance of his promise, and as he had begun, so he would proceed, and in the first place that hee would grant his Majesties desires, in sending home the Lord Crow; secondly, in confirming the Capitulations, and let other abuses bee redressed according to the Grand Signieurs promise; hereupon the Vizeere made a stop, and called the Druggerman close up to him, and said, Have not I been as good as my word? have I not done your Lord the honour befits him, yet see nothing? Goe tell my Lord, except I see what I shall have, I will not stirre one foot further. Whereupon my Lord sent his Druggerman to him again, to perswade him to trust to my Lords bounty, but could by no means be drawn to doe more without some assurance, wherefore after two or three dayes was spent, and nothing could bee done, my Lord sent him this Letter.

These Articles the Vizeere liked, and agreed they should bee performed, and hee would not have an Asper untill all was done; but said he, I will have two Merchants bound to me, that my Lord shall give me the mo­ney when all is done. For this purpose two of us went, having the Papers ready, but being late that night could not doe it, but promi­sed the next morning so soon as they could come it should be done, [Page 22] and so questionlesse it had, but now see a most unfortunate accident, that we must act our own destruction, for when the Market was so starved, that all the Jewes, Turkes, and even the Grand Signieur himselfe, cryed out for the English ships to come in, which my Lord would not suffer untill his Conditions were granted, the Councell of Smyrna being scared with a protest which D. Edwards made, to have goods out of the ships, consigned to Jews at Constan­tinople, suffered, 19. Cases of Silke, and seven packs of Clothes to be landed, and carried up to Constantinople, which at this very time so supplyed the market, and stopped their mouthes, that the next day when the Merchants came to seale, he told them, Except they would make an absolute bond, without Conditions, that they owed him 20000. l. he would not meddle with the businesse, but bid them do what they could. This unexpected mischiefe when my Lord had wrought all his ends into so fine a condition to bee on a sudden so dashed in pieces, was too great a trouble to my Lord, and us all, for the Jewes and all people laughed at us, and told the Vi­zeere, that if he would be patient, the ships would unlade them­selves, whether my Lord would or not; so that the evill report which this bred, was worse then the supply of the Market, for all believed it. Now what to do, and which way to begin to act, was no small trouble to my Lord; at last my Lord resolved to try him with another Letter or Arrs, as followeth;

So this the Vizeere said, well, let your Lord bee patient a little while, and his businesse shall be done. In this smooth delatory an­swer, [Page 23] was more cunning expressed then before, for delayes ruine us, which he knew well enough, and his kind Reply tooke us from complaining against him. All this while the ships lay at great char­ges for demereage, the goods in them like to rot or receive much Damage, and if they stayed out past the little Bycam, the cloth would not sell this yeare; besides, the Merchants at a Gaze, and all Trade stopped; all these inconveniences being considered, wee valued every day delayed at 1000. l. wherefore my Lord being much troubled, because he knew not how to helpe us, for delayes must not be admitted besides, my Lord Crow swelled with con­ceipt to see us in this extremitie, who being summoned by my Lord (according to the Kings Command) to depart for England, In stead of obeying the summons, sent him an unworthy and unbe­seeming answer. An Overture at this present was afforded to us, by Arononcone the Vizeeres Jew, that he would undertake that all the forenamed Propositions should be granted, and for the sending my Lord Crow to Smyrna, he required but seven dayes time, but for the compleating hereof (till which time hee would not receive an asper) doe what the Merchants could, hee would 35000. pounds. And indeed considering the vast expences delayes would bring up­on the Company, and to settle the Trade in a more secure way then ever, out our enemy, and recover our owne Debts, it was a­judged by my Lord, and us all, a very good bargain, yet my Lord must not take knowledge of it, but as made between us and the Jew privately, only his gratuity to the Vizeere must seeme to doe the businesse. This Bargain concluded, the Jew so wrought the bu­sinesse, that within the space of six dayes he got by meanes of the Vizeere a Hattesherife to send my Lord Crow out of Turky, which was presently put in execution, and two Chouzes sent to take him out of his house, and put him into a Boat for Smyrna, hee made no resistance at all, but went presently with him; upon Wednesday morning the three Druggermen railing upon my Lord, and calling him Devill, wished the Devill to take him, and us all. My La­dy and the rest of the Family stayed behind to pack up their hous­hold-stuffe till Saturday following; in the mean time shee made much moan, that she had not an asper in the house left her, besides wages of Nurses, and divers other servants came to 500. l. and upwards, which were unpaid. This good Lady (only worthy of pitty) [Page 24] being by the evill disposition of her husband brought to this mise­ry, was thought no wayes accessary to his bad designes; Where­fore my Lord moved us in way of pitty to consider her condition; upon which wee sent her 1000. l. which she kindly accepted, al­though her Husband was offered by some of us not long before 20000. l. to be quiet, and depart the place in peace. Strange were the Plots and designes this man had to ruine us; besides the seizing of our estates, lending away our ships, and imprisoning our per­persons, and some in chaines; at one time he pretended that wee owed him 100000. l. of which to be established, hee offered the Grand Signieur 50000 l. and to the Vizeere the other 50000 l. when the Estate would not give him credit in this, hee workes upon the Venetians to supply him, and they hoping (and not with­out ground) by this meanes to make a breach between the Turkes and us, or to undoe the Merchants (which might be very benefi­ciall both to their Wars, and Trade) doe furnish him both with mo­ney, and presents; the French Ambassadour hee had made sure to him, and it is verily believed by money, and therefore hee's com­monly called Sir Sackvile Crowes Broker; this man sweares, and saies any thing, Sir Sackvile Crow would have him; but being of a wretched and miserable condition, and of so poore and hen-hearted a spirit, was able to get no Credence in this Court. Sir Sackvile Crow was to us a roaring Lion, threatens nothing but Ruine and destruction, and since my Lord came, told some of us, that he would be as Sampson, if they forced him hence, hee would pull the house upon them, and for my Lord that dared to come against him, to send him, and his Followers home in Chaines, he thought to light a punishment, but had decreed him a perpetuall prisoner in Rhodes or Ciprus. Oh how poore, miserable, and weake are the imagi­nations, and fancies of man, when God leaves him! that this man that over-night despised the authority of his King, bid defiance to his Ambassadour, and scorned all men in respect of himselfe, was the next day by two Chouzes without further help led into a Boat, and carryed whither he never intended. Here ends his story in Turky, God send him more honesty in England, whither wee wish him a good voyage.

This comming to Mr. Zacharie Browne aboard the Ship Marga­ret, he demanded of my Lord Crow, wherefore hee had caused his father Captaine Browne, and his mate to be detained, and impriso­ned on shore, who presently tooke a Bible, and laying his hand thereon, took a voluntary oath, that he for his part knew nothing of it, and that if his wise had done any thing, she did it out of her love to her husband, and his liberty, but not by his direction; yet about two dayes after he confessed to the same Master Browne, (charging him againe with the evill usage of his father on shore) that hee did indeed give his wife order to goe to the Governour, and to de­sire him to send for the Captaine on shore, and know of him by what Authoritie he kept him, his Lady, and familie in his ship, and whether he had any command from the King of England so to doe? but 'tis conceived he had forgotten his former oath.

[Page]Letters from Alicant of the 22. of March informe that the Mar­garet ariving there, which ship brought Sir Sackvile Crow, his Lady, and family from Smirna, the Lady Crow pretending to Master George Browne (commander of the said ship) that shee was with childe and [...]o neere her time, that she durst not venture to goe to England but would stay and ly in at Alicant, he caused her to bee set on sh [...]re, and himselfe went to accompany her; when shee was in the Towne, she presently went to the Governour, and told him she was a Roman Catholike, and that the Master of the ship had not only detained her by force, but had also denyed her liberty of her religion; whereupon the Governour sent for the Master and his chief Mate, and put both them and all the English Nation there into prison, and sent to the ship to demand Sir Sackvile Crow; but the Masters sonne, Master Zacharie Browne, considering the danger the ship was in, and what a trick Sir Sackvile Crow had put upon his father, denyed to deliver him, but presently wayed Anchor and came away; but before his comming, this Letter was sent him from the Collonel and Merchants.