The Persian Ambassador Is Imprisoned
As soon as the sháh of Persia had learned that a mighty army was marching against his dominions, he sent off an ambassador, as before related, not with two years’ tribute of silk and presents, which he owed, but with one year’s only. On the arrival of the ambassador in the city of felicity (Constantinople), accommodations were afforded him, but the usual honours were denied. In fact, the monarch was so much enraged, that he afterwards sent him to the Seven Towers.
In the meantime the new grand vezír was busily employed in making preparations for renewing the war against Persia, and an imperial letter, with money for the journey, was sent to the khán of the Crimea, Ján Beg, calling upon him to join the royal camp with a Tátár army.
The disappointed Etmekjí Zádeh entered into wicked and treacherous designs against the new grand vezír. One of his creatures was brought before the diván for having murdered a servant who had belonged to the prime minister, for which he was instantly dispatched by order of the emperor. Etmekjí himself was notorious for his acts of corruption, and was therefore banished the seat of government.
The preparations for renewing the war being fully completed, the grand vezír and commander-in-chief, with his newly organized army, passed over to Scutari. Etmekjí Zádeh’s ambition was again awakened; he thought he should now be made káímakám of Constantinople, which office he lately held; but he was again disappointed, for the emperor had conferred that responsible situation on Súfí Mohammed Páshá, governor of Buda, who was instantly recalled and installed. Etmekjí Zádeh could bear his disappointments no longer, and overcome with grief he was taken ill. But we must, for a little, advert to some other events which claim our attention.
The governor of Kaniza, Ahmed Páshá, Ghraj-ban Gasper, who had been raised to the principality of the island of Naxia, and the hákim of Prague arrived in Constantinople with credentials from the emperor Mathias, requesting a conference with respect to the late treaty of peace. It would appear that before the treaty was finally settled the commandant of Buda, Alí Páshá, was removed from the frontiers, and Hasan Páshá was appointed in his stead; the latter, not knowing the advance which had been made towards laying a foundation for a solid peace, disturbed the tranquillity of the country in several instances, and committed some serious evils besides. However, he died, and Alí Páshá, at the establishment of the peace, being again re-appointed to the government of Buda, not only restored peace and good order, but also settled the boundaries of the villages belonging to both countries, and the payment of all dues, as they had been in the days of Soleimán. It was in reference to these and similar matters that the personages before-mentioned came to Constantinople, in order that they, along with Charizghal, the Austrian ambassador at the court of Constantinople, might be able to arrange matters in conformity to the articles of the peace.