The Seals of the Premiership Are Again Conferred on Mohammed Páshá, the Emperor’s Son-in-Law
Súfí Mohammed Páshá was, at the time of Sultán Osmán Khán’s inauguration, deputy of the Sublime Porte; but for some mismanagement of which he had been guilty at the ceremonies which took place on that occasion, and for the vast treasures he, for want of judgment, had expended at that time, was disgraced and turned out of office, and Mohammed Páshá, the emperor’s son-in-law, was made káímakám in his stead. The reverend mufti, who had been implicated in the affair of the late deputy, Súfí Mohammed Páshá, was removed by the emperor from being head of religion and science, whilst that distinguished honour was conferred on his own chaplain, Omar Khoaja: the reverend mufti, Isaád Effendí, retaining only the prerogative of issuing fetvás. About the beginning of the month of Sefer this year, Khalíl Páshá, in consequence of the want of skill and good generalship which he had manifested in the late war with the Persians, was formally deposed, and the káímakám or deputy of the Sublime Porte, Mohammed Páshá, the emperor’s son-in-law, was created grand vezír in his stead. When Khalíl Páshá reached Scutari on his way back, he was presented with the government of Syria, which, however, he declined: he preferred retiring with two domestics into a cell in Mohammed Effendí’s convent, alleging that he was an old man of the poor and indigent ancient sheíkhs, and wished for no new preferment. By Mohammed Effendí’s intercession in his behalf, however, his fault was overlooked.