The Virginia Gazette

Milan, July 21. They continue to give us no very favourable Account of the Affairs of the Eastern Princes. The Russian Armies make great Progress; they have got to the utmost Confines of Europe, towards the Mouth of the River Tanais, in the Cricopenfian Tartary, and seem to be setting new Bounds to the Ottoman Empire. General Leontoff has attack'd and taken Kinbourn, a Place of Consideration, on the Tartarian Side of the Dnieper: and Kooff, a Town remarkable for its Trade, well situated, having a good Harbour, has fallen into the Hands of the Field-Marshal Munich, without a Blow; the People are in such an Apprehension at the Success of the Muscovite Arms. From hence, the last mentioned General, is proceeding to Bakhisaray, the Capital and Residence of the Cham of Tartary. The Governor of Azoph has surrendered that important City; so that except the said Capital, almost all Tartary is now become subject to the Czarina. But the Grand Vizier it seems, is marching with a Mob of 100,000 Men to the Succour of that Country; but notwithstanding his Numbers, he has added the Christian Ministers to his Train, in Quality of Mediators, which shews, that he thinks himself in a better Condition to do it by Negociation than Force, and consequently trusts more to his Units than his Thousands. Nothing can express the Consternation at Constantinople, as not knowing which to fear most; for Kouli Kan carries it with as high a Hand on the Persian Side, and seems resolved not only to rescue the lost Provinces, but to carry his Arms into the Heart of the Turkish Empire, whilst the Russians help to tear it to Pieces on the other Side. We are at a Loss in what Rank to place this Persian Worthy; we were told that he had assumed that of the Emperor, but now they begin to talk us out of it again, and tells us there was nothing in it; we hope another Six Months will fit us right in the Matter, and clear up to us this dubious Title: however, it is certain that the old Sophi is dethroned, and lives a poor miserable Life. The great Sultan Achmet, who was dethroned by the Janizaries, about Six Years ago; and kept shut up in the Old Seraglio, died privately in the Morning, and was buried in the Afternoon. By the going off of this Prince so suddenly, it is thought, that his Distemper was purely Political, for fear of a new Revolution in his Favour. There went a Report at Constantinople, that the Ancient Khan of the Crim Tartars, had been deposed, and another put in his room.