The Virginia Gazette

A letter from Galata, dated August 16th, 1766, says: "We have been a good deal diverted in this part of the world with the accounts of the progress of Prince Heraclius of Georgia, and of the great advantages he of late had obtained over the Ottoman forces. To credit them one would be induced to believe that the Turkish power had received a fatal blow, and that the Georgians were on their way to eat themselves in the imperial city of Constantinople. To us, that know the fact, nothing can appear more ridiculous. The real fact is this: Prince Heraclius is Chief of one of the tribes in the hilly country of Georgia, which acknowledges the Porte as their Sovereign, and to whom they pay a tribute. This tribute was paid in slaves, a certain number of young persons of both sexes being annually sent to Constantinople for that purpose. The exactors of this tribute having wantonly abused their power, by demanding the daughter of a man of high distinction in the country, occasioned at first that commotion which has since made some noise. Prince Heraclius endeavoured to appease the commotion, by offering an annual tribute in money in lieu of the other; but this was refused on the part of the Turk, and a body of troops was deputed to enforce the payment of the tribute. Prince Heraclius had the gallantry to oppose, and the fortune to repel them. The natural strength of the country has yet preserved him from the chastisement he has reason to expect, to prevent which he is now fortifying and securing himself by raising troops, by alliances with the neighbouring tribes, and by every other method in his power."