The Virginia Gazette

The following is an Extract of some remarkable Particulars in an original Letter from Constantinople, by way of Venice.

The Vizier Abdallah was scarce arrived here but he was deposed, either on Account of the Miscarriage of Oczakow, or for his having seized 6 Millions of Piastres, which were found in his Coffers. He was banished to Selonica, and the Kaimacan is preferred in his Stead, who is a proud impetuous Man, without any military Experience, but enterprising, and a Friend to the Bashaw of Bosnia, whose Credit is still very great. The new Vizier's Boldness, and the Fault he found with the Conduct of his Predecessor, have raised him to his Post; but he is so little beloved by the other Ministers, that it may be foreseen that his Heels will soon be tripped up. He affects to be zealous for continuing the War, but 'tis very well known after all, that he is as desirous of Peace, as most of the other Ministers are. He shews an uncommon Confidence in the Ambassador of France.

The Bashaw Bonneval, is returned from the Army, and is to serve next Campaign along with Prince Ragotski, on the Side of Hungary; but he endeavours to shift off that Command, because he had much rather serve in Bosnia, under the Bashaw of that Province, who is his good Friend.

Notwithstanding what was just now said of the Behaviour of the new Grand Vizier towards the Ambassador of France, it may be said, that the Porte is jealous of all the Christian Princes, and in particular of Spain.

The Grand Vizier complains sadly, that some Spanish Ships, with Venetian Colours, only released the Crews of certain Turkish Ships which they took, without restoring the Cargo. The Bashaws of Asia are to have all their Troops ready to march by the first Moon in March. 'Tis given out here, that the Ambassador of the Porte has been well received at Ispahan, and that he stays there for the Return of Kouli Kan from Candahar, to put the last Hand to the Treaty of Peace, and to engage him to take Arms against the Christian Princes: But we have other Advices more to be depended on, which say, that Ambassador is no better than a Prisoner; that Kouli Kan does not think of ratifying what his Minister did here with Regard to Peace; that he is upon the best of Terms with Russia, and that as soon as he has subdued the Rebels, it will be visible, that he only pretended to enter into a Negotiation with the Porte, only to gain Time for that purpose.

The Bailo of the Republick of Venice, having been at a large Audience of the Grand Vizier, to acquaint him that the Senate still persisted in their Resolution to live at Peace with the Porte, the Vizier declared, that he had certain Advices that the Republick would soon break with the Sublime Porte, and was for that End, making Preparations for War, both by Land and Sea, under various other Pretences. It signified nothing for the Bailo to repeat his Protestations, that his Masters really intended to maintain a good Understanding with the Sublime Porte, and that any Advices to the contrary could come from none but Persons misinformed or disaffected, for the Vizier continued in his Prejudice, and even dropped some Words, insinuating, that the Porte was not like to stay to be attacked first by the Venetians. Some Days after this, the Bailo sent away an Express in disguise for Venice, to carry the News.