1.C. 1730. the grand vizier's kiaia. This laft being on

Heg.1142,

The grand

kiaia flees.

143 his way to the Atmeidan, met some of his friends, who advised him to turn back, because vizier's the death of his chief being the principal object of the commotion, he, the kiaia, who exifted only by Ibrahim, and who had never done any thing but execute his orders, was likely to run great risks. He took their advice and appeared The aga of the janiffaries went as far

no more.

as the Atmeidan, furrounded by fome officers who were attached to his perfon. Neither the The aga of prayers nor threats of this chief, who was in an advanced age, could bring back thefe foldiers after hav- to their duty, whofe number and refolution ren

the janiffaries flees

likewife,

ing endea

voured to dered them already formidable. Patrona haughtumult. tily asked him, if he were come to join the

appease the

brave Muffulmen who were refolved on a reformation of the state and the punishment of the tyrants? As this chief affumed the tone which he thought belonged to him at the head of his men, Patrona arrogantly bade him hold his tongue and cause the colours which were in his poffeffion to be remitted him inftantly, or else, on his refufal, his veft died with his blood should - ferve these brave fellows as fuch, who were affembled to punish the oppreffors and their accomplices. The aga's friends were already mixed with the rebels. This chief, intimidated, alighted from his horfe, under pretence of speaking to the confpirators more at his eafe, but in effect to get away in the crowd. He changed his

clothes,

clothes, as foon as he could, with a poor man, and J.C. 1730. Heg. 1143. ran to the port to get into a bark, which conducted him to Scutari. Inftead of going to the grand vizier to give him an account of this infurrection, he fhut himself up in a fmall houfe which he had, left he fhould lose his head for his weaknefs and the bad conduct of others

increase

ber with

any vio.

Meanwhile the rebels broke open the prifons The rebels and the flave-houfe, delivered the flaves, and their num joined to their troop all the Muffulmen that they out doing could find there. They ran to the quarter of lence. the spahis to ask arms and engage fome of thefe troopers in their quarrel. It was remarked, that, in all their proceedings, they did no other violence than what was neceffary for the accomplishment of their defign. There was not a fhop pillaged, nor an infult offered in any ftreet but to fome fervants of the vizier, who wanted to take the part of Ibrahim. The mutiny commenced the 28th of September at nine o'clock in the morning, and by noon there were three thoufand men under arms, obedient to their chiefs, and thoroughly determined. Patrona Muflu, and Ali, thought only at firft of increafing their number. The minifters left them full time s left to do it, for no perfon appeared during the whole day to fupprefs them.

The caimacan and reis effendi learned in their country houfes, that a mob was tumultuously affembled in the Atmeidan; but as they were told who were the chiefs of this infurrection,

VOL. IV.

S s

they

Heg.1143.

macan and

fendi go

grand feig

nior of it.

J.C. 1730 they thought at firft that the inferior officers would be fufficient to difperfe and punish it. But The cai- when fome people better informed affured them the reis ef- that this troop vifibly increased, and that they to tell the were named for victims as well as the grand vizier, their contempt changed into terror. They repaired both to Scutari about four o'clock in the afternoon, and informed the fultan and Ibrahim bashaw of one part of the danger which they were in. One may fuppofe the confternation of the prince at thefe news, though the two minifters, who were fenfible how much reafon the emperor had to complain of them, endeavoured to leffen the danger, left they fhould be made. accountable for it. But when Ibrahim asked them, why this populace was not difperfed, they were obliged to mention the ftate of Conftantinople and the danger which they would have run in presenting themfelves to an armed troop, without forces that could intimidate it. Thefe reasons demonftrated how much the officers were in fault for not having oppofed the commotions at their breaking out, and what reproaches they merited for not having forefeen them. The grand vizier, in the first tranfport of his rage, exclaimed: "Great prince, how can << you suffer these cowards ftill to fee the light, "after the crime which their imbecility has made "them commit against your empire and you?" But it was no time for punishing. It was decided, that the grand feignior fhould return immediately

> Heg.1143.

to Conftantinople. A galley was brought from J.C. 1730. the port, in which the fultan and his vizier embarked; the rest of the retinue followed in faiks.

lio.

It was midnight when Achmet III. landed at the The prince feraglio-point. He learned that the rebels were returns to encamped in the Atmeidan, and that a guard was kept there as if they were in fight of an enemy; that the patrols were fpread thro' the town, where fires were kindled at equal diftances in the middle of the streets in order to fee every thing, and efpecially to avoid furprifes. A council was held inftantly; for all the officers of the divan were either returned from Scutari with the grand feignior, or come to attend him at the feraglio,

as foon as they knew of his intended return, by the departure of the galley which went for him. The wifeft members cried, that too much time had been loft, not to profit by that which was left; that as many troops fhould be affembled with all fpeed as the feraglio and the odas could furnish; that all thofe fhould be armed who had zeal and courage, and attack the rebels whilft their number was fmall. This plan, approved of by the grand vizier, was inftantly proposed to the grand feignior; but that prince replied: "Where fhall we find foldiers amidst "the obfcurity of the night? The rebels are "armed; how fhall we pafs into their camp "to call faithful fubjects? Five or fix hun"dred boftangis, and as many icoglans or "azamoglans,

VOL. IV.

Sf2

Heg.1143.

J.C. 1730, azamoglans, who have never borne arms, "form the whole guard and the refource of the "feraglio. Since the rebels are peaceable dur"ing the night, let us wait 'till day. Then I "will fend them orders or menaces that fhall

Vain attempts of

to make

quit their

arms.

disperse them; or elfe, we will display the "standard of Mahomet; we will affemble the "true Muffulmen, and oppofe force to force." As all thofe, who compofed the divan, had to reproach themselves with the prefent fituation of affairs, no one prefumed to blame openly the plan to which the emperor was in

clined.

L

As foon as day-light appeared, the prince fent the fultan one of the principal officers of the boftangis to ortherebels der the rebels to retire inftantly, threatening them to put all thofe to the fword who fhould refufe to obey. They replied, without fhewing the leaft fear, that they were affembled for the good of the ftate, that they had proposals to make to their emperor, and that they would not quit their arms, 'till they should be rendered juftice. On this haughty reply, the ftandard of Mahomet was difplayed, and it was proclaimed, that thofe, who would come and range themfelves under it, fhould receive twenty-five piaftres. As the army of the rebels increased vifibly, Patrona Calil ordered a corps of fix hundred men to place themselves juft by the facred ftandard. Ali, who commanded this corps, was ordered to divert by prayers, promifes, and threats, thofe who appeared difpofed

to