THE Command of this Sublime, and Losty, and Imperial Signature, preserved and exalt­ed by Divine Providence, whose Triumph and Glory is renowned through all the World.

By the favour of the Nourisher of all things, and mercy and grace of the merciful, I that am the powerful Lord of Lords of the World, whose Name is formidable upon Earth, giver of all Crowns of the Universe, Sultan Mahomet Han, Son of Sul­tan Ibrahim Han, Son of Sultan Ahmet Han, Son of Sultan Mahomet Han, Son of Sultan Murat Han, Son of Sultan Selim Han, Son of Sultan Suliman Han, Son of Sultan Selim Han.

To the glorious amongst the great Princes of Je­sus, reverenced by the high Potentates of the peo­ple [Page 6]of the Messiah, sole Director of the important Affairs of the Nazarene Nation, Lord of the limits of Decency, and honour of Greatness, and Fame, Charles the Second, King of England and Scotland, that is of Great Brittain, France and Ireland, whose end and Enterprises may the Omnipotent God con­clude with bliss and favour, with the illumination of his holy will.

In times past the Queen of the aforesaid King­doms sent divers of her esteemed Gentlemen, and Persons of Quality, with Letters and Ships to this Imperial High Port (the refuge of the Princes of the World, and the retreat of the Kings of the whole Universe) in the happy times of famous memory of my Ancestors now placed in Paradise, whose Souls be replenished with Divine Mercy; which Gentlemen and Presents were gratefully accepted, making Declaration, and offering, in the Name of the said Queen, an entire good Peace, and pure Friendship, and demanding that their Subjects might have leave to come from England into our Ports. Our said Ancestors of happy me­mory did then grant their Imperial License, and gave into the hands of the English Nation divers es­pecial and Imperial Commands, to the end that they might safely and securely come and go into these Dominions, and in coming or returning either by Land or Sea in their way and passage, that they should of no man be molested or hindered. After which time in the days of our Grandfather Sultan Mahomet Han of famous memory (unto whose Soul be grant­ed Divine Absolution) it being a-new desired, That the Subjects, Merchants, and their Interpreters, might freely and securely come, Merchandize, and Negotiate through all the parts of this Imperial [Page 7]Dominion, and that such Capitulations, and other Priviledges, and Imperial Commands, as had been granted unto the Nation of the Kings and Princes in Peace and Amity with this high Port, as France, Venice, Poland, and others, might also be granted to the Subjects of the said Queen, and all others coming under the English Banner; in con­firmation of which request, were given and con­firmed by our Ancestors of famous memory, the Imperial Capitulations and Priviledges succeeding, to say, It is commanded, &c.

Our Ships may trade in all parts, &c.I. First, That the said Nation, and the English Mer­chants, and any other Nation or Merchants which are or shall come under the English Banner and Pro­tection, with their Ships small and great, Merchan­dize, Faculties, and all other their Goods, may always pass safe in our Seas, and freely and in all security may come and go into any part of the Im­perial limits of our Dominions in such sort, that neither any of the Nation, their Goods and Facul­ties shall receive any hindrance or molestation from any person whatsoever.

Travel freely.II. The said Nation shall and may in like manner freely and securely come and go by Land through all the Imperial Limits of our Dominions, so that neither to their Persons, Beasts, Goods, or Facul­ties, shall any trouble or Impediment be given, nor any injury be done unto them, but they shall always at their own pleasures safely and securely traffick in all parts of our Dominions.

The same.III. And if it happen that any of the said Nation coming into our Dominions by Land, or passing [Page 8]into any other Country shall be stayed or arrested by any of our Ministers, such persons shall be set free and at liberty, and afterwards shall receive no hin­derance in his Journey.

IV. All English Ships or Vessels, small or great, shall and may at any time safely and securely come and harbour in any of the Scales and Ports of our Do­minions, and likewise may from thence depart at their pleasure, without detention or hindrance of any man.

Distress of ShipsV. And if it shall happen that any English Vessel, great or small, fall into any misfortune, danger of Sea, or any other necessity, all the Vessels, as well Imperial, as belonging to private men, that shall be near or present, as also all others that inhabit the Seas, shall give them help and succour; and being come into our Ports or Scales, they shall freely stay in them as long as they please, and for their money provide for them of all necessaries, and Provision, Freedom to take Provi­sions. and may take Water without the let or hindrance of a­ny man.

VI. And if it shall happen that any of their Ships shall have suffered Shipwrack, Cases of Ship­wrack. or been broken, or in distress, shall be cast upon any Coast of our Do­minions; in which case all Beglarbegs, Cadees, Governours, Ministers, and other our Slaves, shall give them all assistance, succour and help; and whatsoever Goods, and Faculties shall be saved or recovered in the said Ships, shall be restored to the English, and if they shall be restored to the of their Goods and Faculties shall be stole or taken away, our said Ministers, with all diligence, shall [Page 9]make sufficient search and examination to find out and recover the Goods, and restore them to the English.

The English and their De­pendants to travel freely.VII. The English Merchants, Interpreters, Brokers, and all other Subjects of that Nation, whether by Sea or Land, may freely and safely come and go in all the Ports of our Dominions, or returning into their own Country, all our Beglerbegs, Ministers, Governours, and other Officers, Captains by Sea of Ships, and others whomsoever our Slaves and Subjects, we command that none of them do or shall lay hands upon their persons, or Faculties, or upon any pretence shall do them any hinderance or injury.

One English man not to an­swer for the Debt of another, unless he be his Surety by Ho­get.VIII. If any English man, either for his own Debt, or for Surety-ship, shall absent himself, or make escape away, or shall be bankerupt, the Creditor shall only pretend his Debt upon his own Debtor, and not of any other English; and if the Creditor have not authentick Hoget or Bill of Surety-ship made by an English man, he shall not pretend his Debt of any other English man.

IX. In all Causes, Businesses and Occasions which shall occur between the said Nation, their Mer­chants, Interpreters and Brokers, or Servants, and any other whatsoever, that is to say, In felling or buying, in paying or receiving, in giving or taking security, or Pledge, Debt or Credit, and all other such things which appertain to the Ministers of the Law and Justice, In all businesses nothing of force without Hoget. they may always (if they please) in such occasions go to the Caddee, who is the Judge of the Law, and there make a Hoget, or [Page 10]publick Authentick Act with Witness, and Regi­ster the same, and take a Copy of the same to keep by them, to the end that if in the future any diffe­rence or pretence shall arise between the said Par­ties, they may both have a recourse to the said Hoget and Act. And when the pretence shall be conformable to the tenor of the Hoget Registred; then it shall be accordingly thereunto observed: And if the Plaintiff hath not in his hands any such Authentick Hoget, but only bringeth partial Wit­ness which makes Cavils or Pretences, our Mini­sters shall not give ear to them, but observe the written authentick Hoget.

No plea to be made against an English man without knowledge of the Embassad. Or ConsulX. And if any one within our Dominions shall ac­cuse any English man to have done him wrong, and shall therefore raise any pretence upon him by vio­lent or partial Witness, our Ministers shall not give car unto them, nor accept them, but the Cause shall be advised to the Embassadour or Consul Resident of the English Nation, to the end that the business may be decided with his knowledge, and in his presence, that the English may always have recourse to their defence and protection.

XI. If any English man, having committed an offence, shall make his escape, No English man to be mo­lested for ano­ther without being pledge. or absent himself, no other English man, not being pledge, shall be taken or mo­lested for him.

English men not to be Slaves.XII. All English men, or Subjects of England, which be found Slaves in our state, or shall be de­manded by the Embassadour, or Consul, the cause shall be duly examined, and such persons as are found truly to be Subjects of England shall be [Page 11]set free, and delivered to the Embassadour, or Consul.

No Harach de­manded.XIII. All English-men, and all other Subjects of the Crown of England, which shall dwell, or reside in our Dominions, whether they be married, or single; may buy, sell, and traffick, and of them shall no Ha­rach or Head-money be demanded.

The Embassa­dour 's power to constitute Con­suls.XIV. The English Embassadour, Resident in Aleppo, Alexandria, Tripoli of Suria, or Tunis; Algier, Tripoli of Barbary, in Smyrna, the Ports of Cairo, or any other parts of our Dominions, may at their pleasure establish their Consuls, and in like manner remove them, or change and appoint others in their places, and none of our Ministers shall oppose, or refuse to accept them.

No Process without the In­terpreter.XV. In all Causes concerning Law and Justice be­tween the English Nation, and any other, in the ab­sence of their Interpreters, the Judges, nor any o­ther ther of our Ministers, shall not proceed to give Sen­tence.

The Turks not to meddle in differences be­tween the English.XVI. If there happen any Controversie amongst them­selves, the decision thereof shall be wholly left to their own Embassadour or Consul, according to their own Right and Laws, and with no such Cau­ses our Ministers shall intermeddle.

Our Ships not to be detained at Sea by the Turks Ar­mada.XVII. Our Armada of Gallies, Ships, or any other Ves­sels of our Empire, which at Sea meet, or find any English Ship, they shall not do them, nor suffer to be done to them the least injury, or trouble; nor shall they stay them, demand, pretend, or take any thing [Page 12]from them, but shall salute, and shew good and mutual Friendship the one to the other, without of­fence.

All Priviledges granted to o­ther Nations, granted also to the English.XVIII. All those particular Priviledges and Capitulati­ons, which in former times have been granted to the French, Venetians, or any other Christian Na­tion, whose King is in Peace and Friendship with this Port, in like manner, the same were granted, and given to the said English Nation; to the end, that in time to come, the Tenour of this our Im­perial Capitulations may be always observed by all men; and that none may, in any manner, upon a­ny pretence, presume to contradict, or violate it.

XIX. If the Pyrates, or Levents, who infest the Seas with their Frigates, Against Tur­kish Pyrates. shall be found to have taken a­ny English Vessel, or to have robbed or spoiled their Goods and Faculties: Also if it shall be found, that in any of our Dominions, any shall have violently taken Goods of any English Man, our Ministers shall with all diligence seek out such Offenders, and severely punish them, and cause that all such Goods, Ships, Moneys, and whatsoever hath been taken away from the English Nation, shall be pre­sently, justly, and absolutely restored to them.

XX. All our Beglerbegs, Begs, Captains, Masters of Imperial Ships, and other private Judges, Gover­nours, Customers, Farmers, and all our Ministers, Subjects and Slaves, shall always obey and keep the Tenour of these our Sworn Capitulations, and shall with all observance respect the Friendship and good Correspondence established on both Parties, every one in particular taking especial care not to [Page 13]commit any Act contrary thereunto. And as long as the said Queen of England, according to this present Agreement of sincere Friendship, and good Correspondence, shall show her self, and remain with us in Peace, Friendship, and League, firm, constant, and sincere; We do promise also on our parts reciprocally, that this Peace, Friendship, Ar­ticles, Capitulations, and Correspondence in the fore-written form, shall be for ever of us maintain­ed, observed, and respected; and of no man many part thereof shall be contradicted, or infringed: All which above-mentioned Articles of Peace and Friendship were concluded signed, and an Impe­rial Capitulation granted and confirmed by our An­cestors of happy Memory.

Since which time his Majesty of England, James deceased in the time of our Grand-Father of hap­py memory, Sultan Achmet Han, having sent unto our Imperial Throne his Embassadours, Letters, and Presents, which were most acceptable, and de­sired that the already contracted Peace, and Friend­ship, and good Correspondence made with our Grand-fathers, and the Capitulations, Articles, and Priviledges above-written, should be again ratified, and the said Peace and Frendship renewed; far­ther requesting, that certain Articles very necessa­ry should to the same Capitulations be added. The desire of his Majesty, being declared in the Imperial Presence of our said Grand-Father Sultan Achmet Han, was presently granted: And he gave express Command and Order, that the said Peace and Friendship should be renewed and fortified, and the Ancient Capitulations and Priviledges confirmed; and that the new desired Articles should be insert­ed, and added to the Imperial Capitulations: [Page 14]Granting farther to the English Nation, all those Articles and farther Priviledges which were, given, and written in any Capitulations with other, Nati­ons, Potentates, or Kings in Peace and Amity with this Imperial Port: And by this Imperial Com­mand he gave order, that these his Imperial Com­mands should be obeyed of all men, and the Tenour of them duly observed. The Articles which then were granted, and added to the Capitulations, were these following.

XXI. That our Ministers shall not demand, or take of the said English Nation any Custom, No Custom to be taken on Moneys. None to force change of Mo­neys. or other Du­ties, of all the Dollars and Chequeens, they, or an under their Banner shall bring in, or transport from place to place, or carry out of our Dominions; and that neither Beglerbegs, Begs, Caddees, Treasu­rers, Mint-Masters, or other, shall take and demand either Dollars or Chequeens from the said Nation, to change them into small Aspers; nor shall give or do them any violence or trouble thereupon.

XXII. The English Nation, and all those that come un­der their Banner, their Vessels, small and great, shall and may navigate, traffick, buy, sell, and abide in all parts of our Dominions; No Ammuni­tion to be car­ried in our Ships. and excepting Arms, Gun-powder, and other such prohibited Com­modities, they may load, and carry away in their Ships, whatsoever of our Merchandizes, at their own pleasure, without the impeachment or trouble of any man; and their Ships and Vessels may come safely and securely to Anchor at all times, Provisions may be bought for our Ships. and traf­fick at all times in every part of out Dominions, and with their Money buy Victuals, and all other things, without any contradiction, or hinderance of any man.

[Page 15] No Process to be made with­out presence of the Embas­sadour, &c.XXIII. And if any difference shall happen with any of the said English Nation, by Suit in Law, or any o­ther Controversie, the Caddees, or any other Mi­nisters of our Justice, shall not hear nor decide the Cause, until the Embassadour, Consul, or Drug­ger-man of the said Nation shall be present.

Suit of Law above 4000 Aspers to be heard above.XXIV. All differences, or Suits of Law depending with the said Nation, which shall exceed the value 4000 Aspers, shall always be heard and decided at our Imperial Port.

No Consul to be imprisoned, nor dismissed, &c.XXV. The English Nations Consul, or Resident in any Port of our Dominions, being established by the Embassadour, Resident for the English Nation, our Ministers shall have no power to imprison, or exa­mine, or seal up their Houses, nor to dismiss or dis­place them from their Charge and Office; but in case of any difference, or Suit with the Consul, there shall he made a Certificate to the Imperial Port, to the end that the Embasladour may protect and answer for them.

The Goods of English-men dying, not to Eschent, &c.XXVI. When any English-man, or other under their Banner shall die in our Dominions, with their Goods or Faculties, or any thing that belonged unto them, our Escheators, Caddees, or other Mi­nisters, upon pretence they are Goods of the Dead, without any Owner, shall not meddle, take, or seize any part thereof, but they shall always be consign­ed, and remaining to such other English, as the De­ceas'd shall by his Testament assign; and if he di­ed intestate, then the English Consul shall take and receive his, Faculties and Goods; and if there be [Page 16]no Consul, the English Resident there shall take the Possession; and in case there be neither Consul, nor English, the said Goods and Faculties whatsoever, shall be received into the custody of the Caddee of that place; and having advised the English Embas­sadour thereof, the said Caddee shall resign all the said Goods unto such Persons as the Embassadour shall send with Commission to receive them.

XXVII. All these Priviledges, and other Liberties granted to the English Nation, and those who come under their Protection, by divers Imperial Commands, whether before or after the date of these Imperial Capitulations, shall be always obeyed and observed, and shall always be understood and interpreted in favour of the English Nation, according to the Te­nour and true Contents thereof.

In eases of Death, the Cadee not to meddle.XXVIII. Neither the Officer, called the Cassam, or Ga­therer of the Caddees Duties, in case of death, nor the Caddee, shall pretend or take of the said English Nation, any kind of Tenths, or Gasmets, or Fee of Division.

No Janizary, &c. to be im­posed on us without our consent.XXIX. The Embassadour of the King of England, or Consul residing in our Dominion, shall and may take into their service any Janizary, or Interpreter, at their own charge and choice; and no Janizary, nor other our Slaves, shall put themselves, or inter­meddle with their service against their liking or consent.

XXX. The Embassadour of his Majesty of England, and Consul, and the English Nation-residing in our Em­pire, for the use of their own Persons and Families, [Page 17]making Must or Wine in their own Houses, none of our Ministers, Caddees, or Janizaries, For making Wine. shall mo­lest or hinder them, or demand any Duties or Mo­ney, or do them any violence or impediment.

Customs paid in one Port, are not to be demanded in another.XXXI. In the Port of Constantinople, Aleppo, Alexandria, Scio, Smyrna, and in other parts of our Dominions, the English Merchants having paid the Custom of their Merchandize, according to the Tenour of the Imperial Capitulations, no man shall molest, or trouble, or take from them any thing more; and whatsoever Merchandize shall be loaden upon their Ships, and brought in our Dominions, and landed at any Scale, they being desirous to lade it again, and to transport it to any other Scale, or Port, the same Goods arriving in the second place, and Scale, and being there unladen, neither the Customer, nor Farmers, nor any other our Officers, shall pre­tend or take again any Customs, or Gabels of the said Merchandize; that the said Nation may always freely and securely trade, and follow their busi­ness.

No Hassapie Duties.XXXII. Neither of the English Nation, nor of any tra­ding under their Banner, there shall not be demand­ed nor gathered one Asper, nor any Money in the name of Imposition Hassapie, or Compositions for Flesh for the Janizaries.

XXXIII. There having been in times past a difference be­tween the Embassadour of the Queen of England, and the French Embassadour, both resident in our Port, about the Merchants of the Dutch Nation; both which Embassadours sent their Petitions to our Imperial Stirrup, and made request, that the [Page 18]said Dutch Merchants, coming into our Dominions, should pass under their Banner; which Request of both Embassadours was granted under our Imperial Seal; notwithstanding Sinan Bassa, the Son of Ci­gala, Captain of the Sea, now deceased, as Admi­ral, and practised in Maritime cases, having advised the Imperial Majesty, that it was fit and convenient that the Dutch Nation should be assigned to the Protection of the Embassadour of England, and that it should be so written in their Capitulations: which Opinion being by all the Viziers approved, by Express Order, and Imperial Authority it was commanded, that the Dutch Merchants of the Pro­vinces of Holland, Zealand, Freezeland, and Gel­derland; that is, the Merchants of those four Pro­vinces, trading in our Dominions, shall always come under the Banner of the Queen of England, as all other English do; and that of all the Goods and Merchandize which they shall or do import or export, All Straugers to come under the English Protection. to and from our Dominions in their Vessels, they shall pay the Duties of Consulage, and all o­ther Duties, to the Embassadour or Consul of the Queen of England; and that never hereafter the French Embassadour or Consul shall insinuate nor intermeddle herein: And accordingly it was com­manded, that for the time to come it should be ru­led and observed, according to this present Capi­tulation.

After which, there being arrived an other Em­bassadour at this High Port, sent from the King of England, with Letters and Presents, which were most acceptable, the said Embassadour did make request, that certain other necessary Articles should be added, and written in the Imperial Capitulati­ons; [Page 19]of which the first was, As in times past, in the days of one of our Fore-fathers of famous me­mory, Sultan Soliman Han, there was granted a certain Capitulation and Priviledge, that the Mer­chants of the Spanish Nation, Portugal, Ancona, Sevilla, Florence, Catalonia, and all sorts of Dutch­men, and other Merchant-Strangers, might safely and securely go, and come through all the places of our Dominions, and trade and traffick; granting unto them, moreover, that in any part of our Em­pire they might establish their Consuls: But it be­ing that every Nation apart was not able to defray the Charges and Maintenance of a Consul, it was then left to their will and choice, to come under the Banner of such Embassadour or Consul as should best like them, provided that it were an Embassadour or Consul of a King in Peace and A­mity with our High Port; upon which Grant, and other Priviledges given them, there were often granted divers Imperial Commands and Constitu­tions, being so desired by Merchant-Strangers, who of their own will elected to trade under the Banner and Protection of the Embassadour and Consul of the King of England. And whilest in all Scales and Ports in these parts, they had refuge to the Banner and Protection of the English Consuls: It seemeth, that the French Embassadour by some means having a new gotten into their Capitulati­ons, that the said Merchant-Strangers should come under their Banner, did endeavour to force them in all Scales to their Protection; for which cause the Controversie was again renewed and referred to our Divan, or Great Council, which after a due Examination, and a new Election, permitted to the will and choice of the said Merchants, they again [Page 20]did desire to be under the Protection of the Embas­sadour of the King of England, notwithstanding it being made known to the Imperial Port, that as yet the French Embassadour did not desire to molest the said Merchants, nor to force them under his Protection, the first Article written in the French Capitulations, that the Merchants-Strangers should come under their Protection, was by the Imperial Command made void and annulled: And to the end, that according to the ancient Custom of the said Merchant-Strangers, they should always come under the Banner and Protection of the Embassa­dour or Consuls of England; and that never here­after they should be vexed or troubled by the French Embassadour in this point, the said Embassadours of his Majesty of England having desired that this particular should be written, and inrolled in this new Imperial Capitulation , this present Article was accordingly inserted, and by the Imperial Au­thority it is commanded, that for ever in time to come, Merchants of the said Princes, in the menti­oned form, and according to this Imperial Com­mand in their hand, shall always be under the Ban­ner and Protection of the Embassadour and Consuls of England.

XXXIV. There shall never be permitted or granted any Imperial Commands contrary to the Tenour and Articles of this Imperial Command or Capitulati­on, No Imperial Command con­trary to these Articles to be granted. nor in prejudice of this our Peace and Amity, but in such occasion the cause shall first be certified to the Embassadour of England residing at the Port; to the end, that he may answer and object any scandalous action, or other pretence, which might infringe the Peace and League.

[Page 21] For enforcing Consulage.XXXV. The English Merchants of all the Merchandize which they shall bring or transport in their Ships, having paid the Custom, they shall also pay the Right of Consulage to the English Embassadour, or Consul.

XXXVI. The English Merchants, and all under their Ban­ner, shall and may safely, throughout our Domini­on, trade, buy, sell, (except only Commodities pro­hibited) all sorts of Merchandize; likewise either by Land or Sea they may go and traffick, Permission to trade in all parts of the Turks Domi­nions.or by the way of the River Tanais in Moscovia, or by Russia, and from thence may bring their Merchandize into our Empire; also to and from Persia they may go and trade, and through all that part newly by us conquered, and through those Confines, without the impediment or molestation of any of our Mi­nisters; and they shall pay the Custom, and other Duties of that Country, and nothing more.

XXXVII. The English Merchants, and all under their Ban­ner, Three per cent. Custom. shall and may safely and freely trade and nego­tiate in Aleppo, Cairo, Scio, Smyrna, and in all parts of our Dominions; and according to our ancient Customs of all their Merchandize, they shall pay three in the hundred for Custom, and nothing more.

Vessels forced by weather.XXXVIII. The English Ships which shall come to this our City of Constantinople, if by fortune of Seas, or ill weather, they shall be forced to Coffa, or to such like Port, as long as the English will not unlade and sell their own Merchandize and Goods, no man shall enforce them, nor give them any trouble or [Page 22]annoyance; but in all places of danger, the Cad­dees, or other of our Ministers shall always pro­tect and defend the said English Ships, Men, and Goods, that no damage may come unto them, and with their Money may buy Victuals, and other ne­cessaries; and desiring also with their Money to hire Carts, or Vessels, which before were not hired by any other, to transport their Goods from place to place; no man shall do them any hinderance, or trouble whatsoever.

XXXIX. The English Nation, of all the Merchandize which in their Ships shall be brought to Constanti­nople, Goods not landed, to pay no Custom. or to any other part of our Dominions, which they shall not desire of their own accord to land, or sell, of such Goods there shall not be de­manded or taken any Custom at arrival at any Port; and having landed their Merchandize, and paid their Customs, and other Duties, they may quietly and safely depart without the molestation of any man.

XL. In regard English Ships coming into our Domini­ons, do use oftentimes to touch in some part of A­frica, and there take in Pilgrims, and Mahometan Passengers to transport them to Alexandria; Idem. and arriving at that Port, it seemeth that the Customers and other Officers, do pretend to take Custom of all Goods which are found in their Ships, before the Merchants are willing to land any; by occasion of which molestation they have forborn to transport any Pilgrim. And in like manner, their Ships which come to Constantinople, and carry divers Merchandize, to transport part thereof to other places, the Customers and Farmers would enforce [Page 23]to land, and pretend to take Custom thereof: Wherefore we do command, that all the English Ships which with their Merchandize shall come in­to this Port of Constantinople, Alexandria, Tripoli of Suria, Scanderoon, or into any Port whatsoever of our Empire; according to use, they shall pay only Custom of such Goods, which with their own will they shall design to sell, and such other Mer­chandize as they discharge not from their Ships willingly our Customer shall not demand, nor take Custom, nor other Duties, but they may transport them whithersoever they please.

XLI. And if it shall happen, that any of the said En­glish Nation, or any under their Banner, Matters of Man-slaugh­ter. shall com­mit Man-slaughter, Bloodshed, or any other like of fence, or that there shall happen any cause apper­taining to the Law or Justice, until the Embassa­dour or Consul shall be present to examine the Cause, the Judges, nor other Ministers, shall not decide nor give any sentence, but such controversie shall always be declared in the presence of the Em­bassadour or Consul, to the end, that no man be judged or condemned contrary to the Law, and the Capitulations.

XLII. Whereas it is written in the Imperial Capitula­tions, that the Goods landed out of any English Ship, which shall come into our Dominions, and pay Custom, ought also to pay the duty of Consu­lage to the English Embassadour or Consul, Forreigners Consulage to be paid. it seem­eth, that divers Mahometan Merchants, Sciots, and other Merchants in Peace and Amity with this Im­perial Port, and other Merchant-Strangers, do deny and refuse to pay the right of Consulage; where­fore [Page 24]it is commanded, that all the Merchandize which shall be laden upon their Ships, and have paid custom, be they goods of whomsoever, ac­cording to ancient Imperial Capitulations, they shall pay the right of Consulage to the Embassadour or Consul of England without any contradiction.

XLIII. That English Merchants which trade at Aleppo, and those under their Banner, Silk to pay the Custom, as Ve­netians, and French. of all the Silk which they shall buy, and lade upon their Ships, shall pay the Custom, and other Duties, as the French and Venetian Merchants do pay, and not one Asper or Farthing more.

XLIV. As the Embassadours of the King of England, which shall be Resident in this Imperial Court, are the Representatives and Commissioners of the Per­son of his Majesty, so the Interpreters are to be e­steemed the Commissioners of the Embassadour: therefore for such matter as the Interpreters shall translate or speak in the name, Interpreters to have license to speak the sense of the Embas­sadour, or Con­sul. or by the order of the Embassadour, it being found that that which they have translated to be according to the will and order of the Embassadour, or Consul, they shall be always free from any imputation, or punishment: And in case they shall commit any offence, Drugger-men dying, &c. our Mi­nisters shall not put any of the said Interpreters in Prison, nor beat them without knowledge of the Embassadour, or Consul. In case any of the English Interpreters shall die, if he be an English-man, all his Goods or Faculties shall be possessed by the Em­bassadour, or Consul of England; but if he shall be a Subject of our Dominion, they shall be con­signed to his next Heir, and having no Heir, they shall be taken into our Exchequer. And as in this [Page 25]particular, so also in all other the above-mentioned Articles and Priviledges granted by our Forefathers of happy memory, it is expresly commanded and ordained, That all our Slaves shall ever obey and observe this Imperial Capitulation, and that the Peace and Amity shall be respected and maintained, without any violation whatsoever.

No command valid against the Capitulati­ons.XLV. Since which time of our Forefathers of famous memory, and the grant of these above-mentioned Capitulations, Articles, and Establishment of Peace and Amity, the said King of England having in the time of our Grand-father of happy memory, Sultan Mahomet Han, sent one his well desired Ambassa­dor, a person of Quality, to this high Port, to con­firm this Peace, Articles and Capitulations: which Ambassadour did declare, That oftentimes there were to divers persons Imperial Commands grant­ed, surreptitiously procured contrary to the tenour and Articles of the Imperial Capitulations; which being without our knowledge presented to our Judges and Governours, and the dates of such Commands being more fresh than those of our Im­perial Capitulations, the Judges and Ministers do put in execution the private Commands prejudicial and contrary to these Imperial. To the end there­fore, that for the time to come, such Commands shall not be accepted of any, but that the imperial Capitulations might be always observed and main­tained, according to the sincere meaning; the said Ambassador demonstrating the sincerity of his Ma­jesty and his request herein to our Imperial know­ledge, which was most acceptable: In conformity thereunto it was expresly ordered, That all such Commands which already have been, or shall here­after [Page 26]be granted, which are or shall be repugnant to the tenour of this Imperial Capitulation, what­soever such Commands shall be, when presented before our Caddees or other Ministers, should never be accepted or put into execution, but that always the tenour of the Imperial Capitulations shall be observed: And whosoever shall present such Com­mand contrary to the Capitulations, Such com­mands to be ta­ken away. they shall be taken from him, and in no wise be of any force or validity. In which time also on the part of our said Grand-father, all the above-written Priviledges, Articles, and Capitulations, were accepted and ra­tified, and the peace, amity, and good correspon­dence anciently contracted was a-new of him con­firmed and established.

XLVI. In the time of the Inauguration of Sultan Osman Han in the Imperial and high Throne, the King of England did again send a famous and Noble Gentle­man, his Ambassadour, with Letters and Presents which were most acceptable. And the said Am­bassadour desiring in the Name of his King and Lord, that the ancient Capitulation, Articles, and Contracts, granted in the days of our Forefathers, should be of him renewed and confirmed, and the ancient peace and amity a-new fortified and esta­blished, which his request was to the said Sultan Osman most acceptable. And the ancient Capitu­lations, Articles, Priviledges, herein written and confirmed, and the long since contracted peace and amity by him promised and accepted.

XLVII. After whom in like manner, in the days of Sul­tan Osman Han, the King of England having again sent unto this high Port his Ambassadour, the Ex­cellent [Page 27]and Honourable Sir Thomas Roe, Knight, with his Letters and Presents, which were most acceptable; and proffering in the Name of the King his Lord, all good terms of friendship and good correspondence: And desiring that the anci­ent Capitulations, and all the Articles from his Ancestors, and from himself formerly granted to the English Nation, might be a-new confirmed, and the peace and league long since between both Parties contracted and ratified; and that some o­ther Articles very necessary might be added to the Imperial Capitulations, and divers others already granted might be renewed, amended, and in a better form explained, which his request and de­mand was very acceptable unto him; and in con­formity thereunto, the ancient Imperial Capitula­tions, and all the Articles and other Priviledges in them often confirmed, and the peace, amity, and good correspondence contracted, in the times of his Ancestors, Grand-father and Father, and him­self confirmed, were again by Sultan Osman then ratified, established, promised and accepted, where­upon by him there was express command given, that for the time to come the tenour of his renew­ed Capitulations should be of every one observed, and that all men should be careful and respectful to the said peace and friendship established and con­tracted on both parts, and that no man should pre­sume to violate, or to do any act contrary thereunto, which Ambassadour did often declare that the Cad­dees, and other of our Ministers, in many places and Provinces, contrary to the Imperial Capitula­tions and will of the Imperial Majesty, have impo­sed and laid divers taxes, burdens, and moneys up­on the said English Nation, and those under their [Page 28]Banner, for which cause as it is above declared, it being found necessary to make additions of some new Articles in the said Imperial Capitulation, of which the said Ambassadour made declaration in Writing, and presented the same to the Imperial Presence: The said Sultan Osman Han with his Imperial Hand and Seal did presently give express order and command, that in the time to come all those Articles and Priviledges which were already in the Imperial Capitulations, and those Articles which now are therein by our order newly added, shall be of all our Subjects and Slaves duly obey'd and observ'd, according to the sincere meaning of this our Imperial Capitulations.

XLVIII. In as much as it is publickly known, That cer­tain Pyrates of Tunis and Algier, contrary to our Imperial Capitulations, mind, and will, do take and rob in the Seas the Ships, Merchandise, and men, Subjects to his Majesty of England, and of other Kings and States in league with this our Im­perial Port, to the great dammage and injury of the said English Nation, Against the Py­rates of Bar­bary. We do command and by these Presents we do ordain, that several Imperial Commands be given, for the entire restitution of all Goods and Merchandise to the English Nation so taken away: And that all such English as have been taken and made Slaves, or imprisoned by the said Pyrates shall be immediately set free. And after the date of this our Imperial Capitulations, if it shall be known that the said Pyrates of Tunis and Algier shall rob them again, and shall use and continue their outrages, and will not restore their Goods and men, we do command that the said Py­rates be not received into any Port of our Domini­ons, [Page 29]especially into the Scales of Tunis, Algier, Modon, or Coron. Our Beglerbegs, and other Mi­nisters, shall not suffer them to enter, nor harbour, nor receive them, but the Beglerbegs, Caddees or other Ministers shall persecute, banish and punish them.

XLIX. Being informed that in our Dominions many of our Customers and other Officers in Aleppo contra­ry to the Imperial Capitulations, under colour of taking Custom and Rest upon Silk of the English Merchants, have violently taken from the said Mer­chants a great sum of Money. No Rest to be taken. And whereas in the Imperial Capitulations it is written, that for Silk which the English shall buy in Aleppo, they shall pay as the French and Venetian Merchants do, and no more; Notwithstanding the said Cu­stomers, besides the two and half per cent. for Cu­stome and Rest, have taken from that Nation a great sum of Mony lately under Name of Rest, wherefore We command that this Business shall be examined, and that the said Mony be restored back, and for the time to come, the ancient Custome may be kept; and that this Nation shall only pay as the French and Venetian do, and that never be taken one Asper by name of such Imposition.

L Whereas the English Merchants Resident in Ga­lata, ordinarily buy divers Goods and Merchandize before they can Lade or send them away upon their Ships, and do pay unto the Customers the Custome of the said Goods, receiving a Bill, The Discharge of one Custo­mer a sufficient Acquittance a­gainst him that succeeds. or Acquittance to have paid the same, and after carry the same Mer­chandize to their own Ware-houses: In the mean time before they can Load and send away the said [Page 30]Goods; it happens, that either the Customer dies, or is removed from his Charge, and the new Cu­stomers will not accept of the said Acquittances, but pretend another Custome, troubling and mole­sting of them many ways. Wherefore We do Command, That of all the Merchandize which they shall buy, it appearing really that he hath paid once his Custome, the Customer shall accept of the said Acquittances, and shall not demand of the Mer­chant a second Custome.

LI. It being usual to buy in Angora, Chamblets, Mo­hairs, Silks and other sorts of Merchandize which they transport to Constantinople, and other places of our Dominions, and pay their Customes, taking Acquittances for the same, and so put the Goods into their own Ware-houses; And after being de­sirous to Ship them away, the Customers do de­mand again the Custome, No Custome to be paid twice. Therefore for the time to come, when the said Merchants shall desire to lade such Goods, and it be true that they have al­ready paid their Custome of such Merchandize, they shall not demand any second or new Cu­stomes, Provided that the laid Merchants do not mingle their Goods, which have not paid Custome with those which have already paid Custome.

LII. The English Merchants of all the Merchandize which they shall bring into our Dominions, and of the Merchandize which they carry out of our Do­minions, as Silk, Chamblets and other Goods, ha­ving paid the Custome, and not sold the Goods un­to another; And being afterwards to Ship it away for Scio, Smyrna, or any other Scale, and the said Goods there arriving, the Customers, and Officers, [Page 31]shall always accept of their Acquittances, which they have in their hands, and shall not take other Custome of their Merchandize.

LIII. The English Merchants of all the Commodities which they shall bring to Constantinople, or to any other Port of our Dominions, and of all such as they shall transport, Mestaria to be paid at Gala­ta. the Mestaragi of Galata and Constantinople shall take their Mestaria or Brokidge according to the antient Canon and usance, that is of such Merchandize as of old Custome was wont to pay it, of such they shall only take Mesta­ria, but of such Merchandize as was not antiently ac­customed to pay it shall not be taken Mestaria con­trary to the antient Canon. Farther upon the English Merchandize, there shall not be made or laid any Impositions, or other Duties, No Duties to be raised above the accustomed usance. nor from the said Nation shall not be taken one Asper, more, which shall be contrary to the antient Canon and accustomed usance.

LIV. The English Nation shall and may freely come into all the Ports of our Dominions to Negotiate and bring in Cloth, Kersie, Spice, Tin, Lead, and all other Merchandize, and no man shall do them any hinderance or molestation. In like manner, ex­cept only Goods prohibited, they shall and may buy, and export all sort of Merchandize without the prohibition or molestation of any man; and the Customers, and other Officers, the said Nation having paid their Custome according to this Im­perial Capitulation, and the antient use, shall not demand of them any thing more. In the time of the happy memory of my Uncle Sultan Murat Han, the King of England sent his Embassador Sir [Page 32] Sackville Crow, Baronet, with his Present and Letter, which was received in good part; and the time of his Embassie being expired, Sir Thomas Bendish ar­rived to reside at the Port with his Present and courteous Letter, the which was in like manner well accepted, And the said Embassador having tendered the Imperial Capitulations formerly gran­ted, that according to the antient Canon they might be renewed; It is hereby again commanded, that all the points, and particular Articles therein be observed and maintained.

No Goods to be forced violently out of the Ships. LV. And because contrary to the fence and tenure of them, the Ships of the English Merchants before they arrive at the Scale, several Officers did go upon them, and violently force out of the Ships the Goods of the Merchants, taking away the choice of them without agreeing for the Price, or making any account with the Owners.

Abuses to be re­dressed in Cu­stomes.LVI. And farthermore the said Merchants having once payed the Custome for their Goods at the Custome­house, and being desirous to transport the same Goods into another Scale, the Customers did hin­der and detain them, until he received another se­cond Custome for them.

LVII. And whereas in the Imperial Capitulations it is expressed, that in all the differences and Suits with the English Nation our Magistrates are not to hear nor decide the Cause, unless their Embassador or Consul be there present. In hearing of Law Suits. Of late our Judges with­out the knowledg of their Embassador have con­demned, imprisoned, and taken Presents from the English Nation which is a great wrong done to them.

[Page 33] No Customes upon MonyLVIII. Also whereas in the Imperial Capitulations, it is ordered, that the Customers shall not take any Cu­stome for such Gold and Dollars as by the English Nation shall be brought in, or carried out of Our Imperial Dominions, and that the Merchants are to give only three per cent. for the Custome of their Goods, and no more; the Customers not­withstanding do pretend to take Custom for their Chequeens, and Dollars; and to take more Cu­stom then their due for their Raw Silks, which they buy; Raw Silks. and of the Goods which they land at Scanderoone to carry up to Aleppo, they demand six per cent. which unjust exactions have been here­tofore rectified and redressed with an express Hatter­sheriffe. But being now again informed, that the said English Merchants, are as before wronged, by reason that the Customers do value and estimate the Goods of the English Merchants more then they are worth; and though the Customers are to have but three per cent. yet by an over valuation of the Goods, they take from them six per cent. And the Servants of the Custom-house, under pretence of small Duties and Expences, wrongfully take great sums of Mony from them; A greater num­ber of Guardi­ans not to be put aboard our Ships then usu­all. And a greater number of Waiters being put aboard the English Ships, then heretofore have been used, the charges there­of are a great expence to the Merchants and Ma­sters of Ships that sustain it. To all which, we be­ing requested for a redress, do Command, that when the Customers do set great values upon their Goods, the Merchant offering to them according [Page 34]to the rate of three per cent. in specie, of the same Goods, the Customers shall not refuse but accept the same. And being desired by the English Em­bassador that the above specified abuses and inju­stice should be rectified, We do Command, that contrary to the Imperial Capitulations the English Merchants be neither in the foregoing particulars, nor in any other manner troubled, nor their Privi­ledges unjustly infringed.

The Embassador of the King of Great Britain Sir Heneage Finch, Knight, Earl of Winchilsea, Vis­count Maidston, Baron Fitzherbert of Eastwell, Lord of the Royal Mannor of Wye, and Lieutenant of the County of Kent, and City of Canterbury, whose end may it terminate with bliss; did arrive with his Presents, and with all sincerity, and affecti­on was accompanied with Letters amply expressing the good friendship, and correspondence; and that abovesaid Embassador hath presented the Capitu­lations that they might be renewed according to the Canon. And that some Articles of great consi­deration which were before in the Capitulations may be more punctually observed, the said Embas­sador did desine, that they, might be again renewed, and more plainly expressed in the Imperial Capitu­lations. His request was graciously accepted; one of which Points is this.

LIX. That the Gallies, and other Vessels of the Impe­rial Fleet departing the Dominions of the Grand [Page 35]Signor, and meeting on the Sea with the Ships of England, they shall in no wise give them molesta­tion, nor detain them in their Voyage, nor take from them any thing whatsoever, but ought al­ways to shew to one another good friendship, with­out doing the least damage. And it being thus de­clared in the Imperial Capitulations, The Pyrates of Barbary not to search our Ships for Strangers Goods. Beyes and Captains, who Sail upon the Seas, and those of Al­gier, Tunis, and Tripoli, meeting English Ships which Sail from one Port to another, ought not to take from them any Mony or goods, upon pretence that their Ships transport Enemies Goods, and thereupon search them, and with this colour mo­lest, and detain them from prosecution of their Voyage, so that only at the mouth of the Castles, and in the Ports where the Searchers belonging to the Customs usually come aboard, their Goods shall be examined, but on the Sea, they shall be lyable to no farther search or inquisition.

LX. And contrary to the Articles of the Imperial Ca­pitulations, the Goods of the English Nation ought to receive no molestation having once paid the Cu­stom, Customs being paid, the Custo­mer not to deny the Teschere. nor shall the Customers deny to give the Teschere, or Certificate, that the Custom is paid for; upon complaint hereof, We strictly Command that the aforesaid Customers do not defer immedi­ately upon demand to give the Teschere or Certifi­cate.

[Page 36] A second Cu­stom not to be demanded.LXI. And the Custome being once paid of any sort of Merchandize not sold in that Port, which is to be transported to another Scale, entire credit shall be given to the Teschere, and a second Custom shall not be so much as farther pretended.

LXII. In Aleppo, Cairo, and other parts of the Imperial Dominions, the English Merchants and their Ser­vants may freely and frankly trade, All Goods in English Ships, as well as those of the growth and Manufa­cture of Eng­land, not to pay above three per cent. Custom. and for all their Goods and Merchandize pay only three per Cent. according to the former Custom and the Imperial Capitulations, whether the Goods be brought by Sea or by Land. And though the Customers and Farmers, upon the arrival of the Goods at the Scale, to give molestation and trouble to the English Na­tion, pretend that the Goods of the growth and manufacture of England ought only to pay three per Cent. but Goods brought from Venice and other places are obliged to pay more, and with this co­lour and pretence occasion suits, and troubles to the English; wherefore in this point let the Imperial Capitulations be observed as in former times, and Our Officers ought in no wise to permit the con­trary hereunto.

Without Pledge or Suretyship one English­man not to an­swer for ano­ther.LXIII. An Englishman becoming indebted, or having made himself Pledge for another, who is either fai­led, [Page 37]or run away; the Debt ought to be demanded of the Debtor; And if the Creditor have no Hoget that such an one according to the Law hath made himself Pledge and security, the Debt shall not be demanded of the other, which Article is already declared in the Capitulations.

Bill of Ex­change not ac­cepted, cannot be enforced.LXIV. Whereas sometimes an Englishman living in a Country, to free himself from a Debt draws a Bill of Exchange upon another Englishman who hath no Effects of his in his hands; and the person to whom the Mony is payable being a man of Power, and Authority, brings his Bill, and contrary to the Law, and the Capitulations, demands and forces payment of the Bill. In which case the Merchant accepting the Bill, shall be obliged to satisfie it, but not accepting of it, he shall be lyable to no farther trouble.

Drugermen free of all An­garia, and the Cassam.LXV. And the Interpreters of the Embassador of Eng­land being free by the Articles, declared in the an­tient Capitulations, of all Angaria, or Taxes; by vertue also of this present Article, when any of the said Interpreters die, their Goods, or Estate shall not be subject to the Custom, but shall be devided amongst the Creditors, and Heirs.

LXVI. And the King of England being a true Friend [Page 38]to this Our happy Port, Ten of the Em­bassadors Ser­vants free of Harach. To his Embassador who resides here ten Servants, of what Nation soever, shall be allowed free from Harach or Taxes, or mo­lestation of any man.

LXVII. An Englishman turning Mahometan, and ha­ving Goods, or Estate in his hands belonging to his English Principals, The Estate of Principals the hand of a Renegado to be delivered to the Embassador or Consul. those goods or Estate shall be delivered into the hands of the Embassador, or Consul, that they may convey, and make them good to the true Owners.

The late Embassadour of the King of England who resided in our high Port being dead, Sir John Finch, Knight, a prudent man, and one of the Council of Foreign Trade, is appointed to succeed him in the Charge of the Embassy: And notice be­ing given to our Noble Presence, that the said Em­bassadour was arrived with the Royal Letters and the usual Presents, they were acceptable to us. And the aforesaid Embassador having made known to us, that in the Capitulations already granted, there were several expressions so full of ambiguity, that they needed further explication; and to this end having requested of us, in the behalf of the King his Master, that the Capitulations might be re­newed, and that such Explications and additional Articles as were necessary might be added to them; the Request of the said Ambassador being made known to us, We have consented to it: And We do command, and be it commanded, that the Ad­ditions [Page 39]desired be added to the former Capitulati­ons; of which one is,

I. The Nisani Sheriff (that is) the Imperial Com­mand, upon which was put the Hattersheriff (that is) the Hand of the Emperour Sultan Ibrahim Han (whose Soul rest in glory) in the year 1053. which Command declares, that anciently the English Ships that came to Scanderoon, did pay for every Cloth of London for the Custom of Scanderoon forty Pa­ra's; and for a piece of Kersey six Para's; and for every Bundle of Cony-Skins six Para's; and for Tin and Lead, for every Quintal of Damascus or Cantaro fifty seven Para's and a half for Custom; which Goods afterwards arriving in Aleppo did pay for the Custom of Aleppo, for every Cloth of Lon­don eight Para's, for a Piece of Kersey eight Para's and one sixth, for every Bundle of Cony-Skins eight Para's and one sixth, for Tin and Lead for e­very Battman of Aleppo one Para for Custom. And the said Nation buying Goods & transporting them, for what they bought in Aleppo and exported, did pay for raw Cloth of Linen or Chilis, for Cordo­vans, for Hora sani Hindi, for every Bale of each two Dollars and a half; and for every Bale of Cot­ton Yarn a Dollar and a quarter, and for a Bale of Gauls a quarter of a Dollar, and for every Bale of Silk ten Osmani (of which fourteen makes a Dol­lar) for Rhubarb, and such like Drugs, three Dol­lars for every hundred, according to the estimate of the chief in that Art. The said Goods carried to Scanderoon, and there loaden upon their Ships, [Page 40]did pay for Raw Linen-cloth, or Chilis, for Cor­dovans, each a Dollar and a half the Bale for the Custom of Scanderoon; for Hora sani Hindi and Cotton Yarn, three quarters of a Dollar the Bale, for a Bale of Gauls one quarter of a Dollar, for Rhubarb and like Drugs, according to the esteem of Druggists, three quartes of a Dollar the Bale; and nothing more is to be, or ought to be paid, ac­cording to the tenour of this sublime Command: And if the Testerdar shall give any Command con­trary to this, let it not be obeyed, but be esteemed invalid: But let every thing be observed confor­mable to this Imperial Command and Imperial Ca­pitulations.

II. The English Merchants for all Goods exported or imported paid three per cent. only, and never ought to pay an Asper more, it being so specified in the Imperial Capitulations: But there having in the Scales of Constantinople and Galata arose con­trasts and differences with the Customers concern­ing the Londra's, or Cloth brought from London, and other sorts of Cloth of the English Manufacture, they shall pay according to the accustomed and an­cient Canon, and as they have always hitherto paid, that is to say of full Aspers, or short money, of which Aspers eighty make a piece of eight, and seventy a Lion Dollar, Aspers one hundred forty and four, for every piece of Cloth of English fa­brick, whether sine or course, and of whatsoever price, and the Customer shall not demand more, nor ought not to take more: But the Cloth that [Page 41]comes from Holland, and other Countries, viz. Londrini, Says and Scarlets, and other sorts of Cloth not English fabrick, shall pay for the future that which hitherto has been the accustomed Duty. And at the Scale of Smyrna shall be paid according to the ancient Custom and Use of full Aspers, or short Money, of which Aspers eighty make a piece of eight, and seventy a Lion Dollar; Aspers one hundred and twenty for every piece of English Cloth, whether fine or course, whether Londra or not, provided that it be of the fabrick of Eng­land: And the Customer shall not demand, nor ought not to take, one Asper more, and let no In­novation be made upon the Custom of the said Cloths.

III. The Capitulations being known, which com­mands, that the English having a Controversie, the import of which is above four thousand Aspers, that the Cause shall be brought to the Porta, and tryed no where else; if at any time the Caddi or Ministers of any place would detain any Merchant, or hinder any English-man that comes upon a Ship, from prosecuting their Voyage by reason of any Money imposed upon them, or pretended from them, if the Consul of the place will be Security to answer the Pretensions made before the Porta, such Persons shall be free and at liberty to prosecute their Voyage; and they that pretend any thing of them, let them come to the Divan for to be judged, and let the Embassadour defend them from these that come to demand; but if the Con­sul will not, be Security, then let the Judge of the place give Sentence.

[Page 42]In Constantinople, Scanderone, Smyrna, and Cyprus, and all other Ports and Scales of my Empire, what­soever English Ships shall arrive, they shall pay three hundred Aspers for Anchorage or Port Char­ges, and there shall not, nor ought not to be taken or paid one Asper more.

V. An English-man coming with Effects and turn­ing Mussulman, the Embassadour or Consul knowing that such Effects do belong to other Eng­lish Merchants, let all the Money and other Effects be taken out of the hand of such a Mussulman, and consigned to the Embassadour; to the end that he may transmit them to whom they do be­long, that by this means no Goods of other men may remain in the hands of such a Mussulman; and let not this be hindred by the means of any Caddi, or other Judges or Ministers.

VI. Any of the aforesaid English Nation buying Chambelets, Mochairs, or Grogran-yarne in Angora, or Begbazar, if they will export the said Goods from those places, after having paid three per cent. for the Custom of such Goods they export, let them not be molested for Skraz Batch, that is, for Passage or Exportation; and there neither shall nor [Page 43]ought to be taken upon the account of any such Dem and one Asper.

VII. Any English Merchant being to receive from his Debtor any sum of Money, if the said Debt be recovered by the means and help of an Assistant or Chiaus, he that recovers the Debt shall pay no more than what is paid to other Caddi's, which is two Aspers only, and not one Asper more.

VIII. There passing good correspondence between Us and the King of England; out of regard of this good Friendship, We do grant that two Ships lading of Figs, Raisins or Currants may be yearly Exported for the use of his Majesty's Kitchin, if there be not a dearth and scarcity of such Fruit in the Country; which we allow to be bought with their Money that Export them at the Scale of Smyrna, Salonica, or any other Scale or Port of our Empire, paying three per Cent. Custom, which being paid no person shall give to them that lade them any molestation or hindrance.

IX. It being represented to Us, that the English have been accustomed hitherto to pay no Custom nor Mezan for any Silk they bought in Smyrna. [Page 44](that of Prussia and Constantinople excepted) viz▪ for the Silk of Giorgia, Persia, or Armenia; if really there is any such Use and Custom, and the thing is not of prejudice to the Empire, let there in Smyrna for the future be demanded neither Cu­stom nor Mezan for the said Silk, but. to the En­glish Merchants let all kindness be used and shown. And the Embassador having made instance to Us that the foregoing Articles might be put into the Capitulations, his Request is granted, and con­formable to the former Imperial Sign and Capitu­lation, let now in conformity of what was passed, and of my Imperial Command, be renewed and granted this present Imperial Capitulation: which We command so long as Charles the Second King of England (whose end may it terminate in hap­piness) maintains good Friendship and Correspon­dence with Us, according to what has been maintained with our Ancestors, and to which We on our part are not wanting, with all tenderness entertaining this Friendship.

And we do swear and promise by him that has Created the Heaven and the Earth, and all the Creatures; by the Creator the one God We do promise, that nothing shall be done contrary to this Imperial Capitulation; and accordingly every one is to obey our Imperial Sign.