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we have been more indebted to the induftry and obfervation of the French minifters and fecretaries, for above a century paft, than to those of all the other nations in Europe.

We can only fuppofe for the prefent, that the licentioufnefs, contempt of order, and other evil habits, contracted during a long peace, under a weak, venal, and indolent government, were become fo inveterate, that they could not be remedied that any appearances to the contrary, were rather a part of the disorder, and proceeding from a temporary caprice, than the effect of any real amendment: and that nothing lefs, than what is nearly an impoffibility, a total change in the original conftitution and system of government, can reftore that falling empire to its priftine flate. It is certain that the European provincial troops in the Ottoman fervice, both horse and foot, gave many triking inftances of that valour for which they were ever celebrated; but the lives of these brave men were constantly facrificed to the cowardice or difobedience of the mob of Afiatics and Conftantinopolitans, in which they were involved. The Janizaries alfo, gave many inftances of a defperate courage but were in other refpects fo profligate, mutinous and diforderly, as to render thofe occafional efforts ufelefs. Soon after the clofe of the year, the Grand Signior Mustapha the Third, Emperor of the Turks, departed this life at Conftantinople, in Jan. 21ft. the 58th year of his age, and the 17th of a reiga, which had in its latter part, been the molt unfortunate of any in the Turkish annals from the time of Bajazet. His fon, Sultan Selim, being then only entered into his 13th year, feemed too young to fultain the reins of government in the prefent critical fituation of affairs. The emperor accordingly, with a wisdom and difinterested nefs which does honour to his memory, appointed his brother Abdulhamet to fucceed him is the throne. To this prince under the ftrongest terms of recommendation, he confided the care of his infant fon: a truft rendered facred by all the ties of gratitude; but precarious from the barbarous maxims of the Ottoman family.

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It is a juftice due to humanity to refcue the character of the late emperor, from the oblivion or contempt which too generally attend misfortune. If he was not poffeffed of thofe great, dazzling, and fatal qualities, which excite the admiration of mankind, and in which, to their

misfortune, too many of his ancestors were fuperiorly eminent, he was bleffed in a great degree with thofe happier ones, of humanity, juftice, and benevolence. Numberless inftances of thefe occurred during his reign, which would not have been omitted in an eulogium on the moft exalted characters. His moderation and clemency with regard to his Christian fubjects, notwithstanding their avowed difaffection, and the affistance they gave to a conquering enemy, when the very existence of the empire was in queftion, cannot be easily paralleled, in the hiftories of the moft refined civilization, and under the influence of the purest religion. His laft act with respect to the fucceffion, fhewed a patriotifm, which will be more admired than imitated, and a greatness of mind equal to the most renowned of his predeceffors.

The new prince having taken the neceffary measures for the preservation of public order and tranquility, which, in that empire, is always a matter of moment and difficulty upon fuch occafions, feemed to turn his attention with great diligence to the carrying on of the war. Numerous levies were accordingly made, and an order being pafled that all perfons who were guilty of tumults or disorders fhould be fent to ferve on board the fleet in the Black-Sea, the terror of that punifhment operated fo ftrongly on the profligate, as to produce a furprizing effec in preserving the peace of the metropolis. The emperor alfo iffued a refcript figned by himself, commanding the officers, governors of provinces, and military tenants, to act with the utmost diligence in their respective departments for the carrying on of the war, and thofe whofe immediate duty it was, to join the army forthwith, at the head of chofen bodies of the best troops they could procure, and to act with the utmost zeal and valour for the fervice of the state and religion, and the recovery of thofe provinces which had been wrested from the empire.

In the mean time there were some difturbances at Adrianople, and other pla ces where the army lay, through the mutiny of fome of the Janizaries, who were diffatisfied with the acceffion of Abdulhamet, and wanted to place the young Prince Selim upon the throne. Though these commotions were easily quelled, it does not feem impoffible, that the difcontent which appeared upon this occafion, might have fome share in the fubfequent il conduct of the army.

Several actions which took place on

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the Danube early in the Spring, feemed to indicate a vigorous campaign. Detachments from the contending armies frequently croffed that river, and thefe expeditions, though productive of no effential benefit, were attended with confiderable lofs on both fides.

In the mean time, the Porte was not inattentive to the advantages which might be derived from Pugatfcheff's rebellion, and was accordingly indefatigable in exciting the various nations of Tartars, who furround, or are intermixed with the Ruffian empire, to increase the internal disturbances. It is not difficult to perfuade people, who seem to be born for nothing but war, to take up arms. The Tartars, however, are not now in the condition, which at different periods enabled them to conquer a great part of the world. That overgrown empire which has fprung up among them, has by degrees, either fwallowed up, broken, or separated, their different nations in fuch a manner, as to render an union of arms or councils, or any general and formidable alliance impracticable Their being alfo cut off from the modern improvements in war, arms, and difcipline, is an infuperable bar to their becoming again terrible.

They could, however, be troublefome, and increase the confufion already caufed by Pugatfcheff. The Porte accordingly, fent Doulet Gherai, the late Chan of the Crimea, with a confiderable fum of money, and attended by feveral officers of his kindred and friends, among the Nogais and Cuban Tartars, where he was foon joined by 10,000 men. This body was attacked and routed by a Russian detachment, before any effective junction of thefe nations could take place. As the Tartars till dream of their antient glory, and fancy themfelves, before trial, to be as invincible now as they were in the days of Tamerlane, they were fo much furprized and difpirited by this defeat, that no farther fervice could be expected from them, and the Tartar Prince found matters so hopeless, that having divided his money among his friends and adherents, he quitted the country. Similar meafures were purfued, and attended with fimilar fuccefs, among the Bafkirs, Kirgis, and fome other tribes, all of whom were ready for infurrection or war; but were unequal to the purpose.

A confiderable armament was alfo prepared at Conftantinople, for the fupport of the Tartars, and their confederates the Coffacks, and other infurgents in the Crimea. In the mean time, fuch diligence was used in reinforcing the grand army,

that it became more numerous than it had been fince the commencement of the war, and the Grand Vizir was faid not to have less than 200,000 combatants under his command on the Danube.

Nor was the court of Petersburgh lefs diligent to enable Marfhal Romanzow to open the campaign with vigour. Though the rebellion of Pugatscheff feemed a confiderable impediment, yet Ruffia was now freed from fome other material embarrassments. The heavy clouds which hung on the fide of Sweden were now difperfed, and it was no longer neceffary to keep an army on that frostier; while the Auftrians and Pruffians fo effectually occupied Poland, and overawed the inhabitants, that the Ruffians were freed from all apprehenfions in that country. Marshal Romanzow's army was accordingly rendered very formidable.

After various motions and actions on the Danube, the marshal having received a fresh reinforcement of 10,000 regular troops, and a fupply of 30,000 recruits, made the neceffary difpofitions for palling that river. A large fleet of boats having been prepared for that purpose on the river Argis, under the conduct of General Soltikow, fell down to the Danube, and not withttanding a confiderable oppofition both by land and water, that gene ral effected a landing on the other fide, near Tutukay, in the night between the 16th and 17th of June. The paffage being now fecured, the Generals Kamenfki and Suwarow alfo croffed the river at the head of their respective divifions, the whole amounting to about 50,000 men. Thefe were followed in four days by Marfhal Romanzow with the remainder of the army, who encamped near Silittria, which he feemed again to threaten with a fiege.

In the mean time, there was a continued feries of actions between the Ruffian Generals and different bodies of the Ottoman forces: In one of thefe, General Soltikow was vigorously attacked by the Basha of Ruzick, who was at length with difficulty obliged to quita well fought field, after a fevere engagement of fevetal hours continuance. In this action, the Arnauts, and other bodies of the Turkish European troops, fhewed the greateft courage, and could only be foiled by the difcipline and firmness of the Ruffian infantry, and the excellent management of their artillery. This engagement was remarkable, as being the Taft in which the Turks acted with the vigour or fpirit of men.

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Marshal Romanzow did not negle& the advantages which the prefent fituation of affairs afforded. He placed the different divifions of the army in fuch advantageous fituations, and poffeffed himself of fuch important pofts, as totally to cut off all communication between the Grand Vizir and his garrifons, magazines, Adrianople, and home; fo that he was equally incapable of fubfifting where he was, and of retreating. Thus was the grand camp at Schumla compleatly invefted, and the Turkish empire, as it were, enclosed in a net.

On the fame day, the Reis June 20th. Effendi, having marched at the head of 40,000 men, to oppofe the Generals Kamenfki and Suwarow, was defeated without a blow, the whole army, both cavalry and infantry, having deferted their colours fo fhameful ly, that they equally evaded the danger of being killed or taken. The whole Turkifi camp, with a fine train of brafs artillery, which had been caft under the directions of the Chevalier Tott, were the rewards of this cheap victory. The Turkish accounts make this run away army to confift of 70,000 men, and reprefent the conquerors only as a handful.

From this time, diforder, mutiny, and difmay, feized all the Turkish armies, and they abfolutely refufed to face the enemy. They plundered the baggage, robbed and murdered their officers, and abandoning their colours, difbanded by thoufands, and marched in great bodies towards the Hellefpont, committing every kind of outrage by the way. Their arrival in the neighbourhood of Conftantinople, was fo terrible to the court and city, that when all prayers, promifes, and offers of money, were found ineffectual to induce them to return to the army, the minifters, inftead of punishing this lawlefs crew, were under a neceffity of furnishing them with veffels for their tranfportation to Afia.

The rage of mutiny, or the terror of the enemy, became fo univerfally preyalent, that if fome of the Turkish accounts are to be relied on, no lefs than 140,000 men, either abandoned their colours totally, or refused to act under their officers. Even in the grand camp at Schumla, and under the vizir's own eye, before matters were arrived at their ultimate state of disorder, he could not restrain the Europeans and Afiatics from cutting each other to pieces. It is alfo faid, that minifter was abandoned by his whole cavalry, fo that the immense army which he commanded at the beginning of the campaign, was in a few days reduced to nothing.

Such are the fatal but certain effects of luxury, degenerate manners, and a weak and venal government, which upheld for a time by the renown of its former greatness, neglects, or defpifes the virtues which raifed it to power and glory. A vast empire tumbling to pieces, under the weight of its vices and profligacy, exhi bits a leffon of aweful inftruction. The great empires of the world have, however, fallen in this manner, without any benefit to their fucceffors from the example.

In this deplorable ftate, the Grand Vizir made a hopeless attempt to gain time, by propofing a fufpenfion of arms, for the renewal of a congress, and the conclufion of a peace. These were conceffions not now to be obtained or expected, and the Grand Vizir was obliged to fubmit to the terms prefcribed by the conqueror. Thefe were, however, very moderate, confidering the present flate of affairs, Marshal Romanzow having demanded little more, than what the Ruffians had insisted upon in the two late congreffes.

In fuch a crifis there was no room for chicane or delay. Two Turkish plenipotentiaries having arrived at General Kamenfki's quarters, were there met by Prince Repnin, and in two short conferences every thing was concluded. It was remarkable, that the conferences were held, whether by accident or design, on the very spot where General Weifman had been defeated and killed in the preceding year. This peace, fo glorious to Ruffia, was figned on the 21st of July, the Grand Vizir only referving for himself the approbation of his court.

In the letter written by that unfortunate minifter to the Porte, he said that himself and the remains of his army were deftitute both of military flores and provifions, and were fo entirely enclosed and invested at Schumla, that they had no means of fubfiftence left but through the Ruffians. That being thus exposed to the difcretion of the conquerors, he had no part left to act but that of demanding a fufpenfion of arms, and of being conftrained to fign the terms dictated by them. He gives a firiking proof of the reprefentation which he makes of his condition, by obferving that he fends the officer, who conveys the letter and the treaty of peace, under the Ruffian paffport.

This letter, and the news that accompanied it, was productive of equal confternation and grief at the Porte. A

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grand divan was held, confifting of all the heads of the law, the minifters, and the chief military officers; but confultation was now in vain, and they were obliged to fubmit to conditions which they were not able to difpute. The treaty of peace was accordingly ratified, and the confent of the mufti being neceffary for that purpose, he immediately if fued his fetfa, or ordinance, in which he ufes the following expreffions: "Seeing our troops will no longer fight the Ruffians, it is neceffary to conclude a peace." The treaty of peace confifts of 28 articles, the principal of which are,-The independency of the Crimea; the abfolute ceffion to Ruffia of Kilburn, Kerche, and Jenickala; and of all the diftrict between the Bog and the Dnieper; a free navigation in all the Turkish feas: in which is included the paffage through the Dardanelles, with all the privileges and immunities which are granted to the most favoured nations. Ruffia reftores all her conquests; but is to retain Azoph and Taganrok.

There are, befides, feveral ftipulations in favour of the inhabitants of Mol davia and Walachia, as well as thofe of the Greek Islands reftored by Ruffia to the Porte, with the particulars of which we are not acquainted, as no authentic copy of the treaty has yet been published. It is, however, known, that they acquire fome new privileges and fecurities. The Tartar Chans of the Crimea, are to render no farther duties for the future to the Grand Signior, than thofe which they owe to him as the Supreme Caliph of the Mahometan religion.

The grief which infected the feraglio, and the members of government, upon this difaftrous conclufion of the war, did not extend its influence any farther. The people in general were fo tired of the miferies of the war, and fo difpirited by the continual loffes and difgraces which they fuffered, that they confidered peace, at whatever price it was purchased, as a happiness. The Grand Vizir alone was unable to brook the grief and indignation which thefe difgraces excited, and died fuddenly on his return to Adrianople. We have not fufficient information on which to found any opinion, with refpect to this general's conduct in the courfe of the campaign. Whether by continuing too long in the camp at Schumla, or by any other overfight, he contributed to the misfortunes which overwhelmed the army, or whether they proceeded entirely from the difobedience and cowardice of the foldiers, remains yet to be deter

mined. The ability which he fhewed upon former occafions, feems, however, to countenance the latter opinion.

The fituation of the Grand Vizir at Schumla, naturally reminds us of that in which Peter the Great found himself on the banks of the Pruth in the year 1711. They both lay at the mercy of their enemies, and the fate of their respective countries in a great degree depended upon the event. They both also escaped better than could have been expected, confidering the hopeleffnefs of their fituation, and the nature of the enemy in whofe power they lay. The confequences were in other refpects materially different. Peter efcaped from danger, only to become more terrible; while the vizir, though he faved his army, fell a victim to the difgrace. The interests and future fafety of the Ottoman empire were facrificed on the banks of the Pruth, to the fordid venality of one minifter, and the ftupid ignorance of another; while Marshal Romanzow has obtained very confiderable advantages for his country. It might be faid, in the langge of aftrology, that the ftar of Ruffia was now predominant, and determined to wipe off the difgrace on the Pruth, with every circumstance of exultation and triumph on the Danube.

Nothing could exceed the joy and feftivity which prevailed at Petersburgh, upon the confirmation of this happy peace. The emprefs ordered that eight days fhould be devoted to public feafts and rejoicing; rewards were diftributed as ufual, in the magnificent spirit of that court; and that even the wretched might partake of the public joy, the doors of the prifons were fet open to all, who were not charged with high-treafon. Even those miserable outcaits of mankind, who languifhed unknown and unpitied in the frozen wilds of Siberia, were thought of in this feafon of benevolence, and an order was iffued, that all those who fince the year 1746, had been condemned to that natural prifon (which, like the other world, admits of no efcape) fhould be released.

The articles of peace were fulfilled with great good faith on both fides; and the ratifications being exchanged, the Porte nominated Abdul Kerim, the Begler Beg of Romelia, as ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to the court of Petersburgh; whither, it is faid, he is to proceed with a prodigious train, of not lefs than 1300 perfons. Prince Repnin is alfo appointed ambaffador to the Porte on the part of Ruffia. T

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Grand Signior gave orders that all the flaves who had been made in Servia, Georgia, Walachia, Moldavia, the Morea, and other provinces, by the Turks and Tartars during the war, fhould be difcharged and fet at liberty, himself paying a compenfation of 100 piaftres to the owners for each flave. Above 3000 Turkifh prifoners who were difperfed in Ruffia, were alfo reftored to their country. The Greek inhabitants of Walachia, fenfible of the part they had taken in the war, feemed afraid to trust to the Turkish faith or clemency, notwithstanding the ftipulations that were made in their favour, and it is reported that a great number of them, to the amount of 3000 families, are preparing to emigrate into the Ruffian dominions.

Whilft pacific measures were purfuing on the Danube, the Captain Bafha, with the armament which had been fitted out for the Crimea, after some small encounters with the Ruffian fleet in the Black Sea, which was much inferior in strength and number, made an effective landing on that Peninfula, of the troops under the command of Dowlet Gherai, to the amount of 20,000 men. Thefe forces having joined the Tartars, were engaged in battle with the fecond Ruffian army, under the command of Prince Dolgorouki, when the meffengers on both fides arrived, with an account of the conclu. fion of a peace. Upon this unexpected advice the engagement immediately ceafed, and the contending generals and armies, with uncommon temper, withdrew to their refpective camps. It appears that Dowlet Gherai, had already been fo fuccefsful, as to have made fome confiderable acquifitions in the Crimea, all of which he has fince relinquifhed in pursuance of the treaty.

Some fmall engagements, between the Ruians and Turks in the Mediterranean, were of little confequence when they happened, and are of none at prefent. The crowd of Greek Banditti, particularly Albanians and Dulcignotes, who had joined the Ruffians in this war, merely for the fake of plunder, have fince its conclufion infefted all the feas of the Archipelago, with the most cruel piracies. Thefe barbarians not only plunder the fhips of all nations without diftinétion, but murder the crews in cold blood, with the most favage inhumanity. The French have particularly fuffered, and fome frigates of that nation haye been fent out to exterminate thofe mif

creants.

The conclufion of peace has already

prefented the inhabitants of Conftantinople with a fpećtacle, which was before equally unheard of and unexpected: Ruffian frigates of war, which had made their paffage from the Mediterranean through the Dardanelles, riding_at_anchor in their harbour. Some Ruffian trading veffels, with commodities from the ports on the Black Sea, have fince arrived at that capital.

The Porte in its prefent temper, has condefcended to appoint a minifter to treat with Kerim Kan, one of the prefent conquerors, or fpoilers of Perfia. This ufurper has long been troublesome in the neighbourhood of Baffora, to which he lays fome claim as fovereign of Perfia, and the Porte under its prefent apprehenfions of a war, by this negotiation, recognizes him in that title, in hopes thereby of evading the former claim.

Thus has ended the long and bloody war between thofe great empires, in which the one has reached the fummit of glory, and the other has fallen to the loweft ftate of humiliation and difgrace, though without any proportionable lofs of territory. It is not impoffible, that this may be the laft war between them for many years. Ruffia has gained her grand point, of a free navigation in the Turkifh feas, and has fo effectually refirained the Tartars, as not only to fecure her wide extent of frontier, but to render them ufeful, instead of danger. ous neighbours. These people will of courfe become her fubjects, before they well know it; any farther conquefts on that fide would be ufelefs, if not prejudicial. On the other hand, nothing lefs than a total, and not very probable, change of fyftem in the Ottoman government, can enable that empire to encounter Ruffia in her present state of greatnefs. The enmity arifing from a rivalship in power and in glory, is now at an end; and it is very poffible that new interefts may take place, and new connexions be formed among their neighbours, which may render it good policy in both empires to forget former animofities, and to unite in fupport of a common caufe.

Rebellion of Pugatfcheff. Great Rewards ineffectually offered for fecuring bis PerJon. Declares himself a Protector of the Set of Foma, and of religious Liberty in general. General Bibikows marches with an Army to reduce the Rebels. Pugatfcheff defeated, and the Siege of Orenburgh raised. The Rebels repeatedly

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