A NARRATIVE OF The success of the voyage of the Right Honourable HENEAGE FINCH, Earl of Winchelsea, Viscount Maidstone, Baron Fitz-Herbert of Eastwell, Lord of the Royal manor of Wye, Lord Lieutenant of the County of Kent and City of Canterbury, His Majestjes Ambassador extraordinary to the High & Mighty Prince Sultan Mamet Han, Emperor of Turkey, from Smyrna to Constantinople; His Arrival there, the manner of his Entertainment and Audience with the Grand Vizier and Grand Signior.  
LONDON, Printed by I. R. in the year, 1661.   

A Narrative of the Success of the voyage of his Excellency the Lord Heneage Finch, from Smyrna to Constantinople; his arrival there, the manner of his entrance into Pera, and of his audience with the Grand Vizier and Grand Signior.  
ON the sixth day of January, early in the morning, returning aboard with our own Company, and six Merchants appointed by the Factory of Smyrna to attend us; we set sail immediately with the wind at East, having the Smyrna Factor and the Catch in our Company, which arrived with us on New years day. As soon as we had sailed without the command of the Castle, it became totally calm, without the least breeze or breath of air, which enforced us to cast our Anchor, and expect until a favourable or a brisker gale did present: The next day a flattering air from the shore at Southeast, persuaded us to weigh our anchours, and set our sails; but this continued no longer than it had brought us out of the Lands protection, and had exposed us to our own arts and the strength of our vessel, to encounter with those many shocks and violences of a storm which suddenly ensued: for in a moment the wind altered, coming about to the North-east, so that with a strong gale we weathered the Cape Caliberno, and standing for the Island of Mitylene, we intended under the shelter of that Land to spend our tedious time of the following night. Our Ship lying a drift under her main course and foresail by the mast, the storm by degrees more violently increased, that by the morning it was become complete in all points of its growth and terror; the Sea was all in a breach, the sky was black and thick, the Sun so lowering and red, signified the continuance of it: the spray of the Sea so forcibly carried by the wind over the Ship, that Masts, Yards, and Decks, were covered with a white salt. This extremity of weather made us think of some port or harbour to secure our Ship. The Island of Ipsera lying Southeast eight leagues from Mitylene, was supposed by our Master a safe place to spend the fury of the storm, as having formerly afforded him a kinder entertainment and defence upon the like occasion of distress and fury: Thus steering for this Port, our main sails in the brails and our foresail set, it was like paper blown away; and bringing another to the yard, it had the misfortune to be foul of the flock of the anchor, and so became as unserviceable as the other: Being thus deprived of the benefit of our commanding sails, we set up our spritsail and main course, steering in between the Island Ipsera the greater and the less, where keeping too near aloof towards the shore, we unfortunately struck upon a rock, which astonished us all with a strange amazement; the poor Ship struck five times, endeavouring to clear herself from a total wrack and ruin, which all of us began to despair of; and with cast up eyes, and stretched out arms, thought now of no other but of our last and final port: And yet in the midst of this horrid consternation and distress, it pleased God, who was our best Pilot, to bring us clear from our rock, with some, though (as we hope) with little damage to our Ship. An escape so miraculous and wonderful, considering the violence of the storm, the career and weight of our Ship, as aught to make the 8. day of January for ever to be recorded by us to admiration, and anniversary thankfulness for God's providence and protection: The Ship having thus depth of water again, and come into a place of some convenient anchourage, our first anchor not holding us, we let fall our sheet anchor, the Smyrna Factor following us. The Catch being again separated by the night's tempest, came not to anchor, and fearing that being not furnished with so good ground-tackle as we, she was not able to endure and ride out so excessive a gale; the 8. & 9 day & night the wind continued still violent; the 10 it began to abate, so that we could send ashore, and enjoy some kind of satisfaction, though detained with a contrary wind: The greatest part of the 12. day proved with little wind, and the 13. a calm, the 14. day between one and two of the clock in the morning, the wind sprung out of the West South-west with an easy gale, with which we weighed our anchor and put to the Sea, the wind still continuing favourable and gentle; and the 15. early we came to the Island of Tenedos, and soon after entering the Hellespont, passing the new Castles, from that on the Asian side came off a boat sent by the Captain of the Castle, signifying the day before that he had received advice from the Vizier that we weresuddenly to arrive, and that both for ourselves and Ships that accompanied us, free passage should be given without any hindrance or molestation: passing further up the River about five leagues, being about three of the clock in the afternoon of the same day, we came up to the Castles of Sestos and Abydos: from the latter, being on the Natolian shore, came off a boat with a Janizarie and Drugerman, to welcome us with Letters from Sir Thomas Bendish, and to return with news of our safe arrival: The night following, and likewise the 16. day continued there a gentle and favourable gale; so that passing the Island of Marmora (about noon of the same day) situate at the entrance of the Propontick Sea, formerly called Proconnesus, we pleasantly passed forward that night, and on the 27. day, being that day three months since we embarked in the Downs, we came to an anchor for some few hours near the seven Towers, until such time as Sir Thomas Bendish could receive notice of our arrival. And thus giving time for that intelligence, the anchor was again weighed, and we stood in for the Port with a fresh gale. Notice being given, that the Ground Signior was seated in a Summer-house on the corner wall of the Seraglio: our Flags and Ensigns were displayed, our Cuns and Wastcloths out; and being opposite to the point of the Seraglio, a Bostangee, or one belonging to the Gardens of the Seraglio, came aboard to acquaint us, that the Grand Seignior's pleasure was that we should rejoice with Guns, (for that was his expression) after which were fired 61 Guns, and so came to an anchor on Topana side, where we received Sir Thomas Bendish aboard, congratulating our safe arrival. Against next day things were provided for our entrance, being the 18. day; and indeed with that handsome State and Equipage, that I believe none of his Predecessors, nor yet the Emperor's Ambassadors, can boast of a more honourable, nor a more noble reception. The Grand Signior sent several of his officers to attend and receive him at his first landing; and the multitude of people that flocked from all parts, made the business of more wonder and expectation. Assoon as we descended from the Ship into the boat designed to carry us ashore, the Ship fired 51. Guns, with that deliberation, and so leisurely, as continued until his landing; where being met by his own Servants, the Merchants of the place, and those brought with us from Smyrna; with the Officers of the Grand Signior, my Lord's Horse being covered with a Crimson velvet foot-cloth richly laced, and being mounted thereupon, and his Lady in the Coach, we marched in this order.  

1. The Vaivod of Gallata and his men.  
2. The Captain of the Janissaries with his Janissaries.  
3. The Chouse Bashaw with his Chouses.  
4. The English Trumpeters.  
5. The English horsemen, and Merchants.  
6. My Lord's own Janissaries.  
7. The Druggermen.  
8. My Lord himself with Pages and Footmen by his side.  
9 My Lord's Gentlemen.  
10. His Lady's Coach, and three other Coaches following with her women, made almost after the manner of Holland wagons.  
11. The Officers and Reformadoes of the ship.   
As we marched all the streets were crowded with people, and the windows with spectators, as being unusual in this Councrey to see a Christian Ambassador attended with so many Turkish Officers. The press was also the more augmented, and the passage obstructed, by casting 550. five foll. pieces, which My Lord commanded to be disposed of amongst the people. And thus being arrived at his house at Pera, he was immediately saluted by the Secretary of the Emperor's Resident, in behalf of his Master; and soon after by the Secretary of the Excellentissimo Ballarino, and Capello, who negotiate the affairs of the Venetian Republic, and the next day by a messenger of the French Ambassadors, and Dutch Agent. On that day the Grand Signior sent him a present of ten sheep, and fifty hens, a hundred loaves of bread, twenty sugar loaves, twenty wax candles, a favour extraordinary, not usually conferred on any Ambassador. On the 20. day of this month he had audience of the Grand Vizier, and being attended thither with the same solemnity as at his first entrance; only that until he came unto Constantinople side. He had not the attendance of Chaus Bassa who met him on the other side of the water, and thence conducted him to his Viziers' palace: At his first entrance he was led in between two of his Gentlemen, very few of his retinue being suffered to follow him into the presence of the Vizier, who sat in a little room upon Cushions and his feet covered, a fire in the room, and upon a Sapha were several Bashaws and Chauses standing by him: Two Crimson Velvet stools were fetched out; one for my Lord, and the other for Sir Thomas Bendish, on which being sat, he presented the King's Letter to the Vizier by the hand of the Chancellor, who was there present by him; the Letters were wrote on parchment, and put in a bag made of cloth of Gold. As soon as they were delivered, my Lord Bendish began to inform the Vizier, that this was that honourable person he had formerly acquainted him was coming Ambassador; rhat he was of that Nobility and Alliance to the King, that had not his Majesty highly and in an extraordinary manner intended to honour the Grand Signior, he would not have exposed his kinsman to so long & dangerous a voyage. Then my Lord began to tell him the Restauration of the King, of his greatness and power, of his Clemency in pardoning all but such as were engaged in the blood of his Father; That in his passage to this place, he had by the command of the King touched at Algiers, endeavouring to renew the former articles of peace, and to release an English Lord which was there a captive, enslaved contrary to the agreement of peace, but was foiled in the Treaty, and could reduce them to nothing of reason or justice, and therefore desired to know of the Vizier what should be done in this case. To which he replied, that he would have a care of it, and see to do him justice: My Lord further assured him of the friendship that the King his Master desired to preserve with the Grand Signior; and therefore desiring to honour him, hath sent him his first Ambassador to salute him, before he had appointed or designed any for the Christian Princes: To which the Vizier proudly replied, that that was but reason, since the Grand Signior was an Emperor and they but Kings, and he the greatest & most Sovereign Potentate of the world. He further told him, that being now come upon a business of Ceremony and Compliment, he could not insist upon much business whereby to over burden him with a tedious discourse, but should refer that to be intimated to him by his Drugerman, at some other convenient time of Treaty and discourse. This being passed, two bowls of Sherbet were brought forth, which we drunk one to another, but not the Turks. This being done, the English present was brought forth and laid before the Vizier, consisting of twenty Vests, four of them being of fine English cloth of several colours, four Velvet, of several flowered Stuffs of gold and silver four, of watered Tabbies four, of several Satins worked gaudy and gay after the Turkish fashion. In recompense we received thanks, and my Lord himself with Sir Thomas Bendish, and six of those that attended were vested; which vests had nothing of value more, then that they came from the Vizier, as usual Liveries and Badges of their favours. After this my Lord departed, wearing this painted vest until he came without the gates of the Palace, and then delivered it to the hands of his Page, and so likewise did those that followed him to their Servants; and thus in the same manner returned back again to his house at Pera, with an appearance of fair correspondency of a maintenance of the former Capitulations, with an amendment of the afore passed abuses.  
On the 26. Feb. my Lord had audience of the Gr. Signior, which was purposely deferred until that day of payment of the Janissaries, that so the Ambassador might see more than an usual solemnity, and make a good report in his own Country of the glory and magnificence of the Ottoman Emperors. We being attended as formerly when he had audience of the Vizier, he departed from his house upon the first break of day, and having passed the water, was on Constantinople side met by the Chouse Bassaw and his Chouses, which conducted us to the Seraglio, where being entered, and riding through the first spacious Court we alighted from our horses, and walked through another Court until we came to the Divan, where at the upper end was placed the Grand Vizier, on his right hand were five other Viziers, of which the Captain Bashaw was one, on his left hand were the two Judges or Chief Justices, one of which wore a great Turban of green, being of the family and kindred of the Prophet; near to whom was placed the Toftardar, or Lord Treasurer, with three other Bashaws, being under Treasurers. The floor of the Divan was spread with Carpets, and on them a rich covering of bags of money to pay the Soldiery, there being in all an hundred and fifty heaps, every one of which consisted of ten purses, and every purse five hundred dollars, so that the sum by computation amounted to an hundred and fifty thousand pounds. Being come to the door of the Divan, none were admitted in besides my Lord, Sir Thomas Bendish, and about six or seven more; being entered, Sir Thomas Bendish and my Lord approached towards the Vizier, others remaining at the lower end of the room; where for them were set two small red Velvet Stools, on which being set, there passed some discourse of kindness and civility, which being done, they retired to another part of the room: In the mean while the payment of the Soldiers went forward; every Colonel and Captain receiving the pay of his Regiment and company, which having done, every one of them came up to the Vizier and kissed the hem of his vest on his knees, and so retired with great humility, making haste away from him, passing with one side towards him, so as not to turn his back: The payment being over, three small Tables were brought in (the Grand vizier retiring by reason of his indisposition of body) on which were set a large capacious Voider for a Table; that on which they dined being of silver oar, other of mixed metal: Being set at these Tables, their meat was served in one dish after another, where they had no knives laid for them to cut: for supposing the sharpness of their stomaches would make amends for the want of knives, they fell too after the Turkish fashion and tore it in pieces; but scarce was any dish upon the table, sometimes almost before they had tasted it. but immediately was snatched off, and another set in his place; having thus superficially proved every dish, of which there was about two Courses, the Table was taken away, and the Chouse Bashaw advised them to accompany him, where they should receive the Honour of the Grand Signors Vests, according to the usual custom upon like occasions. Eighteen Vests were bestowed, and one more above the number, as a mark of more honour and favour: Whilst this was doing, the present made to the Grand Signior by the Turkey Company was displayed in open Court, consisting of fifty Vests, ten being of Velvet, ten of Satin, ten of Cloth of Gold, ten of Tabbies, ten of fine English cloth; every one of which Vests was held by a several person, so that fifty men were ranked in order for the better appearance, and four English Mastiffs were also given as an addition to the Present. In this Court were also drawn up the whole body of the Janissaries that were then paid, consisting of five thousand men, amongst whom there was that silence, that not one whisper or noise, or the least motion was understood: And as the Janissaries Aga and other Commanders passed, the bowing and salutations that they made were also regular at the same time, as may well testify the exactness of the Discipline and admirable obedience, which hath been the sole cause of their Conquest and enlargement of their Empire. Being thus vested, and the Grand Vizier gone into the presence of the Grand Signior, to whom we bowed as he passed, two Cappagee Bashaws with Silver staves conducted him to the Audience, none being permitted to follow him, but Sir Thomas Bendish, his Brother the Drugerman, the Captain of the Ship, the Treasurer, and his Secretary, who carried the Cloth of Cold bag, in which were the King's Letters. The Gate we first entered was set vvide open, within it was paved with white Marble, where attended some forty Eunuches, all clothed with divers Colours of silk and Satin Vests, coming near the Presence door, we made a stand in the Porch, where runs a pleasant Fountain of water, and trod very softly, so as not to disturb with the least motion that great Majesty, where was so profound a silence, that nothing was heard more than the murmuring of the Fountain: Just at the Entrance hung a Ball of gold studded with Diamonds and precious stones, and about it great Chains of rich Peail. The Chamber where the Grand Signior sat, was covered with a Carpet of Crimson Velvet, and embroidered with Gold wire; and so likewise was an open Gallery before the Entrance, through which we first passed, and many of them beset with small seed-pearl. The Grand Seigntor himself sat in a Throne raised a small height from the ground, supported with four pillars plated with Gold, from the top hung great Balls of massy and weighty Gold: The Cushions he sat upon, and those also that lay by, and the Carpets spread upon the Throne were all beset with Jewels; on his Right hand stood the Grand Vizier, the two Cappagee Bashaws took him by each hand and brought him into the Presence, about the middle of the room, laying their hands upon his head, made him bow until he had almost touched the Carpets with his forehead, and then raising him again, they retired with him backward unto the furthest part of the room; in like manner they did unto the rest of his company. The King's Letters being presented, they were appointed to be carried to the Lord Chancellor, and the Drugerman by his order in the Turkish Language, read in his Paper to this effect. First declaring how the King of England was restored again without War or any Conditions, and the great Clemency of the King in pardoning all, but such as had a hand in the murder of his Father. Secondly, to recommend to his Majesty the continuance of his protection to our Merchants. Thirdly, to beg all English slaves, as a Testimony of his Majesty's gracious acceptance of him. The Ceremonies being over, and the paper read, we immediately retired away; and so passing along by the Janissaries unto our horses, and being mounted, we stood out of the way to see those Soldiers march by us, which indeed seemed a very flourishing Militia of young men, strong and well clothed; about two or three thousand first marched with bags of money upon their shoulders, afterwards followed about as many more running with much haste after the money, next followed their Commanders well mounted, with brave feathers of a yard high upon-their heads; next followed the Chouses and their Commanders, with several Bashaws of great quality. Last of all the Grand Vizier, who being gone, my Lord and his attendance proceeded forward, and so returned to his house. It is observable, that there were admitted to eat in the Divan many of his Retinue, which never before was admitted, only for the two Ambassadors; and also that none had access to the presence of the Grand Signior, but only the two Ambassadors and the Drugerman: 'Tis observable, that the dishes in which the meat was served up were of a greenish colour, made of earth very ordinary to the eye, yet such as Cost the Grand Signior an hundred and fifty dollars apiece, brought from China; whose virtue is such, that as soon as any poison comes into them they break immediately, and therefore the most necessary for the security of the Emperor.  
FINIS.