The Ottoman Grand Vizierate (1560s–1760s)Kaiser Maximilian II. an Sokollu Mehmed Pascha, Wien, 9. März 1576Letter from Emperor Maximilian II to Grand Vizier Sokollu Mehmed Pasha, Vienna, 9 March 1576İmparator II Maximilian’in Vezir-i Azam Sokollu Mehmed Paşa’ya mektubu, Viyana, 9 Mart 1576Maximilian IIlat, en1576-03-09Mehemeti Bassae Maximilianus etc.Illustrissime et magnifice vir, syncere nobis dilecte, salutem.Accepimus binas vestras literas novissime ad nos datas. Ex quarum prioribus benigne cognovimus, quanto studio prorogatae inter nos et serenissimum imperatorem vestrum pacis negotium promovendum susceperitis, ita quidem ac eo deduxeritis, ut optatus tandem secutus sit effectus. Quod cum benigno gratoque animo accipimus, tum vero non minorem vos eidem paci fovendae tuendaeque curam adhibituros esse confidimus, quam in ea stabilienda laborastis. In quo ne nostrae expectationi deesse velitis, vos benigne hortamur: de nobis istud pollicentes, nos in iis omnibus adimplendis, quae tam quoad annua munera, quorum missionem, pro praesenti etiam anno, quantum uspiam fieri poterit accelerabimus, quamquam alias capitulorum vigore nobis incumbent, haud quicquam desyderari facile passuros, tum etiam operae et laboris, quem huc impenderitis, benignam quoque tempore rationem habituros esse. Quemadmodum nostram istam integerrimam voluntatem orator noster, nobilis fidelis nobis dilectus David Ungnad, baro in Sonnegk, vobis uberius declaraturus adeoque nostri animi gratitudinem re ipsa testatam redditurus esturus est.Quod vero ad negotium Polonicum attinet, cuius praecipue posteriores vestrae literae mentionem faciunt, equidem nihil in eo hactenus per nos actum est, vel etiam posterum agetur, quod vel potentissimum serenissimum imperatorem vestrum, vel vos merito offendere possit vel debeat: Nam etsi non a multo a maiore ordinum et statuum parte in regem Poloniae rite ac iuxta leges et consuetudines regni istius electi sumus, nihilominus per placida potius media dissensionem illam quae postmodum secuta est, ad concordiam/ reducere, quam virem agere, ac eo pacto ius nostrum prosequi, hucusque studuimus. Id quod deinceps quoque facere decrevimus. Nobis vicissim persuasum habentes, imperatorem vestrum, quae serenitatis suae est magnanimitas, non modo Christianorum rebus se hoc loci non immixturum, verumetiam serenitatem suam, ac eiusdem nomine et authoritate vos apud vayvodam Transylvaniae nullo legitimo modo ad regnum istud vocatum effecturos, ut pacatiora consilia amplectatur. Ad nos enim quod spectat serenitas sua ac vos de nostro in publicam tranquillitatem studio ita vobis polliceri potestis, nedum ullam pacis abrumpendae causam praebere possit vel debeat. Quemadmodum nec in posterum quicquam tale, quin imo istud omnino expectandum erit, rrr pro solito nostro quemcunque etiam Deus Polonici istius negotii exitum esse voluerit, nobis tamen eandem semper cum serenitate sua firmam pacem, amicitiam ac bonam vicinitatem colendi curam fore.De Bogdano autem istud affirmare possumus, nos iam ab aliquot annis praeterea, quae rumore nuntio aliunde ad nos allata sunt, de ipso Bogdano, quonam loco sit, quidve agat, parum vel nihil certi cognovisse, nedum quicquam nobis cum eo negotii esse.Tantum vero abest, ut Bekesium vel foveamus, vel eundem, contra Transylvaniam denuo aliquid moliturum, iuvare nobis in animo sit, ut expresse etiam ac serio interdixerimus, ne quis ex nostris ei militet, vel se ullo pacto illi iungat, quinimo tales ipsius Bekesii conatus et machinationes quacunque ratione impediri iusserimus.Quae cum ita sint, aeoque syncerum nostrum pacis servandae studium satis ex iis perspici queat, equidem confidimus saepe fatum serenissimum imperatorem vestrum ac vos nobis eadem integritate responsuros neque ad quosvis rumores, vel etiam falsas eorum delationes, qui cum pacem et quietem oderint, nullas non eiusdem perturbandae rationes ineunt, arma paraturos, sed rem ad nos qui opportunis remediis adhibendis haud defuturi deeri¬fdgfdgd mus prius rela relaturos esse atque istud insuper effecturos, esse ut qui ad confinia sunt officiales et milites Turcici intra suos se limites contineant, pacisque prorogatae capitulis, uti par est, accommodent. neque existens paci solitis suis excursionibus, depraedationibus, ac male violentiis, quarum nullus penis(?) est, miseris nostris subditis in infesti per esse pergant, sed ab iisdem, ac aliis omnibus, quae paci contraria sunt, abstineant In quo ne nostrorum vicissim officiorum uspiam defuisse videamur desyderari queat, nobis summae semper curae erit: his, qui memoratam pacem, nostraque de eiusdem capitulis 9. März 1576 observandis promulgata severissima mandata violare ausi fuerint, suum illud factum haud impune laturis. Caetera quae huc pertinent, praedictus consiliarius et orator noster, David Ungnad, nostro nomine vobis referet. Ad quem nos remittentes, quod reliquum est, caesaream nostram benevolentiam vobis benigne deferimus.To Mehmet Pasha Maximilianus etc.We have received your two letters, not directly addressed to us. From the former of these, we kindly understood with what zeal you have undertaken to promote the matter of peace prolonged between us and your most serene emperor, and you have indeed brought it to such a point that the desired result has at last followed. This we receive with a kind and grateful spirit, and we trust that you will show no less care in fostering and defending this same peace than you did in establishing it. In this, so that you do not fail to meet our expectations, we kindly encourage you, promising this about ourselves: that we, in fulfilling all those things, both with regard to the annual gifts, whose dispatch, even for the present year, we will hasten as much as can be done, and also with regard to those other obligations which, by virtue of the chapters, are incumbent upon us, will not easily allow anything to be lacking, as we will also, in a timely manner, take into kind regard the effort and labor that you have devoted here. In this way, our orator, the noble and faithful David Ungnad, Baron of Sonnegk, who is dearly beloved by us, will more fully explain to you our most sincere intention, and will also demonstrate the gratitude of our spirit by his actions.As for the Polish matter, which is particularly mentioned in your later letter, indeed nothing has been done by us in this matter so far, nor will anything be done in the future, which could or should justly offend either your most powerful and serene emperor or yourselves, for although we have been elected as the king of Poland duly and according to laws and customs of this kingdom by a majority of the orders and estates, we have nevertheless endeavored to bring any subsequent dissension to concord through peaceful means rather than by force, and in this way we have pursued our right up to this point. We have also decided to continue doing so henceforth. We, on the other hand, are convinced that your emperor, in his magnanimity, will not only not interfere in the affairs of the Christians, but that his serenity and you in his name and authority will also prevail upon the voivode of Transylvania, who was not lawfully appointed to this kingship, to adopt more peaceful resolutions. As far as we are concerned, his serenity and you can be assured of our commitment to public tranquility, as we will not provide any cause for breaking the peace. Indeed, any outcome that God may will for this Polish affair, we will always maintain the same firm commitment to peace, friendship, and good neighborliness with his serenity.Regarding Bogdan, however, I can affirm that for several years now, apart from what was brought to us by rumors or messages from elsewhere, we have known little or nothing definite about Bogdan himself, where he is or what he is doing, let alone having any dealings with him.Indeed, so far are we from favoring Bekes, or from aiding him in any action against Transylvania, that we have expressly and earnestly forbidden any of us to serve under him or align himself with him in any way, but on the contrary have ordered that any attempts or machinations of Bekes himself be thwarted by any means necessary.Given these circumstances, and as our sincere commitment to maintaining peace can be sufficiently perceived from these actions, we confidently trust that your most serene emperor and you yourself will respond to us with the same integrity, that you will not heed any rumors or even false reports from those who hate peace and tranquility and devise every possible means to disturb it, nor will you prepare arms, but rather report the matter to us, so that we can apply appropriate remedies without delay, and furthermore see to it that the Turkish officials and soldiers stationed at the borders will keep within their own limits and adhere to the provisions of the extended peace, as peace currently stands, and that they do not continue their usual incursions, depredations, and acts of violence, which are entirely inconsistent with peace, against our unfortunate subjects, but that they refrain from these actions and from all other things that are contrary to peace. We will always be diligent in ensuring that none of our reciprocal duties are neglected. As for those who dare to violate the established peace and the most severe mandates concerning its observance, they will not escape unpunished. Other matters pertaining to this, our experienced advisor and ambassador David Ungnad will report to you on our behalf. In referring you to him, finally, we kindly extend to you our imperial benevolence.