Die Großbotschaften Damian Hugo von Virmonts und Ibrahim Paschas (1719/20)

So is the imperial sign (nīşān-ı hümāyūn):

General [Damian Hugo] Count of Virmont^×—may God end his days propitiously—who came to my gate that is the center of state as grand ambassador from the Roman emperor^×, the paragon of the great commanders of the community of Messiah, sent a sealed petition to my threshold of felicity [about the following matter]:

In accordance with the peace and reconciliation that occurred between my sublime state^× and the aforesaid Roman emperor^×, it is required to appoint to the island of Chios^× in my well-protected domains an interpreter who may travel there under the flag of the Roman emperor^× in order to take care of matters and issues that may arise concerning [the Roman emperor’s] subjects. Thus, the ambassador requested my favor, as it has been the practice in accordance with the imperial letter of agreement (ʿahdnāme-i ḥumāyūn), to issue my most noble charter to appoint and designate Vincenzo Moroni^×,[1] son of Kurumi, the bearer of the imperial sign of exalted fame.

[Upon his request,] I issued this charter and I order that Vincenzo Moroni^×, son of Kurumi (?) shall be an interpreter on the aforementioned island^× in the described way. Those who are interpreters, their sons, servants, and women in their household shall not be injured and disturbed with the claims of tribute, levies, dues for goods in transit (ḳaṣṣāb aḳçasi, lit. 'butcher’s fee'), or other extraordinary taxes. No one shall interfere with or injure – claiming tribute, fees, and toll – under the pretext that he employs slaves and women. No one shall interfere with and injure him due to his expenses and gifts, the garments that he wears since a long time ago, his fabrics, his provisions, and his drinks. He shall be excused as it has been the practice since a long time ago. No customs duty and toll shall be claimed. He shall not be injured through the appointment of a military officer at their house. For the must that is produced from his own vineyard, the wine superintendent and voivodes shall not claim barrel money as it has been the practice for others. Himself, his children, and the women under his authority shall be exempt and delivered from tribute, extraordinary tax, dues for goods in transit (ḳaṣṣāb aḳçası, lit. 'butcher’s fee'), export fee (maṣdariyye), wine tax, and all the extraordinary levies.

When someone has a case against him, the case shall be referred to my threshold of felicity as per the imperial letter of agreement in his posession and the case shall not be heard elsewhere. At certain times, when he wishes to go somewhere, as he comes and goes on land and sea, at stations on the road, and during stages of the journey, no one from among couriers or [those claiming] courier fees - or [others] based on other excuses - shall interfere and attack him, his clothes, his flock of animals, his properties, and his provisions. In whichever location he enters, his victuals, provisions for the journey, and cereals shall be given in return for the fixed price. No one shall seek an excuse to avoid or dispute it.

Neiter judges nor provincial governors nor a single person from among the rest shall disturb him when he, at dangerous and insecure places, puts on a white cap on his head (başına aḳ ṣarınub, lit. ‘wraps white on his head’) and takes with him a sword, an arrow, a bow, and other equipment; they shall guard and protect as it has been the practice. Those who do wrong and attack shall be prevented and repelled. At all times, [you] should act as required by the exalted purview of our imperial charter/sign (nīşān-ı hümāyūn). No consent or permission shall be shown to the contrary. So shall you know and [have confidence] in the noble mark!