The attack of Santa Maura being reſolv'd on in the Council held at Corfu, where were preſent Proveditor General Cornaro, the chief Commanders of the ſeveral Squadrons ſent by the Pope, the great Duke of Tuſcany, and the Order of Malta, General Strazoldo, and other Officers: Signior Moroſini muſtred all his Forces deſign'd to be landed. Two Battalions, each conſiſting of ſix thouſand men, one being of the Pope's Forces, the other of Malta, muſtred together with eight thouſand out of other Companies. The firſt Line of this latter Battalion appear'd with ſuch ſplendour as was ſurpriſing, being compos'd of a hundred Knights clad in their Coat-armours of red Sattin with the white Croſs of their Order. The Army ſet ſail the 19th. of July, and the day following arriv'd at little more than Cannon-ſhot diſtance from Santa Maura, and there caſt Anchor. This City extends it ſelf Eaſtward upon an Isthmus, or neck of Land, and is joyn'd to the Continent Northward, by an Aqueduct of three hundred and ſixty Arches in manner of a Bridge, not above three or four Foot in breadth: A woodden Bridge of three Partitions affords a Paſſage to the Continent both on the Eaſt and Weſt ſide. It is a Peninſula of a conſiderable length; the head of it bears the name of St. John's Point. The Fortreſs in an irregular Pentagon, each corner is flanck'd with great Towers, and there are ſeveral ſmall ones along the Curtain.

The Fleet being entred the Port of Demata, which is Eaſtward of the place, and is capable of receiving a great number of Veſſels, they landed ſome men. Signior Moroſini alſo went on ſhoar, and viſited all the Poſts which they had taken view of, and a lodgment made by Captain Manetta, in a place call'd Chiebe, of which he had made himſelf Maſter, being a Houſe of Pleaſure belonging to the Aga's Son: in the mean time he would not fire upon them till he had ſent to ſummon the Governour of the place; he ſet forth to him by writing the juſt cauſes the Republique had to raiſe a powerful Army, the Turks having violated the peace, by harbouring the Corſairs of Barbary, and uſing hoſtilities againſt the Subjects of that State. The Governour making no other anſwer, but that God would puniſh the Republique for taking that pretence of making War with the Grand Signior: The Admiral Flag was ſet up, and the Galleys and Galeaſſes began to batter the Fortreſs with their Cannon, and with above twelve hundred Bullets that were ſhot did much damage to the Houſes and Fortifications, and entirely ruined a Moſque. There was continual fi • ing from the Turks. Artillery, yet did it not hinder the Pope's Forces, and thoſe of Malta and Tuſcany from advancing to the place, and lodging themſelves in the Suburbs, which they did without much interruption, the Enemy not daring to ſally: Their chief endeavour was to hinder the Beſiegers from raiſing their Batteries, but in vain; for they being ſoon put in a readineſs, plaid upon the Town with ſo good ſucceſs, under the directions of Signior Lorenzo Venier, that they very much ſhatter'd the Walls, and the Bombs that were thrown in great numbers cauſed much diſorder in the place.

The firſt day of Auguſt the Batteries raz'd the Bulwark to the ground, and widened the Breach, which before was conſiderable; they diſmounted four pieces of the Enemies Cannon, and the Bombs ſet fire to ſeveral parts of the Town. The Works being advanc'd by the help of continual firing from the Cannon and Mortar-pieces, the Beſiegers began to fill up the Ditch with Fagots and Sacks of Earth. At laſt, on Sunday the 6th. of Auguſt, the Turks hung out the white Flag to give notice they would capitulate; and about one in the Night, they ſent three Deputies to Signior Moroſini to let him know they were ready to ſurrender the place upon honourable Conditions; they demanded leave to march out with all their Goods, but no more was allow'd them than their Families, and what they could carry away on their Backs. The Hoſtages were ſent the day following, and all the Slaves ſet at liberty on condition to ſerve on the Ships or Galleys of the Republique, in the quality of Seamen and Souldiers. The Garriſon being ſeven hundred men, march'd out towards the Evening with Sword and Muſquet; they were ſhip'd and carried on the further Shore of an Arm of the Sea. At the ſame time the Venetians entred the Town at the Breach. The Booty given to the Souldiers was conſiderable; there was found great ſtore of Proviſion in the place, and Eighty pieces of Cannon. The Venetians loſt but 200 men in the ſiege. Monſieur Jouy a Frenchman, Serjeant-Major of the Army, and Colonel of a German Regiment, receiv'd a wound on his Thigh, and was ſhot through the Arm with a Muſquet-bullet. Signior Moroſini immediately caus'd the principal Moſque to be bleſs'd, and Te Deum ſung in it; it was dedicated under the name St. Saviour, it being on the 6th. of August, the Feaſt-day of the Transfiguration of our Lord, that the Turks hung out the white Flag. Another Moſque was likewiſe bleſs'd and dedicated to St. Cajetan, upon whoſe Feaſt-day the Chriſtian Forces entred the place; the Government of it was conferr'd upon Signior Lorenzo Venier, a noble Venetian, and related to the Venetian Ambaſſador then in the Court of France: All of that name were eminent for their Services to the Republique. Sebastian Venier was Commander in chief of the Venetian Army, when Selimus was entirely defeated at the Battle of Lepante.

General Moroſini after having repair'd the Fortifications of Santa Maura, caus'd the Mortars and Bombs to be brought thither, and all Proviſions and Ammunition that the place might ſtand in need of, in caſe of a Siege, and choſe out two thouſand men, being all that were fit to march, many having been made uſeleſs by Diſeaſes and Fatigue, and ſome left for a Garriſon in Santa Maura. Colonel Angelo della Decima was ſent to the neighbouring Country to draw together all the Grecians he could to ſtrengthen his Army. Signior Moroſini having ſet ſail, made for the Port of Petala, there to wait for advice from the Colonel who was advanc'd about twenty ſix Miles from Santa Maura, from thence to the Port of Dragomette, where he caſt Anchor and landed his Army, which conſiſted of two thouſand Venetians, about one thouſand of the Pope's Auxiliaries, and fifteen or ſixteen hundred Greeks. This Army advanc'd on the Plains; and ſome Turkiſh Squadrons that were poſted in ſeveral places, and charg'd with the defence of the Paſſages, retired without making much reſiſtance. Saban Bacha, Governour of Preveza, had ſent out theſe Squadrons to obſerve the motions of the Chriſtian Army, and finding from their obſervations, no reaſon to believe they had any deſign on the place, he march'd out to put himſelf at the head of them, with a deſign to draw the Chriſtians to fight and ſurprize them; but they having ſet fire to four or five Villages, return'd to Port Petala to reimbarque themſelves after having waſted the Country during the ſpace of five days. At the ſame time Signior Moroſini with his Galleys got within view of Patras and Lepante, his deſign being to draw the Turks from that ſide, who, while the Venetians were diſpers'd on the flat Country, had reaſon to hope it would be eaſie to charge them. Next he came to the Port of Demata, where he call'd a Council of War, in which the Attack of Preveza was reſolv'd on. The Conqueſt of that place was the only means to ſecure Santa Maura ſo lately taken by the Republique, which otherwiſe lay much expos'd to the Infidels, and might eaſily be beſieg'd.

WHILE the Morlaques, addicted to the Service of the Republique, made frequent Incurſions into the Enemies Territories in Dalmatia, the Mainottes animated each other to ſhake off the Ottoman Yoke in the Morea, and preſerve their ancient Liberty, of which ſhall ſpeak in the following Book. Theſe Greeks took courage from the fame of the Venetian Conqueſts, they drew together in a body, and began to exerciſe their Hoſtilities with doubtful ſucceſſes. The Turks ſent ſome Forces from Braccio di Maina to bring them to their Duty, who ſoon overtook, attack'd and routed them, and continued the purſuit of them, being ſeconded by other Forces led on by a certain Bacha: But the Greeks back'd by unexpected Succours, and the preſence of Signior Delfino, rally'd and charg'd with ſo much vigour, that of 3500. Infidels, there eſcaped but 140. and of 130. men out of a Company of Athenians, all but two ſuffered the ſame fate.

The deep reſentment the Greeks had of the Maſſacre of Abbot Giona, whom the Infidels took in a Monaſtery ſituate near the Gulf of Preveza, and afterwards publickly empal'd, fomented their Revolt, and engag'd them ſo far, that they breath'd nothing but Revenge, and declar'd themſelves open Enemies of the Port.

About this time the Heydukes, and the Inhabitants of Montenegro came to blows with the Turks, and ſeveral were kill'd and wounded on both ſides; after that the Morlaques made an Incurſion, and advanc'd towards Sing, and carried off ſtore of Cattel, and ſome Priſoners, amongſt whom one call'd Papurſinovich Aga, offer'd upon the Field Five thouſand Crowns, and ſeven Horſes of great value for his Ranſom. The Turks after this Rencounter retired to Clin. The Bacha that commanded them, ſent the noble Venetian, Gabriel Lombardo, who was there made Priſoner, to the Port, as a Mark of the advantage he pretended to have had over the Venetians.

In the mean time General Paulo Michiel having drawn up a thouſand Horſe and ſome Foot, put himſelf at the head of three thouſand Morlaques that were joyn'd in a Body under their Leader: Theſe Forces made Incurſions into the Country to curb the Turks. In effect, the Bacha of Boſſine, who was march'd towards Hungary, was oblig'd to turn back towards Clin with ſeven thouſand men under his command. Signior Michiel encamp'd his men in ſuch order upon the Frontiers of Dalmatia, that he was ſtill in a poſture of defence; which Precaution gave the People of thoſe parts a favourable opportunity of gathering in their Harveſt with ſafety, and encourag'd the Morlaques to make Incurſions in Parties, and ranſack the Turkiſh Territories. In the mean time the Fuiſts of Dulcigno took Sixty Fiſhermen near Curzole; and four Galleys of Malta ſailing towards the Naval Army commanded by Generaliſſimo Moroſini, met on their way a man of War of Tripoli, which after an obſtinate Fight they took, and made three hundred Turks Priſoners, and releas'd many Chriſtians from Slavery.

Though the Venetians and Morlaques thwarted all the attempts of the Infidels in Dalmatia, yet they drew up in the beginning of June to the number of eight thouſand men, and laid ſiege to the Fortreſs of Duare. The Courage and Reſolution of the beſieged gave opportunity to General Valier, and Sieur Michiel, General of the Cavalry of this Province to come to their relief. Theſe two Generals made it their endeavour, each on their ſide to break through the lines of the Beſiegers, and took their meaſures ſo exactly for drawing together the Venetian Forces under their Command, that marching with great expedition towards the Infidels, they attack'd them in three ſeveral places, and ſoon put them into diſorder. In leſs than an hour's time the Turks found themſelves oblig'd to raiſe the Siege with the loſs of two hundred and fifty men that were cut in pieces, and ſeventy made Priſoners, of which number were forty Officers and one Lieutenant General Aga. The Booty that day was very conſiderable, they took one great piece of Cannon and two ſmall ones, three Mortar-pieces, one Petard, fourteen Colours, and a Convoy of Proviſion newly brought to their Camp, together with the greateſt part of their Baggage. In this action there were but ſix Chriſtian Souldiers kill'd, and thirty wounded: The Enemy in his flight was purſued by the Morlaques, and notwithſtanding the Baſha of Boſſina, who was but four Leagues diſtant, had upon the firſt noiſe of the Fight, march'd to their relief with four thouſand Horſe, they were defeated before he could come up, and the Venetians encourag'd with ſucceſs, charg'd him ſo vigorouſly, that they forc'd him to fly as the others had done. The Booty and Priſoners were given to the Souldiers for a reward of their Service. Nine hundred perſons towards Lica, to free themſelves from their Subjection under Mahmut Aga Haradanovich, ſubmitted themſelves to the Republick; and General Michiel aſſign'd them Quarters for their ſafe retreat. Yet the Baſha of Boſſina would have made an attempt to repair his misfortune, had he not been inform'd that Chevalier Janco cover'd the Fortreſs before mention'd with four thouſand Morlaques: He alſo ſoon after advanc'd into the Country of the Turks with three thouſand and five hundred Morlaques, and meeting five hundred Infidels, put them to flight, having kill'd one hundred and fifty, beſides thoſe that were drown'd in the River Narenta, thinking to ſave themſelves at Gabella. In this action he made an hundred Priſoners, took a great Booty, and ſent ſome Colours to Venice, as a Mark of his Victory.

The Naval Army under the Conduct of Generaliſſimo Moroſini, came near the Coaſt of the Morea, where they began the Campaigne with the Siege of Coron, the particulars of which are to be ſeen in the following Relation, which as it is very exact, ſo is it full of Actions and Circumſtances not generally known, tho' for the rarity of them, nothing can better deſerve to be committed to Poſterity than theſe gallant Performances of the Knights of Malta, who ſo bravely ſignaliz'd themſelves, and ſhed their Blood in defence of the Chriſtian Faith againſt the greateſt Enemies of it. This Relation was given from Malta; therefore when you meet with ſuch words as Ours, our Lines, or the like, remember it is a Malteſe that ſpeaks.

The Squadron of Malta conſisting of eight Galleys, and commanded by Signior Brancaccio, joyn'd it ſelf in the beginning of June, with the Pope's Squadron of five Galleys, which bearing no Flag, put it ſelf under the command of the General of Malta. About the middle of June they arriv'd together at Port Dragomet, where the Venetian Fleet was, to which ſome days before, were joyn'd four of the Great Duke's Galleys; and after they had ſo regulated matters, that according to cuſtome the Captain General of Malta was plac'd on the right hand of the Reale of Venice; and the firſt Poſt agreed in the Councils of War, to General Brancaccio. On the 20th. the whole Army ſet ſail to the number of ſeventeen Ships, five Gale •••• , two and twenty Venetian Galleys, five of the Pope's, eight of Malta, and four of the Great Duke's, fifteen Galeots, and fifteen or twenty Barques or Brigantines. The intelligence which Captain General Moroſini had held for ſome Months with the Mainotts to encourage them to ſhake off the Turkiſh Yoke, made him believe, that he might by their means make good Progreſs in the Morea; but having heard as he came near their Coaſts, that they had met with ill ſucceſs in the Attempt they had made to procure their liberty, and that they had been forc'd to give Hoſtages to the Turks for aſſurance of their Fidelity, he found himſelf oblig'd to take other meaſures before he could attempt any conſiderable Enterpriſe. His firſt deſign was to attack Modon, the capital City of the Morea; but having viewed the ſituation the 23d. of June, there appeared ſo many difficulties as to the landing his men and Cannon, as made him alter his deſign, and reſolve on the Siege of Coron. This place call'd by the Ancients Corona, is by Land about twelve Miles diſtant from Modon, and ſituate beyond the Cape Gallo towards the Country of the Mainotts. It is a Town of good Trade by reaſon of its ſituation; it has a Haven fit to receive a conſiderable number of Veſſels; it has the Sea on one ſide, and on the ſide towards the Land, it has a Wall fortify'd wth ſix Towers of an Antick Faſhion. The Greeks and Jews inhabit the lower Town, and the Turks dwell in the Caſtle, which makes the upper Town. The Venetians were Maſters of it in the fifteenth Age: Bajazet the Turkiſh Emperor took it from them, as alſo the Town of Modon, in 1499. Prince Doria of Genoa, who commanded the Spaniſh Fleet, retook it from the Turks in 1533▪ and leſt in it as Governour Mendoz • , with ſome Spaniards, who quitted it to the Turks ſome few years after; they knowing the importance of the place, ſeiz'd themſelves of it, and it has ever ſince been in their hands.

The 25th, in the Morning the Forces were landed almoſt within Cannon-ſhot of the City without any oppoſition from the Turks; they conſiſted of three thouſand Venetians, a thouſand Sclavonians, two thouſand and four hundred of thoſe that were ſent by the Prince of Brunſwick Duke of Hanover, with the young Prince his Son, according to the Agreement made with the Republique; the Battalion of Malta conſiſting of eight or nine hundred Souldiers and twenty ſix Knights, one Battalion of the Pope's of four hundred men, and another of the Great Duke's, of three hundred, which made up in all about eight thouſand Foot without the Cavalry. This Army was commanded by the Count St. Paul, a General of great ability and experience, who had long time ſerv'd the King of Denmark, and Duke of Neubourg. The firſt Poſt in order of Battel, was taken by the Battalion of Malta, the Commander of which, Monſieur de la Tour Maubourg, had the general Command, with as univerſal an Approbation, as he had on the like occaſion at the Siege of Candia: He had alſo under his Command the Batalion of the Pope's Galleys. All this nevertheleſs paſs'd as well in the Camp as the Fleet, under the Orders and Direction of Captain General Moroſini, and Signior Brancaccio General of the Galleys of Malta, which lay at Anchor near the Coaſt.

The approach'd the City under the ſhelter of Olive-trees, and nothing paſs'd but ſome light Skirmiſhes: On the 26th. they open'd the Trenches, the Battalion of Malta, thoſe of Brunſwick, and the Pope's on the right hand towards the Sea, the Venetians and the Sclavonians on the left towards a Suburb or out-Town, of which they made themſelves Maſters without oppoſition. The ſame day we loſt Chevalier San Vitali of Parma, who was kill'd in the Trenches by a Muſquet-ſhot. The Works went forward without much interruption, and they rais'd two Batteries each of three great pieces of Cannon, with four Mortars for Bombs, to which they added afterwards two pieces of Cannon. The Enemy made but light Sallies in which they were vigorouſly repuls'd; their firing was moderate, and gave us cauſe to believe, that they were not in a poſture to hold out long. But it appear'd by the conſequence, that their Intention was to nouriſh in the minds of their men, the hopes of a ſpeedy aſſiſtance from the Baſha of the Morea, who had drawn together a flying Army of three or four thouſand men, both Horſe and Foot, which oblig'd ours to labour hard at their Works, for their ſhelter and defence, and to fortifie a certain eminence of Ground which on one ſide commanded our Lines, and on the other, laid open the Country about. Here we rais'd a Battery of four pieces of Cannon, and one Mortar-piece.

The Baſha of the Morea appear'd in effect, on the 3d. of July, and encamp'd within Cannon-ſhot of the Chriſtian Army; where having retrench'd himſelf, he mounted on a Battery four pieces of Cannon, which playing croſs-wiſe with the Artillery of the place, did much incommode our Works. This Baſha gave us an Alarm every day by ſome warm Skirmiſhes, in which, nevertheleſs, the Turks were always repuls'd with loſs. The beſieged on their part redoubled their fire, and anſwered haughtily to the Summons we ſent them, threatning them to ſet fire to the Mines at which ours did work continually, but with leſs ſucceſs than might have been wiſh'd, being forc'd to bring them through a Rock, which ſort of Works took up no leſs than three Weeks time.

The Fortifications of the place were much ruin'd by our Batteries, and the Bombs had made great Deſtruction; but beſides that, it had an advantageous ſituation, having but one Front to guard, which was flank'd with great Towers built on the Rock; it was further defended with eighty piece of Cannon, and ſtore of Ammunition, and Proviſions of all ſort, and ſeven or eight hundred men in Garriſon, beſides others fit to bear Arms in ſo great a number as four or five thouſand Souls; ſo that we could have no entrance into the Town, but by means of the Ovens of our Mines, and vigorous Aſſaults, during which we were ſure to be attack'd by the flying Army of the Turks.

This poſture of Affairs caus'd us ſome trouble, but at laſt the Mines being ready to be ſprung, on the 24th. of July it was reſolv'd to make an Attempt, and all preparations were made for it. Chevalier Segres was to begin the Aſſault at the head of Sixty Granadiers back'd by a Detachment of Fuſeliers and Sclavonians. Chevalier de la Barre, Lieutenant General of the Battalion of Malta, follow'd Chevalier de Refuge, the firſt Captain, at the head of a Party of our Forces, and ſome of the Pope's and Venetians; he was back'd by the Prince of Brunſwick with an hundred and thirty of his men, and Monſieur de la Tour Maubourg follow'd with a Body of the Knights, in the midſt of whom was the Standard of the Order; he had alſo with him ſome of our Companies, and ſome of the Pope's; but when every one had taken his Poſt, it happen'd that the Mine was not ſtrong enough to blow up the Rock, ſo that it had not the Effect that was requiſite to make way for the Aſſault intended.

At the ſame time that fire was ſet to the Mine, the Baſha of the Morea attack'd the Redout and Battery we had rais'd on the Eminence that ſecur'd our Lines, with ſo much vigour, that the Venetians and Sclavonians who had the defence of it, though always accuſtom'd to behave themſelves bravely, could not reſiſt him, ſo that the Turks ſoon made themſelves Maſters of the Redout, and had already planted on it more than twenty of their Standards, when the News of this Confuſion was brought to Monſieur de la Tour.

It appears by the Poſture of the Forces commanded to the Aſſault, that he with his Knights was neareſt to this Poſt of ſo great importance for the ſafety of the whole Army: He ſaw the Loſs was not to be retriev'd but by ſome extraordinary Action, and therefore he undertook it without delay. He call'd upon his men to follow him, and having kiſs'd the Croſs of our Standard, with that ſenſe of Devotion which gave life to all his Actions, he advanc'd with eager haſte towards the Enemy, was the firſt man that leap'd into the Redout, and there with his own hand ſlew two Turks that oppos'd him, a t • ird coming behind his Back, at the firſt blow with his Cutlace ſtruck off a light Helmet he wore, and at the ſecond cleav'd his Head, and caſt him to the Ground, where a Barrel of Powder taking fire, made an end of his Life. He was follow'd cloſe by ſeveral Knights, amongſt whom Chevalier de Termes having with his Sword run a Turk through the Body, receiv'd at the ſame time ſo great a Wound in the Head, that he f • ll down dead to the ground with his Enemy, and in that poſture he was found after the Fight. Brother-Servant at Arms Michon coming up courageouſly to the defence of the Commander de la Tour was kill'd by a Muſquet-ſhot. The Chevalier de Grandmont receiv'd two Wounds with a Sable and one Muſquet-ſhot. The Chevaliers de Bourgon and de Gaillard, and Brother-Servant at Arms de la Motte, were mortally wounded, the Chevaliers Pioſaſque and Doria Braſſeuze but ſlightly; and Chevalier de Pont, who carried the Standard, having been aſſaulted by two Turks, kill'd one with his Piſtol, the other with his Sword, being himſelf but lightly wounded. The Chevalier de Beaupre Choiſeul was one of the firſt that caſt themſelves into the Redout, Chevalier Mechatin, Major of the Battalion, ſignaliz'd himſelf in the ſame manner; and in fine, all of them ſhew'd ſuch courage, that they drove the Enemy from that Poſt, took eleven of their Banners, and planted there the Standard of the Order; at the ſight of which, the whole Army crying out, Vive Malta, the Venetians and Sclavonians reſumed their wonted Courage, and kill'd three hundred Turks, ſo that none eſcaped that had lodg'd themſelves in the Redout. This days Work coſt the Chriſtians an hundred and fifty men.

The whole Camp acknowledg'd the Knights for their Deliverers, and extoll'd them to the Skies. The General Officers ſent a Complement to the General of the Galleys of Malta; and indeed nothing would have been wanting to have made it the greateſt, and moſt glorious Action that has been heard of, had it not coſt the lives of ſo many brave men, and in particular of Commandant de la Tour, who was lamented by the whole Army, and whoſe Death Captain General Moroſini could not hear of without weeping. He was interr'd with all the Ceremonies that might ſerve to give teſtimony of the eſteem they had for his merit; his Heart was preſerv'd to be carry'd to Malta, with his Bones. It may be ſaid of him, That his mind was compos'd of ſo many noble Qualities as ſcarce ever met in any other. His Piety was ſo exemplar, that the good Effects it produc'd on thoſe that ſerv'd under him, can hardly be expreſs'd: The ſweetneſs of his temper, his modeſt and engaging Carriage, his Wit, his Courage, and all his other Vertues, made him ſo agreeable to all, that the loſs of him could not but be generally lamented. But ſince, according to his commendable cuſtom, he communicated before he went to the Battel, we doubt not but the Sacrifice of his Life joyn'd with ſo Chriſtian-like a Preparation, rais'd him to the ſtate of everlaſting Glory and Happineſs in the other World. The Chevalier de la Barre, who always obſerv'd the ſame Foot-ſteps, was preferr'd to the general Command of the Battalion, and the eſteem which all the World has for his merit, gives us no ſmall ſatisfaction after ſo great a loſs.

The 30th. of July the Enemy made a freſh attempt upon our Lines, and ſome of them with their Swords in their hands, caſt themſelves into the Redout, ſituate on the Eminence to which the Venetians had now given the name of St. John's Fort, as having been preſerv'd by the the Valour of thoſe Knights; but the Infidels were beat back to their very Trenches by the Pope's Forces, and thoſe of the Republique; and they met with the like reſiſtance in divers other Aſſaults, in which thoſe of Malta had frequently the good Fortune to ſee them fly as ſoon as the Standard of St. John appear'd; the Barbarians exclaiming with loud Outcries according to their cuſtom in Battel, That were it not for this Battalion of Malta, they ſhould ſoon bring their purpoſes to effect.

The beſieged in the mean time defended themſelves with great obſtinacy, tho' the Breach were very conſiderable on the ſide of the Attack where thoſe of Malta were plac'd, and toward the Venetian Attack there was prepared a Mine of two hundred Barrels of Powder, the effect of which was expected to be very great. Our men waited with impatience the day of aſſault; but it being certain that the Turks of the Country who were grown to the number of ſix thouſand men, would not fail to attack our Lines at the ſame time we mounted the Breach, it was reſolv'd to prevent them by attacking them in their own Works, which was put in execution with all the Succeſs imaginable on the ſeventh day of Auguſt. Our Forces having march'd out of their Lines in good order, the Turks, who were poſſeſs'd with fear, fell into ſuch Confuſion, that they ſuffer'd themſelves to be cut to pieces without much reſiſtance; we gain'd their Retrenchments, and made our ſelves Maſters of their Batterie of four pieces of Cannon; we took from them a conſiderable number of Horſes, and drove them far into the Country, with the loſs of no more than two or three Souldiers of all our Forces, and not one of the Battalion of Malta: we kill'd a thouſand of their men. An Action ſo extraordinary was with reaſon look'd upon as a ſtroke of God's Providence, and the Veneration the whole Army had for the Piety and Devotion of their deceas'd Commander de la Tour Maubourg, made it be believ'd and ſaid amongſt them, That without doubt it ought to be attributed to his Prayers. A Bark that arrived here ſince from Patras in the Morea, reported that ſome Turks that eſcap'd from the Fight, repreſented the Defeat much greater than we knew, and that they affirm'd the Baſha of the Morea was there kill'd, and his Army wholly diſpers'd.

Immediately after this Victory General Moroſini ſent Summons to the beſieged, but they made anſwer haughtily, That they knew their Friends had been beaten, yet that they nevertheleſs were reſolv'd to die rather than ſurrender, which made us think of preparing the Mine for a general Aſſault.

The 11th. of August was the day appointed for it, and the Forces having taken their Poſts in the Night, about break of day the great Mine of the Venetians Attack was ſprung, and had the Effect that was expected, and had given them an opportunity to enter the City at that time, had they not, inſtead of improving it, contented themſelves with making a Lodgment on the Breach. In the mean while as ſoon as the noiſe of the Mine was heard, they Forces of Malta who were at the head of the other Attack, ſeconded by the Pope's, and thoſe of Brunſwick, with great vigour gain'd the top of the Breach which had been ſome days open, though it was of very difficult acceſs; but the Enemies having had time to fortifie themſelves there, there grew a furious Combat, during which the Knights did all that could be expected from their valour, to force the Retrenchment; but it being well flank'd and furniſh'd with Cannon and Artillery, they fir'd ſo terribly upon them, that four of them were kill'd in the place, together with Compte de Fenelon, who ſerv'd with them in quality of a Volunteer, and more than thirty wounded. Chevalier de la Barre Commandant General of the Battalion, ſhew'd all the Courage imaginable on this laſt occaſion; he was well ſeconded by the Pope's Officers, and thoſe of Brunſwick, of whom ſeveral were kill'd or wounded; but at laſt ſeeing it impoſſible to ſurmount thoſe vaſt difficulties, they were conſtrain'd to retire.

Nevertheleſs this was ſo far from diſheartning the Knights, that, having underſtood how great a Breach the Venetians Mine had made, they reſolv'd to give a freſh aſſault in the Afternoon at two places, but more furiouſly at the laſt Breach than the other. Every thing was prepar'd for it, when the Turks perceiving the deſign, on a ſudden hung out a white Flag, and deſir'd to capitulate. Four of them advanc'd to the Breach, and propos'd to render themſelves, provided they might have their lives and liberty: But Captain General Moroſini not willing to conſent to any thing unleſs the Tower that made ſure the entrance into the City, were firſt put into our hands; it happen'd unluckily while this was in treaty, that two Chriſtian Souldiers quarrelling near the place, a Piſtol was ſhot off, and the Bandelier of another took fire at the ſame time. The Turks of the City upon that believing the Truce was broke, and that they were not ſincerely dealt with, fired a Cannon which kill'd ſeveral of ours: This was enough to make us reſume our Arms. The Chriſtians having cry'd out Treaſon, ſo briskly forc'd that little of a Retrenchment the Enemies had on the Breach, that nothing could hinder them from ruſhing into the City, where all were put to the Sword, except ſome few happy Men, and many Women and Children; Chevalier de la Barre having had much difficulty to ſecure from the rage of the Souldiers, thoſe four Turks which came to parly with him. The Mine had buried under its Ruins the Governour of the place, a man of undaunted Reſolution, which happen'd well for the Chriſtians, who otherwiſe would not ſo eaſily have made themſelves Maſters of it.

Thus ended the Siege of Coron ſeven and forty days after the Trenches were open'd, during which time the Chriſtian Army had two powerful Enemies to encounter, over whom they gain'd a double Victory with all the Glory imaginable. The Venetians, with Count St. Paul, got much Honour. The young Count of Brunſwick with his Forces, ſignaliz'd himſelf in a particular manner. Thoſe of Florence gave good Proofs of their Valour to the time of their reimbarking, which was ſome days before the end of the Siege. It is eaſie to judge how great a ſhare of Honour is due to the Battalion of Malta, and the Pope's Forces who were always joyn'd with them. Chevalier de la Barre by many brave Actions maintain'd the honour Sieur de la Tour had got. All the Knights generouſly ſacrific'd themſelves to the ſupport of the Faith, having undergon incredible Fatigues, and many of them ſhed their Blood, as may be ſeen in the Liſt at the end of the Book, in which I have ſet down their reſpective Nations.

Let us now paſs to Dalmatia, where though nothing happen'd of ſuch importance as in the Morea, yet it will be neceſſary to inform the Reader of what paſs'd worthy of remark in the Rencounters the Venetian Forces had with the Turks in that Country and elſewhere. It was reſolv'd to beſiege the Fortreſs of Sing; and in proſecution of this deſign, the Generals march'd at the head of their Forces, and immediately inveſted it. The Trenches were open'd, a Battery rais'd, and ſome Cannon mounted in ſpight of the Infidels who continually fired upon them: They ſummon'd the beſieged, who being well ſtored with Men and Proviſions, ſcorn'd the Conditions of Surrender which were offer'd, and by their vigorous reſiſtance oblig'd us to quit the Attempt, ſome days after the opening our Trenches.

On the other ſide, the Hayducs of Ca • aro advanc'd towards Goza, where they • ade great Havock, waſting all that Country with Fire; and Chevalier Janco march'd as far as Bilai, four days Journey beyond Sebenico, and burnt to Aſhes Eighteen Villages, and two Caſtles that were Garriſons, and return'd at laſt to Zara laden with Honour, and a rich Booty as well of Cattle as other things, and attended by five hundred men well arm'd, who had forſaken the Turks to joyn with the Venetians.

A conſiderable number of the Infidels having come out of Castel-Novo to prepare an Ambuſcade for the Chriſtians, th • Morlaques who were always ready to diſappoint the Turks Deſigns, follow'd the • ſo cloſe at the Heels, that they mad • them retreat to the Town in great diſorder, after having kill'd and wounde • ſeveral of them, and taken away a conſiderable Booty with many Priſoners.

The Vayvode Janco took the Field again to joyn the Croats that were ſubje •• to the Emperor, and go with them t • deſtroy the Turks Iron Mines. Captain General Moroſini, who was yet at Coro • caus'd the repairs of thoſe Fortificatio • to be diſpatch'd with great diligence and having put it in a poſture of defen •• ſet ſail toward the Coaſt of Zarnata, attended by the Forces of Saxony, his Deſign being to ſeize that Town and two neighbouring Towers, by the means of which the Turks ſtill kept the Mainotts in awe.

Zarnata is a Fortreſs almoſt round, and ſituate on a high place; he ſent a Detachment to ſummon the Garriſon, to which the Aga who commanded the place, ſubmitted the 11th. of September, though the Army was five Miles diſtant, and had not yet ſet foot on land. The Garriſon which was numerous, conſiſting of ſix hundred men, was embark'd and guarded by a Convoy within a ſmall diſtance from Calamata: But the Aga fearing the Puniſhment which the Grand Signior inflicts on the unfortunate, remain'd among the Venetians: The Captain General gave him a Penſion of thirty Royals a Month after he had receiv'd Baptiſm with twenty other Turks. There were found in this place fifty one pieces of Cannon, two hundred Quintals of Powder, great ſtore of Bullet, with other Ammunition and Proviſion. Signior Moroſini having thus gain'd the Town, put in a Garriſon of two hundred and fifty Foot Souldiers, under the command of the noble Venetians, Bartholomeo Contareni, and Angelo Emo; and upon the advice he had, that the Captain Baſha was advanc'd with ten thouſand men to lie before Calamata, he order'd the Saxons to be ſet on ſhoar to joyn the Army, which having advanc'd on the 12th. of September in Battel-array, to certain places where the Enemies were advantageouſly poſted, to diſpute the Paſſage, there happen'd ſome light Skirmiſhes betwixt the Advance-guards: But whilſt all things were preparing overnight to come to a ſet-Battel the next day, the Infidels decamp'd before day to retire under the Cannon of Calamata, which is ſituate upon the declining of a Hill on the ſide of the River Spinazza, in the Province of Belvedere, and has no other defence but a Caſtle built after the modern way, that can ſecure it from the Aſſaults of an Enemy. The Venetians ſurpriz'd this Fortreſs in the Year 1659. and quitted it after they had carried away the Proviſion which they found there in abundance.

The Turks not thinking themſelves ſecure under the Walls of this place, continu'd their retreat, having firſt ſet fire to the Magazine. Thus the Chriſtian Army entred Calamata without the leaſt oppoſition, on the Feaſt day of the Exaltation of the Holy Croſs, and immediately ſeven thouſand Mainotts repair'd to the Venetian Camp, a Party of which preſently went in purſuit of the Infidels. There were found in the Caſtle nine Cannons nail'd, and but little Ammunition: The Fortreſs was diſmantel'd, Signior Moroſini judging it unfit for a Garriſon.

The Squadron of Signior Molino, Captain extraordinary, during the whole Summer, gave chaſe to the Naval Army of the Captain Baſha, who whenever he had ſight of the Venetian Veſſels, made away; and his Cowardice was ſuch, that meeting with Signior Molino's Fleet under Capo-Crio, conſiſting of ſeventeen Sail, he fled into the Port of Rhodes with ſix and twenty Men of War, and ſix and forty Galleys: The fear of a Sea-fight made him alſo lock up the Port with a great Chain, and he himſelf durſt not come out, though the Venetians came often to dare him at the very mouth of the Haven, and coaſted thereabout fifteen days to entice him out.

Chevalier Janco who was in the Field, having notice that the Turks had a deſign of marching to the number of three thouſand men, to fire the Suburbs of Sebenico, left there ſome men, and with another Reinforcement of twelve hundred Morlaques advanc'd within four Miles of the place, where having laid an Ambuſh for them in an advantageous Poſt, the Enemies were ſurpriz'd when they leaſt thought of it; and being put into Diſorder at the firſt charge, betook themſelves to flight with great loſs of their men.

After the taking of Calamata, the Forces of the Republique ſeiz'd Porto Vitulo, where were found fifty piece of Cannon, and ten of ſmaller Artillery, with ſtore of Ammunition: Signior Lorenzo was there made Proveditor extraordinary. General Moroſini after that appear'd before Chielifa, the Garriſon not believing it ſelf in condition to reſiſt, accepted the Articles of ſurrender which were offer'd them, and the Standard of St. Mark was there planted; they reconſecrated the Church of St. Spindion for divine Worſhip, and Signior Lorenzo Venier was made Governour of the place. This Fortreſs is ſituate on the top of a ſharp Rock, about a Mile and a half from the Sea; it is a Mile in compaſs, of a ſquare form, and is flank'd with five Towers for its defence. The taking of Chielifa was followed by that of Paſſana, where the Standard of the Republique was planted the 24th. of September, and the Sieur Angelo Lazari, with the ſuperintendent Georgio Foſcarini, were choſen Proveditors extraordinary. This place is ſituate on a Hill in the Province of Maina, in the neighbourhood of the Gulf of Colochina, upon the Cape of Matapan oppoſite to Chielifa.

The Campaign ended with ſeveral Rencounters, which the Morlaques and the Mainotts had with the Infidels in Dalmatia, and in the Morea. The Turks alſo receiv'd ſome Loſſes at Sea, four of their Galleys being ſeparated by a violent Storm; that which belonged to the Baſha of Negropont, was met by the famous Corſair Manetta, and taken by two of his Galeots, with two hundred 〈1 page duplicate〉 〈1 page duplicate〉 Turks that were on board, and eighty Chriſtian Slaves, who were all ſet at liberty.

Signior Moroſini having ſet ſail for Corf • to take his Winter-quarters there, paſs'd by Preveza within view of Santa Maura, and ſailed on to Trapano to view the Works they were making at that place, with four Galleys of the Iſles: From thence he went to the Gulf of Larta, upon advice that the Governour of that Town, call'd Javanos, was on his march with fifteen hundred men to oblige the Villages of Xeromero to the contribution of Carazzo, which they had refus'd to pay. The Turks ſeeing the Fleet, betook themſelves to flight with their Governour, which gave occaſion to the General to paſs to Gomenizze, and endeavour to draw them on thither; in his paſſage he was ſaluted by the Infidels who were there in Garriſon with a ſingle Volley of their Cannon; and having given a ſignal to the Galley Garzoni to anſwer them, ſhe did it ſo dexterouſly, that the Bullet carried off the Head of one of the Barbarians, which ſtruck ſuch a terrour into the reſt, that they reſolv'd upon the ſpot, to leave the place and ſave their lives by flying to a neighbouring Mountain, which they did. This advantage oblig'd the Venetians to go on ſhore, and ſeize the Fortreſs which Signior Moroſini caus'd to be demoliſh'd, having firſt order'd a Maſs of Thankſgiving to be celebrated in the place: The Ammunition and Proviſion that were found there, he caus'd to be carried on board his Veſſels, with ſix piece of double Braſs Cannon, ninety ſix pound of Bullet, and four quarter Culverins, with two other ſmall Field-pieces, to convey to Corfu, which was but four and twenty Miles diſtant.

THIS Year the Venetians continu'd, with great Succeſs, the Conqueſts they had begun the year before in the Morea, which is a Peninſula call'd by the Ancients Peloponneſus; the number of its Commonwealths, famous in Hiſtory, rendred it very conſiderable amongſt the Grecians. It was formerly divided into Achaia properly ſo call'd, Arcadia, the Country of Argos, Corinth, Elis, Sicionia, Laconia, and Meſſenia. It is at preſent call'd Morea, becauſe in ſigure it reſembles a Mulberry-leaf; it is divided into the Dukedom of Clarence, which comprehends Achaia, Sicionia, and Corinth; Belveder formerly Elis and Meſſenia; Saccania anciently the Country of Argos and Tzaconia, where was Laconia and Arcadia: It is joyn'd to the Continent Northward by a neck of Land called the Iſthmus of Corinth; on the Weſt and South it has the Adriatick Sea, and on the Eaſt the Sea of Candia; its length from Corinth to Modon, is a hundred and ſeventy Italian Miles; the breadth is almoſt of the ſame extent, and it is ſix hundred Miles in compaſs. The City of Sparta, or Lacedemon, which amongſt the ancient, was the moſt celebrated of all Peloponneſus, falling under the Turkiſh Dominion, has loſt much of its ancient Splendour; they call Lacedemon, Miſitra, and Corinth, Coranto. At preſent the moſt known are Coron, Modon, Clarence, Argos, Navarin, Patras, Napoli di Romania, and Maina; that which is now call'd Braccio di Maina, is the Country of the Mainotts; they inhabit part of the Country of the ancient Lacedemonians, along the Seacoaſt of the Gulf of Coron, and they are the only Greeks that have preſerv'd themſelves in form of a Republick againſt the Ottomans. The ruggedneſs of their Mountains, and the nearneſs of the Sea, has given them this advantage: But the City of Candia being taken, which happen • d in the Year 1669. they fear'd they ſhould loſe their liberty, and that fear was the occaſion that many of them ſought new Habitations to live in quiet. The Genoüeſe receiv'd five or ſix hundred Families of them into the Iſle of Corſica, and the Great Duke of Florence gave land within his Territories to a thouſand more, who have ſetled themſelves there within theſe few years. There are many conſiderable Mountains in the Morea, viz. Pholoe, Cyllene, Sepia, Poglizzi, Cronia, or Grevenos, Mintia or Mente, Neris, Nonaene, Artimiſio, and Taygetus now call'd Borta. The Rivers are Carbon and Eurotas, now call'd Vaſili-Potamos, Inachus, Linceus, and Spinarzza. The extent of the Isthmus of Corinth, which joyns the Morea to Greece, between the Gulf of Lepant and that of Engia, is ſix Miles. Many Princes have made it their endeavour to divide all this Land from the Con • inent; Nero the Emperor made a Voyage into Achaia expreſly on that deſign; • e made a Speech to his men, and then • pened the Ground himſelf, and carried a Basket of Earth on his Shoulders, but could not ſucceed in his Deſign. The Morea being by the Greek Emperors divided amongſt the Deſpots or Lords whom they named, became a Prey to the Turks, who eaſily poſſeſs'd themſelves of it under Mahomet II. ſurnamed Boiuc, that is to ſay, the Great: He was the terrour of all Europe, and the moſt fortu • ate Prince of all the Infidels that ever • ate on that Throne. The Venetians a • one, who were Maſters of Corinth and Argos, reſiſted for the ſpace of ſome years, under the Conduct of their General Bertold d' Eſt, a moſt courageous Prince of the illuſtrious Family that now rules at Modena. This unwearied General undertook with three thouſand and ſix hundred Workmen to raiſe a Wall of ſix Miles in length on the whole extent of that neck of Land called the Isthmus of Corinth, with ſix and thirty Towers to hinder the Incurſions of the Infidels; but being unhappily wounded on the Head with a Stone at the Siege of Corinth, h • died in the defence of that place, which the Turks ſoon after gain'd without much difficulty in the Year 1463. which oblig'd the Venetians to retire into the neighbouring Iſlands. I thought it proper to make this Deſcription of the Morea, which may give the Reader an Idea of i • that may be of uſe in the following Hiſtory. It is now time to return to the matter in hand.

Signior Moroſini Generaliſſimo of the Venetian Army, being deſirous to ſecure the Conqueſt of Coron and other place • taken from the Turks the laſt year, reſolv'd to employ his utmoſt force in the Morea, and judg'd it proper to begin with the Siege of Navarin. In Dalmatia the Camp was opened with ſome ſucceſſes; Signior Paolo Foſiorani drew together ſix hundred Morlaques, and advanc'd towards a Fort call'd Caraman, with deſign to ſurpriſe it, having underſtood by his Spies the weakneſs of the Garriſon, and the abſence of the Ag • that commanded it. The night favour'd his deſign, for having ſeiz'd all the out-Works, he took the main Tower of the Fort by ſcaling, and ſurpriſed the Infidels with a brisk and vigorous charge; part of the Garriſon that made reſiſtance, were put to the Sword, the reſt yielded on diſcretion, and the Morlaques that were in the place came over to thoſe of their own Nation. The Aga that was gone out of the Fort, was beheaded by the Command of the Baſha of Boſſine, for leaving his Poſt, and expoſing it to the Aſſaults of their Enemies. After this the Morlaques of Cliſſa and Sebenico took the Fort of Ottoch, and got the better in ſeveral Rancounters they had with the Sangiac of Ertzegonine, who having drawn ſome Forces together to ſurpriſe the Tower of Narino and the Fort of Opuſch, ſaw all his Deſigns daſht by the vigilance of the Morlaques, who kept the Field to obſerve his motions.

In the mean time General Moroſini on the 2d. of June arriv'd before Navarin with the Galleys, Galeaſſes, and other Veſſels to the number of two hundred Sail. The Forces of the Republique, the Pope, the Great Duke of Tuſcany, and of Malta, were all join'd.

Navarin is a Sea-port Town of the Morea, in the little Country of Belveder; it is near Modon which lies Eaſtward of it and Arcadia; it is believ'd to be that which is call'd by the Ancients Pilus Meſſeniaca. Bajazet II. having taken it from the Venetians in the Year 1500. Don John of Auſtria, with other Confederates, attempted to retake it in the Year 1572. They landed a thouſand men, Spaniards and Italians, under the Command of Alexander Farneſe, Prince of Parma, who with ten pieces of Cannon attack'd it on the South ſide by land in the beginning of October. They batter'd the Walls for the ſpace of three days, but the ground which was rocky, not ſuffering the Chriſtians to intrench themſelves, and the Turks on the other hand having put ſtore of Proviſion and Ammunition into the place, and conſiderable Succours of men, they were forc'd to quit their Enterpriſe.

After the forces were landed, and Count Coningsmark their General had aſſign'd them their Poſts, Signior Moroſini Generaliſſimo, ſent to the Governour of old Navarin (an inconſiderable Town notwithſtanding its advantageous ſituation) to ſummon him, adviſing him not to delay till it ſhould be formally attack'd, threatning to give no quarter if the Garriſon reſiſted. The Governour deſir'd the reſt of that day and the day following to conſider; but news being brought, that the Ottoman General in the Morea, was marching to the relief of the place, Count Coningsmark had Orders to advance under the Cannon of Navarin. The entrance of the Port is ſhelter'd by a neck of land on which one Regiment was poſted; and at the ſame time ſome pieces of Artillery were brought on ſhore in great Barks. The beſieged being diſmay'd at theſe Preparations, hung out a white Flag, and ſent Deputies to the General's Galley: The Articles of Capitulation were regulated, according to which they march'd out with their Arms and Baggage, to the number of four hundred men; there were but a hundred Souldiers among them, the place being defended by its ſituation, without need of a greater Garriſon. They demanded to be ſent to Alexandria, which was granted them. There were found in this place three and forty Cannons, with ſtore of other Arms, Ammunition, and Proviſions. After having left there a Governour with a Garriſon of an hundred and ſixty men, the Generaliſſimo gave Orders to the Galleys to make into the mouth of the Haven, in order to attack the City of New Navarin; they could not do it without bearing the fire of a Battery that was on a Ravelin cloſe by the Water, but they ſuffer'd no damage by it, only One Galley of the Iſles, which Signior Cornaro caus'd to enter the Port on the 6th. of June at Night, receiv'd a Cannon-ſhot which put the Oars in diſorder. The Cannons and Mortars were immediately brought to land with the Ammunition. Count Coningsmark caus'd a Battery to be rais'd of twenty pieces of Cannon of fifty pound Ball, and another of eighteen Mortar-pieces to throw the Bombs. The Grecians of Coron, and ſome other conquer'd places, being come to the Camp, they fell to take their Poſts, and diſtribute the Attacks. The Garriſon conſiſting but of a thouſand men, was commanded by Zefer Aga, an Officer of great Repute, as it was known from a Greek that came out of the place; and at the ſame time they ſurpris'd a Renegade that carry'd Letters from the Seraſquier of the Morea to Zefer, by which he aſſur'd him that he was coming to his Relief. Upon this news Count Coningsmark was detach'd to march up to him with a body of choice men. The Scouts having diſcover'd the Enemy ſome Leagues off, the Count made a halt, and ſet his men in Battel-array, but there was no fight by reaſon the Seraſquier made a Countermarch and retired. The Count not thinking it proper to purſue them, march'd back to the Camp in very good order.

Signior Moroſini having in vain ſummon'd the Governour, before he began the Attacks, put in readineſs a Battery of Mortar-pieces, which was ſo well managed by the directions of Count San Felice Muttoni, that the Bombs which were of five hundred pound weight, ſet fire on the Town in divers places, which ſtruck a great terrour into the beſieged. The Battery of Cannon was in readineſs on the 13th. and on the ſame day there was intelligence that the Seraſquier advanc'd apace, intending to ſurpriſe the Beſiegers in their Camp, and that he was within ſix Miles of them. Count Coningsmark was again detach'd with ſeven thouſand Foot, five hundred Horſe, and the Dragoons of the Marquis de Courbon, and Count Bernabo Viſconti: He march'd in good order in the beginning of the Night, and the next day found the Infidels to the number of eight thouſand Foot, and two thouſand Horſe, intrench'd in a Valley, where it was impoſſible to come at them, but by a very narrow paſſage. The Dragoons commanded by the Marquis de Courbon, and thoſe of Count Bernabo Viſconti who immediately advanc'd, having poſted themſelves in an advantageous place to bear the firſt Onſet of the Enemies, gave time to the Forces that follow'd them to paſs the narrow way. The Turks who might have taken advantage of this motion, made no Attack; and Count Coningsmark ſet his Forces in order of Battel, and plac'd two ſmall pieces of Artillery on an eminence of ground from whence they fir'd continually on the Turks, who ſeeing the Dragoons march proudly towards them, thought to hem them in with a Detachment of ſeveral Squadrons. But the Dragoons not only bore the Onſet with great courage, but alighting from their Horſes, made the Infidels give way, and purſued them ſo ſucceſsfully, that they diſpers'd them; after which they bore ſo hard upon the Infantry, that they put them into diſorder, which was encreas'd by the Forces that march'd after the Dragoons. The Fight laſted two hours, and ended with the flight of the Turks, who loſt above five hundred men in this action, and had many wounded. There had been ſeveral that had rallied upon the occaſion of two or three thouſand Turks that were got together from ſeveral parts of the Morea, to reinforce the Seraſquier's Army, and were come near the field of Battel; but it was in vain they renew'd the Charge, they were again put to flight, and forc'd to leave their Baggage and Tents. There were but very few Souldiers either kill'd or wounded on the Chriſtian ſide. Prince Maximilian of Brunſwick encouraged his Forces by his Example, and ſhew'd at the head of them all the Courage a man could be capable of. Many other Voluntiers of great quality ſignaliz'd themſelves in the like manner on this occaſion. This Defeat of which the beſieged could not doubt, when they ſaw the Heads of the Turks kill'd in the Battel, and the Colours the Venetians brought away, made ſo general a Conſternation in the City, that they loſt all hope of being reliev'd; and after ſome Conteſts, came to a Capitulation. It was permitted them to march out of Navarin with Arms and Baggage to be tranſported to Alexandria. Count Coningsmark regulated the Articles of Capitulation in the Name of the Generaliſſimo: While they were regulating that Article that concern'd the embarking the Garriſon, there happen'd a diſaſter that was like to have caus'd great Confuſion: A Magazine of Powder took fire, and was blown up in a moment, an hundred and fifty Turks were either burnt or buried in the ruines, together with ſix Chriſtians; the Governour was of the number; fifteen more were blown up and thrown from the place. It was preſently ſaid the Turks had prepared this Oven on purpoſe to deſtroy all the Chriſtians they could draw that way. This was enough to make them put all to the Sword, had not the Generaliſſimo appeas'd the Souldiers. He receiv'd the excuſes of the principal men of the place, who, when they brought him the Keys of the Town, and their Standards, ask'd permiſſion to juſtifie themſelves upon this Accident. It was found, in effect, that the Fire which was ſet to ſeveral Houſes by the Bombs, being kept alive under the Ruines, had made its way to this Magazine only by the negligence of the Officers, whom the unhappy ſtate of their Affairs had hindred to provide againſt ſuch Accidents. The Garriſon conſiſted of a thouſand Souldiers who embark'd with two thouſand other Turks, to paſs for Alexandria. On the 18th. of June Signior Moroſini entred the Town with Count Coningsmark and the chief Officers of the Army, and the principal Moſque was made choice of to give God thanks in for this Conqueſt.

In the mean time the Chriſtian Privateers met with the Turkiſh Caravan coming from Alexandria to Constantinople. The number of the Enemies Ships did not diſmay them; they charg'd very vigorouſly, and after they had either taken, or diſabled the Men of War which were their Convoy, they took the Caravan. The Ship called Alexander the Great, ſurpris'd alſo a Turkiſh Veſſel of Eighty pieces of Cannon; for having diſcover'd it afar off, they hung out Turkiſh Colours, and made up cloſe to her, with a deſign to board her, and quickly made themſelves Maſters of her before the Infidels could come to themſelves, or prepare for Fight. Two Turkiſh Galleots had the ſame chance meeting the famous Corſair Manetta.

The Morlaques made many Incurſions into the Enemies Territories, and amongſt others, thoſe of Sebenico and Traci being ſent for that purpoſe, to the number of twelve hundred, foraging in the open Country, ſurpriz'd a Town called Dapana, and return'd with ſtore of Slaves and Cattel, having ranſack'd, and after ſet fire to the Houſes. In the mean time the Turks attempted no great matters in Dalmatia, their greateſt Efforts being limited to the pillaging and burning ſome Villages between Cliſſa and Spalatro, for which purpoſe they had detach'd four thouſand Horſe: But an accident hapned, which fruſtrated their hopes of enjoying the Prey; for as they return'd with a great Booty, they fell into an Ambuſcade which four hundred Morlaques had laid for them in a narrow way, which terminates at a ſteep unpaſſable Mountain, from whence ſixty Peaſants, who had quitted their Houſes at the approach of the Turks, rowl'd down Stones of a prodigious bigneſs upon them who were ſtreightned in their paſſage. Thus the Morlaques having robb'd the Enemy of his Booty, and delivered the Slaves, return'd victorious with about two hundred Priſoners. Let us now turn our Diſcourſe to the Venetian Camp in the Morea.

The Conqueſt of the two Navarins was follow'd by the taking of Modon, a Town ſituate in the Province of Belveder, at one end of the Morea; it was formerly call'd Methona. The Venetians having aſſiſted at the taking of Conſtantinaple, in the year 1204. Baldwin the Earl of Flanders, afterwards choſen Emperor of the Eaſt, gave them as a Recompence for the ſhare they had in the dangers of the Siege. the Iſle of Candia, the Cities of Modon, and Coron in the Morea, and that of Durazzo in Albania, with the Iſle of Corfu; this Iſle was then in the Poſſeſſion of the Genoueſe, who had for their Captain the famous Corſair Veterano. The Venetians ſet ſail the year following toward Corfu with thirty Galleys, and having met Veterano coming out of the Gulf, they attack'd him ſo ſucceſsfully, that having taken ſeven of his Galleys, they gave an entire Defeat to the reſt; after which, without any difficulty, they made themſelves Maſters of Corfu, and ſoon after of Modon and Coron. Modon remain'd under their Dominion till the year 1500. when Bajazet the ſecond, Emperor of the Turks, attack'd it by Sea and Land with an Army of 140000. men, and above 220. Sail of Ships. They made a vigorous defence, but the Proveditor Contarini fearing leſt the beſieged ſhould yield the place for fear of not being relieved, choſe five of his beſt Galleys, and having laden them with Ammunition and Proviſions, which he knew they wanted, ſent them to Modon: Four of them got happily into the Port, but that which was intended for the ſafety of the Town, prov'd the occaſion of its loſs. The beſieged were ſo overjoy'd at this relief, that to ſee it come in, they quitted the defence of their Walls. The Turks took advantage of their Imprudence, and there being already ſome Breaches made, they mounted them, and found but a ſmall number of Souldiers to guard them, whom they ſoon cut to pieces. The Forces that arriv'd in the Galleys, would have made head againſt them, but they beat down all before them, and almoſt the whole City was fill'd with deſtruction by Fire and Sword; they neither ſpared the Governour, nor the other Officers, and ſtruck off the Head of Andrea Falconi Biſhop of the place, who came in his Pontifical Habit to encourage the Inhabitants to their own defence.

Signior Moroſini being come before this place with part of his Forces on the 21ſt. of June in the Evening, the next day he view'd the Haven, and obſerv'd the places proper for landing the reſt of his Army. This Debarkment was made in very good order, the Infidels not uſing any great endeavours to oppoſe them. The other Forces had made one day's March by Land, ſince the taking of Navarin, and arriv'd on the 22d. before Modon: This Town is ſituate upon a neck of Land that ſhoots it ſelf into the Sea; it is fortify'd with a Wall of Freeſtone fill'd on the inſide with Earth; on the ſide towards the Land, it is ſhelter'd by a Baſtion not joined to the Walls, and another rais'd Work all ſurrounded by a good Ditch Paliſado'd. Count Coningsmark immediately gave order for the Circumvallation, which was eaſie by reaſon of the deep Waters that are round the place. The 23d. they wrought on the Trenches, and on the 24th. they got Fagots in the Camp it ſelf, which lay croſs a Grove of Orange-trees, of which Wood they made 100000. The 25th. they began with eight Mortar-pieces to caſt their Bombs; they threw five hundred, of which eighty miſs'd the Town, and thirty broke in the Air. The 26th. Count Coningsmark attack'd the Suburbs, and having made himſelf Maſter of them, ſecur'd the Avenues of the Streets, and put four Battalions of Sclavonians in the Gardens of the Suburbs, the 27th they ſummon'd the Town; the Diſdar or Governour made anſwer, That he expected no Succour but from God; That he was born to die, and that he would defend the place as long as there was a man alive in it, and that the laſt man ſhould ſet fire • o all the ſtore of Powder, that ſo the Town (if it muſt be cut off from the Turkiſh Empire) ſhould not fall into the Power of the Chriſtians. The 28th. they began to work at the Battery of ten pieces of Cannon; the 29th. they continued to throw their Bombs, and to work • t their Fagots, and at their Battery; the • 0th. the Battery began to play with wonderful ſucceſs, and in three hours diſmounted five of the Enemies Cannon; the Cannoniers then at the Camp were very expert, and ſhot as exactly with their Cannon, as a man could with a Muſquet. The firſt of July the Forces of Malta open'd their Trenches, and carried on their Works two hundred paces; on the 2d. the Spaniards reliev'd the Trenches, and Generaliſſimo Moroſini ſummon'd the Town again; the Turks came to capitulate; the Governour propos'd, That if they would give him two thouſand Sequins he would perſwade the Garriſon to ſurrender, and urg'd that a Truce would be requiſite to ſummon the Council; the Truce was granted on condition that the Works might continue on both ſides. Count Coningsmark, beſides the Workmen, had under his command five hundred Germans, by whoſe help they carried on their Works within thirty paces of the Counterſcarp, with a Line of Communication of fifty paces, and a place of Parade on each ſide. On the 3d. the Diſdar broke the Truce, alledging that he could not perſwade the Garriſon to ſurrender: The 4th. the Saxons reliev'd the Trenches, four Mortar-pieces with two Carcaſſes, were employ'd all night in caſting Stones, the reſt threw Bombs, a • uſual; one Lieutenant-Colonel, and thirty Souldiers were kill'd. On the 5th. the Forces of Brunſwick mounted the Trenches, the Battery of Bombs was advanc'd and one of Cannon begun, and the Trenches carry'd on to the Ditch. A • Deſerter confirm'd what others had ſaid That the Houſes of the Town were almoſt all ruin'd by four thouſand Bomb • that had fallen amongſt them, and tha • the Stones incommoded them moſt of all The 6th. the Florentines mounted th • Trenches; there was great firing on each ſide, and the Enemies did all they could to hinder the Works to go forward▪ all the Engeniers that were in the Trenches being hurt, Count Charles Koningſmark, Nephew to the General, and Colonel in the Moſt Chriſtian King's Service, ordered the Works, and markt out a place of Parade; and the Lodgment of the Counterſcarps was made without much loſs. On the 7th thoſe of Malta mounted the Trenches again: twenty Knights and ſome Voluntiers, of which number were Viſcount Turene, and Count Charles Koningſmark, with fifty Grenadiers, lay open on the right Angle of the Counterſcarp: the ſeveral Poſts being not yet join'd, they were forc'd to work. That night a Battery of ſix Guns was made on an Eminence, which batter'd the back part of the Town. The clear Moon-light was the occaſion that we loſt ſome men; and two of the Knights were wounded. On the 8th, the Spaniards came again on the Trenches; they made three deſcents into the Ditch, and the Gallery was begun. The Turks fir'd a great number of Grenado's and Bags of Powder: In the mean time about Noon, the Chriſtians were got to the Foot of the Baſtion; which ſo diſmay'd the Turks, that they hung out the White Flag, and gave Hoſtages. Two Principal Men of the Garriſon waited on the Generaliſſimo, who deferr'd regulating the Capitulation till the next day. He ſent them no Hoſtages, tho they had ſent ſix on board the Captain Galley. It was ſaid by them, that the Seraſquier, who had put five hundred Soldiers, and one hundred Cannoniers into the place before the Siege, gave orders to Cidi Achmet who was Governour, that he ſhould defend it during the ſpace of fifteen days, and then ſurrender it, if he were not reliev'd. The Capitulation was regulated on Conditions, That the Keys of the Magazines of Ammunition were to be ſent the ſame day into the hands of Signior Moroſini, That the Turks ſhould bring their Standards on board the Captain Galley, That they ſhould all march out within four days, the Soldiers with their Arms, and what Baggage each of them could carry; and the Inhabitants with part of their Moveables; That Veſſels ſhould be allow'd to tranſport them to ſome Port in the Coaſt of Barbary; That they ſhould leave behind them all the Chriſtian Slaves, and the Negro's Men and Women that ſhould be found in Modon, ſhould become Slaves to the Republique. Theſe Articles being ſigned, one hundred men were put into the Caſtle where the Standard of St. Mark was planted; and two days after the Turks march'd out to the number of a thouſand Men able to bear Arms, and three thouſand other perſons. There were • n the place about an hundred piece of Cannon, of which many were Braſs, with great ſtore of Ammunition in the Maga • ines. Fourteen hundred men were put • n Garriſon for the defence of the City, and Signior Pavita was choſen Proveditor extraordinary.

Fortune declar'd her ſelf on all ſides for • he Republique; and this was not the only check the Affairs of the Ottoman Empire met with on this ſide. General Cornaro who commanded in Dalmatia, having join'd to his Forces thoſe of the Morlaques: they march'd from the Province of Zaro, under the Conduct of Cheva • ier Janco and Sieur Smilianich, with the Captains Poſſidona and Patolazzi; they • irected their march towards Conſcho, and being arriv'd on the 13th to the Banks of the River Cattina, made a halt towards the Evening to refreſh themſelves; and having laid their bridge, paſt the River in the night, and by break of day arriv'd to Climno; where having underſtood, that ſeven hundred Spahi's, and fifteen hundred Janiſaries, with ſome other Forces were encamp'd: they attack'd them with ſo much courage, that they ſoon made them give way. The Cavalry endeavour'd to gain the open Country, and the Foot to eſcape to the Mountains; but they were ſo cloſe purſu'd that before they could compaſs their deſign, above ſeven hundred of them wer • kill'd, and five hundred made Priſoners. The Inhabitants of Climn • who were witneſſes to this defeat retir' • themſelves into the Caſtle, with deſig • to defend themſelves there, but in vain for the confuſion they were in, havin • made them forget to ſhut the Gat • of the Town, the Forces of the Repub • lique and the Morlaques ſeiz'd it imm • diately, and the Caſtle alſo, by the negligence of the Inhabitants, whom the approach of an Enemy ſhould have ma • more wary. Whatever was found in the City they carried away, and put to the Sword thoſe that made any reſiſtance; they ſet fire to the Houſes, which ſpreading it ſelf on all ſides, burnt the Town and Caſtle to Aſhes, blew up the Magazine with five hundred Turks, conſum'd many ſtately Buildings and magnificent Moſques, with great ſtore of Riches; the Women and Children were carried away Priſoners. It was a Town of good Trade; the Baſha of Boſſina made choice of it for his ordinary reſidence, by reaſon of its pleaſant Situation, good Air, and fruitfulneſs of the adjacent Fields, which in this War were wholly waſted. In this Expedition one hundred and thirty Chriſtian Slaves were ſet at liberty, and more than ſixty Families put themſelves under the protection of the Republique. Signior Cornaro march'd no farther on, but return'd with his Force, and the Morlaques, laden with rich Spoils, having had but nine men kill'd and three and twenty wounded in this ſucceſsful Enterpriſe.

The Proveditor Extraordinary of Spinalonga in the Kingdom of Candie, gave an account to the Senate, that, beſides many Incurſions that had been made by his Garriſon, from time to time, to the very Gates of the Enemies Towns, he had lately made a Detachment of part of his Forces, with deſign to fight the Infidels; that his Scouts having inform'd him where they lay encamp'd, he march'd towards them, and gain'd an entire Victory; and that having poſſeſt himſelf of an advantageous Poſt, which before had much incommoded him: the confuſion the Infidels were in was redoubled, and moſt part of them kill'd on the place; ſome were drowned, and others diſperſt in the Mountains. There was alſo intelligence that the Chriſtian Privateers, had taken in the Sea of Candia eight Saics laden with Corn and other Merchandiſe bound for Conſtantinople.

After Signior Moroſini had view'd the Fortifications of Modon, and given neceſſary orders for its defence, he began to think of new Conqueſts, and call'd a Council of War for that purpoſe, where all the Principal Officers being preſent, it was reſolved to attack the City of Napoli di Romania, ſo call'd by the Inhabitants of the Morea. Before he put his deſign in execution, he thought it proper to clear the Country of ſome Garriſons that were in the ſmall places about Modon: he poſſeſt himſelf of the Town call'd Achaia; which tho it be not in it ſelf very conſiderable, yet it ſerves to ſecure the other Conqueſts which the Venetians have made, and are ſtill making in that Kingdom. Whilſt we leave the Army under ſail towards Napoli di Romania, let us ſee what paſſes in Dalmatia.

The Forces of the Republique which are in theſe parts, have had many advantages over the common Enemy, being ſeconded by the Morlaques. Solyman Baſha of Scutari and Albania, who took the Field in the Month of July, in order to beſiege ſome place in the Territories of the Republique, took much pains to little purpoſe. 'Tis true he advanc'd towards the City of Budoa and the Caſtle of St. Stephens, with deſign to ſeize them, and having forag'd thereabouts, to lay ſiege to Cattaro: In effect he us'd ſo much diligence that he quickly got within view of the place with his Army, which conſiſted of twelve thouſand men, and eight piece of Cannon, which gave ſome alarm to the Governour; but General Cornaro and the Count St. Paul having been inform'd of his deſign, had already prevented him with a number equal to his. The Baſha, who believ'd his deſign would not come to light till after the execution of it, and imagin'd the Chriſtians could take no meaſures to traverſe it, encamp'd himſelf within four miles of the place, near the Town of Briach, and ſtay'd for the Artillery and the reſt of his Forces deſign'd for this Enterpiſe. In the mean time General Cornaro furniſh'd the City with all things neceſſary for its defence, in caſe the Enemies ſhould be ſo raſh as to lay ſiege to it; and having taken a view of their Camp, he ſet his men in Battel-array: The Baſha did the ſame, and himſelf in perſon view'd the Venetian Army from a ſmall Hill on the South ſide. The firſt day paſt in divers light Skirmiſhes and frequent Alarms without coming to a juſt Battel. But at the dawn of the next day, the Turks came upon the Chriſtians with great fury and loud cryes, as is cuſtomary with them: The firſt Squadrons of the Morlaques perceiving their deſign, ſtay'd for them without ſtirring a foot, and with the help of their Artillery bore the firſt onſet. In this Rancounter, a Cannon Bullet having carried off a Bough of a Tree, forc'd it ſo violently upon the Baſha, that his Face was grievouſly hurt by it: This Accident caus'd ſome diſorder amongſt the Infidels, and was no ſmall diſadvantage to them; for Signior Cornaro, having obſerv'd the Baſha retire out of the Field to dreſs his Wound, drew his Army out of the Camp againſt the Enemies. During the ſpace of four hours the Victory was in ſuſpence, but the Chriſtians being reinforc'd by ſome freſh Battalions from the Galleys, the Turks gave ground on a ſudden, and not being able to make head, retir'd in confuſion towards their Camp; they loſt ſix hundred men in their flight, and many were taken Priſoners. Notwithſtanding this diſgrace, a thouſand Janiſaries made a freſh attack on the Caſtle of St. Stephen, but being briskly repuls'd by the Garriſon, they loſt all hopes of taking the place, having loſt an hundred men in the attempt. This ill ſucceſs ſo enrag'd the Baſha, that he had caus'd ſeveral of the Captains to be ſtrangled, had they not beg'd their lives with a promiſe of clearing themſelves from the reproach of cowardiſe on the firſt occaſion; and in effect the fear of this reproach had ſo much influence on them, that two days after, having rally'd their Forces, they return'd in order of Battel to charge the Chriſtians; but they fell ſhort of their expectations, and were ſoon diſcomfited by thoſe Forces that backt the Chriſtian Army, with the help of the Cannon from the Galleys. There were four hundred kill'd on the place, and the reſt forc'd to retire the third time in confuſion; the Venetians cloſely purſuing them, being deſirous to compleat a Victory they had ſo happily begun.

The Forces of the Republick advanc'd their Conqueſts already made in the Morea by the taking of Napoli di Romania: This place, which is three parts ſurrounded by the Sea, is ſituate in the Gulf that bears its name on a crooked neck of Land: its Harbour is ſafe, and may contain a great number of Veſſels; but the mouth of it is ſo narrow and difficult that two Galleys cannot enter a breaſt: A Caſtle ſeated on a Rock within three hundred paces of it, ſerves for its defence, and is ſo much the ſurer Guard to it, by reaſon that the Galleys and other Ships, not having a depth of water ſufficient to bring them within Cannon ſhot, the Caſtle cannot eaſily be attack'd. Bajazet II. Emperor of the Turks, having in the year 1500. attempted to make himſelf Maſter of the Morea, drew together a powerful Army at Santa Maura; he thought to ſecure himſelf of Napoli di Romania, and as he was on his march thither, a party of his Cavalry being advanc'd before the reſt, thoſe of the Town made a brisk Sally and cut them to pieces; which ſtruck a great terrour into the Enemies, and made them quit that attempt, and go to beſiege Modon; the taking of which place being ſucceeded by that of Coron, they were ſo puft up with ſucceſs, that they thought themſelves ſure of Napoli di Romania: they came before it again, and employ'd all their Force to make a Conqueſt of it; but the beſieged ſhewed no leſs reſolution to defend it, in which they were not a little encourag'd by Paul Contarini, a man of great Honour: He had been in Coron at the ſiege of that place, and had fallen into the hands of the Turks. Bajazet knowing his Authority to be great, would make uſe of him to move the beſieged to ſurrender; he advanc'd to the Walls, and ſeeing one of the Gates open, he ſpurr'd on with that ſpeed, that having diſingag'd himſelf from the Turks that were about him, he got into the place, and encourag'd the Inhabitants to make a good defence, and Bajazet ſome few days after rais'd the Siege and return'd to Conſtantinople. Solyman the II. having in vain attack'd Corf • in the year 1537. gave orders to Caſſin Ba •• a to carry on the War towards Napoli di Romania and the adjacent places. The Venetians who were enter'd into a League againſt him with the Emperor Charles the Fifth, oppos'd all the deſigns of the Turks, who having again beſieg'd Napoli di Romania, were again conſtrain'd to make a ſhameful retreat with great loſs. But at laſt the Venetians finding it for the intereſt of their affairs, to make peace with Solyman, ſent Lewis Badoaro to Constantinople with full power to treat. All his endeavours to preſerve Napoli di Romania, and Napoli di Malvaſia in the hands of the Republique (the only places they were poſſeſt of in the Morea) were fruitleſs. For Solyman having been advertis'd by private intelligence, that the Republique had given him order to conclude a Treaty whatever it coſt, oblig'd him to give up thoſe two places with two Caſtles in Dalmatia, viz. Nadin and Laurane. This was tranſacted in the year 1540. and ſince that time Napoli di Romania has continu'd under the Turkiſh Dominion.

Signior Moroſini having reſolv'd on the Siege of this place, ſet ſail on the 27th of July: The Army conſiſted of eight thouſand Foot and ſix hundred Horſe, being the Forces of the Republique, which he embark'd on the Galleys and Galiots, with thoſe of the Pope, the Duke of Florence, and the Battalion of Malta: There were other Auxiliary Forces, who were embarkt on the other Ships and Galeaſſes. A few days after, the Galleys and Galiots which ſet out firſt, arriv'd at the Port of Tolon, where on the 30th in the evening they landed without any oppoſition; this Port is not above four or five miles from Napoli di Romania, which they inveſted on the 31ſt; and it was reported by a Chriſtian Slave, that Haſſan Baſha, Muſtapha Baſha, and three Beys his Brothers, that were in the place, were the more reſolv'd to defend it ſtoutly, for that there was a numerous Garriſon, and great ſtore of Ammunition and Proviſions. On the firſt of Auguſt, having begun the Lines of Circumvallation, they poſſeſt themſelves of Mount Palamida, on which they rais'd a Battery: this Mount lies on the ſide towards the Continent, and is not acceſſible but by a narrow way, which is between the ſteepeſt part of the Hill and the Sea. Three of the Soldiers that were commanded to cut of the paſſage of the water to the Caſtle, were kill'd, and four wounded; yet they executed their orders in ſpite of the Fire and Bombs of the Beſieged. On the ſame day news was brought, that the Seraſquier was encamp'd under the Cannon of Argos, but thoſe that brought it could not diſcover their number. On the 2d of the Month, they were informed by a Raſcian Deſerter, that the fire which was ſeen the day before in the City, had taken hold of above an hundred Quintals of Powder; that the ruins of the Magazine had chok'd up a great Ciſtern of water, and ſpoil'd another, and that the Inhabitants had but one Well left that was of uſe. The ſame day the beſieged made a Sally with two hundred Foot and twenty Horſe, but all they could do was to charge the advance Guards, and kill or wound ſix or ſeven Soldiers: The Germans came in, and being ſeconded by an hundred Milaneſes, preſently forc'd them to retire. In this Sally Major Lauro d' Andria receiv'd a Muſquet ſhot in his foot. The Veſſels and Galeaſſes that arriv'd the next day with the reſt of the Forces, reported that the Captain Baſha would have come to the place with ſeven of his Galleys, in which there were above three thouſand men, but that upon the advice they had, that the Fleet of the Republique was at the Mouth of the Haven they ſteered off towards Negropont.

The Generaliſſimo forgot nothing that might advance the good ſucceſs of the Siege: He took a view of the place on the ſide towards the Sea, from on Board the Galley commanded by the Governour of the Galley-ſlaves; after which he took a turn on the ſide towards the Land, view'd the Poſts of Mount Palamida, and judging it would be difficult to compaſs his deſign as long as the Sea was open • o the beſieg'd, he reſolv'd to go and attack the Turks in their Camp; knowing that the Seraſquier was encamp'd four or five Miles from his Lines under the Cannon of the Caſtle of Argos. On the 5th they wrought at a Battery of eight Mortars, and as many Cannon of fifty pound Ball. On the 6th, Count Koningſmark left but fifteen hundred men to guard the Lines and march'd with the reſt againſt the Seraſquier. The Generaliſſimo advanc'd on his ſide with his Galleys, and having found a place fit for landing, near to Argos, he ſet a ſhore fifteen hundred Soldiers and arm'd Seamen, to march under the command of Colonel Magnanini. This Conduct oblig'd the Turks to divide their Forces, they left a party to defend their Camp, and their Cavalry to the number of three thouſand went out to meet the Venetians, who receiv'd their firſt fire with great courage and ſtedfaſtneſs. Count Koningſmark marcht towards them in very good order, and finding his opportunity, broke their Ranks and forc'd them to fly; but he not thinking it proper to purſue the Victory farther, the Enemy had time to carry off their Tents, and ſome part of their Baggage; the Galleys had orders to make near the Coaſt to ſerve as a ſafe retreat to thoſe Souldiers that might be ſtragling for plunder. On the ſame day the Batteries of Mortars were finiſh'd, and began to bombard the Town where fire appeared in ſeveral places: Two other Works were likewiſe carried on to batter it on the ſide towards the Sea. On the 7th. fourteen Chriſtian Slaves who had made their eſcape the Night before, reported that five hundred Souldiers and an Engineer had found means to get into the Town by Sea; that the Seraſquier that had ſent this relief, drew his Forces together near Corinth to join with thoſe the Captain-Baſha had landed. Signior Moroſini ſummon'd the Governour, and upon his refuſing to ſurrender, it was reſolv'd to burn all the adjacent Villages, and by that means hinder the Turks to lodge themſelves there. Count Coningſmark took upon himſelf the execution of this deſign, and ſoon made himſelf Maſter of Argos; thoſe that defended it, quitted the place without ſtriking a ſtroke. There were found in it ſome Proviſions, with about twelve thouſand pound of Powder. On the 8th. the battering was continued; five Grecians who eſcaped to the Camp, confirm'd what was reported by other Deſerters concerning the Deſtruction the Bombs had made there; they added, that there was ſo general a diſmay amongſt them, that if Mustapha Baſha had not oppoſed it, they would already have accepted the offer of Capitulation. On the 9th, four hundred men of thoſe Ships that had tranſported the Garriſon of Modon into Barbary, were landed, and took their Poſts. Advice was brought, that the Seraſquier was on his march with his Forces, and a Reinforcement of two thouſand men to make ſome new attempt, and it appear'd to be for the relief of Napoli di Romania. On the 10th. about an hundred of his Horſe came within Piſtol-ſhot of the Trenches. Signior Moroſini with his Galleys went on the other ſide the Gulf for freſh Water and Forage to refreſh his Soldiers, whom the Turks in parties did much infeſt, and ſurpris'd ſome as they were ſtragling, which retarded their Works, and weakned the Guard of their Trenches. Signior Piſani Captain ordinary of the Ships, arriv'd in the Evening with eight of his Men of War, one Saique and a Pinnace taken from the Turks. The fire that had been ſeen in the place, was put out by the rain that fell the ſame day. The Battery of eight piece of Cannon was put in a readineſs on the 11th. and began to play upon the Town: The Brigadier of the Brunſwick Forces was wounded on the Mount Palamida, at Count Coningsmarks's quarter, while he was viewing the Poſts and the Battery of Mor • ars. On the 12th. ſeven Greeks who made their eſcape from the Town, reported that the Bombs had kill'd above twelve hundred Perſons, That the Inha • itants being terrify'd, deſired to capitu • ate; but the Governour perſiſted in • is reſolution to defend the place till • he Beſiegers had made a breach. Signi • r Duodo was ſent with three Men of War • o take the Caſtle of Thermis, which being at his firſt approach ſurrendred to him by the Diſdar, he plac'd a Garriſon in it. On the ſame day the Battery was advanc'd by reaſon it had not ſuc effect as was expected in the place where it was rais'd: towards the Evening they open'd the Trenches without the loſs of one Man.

The 14th. 15th. and 16th. they continued battering the Town, the Cannons and Mortars playing upon it without intermiſſion. Advice was brought, that the Garriſon of Thermis, after they had ſurrendred the place, was conducted to Athens, to the number of an hundred and fifty men. On the 17th. two Morta • were plac'd at the head of the trenches 〈◊〉 they made no more uſe of he Battery o • the Mount Palamida, there being no nee • of Bombs now the greateſt part of th • Houſes were ruin'd. On the 18th. th • Galleys were ſent for freſh Water an • Forage. While they were advancing their Works on the 19th. they perceiv'd a grea • number of Tents which the Turks ha • pitch'd in the ſame place where Count C • ningsmark had defeated them ſome day before, which oblig'd Signior Moroſini 〈◊〉 reinforce the Guard of the Lines with the Forces of the eight Men of War brought by Signior Piſani. He thought it alſo a matter of importance to the good ſucceſs of the Siege, to guard that Arm of the Sea by which the Seraſquier might have communication with the City; and for that deſign he ordered Monſieur Bragadin to advance with three Galleys beſides four Feluques well arm'd, commanded by Chevalier Morel. On the 20th. the beſieged made a ſalley, but retired at the beſiegers firſt firing, three of their men being kill'd, and others wounded: They would have ſeconded this ſalled by a large Detachment of Horſe, but they alſo retired without fighting. The Works having been advanc'd to the foot of the Counterſcarp, on the 21ſt. all neceſſary Preparations were made for a deſcent into the Ditch. On the 22d. the Turks detach'd a thouſand Horſe and Foot, buy they retir'd on the firſt motion the Saxon and Brunſwick Forces made towards them. On the ſame day arriv'd an Engliſh Veſſel with Men and Ammunition. The 23d. the Enemy made a Salley from their Camp, but after ſome light Skirmiſhes, preſently retir'd. The Beſiegers endured great Fatigues, being neceſſitated to be at their Arms Night and Day by reaſon of theſe continual Skirmiſhes. On the 24th. they fell to undermine one ſide of the Counterſcarp. The 25th. the Galleys were ſent to get Forage for the Cavalry about ten miles from the place. The 26th. after they had made their deſcent to the Ditch, they began to work at the Galleries; it was a piece of Work that prov'd fatal to the Major of the Battalion of Malta, who was kill'd on this occaſion by a Muſquet-ſhot, as Chevalier Alcenago, Major General, had been ſome days before, viewing the Ditch. The Serſquier advanc'd nearer the Beſiegers, which hindred the beſieged from deſiring a Capitulation, notwithſtanding the great conſternation the whole Town was in; they were animated by his preſence, and making no doubt of being reliev'd, they wrought at their Retrenchments that they might defend themſelves in caſe the Beſiegers ſhould make ſo conſiderable a Breach as to venture on an Aſſault. On the 27th. Monſieur Venier return'd with the reſt of his Squadron.

THE Forces of Dalmatia were not idle even in the Winter, but made continual Incurſions into the Enemies Country, the ſeverity of the Seaſon not being enough to make them obſerve any kind of Truce or Ceſſation. The Inhabitants and Garriſon of Santo Stephano ſurpriz'd the Town of Antivari, all that oppos'd them were put to the Sword; and having brought together all the Booty which conſiſted of Money, Moveables, and Plate, and of nine hundred head of Cattel, they retired with it to their Quarters. The Ships of the Republique which were cruiſing in the Archipelago, took ſix more of the Turkiſh Veſſels which were laden with Proviſion from Ægypt, and bound for Conſtantinople, where both the Plague and Famine did rage.

Signior Peraſtino, Captain of a Veſſel named, Our Lady of Mountaigne, arriving at the Port of Suda to take in Proviſions and freſh Water, Signior Alviſe Marcello, Proveditor Extraordinary, deſir'd him to take in Water at Seignet near Canea, himſelf having no more than was neceſſary for the ſubſiſtence of his Garriſon. He advanc'd on the ſide of Porto Nuovo, with eighteen Seamen, having a Convoy of fifty eight men to attend him by the order of the Proveditor. Ali Cubi, Governor of Canea, having notice of it from the Inhabitants of Cisterna, ſent immediately Ali Bey with eighteen Horſe to view the Chriſtians; the Ali having diſcover'd them, retir'd to Ciſterna; the Inhabitants diſpatch'd a ſecond Courier to the Baſha of Canea, who made a ſecond Detachment of threeſcore men. Theſe two Detachments being joyn'd, yet durſt not attack the Venetians, who had intrench'd themſelves at Citro, and were all arm'd with Muſquets to receive the Infidels. The Baſha having been inform'd of it by a third Courier, reſolv'd to go himſelf at the head of a Detachment of four hundred Horſe and Foot, ſcorning that a handful of Men ſhould thus brave him. But his Son having diſſwaded him from that Enterpriſe, took it upon himſelf, and march'd towards them with a deſign to break through them. They were receiv'd by the Venetians with Muſquet-ſhot: The Fight was long and bloody, both ſides encountring with equal vigour. The Baſha's Son attack'd the Chriſtians ſeveral times with all the fury of a Commander, reſolv'd to conquer in deſpite of Fortune; yet the Turks were at laſt forc'd to retreat by the favour of the Night, with the loſs of many men: There were an hundred wounded, of which number was the Baſha's Son, who died in a few hours; his Horſe and Sword were taken and ſent to General Moroſini. This Baſha's Son was Nephew to the Sultan lately depos'd, about five and twenty years of Age; he ſhew'd in this Action a Courage and Conduct above his years: His Father was ſo enrag'd at this ill ſucceſs, that he impriſon'd the ſecond Ali Bey, threatning to be reveng'd on him for the Death of his Son.

In the mean time the Turks, to keep their Forces in heart, reſolv'd to beſiege Singe in Dalmatia, endeavouring to perſwade them, that on the event of this Siege depended the Succeſs of the whole Campaigne. In effect they inveſted the place with twenty thouſand men commanded by the Baſha's of Boſſine and Ertzegovine, and twenty ſix piece of Cannon, with ſome Mortars, which they divided in three Batteries. They thought themſelves ſo ſure of carrying the Town, that the next day after they came before it, they ſent away eight thouſand men to attempt to enter into the Province of Zoga. The Marquis Borri, General of the Battalia, and Governour of the place, writ to General Cornaro as ſoon as he found himſelf beſieged, that he wanted neither Men nor Proviſions, and that he was the more reſolute to defend it, in that he hop'd he ſhould in a ſhort time be reliev'd. Signior Cornaro was overjoy'd to hear this reſolution, yet did not in the mean time neglect to ſend a Reinforcement of men who got into the place, notwithſtanding the vigilance of the Enemy. In the mean time the Turks with twelve thouſand men that remain'd, attack'd a Rondel, and made three aſſaults one after another, in all which they were repuls'd. The Garriſon made ſeveral Sallies with ſo good ſucceſs, that they cut off the Heads of above an hundred Turks, and plac'd them on the Walls to give terrour to the reſt. The Turks ſeeing themſelves ſo miſtaken in their meaſures, having remanded their Detachment, ſent to ſummon the Governour, and to terrifie him, they let him know that no quarter ſhould be given, unleſs he ſurrendred; that the relief he might pretend to expect, was at ſo great a diſtance, that the place would be taken before it could come: They bid him conſider of it; but the beſt advice they could give him, was to provide for his affairs in good time. The Governour having receiv'd this Complement, gave them for anſwer, That if either Party had reaſon to fear, it muſt certainly be themſelves; That they were deluded by falſe hopes; That they might have inferr'd from the reſiſtance he had already made, that it would not be eaſie for them to ſucceed in their deſign; That if inſtead of giving him advice, they would receive any from him, he advis'd them in good earneſt not to perſiſt in ſo vain an attempt; That he would have them know, that General Cornaro was on his march to relieve him; and that to avoid a greater diſgrace, they would do well to retire, and make no longer ſtay there. This Anſwer making them underſtand they had no fearful man to deal with, they continu'd the Siege, but with ſo little ſucceſs, that at the end of three Weeks they were no farther advanc'd than on the firſt day. In the mean time the brave reſiſtance of the beſieged having given time to General Cornaro to draw together his Forces, who were yet in their Quarters, he march'd to their relief. The Proveditor Zen, General of the Horſe, join'd him with eighteen hundred men, and Chevalier Janco brought him a thouſand Morlaques, which altogether made up fourteen thouſand men. General Zen commanded the Cavalry, General San Paolo the Foot, and General Cornaro the whole Body of the Army. They arriv'd on the 22d. of April to a place call'd Liſm, not far from the Enemies Camp, where they made a halt; two hundred men were ſent to a Hill to give notice to the Beſieged of the approach of Relief, by a Volley; at the noiſe of which the Infidels came to view the Chriſtians, and found the whole Army was on its march to make them raiſe the Siege. The Turks would not ſtay their coming up, though they were the greater number. They prepar'd for their retreat on the 23. of April in the Evening, by ſending away their Cannon and Baggage, which was follow'd by the Foot and Horſe. The Beſieged at the ſame time made a Salley, charg'd thoſe that ſtay'd laſt in the Trenches, and fill'd up their Works. The Enemies during the Siege, and in their retreat, loſt above three and twenty hundred men, and ſome Officers of ſeveral ſtations. In the mean time Chevalier Janco, who was gone before with his Morlaques, was ſurpriz'd to ſee that the Turks had rais'd the Siege in ſuch haſte, and that their Horſe had already gain'd the Bridge of Cettina. He entred their Camp, where he found ſome Barrels of Powder, ſome Swords, and one piece of Cannon, which the Enemies had left, having firſt nail'd it. The 24th. General Cornaro entred into the Town, being extremely well ſatisfy'd with the vigorous reſiſtance the Garriſon had made, and gave a thouſand Commendations to Marquis Borri, and the other Officers who had ſignalliz'd themſelves on this occaſion. The Senate being advertis'd of it, caus'd conſiderable Preſents to be made them, and the Souldiers had each of them a piece of money. On the 25th. Te Deum was ſung. On the 26th. the General retir'd to Spalatro, having firſt given neceſſary Orders for the reparation of the place, and the Forces return'd to their Quarters.

The Baſha of Ertzegovine being next, that he could not ſucceed in his Enterpriſe, took his revenge for that diſgrace by waſting the Territory of Trau, reap'd the Harveſt, and carry'd away all the Corn. This Baſha gathered together three thouſand men more, and march'd towards the Fort of Opuſch, a little place ſituate on the River Narenta, with deſign to attack it. He flatter'd himſelf with the thought, that he need no more than ſhew himſelf to gain the place; but the Governour of the place had very different Sentiments, inſtead of opening the Gates to him, as he expected, he repreſented to his little Garriſon, that a glorious Death was better than a ſhameful Servitude, which was all could be expected, if they ſurrendred on diſcretion, and that they would not die without ſacrificing a great number of the Infidels. Signior Cornaro having notice of this, thought himſelf oblig'd without delay to ſecond the good reſolution of the Beſieged; for this purpoſe he commanded ſome Forces of that ſide to march, and ſent orders to Chevalier Janco to be there with the Morlaques, three Galleys, and ſome other Veſſels to tranſport the Forces. This march, and the reſolution of the Beſieged, oblig'd the Baſha to retire, not being willing to engage himſelf farther in an attempt which was like to prove as vain as that of Singe had been. But the Morlaques not content to have diſappointed their Enemies Deſigns, ſurpriz'd the Suburbs of Dumno, and ſeveral Villages of that Country, which they pillag'd and burnt: The Booty they carry'd away, conſiſted of many Priſoners, with a great number of Sheep and Cattel.

During this time the Pirates of Dulcigno went on ſhore in the Territories of the Republique, and carry'd many away into Slavery, and amongſt others, the Governour of Citta-Nova, with all his Family. Some Veſſels were commanded out to cut them off in their return, but could not light on theſe Pirates.

Count Coningſmark had ſhew'd much Experience, Courage and Conduct in the Service of the Republique. The King of Suedes, who had a value for him, having remanded him, the Doge writ the following Letter to his Majeſty, which here you have in the ſame terms as it came from Stockholm.