endeavours to avoid any
interruption of their mutual harmony,
and its readiness to lend every office of
mediation, to prevent any rupture between
the Porte and the neighbouring
Courts.
These pacific intentions, &c. &c."
Notwithstanding the serious events which this declaration must produce, it was impossible for the Porte to refrain from laughing at the bare-faced manner in which the Emperor attempted to impose on the understandings of the rest of the world.
The declaration of war was read to the Imperial troops in Croatia on the 9th of February, and the same day Dresnick was attacked by them. The garrison consisted of only seventy men; but this little corps made a most gallant defence, and, small as their numbers were, they obliged the enemy to set fire to the place before they could compel them to surrender.
At the same moment a second detachment made an attempt on Sturlich, another inconsiderable post. The Turkish Commandant reserved his fire till the Austrians were near enough for every shot to take place, he then gave them a volley, which destroyed a considerable number of the enemy. The place, however, was afterwards taken; and, it is said, that in revenge for the loss the Imperialists had sustained, they put all the prisoners to the sword. I cannot believe this report, notwithstanding the following account published by authority.