Two more Hungarian miles thro the like way bring us to Zilak, a reformed Calvinist village, where I visited the chief pastor, Stephanus Foris Debreezeni. Within half an hour of this place we passed certain mountains very woody, but not exceeding high, which part Transylvania from Hungary; after which we now enter into those parts of Hungary, which lately gave part of his title to the prince of Transylvania.
May xxxi.
Passing two Hungarian miles thro a country more open and well improved, we arrive at Somlyo; in which there is an old palace, once a seat of residence for the kings of Hungary. Here the guards and commissary is again changed, Franciscus Trantzeni, an Hungarian gentleman, now taking that charge. As we continued in this town the following day, I had an opportunity of conversing with the minister, whose name is Zovány.
June i.
We set forward three Hungarian miles to Margarita, and in the way cross the Krasna, near which are the limits that terminate the parts of Hungary. The soil is here luxuriantly rich, well varied with pasture and intervening woods, and everywhere adorned with damask roses, growing wild on short shrubs. Part of my time was here employed in discoursing with the minister, Johannes Banki. But having now passed thro Transylvania, as well as the parts of Hungary subject to the same government, it is here proper to recollect some general observations relating to this province.
Transylvania, which for many years had been tributary to the Turks, and consequently under the protection of that empire, which still allowed them the choice and government of their own princes, was in the year 1687, under the conduct of the Duke of Lorrain, subjected to the arms of the Emperor; and thereupon by capitulation they resigned themselves to the Germans, under whom they have since continued, tho as yet the Emperor has assumed no distinct title from thence. He has ordinarily in garrison here about twelve regiments, which since the peace of Carlowítz serve rather to curb the inhabitants, than to awe the neighbouring Turk. To this end they are now preparing a strong citadel in Hermanstadt, and designing others in proper places, on pretence of charges due to these forts and the standing militia. The Emperor exacts yearly severe taxes, of which they generally complain, as being four times more than was exacted by the Turk. For whereas they then paid the yearly tribute and exaction of about two hundred thousand floreni Rhenenses, there is this year particularly demanded from them, in the present assembly of the government at Alba Julia, the sum of one million forty thousand six hundred, which is charged for the following particulars. The
| Quantum militare, | 750,000. |
| Ad fortalitia, | 100,000. |
| Debitum principis Duca[126], | 65,600. |
| Bonificationes superoneratis, | 60,000. |
| Ad salarium camellariae, | 15,000. |
| Inevitabiles extraordinariae expensae | 50,000. |
These subsidies are demanded at the assembly in the Emperor’s name, by his commissary, Count Seau; and the care of levying and raising it is incumbent on the governor, the chancellor, the treasurers, the assessores tabulae regiae, with other officers and members of the assembly. Thus the civil government of the province is committed to the Transylvanian nobility, distinguished by the officers abovementioned; but the military government is, in the hands of General Rabutin, who holds the province to a rigid and exact obedience.
Transylvania is in the hands of three distinct people. First the Szekeli, which are otherwise corruptly wrote Sciculi, Siculi, or Scytuli[127]. The second are the Saxones. And the third are the Hungari. The first and third of these speak the same Hungarian language, and are Hunns of the same original, only settled in this country at different times. The Saxons speak intirely the German Saxon language, from which nation they are a colony, and settled here under Geysa the second King of Hungary.
They have each of them their distinct laws, customs, and privileges, and are severally divided after this manner. First the Szekeli into seven szeks, namely: Meros-szék, Udvarhel-szék, Harom-szék, Kesdi Orba Sepsi-szék, Csik-szék, Gyorgy-szék, and Arangus-szék. Over each of these seats preside so many captains; and being a warlike robust people, still retaining the ferity of the Scythians, of which the whole body of the Hunni was at first a colony, they have been always exempted from taxes and duties to the government, except only the service of war upon occasion under their respective captains. But of late the Emperor has persuaded them to submit to the like taxes and duties, with all other his Transylvanian subjects. On account of their not holding their lands of the government, there is a peculiar custom obtaining among them, that in defect of heirs their estate escheats not to the government, but to the next neighbour.