After the death of Nesúh, several persons who had been deposed during his administration were restored to their offices or to others still more important. Among these was Alí Páshá formerly mentioned, whose services in the late war with Austria, and his wise administration at Baghdád, had become known to the emperor. Mahmúd Páshá, the son of Jeghala Zádeh, was another who was confirmed in his dignity of vezír. On the 21st of Ramazán, Hasan Páshá, who had been at one time beglerbeg of Diárbeker, was again appointed to that government; and, at the same time, protector of the frontiers. Some other appointments took place on this occasion.
Concerning Betlan Gabor.
Betlan, or Bethlem, Gabor was a descendant of the Baturi line of Transylvanian princes. Baturi Gabor, better known by the appellation of Delí Karal (the foolish king), was a madman and a tyrant. He seized on the property of the other chiefs and nobles of Transylvania, and slew such of them as had the courage to oppose his tyranny and oppression: some were proscribed by him, and others, to escape his fury, fled the country. Betlan Gabor was one of the latter, and came to Belgrade at the time when Yemishjí Hasan Páshá was commander-in-chief, who allowed Betlan Gabor a salary of one hundred and twenty pieces of money. Betlan remained the whole of that winter at Semendria, and afterwards returned to Transylvania: but in 1021, he was again, for fear of Baturi Gabor, obliged to take refuge in Turkey. Having been successively deputy to Iskander Páshá and to Hasan Páshá, and being well acquainted with both the Arabic and Persian languages, he accompanied Nikrúm, the Austrian ambassador, to the court of Constantinople. Nesúh Páshá, the grand vezír, conferred on Betlan Gabor the government of Kaniza. By the intervention of Iskander Páshá it was that he was first introduced to the premier, who made himself acquainted with the circumstances of his case. Betlan informed him of the conduct of his relative, Delí Karal; and this led to the measures which the government afterwards adopted for crushing Baturi Gabor.
Under the pretence of repairing the fortress of Buda, it was considered necessary to augment the troops in that quarter; but these, in fact, were to be employed against Baturi Gabor, Delí Karal. Orders for augmenting the troops were accordingly issued. Iskander Páshá assembled his troops in the plains of Serim, marched to Temisvar, passed through Timúr kapú, and entered Transylvania. Nesúh Páshá appointed Kelánjí Omar Páshá to take the command of the army, and ordered Sháhín Gheráí and the begs of Valachia and Moldavia to join the main body.
When Delí Karal heard of the formidable array which was gathering against him, he shut himself up in Waradin and fortified the place. In the meantime Iskander Páshá proceeded to Belgrade, in Transylvania, and there installed Betlan Gabor as king of that country. It was not to be imagined, however, that so long as the mad king was allowed to continue in existence, Betlan Gabor would find it an easy matter to reign undisturbed in the possession of Transylvania. By the advice of Betlan, Iskander Páshá showed various acts of kindness to such of the voivodas as could be depended upon, and thus secured their good-will and that of their subjects in behalf of the new-made king. Iskander Páshá, after having settled all these matters, thought proper to evacuate the country; but he had scarcely done so when Delí Karal ventured out of his strong-hold, and, with the view of attacking Betlan, began to muster what forces he could. One of the voivodas, however, placed himself in a certain pass through which the old king was to pass, and actually shot him on his first appearance. Betlan Gabor was no sooner rid of his antagonist than he began to reign without fear, and, of course, without a rival; sent a letter to his friend, Iskander Páshá, who was still at Timúr kapú, informing him of his good fortune, and thanking him for the services he had rendered to him. When Iskander Páshá received this letter he began to make arrangements with regard to the cities and provinces of Transylvania, and settled things on the same footing as they had been in former times.
The treaty of Transylvania.
Betlan Gabor having given the strongest assurances and the most faithful pledges of his attachment and subserviency to the Ottoman government, the latter entered into a perpetual league with him, both offensive and defensive, constructed in conformity to the league entered into in the days of Soleimán, which was signed on the 23d of Jemadi I. of this current year. The league or treaty was as follows:—
“In consequence of the demise of the ruler of Transylvania, and the entirely new state of things in that country, the Ottoman government, in compliance with the wish of the princes and three estates of the nobles of Transylvania, has appointed from amongst them a descendant of the kings of Transylvania, and one brought up amongst them, to be ruler of that country. It therefore decrees, that none of the nobles or plebeians shall, without their own consent, be obliged to leave the country; nor shall any who has been obliged to submit to the new order of things, suffer any molestation whatever. 2. So long as the ruler, nobles, and commons of Transylvania remain firm in their submission to the Sublime Porte, no neighbouring power shall be permitted to invade that country. 3. None of the captives which the Transylvanians may have taken shall be employed against the common enemy. 4. All the cities and villages in the confines of Solnak, Gullah, Lipah, and Temisvar shall continue to pay such taxes and imposts as they were accustomed to pay to the Ottoman government before the rebellion occasioned by Baturi Zigmund; the government of Transylvania shall not hinder or forbid the payment of these taxes and imposts on any account whatever. 5. The Transylvanian government shall on no pretence whatever molest the districts of Salmish, or those places belonging to Turkey in the districts of Shemadeyma and Yarfatnah. 6. Such of the Turkish peasantry as may have removed to Transylvania, and are still there, shall be sent back to the places whence they came. 7. The Transylvanian government shall in like manner, and in conformity to former agreement, from time to time send its accustomed tribute to the Ottoman government. 8. The Transylvanian government shall form a friendly union with the voivodas of Valachia and Moldavia, and shall render to them friendly aid when necessary. 9. In like manner, it shall afford to Turkey, on due notice being given, its aid and assistance with that fidelity which its relation to that country demands. 10. The boundaries of the country of Transylvania are to remain as they were fixed at the making of the treaty of Vienna, and are not to be altered. 11. None of the Transylvanian princes who may have attached themselves to the ruling prince shall be molested.”
Another treaty.
The princes of Upper-Hungary, during the reign of Soleimán, were all subject to the Ottoman government, but were afterwards obliged to submit to the emperor of Germany. Within these few years, however, king Botchkai and the princes of Upper-Hungary broke their allegiance to that power, and became again subjects of the Ottoman government. It was on this account that the Ottoman government conferred on Botchkai, by treaty, the sovereignty and other emblems of royal authority over those cities which had either revolted from the dominion of Austria, or had been rescued from it: these however, after the death of Botchkai, again fell under the dominion of Austria. The Germans, forgetting integrity and honour with the Transylvanian princes, sought to wrest from their hands every place of strength which had still remained to them; and, moreover, employed violent measures in endeavouring to bring the inhabitants to embrace their system of faith. In consequence of these outrages on the part of the Germans, the inhabitants began again to manifest their old hostility against their oppressors; and wishing to secure the favour and protection of the Turkish government, sent one of their most experienced leaders, Belzai Zigmund Betlan Gabor, the present ruler of Transylvania, to request from that government a renewal of former treaties. The following were therefore agreed to. 1. That so long as the Hungarian princes, kapúdáns, and other chiefs of that nation should maintain a faithful subjection to the Turkish government, the latter power agreed to enter into a treaty, both offensive and defensive; promising, also, to maintain a friendly compact with Betlan Gabor, and to assist him in the event of any hostile invasion. 2. As a proof of their sincerity and integrity, they were this year, according to their ability, to transmit to the court of Constantinople certain presents. 3. In the event of their being called upon to render aid or assistance, none of their castles or cities were to be invaded, but should remain undisturbed. 4. No greater taxes were to be demanded than what they had been accustomed to pay in former times. 5. In the event of the king of Poland, or the rulers of Valachia and Moldavia, wishing to purchase any of the fortresses of Transylvania, they were not to give their consent to such a transaction. 6. Should either of the voivodas of Valachia or Moldavia become disaffected to the Ottoman government, and take refuge in Transylvania, he was not to be allowed to remain there, but be sent to Constantinople, and all his slaves were to be set free without ransom.