80

THE TAESCHNER COLLECTION (Or. 12.359, cont.)

political discussions, especially on the Ottoman relations with Russia and Austria, speculations on what would happen if another war broke out (and the Ottomans tried to occupy the Crimea), the support to be received from Poland in such an event, and possible Ottoman actions to abrogate the (first) Polish partition (of 1772), between the Ottoman envoy and the Polish King and Diet. The envoy was presented with a porcelain set (see plate). ff. 4a-b. A memorandum on a tour of inspection of the island of Crete by the kapucibap Ebübekir with recommendations (and calculations of costs) for the repair of a number of military defence works. ff. 4b-5a. A note concerning a report by the kapudan pa$a to the Porte on the necessity of repairing some fortresses on the Mora (Peloponnese). ff. 5a-b. A memorandum to be given to the envoy of Venice by the re’isülküttdb Efendi regarding the maintenance of public order (nizam) in the Ottoman lands for the benefit of the re'ay a, visiting merchants and others. (It was handed over to the bailo on 11 Cemagf l-ewel [1] 192/7 June 1778). ff. 5b-7b. A memorandum by the kapudan pa$a on the sorry state of the Black Sea Fleet, which is too small and unable to cope with the Russian enemy, and, in particular, on the necessity to improve recruitment methods and discipline among the sailors (kalyoncis), such as preventing them from visiting whores and drinking alcoholic beverages in Kasimpa§a and Galata, and creating better facilities for them and their commanding officers in the Istanbul Arsenal (tersane-i ‘ümiré). (See on late 18th-century naval reform, Shaw’s study, pp. 153-60.) ff. 8a-9b. A survey of the protocol to be observed during the visit of the Muscovite ambassador to Istanbul and issued by the Office of Ceremonies (tesrifat-i hümayün defteri). It gives a detailed survey on his reception from the moment he would arrive at a previously chosen farm (giftlik) near Istanbul and progress through the Edime Gate, the Fenar Gate to the Eyiib Market, a konak in Galata (where he would receive the first presents of fruit and flowers from the Grand Vizier), the Grand Vizier’s Saray (where he is officially received), to Topbane, and back to the Palace (for another official reception and delivery of his letter), with ample details on mounts, meals, refreshments, lodging, escorts (with titles of officials and their prescribed dress), presents and the like.^ (See for a description of a similar reception in 1776, Itzkowitz and Mote’s work,