DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.57079#0090
74 THE EARLY HISTORY OF
The position of the Ambassador was some-
what anomalous. He received his salary
from the Company and was in Constantinople
in the first instance to look after the interests
of the Company. But he had duties in the
field of politics as well as in that of commerce.
In so far then as he was a political agent, he
was a servant of the King of England. There
was this element in the position from the very
earliest days of the Anglo-Turkish inter-
course.21 In October, 1579, Elizabeth required
a safe-conduct from the Sultan which should
cover all English subjects.22 “ At what time
in like case the late Mr. Secretary Wilson
commanded Harbrown in her majesty’s name
to perform his duty in that service, promising
a consideration to be had of his travail and
expense ; to achieve which exploit the said
21 In Bundle I. of Turkey Papers at the Public Record
Office there are very many letters from Edward Barton,
the Company’s ambassador at Constantinople to Bur-
leigh, letters of political import and therefore for the
most part in cipher. Likewise a large number—many
of these also in cipher—from William Harborn to Sir
Francis Walsingham. It may be interesting to note
in passing that in Barton’s cipher letters Libra stands
for the Turkey Company.
22 Cs. S. P. D. Eliz. vol. 151, No. 33.
The position of the Ambassador was some-
what anomalous. He received his salary
from the Company and was in Constantinople
in the first instance to look after the interests
of the Company. But he had duties in the
field of politics as well as in that of commerce.
In so far then as he was a political agent, he
was a servant of the King of England. There
was this element in the position from the very
earliest days of the Anglo-Turkish inter-
course.21 In October, 1579, Elizabeth required
a safe-conduct from the Sultan which should
cover all English subjects.22 “ At what time
in like case the late Mr. Secretary Wilson
commanded Harbrown in her majesty’s name
to perform his duty in that service, promising
a consideration to be had of his travail and
expense ; to achieve which exploit the said
21 In Bundle I. of Turkey Papers at the Public Record
Office there are very many letters from Edward Barton,
the Company’s ambassador at Constantinople to Bur-
leigh, letters of political import and therefore for the
most part in cipher. Likewise a large number—many
of these also in cipher—from William Harborn to Sir
Francis Walsingham. It may be interesting to note
in passing that in Barton’s cipher letters Libra stands
for the Turkey Company.
22 Cs. S. P. D. Eliz. vol. 151, No. 33.