DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.25694#0155
MUSTAPHA III.
TWENTY-SIXTH EMPEROR OF THE TURKS.
1757-1774.
M ustapha was one of the sons of Achmet the Third, and succeeded to the throne immediately'
after the death of his brother. He possessed no talents for government, and was an utter stranger
to the ambition of his predecessors: the affairs of the state were, therefore, entirely confided to the
Vizier, by whose influence he had been elevated to the throne. Mustapha’s change of fortune
produced none in his habits: a great part of his life had been worn out in confinement, and he was
called, at an advanced age, to a station which required the abilities of a statesman in the cabinet,
and of a general in the field.
The ambitious views of the Court of St. Petersburgh towards Poland, were already apparent.
Taking advantage of the distractions of that unhappy country, every measure was dictated by force
of arms. The Russians built fortresses on the frontiers of Turkey, and the excesses which they
committed with impunity, afforded a proof of the weakness and degeneracy of the Ottoman character.
When reports of these hostilities reached the capital, the people called aloud for a declaration of
war against Russia; but the Vizier not concurring in the public sentiment, resigned his office. A
long, sanguinary, and unfortunate war succeeded, from the effects of which, the Turkish empire
will, perhaps, never entirely recover. After the first campaign, the Russians demanded the pro-
vinces of Moldavia and Wallachia, as a preliminary article of peace. These offers were refused ;
and another campaign only produced further discomfitures. Some partial successes encouraged the
Turks to persist in the contest, till their armies were so dispirited by defeats, that a body of fifty
thousand men deserted at one time ; and marching to Constantinople, demanded a passage to Asia.
The government was intimidated into compliance, and no less than one hundred and thirty thousand
men took advantage of the panic which, for the present, dispersed and dissolved the great army of
Turkey.
While negotiations for peace were carrying on between General Romanzow and the Turkish
government, Mustapha died in January, 1 7 74, after a disastrous reign of seventeen years.
There is little to remark in the character of Mustapha. The misfortunes of the empire appear
to have been accelerated, not more by the inefficiency of the government, than from the indolence
and inability of the Sultan ; who seems to have been totally destitute of political talents.
The Vignette appears to be emblematical of the pursuits of the Sultan: in the distance, a college
is exhibited, endowed by Mustapha.
TWENTY-SIXTH EMPEROR OF THE TURKS.
1757-1774.
M ustapha was one of the sons of Achmet the Third, and succeeded to the throne immediately'
after the death of his brother. He possessed no talents for government, and was an utter stranger
to the ambition of his predecessors: the affairs of the state were, therefore, entirely confided to the
Vizier, by whose influence he had been elevated to the throne. Mustapha’s change of fortune
produced none in his habits: a great part of his life had been worn out in confinement, and he was
called, at an advanced age, to a station which required the abilities of a statesman in the cabinet,
and of a general in the field.
The ambitious views of the Court of St. Petersburgh towards Poland, were already apparent.
Taking advantage of the distractions of that unhappy country, every measure was dictated by force
of arms. The Russians built fortresses on the frontiers of Turkey, and the excesses which they
committed with impunity, afforded a proof of the weakness and degeneracy of the Ottoman character.
When reports of these hostilities reached the capital, the people called aloud for a declaration of
war against Russia; but the Vizier not concurring in the public sentiment, resigned his office. A
long, sanguinary, and unfortunate war succeeded, from the effects of which, the Turkish empire
will, perhaps, never entirely recover. After the first campaign, the Russians demanded the pro-
vinces of Moldavia and Wallachia, as a preliminary article of peace. These offers were refused ;
and another campaign only produced further discomfitures. Some partial successes encouraged the
Turks to persist in the contest, till their armies were so dispirited by defeats, that a body of fifty
thousand men deserted at one time ; and marching to Constantinople, demanded a passage to Asia.
The government was intimidated into compliance, and no less than one hundred and thirty thousand
men took advantage of the panic which, for the present, dispersed and dissolved the great army of
Turkey.
While negotiations for peace were carrying on between General Romanzow and the Turkish
government, Mustapha died in January, 1 7 74, after a disastrous reign of seventeen years.
There is little to remark in the character of Mustapha. The misfortunes of the empire appear
to have been accelerated, not more by the inefficiency of the government, than from the indolence
and inability of the Sultan ; who seems to have been totally destitute of political talents.
The Vignette appears to be emblematical of the pursuits of the Sultan: in the distance, a college
is exhibited, endowed by Mustapha.