# The Gentleman's Magazine/Volume 1/Issue 1/Foreign Affairs

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Foreign Affairs
WE think it a proper introduction to the history of the year newly begun, to give our readers a transient view of the situation of Affairs at the conclusion of the last; and as we find this ready done to our hands in the Poft-Boy, Dec. 31. we shall make no apology for epitomizing his essay upon that Subject.
The Clouds in which the fate of Europe was obscur'd at the close of the Year 1729, are not yet dissipated, notwithstanding the efforts of politicians, the number of Negotiations, and the union of four of the most formidable powers in Europe, by the Treaty of Seville.
The allies of Seville now see in what advantageous situation the treaty of Utrecht has put the Emperor in Italy. We find that the Empire, which in the reign of Leopold, could not send 10,000 men to the Rhine or Flanders, without subsidies from England or Holland, can send 20,000 men to Italy, and maintain them there without assistance, its revenue amounting to no less than 15 millions of Florins a year. She now employs her Powers to baffle the projects of those who rais'd her to this grandeur: Projects whose only drift is the Execution of a treaty, wherein the imperial court is one of the principal parties contracting, which treaty was made with two views. The first was an addition to the power of the Emperor in Italy, by bringing under her obedience the two Sicilies. The second chear'd up Spain for the losses she had ​sustain'd, particularly in the fine branches lopt from that crown, by securing to one of her Infantes the uncertain hope of two successions.
The catholick king and his allies do not undertake or ask any thing that the Imperial court has juft reason to complain of.
The reasons alledg'd by the Imperialists for their complaints are, that an alteration had been made in one single article of the quadruple alliance, which set forth the manner of securing to the Infante of Spain the eventual succession which had been promis'd him. But,
1. This alteration is of no great importance, because the 6000 neutral troops which by the treaty of London were to be garrison'd in Tufcany and Parma, by the treaty of Seville are only turn'd into Spaniards, which are in some sort made neutral by being discharg'd from the oath to their sovereign, and made to take an oath to the Great Duke, and Duke of Parma.
2. This alteration does no prejudice to the Emperor, or threaten him with any hereafter, because his strict and religous observation of treaties will not suffer him to oppose the Infante's promis'd succession; nor will the bona fide of the king of Spain let him employ his 6000 Spaniards on any design but what is stipulated by the treaty of Seville.
3. This alteration was not made without substantial reasons. The Imperialists always opposed the motion for putting Spaniards in garrison in the towns of Tuscany and Parma; and were averse even to the admission of neutral troops; upon which the allies passed the 4th article of the treaty of Seville.
This article was the subject of the late Negotiations. The resolution of the Imperial court to admit of no deviation from the treaty of Quadruple alliance; and that of the court of Spain never to consent to any alteration in the treaty of Seville, occasion'd the preparations for war all the last summer, but ended in preparations offensive and defensive, and were kept from breaking into action by the thread of negotiation; and the opening of this scene is reserved for the year we are now entering upon; but hitherto Things remain in the same situation, Jan. 30.
Constantinople. Since the great revolution made here by the Janizaries in cutting to pieces the late Vizier, Capigi Aga, Capt Bashaw, and Mufti, &c. and afterwards deposing Sultan Achmet, and raising the new Sultan (whose father was depos'd in 1703) to the throne; there has been no settled government. For upon divers pretences these tumultuous rebels were frequently up in arms, demanding several new regulations; particularly the promoting of their favourites, and the removal or death of those who were obnoxious to 'em. All which was comply'd with in order to appease them: But this procedure not satisfying them, and they still continuing mutinous, the Grand Segnior under pretence of holding a general council, got the chief of 'em into his palace, cut 'em all off with their servants; and about 7000 of their followers were strangled, to the great joy of this city; these rebellious people grew so insolent, as to tax families what sums they pleas'd, and even to plunder in the street: But now every thing is reduc'd to the old Ottoman rules of government.
Moscow, Jan. 8. Advices from Derbent fay, that the princes of Georgia passed that place, in their way home much pleased with the honours they have received from this court, and that one of them, who lives near mount Arrarat, had promis'd to send the Empress a relique of Noah's Ark.
Venice, 'Tis currently reported that this republick will equip a squadron of twenty Ships of war, to put to sea early next spring, to watch the motions of the Turks.
​Vienna, Jan. 20. Our hopes of an accommodation with Spain encrease daily.
Paris. New proposals of accommodation are negotiating with Spain and the Emperor; and 'tis thought with a fair prospect of success.
Swisserland, Bern. Provision is making in all the protestant cantons for the reception of a great number of Waldenses, who are depriv'd of their liberties and drove from their habitations, by their sovereign the duke of Savoy.
Vienna. There are privately handed about here copies of the Ultimatum (or last proposals) of the allies of Seville, as transmitted hither from Paris; the substance of which is as follows.
1. They would stipulate by a secret article not to oppose the settlement of Succession which the Emperor might make for his Territories in Italy, and which should be freely accepted by the States thereof; and they would engage to guaranty that Settlement.
2. They would stipulate by a secret article, that they could not oppose the advantages of Succession, which the Emperor, with the consent of the different States of Italy, might procure in favour of the archdutchess his daughter; and contribute to maintain what he shall so establish for his daughters, or for any one he shall pitch upon, with regard to his Territories in Italy; and even to guaranty what may be established by the Emperor in consequence of that Settlement.
Seville, Jan. 16. Couriers are continually arriving upon the heels of one another, which occasion frequent councils.
Hague. About the latter end of this month their High Mightinesses wrote a letter to the United Provinces, for the celebration of the 28th of Feb. as a day of solemn thanksgiving, fasting and prayer, which imports in substance, That altho' it has pleas'd God, in his infinite patience and clemency, that we have enjoy'd peace last year, this peace was nevertheless attended with so much uneasiness and difficulty, in relation to the small success of the negotiations set on foot for terminating amicably the differences in Europe, and establishing a general tranquillity, that we are still in a very uncertain and difficult scituation, and have great reason to fear that a war may at last happen, wherein this State may be engag'd, contrary to its inclination: That our apprehension in this respect increases so much the more when we consider, that notwithstanding all the blessings which it hath pleased God to shower down upon our dear Country, the sins and iniquities thereof, far from diminishing, increase daily, to such a degree, that last year horrible, abominable sins appear'd, almost unknown before in this Country; and that we ought to fear, that the patience of the Lord, justly provok'd, ceasing, his Judgments may at last fall upon our dear Country, unless we endeavour to prevent them, by an unfeigned repentance and conversion.