OTTOMAN ADMINISTRATION AND EUROPEAN CONSULS: SUPPORTING CONSULAR FUNCTIONS IN THE 17TH AND THE FIRST HALF OF THE 18TH CENTURIES
Authors: Göktaş Nagihan 
Published: January 2024

Consulates, given certain commercial and legal privileges from the Ottoman Empire, served as entities that facilitated and maintained the commercial activities of foreign merchants. Capitulations provided the legal foundation for non-Muslim Europeans to engage in commerce in the Ottoman dominions. Large communities of European merchants conducted business in the empire’s major commercial hubs under the protection of their ambassadors in Istanbul, and consuls in several ports and cities. Besides capitulations, imperial decrees issued due to special circumstances were also a factor in determining the status of European communities and officials in Ottoman lands and could influence the living of a foreign community. The Ottoman authorities acknowledged the jurisdiction of their own ambassadors and consuls of foreign merchants. Articles within the ahdnames and berats stated the degree of authority consuls had in the Ottoman lands. Nonetheless, the articles on consular Consulates, having been granted specific commercial and legal privileges by the Ottoman Empire, functioned as entities that facilitated and upheld the commercial activities of foreign merchants. Capitulations laid the legal groundwork for the participation of non-Muslim Europeans in commerce within the Ottoman dominions. Extensive communities of European merchants engaged in business within the empire's major commercial hubs under the protection of their ambassadors in Istanbul and consuls in various ports and cities. In addition to capitulations, imperial decrees, issued due to special circumstances, played a role in determining the status of European communities and officials in Ottoman lands, thereby influencing the livelihood of foreign communities. The Ottoman authorities recognized the jurisdiction of their own ambassadors and consuls of foreign merchants. The articles within the ahdnames and berats specified the extent of authority consuls held in the Ottoman lands. Nevertheless, the articles pertaining to consular operations were notably limited and failed to encompass all aspects of consular activities.
The precise implementation and functioning of consular privileges granted by the capitulations, aside from matters outlined in the articles, remain unknown. According to the capitulations, consuls emerged as semi-autonomous actors, enjoying complete freedom in their affairs and being accountable only to their superiors—either the resident ambassadors or the government in their home country. While this information may be accurate, it obscures the potential influence of Ottoman interventions and regulations. Alternative sources beyond the capitulations may offer a more comprehensive understanding.
Several studies have explored consular legal activities, but relatively less attention has been devoted to the issues consuls addressed outside their legal responsibilities and their collaboration with the Ottoman administration. This research seeks to analyze the connections between consulates and Ottoman authorities, particularly in terms of appointment, ensuring their safety, and collecting consular fees. The investigation aims to reveal how the Ottoman administration managed consulates through the perspective of Ottoman archival sources, integrating Düvel-i Ecnebiye (registers of foreign states) and Mühimme registers from the Prime Ministry Ottoman State Archives for this purpose.
Significantly, the Ottoman administration played a crucial role in appointing consuls, collecting consular fees, and creating an environment conducive to the safe execution of consular duties. By supporting consuls in these aspects, European consuls in the Empire were able to operate efficiently, and the consular system functioned without complications.