View PDF version of this page

I will end this chapter by noting that every year about 600 merchant vessels touch « at Cyprus, under the flags of various European nations. These sail in small squadrons, either to transport passengers and merchandise from one part of Syria to another, or to trade with Europe. A still larger number of ships of all kinds come under the Ottoman flag, as well as the Sultan's war vessels, and those of other sovereigns. While I was living in the island there came, in 1761, one Venetian ship and two frigates, commanded by Sr Foscari, and one ship by Sr Alvise Riva; in 1762, one Venetian ship and one frigate commanded by Sr Foscari: two French ships, one frigate and two xebecs commanded by M. de Bon; in 1763, one Venetian frigate commanded by Sr Molino; in 1766, one French ship and two frigates com-manded by M. de Beauffremont, Prince de Listenois, and one Venetian frigate under Sr Zeno. The principal object of the visits paid by men of war to the very furthest ports in the Levant is to see how mercantile houses are carried on, and to correct abuses which may have arisen, as well as to give greater importance to the subjects of their several sovereigns established in the east. The Turks are deeply impressed by the presence in their waters of the war vessels of Christian princes. xxi] Island of Cyprus 125

View PDF version of this page