MY DEAR FRIEND,

The Porte having given a decisive answer, relative to the frigates which were brought to Constantinople to be sold, we shall sail for Gibraltar immediately. We have been detained here much longer than we expected, but the hospitality and munificence of Sir Robert Ainslie, have amply compensated this delay; and it is with the greatest regret, that I see myself on the eve of leaving his society, and of quitting a place where the hearts of every one seem to wish to detain us.

Nothing could exceed the animation of the Turks at the moment of our arrival at this capital. The King of Sweden had relieved the Porte from a great part of the force of the Russians, and the accounts of the glorious victories of Meadia and Caransebes, obtained over the Emperor, were confirmed and increased by the hundreds of prisoners who were daily brought in.

So complete a panic pervaded the Imperial troops, that on an alarm of the enemy's approach, the heavy baggage, which had been sent on towards Temeswar, was immediately abandoned, and a great part of it pillaged, and carried off by a corps of Partisans.

But at this moment, when victory, with extended wings, was following the Ottoman arms, and when each day brought them fresh advantages, the Grand Vizir suddenly halted, and then turned to the left. It was still hoped, however, that his operations would continue offensive; but probably reflecting on the danger of not finding subsistance for so immense an army, during the approaching winter, should he pursue the Emperor into the heart of his country, and that the Imperial armies from Transylvania and Moldavia might come down and cut him off from the Danube, he had determined not to lose sight of the banks of that river; and that, instead of pursuing the Emperor at random, wherever he chose to lead him, he had resolved to secure the conquests he had made, which would enable him to winter with safety in the enemy's country.

This opinion was, for some time, strengthened by his subsequent movements; he left a strong garrison in Meadia, and his march was directed through the Bannat of Temeswar, and pointed immediately at Semlin, which, had he taken, would have secured the left flank of the chain of posts, by which it was supposed he would have inclosed the Bannat. All his motions most strongly indicated an attempt upon that fortress, and, as there was no doubt of his succeeding, the inhabitants fled with all their effects. A corps of 3000 men, who were encamped under its walls, to watch the motions of the garrison of Belgrade, retired on his approach. He had been unopposed for six weeks, and his conduct at Illova had given the Emperor so formidable an impression of his vigour and abilities, that his Majesty had gone in person as far as Arad, to put that place in a state of defence.

But now that the Grand Vizir was in sight of Semlin, instead of taking this town, and afterwards wintering in the Bannat, or in the district the Imperialists occupied in the spring, he blasted the hopes of his friends, by withdrawing his whole force out of the Austrian territories^[7].

I am exceedingly sorry that I am not sufficiently informed to produce those satisfactory reasons which so sublime a genius, and so brave a man, must doubtless possess for this retrograde motion in the hour of victory. Neither can I take upon me to advance, that the success of Marshal Laudohn formed any part of them.

This great General having taken Dubitza on the 26th of August, marched for Novi on the 29th. The Bashaw of Travenick retarded for some time his operations against that fortress, but having too courageously attempted to storm the Austrian trenches, he was repulsed with a heavy loss. The Marshal now pursued the siege with vigour, and on the 21st of September, a practicable breach being made, he advanced to the assault, but was now in his turn repulsed, and the Vienna Gazette acknowledges, that on this occasion he lost 284 men. On the 3d of October he renewed the attack, and the garrison being by this time reduced to 600 men, were made prisoners.

From Novi Marshal Laudohn advanced to Gradiska; but the overflowing of the Save obliged him to suspend his operations, and to retire into winter quarters.

The campaign is now closed, except in the environs of Oczakow, where the Russian fleet being froze in, the army is obliged to remain for their defence, notwithstanding that immense numbers of their men are every day carried off by the severity of the weather, and the scarcity and badness of provisions.

In the mean while the Captain Bashaw has brought his fleet here to refit, and will resume the blockade of the Russians as soon as the ice breaks. The success of this Admiral has not been so great as his force, abilities, and resolution gave the Porte reason to expect; but they are satisfied, that by engaging almost the whole attention of the Russians, he paved the way for the success of the Grand Vizir, whose victories have more than compensated in the eyes of the Turks, for the disappointment of the Captain Bashaw.

The squadron from the southward have brought in three Russian Privateers, and since there is reason to hope that Oczakow^[8] will hold out, this campaign has, upon the whole, exceeded the most sanguine expectations of the Turks. I am astonished that they have made it out so well, for their army is really little better than an animated mob under the command of a popular leader. I have searched in vain for field-days or reviews, even among the standing forces. The only thing like military exercise, that I could ever discover, was now and then two or three men firing at a mark, or practising themselves in throwing the lance on horseback.

At present the grand army is elated with victory, and formidable by the spirit infused by success; but as one or two defeats will destroy that religious confidence and enthusiastic fury, which, for a time, supply the want of discipline and skill, the third campaign, I am afraid, will shake this very capital, unless England and Prussia forbid such a catastrophe, and by resolute measures, confirm the expectations of the Porte, and of all those who wish well to the honor and interest of the Triple Alliance.