Buck Whaley memories - 1797

"The janissaries amount to 100,000. They sometimes render themselves formidable to the nation, and even to the Emperor himself. Five thousand of them mount guard every day at the Palace. The Emperor orders provisions to be distributed among them. If they are dissatisfied, they shew it on that occasion by overturning the dishes with their feet, in which case every attempt is made to pacify them. Their first institution was under Morad 2nd, and [? they] were composed of young Bulgarians and Macedonians, sent in tribute to Constantinople. They were originally called hadgini, which in the Turkish language signifies "strangers;" afterwards janissaries or "new soldiers." Most of them have some trade, are allowed many privileges and exempt from duties to which the rest of the army are subject. Corporal punishment is not inflicted on them where death is not merited. In such cases they are allowed the privilege of being strangled, whilst others for similar offences are empaled or decapitated."

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