A Letter From a Gentleman in Transilvania to his Friend in America - 2
IN making the tour of Europe I had the pleasure of writing to you last from Belgrade the Capital of Hungary; I have since had the curiosity, (before I enter Poland) to visit Transilvania, a Province formerly under the Dominion of the Turk, but now belonging to the Emperor of Germany; and as its ✞ Waywode is almost independant of his Sovereign, he has peopled it with Persons of all Nations, and of every profession under Heaven.
Having made a purchase of the soil from the Barbarians, who were the original Proprietors; he also obtain’d a grant from the Emperor to him and his Heirs, for being perpetual Waywode of the Country: This enables him, together with his great distance from Court, to govern the Inhabitants, who flocked from all Quarters to settle the Country under the sanction of a Charter of Privileges and immunities, granted for the preservation of their Religion and Liberties, with an absolute sway.
In ancient times the Natives and Foreigners lived in perfect friendship; but within these ten years past, there has been nothing but bloody Wars carried on between them.---The original cause of
✞ Waywode, the name given to the Prince or Governor.
