User:Wikiminds34/The Treaty of Făgăraş

The Treaty of Făgăraș, also known as the Declaratio in Protectionem Cesareo-Regiam, is a document adopted on May 9, 1688. In this document, Michael Apafi I, the Royal Council and the Diet of Transylvania declared that Transylvania would be under the protection of Leopold I, thereby renouncing Ottoman suzerainty. Due to the important role that Mihai Teleki played in the preparation of this document, it is also known as "Teleki's Tribute Declaration".

The document was dated in Sibiu, where it was signed by the prince's representatives, although both he and the Diet of Transylvania were, in fact, in Făgăraș.

History
In 1687, after the victories achieved in the battle with the Ottomans, the troops led by Charles of Lorraine wanted to spend the winter in Transylvania, invoking Haller's diploma from 1686. However, since their presence would have represented a significant economic burden for the country, Mihai I Apafi tried to avoid it. Thus, the Pact of Blaj was signed, by which the prince recognized the suzerainty of the Crown over Transylvania, while Carol de Lorraine guaranteed that the emperor would recognize the independence of the principality. The Imperial Court of Vienna rejected the terms of the Pact of Blaj and sent General Antonio Caraffa to Transylvania as high military commissioner, with a mandate to take such measures "as he may deem good and feasible in the interest of the emperor's service." Although Miklós Bethlen considered the alliance with the Habsburgs beneficial, he protested against the establishment of military rule in his statement entitled "Moribunda Transilvania".

Origine
Caraffa reached in Sibiu in February 1688 and from there sent a letter to Mihai I Apafi, requesting him to send his representatives to discuss controversial issues related to the supply of the army. After the successful completion of this mission, Caraffa again sent a letter to Apafi, asking him to appoint as trustees the following gentlemen and officials: Mihai Teleki, Elek Bethlen, Gergely Bethlen, László Székely from Borosjeno, Valentin Frank, royal judge of Sibiu, Szabó Keresztély, mayor of Sibiu, Miklós Bethlen, István Apor, Péter Alvinczi, János Sárosi from Kissáros and Michael Filstich, the judge of Brașov. In the meeting of the Diet of Transylvania de Făgăraș on May 3, they were granted authorization to negotiate with Caraffa, specifying that "any action they take will be considered and accepted as valid by the Diet who granted them the authorization."

Caraffa initiated negotiations first with Mihai Teleki, followed by separate discussions with the rest of the delegation. Together with his secretary, Dániel Absolon, he drafted the statement, to the preparation of which it seems that Mihai Teleki also contributed. Teleki, Sárosi and Alvinczi had the opportunity to read the statement before the others. When the delegation learned the contents of the declaration, it asked for time to discuss it, but Teleki insisted on signing it immediately. During the deliberations, Miklós Bethlen and István Apor opposed signing the declaration. Because of the delay, Caraffa threatened to march towards Făgăraş with the cannons. On 9 May, the delegation finally signed the declaration and sent it by messenger to the prince of from Făgăraș, whom Caraffa threatened to take to Vienna with his family in case of resistance.

Cuprins
The declaration stipulates that Transylvania will return to the crown of Hungary, renouncing the Ottoman suzerainty, "from which it was separated by a step-fate and the criminal ambitions of some." She places herself under the protection of Emperor Leopold and his successors, breaks off all contact with the Ottomans, and is even prepared to take up arms against them at the Emperor's order. The imperial troops stationed in the country's fortresses and cities will remain and will also be deployed in the fortresses of Chioar, Hust, Gurghiu and Brașov. The principality undertakes to pay the emperor an annual tribute of seven hundred thousand florins in cash. According to the Pact of Blaj, the principality's independence is guaranteed until "the emperor issues a letter of grace confirming the country's rights".

Consecințe
Princess Anna Bornemisza was so affected by the statement that she lost her mind, and her death a few months later can also be attributed to this event. Caraffa took possession of the castles mentioned in the declaration, but Brasov resisted, so it was besieged by Friedrich von Veterani's troops. The reward received by Mihai Teleki was 12,000 florins in silver.

On June 1, the Transylvanian states developed a proposal composed of 13 points, regarding the rights reserved in the Făgăraş Declaration. In its first two points, they requested the preservation of the system of the four recognized religions, the maintenance of the Apafi princes, both the oldest and the youngest, as well as the freedom to choose a new prince after their death. On June 17, they received a reply from the ruler to the proposal, in which he promised unrestricted religious freedom, but wished to take action on the future of the country only after the military campaign was over.

Further information

 * Szádeczky Béla: Erdély visszacsatolásának története: A bécsi hadjárattól a gubernium kezdetéig (Harmadik, befejező közlemény).  Erdélyi Múzeum,   XVIII. évf.  10. sz. (1901)   563–590. o.