Topkapi Palace, Kostantiniyye
In one of the great meeting chambers of Topkapi Palace, several figures gathered to speak. Gracia and Joseph Nasi came with Captain Sinan, who Gracia found to be an interesting, if rough, character. They were due to first meet with Kapudan Pasha Piyale of the Ottoman Fleet and Grand Vizer Rüstem, and convince them of the utility of the West Indies possession. Then, they would depart and discuss this with Sultan Süleyman and the Crown Prince Selim, a good friend of Joseph. After conferring with the two, the Sultan and Crown Prince would meet with Joseph and Gracia to hear their formal petition and decide.
When Gracia told Sinan of this, he appeared frustrated. “If you are such great friends with the Crown Prince, why not simply meet with him and cut out these middlemen?”
“Convincing the Crown Prince is not convincing the Sultan,” Gracia tried to explain. “The Sultan would prefer to hear the advice of his admiral and Grand Vizer as well. The more people we convince, the easier the task becomes.”
Soon after, the Kapudan Pasha and Grand Vizer arrived with their adjuncts and Gracia, Joseph, and Sinan greeted them. Sitting down, they delivered their pitch. “Now, we wish to speak of the new world,” Joseph began, “I, and many illustrious individuals of the Empire have drafted a petition for a colonial charter in the Americas that we wish for the Imperial Government to grant. We believe that a strong base for this plan exists in the displaced Spanish Jews who we can ensure emigration and financial backing to sustain such a venture.” Clearing his throat, Joseph motioned for a servant to bring in a map of the known parts of the West Indies. “We can bring in great revenue for the Empire in the various goods of mainland Northern America and interdict the trade that the Spanish and Portuguese conduct with their possessions. Captain Sinan, can you elaborate on this?"
Sinan stood up eagerly from his chair and quickly began pointing at various bays, inlets, and small islands in the sea known as the Caribbean. “As you can see there are many advantageous places in the Caribbean that were hardly seen by a Spaniard, let alone fortified and settled. If we were to take a force of corsairs and break out of the straits, we could establish ourselves in many such places. These groups could act completely self-sufficient of our supply lines, live off the land and plundered ships, severely harm Spanish and Portuguese commerce, and replenish their ranks through natives and slaves freed. I can ensure the manpower for some of the backing, but given the blue water craft necessary,” Sinan gestured towards Piyale, “I will require aid from the Admiralty.”
Piyale and Rüstem considered this, and inquired upon the details. “And if such a colony would be established,” Piyale asked, “How could we provide for its security against Spanish Mexico?"
Gracia stepped forward this time. “We do not expect to set the colony very close to Mexico, but not extremely far either. The lands explored by Giovanni da Verrazzano should prove most fruitful, as he found temperate lands filled with strategic bays in which ships could harbor. We expect to bring in many colonists from the Empire proper and North Africa, as many Jews that we have discussed this with have said that their communities would be willing to go, and train them in a militia alongside a small contingent of Turkish troops. From this and some Captain Sinan’s ships stationed for permanent protection, the colony should be safe. We also do not plan on antagonizing the natives, and avoid the mistakes of the Spaniard.”
After this lengthy explanation, Gracia sat back down. Piyale and Rüstem had of course been well introduced before with Gracia, but the adjuncts had not, and appeared quite surprised, even if decorum forbid them from making any vocal objections. A woman giving military advice in the Empire was unusual to say the least, but Garcia was no usual woman. Finally, Rüstem spoke. “And of these Jews, can you guarantee their loyalty to the Sultan?” The question was simple, and reasonable from his perspective, but it did strike home the fact that despite the allegiance of Jews to the Sultan, they were not always viewed as equal to a Turk.
Joseph responded to this question. “As a humble servant of the Sultan, having been given the pleasure of acting as his emissary in many occasions, I will ensure that this colony is given only the best of the Empire’s subjects. I hope my word can assuage your concerns.” Joseph turned a weary eye towards Gracia after he said this.
Both Piyale and Rüstem appeared satisfied and they left the room to speak with the Sultan and Crown Prince. Sinan was then asked to leave so they could formally introduce the petition, which he did reluctantly. The two waited for some time before finally, the doors opened, and as various attendants filed in, the Crown Prince Selim came forth.
“Joseph! It has been some time, no?” Selim came to Joseph and gave him a hearty hug. The two men had been fast friends since the Nasi house’s arrival in Turkey and time had only strengthened their friendship. Of course, he had ignored Gracia, although after a moment of catching up, he turned and greeted her. “So,” Selim began, “I have heard much of your plan.” Joseph was about to deliver his pitch when Selim stopped him. “There’s no need. I love it! I think we could gain so much and enrich the Empire greatly. I need only convince the Sultan further, which I believe we can accomplish together.”
While they spoke, Gracia watched and was interrupted by an attendant of Selim’s. “In proper deference with the court customs and to the Sultan, it would be best if you left the room before the Sultan were to arrive.”
Gracia appeared stoic. “If the Sultan wishes for me to leave his presence, I think he shall make it known.” Gracia knew that schmoozing and grovelling was not her strong suit, but she wanted to see this to its completion. She saw that both the Crown Prince and the Sultan were unlikely to engage her as an equal on this, but that was the price of being a woman.
Gracia continued to observe the jovial conversation between Selim and Joseph, when finally the Sultan arrived. Both Joseph and Gracia made the necessary deferential gestures and they began to speak. Joseph made his pitch, mostly the same as the one he had given before. After finishing, the Sultan waited a moment and replied.
“I have heard much of this plan,” the Sultan began, “It could have great rewards for the Empire, but I see great risks as well. This would be a large investment, and I do not take it lightly. Therefore, having heard all of what you have said and realizing the support for it. I shall consider it, and relay back to you my final decision. Good to see you both.” The Sultan then left the room.
“I have tried my best, but I’m sure you have as well,” Selim said to the Nasis. “We shall wait for his opinion, and hope it shall come soon and favorably.” Joseph and Gracia nodded, and left the room. Gracia believed he would agree, and, sure enough, one week later Joseph came to her with good news.