According to the 2 number of Morean Ahkâm Register; The English in the Ottoman Empire (1717-1750)

Trade is among the oldest and most important subjects of history. When a European nation asking for to trade in the Ottoman Empire freely and safety, it had to be ahidname-i hümayun or capitulation given by the Ottoman Sultan. England gained the first capitulation from the Ottoman Empire in 1580 and started to trade directly from this year onwards. The capitulations given to England were renewed and expanded in the following years and especially after England obtained the control of the Strait of Gibraltar in 1713, they increased their commercial and political activities to a great extent in 18th Century. This study examines the English in the Ottoman Empire between 1717 and 1750 in the light of the documents of 2 Number of Morean Ahkâm Register which is in the Ottoman Prime Ministry Archive and the other sources, and the political relationship between the Ottomans and England. In addition to this, this present study both provides some important findings related to the historical relations between the Ottomans and British and focuses on the diplomatic and economic intercourses above mentioned powers during the period under question. On the other hand the legal status of the English merchants doing business within the Ottoman Empire were examined. Another aim of the study is to reveal how the English were protected by the capitulations. Finally, the problems which the English merchants encountered while they were trading in the Ottoman lands, and effects of some security threats such as wars, piracy, brigandage on trade, will be examined by using some sample situations. Key Words: The Ottoman Empire, England, Commerce between the Ottomans and British, Capitulations, Ahidname, Diplomacy, Ambassador, Consul, Trade, Trade in the Mediterranean.