DECLARATION OF WAR IN 1663

California Star, Volume 1, Number 38, 25 September 1847

— By the grace of God, the great God in heaven, We, Malo Mahomet, God of earth renowned and powerful empire of Babylon and Judea, from the rising to the setting of the sun, King of all earthly kings, mighty ruler of Arabia and Mauritania, born triumphant Sovereign of Jerusalem, possessor of the tomb of Christ the crucified, declare unto the Emperor of Germany, to the King of Poland, and all the chiefs of the land, and the Pope of Rome his Cardinals and Bishops, that we are resolved to attack thee with 13 Kings, 2,200,000 men on horseback, with Turkish courage unknown to thee and thine. We will pursue thee and the King of Poland and all thy allies, sword in hand, burning, plundering, murder and destroy thy country and subjects. As for thee, thou shalt suffer the most horrible death that can be imagined. As thy government is weak and cruel even among Christians, we will wrest from thee with fire and sword, thy Empire, and likewise overthrow and annihilate the See of Rome and its triple crown. This Emporer of Germany and King of Poland, is our declaration to thee and all thy dependants, and we moreover inform thee that these words will spedily be followed by deeds, for thou hast to hold thyself in readiness. Given in our powerful city Stamboul, containing 1650 streets, 90 hospitals, 1000 public baths, 997 fountains, 120 markets, 151 stables for mules and jackasses, 480 inns for foreigners, 1632 great and small schools, 4122 mosques and churches, This great and powerful city is four German miles in circumsference, and on its walls are 567 strong towers; our ancestors wrested it from the hands of the Christians, whose wives and children we murdered before their eyes. Thus will we treat thee and Christians to prove our hatred and disdain.
Given in the 25th year of our age, and the 7th of our potent reign.
(signed,) MALO MAHOMET.