CAIMACAN, or CAIMACAM, in the Turkish affairs, a dignity in the Ottoman empire, answering to lieutenant,
* See the Planisphere in his Catalogue australe stellarum.
nant, or rather deputy, amongst us.
There are usually two caimacans; one residing at Constantinople, as governor thereof; the other attending the grand vizir in quality of his lieutenant, secretary of state, and first minister of his council, and gives audience to ambassadors. Sometimes there is a third caimacan, who attends the sultan; whom he acquaints with any public disturbances, and receives his orders concerning them.