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CAIMACAN

Volume 5 · 125 words · 1815 Edition

or Kaimacam, in the Turkish affairs, a dignity in the Ottoman empire, answering to lieutenant, or rather deputy, amongst us.

There are usually two caiamacs; one residing at Constantinople, as governor thereof; the other attends 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. CAIMAN or CAYMAN ISLANDS, certain American islands, lying south of Cuba and north-west of Jamaica, between $81^\circ$ and $86^\circ$ of west longitude, and in $21^\circ$ of north latitude. They are most remarkable on account of the fishery of tortoises, which the people of Jamaica catch here and carry home alive, keeping them in pens for food, and killing them as they want them.