betwixt Veranowitz and Asoph as being very deep without any Islands and its Current very smooth being not interrupted by any Sands but the Mouth of this River is so full of Shelves and choak'd up with Sands that at Ebb-Tide there is not above seven Foot Water so that those Geographers who have describ'd us the Entrance of this River as very convenient and one of the moil famous Ports have imposed their own Inventions upon the World for Truth It was for this reason His Czarish Majesty ordered the Coast thereabouts to be founded being willing to find out a convenient Place to make a Port of as near as possibly could be to the City of Asoph When the Turks formerly used to send any Ships of a considerable burthen to that Town they were obliged to unload near the Entrance of the River Mious in the Crim Tartary about five and twenty Leagues distancc from Asoph where at Low Water it is at least fifteen or sixteen Foot deep The Mauscovites sounding along the same Coast came to a certain Cape at about seven Leagues disteance from the Don where at an Ebb Tide there was twelve Foot Water The Coast was hereabouts very high and steep the Ground Sandy but so hard that it resembled both in Substance and Hardness a Free-Stone To the East of the Cape there was a small Bay and at about a Leagues distance from thence to the West there was a small River whose Current turn'd in form of a Half-Moon round that Point of the Land The Shoar from the bay was of an easie Ascent The Czar having been exactly informed Concerning the convenient Scituation of this Place order'd a Fort of Five bastions to be erected and a City to be built somewhat below it likewise defended by a good Fortification betwixt vvhich and the Bay there was a Plain through vvhich vvas to be cut the great Channel which was to dissembogue near the Point of the Land into the Sea and in the midst of this there vvas to issue another less Channel tovvards the Bay for the conveniency of Vessels of less burthen I have seen the Model of the vvhole Design The Port is to be Three Thousand Seven Hundred and Fifty Foot long and half as broad Concerning the Conjunction of the Rivers Wolga and Don vve have already mentioned before the advantageous Scituation of the Grounds betwixt the tvvo Rivers and the condition of the tvvo lesser ones which come within a much nearer distance of one another so that the whole design being founded upon very good Grounds it will succeed in all Probability For it is proposed to stop the Waters of these two lesser Rivers which are to be join'd in the Grand Canal by many Sluices to bring them to such a heighth as sha11 be judged sufficient for the passage of Ships of a considerable burthen there are daily above tvventy Thousand Men Employed to dig the Ground besides others who are to bring the vvhole to Perfection As to vvhat relates to the third part to wit his Navy it must be confessed that the Czar made use in this Point of all the foresight and Prudence that could be e expected from the molst refin'd Politician For being immoveable in his Resolution of ridding his Hands of the Strelitzes that used to stand under the Command of the best of the Russian Nobility he judged not vvithout Reason that at this Juncture he could not pitch upon a more seasonable and more glorious Expedient than this to Employ them in the Service of their Country and at the same time to take away from them all opportunities of future Revolts Pursuant to this Resolution he issued his Declaration wherein he told them that the Present State of Affairs being such as required the Muscovites to appear formidable at Sea and he being fully convinced both of their Valour and Fidelity he wished nothing more at this time than to see them apply themselves to the Knowledge of Maritime Affairs to qualifie themselves for the best Commands at Sea That for this purpose he had taken all imaginable care to provide a sufficient number of Sea Officers Famous for their Skill in Maritime Affairs and the managing of Sea Engagements under whose Conduct they might be trained up in this Art and fitted for the highest Commands That he being resolved to try the Foundation of the present Glory of the Russian Monarchy upon its Naval Strength and rendring himself redoubtable at Sea would head them in Person and shew them by his own Example what Footsteps to tread in Accordingly it was resolved that each Subject proportionable to his Ability should contribute to the Equipping and maintenance of a certain number of Men of War the chief Cities of the Empire being like wise obliged to bear a proportion in this Tax By this means His Majesty Equipped a good Fleet without the least impairing his ordinary Revenue and engaged at the same time the Nobility and chief Men in the Cities to take Cognizance of Maritime Affairs to render themselves capable of the Sea-Service which they were to look upon for the future as the main and most durable Establishment of the whole Empire These several Projects were no sooner set on foot with the utmost Expedition by the most admirable Vigilancy and indefatigable Care of the Czar put towards Autumn he set out on his Journey in order to his return to the Capital City of Muscow leaving a great body of his Troops under the Command of the Generalissimo of his Armies the Prince Alekis Simoniwitz Schein near Asoph to cover the Workmen that were Employed in bringing the Works projected thereabouts to Perfection At his Arrival in the City of Muscow he was received with all the Demonstrations of Honour due to a Conquerour Marching along the Streets to the Cattle in Triumph with a great many Chariots loaden with the Spoils of the Enemy and Prisoners before him Among the rest was to be seen the Officer who having Deserted the Czar's Service was surrender'd to the Muscovites pursuant to the Capitulation before Asoph had his Hands tied behind him and was soon after Executed as a Terrour to others It is past Expression with what loud and joyful Acclamations this publick Entry was Solemnized by the People who flocked thither from all Parts to adorn the Triumph of the Conquering Prince Great were the Rejoicings that were made that Night all over the City but the best was reserved till the Winter when a most Glorious Firework was let off upon the Ice The whole was composed of several Artificial Machines inclosed in a double Square surrounded with Rockets of all sorts and Sizes which took up a great space upon the Ice His Czarish Majesty took a particular Delight to be among the Engineers and had himself a Hand in making the greatest Machine which was erected in the very Center of the rest It was a double Spread Eagle who with his left Paw darted Rockets upon an Horrizontal Line at one of
applied themselves to the Sea it is no great wonder if they have not neglected the Passage by Water into China by the Way of the Rivers Oby Genessai and Yamour and in lieu thereof have left nothing unattempted to open their Passage thither by Land 'T is true the Heaps of Ice which for the greatest part of the Year are to be met with at the Entrance of the River Oby the many Water-falls of the River Genessai and the Bulrushes which choak almost up the mouth of the River Yamour are Obstacles which though they might have been surmounted by industrious and expert Seamen yet were so terrifying to the Muscovites as to bereave them of all hopes of Success And to confess the Truth considering the Method used by the Russian Merchants and Caravans and the good Order taken for their convenient Passge through these Parts the same contribute not a little towards mitigating both the Trouble and Charge of so long a Journey They set forward most commonly from the City of Muscow in February when the Snow being well beaten they travel in nineteen or twenty days as far as Tobolskoy the Capital City of Siberia eight hundred English Miles distant from the City of Muscow If it happens to thaw about that time which is very seldom they take the conveniency of the Rivers on this and the other side of the River Oby by which means they cross the Country till they come to the Ostiakoi the first of the Eastern-Tartars Subject to the Czar of Muscovy But if the Frost continue they go on by Land the same way where they change their Horses for Renes or Rain-deers which carry them with incredible swiftness over the Snow and Ice to the City of Genessai built by the Muscovites upon the River of the fame Name for the conveniency of their Merchants traveling in those Parts Here it is they take Vessels which carry them upon the Rivers Tongusi and Augara against the Stream to the Lake of Baikala From this Lake they either take Shipping upon the River Schelinga as far as to a City of the same Name owing likewise its foundation to the Muscovites or else proceed in their Way by Land immediately after they have cross'd the beforementioned Lake through the Country of the Mongul Tartars who readily furnish them with Mules and Dromedaries to the Confines of China But for the better understanding of this Famous Passage by Land I will conclude this Letter with giving you the best Account I could get of several of the Muscovites here of the Road lately taken by several Embassy's sent into China They go from Muscow to the Famous Convent of Troitza about sixty English Miles from thence to the City of Peresla as many Miles from Troitza From Peresla they go to the City of Rostof sixty Miles from the last and so to the City of Jeresla near a hundred and twenty Miles distant from thence From Jeresla they go to the Great City of Wologda which lies one hundred and eighty Miles from the last From this place they continue their Journey to the small City of Tottma upon the River Wergno Suchuno and so to Vstiuga a considerable Place upon the River Suchana from thence to a small City call'd Lolowitzgotz upon the River Wietzegda which oxonerates it self in the. River Dwina About fifty Miles from thence they pass through a great Forrest above seven hundred Miles long after which they come to Kaigorod a City upon the Famous River Kama From Kaigorod they proceed to Solokamskoy a City upon the River Vsolsko which thereabouts discharges it self in the River Kama Thus they continue their Journey for one hundred and twenty Miles without any considerable River till they come to the River Lusowa where they take Shipping for stzogorod a goodly City near three hundred and fifty Miles distant from1 Solokamskoy From thence they go forward to Jat a Town upon the River Ajat and so by Romoshora upon the River Resh to Newagorod upon the River Newa the first Town of Siberia From hence they pass through a fertile and well Peopled Country to the Town of Zudna situate upon the River Nietza to the Towns of Niginiskoy Irbitskoy Kirginskoy Subrorawa and Jalaw the last of which lies upon the River Tura where the River Newa discharges it self into the same They continue their Journey from hence to the Town of Krasna to the City of Tumeen and so to the Town of Makoma upon the River Pishina where it discharges it self into the River Tura from thence to the Town of Siltska at the confluence of the two Rivers Tura and Tobol the last being on the right which brings them to the City of Tobolskoy the Capital of Siberia situate upon the confluence of the two Rivers Jotish and Tobol the last of which has given her its name From Tobolskoy they continue their Journey through the Towns of Demian and Samurskoyam and about two Miles beyond the last they meet with a Branch of the Famous River Oby which brings them to the City of Surguto and afterwards to the City of Narim situate upon the Banks of the River Oby Here they quit this River and proceed to the River Kett which brings them to the Town of Kettsway From hence they go to Makafskoy and after they have travelled for two days and nights through a great Forrest they come to the City of Jeneskay upon the River Jeneskay which is both very Navigable and its Banks inhabited by the Ostiaki After they have continued their Journey for some time upon this River they leave it to the Right and take their way towards the River Tungunsi whereabouts are the Habitations of the Tungeses which they leave again to the Right and proceed in their Journey to the City of Ilimskoy situate on the River Ilim the Country thereabouts being pretty well inhabited After they have travelled three days and nights through a Forrest they come to the River Augara which brings them to the City of Irkuskoy situate upon the River About thirty Miles from hence is the Lake of Baikala where the River Augara has its first rise being the utmost Boundary of Siberia From hence they continue their Journey through the Towns of Kabaria Belsko-Saimcko and Ostrog-Vdinskoy in the Province of Dauria inhabited by Tartars to the City of Jerawena situate upon a Lake of the same name After they have pass'd this Lake they are forced to travel through a great Desart which is watered however by the River Vda and at last come to the Lake called Schacks-Oser about two Miles over then they come to the Village of Plothus about a Mile from whence the Rivers Sueta and Onna fall into the River Ingeda which from thence forward is called Schilka and being augmented by the two Rivers Nertza and Arguna produces that Famous River the Yamour From hence they go to the City of Nertzinskoy upon the River Nertza being the last Fortress upon these Frontiers belonging to the Muscovites Then they travel for near three weeks thro' Desarts Forrests and Boggy-grounds till they come to Arguna a small City upon a River of the same name and the last Place under the Muscovite Jurisdiction in the Province of Dauria Here they meet in their way with the Rivers Derby Gann Kailar and Saduma all which discharge themselves into the Arguna till they come to the Source of the River Jal where they meet with he first Out-gards of the Chineses being a very fertile and well peopled Country inhabited by the Targutshini who are Pagans Subject to China Through these they pass to a Village called Suttigarski and from thence to the City of Naun three Miles distant from the former From hence they proceed in their Journey for several days through another Desart destitute of any Springs or other Water till they come to the River Casumur which discharges it self in the River Naun They pass afterwards by the Ruines of a great many Cities and at three days Journey from the Famous Chinese Wall through a Road cut out of the Rocks which brings them to the City of Karakaton After they have pass'd the Chinese Wall the first Place they meet with is the City of Galgan not above a Mile within the Wall from thence they go to Xantuming Xunguxu Xangote and Tunxo to Peking the Residence of the Emperours of China ` Being sensible that I have sufficiently tired your Patience I will add no more but in expectation of your next rest Sir Vienna Feb. 24. 1699. Yours c
form a Neats Tongue called in their Language Towan Upon this Island the Tartars had erected two Forts of four Bastions each which on the upper end of the Island was called Momberethkermenn as the other on the lower part was named Muftritkermeen on the opposite side of the River belonging to the Crim Tartars there was also another Fort in all respects like to the other two just over against Mombarethkermeen upon the Bank of the before mentioned River Boristhenes The Army of his Czarish Majesty was chiefly compos'd of Cossacks inhabiting those parts and who some years before had submitted to the Czar's Obedience To facilitate the Siege of Kasikermeen it was resolv'd to Attack first the said Forts which being done accordingly they were soon taken by the brave Cossacks who immediately after laid Siege to the Place itself The train Attack was carried on against the Fort with the two bastions the Ground thereabouts being most proper for the carrying on of the Trenches which were advanc'd with so much Expedition that in a short time they carried in by Assault The Enemies however got time to retreat into the other Forts where having beat a Parley it was agreed that they should March out of the Place with their Arms and Baggage c. The Muscovite Army on that side was commanded by the General Czeremetoff who having contrary to the Capitulation connived at some disorders committed by the Cossacks against the Garrison his Czarish Majesty was so much dissatisfied at it that he shewed his Resentment in very hard Terms to the General He who did not expect such a Reprimand desired thereupon leave from the Czar to lay down his Commission which being readily granted him likewise beyond his expectation he afterwards repented atleisure The better to divert himself in this Melancholly Disposition he resolved to Travel in Forreign Countries and you are not ignorant how he visited most of the Courts of Italy and had the Curiosity to go to the Isle of Maltha where as well as in all other Places thro which he Travelled he was receiv'd with all imaginable Respect due to his Birth and Merits The succeeding Winter was chiefly taken up with vast Preparations for the next ensuing Campaign which being to be opened with the Siege of Asoph great stores of Ammunition Bombs and Provisions were got in readiness for that Enterprise to prevent the Turks from sending any Relief by Sea many Gallies and Brigantines were order'd to be built near the City of Muscow but especilly at Veranowitz a City Scituate on the River Don about a Hundred Leagues distant from the Capital City But what is most remarkable is that the Czar Peter having a particular curiosity to be present at the building of some of the biggest Gallies he caused them to be set upon the Stock in the River Ocea at some small distance from the City of Muscow they being from thence to be Transported to Veranowitz by Land were so artificially contrived that they might be taken to pieces without much trouble and so be joined together again at Veranomitz To be short by the great Vigilancy of his Czarish Majesty all things were got in such forwardness that there was nothing wanting to put the projected Design in Execution 'T is to be observ'd that the City of Asoph had been kept block'd up during the whole Winter and that the Muscovites having maintain'd their Post all this while upon the abovementioned Hills which overlook the Place they had been so Industrious in guarding all the Avenues that the Besieged had not receiv'd the least Supply of Men or Provisions To cut off all further hopes of Succours it was resolved to open the Campaign very early in the Spring for which purpose all the Troops design'd for this Expedition were order'd to March to their Rendezvous and from thence strait to the Siege of Asoph which was begun by throwing a most prodigious quantity of Bombs into the place with such extraordinary Success that the whole Body of the city was reduced to Ashes and Rubbish and the old Fortifications to one large Stone heap so that there was scarce a place left for the Garrison to shelter themselves against the fury of the Enemies Cannon and Bombs all being destroyed even to the deepest Vaults and Caves Besides which the Number of the besieged was reduced to less than two thousand Men capable of bearing of Arms both by the furious Attacks made upon the place in the last years Siege and the continual firing from the Muscovites Great Artillery and throwing in of Bombs in this not withstanding which they were deaf to any proposals of a surrender living in hopes of the promised Succours At last it appeared to their great Joy and Satisfaction consisting of twelve Gallies a great number of Saiques laden with Provisions and Ammunition and a good number of fresh Troops besides fifty thousand Ducats to be distributed among those brave Fellows that had so Valiantly defended their Post His Czarish Majesty having before-hand received Intelligence of the approach of this Succours had caused seven of his largest Gallies of a hundred foot length each besides several lesser and a great number of Brigantines to pass that small branch of the Don which issues forth a little above the Town As the Water is very shallow in this Channel so it was not without a great deal of difficulty that the largest Gallies could be brought along that way and would in all likelihood have scarce succeeded if the Czar by his Presence and Encouragement had not animated the Workmen to surpass all Difficulties which at last they did to the no small Astonishment of the besieged This Obstacle being happily surrnounted his Czarish Majesty judged it of very great consequence for his purpose to plant good Store of Cannon upon the little Island we have mentioned before because the Shoar being very low the Cannon-ball would strike even with the surface of the Water besides that the greatest part of the Isle being covered with Wood did prevent the Enemy from discovering the Design The same favourable disposition of this Island furnished the Muscovites with an Opportunity of putting some of their lightest Gallies and Brigantines for a Reserve behind the Isle unperceiv'd by the Enemy whom they intended thus to attack both in Front and Flank as they passed by that way which succeeded according to Expectation For all these Precautions having been taken before the Enemies Fleet came in sight some of the biggest Muscovite Gallies with many Brigantines were sent out to meet them making a Show as if they intended to Engage the Turkish Fleet but no sooner were they come within Cannon Shot of one another but the Muscovites feigning to dread the Ottomaa Fleet superior in Number to them made a running Fight making the best of their way towards the Shoar and posted themselves below the Island The Turks perceiving the Enemy to fly before them and not in the least forewarn'd of the red that laid
Prince his Son should be fit to Travel he would send him to the Court of Berlix to tarry there for some considerable Time No sooner had their High and Mightinesses the States General of the United Provinces received advice that this solemn Embassy was on their way towards their Frontiers but they sent some Deputies who were to receive their Excellencies in the name of the States General upon the Frontiers and orders were given not only to defray them at the Charge of the State but to welcome them with considerable Presents and by the discharge of the great Cannon of all the great Towns through which they passed their High and Mightinesses being willing upon so extaordinary an Occasion to eternalize the Memory of the Honour they were going to receive by so solemn an Embassy the most glorious that ever was seen in respect of Personal Apppearance of so great a Monarch with whom they were Engaged in a most strict Tye of Friendship and Commerce After they had travelled some Leagues in the Territories of the United Provinces his Czarish Majesty left the Embassy that he might with the more speed reach the City of Amsteldam and that by travelling thus in Disguise he might with the more freedom and unperceived take a view of every thing he thought worth his Curiosity Accordingly he came to Amsteldam accompanied only by two or three Gentlemen so disguised as not to be known by any body where he lodged at a Common-Inn for one night only The next day he went to Sordam a large Town on the opposite side of the River of Amsteldam and about two Leagues distant this place being most famous for the great number of Ship-Wrights and others who are there employed continually in building of Ships His Majesty immediately after his arrival there took up with a private lodgings at a Burgher's House which lay much out of the way his aim being to keep himself from being discovered as much as Possible could be His Chief and first empolyment in this place was to inform himself in person from the Work-mens own Mouths and to be an Eye-witness in what manner they built their Ships He bought a small Yacht of about twenty five or thirty Foot long which he took a particular Pleasure to steer himself and to Sail in the Company only of those three Gentlemen that attended him up and down the River of Amsteldam called the Tey where his greatest delight was to make his own Observations and to feed his eyes with that most beautiful Prospect of that vast number of Ships which not unlike a Forrest lie close together in the Road of that City But it was not many days before he was robbed of the Satisfaction of passing away his time thus undiscovered For a certain Lock-Smith who had lived a few years before in the City of Muscow happening to take particular Notice of him one day as he passed by knew him first and having told some of his Comrades the inhabitant flock'd in such Numbers about him when he appear'd abroad that being tired with the Crowd he resolved to leave Sordam sooner than he intended at first This News being come to Ears of the Merchants of Amsteldam Trading to Muscovy some of whom had the Honour to know His Majesty they immediately went in a Body to pay him all imaginable Respest and to pray him to honour them with his Presence in the City of Amsteldam where he arrived from Sordam some days before the Ambassadours who had received Orders to tarry for some time there before they went to the Hague in order to be Admitted to the publick Audience of Their High and Mightinesses In the mean while the Magistrates of Amsteldam took effectual Care to provide every thing for the Magnificent Reception of the said Embassy great store of Cannon being planted upon the Bastions facing the River Amstell which way the Ambassadours were to come All the young Men of the City mounted on Horseback with very splendid Equipages and those of the best Rank and Quality went to meet him in their Coaches The Magistrates deputed some of their Members to Compliment Their Excellencies at their Landing which was about a quarter of a League without the City whither they were conducted in the Yatchs of the State and received with a Discharge of all the Cannon round the Ramparts The three Ambassadours wire conducted by the Deputies into the Coach of one of the Chief Magistrates of the City the Deputies took their Places in the second and the rest of the Coaches were taken up by the Gentlemen of the Embassy among whom as it was reported was His Czarish Majesty But first of all rid the beforementioned Gentlemen on Horseback who leading the Van were followed by the Trumpets of the State and these by some Tartars Armed with Bows and some Muscovites on Horseback After these marched on foot twenty Pages belonging to Their Excellencies the Ambassadours very richly Clad their Coats being of Scarlet Cloth covered all over with very rich Gold and Silver Galloons These went immediately before the Coach wherein sat the three Ambassadours Guarded on each side by twelve Tall and lusty Fellows Cloath'd in a Slavonian Dress carrying each a Silver Ax in their hands and Cimmetars with Silver Hilts on their Sides They had red Cloaks over their Cassacques trimm'd on both sides with large Silver Buttons and large Plated Loops all which together made a very Glorious and Magnificent Show These Coaches were followed by a great many Footmen likewise clad in red Scarlet Cloath trimmed with Silver Galloons His Excellency the General Le Fort appeared that day in an Europian Habit and the other two Ambassadours in a Muscovite Dress but their Apparel was extreamly Rich. Thus they passed in very good order through the Chiefest Streets of Amsteldam to the Lodgings prepared for them where stood a Company of City Trained-bands in Arms to render their Reception the more Magnificent All the Streets through which they passed were crowded with an infinite number of People who were flock'd to the City to be Spectators of the most solemn Entrance that had been seen there for many years before and for several days after their Excellencies were treated with all the magnificence imaginable at the Charge of the City of Amsteldam all which though it amounted to a considerable Summ nevertheless the Magistrates being willing upon this Occasion to give the most ample Demonstrations that possible could be of their Esteem and Respect for His Czarish Majesty's person caused a great Fire-Work to be prepared representing a Triumphal-Arch in Honour of his Majesty It was erected upon the River Amstel which had communicated its Name to the Famous City of Amsteldam in a place where it might be seen at a great distance being of great height and having four Fronts alike to the four principal Corners of the World the whole Fabrick being of the Corinthian Order adorned with the Arms of His Czarish Majesty with Tritons Vessels
there is all the Reason in the World to believe that he will always Triumph over the Turks at Sea who never did any thing Memorable in that Se'rvice and who according to all outward Appearance are less in a Condition than ever to signalize themselves upon the Watery Element at a time when their Empire appears in a declining State I will leave it to your own Judgment whether it would not shake the very Foundation of the Turkish Monarchy considering its present tottering Condition if the Muscovites should chase the Turks out of the Black-Sea and make themselves Masters of their Ports on these Coasts which from the City of Caffa as far as to the mouth of the Borysthenes must thereby be exposed to the Mercy of the Muscovites And it is not improbable that Constantinople it self might be hardly put to it or at least run the Hazzard of being laid in Ashes by a Bombardment What would in such a case become of the Crim-Tartary which being already enclosed on all sides by a good number of strong Fortesses must of necessity fall without making one Blow into the hands of the Muscovites if all Commerce and Correspondence betwixt the Peninsula and Constantinople should be cut off by the Muscovites becoming Masters of the Black-Sea Besides it is to be considered that as Places are attack'd now a-days they have only Precop and Caffa which are in a Condition to make some slender Defence But Sir being unwilling to tire your Patience with too long a Letter I will come to a Conclusion I must only repeat to you once more what I have intimated before That it was the greatest Over-sight the Turks could be guilty of not to take all the imaginable Precautions against the Muscovites becoming Masters of Asoph who thereby have opened themselves the way into the Black-Sea over which the Ottoman Empire always claim'd the Sovereignty in a most peculiar manner To make some Amends for so unpardonable an Error the most likely means they have left seems to be to conclude an everlasting Peace with the Muscovites thereby to lull them asleep that they may not lay hold of this Opportunity of rendring themselves redoubtable in the Black-Sea The Ottoman Port might thus reap a considerable Advantage by the Commerce with Muscovy by establishing certain Duties to be paid for the passage of Ships through the Channel leading to Constantinople in the same manner as it is practised in Denmark where the King of that Name receives Customs of the Ships that pass and repass the Sound in their going to and coming from the Baltick This appears to me the only most probable Means to plunge them out of that Misfortune which they have drawn upon themselves by their own Neglect it being allow'd by all that have any insight into the present State of Affairs in Muscovy That the present Czar Peter Alexiovitz has taken a firm Resolution not to rest satisfied till he has opened this Passage in order to establish a free Commerce with foreign Nations and to encourage them to come into his Ports near the Palus Meotis This Sir is the present Condition of the Russian Empire which was formerly look'd upon as most barbarous but which now bids fair for the Priority with any in Europe by reason of the Encrease of its Commerce with most Nations of the World by the indefatigable Vigilancy of their present Monarch who being scarce 28 Years of Age what is it that may not be expected from so Great a Prince if God pleases to bless him with a long Life For the Wolga is above five hundred Leagues to reckon from its first Spring to the Canal by which it is join'd with the River Don and this River from thence to the City of Asoph four hundred Leagues more fit for Ships of good Burthen and from the Canal of Communication betwixt these two noble Rivers there is two hundred Leagues distance to Asoph upon a straight Line all extream good Grounds Asoph and Astracan being situtuate under the most happy Climate in the World The Western side of the River Wolga is very well inhabited already and there is no great question but that the Conveniency of Commerce and Plenty of the Country will soon invite some of the Neighbouring vagabond Tartars to follow the footsteps of other more civiliz'd Nations when once they are made sensible of the Benefit of an Industrious and settled Life This is sufficiently verified by the Example of many of the Asiatick Tartars who have by degrees abandoned their vagabond and idle Life and follow'd their Prince into China where they are become Wealthy by their Traffick the like may be said of many of the Crim-Tartars those of Astracan Siberia Dauria and other parts subject to the Muscovites If we cast our eyes upon that Part of Muscovy whereabouts the Port of Arch-Angel is and consider that not above an Age ago these Patts were as little inhabited as any of Muscovy being low Grounds and situate under a very cold Climate But since the Establishment of Commerce in this Harbour the Country all thereabouts is very well stock'd with Inhabitants and many goodly Towns and Villages In the Southern Parts of Muscovy the Cities of Wologda Jeresla Rostof Pereslaw and others owe all their Encrease of Wealth to traffick Add to this the advantage of Commerce betwixt the Indies Persia and Muscovy by the way of the Caspian Lake or Sea all which Commodities may for the future be transported by the newly projected Canal betwixt the two Rivers Wolga and Don into all Parts of Europe what immense Profit and Riches must not by this means be conveyed into Muscouy which being already so considerable for its vast Extent and Advantageous Situation for Trade may in all probability thereby become the most Potent and Redoubtable in the World c. Amsteldam 30th October 1698. I am A LETTER FROM A Person of Quality Residing at the Imperial Court of VIENNA To his Friend in LONDON Concerning the late Solemn Muscovite Embassy AND SOME Other Matters Relating to His Present CZARISH MAJESTY THE Russian Empire and the Great TARTARY LONDON Printed for F. Coggan in the Inner-Temple-Lane MDDXCIX A LETTER FROM A Person of Quality Residing at VIENNA Concerning The present CONDITION OF THE Muscovite EMPIRE AS the late Journey of the present Czar Peter Alexiovitz has been for some time past the surprize of all Europe so I thought I could not make you a more Seasonable Return at this time for the Obligation you were pleased to lay upon me some Months ago in communicating to me your Observations concerning His Czarish Majesty's Stay in England and Holland than to inform you of what has past since his coming into this Court and his Return into Muscovy of which I have been partly an eye-witness the rest I stand indebted for the Correspondence of my Friends upon whose Integrity and Judgment I can fully rely I will not pretend to insist upon the Motives which induced the Czar
of Affairs of the Russian Empire and laid that Foundation upon which the Greatness of Muscovy has been built since that time and which is likely to be brought to perfection by the present Grand Czar Peter Alexiovitz He left the Succession of the Crown to his eldestt Son Fedor Alexiovitz who reigned but six years his early Loss was likewise much lamented by his Subjects being a very Accomplish'd Person and who had given extraordinary hopes of a Good and Great Prince having exactly followed his Father's footsteps especially in what concerns the foreign Officers and the Encouragement of Commerce He was a great lover of all Sciences but especially of the Mathematicks and design'd to have all the Houses of the City of Muscon new built of Brick and the Streets pav'd with Stones if he had not been prevented by Death It was under his Reign that General Le Fort of whom I shall have occasion to speak more anon entred into the Service of Muscovy He was on a sudden seiz'd by a violent and continual Feaver of which he died in a few days afte having before his death appointed his younger Brother Peter begotten by second Adventure his Successour as judging his own Brother Ivan John who was of a weakly Constitution uncapable of bearing the Burthen of so Great an Empire Accordingly Peter Alexiovitz was proclaimed Czar of Muscovy when he was scarce eleven years of Age. By the Princess Sophia Daughter of the deceased Czar Alexis Michaelovitz by his first Marriage being of a very aspirng Temper and naturally disposed to Caballing could not brook to see her own Brother excluded from the Succession to the Russian Throne for which Reason she set all her Engines at work to put the Crown upon her Brother Ivan Alexiovitz or rather her own Head The better to encompass this Design she took care to have it spread abroad that the late Czar Fedor Alexiovitz her Brother had been poysoned by the Physicians at the Instigation of some of the Chief Men of the Empire whose Names were industriously published as the Anchors and Promoters of so hellish a Crime Being sensible that nothing could strengthen her Interest more than if she could draw the Strelitzes into her Party it was rumour'd abroad That a Design was form'd against them at Court it being resolved That the Strong Liquor which was to be given at die Czar's Funeral should be mix'd with Poyson This succeeded according to the Princesses Expectation for the Strelitzes being Enraged by this sudden and unexpected News ran in a most Furious manner to the Pallace where they began the Fray with the Slaughter of two of the Czar's Physicians the Chief of whom was a Jew by Extraction the next were some of the Principal Officers of the Crown such as were mark'd out by the Princess as being opposite to her Interest Their Rage did not stop here but after they had committed a thousand Insolences and Murthers they assaulted and entred the Czar Peter Alexiovitz's Lodgings where they shew many of his most faithful Officers and Friends of the first Quality in his presence and then proclaimed Prince Ivan Alexiovitz Grand Czar of Muscovy in conjunction with Peter Alexiovitz Thus a Calm succeeded the Storm which however lasted not long For the Princess Sophia whose Ambition was not satisfied with seeing her Brother Ivan mounted upon the Throne entred into secret Cabals With Fedor Theodore Chikolowitin the General of the Strelitzes unto whom she represented That she only having made use of her Brother as a Pretext to put the Crown upon her own Head she was willing to make him her Spouse and Associate in the Empire if he would join his Power and Interest with hers and that it would be no difficult Matter to compass their Design the Russian Empire being too heavy a Burthen for the Shoulders of two Infants The General of the Strelitzes not able to resist such powerful Charms they left no stone unturn'd to bring their projected Design to maturity which was to be begun with the Death of both the Czars and would in all humane probability have succeed according to their wish if the Plot had not been timely discovered to Their Majesties The two Czars having all the reason in the World to mistrust the Strelitzes retired thereupon to the Convent of Troitza a strong and well fortified place about twelve Leagues distance from the Capital City of Muscow where Monsieur Le Fort gave them many signal Proofs of his Bravery and Fidelity To be short they drew the General of the Strelitzers into an Ambush near Troitza where being taken he was carried Prisoner into the Convent and had his Head cut off He was a Person of mean Extraction who as he had raised himself to that height by his own Valour so he brought himself to a miserable End by his Treachery The Princess Sophia was shut up in a Convent where she is very narrowly watch'd Quiet being thus recovered in the Government by removing the Two Chief Heads of the Rebellion these Regiments of the Strelitzes as had shew'd themselves most vigorous against the Czars Interest being divided into many small Bodies were sent into several parts of the Country under the Guard of some other Troops whose Officers having received secret Instructions to fall upon them at a certain appointed time they put their Orders in execution with so much Exactness that very few escaped their Hands It was particularly taken notice of at that time and sook'd upon as a Presage of the future Grcatness of the present Czar Peter Alexiovitz that when several of his nearest Friends were massacred by the Rebellious Strelitzes in his presence he did not shew the least Alteration in his Countenance which struck such an Amazement into the Soldiers that they durst not presume to dethrone him but were contented to proclaim his Brother Ivan his Associate in the Empire Those who have known his present Czarish Majesty in his most tender Age do unanimously confess That from his very Infancy there has been observed in him a certain Greatness of Soul and a piercing Wit much above the common Rank He used to be very seldom idle but always in Action lively and brisk and shew a great deal of eagerness to be instructed in all Matters of Moment especially in what had any relation to the Manners and Customs or foreign Nations He was scarce fifteen years of Age when he applied himself to the Study of the Mathematicks his Inclinations tending more particularly to Navigation and other Mcchanick Arts which he look'd upon as the most Instrumental to promote these Great Designs he has since put in execution with a most stupendious Conduct and Prudence In the last War betwixt the Turks the Emperour Poland and Venice the Czar was Engaged in a War against the Chineses who being as it was supposed encouraged by some Missionaries had upon very frivolous Pretences attack'd the Muscovites but the Czar being resolved not to let slip so favourable
Fortifications and other Works which he had projected could be brought to perfection He was sufficiently sentible That considering the present State of his Empire was founded upon the service of his foreign Officers and a good Naval strength whereby he might appear formidable in the black Sea nothing could conduce more towards the prompting and improving so great a Design than if he should go hi person to visit some of the Courts of Europe and especially to make some considerable stay in Holland But as if was absolutely necessary to appear with a most splendid Equipage and Attendance besitting the Greatness of so Potent a Prince if he would be acknowledged in these Parts through which he was to pass for the Grand Czar of Muscovy and as he wisely foresaw that his Rank would not be a great Obstacle to his Design which was to see and penetrate by degrees in such Matters as he was desirous to be informed of himself so he judged it most convenient for his present Purpose to go in the Quality of a private Gentleman under the protection of that most solemn Embassy which he then resolved to send and has since appear'd with so much splendor in several Courts of Europe Pursuant to this Resolution he appointed for his Ambassadours My Lord Le Fort General of His Majesty's Armies and of the first Regiments or his Guards Admiral of his Fleet and Viceroy of Alovogorod My Lord Fedor Alexiovitz Gollanin Viceroy of Siberia and My Lord Procofet Bodgnanovitz Wolnitzin Lord high Chancellor of the Empire His Majesty by giving the first Rank in this Embassy to the General Le Fort gave the most ample Demonstration that could be in what Esteem the said General was with him in consideration of his pass'd Great and Signal Services and to let the World know what recompences he was ready to bestow upon all the Foreigners that deserved well of him since from a simple Captain he was mounted in a short time to the highest Dignities in the Empire notwithstanding the difference of his Religion The second Ambassadour is likewise a person of Great Wisdom and most excellent parts well versed in publick Negotiations having been sent twice by the Czar as his Ambassadour Extraordinary into China and it was he that Concluded the last Peace betwixt Muscovy and that Empire He is in great Esteem with the Grind Czar The third Ambassadour has been frequently employed with good Success in those Transactions the Muscovites have been engaged in with the Ottoman Port. The Czar before his departure out of Muscovy found means under a plausible pretext to send abroad such as lay under the least Suspicion of raising any Disturbances in his Absence It is to be observed that for several years before the Czar had sent many of his Subjects of all Sorts and Qualities in whom he observed some extraordinary Qualifications a travelling in foreign Parts at his Charges the better to instrust themselves in several Arts and Sciences and to qualifie themselves for the Service of their Country after their return He made use of the self-same pretext to rid his hands at this time of those whom he suspected to be against his Interest and inclinable to foment any ill Designs against him in his Absence For some of them were sent abroad a travelling in far distant Countries before his departure the others who lay under more Suspicion than the rest were ordered to follow the Embassy The Administration of the Government during his Majesties Absence was committed to the Care of the three Princes Loss Kerilvitz Alariskin Procorofskoi and Boris Alexiorvit Gallizin The first is Uncle to His present Majesty being the Brother of the Empress Dowager his Mother He is Chief Minister of State The second is the Lord Treasurer of the Empire a person advanced in years and much esteemed for his great Ability The third is his Majesty's Favourite being likewise Minister of State besides many other places which arc of a great yearly Value to him He is a Nephew of the unfortunate Prince Wassily Gallizin Chief Minister of State but since banished into Siberia His Majesty gave them most particular Charge of the Prince his only Son being then scarce nine years of Age This young Prince is of a very vigorous Constitution Robust Tall and well Shaped having a great resemblance as well in his Face as his Natural disposition to the Czar his Father General Gourdon had orders to Encamp with twenty Thousand of the best Troops near the City of Muscow to keep a watchful eye and to be in readiness upon any occasion that should offer This General is a Scotchman by Extraction who entred into the Service of the Czar Alexis Michaelovitz his present Czarish Majesty's Farther He has given eminent Proofs of his Valour and Ability upon several Occasions which has deservedly acquired him the Esteem both of his Czarish Majesty and the whole Muscovite Nation notwithstanding he is a Roman Catholick Things being thus disposed His Majesty left the City of Muscow Incognito with his Ambassadours who were attended by a most numerous and magnificent Train They took the way of Plescow passed through the Frontiers of Livonia Courland and Samegitia and so arrived safely at Coningsbergh the Capital City of the Ducal Prussta where they were received with a great deal of Splendor by his Electoral Highness of Brandenbyrgh In this City his Czarish Majesty receiv'd the Post-news by a Messenger sent for that purpose That the Elector of Saxony was elected King of Poland and that the Cardinal Primat had protested against the said Election under pretext That die Prince of Conti was legally chosen Upon which immediate orders were dispatched to the Muscovite Ambassadour then residing in Poland to maintain the Rights of Election made to the Elector of Saxony and to assure him in behalf of his Czarish Majesty That he had sixty thousand Men in readiness at his Service in order to maintain his just Pretensions to the Crown of Poland and That orders were already sent into Muscovy for the Troops to advance from Smolensko towards the Frontiers of Lithuania to retain that Great Dutchy in his Polish Majesty's Devotion It is without all question the fear of so Powerful an Assistance had no small Influence over many of the Poles in the contrary Interest it being most evident that when the Prince of Conti appear'd in person near Dantzick those of Prussia though not averse to that Prince's Interest durst not declare for him After some stay at Coningsbergh his Czarish Majesty continued his Journey towards Berlix the Ordinary Residence of his Electoral Highness of Brandenburgh where he was received with all the possible demonstrations of Honour and Esteem due to a Prince of so Eminent a Rank It is most certain That the Grand Czar was so well satisfied with his Reception here and with the Great Qualifications he discovered in his present Electoral Highness That he has declared several times since that as soon as the young
Cossacks inhabiting those Frentiers came time enough to the relief of the Place forcing the Tartars to abandon the Siege and the Isle with a considerable loss on their side Upon which his Majesty gave Orders that the said Island should be strengthned by some regular Fortifications The same Express brought likewise the News that the new Harbour about seven Leagues from Asoph of which mention has been made before was brought to perfection the Place being already Inhabited by Ten Thousand Mufcovites his Majesty having expresly forbidden any Forreign Nation to settle there He gave the Name of Setruchina Tuba to this City In a little time after Advice was also brought his Majesty that a great number of the Circassian Tarltars voluntarily submitted to his Obedience and thereupon being joined by some Muscovite Troops they had extended their Conquests into the Crim Tartary to the River Mious about five and twenty Leagues distant from Asoph where the Turks formerly used to unload their Ships bound to that Place and that the Muscovites were then busie in building a strong Fort near the Mouth of that River thereby to make themselves Masters of and to command that Road. The Czar having now taken a resolution to pass over into England before his departure out of this Country gave notice of his Intention to his Britanick Majesty who immediately sent some Yachts and light Friggots to conduct him thither He Embark'd with an Attendance only of Twelve or Fifteen Persons ordering his Ambassadors to stay behind at Amsteldam and to buy up good store of Artillery and Ammunition And being happily arriv'd in England he was received there with all the Honour and Respect due to so Great a Prince His Britanick Majesty offering him for his Residence the Royal Palace call'd Sommerset-House which is very Remarkable for its pleasant Scituation on the River Thames and a Guard to attend his Person but the Czar persisting in his Resolution to pass his time in England Incognito he refused to accept of the King of England's Offers After he had received the Compliments from his Majesty and the Royal Family and return'd the same to them he spent some time in taking a view of the Two Houses of Parliament and what else was worth his Observation at Court and then retir'd at some distance from the City of London for the conveniency of the Prospect upon the River from whence he might observe the Workmen that were Employed thereabouts in the building of Ships He stay'd above Two Months in England during which time he Employ'd most of his spare Hours in viewing all what was Curious or Remarkable especially among the best Artists Some London Merchants having proposed to his Czarish Majesty the Establishment of a new Commerce of Tobacco to be Transported only by them into Muscovy and the other Countries under his Majesty's Obedience he sent for Fedor Alexiovitz Gallavin his Second Ambassador to Treat with them concerning this Point at London The Treaty was brought to a good issue to the satisfaction of both Parties and it has been computed that the Czar's Yearly Customs arising from that Commodity will amount to above a Million of Livres But what is worth our particular Observation in this Voyage into England and which most of all discovers the main Design of his Czarish Majesty is his Progress to Portsmouth to be a Spectator of a Sea Engagement betwixt two English Squadrons near that Port. I had forgot to tell you before that the Hollanders did Entertain him near Amsterdam with such another Mock-sight where a great many Yachts were drawn up in different Lines to shew to his Czarish Majesty the manner of Engaging one another and Retiring after an Engagement at Sea His Czarish Majesty having been presented by the King of England with a very fine Yatch Richly Guilt carrying Thirty Pieces of Cannon and one of the nimblest for Sailing in the whole Kingdom he sent her to Archangle and he himself return'd notwithstanding the badness of the Season into Holland In the mean while that their Excellencies were gone back to the Hague in Order to take their Audience of Leave from their High and Mightinesses the Magistrates of Amsterdam being sensible that immediately after their Return the Czar would set forforward on his Journey to Vienna made great preparations to signalize their Zeal for His Majesty by some fresh marks of Honour But he no sooner had notice of their Design but he sent to desire them to desist being willing to leave their City without noise and undiscover'd after a Thousand Testimonies of their Esteem and Friendship to his Person received both from the Magistrates and other Inhabitants during the Six Months he had stay'd among them He was just upon his departure when he was surprised by the unwelcome News that there had been a Mutiny near the City of Muscow among some Remainders of the Strelitzes but that General Gourdon had soon dispersed them and taken most of their Ringleaders Prisoners who as they have thereby hasten'd the entire Ruine of their Party so they have brought themselves to a miserable End having received since that time the due Rewards of their Treachery For a great Number of them were Hang'd on Gibbets and many of the Nobility had their Heads cut off You cannot be ignorant of what has passed since his Czarish Majesty's Departure out of Holland with what Honour and Respect this Great Prince was received at the Imperial Court of Vienna with what extraordinary Splendour and Magnificence his Embassy appear'd there as likewise what obliged his Majesty to return on a sudden into Muscovy It is also sufficiently known to you that he left Procofet Bogdanovitz Wolnizin as his Ambassadour and Plenipotentiary for the Negotiation of Peace to be set on foot upon the Frontiers of Hungary betwixt the Confederate Princes and the Ottoman Port. His Majesty took the way of Poland in his Return homewards where he had an Interview not far from Lembergh with his present Polish Majesty who assured him That he was resolved to continue the War against the Turks unless Peace might be obtained upon very good Conditions and especially by the Surrender of Caminieck to the Poles But whatever the issue of this Treaty may be you will easily grant me if you will be pleased to reflect seriously upon what I have told you before That supposing the Czar of Muscovy should not be comprehended in the said Peace he is alone capable of waging War against the Turks and not without hopes of Success on his side For his Frontiers being so well provided and strengthned with good Fortifications on that side where the Turks must attack him he has no more to do than to be upon the Defensive by Land and in the mean while to attack them briskly at Sea And it is more than probable That this is the Grand Design of this Prince who seems to have taken such sure Measures in respect to the Establishment of his Maritime Affairs that
to Engage in so Extraordinary an Undertaking it being agreed on all hands that as his Design was to build the Frame of the present Russian Monarchy upon a much more solid Foundation than it was in former times so he judged nothing could more conduce to obtain this Great End than if he should take this Opportunity of being inform'd in Person concerning these Maxims which have rendred some of the European States so flourishing in our Age For whereas the Russian Monarchs used to make the Ignorance of their Subjects the Main Foundation-stone of their Authority so it is obvious to every unbyassed Person that his present Majesty looks upon the Improvements of all Arts and Sciences and the Establishment of a regular Discipline as the Main Pillars of the Greatness of this Monarchy It was in the Prosecution of this Grand Design he appear'd though Incognito in England and Holland and after having satisfy'd himself in those Matters which were the Chief Subject of his Curiosity he resolved to visit likewise the Imperial Court of Vienna where he arrived with the Muscovite Embassy towards the latter end of June last past He had scarce been a few days in this City when he received Letters from Asoph That part of that Garrison to the Number of betwixt seven and eight Thousand Men having receiv'd Intelligence That the Tartars had put a great Number of their best Horses in the circumjacent Pastures under the Guard of three thousand Men were marched out against them had defeated the Guard and brought near thirty thousand Horses into Asoph These Letters were in a few olays after follow'd by an Express from Muscovy with an Account That the Remainders of the antient Muscovite Guards whom they call Strelitzes had Mutiny'd under Pretence of Want of Pay and that being join'd by some others were marched towards Muscow the Capital City of the whole Empire with an Intention to Surprize and Ransack the Place The Strelitzes who formerly might be compared to the Janisaries of the Turks had given such frequent proofs of their Barbarity and Cruelty against the Inhabitants of this City upon such like Occasions that many of them being terrified by so unexpected a Revolt in the Czar's Absence left their Habitations and a general Consternation had seised the whole Empire as dreading the Effects of the Fury of these Insolent Soldiers The Princes Loff Kerilvitz Nariskin Procorofskoi and Boris Alexiovitz Gallizin who had the Supream Administration of the Government during the Czar's Absence were not wanting in their Duty to encourage the Inhabitants both by Words and their own Example and that nothing might be wanting on their side to reduce this rebellious Crew to their Duty sent some of the Nobility back'd by a good number of Troops to endeavour to appease their Fury but they were so far from hearkning to the Propositions offered them by the Deputies of the Governours that they fired at them and forced them to retire to the City Thus all fair means proving ineffectual General Gourdon was sent out with a good Body of faithful Troops Commanded for the most part by foreign Officers who meeting with the Rebels as they were advanced within four Leagues of Muscow Attack'd and totally Routed them killing many of them upon the Spot and carry the rest Prisoners to the City where many of them receiv'd afterwards the due Reward of their Treachery The Czar being over-joyed at the Success of his Arms against these Mutineers resolved not only to stay for some time at this Court but also to continue his Journey from hence to Vienice before his Return into Muscovy I have hinted to you before the Chief Motive which induced His Czarish Majesty to undertake so long and dangerous a Journey but besides this there may be alledged another having a peculiar Respect to the Imperial Courts For the Muscovites having by the Conquest of Asoph opened themselves a Gate into the Palus Meotis and consequently into the Black-Sea had all the Reason in the World to promise themselves the entire Conquest of the Crim-Tartary and the Tartarian Peninsula it self if the War should be carried on but for two years longer by the Confederates against the Infidels there being nothing but the Cities of Precop Crim and Caffa places of no great Strength which could make any considerable Resistance and prevent them from making themselves Masters of all the Coast from Asoph to the mouth of the River Borysthenes where they had already got firm footing by the Conquest of the Fortress of Kasikermeen in the Year 1695 and the Submission of many of the Cossacks upon the Frontiers to the Czar's Obedience His Czarish Majesty who from the beginning of his War with the Turks had had no less in view than the reducing of these Places and making himself Master of the Black-Sea had before his departure out of Muscovy made all the necessary Preparations for the promoting of so Great a Design He had not only strengthned the City of Asoph by some new Fortifications and erected a strong Fortress at some small distance from thence but had caused a new Port to be made for the Conveniency of his Navy This Great Prince who perfectly understands the advantageous Situations of his Dominions for Commerce one of the Main Pillars of the Prosperity of the Commonwealth has ever since his Accession to the Throne left no stone unturn'd to improve it to the utmost Advantage It is to the Muscovites Europe stands indebted for the Discovery of the Way by Land into China and by the frequent Embassy sent by the present Czar into that Country the Way through the Great-Tartary is as well or better known to the Russians than some Provinces of their own Empire Several goodly Cities and Villages have been built for the Conveniency of the Muscovite Carevans And a vast Tract of Ground has been incorporated with the Russian Empire It is incredible of what Consequences the China Trade by Land is to the Muscovites who by the Help of their Sleds drawn by Renes in the Winter-time perform this great Journey with much Expedition Many of the Vagabond Tartars incited by the Industry of the Muscovite Merchants trading in these parts have quitted their Solitudes and have settled themselves in Siberia and some other Provinces of Muscovy which were scarce inhabited within these hundred years The Communication betwixt Muscovy and some part of the Indies as well as the Persian Empire by help of the Caspian Sea as it is obvious to every body that will but cast an Eye upon the Maps so it is no less advantageous to the Russians than the China Trade The Banajans the most Trading People of all the Indies have a very considerable Settlement in the City of Astracan the Boundary of Europe and Asia on that side from whence they furnish Mascovy with all the most precious Things the Indies afford and by the continual passage of Merchants and others trading from the City of Muscow to Astracan and
given us their own Inventions for Truth and the Modern Historians for the most part have described us inaccessible Desarts in lieu of a well inhabited Country so I reckon it will not be disagreeable to you if I give you some Account of what I have been able to learn concerning this Point from somld of the most open-hearted and most ingenious among the Muscovites during the Stay of the late Great Embassy in this Court I have told you before that the World was beholding to the Muscovites for the discovery of the Way by Land through the Great-Tartary into China For the Way by Land through India and the Territories of the Great Mogul being found almost impracticable by reason of the vast Desarts the Inhabitants of Siberia after they had submitted to the Muscovites furnished them with sufficient Opportunity to discover the Way into China oh that side For these People being encouraged by the Advantages of vending their Sable Martins to the Muscovites at so excessive a rate as well as their black Fox-Skins scarce ever known before in those Parts did to satisfie their Avarice engage themselvs in those far distant Countries in quest of those Creatures by which means they were by degrees and as it may be said insensibly brought upon those Roads which lead into China After the first discovery of these Roads the Muscovites did leave no stone unturn'd to make themselves acquainted with the Countries that lie betwixt them and the Chinese Wall for which purpose they used under some pretence or other to send frequent Messengers into China who have taken divers Roads and many times making great Circumferences in their Journeys they by this means in process of Time made all the discoveries they could wish for They discovered besides the Ostiakoi Bratskoi and Tungoeses who have their Habitations near the Rivers which border upon Siberia three different sorts of Tartars very remarkable for the vast extent of those Countries they are possess'd of to wit The Tartars of Bogdoi the Mongul Tartars and the Calmucks The first are the same which by the Chineses are call'd the Eastern-Tartars Their Country is of a vast extent enclosed betwixt the Eastern Seas and the Rivers Chingala and Yamour They were the first that many Ages ago entred China but now are Tributaries to that Empire which makes them much more civiliz'd than the rest of the Tartars by reason of their great Commerce with the Chineses the Rivers of Yamour and Chingala affording great store of Rubies and Pearls which supply the defect of their Cattle which is very small They are in their Bodies not unlike to the Crim-Tartars and both their Language and Characters not unlike the Persian but they write like the Chineses from the top downwards Though they are not altogether ignorant of Guns and Gun-powder yet not being well inform'd of all the Advantages belonging to them they make but seldom use of them they are Govern'd by several Chans To the West of these Eastern-Tartars are those of Mongul inhabiting a spacious Country betwixt the River Yamour China Turquestan and the Calmucks from whom they are divided by vast Desarts They are Govern'd by three Princes who have each of them several other Chans under their Jurisdiction They are call'd by the Chineses the Western-Tartars and acknowledge in some measure the Authority of the Czars of Muscovy by reason of the Neighbourhood of Siberia and some other Countries thereabouts Subject to the Muscovite Empire with whom they keep Traffick in Cattle of which they have a great Plenty this Country being very full of Rivers good Meadows and Pastorages They are unacquainted with the use of Fire-Arms and inhabit neither Towns nor Villages The Calmuck Tartars possess that vast Tract of Land which lies betwixt these Mongal Tartars and the River Wolga as far as to the Desarts of Astracan they are divided into many Hordes each under the Command of a particular Chan yet they acknowledge one Principal Chan who deduces his Pedigree from the Great Tamerlan and keeps a very Noble Court after the Tartarian Manner They have no fixed Habitations no more than the Monguls but live in Tents very Commodiously contrived As they never stay long in a place so they are the quickest in the World at Encamping and Decamping which is the reason the Czars of Muscovy seek for their Alliance by certain yearly Presents and these are very ready to keep a good Correspondence with the Muscovites for the Conveniency of vending their Horses and Slaves which they take from the other Neighbouring Tartars They are all inclining to an Olive colour their Eyes small but sparkling their Noses short and somewhat flat Their Habits are for the most part the same being distinguished only from one another by a Tuft of Silk upon their round Bonnets according to the colour of the Horde to whom they belong They wear only Sheep-Skins sew'd together in the nature of Vests with a Cord round their Waste whereon they fasten their Bows and Quivers You may easily imagine that when the Muscovites had once opened their Passage into those Parts it was no difficult Task for them to subdue those inhabiting near their Frontiers by force of Arms and by the Terror of their Strength to settle a fair Correspondence with the rest so that following first the Tracts of the Rivers Oby Schelinga Genessai and Yamour they built several Fortresses upon the said Rivers both to secure their Conquests and for the more convenient Passage of their Caravans to China The last Fortress which the Muscovites built upon the River Yumour is called Albazin which as it is not above a Months Journey from Peking the Capital of the Chinese Empire so it prov'd the occasion of the late War betwixt the Chineses and Muscovites which was carried on for some time with equal Vigour on both sides till at last the present Czar Peter Alexiovitz being made sensible by Experience of the great Inconveniences that attended this War on his side in reference to the vast distance of Frontiers which are five or six Months March from the City of Muscow whereas on the other hand the Chineses send their Supplies with much more Ease and infinite less Charge by reason of the nearness of the Eastern-Tartars their Subjects and the Czar having at the same time a strong Inclination to come to a Rupture with the Turks at a Juncture when their Affairs were but in an ill posture resolved to come to an Accommodation with the Chineses The first meeting of the Ambassadours of these two Potent Empires upon the Frontiers near Albazin proved unsuccessful the Chineses according to their antient Customs insisting upon some Ceremonies that would not in any wise be granted by the Museovites But the second Treaty succeeded according to wish the Chineses being forced to abate of their Pride and to Treat the Muscovite Ambassadours from that time with all the Respect due to their Character The Muscovites having not till very lately