keep, grew more daring and cruel in their excesses, and at length arrived at such a degree of boldness, as to venture to encounter detach ments of the troops, and to stand and return their fire with incredible obstinacy, and contempt of life, declaring, that it was a matter of indifference to them, whether they perished by fire, sword, the hangnan, or the miseries which had driven them into their present state of desperation. By these outrages, Bohemia presented a melancholy spectacle of ruin and desolation; for though the nobility, their bailiffs, servants, and officers, were the immediate sufferers, all orders of mankind, by degrees, partook in the common calamity. At length, the grand commission having made their report to the court of Vienna, a patent was founded upon it in the month of September, which at once restored peace and tranquillity to the kingdom, and security and happiness to the peasants. Though the corvées were not entirely abolished, they were regulated in such a manner, as to render the burthen comparatively light to the vassals, and to afford them a reasonable time for attending to domestic affairs, and the providing of a necessary provision for their families. Instead of the whole week, the lowest order of peasants are now to appropriate only three days to the service of their lords; whilst those of the second class, and who contribute a certain proportion to the exigencies of the state, are subjected by the corvees to two days in the week; and, the upper class, or real farmers, to one only; those two orders being also subject to a certain fixed service of horses of oxen. A change was also made with respect to the raising of the public revenues, which was much in fa vour of the lower orders; their burthens being very considerably les sened, to the amount it is said of a million of florins annually, and new duties laid upon commodities which are chiefly consumed by the rich, to supply the deficiency. These regulations caused the greatest joy among the lower orders of the people; but, as may be expected, were far from being pleasing to the nobility. It is not impossible, con→ sidering the emperor's character, and the endeavours he had before used in the business, that however he might regret the temporary mischiefs with which it was attended, he was not sorry that so fair an opportunity was presented, for affording relief to the bulk of the people in that country. No material change has taken place in the circumstances of Poland, since the conclusion of the war between its great neighbours. The court of Petersburg directs all the affairs of that country with as unbounded a sway, as it does those of its domestic provinces. It is true, that the nobility are still as turbulent, and the factions as violent as ever in that country; but fortunately, for themselves and the people, the power which overawes and controuls them, is of so superior a strength and magnitude, as effectually to restrain them from those desperate efforts, which have, of late, so repeatedly heaped ruin upon themselves and the republic. Under the order preserved by that strong grasp, the country is begin. ning ning to recover from the effects of those dreadful calamities which it has so long endured; and its extensive plains once more to smile under the hand of cultivation. The moderation and influence of the court of Petersburg has also produced a very happy effect upon the conduct of the other great partitioning powers; they both having desisted from several of their late claims, and relaxed greatly from that rigour and violence with which they had treated the republic. The unfortunate city of Dantzick has, however, found no alleviation to its sufferings; and seems a victim abandoned to its fate. In the mean time, the Russian troops are still detained in Poland; and it is probable, that causes or motives will never be wanting, for their 'keeping a strong force in that country. March 18th. A treaty of com merce which has been concluded between the Republic and the king of Prussia, as it is very advantageous to the latter, may probably be a means of prolonging harmony in that quarter. The unfortunate Dantzickers are sufferers in this as in every thing else. While measures seem to be taking by the permanent council and government to encourage foreigners to repeople the desolated provinces of that kingdom, which they will find a work of long time and much expence, before any considerable benefit is received, they are continually harassing the Jews, (who form a great body of the people, and are the most industrious of its inhabitants) in such a manner, by additional poll taxes, and partial oppressive restrictions, as will pro bably oblige them totally to abandon the country. Such is the boasted policy of statesmen and nations; and so prevalent will the force of prejudice and error ever continue. The Dissidents have been at length remembered by the court of Russia; and their privileges are now ascertained and secured. They are particularly secured in the public profession and exercise of their religion, and are allowed churches and schools even at Warsaw; but are restrained from the use of bells in the former. Some other regulations have taken place in their fayour, particularly a right of appeal in all cases of grievance to a tribunal, in which a certain number of their own communion are to be. admitted as assessors. They are, however, still debarred from sitting in the senate, and from occupying any office in the departments of administration. Russia enjoys her power, influence, and glory, with a noble and splendid magnificence. All her affairs are conducted upon a great and extensive system, and all her acts are in a grand style. She sits supreme between Europe and Asia, and looks as if she intended to dictate to both. We see in her a great but still growing empire, which not having reached the summit of her destined power, feels life and vigour glowing in every part: The successes and consequences of the late war, have enlarged the spirit, extended the views, and dignified the minds of the people. In such a state, every thing is bold and masculine. Even vices and crimes are great. The impostor, Pugatscheff, with four of his Jan: 21st. accom accomplices, were publicly executed at Moscow in the beginning of the year. Pugatschef, with his principal associate, named Persilief, were beheaded; the three others were hanged, and eighteen more underwent the knout, and were sent to Siberia. If the sentence had been fulfilled, Pugatschef's hands and feet would have been first cut off and exposed to the people, before the final operation took place; but through some singular mistake, the executioner cut off his head first; an error, for which it is supposed he suffered a severer punishment than that which he inflicted. Pugatscheff met his fate with the most undaunted resolution; but was induced to acknowledge the justice of his sentence, the deception he had used, with his true name and condition; all of which agree in the material parts with the account which we have already given of him. If a history of his life, which is said to have been published by authority at Moscow, can be relied on, he went through a series of the most extraordinary adventures of any man living, even exclusive of the consequences of the late imposture; but this account is of so romantic a cast, and recites matters of so exceedingly improbable a nature, that its authority seems very doubtful. It is, how ever, certain, that he was, even by birth, of the first rank and condition among the Cossacks, and that through his uncommon abilities, as well as the strange vicissitudes of his life, he had acquired a degree of knowledge and learning, which would not have been thought despicable in the most polite nations, It is said, that an observation made several years ago by the celebrated Count Tottleben, of the striking resemblance which he bore to the late Emperor Peter the IIId, took such possession of his mind, as to have been the operating cause of that calamity and ruin, in which he involved with himself a great part of the empire. The heavy burthen of the late war has not prevented the empress from already taking off most of the taxes which were laid for its support; and as if the strength and riches of government in that country, increased with its expence, she has also abolished a number of the ancient taxes, which were either considered as discouraging to manufactures and agriculture, or burdensome and oppressive to particular provinces, or orders of the people.. In the same spirit of beneficence and good policy, she has lent great sums of money, interest free, and for a specified term of years, to those provinces which were ruined by the late rebellion; and to crown a general pardon, has strictly for bidden any particulars of that unfortunate affair to be called up, or any reproaches used on its account, but condemns all matters relative to it, to perpetual silence and oblivion. She has also established a number of other regulations, all tending to the security, advantage, and happiness of her subjects; to abolish pernicious distinctions, destroy ruinous monopolies, restrain the cruelty. of punishment, remove oppressive or impolitic restrictions and prohibitions, and to restore mankind to a more equitable degree of equality, in those different ranks which they fill in society. A pardon was also passed to those criminals, who had already already undergone a long degree of suffering for their crimes; and an ordinance issued to prevent any future criminal prosecution from being admitted, unless it was commenced within ten years after the date of the charge. Equal. humamity was shewn with respect to imprisoned debtors, who under certain limitations, and in certain circumstances, were released from confinement, All the heirs of the debtors to the crown were discharge ed from their obligations. Nothing could be more flattering, than the splendid preparations which were made at Moscow by the empress and great duke for the reception of Marshal Romanzow, upon his return from that war which he had so gloriously conducted, and happily concluded. An arch was erected upon the occasion, and every thing prepared for his making a triumphal entry in all the magnificence of the ancients, This honour, however, the general, either through wisdom or magnanimity, declined. But that circumstance did not lessen the intended splendor and magnificence in other respects, nor the public honours paid to the general. KeJuly 21st. wards and honours were most liberally distributed to the great actors in the war, while their value was doubled by the manner in which they were conferred, and the public testimonial of their merit and services, thus given in the face of their country. Besides a large estate, a great sum of money, and magnificent presents in plate and jewels, which were bestowed upon Marshal Romanzow, he was also presented with a diploma, by which the addi tion of Sadounaisky was made to his surname, a word which is said to signify The ultra Danubian. The surname of Chesme (besides great pecuniary rewards) was also granted to Count Alexis Orlow, alluding to the name of the port in the Lesser Asia, in which he had destroyed the Turkish fleet. The greatest apparent harmony subsists between the late contending powers of Russia and the Porte. Nor has this good neighbourhood been at all interrupted by some disturbances in the Crimea, where the Tartars deposed their Chan, Sabib Gueray, who had always assisted the Russians, and was ac cordingly established by them, and restored their warlike chief Cowlet Guerai, who had as constantly opposed their enterprizes. It seems as if both powers, to avoid all foundation for disputes, had resolved for the present not to interfere in the cabals of these people, with respect to the choice or suc cession of their princes. In the mean time, Russia is by no means indifferent to the vast sources of wealth and power which are opened to her by the occupancy of the Black Sea. She has long struggled with the insurmountable obstacles which nature threw in her way in the Baltic; and which would for ever prevent her establishing an extensive and advantageous com merce, or becoming a great maris time power on that side. A sea shut up and unnavigable for near two thirds of the year, and incumbered with numberless impediments at all times, could never answer those purposes in any degree, suitable to the ambition and views of such an empire as Russia. She ac cordingly cordingly omits nothing that may contribute to the opening and establishment of a great trade on the Black-Sea, and for that purpose, the empress has furnished some particular merchants with the use of Leships free from any charge for freight, and has promised to indemnify them for any losses they may sustain in the outset. There has been a considerable appearance of vigour with respect to internal government, in the councils of the Porte since the conclusion of peace. The state of weakness and disorder which so long prevailed in that empire, had enabled the governors of provinces to acquire such wealth and power, and to fortify themselves so strongly in their governments, that they nearly forgot all dependance on the state, and being under no apprehension of enquiry or controul, the people were ruined by their cruelty and oppression. Thus, as their power increased in proportion to the extent of their enormities, so did the difficulty and danger of removing them from their commands. Upon the restoration of peace, the people took that opportunity, in almost all quarters, to send their complaints to the Porte, and to represent the intolerable tyranny under which they languished, These complaints were favourably attended to, and the remedy of that evil became the principal object of policy with that government during the present year. Some address and stratagem were necessary for the accomplishment of this purpose. The most powerful bashas were allured from their governments, under the appearance of thorough satisfaction in their conduct, and a pretence of promotion to greater & but as soon as they were thus circumvented out of their strength and fastnesses, they were immediately strangled, and the immense riches they had acquired by their oppres sion forfeited to the state. Those of less power were treated with less ceremony; and different means leading to the same end were used, with some others. This year has proved fatal to the brave, and very old Chick Daher. Mehemet Aboudaab, being tempted by the fame of his riches, set out at the head of a great army from Egypt, to gratify his avariee by his destruction. The force was so disproportioned, that the chick could make no effectual resistance in the field, and his garrisons were soon subdued. Gaza surrendered immediately; but Joppa stood a long siege, which so enraged Aboudaab, that he was guilty of the most horrible cruelties when he took the place. These struck so general a terror in the people, that Dacre and other places submitted without resistance. There was, however, still an appearance, that the chick's ancient fortune would not have entirely abandoned him, by the sudden death of Aboudaab, in the midst of his successes and cruelties. This appearance was fallacious. The captain basha arrived at that critical time, upon the coast of Syria, with a very considerable force, to which the Egyptians being added, under the command of so active an officer, rendered the Chick Daher's fate inevitable. His head was sent to Constantinople, and his treasures seized. The Persians have besieged the |