phrates and the gulph of Persia, brought their fears and the disorder along with them, at the distance of 240 miles. Here it raged in all its fury, sweeping away the people for some time, at the rate of six or seven thousand a day. Most of the western christians perished; the English factory saved their lives by flying into Persia, choosing rather to trust to the clemency of the usurper Kerim Khan, though their declared enemy, than to the rage of the implacable disorder. The event justified their conduct; and upon their return, they found only death and desolation in the place of a great city. There is little room to doubt, that the change of affairs which were apprehended in Sweden upon the accession of a new King, had a considerable influence upon the conduct of Russia, with respect to her listening to terms of accommodation, and agreeing to the congress of Foczani; and it is as little to be doubted that the subsequent revolution in that kingdom, had a principal share in the renewing of the armistice, and the entering into fresh negociations at Bucharest. Indeed, it is probable, that this was the best, if not the only reason which could be given, for Russia's entering into a cessation, which was of such infinite advantage to the enemy. The emigration of a whole nation of Tartars from the Russian dominions, may be considered as one of the most extraordinary events of the present year. A great tribe of the Calmuc-Tartars, which was called the Torgut, had long inhabited the vast desarts of the kingdom of Astracan, where, under a limited submission to the Russian government, they fed innumerable herds of cattle, and carried on a very considerable trade with Astracan, and the towns on the Wolga, whither they sent cows, sheep, horses, leather, and hides, for which they were paid in corn, meal, rice, copper kettles, knives, tools, iron, cloth, and other Russian commodities. These Tartars were so numerous, as to be able to raise 30,000 fighting men, and whether it was, that they met with any late causes of disgust, or that they imagined the increase of the Russian power would daily render that liberty which was so dear to them, more precarious, however it was, they determined to quit the country. They conducted this scheme with so much secresy, that the smallest suspicion was not harboured of their design, till they set out with their wives, children, and all their effects, for the country of Zongoria, in the Eastern Tartary, which had been the ancient residence of their ancestors, and lies between the Chinese Tartary, Siberia, and the Lesser Bocharia. In this prodigious journey, they were obliged to traverse a considerable part of the Russian dominions, and two strong bodies of troops were sent without effect in pursuit of them. Exclusive of the benefits derived from their traffic, and the value of the mass of effects which they carried with them, the loss of such a number of people, and the total depopulation of those unbounded wildernesses, that stretch so far on all sides of Astracan, must be prejudicial to Russia. It may, however, prove the means of enquiring minutely into the causes of dissatisfaction that operated upon these people, and of regulating her future con duct duct in such a manner, as to preserve the affections of those Tartars, who form so great a body of her subjects, and of paying a cautious attention to that unconquerable love of liberty, which, in a greater or lesser degree, prevails through all their various nations. Notwithstanding the pacific professions on both sides, certain appearances and preparations in Sweden, were evidently alarming to the court of Petersburgh, and occasioned the fitting out of a very considerable fleet to cruize in the Baltic, as well as the keeping of an army upon the frontiers. Both these measures, however necessary they might have been, were highly inconvenient to Russia at this period, as the first prevented her from sending a reinforcement to the fleet in the Archipelago; and the second, obliged her to keep a considerable number of her best troops unemployed, at a time that they were much wanted both on the Danube and in the Crimea. The same cause made it thought necessary to enter into a stricter union with Denmark, which was cemented by a treaty of infinite advantage to the latter. In consequence of this treaty, the Grand Duke of Russia has made a formal cession and renunciation of his patrimonial rights and dominion in the dutchy of Holstein, to the King of Denmark, who, in return, as the shadow of an equivalent, has ceded the miserable county of Oldenburgh, and the city of Delmenhorst, with its territory, to the Grand Nov. 16th. Duke. This important transfer of territory and 1773. dominion, was executed at Kiel, the capital of Holstein, where the members of the regency, the civil officers, nobility, and people, were assigned over, and took oaths of allegiance to the King of Denmark; and the cession was compleated, by the delivery of the keys of the city, and of a piece of earth, to Count Reventlau, the Danish minister. Thus have both powers parted with the original inheritance of their ancestors, and one in particu lar, with that which promised more security and greater permanence, than any other of his extensive possessions. As the cession made by Denmark could be of no use to the Great Duke, and from its situation and distance was scarcely tenable, he has presented it to his relation the Duke of Holstein Eutin, Prince Bishop of Lubeck, by which those territories, and the lands belonging to the bishopric, will become hereditary in that family. The articles of the treaty are not published; but from the price paid by Russia, it is probable that an offensive and defensive alliance of the strongest nature must be its basis. It is said, that upon the continuance of the war, Denmark is to send a considerable naval force to the Mediterranean, to the assistance of the Russians; and there is no doubt, in certain circumstances, that its principal forces by sea and land may be liable to be called forth. In the beginning of the year, while the treaty was yet in agitation, and long before its conclusion, a strong squadron was fitted out by the Danes, and kept in a readiness for service during the greater part of the season; and no secret was made of its being intended to join Admiral Bassballe, the the Russian commander, if any event should take place in the Baltic, which required their mutual exertion. As the Grand Duke was now far advanced in his twentieth year, a marriage was determined upon between him and one of the princesses of Hesse Darmstadt; and as it was thought proper, in a matter of such importance to his happiness, that the choice should rest solely with himself, the Landgravine, and her three daughters, arrived at Petersburg for that purpose. The Grand Duke's choice was soon determined in favour of the 'Princess Wilhelmina, who was about a year younger than himself; and that lady having conformed to the Greek religion, was baptized in that faith by the new names of Natalia Alexiowna. The Oct. 10th. marriage was some time after solemnized with great magnificence, the Grand Duke having then entered into his 21st year. A few days prior to the Great' Duke's marriage, and on the anniversary of her coronation, the Empress loaded Count Panin, who had been his governor, with honours and emoluments. She bestowed upon that nobleman an estate for ever, valued at near 70001. a year, and a pension for life to the same amount, besides an appointment of about half that sum, for conducting the department of foreign affairs, together with the choice of any house in Petersburg, to be purchased for his residence, and an allowance of money for plate and furniture, of about 35,000l. She also showed a proportional munificence to all the officers of the Grand Duke's late houshold. of Courland, died at a great age, on the last day but one of the preceding year, and was succeeded by his son. As the reigning duke was known to be in no degree of favour at the court of Petersburg, his possession of that dutchy was held to be very precarious; while it was generally thought that it would have been thrown in as an equivalent on one side or other in the partition of Poland, and probably might by some marriage arrangement be formed with some of the adjoining provinces into an independent state. It is probable, that whatever difficulties prevented the execution, more than one design of this nature was in contemplation; and the Duke himself was so sensible of the dangerous ground he stood on, that he attempted to bring about a match with one of the remaining princesses of Hesse Darmstadt, in hopes thereby to strengthen his iuterest. This design was crushed as soon as it was known, by the empress, who is said to have sent him word, that he had no occasion to think yet of matrimony. In this hopeless situation, he was summoned to Petersburg, and.his ruin was thought to be decided; but a change soon appeared in the conduct and designs of the court; whatever it proceeded from, he suddenly became a favourite at court, and the empress has concluded a marriage for him with a Russian princess. The greatest attention has been unremittingly paid to the forming of a great fleet in the several ports of the Baltic, where Sir Charles Knowles, who obtained permission to retire from the British service, and engage in the Russian, has The famous Count Byron, Duke exerted his well-known knowledge and and abilities, in superintending the building of several fine ships upon the English model. In a word, nothing is left untried or undone, by which Russia may become a great maritime power. A small squadron, consisting of four ships of the line, and a frigate, under the command of Admiral Greig, was, sent very late in the season, to reinforce the fleet in the Mediterranean; and it is supposed a very strong force will be sent on the same service, upon the opening of the Baltic. The war and conquests in Georgia, of which we heard so many extraordinary accounts, have come to nothing. General Sukatin and twelve officers were the wretched remains that returned to Petersburg, of an army that had so long been represented as triumphant, and as aiming at no less than the subversion of the Turkish empire in Asia. They attributed their misfortunes to causes that were at all times to be foreseen: to the impracticability of the country, the want of sufficient force, and the impossibility of necessary supplies; to which should have been added, the native bravery of the inhabitants, and their total disinclination to submit to a Russian government. Some new silver mines that have been discovered in Siberia seem to promise an indemnification to Russia, for the treasure of which she has been drained by the war. That wide and forlorn region, that was so long unknown, and seemed wrapt up in an eternal winter that rendered it inaccessible to mankind, teems with inexhaustible treasures, and will in time prove the Peru and Potosi of the north. These new mines have afforded upon their first VOL. XVI. opening 45000 pounds of fine silver, which is said to have been obtained with little difficulty or expence. The empress, according to her usual magnificence, has bestowed on the intendant of the royal mines, who made the discovery, a princely fortune, and has ordered. that they may be worked with all diligence. The ill success of the campaign afforded an opportunity to the empress of shewing her magnanimity, by not throwing the least blame upon her commanders or armies: on the contrary, Count Romanzow seems to stand as high in her favour as he did in the most fortunate periods. As spectacles have always been found necessary in despotic governments, either to divert the people from thinking of public affairs, or, upon certain occasions, to keep up their spirits, a representation of the taking of Giurgewo from the Turks, was exhibited, at considerable expence, and with great applause, at Petersburg. Upon this occasion a regular fortification was erected and defended, and all the military forms observed, and approaches conducted, to the final springing of mines, making a breach, and taking the place by storm. The great failures which took place in the principal commercial states were felt in their effects throughout Europe, and produced every where an almost general stagnation of mercantile credit. The wise conduct of the empress upon this critical occasion, and the particular attention and regard which she paid to the English fac tory and merchants at Petersburg, cannot be sufficiently praised. She immediately issued orders to the [C] court court banker, that the British merchants should be supplied with any sums of money that were necessary to support their credit, in the present trying exigency; and took every other measure that could shew how much she had the commercial interests of her country at heart, as well as her particular regard to a friendly and allied power. Great divisions seem to have pre vailed this year in the court of Petersburg, the extent and nature of which are little known. Two parties, which took the names of their respective leaders, and seem to divide the empire, have, however, been avowedly formed, upon the great question of war or peace. The former of these, under the auspices of Prince Orlow, are eager for a continuation of the war, and of obtaining all the fruits from its past successes, as well as from those in expectancy, that they are capable of affording; the second follow the opinions of Count Panin, who is a zealous advocate for peace, and does not want sufficient arguments to shew its expediency, if not necessity. The empress has bestowed her favours and honours so equally upon those leaders, that it looks as if she thought it necessary to trim between the two parties; Prince Orlow resumed his functions early in the year, in consequence of a letter written to him in her own hand for that purpose; and Count Panin has been called upon in the same manner, since its conclusion, to exert his great faculties for the security and preservation of the empire. It is, however, said that the empress, upon all occasions in the council, has given her opinion for the continuance of the war. Such differences of opinion would be of little consequence, if other marks of discontent had not appeared in different parts of the empire, as well as at court. Of the causes or effects of these little can yet be said. It was, however, observed, that, in the midst of the splendour and magnificence of the Great Duke's nuptials, and of the sumptuous festivals that ensued, discontent, suspicion, and apprehension, were in many countenances too visible to be concealed. CHAP. |