1^92, extracts from Code's travels. *?9 



vafsals with the utmost benevolence and justice. I am 

 also a-ware that several peasants are in such a flourifhing 

 condition as to have formed very considerable capitals 

 without dread of exaction-, and that some even pofsefs lan- 

 ded estates under their master's name •, but if we consi- 

 der the unhappy pleasure which too many feel in tyran- 

 nising over their inferiors, we have every reason to con-, 

 elude that the generality of boors must still be cruelly 

 opprefsed. 



" A peasant may obtain his liberty, first, by mawumifsion, 

 Tvhich, upon the death of the master, is frequently granted 

 to those who have served in- the capacity of his. immediate 

 domestic j second by purchase"* 5 third by serving in the ar- 

 my or navy, — after entering either cf the.-e they are for 

 ever free from their masters ; and in all these cases the 

 cmprefs has facilitated the means of obtaining freedom by 

 waving certain rights of the crown, which in some mea- 

 sure obstructed the acquisition of liberty, and flie has ifsued 

 several laws in their favour, which have given them some 

 alleviation of their bondage. 



" I was surprised to find upon inquiry that no noble in 

 Rufsia had franchised his vafsals, in the same manner 

 us I before mentioned to have been practised in Po- 

 land •, but I may venture to predict that the time is not 

 far distant, although an almost general prejudice seems at 

 present to prevail with respect to the incapacity of the 

 peasants for receiving their liberty. And this perhaps 

 may be true in the literal sense, as many of them, unlefs 

 properly instructed, would scarcely be enabled to derive a 

 aolid advantage from their freedom. 

 " Inconsequence of a present of a thousand ducats sent iu 

 7:)6 by an anonymous person, to the economlcals ociety at 

 L Peterburgh,.and at the desire of the said person, the soci- 

 * This must depenl on the will ef the roasier who may pillage them 

 J hc'haj a mind, at ii-»<iid abtve. 



