A. D. 1555. 121 



ous perfecutions of Charles V in Germany, Francis II in France, and 

 Mary in England, drove vafl; numbers of people to fettle in Antwerp, 

 which about this time was in tlie zenith of its proiperity, the common 

 refort of the traders of all nations, and the general ftorehoufe of the 

 world, as Amfterdam is now *. He adds, that it was a common thing 

 to fee 2500 ihips :at xixBtce lying in the Scheld. 



The Ruflia company fent out their fecond adventure with their 

 agents and fadors, who had leti ^rs from King Philip and Qtieen Mary 

 to the czar John Bazilowitz. They, in two fhips, failed up the river 

 Dwina to Vologda, and thence Mr. Chancelor and his attendants trav- 

 elled in fledges to iViofcow, where they were entertained at the czar's 

 expenfe, who now granted them and their fucceflbrs for ever the fol- 

 lowing privileges, viz. 



I) Freedom to retort at all times, with their fhips, merchandize, ferv- 

 ants, &c. into any part of his dominions, without any fafe conduct or 

 licence being required of rliem. 



II) Neither their perfons nor goods fhall be arrefted, but only for 

 their proper and perfonal debts, &c. 



III) Power is given them to chufe their own brokers, fkippers, 

 packers, weighers, meafurers, waggoners, &c. to adminifler an oath 

 •to them, and to punifli them for mifdemeanors. 



JV) The chief factor recommended by the company to the czar, to 

 have full power to govern all the Englifh in his dominions, and to ad- 

 minifler juftice between them in all caufes, quarrels, &c. atid to make 

 fuch acts and ordinances, with his ailiftants, as he fhall think meet for 

 the good government of the merchants and all other Englifh there, and 

 to fine and iraprifon them. 



V) The czar's ofRcers and minifters fhall aid and aflift the faid fac- 

 tors againfl: the rebellious Englifh, and lend them prifons and inftru- 

 ments of puniihmenr, &c. 



VI) Juftice fliall be duly adminiftered in any complaints of the Eng- 

 Hfh againfl: Ruffians, and the Englifh ihall be firft heard, and may, in 

 cafe of ablence, appoint an attorney. 



VII) In cafe any Eaglilliman be wounded or killed, due punifhment 

 fliall be inflidled; and in cafe the Englifh fiiall wound or kill any, nei- 

 ther their, nor the company's goc'ds, fliall be forfeited on that account. 



VIII) The Englifli arrefted tor debt fhiill not be ^mprifoned if they 

 can give bail. 



TX) It Englifh fhips fhall be robbed or damaged in or near Ruflia 

 by pirates, &c. the czar will do his utmofi: to procure fatisfadlion. 

 X) The czar promifes, for him and his fucceffors, to perform, main- 



* Whatever Amfterdam miglit be \\\ Huet's, or puted in any pnrt of Europe, that Londoa is the; 

 even in Anderfou's, time, it will not now b» dif- gencial ftorehoufe ot the world. M. 



Vol. II (^ 



