382 
DON COSSACKS, 
chap, generals or colonels, in the army of the Don 
—s—' Cossacks, who are not merchants. In Tcherkash 
and was both civil and military commander of the place. Paul had laid 
some restrictions on this right, which I could not understand. He had 
also ennobled the children of all who had the military rank of Colonel, 
which was complained of, as introducing an unconstitutional aristocracy. 
From these Atamans, an appeal lies to the Chancery at Tchcrkask. 
They used to elect their Ataman there, and to appeal to him only; 
assembling occasionally, as a check on his conduct j but he is now 
appointed by the Crown , and greatly diminished in power. The allot- 
ment of land and fishery which each Cossack possesses may be let out 
by him to farm, and often is so ; and it is a frequent abuse to insert the 
names of children in the return of Cossacks, to entitle them to their 
seniority in becoming officers. I met with a child thus favoured. This 
has taken place since the Cossacks, when called out, have been formed 
into regular regiments, which has depressed entirely the power of the 
village Ataman, by the introduction of colonels, captains, &c. Formerly,^ 
the Ataman himself marched at the head of his stanitza. Now he merely 
sends the required contingent, which is put under officers named by the 
Crown. 
Cf The Cossack , in consequence of bis allowance, may be called on 
to serve for any term, not exceeding three years, in any part of the 
world, mounted, armed, and clothed at his own expense, and making 
good any deficiencies which may occur. Food, pay, and camp equi- 
page, are furnished by Government. Those who have served three 
years are not liable, or at least not usually called upon, to serve 
abroad, except on particular emergencies. They serve, however, in 
the cordon along the Caucasus, and in the duties of the post and po- 
lice. After twenty years, they become free from all service, except 
the home duties of police, and assisting in the passage of the corn 
barks over the shallows in the Don. After twenty-five years’ service 
they are free entirely. 
“ The Procurator declared the whole number of Cossacks, liable to 
be called on for one or more of these services, amounted to 200,000. 
He acknowledged, that as they would allow no examination into their 
numbers, he spoke only from conjecture, and from the different al- 
lowances of corn, &c. occasionally made. The whole number of male 
population he reckoned at half a million. The situation of a Cossack 
is 
