in every step of its progrefs; which can only be guarded against by the inftitution of proper laws for the protection of commerce, and by granting it that entire freedom which its various fpeculations and turns fo indifpenfably require. The principles of this unlimited freedom we have adopted, and followed from the earliest period of our government, as is manifeft from the feveral edicts and regulations which have been iffued from our throne; and we now extend thefe edicts and regulations in their utmost latitude to the trade of the Black Sea. The fecurity and convenience of that commerce are now fully provided for by the annexation of the province of Taurica, and the neighbouring territories, to our other dominions; we have opened therein divers fea ports for the use of all fons who will carry away from thence the produce of Ruffia, and bring thither the produce and manufactures of other countries. per It is well known, that the last Turkish war (a war which, during the fix years that it lafted, was fignalized by fo many victories of our arms) was no fooner concluded than we erected within the government of Catherineflaw, upon the river Dniper, and at a fhort diftance, the city of Cherfon: it having appeared to us that that fituation was particularly commodious, as well for exporting the produce of Ruffia as for importing, from other countries, fuch things as might be ufeful to us; and we fecured the trade thereof by the most effectual means of defence, encouraging it moreover by fuch helps as were beft fuited to it, and were not inconfiftent with the general principles of com merce. This town, as alfo Sebaftopolis (formerly called Acht-air) and Theodofia (formerly called Caffa) both which latter are fituated in the province of Taurica, and are provided with excellent fea-ports, we have, on account of the commodioufnefs of their fituation, ordered to be opened to all nations, living in amity with our empire, for the purposes of their commercial intercourfe with our faithful fubjects. Accordingly, we moft folemnly declare, by these presents, that all fuch nations are at liberty to come to the said ports, either in their own or hired veffels, and under their own colours, as alfo to repair thither by land; and they are likewife free to depart from thence at their pleasure, paying the duties of importation and exportation agreeable to the tariffs established in the refpective custom-houses.-Moreover, all perfons, of what nations and countries foever, may remain in thefe towns as long as their bufinefs or inclinations may lead them, and enjoy the free exercife of their religion, agreeably to thofe laudable inftitutions which have been handed down to us from our ancestors, fovereigns of Ruffia, and which we ourselves have confirmed and augmented, permitting all strangers refiding in Ruffia to worship the Almighty agreeably to the religion of their forefathers, offering prayers to him, together with our own fubjects, that he will increafe the welfare and ftrengthen the power of our empire. We give leave to all and every one to carry on their trade with abfolute freedom, either fingly or in companies, promifing by our Imperial word, that all foreigners fhall enjoy the fame privileges in thofe three towns as they enjoy in our Imperial city of St. Petersburgh, and in our provincial town of Archangel; and in cafe of a war, every one shall be fecured by the principles of that neutral fyftem which we have erected, and which, on our part, fhall be kept facred and inviolable. Finally, if any foreigners fhall wish to fettle in thefe or any other towns or places of our empire, and to become our fubjects, we will receive them moft graciously under our dominion, promifing that they fhall not only be allowed the free exercife of their religion (as mentioned above) but the full enjoyment of all fuch privileges and exemptions with regard to trade and navigation as have been granted to our other fubjects; as alfo to erect fabrics and and manufactories, paying only fuch taxes as shall be paid by our other fubjects of the fame condition with themfelves. All perfons, who fhall thus become our fubjects, fhall be at liberty, they and their descendants, to remain under our government as long as may be agreeable to them, or as their intereft may require; and in case they should afterwards chufe to withdraw from the fame, they fhall be freely permitted fo to do, on paying the taxes that had been laid upon them for three years to come. The particular privileges which will be granted to the above-mentioned towns will be fet forth in their respective charters, which are speedily to be published. Given at St. Petersburgh, the 22d of February 1784, and in the 22d year of our reign. The original was figned with her Impe rial majefty's own hand. VOL. I. C SWEDEN, 1654. 11 April. 1656. 17 July. 1661. SWEDEN. TH HE treaty of peace between Oliver Treat. 1732, vol. iii. p. 89. The treaty between Oliver Cromwell and Charles Guftavus King of Sweden, concluded at Westminster, confirming and explaining the treaty of Upfal. Treat. 1732, vol. iii. p. 162. The treaty of alliance and commerce be21 Oct. tween Charles II. King of Great Britain, &c. and Charles King of Sweden, concluded at Whitehall. 1665. Pap. Off. H. 2. Treat. 1732, vol. iii. p. 240. The treaty of alliance and commerce be1 Mar. tween Great Britain and Sweden, concluded at Stockholm. Pap. Off. H. 3. 1666. The treaty of commerce between Great 16 Feb. Britain and Sweden, concluded at Stockholm. 1668. The treaty between Great Britain, Swe25 Apr. den, and the States General, with the fepa rate articles, concluded at the Hague. 1674. Pap. Of. H. 5. The treaty of alliance and commerce 30 Sept. concluded between Great Britain and Sweo Oft. den, concluded at Westminster. Pap. Off. H. 7. 1703. The treaty between Great Britain, Sweden, and the States General, with the feparate and fecret articles, concluded, at London and the Hague. Pap. Off. H. 9. Treat. 1785, vol. i. p. 313. The defenfive alliance between Great Aug. Britain, Sweden, and the States General, with the separate article, concluded at the Hague. Pap. Off. H. 10. 1720. The treaty of alliance and mutual affift21 Jan. ance, with the feparate articles, concluded at Stockholm. 1727. 14 Mar. 1766. Pap. Off. H. 13. Treat. 1732, vol. iv. p. 106. The acceffion of Sweden to the treaty of Pap. Off. H. 16. Treat. 1732, vol. iv. p. 162. Rouffet, Recueil Hiftorique, tom, iii, P. 314. The treaty of alliance and commerce be, 5 Feb. tween Great Britain and Sweden, |