Country But here the Citizens in Prussia are excepted for they may possess Lands of what Extent soever out of their Cities Also the Inhabitants of Cracow may purchase and enjoy Lands in any Part of the Kingdom Likewise the Magistrates of Vilna have a Power to possess Lands and the City of Leopol in like manner has a Privilege for its private Citizens to hold Lands A Nobleman Gentleman or one that is free-born of the Kingdom of Poland are the same thing Every Gentleman has his Coat of Arms granted him by the Republick but then either he or some of his Family must have Possessions in Lands there He can pretend to all the greatest Employments and Offices in the Kingdom and buy Lands where he pleases all over the Dominions of Poland and Lithuania He has moreover a Right to the Crown if his Credit and Interest can procure it Every Gentleman is a Sovereign Lord and Master in his own Lands for he has the Power of Life and Death over his Tenants or as the Poles term them his Subjects tho' I may better call them his Slaves for they have neither Privilege nor Law to protect them but are to be govern'd absolutely by the Will and Pleasure of their Lord. They dare not leave his Lands to go to anothers under Pain of Death unless he sells them to his Neighbour as he has the Power to do or has violated or ravish'd their Wives or Daughters insomuch that I have heard that some have wish'd to have had a fine Wife or Daughter that their Lord might thereby have given them Occasion to get rid of him If a Gentleman kills another Gentleman's Slave he is neither to be try'd nor punish'd for it and is only oblig'd to give that Gentleman another Slave in the Room of him or as much Money as will buy one And besides to maintain the Family of the Person that he has kill'd likewise if he kills one of his own Slaves he only pays a matter of fifty Livres to be quit Nay if one Gentleman kills another he cannot be apprehended nor clapt into Prison for his Crime Nisi Jure Victus unless a Court of Justice has first convicted him which commonly gives him Time enough to escape for he must first be cited to appear and upon his Neglect he is declar'd contumacious and consequently convicted But it may very well be suppos'd that he who knows himself guilty will not run the Hazard of Appearing nor venture the losing of his Head This Honour the Poles likewise bestow on the common People Hanging being not the usual Way of Execution in their Country However Hartknoch has these Exceptions from this Privilege for says he if a Nobleman be taken in the very Act of Ravishing Burning of Houses Theft Robbery or the like he may be apprehended by the Laws Likewise if he will not give sufficient Caution according to the Quality of his Offence or lastly if he be found in the Register to have been thrice convicted before Notwithstanding this Privilege of the Nobility says Hauteville I have known one Instance to the contrary for those who assassinated Gonczenski Petty General of Lithuania were seiz'd without any Formality and carry'd Prisoners to Elbing and were afterwards condemn'd to be beheaded at the general Diet at Warsaw in the Year 1664. but then this Crime of theirs was so notorious that the Nobility might well have wav'd their Privilege for these Villains took that Gentleman out of his Bed at Vilna and putting him into a Coach with a Confessor carry'd him out of the City where they scarce allow'd him Time to say his Prayers before they shot him dead with Pistols A Polish Nobleman tho' he be proscrib'd and cited and found guilty cannot be executed without the King's Knowledge and Consent as may appear by the Case of Samuel Zborowski who tho' he had been proscrib'd and condemn'd by the Great Chancellor and General of the Army Zamoiski yet would he not presume to Behead him till he had known King Stephen's Pleasure therein The Polish Gentry also have another Privilege which is that no Soldiers or Officers of the Army can be Quarter'd upon them for if any one should presume to attempt such a thing the Diet would either condemn him to Death or pronounce him infamous whereby he would be depriv'd of the Power of giving his Vote in all Assemblies and moreover be render'd incapable of enjoying any Office or Employment in the State and this is as being degraded from his Nobility whereupon I may take notice of a Passage that hapned at the Diet of Election of John III. and which did not a little contribute towards his being chosen The Palatin of Smolensko's Son went and quarter'd at the House of Wiesnowiski without his Leave as was reported by Order of the Grand General Patz which occasion'd the Marshals who are Judges in these Cases two Days before the breaking up of the Diet to deprive this Palatin of his Vote in the Election whereby Sobieski was freed from a declar'd Enemy and the Austrian Faction lost a profess'd Friend The King likewise cannot now lodg in any Nobleman's House against his Will as he could before the Year 1433. Also wherever any Foreigner dies without Heirs his Estate Escheats to the Lord of those Lands where he dy'd and not to the King And where any Polish Gentleman dies without Heirs the King cannot seize upon his Estate by Right of Escheat if he have a Relation left of the eighth Degree inclusively The Gentry also may have Houses in the King's Cities and Towns but then they must not let such Trades inhabit them as may prove obnoxious or a Nusance to the Citizens and likewise these Houses ought to be subject to the Jurisdiction of the City but which however is seldom or never observ'd The House of a Nobleman moreover is a Kind of Asylum for tho' Delinquents may be arrested there with his Consent yet cannot they be taken thence by Force Not less are a Nobleman's Privileges as to Customs and Taxes for if he will swear his Goods were not bought but arising from his Lands he may send them any where out of the Kingdom to be sold without paying Duties and where he has once so sworn his Testimonials alone for the future will suffice to exempt them Also his Subjects will have the same Privilege wherever they trade In Prussia the Nobles are not only free from Customs but likewise all the other Inhabitants by the Magna Charta of Culm But altho the Polish Nobility are thus said to be free from Taxes yet upon emergent Occasions and Exigencies the Diet usually obliges them to pay them for a certain Time The Nobility also have a Privilege of Preemption of Salt for in the Staples for that Commodity there must be at least a Months Notice before any can be sold to any body else After all these Privileges the Polish Nobility
the Church and the Civil Magistrates are oblig'd to be Assisting to them in the Execution of their Sentences as often as they shall be so requir'd To the Ecclesiastical Courts belongs the Court of Nunciature held by the Popes Nuncio for that purpose always residing in Poland However before he can have any Jurisdiction he must have presented the King and the Principal Ministers of State with the Apostolic Brief of his Nunciature The Civil Jurisdiction is divided among divers sorts of Judges and belongs to the Commonalty as well as Gentry Some of these determine Causes exempt from Appeals and others cannot Those from whom there lies no Appeal are the three High-Tribunals instituted by Stephen Batori the Judges whereof are all Gentry Two of these Tribunals are for the Kingdom and one for the Great Dutchy Those for the Kingdom keep their Session Six Months at Petricovia in Low Poland and the other Six at Lublin in High Poland That for the Great Dutchy is alternatively one year at Vilna and another either at Novogrodec or Minski They all consist of so many Judges both Ecclesiastical and Civil chosen out of every Palatinate the former once in four years and the latter once in two Judgment is pronounced here by Plurality of Voices but where Matters are purely Ecclesiastical there ought to be as many of the Clergy as the Laity The Causes here are heard in Order for three days are allow'd to enter all that come and whatever are not enter'd within that time cannot be adjudg'd that sitting A Man that has a Trial in these Courts may be said to have all the Nation for his Judges Deputies both Ecclesiastical and Temporal being sent thither for that purpose from all Parts of the Kingdom The Senate also Judges of Civil or Criminal Matters without Appeal As do likewise the Great Marshals in all Cases relating to the King's Officers And the Great Chancellors in matters of Appeal to the Court which they have only Cognisance of But the Marshal's Jurisdiction extends over all Merchants and Strangers both who find but little Justice done them in Poland when they have occasion for it Also there are two Exchequer Courts for the Revenue one held at Radom in High Poland and the other at Vilna These Courts seldom sit above a Fortnight or Three Weeks Those that are not exempt from Appeals are the Courts of the Gentry and Commonalty in every Palatinate which are by no means to have any of the Clergy for Judges Those for the Gentry are either the Courts of Land-Judicature or those of the Starostas and are more or fewer in number according to the Extent of the Palatinate where they are held The Courts of Land-Judicature have one Judge an Associate and a Natory or Head-Clerk to Try Causes and Administer all Civil Justice in some Places four in others six times a year and in others once a Month. The Courseof these Courts can only be interrupted by the Death of any of their Judges by the Diet or by the general Meeting of the Palatines and Magistrates which last is every Autumn to hear Appeals from Inferiour Courts The Towns where the Gentry sit are in great number and it must be observ'd that none who have Lands or Goods within each Jurisdiction can be made to Appear at a Court where they have none The immediate Appeal from these Courts is to the Vice-Chamberlain of the Palatinate who either by himself or his Deputy the Chamberlain of that District restores all that have been Dispossess'd and ascertains all Bounds and Limits of Lands This is as it were his whole Jurisdiction But where there is any Contest between the King and any of the Gentry in this Kind then at their request Commissioners are appointed out of the Senate to inspect the matter disputed and to do Justice therein Likewise where the Difference is between the King and a Clergy-man Commissioners are order'd but there the Bishop of the Diocess Claims the Nomination of one or more of them When any of the Officers of the Courts of Land-Judicature die the King cannot Name others till the District to which they belong'd have chosen Four out of the House-keepers but then he may pitch upon One for each Election This Office being once obtain'd it cannot be forfeited but by a Higher Promotion or Male Administration The other Courts for the Gentry are those that take cognizance of Criminal Cases whereof there is one only in every Starostaship call'd Sudy Grodskie Where either the Starosta himself or his Lieutenant-Criminal Administers Justice in his Castle or some other publick Place at least every Six Weeks He likewise has Cognisance of Civil Causes between such as have no Lands and such Forreigners as come to Trade here Process in Criminal Cases is to be serv'd here a Fortnight and in Civil a Week before the Court sits He is also the Executive Minister of all Sentences pronounc'd and likewise a sole Conservator of the Peace within his Territories He is oblig'd by himself or his Officers to see all Publick Executions perform'd The Courts of the Commonalty are either in Cities or Villages In Cities Justice is Administred by the Scabins Town-Hall or Judg-Advocate The Scabins have cognisance of all Capital Offences and Criminal Matters the Town-Hall of all Civil Cases to which likewise the Gentry are subject and the Judg-Advocate of Offences committed by Soldiers Civil Matters of small Moment are determin'd solely by the Governour of the City but which are subject to Appeal to the Town-Hall and thence to the King In Villages the Commonalty are subject to Scabins being the Kings Officers and to Scultets or Peculiar Lords from which last lies no Appeal Here Justice is almost Arbitrary except in Criminal Cases The Scultets are Hereditary Judges The Execution of all Sentences in Cities and Towns is in the hands of its own Magistrates though in some cases they are forc'd to beg Assistance from the Starostas The Officers and Magistrates of the Plebeian Courts are some nam'd by their Peculiar Lords and some Elected by their Fellow Citizens except in Cracow only where the Palatine has a Right of Choosing the Magistrates though he has not the same Power to dis-place them after they are once chosen for they are to continue their Office for Life unless they forfeit it by Infamy or Inability Out of the XXIV composing the Council or Senate of Cracow the Palatine every year deputes Eight with the Title and Power of Presidents He also Names the Judge and Scabins by the Magdeburg Laws though these in other Cities are chosen by the Council The Scultets or Hereditary Judges cannot be remov'd but in extraordinary Cases The Profits of all Offices are but very small and scarce any certain the Poles esteeming the Honour of enjoying them sufficient Recompence Nevertheless they have all Salaries and Perquisites though inconsiderable The Military
have one very great Grievance which is that they are oblig'd to serve in the Pospolite Ruszanie or General Muster of the Militia at their own Charges How the Polish Gentry came by all these Privileges it may not be here improper to enquire since it is certain that formerly they were not much better than Slaves For to pass by many other Examples Cromerus says they were once oblig'd to keep the King's Dogs The first Glimpse of their Liberty may reasonably be ascrib'd to the Privileges granted the Clergy by Boleslaus the Chast but afterwards when Poland began to be harrass'd by Civil Wars the Gentry obtain'd many larger Privileges from their Kings and which they have since always taken Care to get augmented at every new Election All the Gentry of Poland are equal by Birth notwithstanding some of the meaner Sort send their Children to serve the Great Men as other Servants and this principally to learn Breeding and to be kept in Awe yet may that very same Servant have as good a Vote in the Diet as his Master They neither value nor care for Titles of Honour for they think the greatest they can have is to be a Noble Pole or Gentleman of Poland Neither the King nor Republick gives any Title of Prince Duke Marquess Count Vicount Baron or Knight to any of the free-born of the Nation thinking I suppose that none can be any ways rais'd above another by a bare exteriour Denomination which argues more the Favour of the Prince than Merit of the Person preferr'd but rather by their Services in the Offices and Employments which they enjoy There are no Princes of the Kingdom but those which are of the Royal Family for altho some of the Poles have been made Princes of the Empire by the Emperour as Prince Lubomirski c. Yet it gives them no Precedence in Poland but rather renders them odious and despis'd by the rest of the Gentry who cannot endure that any should pretend to any Superiority among them especially by a Title which is not annex'd to some Employment in the Nation King Sigismund III. thought of establishing an Order of Knighthood of the Immaculate Conception in Poland and had effectually created several Knights thereof allowing them certain Privileges and a Superiority above others but these were so despis'd and undervalu'd by the rest of the Gentry that scarce any one afterwards car'd for that up-start Honour whereupon that Order soon dwindled into nothing The Poles have a Proverb to prove their Equality which is That they are measur'd like a Bushel of Corn that is whenever any one pretends to rise but a Grain above the Level he is immediately struck off and ridicul'd There are some Gentlemen in Poland that have had Dutchies time out of mind annex'd to their Estates as Duke Radzivil in Lithuania c. But there are no Dutchies or Counties created by the King Tho the Poles in their own Country have no Honorary Titles above a Gentleman yet several have been known to have usurp'd them when they have travell'd into France Italy and Germany for they there frequently assume those of Counts to themselves in like manner as the Germans in foreign Countries do those of Barons for nothing is more common than Monsieur le Conte Malakowski Il Signior Conde Potoski Mynheer Graff Jablonowski c. And this they do to be the more easily admitted into Company especially in Germany where 't is scarce thought that any body can be a Gentleman under a Baron and consequently not fit for Conversation Dr. Connor likewise says he has known some of our English Gentry in these Countries that have not scrupul'd to call themselves Lords to procure them the greater Respect since they saw that the Title of Gentleman alone was not regarded there The Gentry of Poland make and defend their own Laws and Liberties elect their King with all manner of Freedom give him the Crown and Scepter appoint Ministers to counsel and instruct him and their Number far exceeding that of the Senate they easily keep the King and Senators in their Duty and threaten both very often especially in the Diet where each Member has a Liberty to speak what he thinks and to think what he pleases 'T is they that despute the Nuncios out of themselves for every Province to meet and sit in the General Diet with full Instructions and absolute Power not to consent to any Proceedings which should in the least entrench on their Privileges or if such Deputies should happen to be brib'd to act contrary to their Instructions then have the Gentry of the Province whence they were sent a free Authority to punish them for so doing Not only these excessive Privileges make the Polish Gentry Powerful and Great but likewise the vast Territories which a great Number of them enjoy with a Despotick Power over their Subjects for some possess Five some Ten some Fifteen some Twenty nay some Thirty Leagues of Land out right whereon they have always their several Pod-Starostas or Gentlemen-Stewards residing who are to take Account of their Revenues to sell some things and to send the rest to their Masters Houses to defray the Exigencies of the Family Some also are Hereditary Sovereigns of Cities which the King has nothing to do with and one of the Princes Lubomirski possesses above Four Thousand Cities Towns and Villages Moreover some can raise an Army of Five Six Eight and Ten Thousand Men and maintain them at their own Charges when they have done Dr. Connor says Prince Lubomirski had actually Seven Thousand Horse Foot and Dragoons in Pay when he was in Poland All the Gentry of Note live most splendidly They have all their Horse and Foot Guards which keep Centry Night and Day at the Gates of their Houses they call them Courts and in their Anti-Chambers These Guards go before and after their Masters Coaches in the Streets But above all these Noblemen make an extraordinary Figure at the General Diets where some have Three Hundred some Five and some a Thousand Guards always attending them Nay Hauteville says that formerly some Great Persons have been known to come to the Diet with above Ten Thousand Men. They esteem themselves not only equal but also above the Princes of Germany especially such among them as are Senators 'T is certain they want nothing to be as so many Sovereign Princes except the Liberty of coining Money which the Republick has reserv'd wholly to it self The Doctor says he has no where seen Subjects live with such excessive Grandeur and Splendour for these Great Men when they go to Dinner or Supper have always their Trumpets sounding and a great Number of Gentry to wait on them at Table some whereof carve some give to drink others reach Plates and all serve with extraordinary Respect and Submission for tho all the Gentry in Poland are equal and have all their free Votes in the Diet yet
ones in the Suburbs The Inhabitants of this City and Suburbs are generally Germans and computed to be upwards of Two Hundred Thousand Souls whereof the greater Part have adhered to the Auspurg Confession ever since the Year 1525. and the Lutherans alone are admitted to a Share in the Government Yet all other Sects are tolerated and allow'd a free Exercise of their Religion The Publick Buildings of this City are First Their Churches whereof there are two very famous viz. St. Mary's and St. Peter's the former of which is by much the stateliest Fabrick in all Prussia being very highvaulted and having in it exceeding fine Organs Besides it is said to have 48 Altars 3722 Windows and a Font made at Antwerp which cost 24000 Rix-Dollars or 5400 Pounds Sterling Next There is the Town-House where the Magistrates sit This is a very magnificent Fabrick with an exceeding high Spire It has abundance of noble Inscriptions in several Rooms into which it is divided The Court of Judicature here is very fine being all built with Free-Stone and nam'd arlus-Arlus-House from its Founder In this City are three Magazines whereof one is very considerable and plentifully provided with all kinds of Stores and Ammunition for Land-Forces Here is no University but however a very famous College with Professors of all Faculties yet who do not give the Degree of Doctor Here is likewise a tolerable Exchange for Merchants to meet in The Palace of St. Dominick a beautiful Edifice A College for Jesuits c. The Jurisdiction of Dantzic extends to above 40 English Miles Circumference It sends two Deputies to the Diet of Poland as I have observ'd before in the First Volume of this Book The Absolute Government of it is in the Hands of Thirty Senators Elders or Magistrates whereof the greatest part are Persons of Learning tho' some few are Merchants but of no other Trade None of the Clergy can be of this Magistracy tho' any Foreigners may yet none of any other Religion but the Lutheran except the Calvinist whereof there must always be Four in the whole Senate The Senators when once created continue the same for Life The first and chiefest among them are the Four Burgomasters or as they call them Proconsuls out of which a President is chosen every Year Under these there are Thirteen Consuls who chuse the aforesaid Burgomasters out of their Body as often as they die away They likewise have the Chusing of all other Officers belonging as well to the Old as the New City There are Twelve Scabins or Judges for all manner of Process from whom there lies Appeal to the Thirteen Consuls and Four Burgomasters and from thence to the Court of Poland The Thirtieth Senator is their Syndic or Orator who is like a Master of the Ceremonies to receive and compliment any Foreign Ministers or Agents He takes Place of all the Scabins as the Consuls and Burgomasters do of him The King nominates every Year out of the Consuls or Burgomasters a Burgrave to represent his Person in the Senate And all Sentences of Death must be sign'd by him in the King's Name for no body can be executed here without such Signing I may take notice to Your Excellency that there is a Distinction in Executing Criminals of this City for Natives must always be executed before arlus-Arlus-House and Foreigners near one of the Gates of the City where the Prison lies All that are executed in the City are beheaded But all Thieves and Robbers are to be hang'd about two Miles out of Town at a famous Gallows supported by four Pillars of Brick To represent the Grievances of the People and to maintain their Privileges there are an Hundred Burghers chosen to inspect the Conduct of the Senate They have likewise a Vote in Electing the Clergy in Conjunction with the Senate Within this City and its Jurisdiction there are no Bishops but only a College of the Clergy who have no Power except to examine such as are design'd to be Elected Priests by the Senate and Centumviri the manner of whose Election is this The Candidate first makes his Application to the Clergy to examine him which done they give him a Certificate that they think him capable and allow him a Liberty to preach After which the People or Congregation of some Parish present him to the Senate and Centumviri desiring he may be Elected for their Minister when by Plurality of Voices he is Elected accordingly and thereupon sent back to the College of the Clergy to be Ordain'd which is perform'd by Imposition of Hands Reading of Prayers and some other Ceremonies This is likewise the Manner of Electing and Ordaining the Clergy in most Lutheran Countries In this City there are four Roman-Catholick Churches whereof one is the King's Chappel and the rest are for Monks There are also two for Calvinists where the Senate has no Power to nominate the Clergy I may here observe to Your Excellency That in Dantzic there is a particular Custom relating to Marriage which is That there is a Roman-Catholick Official a Priest who by his Power can oblige any Person to marry a Woman that he has but promis'd or given any Present to whatsoever though the Party never meant any such thing which occasions a great deal of Confusion and Disorder As for the King's Power in this City he can save any Body's Life that he pleases tho' condemn'd to die by the Magistrates To him half the Port-Customs come And one Mill brings him in every Hour of the Day and Night 24 Gold Ducats This Mill is mov'd by the Rodawn which runs thro' the City It grinds such a great Quantity of Corn all the Year round that its Revenue amounts to 4320 Pounds Sterling to the State and the King beside the Profit made by the Proprietors The City is oblig'd to put the King's Effigies on one Side of their Coin tho' they commonly have their own Arms on the other When the King comes thither they are to treat him and his Court for three Days together But however he can bring but a few of his Guards into the City The Dantzickers are oblig'd to have always a Secretary at the Court of Poland who as Dr. Connor says in his Time was one Mr. Alberti an ingenious Gentleman now or lately Syndic of Dantzic As for the City-Privileges They can coin their own Money without the King's Leave chuse their Magistrates make their own Laws and determine absolutely in Matters of Debt to the value of 500 Guilders but where the Action exceeds that Sum an Appeal lies to the Tribunal of Poland Yet in such Case the Appellant is oblig'd to lay down 100 Guilders in the Town-house before he can proceed and this is to deter People from making such Appeals for the Dantzickers do not much care that any of their Money should get into Poland but where they cannot help it This
England and Curland or the Ports of the City of Dantzic Moreover for the acknowledgment that the said Duke of Curland doth hold and enjoy the said Island of Tobago from and under his said Majesty it is further Provided and Agreed that when and as often as the said Lord the King his Heirs or Successors shall so require it or when he or they are engag'd in a War against another King Prince or State except only the King of Poland the Duke of Curland his Heirs and Successors at their own proper Costs and Charges from time to time shall bring or cause to be brought one good Man of War furnished with 40 great Iron Guns to such Ports Station or Place which his said Majesty his Heirs and Successors shall Name into which Ship his Majesty his Heirs and Successors shall put Commanders and Seamen and supply them with Food and Wages under the Conduct and at the Expences of the said King so long as the said Ship shall abide in his or their Service which at one time shall never exceed the limits of a Year For the Testimony and undoubted Confirmation whereof the abovesaid Parties namely the most Serene and most Potent King of Great Britain and the most Illustrious Duke of Curland have set their Hands interchangeably to the mutual Agreement contained and explained in these Presents and moreover have applyed their Great Seals for the Establishment thereof Hereupon at the Instance of the Duke of Curland's Minister His Majesty King Charles II. sent a Letter to the States-General to acquaint them with this his Grant and to recommend to their considerations the just Pretentions of the said Duke to this Island but notwithstanding the States enclining to favour the Lambson's Interest who had the Impudence to call this a sham-Grant affirming that his Majesty could not give that which was none of his to dispose of the said Royal Letter had little or no Effect till it happen'd that Count d' Etree the French Admiral took the Island and made there a miserable slaughter and Extirpation of the Dutch but who thought fit to quit the Possession of it soon after Notwithstanding several of the French Gentry and Merchants having a Prospect of Benefit before their Eyes afterwards Sollicited their King to Grant the said Conquer'd Island to them but which he generously refus'd declaring that it belong'd to a Neutral Prince who did no body any harm Hereupon the Duke without further loss of time prepar'd to send Ships to take possession of his Right and upon his Request King Charles was pleas'd to favour him with his second Royal Letter to the Government of Barbadoes directed to the then Governor Sir Jonathan Atkins and dated the 19th of January 1680 whereby that Governor was ordered not only to permit and suffer the Commanders and Officers of the said Ships to provide and furnish themselves with what they might stand in need of but likewise to be aiding and assisting to them with his Authority wherever there should be found occasion The like Letter was some time before dispatch'd from King Charles to the said Government by one of the Duke's Ships call'd the Flower-Pot but which together with the Ship was betray'd to the Pyrates of Algiers by one Captain Nagel the Commander Upon the Governor of Berbadoes's Receipt of the aforesaid Royal Letter the Duke was encourag'd to send a Governor to Tobago and soon after several others from time to time to keep possession thereof till by assistance of the English he might be able to establish a Colony there In 1681 the Duke enter'd into a Contract with Captain Pointz granting 120000 Acres of the said Island to him and Company upon very advantageous terms This Island lies very commodiously among the Caribbees or Antilles having many excellent Havens and Rivers and affording divers good Products and would be of very dangerous consequence to the English either in French or Dutch Hands for First when in the Years 1664 1665 and 1666 it was in the possession of the Dutch they took in the Wars several hundred Sail of Ships belonging to the Subjects of England either going or coming from the Plantations and brought them to Tobago but on the contrary were it in the English Hands under the Duke of Curland their Allegiance would prevent for the future the like Damages Secondly in the said Wars both French and Dutch made up their Fleets at the said Island and took and plunder'd St. Christopher's Mountserat Antegoa Berbudas c. to the great Damage of the English Thirdly King Charles was at excessive Charge in fitting out a Fleet to preserve Mevis from being taken by the Dutch in the said Wars And Fourthly the said Island being accommodated with Harbours and Roads beyond any other of the Caribbees might probably shelter Enemies to the English Crown when if it were in their Hands that inconveniency would be prevented Much more might be added concerning this Island but for brevity sake it is omitted only I may take notice that a French Geographer supposes that either Tobacco has taken its Name from this Island or this Island has been so called from that Weed This Duke James upon his succeeding his Father in the Dutchy of Curland was Married to Chariotte the Daughter of George William Elector of Brandenburg the last Elector Frederic William's Sister who died in 1676 by whom he had the late Duke Frederic Casimir Prince Ferdinand Lieutenant-General in the Elector of Brandenburgh's Army and Prince Alexander who was wounded by a Cannon-Ball at the Siege of Buda and who died in his way to Vienna and three Princesses whereof Louis Elizabeth Marry'd Frederic Landtgrave of Hesse of the Line of Hambourg Mary Amalia Marry'd May 21 1673 Charles Landtgrave of Hesse of the Line of Cassel And the third Charlotte lives still unmarry'd in the King of Sueden's Court. Duke James was succeeded by his Eldest Son Frederic Casimir but now lately deceas'd who while he was Prince serv'd under our present King in Holland in the first French War bringing several Regiments of Horse and Dragoons along with him and there Marry'd Princess Sophia Amalia of Nassau-Siegen who died in Child-bed on the 25th of December 1688 By this Dutchess he hath three Princesses alive He was a second time Marry'd at Berlin in the Year 1691 to the Princess Elizabeth Sophia the present Elector of Brandenburgh's Sister by whom he had two or more Sons This Duke died at Mittaw about the beginning of February 1698 and is succeeded by his Eldest Son Frederic Casimir II. the present Duke being a Child not above six years of Age. The Duke of Curland is Vassal to the Crown of Poland in like manner as the Electors are to the Emperor for when any new King is Elected there this Duke is oblig'd to send his Envoy to receive investiture by having a Standard deliver'd with the Arms of Poland on one side
to the People Next Day the King goes on Horse-back richly attir'd and in great Pomp to the Town-House some of the Senators carrying the Regalia before him The Order of March is the Bishops behind and the Lay Senators before and then the other Officers Nuncios c. before them While he is in Procession the Great Treasurer of the Kingdom scatters among the People a great Number both of Gold and Silver Medals more from the Castle to the town-Town-House Here he is habited a-new with his Royal Robes and seated in a splendid Throne erected on purpose when the Senate sitting in an inferiour Degree on each Hand of him the Magistrates of the City come to pay him their Homage and to assure him of their Fidelity and Loyalty presenting him again with the Keys of every of their Gates gilded and laid in a Silver Plate Which done the Chancellor assures them of the King's Favour and then reads aloud the Oath of Fealty to them which they then take on their Knees holding up their Hands all the while Having thus sworn the Magistrates Present him with a Purse of Gold and then receive their Keys back After which the King having deliver'd the Scepter and Globe to some of the Senators standing about him he receives a naked Sword from the Great Sword-bearer which rising up and flourishing over his Head towards the four Quarters of the World he sits down again and by a light Stroke of the Blade on the Shoulders of some of the Burghers creates them Knights This done the Great Treasurer in the King 's Return back to the Castle scatters some more Medals among the People whilst the Canons proclaim their Joy and if it be Night as generally it is by that Time all these Ceremonies are over the Fireworks are lighted and various Proofs of Satisfaction are every where both to be seen and heard The King being thus establish'd in the Throne the Diet of the Coronation sits where first the Primate lays down his Authority of Inter-Rex and then every individual Member of the Senate and Diet takes an Oath of Allegiance and Supremacy to the King after which his Majesty is invested with the Plenary Regal Authority he gives new Seals to the Chancellors and the Marshals bear their Staffs erected before him then he issues out his Royal Proclamation commanding all Magistrates and all other Officers of the Kingdom Great Dutchy and annex'd Provinces to cause his Coronation and Confirmation of the Peoples Liberties and Privileges to be proclaim'd on the first publick Days in every City and Town and afterwards to be registred in their Journals Also by the same Proclamation he gives Liberty to all the Courts of Justice to proceed after their usual Manner and then confirms aâ— the Acts and Constitutions which have pass'd in the Diet during the Inter-regnum As to what relates to a Queen of Poland's Coronation we must first observe that she cannot be Crown'd unless she be a Roman Catholick an Instance whereof we may see in Helena Wife to King Alexander who being of the Greek Perswasion and not caring to reform was not Crown'd Also we may read in History that Queens have either been Crown'd with their Husbands or without with their Husbands when they were either marry'd to them before or at the Time of their Coronation and without when they were marry'd afterwards with Consent of the Diet for it has always been thought so very necessary to have their Consent that it is inserted among the Articles of the Pacta Conventa Likewise the King cannot be Divorc'd from his Queen without the Approbation of the Diet Neither can he crown her if she be marry'd to him after his Coronation without their Consent but if she were marry'd before he may The Place of the Queen's Coronation is generally Cracow altho there have been some Examples to the contrary for Vladislaus VII caus'd his Queen Cecilia Renata to be Crown'd at Warsaw and King Michael his Queen Eleonora in the same City but however this last was with Leave of the Diet tho' at the same time they forbad it to go for a Precedent for the future What has been said about a Queen 's not being to be crown'd if a Dowager surviv'd is not so as may appear by several Examples As for the Manner of a Queen's Coronation alone it must be with the King's Consent he must request it of the Republick he must be present at the Ceremony he must lead his Queen into the Church and he must present her to the Archbishop or other Bishop who is to Crown her Anoint her with consecrated Oyl and to put a Scepter into her Right Hand and Globe into her Left The King likewise is to carry his Queen to the Town-house but she is to receive no Homage there Having thus My Lord amass'd the several Particulars intended for Your Lordships Perusal I have nothing left to do but humbly to acknowledge my Presumption and to have Recourse to your Candour and Goodness for Pardon and Protection I am My LORD Your Lordship 's most humble and most devoted Servant J. S. LETTER V. To the most Honourable JOHN Lord Marquess of Normanby Of the Power of the Gentry and Slavery of the Commonalty in Poland with an Account of the Customs and Manners of the People of that Kingdom as likewise of some peculiarly relating to particular Countries My LORD TO approach so great a Person as your Lordship on so trifling an Account as the Subject of this Letter I was conscious to my self was no way suitable On one Hand your known Abilities might reasonably deter my Presumption and on the other your elate Quality check my Ambition Yet considering at the same time that sometimes the greatest Genius's and Persons have stoop'd to be entertain'd with the Follies and Transactions of the Crowd I hop'd among the rest I might not offend if I address'd this Letter to you and the rather because it was first design'd for the Entertainment of your Lordships Leisure Hours My LORD The Third Order of the Republick of Poland is that of the Nobility out of which all the Senators and all other Officers as well Civil as Military are taken for no Body else that is not a Polish Gentleman tho' he be never so Noble in his own Country can be capable of any Preferment here unless it be some inconsiderable Posts in the Army the highest whereof is a Colonel or at most a Major-General which is much the same with a Brigadeer in our Army So that there is little or no Encouragement for Persons of foreign Countries of what Merit or Degree soever to go to serve this Republick which proves no small Inconvenience and Prejudice to their State As for the Citizens and Peasants they are excluded from all Preferments and can have no Possessions unless they be a few Houses in a City or a small Piece of Land about a League off in the
Crowns but they are worn only at Diets and descend from Father to Son The Fashion the Women use comes nearer to that of the Men than in most Countries In Lithuania the meaner sort make Shoes of Bark of Trees which they wrap about and put under the Soles of their Feet These Shoes they call Chodakys Of the tenderest Bark also they make Stockings turning and winding it about the Calves of their Legs Before they come into any Town they always take care to put on fresh Chodakys These every Countryman almost makes so that it is commonly us'd as a Jest in Poland That there are more Shoomakers in Lithuania than in all Europe besides The same People likewise wear a sort of Habit with Sleeves woven all of a Piece This they call Samodzialka It is commonly Gray and very thick and worn equally by Men and Women among the Rusticks Some few of the Poles imitate the French Fashion and wear Linnen Lace Point Perukes and Swords for those who retain the Polish Habit have no other Linnen but Shirts and Drawers and some of them Socks The ordinary sort of Gentry and even some of the Great Men put sifted Chaff into their Boots which serves them instead of Socks When I speak of the Poles wearing Linnen I mean only the Gentry and Citizens for the Peasants wear none at all unless some by chance happen to have Shirts of Course Cloth The Women formerly had only Garlands on their Heads compos'd of Gold Gems Flowers Silk and the like but now they wear Silk Caps lin'd with Furr like the Men. They also formerly imitated the Women of Foreign Countries and in the late Reign all the Women of Quality particularly those that resided at Court follow'd the French Mode King John III's Queen being of that Nation Never does the Price hinder their having fine things for they suffer themselves to be Bubbled by Foreign Merchants especially French at a ridiculous rate Both Women and Men are Extravagant to an infinite Degree insomuch that some among them will have fifty Suits of Cloaths at once all as Rich as possible but what shews their Prodigality yet more is that they will almost have their Servants go as well drest as themselves whereby they generally soon spend their Estates and are reduc'd in a short time to the extreamest Want But this Prodigality of theirs does not only extend to their Habits but likewise to their Buildings Equipage and other Customs In their modern Buildings many of them imitate the Italians tho' generally speaking indeed their Houses are Small and Low especially in the Country They never live above Stairs and their Houses are not united The Kitchin is on one side the Stable on another the House on another and the Gate in the Front All which make a Court either Square or Round These Houses are for the most part of Wood though the other sort are both of Brick and Stone The Inside of their Houses is generally hung with Tapestry or Arras and all the rest of their Houshold-stuff and Utensils proportionably suitable Yet towards Tartary they do not much care to have any Furniture extraordinary for fear of the Incursions of that Barbarous People Therefore in that part of Poland the Gentry content themselves with a few small Beds with Taffeta Curtains just enough to serve their Family for if any go to Lodge at their Houses they generally carry their Beds along with them The Polish Gentry have seldom any Gardens or Orchards to their Houses though their Country be very proper for Fruit-Trees whereby they might save the Expence of a great deal of Corn which they consume in Beer by making of Cider and Perry Although it be extream Cold in Poland yet will the Polish Gentry have almost every one a Bagnio in his House in which the Women have their Apartments separate from the Men. There are likewise publick Baths in every City and Town for the use of the Common People which they frequent not only in Summer but also in Winter From their frequent use of Baths probably comes the reason that the Polish Children are seldom Scabby either in Head or Face It may be here also observ'd that the Children in Poland are seldom distorted crooked or ill-shap'd as it often happens in other Countries because here they do not Swath their Children but only wrap them loose in Linnen Clouts The Poles are generally so great Admirers of Splendour and Show that their Women seldom stir out of Doors without a Coach and Six though it be only cross the way either to Church or to Visit a Neighbour but the Men for the most part go on Horseback and rarely on Foot which they look upon to be very Ignoble Both Men and Women are always attended with a great Number of Servants of both Sexes The Women to wait on the Women and the Men on the Men. The Principal Senators always Ride or Walk in the middle of their Retinue putting the best Cloath'd of their Servants before them When the Gentry of either Sex go abroad a Nights they have twenty four or more Whitewax Flambeaux carried before their Coach Women of Quality generally have their Trains born up by He or She-Dwarfs These Ladies have also with them an Old Woman which they call their Governante and an Old Gentleman for their Gentleman-Usher whose Office is to follow their Coach on Foot and to help them out of it when they Alight It may be remark'd that their Coaches go always very slow and gravely The reason of these two Old Peoples waiting on the Ladies is not because their Husbands are Jealous as in most of the Eastern Countries for the Polish Ladies are generally very Modest and do not at all abuse the great Liberty allow'd them But this Rule does not hold among the Common People for Maids with them never think themselves awhit the worse for being unmarried Mothers Nor is their Frailty any hinderance to their Fortune for they soon Marry again and thereby repair the Scandal These sort of Grass-Widdows most commonly serve for Nurses for a Virtuous Marry'd Woman though she be never so Poor will hardly ever Nurse any Child but her own It may be observ'd notwithstanding all these Honours done the Women in Poland that they do neither keep the Purse nor wear the Breeches for when they have a mind to have any thing they are oblig'd to ask their Husbands for it by Kneeling Embracing his Knees and calling him their Benefactor except some few Trifles of course allow'd them As Butter and Eggs after the House is serv'd and Flax ready hitchell'd by the Peasants all which indeed they may dispose of without their Husband's Privity but as to other Things they cannot For the Man is the sole Manager of all Things in Poland and the Women have little more to do than to Eat Drink and Divert themselves As the Poles
reflect on those States that have a great many Fortifications we shall find that with the Loss of but one Battel they have been in a manner ruin'd for the Enemies being once got into their Strong-Holds are not easily forc'd out of them When on the contrary the Poles always rally in a Field-Battle and having no Places to retire to either for themselves or their Enemies never give out till they have totally excluded their Invaders Besides the Poles look upon Garrisons to be the Promoters of Effeminacy and Softness by the Examples of several Heroes of Antiquity for the Courages of Alexander and Hannibal were altogether enervated by their Revels at Persepolis and Capua and Boleslaus bury'd as it were in his Debauches at Kiovia Next I must proceed to present Your GRACE with an Account of the General Officers of the Army And first Of the Generals whereof there are two one for the Kingdom and another for the Great Dutchy as I have observ'd before He that is for the Kingdom is stil'd Hetman Wielki Koronni and he for the Dutchy Hetman Wielki W. X. Litheuskiego These as I have said before have almost the same Power with the King whilst they continue in the Field over their respective Armies for their Authority is altogether independent on each other This Dignity does not intitle them to sit in the Senate yet for the most part they are chosen out of the Senatorian Order and that to procure them the greater Respect and sometimes they have at the same time been the highest Officers in the Kingdom as Great Marshal Great Chancellor c. for John Zamoski was both Great Chancellor and General at once Yet this was afterwards abrogated and now the Office of General or Lieutenant General is usually conferr'd either upon the Palatins or Castellans who altho' they be in a manner superiour to the Great Officers of the Kingdom in respect of their Sitting in the Diet when the others are to stand about the King yet they are not presum'd to have so great a Power in the Republick This Office was not long since perpetual but now by the Constitutions in the Year 1666. it is to expire at the End of three Years Each of these Generals has his Lieutenant General The Office of these is describ'd in the Letter to his GRACE the Duke of NORFOLK and therefore need not be repeated here The Title the Poles give the former is Hetman Polny Koronni and to the latter Hetman Polny W. X. Litheuskiego In the absence of the Generals they have almost the same Power with them and formerly had equal tho' the Generals were present but that was afterwards abrogated They are chosen out of the Senatorian Order in like manner as the Generals Besides these there are the Generals of the Frontier-Guards which are independent on all but the King and Diet Likewise the General of the Cosacks whose power is established by the Constitution in the Year 1661. Next may be reckon'd the Chief Commander of the King's Guards in the Camp whose Office has been describ'd already in the Letter before-mention'd Next to these General-Officers come the Great Masters of the Artillery whereof there are two one for the Kingdom and another for the Great Dutchy Their Office is to take charge of and to provide the Armies with all sorts of Cannon c. and to see the Soldiers want for no Ammunition After these may be rank'd the Pissarsz of the Army that is to say the Intendant the Great Ensign the Camp-Marshal the Captain of the Guard or Watch and lastly the Major Generals which are much the same with our Brigadiers Then come the Colonels Captains c. There are two other sorts of Officers belonging to the Army which are the Camp-Notaries and the Roto-Magistri The former are to take an exact account of the number of Soldiers in the Army every three Months and to transmit a Copy thereof to the Great Treasurer and another to the Nuncio-Marshal but in Lithuania this is to be done every Month and the Nuncio-Marshal's Copy is to be given to the General The Roto-Magistri are as it were Captains or Centurious of the Frontier-Guards and who cannot by the Constitutions enjoy such a Commission and be Senators at the same time As to the Laws relating to Arms Your GRACE may first be pleased to understand that tho' the King cannot properly be said to declare War without the unanimous consent of the Diet yet in cases of sudden Incursions he might formerly with the Approbation only of such of the Senators as were then about him And under Sigismund III. there was a Council of War assign'd by the Diet or elected by the little Diets amounting to a considerable number to attend and advise in those matters which Council continues even at this day however with this restraint That what they do is not altogether valid till it has been confirm'd by the General Diet but as to offensive War that belongs peculiarly to the Great Diet to declare The King in like manner cannot either give to or receive Assistance from any Foreign Prince without the consent of the General Diet neither can he place any Foreigner in the custody of Castles or Forts without their Approbation The Poles have many other Laws concerning Martial Discipline which I have not Room here to Insert only I may take notice to Your GRACE that Deserters are punish'd not only with the loss of their Reputation but also whatever else they have in the World is Consiscated to the sole use and benefit of the Army By the Laws also no Women are suffer'd to follow the Camp tho' too great a number of Servants and useless Rabble are allow'd of insomuch that in an Army of but 10000 Men there will at least be 50000 of that Gang. Thus my Lord I have presum'd to present your GRACE with what particulars I could find as well in the best Polish Historians as in some private Memoirs relating to the Military Affairs in Poland and which I hope tho' not capable to afford what satisfaction might be expected may at least give no occasion of Offence I am My LORD Your Grace's most Humble and most Obedient Servant J. S. LETTER VII To his Excellency Monsieur de CLEVERSKERK Ambassador in Ordinary to his Majesty WILLIAM III. from the States of Holland Of the Trade Coyn and Riches of Poland with an Account of the Famous City of Dantzic its Manners Privileges Strength and Revenues MY LORD TRADE has ever been justly esteem'd so necessary towards the Support and Grandeur of any State that no Nation in the World has hitherto been found so Stupid as to be without it Some Countries indeed have wholly confin'd it to the limits of their own Dominions but how much they have been in the wrong may appear from the vast advantages which Foreign Commerce has brought to other Nations England and Holland are sufficient Demonstrations of this Assertion who during
Kingdom have a right to any of these Mines as likewise to those of any Metals found upon their Lands there being by the Constitutions no Royal Mines in Poland except those of white Salt only which belong peculiarly to the King Throughout all Poland and Lithuania there are a great many Corn and Cachat-Mills but scarce any for Fulling or Paper yet which they might very well have by reason of their great number of rapid Streams In this and in other respects the Poles are very negligent of their own Interest being content to pay great rates for Cloth and Paper when they might easily have both of their own Manufacture As for Leather tho' no People use it more having almost all Boots and Chariots which they call Ridevans yet do they not care to take the trouble of dressing it themselves but suffer Foreigners to do it for them and which commonly they pay very dear for when done The Poles Trade very much in fresh Fish amongst themselves and the manner of their Fishing I imagine may not be unacceptable to your Excellency having something peculiar in it Their Lakes and Fish-ponds in Poland and Lithuania being generally so large that it would be almost impossible ever to drain them They usually choose to Fish them in Winter when they are all frozen up They first make a great hole in the Ice to let down their Nets and afterwards several little ones from place to place that they may draw them along from hole to hole with a Rope fastned to a long Pole till they bring them back to the first large opening When the two ends of the Nets are brought together they pull them up and bring out with them all the Fish that happen to be within the space of Water thro' which the Nets were drawn for they cannot possibly leap over them because of the Ice Throughout all Poland and Lithuania there are huge quantities of Honey to be found in the Woods either in hollow Trees holes of the Ground or any where else that the Bees can find to settle in Of this Honey as I said before the People make several sorts of Mead with which and the Wax that comes from it they Trade very much into the Neighbouring Countries Now is it not a great wonder that these Bees can produce so great plenty of Honey in so Cold a Climate But it seems they find something in the Fir-Trees whereof there are great numbers in every Wood that supplies the place of Flowers which they suck their materials from in other Countries Before I proceed to give your Excellency a description of the Famous City of Dantzic I must take some cursory Notice of the former Trade of Prussia before its Inhabitants came to have the use of Money In the XIIIth Century the Teutonic Knights coming out of Germany into Prussia brought along with them the Coin of their Country for before that time the Prussians only barter'd Commodities with their Neighbours Their chiefest Trade then lay in Electrum or Amber of the Nature of which Hartman a late German Author gives this account He says that since it can neither be melted down nor is Malleable it is impossible it should be Metal and because it is too solid a Body to come under the Species of Sulphur or Bitumen it must necessarily be rank'd among the precious Stones This Amber is of divers Colours and notwithstanding Hartman insinuates it to be always solid yet is it certain that sometimes it is as liquid as Oyl There is a black sort of it which is no other than what we call Jett A Description of the City of DANTZIC TO come to the Description of Dantzic in Latin Dantiscum or Gedanum your Excellency may be pleased to understand that it is the Capital and Largest City in Royal Prussia and lies in 41 Degrees and 30 Minutes of Longitude and in 54 Degrees and 20 Minutes of Latitude It is Situate in one of the three Islands of which Regal Prussia consists called by the Germans der Dantzicher Werder the other two having the Names of der Marienbursche Werder and der Elbingsâ—her Werder This Name Der Werder implies properly so many pieces of solid Ground encompassed by Fenns and Boggs By whom this City was first built remains as yet undetermin'd Becanus will have the Danes to have been the Founders of it and from them to have been called Danes-wick i. e. Danes-Town but this derivation seems to have too much Dutch in it therefore it is more probable that to the word Dan Cdan or Gdan was added the Sclavonian term Scke signifying a Town which made it Danscke Cdanscke or Gdanscke and which might very reasonably be suppos'd afterwards for better Pronunciation's sake to be chang'd into Dantzig or Dantzic It is distant about 80 Polish Miles from Cracow 40 from Posnan 50 from Warsaw 30 from Gnesna 22 from Thron 24 from Koningsberg 8 from Elbing 6 from Marienburg and near 4 English Miles from the Baltick Sea and is built on the borders of the Vistula on the North-West side of the aforesaid Island The Town it self is watered by the Rivers Rodawn and Motlaw and divided by the former into two parts the Old and the New On the Southern and Western side it is surrounded with high Mountains and was well fortified with Bulwarks against the Incursions of the Swedes in the Year 1656. It has a large and high Wall so broad that Coaches easily go round the Ramparts and so large in compass that it is three hours Journey round which I may very well compute at six English Miles At the Entrance of the Rodawn on the other side it has a strong Fort wherein there is commonly kept a Garrison of 1000 Soldiers It is impossible this City should be Bombarded from the Sea by reason of its distance from it but from the Neighbouring Hills it may and therefore some Works are raised there and always a certain number of Soldiers with store of Cannon and Ammunition plac'd in them for its greater security This City is at present a famous Mart and one of the principal of the Hanse-Towns being altogether govern'd by its own Laws tho' under Protection of the Crown of Poland from which it has a Castellan appointed over it Half of the Suburbs belong to that Crown and the other half to the City for in some Parts the Crown-Lands reach to the Suburbs but in others the City-Lands go several Miles together into the Country There are Twenty Parishes in the City and the Suburbs The Houses are generally of Brick and the Streets most commonly very large and well pav'd tho' somewhat dirty in Winter as most of the Towns in Poland are The chief Part of the City call'd by the Inhabitants Die rechte Stadt was built by Conrad Wallenrodt Master of the Teutonick Order about the Year 1388. There are no Gardens in the City but nevertheless several very fine and large
and those of Curland on the other After this the Envoy is permitted to sit down to cover his Head and has great civilities paid him This Duke has all the Regalia that the German Soveraign Princes have He Coins Money in his own Name and has high and low Justice over the Noblemen of his Country only in some extraordinary cases Appeals may be made to the Court of Poland He has great Demesns of which his Revenue chiefly consists and keeps a very pretty Court having all his great Officers as other Princes have The chiefest of which are The Landhoff-Meister or chief Minister The High Chancellor The Supreme Marshal and The Supreme Burgrave These are the Four great State Officers The more inferiour are The Councellors of State which are the Supreme Starostas whereof two are for Curland viz. The Supreme Starostas of Goldingen and Tuczkon And two for Semigallia viz. The Supreme Starostas of Mittaw and Selburg These Staâ—ostas ought all to be Noble Natives and Landed-Men Next follow the Governors of Places Military-Officers c. The Gentry of this Country are very Antient and very free being exceedingly Jealous of suffering any Upstart Nobleman to come among them esteeming nothing so much as Ancient Families and Creations Before I proceed to give a farther account of this Country I must add a word or two more concerning the Livonian Order and which I could not have done before unless I had broke the Chain of the Connection The Provincial Master of this Order was wont to be chosen by the Great Chapter of Prussia whereupon when in the Year 1439. the Livonian Knights had Elected one Henry a Bukenode for their Master they were forc'd to give a reason for their having so done and notwithstanding were afterwards oblig'd to submit to a new Election in Prussia Next the Provincial Master of the Livonian Order was the Marshal of the Order After whom came the several Commendadors and the Advocates The Commendadors were in number Eleven whereof the two first were in Curland and the third in Semigallia The Advocates were Nine two having been of Curland and one of Semigallia These Knights had the Title of the Order of Sword-Bearers and their Habits Arms were a White Mantle with a Sword on the Breast in Pale and a Star Gules in Chief but after their joining with the Teutonick Order they had likewise their Habit and Cross For a Geographical Description of this Country I must acquaint you Sir that the two Dutchies of Curland and Semigallia have these several principal Cities and Towns for I cannot meet with any sub-division into Jalatinates or Districts as I have perform'd in Poland In the Dutchy of Curland are the several Cities and Towns of Goldingen Cap. Vinda Bish Pilten Liba Erdwalen Angermund Grubin Tuczkon Frawenburg Vschwend Talsen Candaw Durben Hasenpot and Oendange Of all which the chief City is Goldingen in Latin Goldinga a City that stands on the Banks of the River Wete about seven German Miles from Vinda or Windaw to the West and near fifteen from Mittaw in Semigallia to the East This City has a large Jurisdiction Vinda or Windaw call'd by the Poles Kiescz is a City and Palatinate It has a Castle built on the Sea-shoar and which was formerly Residence to the Livonian Knights as likewise the place where they conven'd their Parliament or General Assemblies Now it has usually a Garrison of Poles but which are nevertheless under command of the Duke of Curland This City is one of the Sea-ports of Curland the other being Liba Pilten is a Town and Palatinate of this Dutchy whose Gentry being Protestants and offering themselves to the King of Poland's Protection he endeavoured to re-establish a Popish Bishop there this having formerly been a Catholick Bishoprick whose Lands they then possess'd whereupon they alter'd their Resolutions and forthwith submitted to the Duke of Curland These are the richest Gentry in this Prince's Dominions whereof the principal Families are those of Maydel Beher Sacken Mandevil c. In the Dutchy of Semigallia are the Cities and Towns of Mittaw Metropolis of these Dominions Bauske Doblin Selburg Radziwiliski Nithaw Birze Pozwole Lunka Dalen Schudding Pilkall Beher Nersten and Salatt Of all which the Capital of this Dutchy and Metropolis of the Duke of Curland's Dominions is Mittaw in Latine Mittavia or Mittovia the usual place of Residence of the Dukes of Curland This City is built on the River Musza and is a pretty large place containing about Twelve Thousand Inhabitants It has a weak Wall tho' nevertheless a well Fortifi'd and stately Castle with two Bastions which are surrounded by Marshes and defended by a strong and numerous Garrison The streets of this City are not Pav'd for want of Stone and the Citizens Houses are either of Brick or Timber as in Poland This place lies about seven Polish Miles from Riga in Regal Livonia and only four from the Prontiers of Samogitia It has been twice taken of late by the Swedes but has been since regain'd and is at present wholly subject to its Duke Bauske another strong City in this Dutchy which has a well Fortifi'd Castle and a numerous Garrison The Religion of this Country is generally Lutheran tho' there are some few Roman Catholicks and Calvinists there In favour of the first the late Duke at the King of Poland's request gave leave for the building of two Roman Catholick Churches one at Mittaw and the other at Goldingen The Jesuits pretend to have bought this Cureteship of Mittaw and upon that account to have settled there but nevertheless they are frequently oppressed and their College was broke down not long since yet notwithstanding they still subsist The Dutchesses of Curland having been all hitherto Calvinists have always had one Church at Mittaw set a part for them and their Religion where the Calvinists and Protestants of Livonia as likewise the English Merchants of Riga come to Exercise their Devotion there being no liberty of Conscience allowed throughout the King of Sweden's Dominions except at Stockholm only where the French Huguenots have been permitted to build a Church As to the Government of Curland there is first The Parliament or General Assembly of the States of this Duteby which is conven'd after this manner The Duke as often as any Urgencies of State so require it sends out his Letters of Summons to all the Starostas of his Dominions together with a Schedule of the Points propos'd to be debated on requiring them and every of them to cause Deputies or Representatives of the Gentry to be forth with Elected in their respective Jurisdictions whereupon they are soon Elected accordingly and furnished with Instructions from their Electors how they shall behave themselves in like manner as in Poland These afterwards meeting at Mittaw together with the four Supreme Counsellors consult
over his Pretâ—nsions 208. c. Cujavia Territory Division into Palatinates 234. Chief Cities and Towns ibid. Cracovia Palatinate It s division into Districts 237. Cities and Towns ibid. Their several Descriptions 238 c. Castellan's Power 248. Czentochova a Town Famous for a Convent 244. Cruswick City It s Description 235. Culm Pal. Join'd by the Territory of Michalovia 260. Chief Cities and Towns ibid. Their several Descriptions ibid. c. Culm City It s Description 260. Caminiec City It s description 275. Built 320. Chelm Pal. Division into Districts 282. Chief Cities and Towns ibid. Their descriptions ibid. c. Chelm City It s description 282. Crasnistaw Town It s description 282. D. Denmark It s King taken Prisoner II. Dantzic Made a City 39. Dantzickers reduc'd 89 c. First allow'd a Vote 120. Deputies first admitted to the Diet 65. Diet. Conven'd 85 101 119 124 140 154 205. Dobrina Pal. In what abounds 289. Division into Districts ibid. Chief Cities and Towns 290. Their Descriptions ibid. c. Dobrina City It s description 290. E. Election By Horse-race 15. Peaceable 118. Of Sigisimund de Vasa 106. Of Uladislaus VII 119. Of John Casimir 124. Of Michael Wiesnowiski 144. Of John Sobieski 155. Embassadors Admitted to Audience 105 120 141 159. Elbing Town It s description 263. F. Family of Lechus 11 c. Cracus from 12 to 14. Leschus II. from 15 to 17. Piastus from 21 to 57. Jagello from 58 to 82. Factions Lutheran and Catholick 102. Not to be United 103. The former Mutiny ibid. Suppressed ibid. Three Factions 103. Lutheran's Policy 105. Frederic August King Elected 207. Takes possession of Cracow ibid. Crown d ibid. Reasons why he is likely to restore Poland 209. First German Prince that has been King ibid. G. Great Poland Province It s Division 220. Palatinates 221. Their several Cities and Towns ibid. c. Their Arms 226 c. Gnesna City It s description 223. Great Dukes of Lithuania Their several Lives from 310 to 324. Grodno City It s description 329. H. Henry I. Elected and Dethron'd 48. Appoints a Successor in vain ibid. Hedwigis Queen comes into Poland 58 Is Crown'd and how long Reign'd ibid. Has several Suitors ibid. Marries Jagello 59. Dies ibid. Henry of Valois King Sent for by the Diet 85. Agrees to Articles and takes an Oath ibid. c. Is Crown'd 86. Abdicates Poland 87. Embassies sent after him in vain ibid. House of Austria Jealous of Sigismund I's greatness 71. Raises Enemies against him ibid. How came by Hungary Bohemia and Silesia ibid. Habit of the Poles 177. Heilsberg City It s description 263. Halicz Town It s description 271. I. Jagello Great Duke of Lithuania Becomes Christian 59. Crown'd King of Poland and how long Reign'd ibid. Converts the Lithuanians ibid. Founds the University of Cracow ibid. His Wars ibid. Death and Issue 60. John Albert King His Character 66. Policy and Army defeated ibid Makes Peace with the Valachians and Turks 67. His Death ibid. John Casimir King Led a Religious Life and made Cardinal 124. His Character and Travels 126. Like to be excluded ibid. c. Elected 128. His Marriage ibid. His Wars ibid. c. Suedish King invades Poland 139. Wherefore 131. Motives and means of Casimir's Abdication 134. His Death 135. His Epitaph 136. John Basilowitz Czar of Muscovy Is a great Tyrant and his variety of Tortures 78. John III. Sobieski Elected in the Year 1674 163. His Father and Mother ibid His Travels 164. His Marriage ibid. His Generosity 165. Zeal to Arms discourag'd 166. War with the Turks and Tartars 167 c. A Battle 169. His Coronation 172. He relieves Vienna 173. Defeats the Turks 174. His entry thro' the Breach 175. Pursues the Enemy ibid Takes Zytehin in Hungary 176. Enters into a League against the Turks 177. Is immoderately covetous ibid. His Person and Dress ibid. His Character 179. Engages Dr. Connor in a Dispute ibid. His Buildings 184. Care of his Children 185. His great Riches ibid. Fortune formerly and gradual Promotion 150 His Sister 198 What Issue she left 200. Account of the King's Distemper from the Bishop of Plosko 201 c. The King's Death 204. Reflections on his Disease ibid. Inter Regnum before the present King's Election 205. Inowlocz Pal. Division into Districts 235. Chief Cities and Towns ibid. K. King Of Poland his Policy 8. The first 9 25. Four classes of Kings 10. Title ceases 30. Restor'd 48. King of Sueden enters into a League with the Elector of Brandenburg 132. Koningsberg in Regal Prussia built 45. It s description 264. Kalisch City It s description 226. Kalisch Pal. Its Arms 227. Kiovia Pal. How bounded 277. Chief Cities and Towns 278. Their descriptions ib. c. Kiow City It s Description 278. L. Laws What formerly in Poland 5. Lechus I. 10. Founds Poland 5. Builds Posnan and Gnesna 6. Occasions Poland the Name of Lechia ib. His Posterity how long Reign'd 11 12. II. His Banishment and Death 13. Lescus I. 14. Elected by a Stratagem ib. Reign and Death uncertain 15. II. How Elected 14. His Death 15. III. His death uncertain 16. IV. His Character and Death 23. V. Surnam'd the White 39. Under Guardians ib. His Wars 40. Is dethron'd ib. Restor'd ib. Dethron'd again 41 Put by an Election ib. c. Re-establish'd 42. Murther'd in a Bath ib. VI. When Elected and how long Reign'd 46. His Wars ib. Insurrection against him ib. Retires into Hungary 47. Returns with success ib. His death ib. Leaves his Kingdom in distraction ib. Lasconâ—gus Vide Uladislaus III. Locticus vide Uladislaus IV. Lewis King of Hungary When Crown'd and how long Reign'd 56. Oblig'd to take an Oath ib Returns into Hungary ib. His Wars Death and Issue 57. Commendable Example of his ib. Leopol City whence so call'd 46. It s description 267. Luther's Doctrine when first known here 70. Very much propagated 78. The occasion ib. First Person of Note that embrac'd it ib. Lutherans Contend for share in the Government 101. Obtain perpetual Liberty of Conscience ib c. Lutheran party Dissents 107. Elects and Proclaims Maximilian of Austria 〈◊〉 2 Pronounc'd Traytors by the Diet 108. Lithuanid Tends towards a Civil War 160. How call'd by the Inhabitants 302. Present Bounds ib. Antient Extent ib. Soil and Products ib. c Union with Poland and Privileges 303. Division ib. Its Arms ib. Different Opinions about its Name 304. Its Dukes from 305 to 310. Division into Palatinates 324. Lithuanid Proper Province 325. Lesser-Poland Province Its Bounds 236. It s Division into Pal. ib. c. Their several Arms 249 254 257. Lowitz City It s description 231. Lanschet Pal. It s division into Districts 232 Chief Cities and Towns ib. Lanschet City It s Description 232. Lublin Pal. Join'd by the Territory of Lukovia 254. Chief Cities and Towns 255. Their several Descriptions ib. c. Lublin City It s Description 255. Lutzk City It s Description 295. M.
General of the Clergy How often and where Conven'd 115. Minor Clergy admitted by Deputies ib. Courts of Justice The Kaptur what and its Power 115. Ecclesiastical 116. Of Nunciature ib. High Tribunals ib. c. Senate and Green-Cloth 117. Exchequer-Courts ib. Of Land-Judicature with its Judges 118. Of the Vice-Chamberlains ib. Gentry's Criminal Courts 119. Commonalty-Courts in Cities ib. In Villages 120. Where Courts of Justice cease 129. Exception ib. Relating to Courts of Justice in Lithuania 224 Former Judges there 225. Candidate for Election What Qualifications requir'd in him 140 c. Ceremony Of the King's Swearing to the Pacta Conventa 149 c. Of his Entring Cracow 154. The Interrment of a deceased King 155. Obsequies and Procession 154. Procession at the Coronation 156. Ceremony thereat ib. Farther Particulars ib. c. Coronation-Oath 157. Words at Kissing the Book 159. Unction c. ib. c. How pronounc'd King 161. Feasts thereupon ibid. Ceremony of Creation of Teutonic Knights 71. * Coronation King appoints the Day 153. Place fix'd ib. Exceptions ib. By whom perform'd 155. Manner of Crowning 160. Enthroning ibid. Curland Bishop of Vide Samogitia Bishop of Curland Dutchy Its Bounds and Extent 99 * Soil and former State ib. c. * When wholly conquer'd 100 * Converted by degrees ib. * Its Dukes 105 c. * Duke Vassal to Poland 115 * His Privilege and Power 116 * Revenue and Court ibid. * Chief Officers ibid. * Condition of Gentry ib. 117 * Geographical Description 118 * Government 121 * Degrees of Demanding Justice 122 * Ecclesiastical Courts 123 * City-Courts ibid. * Ministerial Officers ibid. * Trade of Curland ibid. * Corn in great Request ibid. * When Curland is to revert to Poland ibid. * D. Diet Grand of Poland How resembles the English Parliament 5. What it is 6 83. It s Power ib. By whom call'd and where and how often meets ib. Manner of calling it and proceedings thereupon 84. Divides into three Nations 91. Proceedings at the opening 95. After the choice of a Speaker ib. Proceedings in the Lower House 96. Conferences between the two Houses 95. Upper House how employ'd 96. Committees ib. Manner of breaking up Session in the lower House ib. Both Houses joined ib. Diets Session limited and wherefore 98 c. Matters generally treated of 99. Great concourse there 101. Provisions not scarce ib. Dangerous to be out a Nights 102. Visits unacceptable ib. Order of Session in the Diet ibid. c. Causes of disunion here 105. By whom somented ib. Great freedom of Speech 108. Policy of concluding matters by an unanimous consent 110. Diet of Convocation How summon'd 126. Proceeding in little Diets ib. First proceedings in this Diet 128. Diet of Election Where held c. 131 c. First proceedings there 133. Exorbitancies examin'd 135. Diet proceeds to Election 137 c. Farther particulars thereof 138 c. Great concourse there and Policy to byass them 139 c. Rules observ'd in Elections 141. Poland why preserv'd Elective 142 c. Diets Little Where meet 84. Qualifications for and Manner of Voting there 89. Proceedings 90. Deputies Representatives of the Gentry Elected only by the Gentry 6. Assume great Liberty in the Diet 34 c. Who and how many chosen with their Instructions 90. How chosen 91. Their Number ib. Cannot be Senators ib. Their Salaries ib. When first sent ib. Their Power 95. Confirm'd and encourag'd ib. Their Privileges 95 c. How long sit 96. Have great Guards at the Diet 102. Awe the King and Senate 104. Their Business after Diet of Convocation 131. Dantzic Privileges 23 * Where situate by whom built and whence so call'd 42 * How distant from other Places ib. c. * Division and Strength 43 * One of the Hanse-Towns ib. * Parishes Buildings Streets and Gardens 44 * Inhabitants their Number and Religion ib. * Churches and town-Town-House ib. * Magazines College Exchange c. 45. * Jurisdiction and Government ib. * Senators and their Division ib. * Scabins Syndic and Burgrave 46 * Centum-viri and their Power ib. c. * City's Power and Privileges 48 * Force by Land and Sea 49 * How often Taken and Regain'd 50 * Admitted to Vote in Election of Polish Kings 51 * Dutchies What in Poland 174. Descents Nature of them in Poland 180. Children support their Families however 181. Divines Polish How far their Learning extends 78. * Their Divinity 79. * E. Escheator His Power 77. Embassadors Sent to the Diet of Election 129. Notifie their Arrival and how are receiv'd ib. c. 135 c. Others sent from the Republick 130. Caution to Foreign Ministers ib. c. What requisite in Foreign Ministers 136. What Foreign Embassadors are oblig'd to 179. Election Decree of Presented the King 150. Exercises What practis'd in Poland 202. Edibles What Sorts us'd among the Poles 209. Odd Dainties 210. Pottage and Sauces 215. Crachat what and how made 216. Edibles among the Rusticks of Lithuania 227. Meat and Drink of the Peasants in Prussia 235. F. Fasts in Poland How observ'd 51. Poles retain a rigid Custom and wherefore 52. Factions Foreign What promotes them 106. Fashions Present in Poland 196. What Furrs us'd ib. Some follow the French Mode 197. Women's former and late Fashions ib. c. Families Polish What 202. Fowl Sorts in Poland 211 c. Fish What Kinds the Poles have 212. Feasts Customs thereat 216. Banquetting-Halls ib. c. Particulars of Servants there 217. Feasts made by Turns 218. Foot Polish What and how employ'd 13 * Hir'd and their Condition ib. c. * Why so much us'd and Arms and Liveries 14 * Hungarians when first hir'd 16 * Force Polish Causes that weaken it 18 c. * Other Inconveniencies that suppress it 21 c. * Means to avoid these but over-rul'd 24 * G. Gentry Polish Courted by European Princes 3. Resolves thereupon 4. Equally Noble 5. Seldom intermarry with Commonalty ibid. Only capable of Preferment 20 167. Have not equal Claim to every Preferment ib. c. How kept in Dependance on the King 22. What proves Equality among them 103. No Disgrace to be chastis'd 123. Their Power and Privileges 168. Cannot be Apprehended till Convicted 168 c. Exception 169. Cannot be Executed without the King's Consent 170. Need not Quarter Soldiers ib. c. Other Privileges 171. Need not pay Taxes till oblig'd by Diet ib. Have Pre-emption 172. Have one Grievance ib. How came by their Privileges 172. Value no Honour and why 173. Despise Title of Prince ib. Assume Titles when they travel 174. Further Power 175. What makes them so great ib. c. Their Excessive Grandeur and Magnificence 176. Gentry and Citizens in Lithuania 225. Gentry how far oblig'd to March 15 * Gentlemen Polish Who 5. Gentlemen-Pensioners 29. A Gentleman how made 188. Government Mixt Establish'd in Poland by what Motives 6 c. Unhappy State of Polish Government 109. A Wonder how it can subsist 110.
the Gentry and Citizens Rusticks and their Condition Work on Sundays Pay rigid Duties c. Their Edibles and Custom at grinding Corn. Their Habits Carriages and how made Houses Employments within and without Doors Why little Horses here Qualifications for Marriage Character of these Rusticks Samogitia differs from Lithuania Sturdy Drinkers rewarded Proof of great Age. People more robust here Manners in Husbandry Strange way of Pruning Trees Peculiar manner of Sowing Ways of ordering Corn. Peculiar Customs in Prusia Habitations and Furniture Meat and Drink The Pospolite or Polish Militia Who obliged to serve in the Horse Who in the Foot and Penalty for neglect in both Who are excused from serving The great numbers of the Pospolife formerly and now The manner of their being Raised and Mustered Things required in vain of the Polish Cavalry Meet at the General Rendezvous A Division of the Army and first of the Horse Heavy Armed Light Horse A Division of the Foot A further account of the Cosacks Proceedings in their Counsells of War Way of fortifying their Camps and Boats Their Power What the Polish Foot are and how employed Hired Foot and their Condition Why so much used and their Arms and Liveries Gentry how far obliged to March with other particulars Hungarian Foot when first hired Auxiliaries what Example Quartarians what and whence so called Volunteers what in Poland Examples Selected out of the Gentry Causes that weaken the Polish Force Four things required to defend a State Manner of paying the Army The Rokosz and its manner of proceeding Example Other inconveniencies which suppress the Pole's Power Means propos'd to avoid these Inconveniences but ever-ruâ—'d â—reat Force of Cavalry notwithstanding with Examples Two Qualities necessary in War Soldiers Pay from what it arises and how raised Provisions and Ammunition what Gun-Founders Foreign For Fortifications Pretended Advantages thereby Generals their Power and Duration Lieutenant Generals their Power Other Generals Officers Other Officers of the Army Some few particulars of the Poles Jus Belli Poles not much enclined to Trade and why Commidities Exported and Imported But little Money and why Coin most current in Poland Contributes to Poverty Other Coins Poles not very rich and why Particulars of Trade Concerning Salt No Fulling or Paper-Mills Concerning Leather and Fish Manner of Fishing Honey and its Produce Former Trade of Prussia â—antzic here Siâ—ate By whom built and whence so called How distant from other places It s Division and Strength One of the Hanse Towns Parishes Buildings Streets and Gardens Inhabitants their Number and Religion Churches Town-House Three Magazines A College Exchange c. Jurisdiction and Government Senators and their Division The Twelve Scabins and Syndic Burgrave to represent the King Centumviri their Power Manner of Electing and Ordaining Priests Four Roman Catholick Churches King's Power and Revenues here City-Power and Privileges Force by Land and Sea First Coin in Prussia Present Coin in Dantzic How often taken and regain'd Admitted to Vote in Election of Polish Kings Origin of Teutonic Order Who built their Hospital of Jerusalem Their Order confirm'd and by what Title Another Hospital with their removal into Germany and Prussia Marienburg built For sake Prussia and wherefore Their Statutes Habit Number and Manners Are much favour'd by several Princes Great Masters in Prussia I Great Master 1190. II Great Master 1200. III Great Master 1206. IV Great Master 1210. V Great Master 1240. VI Great Master 1252. VII Great Master 1263. VIII Great Master 1275. IX Great Master 1283. X Great Master 1290. XI Great Master 1297. XII Great Master 1307. XIII Great Master 1309. XIV Great Master 1322. XV Great Master 1325. XVI Great Master 1329. XVII Great Master 1339. XVIII Great Master 1342. XIX Great Master 1348. XX Great Master 1379. XXI Great Master 1388. XXII Great Master 1394. XXIII Great Master 1404. XXIV Great Master 1406. XXV Great Master 1414. XXVI Great Master 1323. XXVII Great Master 1432. XXVIII Great Master 1450. XXIX Great Master 1467. XXX Great Master 1468. XXXI Great Master 1480. XXXII Great Master 1489. XXXIII Great Master 1498. XXXIV Great Master 1512. Dantzic B sieg'd by Albert. Siege rais'd by the Poles Albert submits to Sigismund Great Masters in Germany XXXV Great Master 1531. XXXVI Great Master 1543. XXXVII Great Master 1566. XXXVIII Great Master 1572. XXXIX Great Master 1587. XL Great Master 1619. XLI Great Master 1624. XLII Great Master 1627. XLIII Great Master 1644. XLIV Great Master 1664. A Prince of Neubourg Elected of the Order Ceremony of Creation Elected likewise Coadjutor Present State of Teutonic Order in Germany Two Universities Chief Study there Learning formerly Oriental Languages dis-regarded Present Languages in Poland Polish hard to Pronounce Reasons why the Poles affect Latin Have no solid Learning How far that of Divines extends Their Divinity Lawyers their number and study Who seldom go to Law A suppos'd Judgment on a Lawyer Physicians and their Abilities Not allowed to study till qualified Discourges Learning Natural Observables and Rarities Of Wood and Earth Strange Waters and their Effects Monstrous Fish Fowls of odd Qualities Beasts of strange kinds Rarities communicated to Dr. Connor Argentum Fulminans made by chance Other Experiments Dr. Bernitz's Chsâ—t of Rarities Manner of making Glass Odd Method of Curing Wounds Practise of Physick What Medicines us'd Diseases what Venereal how Cur'd by a Quack Surprizing particulars Diseases peculiar to the Poles and first the Plica It s Description Unaccountableness Symptoms Neither Bleeds nor is painful Said to be Contagious and Hereditary Common to Men and Beasts Superstition concerning it and other cases Where most common It s Cure by a Jew Causes Asserted but Question'd Another account of the Plica Hairs Canular The Rose and its Cure Present bounds and extent of Curland It s Soil and former State When wholly Conquered Converted to Christianity by degrees I Bishop in Livonia 1180. II Bp ABp of Riga 1194. III ABp of Riga 1194. I Absolute Master of Livonian Order 1205. II Absolute Master 1223. III Master 1238. IV Master 1240. V Master 1248. VI Master 1250. VII Master VIII Master IX Master X Master XI Master XII Master XIII Master XIV Master XV Mast r XVI Master XVII Master XVIII Master XIX Master 1488. III. Absclute Master 1513. IV. Abso-Master V. Absolute Master VI. Absolute Master 1560. Residence of this Order I. Duke of Curland 1561. II. Duke 1587. III. Duke 1602. IV. Duke 1639. Discovers Tobago and enjoys it Is depriv'd of it Proposes means to recover it Agreement between the K. of England and D. of Curland Grant of Trade in Africa Upon what Conditions Grant of the Island Tabago Under what Considerations Duke obliged to Aid the King in War A Letter sent hereupon but with little Effect French beg the Island of their King A second Letter from K. Charles A Letter Intercepted The Duke sends Governours Makes a Contract with a Captain Description of Tobago Why necessary to be English Hands Tobacco whence so call'd Duke James's Marriage and Issue VI Duke His Marriage and Issue 1683. VII Duke 1698. D. of Curland Vassal to Poland His Privilege and Power Revenue and Court Chief Officers Qualifications of Supreme Stagostas Conditions of Gentry Addition concerning Livonian Order Principal Master how and where chosen Marshal of the Order Number of Comendadors Number of Advocates Title Habit and Arms of this Order Geographical Description of Curland Cities and Towns of Goldingen Vinda Residence of Knights Pilten Richest Gentry in Curland Mittaw It s Castle Streets and Houses How distant from other places How often Conquer'd Bauske Religions in Curland Two Roman Catholick Churches Calvinâ—â— Church at Mittaw Government of Curland The Parliament Court of Supreme Councellors Degrees of demanding Justice Ecclesiastical Courts City Courts Ministerial Officers Trade of Curland Corn in great request and wherefore Where Curland is to revers to Poland