CHAP. I. Of the Constitution of the Polish Government , and the Principal Officers of State .

POLAND is a Republic compos'd of two Estates ; the Crown , and the great Dutchy of Lithuania .

The Crown is properly the Kingdom of Poland ; and the great Dutchy of Lithuania was United to it in the Year 1386. by the Duke de Jagillon , who embrac'd the Christian Religion that he might marry Hedwige , Daughter to Lewis King of Poland and Hungary , and who with his Religion changed also his Name , and was called Viadislaus . For the Polanders were Christians long before , having received the Faith of Christ , ann. 964 , in the Reign of Miecislans I. who after he had divorced seven Pagan Wives , was converted , and marry'd the Daughter of Boleslaus King of Bohemiae , who was a Christian .

These two Estates are contiguous to one-another , and are now but one Body , being united in the same Interest , under the Government of the same King , and in the Profession of the same Religion ; especially since the Diet held at Grodeck on the River Bug , between the Polanders and the Lithuanians in the year 1413. where the Union was renew'd , and where it was concluded , that for the future they should have the same Laws and Privileges ; and that the King should be elected by the joint Consent of the Nobility of the two Estates , which was ratified and signed by all the Senators of Poland and Lithuania .

Nevertheless they are governed by distinct Officers , each of them having a Grand Marshal and a Petty or Sub-Marshal , whom they call the Marshal of the Court , a Chancellor , Vice-Chancellor , and Treasurer , who are all Senators , those of the Crown for Poland , and those of the Dutchy for Lithuania , and are equal in Dignity and Power ; only those of the Crown take place of those of the Dutchy .

The Office of the Grand Marshal is to keep the Peace , and prevent Tumults or Disturbances both in the Diets and in the King's Houshold , to punish Offenders even with death , and without Appeal from his Judgement , except in cases of great Importance , which may be brought before the King . He has also Power to command Silence , to give leave to speak , to introduce Ambassadors , to appoint them their Lodgings , and to fix the prices of all Commodities and Merchandizes . This last Branch of his Authority is extreamly advantageous to him : for the Merchants give him very Considerable Presents , that they may have leave to sell their Goods at exorbitant Rates .

The Chancellors and the Vice-Chancellors of the Crown are chosen by turns out of the Clergy and Laity : But those of the Dutchy are always Lay-men . The Chancellor and the Vice-Chancellor make use of the same Seals , and either of them may be used indifferently ; for they have both an equal Authority , only the latter gives place to the former , and never gives judgement but in his absence . The Chancellor , by his Office is the Judge of all Civil Affairs , and matters relating to the Kings Revenue . 'T is also his Duty to take Care that nothing be done contrary to the Laws , or Injurious to the Liberty of the People , and that the Intrigues of Foreigners may not be prejudicial to the Republick .

The Authority of the Chancellors and Vice-Chancellors is so great , that in several cases they may affix their Seals , without the Kings Order , and refuse to seal such things for him as are contrary to the Constitutions of the State . 'T is the Office of the Chancellor , or in his Absence , of the Vice-Chancellor , to answer all the Harangues that are made to the King by Ambassadors ; and he of the two who is a Clergyman , hath power over the Secretaries , Priests and Preachers of the Court , and over the Ceremonies of the Church .

The Treasurer is properly the Keeper of the publick Treasure , which is brought to him by four other Officers , who keep an exact Account of it , and are obliged to give one Copy to the King , and another to the Treasurer . His Office impowers him to prevent the wasting or embezelling of the Revenues of the Republick , and of those which are appointed for maintaining the King's Table ; and therefore he ought to sign all the Contracts the King makes , which otherwise would be void : He ought also to take care that the Republick do not sustain any damage by the Contracts that are made for the Coyning of New Money .

When the Treasurer is called to an Account , the General Diet orders a Committee of a certain Number of Persons to examine his Accounts , and to give him an Acquittance , without which the Republick may still call him to an Account for the Administration of his Imployment . And therefore since this Acquittance is of such vast importance to the Grand Treasurer , great Interest is always made about the Nomination of the Commissioners that are appointed to examine his Accounts ; because he is obliged not only to entertain the Commissioners , but also to give them considerable Presents , to obtain his discharge .

The Petty or Sub-Marshal , or the Marshal of the Court , who is the last of the five Officers that are Members of the Senate , executes the Office of the Grand Marshal , in his absence ; and in case of the Death or Demise of that Officer , he succeeds in course , as the Vice Chancellor is in such cases promoted to the dignity of the Chancellor : So that before a Man can be Grand Marshal or Chancellor , he must first be Petty Marshal or Vice Chancellor .

CHAP. II. Of the Division of Poland into Provinces .

THE Kingdom of POLAND formerly contained Fifteen great Provinces , which the King retains still in his Title , as King of Poland , Duke of Lithuania , Russia , Prussia , Massovia , Samogitia , Livonia , Volhinia , Kiovia , Podolia . Podlassia , Smolensko , Si●eria and Czerniechovia . But at present there are no more than nine Provinces subject to the Crown of Poland , viz. Great and little Poland , the great Dutchy of Lithuania , Russia , Prussia , Massovia , Samogitia , upper Volhinia and Podlassia , or Podlachia .

Great POLAND is so called , because Lechus , first King of the Polanders , settled his Residence at Gnesna in this Province . It is also called Lower Poland ; and Posnania is the principal City . This Province contains eight Palatinates , viz. Posn●●● , Kalisch , Lencici , Brest , Inowlocz , Siradiae , Kawa and Ploosko . It is bounded on the North with Prussia , on the South with Little Poland , on the East with Massovia , and on the West with Silesia , and the New Marquisate of Brand●nburg . The River Warta runs through the middle of the Province .

Little POLAND , which is also called Upper POLAND , contains three 〈◊〉 , Cracow , Sa●domir and Lublin . It borders with Massovia and Great Poland on the North , Mount Crapat on the South , Black Russia on the East , and Silesia on the West ; and the River Vistula runs through it . The City of Cracow is the Metropolis of this Province , and of the whole Kingdom .

The Starosta of Cracow is not only Governour of the Castle , but also the Defender of the Peace and of the publick Tranquility ; which entitles him to a large Jurisdiction both over the Inhabitants of Towns , and the Gentry .

As for the great Dutchy of Lithuania ; tho Jagillon began to unite it to the Crown of Poland , Anno 1386 , and tho that union was afterwards renew'd in the Diet held at Grodeck , between the Polanders and the Lithuanians in 1413 , yet it still retained its own Dukes , and was not entirely united to the Kingdom , till the year 1501 , by Albert Duke of Lithuania who was chosen King of Poland . This Dutchy contains eight Palatinates , viz. Vilnae , Troki , Bressici , Nowogrodeck , Minsk , Mseislaw , Vitepsk and Polosk . It is a hundred leagues long , and a hundred and fifty broad ; and is bordered by Muscovy on the North and East , by Russia and Volhinia on the South , and by Samogitia , Prussia , and Podlachia on the West . The chief Rivers of the great Dutchy are the Niemen and the Dzwina .

The Province of Russia , which was united to Poland by King Casimir the Great , anno 1341 , is bordered by Lithuania on the North , and by the Mountains of Hungary and Transilvania on the South ; It has Upper Volhinia , and Upper Podolia on the East , and Little Poland on the West . It contains three Palatinates , Leopold , Chelm and Belch ; the principal River that runs thro' it , is the Bugg .

Bokutia which is part of the Palatinate of Leopold , is a small Country border'd on the North with the Niester , and on the South with the Carpathian Mountains . It was sold to Poland , with the Towns of Sniatyn , and Kolomey upon the River Prut , by Alexander Palatin of Valachia , for 500 Ounces of Silver . The chief City of Pokutia is Halioz on the Niester , whither Lewis King of Poland and Hungary transferred the Archbishoprick of Leopold , anno 1375 , with a design to joyn Russia , Pod●lia and Pokutia to Hungary , because of their sertility . But the whole Polish Nobility took up Arms to oppose that Enterprise , and made so much noise about it in the Diet , that the Archbishoprick was restored to Leopold .

Prussia is bounded on the North with the Bal●●k Sea , on the South with Great Poland and Mas●●● 〈◊〉 the East with Lithuania , and on the West 〈…〉 . The Kingdom of Poland was long 〈◊〉 with a cruel and bloody War , about the ●●osession of this Province : For when the Knights of the Teutonick Order were driven out of Syria by the Saracens , they were received by Conrade Duke of Prussia and Brother to Lescus King of Poland , who finding himself unable to defend his Country against the continual Incursions of the Idolatrous Prussians , called in those Knights to his Assistance in the year 1228 , promising them half of what they could Conquer in Prussia , and in the mean time putting 'em in possession of the Province of Culm , till they should be able to make themselves Masters of some part of the Country . This was the fatal Spring of all the Differences which engag'd Poland in a War that was carryed on with so Obstinate a Fury : For the Knights of the Teutonic Order , grew at last so Formidable to their Neighbours , and by successive Victories rais'd their Power to such a heighth , that after they had subdued all Prussia , they gave many Battels to the Polanders , who could never utterly expel 'em , tho they sometimes obtain'd considerable Victories over them , as in the Battel which Jagillon fought against Grunwald and Tanneberg , in the Year 1400.

In the mean time the Teutonick Knights were so proud of their new Conquests , that forgetting their Original , and scorning the humble and samiliar Name of Brother , with which their Religious Constitution oblig'd 'em to content themselves , they began openly to claim the Title of Lords , notwithstanding the pious Zeal of their great Master Vlric , who endeavour'd to oppose so scandalous an Innovation . And tho they were frequently beaten by the Polanders , they ceased not to continue the War , because they were assisted by the Emperors , and by the Princes of the House of Austria .

'T is certain , that the Austrian Family cou'd never endure that the Polanders shou'd recover Prussia ; as it appears by the following Instance .

When Sigismund K. of Poland sent Ambassadors to the Dyet at Augsburg , Anno 1530 , to justifie his Pretensions to that Province , the Difference was adjusted in favour of Poland ; but the Execution of it being left to the Emperor Charles V , the Resolution of the Diet took no effect .

These Knights assum'd such an absolute and independent Authority , that they would not submit even to the Decrees of the Popes ; for Locticus King of Poland having sent to Avignon , to complain , that these Military Friars had usurped one of his Provinces : the Pope order'd 'em to restore it , upon pain of Excommunication , but they had so little Regard to his Menaces , that they resus'd positively to quit their Possession .

Under the same Loct●us , the Chancellor of Pomerania , a factious man , and a secret Enemy to his Soveraign , plotted to deliver up that Province to the Marquess of Brandenburg ; but he was taken , and put in Prison , before he could execute his treacherous design . Nevertheless , the King pardon'd him , at the Request of his Brothers . However , it seems the Affront he thought he had receiv'd made a stronger Impression upon him than the sparing of his Life ; for not long after , he put several Towns of Pomerania into the hands of the Marquess of Brandenburg , and among the rest the City of Dan●●c . In the mean time , one B●●●sia , who was Governor of the Citadel of Da●tz●c , for the King of Poland , defended that place , and acquainted his Master with the present Exigency of his Affairs ; but before the Polan●● could come up to his assistance , he was oblig'd to call in the 〈◊〉 Knights , allowing them half the Government of the Ciradel of Dartzie , provided they would defend it entirely a whole Year at their own charge ; by which means the Citadel was not only preserved , but the Town it self was retaken : But the Polanders had no reason to boast of that Success ; for their pretended Friends were so far from contenting themselves with the promis'd Reward of their Service , that they resolved to make themselves the sole Masters of the Citadel , notwithstanding the repeated Remonstrances of Bogusta , and the rest of the faithful Polanders . And this open violation of a solemn Treaty was the occasion of a bloody War , which created so implacable an Animosity betwixt the Polanders and their encroaching Neighbors , that the least Pretence was sufficient to rekindle the Flame .

And afterwards , when Casimir , the Grandson of Locticus , renew'd his Complaints against them and prevail'd with the Pope to excommunicate them , if they would not restore that usurped Province , they slighted both him and his Excommunication . But at last , by the Peace which was concluded betwixt Casimir and the Order , it was agreed upon , That the Great Master should be acknowledg'd as a Prince and Senator of the Republick under the Protection and Dominion of Poland . Some time after , the Province was divided into two Parts , call'd the Royal and Ducal Prussia . Albert of Brandenburg , Great Master of the Teutonic Order , having turn'd Lutheran , and being married , fix'd his Residence in this Province ; and Sigismund yielded up to him the Ducal Prussia , on condition that he should remain a Vassal to Poland : And by the Peace of Oliva , made in the Year 1660 , the Soveraignty of Ducal Prussia was finally yielded up to the Elector of Brend●●●ing .

Thus , at present , 't is only the Royal Prussia that ought to be reckon'd a Province of Poland ; and even tho' it belongs to the Republic , 't is govern'd by its own Laws , and enjoys particular Privileges : They have a peculiar Treasury , and a Treasurer ; and when the King summons the Arrierban , the Nobility are not obliged to go beyond the Frontiers of the Kingdom . This Province is divided into three Palatinates , Culm , Marienburg , and Pomerania . It s chief Cities are Thorn upon the Vistula , Elbing , a league from Frischlaff , and Dantzic , which is the most considerable of 'em all , and the capital City of the Palatinate of Pomerania , which comprehends all the Country Westward of the Vistula , to the Confines of Germany .

Upon the Coast of Prussia the Waves of the Sea cast Amber upon the Shore , which the Fishermen take up in Nets . It is soft at first , but soon after grows so hard , that it may be turned or engraved , and cut into all sorts of Figures . 'T is also found in certain great Lakes in the same Province , especially in the Bishoprick of Warmia . There are also many Lakes that abound with Fish , almost in every part of the Country . In the Palatinate of Marienburg there is the Lake of Drausen , which sends forth the River Elbing , that discharges it self in the Frischaff , which is a Bay or Gulf of the Baltick Sea , about twenty leagues in length , and two in breadth . In the Palatinate of Pomerania there is a Lake betwixt Konicz and Schochaw , which is seven leagues long , and five broad , and is the head of the River Bro , which falls into the V●stula about four leagues above Culm . There are also three other almost as large as the former in the same Palatinate , near the City of Dantzic ; and both the Palatinate of Culm and the Bishoprick of Warmia , are so full of Lakes , that it would be almost an endless Labour to mention every one of them particularly .

Massovia hath Prussia on the North , little Poland on the South , Podlassia on the East , and great Poland on the West : The Vistula and the Bugg are the principal Rivers that water it . This Province began to be united to the Crown of Poland by Ziemowit , who was Prince thereof , in the Reign of Casimir the Great , but the Union was not fully perfected till the Death of the Dukes John and Stanislaus , in the Reign of Sigismund I. anno 1526. It contains only one Palatinate , which formerly took its Name from the Town of Czersk , but is now call'd after the Name of the Province .

Samogitia , or Samojedia , which is a Dependancy of the Dutchy of Lithuania , is border'd by Courland on the North , the River Niemen on the South , Lithuania on the East , and the Baltic Sea on the West . The Christian Religion was introduc'd into this Country Anno 1413 , by the pious Care of King Jagellon , who took the pains to instruct those People himself , because they could not understand the Polish Priests . The chief Towns in Samogitia are Rosienia on the River Dubissa , and Miednich : There are no Palatinates here , but the Province is divided into several Starosties , or Governments of Castles , and the first Starosta is a Senator .

Since Courland depends upon Poland , and is the Frontier of Samogitia , it will not be improper to give a short account of it here . 'T is divided into two parts , Courland and Semigallia ; the River Dzwina separates it from Livonia on the North ; 't is bounded with Samogitia on the South , Lithuania on the East , and the Baltic Sea on the West . This Country has been subject to a Prince who is a Vassal and Feudatory of Poland , since the Year 1561 , that Godfrey Ketl●r , great Master of the Teutonic Knights in Livonia , having voluntarily resign'd his Office , put all Livonia , with the Town of Riga , the capital City of the Province , into the hands of Nicholas Radziwill , in the Name of Sigismund Augustus , who gave him Courland and Semigallis , which were then reckon'd part of Liv●ia , on Condition that he should remain a Vassal to the Crown of Poland . The City of Mittauw in S●●●●●ita , is at present the Metropolis of that little State , and the Residence of the Duke .

Upper Volhinia reaches from Polesia on the North to upper P●d●ia on the South , and from lower Volbinia on the East to black Russia on the West . It s chief Cities are Lucko , or Lusuck , or Luceowia , on the River Ster ; and Kremienice , which is situated upon an Eminence , on the bank of the River Izwa , about eight leagues from Luceowia , towards the South .

The Province of Podlachia , which was united to Poland in the Year 1569 , is bounded by Lithuania towards the East , and Massovia towards the West ; 't is ten leagues broad and thirty leagues long . It s chief Cities are Augustow and Biclsk , which gives Name to a Palatinate .

CHAP. III. Of the State of Poland , with respect to its Neighbors ; and of the various Success of the Wars in which it has been engag'd with 'em .

POland reach'd heretofore from the Black Sea to the Baltic , and from 〈◊〉 to Hungary ; but as all the States in the World are subject to great and frequent Revolutions , Poland has had its share in the general Calamity , and is at present confin'd within much narrower Bounds : For it may be observ'd in general , that every Republick is look'd upon by its Neighbors as a Country which they have a kind of Right to invade . And the same Remark may in a peculiar manner be apply'd to Poland , both with respect to the Manner and Constitution of its Government , and the insatiable Ambition of all its Neighbors , of which the Turks , Tartars , and Moscovites are most formidable .

'T is long since the Turks dismember'd Valachia and Moldavia from this Kingdom , and afterwards the Cossacks , being oppress'd by the Nobility , and restrain'd from their wonted Pyracies on the Black Sea , resolv'd to shake off a Yoke which they could no longer bear , and by that means gave the Turks an opportunity to invade Vbrania , in the Reign of King Michael , and to make themselves Masters of Caminiec , the capital City of Vpper Podolia , and the only place of strength which the Polanders had upon that Frontier . That fatal War continued after the death of K. Michael , and disturb'd the Reign of his Successor John III , till the Polanders were at last constrain'd to make a Peace at Zurawno in Pokutia ; for the Army of the Turks and Tartars was so numerous and formidable that Year , that it consisted of above 180000 effective Men ; and on the other hand that of the Polanders was so weak , that they could not bring above 12000 Men into the Field , because they were depriv'd of the Assistance of a considerable part of the Forces of Lithuania , who were drawing together near Leopold , under Prince Michael of Radziwill , their General , but could not joyn the grand Army , because the Infidels had block'd up all the Avenues to the Camp ; so that the General was oblig'd to continue at Leopold , with the Marquess de Bethune , and the L. Hide , Ambassador from the K. of England , expecting the issue either of a Peace , or of a Battel . Soon after a Peace was concluded with the Turks , of which the King immediately sent an Account to Prince Michael of Radziwill , ordering him to communicate the News with all speed to the Queen , who remained at Janowiecs , upon the Vistula , over against Casimir .

By this Peace the Polanders yielded up Podolia and Vkrania , which is the best Country within the bounds of their Dominions ; for the Earth is so fat and fertile , that they never dung it ; and tho' they sow it but once in two Years , it yields a plentiful Harvest of Corn every Year . Asparagus grows in the untill'd Fields , and the Forests are full of Trees , which bear excellent Fruit. And besides , the loss of Vkrania is so much the more considerable , because it produces abundance of Salt-petre to make Powder , which the Polanders stand more in need of than any other Nation , because their Country lies open on all sides , and by consequence is exposed to the Incursions of many Enemies . This is the last and the greatest loss that Poland has sustained in its Wars with the Port ; so that the Kingdom is now bounded on the East with Black Russia .

As the Turks and Tartars have an irreconcilable Aversion to the Polanders , because of the great difference of their Religions , which makes 'em look upon one another as Beasts ; the Moscovites are no less Enemies to the Republic , by reason of the difference , or rather contrariety , both of their Inclinations and Religion ; for all the Moscovites are Schismatical Greeks , and the Polanders are generally Roman-Catholicks . In the last War that was kind I 'd betwixt these Nations , the Muscovites took from the Polanders , the Dutchies or Palatinates of Smolensko , Siberia , and Czernichowia , which belong'd to Lithuania , besides that of Kiowia , the poslession of which was only granted to 'em by a Truce , and not by any Treaty of Peace ; so that the Polanders may one day endeavour to recover these Provinces , but they are so far from being at present in a condition to make good their Pretensions , that they prolong the Truce with the Muscovites from time to time .

In the mean time if we consider the management of the Wars and Differences betwixt these two Nations , it may be said , that the Polanders , with respect to the Muscovites , are the same with the French , in regard to the Spaniards ; for as the Spaniards are not able to resist the French in the Field , the Polanders have the same advantage over the Muscovites , when they are not intrenched , even tho' their Army be much more numerous . But on the other hand , as Nature has given the latter less Courage , she has made 'em superiour to the others in Subtlety and Cunning. I might alledge several Instances to confirm and illustrate this truth , but I shall content my self with observing , that in the year 1581 , King Steven Battori had reduc'd the Muscovites to such a straight , that they sollicited him for a Peace , which not being able to obtain of that Prince upon the Conditions they desir'd , they entreated the Pope to intercede in their behalf : So true it is , that they are ready upon all occasions to have recourse to Artifices , and leave no means unattempted to accomplish the Designs which they cannot execute by Force : For tho' ( as I intimated before ) they are all Schismatical Greeks , and do not acknowledge the Pope to be the Head of their Church , yet in their Necessity they scrupl'd not to implore his Assistance , and even gave him some Reason to hope that they might be prevail'd with to embrace the Catholick Faith . In the mean time the Pope gave so much Credit to their Insinuations , that he immediately dispatch'd Anthony Possevin to Muscovy , and the Great Duke receiv'd him with so many Marks of a sincere Affection , as if he had been really resolv'd to become a Convert . But this was only an Artifice to amuse the Pope , that by the interposition of the Nuncio , he might obtain either a Peace or a Truce ; as he really did : For , notwithstanding all the Advantages the King of Poland had over the Muscovites , he granted them a Truce for ten years , and restor'd all that he had taken from them ; the Duke of Muscovy yielding up to him , at the same time , all that he possess'd in Livonia .

But it will not appear so surprizing , that the Muscovites should sollicite the Mediation of the Pope , if we reflect upon the scandalous Methods they took to beg the Grand Signior's Assistance against Vladislaus IV. King of Poland , during the War in which they were engag'd with that Prince , in the beginning of his Reign , Anno 1633.

During my long abode in Lithuania , which borders upon Muscovy , I was confirm'd in my former Opinion concerning the Artificial Conduct of the Muscovites , by the many Instances which the People of that Country relate of the ungenerous Subtlety of their troublesome Neighbors . I was assur'd , that the Muscovites never invade Poland but when they see it engag'd in other Wars , and the Forces of the Kingdom employ'd elsewhere . The Muscovites had entertain'd an uninterrupted Peace with the Polanders , after the Treaty concluded with King Vladislaus IV. in the year 1634. by which they yielded up to him the Dutchies of Siberia and Czernichovia , with all the Land that lay within the space of One hundred miles beyond those Countries ; yet , contrary to the express Articles of a Treaty , which seem'd to be so firmly establish'd , as soon as they heard of the Irruption of the Swedes into Poland , in 1655. they enter'd into Lithuania with an Army of 60000 Men , and took the Town and Castle of Vilna .

But tho I have observ'd , that the Conduct of the Muscovites , with respect to their Neighbors , resembles that of the Spaniards ; it must be acknowledg'd , that their Tempers and Characters are very different ; for the Spaniards are civil and humane , and the Muscovites on the other hand are generally rude and unpolish'd , and extreamly cruel ; as it will appear by the following Examples .

King John Casimir having concluded a Peace with the King of Sweden , march'd into Lithuania with his whole Army , and retook the City of Vilna , the Metropolis of the great Dutchy ; but the Castle made an obstinate defence , because the Muscovite who commanded in it was so cruel , that no man durst talk of Surrendering . Nevertheless , this is not the most remarkable Instance of his Cruelty ; for he order'd one of his Prisoners , who was a Priest , to be put into a great Mortar , and shot into the Air as a Bomb. However , the Castle was at last reduc'd , by means of some foreign Officers , who finding themselves press'd by the Polanders , and fearing that they shou'd have no Capitulation allow'd 'em , seiz'd the Governor , and put him into the hands of the King of Poland , who caus'd his Head to be cut off , because of his Cruelty to the Priest . And when they wanted a Hangman to perform the Execution , his own Cook offer'd to do it , with his Chopping-knife , adding , That he was glad of such an Opportunity to be reveng'd , for the ill usage he had receiv'd from him . Accordingly he cut off his Master's Head upon a Logg of Wood ; as if it had been a piece of Beef , and was forc'd to give him several Slashes before he could entirely separate his Head from his Body .

Stephen Battori King of Poland besieg'd the City of Polotta in Muscovy , Anno 1579. and after a most vigorous resistance , the Besieged finding themselves unable to hold out longer , offer'd to surrender the place ; the Capitulation was at last agreed upon , by the unanimous Consent of the Garrison and Inhabitants , except the Bishop and the Governor , who continually animated the Soldiers and the Burghers to make an obstinate defence , representing to them , that it would be more honourable to dye in the Service of their Prince , than to save their Lives by an ignominious Treaty . And indeed neither the Bishop nor the Governor would sign the Capitulation , but retir'd into the Church of St. Sophia , whence Steven Battori caus'd them to be brought forth , and committed them to the Custody of the Treasurer of Lithuania . When the Polish Garrison enter'd the Town , to take possession of it , and to receive the Stores and Ammunitions according to the Articles of the Capitulation , they were surpriz'd to behold so many Marks of a horrible and brutish Cruelty , which the Muscovites had practis'd on the Polish Prisoners : they found some of 'em most barbarously torn in pieces , some half boil'd in great Kettles , with their Hands ty'd behind their Backs , and others who had been miserably butcher'd by ripping up their Bellies : the Polanders were so transported with Rage and Indignation at the sight of such a dismal Scene of Horror , that they would have reveng'd the death of their Countrymen upon the whole Muscovitish Garrison : But King Stephen generously considering that no provocation could excuse the Breach of a solemn Treaty , restrain'd the Fury of his Souldiers , and sent the Muscovites back to their own Country , under the Convoy of two Troops of Horse . I could easily produce many other Examples of this nature , but what I have already said is sufficient to prove , that the Muscovites are naturally cruel .

I return now to that memorable Irruption which the King of Sweden made into Poland , with so much Violence and Success , that King John Casimir and his Queen Louise Mary were forc'd to leave the Kingdom , and to retire into Silesia ; for almost all the Nobility , and even the Polish Army , had abandon'd them , and follow'd the Rapidity of the Conqueror's Fortune . But the Polanders afterwards being sensible of the Fault they had committed in forsaking their King , and those who had still continu'd faithful to him resuming fresh Courage , under the Conduct of the General Czarneski , they by degrees expel'd the Swedes , who had made themselves Masters of the whole Country , and of the City of Cracow , which they had taken in three days . Thus the Kingdom was reconquer'd , and the Swedes were oblig'd to enter into a Treaty of Peace , which was concluded in the Abby of Oliva .

Princes are so apt to be jealous of a neighbouring Conqueror , that they are even willing to assist a former Enemy against the unequal force of an ambitious and successful Invader : For when the King of Sweden had made himself Master of Poland , at a time when the Polanders were engag'd in a War with the Cossacks , who had besieg'd Leopold , the Muscovites , who had also invaded Lithuania , , immediately quitted that Dutchy , and fell upon the Swedes in Livonia , in order to make a diversion ; and the Tartars , who are naturally Enemies to all Christians , and in a particular manner to the Polish Nation , not only sent a potent Army to assist the K. of Poland , but forc'd the Cossacks to raise the Siege of Leopold , and to joyn with them in the defence of the Polanders .

And the same reason which induc'd the Muscovites and the Tartars to succour the Polanders , obliged the Emperor also to send them some Troops , but he made 'em pay dear for his Assistance ; for the Salt-works being mortgag'd to him for some years , he caus'd so great a quantity of Salt to be made and exported , that the Works were almost ruin'd .

Nor are the Muscovites and Tartars the only troublesome Neighbours to Poland , for 't will appear by the following Relation , that the Misfortunes of that Nation were in some measure owing to the Germans .

Vladislaus Jagellon King of Poland being engag'd in a War with the Teutonic Knights , who were Masters of Prussia , and having rais'd a powerful Army of Polanders , Lithuanians , and Prussians , was in a condition to overpower his Enemies , and to expel them utterly out of his Dominions ; when the Emperor Sigismund of Luxemburg desir'd him to refer the Differences that occasion'd the War to his Arbitration , and in the mean time to grant the Teutonic Knights a Truce for two Years : Jagellon accepted the Offer , and disbanded his Army . But since the Emperor design'd only to gain time , that the Knights might be able to put themselves in a posture of desence , he was so far from taking care to adjust these Differences , that he was glad the Polanders were divided , fearing that after they had driven the Teutonic Knights out of the Kingdom , they would make a vigorous Attempt to retake Silesia , which the Kings of Bohemia had lately usurp'd .

King Jagellon perceiving that the Emperor had disappointed him , sent to put him in mind of his Promise ; but , it seems , Sigismund had either forgotten , or was not willing to remember the Service which the Polanders had done him in the year 1414 , when they oblig'd the Turks to restore all the Prisoners they had taken , and to grant him a Truce for six years ; and that Jagellon not only refus'd the Crown of Bohemia , which the revolted Hussites had offer'd him , but exhorted them to return to their Obedience to the Church and to their Prince . Thus without considering those important services , and without examining the matter , he gave Judgment against the Polanders , in favour of the Teutonic Knights ; which so incens'd King Jagellon , that he dispatch'd one immediately to reproach him with his Ingratitude and Injustice , and to tell him , that he renounc'd his Friendship : Whereupon Sigismund endeavour'd to excuse himself , by pretending that he was impos'd upon by the Knights .

Tho' the Emperor knew that the King of Poland had just cause to be angry with him , he was so far from seeming to take notice of his Resentment , that he went as far as Luceoria to see him and his Uncle Vitold , pretending an earnest desire to be reconcil'd to 'em , tho his real design was to divide 'em . He knew that the latter was a violent and ambitious Prince , and that his Nephew had intrusted him with a very great Authority in Lithuania , and resolv'd to make use of this Opportunity to corrupt his Fidelity , and inspire him with an Inclination to revolt . He insinuated , that a Prince of so much Merit ought not to depend ●pon his Nephew , but to think how to make himself at least his Equal ; adding , That since 't was in his power to erect new Kingdoms , as being King of the Romans , he would make him King of Lithuania , and send him the Crown , with all the other Royal Ornaments . To which Vitold reply'd , That tho he wou'd not refuse the Offer , he cou'd ●ot accept it without the Consent of the King his Ne●hew . As soon as the Emperor had receiv'd this Answer , he went to Jagellon , and represented to him , That for the Honour of his Nation he ought not to oppose that Design , if the Senate would consent to it .

The Senators being assembled for that end , and Vitold present , the Archbishop of Gnesna , whom Sigismund had brought over to his side , having made a long and confus'd Discourse , without coming to any certain conclusion , the Bishop of Cracow rose up in his place , and blaming Vitold's Design , with a great deal of Zeal and Boldness put him in mind of all the Articles agreed upon betwixt the King and him , and confirm'd by mutual Oaths , by which they had united Lithuania to Poland : That it was a Shame for a Prince of his age , and who had acquir'd so much Glory , to discover so irregular an Ambition , that would infallibly expose both the Polanders and Lithuanians to unavoidable Ruin ; adding , That he ought to consider that Sigismund's Kindness was treacherous and fatal ; that he ought to suspect a Present that was offer'd him by their common Enemy ; that the Design of the King of the Romans was only to create a Jealousie betwixt him and his Nephew , that he might execute his Designs upon two disunited Princes , which he durst not attempt while they were Friends ; that he ought to set a greater Value on the Favours and Kindnesses he had received from the King his Nephew , and from the Polanders , than upon the vain and deceitful Promises of the King of the Romans ; that the Germans never had any real Kindness either for him or the King ; that they had often violated the Conditions of Peace agreed on between the two Nations , and that under the pretext of doing them good Offices , they had made frequent Attempts to ruine 'em ; that he ought to consider that the King had prefer'd him before his own Brothers , by intrusting him with so great an Authority in Lithuania ; that he ought not to be deluded by the pernicious Insinuations of Sigismund ; and that he hop'd so wise and judicious a Prince would neither suffer himself to be impos'd upon , nor the Glory of so many illustrious Actions which he had perform'd to be stain'd by the treacherous Artifices of his Enemy .

This Harangue was applauded by the whole Senate , which so exasperated Vitold , that he went out of the Assembly , after he had assur'd 'em , That since they did not think fit to comply with him , he would find some other way to compass his Designs . Thus the Senate broke up , and King Jagellon return'd to Poland , but Sigismund staid some time with Vitold at Luceoria , after which he went immediately to Hungary , lest the Polanders , whom he had offended , should raise some Disturbance in that Country ; and some time after he sent a fine Present to Vitold , as a Pledge of the League they had enter'd into upon certain Conditions . The King left no means unattempted to secure himself against the Attempts of his Uncle , and to prevent the ill effects of the Advice which Sigismund had given him , to make himself Master of Lithuania ; for he had receiv'd information , that he had enter'd into an Alliance with the Tentonic Knights , by the Emperor's Advice and Mediation . Vitold , on the other hand , in pursuance of his Design , forc'd the Lithuanians to take a new Oath of Fidelity to him , and plac'd Garrisons in the Towns of Lithuania that border'd upon Poland .

Jagellon not being able to disswade his Uncle Vitold from pursuing the unnatural Resolution with which the King of the Romans had inspir'd him , and understanding that he was suddenly to be Crown'd , gave Orders to lye in wait for those who should be sent to him , and to surprize them in their Journey from Prussia to Lithuania . And accordingly the Chamberlain of Posnania who receiv'd that Order seiz'd two of those Envoys on the Frontiers of Poland , viz. Baptista Cigale of Genoua , and Sigismund Roth of Silesia , who were going to Vitold in Lithuania , and took from them the Letters which they were carrying to him . Those Letters were written to satisfie him , that a King of the Romans , or an Emperor , had power to erect new Kingdoms . These Envoys were also intrusted with Letters Patents for the erection of the Dutchy of Lithuania into a Kingdom . And besides , they were impower'd to treat of an Alliance with the Teutonic Knights against the Polanders .

The King having perus'd all the Letters , commanded the Chamberlain of Posnania to return to the Frontiers of Poland ; for Sigismund was sending to Vitold an Ambassy of Germans , Bohemians , and Hungarians , who were carrying the Crown and all the Royal Ornaments to him , and were to pass by the next morning ; but by that time they had reach'd Frankfurt , upon the Oder , they understood that the Polanders had block'd up all the Passages ; so that after they had staid two months in that City , without daring to proceed on their Journey , they return'd to Germany . In the mean time Vitold , who had invited all the principal Lords of Lithuania and Russia , and the chief of the Teutonic Knights , to Vilna , to assist at the Ceremony of his Coronation , perceiving that he was disappointed , resolv'd himself to invite the King his Nephew to a Hunting-match in Lithuania , hoping that he might easily perswade him to consent to his Advancement . But the Senate of Poland , who were acquainted with the goodness and easiness of the King's Temper , order'd the Bishop of Cracow to accompany him , that he might not do any thing without his Advice . When the King arriv'd at Vi●na , Vitold pray'd him to consent to his Coronation , and not to envy him the Honour of wearing a Crown . To which the King answer'd , That he could not do it without the Consent of the Lords of Poland , who had sent the Bishop of Cracow with him , that he might do nothing without his Approbation . Upon which Vitold sent some persons to that Prelate to bribe his Fidelity , with Assurances of a magnificent Reward ; adding in a flattering and obliging manner , That his Fortune depended upon him , and that he hop'd he would not prove the only Enemy to his Advancement .

Those who were intrusted with this Message had Orders to tell the Bishop , That he ought to consider what an Affront it would be to their Master if he sould not be crown'd King ; That he desir'd no more than that he would suffer him to wear the Crown for a moment , and that he would quit it immediately : At the same time they assur'd him , that if he continued obstinately to oppose that Prince's Design , he would be his irreconcilable Enemy , and do every thing that lay in his power to dispossess him of his Bishoprick . But that Prelate resolving to maintain the Honour and Interest of his Country , and being equally Proof against Promises and Threatnings , reply'd , That he was sensible their Master deserv'd a Crown , but that he could not make himself Master of Lithuania without violating the Oath he had taken touching the Union of that State with Poland , and therefore he advis'd him to lay aside that pernicious design , which would be so far from being either honourable or advantageous to him , that it would be an eternal Reproach to him , and would hasten the Ruin of his Country : That he should not flatter himself with thinking that the Germans and Teutonic Knights would be his faithful Allies , since they were irreconcilable Enemies both to the Lithuanians and Polanders : That their only design was to weaken both the one and the other , and of most firmly united Friends , as they were , to make them become mortal Enemies , that they might be able to execute their Designs upon those two Nations , and make 'em the Instruments of their own Ruin : That the King of the Romans could not forbear discovering his treacherous Intentions , declaring with a kind of Ostentation , that He had cast a Bone between two Dogs , that they might worry one-another . Vitold was so mortified with this Answer , that his Grief threw him into a Fit of Sickness , and his Death , which follow'd soon after , broke the Measures which Sigismund had taken to disunite Lithuania from Poland .

I have insisted the longer upon this Story , to shew , that after the Germans had taken Silesia from the Polanders , they were still forming new Projects to weaken 'em . And from hence we may also take notice of the terrible Consequences of the mistaken Politics of some Princes who intrust their Subjects with too large a Share in the Government ; for 't is plain , that by an excessive Kindness to his Uncle , this excellent King was in danger of losing both Poland and Lithuania .

By the Peace concluded in the Abby of Oliva near Dantzick , the third of May , 1660 , of which the French King was Guarantee , the Polanders yielded up Livonia to the Swedes , and the Soveraignty of Ducal Prussia to the Elector of Brandenburg ; and as for Silesia , 't is so long since they lost it , that they think no more of recovering it , for it seems to be one of their peculiar Qualities to lose the remembrance of their Losses .

Thus Poland is at present border'd on the North with Livonia and Muscovy , on the South with Upper Hungary and Transylvania , on the East with Vkrania , which belongs to the Turks , and the Dutchies or Palatinates of Smolensko , Siberia , Czernichowia , and Kiowia , which are under the Dominion of the Muscovites ; and on the West with Sitesia , which belongs to the Emperor .

Since I observ'd that the Revolt of the Cossack● was the occasion of the loss of all Vkrania , and brought the Tartars into Poland , I must in the next place take a short view , of those two Nations ; and , first , of the Tartars .