UNDER PETER THE GREAT 51

an arrest; and tried he was after near three yearsconfinement; but, notwithstanding the court-martial—Captain-Commodore Sievers, President—acquittedhim and allowed his accounts, yet not long sincehe was, and 1 fear still is, detained in solicitingjustice; without the least subsistence afforded himsince his first arresting, or any other regard had tothe sentence in his favour, except his liberty, usuallyaccompanying the court-martial’s return of thesword.

The fleet taking in their way a small privateerof 4 guns, all arrived safe and wintered at Revel, itbeing too late to proceed to Kronslot; but thiswinter, before the bay of Revel was frozen up, ahard storm at north-north-west drove the seawith that violence against the new haven as de-stroyed it for several fathoms. Two ships, theFortune and St. Antonio, were broken to pieces;and several others received much damage. In thefall of this year the Prince Alexander, pink, waslaunched at St. Petersburg. The Tsar beingabsent, few officers advanced this season, and noalterations worth taking notice of in the maritimeaffairs: all petitions receiving for answer, they mustawait the Tsar’s return. The General-Admiralattended and gave general directions for the fleet tobe in readiness, especially some frigates, against thespring. By the Tsar’s orders were elected 72youths from 16 to 20 years of age, heirs to about100 roubles, or 25 1, sterling p. ann. in villages orpeasants ; the customary way of computing estatesthere. These conducted to Revel, a commissarywas appointed to provide for them at the Tsar’sexpense ; and the 12th of April, the very day theice broke up, they were all put on board theSamson, Captain Deane, that instantly sailed forRostock, and, travelling thence into England and

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