A DECLARATION OF THE Czaars of Muscovy AGAINST THE FRENCH KING, IN Favour of the poor Protestants Distress in this present Persecution; obtained for them by the intercession of his Electoral Highness the Marquis of Brandenburg.  
WE John Alexeiwitz and Peter Alexeiwitz, by the Grace of God, most Serene and Mighty Princes and Czaars, Sovereign Masters of both Russias, of Moskow, Kiow, Wlodimir, and Newgarden; Czaars of Casan, Astracan, and Siberia; Lords of Pleskow; Great Dukes of Smolenkow, 'tTwere, Jugoria, Perm, Wiathka, Bulgaria, and other Principalities: Great Dukes and Lords of the Low▪ Countries of Newgarden, Tzernigow, Resan, Rosthow, Jeroslaw, Berlowsery, Vdory, Obdory, and Condiny; And Sovereign Princes of the Northern-Countries: Lords of the Countries of Twer; Czaars of the Countries of Carthaline and Grussene; And Princes of the Countries of Cabardine, Cirkasse, and Gorne, with many other Countries lying Eastward, Westward, or Northwards, which belong to Us as Heirs and Successors of our Fathers and Grandfather's, who were Lords and Princes thereof. By Order of our Majesties the Czaars, let it be known by these Presents, to all whom it may concern, That our Majesties the Czaars will and pleasure is, to make several Persons of several Qualities partakers of our Favours, according to the Tenor of these Letters Patents. In the beginning of this present Year 7197. the most Serene Prince and Lord Frideric III. Marquis of Brandenburg, and other Principalities, having deputed to our Majesties the Czaars, John Reyer Chapliez, Privy Secretary and Counsellor of his Electoral Highness, and his Envoy Extraordinary in our Court; Who being in conference with our Majesties the Czaars: Privy Boiars and their Colleagues, has declared and proposed unto them by writing from his Electoral Highness, That his Majesty the French King, has begun in his Kingdom to force all that professed the Protestant Religion to abjure it, and has by several Torments driven them out of his Kingdom, or forced to turn Roman Catholics, putting several of them to Death and parting Husbands from their Wives, and Children from their Parents, by keeping them in Prison: But that those amongst them who were not thus detained, have made their escape out of the said Kingdom and sought for Shelter in the Neighbouring-Countries; and that great numbers of them are come into the Estates of his Electoral Highness, so that it is to be hoped many more will follow their example in making their escape. And as many amongst them, who would endeavour to find some means of getting their Subsistance, are (by reason of their great numbers, and to fly from Persecution) desirous to be entertained as our Subjects, and to settle amongst Us, in our great Kingdom of Russia: And that his Electoral Highness has very earnestly desired Us in their behalf, to receive them under our Sovereign Protection in the nature of Subjects, and to grant them free access into our great Kingdom of Russia. We therefore upon the Advice and Request of his Electoral Highness made unto Us by his Envoy Extraordinary, and according to the report made by the Privy Boiars of our Majesties the Czaars; We great Lords the Czaars have willingly entertained, and do give our consent to the Request of his Electoral Highness: That the said Protestants banished by reason of their Religion, who desire to come and live under the Protection, and in the Estates of our Majesties the Czaars, may be assured of the favour and protection of our Majesties the Czaars, come in and settle in the great Russia of our Majesties the Czaars with full assurance; in order whereunto our will and pleasure is, That all our Frontiers should lay open and free for them to come in. Moreover they shall be favourably entertained in the Service of our Majesties the Czaars, and shall every one of them obtain a reasonable Salary, according to their Extraction, Condition, and Dignity. And in case any of the said Protestants should desire to return into their Country after they have served our Majesties the Czaars, they that desire to do so, shall no ways be hindered, but shall have free liberty to go. Therefore we have caused by the favour of our Majesties the Czaars, those Letters Patents to be issued out by the Chancery of the Envoys of our Majesties the Czaars.  
Given at the Court of Our Kingdom, in our great Town of Moskow in the Year 7197. from the Creation of the World, 21st. January, and of our Reign the seventh.   

Licenced April 13. 1689. JAMES FRASER.  
LONDON, Printed for E. Maret. and C. Lucas. 1680.