THE SPEECH OF THE EMPEROR OF RUSSIA To His most Sacred MAJESTY K. WILLIAM At VTRIGHT the of October 1697.  
Most Renowned EMPEROR,  
IT was not the desire of seeing the celebrated Cities of the Germane Empire, or the most Potent Republic of the Universe, that made me leave my Throne in a Distant Country, and my Victorious Armies, but the vehement passion alone 〈◊〉 seeing the most Brave and most Generous Hero of the Age. ●● ve my wish, and am sufficiently recompensed for my Travel, 〈◊〉 being admitted into your presence: Your kind Embraces have 〈◊〉 me more Satisfaction than the taking of Asoph, and triumphing over the Tartars; but the Conquest is yours: Your ●artial Genius directed my Sword and the Generous Emulation ●f your Exploits, instiled into my Breast the first thoughts I had ●f enlarging my Dominions. I cannot express in Words the Veneration I have for your Sacred Person, my unparalled Journey is ●he proof of it. The season is so far advanced, and I hope the ●…ce too, that I shall not have the opportunity as Maximilian ●●d of fight under the Banner of England, against France 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 e common, etc. If the War continues, I and my Armies will ●…adily observe your Orders; and if either in War or Peace your ●…dustrious Subjects will trade to the most Northern Parts of the ●orld, the ports of Russia shall be free for them, I will grant them ●ater Immunities than ever they yet had, and have them enroled ●…ong the most precious records of my Empire to be a perpetual memorial of the Esteem I have for the worthiest of Kings: 〈…〉