shores of the Don and Volga, they were more free to exercise their national customs at the same time the Tsar's armies were strengthened by recruits ever ready for a new attack upon the Polish frontier. Bogdan had, moreover, fully realized that the pride of the Polish nobles could learn nothing by experience. Their determination to exercise ruthlessly their "rights" over the peasants who had entrusted their fortunes to the Cossack alHance was shown by every new act of the Diet. With a nation controlled only by class feeling, no compromise can be made, no agreements held. Already their fellows were deserting the Cossack settlements in alarming numbers to place themselves under the protection of the Tsar on Russian territory. The time had come for Bogdan and the Cossacks of the Dnieper to make their choice.
About this time an ambassador of the Tsar, Prince Buturline, visited the Cossack camp, and Bogdan assembled the chiefs of the Cossack nation to consult with this official. At Perieslav, their assembly was asked to decide the future of the Ukraine nation. The hetman began his speech as follows: —
"My lord colonels, scribes and captains: and you, noble army of the Zaporogians: All of you, christians of the Orthodox faith, are witnesses that we can no longer live, except under the protection of a prince. We have a choice of four masters: The Sultan of Turkey, the King of Poland, the Khan of the Crimea, or the Tsar."
Continuing his long harangue, he pointed out many reasons (notably their common religion) that caused him to give his own vote in favor of a Russian alliance. A loud shout of assent greeted his words. It was decided to send a deputation without delay to the Tsar Alexis, beseeching him to take his "children of Little Russia" under his protection. In an assembly of the Russian States General summoned by Alexis, the strong argument was advanced that unless the offers of Bogdan were accepted, the whole Cossack nation might be forced to place itself under the protection of Turkey or the "Crim Tartars." Reasons of policy decided the Russians to incorporate these turbulent new citizens within the empire, but it is to be noted that no other "conquest" of the Ukraine ever took place.
Meanwhile, Timothy Hmelnicky had once more set out to seek his fatal bride, Rosanda. Attacked by the Poles on the banks of the river Bug, he defeated them with great slaughter. While the interrupted nuptials of Bogdan's son and heir with Jeremy's betrothed were celebrated, the Polish Diet in the extremity of its despair begged for military aid from the Diet of the empire at Ratisbon.
At the present time, the reasons offered as an excuse for such an appeal are worthy of note: "Fighting always in the name of liberty this slogan strengthens the Cossack's cause. If left to themselves the Cossacks may even find partisans in
BOGDAN:
Silesia ready to help them. For these reasons the Emperor's help is implored." Failing to move the Emperor, the Diet next addressed itself to the Khan of the Crimea, although one of their principal grievances against Bogdan had been the Cossack alliance with the Tartars. This ferocious ally, whose help they could only hope to secure on condition that two of their Polish provinces be given to his troops for pillage, also refused his support.*
Although distrusting the Polish nobles, with whom he was but nominally at peace, and in spite of the successes of the Cossack party, the Tsar Alexis still hesitated in his decision. Bogdan, whose son Timothy had fallen in a border skirmish, now renewed his demands that the Russians should accept the Cossack alliance. According to Salvandy the final argument which decided the Tsar to make war with Poland was the victory of a bull named "Moscovy" over another named "Poland," during one of those trials by "ordeal" in which the creduHty of that day still saw the judgment of a higher power. The mathematical academy of Warsaw (a fact authenticated by a despatch of the Emperor's envoy) was at the same time engaged in a profound astrological calculation, whose results bore out the judgment of Alexis' bulls, but in a sense, of course, favourable to their own country.
The final excuse for opening hostilities by a
* See Salvandy, op. cit.^ Vol. I, page 2.
Russian advance against the Polish provinces was found in the studied arrogance of the Polish diplomats, who, in spite of the continued remonstrances of Alexis' envoys, insisted upon addressing the Tsar with one "etc." less than the majesty of his imperial titles required.