SIR, H OW little deferving foever his Writings may be, there is no Author who has taken much Pains in a Work, but fets a Value upon it himself ; and if this was not my Cafe, I fhould not think of begging Leave to place. one of the Volumes of this Hiftory under your Protecbut there is fuch an Air of that awful tion; A. 22 andi. and diftant Respect in a publick Dedication, which although moft justly due to your Birth, your great Affluence of Fortune, and your perfonal Merits, yet I know is not agreeable to your frank Temper, that I fear you will be furprized at receiving an Addrefs of this Sort from one whom you have honoured with the Freedom of making a nearer Approach to you: But, Sir, your generous Difpofition, your Affability of Manners, and Averfion to fuperficial Ceremonies, are what will always increase rather than diminish all real Refpect: And it is with much Pleasure that I have this Opportunity of expreffing in a publick Manner the great Efteem I have for your Perfon, and the grateful Senfe of the Honour you have done me of a Continuance of that Friendship, which you were pleafed to begin to fhew very many Years paft to, SIR, Your most Obliged And most Obedient Humble Servant, John Mottley. THE HISTORY O F PETER I. CZAR of Muscovy. BOOK I. The CONTENT S. The Trial of the Czarewitz. His Sentence and fudden Death, of which the Czar orders an Account to be given in a circular Letter to his Minifters Abroad. Endeavours to fupprefs any falfe Reports concerning this and his other Affairs; complains particularly of the Refidents of the Emperor, and of the States-General, for writing with too little Caution about them. He punishes the rest of the Criminals in the late Confpiracy. T 1718 HE Execution of fo many confiderable Perfons at Mofcow, on Account of the Confpiracy of the Czarewitz, made moft People imagine that the whole Bufinefs was finished, and that the Grand Inquifition would be fet afide; but it foon appeared, to the great Aftonishment of every Body, that all VOL. III. B the |