1686] DIAHY OF PATRICK GORDON. Ill granted me two Strcltsees for a convoy

Passages from the diary of General Patrick Gordon of Auchleuchries : A.D. 1635-A.D. 1699"

1686] DIAHY OF PATRICK GORDON. Ill

granted me two Strcltsees for a convoy. Bnt, hearing that the Customer
was getting all his catchpoles together, and resolving either not to let
me out of my quarters, or to stopp me upon the way, I sent ^gaine to the
Governour, desireing to know if this was by his order, or if he would
authorise such force. He sent me word that he did not, yet that he could
not medle in the Customers businesse, they haveing their commission imme-
diately from Mosko, and that I might do as I thought fitt. So haveing
dined, I gave orders to make ready, resolving to force my passage through
the towne, maugre of all opposition. The Customer, haveing notice hereof,
came to me, and desired that, since I would be gone, and not suffer my bag-
gage to be visited, I would let them be sealed, and put in a church or some
secure indifferent place, untill order should come from Mosko ; which, indeed,
rather as be detained, I had offered at first. But now being encouraged, or
rather connived at, by the Governour, I declined; and haveing sent a petition
under my hand to the Governour, complaining upon the Customer and his
fellowes for affronting me in putting a watch to my baggage and me, and
detaining me from my jorney, to my great losse and prejudice, desired it to be
written in here and sent to Mosko. Which being accepted, I marched out,
and without offering or haveing any violence offered to me, I passed through
the towne, over the bridge on the Volcha, and so on my jorney ; and the
horses being a litle weary, they baited in a village twenty five verst, and in
the night to Mpsiaga, twenty five verst. I payed in Novogrodt, for ten
horses, twenty five altins, and here for the same, one ruble, three altins, two
dengies, I did writt from Novogrodt, to Mr. Vinius, Collonel Menezes, and
my wyfe.

About three howres befor day, I went from thence, and by faire day- February
light came to Solnitza, fyfteen verst, where, by a gentleman come out of
Novogrodt in the fourth houre of the night, I was informed that the Cus-
tomer, with the principall persons belonging to that office, had with great
importunity obtained of the Governour an order, with a writer and a
number of Strcltsees, upon podwods, to follow me, and either search my
goods upon the place, and, if any merchandize were found, to fetch it back,
or in case I should not permitt, then to fetch me back with all, or at least
to stopp me where they should find me. Which hearing, and haveing good
horses, I promised the yempshiks drink money, and so drove on like Jehu,
and came to Opochy, thirty-five verst, where baiting not above half an