The Sun.
London, England, 1861-03-26 00:00:00

TUESDAY EVENING, MARC as 26, 1861,

sants and to- conclude transactions relative to the

extent of the territorial allotment and to the amoun

of rental to be fixed in consequence, observing at the
same time the established rules to guarantee the
inviolability of such agreements.
"As the new organisation, in consequence of the
inevitable cotplexity of the changes which it ne-
cessitates, cannot be immediately put into execu-
tion ; as a lapse of time is necessary, which cannot
be less than two years or thereabouts, to avoid all
misunderstanding and to protect public and private
interests during this interval, the system (regime)
actually existing on the properties of landowners
(seigneurs) will be maintained up to the moment
when a new system shall have been instituted by
the completion:of the required preparatory measures.

"For which end we have deemed it advisable to
ordain—

" 1. To establish in each district (gouvernenzent)
a special Court for the question of the peasants; it
will have to investigate the affairs of the rural com-
munes established on the land of the lords of the
soil (seigneurs).
"2. To appoint in each district justices of the
peace to investigate on the spot all misunderstand-
ings and disputes which may arise on the occasion
of the introduction of the new regulation, and to
form district assemblies with these justices of the
peace.

"3. To organise in the seigneurial properties
communal administrations, and to this end to leave
the rural commune; in theina-Anal composition, and
to open in the large villages district administra-
tions (provincial boards) by uniting the small com-
munes under one of these district administrations.

" 4. To formulate, verify, and confirm in each
rural district or estate a charter of rules (une
charte reglementaire --oustavnaia yramota), in
which shall be enumerated on the basis of the
local Statute, the amount of land reserved to the
peasants in permanent enjoyment, and the extent
of the charges which may be exacted from them for
the benefit of the proprietor as well for the land as
for other advantages granted by him.
" 5. To put these charters of rules into execution
as they are gradually confirmed in each estate, and
to introduce their definitive execution within the
term of two years, dating from the day of publica-
tion of the present manifesto.

" 6. Up to the expiration of this term the pea-
sants and domestics (pens de la donzesticite) are to
remain in the same obedience towards their pro-
prietors, and to fulfil their former obligations with-
out scruple.
" 7. The proprietors will continue to watch over
the maintenance of order on their estates, with the
right of jurisdiction and of police, until the orga-
nisation of the districts (vo/osti) and of the district
tribunals has been effected.

" Aware of all the difficulties of the reform we
have, undertaken, we place above all things our
confidence in the goodness of Divine Providence,
who watches over the destinies of Russia.

" We also count upon the generous devotion of
our faithful nobility, and we are happy to testify to
that body the gratitude it has deserved from us,
as well as from the coantroy, for the disinterested
support it has given to the accomplishment of
our designs. Russia will not forget that
the nobility, acting solely upon its respect for the
dignity of man and its love for its neighbour, has
spontaneously renounced rights given to it by serf-
dom actually abolished, and laid the foundation of
a new future, which is thrown open to the peasants.
We also entertain the firm hope that it will also
nobly exert its ulterior efforts to carry out the new
regulation by maintaining good order, in a spirit of
peace and benevolence, and that each proprietor
will complete within the limits of his property the
great civic act accomplished by the whole body by
organising the existence of the peasants domici-
-I:..tea
on his estates, ‘,"./ nrn net ies, under
mutual advantageous conditions, thereby giving to
the country population the example of a faithful
and conscientious execution of the regulations of
the State.

" The numerous examples of the generous solici-
tude of the proprietors for the welfare of their pea-
sants, and the gratitude of the latter for the bene-
volent solicitude of their lords, give us the hope
that a mutual understanding will settle the majo-
rity of complications, in some cases inevitable, in
the partial application of general rules to the different
conditions under which isolated estates are placed;
that in this manner the transition from the ancient
order of things to the now will be facilitated ; and
that the future will strengthen definitively mutual
confidence, a good understanding, and the unani-
mous impulsion towards public utility.
"To render the transactions between the pro-
prietors and the peasants more easy, in virtue of ,
which the latter may acquire in full property their
close (enclos, homestead), and the land they occupy,
the Government will advance assistance according
to a special regulation, by means of loans or a trans-
fer of debts encumbering an estate.
" We thus confidently rely upon the upright feel-
ing of the nation.
" When the first news of this great reform medi-
tated.by the Government became diffused among
the rural populations, who were scarcely prepared
for it, it gave rise in some instances to misunder-
standings among individuals more intent upon
liberty than mindful of the duties which it imposes.
But generally the good sense of the country
has not been wanting. It has not misunderstood
either the inspirations of natural reason, which
says that every man who accepts freely the ben&
fits of society owes it in return the fulfilment of
certain positive obligations ; nor the teachings of
the Christian law, which enjoins that' every one be
subject unto the higher powers' (St. Paul to the
Romans, xiii. 1) ; and to ' render to all their dues,'
and, above all, to whomsoever it belongs, tribute,
custom, respect, and honour. (Ibid., 7 v.) It has
understood that the proprietors would not be de-
prived of rights legally acquired, except for a fit
and sufficient indemnity, or by a voluntary conces-
sion on their part; that it would be contrary to all
equity to accept this enjoyment of the lands con-
ceded by the proprietors without accepting also
towards them equivalent charges.
"And now W 3 hope with confidence that the
freed serfs, in thepresence of the new future which
is opened before them, will appreciate and recog-
nise the considerable sacrifices which the nobility
have made on their behalf. They will understand
that the blessing of an existence supported
upon the base of giaranteed property, as well as a
greater liberty in he administration of their goods,
entails upon them,with new duties towards society
and themselves, tle obligation of justifying the pro-
tecting designs of the law by a loyal and judicious
use of the rights vhich are now accorded to them.
For if men do notlabour themselves to insure their
own well-being uider the shield of the laws, the
best of those la ws2annot guarantee it to them.
"
It
is
of tlle onlybYassiduous labour, a rational em-
ploymenti strength and their resources, a
strict economy, ard, above all, by an honest life,
alf
theyfe can
constantly
iispired 'oy the fear of the Lord,
that arive at prosperity and insure its
development.
The authoritiesintrusted with the duty of pre-
paring boyParnaioaZ measures the execution of
eliistrill
the and of presiding at its inau-
guration, will ha'e to see that this work is accom-
plished with calmness and regularity, taking into
account the reqrirements of the seasons, in order
that the cultivate may not be drawn away from his
agricultural labolrs. Let him apply himself with
zeal to those labors, that he may be able to draw
from an abundan granary the seed which he has
to confide to thatland which will be given him for
permanent empleement, or which he has acquired
for himself as hisown property.

" And now, picas and faithful people, make upon
thy forehead thesacred sign of the cross, and join
thy prayers to oirs to call down the blessing of the

Most High upon thy first free labours, the sure
pledge of thy personal wellbeing and of the public
prosperity.

" Given at St. Petersburg the 19th day of Feb-
ruary (March 3), of
.the Year of Grace 1861, and
the seventh of our reign. "ALEXANDER."