Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1855-03-30

been quietly Drawn together ana Ju-
diciously posted, the Prince Potem-
kin issued a proclamation, that
Schaim Ghiray had solemnly abdi-
Gated his khanship, entirely of his
own free will, in favor of the EN-
press of Russia, to whom, therefore,
Nogay Tartars were bound, and re-
quired Immediately 10 swear allegi-
ance. To facilitate the due perfor-
nance Of this solemnity--at which
Suwarrow and his soldiers were of
course to assist-a grand feast was
provided in the open air for the No
gay chiefs and their dependents,
where after they had devoured 100
oxen, and 500 sheep, with $4,000
pints of sage brandy, the oath was
administered to them collectively,
and Suwarrow Immediately de-
spatched a special courier to inform
Prince Potemkin of the completion
Of that act of faith and homage"
by the intoxicated Tartars. Doubts,
however, were not long in suggest
ing themselves to the mind of Gen
eral Suwarrow, as to the degree OF
binding force with an oath, howev-
er solemn in itself or impressively
administered, could be expected to
have upon the conscience of men,
who, "he was grieved to discover,
were entirely destitute of religious
reverence :" the result of which
was an understanding between him
aud the Prince Potemkin, that all the
tribes of Nogay Tartars should be
gradually removed to the wilds of
Ural, and that in the meantime
they should be, IS opportunity Of
fered, as quietly rs possible, and I'M
der plausible pretexts, disarmed.-
This scheme went on prosperously
for some time but at last large
body of Nogays, on their way to
the Ural steppes, suddenly refusing
to move further in that direction
overpowered aud broke away from
the escort, and fled for shelter to the
southwest bank of the Kuban, in
the plains of Caucassia.
Suwarrow pursued them tiither
with the determination of taking
signal vengeance upon the " oath
breaking infdels"-a promise wnich
he thoroughly redeemed. By day
break on the morning of September,
1882, whether the precise delin-
quents lie was in quest of, the gen.
eral did not stop to inquire--and
presently the Russian squadrons
burst upon the surprised aud de-
fcnceless tribe, and the massacre, -
we read, continued till noon"-
till, in fact, all, men, women, aud
children, having been destroyed by
Suwarrow's express orders, "they
being goddess heathens, who did
not respect their oaths !" This ter
riDie example, If we believe ,he
Russian historians, produced the de-
sired effect and the enforced mi
grafton of the Nogays encountered
no further opposition. Catharlne
soon afterwards sent the successful
general the Grand Cross of the f.
questrian Order of St. Waldomir
"as a public testimony of our APP
probation Of the zeal and activity
you have displayed in our service
and particularly in the commission
you have borne under the direction
of orr General Prince Potemkin
for the reunion of the various ma
tons of the Russian Empire. -
Suwarrow returned to 81. Peters
burg, in l7s5, and having thorough
Iy pacifed the Nogay Tartars, one
Of whose chiefs, MurSa Bey-;
great eater who drank pure sag,
brandy with his meals, and wa
carried by his servants to bed-ihs
Russian general regarded with grea
attachment and esteem, and tool
leave of with many expressions o
afiectionate interest.