The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-05-17
BALTIMORE.
MONDAY, MAY II, 1858.

Of the sixty-ive millions of souls composing the
heterogeneous population of the Russian Empire,
twenty-one millions arc Sers. Of these, nine NIL
lions are the exclusive property of the Crown the
remaining twelve millions are held in variable
numbers by the old Sclavic Boyards and Princely
land-holders For several generations it has been
part of the established policy of the regning Soy
ereign to purchase the ncumbered estates of needy
proprietors upon whose domains the system of vii
lanage prevailed and, with the estates, the Serfs
who can only be sold, exceptby their own consent,
in connection with the soil they cultivate and for
the use of which they pay certain fixed rent to
their feuda lord. The same law governs those
who dwell in villages and, by permission of their
owners engage in mercantile and mechanical pur-
suits. But though the Russian Serf is recognized
part of the estate and cannot be separated
from it at the will of his master, the latter may
ercise at any time his prerogative, either by manu-
hitting faithful servant, or by granting an nge-
NOUS one the privilege to exercise his calling in any
of the cities of the Empire. In the one case the
man becomes absolutely free, in the other the
rights of ownership are still retained. Dis
persed throughout the Empire, there are num-
bers of Serfs, who may be SAID to be viz
tually free, and who, by dint of patient indus
try, have amassed a competence in property and
money, whilst there are few instances on record
of some, who, even in this anomalous condition,
have succeeded in making large fortunes. One
of the wealthiest merchants in ST. Petersburg is
Serf subject at any time, at the pleasure of his
owner, to be sold with the estate on which he was
born, and amenabe to all the obligations that
condition of Serfdom imposes. THERE'S, however
kind of service to which the Serf is at all times
liable and upon entering which he is entitled to
his freedom. Every able-bodied Serf is subject to
the CONSUMPTION. 1t is obligatory upon each
feudal lord to furnish certain quota of the force
required, in proportion to the number of Serfs be-
longing to each particular estate. The term of
military service is from eight to ten years, and, in
the meantime, the conscripts are taught in addi-
ton to the ordinary duties of soldier, any one
of the mechanical trades they may think proper to
select, as best adapted to procure them liveli-
hood on leaving the army, clothed for the first
time with all the privileges and responsibilities
of a free Russian Citizen. The manumssion of
the Crown peasants was favorite project with
the CAR ALEXANDER |, but the opposition to
the measure was so threatening on the part
of the old Muscovite party, that the expert
ment was only made on limited SCALE and even
then, under circumstances so unfavorable that the
scheme for extending the boon to the great body
of the Serfs occupying the Crown lands was aban-
doned, as being too perilous to be undertaken at
that time, and in the then condition of boorish
Ignorance and naughty disregard of authority, in
which many of the large landed proprietors lived
Even the EMPEROR NIcHoLAs-strong-wille as he
was, and displaying in the exercise of his absolute
authority more vigor and determination of charac-
ter than any Russian Sovereign since the time
OF PETER the GREAT - shrank from the task
OF giving freedom to the Serfs upon his do
mains But what neither ALEXANDER l. nor
his successor NICHOLAS, dared to attempt
ALEXANDER H. under happier auspices, and in a
more enlightened state of public opinion, has sue
ceeded in accomplishing. He has freed, by an
Imperial Ukase, the Crown peasants, in several
widely separated districts of the Empire, and has
thus prepared the way for speedy manumission of
the remainder. So far as we have any knowledge
of the facts, this good work has been ACCOMPLISHED
not only without exciting the Indignation of the
feudal nobleS but with their tacit if not OPEN ap-
proval. The liberation of nine millions of peasants
from species of bondage which, though qualified
IN various ways, was yet beginning to be felt as
oppressive, forms an era in Russian history 1t is
the Inauguration of new line of policy, was die
tated by spirit of true benevolence, and while as
measure of policy, it will tend to strengthen the
Imperial Throne, it will advance alike the material
prosperity of Russia, and, in due season. will give
reality and substance to those visions of Southern
Conquest which, for nearly two centuries, have
moulded and shaped the policy of successive Sover-
eigns of the House of Romanoff.