Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-09-21
Alexa. Gazette d. Virginia Advertis
PETER THE GREAT.

While Peter the Great worked lncognto as
shipwright a, Sardam, IN Holland, 10 acquire
that kuowcdge which must ever cover him with
immortal honor, he contracted a sort OF FREUD
ship with blunt, honest skipper uaued Wee
bcs, who had a ship building there, and ou which
the Emperor occasionally worked.
During the construction of this vessel, Peter
puuGed OF Weebes for which trade he Intended
her When ready, aud was answered 10y the sea
man that be had heard so much OF the great
encouragement offered by the Gar of Muscovy
to those who fir, quenled his new port aud city,
that he had soue thoughts OF uaulng the ship
the ST. Petersburg, and making his first voyage
there, more especially that measure was
strongly recommended by his merchant Mr.
Lusses, Of Amsterdam, who had, In that case,
promised him letter to his correspondent III
Russia, Mr. Jcrcmy Mayer, who would procure
him good cargo.
The scheme gave much pleasure TO the Car,
as he liked the mau, 50 that he not only en-
couraged him 10 it, but likewise gave hlm a
letter 10 a particular friend IN ST. Petersburg,
who would show him every clvlhty, aud make
bim acquainted with his family set OF p,aiu,
honest, mercantile people. who would co'ope-
rate with Mr. Meyer 10 furnishing the cargo,
aud give him, for certain, hearty welcome,
if he was not arrived to do it himself Weebcs
thanked the Russian shipwright for his kind
ness with hearty squeeze OF the hand, and
did arrive at ST. Petersburg soou after the Em-
peror, who was working IN his admiralty 90
the south bank OF the river, aud commitment
iug to his peope the knowledge he had So noby
ACQUIRED, when new dolaod ship sautcd it,
Which he instantly rccoccted TO be the same
he had worked Oh at Sardam, Commanded by
his favorltc tar.
Peter hurried Immediately home in his work
\ Il. br,
going to act, and had arrived at his cottage
palace, not far trom the 'Chauge (stllI entered
with reverence by those who admire real great
pcssl before Wecbls had got all ready to come
ashore.
A Mr.. Blame, captain Of the port, the same
to whom Peter had recommended the skipper,
went on board without discovering his tunc-
liou, aud after inquirng the name OF the ship,
etc., asked him il he had not a letter for him
from friend. who had now got home himself,
and would show him those civllltleS ln person
which he had at Sardam committed to the
care OF another.
Wecbcs was highly delighted to 6nd he had "a
friend and acquaintance III a strange cOuntry,
and hurried with Blaue to see him, after beg
ging that gentleman to help hun to smuggle
ashore few presents to Mchallot y family
(tnc Gar travelling surname.
Peter was waiting with lmpatlence on the
quay for his debarkatlon, and after kindy em
bracing skipper Wcebes, conducted him to his
humble dwelling, which Indeed the Holandcr
found so much SO, from the furniture aud
everything around him, that be had no idea OF
his power to procure the PROMISED cargo, aud
seemed somewhat mpatlent to see Mr. Mayer
BY way of having two strings to his bow
The Gar in the meantime, SAID he must
call his wife before they proceeded any lar
tbcr, who would be happy to see friend
who had been kind to him at Sardam
and that amlabe princess appeared, on be-
ing sent tor, with refreshments on sal
yer in the style OF Russia Weebes WAS
more struck with the fair Catharine than with
anything he had yet secn aud taking his pipe
out of his mouth, which be was smoking, accord
ing to custom, not only gave her a hearty smack
but a familiar slap ou the shoulder, exclaimiug
that Peter was q lucky dog, and had made no
bad choice.
The presents were now lugged ou. from his
own aud Blanes pockets aud thrown into the
irows lap telling her at the same tune that
piece of Hollands in the number would make
such shifts as never yet covered her fair back,
and she would lick her lips after au excellent
cheese made by his own trow for the occasion.
While Peter and Catherine were highly enjoy
ing this natural scene, his favorlte, Prince Men
lkoff, whom none burst stop, abruptly entered
The room, on Some pressing business, dressed
III his ribbon, star, etc. and had like to have
spoiled all, as the skipper jumped up, and asked
tie Emperor, In whisper, who the great man
was, aud what he wanted. Money" replied
Peter, in the same low voice. "tor some timber
We have got trom his estate, as you know, these
gentry are always needy and, under pretepse
OF paying HIM, went out for a moment and dis
patched the prince.
However, he was not equally successful 10
Keeping up the deception short time after
ward. when the guard being relieved, clrcum-
stance The Emperor forgot to prevent although
ne had ordered them to keep out OF sight, the
Field Marshal, Butterue, the captain OF the
guards marched into the room, and announced
The change IN loud voice OF military etiquette.
his second unexpected interruption oVercame
ieter 5 patience; lnsomuch, that he forgot HIM
SET SO tar as TO stamp with his foot, which sent
the marshal right about faster than he came
~; but the sport was over; for, on looking
round, Peter saw his Sardam meSsmate stuck
upasalust the wall, with his cap in his hand,
aud his pipe dropped at his feet; aud all he
could now say could no longer persuade him
that he was the ship building merchant he had
50 long passed for. No. said the honest tar,
see that have been making so free with
The Gar himself, aud am quite unhappy at the
smack and slap gave the Empress for it
must have becu her whom treated so rudely."
Peter after hearty laugh, soon dis PEELED his
Tears, 10y sending for Catherine to receive his
apology, on condition he took another kiss at
the end of it, and stayed to dinner with him,
when he would conduct him to Change and iu.
troduce him to his merchant.
The Gar was better thai his word, both
here aud in Holland; for he not only presented
Wecbes in person to Mr. Meyer on public
{ h.p,, hylt
present of his first cargo, sending, at the
same time, an imperial edct to the custom.
house, that the ship ST. Petersburg, ou which
the Gar had worked, should have liberty, as
long she could float, TO briug each voyage to
she amount Of Que thousand roubles, worth OF