n, in (p. 175)
January 1730, he caught cold and died after a brief illness.

It was during his short reign that Prussia, Austria, and Russia, first
seriously discussed the partition of Poland. A treaty was signed
between Prussia and Russia whereby the two powers agreed to select and
support a candidate for the throne of that kingdom which was to
illustrate the truth that "a kingdom divided against itself cannot
exist."

Peter's death left Russia without a male heir. There were, as we have
seen, two daughters from his marriage with Catherine. Anne, who had
married the Duke of Holstein, had died in 1728, leaving a son also
named Peter. Elizabeth, the other daughter, was in St. Petersburg,
quietly engaged in establishing a party of her own. There were,
besides, two other parties having claims upon the throne. Ivan, the
weak-minded half-brother of Peter the Great, had been married and had
left two daughters, Anne, Duchess of Courland, and Catherine, Duchess
of Mecklenburg.

The decision rested with the Secret High Council. Dolgorouki's claim,
that Peter II had made a secret will leaving the throne to his bride,
was laughed to scorn. The members of the High Council saw an
opportunity to secure most of the autocratic power for themselves, and
resolved to offer the throne to Anne of Courland, provided that she
subscribed to the following conditions: That the Secret High Council
should always consist of eight members, all vacancies to be filled by
themselves; that she could make neither war nor peace, nor appoint an
officer above the rank of colonel, without the consent of the (p. 176)
Council; that she could not condemn a noble to death, nor confiscate
his property, without a trial; and that she could neither appoint a
successor, nor marry again without the approval of the Council. She
was also to sign an agreement whereby she would forfeit the crown "in
case of my ceasing to observe these engagements." The Council also
decided upon moving the capital back to Moscow.

This might have been the beginning of a more liberal government for
Russia, since it diminished the power of the czar and the people would
have benefited by the increased rights of the nobles, as was the case
in England. It was the nobility who objected, from fear that the power
might be absorbed in the families of the Council members. Anne of
Courland accepted the conditions and came to Moscow. There she
received letters from the enemies of the Council