period of negotiation and delay,
during which many events occurred which it would be interesting to
relate if time and space permitted. Alexis was transferred from one
place to another, with a view of eluding any attempt which his father
might make to get possession of him again, either by violence or
stratagem, and at length was conveyed to Naples, in Italy, and was
concealed in the castle of St. Elmo there.

In the mean time Peter grew more and more urgent in his demands upon
the emperor to deliver up his son, and the emperor at last, finding
that the quarrel was really becoming serious, and being convinced,
moreover, by the representations which Peter caused to be made to him,
that Alexis had been much more to blame than he had supposed, seemed
disposed to change his ground, and began now to advise Alexis to return
home. Alexis was quite alarmed when he found that, after all, he was
not to be supported in his rebellion by the emperor, and at length,
after a great many negotiations, difficulties, and delays, he
determined to make a virtue of necessity and to go home. His father
had written him repeated letters, promising him a free pardon if he
would return, and threatening him in the most severe and decided manner
if he did not. To the last of these letters, when Alexis had finally
resolved to go back, he wrote the following very meek and submissive
reply. It was written from Naples in October, 1717:

"MY CLEMENT LORD AND FATHER,--

"I have received your majesty's most gracious letter by Messrs. Tolstoi
and Rumanrow,[1] in which, as also by word of mouth, I am most
graciously assured of pardon for having fled without your permission in
case I return. I give you most hearty thanks with tears in my eyes,
and own myself unworthy of all favor. I throw myself at your feet, and
implore your clemency, and beseech you to pardon my crimes, for which I
acknowledge that I deserve the severest punishment. But I rely on your
gracious assurances, and, submitting to your pleasure, shall set out
immediately from Naples to attend your majesty at Petersburg with those
whom your majesty has sent.

"Your most humble and unworthy servant, who deserves not to be called
your son,

"ALEXIS."

After having written and dispatched this letter Alexis surrendered
himself to Tolstoi and Rumanrow, and in their charge set out on his
return to Russia, there to be delivered into his father's hands; for
Peter was now in Russia, hav