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COXE’S TRAVELS IN RUSSIA. 945
of the report? ‘But even allowing the fact,” continues Muller, the conclufion by
no means follows, as the ftrongeft refemblance has been frequently obferved between
two different perfons; and it is likewife poflible, that the falfe Demetrius might have
imitated a wart in his face, and have feigned a defect in his arm.” It is barely poffible,
indeed, to account for thefe circumftances in this manner; ftill, however, they mutt be
confidered, though not as pofitive, yet as prefumptive evidence in his favour, efpecially
when joined to collateral proofs.
3. The fuccefs of his enterprize, and condu& upon the throne, feem to prove that he
was the real Demetrius. He entered Ruflia with an inconfiderable force, which in-
creafed as he advanced ; and though totally defeated, and almoft deferted by the Poles,
yet his army was foon recruited, and became more formidable than before his difcom-
fiture. Perfons of the firft diftin@tion joined him from all qyarters, and the more he
became perfonally known to the Ruflians, the greater number of partizans flocked to
his ftandard. Nor did this feem owing to any want of popularity in Boris Godunof,
whofe adminiftration was greatly refpected for vigour and wifdom ; it rather proceeded
from a general conviction that‘he was Demetrius. When feated upon the throne he
did not aé like an impoftor.’ Had he been one, he would fcarcely have pardoned Vaf-
fili Shuifki, who had thrown doubts upon the reality of his defcent. Inftead of dif
believing the {trong reports of an impending infurrection, he would have turned a ready
ear to flighteft rumours of plots and machinations, and have taken every precaution
againft them.’ In‘a word, his general character was as thoughtlefs and inconfiderate as
it was open and fincere; but above all, his freedom from fufpicion and jealoufy were
incompatible with the principles of an ufurper *.
40 The condu@ of Maria Feodorofna muft be admitted as fupporting the fame fide
of the queftion. After having openly acknowledged him for her fon, fhe is faid to have
publicly difowned him. If both the avowal and denial were equally public, they both
might have been extorted by fear, and her teftimony muft be confidered as null. For
what credit can that woman deferve who at one time admitted a perfon to be her fon,
and at another reje€ted him? We may obferye, however, this difference, that in one in-
ftance fhe owned him in perfon; in the other, fhe was not confronted with him, but her
anfwer was brought by Vaflili Shuifki +, who was moft interefted to prove him an im-
poftor. It therefore follows,’ that if (as feems to be the cafe) her avowal was public,
and her denial was not, the former is more to be depended upon than the latter, and her
teftimony muft be admitted in his favour f.
a 5. The
* «6 Puis parlons,’”’ fays Margaret, “de fa clemence, envers un chacun aprés qu’il fut receu en Mofco,
et principalement envers Vacilli Choutfqui, lequel fut convaincu de trahifon, &c. et mefmes fut ledit Deme-
trius prié par tous les affiftans de le faire mourir, vu qu’ils s’eltait toujours trouvé preturbateur du repos
public. Je parle comme ayant ony et veu le tout de mes oreilles. Ce non obftant il luy pardonna, com-
bien que Demetrius fcavoit bien que nul n’ofoit afpirer a la couronne que la dite maifon de Chouit{qui.
Tl pardonna avffi a plufieurs autres ; car il eftoit fans foupgon,”’ p. 171.
* Siil fe fut fenty coupable en aucune chofe, il euft ew jufte fujet de croire les machinations et trahifons
complottées ct trammées contre fa petfonne, des quelles il etcit aflez adverty, et y euft pi remedier avec
grande facilité,” p.174.
+ Mr. Muller fays, Vaflili Shuifki took the trouble of repairing himfelf to the convent. Gab fich feblft die
muche.
} The Ruffian authors affert, that at the time when the relics were conveyed to Mofcow, fhe publicly
retraéted her former teftimony in his favour; upon their firft interview near Mofcow; confeffing that fhe
had been induced by threats, as wellas from a defire of procuring her liberty, to acknow!edge an alien for ~
her fon. But how are we certain that the really made this public confeffion 2 Its truth entirely refts
upon the Ruffian papers, which cannot, in this inftance, be efteemed authentic records. Why was her
VOL. Vie GAC public
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