This constitution provided that the High Council was always to be composed of eight persons, whose members were to be chosen, in case of vacancy, with the consent of the rest of the body, and that the Czarina must consult it on state affairs. Second, without its consent. she could neither make peace nor declare war, could not impose any tax, alienate any crown lands, or appoint to any office above that of a colonel. She could not cause to be condemned or executed any member of the nobility, nor confiscate the goods of any noble before he had a regular trial. She could not marry nor choose a successor without the consent of the Council. In case she broke any of the se stipulations she was to forfeit the crown.
It will be noticed that this constitution resembled in many points the provision of the Great Charter of England which the barons had forced upon King John at Runnymede. In some points also it resembled the constitution of the United States, giving some powers to the Great Council now lodged in the Senate. Anna assented to these terms, but much against her will, as events soon demonstrated.
She made her entry into Moscow, which was to be her capital, and immediately began to intrigue for her independence of the hated constitution, which became unpopular with the people because it in reality put Russia in the hands of a few powerful families, chiefly the Dolgorukis and Galitzins. She therefore called her supporters together and publicly tore up the document and threw its fragments to the winds.
Thus ended the last constitution which Russia has known, although the adoption of another organic instrument has been frequently discussed, an it is believed that, at the very moment when Alexander II fell a victim to the bomb thrown by a Nihilist, he had decided to promulgate a charter based upon modern constitutions in force under liberal government.
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From General Nelson A. Miles
Thrilling Stories of The Russian-Japanese War, 1904
