By the peace with Poland above mentioned, Philarete, the father of Michael, who had been some time a prisoner at Warsaw, was allowed to return to Moscow, and in 1619 was elected Patriarch, an office which had been for some time vacant. Young Michael now associated his father with himself in his power and all ukases were published in their joint names. The Patriarch held a separate court and always sat at the right hand of the sovereign. Under the guidance of his father, a wise and experienced political ecclesiastic, the Emperor was now able to cope with powerful nobles, who were constantly conspiring at home as well as with diplomats sent to his court from foreign capitals.
Thus wisdom marked his administration, and treaties to the advantage of Russia were made with France and England, a small loan of some fifty thousand rubles being advanced by King James, to relieve the necessities of the depleted treasury at Moscow, and provide pay and munitions for the army which was necessary for defense, against the Poles on the one hand and for the suppression of the Cossacks on the other.
The country swarmed with English and French merchants anxious to obtain concessions, prominent among which was the right to trade with India by the way of Obi and to have a road for free commerce open to Persia by way of the Volga.
Previous article Next article
From General Nelson A. Miles
Thrilling Stories of The Russian-Japanese War, 1904
