Michael died in 1643 and was succeeded by his son Alexis. Although the reign of this sovereign was long, lasting for thirty-one years, it was not brilliant in a military sense, although it proved so humane, sagacious and successful that he is often called, in Russian annals, "The Father of his Country."
He made a new codification of the laws which was based on the preceding code of Ivan III. This was accomplished by a royal commission, composed of ecclesiastical and lay members, appointed to examine existing laws and make any necessary additions, or to adopt to the present needs any which had become obsolete.
They did the work very promptly as compared with Congressional commissions to which we are accustomed nowadays, finishing their task in two months and a half. This original code is still preserved at Moscow, and it is worthy of notice in that it recognized the equality of all men in the eyes of the law, and thus anticipated the fundamental principle which was not generally acknowledged in Western Europe until the following century.
We are told that Alexis allowed access to all petitioners at his favorite village. He caused a box to be placed opposite his bed-room window, and as soon as the Czar arose in the morning and appeared at the window the suppliants came forward with their complaints and placed them in the box, which was afterward taken to him.
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From General Nelson A. Miles
Thrilling Stories of The Russian-Japanese War, 1904
