In his work of superseding and subverting all the good old customs of the

land, and displacing the ancient native families from all places of

consideration and honor, in order to make room for the swarms of

miserable foreign adventurers that he would bring home with him in his

train.

By these and similar representations the opposition so far increased and

strengthened their party that, at length, they matured their arrangements

for an open outbreak. Their plan was, first, to take possession of the

city by means of the Guards, who were to be recalled for this purpose

from their distant posts, and by their assistance to murder all the

foreigners. They were then to issue a proclamation declaring that Peter,

by leaving the country and remaining so long away, had virtually

abdicated the government; and also a formal address to the Princess

Sophia, calling upon her to ascend the throne in his stead.

In executing this plan, negotiations were first cautiously opened with

the Guards, and they readily acceded to the proposals made to them. A

committee of three persons was appointed to draw up the address to

Sophia, and the precise details of the movements which were to take place

on the arrival of the Guards at the gates of Moscow were all arranged.

The Guards, of course, required some pretext for leaving their posts and

coming toward the city, independent of the real cause, for the

conspirators within the city were not prepared to rise and declare the

throne vacant until the Guards had actually arrived. Accordingly, while

the conspirators remained quiet, the Guards began to complain of various

grievances under which they suffered, particularly that they were not

paid their wages regularly, and they declared their determination to

march to Moscow and obtain redress. The government--that is, the regency

that Peter had left in charge--sent out deputies, who attempted to pacify

them, but could not succeed. The Guards insisted that they would go with

their complaints to Moscow. They commenced their march. The number of

men was about ten thousand. They pretended that they were only going to

the city to represent their case themselves directly to the government,

and then to march back again in a peaceable manner. They wished to know,

too, they said, what had become of the Czar. They could not depend upon

the rumors which came to them at so great a distance, and they were

determined to inform themselves on the spot whether he were alive or

dead, and when he was coming home.

The deputies returned with all speed to Moscow, and reported that the

Guards were on their march in full strength toward the city. The whole

city was thrown into a state of consternation. Many of the leading

families, anticipating serious trouble, moved away. Others packed up and

concealed their valuables. The government, too, though not yet

suspecting the real design of the Guards in the movement which they were

making, were greatly alarmed. They immediately ordered a large armed

force to go and meet the insurgents. This force was commanded by General

Gordon, the officer whom Peter had made general-in-chief of the army

before he set out on his tour.

General Gordon came up with the rebels about forty miles from Moscow. As

soon as he came near to them he halted, and sent forward a deputation

from his camp to confer with the leaders, in the hope of coming to some

amicable settlement of the difficulty. This deputation consisted of

Russian nobles of ancient and established rank and consideration in the

country, who had volunteered to accompany the general in his expedition.

General Gordon himself was one of the hated foreigners, and of course his

appearance, if he had gone himself to negotiate with the rebels, would

have perhaps only exasperated and inflamed them more than ever.

The deputation held a conference with the leaders of the Guards, and made

them very conciliatory offers. They promised that if they would return

to their duty the government would not only overlook the serious offense

which they had committed in leaving their posts and marching upon Moscow,

but would inquire into and redress all their grievances. But the Guards

refused to be satisfied. They were determined, they said, to march to

Moscow. They wished to ascertain for themselves whether Peter was dead

or alive, and if alive, what had become of him. They therefore were

going on, and, if General Gordon and his troops attempted to oppose them,

they would fight it out and see which was the strongest.