THE MENNONITE BROTHERHOOD IN RUSSIA (1789 - 1910), P. M. Friesen, 1911

ghts of ownership, to make full use of all lands, fishing, brewing of beer and vinegar, distillation of wine for their own use, as well as for sale within areas designated to them. "Fifth: We forbid outsiders to build inns and pubs, as well as such merchants to sell wine and maintain taverns on the lands belonging to the Mennonites, without their consent. “Sixth: We affirm by Our Imperial word that none of the Mennonites presently settled or those who will settle in the future, their children, or their descendants, at no time whatever will be drafted and enlisted into military or civil service without their personal desire. “Seventh: We free all their villages and houses from any kind of 644 MATTERS OF FAITH billeting and lodging, with the exception of those times when detachments are on the move, billeting regulations should be observed. In the same manner We free them from every kind of public works, on the condition, however, that bridges, ferries and roads located on their lands be kept in proper order and that, in accordance with general regulations, they participate in the maintenance of mail service. “Eight: We most graciously grant to all Mennonites and then- descendants full freedom and authority to use and dispose of their own possessions according to the discrete and best intentions of each individual, excepting, however, the land granted to them by the government. But if some, having paid all debts listed against them, desire to leave Russia with all their belongings, they are liable to pay a three-year tax on the capital gained in Russia, the amount to be set by their own consciences and by that of the village authorities. The same principle is bound to be applied to property of the deceased whose relatives and descendants reside in other countries when the property will have to be transferred to them according to hereditary rights established among them. In such case, they may, at the discretion of villages, elect trustees according to their rules over the estate of underaged children remaining after death. “Ninth: We affirm to them the ten-year privilege of tax exemption granted earlier, extending it also to those who in future will settle in the Province of Novorossisk; but since according to a survey, settlers are at present in a difficult situation due to several years of poor crops and loss of cattle; and, in addition to that, in the Chortitza area some families are expected to resettle on other lands for reasons of overpopulation, therefore, considering their poverty and lack of means of subsistence, and having earlier graciously granted to those who remain at the places of present settlements, a ten-year privilege, we extend the privilege for five more years; and for those who will resettle, for ten years, but decree that after the lapse of this time they pay fifteen kopeks per dessiatine annually from the sixty-five dessiatines of land granted to each family; freeing