802 Appendix III
- We guarantee independence and freedom to the Russian nobility for all
time, by inheritance in future generations. - We guarantee to noblemen, now in our service, the right either to continue
in service or to apply for release from it according to regulations now in effect. - We guarantee permission to noblemen to enter the service of other Euro-
pean powers allied with us, and to travel in foreign lands. - [Duty of nobles to defend the state.]
- The well- born person has the right to sign his name [as owner of a landed
estate]. - [Rights of sale, alienation and testament.]
23– 25. [Miscellaneous.] - Well- born persons are confirmed in the right to purchase villages.
- Well- born persons are confirmed in the right to sell at wholesale what has
been harvested in their villages or produced by handicraft. - Well- born persons are permitted to have manufactories and industrial works
in their villages. - Well- born persons are permitted to set up market towns on their estates and
to open annual or other markets in them, as provided by law, with the knowledge
of the governor and the administration of the province.... - Well- born persons are confirmed in the right to possess, build or buy houses
in the cities, and to carry on manufacturing enterprises therein. - [Nobles may obtain burgher rights.]
- Well- born persons are permitted to sell products raised on their estates at
wholesale overseas or to have them exported through the designated ports.... - Well- born persons, in accordance with the ukaz of June 28, 1782 are con-
firmed in the right to possess, not only the surface of the lands belonging to them,
but also whatever minerals or plants may be present in the depths beneath the soil
or waters, and likewise all metals extracted therefrom, in the full sense and scope of
the aforementioned ukaz. - Well- born persons are confirmed in the right to possess the forests on their
estates, and in the right of free use of these forests.... - In the villages the house of the lord shall be exempt from military quartering.
- The well- born person is himself freed from personal taxes.
Translated from the German text in V. Gitermann, Geschichte Russlands, 2 vols.
(Zurich, 1945), II, 470– 72, I am indebted to my colleague, Professor Jerome Blum,
for comparing the translation for accuracy of meaning with the original Russian.
Further clauses granted the nobles the right of provincial assemblies.
2. The Prussian General Code,
ON THE LAWS IN GENERAL- This general code contains the provisions by which the rights and obligations
of inhabitants of the state, so far as they are not determined by particular laws, are
to be judged.