There were many, too, who had rendered homage ‘(jo .to Joseph II., or had borne arms under him.
But it also occurred to the Servians that Austria had never retained the possessions she acquired, but had alwa}-s given back both land and people to the Turks. Moreover, Austria was now directing all her attention to the West ; concentrating her entire strength for a new conflict with the French empire: which, both in Italy and Germany, must be a matter of life and death.
On the other hand, the name of Russia had, during the last century, acquired a high reputation amongst all the followers of the Greek church ; but the most important point was that, for a length of time, she had stood in the same relation to Moldavia and TVallachia as that which Servia now sought for herself.
In repeated conventions with the Porte, Russia had stipulated for freedom of religiou_and moderate taxation for these two principalities. The Ilattischerif of October 23. 1802, was still fresh in their recollection; in which the Porte granted to the governments of those countries a greater degree of .stability, pledged itself not to remove the reigning prince without previous reference to Russia, and not to allow any Turks, except merchants and traders, to enter either territory. A short time previously, the new prince had, with the assistance of Russia, obtained a grant of freedom from taxes, in consideration of the devastations caused by Passwan Oglu.
Services so important, rendered at that period to their neighbours, induced the Servians, after some consideration, to decide upon addressing themselves tiiP.ussia.__. In August, 1804, Prota Nenadowitscli, John—Proti.ts.ch, and Peter Tschardaklia, were de-spatched to St. Petersburg- In February, 1805, they returned with an answer which was, upon the whole, very favourable. The Russian government called upon the Servians first to prefer their requests at Constantinople, and promised to promote their fulfilment there.
The Servians, having now the promise of support from a great Christian power, were inspired with new confidence in their cause, and the demands which they made were of an important character.
Private Balkan Tours 