13.6. 6. Of a despotic Government in the like Case.
The foregoing rule is
still more indispensably necessary in a despotic government. The lord
who is every moment liable to be stripped of his lands and his vassals
is not so eager to preserve them.
When Peter I thought proper to follow the custom of Germany, and to
demand his taxes in money, he made a very prudent regulation, which is
still followed in Russia. The gentleman levies the tax on the peasant,
and pays it to the Czar. If the number of peasants diminishes, he pays
all the same; if it increases, he pays no more; so that it is his
interest not to worry or oppress his vassals.
