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Provinces, from whence it was extorted and sent thither. But the next year there being a scarcity of Corn, and the Ships having transported less from the Provinces, then was requisite for the subsistance of the people of that City, which was the greatest in the World. Peter found himself in great perplexity, not knowing of what Wood to make his Arrow, nor what remedy to apply to their Distress. Having well considered of a way, at length he pitched upon this, to cause all the Corn to be transported out of Thrace, Phrygia, and Bithynia, to Constantinople, and to compel the Inhabitants of those Provinces to convey it themselves to the Ports, where they were to ship it with a great deal of pains, and carry it by Sea to Constantinople; having experimented in their passage, all the dangers that could be incurred, in a sullen and outragious Sea.
When they were arrived thorow all those difficulties, and had perfected their voyage, they had but a third part of their due paid them for their pains, and the losses they received were so great and considerable, they had better have given away their Corn, and twice as much more: Yet all this Provision was too small for the sustenance of so populous a City, several persons went to complain to the Emperor, and remonstrate the true state of affairs. The Soldiers who were in great arrears, and had no Money to furnish themselves with Victuals, began to murmur and repine, and to hold such Meetings and Assemblies in the Town, as seem-
