After the death of the Polish king Sigismund Augustus on July 7, 1572. The Polish dynasty was cut short, and the monarchy became elective. Russian Tsar Ivan the Terrible put forward his candidacy for the Polish throne, and through ambassadors sent an appeal to the Polish and Lithuanian parliament. In the appeal, the king explains the reasons why he is forced to harshly (cruelly) treat some of his subjects and indicates their guilt before the state. Further describes the reason for the flight of Kurbsky. Outlines the main directions of future foreign and domestic policy - the fight against Crimea and tolerance for Gentiles. To top it off, he proposes to transfer Polotsk with all the volosts into the hands of the Commonwealth.