182 DISGRACE AND EXILEof the Grand Duchy. He therefore deeply resented the fact that
Speransky had become the Secretary of State for Finnish Affairs, even
though Speransky had recommended him, Armfelt, to membership in
the Council for Finland.
ArmfeJt's position in the Russian administration, Emperor Alexander's
high regard for him, and his many social and political connections
enabled him --without arousing the suspicion of a "foreign intrigue"
- to contact Russian dignitaries and enlist their support against
Speransky. As his main assistant from among the ranks of Russian
officials, Armfelt chose the Minister of the Police, Count Balashov.
Balashov's only concern was the promotion of his personal interest, the
securing of rapid promotion and greater influence in governmental
affairs. As many other high officials in St. Petersburg, Balashov saw
with a jaundiced eye Speransky's ubiquitous functions. He felt that
the State Secretary's participation in all and sundry areas of admin-
istration prevented the merits of others from coming to the attention
of the sovereign. That this obstacle on the path to promotion and
influence was due to the doings - so they thought - of an upstart,
a parvenu of low birth, aroused the anger of the "well born" officials
even more. Dependent on the personal favor of the Emperor, they
could see with some equanimity this favor bestowed on one of their
own kind, particularly if the fortunate object of the monarch's benev-
olence was willing to let others share in the rewards and benefits. But
Speransky was too keenly aware that he had earned his high position
by dint of tireless energy, work, and his own talents. He refused to
employ his influence to secure benefits for people who had not done
much to deserve them. The courtiers, whom he had rebuffed and who,
like parasites, always lived off the imperial treasury, could not believe
that Speransky was honest and free from any taint of corruption. They
spread the rumor that in fact he had amassed a large fortune from
bribes and dishonest manipulations of the country's finances. As ev-
idence for their contention, they cited Speransky's close association with
traders and bankers like Amburger, Perets, and Lazarev.
Judging from themselves, the Armfelts, Balashovs, and tutti quanti
could not conceive that a man in Speransky's position would not want
to extend his power and secure control of all governmental affairs.
Either because they misjudged Speransky's character, or as an act of
deliberate provocation, the trio Vernegue-Armfelt-Balashov approached
the State Secretary with the suggestion that they form a "triumvirate"
of Armfelt, Balashov, and Speransky, which would in fact rule the
Empire by securing a dominant influence over Alexander. Speransky