Michael Speransky. Statesman of Imperial Russia, 1772–1839 - Marc Raeff

DISGRACE AND EXILE 193

All these statements of the Emperor, adapted as they were to the
person to whom they were addressed,' do not provide us with any
final answer. But they give a fair list of the various considerations
which entered into the Emperor's decision.
As had to be expected, the news of Speransky's fall was received

with great joy by the conservative aristocracy in Moscow. It even was

interpreted by some as Russia's first victory over France. The only

regret was that the "traitor" '-and his exile was final proof of his

treason - and evil genius of Russia had not been dealt with more
harshly. Many would have preferred to see him hanged. The exclama-
tion of relief of V. I. Bakunina, often quoted by historians, was quite
expressive of the sentiment and bears repetition: "A great day for the
Fatherland and for all of us - the 17th of March! God has shown us
His favor, for He has turned towards us and our enemies have

fallen ... " 1 The lady was not alone in experiencing great elation. A.

I. Bulgakov noted in his diary on March 22, 1812 (Moscow): "In St.

Petersburg there has been discovered a conspiracy which aimed at

betraying Russia to the French. The 'wastrel' Speransky and Magnitskii

have been arrested ... An example must be made by punishing [them],

by hanging Speransky! 0 outcast, monster, ungrateful and base creature!

You were not worthy of the name of Russian nobleman. That is why

you persecuted them [nobles]. Everybody speaks only of this." 2 In St.

Petersburg the moderate conservative and anglophile N. M. Longinov

applauded the fall of Speransky in his letters to Count S. R. Vorontsov,

the sponsor of the Charter to the Russian People of 1801. 3 As a matter

of fact, not a single significant voice was raised in defense of Speransky

in 1812. Among the numerous official acquaintances, colleagues, and

assistants of Speransky, some of whom were high in the government and

who shared most of his ideas, only Count Shuvalov showed any sign

of genuine personal concern and friendship.4 Alone Admiral Mord-

vinov dared to resign-from the Council of State in protest. Count

Kochubei, erstwhile patron of Speransky, a very cautious courtier,

immediately dissociated himself from the fallen dignitary and broke

off relations with him until 1816.^5

The foreign colony, and in particular the diplomatic representatives

1 Quoted in Shil'der, op. cit., III, p. 46.

II A. la. Bulgakov, "Vyderzhki iz zapisok A. la. Bulgakova," Russkii Arkhiv, (1867),

pp. 1367-1368. See also letters of same to his brother. in Russkii Arkhiv, (1900).

No.5, pp. 14-17.

3 Arkhiv kniazia Vorontsova, Vol. 23, p. 97 (lette!; No. 44, 6 April 1812); pp.

144-153 passim (letter No. 59. 13 Nov. 1812).

4 Druzheskie pis'ma Masal'skomu, p. 14.

5 Letter of V. Kochubei, dated 4 September 1818, in Pamiati p. 490 (note).