258 GOVERNING RUSSIA'S PROVINCESand organization were no match for the Americans. In a more limited
way, he displayed the same attitude toward English traders. 1
A distinguishing trait of Speransky's administration of Siberia was
its humanity and mildness. It was such a contrast to the traditional
pattern that it left a greater impression on the administrative practices
than might have been supposed. Speransky mainly acted on the con-
sciences of his subordinates and of the people. His mild treatment of
the guilty and particularly his willing:ness to accept at its face value
any change of heart might be ascribed to his meek and soft personality.
But in fact - whether by design or not - his method had quite a
lasting effect. His tactful and considerate treatment of the people en-
trusted to his administrative care gav~ the more prominent citizens of
Siberia the courage and even the habit of coming. to him for advice
and of supplying the Governor General with much needed and interest-
ing information. Contrasted to the rigid aloofneS$ of former governors
and to the fear inspired by Treskin, Speransky's manner was a revolu-
tion in itself. No more did the Siberians fear being asked to the Gover-
nor's residence. This attitude permitted the administration to obtain
valuable data directly; the governor no longer needed to rely exclu-
sively on the spotty and dry reports of unreliable and easily bribed
subordinate officials. '
Speransky also endeavored to bring the administration and the pop-
ulation closer together by increasing their social contacts. He beHeved
that this was especially important in Siberia where, in the absence of
a nobility, other social classes should be given a chance of becoming a
leadership group by establishing closer intellectual and social contact
with the administration. The administration might use this opportunity
to impress upon the leading inhabitants the desirability of more educa-tion and more civic consciousness. To bring about this kind of rap-
prochement between the authorities and society, Speransky organized
and encouraged social gatherings at his residence. Although himself a
retiring person who shunned social occasions, in Siberia he abandoned
his usual reserve somewhat. He was effectively helppd by his assistants,
for the most part younger, gay, and outgoing persons who could make
a success of any party and gathering. And as some of his aides, like
Batenkov for instance, were themselves of Siberian origin, they had a
good understanding of the local population. The winters Speransky
spent in Irkutsk were later remembered for their particularly exciting,
novel and lively social life. The example set by Speransky and his sub-1 See Speranskii's letters to Count Kochubei, 29 September 1820, from Tobol'sk,
Pamiati, p. 501 and to Count Gur'ev, 2 October 1820, ibid., p. 485.