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

"CONSTITUTIONALISM" 33

equal footing with the civilized nations of Western Europe and prevent
the recurrence of the despotism of a madman? In Russia where
everything depended on the will and preference of the ruler,
Alexander's alleged sympathy with these aims was a good omen.
Strengthened by his "people's" enthusiastic love and loyalty, the young
Emperor could lead his country to a new future in satisfying the
aspirations and desires of his subjects.
Alexander's charm, youth, and sincere idealism held out the promise
that the optimistic hopes of even the most ardent and enthusiastic
advocates of fundamental reforms would not be disappointed. The
approval he had apparently given to the removal, although not the
murder, of his despotic father was viewed as a pledge of his loyalty to
the interests of Russian society. The young sovereign's seeming liberalism
did not come as a surprise, for Catherine had entrusted the education
of her preferred grandchild to the liberal, enlightened, and virtuous
Swiss republican, La Harpe. Young Alexander's confidences to La
Harpe and to his friends, the Polish "hostage" Adam Czartoryski and
Count Victor Kochubei, soon became known, at least in their general

tenor. To Kochubei Grand Duke Alexander had confided that his only

ambition was to give a constitution to Russia and then spend the remain-
der of his days in rustic retirement on the banks of the Rhine. 1 To the
astonished Czartoryski the heir presumptive of the most autocratic
state had declared his "hatred of despotism, wherever and by whatever
manner it was exercised and that he loved liberty, that liberty was
owed equally to all men." 2 At another time the Grand Duke surprised,
and embarrassed, his Polish friend by asking him to write the draft of
a proclamation of accession which would embody their liberal ideals, 3
One of Alexander's first acts when he acceded to the throne was to
recall to his side his "liberal" friends whom Paul's suspicion and
dislike had driven from St. Petersburg. With these friends the young

1 Letter of 10 May 1796, quoted in Mel'gunov, Dela i liudi aleksandrovskogo

vremeni, p. 39.

2 "11 [Le., Grand Duke Alexander] m'avoua qu'il detestait Ie despotisme partout

et de quelque maniere qu'il s'exen;;!t; qu'il aimait la liberte, qu'elle etait due

egalement it tous les hommes ... " Mtimoires du Prince Adam C%artoryski et

correspondance avec l'Empereur Alexandre ler (preface de Ch, de Mazade), vol. I
(Paris 1887), p. 96. For a recent description of Czartoryski's relationship to Emperor
.\lexander, see \Iarian Kukiel, Czartoryski and European Unit)" (Princeton University,
1955).
3 "11 me demanda enfin de lui laisser un projet de proclamation qui devait faire
connattre ses resolutions au moment oil Ie pouvoir souverain lui serait devolu. reus
beau m'en defendre, il ne me laissa ni paix ni repos avant que j'eusse formule sur
Ie papier les idees dont il etait incessemment occupe. 11 fallait pour Ie tranquilliser
complaire it sa volonte de plus en plus inquiete et pressante. Je redigeai done it la
h!te, de mon mieux, ce projet de proclamation." Czartoryski, op. cit., I, p. 150.