252 GOVERNING RUSSIA'S PROVINCES
convinced that left alone, the merchants would develop more compe-
tition once the old-time privileges were withdrawn. The agents of the
Ministry had the impression, not entirely incorrect as we have seen,
that the governors were replacing the monopolies of some merchants
with the monopoly of the state in alliance with some other traders.
In any case, the policies of the Siberian administration were not benefit-
ing the treasury and their advantage to the population was felt to be
questionable, to say the least. The Ministry's misgivings, though it had
been kept from the Emperor for a long time, could not be hidden any
longer; and coming into the open after 1815, contributed to the govern-
ment's withdrawing its support from Pestel and Treskin.
The accumulation of complaints and growing dissatisfaction in Sibe-
ria, along with the questioning of the premises of Pestel's policies led
the government to a close examination of Siberian affairs in prepara-
tion of a thorough reform. Such an examination, though, could not .!>e
conducted from a distance, without direct acquaintance with the actual
circumstances prevailing in Siberia. For this reason Alexander I decided
to send a reliable and expert administrator to Siberia and chose Sper-
ansky for the task. He knew that the latter would not only untangle the
existing disorder, but also make valuable suggestions for a complete
overhauling of the system by which Siberia had been governed for at
least a century.
- SPERANSKY IN SIBERIA
The task of Speransky was not an easy one. The Emperor defined it
in the following words:I have already had repeated evidence that short term inspections
rarely attain their aim; in particular, one is even less justified in
expecting their success in such a remote and vast region. This iswhy I consider it most useful to give you the title of Governor
General and to entrust you, as the chief of the region, with all
the rights and powers pertaining to this position, and with a
survey of the province's condition. On the basis of these powers,
you will correct everything that can be corrected, you will uncover
the persons who are given to abuses, you will put on trial whomever
necessary. But your most important occupation should be to
determine on the spot the most useful principles for the
organization and administration of this remote region. After you
have put on paper a plan for such a reorganization, you will bring
it to me personally, to St. Petersburg, so that I have the means