Russia in 1839 -Empire of the Czar: A Journey Through Eternal Russia

empire, had at length determined to put an end to a disorder, the progress of which threatened seriously to cripple the internal commerce of the land. The only remedy recognised as efficient is the definite and irrevocable fixing of the value of the coined rouble. The edict of the emperor accomplished this revolution in one day, as far at least as words could do it; but in order to realise the reform, the governor concluded his harangue by announcing that it was his majesty's will that the ukase should be immediately put in execution; and he added that the superior agents of the administration, and he, the governor of Nijni, in particular, hoped that no consideration of personal interest would prevail against the duty of obeying, without delay, the supreme will of the empire's head.

The honest men consulted on this serious question, replied that the measure, though good in itself, would destroy the most secure commercial fortunes if it were applied to transactions and bargains already made, and the terms of which would have to be fulfilled during the actual fair. While continuing to laud and admire the profound wisdom of the emperor, they

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humbly represented to the governor that those among the merchants who had effected sales of goods at a price fixed according to the ancient rate of money, which they had done, acting in dependence upon the relations between the paper and the silver rouble being continued as they were at the last fair, would be exposed to the necessity of submitting to payments that would be not the less fraudulent because authorised by the law, since they would rob them of their just profits, and might ruin them if the present edict were allowed a retro-active effect; the consequences of which would be a multitude of small bankruptcies, that would not fail finally to draw in the others.

The governor replied, with the gentleness and calmness which presides in Russia throughout all administrative, financial, and political discussions, that he perfectly entered into the views of the chief merchants interested in the business of the fair; but that, after all, the mischievous results dreaded by these gentlemen only threatened a few individuals, who would have, as a guarantee, the severity of the existing laws against bankrupts, whereas, on the other hand, a delay would always look something like resistance ; and that such example, given by the most important commercial place in the empire, would involve inconveniences far more injurious to the country than a few failures, affecting only a small number of individuals; for disobedience, approved and justified by men who had hitherto enjoyed the confidence of the government, would be an attack aimed at the dignity of the sovereign, at the administrative and financial unity of Russia, or, in other words, at the vital principles of the empire : he added,

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that, under these peremptory considerations, he did not doubt the gentlemen addressed would, by their compliance, hasten to avoid the monstrous reproach of sacrificing the good of the state to their personal interests.

The result of this j)aci?c conference was that, on the morrow, the fair opened under the retro-active system of the new ukase, the solemn publication of which was made after the assent and the promises of the first merchants in the empire had been thus obtained.

This was related to me by the governor himself, with the intention of proving to me the gentleness with which the machine of despotic government works — that machine so calumniated by people governed under liberal institutions.

I took the liberty of asking my obliging and interesting preceptor in oriental politics, what had been the result of the government measure, and of the cavalier manner in which it was judged right to put it in execution.

' The result has exceeded my hopes,' replied the governor, with a satisfied air. ' Not one bankrupt! ... All the new bargains have been concluded under the new monetary system ; but what will surprise you is the fact, that no debtor has availed himself, in paying his old engagements, of the power which the law gave him of defrauding his creditors.'

I confess that at the first view this result appeared to me astounding; but, on reflection, I recognised the astuteness of the Kussians : the law being published, it was obeyed — on paper; and that is enough for the government. It is easily satisfied, I admit:

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for what it principally requires, at whatever cost, is silence. The political state of Russia may be defined in one sentence: it is a country in which the government says what it pleases, because it alone has the right to speak. Thus, in the case before us, the government says — Such is the law — obey it; but, nevertheless, the mutual accord of interested parties annuls the action of this law in that iniquitous portion of it which could be applied to old debts. In a country where the governing power is patient, it would not have exposed the honest man to the danger of being deprived of his due by thieves : in justice, the law can only regulate the future. And, indeed, theory apart, such is the result here ; but to obtain it, it was necessary that the sense and good management of the subjects should be opposed to the blind impetuosity of the authorities, in order to escape the evils which would otherwise be entailed on the country by these freaks of supreme power.

There exists in all governments built on exaggerated theories, a concealed action, a de-facto influence, which nearly ahvays opposes the extravagant doctrine adopted. The Russians possess in a high degree the spirit of commerce, which will explain how it was that the merchants of the fair perceived that the real tradesman thrives only by acting, and by being able to act, in confidence, — every sacrifice of credit is a loss to him of cent, per cent. Nor was this all; another influence checked bad faith, and made blind cupidity silent. The temptation that might have been felt by the insolvent would be repressed purely by fear—that real sovereign of Russia. On this occasion, the evil-: intentioned will have thought that if they exposed

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themselves to any process, or even to too notorious animadversion, the judges or the police would turn against them; and that, in such case, what is here called law would be applied with rigour. They have dreaded incarceration, the blows of the rod in the prison, or, perhaps, something worse ! Under these motives, operating with double influence in the universal silence that forms the normal state of Russia, they have given this good example of commercial probity, with which the governor of Nijni took pleasure in dazzling me. If I was dazzled, it was only for an instant; for I was not long in recognising that if the Russian merchants forbore to ruin each other, their reciprocal modei`ation had precisely the same source as that of the boatmen of Lake Ladoga, and the coachmen and porters of Petersburg, who control their angry passions, not through motives of humanity, but under the dread of the superior authority intervening in their affairs. As I remained silent, I could see that M. Boutourline enjoyed my surprise.

?? No one knows the supei`iority of the emperor,' he continued, ' unless they have seen this prince engaged in public business, especially at Nijni, where he performs prodigies.'

I answered that I greatly admired the sagacity of the emperor.

' When we visit together the works directed by his majesty,' replied the governor, ' you will yet more admire him. You will see that, owing to the energy of his character and the justness of his views, the monetary revolution, which would elsewhere

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have required infinite precaution, works among us as if by enchantment.'