The Press.
London, England, 1856-10-18 00:00:00

A RUSSIAN MERCHANT ON TRADE AND

COMMERCE.

AMONG the feasts at Moscow by which the late coro-
nation of the Czar was celebrated, was one given by
M. Basile Kokoreff to the deputations of peasants
and merchants, assembled from the princpal cities of
Russia. M. Kokoreff was formerly a peasant, but is
now one of the wealthiest merchants in Russia, and
has made himself singularly popular throughout the
empire by his profuse generosity and enthusiastic
patriotism. The last occasion upon which his name
was brought prom;nently before English readers was
in connection with a grand banquet given by him at
Moscow to the soldiers and sailors returning from
the defence of Sebastopol. At the late dinner to the
merchants he delivered a speech sufficiently remark-
able to repay translation :

It is not long since (he said) that at this very place,
Moscow, the heart o the Russian nationality, the Musco-
vites feted the welcomed and heroic defenders of Sebasto-
pol. We were then expecting peace, and were consoling
ourselves with the hope of soon profiting by its happy re-
sults. To-day peace is no longer a hope, it is a reality ;
and now again, in the same city of Moscow, we are cele-
brating, heart and soul, the holy coronation of our beloved
monarch, the author of the peace and so many other bless-
ings. Here also are united the representatives of the
whole nation, as well as you also gentlemen, the delegates
of our bourgeoisie. Let us, therefore, manifest in unison
the sentiments which we feel at the advent of these recent
blessings. Our gracious sovereign has been pleased to
order that our children shall henceforth frequent without
any restriction the University course. He has ordered
the revision of the relations between Government and
commerce ; and the revision of the tariff, which cannot
fail to quicken our industry. All our relations with foreign
nations are rendered easier. His Majesty has also been
pleased to authorise the foundation of an Industrial
Society, under the direct patronage of the li&r to the
throne. Happy the people and grand its future when its
princes apply themselves betimes to the sacred duty of
learning its wants and studying the means of satisfying
them! Lastly, in the midst of all these events, the
" Society of Navigation and Commerce for the South,"
has been established, the aim of which is to expedite our
relations with Europe, and to facilitate our exports and
imports.
Russia has always been able to confess her faults
as well as recognise her merits. Let us, therefore,
frankly declare, gentlemen, that, in point of commerce
and industry, we are, in many respects, rather behind.
Our merit, at present consists in the desire to improve
ourselves by intelligent practice. It is a fact that in
the industrial life of a people, certain and complete
success is less easily obtained by the theoretical precepts
of books than by a continuous contact with other peoples.
By this contact we acquire experience, ideas, taste, and
establish new relations which are sure to be maintained
because they rest upon common interests—the only stable
securities for treaties of peace. In order to arrive at this
end, the surest means is facility and rapidity of communi
cation with foreign nations. The question of steamboats
and railways is at present a question of human interest,
because it is by their means that nations can be united in
a community of interests and in feelings of fraternity. In
regard to commerce, there exists amongst us the most
contradictory opinions. Some still speak of a Chinese
wall ; others of free trade. But be certain, gentlemen,
that such questions are never resolved by extremes: their
true definitions can only result from an international ex-
change of ideas. When by means of steam we shall be
able to unite ourselves more closely with foreign mer-
chants, more expert than we are in point of industry, and
exchange with them our ideas, then we shall arrive at the
exact and true definition of the very principles of com-
merce—a definition which is deeply interesting to the
whole of Europe. It will then happen that we shall see
here in Moscow, the centre of the internal commerce of
Russia, as well as in the other cities and ports of the
empire, representatives of the principal commercial
houses of Europe. We shall then be able to learn every
day here in Moscow, and at a fixed hour, the progress of
business in Paris, London, and other places, and be able,
when we are assembled as now, with the glass in our
hands, to learn by telegraph the health of our children,
who may be placed in foreign countries in Russian houses
of commerce. When I review in mind all the pregnant
consequences which must infallibly result to nations from
their union, by means of commerce— a union based on
common interests—l cannot refrain from proposing to you,
gentlemen, to drink at once and unanimously the follow-
ing toast :—."l'o European commerce, to foreign mer-
chants, our elder brethren in industry, and to my honour-
able colleagues the merchants of Russia."
The speech was received by the company with loud
and repeated " hurrahs."