The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-11-17
RUSSIAN SYSTEM OF CONSUMPTION

late Paris paper contains the following descrip-
tion ofexpedien resorted to by the Russian Auocrat
to cmbellish with little appearance of romance,
his half civilized system of military colonies:
The camp of Woznesensk in the government of
katerinoslaw, was chosen this year for the grand
man9uvres of the Russian cavalry. About this
camp, the government has established military CO
onies TO cultivate the numerous farms and the lands
which belong TO Them and il was desired that the
colonies should be full of activity at the time of the
arrival Of the German Princes, who are to visit
| Woznesensk. But these colonies were as yet in
habited only by soldiers and counted but few women.
| Consequently, an imperial order enJoned on the
authorities of the government of Wolhyna, of Po-
doia and OF kilovia TO require the administrators
of the property, confscaed in consequence of the
revolution of $780, 10 obtain from their country
levy of six hundred young girls for the service of
the camp of Woznesensk According to this order,
the young girls were to be aged from sixteen to
| twenty, and as far as possible handsome and well
formed
The administrators set about executing this order.
but as the news spread into several of the villages
the women and the young girls took to flight and
sought refuge in the midst of the forests and the
desert steppes In other villages the peasantry de-
clared hatthey would oppose by force the execution
of such an order, and that they would defend to the
death their daughters their sisters and their aianced
ones. The officers, thinking that resistance which
was announced in SO energetic manner, might be
OF nature to cause great disorder addressed re-
| port to the government. In consequence Of this
several attachments of troops were sent to enforce
| the execution Of the orders. This was DONE the
peasants were trapped like wild beasts the young
girls were torn from the bosom of their families and
the soldiers, notwithstanding the orders of the Off
GERS who, under these circumstances did all in their
power to reconcile humanity and their duty COM
mitted many acts of violence. ''.@..-
The most deplorabe scenes took place on the
estates of Human, belonging to the Count Alexander
Potocki, and on those of Zinkow, belonging to the
Princess de Wusternberg, born Princess of Gar
| toryska. AT several places the peasants, armed
with scyhes and clubs, maintained furious contest
with the soldiers, but they were finally forced to
yield to numbers. Some were killed, others i'm
prisoned and delivered up to justice! Already seve-
raj judgments have been given against them
Twenty-Five peasants have submitted to the punish
ment OF the lash Eighteen, after having suffered the
knout, have been sent TO Siberia; others are still in
prison. The imperial order was then executed
Six hundred young girls taken by force from their
country, from their families, were despatched with
a military escort to the camp of Woznesensk
On their arrival at the camp they were like the
army recruits, subjected TO shameful examination
that any serious infrmities might be discovered
The pretes clothed in various costumes, dressed
like Tyrolese, Spanards, English women, were
distributed among the different farms Of the military
colony 1t was undoubtedly to offer to the German
Princes and the illustrious strangers, whose pre-
sence was expected in the camp some.picturesque
and pastoral scenes which might relieve the ennui
of the grand manpuvreS. As to the Young girls
who had not the requisite share of beauty they
were destined TO become wash-women TO the sol
diers.
The peasants have presented a petition TO the
Emperor that they may obtain the return of their
unfortunate girls. This petition has been warmly
supported by the marshalS of their districts 1t Is
not yet known what decision will be taken on it, 1t
is thought that these women will be compelled TO
marry the colonized soldiers. IL was in this manner,
that under the reign of Catharine H., Poemkin,
after the devastation of the steppes of the Crimea,