Weekly national intelligencer., 1850-11-02
TO THE EDITORS.

of remaining unsolved The AngloSaxon nation Of North
America and the Sclsvon-Russan Of Europe and ASIA d.
verso as they are in principles of government language,
or religion have tendency in common that is, an
almost instructive motion towards the Pacifc ocean They
are changing the face of two continents and their improve
ments are with and slow advance approaching each
other Steam and magnetism both enlisted by the two
and serve each with equal fidelity.
Great Britain, standing between the two other giants, and
jealous Of the increasing power OF each compcates the pre-
sent and future That future is approaching with mighty
consequences and while await what coming years must
produce let cast view retrospecvely and the
past.
At the first glance Russia appears vast, vague and
ing but let be deceived by shadows II might be
garded idle observe that the history and policy Of that
Empire deserve something serious than defamation
The Nation is not ignis atuus il is reality, object
of philosophical attention. Whatever may be our opinion
of its Government would render judgment that head
surely just if to examine the element before
pronouncing decision That element is rather vast for
patience encounter but there outlines which may
be examined without imposing any very burden on
our attention. On my table lies file of the Journal
des De5ats Of 1899. This file contains several letters writ
ten by French gentleman long resident ST. Petersbugh
one of the 10Th March, 1889, the transportation of cm
mails into Siberia one the 25h April $780, on the Form
Of the Russian Government and the Imperial Power" pub
ished May, 1889; second published Sd June, 1885,
On the Political Constitution of the Russian Empire Sem
ate, and Holy Synod !" third 10th June, 1889, "On the
Political Constitution of the Russian EmpIe-the Minis
ters," &c.
These letters written with candor to command our con-
fdence, give very different aspect to the political civil and
criminal law and Government Of Russia from what gene
rally believed in Western Europe and the United States
The present communication will contain free translation Of
the letter the transportation of criminals, &c.:
PARIS, MARcH IL, 1889.
To speak frankly, sir feel under great embarrassment
because wish to give at opinion have long since
formed. and which may appear very paradoxica to you
am fully convinced that the transportation Of criminals into
Siberia of the most beautiful penal instituonsof Rus
sa, anda very great that the public power has put in
operation for the regeneration Of new people, and for the
establishment of civilization in the wilderness of Northern
Asia. But how in face of all the exaggeratons and
horrible tales spread Western Europe this subject
dare to encounter in advance the terrible hostility OF preu
dice, and develop the proofs Of contrary opinion and
pect that to be believed But my convictions
deeply founded that hesitate not give them expression
1t would appear from common report and opinion, that S
IBERIA Of those nameess CULTS which poetic phrenzy
has placed in the internal regions, and into which reckless
power casts its living victims Such representations say to
US fact by very strange inversion Of ideas, solemn
subject as the punishment of crimes that humanity ison the
side Of power, sending the victim to the scaod to suffer
painful and ignominous death, in presence of crowd
sembled TO behold the horrible spectace and that the
other side babasm justly chageabe to those who spare
life and separate the criminals from that society they have
outraged and which, by their death life, they make
repsraton and then give to these oucass Of
oraon, physical and moral and, in 6ne make them useful
instruments to general society.
You will understand me, sir that by means am to be
destood speaking here of arbitrary transportation for
political causes but of legal proceedings means of civil
Justice In this only speak of the Requirement Of the
Russian penal colonies of Siberia they assmlate to the
penal colonies instituted by the English Government and
loudly applauded by the civilized world. And more, shall
in order simplify the subject con6ne myself to statement
Of fact Thus the points of right are brought before the r
buna Of SENSE, where the most ado pleader
duced to an impartial narration.
The pain of death punishment Of crime, you know, sir
does exist in Russia. 1t abolished in the eighteenth
century, and by that act Russia took the first step that
uneservedly applauded by many phianhropss
and objected to by many practicable persons only unsuitable
to fulfil the purposes set forth But all must agree to the i'm
policy of repeating the law imposing the pain Of DEATH and
at the time supplying its place by some chasse
of sufficient power to strike the mind Of the criminals
those who lave conceived criminal intentions. Such
Decd would be the height Of mprudence, and consequently
Of injustice since the primary purpose OF all law is to protect
the vrtuous members of society against the vicious Such
the which operated in Russia and produced
there the existing penal system fulfilling every condition
justice and humanity II therefore well adudged that
be separated from relations and rondsheir native
ty-hansported to live under unknown sky, and from
which they to return must not be felt other
wise than the most terrible punshmen-a real civil death.
death by which the criminal bears his person
the mourning cothes-a death from which the most despe
rate could not but shrink view of its terrible
quences
Until 1922, sir transportation to Siberia conducted
without much regularity general law having been pro-
muga,ed before that epoch to determine the application Of
the principle In 1922, under the administration of Count
Speansky, at that time Governor of Siberia, and whose
cent death Russia and every friend to humanity over the
earth has lament this law promulgated and has ever
since regulated this service The beneactons Of the system
have been immense and the penal colonies Of Siberia
raised degree of prosperity exciting the most san
guine hopes of future grandeur.
The transports from every point Of the empire
cept from the provinces adjoining Siberia the convicts from
the latter directly Perm, and from thence join the
main column Kazan, where, forming single column,
they set out for Tobk, which city was to 1882 the seat
Of government for Western Siberia 1t is there that AFTER to
many Of hem journey of two thousand leagues, the whole
united column put into the hands Of the administration Of
the Transports (cny prkosse The duty Of this admins
raon to form the convcs into classes and to direct where
their place of residence is be fixed According TO the
ture of their crimes and other circumstances the convcs
divided into five categores @ those condemned to forced
labor; second artisans third, domestcs fourth colonisis
fifth, those incapable Of any labor.
The convcts Of the first class the most guilty. and con-
sequently most harshly treated Nevertheless, have
doubt that setting Of view the ideas of banishment the
long and painful journey that they have make before reach
ing Siberia and, in fine, the imaginary added to
y regard their punishment too to obtain
the proper ends of striking sautay terror and thus securing
the only proper purpose Of criminal justice The duration Of
the punishment of those condemned forced labor cannot,
unless under extraordinary circumstance well UNDER
STOOD exceed twenty years. This completed the
is Free and takes rank amongst the coonss Of Siberia,
and has full choice Of his place of residence There
f.r-