The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-07-12
F 0 z E G N .
LETTER FROM TOURGUENEFF. THE RITS
SIAN STATESMAN AND APOSTLE OF THE
MOVEMENT.
TRANSLATION. |

Translation
PARIS, Rue de Lelle, April l. 1883
To Udddme Henry GRAFTON Chairman: Madam
In the letter which you do me the honor to write to
ne, you ask information respecting the great work
OF the emancipation of the serfs in Russia 1t is
with the utmost satisfaction dear madam that am
able to to reply that this work has been resolved
upon-has been actually undertaken Its initia-
ton is due to the Emperor Alexander ii. You
may well imagine my feelings towards that noble
prince. Before speaking of the measures of the Rms
sian government for the emancipation of the serfs.
let me describe their present condition
The number of peasants living upon the estates
OF the nobility who are proprietors is more than
twenty millions of both sexe About half of these
pay their lords certain sum of money annually
and have the Improvement of all the land belong
ing to the commune. Oftentimes the land is not in
quantity sufficient for the subsistence of the peas
ants, and then they betake themselves to all sorts
OF Industrial occupations, which they carry on at
distance from their homes. Although it depends
absolutely on the NJ of the noble to determine
the rent, the peasants in general are not overbur-
dened by 1t. Nay, it is sometimes so moderate
nat, IN conjunction with other favo rable circum-
tances, the peasants find themselves in prosper
Gus situation. This happens chiefly on the estates
of wealthy landed proprietors:
The other half of the serfs work by the dav, cul-
Vatlng the land OF the seigneur, who gives them
about half for their own subsistence. The rule is.
that they shall work three DAYS in the week for the
proprietor, besides paying him something in kind,
and dlscharglng certain other obligations The po-
sLIloh VI tHese udy laDOfefS Is much more unaVOr-
able than that of those who pay their rent in mo-
ney The proprietors only too apt to transgress
the rules both OF labor and other dues, and arbtra
ry power sometimes attains enormous proportions.
The Emperor Alexander l. was the first who thought
seriously of emancipation.
Still, only the peasants of the three Baltic pro-
vinces were freed under his reign. The Emperor
Nicholas entertained the idea during his whole
reign, but nothing was actually accomplished. AT
length, the Emperor Alexander H. publicly de-
cared to the deputies of the nobility, at the time
OF his coronation at Moscow, that the time had
come for the accomplishment of the work of eman-
cpaton. 1t is better, said he, that it should come
from above, without waiting for the idea to rise
from below. From that time the question of eman-
cipation began to agitate every mind. Many pro-
iects were prepared by individuals, and presented
to the government, which appointed committee
I'D hoe to examine them and the general question
OF emancipation also.
Finally, the proprietors of three provinces-( OF
Llthuania) asked the government to be authorized
to appoint committee whose duty it should be to
prepare bill for the emancipation of the serfs of
these three provinces. The imperial government
IN granting this authorization, thought it ought to
indicate certain rules and establish certain prnci-
pies to be considered in the conduct of the affair." ap-
pealng at the same time to the propretOrs through
out the empire, inviting them to proceed in the same
manner to form committees in each province whose
duty 1T should be to prepare plans for emancipa-
ton.
The rules and principles laid down by the impe-
"First-The proprietors to secure to the cul-
tlvators whatever land may be necessary for their
subsistence, and for the payment of their dues to
both proprietor and government.
"SecOnd-Jn consideration of this disposition of
land, the peasants must pay rent to the proprietor
either in money or in labor; both to be determined
by the committee in session in the capitol of the
province
"Third-The cabin and the Electromagnetic of the
peasant are to become his own property as soon as
paid for, whether money in labor
''Fourth-The time necessary to complete the new
order of things shall not be more than twelve wears;
and during this time the peasants shall be in tran
stion state.
"Fitth-At the expiration of this term, the peas
ants shall have the right to leave the spot where
they may be, and go and live where they choose
Thus. then, freedom will be definitely accomplished
'Sixth-Thereafter, half of all the seignorial
lands to be set apart for the of the peasants
never to be united to the seignorial Estates"
Such is the government basis of emancipation.
The committees charged with carrying it into effect
may modify the means.
Nothing has yet been done by any of these com =
mlttees. We shall see whether they will accom-
pllsh their mission in the time appointed by gov
eminent, which is six months for the local COM
mittees, and year for the general ones.
lou will not fail, Madam, to have remarked that
the distinguished feature ofthe reform undertaken
by the Russian government is that the Emperor
has abandoned the initiation of the reform to the
proprietors themselves. This has not been the
method in other countries Time will show wheth-
er the Russian proprietors WILL is greatly to
be desired, reply worthily to the call of the Emper-
or. But we believe that great step has been
made. The word emancipation has been pro-
nounced. The peasants are waiting, but with calm
ness and patience.
They are in state of tranquility. God grant
that they may so remain till the hour of their com
pete liberation. One cannot but ferventlv hope it
may be so. Heaven having, in its mercy, inspired
the great soul of the Emperor for this mighty work
will surely permit him to bring it to happy term-
nation. Think, dear madam-you who have con-
secrated your life to the same end in your country
think of the vast amount of happiness and civil
cation that Alexander H. WILL in so short time
have bestowed on this land! Think of it, and bless
him! Bid that worthy apostle of freedom, Mr..
Garrison, to love and bless him also.
Accept, madam, the expression of my high con-
sideration and my devoted respect