Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1859-01-15
Prom the Independence Beige.
PROGRESS OF EMANCIPATION
RUSSIA.
Sr. PETERSBURG, Nov. 90. 1858.

OF. fETERsBURC NOV. 1000.
While the great measure of liberation is going
on the Emperor has, as you know, in spite Of all
opposition, emancipsted all the peasants on the
Appanages, OF lands of the Imperial family, COM
prising several hundred thousand souls bavs
already analysed the remarkable ukase relative 10
this emancipation. bave now, on the same sub
ject fact which is very characteristic of the diff
fculties which the Prince meets in the execution
of his generous desires s#
For the management Of the administration Of
appanages, an administration complicated ns i,
is extensive, there is a special Department called
the Department OF the Appanages. The direction
of this department is in the hands of Gen. Mura.
vief, no. to be confounded with the Governor of
Mini, that energetic man who first comprehended
the plan Of the Emperor in regard to emancipation
entered resolutely upon its execution. and carried
with him the nobility of his province. -W
The Muravieff of the appanages has nothing in
common with him. 1t is notorious here that when
the Emperor had resolved to free the peasants Of
the Imperial family. and when. in spite Of strong
opposition, he signed the ukase which gave them
tho liberty to remain in their villages as free men.
or to leave them for some other condition, such a.
that Of merchants or bourgeois, for example. Gen.
Muravieff attempted to persuade Alexander that
this ukase might be postponed without injury. tho
lot of these peasants being so happy under his ad
ministration that not one Of them would take the
liberty granted by the ukase. The answer Of the
Emperor is worthy of preservation. $50 much
the better, said he if they remain, but We shall
nevertheless have done our duty If we treat these
men with humanity"
But scarcely had the ukass appeared when there
was general movement among the peasants VI
the appauages the weaihiest as we'll as the poor
est all ran to inscribe themselves as willing TO
change their condition.
Muravief became anxious at this and made
tour through the sppanages, and within two or
three weeks past it 10 said that he has sent out
many as sixty employees upon different presents.
to sndeav0r to calm the excitement and 10 prevent
the rush in order to gain time. The truth came to
the ears Of the Emperor. and be is reported II
have reproved the Minister sharply for having con-
cealed it. Whence the rumor that Gen. 1ichnl
Murave is about to lose his portfolio. as especial
~ for the two years that be has held il the CEss
has been continually demanding amelioratiOns in
the condition Of the peasants Of his family. and
nothing has been done. rsss5
Il H WAS faui wno u"'eu 'uo sPPs"ases' Aus
condition of the peasantry on them was sndursbls
under Alexander i. They themselves Oo"-ss's1 Oo''
their own administration under the communal re-
gime, except that instead Of paying into the gen,
sIal treasury the tribute which they themselves
apportioned they paid IL into the treasury Of ths
appanagss. Under the next reign, the administfs,
tion was radically changed: the peasautry passed
into the condition Of serfs, AMI were assimilstsd in
every respect with the ssrfs OF the mobiles. The
corpes wa. imposed upon them and With thae eersss
multitude Of little requirements, which dsPrlssd