The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-01-27
The Grand Dukes Letters.

| poub blnle hRO IL WIS reported from
Brussels, in Belgium, that the Russian
detectives had traced to that city one
Vashteneff, who had been In the EN-.
ployment OF the Grand Duke Alexis us
valet de thambre, and Who had accom-
panied the young prince on his voyage
to America. After reaching Cuba, the
Grand Duke, who reposed implicit con
tidence in Vashtenef1, had sent him with
some Of his trunks back TO st. Peters,
burg. Among these trunks was one
which contained the numerous letters
which tho Russian prince had received
during his soiourn in the United States,
and it may be imagined that among
these missives were great many enter
tanning and spicy ones, which, II pub.
lished, would undoubtedly meet with a
large sale and yield tho publisher n
handsome profit. Mr.. YashtenetF was
probably OF this opinion, too; for,
when he reached st. Petersburg, lie de-
liyered to the Imperial family all the
trunks that had been intrlsted to him
except the one which he knew contained
the private correspondence OF the young
Grand Duke. His failure to deliver
this trunk was not discovered. Soon
afterwartl Yashteneff obtained from the
Empress, 10 whose household hG was
attached after his return to the Russian
capital, leave Of absence in order to
visit, MS he alleged, some relatives in
Rhenish Prussia. Nothing WIS heard
from him even after his leave Of absence
had expired. His prolonged absence
did not excite any suspicion until the
arrival Of letters from tho Grand Duke
Alexis, in the beginning Of last Septem-
ber, established the fact that Vashteneff
had retained one OF the Princes trunks,
and, moreover, the one which contained
his private correspondence. twas easy
to surmise for what purpose this par
tioular trunk had been pnrloined by the
faithless valet, and all further uncer.
tainty was set at rest by the appearance
in the Brussels and Paris journals of an
advertisement by NJ. PSnChe, q Belgian
publisher, who announced that he would
speedily issue "The Private Core.
spondenco OF Prince Travelling in the
New World" The forthcoming book
was described in the advertisement as
one Of the most absorbing interest, and
well.calculated to attract general atten-
tion. At the same time the advertiser,
though soslewhat vaguely, gave the
readers to understand that tho prince
in question was n member OF the In
perial family OF Russia. The Russian
government keepsa semi.ofliciRl organ
in Belgism, n journal entitled Le NOrd,
and the Emperor Alexander was ut once
informed OF what was going on. There
could bo but little doubt that the letters
which NJ. Planche proposed to issue
were those which Vashteneff Ind taken
from Alexis's stolen trunk. A detective
was Mt once dispatched from st. Peters
burg to Brussels, where lln held I'LL in.
teryiew with Plnnche. The Inter, who
seems to llnve acted with tolerably good
faith in the matter, acknowledged at
once that ho had purchased the letters
for the sum of $500 francs, from man
whose appearance corresponded closely
with tho description which the Russian
detectivegave him Of that Of Vnshtenetf.
Planche said he was willing to surrcn-
der the letters, provided that the ex-
penses he incurred in purchasing them
and preparing them for publication
were refunded to him-a proposition to
which the detective readily acceded.
The latter received also from the Baus-
sells publisher information in conse-
quence of which he succeeded in effect
ing the arrest Of Yashtenctf, who lived
under mn assumed name in the environS
OF the Belgian capital. After decree
for the extradition Of tho trunk.tlief
had been obtained from tho government
of King Leopold the Second, the detec-
tive started with his prisoner and the
letters of the Grand Duke for st. Peters.
burg, where the Imperial family re-
warded him literally for the intelligence
and finesse with which he Ind performed
his delicate mission. As regards Wash.
teneff, lie was greatly detected, and
well lie might be, for the criminal code
Of Russia Furnishes Rll oifenses against
any member Of the Imperial family, no
matter how triiling they may he, with
extreme severity. He was tried in the
criminal court on the I'd Of December
last, and admitted his guilt, beseeching
the court to deal leniently with him.
Despite his prayers, however, and the
eloquent appeal which his counsel made
to the court, he was found guilty and
sentenced to ten years transportation
to Siberia. The unfortunate man fell
into n swoon when he heard this dread
sentence. The intercession of his aged
mother, however, who had in years gone
by been afaithful servant OF the late
Empress, the mother OF the present
Gar, and, perhaps, the wish to lend
not too much Importance to the whole
affair, caused the Emperor Alexander to
commute yashteneff's sentence to one
years imprisonment at hard labor in
Russian fortress. Even this mitigated
sentence, however, will be hard pun
ishment for the man who, for years, has
led the sybaritic life of faSorito Inc.
quey at the imperial court Of st. Peters.
burg. He will be chained to wheel.
barrow, and will have to roll stone in II
for fifteen hours every day. The wheel.
barrow will DO his inseparable com.
panion during the whole term of his
imprisonment, even in his hours Of
sleep, which he will have to pass on the
bare floor, and his food will be of the
coarsest description. N.