Presidential Library: New acquisitions

The Presidential Library web site continues the publication of materials provided by the Foreign Policy Archive of the Russian Empire for the collection Patriotic War of 1812.

New acquisitions include works from the Fund Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and other funds of the archive, documenting about the efforts of Russian diplomacy during the Patriotic War of 1812 and the preparation of the foreign campaigns of the Russian army in 1813-1814, the national character of campaign of 1812, individual battles and its final period.

The section Hostility. Defensive period includes the following documents: The draft of the letter (autograph) of Alexander I to English Prince Regent George (July 2 (14) 1812, Driss), revealing the causes of forced Russia's entry into the war and explaining the need for an alliance of Russia, Britain and other countries in the fight with a common enemy, The draft of the letter (autograph) of Alexander I to the crown Prince Bernadotte with the news of the victorious for the Russian army result of the bloody Battle of Borodino and the great losses on both sides (September 2 (14) 1812, St. Petersburg), П An intercepted letter from an officer of the French army, addressed to his mother, about battles of Smolensk and at Botodino and the accession of the Napolenoc troops in Moscow (September 20, 1812, Moscow).

A separate location area in 1812, Moscow is presented by Depeche of Foreign Minister Nikolai Rumyantsev to Russian envoy in Vienna G. O. Schtackelberg (September 27 (October 9) 1812), which reports on the Kutuzov decision not to defend Moscow, "in order not to risk a battle in the army of position".

To Section Russian society in 1812 is related the letter of the Commander in Chief of the Russian army M. I. to Marshal Berthier on the national character of Patriotic War (October 8 (20) 1812).

The section Hostility. Liberation period are placed: Dispatch of Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikolay Rumyantsev to the Russian envoy in Constantinople A. J. Italinsky (October 16 (28) 1812, St. Petersburg), reports on the release of Moscow by Russian troops, the solemn prayer service in the Kazan Cathedral in honor of this momentous event, awarding of M. I. Kutuzov, Letter of the 3rd Western Army P. V. Chichagov to Serbian ruler Kara-George about the success of the Russian army and the defeat of French forces at the river Berezina (December 10 (22) 1812) Appeal of the Commander in Chief of the Russian army Kutuzov to the French soldiers to refuse to continue the war (December 1812).

The section Foreign campaigns of the Russian Army 1813-1814 includes the following documents: The project of appeal of the Commander in Chief of the Russian army Kutuzov to the population of Prussia, compiled by Alexander I (December 1812), Draft (autograph) of the letter of Alexander I to Austrian Emperor Franz I on reporton the "total destruction of the French army" in the Russian territory, and the proposal to oppose France (December 17 (29) 1812, Vilnius), Dispatch of the Secretary of State K. V. Nesselrode to former envoy in Vienna, on G. O. Stackelberg’s intention of the Russian side, which reflected "the most unjust aggression", make every effort to liberate Europe. Alexander I invites all the powers to foster this goal (December 19 (31) 1812, Vilnius).

Besides, the web site publishes the instrument of ratification of the abdication of the French throne of Napoleon I and his dynasty (April 12, 1814, Fontainebleau).

The preparation of new materials continues.