Modern History Sourcebook:
Tsar Nicholas I: Imperial Manifesto on Poland, March 25, 1832
By the grace of God, Nicholas, Tsar of all the Russias, King of Poland, etc., When, by
Our Manifesto of January 2, last year, We announced to Our faithful subjects the march of
Our troops into the kingdom of Poland, which was momentarily snatched from the lawful
authority, We at the same time informed them of Our intention to fix the future fate of
this country on a durable basis, suited to its wants, and calculated to promote the
welfare of Our whole empire. Now that an end has been put by force of arms to the
rebellion in Poland, and that nation, led away by agitators, has returned to its duty, and
is restored to tranquillity, We deem it right to carry into execution our plan with regard
to the introduction of the new order of things, whereby the tranquillity and union of the
two nations, which Providence has entrusted to Our care, may be forever guarded against
new attempts. Poland, conquered in the year 1815 by the victorious arms of Russia,
obtained by the magnanimity of Our illustrious predecessor, the Tsar Alexander, not only
its national existence, but also special laws sanctioned by a Constitutional Charter.
These favors, however, would not satisfy the eternal enemies of order and lawful power.
Obstinately persevering in their culpable projects, they ceased not one moment to dream of
a separation between the two nations subject to our scepter, and in their presumption they
dared to abuse the favors of the restorer of their country, by employing for the
destruction of his noble work the very laws and liberties which his mighty arm had
generously granted them. Bloodshed was the consequence of this crime. The tranquility and
happiness which the kingdom of Poland had enjoyed to a degree till then unknown, vanished
in the midst of civil war and a general devastation.
All these evils are now passed. The kingdom of Poland, again subject to Our scepter,
will regain tranquility, and again flourish in the bosom of peace, restored to it under
the auspices of a vigilant government. Hence, We consider it one of Our most sacred duties
to watch with paternal care over the welfare of Our faithful subjects, and to use every
means in our power to prevent the recurrence of similar catastrophes, by taking from the
ill-disposed the power of disturbing public tranquility. As it is, moreover, Our wish to
secure to the inhabitants of Poland the continuance of all the essential requisites for
the happiness of individuals, and of the country in general, namely, security of persons
and property, liberty of conscience, and all the laws and privileges of towns and
communes, so that the kingdom of Poland, with a separate administration adapted to its
wants, may not cease to form an integral part of Our empire and that the inhabitants of
this country may henceforward constitute a nation united with the Russians by sympathy and
fraternal sentiments, We have, according to these principles, ordained and resolved this
day, by a new organic statute, to introduce a new form and order in the administration of
Our kingdom of Poland.
Nicholas
St. Petersburg, February 26, 1832
Source:
From: Josef Hordynacki, History of the Late Polish Revolution and the Events of the
Campaign, (Boston, 1833), pp. 424-428
Scanned by: J. S. Arkenberg, Dept. of History, Cal. State Fullerton. Prof. Arkenberg
has modernized the text.
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