Item 20: Letter from Catherine the Great [Catherine II, Empress of Russia] to Unknown [Cyrillic/Russian Language], 1791 February 3
Item — Box: 2, Folder: 20
Dates
- Created: 1791 February 3
Creator
- Catherine, the Great, 1729-1796 (Person)
Disclaimer for Name and Subject Authorities
Some of the name and subject authority tags have been assigned by educated guessing and estimation of persons and subjects by region, age, profession, and familial relationships. They have been thoroughly researched by using primary and secondary sources available digitally, and named in each description, or in some cases linked directly to the person tag.
Access:
All series and subseries within this collection are open for research, with the exception of a few files within the Academia series that are restricted. The Academia series contains financial and sensitive institutional records from Wilkes College, and financial report records from Princeton University that will remain restricted for 80 years upon creation.
Extent
1 items
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Type of Material:
Letter
Condition Note:
Good
Measurements:
9 ¾ in. x 7 ¾ in
Description:
The following item is a letter from Catherine, the Great, 1729-1796 to an unknown person dated February 3, 1791. The letter in Cyrillic seems to have been sent in response to “good wishes” Catherine received from the recipient regarding the “change of the year,” likely the New Year, which was celebrated on January 14th, according to the Orthodox calendar. Catherine the Great prays that the recipient have undisturbed and constant love in their “princely house”. This may suggest that the recipient was a Russian noble of some variety. Catherine the Great presided over the Russian Enlightenment after overthrowing her husband Peter III. Catherine led a large-scale renaissance of culture and science in Russia, leading to Russia being recognized as one of Europe’s Great Powers. When this letter was written, Russia was battling Turkey over the Black Sea region in the Russo-Turkish War (1787-1792) while also fighting back Sweden’s invasion of the Baltic lands under King Gustav III during the Russo-Swedish War (1788-1790). This ended with the Treaty of Värälä, which was signed in August, 1790. Domestically, social tensions were rising due to the military focus and slowing of modernization reforms, leading to a strain on resources. This letter was likely sent to one of the many nobles appointed by Catherine.
Location:
St. Petersburg, Russia
Transcription:
За изьявленныя[sic] [изъявления] НАМИ вашего любовїю по случаю перемены года добрыя желанїя, прїемлемыя НАМИ за новой опыту дружественныхъ[sic] [дружественных] вашихъ[sic] [ваших] расположений, свидетельствкемъ[sic] [свидетельствуем] мы вамъ[sic] [вам] искреннее НАШЕ благодаренїе и молимъ[sic] [молим] провиденїе чтобъ[sic] [чтобы] даровалъ[sic] [даровал] въ продолжееїи многихь[sic] [многихъ] летъ[sic] [лет] вашей любви не нарушимое[sic] [нарушаемое] и прстояннейшее[sic] [постоянное] благополучие. въ прочемъ[sic] [впрочем] вашей любви и княжескому вашему дому пребываемь[sic] [пребываем] всегда благосклонны.
Вашей любви,
Дружебно-охотная
Екатерина [signature]
Вь санкт Петербурге Февраля 3 1791
Translation:
For the expression of your love to US on the occasion of the change of the year, the good wishes that WE accept this as a sign of your friendly disposition. We testify to you OUR sincere gratitude and pray to Providence that He grants many more years of unbroken and lasting well-being. Furthermore, to you and your princely house, we are always benevolent. Your love Friendly and hunting Ekaterina [Signature of Catherine the Great] Saint Petersburg, February 3rd 1791
Вь санкт Петербурге Февраля 3 1791
Translation:
For the expression of your love to US on the occasion of the change of the year, the good wishes that WE accept this as a sign of your friendly disposition. We testify to you OUR sincere gratitude and pray to Providence that He grants many more years of unbroken and lasting well-being. Furthermore, to you and your princely house, we are always benevolent. Your love Friendly and hunting Ekaterina [Signature of Catherine the Great] Saint Petersburg, February 3rd 1791
Creator
- Catherine, the Great, 1729-1796 (Person)
Repository Details
Part of the Wilkes University Archives Repository
Contact:
84 W South St.
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 US
570-408-2000
570-408-7823 (Fax)
ask.archives@wilkes.edu
84 W South St.
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 US
570-408-2000
570-408-7823 (Fax)
ask.archives@wilkes.edu