Related
128 DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. [1686 I was, because of hireing chaires or coaches
1686] DIAHY OF PATRICK GORDON. Ill granted me two Strcltsees for a convoy
122 DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. [1686 flesh was torren out of their armes
60 DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. [1666 that it was doubted here whither any intercourse or correspondence
66 DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. [1666 wee had from Plesko
1686] DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. 127 with severall necessaryes, and having received from Mr. Meverell
1667] DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. lOl with their officers, from which 1 diswaded them, that the Emperour
112 DIARY or PATRICK GORDON. [1686 houre, I came to Zagoria
1661] DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. 33 sence of the King
56 DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. [1664 (wliich were sent me), twelve halberts or partisans
Summary
Passages from the diary of General Patrick Gordon of Auchleuchries : A.D. 1635-A.D. 1699"
56 DIARY OF PATRICK GORDOIS. [1664
(wliich were sent me), twelve halberts or partisans, with fringes of his livery,
etc. I returned answer two dajes thereafter, that all should be ready to
content, and in due tyme.
[A.D. 1664.]
Wee had notice that the English ambassador was keeping his Christmas at Vologda.
,ary 6. The English ambassadour haveing stayed two dayes at Rostokin, and, on
the fifth of February, by a mistake of the posts, who ran all out the Twersky
way, from whence the ambassadours from all places usually come, and
where all the foot and cavalierie, so well strangers as Russes, were ranged
on both sydes of the way ; the ambassadour being dissapointed of makeing
his entry, and was necessitated to lodge, with very bad convenience, m the
small village Prutky, which disgusted him very much, sending a letter to
his iMajestie, representing the circumstances thereof, and takeing it as an
affront, whereof he desired reparation befor he shoidd make his entry.
Yet, upon promise of satisfaction, he prepared for his entry. His suit was
not so numerous as gallant, the liveries rich, and gentlemen all well clothed.
He was received with great splendor after the usuall way, as to ceremonies ;
the Emperour himself, with the Empress, with all the chieffe nobility,
being spectatours on one of the gates of the citty. It was late befor he
gott to his lodging, which was on the great street in a large stone house.
The English ambassadour had his first audience, being convoyed up in
the usuall manner, all the presents going or being drawne and carryed befor
him ; the infantery being ranged on both sydes of the way, and the Crim-
lina, * or Castle, full.
X3 The English ambassadour had his second audience and first conference.
The English ambassadour at his second conference.
The Earle of Carlile had his third conference, and all with litle satis-
faction.
I had notice, by my servant and letters, that, on the seventeenth, the
Engli.sh ambassadour had refused the Emperours present of sables, saying
* [The Kremlin.]
Gordon was brought up and remained a lifelong Roman Catholic, at a time when the Church was being persecuted in Scotland. At age of fifteen, he entered the Jesuit college at Braunsberg, East Prussia, then part of Poland. In 1661, after many years experiences as a soldier of fortune, he joined the Russian army under Tsar Aleksei I, and in 1665 was sent on a special mission to England. After his return, he distinguished himself in several wars against the Turks and Tatars in southern Russia. In recognition of his service he was promoted to major-general in 1678, was appointed to the high command at Kiev in 1679, and in 1683 was made lieutenant-general. In 1687 and 1689 he took part in expeditions against the Tatars in the Crimea, being made a full general. Later in 1689, a revolution broke out in Moscow, and with the troops under his command, Gordon virtually decided events in favor of Peter the Great against the Regent, Tsarevna Sophia Alekseyevna. Consequently, he was for the remainder of his life in high favor with the Tsar, who confided to him the command of his capital during his absence from Russia. In 1696, Gordon's design of a "moveable rampart" played a key role in helping the Russians take Azov. One of Gordon's convinced the Tsars to establish the first Roman Catholic church and school in Muscovy, of which he remained the main benefactor and headed the Catholic community in Russia until his death. For his services his second son James, brigadier of the Russian army, was created Count of the Holy Roman Empire in 1701. At the end of his life the Tsar, who had visited Gordon frequently during his illness, was with him when he died, and with his own hands closed his eyes. General Gordon left behind him a uniquely detailed diary of his life and times, written in English. This is preserved in manuscript in the Russian State Military Archive in Moscow. Passages from the Diary of General Patrick Gordon of Auchleuchries (1635–1699) was printed, under the editorship of Joseph Robertson, for the Spalding Club, at Aberdeen, Scotland, 1859.