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158 DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. [1686 Being the Russes Newyeares day
Summary
Passages from the diary of General Patrick Gordon of Auchleuchries : A.D. 1635-A.D. 1699"
158 DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. [1686
Being the Russes Newyeares day, I went into the towne, was very kindly
welcomed by the Boyar Knlaz Vasily Vaslliovits Golitzin, and afterwards
see the eldest Czaar, and the procession, I convoyed the Boyar home, and
wished him a good year, and dined in the Slobod, received some visitts, and
went to another quarter.
I stayed, and put my house in some order, and did writt to my wyfe
per post.
Being in towne, I dyned by Kniaz Vasily Vasiliovits Golitzin, made
hast home, and received visitts.
Haveing gott some stitches, and a sort of a bastard pleurisy, I gott some
ease by letting of blood.
I tooke in some spmt of hartshorne, about thirty drops, and yet
gott no sweat.
I tooke in a strong dose of pills, which had ordinary operation.
At home.
I was in towne, and made some visitts to the neerest Boyars.
I went to Czarny Grasse, to the Boyar Knias Vasily Vasiolivitz Golitzin,
dined with him, and after dinner, had much discourse, yet nothing of
carrying on the warr, only of my jorney, and my effaires. Wee went to
hunting afterwards, and I tooke my leave in the fields.
At home.
I was in towne, and should have been at the Empcrours hand, to which
end I stayed long above.* Being come home, Mr. IMunter brought me the
Kings letter to the Czaars in my favours.
The Kings letter was delivered by the Hollands Resident, Mr. Van
Keller, to whom it was recommended by the Hollands Ambassador, Mr.
Citters, in London. I was at the Czaars hands, who only asked me of my
health by a Boyar. Being brought to the Princess hand, she said, God
reward thee for keeping thy word.
The Kings letter was interpreted by a Dutchman, who imderstood but
litle English.
] dyned by Major Gcncrall Bilts.
I made ready a larger remonstrance, wherein I put many things not
written in my former. I received letters from Riga, and dined by Com-
missary Van Korkc.
* [That is, at court, in 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.
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