The debate on the publishing of the memoirs of Mikhail Muravyov and its impact on the development of the historiography of the 1863–1864 Uprising

The Uprising of 1863–1864 is one of the most controversial issues in Belarusian history of the period when Belarus was a part of the Russian Empire. This issue started being controversial in the 19th century; one of the important reasons for discussions was the source study factor. One of the most commonly used sources on the events of 1863–1864 was the memoirs of the Vilna Governor-General Mikhail Muravyov, published in the Russian Antiquity (Russkaya Starina) magazine. They sparked heated debate among historians and publicists; the subject of the debate was numerous cases of biased interpretation of historical facts by M. Muravyov; self-glorification and lies. Such figures as Mikhail Semevsky (the publisher of the memoirs); Nikolai Berg; Yevgeniy Karnovich; Pyotr Valuev; Sergei Yuzhakov; Alexandr Pavlov; Ivan Aksakov; Alexandr Mosolov and others were the participants of the discussion. In general; the participants were divided into two groups – critics and supporters of Muravyev. The firsts sought; based on the critic of the Muravyov postulates; to reveal the distortions and to present more objective picture of what had been happening; the seconds supported and justified everything that had been written in every possible way. The discussion confirmed the presence in the Russian historiography of the polar views and assessments of M. Muravyov as a person and as a statesman in the position of the Governor-General of Vilna; as well as attracted additional attention of historians to the issue of the Uprising in general.

1. [Aksakov I.] Moscow, November 13 [Concerning the Notes of M. N. Muravyov on the Insurgency in the North-West Territory in 1863-1864]. Rus’ [Rus], 1882, November 13, no. 46, pp. 1-5 (in Russian).

2. Berg N. V. Count F. F. Berg and M. N. Muravyov. Russkaya Starina [Russian Antiquity], 1883, no. 4, pp. 214-216 (in Russian).

3. Berg N. V. Count Mikhail Nikolayevich Muravyov: To his “Notes”, published in the “Russian Antiquity” ed. 1882-1883 years. Russkaya Starina [Russian Antiquity], 1883, no. 4, pp. 216-229 (in Russian).

4. Valuev P. A. Notes on “Notes” of Count M. N. Muravyov. Russkaya Starina [Russian Antiquity], 1890, vol. 65; no. 12; pp. 857-863 (in Russian).

5. Vladimirov A. P. On the introduction of the Russian language into the worship of the Catholic and Protestant churches in the North-West Territory. Vestnik Evropy [Europe Bulletin], 1881, no. 2, pp. 366-375 (in Russian).

6. E. L. Investigation and trial of Polish rebels in the North-West Territory in 1863-1864 (According to official documents). Viestnik Evropy [Europe Bulletin], 1883, no. 1, pp. 388-399 (in Russian).

7. Egorov A. E. [Memoirs]. Russkaya Starina [Russian Antiquity], 1883, vol. 38, no. 4, pp. 210-214 (in Russian). 8. Karnovich E. P. Thoughts on the “Notes” of M. N. Muravyov. Nablyudatel’ [Observer], 1883, no. 11, pp. 153-178; no. 12, pp. 21-39 (in Russian).

8. Karnovich E. P. Thoughts on “Notes” of M. N. Muravyov. [S. l., s. n., 1883], pp. 153-178, 21-39 (in Russian).

9. Kartsov P. P. Warsaw in 1860-1861. From the memoirs of Lieutenant-General. Russkaya Starina [Russian Antiquity]; 1882, vol. 36, no. 12, pp. 535-584 (in Russian).

10. Kartsov P. P. Count Fiodor Fiodorovich Berg, deputy in the Kingdom of Poland. Essay from the memoirs. Russkaya Starina [Russian Antiquity], 1883, vol. 37, no. 2, pp. 305-321 (in Russian).

11. [Mosolov A. N.] Vilna essays of 1863-1865. (From the memories of an eyewitness). Russkaya Starina [Russian Antiquity]; 1883, vol. 40, pp. 181-200, 391-406, 573-628; 1884, vol. 41, pp. 15-60 (in Russian).

12. Mosolov A. N. Vilna essays of 1863-1865. (Time of Muravyov). St. Petersburg, A. S. Suvorin Publ., 1898. VII+253 p. (in Russian).

13. Murav’ev A. N. Remark to the notes of Count M. N. Muravyov. Russkii Arkhiv [Russian Archive], 1885; vol. 2; pp. 200-201 (in Russian).

14. Murav’ev A. N. The story of the brother of Count M. N. Muraviev. Russkaya Starina [Russian Antiquity]; 1882; vol. 36, no. 12, pp. 644-646 (in Russian).

15. [Murav’ev M. N.] “Ready to sacrifice myself…”: notes of Count Mikhail Muravyov on the governance of the North-West Territory and on the suppression of the Insurgency in it. 1863-1866. Moscow, Pashkov Dom Publ., 2008. 415 p. (in Russian).

16. Murav’ev M. N. Notes on the governance of the North-West Territory and on the suppression of the Insurgency in it; 1863-1866. Russkaya Starina [Russian Antiquity], 1882, vol. 36, no. 11, pp. 387-432; no. 12, pp. 623-646; 1883; vol. 37; no. 1; pp. 131-166; no. 2, pp. 291-304; no. 3, pp. 615-630; vol. 38, no. 4, pp. 193-230; 1884, vol. 42, no. 6, pp. 572-584 (in Russian).

17. Muraўeў M. M. Notes on the governance of the North-West Territory and on the suppression of the Insurgency in it. Minsk, Lіmaryus Publ., 2016. 221 p. (in Belarusian).

18. Nikolaev G. I. Concerning the Notes of M. N. Muravyov (Letter to the editorial office). Istoricheskii Vestnik [Historical Bulletin], 1883, vol. 11, no. 3, pp. 724-726 (in Russian).

19. Pavlov A. S. Vladimir Ivanovich Nazimov. An outline from the newest chronicle of northwestern Russia. Russkaya Starina [Russian Antiquity], 1885, vol. 45, no. 2, pp. 385-410; no 3, pp. 555-580; vol. 46, no. 5, pp. 323-338 (in Russian).

20. Pavlov A. S. Vladimir Ivanovich Nazimov, Governor-General of the North-Western Territory, Adjutant-General: A sketch from the latest chronicle of the North-west. Russia. St. Petersburg, Typography of V. S. Balashov Publ.; 1885. 67 p. (in Russian).

21. Timoshchuk V. V. Mikhail Ivanovich Semevsky, the founder of the historical journal “Russian Antiquity”. His life and work, 1837-1892. St. Petersburg, E. M. Semevskaya Publ., 1895. 340 p. (in Russian).

22. [Yuzhakov S. N.] Peasant business in the North-West Territory under General Muravyov (letter to the editorial office). Viestnik Evropy [Europe Bulletin], 1883, no. 9, pp. 375-379 (in Russian).

23. Przyborowski W. Memories of Muravyov the “Hangman”, prepared by the author of “History of two years”. Kwartalnik Historyczny [Quarterly Historical Magazine], 1906, vol. 20, pp. 520-528 (in Polish).