THE MENNONITE BROTHERHOOD IN RUSSIA (1789 - 1910), P. M. Friesen, 1911

could copy these down at home . . . We found a brother who translated these for us, and I enclose a copy for you. Claassen was not at all satisfied with these conditions and you probably will not be satisfied either [Neumann wants to] make representations to the Minister of Finance and he has hopes that better conditions will be forthcoming. The problem is that now, just before the end of the year, all departments are extremely busy, the more so since the question affecting the peasants [abolition of serfdom] is to be decided by January 1. ... Today is the second day in which I have again been working as a colporteur . . . . There is an English and North American chapel here which ministers to the English and North American people who have left the state church. I like to go there because the English language is something of a hobby for me, and I like the mini ster and the songs and the melodies which they sing. Only the prayers in their prayer meetings do not appeal to me, for these are as lamentable as those of our Christian [St Petersburg] friends are . . . . O. Forchhammer.” 7. Johann Claassen’s “Peace Proposal.” (Cf. Petition to His Majesty.) “To the esteemed Area Administrative Office in Halbstadt. I request and petition the esteemed Area Administrative Office to provide me voluntarily with an annual pass and also with the required documents, without which I cannot do anything when it comes to serious negotiations in the matter of land purchase. I would also request that the common rights of citizenship be no longer denied our church, and that it not be disturbed in the practice of its worship services. I would also ask that the Area Administrative Office speak to the ministers in Rudnerweide and Pordenau so that they cease and desist from practicing a boycott which hampers common business transactions and is r uinin g us economically. That these burdens can become too heavy for us, especially for me, since I have been separated from my family for such a long time, any father who loves his family will understand. My papers will also show that in whatever regard I have worked for settlement on crown lands here, I have always written, spoken, and acted in the interests of the whole. Therefore, those who think that I am trying to bring about the abrogation of the rights of the colonies are seriously in error. For I know full well that if we move out of the colonies, we will still be living in this world, although it is also true that we will be living much more quietly than here, where we are constantly being oppressed and harrassed. From all of the enclosed papers, it will become evident to the §162 364 THE MENNONITE BRETHREN CHURCH Area Administrative Office that this is my final peace proposal. It will also be clear that I am not prompted by personal preference, but that the pressure of circumstances compels me to press for a decision— either our rights are guaranteed to us by our h