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

d for 6 months, until May 25, 1861. However, since my business kept me here much longer than I expected and, moreover, since I had no idea how much longer it might take, I went to the Privy Councillor, von Hahn, on the 3rd day of Easter, April 25, concerning my need. I had been to see him several times already during the preceding winter. He was very cordial and invited me into his parlor. In response to his question as to whether I was still in St. Petersburg, I answered yes, and told him what my situation really was and what had happened since I last saw him. I told him first of all about my efforts in the Ministry of Crown Lands concerning resettlement, with the Under-Secretary of State and Assistant Minister of Finance, Mr. von Hagemeister, with the Councillor H. von Novosselsky, with the Assistant Minister of War, H. von Miliutin, with Prince Bariatinsky, the brother of the Governor of the Caucasus. Chiefly, we spoke of the settlement in the Caucasus. Secondly, quite explicitly, I told his Excellency about the state of affairs in the Molotschna, how things were going for us and what the real reason was for my stay in St. Petersburg. In response to my question to his Excellency as to whether I might write the Area Administrative Office what he said to me, he arose and with a serious expression on his face, said: ‘Yes, I permit you to write all of it.’ Becoming even more serious and pointing at himself with his finger, he added: ‘And say that I said it.’ I wish that the Area Administrative Office would understand his Excellency and remember, in time, the many issues concerning the colony which he has settled. Although H. von Hahn does not serve in the Ministry of Crown Lands any longer, his attitude and his rank are nonetheless significant, and as he himself said, he has friends there with whom he has influence. Because my discussion with him lasted more than an hour, there is too much for me to report, and too much for the Area Administrative Office to read. I, therefore, have only written the essentials of our conversation. Concerning the pass, his Excellency said: ‘To those who have paid their fees, as you have, a pass can in no wise be denied, and the Area Administrative Office is legally bound to give one to you.’ I further asked about my authorization. His Excellency said: ‘When a church draws up an authorization according to the provisions of the law and signs it, then the Area Administrative Office is obliged to ratify it, and that is not a matter of choice.’ I also asked him about the Isaak Matthies case in Rudnerweide. His Excellency answered: ‘Those who owe Isaak Matthies money and seek to hinder and ruin him by what 366 THE MENNONITE BRETHREN CHURCH they are doing, must pay him the money coming to him. File a petition on the matter; things like that cannot go on.’ Concerning the deputies who must of necessity inspect the lands in question, his Excellency said, excitedly: ‘Judge for