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

on that I have taken these measures which are also unpleasant to me. I believe that these continuing controversies will not only harm those who oppose us but also us with them. They may actually jeopardize our privileges. The German colony, Karas, not far from T iflis (from Piatigorsk!) in the Caucasus experienced this. I have been told that their former privileges were greater than ours but through continuous wrangling these have been greatly* diminished. St. Petersburg, April 29, 1861. Johann Claassen from Liebenau.” 9. Claassen ’s Friends, Advisers, and Assistants in St. Petersburg. a) Letters of Baron von Mirbach in Claassen’s cause. I. “Dear Mr. Claassen! Soon after you had left, I had a fine opportunity to submit your most humble petition [regarding land] to His Imperial Highness, the Grand-duke K. Unfortunately, the Grand-duke did not accept the petition. He said that it was none of his business, since he was so very busy in the committee studying the peasant question that he could not involve himself with matters pertaining to land or to related questions. But you mi g ht turn to the Minister Muraviev. Prince Bariatinsky is very ill and is abroad, so that he is not available to us. I regret very much that I was not able to help you in this matter but I hope our dear God will bless your efforts for the welfare of your church. Give my kindest regards to our friend, Mr. Keller. With greetings to you, Respectfully, Baron von Mirbach. April 18, 1861. P.S. Would you please come to pick up your petition one of these days.” On the original copy Claassen, in his own handwriting, has added this note to his wife: “This letter, dear Katharina, you must carefully keep, so that no one can misuse it; that would be abuse of confidence. Your Claassen.” In addition, a note in Claassen’s handwriting: “Dear Katharina, here is a brief summary to let you see with what sort of gentlemen I must deal and many others with whom I have yet to deal .... Moreover, just think, there is as yet no prospect: 1) Pastor Nielsen. 2) Mr. Neumann. 3) Privy Councillor Hahn. 4) Mr. Heinrichson of the Ministry of Crown Lands. 5) His Excellency, Privy Councillor, Mr. von Hagemeister. 6) A gentleman of the cabinet to whom I was referred by Mr. von Hagemeister. His name I have forgotten [A. Klaus, according to a note from him to Claassen, at that time still a young official]. 7) His Excellency, Privy Councillor, Mr. von Novosselsky. 8) Major General Doctor Schmidt. 9) His Excellency, Privy Councillor, Mr. von Warneck. 10) Colonel Lemm. 11) Prince Bariatinsky. 12) Major [Baron] von Mirbach. 13) Assistant to the Minister of War, Miliutin. 14) Mr. Zaremba. 15) Major General Kolossovsky from the Caucasus. 16) Major General von Blaremberg. And then add to these some ten brethren and §164 368 THE MENNONITE BRETHREN CHURCH friends who showed me favors insofar as they could .... The men who would like to help me, cannot, and those who