Related
1666] DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. 79 I did writt to Sir John Hebden
110 DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. [1686 I gave up my petition
1667] DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. 103 to me, desireing me to let him have him
1661] DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. 47 good earnest to consider how I might ridd myself of this countrey
136 DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. [1686 Queens hand; whereat his Majestic smileing
82 DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. [1666 thought fitt to conforme myself...
42 DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. [1661 misfortune
1667] DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. 97 storme, wee could not gett over to Embden
150 DIAEY OF PATRICK GORDON. [1686 Nethermuir. I went thereafter to the Links
1666] DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. 61 Majestie was pleased to give order to my satisfaction...
Summary
Passages from the diary of General Patrick Gordon of Auchleuchries : A.D. 1635-A.D. 1699"
1666] DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. 61
Majestie was pleased to give order to my satisfaction. Then he asked me,
why I tooke the child with me, and whose son he was. I answered that he
was Collonel Philip Albertus von Bockhoven his son, and that it was his
mothers will, he should go along to see his fFriends. His Majestie com-
manded me to have a great care of him, and bring him back with me, which
I promised to do. Then his Majestie called the chancellour, and spoke to
him ; who, turning to me, told me that his Majestie had graced me with a
hundred rubles for equipping me, a hundred rubles for my jorney, and a
hundred rubles of my pay in advance, and so dismissed me.
I waited in the office, till the chancellour came downe ; who, being come,
ordered mandates to be sent to the treasury for money, and arave that petition
for the two months to me, with an order on it to receive for these two months
full pay ; and, notwithstanding I insisted to have an order on the other
petition for settleing my pay for the future, I could obtaine nothing of the
cross-grain'd old crabbed fellow, but that, when I returned, I should gett a
full order. So that there being no possibility of makeing any address to his
Majesty immediately, and our Boyar being sick, no other would medle in it,
I was forced to be content with that they gave me.
I made ready for my jorney, and bought diverse necessary es, and in June 26.
some places tooke my leave.
The money was brought to me, with his Majesties letters and instruc- June 27.
tions. After noone I was in towne, ordered some business, and tooke my
leave there.
I rode to Kuntzow, and tooke my leave of the Boyar, Elia Danielowitz, June 28.
and his lady, who, with others there, were very kind to me. When I came
home, it was told me, that a writer had been there from the ambassy office,
with orders to be gone the next day without fail ; so I went the same even-
ing, and tooke my leave of my neerest ffrieuds.
The podwodes* being come in the morning, I made all ready, and have- June 29.
Ing dined, most of the fclobodish cavaliers and many merchants came and
convoyed me to a bush or wood, within sight of the high way or road to
Twere, where wee stayed neer two howres, takeing hon valet with numerous
cups. The fFriends retm-ning, some of my countreymen as Malor Langdales
and Ruitmaster Kieth, and others, who had gone aside, and now came on
* [That is, posthorses ]
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.