Related
1661] DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. 47 good earnest to consider how I might ridd myself of this countrey
1686] DIAEY OF PATRICK GORDON. 113 I gott our landlord to conduct
110 DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. [1686 I gave up my petition
1666] DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. 79 I did writt to Sir John Hebden
1686] DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. 163 and equity which I had on my syde
1686] DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. 131 Htle way, and being four, wee hired a coach
186 DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. [1697 put out the white flag
42 DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. [1661 misfortune
146 DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. [168G Haveing dyned, and hearing my trunks were come from Edinburgh
1686] DIAHY OF PATRICK GORDON. Ill granted me two Strcltsees for a convoy
Summary
Passages from the diary of General Patrick Gordon of Auchleuchries : A.D. 1635-A.D. 1699"
1686] DIAHY OF PATRICK GORDON. Ill
granted me two Strcltsees for a convoy. Bnt, hearing that the Customer
was getting all his catchpoles together, and resolving either not to let
me out of my quarters, or to stopp me upon the way, I sent ^gaine to the
Governour, desireing to know if this was by his order, or if he would
authorise such force. He sent me word that he did not, yet that he could
not medle in the Customers businesse, they haveing their commission imme-
diately from Mosko, and that I might do as I thought fitt. So haveing
dined, I gave orders to make ready, resolving to force my passage through
the towne, maugre of all opposition. The Customer, haveing notice hereof,
came to me, and desired that, since I would be gone, and not suffer my bag-
gage to be visited, I would let them be sealed, and put in a church or some
secure indifferent place, untill order should come from Mosko ; which, indeed,
rather as be detained, I had offered at first. But now being encouraged, or
rather connived at, by the Governour, I declined; and haveing sent a petition
under my hand to the Governour, complaining upon the Customer and his
fellowes for affronting me in putting a watch to my baggage and me, and
detaining me from my jorney, to my great losse and prejudice, desired it to be
written in here and sent to Mosko. Which being accepted, I marched out,
and without offering or haveing any violence offered to me, I passed through
the towne, over the bridge on the Volcha, and so on my jorney ; and the
horses being a litle weary, they baited in a village twenty five verst, and in
the night to Mpsiaga, twenty five verst. I payed in Novogrodt, for ten
horses, twenty five altins, and here for the same, one ruble, three altins, two
dengies, I did writt from Novogrodt, to Mr. Vinius, Collonel Menezes, and
my wyfe.
About three howres befor day, I went from thence, and by faire day- February
light came to Solnitza, fyfteen verst, where, by a gentleman come out of
Novogrodt in the fourth houre of the night, I was informed that the Cus-
tomer, with the principall persons belonging to that office, had with great
importunity obtained of the Governour an order, with a writer and a
number of Strcltsees, upon podwods, to follow me, and either search my
goods upon the place, and, if any merchandize were found, to fetch it back,
or in case I should not permitt, then to fetch me back with all, or at least
to stopp me where they should find me. Which hearing, and haveing good
horses, I promised the yempshiks drink money, and so drove on like Jehu,
and came to Opochy, thirty-five verst, where baiting not above half an
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.