Related
1686] DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. 163 and equity which I had on my syde
1686] DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. 141 Being invited to devotion and dinner, by my Lord Chancellour
1667] DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. 99 I went to Altenaw and heard devotion
170 DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. [1690 delighted that he made the Boyars
1686] DIAHY OF PATRICK GORDON. Ill granted me two Strcltsees for a convoy
1667] DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. 103 to me, desireing me to let him have him
1655] DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. 19 last night's engagement, I found myself in such a labirinth of perplexed thoughts
1692] DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. 179 Patrick Gordon of Cults
1689] DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. 165 memory, the younger Czar
1686] DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. 159 My remonstrance, given in the twenty third, being translated, and read
Summary
Passages from the diary of General Patrick Gordon of Auchleuchries : A.D. 1635-A.D. 1699"
1686] DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. 159
My remonstrance, given in the twenty third, being translated, and read Octobei
above,* received no answer.
I did writt to my wyfe, to Collonell Levingston, and to my sonc in law, octoDei
per post.
Haveing had notice from Riga that my things, sent from England, were octobei
forwarded to Plesko, I did writt thither that they should be sent forward
to Mosko.
I gott Eustachius to translate my remonstrance in the Slavonian Octobei
language.
I stayed at home, and heard devotion, and afternoone made some visitts. Noyemi
I did writt to my wyfe per post. Novemi
I spooke to the Boyar f about sending for my wyfe, who gave me a Novemi
dubious answer.
^ I,^ notwithstanding, resolved to send for my wyfe ; and so did fall to Novemi
writeing of letters.
I stayed my servants going, in hopes of getting Major Van Bockhoven Novemi
to go along.
I dispatched my servants to Kyow for my wyfe, giveing them three Novemi
horses along, and to four persons three rubles on the way.
I agreed for cutt dry birch wood, at halfe a ruble the fathom. Novemt
I did writt to my wyfe by a surgeon, who went to Baturin to the Novemb
Hetman.
I dyned by Collonell Wibergh, where were a whole housefiill of Novemb
company.
The Russes began to forme their regiments, and joyned some of the Novemb
Streletses regiments two in one.
I was told by some Russes, who pretended to be my ffriends, that if I Novemb
did not petition for favour or grace, some severe methods were resolving on
as to send me, with my family, in some remote place of their empire.
I was by the Hollands Resident, who altogether declined to mcdle in Novembc
my business, telling me that the Russes had from the avisocs conceived an
evill opinion of our King, as favouring the Turkes too mucji.
I was by some of the great persons, some whereof told me that the Novcmbc
Princess was very much incensed against me for my obstinacy, as it had
• [At court, or in council ] f [Golizyn.l
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.