Related
1686] DIAEY OF PATRICK GORDON. 113 I gott our landlord to conduct
170 DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. [1690 delighted that he made the Boyars
1696] DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. 185 for a just cause is rewarded
1686] DIAHY OF PATRICK GORDON. Ill granted me two Strcltsees for a convoy
1667] DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. 97 storme, wee could not gett over to Embden
1686] DIAHY OF PATRICK GORDON. 151 pleasure, wee shall heartily embrace it. And so wee pray God
186 DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. [1697 put out the white flag
1686] DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. 163 and equity which I had on my syde
1661] DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. 47 good earnest to consider how I might ridd myself of this countrey
1694] DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. isi allyes move us to enter upon any great action in hast
Summary
Passages from the diary of General Patrick Gordon of Auchleuchries : A.D. 1635-A.D. 1699"
1694] DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. isi
allyes move us to enter upon any great action in hast. I am still in a
cumbersome court lyfe. In the meane tyme, I am heartily rejoiced to heare
that your Grace is in good health, and that you are, as all the world, satis-
fyed with your owne behaviour and actions, and shall be exceeding glad to
heare, from tyme to tyme, how your Grace disposeth of yourself, of whose
wellfare and prosperity none can he. a greater well wisher, as
Your Graces most devoted and humble servant,
P. GORDON.
[A.D. 1693.
The first entry in the Diary of this year, is, on the first of January : ' God grant us all a January
happy new year. I waited on his Majesty, and told him that the mortars had been examined
and found fit for use '
The Czar set out on his first journey to Archangel, on the fourth of June, and returned on June 4.
the first of October.
The next day, Gordon notes, ' His Majesty and his company came to supper with me, and October
were very happy,'
On the eighth of November, ' His Majesty was so gracious as to come to my house, and take Novemb(
from me three books on artillery,'
Again, on the twenty-eighth of December, 'His Majesty honoured me with a visit. The Decembe
English presented his Majesty with a gold watch, worth sixty-five pounds sterling, and with a
box of instruments worth thirty-five pounds sterling. His Majesty graciously handed each a
cup of wine.'
A.D. 1694.
The beginning of this year found Gordon again making arrangements as to his aflfairs in
Scotland ]
COPY OF THE FACTORY SENT TO JOHN GORDON OF NETHERMUIK, AND
PATRICK GORDON OF CULTS.
Be it knowne to all men by these present letters, wee General Patrick
Gordon of Achluichries, forasmuch as I being engaged in the service of
his Impcriall Majestic of Russia, so that I cannot be present in Scotland to
manage my effaires in my own person, and havcing certain experience of
the fidelity, ability, and dilligence of my cousins, John Gordon of Nether-
muir, and Patrick Gordon of Cults : Witt yee me, therefor, the said
Generall Patrick Gordon, to have made, constitute, and ordained, and by the
tenor hereof, makes, constitutes, and ordains the said John and Patrick
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.