r Hurd, Mr Norman, and Mr Montreal,
the last of whom informed me that a Courier had this morning arrived
from the Emperor, with the news
that Napoleon Bonaparte, on
having the Decree of the French Senate notified to him declaring that he
was cashiered, had immediately abdicated the throne, and thus that the
War is at an end. With this prospect of a general Peace in Europe, I
commenced my Journey, to contribute if possible to the restoration of
Peace to my own Country— The weight of the trust committed though but in
part to me; the difficulties to all human appearance insuperable, which
forbid the hope of success; the universal gloom of the prospect before
me, would depress a mind of more sangwine complexion than mine— On the
Providence of God alone is my reliance— The prayer for light, and
vigilence, and presence of mind and fortitude, and resignation, in fine
for strength proportioned to my trial is incessant upon my heart— The
welfare of my family and Country, with the interests of Humanity, are
staked upon the Event— To Heaven alone it must be committed— That my
duty may be performed in sincerity, with fervent zeal, and unsullied
integrity is my heart’s desire and prayer to God.— And let his will be
done!
At half past One O’Clock afternoon I left my house, after taking leave of
Mr and Mrs
Smith. My dear
wife and Charles
came with me to Strelna, the first Stage, where we dined together at the
Post-house opposite the Grand-Duke
Constantine’s Summer-Palace. At half past four I embraced
them, and committed them to the Protection of a kind and gracious
Providence, and proceeded on my Journey, with my Servant Axel Gabriel Gåhlroos a native of Åbo
in Finland, whom I have engaged to go with me.
| Stages. | Versts. | Paid. | Time of Arrival. | Departure. |
From St: Petersburg |
R: C. | 28 April 1:30 P.M. | ||
| to Strelna. | 18. | 34:01 | 3:30 P.M. | 4:30 |
| Kipene. | 23 1/2 | 5:45 | 6:45 | 7:30 |
| Koskova | 19. | 4:55 | 9:30 | 10:15 |
| Czerkovitz. | 21 | 4:95 | 29. April 1:15. A.M. | 2: A.M. |
| Opolié | 22 1/2 | 5:25 | 5:00 | 5:30 |
| Jamburg | 15 | 3:75 | 7:00 | 7:45 |
| Narva | 22 1/2 | 5:25 | 10:35 | 11:30. |
| Waiwara | 20. | 7:75 | 2:45 P.M. | 3:45 P.M. |
| Chudleigh | 17. | 4:15 | 5:30. | 6:15 |
| Jeve | 11. | 4:05 | 7:30 | 8:00 |
| Wargel | 20. | 6:75 | 10:15 | 30 April 6:00 AM |
| Hohenkreutz | 22 | 7:35 | 8:30 AM. | 9:00 |
| Pedrous | 23 | 7:65 | 12:30 P.M. | 1:00 P.M. |
| Loop. | 21 | 7:05 | 3:45 | 4:50 |
| Kahal | 22 | 7:35 | 7:15. | 8:00 |
| Jegelicht | 23 | 7:65 | 1. May 1:00 AM. | 8:00 AM. |
| Reval. | 21. | 7:85. | 11:00. |
This table contains the itinerary of my journey from St: Petersburg to Reval— Upon my application
to Mr
Weydemeyer, he sent me a Passport for my self and my
Servant; with a sealed letter to General
Wiasmitinoff the Military Governor of the City, which I
sent yesterday to him, on which he furnished me the Padorojna or Order for Post-horses— The order was for four
Courier horses, and was to be exhibited to the Post-Master at every
Station. It mentioned that the road was from St: Petersburg to Reval—that it was 341 Versts, the horses to
be paid for at the rate fixed by the Ukazes, and that 27 Rubles 28
Copeeks, that is 8 Copeeks per Verst was paid for this Padorojna.— For
the horses the first Stage, to Strelna the charge was seven Copeeks for
each horse per Verst, and the rest of the Road 5 Copeeks per Verst and
horse— At each stage I paid 50 Copeeks to the Postilion, and 25 Copeeks
to the Starost, or Peasant who furnished the horses.— They were all
satisfied with this, and never asked for more— I have marked down in the
table the legal payments at each Stage, including the 75 Copeeks to the
Postilion and Starost— The first Stage also includes the 28 Rubles for
the Padorojna, the Governor’s Clerk who made it out having kept the odd
Copeeks for himself. My actual payments were in some instances more than
I have here set down, but the difference was a mere trifle. I have also
marked the time of my arrival at each Stage, and of my departure from
it; which will shew the average rate of travelling, and the time of
detention at each Post-house for the horses. It was never less than half
an hour, and seldom much more, excepting 94when I
stopp’d to take some refreshment, or to have the wheels of the Carriage
greased.— I found the roads this Evening excessively rough— The Snow was
gone almost universally— The frost had come out of the ground making the
roads deep and they were now frozen hard again— The weather was cold,
but the Night clear; and with a Moon nearly at the full.— I concluded
therefore to travel the whole Night. At Koskova, I remarked the
conjunction of the Moon and Jupiter.