Museum complex

Emperor Alexander I hands in the decree on free ploughmen to Count S.P.Rumyantsev

Autolithography by B.-R.Julien
Publisher J.-R. Lemercier, ed. Paris
1803, middle of XIX century
Inscription: «Le Comte S. de Romanzof obtient de l'Empereur Alexandre l'édit des Affranchissements»
Lithography
42,5 х 31,5 cm
Receipt: in 1931 from the former Museum of 1840
Showcase 1

The lithograph depicts a remarkable moment related to energetic discussion of the "peasants (serfs) issue" by the Emperor’s entourage at the beginning of his reign. In 1802, Count Sergei Petrovich Rumyantsev, being a member of the Imperial Indispensable Council, filed a note with the project of gradual liberation (emancipation) of peasants from serfdom on a basis of voluntary agreement between landlords and serfs. After a discussion with members of the Council made up of renowned dignitaries the Emperor agreed to give Rumyantsev's suggestion a trial. February 20, 1803 Alexander signed a Decree, which, however, did not receive a State status but rather a "personal" Decree in the name of Count S.P.Rumyantsev. Full name of it was: "A Decree on letting the landlords free their serfs upon conditions mutually agreed", but wider known as "Decree on free ploughmen". According to its provisions landlords were allowed to let their peasants (serfs) become free with the land by mutual agreement between the parties. "Personal" Decree of the Emperor once again revealed his far-reaching intentions and encouraged landlords to release their serfs (peasants). S.P.Rumyantsev manifested the initiative by liberating a certain number of his serfs. However, further practice proved that the Decree wasn’t too effective. Historians believe that following the example of Rumyantsev’s no more than 50 thousand peasants have been set free. But in the history of that era, this was perhaps the only document confirming liberal intentions of the Emperor in resolving the serfdom issue.

1