Savior of Russian Alaska: How Nikolai Rezanov married the daughter of the governor of California and what he did for the region

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

Nikolai Petrovich Rezanov was one of the founders of the Russian-American Company, the first ambassador of the Russian Empire to Japan, compiled the first dictionary of the Japanese language, received the title of Chamberlain of the Imperial Court and the Order of St. Anne. However, oddly enough, it was not his services to the state that brought him fame, but a romantic love story overgrown with legends and myths with the Californian beauty Maria Concepcion de Arguello.

For what purpose was the first Russian circumnavigation equipped

In July 1803, the first Russian sea round-the-world expedition left Kronstadt. Among the many tasks of an economic, political and scientific nature, special emphasis was placed on establishing relations with Japan and inspecting the Russian colony in Alaska. The solution of these two issues was entrusted to Nikolai Rezanov.

In the Land of the Rising Sun, the embassy mission completely failed. The Japanese kept the ships on the roads for six months, after which they refused to receive the ambassador and establish trade relations, returned the gifts and demanded to leave the country. Having suffered a crushing fiasco in Japan, Rezanov made every effort to honorably fulfill the second part of the tasks assigned to him, and headed for Alaska. Arriving on the island of Sitkha, he was horrified at the conditions in which the Russian settlers lived. Lack of essential goods; spoiled products that were delivered across almost all of Russia - through Siberia to Okhotsk, then by sea; hunger, scurvy. It was necessary to save people, and Rezanov took decisive action.

Commander Rezanov's steps in Alaska

First of all, Nikolai Petrovich famously bargained with one of the merchants the ship "Yunona" with a cargo of food. Realizing that this is only a partial solution to the food problem, Rezanov ordered to build another ship - "Avos". The two-ship expedition headed south to Spanish California. The team recruited from Russian colonists, reeling from scurvy, was driven by the desire to save the settlement from starvation at all costs: “Let's save it or we will perish. Maybe we will save you all the same. " The desperate dash to California succeeded, food supply was established.

Commander Rezanov's concern for his compatriots was not limited to the delivery of food. He took care of the cultural and educational level of the population. On his initiative, a new for that time ship system was established (with the participation of both Russians and representatives of the local population), hospitals, schools and colleges were opened.

The most promising children were planned to be sent to St. Petersburg and Moscow to continue their education, and then returned to Alaska. In the field of politics, steps were taken to clear Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands from the Japanese.

How the visit to California affected the fate of Rezanov

During a month and a half at Fort San Francisco, Nikolai Petrovich not only won the favor of the local commandant, but also charmed his daughter, fifteen-year-old Maria Concepcion. Young Conchita was simply irresistible. She organically combined a majestic posture, graceful figure, expressive eyes, wonderful curly hair.

And Nikolai Rezanov conquered with education, noble manners, representative appearance. He was fluent in Spanish, which allowed him to talk with a girl for a long time. Thus began a love affair, which was later poeticized and embellished with many sentimental details.

Love or calculation, or what prompted Rezanov to offer his hand and heart to a young Spanish woman, and what benefit could this union bring to Russia

Undoubtedly, Nikolai Rezanov could not remain indifferent to the delights of the young beauty. He treated Conchita with tenderness, but he had true love only for one woman - his untimely deceased wife. Wise and prudent, a true patriot, Rezanov found the strength to sacrifice his personal feelings in the name of the Fatherland and decided on a marriage, which was of great importance for Russia. In addition to economic benefits, an alliance with a Spanish subject could provide an increase in the political influence of the Russian Empire on the Pacific coast of America.

Therefore, taking advantage of Conchita's ambition, Rezanov skillfully fueled her feelings with stories of magnificent receptions in the palace of the Russian emperor and the fascinating life of the capital. Very soon, the young lady began to dream of marrying a noble Russian nobleman and without hesitation responded with consent to the marriage proposal.

How the Californian love story of a Russian diplomat and a young Spanish woman ended

In July 1806, after finishing his business in Alaska, Rezanov went from Novo-Arkhangelsk to St. Petersburg for permission to marry Conchita. By September, he reached Okhotsk. Ignoring the prudent advice that the autumn thaw should wait out, he continued on horseback. The road was not easy: frosts, blizzards, spending the night in the snow. Moving across the frozen rivers, Rezanov fell into the icy water several times. Having caught a cold, he lay unconscious in Yakutsk for almost two weeks. Friends took him to Krasnoyarsk, but could not save him. In March 1807, 42-year-old Nikolai Petrovich Rezanov died and was buried in the cemetery of the Resurrection Cathedral. In the 60s of the last century, the temple and the adjacent churchyard were demolished. After 30 years, Rezanov's grave was found and his ashes were reburied at the Trinity cemetery.

Conchita, seeing off the groom, went out to the ocean every day for more than a year and gazed into the distance for hours. And two years later, terrible news reached her: in a letter sent by a relative of Rezanov, it was reported that Nikolai had died, so Concepcion could consider himself free. The girl received offers from the most enviable Californian suitors, but until the end of her days she remained faithful to Nicholas. She devoted her life to charity, was engaged in the education of the Indians. Received tonsure at the monastery of St. Dominic. Having outlived her betrothed for half a century, she departed into another world at the age of 67. Her ashes rest in the cemetery of the Order of St. Dominic.

And the details of the famous sale of Alaska to the USA not everyone knows.