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Title: Letter to Nikolai Bakunin Author: Mikhail Bakunin Date: February 1, 1861 Language: en Topics: letter, Siberia, Libertarian Labyrinth Source: Retrieved on 25th April 2021 from https://www.libertarian-labyrinth.org/bakunin-library/letter-to-nikolai-bakunin-february-1-1861/
February 1, 1861. Irkutsk.
Dear brother, this is probably the last time that I will write to you
before receiving your response to my letters, which I want to complete
by the following remarks: the best would be, obviously, that if, having
had my rights restored, I should be permitted, simply and with no
restrictions, to go in Russia; we must extend all our strength toward
that end. But if I am considered dangerous to the point that in order to
avoid my permanent stay in Russia they are ready to refuse me anything,
we can say to them that I only ask a permission of six or even four
months before returning to Siberia, after I have seen you, you and
mother. Naturally, it is necessary that in Siberia a job and some means
of existence. It seems to me that it would be good if mother addresses a
direct request to the sovereign; her great age gives her the right to
it. Finally, if you convince yourself of the absolute impossibility of
obtaining the authorization for me to go now to Russia – but only in the
case of absolute impossibility –, let them restore to me my rights
without that of returning to Russia initially; that decision has
recently been announced for the political criminal Weber for whom
Murav’ev had demanded the total liberation. Thanks to that he has
become, at least in Siberia, a free man, enjoying the same rights as
all, while I am presently tied hands and feet. I anticipate all possible
cases, according you full liberty to act as you judge is best. Just
remember that you will never find a more propitious moment and that if
you do not manage to liberate me now, you will surely never manage it.
On you, your skill, your faith in success – for nothing on earth is
impossible -, and on your energy depends at present the question of
knowing if we will see each other or not on this earth. I would not rot
in Siberia, that is certain; only having given up following the regular
planetary march, I would again become a comet. But I would not desire
it, and it is not easy, it would be very difficult with my wife,
[although] alone I would not have hesitated. But I would not separate
from her, and before attempting anything with her, I must consider it
ten times. Having given the business much thought, I have decided to
wait a bit more, another year doubtless, but in no case more if I see
the hope of a future liberation, based on something precise. From you,
in any case, I expect a complete sincerity and truthfulness. You would
act very badly if you dared to deceive me concerning my situation.
Enemies have the right to act in this way, but not you, and the least
blunder, the least bad faith, the least contradiction on your part would
be sufficient to incite me to the most reckless enterprises. I have
become suspicious of everything and everyone and it would be difficult
to mislead me, to string me along, and if that occurred, I would never
forgive having been abused. I speak to you on the same basis as in the
past and, so rare are the things that do not change in life, I judge you
according to myself and I believe in you as I believe in myself; but if
you have changed, if you are weary of me, say so frankly, I will not
complain. I only demand the unconditional truth from you in all things.
I have asked you, Nikolaj, if it is possible, without harm to my honor,
not to break off my relations with Benardaki; I have urged you to
define, reinforce and regulate my financial affaires with him without
modesty, without quixotism, and safeguard my interests to the degree
that it is possible. Here two possible cases present themselves: either
I am given the authorization to return to Russia, or I am not given it.
in the first case, he must know that I will leave in May, and he will
not refuse to give me the means to go to Russia, as he does it for all
the employees of his businesses. In the second case, I would desire that
he entrust me with a mission on the Amur up to Nikolaevsk; I would
doubtless learn all the truth about what is done and can be done and
learned in that country, and the truth in business, the truth at six
thousand or ten thousand verst is precious. In any case, I would not
take less than 3000 silver rubles of salary in order to entirely provide
for my needs, as those are practiced in Siberia, and I feel myself
capable of being equally useful to him for 6000 r. or salary. It goes
without saying that I would not consent to remain in his service if he
does not entrust me with a real job and does not admit his error.
If you judge it necessary to break off my relations with Benardaki, it
would not be bad for you to recommend me to another muscovite or
pétersbourgeois capitalist. But in this regard, I count little on you,
it would on the contrary be a good thing if I could dwell myself in
Moscow or Saint-Petersburg. Adieu, my brothers, pardon the blunt tone of
this letter, but what is there to do, my soul is dried out, but despite
everything I love you ardently and I believe in your as par le passé.
Mother, grant me your benediction, let us hope that we will see each
other soon.
Your M. Bakunin
One more word. If I am not freed, if my relations with Benardaki are
shattered and you do not find me other work, it will be necessary to
sell my part of the estate, to pay off my debts and send me the balance,
whatever it may be. I see no other solution. I am presently buried in
debts, and what’s more I must still settle a debt of 600 r. I live
poorly and in need and there is little hope, however I lose neither
faith nor morals. – I would fight to the end.