What did M t Loris Melikov do. M.T

Current page: 1 (total book has 54 pages)

Chapter first

IN THE CAUCASUS: COMMANDER AND ADMINISTRATOR

Chapter Two

AS GOVERNOR GENERAL 1. "Plague Suppressor" on the Volga

Chapter Three

AT THE HEAD OF THE SUPREME ADMINISTRATIVE COMMISSION

CHAPTER FOUR MINISTER OF THE INTERIOR

Chapter Five

RETIRED. FATE OF HERITAGE

Section One IN THE CAUCASUS:

COMMANDER AND ADMINISTRATOR

Section Two

AS GOVERNOR GENERAL

LOOKING FROM UNDERGROUND

Section Three

AT THE HEAD OF THE SUPREME ADMINISTRATIVE COMMISSION No. 28

Section Four

Section Five

RETIRED. DESTINY HERITAGE No. 76

B.S. ITENBERG V.A. TVARDOVSKAYA

M.T. LORIS-MELIKOV AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES

Moscowibntrpolygraph2004

BBK 63.3(2)-8 I92

The series was founded in 2000

Development of serial design by artist I.A.. Ozerova

Itenberg B.S., Tvardovskaya V.A.

I92 Count M.T. Loris-Melikov and his contemporaries. - M.: ZAO Tsentrpoligraf, 2004. - 687 p.

15YOU 5-9524-1220-3

The book is dedicated to the history of life and work of Count M.T. Loris-Melikov, whose name has firmly and deservedly entered the history of Russian statehood. Coming from an Armenian noble family, he achieved the highest position in the government spheres of the empire with his real merits. In a time of crisis for the Russian monarchy, M.T. Loris-Melikov was the chairman of the Supreme Administrative Commission and the Minister of Internal Affairs, the second person in the state, a supporter of reforms, with almost unlimited powers, a dictator who determines the course of Russia's domestic policy. The essay on his life and work is combined in the book with a rich collection of documentary evidence, some of which are published for the first time.

The book is part of a series published by the Tsentrpoligraf publishing house under the general title "Forgotten and Unknown Russia".

Like the entire series, it is intended for a wide range of readers interested in Russian history, as well as for statesmen, public and political figures, scientists involved in the formation of new spiritual values ​​of the resurgent Russia.

BBK 63.3 (2)-8

© B.S. Itenberg, 2004 © V.A. Tvardovskaya, 2004 © Art design of the series, CJSC "Tsentrpoligraf", 2004

15YOU 5-9524-1220-3

© CJSC Centerpolygraph, 2004

In blessed memory of our teacher Petr kndreevich Zaionchkovsky

Foreword

Count M.T. Loris-Melikov is such a significant figure in the history of Russia in the second half of the 19th century that there are hardly any studies devoted to state, administrative, military problems of this period where his name would not be mentioned. However, the life and work of this outstanding statesman is still poorly understood. Its characteristics in the literature are very contradictory and do not always have a documentary basis.

The book offered to the reader is the first collection of documents about the reformer general in our literature, including official materials, Russian and foreign press of various directions, diaries and letters of contemporaries, memoirs of his associates and enemies. The book also contains the texts of reports, memos and personal letters of Loris-Melikov, the vast majority of which are little known and published for the first time.

The collection of documents is preceded by an extensive biographical sketch, which makes up the first part of the book, from Loris-Melikov's childhood to his stay abroad after the breakdown of his administrative career. The authors focus on his reform activities as a dictator and, in fact, prime minister at the turn of the 1870s-1880s, when the country seemed to be on the verge of general radical change. The authors focus on questions that have remained open so far.

Why was it Loris-Melikov who was called in as a figure capable of leading the country out of the national crisis? Is this choice random, or was there no alternative at that time? With what views on the prospects for the development of the country did the general enter the post of dictator: was he then a staunch supporter of reforms or did he become one, trying to carry out the course destined for him to eradicate sedition? In search of answers to these questions, the essay examines the origins of Loris-Melikov's path to big politics: his activities in the Caucasus, serving as Astrakhan, and then Kharkov Governor-General. At the same time, the authors pay the closest attention to the personality traits of Loris-Melikov, his family and relationships with people around him - everything that contributes to a deeper understanding of his activities.

The second part of the book, built in full accordance with the structure and content of the first, contains a detailed documentary basis for each of the stages of M.T. Loris-Melikov, his administrative and military career. So, one of the groups of documents and materials, especially relevant for our days, talks about the complex and subtle policy of the general, which was not limited to military and punitive actions, aimed at pacifying Chechnya. Documents from the Office of the Viceroy in the Caucasus N.N. Muravyov, periodicals, memoirs give an idea of ​​the socio-economic, cultural and religious measures of Loris-Melikov as head of the Terek region, reflect the sympathetic perception of them by the local population.

A large group of documents in the second part recreates the role of Loris-Melikov in the Russian-Turkish war of 1877-1878 and characterizes his abilities as a military leader who led the victorious assault on Kars and turned the tide of hostilities on the Caucasian front. The little-known, forgotten or new materials found by the authors reflect both the organizational talent of Loris-Melikov and his ability to manage in difficult military conditions, which was especially pronounced during the stay of troops under his command on Turkish territory. Excerpts from central and provincial newspapers show the growing popularity of Loris-Melikov in wide circles of Russian society, and official documents show the increasing attention to the war hero in the “tops”.

Documents on the activities of Loris-Melikov as Governor-General of Astrakhan, Samara and Saratov highlight the emergency measures he took to combat the plague, which made it possible to prevent its spread. As the above documentary evidence shows, the head of the provinces was concerned not only with the solution of the “sanitary problem”, but, to a greater extent, with the improvement of the region as a whole and the improvement of its general well-being.

A special group is made up of documents covering Loris-Melikov's general government in Kharkov and giving an idea of ​​the principles of his policy of pacifying the revolutionary movement in that province. Without abandoning repressions, the governor-general did not consider them a decisive means of liberating the region entrusted to him from the negative influence of revolutionaries. The presented documents reveal the little-known pages of the administrative and economic activities of Loris-Melikov in the six provinces of the Kharkov Governor-General under his control, characterize his position in relation to the peasant question, zemstvo, new courts, educational institutions, reflect his desire to gain the support of society.

On the whole, the published documents show that the appointment of Loris-Melikov as head of the Supreme Administrative Commission was not accidental: they capture his unique military and administrative experience accumulated by the end of the 1870s, his ability to find a way out of the most difficult situations. Excerpts from diaries, letters, memoirs of contemporaries make it possible to trace how the capital of popularity and authority accumulated, with which the count came to the highest state post (stay in it went down in history as the dictatorship of Loris-Melikov), and then assumed the post of Minister of Internal Affairs . The reports of Loris-Melikov to Emperor Alexander II dated April 11, 1880 and January 28, 1881, which had already seen the light of day in the journal Past (1918), which has already become a rarity, appear in the second part of the book, surrounded by new archival documents - notes and letters of Loris-Melikov, and also diary entries and letters from representatives of the liberal and conservative factions in the government.

All this will contribute to a deeper understanding of the reform program being developed by Loris-Melikov. His project of changes in public administration, which provided for the involvement of public representatives (Loris-Melikov's “constitution”), is perceived in this context as an organic part of a complex of socio-economic and political measures to transform the country. Loris-Melikov appears to the reader as a statesman of a large scale, ready to solve acute problems in the life of the country, able to understand the needs of Russian society, seeking support in public support.

The attitude towards future reforms of various currents of Russian social thought (reasonable and orthodox conservatives, liberals, Slavophiles, Narodniks and Narodnaya Volya) is revealed in a number of documents, among which there are many new ones that have so far remained only in personal archival funds, on the pages of old Russian newspapers and foreign press and now introduced into scientific circulation for the first time. The documentary materials of the book reflect the very Russian society of the early 1880s, with its dissatisfaction with the existing order, serious hopes for reforms, which then saw salvation from revolutionary unrest and the possibility of the country's exit from the national crisis.

Documents on the collapse of Loris-Melikov's political career after March 1, 1881 make it possible to trace the efforts of the count to promote his transformations under the new emperor Alexander III and feel their obvious insufficiency. At the same time, the greater determination and unity of the orthodox supporters of the Russian autocracy in the "top" in comparison with the adherents of Loris-Melikov become obvious. whose resignation in the widely represented press of various directions was unequivocally, although in different ways (some with glee, others dramatically), was perceived as the beginning of a new political era in the development of the country and its retreat from the path of reforms.

Previously unknown materials shed light on the identity and contacts of the ex-dictator during his stay abroad: many writers, scientists, and public figures were in correspondence with him in the 1880s. For the first time in this book, responses to the death of Loris-Melikov in 1888 are collected together, in which contemporaries assess his activities, completing the portrait of a major statesman of Russia.

Among the archival collections used by the compilers, we note the funds of the Kharkov Governor-General (Secret Chancellery), the Supreme Administrative Commission, the Main Directorate of Censorship, the Ministry of Justice; personal funds of M.T. Loris-Melikov, Alexander II, Alexander III, Grand Duke Mikhail Nikolaevich, Count P.A. Valuev, Count N.P. Ignatieva, K.P. Pobedonostseva, M.N. Katkova, V.A. Bilbasov.

The book was approved for publication by the Academic Council of the Institute of Russian History of the Russian Academy of Sciences in April 2003. The work was prepared with the financial support of the Russian Humanitarian Foundation. Grant No. 02-01-00005а.

LIFE path of M.T. LORIS-MELIKOVA

Chapter first

IN THE CAUCASUS: COMMANDER AND ADMINISTRATOR

The name of Mikhail Tarielovich Loris-Melikov has firmly and infamously entered the history of Russian statehood. Without patronage and connections, indebted only to himself, by his real merits, he reached the highest position in the government spheres of the empire. In a time of crisis for the Russian monarchy, he was the chairman of the Supreme Administrative Commission, the minister of internal affairs and the chief of the gendarmes, the second person in the state, a supporter of reforms, with almost unlimited powers, a dictator who determines the course of Russia's domestic policy.

The outstanding Russian military and statesman Mikhail Tarielovich Loris-Melikov was born in 1825 in Tiflis into an Armenian family. The noble family of Loris-Melikovs was ancient: in the 16th century. their ancestors owned the city of Lori, which became part of the Georgian kingdom. In 1832, the generation of Loris-Melikovs was approved in the Russian nobility.

The main role in the family was played by the father, who conducted extensive trade with Leipzig. Strict exactingness, the desire to give a decent education to children dominated the life of the family. From early childhood, Russian educators were assigned to the sons Mikhail and Vasily - as a result, the brothers spoke Russian without an accent. Mikhail, a capable and inquisitive boy, was sent to Moscow at the age of eleven, to the Lazarev Institute of Oriental Languages ​​1 . It was a prestigious educational institution. Well-known professors of Moscow University gave lectures there, introducing listeners to a wide range of knowledge. German, Armenian, French teachers also taught.

The five-year course of the institute was full of subjects. Mikhail had to study logic, psychology, history, mathematics, physics, geography, botany, Latin, French and German. In addition, he successfully mastered a number of languages ​​of the peoples of the Caucasus, which further facilitated his military service. The student studied well; natural abilities and diligence allowed to be among the best. The richest institute library opened for the inquisitive young man masterpieces of world literature and books on the history of Russia and Armenia 2 . Success in teaching, the breadth of intellectual interests inspired hope of entering the Moscow University. But this hope did not come true: for the rude prank of the boy, it was decided to expel him from the institute and send him to his parents in the Caucasus. But after the intervention of influential Armenians, the institute decided differently: the delinquent was allowed to continue his education - to move to St. Petersburg and enter the school of guards ensigns and cavalry junkers, where from 1841 to 1843 he had to study military affairs.

So unforeseen circumstances radically changed the life of a young man. Not saturated mental studies, but drill, horseback riding and the monotony of army life fell upon the pupil of a military school. True, not everything was so gloomy. At this time, there was an acquaintance with the young poet N.A. Nekrasov. It so happened that Loris-Melikov and his classmate Naryshkin rented an apartment - they, as graduates, were allowed to leave the school. The homeless poet joined them. According to Mikhail Tarielovich, his friend Dr. N.A. The white-headed testified: “All three were very young, they loved to live merrily and, having received their small incomes (from their parents, except for Nekrasov. - Auth.), extremely quickly let go of them and then, in anticipation of the next pay, fell into melancholy and lived as hermits. In those meager weeks and occasional lack of money, Nekrasov had to be especially poor... Whereas for his comrades, the cadets, the school served as a saving harbour.

A solemn day has come - promotion to officers. Nicholas I arrived in Peterhof to congratulate the graduates. A new stage of life began - as a cornet in the Grodno Life Hussar Regiment.

The debut turned out to be quite successful: on December 6, 1844, for distinction in the service, Loris-Melikov was promoted to lieutenant. In the summer of 1847, a new appointment took place: service in the Caucasus - “to be on special assignments” under the commander-in-chief of the Caucasian Corps, Adjutant General Prince Vorontsov, an intelligent and educated courtier, not devoid of some liberalism. Mikhail Tarielovich recalled him with special gratitude: “I owe everything to him. These ten years with him were a school of life for me ... I had to be in society, I didn’t want to be worse than others. He began to study, read, think, and did not forget his special work” 4 .

The young officer was 22; educated, bold and courageous, quick-witted, full of desire to prove himself in military operations against the highlanders. He quickly showed himself in action. He bravely fights in Little Chechnya, in Dagestan, acts wisely when taking fortified villages, laying roads, setting up firing points. His immediate superior (since 1848), Adjutant General Prince Argutinsky-Dol-Gorukov, highly appreciates the intelligent officer, and Prince Vorontsov himself admires his courage and courage. It is enough to study the track record of Loris-Melikov (see document No. 1) to see how dynamically and selflessly his combat life proceeded.

The army authorities quickly realized that such an officer could be entrusted with the most difficult cases. Such an opportunity presented itself. On November 23, 1851, Hadji Murad, one of Shamil's closest associates, a man famous for his successful actions against the tsarist troops, betrayed the rebellious highlanders and went over to the side of the Russians. The question arose: who and how will protect him, how to deal with such a famous "guest"? The solution has been found. December 20 Prince M.S. Vorontsov informed the Minister of War, Prince A.I. Chernyshev that Hadji Murad arrived in Tiflis on December 8 and was entrusted to Captain Loris-Melikov, “an excellent and very intelligent officer,” speaking Tatar, who already knows Hadji Murad, who “seems to also completely trust him” 5 .

Indeed, it was so. The fugitive told his guardian about his role in the struggle of the highlanders against the Russian troops 6 . Moreover, Loris-Melikov learned from his interlocutor the opinion about the tactics of the Russians in relation to the Chechens. Loris-Melikov informed Prince Vorontsov about this (see document No. 3), who reported to Prince Baryatinsky: “I find extremely important one point that Loris speaks of, namely, that Hadji Murad, apparently with good intentions, advises some honorary Chechens to come to us, but to demand the general obedience of all Chechnya. On the contrary, I have always followed the system of patronage for anyone who wants to move to us, and I could not refuse this system. Appropriate measures must be taken so that anyone who wishes to be transferred to us is accepted. This always weakens the enemy.

Lengthy conversations with Hadji Murad were in themselves very useful for understanding the essence of the war in the Caucasus, but Loris-Melikov wanted something else - the officer asked to be given the opportunity to prove himself in battles. January 14, 1852 M.S. Vorontsov wrote to Mikhail Tarielovich: “I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your diligent and useful service, and I can assure you that the service you are now rendering to us will not go unrewarded. According to your desire, I am writing today to Prince Baryatinsky about requesting you to the detachment, where you can stay for several days to participate in military affairs. On the same day, Vorontsov fulfilled his promise. “I received a letter,” he informed Baryatinsky, “from Loris-Melikov, who serves us so zealously under Hadji Murad, but is terribly bored, all the more so because he is eager to be with you and continue the craft of logging, in which he has many times expressed himself" 9 .

Thus, the voice of the "bored" was heard: Loris-Melikov was recalled to fight in the winter expedition - military operations in the Mesker-Yurtu region. Here, numerous detachments of highlanders successfully attacked the Russian infantry. Then the artillery turned on and the highlander dragoons began to retreat, “and the swift attack of the Cossacks under the command of the guard captain Loris-Melikov, as noted in the order of February 26, 1852 for the Separate Caucasian Corps, completed the defeat of the enemy.” The highlanders in disorder sought salvation in the dense forest, losing more than 50 people killed 10 . Upon learning of this victory, Prince Vorontsov immediately (February 18) from Tiflis wrote to Prince Baryatinsky, the commander of the left flank of the Caucasian army: “I am delighted with the brilliant attack of the Cossacks under the command of our brave Loris-Melikov: he is constantly looking for and finds a chance to distinguish himself ; he is a true fighter, and, with God's help, he will make an excellent career in the cavalry. I will immediately send to Petersburg the performance that you will make about him.

On the same day, the governor in the Caucasus and the commander-in-chief personally congratulated the hero himself: “I am writing to you with the departing from us (from Tiflis. - Auth.) courier, to tell you, dear Loris-Melikov, that I was very pleased with the news of your excellent cavalry work, in which you so bravely attacked the highlander cavalry under the command of Shamilev's son with the Cossacks. Prince Baryatinsky and Semyon Mikhailovich * wrote to me about this and do you full justice in this wonderful deed. I was always sure that you, as you always were, will remain and always show yourself well done.

How often during the war did such a stormy admiration of the highest army authorities for the actions of a young officer happen? Naturally, under such conditions, promotions and awards followed one after another quickly. In September 1848, the lieutenant was awarded the Order of St. Anne, IV degree, with the signature: "For courage" "for the distinction shown in dealings with the highlanders." In 1849, Lo-ris-Melikov was promoted to the headquarters of the captain. In August 1850, a new order: St. Anne III degree with swords and a bow. In June 1851 he became a captain. In 1852, the officer was awarded two more orders: St. Anna II degree with swords and St. Anna II degree with the Imperial crown. For distinction in the battle of Bash-Kadykmar against the Turks, he was awarded a golden saber with the signature: "For courage" 13 . For successful actions in the fight against the highlanders, Lo-ris-Melikov was promoted to colonel.

In this rank, the officer met the Eastern War (1853-1856). The Russians in the Caucasian theater of operations were ill-prepared. The Turkish army of Abdi Pasha (about 100 thousand people) was opposed by small garrisons - Russian troops were busy pacifying the Caucasus. The war began on October 4 (16), 1853, and on October 29, near the town of Karachi, Loris-Melikov, at the head of a Cossack squadron, came under fire from the enemy. And only the arrived reinforcements saved the situation, "put the enemy to flight" 14 . After this battle, the officer was constantly in battle, showing courage and resourcefulness.

In April 1855, the colonel was appointed "to be on special assignments" under the governor in the Caucasus and the commander-in-chief of the Separate Caucasian Corps, General N.N. Muraviev (see document No. 3). Russian troops, having crossed the border, were approaching the fortress of Kars. It was necessary to establish proper order in the conquered territories, to establish relations with the Turkish population. This was what Loris-Melikov had to deal with directly. In his submission was a detachment, according to N.N. Muravyov, "three hundred hunters", consisting of people of different nationalities: Russian and Turkish Armenians, Georgians, residents of Muslim provinces. They were distinguished by courage, quickness, knowledge of the area, and the ability to obtain news about the enemy 15 .

There was a major military operation. Large forces were gathered - it was impossible to manage with one detachment of Loris-Melikov. The colonel additionally had at his disposal: Nizhny Novgorod dragoons, a hundred Cossacks and a hundred "hunters", three hundred Kurds, horse-mounted rocket launchers. In the course of the action, two more cavalry hundreds - Muslim and Georgian, and, finally, two hundreds of the Don Cossack regiment, joined the formation. All this motley army had to be skillfully managed. For the young colonel, this was the first such difficult army case.

This army, which suddenly appeared from two sides near Kagyzman, took the city authorities by surprise - they obeyed. Crowds of residents flocked to meet the fighters of Loris-Melikov, showed the way through the cramped streets of the city. The example of Kagyzman was followed by the elders of the Gechevan Sanjak. In this way, the inhabitants of the two largest districts adjoining Kars were brought to obedience. After that, the colonel promptly set about organizing local government in the conquered territories, leaving many local officials in power, "defined the rules for the payment of taxes and the manner of government according to ancient customs" 16 . Everything was done decisively and intelligently.

In the order of N.N. Muravyov, it was noted that the task was carried out "with excellent orderliness, without the use of weapons", for which Loris-Melikov was declared "perfect gratitude" 17 .

This was followed by an assignment of a local nature - it was necessary to examine the fortifications of Kars. Having made a successful raid around the fortress, having obtained important information about the features of enemy fortifications, having captured 10 people, Loris-Melikov's detachment returned to its unit without losses. Such successful operational actions attracted attention and were appreciated by Muravyov, who described Loris-Melikov in his diary: “He was sharp-sighted, quick-witted, indefatigable, knew local languages ​​and, when interviewing people, was able to attract the information that I needed.” Muravyov recalled that while serving under Vorontsov, Loris-Melikov successfully carried out all assignments, commanding his detachment. For this, he "received all the orders that could be had in his rank" 19 .

Meanwhile, the ring around the Kars fortress was shrinking. Under these conditions, the command needed new reliable information about the enemy, his potential defense capabilities. And here the mind, resourcefulness, and courage of Mikhail Tarielovich again appeared. On October 25, his brave riders (a detachment of 65 people) unexpectedly attacked the Turks (350 bashi-bazouks) in Amirkam, destroyed their guard picket, dashingly broke into the village and, according to the correspondent, “having cut down several people, six were taken prisoner” 20.

All these successful military operations, led by Loris-Melikov, contributed to the start of the main operation - the capture of the fortress of Kars. The siege began. Under the onslaught of the Russians, the defenders of Kars were forced to capitulate on November 16, 1855. A general offensive of the troops of the Caucasian Corps began, among which the “hunters” of Loris-Melikov continued to successfully pursue the enemy with their bold and unexpected attacks. As a result, the entire Karsky pashalyk (a province subordinate to the pasha's authority) was captured. Now it has become the Kars region. Loris-Melikov was appointed its head.

There was a complex administrative and economic activity on Turkish territory. Local customs and the need to create a manageable power structure had to be reckoned with. The colonel drew attention to the situation of the people remaining in the fortress. Among the starving garrison of Kars were women and children. Loris-Melikov ordered to feed them from the soldiers' kitchen. Having visited the hospital and discovered the terrible conditions in which the wounded Turkish soldiers were, he ordered to convene the Majlis and made an angry speech - he ordered the authorities to urgently restore order.

Managed to establish business relations with Turkish officials; administrative structures began to operate: the office, the treasury, the police and postal departments. According to N.N. Muravyov, thanks to the skillful orders of Loris-Melikov, “order was soon established, both in the region and in the city of Kars itself. The tax-paying articles that existed under the Turkish rule were made known and began to generate income, among which the most important was obtained from the salt mines we acquired on the banks of the Araks, near Kagyzman” 21 .

Such results were largely due to the fact that the head of the Kars region turned out to be a capable administrator (see Document No. 4), able to quickly make the most rational decisions, and was well informed about the moods of both local authorities and Turkish military leaders 22 .

Clever orders of Loris-Melikov also manifested themselves in the management of the spiritual sphere. It turned out that the mosques, occupied during the hostilities as storage facilities, lost, of course, their cult significance, which caused discontent among the townspeople. The Russians were accused of desecrating Muslim shrines. We had to act quickly. The head of the region gathered the mullahs and threatened to punish them if they embarrassed their co-religionists. Mosques, on the other hand, were urgently freed from foreign objects, which made it possible to restore the church and thereby remove the annoyance of the believers.

In St. Petersburg, he became close friends with Nekrasov, then still an unknown youth, and lived with him for several months in the same apartment. On August 2, 1843, the Grodno Hussars Regiment was released as a cornet in the Life Guards, where he served for four years.

Caucasian war

The continuous hostilities taking place at that time in his homeland pulled Loris-Melikov to take part in them, and he, at his request, was transferred in 1847, with the rank of lieutenant, who was on special assignments under the then commander-in-chief of the Caucasian Corps, Prince Vorontsov. In the same year, Loris took part in the actions of Russian troops under the command of General Freytag in Little Chechnya, while laying wide clearings in the dense forests of Chechnya and repelling the attacks of the highlanders, who in every possible way prevented this work. Incessant skirmishes with the highlanders gave Loris an opportunity to show his courage and his fighting abilities and at the same time delivered him the Order of St. Anna of the 4th degree and a golden saber with the inscription "For Bravery". In 1848, he was in the detachment of another Caucasian hero, Prince Argutinsky-Dolgorukov, who was active in Dagestan. Loris was at the capture of the village of Gergebil and was promoted to staff captain for distinction. In order to inflict a severe defeat on Shamil in Dagestan, in 1849 a special detachment was formed, in which Loris was also located. This detachment moved to the large village of Chokh and soon surrounded it: Shamil, standing behind Chokh, did not dare to join the battle with his forces. After several assaults and heavy bombardment, the village of Chokh was taken, and the detachment returned to winter quarters, but at the beginning of 1850 moved again to the same area. Loris was at the same time awarded the Order of St. Anna 3rd degree with a bow.

In 1851, he participated in a large winter expedition on the left flank of the Caucasian line in Greater Chechnya, against the famous Hadji Murad, and from the spring of that year he was on the right flank of the line during the construction of fortifications on the river. Belaya and the reflections of the forces of Megmet-Amin and for differences in hostilities was promoted to captain.

Crimean War

Chief of the Supreme Administrative Commission

At the beginning of 1880, shortly after the explosion in the Winter Palace on February 5, 1880, he was summoned to St. Petersburg to discuss the issue of measures to combat the revolutionary movement. On February 14, 1880, he was appointed Chief of the Supreme Administrative Commission, established on February 12 of the same year, which was endowed with extensive powers; since March 3 - temporary head of the III Department of His Imperial Majesty's Own Chancellery.

Soon after the appointment of Loris-Melikov, Senate audits were sent to various parts of the European part of the empire. The result of their activities was a sharp decrease in the number of political cases in the field. The audit materials allowed Loris-Melikov to conclude that the main reason for public discontent was the incompleteness of the Great Reforms. This also applied to peasant land shortages, and redemption payments that were ruinous for their farms, and the exclusion of representatives of society from solving state issues.

In order to concentrate in one hands the highest management of all bodies called upon to protect the state peace, he proposed to abolish the III Section and transfer all its affairs and functions to the newly established Police Department under the Ministry of Internal Affairs. They proposed measures to alleviate the fate of persons expelled by administrative order for political unreliability and who belonged to a large extent to the number of young students. Some reflection of the Loris-Melikov system can be found in "Letters on the current state of Russia" by R. A. Fadeev, Loris-Melikov's former comrade in the Caucasus.

Despite the assassination attempt on him by a certain Molodetsky on February 20, 1880, he continued to adhere to the principles he had expressed in the fight against the revolutionary movement.

Minister of Internal Affairs. Regicide

M. T. Loris-Melikov (engraving, 1882)

At the end of the summer of 1880, he raised the issue of terminating the activities of the Supreme Administrative Commission, which was closed on August 6 of the same year; on the same day he was appointed Minister of the Interior.

Of all the measures conceived under him, in the period from November 1880 to May 1881, very few were carried out, such as the abolition of the excise tax on salt (according to the financial department) or the reduction of redemption payments. Of the measures he conceived, after his resignation, the poll tax was abolished.

In the government's fight against propaganda for the overthrow of the monarchy and against terrorism, the view was held that in order to prevent or reveal a criminal handful of people, civilians in general should not be embarrassed and that the abolition of established general restrictions and exceptional measures could take away the ground from anti-monarchist propaganda. Nevertheless, he did not refuse from repressive measures against the People's Will. During the 16 months of his reign, 32 political trials were held in Russia and 18 death sentences were handed down. Loris-Melikov personally took part in the interrogations of the terrorist G. D. Goldenberg, who was arrested in November 1879, and received valuable testimony from him.

During his leadership of the ministry, the assassination of the head of state in St. Petersburg was committed under circumstances that testified to the lack of sufficient measures to protect the personal safety of the emperor (such was the opinion of the Chief Prosecutor Pobedonostsev and Emperor Alexander III). Nevertheless, a few days before, Loris-Melikov strongly recommended that Alexander II temporarily refrain from traveling around the capital. However, the emperor ignored the recommendations of his minister. Due to the fact that one of the terrorists - N. Rysakov - running away from the scene of the crime, was captured by the peasant Mikhail Nazarov, who happened to be next to the bridge watchman on the horse-drawn railway, and gave extensive testimony to the investigation, it was possible to uncover the entire terrorist organization (its leader Zhelyabov was arrested for 2 days before the regicide based on the testimony of the Kharkov terrorist Goldenberg, which were given at the end of 1879).

Dismissal. Retired. Death

The regicide clearly showed the ruling circles the collapse of the course of appeasing the liberals and revolutionaries. In a letter dated March 6, 1881, Chief Prosecutor K.P. Pobedonostsev wrote to the new Emperor Alexander III: “<…>the hour is terrible and time does not endure. Or now save Russia and Himself, or never. If they sing the old siren songs to you that you need to calm down, you need to continue in a liberal direction, you need to give in to the so-called public opinion - oh, for God's sake, do not believe, Your Majesty, do not listen.<…>do not leave Count Loris-Melikov. I don't believe him. He is a magician and can still play a double game.<…>If you give Yourself into his hands, he will lead you and Russia to destruction. He only knew how to carry out liberal projects and played a game of internal intrigue. But in the sense of the state, he himself does not know what he wants - which I myself have repeatedly expressed to him. And he is not a Russian patriot. Take care, for God's sake, Your Majesty, that he does not take possession of your will, and do not waste time. Alexander III himself on April 21 of the same year, after another meeting with his ministers, wrote to Pobedonostsev: “<…>Our meeting today made a sad impression on me. Loris, Milyutin and Abaza positively continue the same policy and want to somehow bring us to a representative government, but until I am convinced that this is necessary for the happiness of Russia, of course this will not happen; I will not allow.<…>It's strange to listen to smart people who can Really talk about a representative beginning in Russia<…>I am more and more convinced that I cannot expect any good from these ministers.<…>You could hear that Vladimir, my brother, looks at things correctly and completely, like me, does not allow an elective beginning.

On April 28, a ministerial meeting was held at Loris-Melikov, where the text of the April 29 Manifesto was read out, which, according to Pobedonostsev, who was present, caused the displeasure of many and the open indignation of Abaza. Pobedonostsev informed the tsar about the meeting on April 28 in a letter dated April 29: “There was general embarrassment, but, in addition to embarrassment, annoyance was clearly expressed among some. Loris-Melikov and Abaza directly considered themselves offended<…>» . The Manifesto on the inviolability of autocracy compiled by Pobedonostsev (signed by the emperor on April 29, 1881) called on all loyal subjects to serve faithfully to eradicate vile sedition that dishonors the Russian land, to affirm faith and morality, to raise children well, to exterminate untruth and theft, to establish order and truth in the operation of the institutions bestowed upon Russia by its benefactor Emperor Alexander II.

The day following the publication of the manifesto, Loris-Melikov submitted his resignation from the post of Minister of the Interior - formally due to poor health; Count Nikolai Pavlovich Ignatiev was appointed his successor, on the advice of Pobedonostsev. In a letter dated April 30, 1881, Alexander III wrote to Pobedonostsev: “This morning I received a letter from Count. Loris-Melikov, in which he asks for dismissal under the guise of illness. I answered him and accepted his request.<…>I saw yesterday Mr. Loris-Melikova at the parade and then at breakfast near Oldenburgsky Avenue, and although he did not tell me anything, it was clear from his face that he was very dissatisfied and upset.

The grave of M. T. Loris-Melikov in Tbilisi (Georgia)

In a letter to the emperor dated May 4, 1881, Pobedonostsev warned about Loris-Melikov and Abaza: “<…>Your Majesty, do not deceive yourself. Since April 29, these people - your enemies. They want to prove by all means that they were right and you are wrong.<…>» . The resignation from the post of minister was officially accepted on May 4, 1881.

He went abroad and lived mostly in Nice. November 1, 1882 was appointed chief of the 1st Sunzha-Vladikavkaz regiment of the Terek Cossack army.

On May 29, 1883, he was dismissed on indefinite leave with permission to be present in the State Council when health permits.

He died on December 12, 1888 in Nice. His body was brought to Tiflis, where he was buried in the Armenian Vank Cathedral (on the current Atoneli Street; after the destruction of the cathedral, in 1957, the ashes and tombstone were transferred to the courtyard of the Armenian Cathedral of St. George on Meydan).

“According to his political views,” says Dr. N. A. Belogolovy, who became close friends with Loris-Melikov during his life abroad, “Loris-Melikov was a moderate gradualist, a consistent liberal, a strictly convinced defender of organic progress, with the same dissympathy for to all phenomena that hinder the normal growth and correct development of peoples, no matter from which side these phenomena may be found. Unshakably believing in the progress of mankind and in the need for Russia to join its benefits, he stood for the widest possible dissemination of public education, for the unfetteredness of science, for the expansion and greater independence of self-government, and for the involvement of elected from society in the discussion of legislative issues as advisory members. Further than this, his reformist ideals did not go.

In memory of Loris-Melikov, several streets and even settlements were named, the largest of them is the village of Loris in the Krasnodar Territory.

Addresses in St. Petersburg

The beginning of 1880-1881 - the house of V. N. Karamzin - Bolshaya Morskaya street, 55.

Literary works

Cover of the book "The Constitution of Loris-Melikov and his private letters (1904)

Count Loris-Melikov also devoted time to literature and wrote the following works:

• “On the Caucasian rulers from 1776 to the end of the 18th century, on the affairs of the Stavropol archive” // Russian Archive, 1873
• "Note on Hadji Murad" // "Russian Antiquity", 1881, v. 30
• "On navigation in the Kuban" // "New time", 1882
• "On the state of the Terek region" // "Russian antiquity", 1889, No. 8-9
• Letters to Count Loris-Melikov from N. N. Muravyov and M. S. Vorontsov were published in Russkaya Starina in 1884, v. 43.

Notes

1. Shilov D.N. Statesmen of the Russian Empire. - St. Petersburg. , 2002. - S. 428.
2. The spelling of the father's name is as follows: Shilov D.N. Statesmen of the Russian Empire. - St. Petersburg, 2002. - S. 429.
3. In pre-revolutionary sources, the patronymic was usually written as "Tarielovich".
4. : In 25 tons / under the supervision of A. A. Polovtsov. 1896-1918 .. - T. 10. - S. 699.
5. See for example: Deutsch L."Notes on the Government Report" // Case March 1st, 1881. St. Petersburg, 1906, p. 414.
6. Date of birth according to: Shilov D.N. Statesmen of the Russian Empire. - St. Petersburg. , 2002. - S. 428.; according to others, December 20, 1825 or October 21, 1825
7. Lyashenko L. "Velvet Dictator" // Moscow News. 2012. March 14.
8. Pobedonostsev attached a note “from an unknown person” to the report to the emperor dated April 30, 1881, with his recommendation “it is written well and it's worth it read it ”(K. P. Pobedonostsev and his correspondents: Letters and notes. - M.-Pg., 1923. - Vol. 1, half-volume 1st. - S. 52.), on which Alexander III left a note: "Really a lot of truth and common sense" (Ibid.); a document entitled "The very first thing - what Russia now needs" (Ibid., pp. 53-62.), in particular, stated: "<…>The entire consistent course of the terrible event of March 1 clearly shows that regicide could have been committed solely, only due to the fact that 1) the person to whom the late Sovereign entrusted the protection of his life<…>did not fulfill his first duty<…>2) at the very moment of committing a crime near the Sovereign<…>there was not a single person who knew his job and was able to fulfill his most important duties.<…>Count Loris-Melikov was completely carried away by the testimony of the criminal Goldenberg<…>For gr. It became clear and undeniable to Loris-Melikov that he had penetrated into the modern recesses of sedition in Russia, that he held in his hands and knew the most faithful and, moreover, the most humane and liberal means for completely stopping it. His exorbitant ambition and lust for power strengthened him even more in this conviction and then already told him: “You will destroy sedition in Russia and at the same time deliver free, European state institutions to Russia, you will be the first Russian prime minister.”
9. According to: Description of the event of March 1, 1881, compiled on the basis of the testimony of one hundred and thirty-eight eyewitnesses. // "Government Gazette", April 16 (28), 1881, No. 81. - P. 2.
10. Cit. Quoted from: Letters from Pobedonostsev to Alexander III. - M ., 1925. - T. I. - S. 316.
11. K. P. Pobedonostsev and his correspondents: Letters and notes. - M .-Pg. , 1923. - Vol. 1, semi-volume 1. - P. 49 (editing the text from a facsimile of the original; emphasis corresponds to underlining).
12. K. P. Pobedonostsev and his correspondents: Letters and notes. M.-Pg., 1923. - T. 1, half volume 1st. - P. 51 (a sketch of the description of what happened by Pobedonostsev).
13. Pobedonostsev's letters to Alexander III. - M ., 1925. - T. I. - C. 334.
14. K. P. Pobedonostsev and his correspondents: Letters and notes. - M .-Pg. , 1923. - Vol. 1, semi-volume 1. - S. 63.
15. Pobedonostsev's letters to Alexander III. - M ., 1925. - T I. - S. 337.
16. Date according to: Shilov D.N. Statesmen of the Russian Empire. - St. Petersburg. , 2002. - S. 430; See also: Government Gazette, May 5 (17), 1881, No. 97. - S. 1. Some sources indicate May 7, 1881 as the date of resignation (see NES. - Vol. 24, stb. 913.).

Literature

• Muromtsev S. A. In the early days of the ministry, M. T. Loris-Melikova: Note on polit. state of Russia in the spring of 1880 / [Comp. S. Muromtsev with the participation of A. I. Chuprov, V. Yu. Skalon and others]. - Berlin: B. Behr's Buchh. (E. Bock), 1881 (P. Stankiewicz Burchdr.). - , 45 s.
• Belogolovy N. A. Memories. // "Russian antiquity", 1889, No. 9
• / Portrait rice. P. F. Brozh and grav. I. Matyushin, Yu. Baranovsky and F. Gerasimov. - St. Petersburg: Turba, 1878.
• Military Encyclopedia / Ed. V. F. Novitsky and others. - St. Petersburg. : Society of I. V. Sytin, 1911-1915. - T. 15.
• Russian biographical dictionary: In 25 volumes / under the supervision of A. A. Polovtsov. 1896-1918.
• List of generals by seniority for 1886. SPb., 1886
• // Encyclopedic Dictionary of Brockhaus and Efron: In 86 volumes (82 volumes and 4 additional). - St. Petersburg. , 1890-1907.
• Kostanyan Yu. L. Count Mikhail Tarielovich Loris-Melikov. - SPb., 2005. - 234 with ISBN 5-8465-0382-9
• Shilov D.N. Statesmen of the Russian Empire. - St. Petersburg, 2002, pp. 428-432.
• Kolpakidi A., Sever A. Special services of the Russian Empire. - M .: Yauza Eksmo, 2010. - S. 126 - 135. - 768 p. - (Encyclopedia of special services). - 3000 copies. - ISBN 978-5-699-43615-6

Predecessor:

One of the most important signs of a revolutionary situation is the crisis of autocracy policy. The crisis of the policy of the autocracy was due to its incompatibility with the socio-economic and political needs of society. It was expressed in the fluctuations in the political course of tsarism, the lack of internal unity in the ruling group, the relative isolation of power from those sections of society that constituted its traditional social support. This led to a weakening of the positions of the government, which opened up additional opportunities for the development of popular movements and the struggle of revolutionaries.

During the years of the crisis, the contradictions between the two currents in the higher bureaucracy became especially noticeable: the liberal and the openly reactionary. Each of them had a noble coloring, but differently understood the prospects for strengthening power.

The liberal wing was grouped around the brother of Alexander II, Grand Duke Konstantin Nikolayevich. This group had considerable experience in state activity, deeply perceived political problems, and took an active position in the preparation and implementation of bourgeois reforms of the 60-70s. In the liberal circles of the government, the most prominent role belonged to D.A. Milyutin and P.A. Valuev. In their opinion, concessions should prevent revolutionary and opposition actions, and not be their result. They advocated the continuation of reforms, but at the same time they fully shared the punitive policy of tsarism. This manifested the typical duality of moderate liberalism, which had reactionary features along with progressive ones.

Supporters of the "protective principles" grouped around the heir to the throne, Grand Duke Alexander Alexandrovich. They advocated the return of the former, pre-reform order, understanding the needs in a simplified way in the spirit of the old feudal notions. Their political aspirations were directed against further reforms and at restricting the existing bourgeois legislation.

The government began to experience the impact of the crisis shortly after the end of the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878. The tension of the political situation intensified as a result of the actions of the revolutionaries. This was especially noticeable in connection with the attempt by V. Zasulich on the St. Petersburg mayor F.F. Trepov and the murder of S. Kravchinsky, the chief of the gendarmes N.V. Mezentsev.

Government policy quickly reacted to the aggravation of socio-economic contradictions and the growth of the social movement. Beginning in 1878, repression against the revolutionary movement intensified. One of the first measures of the government was the creation of an apparatus of police officers in the middle of 1878 - an average of 11 officers for each county. They were supposed to "guard public peace", that is, to suppress any expression of discontent on the part of the peasantry. To organize the struggle against the revolutionaries, a detective police was created, searches and arrests became more frequent; arbitrariness of power became commonplace. Along with this, measures were taken to combat the Zemstvo opposition. The development of bourgeois legislation was interrupted.

In the context of the growing revolutionary struggle in April 1879, the government decided to introduce emergency measures.

In three cities - St. Petersburg, Kharkov and Odessa - the positions of temporary governor-generals were established, and the rights of the Moscow, Kiev and Warsaw governors-general were significantly expanded. Governors-General were endowed with special administrative rights. They were subordinated to the administration of not only the main provinces, but also those adjacent to them. Persons accused of state crimes, they could bring to court-martial, arrest and administrative exile with virtually no restrictions. Governors-General had the power to ban periodicals. Outstanding generals I.V. Gurko, M.T. Loris-Melikov, E.I. Totleben. Thus, the government sought to raise the prestige of its event. The introduction of temporary governor-generals was a clear indication of the government's inability to govern on the basis of issued legislation. The strengthening of punitive measures was accompanied by arguments about the constitution at the top. At the beginning of 1880 drafts of very moderate constitutions are submitted for discussion. However, even timid plans that affected the political foundations of autocracy were rejected. Thus, at this stage of the crisis, government policy actually meant an increase in reaction.

A new attempt on the life of Alexander II, organized by S.N. Khalturin in the Winter Palace on February 5, 1880, showed the government the unreliability of the measures taken, and on February 12 a decree was issued on the creation of the Supreme Administrative Commission headed by M.T. Loris-Melikov. The main task of the commission was to "protect state order and public peace." The chief head of the commission was granted exclusive rights to suppress revolutionary uprisings. In this matter, he obeyed all government agencies, including the military. In fact, M.T. Loris-Melikov was endowed with dictatorial powers.

From the first days of his activity, M.T. Loris-Melikov showed a desire to expand the circle of his powers and subordinate to his influence not only the struggle against the revolutionary movement, but also all other spheres of public life. Along with punitive measures, Loris-Melikov's program contained a system of reforms that provided for the alleviation of the material situation of the peasantry and urban workers. In his activities, he tried to win the trust of all sections of the public, providing for the interests of the nobility - the expansion of the rights of zemstvos, in relation to the urban strata - the development of self-government bodies, in relation to the intelligentsia - simplification of the rules of the press, the elimination of unjustified regulation of university life, etc. The most odious figures of the tsarist administration. D.A. was dismissed from the post of Minister of Public Education. Tolstoy, who greatly compromised himself in the eyes of the public.

The activities of the Supreme Administrative Commission did not last long. By decree of August 6, 1880, it was liquidated. Some reorganization of the central state bodies was carried out: the hated III Branch was abolished, and its functions were transferred to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. M.T. was appointed Minister of the Interior and Chief of the Gendarmes. Loris-Melikov. The liquidation of the Supreme Administrative Commission was portrayed as a rejection of dictatorship. In fact, dictatorship, as a means of concentrating the forces of the government in a political crisis, was entering a new phase.

Ministry of M.T. Loris-Melikova carried out a series of events that had noticeable consequences. Senate audits were organized to identify the negative phenomena of local life, the salt tax was abolished, the rights of the press were somewhat expanded, the students were given the right to create their own organizations in government circles.

During the reform period of the 60-70s. the constitutional question was repeatedly raised, which was considered as one of the ways to get the autocracy out of the crisis. The constitutional question was not considered as an alternative to autocracy. The question was only about the various forms of legislative representation that could calm the well-intentioned opposition and thereby strengthen the position of the monarchy.

Among the projects of that time, the most significant was the plan for the reorganization of the State Council, prepared by P.A. Valuev in 1863. It was based on the principle of the inviolability of the monarchy as a guarantor of statehood. Innovations were reduced to the admission of representatives from the field in order to implement advisory functions under the monarch. According to the project of P.A. Valuev's representation was not of a nationwide, but of an estate character, that is, representatives of the former feudal estates should have taken part in matters of legislation and public administration. This plan, according to Valuev, pursued a completely pragmatic goal - to cut the ground from under the feet of revolutionary agitators, who widely use in their propaganda the thesis of anti-people and alienation of the autocracy from society.

The main meaning of the put forward by P.A. Valuev's proposals boiled down to the reform of the State Council, which was to be transformed from an administrative-deliberative body into a class-deliberative body with the participation of representatives of the nobility, cities and the clergy. The project allowed for indirect representation through zemstvos of other estates, but still did not allow for parliamentary-type representation and politically was much inferior to the liberal projects of the early 19th century. Valuev's proposals were not widely discussed, they were not embodied in any reforms, but they represented a certain experience of the government in modernizing the political system of Russia.

A kind of political experiment was the development of a liberal constitution for Bulgaria. After the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878 Russian civil administration in Bulgaria, headed by the imperial commissioner A.M. Dondukov-Korsakov carried out broad liberal reforms and prepared a draft constitution, which was adopted by the Constituent Assembly of the Bulgarian People's Representatives. The draft of the political structure of Bulgaria, developed by the Russian civil administration, formed the basis of the Bulgarian political system, in which the strong power of the monarch was reinforced by broad popular representation. The Bulgarian constitution became for a long time the embodiment of the political ideals of the Russian reformers.

A new step in the preparation of the constitutional reform is directly related to the activities of M.T. Loris-Melikova. The steps taken by the government were very cautious. Previously, it was only about the creation of a legislative body. The reform was based on the previous projects of P.A. Valuev (1863). The main goal of the reform being prepared was to create a rational mechanism for passing laws, to expand the social base of tsarism and to stabilize the political situation in the country. The creation of a zemstvo representation in this regard was only of secondary importance, as an inevitable concession to public opinion.

The preparation of the “Loris-Melikov constitution” was not completed, so we can only talk about its main provisions. On February 17, 1881, Alexander II approved Loris-Melikov's report on the preparation of political reforms. It was supposed to create a Preparatory Commission to develop reforms. This legislative commission was to consist of persons appointed by the emperor and elected representatives from zemstvos and cities. The government assumed in advance that the zemstvo representatives would defend the views of the opposition, and therefore the number of seats from the provinces was never determined.

The Preparatory Commission was supposed to be a temporary legislative body, which under no circumstances could turn into a state institution of the parliamentary type. However, the political significance of this commission should not be completely ignored. Having arisen with the participation of elected representatives, it could speak out for new forms of statehood, and the autocracy could hardly ignore its proposals. However, events began to develop according to a different scenario. By the beginning of March, a government message was prepared on the convening of the Preparatory Commission with the participation of representatives of the zemstvos. On the morning of March 1, 1881, Alexander II approved the text of the official announcement on the convening of the commission, and a hearing on this issue in the Council of Ministers was scheduled for March 4. On the same day, Alexander II was killed by the Narodnaya Volya, and the conditions for reforms changed dramatically. The possibility of smooth constitutional reform was completely ruled out.

The terrorism of the Narodnaya Volya was the extreme expression of the opposition in the country. He put pressure on the government, destabilizing society. For the liberal reformers, the involvement of the public and the authorities was the only way to politically stabilize the country and stop the terror. The activities of the Narodnaya Volya promoted reforms, but in the context of the predominance of conservative sentiments in Russia, the Narodniks actually contributed to the victory of the reactionary forces in the government. As a result of the terrorist act on March 1, 1881, M.T. Loris-Melikov, D.A. Milyutin, A.A. Abaza, D.M. Solsky and other prominent reformers.

: Labzina - Lyashenko. A source: vol. 10 (1914): Labzina - Lyashenko, p. 694-700( scan index) Other sources: VE : MESBE : ESBE :

Loris-Melikov, Mikhail Tarielovich , an Armenian by origin, one of his ancestors, Melik-Nazar, in the 16th century owned the city of Lori and received a firman from the Persian Shah Abbas in 1602, confirming his ancient rights to this city, and Nazar himself adopted Mohammedanism. Later, his descendants returned to the bosom of the Christian church and were hereditary bailiffs of the Lori steppe, which was part of the possessions of the Georgian kings. These Loris-Meliks thus belonged to the composition of the highest Georgian nobility and were included in the VI part of the genealogical book of the Tiflis province. Mikhail Tarielovich's father lived in Tiflis, conducted a rather significant trade with Leipzig, and tried to give his son Mikhail, born in 1825, an excellent education. He first assigned him to the Lazarev Institute of Oriental Languages, and later transferred him to the former school of guards lieutenants and cavalry cadets in St. Petersburg (now the Nikolaev Cavalry School), in which the young Loris-Melikov completed his studies in 1843 and was released as a cornet in l.- guards Grodno Hussar Regiment, where he served for four years. The continuous hostilities taking place at that time in his homeland pulled Loris-Melikov to take part in them, and he, at his request, was transferred in 1847, with the rank of lieutenant, who was on special assignments under the then commander-in-chief of the Caucasian Corps, Prince. Vorontsov. In the same year, Loris took part in the actions of Russian troops under the command of the famous Freytag in Little Chechnya, when laying wide clearings in the dense forests of Chechnya and repelling the attacks of the highlanders, who in every possible way prevented this work. Incessant skirmishes with the highlanders gave Loris an opportunity to show his courage and his fighting abilities and at the same time delivered him the Order of St. Anna of the 4th degree and a saber with the inscription "for bravery". In 1848, he was in the detachment of another Caucasian hero, Prince Argutinsky-Dolgorukov, who operated in Dagestan. Loris was at the capture of the village of Gergebil and was promoted to staff captain for distinction. In order to inflict a severe defeat on Shamil in Dagestan, in 1849 a special detachment was formed, in which Loris was also located. This detachment moved towards the large village of Chokh and soon surrounded it: Shamil, standing behind Chokh, did not dare to join the battle with his crowds. After several assaults and heavy bombardment, the village of Chokh was taken, and the detachment returned to winter quarters, but at the beginning of 1850 moved again to the same area. Loris was awarded the Order of St. Anna 2nd degree with a bow. In 1851, he participated in a large expedition in winter on the left flank of the Caucasian line in Greater Chechnya, against the famous Hadji Murad, and from the spring of that year he was on the right flank of the line during the construction of a fortification on the river. Belaya and reflections of the crowds of Megmet-Amin and for differences in hostilities was promoted to captain. The war that soon arose between Russia and Turkey caused an intensified hostile activity of the mountain tribes, who began to make raids along the entire line. To stop these raids, a special detachment was assembled at the Kurinsky fortification, under the command of Prince Baryatinsky, in which Loris was also located. The detachment moved to the Michik River and the village of Ista-su, moreover, Loris distinguished himself more than once in dealing with the mountaineers, who strongly pressed on our detachment, and was promoted to colonel. After that, he joined the troops operating on the Turkish Turkish border against the Turks, and distinguished himself in the famous two battles at Bayandur and Bash-Kadyk-Lar, in which the Turkish troops under the command of Abdi Pasha were severely defeated. At the same time, Loris-Melikov was awarded a golden saber with the inscription "for bravery". In 1854, he was entrusted with the command of hunters in the detachment of Lieutenant General Prince. Bebutov, with whom, being constantly at the forefront, Loris made attacks on the Turkish cavalry and on April 13, 1855 inflicted great damage on it, and then participated in the battle of Kuryuk-Dara, in which Prince. Bebutov defeated 60 tons of Turks. For these actions, Loris was awarded the Order of St. Vladimir 3rd degree with a bow. In August 1855, he was appointed to special assignments under the new commander-in-chief, gr. N. N. Muravyov, continuing as before the command of the hunters, Loris examined the roads leading to the fortress of Karsu, and vigilantly watched the enemy during the imposition of this strong fortress. After the capture of Kars, he was appointed head of the Kars region and, during the nine-month administration of it, gained the general favor of the townsfolk by his prudent management. After the return of Kars to the Turks under the terms of the Peace of Paris concluded in 1856, Loris-Melikov was promoted to major general, and then in 1858 was appointed chief of troops in Abkhazia and inspector of the line battalions of the Kutaisi General Government. At that time, on his orders, the fortification of Tsebelda was laid to protect against the attack of the highlanders and to stop the smuggling trade of the highlanders, through which they mainly acquired firearms, gunpowder and all the necessary military supplies. In 1859, Loris was sent to Turkey to negotiate the admission of mountaineers-migrants from the Terek region to Asiatic Turkey. Appointed soon as the military commander of southern Dagestan and the mayor of Derbent, Loris-Melikov, with great success, began to establish new orders among the mountain tribes, who had previously had no idea of ​​citizenship at all. In March 1863, he was appointed head of the Terek region and commander of the troops located in it, and on April 17 of the same year he was promoted to lieutenant general. Discharging this duty until 1875, Loris-Melikov turned all his activities to establishing order and tranquility among the mountain population of the region, who continued to worry after the recent conquest of the Caucasus, and the mountaineers' attempts to open resistance to the authorities were very soon stopped by him. In addition, during the reign of Loris-Melikov, many residents of the Terek region, who were in the power of sovereign princes and other persons, were liberated from serfdom, and at the same time, many estate land issues were resolved, which closely captured the domestic and economic aspects of the regional population. In addition, at that time the highlanders were taxed by the state, and at the same time the number of educational institutions was significantly increased, reaching the figure of 300, and Loris founded a vocational school in Vladikavkaz at his own expense. All these measures significantly contributed to the pacification of the region and prepared the population for the fact that already in 1869 it was recognized that it was possible to introduce in the Terek region not only administration on the basis of the general establishment of the Empire, but also judicial charters of 1864. Such fruitful activity of Loris-Melikov, his honest attitude to business and, at the same time, his extraordinary simplicity of address, his characteristic friendliness and accessibility soon won him the love of the entire diverse population of the region and the deep respect of all who knew his constant desire to increase the welfare of the region entrusted to him. . He entered into all the petty details of management and always worked first of all on all the most important issues. Such strenuous activity upset Loris-Melikov's health and prompted him to ask for a dismissal abroad in order to resort to the assistance of foreign doctors. H.I.V. the Viceroy of the Caucasus, as was expressed in a special order for the Caucasian Military District on May 15, 1875, "with the greatest regret yielded to the request of Loris-Melikov and only in view of the absolute need to satisfy it." At the same time, Loris-Melikov, even earlier on August 30, 1865, granted the rank of Adjutant General of His Majesty, was enlisted in 1875 in the Terek Cossack army, promoted to general from the cavalry and appointed to be with the governor of the Grand Duke, with expulsion from the post of head of the Terek region . He went abroad, but was not away from business for long. The war with Turkey that arose a year later in 1876 made it necessary for us to form a special corps of troops for action against the Turks in Asia Minor. The leadership of this corps was entrusted to Loris-Melikov. On April 12, 1877, he entered Turkey in four columns and on May 5-6 captured Ardagan by storm, for which he was awarded the Order of St. George 3rd degree. After that, he quickly approached Kars, much better and stronger fortified than in the war of 1853, and sent the gene. Tergukalov with a detachment to Erzerum. At this time, Turkish troops under the command of Mukhtar Pasha approached the foot of the Saganlug ridge to the village of Zevin (on the way from Kars to Erzerum), intending to descend to Kars. Not wanting to allow the Turks to do so, Loris-Melikov attacked them in early June. The beginning of the battle was favorable for us, but the Turks received large reinforcements in time, and our troops, having met a large ravine on the way, suffered significant losses and were forced to retreat from Zevin. Mukhtar Pasha placed part of his forces on Aladzha, on the spurs of Kara-Dag. Loris-Melikov, in turn, received reinforcements on the night of June 28, 1877, withdrew from Kars and, having made a detour, attacked the Turks on the heights of Aladzhi from the front and rear on September 20-22 and inflicted a complete defeat on them, taking in captured more than 7 tons of Turks. Then the Turks were again defeated by Loris-Melikov at Avliar on October 2, 3 and at Deva-Boyku on October 23. For these victories, Loris-Melikov was awarded the Order of St. George 2nd degree. After the aforementioned battles, Loris-Melikov turned to Kars, who was considered impregnable. Approaching the fortress, he immediately moved on the night of November 5-6 to storm and captured Kars, capturing 17 tons of Turks and 303 guns. For the capture of Kars, Loris was awarded the Order of St. Vladimir 1st degree. Having mastered Kars, Loris-Melikov began the blockade of Erzerum in the winter. With the subsequent conclusion of peace with Turkey, Loris-Melikov was elevated to the dignity of a count in April 1878 for military merit and appointed to be at the disposal of His Highness the Grand Duke Commander-in-Chief in the Caucasus. With the advent of the plague in Vetlyanka in 1879, Loris-Melikov was appointed temporary Governor-General of Astrakhan, Saratov and Samara, with almost unlimited powers to fight this dangerous disease. Even before his arrival in Vetlyanka, thanks to strict quarantine measures, promptly adopted and carefully observed, the plague began to subside. Loris-Melikov cordoned off the entire Astrakhan province with a fourth cordon, was personally in Vetlyanka, inspected the cordons, and soon, after the end of the plague, he had the opportunity to imagine the destruction of his temporary general government, and it turned out that out of the four million rubles allocated to him. no more than three hundred thousand rubles were spent to fight the plague. His return to St. Petersburg coincided with the establishment of special temporary governor-generals, equipped with almost unlimited powers, to eradicate sedition in the state, which manifested itself in many parts of the Empire with a number of criminal acts. Loris-Melikov was also appointed such governor-general to Kharkov, where governor Kropotkin had been assassinated not long before. He set about establishing a legitimate course of affairs, appeasing society and strengthening its ties with the government on the basis of mutual assistance. His apparently successful action in Kharkov prompted the government at the beginning of 1880 to summon him to St. Petersburg to discuss the issue of decisive and effective measures to combat sedition, which shortly before this showed terrorist activity in the capital and on February 5, 1880, exploded in the Winter Palace itself. To stop such attacks on the state and social system of Russia, on February 12 of the same year (P. S. Z., No. 60492), a special supreme administrative Commission with extensive powers was established, and Loris-Melikov, appointed shortly before this member, was placed at its head. State Council. At the meetings of this Commission, he stated that he sees in the support of society the main force that can help the authorities to resume the correct course of state life. He intended to fight the turmoil: 1) by criminal police means, not stopping at any strict measures to punish criminal acts, and by state measures aimed at calming and protecting the interests of the well-meaning part of society, in order to restore the shocked order and return the fatherland on the path of peaceful prosperity. At the same time, in order to concentrate in one hands the highest management of all bodies called upon to protect state peace, Loris-Melikov proposed to abolish the III department of the S.E.I.V. Chancellery and transfer all the affairs and activities of this department to the newly established police department under the Ministry Internal Affairs. In addition, he proposed measures to alleviate the fate of persons expelled by administrative order for political unreliability and who belonged to a large extent to the number of young students. Despite the attempt made on February 20, 1880 by a certain Mlodetsky on the life of Loris-Melikov himself, he steadily adhered to the principles he had expressed in the fight against turmoil, and when the acute manifestations of this turmoil, apparently, ceased by the end of the summer of 1880, he did not slow down raise the issue of terminating the activities of the Supreme Administrative Commission, which, after four of its meetings, was closed on August 6 of the same year. Soon after that, on November 15, 1880, Loris-Melikov was appointed Minister of the Interior, and although he played a very short leading role in government affairs, he nevertheless left beneficial traces of his ministerial activity. The main program of Loris-Melikov's activity was as follows: 1) to give local provincial institutions greater independence in resolving matters under their jurisdiction and free them from the need to apply to the central administrations in St. Petersburg in every, sometimes quite insignificant issue; 2) bring the police to uniformity and put it in harmony and correlation with the latest institutions so that it would no longer be possible for it to manifest itself in various deviations from the laws established by the rules; 3) to provide the zemstvo and other public and class institutions with the opportunity to fully enjoy the rights that are given to them by law, while trying at the same time to facilitate their activities as much as possible. Loris-Melikov found that the Zemstvo was the only living social force that could be for the government the same indestructible support that it had previously been, before the liberation of the peasants, the nobility, and, moreover, quite trustworthy, since the majority of the population of the Empire were Russian people who sincerely believed in the royal power; 4) in addition, according to Loris-Melikov, it was necessary to give the press the opportunity to discuss various events, resolutions and orders of the government, with the condition, however, that the press does not embarrass and unnecessarily excite public minds with its dreamy illusions, on the need to attract society to participate in the legislation and administration of the country in the form of a representative assembly on the model of Western Europe or in the form of our former ancient Zemsky Sobors. In order to clarify the real needs of the people, Loris-Melikov proposed to undertake an audit of the senators in some provinces, and it was also necessary to collect and clarify facts testifying to the economic condition of the peasant and factory population, the influence of government measures on it, the mood of minds in general outside the capital centers and about the degree of influence on them of the measures practiced by the government in the fight against unreliable elements of society, such as: in the form of administrative expulsion, etc. The senators sent in 1880 for these revisions were also asked to supplement with modern data information on many issues that were subject to resolution at that time, as well as to reveal the reasons for the failure of the zemstvo institutions. The program given to the senators broadly covered all the main parts of internal government. In addition to all this, Loris-Melikov very clearly and in some detail put forward in a special note, which was a huge success in government spheres, several issues of the national economy, which formed the basis of the government's activities not only under Loris-Melikov, but also after him. In this note, he insisted: 1) on the need to reduce redemption payments from the peasants; 2) assistance to the peasants by the government in the purchase of land with the help of special loans to the peasants, and 3) facilitating the conditions for the resettlement of peasants and the assistance of the government in the eviction of peasants from densely populated provinces to other areas more abundant in free land. In general, Loris-Melikov sought to alleviate the economic oppression that weighed on the mass of the population, and to ensure that the burden of various financial collections was transferred as far as possible from the lower class of the population to the higher. But of all the measures conceived under Loris-Melikov and, no doubt, testifying to the excellent intentions of this statesman, in the period from November 1880 to May 1881, very few were actually carried out, such as, for example, the abolition of excise tax on salt, for the main reason that the special circumstances under which Loris-Melikov began his activity diverted the attention of him and the entire government from the questions he had outlined and required a great expenditure of energy on his fight against criminal agitation, which, without stopping its activity, almost not for a minute, only slowed down the course of the transformations outlined by Loris-Melikov and prevented them in every possible way. In this struggle, Loris-Melikov persistently maintained the view that in order to prevent or expose a criminal handful of people, civilians in general should not be embarrassed and that the abolition of established general restrictions and exceptional measures can only take away the ground from revolutionary propaganda. Under him, the revolutionary organization was quite successfully uncovered and the main organizer of the sad event on March 1, Zhelyabov, was arrested. Reporting to the sovereign at the end of January 1881 on the beneficial consequences of the system adopted by the government of the constant return of state life to its correct course, Loris-Melikov considered it possible to invite His Majesty to take advantage of this moment and complete the great reforms of his reign, which remained unfinished and not agreed upon among themselves. At the same time, Loris-Melikov expressed that the calling of local people to participate and develop the measures necessary for the present time is precisely that sure means that is useful and necessary for the further struggle against sedition. The method for implementing this idea should be the same as that already experienced in the first years of the sovereign's reign during the peasant reform, i.e., it is necessary to establish in St. Petersburg, like the editorial commissions that were in 1859, a special temporary preparatory committee, which would consist of representatives of the administration and local knowledgeable people, and then the final works of this committee should be considered in the State Council and cast down to the Highest view. Emperor Alexander II on March 1, 1881 at 12½ days approved these assumptions of Loris-Melikov and ordered them to be discussed at a meeting of the Council of Ministers before they were published in the Government Bulletin. A few hours later, an atrocity unheard of in the annals of Russian history took place, and Emperor Alexander II died in his capital at the hands of villains. This unfortunate event indicated the extent to which confusion had reached a certain circle of society, and that before any beneficial reforms and undertakings, it was necessary to eradicate confusion, restore state order, and then bring into a coherent system the results of various beneficial transformations that marked the reign of the Emperor-Liberator. This task was defined by the words of the manifesto of Emperor Alexander III of April 29, 1881, by which all loyal subjects were called upon to serve faithfully and truthfully, to eradicate vile sedition that dishonors the Russian land, to affirm faith and morality, to bring up good children, to exterminate untruth and theft, to the establishment of order and truth in the operation of the institutions bestowed upon Russia by its benefactor, Emperor Alexander II. Five days later, Count Loris-Melikov left the post of Minister of the Interior, due to poor health; Count Nick was his successor. Pav. Ignatiev. Count Loris-Melikov then left St. Petersburg abroad and lived mostly in Nice, where he died on December 12, 1888. His body was brought to Tiflis, where he was buried.

Loris-Melikov was a man of rare disinterestedness and was distinguished by his tolerance for other people's opinions, but he was unshakable in his convictions. The Count was unsympathetic to all phenomena that retarded the normal growth and development of the people, and was a staunch defender of organic progress. He stood for the widest possible dissemination of public education, for the unfetteredness of science, for the expansion and greater independence of self-government, and for the involvement of elected members of society in the discussion of legislative issues as advisory members. Count Loris-Melikov always attentively and willingly listened to everyone and everyone, was very courteous, accessible and was a cheerful conversationalist in society.

Count Loris-Melikov also devoted minutes of his leisure time to literature and wrote: 1) "On the Caucasian rulers from 1776 to the end of the 18th century" ("Russian Archive" 1873); 2) "Note on Hadji Murad" ("Russian Antiquity" 1881, vol. 30); 3) "On Navigation in the Kuban" ("New Time" 1882); 4) "On the state of the Terek region" ("Russian Antiquity" 1889, No. 9). Letters to gr. Loris-Melikov from N. N. Muravyov and Count M. S. Vorontsov were published in Russkaya Antiquity, 1884, v. 43.

"Terskiye Vedomosti" 1875, No. 23. - "Niva" 1877, No. 19. - "Moscow Vedomosti" 1888, No. 349. - "Proceedings of the Moscow Society of Agriculture" 1882, issue XI. - "Domestic Notes" 1880, No. 9. - "Bulletin of Europe" 1880, No. 11; 1881, No. 6; 1889, No. 1. - "New Time" 1888, Nos. 4597, 4600, 4610, 4622, 4623. - "Historical Bulletin" 1889, book. 2, pp. 451-460, 515-516. - "Spikes" 1889, book. 1, pp. 272-275. - "Russian Archive" 1889, book. 1, p. 94. - "Count Mikhail Tarielovich Loris-Melikov", ed. "Tiflis Leaflet", Tiflis, 1889 - "Russian Thought" 1889, book I, p. 169. - "Russian Antiquity" 1889, No. 9. - "Russian Invalid" 1888, No. 275. - N. N. Muravyov, "War for the Caucasus in 1855". - "History of the Ministry of Internal Affairs from 1802 to 1902", vol. І, ed. 1902. - "The Bicentenary of the Terek Cossack Host". - S. O. Kishmisheva, "War in Turkish Armenia in 1877-78". - D. D. Yazykov, "Review of the Life and Works of the Late Russian Writers", vol. VIII, p. 66.

LORIS-MELIKOV, MIKHAIL TARIELOVICH(1825–1888), Russian military and statesman. Born in 1825 in Tiflis (modern Tbilisi) into a noble and wealthy Armenian family. Having completed his studies at the Lazarev Institute of Oriental Languages ​​in Moscow, in 1839 he entered the School of Guards Ensigns and Cavalier Junkers in St. Petersburg; upon graduation in 1843 he received the rank of cornet and was sent to serve in the Life Guards of the Grodno Hussars. In 1844 he was promoted to lieutenant.

In 1847, at his own request, he was transferred to the Caucasus, where an uprising of mountain tribes under the leadership of Shamil was raging. He was on special assignments under the commander-in-chief of the Separate Caucasian Corps M.S. Vorontsov. Participated in expeditions to Dagestan and Chechnya in 1848 and 1849-1853; awarded the Order of St. Anne 4th degree and a saber with the inscription "For Bravery". During the Crimean War of 1853–1856, he distinguished himself in the battles of Bashkadyklar on November 19 (December 1), 1853 and Kyuryuk-Dara on July 24 (August 5), 1854. From August 1855 he was on special assignments under the commander-in-chief of the Caucasian army N.N. Muravyov. Promoted to colonel and then to major general.

After the capture of Kars by Russian troops in November 1855, he was appointed head of the Kars region; from that moment began his administrative career. Since 1858, he served as chief of troops in Abkhazia and inspector of the line battalions of the Kutaisi General Government. On May 2 (14), 1860, he received the post of military commander of Southern Dagestan and at the same time the mayor of Derbent. March 28 (April 9), 1863 became the head of the Terek region (modern Northern Dagestan, Chechnya, Ingushetia, North Ossetia, Kabardino-Balkaria) and the chief ataman of the Terek Cossack army. In an effort to pacify the rebellious North Caucasian regions, he pursued a policy that combined harsh repressive measures with measures for the socio-economic and cultural development of the region. Severely dealt with the irreconcilable opponents of Russia and even organized the mass emigration of disgruntled Chechens to Turkey (1865); on the other hand, he eliminated the serfdom of the mountain peasants from local feudal lords, extended the all-Russian tax, administrative and judicial system to the region, built the first Rostov-Vladikavkaz railway in the North Caucasus, opened the first educational institution in Vladikavkaz (Vocational School) at his own expense. Trying to secure the support of the local elite, he constantly consulted with the elders and the clergy. In May 1875, at his own request (due to illness), he was relieved of his post; promoted to general of the cavalry. In the same year he went abroad for treatment.

Returned to service with the outbreak of the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878; appointed commander of the Separate Caucasian Corps. He supervised all operations in the Caucasian theater of operations. For the capture of the Ardagan fortress on May 5 (17), 1877, he was awarded the Order of St. George 3rd degree, for the defeat of the army of Mukhtar Pasha on the Aladzhin heights on October 1–3 (13–15) - the Order of St. George 2nd degree, for mastering Kars on November 6 (18) - the Order of St. Vladimir, 1st degree. The pinnacle of his success was the capitulation of Erzurum on February 11 (23), 1878. At the end of the war, he was elevated to the dignity of a count.

In January 1879, he was appointed temporary governor of the Astrakhan, Samara and Saratov provinces with unlimited powers to combat the epidemic of the "Vetlyanskaya plague" that began in the Lower Volga region (from the village of Vetlyanskaya, where its first outbreak took place). Thanks to decisive quarantine and sanitary measures, it quickly stopped its spread; moreover, out of the 4 million rubles allocated for these purposes. saved 3 million 700 thousand and returned them to the treasury. To his authority as an outstanding commander was added the reputation of not only an effective, but also an honest administrator, caring about the interests of the state.

In April 1879, he was appointed temporary governor-general of Kharkov with extraordinary powers in connection with the growing wave of revolutionary terror (the former governor-general D.N. Kropotkin was killed by G.D. Goldenberg, a Narodnaya Volya member, on February 9 (21). He pursued a flexible policy: he limited the scale of repressions against the opposition, he tried to win over the liberal public to the side of the authorities (the draft reform of urban educational institutions, etc.); at the same time reorganized the local police in the spirit of rigid centralization. Thanks to his moderation, he was the only one among the temporary governor-generals who was not included in the list of people sentenced to death by the Executive Committee of the People's Will.

February 12 (24), 1880, after the failed assassination attempt by S.N. Khalturin on Alexander II on February 5 (17), was appointed, on the recommendation of the Minister of War D.A. there was a supreme oversight of political investigations throughout the country; the Third Branch of His Imperial Majesty's Own Chancellery and the Separate Corps of Gendarmes were subordinate to her; the unification of the efforts of all punitive organs pursued the goal of the speediest suppression of the revolutionary movement. Widely using the right to act on behalf of the emperor and apply any measures to establish order throughout the Russian state, he actually became a dictator. At the same time, he took a course towards political and socio-economic reforms. On April 11 (23), 1880, he presented his program to the emperor, which provided for the involvement of elected representatives from the nobility, zemstvos, city dumas to discuss drafts of a number of laws and government decrees, the restructuring of local self-government, the expansion of the rights of the Old Believers, tax reform, the reform of public education, measures to support the peasantry (reducing redemption payments, issuing loans for the purchase of land and resettlement) and easing tensions between workers and employers. To reassure the public, he achieved the dismissal of the Minister of Education of the retrograde D.A. Tolstoy (April 1880); on his proposal, on August 6 (18), 1880, the Third Department and the Supreme Administrative Commission itself were abolished. He headed the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the scope of which was significantly expanded due to the appearance in its structure of the State Police Department, to which the functions of political investigation, which were previously within the competence of the Third Division, were transferred. At the same time he became the chief of the Separate Corps of Gendarmes. The abolition of odious institutions was thus accompanied by the centralization of police institutions.

In September 1880, he publicly promised to restore the rights of the zemstvos and the judiciary, to expand the freedom of the press, and to conduct Senate audits not only to check the activities of officials, but also to identify the needs of the population and the "mood of the minds." In October, he proposed to abandon the practice of repressions against liberal publications, which caused him a conflict with the Chairman of the Committee of Ministers P.A. Valuev.

The decline of the wave of terror in the second half of 1880 led to the strengthening of the position of M.T. Loris-Melikov at court; He was awarded the highest Russian award - the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called. On January 28 (February 9), 1881, he submitted to Alexander II a plan for the implementation of his April 1880 program, proposing the creation of temporary commissions (financial and administrative) from officials and elected from zemstvos to process the information collected as a result of Senate audits and to prepare the planned reforms; their implementation would actually mean the introduction of representative principles into the system of administration of the Empire. On February 17 (March 1), Alexander II approved the plan and scheduled its discussion for March 4 (16). However, on March 1 (13), 1881, the emperor died at the hands of terrorists. Under his successor, Alexander III, the conservatives, headed by the chief procurator of the Holy Synod, K. P. Pobedonostsev, prevailed in the ruling circles. On March 8 (20) the decision on the M.T. Loris-Melikov project was postponed. On April 29 (May 11), Alexander III published the Manifesto proclaiming the inviolability of the autocracy, which marked the complete rejection of any political transformations. On May 4 (16) M.T. Loris-Melikov resigned.

After his retirement, he lived mainly abroad, in France (Nice) and Germany (Wiesbaden). Sometimes he came to St. Petersburg to attend meetings of the State Council. Died 12 (24) December in Nice. Buried in Tiflis.

Ivan Krivushin