This is a truly unique document. Not only because it is a letter in the handwriting of Count Pyotr Andreyevich Shovalov (1827 - 1889), diplomat and member of the State Council. But also what this correspondence shows: relations with the foreign press have always been a headache for the Russian authorities. Even in the 19th century.
In the spring of 1883, newspapers across Europe were preparing for the coronation of Alexander III: two years had already passed since his father's murder, and the editors understood in advance where their articles would be placed. A reporter for the "Daily Telegraph" also addressed this issue to the Foreign Ministry. For some reason, they decided not to let the reporter participate in the coronation. But I didn't want to fight with an influential publication. And then they turned to Count Shublov for help. Although he had no official connection with the Foreign Office, he managed to be both head of the Third Department and ambassador to London (1874–1879). The place where it is claimed that he developed a personal relationship with Edward Levy-Lawson, editor and actual owner of the "Daily Telegraph". To him, not in perfect English, the count addresses his letter, leaving at the end Shubaloff's sweeping signature.
The answer is very polite and careful. To the question of what conditions will be created for foreign correspondents at the coronation, Shuvlov replies: "Nothing has been settled yet" - nothing has been decided yet. There is an immediate certainty: everyone will be on an equal footing, and as far as he knows, there is no prejudice against the Daily Telegraph in Russia. And on the second page the main thing: almost none of the reporters will be allowed to enter the cathedral for the ceremony itself. The cathedral, they say, is small, but many people are obliged to come.
But, as we know from history, at the coronation on May 15 (27), 1883 in the Assumption Cathedral of the Kremlin, "for the first time, not only Russian correspondents of the daily press, but also foreigners were allowed to participate in all the celebrations." It is not known whether the "Daily Telegraph" reporter entered the cathedral itself.
But the letter survived. And for some reason it got to me.