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ALS in Russian, four pages on two adjoining sheets, 5.25 x 8.5, September 18, 1898. Handwritten letter to Konstantin Mitrofanovich Mazurin, a wealthy factory owner's son who was active as a scholar of music and literature. Tolstoy makes an appeal for support for the persecuted community of the Doukhobors ('Spiritual Fighters'). In part (translated): "I am turning to you with a request for help for an entire group of people who have themselves realized the lofty ideals toward which all of humanity strives. I am speaking of the Doukhobors of the Caucasus. Since they consider military service incompatible with a Christian life, they have refused and continue to refuse conscription. The government could not tolerate this and initiated a persecution, which, due to the brutality of the Caucasian administration and its mistakes, has been extremely harsh. The Doukhobors requested permission to emigrate, but having once been quite prosperous, they are now so impoverished that they lack the means to relocate to Canada. There they would be granted land." In fine condition.
Accompanied by a partial transcript of the related enclosure in an unknown hand: a letter from his friend Tchertkov containing details regarding the planned emigration of 2,000 Doukhobors to Canada. The religious community of the Doukhobors, influenced by the Quakers, rejected oaths and military service, among other things. Brutally persecuted in Russia, they emigrated in large numbers to Canada with Tolstoy’s help.
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