UDC

Authors

Abstract

Senatorial inspections have always been of particular interest to researchers as they are seen as the most unbiased form of external control over local government institutions. Among all the Russian emperors, Alexander I resorted to senatorial audits most frequently; and it was during his reign that these inspections started to be distinguished by their objectives. The most common type was general inspection, which implied total examination and monitoring of all the local government bodies, both elective and those appointed by the Emperor. Inspections for collection of arrears were also often carried out. Clear instructions outlining senatorial duties and responsibilities for both the procedures were established in 1819 and 1820. There was one more type of senatorial inspections for so-called “other purposes”, with individual instructions explaining the aims of such inspection and senatorial powers being developed for each case. Therefore, each of these third-type inspections is unique and requires special examination. This article deals with one of the third-type senatorial audits carried out in 1830 by Senator Alexander Guryev, authorized to investigate the reasons of the conflict between Stepan Minitsky, the Governor General of Olonetsk, Vologda and Arkhangelsk Provinces, and Vladimir Filimonov, the Governor of Arkhangelsk. Senator Guryev was able to disclose that Arkhangelsk administrative officials, who were close associates of the Governor General Minitsky, regularly extorted cash and non-cash bribes from merchants in exchange for making them suppliers of Arkhangelsk Admiralty. As a result of the inspection, these officials were found guilty and punished under criminal law, while the Governor General was dismissed.

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References

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