Letters from the Catholicos and the Meliks of Karabakh Letter from Chancellor Count Golovkin Regarding Peter I’s Decree to Persuade the Armenians of Karabakh and Kapan to Relocate to the Caspian Regions, as Protecting Them in Their Current Settlements is Impossible Due to Foreign Policy Conditions November 11, 1724
On November 11, 1724, by decree of His Imperial Majesty, a letter was dispatched from the State Foreign Affairs Collegium, signed by the Chancellor, to the Armenian Ivan Karapet, residing in Persia among the Armenian people. The letter, written in duplicate, contained the following:
Mr. Karapet,
The envoys sent on behalf of the Armenian assembly—Father Antoniy and Kevga Chelebi, along with Semen Popov—were received and granted an audience with His Imperial Majesty. They conveyed the petition of the Armenian people from the Karabakh and Kapan provinces, requesting His Imperial Majesty to extend his high protection to them and to allocate suitable places for their settlement in the newly acquired Persian provinces along the Caspian Sea.
Moved by mercy toward the Armenian people, His Majesty graciously consented and personally communicated his decision to the aforementioned representatives from the Armenian assembly. To further confirm this decision, His Majesty dispatched imperial letters to Patriarch Isay, the yuzbashis Avan and Mirza, and the entire Armenian population. Furthermore, memos and directives were issued to the Russian commanders stationed in Caspian provinces—specifically in Gilan, Baku, Derbent, and the Fortress of the Holy Cross—advising them that His Imperial Majesty had commanded the Armenian people, regardless of their number, to be granted suitable and sufficient places for settlement in cities and villages.
His Majesty’s decree stipulates that the Armenians should not only be allocated land but also be protected and defended at all times. Special orders regarding this protection have already been dispatched directly to the local commanders.
Thus, you must firmly assure Patriarch Isay, the chief yuzbashis, and the entire Armenian community of His Imperial Majesty’s gracious protection. Encourage them to relocate to the Caspian provinces with their families promptly, without hesitation, and without wasting time. His Majesty’s forces cannot be sent to defend Armenians in their current settlements due to existing treaties with the Ottoman Porte. However, once they move to these newly acquired Persian provinces, His Majesty will ensure their security, allowing them to reside in peace permanently.
You must make every effort to persuade the Armenians to act swiftly. Once they declare their final decision to move, you shall accompany them to Gilan or Baku—whichever is more convenient for them. After ensuring their safe arrival, you must proceed to the Imperial Court and report to the Foreign Affairs Collegium.
Chancellor Count Golovkin Andrey Osterman Vasiliy Stepanov Chief Secretary Ivan Yuryev Fedor Protopopov
Note: Two letters were written from this protocol, sealed separately, with attached copies in Armenian (composed by the Armenian Luka). These were handed over to Father Antoniy and Kevga Chelebi on the same date.
Message from Catholicos Esai and Nerses, along with the Meliks of Karabakh, to Peter I Requesting Assistance in Liberating the Armenians of Karabakh from Persian Rule and the Invasive Campaigns of the Turks March 10, 1725
To the Almighty Great Autocrat, Emperor Peter I, ruler of land and sea,
With the utmost humility, all your devoted and loyal servants bow before you—the present leaders of the Armenian land of Karabakh, both high and low in rank, commanders and commoners, horsemen and foot soldiers, as well as the entire Armenian populace.
Your Imperial Majesty, we have repeatedly dispatched messengers to Your Empire, sending letters and beseeching Your Majesty for aid. For three years now, we have remained leaderless and without a protector, surrounded by ruthless enemies—Persians, Ottoman Turks, Dagestanis, and others. We continue to struggle against them and to defend ourselves, yet we have survived only by the grace of God in heaven and by our hope in Your righteous and God-loving Majesty, our sole refuge and support.
We implore you, O Great Sovereign, to come to our aid. Know that the Ottoman Turks have established their rule over Tiflis, Yerevan, and Nakhichevan, making them their own and stationing troops throughout. Countless Armenian Christian prisoners languish in their hands, and the number of the slain is beyond reckoning.
On March 1, 1725, a force of approximately 4,700 cavalrymen, led by three pashas—Shahin, Salah, and Ali—attacked us. Realizing their overwhelming numbers, we chose not to resist outright but instead welcomed them as guests, dispersing them among the villagers’ homes. Then, in smaller groups of 200, 300, 400, and 500, we overpowered and eliminated them, including two of the pashas. We spared Pasha Salah’s life, while 150 men managed to escape, and over 200 Christian prisoners were liberated.
This victory was not due to our own skill, but rather to our faith and trust in Your strength and assistance, which we eagerly await.
Now, after these events, a great army approaches us from the Mush region. If aid is not sent soon and our rear is left unprotected, the Armenian Christian nation will face annihilation.
We beseech you, in the name of Christ, not to turn away from our plea.
Once more, we make known to you that we remain encircled by merciless foes. For a year and a half, under the leadership of Ivan Karapet, we have sent numerous letters and messengers to you, yet no reply has come. We do not know whether our pleas have gone unanswered or whether our correspondence has failed to reach you.
By the grace of the Almighty, we implore you to send a response to this letter.
Furthermore, should Your Majesty decide to dispatch aid to us in Shemakha, we, in return, can provide as many horses as you require—be it 1,000 or 2,000. We shall also ensure provisions and necessary accommodations for any troops sent.
We pray for long life and invincibility for Your God-Loving Imperial Majesty. Amen.
March 10, 1725 From the humble servant of Christ, Esai, Catholicos of Aghvan, beseeching Your Majesty to grant our request.
Your humble servant, Catholicos Nerses, implores Your Majesty to visit us. Ever your servant, Ivan Karapet.*
Servants: Pagi Sargis Avan Ogan Abraham
Servant: Seal of Melik Bagir Servants:**
Avan in Persian—Apow Tarkhan
Letters from the Catholicos and the Meliks of Karabakh to Empress Catherine I Regarding Their Opposition to the Resettlement of Armenians in the Newly Acquired Russian Territories July 25, 1725
An Armenian envoy, Kevga Chelebi, was sent from the Armenian assembly in Persia, bearing letters from the patriarchs and prominent Armenian leaders. In these letters, dated July 25, 1725, they acknowledge the receipt of previously dispatched imperial decrees concerning their relocation to the Caspian region. They state that, while they do not oppose fulfilling Her Imperial Majesty’s wishes, their initial request had been misrepresented by their envoys.
Rather than simply seeking resettlement in the Caspian provinces, they had implored Her Majesty for continued assistance and protection. They argue that relocation to Russian-controlled provinces is impossible due to the strategic significance of their current settlements, which include Ganja, Karabakh, Kalan, Kapan, Sisian, and numerous other districts inhabited by Armenians. These communities have fortified positions and are surrounded by hostile forces—Turks and Persians. If the Armenians abandon these strongholds, their enemies could completely destroy them.
Additionally, their livelihoods are tied to lands across the Kura River, where boats are available but controlled by enemy forces. If they attempt to gather their families and secure passage, their adversaries would obstruct and devastate them. Thus, despite their willingness to obey Her Majesty’s decree, relocation remains unfeasible.
Nevertheless, they reaffirm their unwavering loyalty to Her Imperial Majesty, having fought enemies for three years. They request not to be abandoned, but to be rescued from their adversaries. If direct military intervention is currently impossible, they propose that Russian forces from Baku be sent to Shemakha. They assure that they would clear the way to Shemakha themselves, allowing a seamless union with Russian troops to proceed under Her Majesty’s orders.
If sending a Russian commander to Shemakha is impractical, they plead for Her Imperial Majesty to dispatch Prince Vakhtang or his son with military support. With their assistance, the Armenians could liberate themselves from foreign subjugation and become Her Majesty’s faithful subjects.
Note: Extract concerning the arrival of the Armenian envoy from Persia. Archive Reference: AVPR, F. 100, 1725–1726, D. 5, L. 31 and reverse. Copy published in G. A. Ezov, Relations of Peter the Great with the Armenian People, St. Petersburg, 1898, Document No. 277.
Yuri Barsegov “Nagorno-Karabakh in International Law and Global Politics”
Artatsolum
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