Letter from Manap Sarbagysh Karebekov to Governor-General P.D. Gorchakov
NOTIFICATION LETTER FROM THE MANAP OF THE SARYBAGYSH TRIBE JANTAY KARABEKOV TO THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF WEST SIBERIA P.D. GORCHAKOV REGARDING THE DESIRE TO ACCEPT THE PATRONAGE OF RUSSIA
September 10, 1848.
To the Most High and Noble and Majestic Chief Commander, our Prince.
From the manap of the black Kyrgyz Jantay Karabekov, the humblest notification.
Last year, in the autumn, through the mullah from the Tatars, Galim Yagudin, I sent a letter to the general (border commander), requesting his permission for one of my sons to arrive with companions, along with those sent by Sultan Rustem of the Uysun volost and the biy Supatay, to be honored with the sight of Your Excellency: this request of ours, having been received favorably, although you sent a resolution, it reached us very late due to the internecine wars that arose between the Kyrgyz-Kaisaks and the black Kyrgyz, while at the same time the Kipchak militia arrived. Moreover, the scribes we had could not clearly read the content of that letter; the one who brought your letter to us, the Tatar mullah Galim, explained its content in detail; after which I sent another person from my side, because my best son Nysabek, whom I wanted to send to you, was captured on the side of Andijan, from where he has not yet returned, and for this reason I am sending to you my honorable person, biy Sartay Jantemirov, who is always sent by me as an envoy along with Jalba Atambekov; the latter, along with three people from the Chechen tribe under my jurisdiction, Kaljoi Atimbek, captured the rebel and deceitful liar Kenesary.
Last year, at the invitation of the general (border commander), I sent my younger brother Kaligula to him, with whom he sent me a gold medal, the value of which, having inquired in detail, I understood well.
Regarding Kenesary, I rendered many services; during his first arrival, I destroyed 7,000 of his men, and many people perished on my side as well; during his second arrival, I besieged him for three days, not allowing him to escape in any direction. After that, Urman Batyr arrived to us, and then, upon Kenesary's retreat, we destroyed many from his horde while pursuing him, and at that time three relatives from the Kyrgyz under my jurisdiction captured Kenesary and presented him to us; then Kenesary promised us for his ransom 60 camel loads of various goods and as many gold coins as we wished; but we, caring for the well-being and peace of every people and for the safe passage of caravans, and thus rendering our service, did not agree to his proposal and, being convinced by the merchants present that the great state, which is Russia, would certainly not leave unrequited the killing of the liar and rebel Kenesary, I, not allowing him to see my face, ordered my relative Kodjibek to behead him, and for these services rendered by me, I think I did not receive a worthy reward, for the one sent now with this letter along with my people from the Tatars, mullah Galim, last year, being sent to invite us with companions, persuaded us that for the killing of Kenesary there are great rewards from the Great Sovereign, explaining at the same time the generosity and justice of the Russian Government and the well-being of the subjects of Russia, as well as all your customs. Thus convinced, he took our trusted people to the general, as we then asked the border commander about the presence of this mullah with us and manap Urman Batyr, out of the respect that, according to his words, both I and Urman Batyr were convinced that your rule is much easier for us than that of the Kipchaks, and therefore they became our unfriendly enemies, and together with Urman Batyr we are diligently devoted to you, about which we have previously written to you with an explanation of some circumstances. Meanwhile, the Kipchaks arrived with a large militia to conquer us, but I, uniting with Urman-Batyr, and in general the black Kyrgyz, rose against the enemies, repelled them with arms, and they withdrew without any conquest. Then in the autumn, having gathered troops from all sides, they attempted to attack us for revenge for those killed in their first battle, after which we heard that they, having gathered troops again, left their borders, but upon hearing that hostile actions were opening from the side of Bukhara, they went towards Khokand; but we do not have reliable information about the accuracy of this circumstance, however, we still fear, because all the fields of our people are located near their stronghold, especially if the enemies suddenly arrive there, then our people will be completely left without bread.
Meanwhile, I pretend to deal amicably with the Kipchaks located in this stronghold, deceiving them under various pretexts only until the harvest is gathered; sometimes supplying them with a small number of sheep; however, the pastures and fields of Urman-Batyr are located at a great distance from that stronghold, but the fields, such as mine and those of the sultan's manap Jankarach, are located nearby.
As I sent these people, I sent my younger brother Kaligula to manap Jankarach, who went to the general last year with a notification about my sending trusted people to the Russian authorities, inquiring about his intentions, he through the same Kaligula ordered me to write to the Russian authorities, "saying that as soon as Jantay surrenders to the Russians, he will follow his example." To assure this, according to our custom, having affixed my seal, I sent it to him; upon receiving which, our mullah Galim advised that it should be affixed on larger paper, but due to the short time, it was not possible to send it again, which is why I am attaching the same seal here, and I ask for your advice and guidance, that if His Majesty the Sovereign accepts our people under his protection, then I guarantee for manap Jankarmysh, whom the Kipchaks, since their arrival, demanded to themselves, shot at him with blank charges, then he (Jankarmysh) swore that if he survives this calamity, he will certainly surrender to Russia. Therefore, let it be known that Sultan Rustem and biy Supatay, arriving together with Kenesary, informed us that they, having separated their militia, would return, which they indeed fulfilled, that they, having abandoned Kenesary, returned, and I do not hide such their good deed; I also wrote about this very matter to the general (border commander) in detail last year, and upon the arrival of the one sent to me from Rustem, I sent Kenesary's head to confirm to Your Government. Among those who captured Kenesary, the Kyrgyz Kaljoi was sent a medal last year, and a similar gold one was awarded to Kozybek, i.e., the one who beheaded Kenesary. Therefore, I humbly notify you, firstly: that with the help of the Almighty I rendered many services against the actions of Kenesary; then: if our people arrive in a prosperous state, I earnestly wish to come under the protection of Russia, and I humbly ask you not to leave in the sign of your friendship to petition for me and all my children to the Most Merciful Great Sovereign for our free state of the Highest consent for all times. I also humbly ask you not to forget to send a sabre and a named seal to my good son Nysabek. As for this Tatar Galim Yagudin, assign him to us, i.e., to me and Sultan Rustem as a mullah, who, being among us, delivering the letters sent from your side, would explain their content; as well as for delivering information to you from all sides, he would write letters from us, and in the meantime gradually instill in our Kyrgyz people with gentle words and exhortations about the goodness of Russia, and since he is loyal to us, he has rendered us many services since last year. In assurance of this, the manap of the black Kyrgyz Jantay Karabekov affixed his seal.
Translated by college assessor Gabbasov
Certified: chief quartermaster Colonel Baron Silvergelm
AVPRI. F. St. Petersburg. Main Archive. 1-7. Op. 6 1844. D. 1. L. 18-23. Certified copy. Administrative translation.
Letter from manap Jantay Karabekov to Major General N. Vishnevsky
