Golovin Fyodor Alekseevich (1650-1706) lived at the turn of two eras: the medieval and the new periods in the history of Russia. This man did not stand out in battles, and his talents were largely in the shadows. In this regard, there is less open information about Count Fyodor Alekseevich Golovin than about other contemporaries of Peter the Great. Nevertheless, this figure played far from the last role in the Russian state.
Golovin Fedor Alekseevich: short biography
On the childhood and youthful years of the figure, not much information has been preserved. Golovin was born in 1650. He received his primary education in his father's house. From an early age, Fedor showed curiosity, was very receptive to knowledge, which he successfully improved throughout his life. His written Russian was impeccable. As a child, he was taught Latin. His teacher was the translator Andrey Belobotsky. At an older age, Fedor Alekseevich Golovin freely read the classics and corresponded in Latin. He subsequently taught himself English and Mongolian. In 1681, being a lawyer, Golovin was in Astrakhan underfather. Subsequently, he was awarded the rank of steward.
First diplomatic mission
In the middle of the 17th century, active development of the Amur lands - Dauria - began. The tribes living there paid an annual yasak in the amount of 7-9 thousand rubles. The Russian government, in turn, actively contributed to the colonization of the Amur region to form the food base of Eastern Siberia here. In 1654, the Albazinsky prison was built here. Several times he was attacked. The last took place in 1686. The onslaught of the enemy was held by 826 people for 10 months. As a result, 70 of them survived. The Russian government did not have the opportunity at that time to provide effective support to the population in Dauria. In 1685, Emperor Kang-hsi addressed Peter with the question of delimiting the borders. The Russian government took advantage of this and sent a diplomatic mission to conclude a peace treaty. December 25, 1685 Golovin Fyodor Alekseevich was appointed Ambassador Plenipotentiary to China. The journey to Dauria took 21 months with stops. Arriving in Tobolsk, Golovin gathered a regiment of Cossacks of 1,400 people. Among them were plowed peasants, criminal and political exiles. Meanwhile, the situation in the Baikal region was heating up. In January 1688, the Mongol Khan demanded the transfer of yasak people to citizenship and laid siege to Udinsk and Selenginsk. In September, Golovin's detachment drove off the invaders, defeated them near the river. Khilok army of taishas, having eliminated the threat to Transbaikalia. After that, the mission went to Nerchinsk. Negotiations took place in this city. On August 12, Russian and Chinese ambassadors met for the first time.
Nerchinsk treatise
August 27, the third meeting of the ambassadors took place. At the meeting, the text of the treaty was read in three languages: Manchurian, Latin and Russian. The articles of the agreement established the boundaries between the states along the river. Gorbitsa, Kamenny Gory (Syanovo Ridge) and the Sea of Okhotsk. Russia, for its part, undertook to destroy the fortifications of the Albazinsky Voivodeship and withdraw its subjects. Having military superiority, the Chinese government was able to suspend for some time the colonization of the Far East by the Russians. At the same time, Fedor Alekseevich Golovin defended the right of the empire to the territory of Transbaikalia and the coast of the Sea of Okhotsk. The exact boundary between the states was established only in the middle reaches of the Amur. Russia was the first European country to be able to agree on free trade relations with China. Russian diplomats insistently demanded that the relevant article be included in the treatise. The long-term peace established by the treaty was of particular political importance for Russia. Some of its articles were valid until the ratification of the Aigun Agreement of 1858
Interesting facts
Fyodor Alekseevich Golovin personally oversaw the fortification of Nerchinsk. In addition, under his leadership, a wooden fortress was built in Udinsk. Fur tax payments from the Onkot, fraternal, Tunguz, and Tabunut tribes were also restored. Under the leadership of Golovin, the attacks of the Mongol bandits on the territories controlled by Russia were repulsed. In 1689, he sent an expedition to the upper reaches of the river. Argun. Heresilver ore was discovered.
Azov campaign
In scientific publications, there are still disputes about the participation of a diplomat in battles. Meanwhile, he played a prominent role in the process of preparing ammunition and provisions for the Russian army, as well as in ensuring a positive opinion of the courts of Europe about Russia's intentions in the 2nd Azov campaign. On May 3, 1696, the squadron, commanded by Admiral Fyodor Golovin, moved out of Voronezh. A meeting was held at the Principum galley. On it, it was decided to attack 2 ships that were in the roadstead below Azov. However, after reconnaissance, it turned out that there were 24 small ships and 13 Turkish galleys. It was decided to postpone the operation. On May 20, the Cossacks of the Minyaev detachment attacked the Turkish fleet that was on the roadstead. Some of the ships were burned, some scattered. On July 19, the Azov garrison capitulated.
Great Embassy
After Princess Sophia was tonsured a nun, and V. V. Golitsyn was exiled, L. K. Naryshkin, the uncle of the tsar, formally began to head the Embassy and the government. However, being a drunkard and a sybarite, he devoted little time to business. Instead of him, everything was actually managed by E. I. Ukraintsev - a Duma clerk. It was he who at the beginning of December 1696 announced the Decree of the emperor on equipping a mission to European countries. Its goal was to consolidate forces in the fight against the aggression of the Turks. In addition, Peter counted on the financial and military-technical support of Christian states. Preparation andthe organization of the mission lay entirely with Golovin. On March 10, 1697, the diplomats left the village. Nikolsky. On May 18, the mission arrived in Koenigsberg, on August 16 in Amsterdam, and on June 16 in Vienna. Everywhere the Russian ambassadors were given a magnificent reception. Diplomats, and in particular Count Fyodor Alekseevich Golovin, received many gifts and souvenirs. However, the goal of the mission was never achieved. As soon as it came to direct negotiations, the kings and kings of European states limited themselves to verbal promises, not supported by any written agreements. Nevertheless, the activities of the ambassadors contributed to overcoming the political isolation of the Russian Empire, as well as its inclusion in global trade in Europe. In addition, Fedor Alekseevich Golovin personally supervised and supervised the recruitment of about 800 engineers, doctors, and officers for the Russian service. With his participation, tens of thousands of rifles with bayonets were purchased, which were not in Russia. For Golovin, this mission became a kind of school for European diplomacy. In Vienna, he received a blessing from the monarch and many gifts. Golovin after Menshikov became the second citizen of Russia, elevated to the title of count of the Holy Roman Empire.
Administrative activities
After the return of the Great Mission, Golovin began to command the Novgorod, Little Russia, Ustyug, Smolensk, Yamsky orders, the Mint, the Galician quarter, the Chamber of Silver and Gold Affairs, and the Armory. Such an ex altation testifies not only to the boundless trust of Peter, but also topersonal talents, exclusive responsibility and efficiency of a diplomat. Nevertheless, Golovin continued to pay great attention to the logistics of the army. On February 19, 1699, he became the head of the Ambassadorial Department. A year earlier - on December 11, 1698 - he headed the Military Naval Department. It should be noted that Golovin had neither the proper knowledge nor experience in naval affairs. In this regard, he did not interfere in direct maritime activities. His tasks included recruiting personnel for the navy and army, controlling the production and purchase of weapons, transportation, etc.
War with Sweden
Preparation for battles was very active in Russia, but was hampered by a number of economic problems. Before the direct action of the Russian troops, colossal diplomatic work was carried out. It should be noted that foreign countries did not show any desire to support Russia. Nevertheless, the empire's embassies appeared in Austria, Turkey, Holland, and Poland. This is how the corps of diplomats began to form, in their skills and knowledge no different from Western ones. The efforts of the leaders made it possible to reduce the activity of Charles XII, which made it possible for Peter to restore the army after the defeat near Narva. The war significantly depleted the state. In 1699, a draft stamped paper was sent to Golovin. As the head of the Mint, he supervised the re-minting of efimki into Russian coins. Financial stability was achieved for a short time thanks to the decrease in the share of silver.
Recent years
The rhythm of Golovin's life was very intense. In the spring of 1706, Peter was in Ukraine, waiting for the invasion of the Swedes. From there he demanded Golovin to come to him. In May, he wrote to Sheremetyev that he was going to Kyiv. However, some urgent matters delayed him. Only by the end of June was he able to leave Moscow. In Nizhyn, he suddenly fell ill and died on July 30 in Glukhov. On the occasion of his death, a funeral ceremony was held in the fleet. The funeral took place only on February 22, 1707, a few months after his death. By personal order of Peter, an engraving was made. It shows that the funeral was very lavish.
