Konstantin Gavrilovich Catacazy
Encyclopedia
Konstantin Gavrilovich Catacazy or Katakazi (1830 - April 1, 1890) was a Russian diplomat of the 19th century, minister plenipotentiary of the Russian Empire
to the United States.
descent
. Anton Katakazi, the patriarch
of the family emigrated with his sons to Russia in 1807. The Katakazis were big landowners in the eastern part of the principality of Moldova, which was transferred to Russia the Treaty of Bucharest (1812). The family is mentioned in the catalogue of aristocratic families from the Bessarabia Governorate.
Anton Katakazi's two sons got involved in Russian politics. The older son, Konstantin Antonovich Katakazi (1775–1826) was governor of Bessarabia
from 1818 to 1825. Married to a princess Ypsilantis, Konstantin actively supported the Greek secret society Filiki Eteria
and the military action of Alexander Ypsilantis
in Moldavia
and Wallachia
. The younger son, Gavriil Antonovich Katakazi, became a Russian diplomat. His main assignment was legate
of the Russian Empire to king Otto of Greece
. Eventually Gavriil was named senator of the Russian Empire.
state chancellor of the Russian Empire in which he outlined a plan for a Russian mediation in the American Civil War
. In his memorandum Catacazy argued that both North and South regarded Russia as a special friend. This assumption was not necessarily correct as the Russian fleet had shown its support for the Union, to prevent the British intervention on the part of the Confederation. In its conclusion, the memorandum indicated that it was Russia's interest to see the Union restored as a balance the United Kingdom.
Gorchakov's comment was favorable but he took no decision on the matter and sent a copy of the memorandum to Eduard Andreevich Stoeckl
, minister plenipotentiary of the Russian Empire in Washington, leaving it wholly to Stoeckl's judgment and discretion to act upon the plan. A mediation a month before the fall of Richmond
was however not an option.
After having negotiated the Alaska purchase
Stoeckl resigned for health reasons in 1869. Vladimir Andreevich Bodisko, former agent of the Russian-American Company was appointed as care-taker of the Russian legation in Washington Gorchakov suggested the appointment of Catacazy as minister plenipotentiary to the United States.
Though Tsar Alexander II of Russia
had some reservations regarding this nomination, he finally gave in to the chancellor's suggestion. During his appointment ceremony, Alexander II told Catacazy: "Your instructions are very short and clear. You have constantly to remember that the American people are our best friend"
, Catacazy made free use of the newspapers in an attempt to prejudice and defeat the negotiations. He also attempted to influence the decision of various members of Congress. Secretary of State
Hamilton Fish
warned him repeatedly that his conduct was not acceptable, but he continued his actions. Catacazy became personally abusive of the President and members of his Cabinet and denied any guilt when confronted with his acts.
instructed Secretary of State Fish to request the Government of Russia to recall minister Catacazy. The letter to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated:
"On his arrival at Washington, Catacazy gave the promise of being a useful and very acceptable Minister, and made a very agreeable impression. Soon however he made began to make himself very officious, interfering in questions not appropriately connected with his Legation and in those pending before Congress, importuning Senators and Representatives and resorting to personal interviews and solicitations unusual on the part of representatives of other powers accredited to this government, distasteful and annoying to the legislators thus indecorously approached and tending to embarrass the free course of legislation on the subjects with respect to which his interference was obtruded. He did not hesitate to use the newspapers of the country to influence public opinion on questions pending before the Government and indulged in much license in his denounciation of measures and individuals. In his conversation he was even more severe and unrestrained and employed abusive and vituperative language toward very many persons, including several in public positions and enjoying the respect and confidence of the community. The impropriety of a foreign Minister thus attempting to influence and to misdirect the public opinion of the country must be admitted as sufficient ground for his ceasing to be a proper agent between the Government which he represents and that to which he is accredited"
This letter was conveyed to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs by Jeremiah Curtin
minister plenipotentiary of the United States to Russia on June 16. 1871. The timing was extremely sensitive as a high profile visit of Grand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich, the tsar's second son had been scheduled for the fall, and the presence of a Russian minister plenipotentiary during the visit was absolutely necessary. However, under the pretext that Chancellor Gorchakoff, the only person who could take a decision on the matter, was in Germany, the Russian Government delayed action. On August 18 the United States reiterated the request, insisting that the issue be solved before the visit of Grand Duke Alexei. The Russian Government finally responded, requesting that minister Catacazy be tolerated until after the presentation of the Grand Duke to the President, after which his assignment would be immediately terminated. This response was a diplomatic blunder. As, according to protocol, the Russian minister plenipotentiary was supposed to introduce the Grand Duke, it forced President Grant to receive him, though he had been officially declared "persona non grata".
While the visit of the Grand Duke in America was generally considered a success, his reception at the White House
in Washington
was extremely short. His meeting with President Grant, which Konstantin Catacazy attended, lasted only 15 minutes, during which the Grand Duke addressed himself especially to Mrs. Grant. The entire visit in Washington only one day. No formal entertainment was given in Washington to the Grand Duke, though for all other visits of members of royal families to the White House, formal dinners had been organized. Such dinners had taken place when President John Tyler
received François d'Orléans, prince de Joinville, when Abraham Lincoln
received Prince Napoléon Joseph Bonaparte
and even when Ulysses Grant received Kamehameha V
, king of the Sandwich Islands
. President Grant's displeasure with the delay in Catacazy's recall was evident and, under the circumstances, sitting at the same dinner table with Catacazy was unacceptable. Therefore, the reception of the Grand Duke at the White House was a severe blow for the Russian diplomacy. There had been expectations that a treaty between the United States and Russia would be signed during the meeting. As the terms of such an agreement would have had to be negotiated by the State Department with the Russian minister before the meeting, no such agreement was signed.
On November 26, 1871, Catacazy informed the State Department that General Alexander Gorloff, the military attaché, would take charge of the Russian Imperial Legation in Washington
"The intimate friendly relations which have so long existed between the United States and Russia continue undisturbed. The visit of the third son of the Emperor is a proof that there is no desire on the part of his Government to diminish the cordiality of those relations. The hospitable reception which has been given to the Grand Duke is a proof that on our side we share the wishes of that Government. The inexcusable course of the Russian minister at Washington rendered it necessary to ask his recall and to decline to longer receive that functionary as a diplomatic representative. It was impossible, with self-respect or with a just regard to the dignity of the country, to permit Mr. Catacazy to continue to hold intercourse with this Government after his personal abuse of Government officials, and during his persistent interferences, through various means, with the relations between the United States and other powers. In accordance with my wishes, this Government has been relieved of further intercourse with Mr. Catacazy, and the management of the affairs of the imperial legation has passed into the hands of a gentleman entirely unobjectionable."
Konstantin Catacazy left the United States, but that did not finish his intrigues. In 1872 he published a book in Paris about his conflict with the Government of the United States. Entitled A Diplomatic Incident, it was conceived as a letter addressed to Chief Justice
Salmon Portland Chase. The Supreme Court
did not respond. For the United States the conflict had ended once Catacazy had been recalled.
Russian Empire
The Russian Empire was a state that existed from 1721 until the Russian Revolution of 1917. It was the successor to the Tsardom of Russia and the predecessor of the Soviet Union...
to the United States.
Family background
Katakazi is a Russian aristocratic family of PhanariotePhanariotes
Phanariots, Phanariotes, or Phanariote Greeks were members of those prominent Greek families residing in Phanar , the chief Greek quarter of Constantinople, where the Ecumenical Patriarchate is situated.For all their cosmopolitanism and often Western education, the Phanariots were...
descent
Cultural heritage
Cultural heritage is the legacy of physical artifacts and intangible attributes of a group or society that are inherited from past generations, maintained in the present and bestowed for the benefit of future generations...
. Anton Katakazi, the patriarch
Patriarch
Originally a patriarch was a man who exercised autocratic authority as a pater familias over an extended family. The system of such rule of families by senior males is called patriarchy. This is a Greek word, a compound of πατριά , "lineage, descent", esp...
of the family emigrated with his sons to Russia in 1807. The Katakazis were big landowners in the eastern part of the principality of Moldova, which was transferred to Russia the Treaty of Bucharest (1812). The family is mentioned in the catalogue of aristocratic families from the Bessarabia Governorate.
Anton Katakazi's two sons got involved in Russian politics. The older son, Konstantin Antonovich Katakazi (1775–1826) was governor of Bessarabia
Bessarabia Governorate
Bessarabia was an oblast and later a guberniya in the Russian Empire. It was the eastern part of the Principality of Moldavia annexed by Russia by the Treaty of Bucharest following the Russo-Turkish War, 1806-1812...
from 1818 to 1825. Married to a princess Ypsilantis, Konstantin actively supported the Greek secret society Filiki Eteria
Filiki Eteria
thumb|right|200px|The flag of the Filiki Eteria.Filiki Eteria or Society of Friends was a secret 19th century organization, whose purpose was to overthrow Ottoman rule over Greece and to establish an independent Greek state. Society members were mainly young Phanariot Greeks from Russia and local...
and the military action of Alexander Ypsilantis
Alexander Ypsilantis
Alexander Ypsilantis may refer to:* Alexander Ypsilantis , Prince of Wallachia from 1775 to 1782, and again from 1796 to 1797, and also Prince of Moldavia from 1786 to 1788...
in Moldavia
Moldavia
Moldavia is a geographic and historical region and former principality in Eastern Europe, corresponding to the territory between the Eastern Carpathians and the Dniester river...
and Wallachia
Wallachia
Wallachia or Walachia is a historical and geographical region of Romania. It is situated north of the Danube and south of the Southern Carpathians...
. The younger son, Gavriil Antonovich Katakazi, became a Russian diplomat. His main assignment was legate
Legatus
A legatus was a general in the Roman army, equivalent to a modern general officer. Being of senatorial rank, his immediate superior was the dux, and he outranked all military tribunes...
of the Russian Empire to king Otto of Greece
Otto of Greece
Otto, Prince of Bavaria, then Othon, King of Greece was made the first modern King of Greece in 1832 under the Convention of London, whereby Greece became a new independent kingdom under the protection of the Great Powers .The second son of the philhellene King Ludwig I of Bavaria, Otto ascended...
. Eventually Gavriil was named senator of the Russian Empire.
Beginning of diplomatic activity
Konstantin Gavrilovich Catacazy intended to follow his father's career and entered the staff of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. At the beginning of 1865 Konstantin Catacazy wrote a memorandum to Prince Alexander Mikhailovich GorchakovAlexander Mikhailovich Gorchakov
Alexander Mikhailovich Gorchakov , was a Russian statesman from the Gorchakov princely family. He has an enduring reputation as one of the most influential and respected diplomats of the nineteenth century...
state chancellor of the Russian Empire in which he outlined a plan for a Russian mediation in the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. In his memorandum Catacazy argued that both North and South regarded Russia as a special friend. This assumption was not necessarily correct as the Russian fleet had shown its support for the Union, to prevent the British intervention on the part of the Confederation. In its conclusion, the memorandum indicated that it was Russia's interest to see the Union restored as a balance the United Kingdom.
Gorchakov's comment was favorable but he took no decision on the matter and sent a copy of the memorandum to Eduard Andreevich Stoeckl
Eduard de Stoeckl
Eduard Andreevich Stoeckl was a Russian diplomat best known today for having negotiated the American purchase of Alaska on behalf of the Russian government. He was son of Andreas von Stoeckl, Austrian diplomat in Constantinople, and Maria Pisani, daughter of Nicolas Pisani, Russian dragoman in...
, minister plenipotentiary of the Russian Empire in Washington, leaving it wholly to Stoeckl's judgment and discretion to act upon the plan. A mediation a month before the fall of Richmond
Richmond, Virginia
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
was however not an option.
After having negotiated the Alaska purchase
Alaska purchase
The Alaska Purchase was the acquisition of the Alaska territory by the United States from Russia in 1867 by a treaty ratified by the Senate. The purchase, made at the initiative of United States Secretary of State William H. Seward, gained of new United States territory...
Stoeckl resigned for health reasons in 1869. Vladimir Andreevich Bodisko, former agent of the Russian-American Company was appointed as care-taker of the Russian legation in Washington Gorchakov suggested the appointment of Catacazy as minister plenipotentiary to the United States.
Though Tsar Alexander II of Russia
Alexander II of Russia
Alexander II , also known as Alexander the Liberator was the Emperor of the Russian Empire from 3 March 1855 until his assassination in 1881...
had some reservations regarding this nomination, he finally gave in to the chancellor's suggestion. During his appointment ceremony, Alexander II told Catacazy: "Your instructions are very short and clear. You have constantly to remember that the American people are our best friend"
Mission to the United States
Konstantin Catacazy arrived in Washington in late 1869. His diplomatic background was, however, mainly linked to the diplomatic relations of Russia with the Balkan States, where Russian envoys were frequently involved in intrigues in order to influence the internal policies of countries in which they were accredited. Catacazy tried to use the same diplomacy in the United States. He resisted a personal claim of an American citizen against Russia trying to force through various methods to withdraw his claim. During the negotiations which were in progress through the British and American Joint High Commission for the settlement of the Alabama claimsAlabama Claims
The Alabama Claims were a series of claims for damages by the United States government against the government of Great Britain for the assistance given to the Confederate cause during the American Civil War. After international arbitration endorsed the American position in 1872, Britain settled...
, Catacazy made free use of the newspapers in an attempt to prejudice and defeat the negotiations. He also attempted to influence the decision of various members of Congress. Secretary of State
Secretary of State
Secretary of State or State Secretary is a commonly used title for a senior or mid-level post in governments around the world. The role varies between countries, and in some cases there are multiple Secretaries of State in the Government....
Hamilton Fish
Hamilton Fish
Hamilton Fish was an American statesman and politician who served as the 16th Governor of New York, United States Senator and United States Secretary of State. Fish has been considered one of the best Secretary of States in the United States history; known for his judiciousness and reform efforts...
warned him repeatedly that his conduct was not acceptable, but he continued his actions. Catacazy became personally abusive of the President and members of his Cabinet and denied any guilt when confronted with his acts.
Diplomatic tensions between Russia and the United States.
Finally the situation seemed completely out of control and President Ulysses S. GrantUlysses S. Grant
Ulysses S. Grant was the 18th President of the United States as well as military commander during the Civil War and post-war Reconstruction periods. Under Grant's command, the Union Army defeated the Confederate military and ended the Confederate States of America...
instructed Secretary of State Fish to request the Government of Russia to recall minister Catacazy. The letter to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated:
"On his arrival at Washington, Catacazy gave the promise of being a useful and very acceptable Minister, and made a very agreeable impression. Soon however he made began to make himself very officious, interfering in questions not appropriately connected with his Legation and in those pending before Congress, importuning Senators and Representatives and resorting to personal interviews and solicitations unusual on the part of representatives of other powers accredited to this government, distasteful and annoying to the legislators thus indecorously approached and tending to embarrass the free course of legislation on the subjects with respect to which his interference was obtruded. He did not hesitate to use the newspapers of the country to influence public opinion on questions pending before the Government and indulged in much license in his denounciation of measures and individuals. In his conversation he was even more severe and unrestrained and employed abusive and vituperative language toward very many persons, including several in public positions and enjoying the respect and confidence of the community. The impropriety of a foreign Minister thus attempting to influence and to misdirect the public opinion of the country must be admitted as sufficient ground for his ceasing to be a proper agent between the Government which he represents and that to which he is accredited"
This letter was conveyed to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs by Jeremiah Curtin
Jeremiah Curtin
Jeremiah Curtin was an American translator and folklorist.-Life:Born in Detroit, Michigan, Curtin spent his early life in Milwaukee County and later graduated from Harvard College in 1863. In 1864 he went to Russia, where he worked as both a translator and for the U.S. legation...
minister plenipotentiary of the United States to Russia on June 16. 1871. The timing was extremely sensitive as a high profile visit of Grand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich, the tsar's second son had been scheduled for the fall, and the presence of a Russian minister plenipotentiary during the visit was absolutely necessary. However, under the pretext that Chancellor Gorchakoff, the only person who could take a decision on the matter, was in Germany, the Russian Government delayed action. On August 18 the United States reiterated the request, insisting that the issue be solved before the visit of Grand Duke Alexei. The Russian Government finally responded, requesting that minister Catacazy be tolerated until after the presentation of the Grand Duke to the President, after which his assignment would be immediately terminated. This response was a diplomatic blunder. As, according to protocol, the Russian minister plenipotentiary was supposed to introduce the Grand Duke, it forced President Grant to receive him, though he had been officially declared "persona non grata".
While the visit of the Grand Duke in America was generally considered a success, his reception at the White House
White House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
in Washington
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
was extremely short. His meeting with President Grant, which Konstantin Catacazy attended, lasted only 15 minutes, during which the Grand Duke addressed himself especially to Mrs. Grant. The entire visit in Washington only one day. No formal entertainment was given in Washington to the Grand Duke, though for all other visits of members of royal families to the White House, formal dinners had been organized. Such dinners had taken place when President John Tyler
John Tyler
John Tyler was the tenth President of the United States . A native of Virginia, Tyler served as a state legislator, governor, U.S. representative, and U.S. senator before being elected Vice President . He was the first to succeed to the office of President following the death of a predecessor...
received François d'Orléans, prince de Joinville, when Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. He successfully led his country through a great constitutional, military and moral crisis – the American Civil War – preserving the Union, while ending slavery, and...
received Prince Napoléon Joseph Bonaparte
Napoléon Joseph Charles Paul Bonaparte
Napoléon Joseph Charles Paul Bonaparte, Prince Français, Count of Meudon, Count of Moncalieri ad personam, titular 3rd Prince of Montfort was the second son of Jérôme Bonaparte, king of Westphalia, by his wife Catherine, princess of Württemberg...
and even when Ulysses Grant received Kamehameha V
Kamehameha V
aloghaKamehameha V , born as Lot Kapuāiwa, reigned as monarch of the Kingdom of Hawaii from 1863 to 1872. His motto was "Onipa`a": immovable, firm, steadfast or determined; he worked diligently for his people and kingdom and was described as the last great traditional chief...
, king of the Sandwich Islands
Hawaiian Islands
The Hawaiian Islands are an archipelago of eight major islands, several atolls, numerous smaller islets, and undersea seamounts in the North Pacific Ocean, extending some 1,500 miles from the island of Hawaii in the south to northernmost Kure Atoll...
. President Grant's displeasure with the delay in Catacazy's recall was evident and, under the circumstances, sitting at the same dinner table with Catacazy was unacceptable. Therefore, the reception of the Grand Duke at the White House was a severe blow for the Russian diplomacy. There had been expectations that a treaty between the United States and Russia would be signed during the meeting. As the terms of such an agreement would have had to be negotiated by the State Department with the Russian minister before the meeting, no such agreement was signed.
On November 26, 1871, Catacazy informed the State Department that General Alexander Gorloff, the military attaché, would take charge of the Russian Imperial Legation in Washington
President Grant's comments
The diplomatic tension generated by Catacazy's attitude had been so intense, that President Grant considered it necessary to inform Congress about the conflict in a special message. The contents were repeated in the President's Third State of the Union AddressState of the Union Address
The State of the Union is an annual address presented by the President of the United States to the United States Congress. The address not only reports on the condition of the nation but also allows the president to outline his legislative agenda and his national priorities.The practice arises...
"The intimate friendly relations which have so long existed between the United States and Russia continue undisturbed. The visit of the third son of the Emperor is a proof that there is no desire on the part of his Government to diminish the cordiality of those relations. The hospitable reception which has been given to the Grand Duke is a proof that on our side we share the wishes of that Government. The inexcusable course of the Russian minister at Washington rendered it necessary to ask his recall and to decline to longer receive that functionary as a diplomatic representative. It was impossible, with self-respect or with a just regard to the dignity of the country, to permit Mr. Catacazy to continue to hold intercourse with this Government after his personal abuse of Government officials, and during his persistent interferences, through various means, with the relations between the United States and other powers. In accordance with my wishes, this Government has been relieved of further intercourse with Mr. Catacazy, and the management of the affairs of the imperial legation has passed into the hands of a gentleman entirely unobjectionable."
Konstantin Catacazy left the United States, but that did not finish his intrigues. In 1872 he published a book in Paris about his conflict with the Government of the United States. Entitled A Diplomatic Incident, it was conceived as a letter addressed to Chief Justice
Chief Justice of the United States
The Chief Justice of the United States is the head of the United States federal court system and the chief judge of the Supreme Court of the United States. The Chief Justice is one of nine Supreme Court justices; the other eight are the Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States...
Salmon Portland Chase. The Supreme Court
Supreme Court of the United States
The Supreme Court of the United States is the highest court in the United States. It has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all state and federal courts, and original jurisdiction over a small range of cases...
did not respond. For the United States the conflict had ended once Catacazy had been recalled.