Politinis realizmas ir iliuzijos : LDK bajorijos pozicijos

Abstract

The article analyzes the position of the nobility of the Grand Dutchy of Lithuania (GDL) manifested under the threat of the second partition of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. The analysis is based on the existing material from Seimelis (Dietine) of the Vilnius, Trakai, Kaunas, Ukmergė, Upytė, Žemaitija, Breslauja, Gardinas, Lyda, Volkovyskas, Naugardukas, and Brasta Pavietas (district) of the period of May 27-28, 1793. The aim of the article is to clarify the attitude of the Lithuanian nobility to wards the situation in the state, to discuss the demands they made to Seimas (Diet), and the influence on that part of the nobility which was not directly involved with the leadership of the confederacy. The conclusion is made that in GDL activities of Dietine were mostly controlled by the general confederacy which, however, failed to dominate in Lyda, Trakai, Naugardukas, and Brasta. The instruction of Seimelis of Trakai Region Central Pavietas evidences the interests of Vaivada (Governor) Juozapas Mikalojus Radvila. In Lyda, Naugardu kas and Brasta the nobility representing Dietine were influenced by the faction supporting Stanislovas Augustas. In GDL, Dietine instructions of 1793 reflect the demands to preserve the rights of GDL within the common state. Even under the threat of partition, the Vilnius, Lyda, Ukmergė, and Kaunas Dietine were demanding to preserve the rights of GDL that were established by the union act, to retain the Lithuanian Statute, to oppose the transfer of local magistrates from the province territories to other areas, etc. The analysis of Dietine instructions refute the interpretation at present prevalent in historiography, claiming that all the instructions were coordinated with the Russian envoy and that their content was the same everywhere. A detailed analysis of instructions from Gardinas, Upytė, Naugardu kas, Volkovyskas, and Brasta Dietine has shown that the text provided by the confederacy had been revised. The final version of the instructions reflects the interests and influence of different members of the nobility. The instructions exibit the attitude of the nobility towards the political situation and the presence of the occupation army in the country. The officers of the highest rank - bishops and governors - were not directly involved in Dietine activities in 1793. The most important posts in the offices belonged to officials of the lower rank. The nobility were aware of the threats and felt the analogy with the first partition. Thus, most of them were trying to stay away and not to participate in the fall of the state. On the other hand, part of the nobility were hoping that the republic would continue its existence and were seeking to establish the principles of its government. Finally, there were those who were only interested in gaining personal profit.