Annals of the Academy of Romanian Scientists Online edition Series on History and Archeology ISSN 2067-5682 Volume 1, Number 1/2009 27

THE ECHO OF THE ROMANIAN PRINCIPALITIES’ UNION REFLECTED IN THE CONTEMPORARY TELEGRAMS AND REPORTS

Carmen RADU1

Rezumat. Alegerea lui ca principe al Principatelor Unite pe 5 şi 24 Ianuarie 1859 a avut puternice reverberaţii în inimile românilor din toată ţara. O serie de telegrame şi rapoarte sunt trimise cu această ocazie. Datate 5-17 Ianuarie 1859, acestea sunt trimise la Iaşi din toată ţara şi sunt adresate fie direct lui Cuza, fie unor înalţi oficiali, pentru a-i fi prezentate acestuia. Astfel, membrii Tribunalului din judeţul Covurlui, din partea cărora semnează I. Panaitescu şi G. Valinte, îi transmit lui Cuza "felicitările lor cu ocazia binecuvântatei înscăunări a Măriei Voastre". Mesajele trimise din Bucureşti, atât de persoane particulare, cât şi de reprezentanţi ai autorităţilor sunt extrem de interesante, recreând atmosfera din ţara noastră cu ocazia alegerilor ce avuseseră loc la Iaşi.

Abstract. The election of Alexandru Ioan Cuza as prince of the United Principalities, on 5th and 24th January 1859, had powerful reverberations in the hearts of the Romanians all over the country. A series of telegrams and reports sent on the occasion of the election of Alexandru Ioan I as prince of Moldavia. Dated 5th/17th January 1859, they are sent to Iasi from all over the country and the congratulations are addressed either directly to Cuza or to high officials in order to be presented to the prince. Thus, the members of The Court of Covurlui District, on behalf of whom sign I. Panaitescu and G. Valinte, transmit to Cuza “their congratulations on Your Highness’ blessed enthronement”. The messages sent from , both by private persons and by representatives of the authorities, are extremely interesting for recreating the atmosphere in our country on the occasion of the elections which were held in Iaşi. Keywords: celebration, election, Alexandru Ioan Cuza, Iasi, union, , Moldavia, telegram, letter

The election of Alexandru Ioan Cuza as prince of the United Principalities, on 5th and 24th January 1859, had powerful reverberations in the hearts of the Romanians all over the country. A deep feeling of happiness caused by the enthronement of the new prince was shared by all the social classes, from peasants to great boyars. Although not aiming at an exhaustive analysis, this paper intends is to render the effervescent atmosphere created all over the country by the news that the Chamber of Deputies in Moldavia and then the one in Wallachia elected Colonel Alexandru Ioan Cuza as prince of the two principalities. With this aim in view we will invoke the congratulation telegrams sent from different towns of the country and some reports of the authorities which record the Romanians’ enthusiasm in the new political circumstances.

1Teacher at Al. I. Cuza High School, Iași.

28 Carmen Radu

The first series of documents consists of the telegrams and reports sent on the occasion of the election of Alexandru Ioan I as prince of Moldavia. Dated 5th/17th January 1859, they are sent to Iasi from all over the country and the congratulations are addressed either directly to Cuza or to high officials in order to be presented to the prince. Thus, the members of The Court of Covurlui District, on behalf of whom sign I. Panaitescu and G. Valinte, transmit to Cuza “their congratulations on Your Highness’ blessed enthronement”.1 The Magistrate Court of Galati informs the Minister for Internal Affairs that the people are full of enthusiasm and that “last night the whole town was illuminated. Tonight it will be even brighter and so will it be tomorrow”2 in order to celebrate the joy the new prince’s election. The members of the Commercial Court of Galati, on behalf of whom sign M. Prasacani, I. Mărăcini and others, send to the elected prince a telegram from which we quote: “(....) after the country proclaimed you its lord and master, we perform our duty to congratulate you, and joining their votes with those of the people, we say «Long live our prince Al. I. Cuza!»”3 Also from Galati, Colonel Steriade confesses that he dares “to pay my homage and to offer my congratulations to Your Highness”4 and Colonel Duca says: “I feel overjoyed (...) to offer Your Highness my sincere congratulations”5 G. M. Balaban, lieutenant magistrate of Covurlui, “hastens to congratulate most respectfully your Highness on Your enthronement”67, sending another telegram to Iasi, on the above- mentioned date, and Major Vidrașcu, “Chief Firemen in Galati, dutifully congratulates on Your Highness’ enthronement as Prince of Moldavia.”8 The same enthusiasm was manifested by the inhabitants of Putna district. A report addressed by the commissary of Panciu to The Minister for Internal Affairs states: “Sir Teodor Gâţă, being informed that Colonel Alexandru Ioan Cuza was elected Prince of Moldavia, invited to his residence all the boyars in this town and they celebrated the event with songs of praise and toasts to His Highness. And in the evening he illuminated the whole town at his expense, the election of His Highness being celebrated by all the townsfolk with the best wishes of joy.”9 Dimitrie Dăscălescu, governor of Putna, also mentioned that, in Focşani “at this hour, the townsfolk are celebrating on the illuminated streets, ceaselessly cheering Prince A. Cuza. Such scenes of high –spirits and jollity have never been

1Romania’s National Archives, Fond: The Ministry of Internal Affairs, Moldavia, Ds. 8 Bis 1859, sheet 19. 2Ibidem, sheet 29. 3Ibidem, sheet 17. 4Ibidem, sheet 20. 5Ibidem, sheet 21. 6Ibidem, sheet 9. 7Ibidem, sheet 18. 8Ibidem, sheet 55. 9Ibidem, sheet 35.

The Echo of the Romanian Principalities’ Union Reflected in the Contemporary Telegrams and Reports 29 seen in our town.”1 Another impressive message was sent from Tecuci by Archpriest Gheorghe Dimitrie, Major Diamandescu and others; the newly elected prince was offered “sincere congratulations‚” and they wished him “(....) sweet future and high prosperity.”2 Archimandrite Melchisedec, together with another 45 public men from the district of Huși, sent a letter of congratulations from which we quote: “All the patriots’ hearts leapt with tremendous joy and we thanked God who helped us to see the great miracle for which the whole country prayed to him fervently. Today, the whole Moldavia congratulates you, the undersigned adding their feeble voice to join the people’s homage to Your Highness’ throne and wishing You blessed reign (...) for the fulfilment of the country’s sacred dreams.”3 dreams.”3 Also from Huşi, L. Lambrino informs, on 23rd January, that the governor’s palace in Falciu “was surrounded by folks from all social classes who enthusiastically congratulated the elected Prince, a person who sympathises with all the Principality’s classes.”4 A great number of telegrams are sent to Iaşi from Botoşani. Thus, each of the two unionist members of Moldavia’s Kaimacam House, Judge Anastasie Panu and Judge Vasile Sturdza, receives a letter with the following message: “The inhabitants in the district of Botoşani, as part of our country’s people, are extremely grateful to you for the sacrifice you made for the main benefit of the Romanian nation and for the help you offered in so many adversities in order to open a new path to progress. Today, 5th January, the election of a national prince, corresponding to the public interest, was possible due to your impartial wisdom and to the elector deputies whose patriotic feelings ensured the future well-being of the country.”5.The telegram is signed by seneschal V. Bobeică, seneschal Buzdugan (future prefect of Botoşani district from 1863, who housed Alexandru Ioan I on the occasion of his visit to this district6, seneschal I. Roset and others. They offer their congratulations to the prince himself in another telegram, stating that: “history must engrave with gold letters in its book the blessed day of 5th January 1859, when kind Providence allowed Your Highness’ enthronement in default of a foreign prince, the respectable deputies fulfilling in this way the real dreams of the Romanians in Moldavia. Consequently, we, the people of Botoşani, hasten to congratulate His Highness, Prince Alexandru Ion Cuza […] to whom we

1Ibidem, sheet 7. 2Ibidem, sheet 5. 3Ibidem, sheet 5. 4Ibidem, sheet 60. 5Ibidem, sheets 11-12. 6Romania’s National Archives, The Ministry of Internal Affairs, Administrative, Ds.170/1863, sheets 25 and 51.

30 Carmen Radu swear unquestioning faith, true love and total obedience.”1 Also, the “Armenian community in the town of Botoşani, with feelings of great joy”, congratulate the elected Prince of Moldavia, the signers of the telegram being Cristea Nani Căminar, David Ştefan and others.2 A report sent by the Administration of Botoşani, dated 14th January 1859, states that: “the Armenian community organised a meeting, attended by 500 participants, to honour His Highness’ election. In the end, people toasted enthusiastically and seneschal Bobeică delivered a speech whose copy will be sent to you.”3 Consequently, the report dated 16th January 1859, addressed to The Minister of Internal Affairs, enclosed the above-mentioned speech, from which we quote: “Gentlemen (....) We all bless the country’s deputies who were able to elect a real son of . This is the man of the century, shown to us by a merciful God, he is the descendant of Ştefan cel Mare and Alexandru cel Bun […]. We have cause to rejoice and to praise the mercy of Providence. We must still pray to God to spread his mercy over our beloved brothers across Milcov and to help them defeat their enemies (...) We shed tears of joy looking forward to our future. (...) Let us be united in inseparable brotherhood. Let us swear eternal love to Prince Alexandru Ioan I. And, in countless toasts, to bless all the days of his life (...). Long live Romania. Long live our glorious Prince.”4 The same state of euphoria was expressed by the people in the district of Roman. The Chief Administrator, Popescu, informs the Minister of Internal Affairs that: “The days of 5th and 6th January were celebrated with sincere enthusiasm for Prince Alexandru Cuza. The police station was illuminated, there were fireworks displays with the number of God, all the people saluted the common sense of the National Assembly which followed the wish of God by electing him.” And he adds that “the enthusiasm is ceaseless.”5 Another report sent to The Ministry of Internal Affairs includes the following message: “On the 5th January, the administration received the letter from the High Kaimacam announcing that the National Assembly elected Colonel Alexandru Cuza (and informed) all the townspeople and the country people who were looking forward the good news. (...) in the evening (...) they illuminated the town until 9.30 and the brass band played national songs on the streets. And the people, full of joy, were cheering and shouting: «Long live Prince Alexandru Cuza» (...) The next day, at about 10 a.m., in the Episcopal church, after the religious service, they celebrated

1Romania’s National Archives, Fond: The Ministry of Internal Affairs, Moldavia, Ds. 8 Bis 1859, sheet 8. 2Ibidem, sheet 33. 3Ibidem, sheet 59. 4Ibidem, sheets 49-50. 5Ibidem, sheet 38.

The Echo of the Romanian Principalities’ Union Reflected in the Contemporary Telegrams and Reports 31 te deum attended by civil servants, public authorities, policemen and firemen with their chiefs, and a large audience. In the evening the town was illuminated even brighter, with fireworks which displayed the inscription of His Highness (...)”1 The joy and enthusiasm produced by the election of Cuza Vodă as Prince of Moldavia was also expressed by the people of the town of Piatra, who sent to the Kaimacams of Iasi (Anastasie Panu, Vasile Sturdza and I. Cantacuzino) a telegram, from which we quote: “(...) due to your Excellency’s cooperation, due to the cooperation of the intellectual class and due to the votes of the Legislative Assembly, Colonel A. Cuza was elected Prince of Moldavia, and this election infused each individual with a sense of patriotism, freedom and equality before the laws. We can hardly find the words to express the gratitude and the respect which we are feeling now and will always feel for your patriotic and national collaboration. May the epoch of your provisional government be an example for the future permanent government.”2 (among the signers we mention N. Vicol – future school inspector for the districts of Suceava and Neamţ – A. Dimitri Sărdar and others). From the same town, the deputy administrator Grigoriu sends to Anastasie Panu and I. A. Cantacuzino two identical telegrams which state that “all the people of Piatra saluted the election with greatest joy and enthusiasm (...) and entrusted me with the task to speak on their behalf and to express their feelings of devotion, obedience and eternal love (...). Long live His Highness our Master!”3 The messages sent from Bucharest, both by private persons and by representatives of the authorities, are extremely interesting for recreating the atmosphere in our country on the occasion of the elections which were held in Iaşi. For instance, the poet Vasile Alecsandri receives from G. Sion the following telegram: “Please offer my congratulations to the Prince. Great joy and (enthusiasm) among the Wallachians, tomorrow great Ball in honour of His Majesty”.4 Among the letters of congratulation, there is only one, written in French, sent by a lady, Catherine Vladoyanu, from which we quote: “My joy is double: as a Moldavian and as an old friend, I offer you my congratulations and I wish the same joy to Wallachia”.5 Wallachia’s Kaimacam House, on behalf of which signed Manoil Băleanu, Ioan Manu and I. Filipescu, sent to Moldavia’s Kaimacam House, on 6th January 1859, a telegram in which they expressed the hope that the election of Colonel Alexandru Ioan Cuza “will contribute to closer links between the United Principalities.”.6

1Ibidem, sheet 44. 2Ibidem, sheets 30, 31,32. 3Ibidem, sheet 13. 4Ibidem, sheet 26. 5Ibidem, sheet 25. 6Ibidem, sheet 37.

32 Carmen Radu

Cuza’s election in Iaşi was saluted, as the report of the administration of Ismail, signed by colonel Lupaşcu, states “with 21 rounds of cannon, after which the people gathered in the cathedral, together with the police, the gendarmes, the firemen and the public servants, participated to a religious service and prayed to mighty God for the Prince’s long life. In the evening the whole town was illuminated and all the fiddlers played with patriotic enthusiasm (...)”.1 A telegram, written in French, sent “To His Majesty, Prince Alexandru Cuza” by Alexandru and Nicolae Hurmuzaki from Cernăuţi, is a very impressive expression of the idea of national solidarity: “Kindly receive our respectful congratulations and our homage. We congratulate your dear country for the elections which will make her forget the previous pain and grief and will inaugurate an epoch of glory and prosperity.”2 The second series of documents we will resort to in order to render the Romanians’ state of mind at the end of January 1859 consists of the telegrams of congratulation and the authorities’ reports which refer to the double election of Prince Alexandru Ioan Cuza. The local authorities from the town of Botosani, on behalf of which sign Magistrate A. Ventura, Seneshal C. Grigoriade, Agha Constantin Pleşescu and many others, sent to Prince Cuza a telegram dated 24th January/6th February, with the following text: “[…] your subjects […], with tears of gratitude, praise and venerate our forefathers’ God who showed us the right way, the way of truth. We express our deepest gratitude to our beloved brothers from Wallachia, for responding to our love by making the right choice in the person of Your Highness. The election of one and the same ruler will prove to the whole world that a complete Union has always been Romania’s real dream. The body of our dear nation, although full of deep wounds, still has the energy of life, it still has only One spirit and it needs only One head. […] May everything you do as ruler of Wallachia be a cure for its wounds […] Long live Romania! May it live forever!”.3 The citizens of the town of Fălticeni and those of Suceava District sent to the Prince a telegram emphasizing the following message: “The Romanians’ sacred dream has finally been fulfilled (...). May our forefathers’ God, who has protected Romania so far, help you to make our country powerful and prosperous. Today five million Romanians congratulate you, and we would like to join them. The monument of gratitude which we erect

1Ibidem, sheet 55. 2Ibidem, sheet 22. 3Ibidem, sheet 71.

The Echo of the Romanian Principalities’ Union Reflected in the Contemporary Telegrams and Reports 33 for you in the hearts of our people is above any other. Long live Your Majesty!”1. The same congratulations are addressed to Prince Cuza by the townspeople of Focsani: “All we can say to express our tremendous joy is: Long live Romania! Long live its Prince!”2 On the same date, 25th of January/6th February 1859, the elected ruler of The United Principalities receives a telegram of congratulation from Tecuci, with the following content: “(...) I was one of the first to salute You when you ascended the throne of the Dragoşi, I would like to be permitted to congratulate you once again from my heart for your coronation by the patriotic Assembly of Wallachia, Moldavia’s sister, as ruler of 5 million Romanians. Long live Your Majesty and God help you to magnify the glory of The United & Sovereign Romania!”.3 A report from the administrator of Fălciu, dated 27th of January 1859 and addressed to the Moldavia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, mentions: “I cannot help bringing to your attention the enthusiasm which rules in this town [Huşi]. All the social classes, even the lowest ones, have been ceaselessly expressing their feelings of joy since they received the official news that Our Prince has also been elected Prince of Wallachia. Romania has regained its rights. Long live the European countries which collaborated so zealously with us! Today, Romania has triumphed. Our brothers across the Milcov deserve being glorified. They were able to overcome all the obstacles and they proved their strong character once again. Honour to our brothers across the Milcov! The town is loud with ceaseless cheers: «Long live Prince Alexandru Ioan I!»”4 The Administration of Roman district, as soon as “they received the telegraphic message from the Honoured Ministry”, informs that “the public, animated by enthusiasm for such a historic event (...) cheered ceaselessly, wishing «Long live United Romania and its King, Alexandru Ioan I», the bands played national songs and people toasted to our nation and to His Majesty’s health”5. A telegram, dated 29th January/10th February 1859 and sent from Bârlad by the Administration of Tutova, mentions that the town “is feasting with great enthusiasm and 20 tricoloured national flags are waving in the streets”6 in the honour of this double election. On 31st January/6th February 1859, the District of Galati sent to the Ministry of Internal Affairs a telegraphic message with the following contents:

1Ibidem, sheet 73. 2Ibidem, sheet 74. 3Ibidem, sheet 75. 4Ibidem, sheet 88. 5Ibidem, sheet 94. 6Ibidem, sheet 100.

34 Carmen Radu

“The people in our town, finding out the news that Moldavia’s Prince was elected Prince of Wallachia, feasted for three days on end with great merriment and illumination, in perfect respect of the law.”1 The Administration of Ismail District writes a report on 24th January/5th February 1859 which includes the following text: ”Receiving the blessed news that His Highness, Alexandru Ioan I was elected Prince of Wallachia on the 27th inst, all the townspeople gathered at the cathedral: the army corps, the gendarmes, the firemen and all the public servants. They attended a Te Deum, prayed to mightily God for the Prince’s long life. The feast was attended by the consuls.”2. The telegraphic message sent by the Jewish community in Ismail, dated 25th January/6th February 1859, is also remarkable. From this telegram we quote: ”they thanked God in their prayers for the blessed election of His Majesty Alexandru Ioan I”.3 We can conclude, from all the above-mentioned documents, that the election of Alexandru Ioan Cuza as Prince of Moldavia and then of the United Principalities, produced an outburst of joy all over the country. People feasted in all the towns, cheering and applauding on the illuminated streets. The numerous telegrams of congratulation and reports which recorded the Romanians’ enthusiasm at the news that Cuza was elected ruler of the country, represent remarkable historical sources – even if, at first sight, they do not seem to be – because they reflect the people’s state of mind and the atmosphere of those days. They make us understand better that the newly elected prince enjoyed a popularity which will be consolidated over the seven years of his reign. From January 1859 to February 1866, when the same prince will be forced to leave the country, there is only seven years and one month; a long enough period for Cuza – the great statesman – to lay the foundations of modern Romania and to make it possible for everything he founded to become irreversible.

R E F E R E N C E S

[1] Romania’s National Archives, Fond: The Ministry of Internal Affairs, Moldavia, Ds&Bis 1859. [2] Romania’s National Archives, The Ministry of Internal Affairs, Administrative, Ds. 170/1863.

1Ibidem, sheet 101. 2Ibidem, sheet 103. 3Ibidem, sheet 102.