The Senatorial Inspection of 1799–1800 in the Right-Bank Ukraine

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to analyze the process of organization of the senatorial inspection by the supreme power within the framework of the imperial power to strengthen its power to control, first of all, the judicial sphere. On the basis of archival materials, it is necessary to determine the course and consequences of the inspection and the impact on one of the auditors – a representative of the local elite, earl Y. Illinsky. The research methodology is based on a combination of general scientific (analysis, synthesis, generalization) and special historical (historical-genetic, historical-systemic, historical-typological) methods with the principles of historicism, systematicity, and scientificity, which allowed to focus on the organization, course and consequences of the senatorial inspection  of 1799–1800 in the right-bank provinces. The scientific novelty of the work lies in the study of the organization, conduct and results of the senatorial inspection of 1799–1800 in the right-bank Kyiv, Podillia and Volyn provinces. The analysis of the activities of one of the auditors, earl Y. Illinsky, a representative of the Volyn nobility, proves that by using his powers to solve his particular cases and settle scores with local officials, he convinced the local nobility of the favorable attitude of the supreme power towards them. It is determined that the senatorial inspection had no consequences, and the Podillia vice-governor O. Krzyzhanovskyi, who was put on trial, was acquitted. Conclusions. In order to strengthen control over the activities of local authorities and the court, Paul I organized a senatorial inspection of the entire empire in 1799–1800. This was the first inspection in the annexed right-bank territories, and the supreme power, as part of a regional policy of seeking a compromise with the local elite, appointed a representative of the Volyn nobility, earl Y. Illinsky, as one of the auditors. However, the senator treated the position of auditor as a kind of sinecure. Using his high status, he primarily solved his own personal affairs and settled scores with his enemies from among the visiting officials. Such actions found support among the local gentry. However, having violated Paul I's order to be an inspector, earl Ilyinsky was recalled to the capital. In fact, the inspection yielded no results, and even the accused Podillia vice-governor O. Krzyzhanovsky was acquitted after a 15-month investigation. Nevertheless, the main goal of showing the local elite that they could count on the protection of the supreme power from the arbitrariness of local administrators was achieved.