"In 1806 Russian Count Nikolai Petrovich Rezanov undertook a trip on sails "Juno" and "Avos" to California (In Russian the word "avos" means "perhaps", and sometimes "good luck"). He landed in a Spanish settlement near a monastery belonging to the order of St. Francis of Alssisi. The Russians got a rather hostile greeting by Jose de Arguello, the Governor of San Francisco, who planned a ball in his house in honour of his sixteen-year-old daughter Conchita. At the ball Rezanov was introduced to Conchita. At night in the garden Rezanov heard Conchita and Federico's talk about their future betrothal, but he could not overcome the feeling, which seized him. Rezanov penetrated into Conchita's bedroom, at first he begged her for love, but later in spite of her despair he took her by force. After that good luck left Rezanov. The Russian-American Company's commercial ties went to rack and ruin. Scandal and rumors caused by Rezanov's dishonorable deed, made the Russians return to their ships and leave San Francisco. After a secret betrothal ceremony Rezanov started his trip home. In Siberia near Krasnoyarsk he caught a cold and died. Conchita for a long time did not believe reports about Rezanov's death and was waiting for him more than 30 years. At last she took a vow of silence, which she kept for the remainder of her days. She died in a cell of convent in San Francisco."
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Friday, July 10, 2009
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
