Description:

Barton Clara 1821 - 1912 Russian Admiral Nikolai Kaznakoff, who had met Clara Barton in St. Petersburg in May, wishes her a happy birthday and New Year - she has docketed his letter on her 81st birthday! Rare Autograph Letter Signed "N. Kaznakoff" in English, 4p, 5" x 8", front & verso on two conjoined sheets. [St. Petersburg, Russia], November 28, 1902. To Clara Barton. Strengthened at folds. Includes the original 6" x 4" registered envelope bearing two Russian stamps postmarked St. Petersburg, November 28, 1902, addressed by Admiral Kaznakoff in English to "Miss Clara Barton / President of the National / Red Cross / Wash." On verso, December 22, 1902, Washington D.C. postmark. Sealed with one inch-diameter red wax on verso. Soiled, torn at edges when opened, mended on verso. Docketed by Clara Barton in pencil on the envelope: "Admiral Kasnakof / December 25 / Christmas." Letter in fine condition, envelope very good.

In full, as written, "Allow me to congratulate you with your birthday a wish you many and many merry returns of the day and happy New Years. In the same time allow me to send you some of our Red Cross cards. I hope that you have not got them. We are in full winter and Petersburgh is now in the best season, but we must take care not to freeze the cheeks, nozes and fingers. But the beginning of the season was very tiresome and my poor wife has had a kind of stroke. She moves now and makes round the house but the tongue unfortunately does not move. It will last I fear very long time and we must take all possible care. In February my niece married to Lieut. Boytekoff is coming in Washington, her husband being appointed the naval attachí© to the Embassy. She will pay you her visit and remember a little of us. She is a very nice person and a great favorite of mine. My wife sends you her best wishes and compliments. I remain, Yours very truly, N. Kaznakoff"

Kronstadt was an important military seaport on Kotlin Island, west of St. Petersburg, in the Gulf of Finland, east of the Baltic Sea. Vice Admiral Nikolai Kaznakoff was appointed commander of the port of Kronstadt. He had been transferred from the south, the Black Sea fleet, to be closer to the Czar. In 1892, he commanded the Russian fleet on a mission to the United States to participate in the celebrations dedicated to the 400th annversary of the discovery of the continent by Columbus. After returning to Russia, Kaznako was appointed Military Governor of Kronstadt. He was later appointed adjutant of the Emperor Nicholas II.

Clara Barton had met with Admiral Nikolai Kaznakoff at the International Red Cross Conference in St. Petersburg, Russia, six months earlier. The June 1, 1902, edition of "The Washington Post" reported that on May 31st, "The Dowager Czarina was especially gracious to Miss Clara Barton, president of the American Red Cross Society, when receiving at the Gatchinn Palace to-day the delegates to the International Red Cross conference who have been in session at St. Petersburg. Her majesty repeatedly thanked Miss Barton for coming so far to attend the conference. Admiral Kaznakoff, who was stationed at New York in 1893, ciceroned the Americans. Luncheon was served at the palace. The conference passed a resolution that all Red Cross societies should be requested to consider whether or not they were prepared to undertake to provide for prisoners of war as prescribed by The Hague international peace conference."

This was the last International Red Cross Conference attended by Clara Barton who celebrated her 81st birthday on Christmas day, December 25, 1902.

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