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Isaev to take Archimandrite Filipovic to Serbia, who had earlier provided him with
information on the Austro-Serbian negotiations. 45 At the same time, the Serbian political
factions continued intense feud with each other. Bagration later learned, through
Filipovic, the Serbian factions manipulated him to their advantage. One of the Serbian
leaders, Milenko Stojkovic, intercepted Karadjordje’s letters describing the actual
situation in Serbia, while the Serbian delegations provided Bagration with the selective
information and contributed to his alienation from Karadjordje. 46
In his letter to State Chancellor Rumyantsev, Prince Peter analyzed the Serbian
affairs. He argued that the Serbian appeal to place Serbia under Russian administration
was not in the Russian interests and would detrimental to peace negotiations with the
Porte. Prince Peter was also against establishing a special commission to investigate
situation in Serbia. He argued that Russia should not be involved in the Serbian internal
affairs but “to retain as much influence among the [Serbs] as required under given
political circumstances.” Bagration also opposed the change of Serbian leadership.
Although he had tense relations with Karadjordje, Prince Peter respected him. He wrote,
“I find it extremely harmful not only for our interests but to Serbia as well to make any
changes in its supreme leadership. On one hand, Karadjordje has seven years of
experience in leading the nation; he greatly contributed to the liberation of his people
from the Turkish yoke and acquired considerable experience in the process. However, he
is described as a very harsh man, somewhat credulous and ignorant [nesvedushii]. On
other hand, the election of new leader would cause only new feuds and intrigues between
the faction leaders and could be exploited by [anti-Russian] elements to harm us.” 47
44 Bagration to Isaev, 29 November 1809; Bagration to Alexander, 4 December 1809,
Correspondence of Bagration, 94-98.
45 VPR, V, 343-45, 369; Arsenijevic-Batalaka, Istorija Prvog Srpskog Ustanka, 626, 736-37;
Djordjevic, Politiçka istorija Srbije, 273-74; Petrov, Russo-Turkish War of 1806-1812, II, 299-
305, 309-11.
46 Arsenijevic-Batalaka, Istorija Prvog Srpskog Ustanka, 626-27, 788; Djordjevic, Politiçka
istorija Srbije, 274; Voennii sbornik, 2 (1865): 237-39.
47 Bagration to Rumyantsev, 25 December 1809, VPR, V, 325-26.
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