Russian-Turkish disputes regarding the Black Sea trade connection (on the example of the journey of merchants led by I. Kadmin in 1702–1703)

Abstract

 In the article, the author combines the information of the well-known in historiography of the story of the priest I.Lukyanov about a trip through the Right-Bank Ukraine with  merchants from Azov to Turkey. This made it possible to find out that this trip had, besides the natural economic goal, significant political tasks. Perhaps even that political affairs have prevailed in the list of tasks that were to be solved by Russian merchants. At that time, the Russian political leadership was looking for ways to entrance their ships on the Black Sea. First, it had to be merchant ships. According to the author, the trip of merchants was a hidden attempt to gradually legitimize the presence of Russians on the sea. This assumption is based on the analysis of the text of the tsar's charter that was given to the merchants. The document, in particular, allowed merchants to use their vessels. Such questions were within the competence of the government of the empire. However, the charter was addressed to representatives of local authorities. In addition, merchants brought the Russian Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire a number of documents and material valuables that were necessary for his activities. During their stay in Turkey, they also gave P.Tolstoj various mportant information about which they could learn in Istanbul. The circumstances of the tour of this group of merchants, and in particular the considerable attention given to it by the Russian and Turkish governments, revealed a conflict of interest between Moscow and Istanbul concerning the authorities over the Black Sea. The Turkish government understood the plans of the tsar and was categorically against their implementation, because it wanted to retain full power over this sea. Just then, the Turks made significant efforts to prepare for defence from the Russian attack. Then, in particular, the construction of a fortress in the Kerch Strait began. In 1702–1703, diplomatic disputes between the two states ended with the prohibition of the Ottoman government to use the sea route for trade with the Russian Azov. This has become an important sign of the deterioration of Turkey’s attitude towards Russia. This solution also had direct consequences for merchants, because they were forced to return in their country by land route. However, in these circumstances, theywere also useful to their government, because  they brought from the ambassador to Moscow very important documents that were related to the Ottoman Empire. They contain data that helps to understand the resolute position of the Turkish government towards the Black Sea. The description of the Ottoman Empire was of particular importance in this context.