“Done at St. Petersburg, July 7th (N.S., July 18th), 1762.”

The news of the revolution soon spread throughout Russia, and the nobles generally acquiesced in it without a murmur.  The masses of the people no more thought of expressing or having an opinion than did the sheep.  One of the first acts of the empress was to send an embassy to Frederic of Prussia, announcing,

“That she was resolved to observe inviolably the peace recently concluded with Prussia; but that nevertheless she had decided to bring back to Russia all her troops in Silesia, Prussia and Pomerania.”

All the sovereigns of Europe acknowledged the title of Catharine II., and some sent especial congratulations on her accession to the throne.  Maria Theresa, of Austria, was at first quite delighted, hoping that Catharine would again unite the Russian troops with hers in hostility to her great rival, Frederic.  But in this expectation she was doomed to bitter disappointment.  The King of Prussia, in a confidential note to Count Finkenstein, wrote of Catharine and the new reign as follows: 

“The Emperor of Russia has been dethroned by his consort.  It was to be expected.  That princess has much good sense, and the same friendly relations towards us as the deceased.  She has no religion, but acts the devotee.  The chancellor Bestuchef is her greatest favorite, and, as he has a strong propensity to guinees I flatter myself that I shall be able to retain the friendship of the court.  The poor emperor wanted to imitate Peter I., but he had not the capacity for it.”

The empress, taking with her her son Paul, and a very brilliant and numerous suite of nobles, repaired to Moscow, where she was crowned with unusual splendor.  By marked attention to the soldiers, providing most liberally for their comfort, she soon secured the enthusiastic attachment of the army.  By the most scrupulous observance of all the external rites of religion, she won the confidence of the clergy.  In every movement Catharine exhibited wonderful sagacity and energy.  It was not to be supposed that the partisans of Peter III. would be ejected from their places to give room for others, without making desperate efforts to regain what they had lost.  A very formidable conspiracy was soon organized, and the friends of Catharine were thrown into the greatest state of alarm.  But her courage did not, for one moment, forsake her.

“Why are you alarmed?” said she.  “Think you that I fear to face this danger; or rather do you apprehend that I know not how to overcome it?  Recollect that you have seen me, in moments far more terrible than these, in full possession of all the vigor of my mind; and that I can support the most cruel reverses of fortune with as much serenity as I have supported her favors.  Think you that a few mutinous soldiers are to deprive me of a crown that I accepted with reluctance, and only as the means of delivering the Russian nation from their miseries?  They cause me no alarm.  That Providence which has called me to reign, will preserve me for the glory and the happiness of the empire.  That almighty arm which has hitherto been my defense will now confound my foes!”