Letter to Lev Kamenev, March 12, 1919

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On January 29, 1919, the Second Congress of Soviets of Sarapul Uyezd, Vyatka Gubernia, adopted a decision to collect grain in all villages of the uyezd as a gift to Moscow and Petrograd, The Congress decided that the gift of 40,000 poods of grain for Moscow “be dispatched and presented personally to our dear and beloved leader, Comrade Lenin”. Lenin’s note was written following his reception of the delegation of Sarapul peasants who had accompanied the train-load of grain. It was written, apparently, not on March 12 as indicated in the document, but on March 11, 1919. This is borne out by the following circumstances. Already on March 12 Pravda No. 55 reported that Kamenev, speaking at a plenary meeting of the Moscow Soviet on March 11, said: “I received a letter from Comrade Lenin who had been visited by representatives of Sarapul Uyezd, Vyatka Gubernia, who had brought 40,000 poods of grain as a gift to Moscow. These delegates are present at this meeting.” The mistake about the date is also evident from the fact that on March 12 Lenin was in Petrograd, where he addressed a meeting of the Petrograd Soviet in the Taurida Palace (see present edition, Vol. 29, pp. 19–37). Lenin himself, speaking on March 13, 1919, at a meeting in the People’s House in Petrograd, said: “Only a few days ago a delegation of peasants representing five volosts in Sarapul Uyezd came to see me” (ibid., p. 47).

12. III. 1919

Comrade Kamenev,

The bearers are comrades from Sarapul Uyezd, Vyatka Gubernia.

They have brought us and Petrograd 40,000 poods of grain each. This is such a remarkable feat that it ,fully deserves quite special congratulations. The comrades, by the way, ask to be put in touch with the trade unions. Please arrange as soon as possible for them to make a report in the Soviet. A paragraph about it should also be given to the press. Please phone me when you get this note, and then send the bearers to Schmidt and Tomsky.

Greetings,

Lenin