CATHERINE II THE GREAT (1729-1796)

Autograph letter signed to General Friedrich-Wilhelm Bauer. S.l., March 9, 1771. 1 pp. dual-leafet in-4, German, address on the back in Russian, stamped with a red seal. A very curious letter from Czarina Catherine II, asking her favourite, General Bauer, to inquire regarding a “young beauty” [jünge Schönheit] whose qualities were boasted to her; Count Orlov spoke about this to late for her to discuss it with General Orlov as a private matter; she asks to write to him discretely on this subject matter, by sending it to Count Orlov. She adds as a post-scriptum: All this must remain between us, you can say that I commissioned geographic cards from you. Friedrich-Wilhelm Bauer (1731-1783) – Russian General-Quartermaster, hydraulic engineer, architect, cartographer. German origin. Since 1755 he is in Hessen Army. Since 1757 he participates in Seven Years` War. His warrior`s glory and commander abilities reached Empress Catherine II and she invited Bauer into Russian Army in 1769. He was appointed to the troops under Roumiantsev`s command fighting against Turks near Danube. The Empress has demonstrated her full credit to him and awarded him St. Anna and St. Georgy orders. In 1773 Lieutenant General and General engineer Bauer became a Chevalier of St. Alexander Nevski Order. As engineer and architect he was working hard over design and building of a number of constructions. First of all such constructions as a water conduit from Mytishchi to Moscow and a water conduit to Tsarskoe selo (Tsar village near St. Petersburg). As well Bauer designed a number of fortresses, harbors in Riga and Kronshtadt. He has built a first storm water drain system in St. Petersburg. Under his leadership erection of granite embankments and accesses to Fontanka river and Griboedov channel was started. He presided a construction commission on Catherine Channel in Tsarskoe selo. He contributed a lot into Russian cartography development.