Pages: 422-428

The article is dedicated to governance issues in Bessarabian oblast’ soon after its annexation to the Russian Empire. The author explores correlation between the policy of the Russian government and the “local tradition” in Bessarabia. He reviews the opinions of the Russian government officers sent to the oblast’, the essence of the Bessarabian autonomy (1812-1828), their suggestions for improvement of situation there. Special attention is paid to the role of P.P. Svinyin, who had an inspecting visit to Moldavia in 1815-1816.