“Northern Mail

Russia’s official foreign policy toward England in late 1809–1810 can be partially traced through publications in the Ministry of Internal Affairs newspaper, “Northern Mail, or New St. Petersburg Newspaper” (Severnaya Pochta, or Novaya Sankt-Peterburgskaya Gazeta). At this time, the few military clashes of the formally ongoing Anglo-Russian War of 1807–1812 were already over, but Russia remained a participant in the Continental Blockade imposed by Napoleon I Bonaparte to isolate Great Britain, undermine its economy, and force its capitulation. An analysis of Severnaya Pochta publications from November 1809 (when the newspaper was first published) to the end of 1810 allows us to conclude that the “hot” phase of the Anglo-Russian conflict at this time gave way to an obvious informational confrontation. The rivalry between the two empires was reflected in accusations that the British were bribing European journalists to foment war on the continent, condemnatory and derisive publications regarding British diplomacy, and descriptions of British military failures.