and the Government, therefore, felt itself bound to them by eternal
gratitude.[7] It is to this proof of patriotism that some attribute
Alexander's interest in the Jews and his order that three deputies
should reside in St. Petersburg to represent them in Russia, and in
Poland a committee consisting of three Christians and eight Jews should
be appointed to devise ways and means of ameliorating their
condition.[8]

The times were promising in other respects. In that critical period, the
Government, reposing but little confidence in Russian merchants, whose
business motto was "No swindle, no sale," allowed several Jews to become
Government contractors (podradchiki). These, while rendering valuable
services, amassed considerable fortunes. Notwithstanding the law
restricting Jewish residence to the Pale of Settlement, Catherine II
speaks of Jews who resided in St. Petersburg for many years, and lodged
in the house of a priest, who had been her confessor. Moreover, Jews
contributed not a little to the liberal policy of Alexander I. Among
them were Eliezer Dillon of Nieszvicz (d. 1838), who was honored by the
emperor with a gold medal "for faithful and conscientious services," and
was given an audience by his Majesty, at which he pleaded the cause of
his coreligionists;[9] Nathan Notkin, who mitigated the possible effect
of Senator Dyerzhavin's baneful opinions concerning Jews, as expressed
in his report (_Mnyenie_, September, 1800), and who suggested the
establishment of schools for children and for adults in Yekaterinoslav
and elsewhere; Abraham Peretz, the personal friend of Speransky,
Dyerzhavin, and Potemkin, and a brilliant financier, whose high standing
enabled him to be a power for good in the councils concerning Jews;[10]
and his father-in-law, Joshua Zeitlin (1724-1822). Zeitlin was a rare
phenomenon, reminding one of the golden days of Jewish Spain. His
knowledge of finance and political economy won him the admiration of