Alexander Peter Mackenzie Douglas facts for kids

Sir Alexander Peter Mackenzie Douglas, Baron of Kildin (1713-1765) was a Scottish nobleman who worked for France. He supported the Jacobite cause, which aimed to bring the Stuart family back to the throne of Great Britain. He is also known by his French name, Alexandre-Pierre de Mackensie-Douglas.

Early Life and Jacobite Connections

Alexander Peter Mackenzie Douglas was born in 1713. His father, Colin MacKenzie of Kildin, was a Captain who fought in the Battle of Sheriffmuir in 1715. This battle was part of an early attempt by the Jacobites to restore the Stuart kings.

Alexander and his brother, Charles-Joseph Douglas, were strong supporters of the Stuarts. They were taken prisoner after the Battle of Culloden in 1746. This battle was a major defeat for the Jacobites. After being released, Mackenzie Douglas followed Charles Edward Stuart, often called "Bonnie Prince Charlie," into exile in France.

Secret Missions and Diplomacy

King Louis XV of France trusted Mackenzie Douglas with important tasks. According to the writings of the Chevalier d'Eon, Mackenzie Douglas went on a secret mission to Russia. He traveled with d'Eon to meet Empress Elizabeth, who ruled Russia from 1741 to 1762. Their goal was to gain support from Russian officials who favored France. They wanted to work against the Habsburg monarchy, a powerful family that ruled much of Europe.

From 1755 to 1756, Mackenzie Douglas served as the official French chargé d'affaires in St. Petersburg, Russia. A chargé d'affaires is a diplomat who acts as the head of an embassy when the ambassador is away. This role helped to restart diplomatic relations between France and Russia, which had stopped in 1748.

Important Diplomatic Achievements

During his time in Russia, Mackenzie Douglas achieved a major diplomatic success. He helped Russia join the First Treaty of Versailles. This important agreement was signed in St. Petersburg on December 31, 1756.

He was very skilled in his work. He managed to outsmart the efforts of the British diplomat, Charles Hanbury Williams. Williams had tried to create an alliance between Britain and Russia. He negotiated the Treaty of Saint Petersburg (1755) with a leading Russian politician, Count Bestuzhev-Ryumin. However, thanks to Mackenzie Douglas's actions, this British-Russian treaty was never officially approved.

Later Discovery

Sir Alexander Peter Mackenzie Douglas passed away in 1765. His tombstone was found again in France in 2015, nearly 250 years after his death.