February 17, 1919

My Dearest Sir,

H.H. Katerina Georgievna has been sent from her reclusion in Sweden to a new location that must remain undisclosed for her future safety, as she is one of the few remaining descendants of the First Czar Nicholas. An intermediary, Mr. Epstein has been dispatched from Boston City to serve as translator and negotiator regarding the terms of her engagement.

Please understand that Mr. A. Arthur Richardson has gone to great expense to secure her release from the Insurrectionists, making sure that her passage incognito on the S.S. Dumonia was as comfortable as circumstances would allow. He is a man of great generosity, but you must understand he reserves the right to negate the betrothal if her titles, honors, and dignities are not ultimately assigned to him.

If that proves to be his decision, arrangements will need to be made for her dispensation at a later date, to be determined by Mr. Richardson.

Most Sincerely,

Jens Ulbricht Mogenssen

June 2, 1919

My Dearest Sir,

Mr. Epstein has informed me that on the 30th of May he traveled to the location where Katerina Georgievna is secluded. He states that the residence is far more rustic than one would expect for someone of her position, with no official retainers, and only one servant to cook and a bodyguard tasked as a groundskeeper. According to Epstein, a great informality has transpired, as the princess left instructions for him to be received not in the hall of the Manse, but in a meadow that she now frequents. Although her bodyguard Captain Wilmar has described the princess as melancholy and given to long walks in the forests that surround the sanctuary, Epstein states that he was graciously received and was offered far more courtesy than someone of his station would expect.

Please refer to the photographs provided by Captain Wilmar, as per Mr. Richardson’s request regarding the conduct of Epstein’s audience with the Princess.

Most Sincerely,

Jens Ulbricht Mogenssen

June 15, 1919

My Dearest Sir,
Mr. Epstein has reported that he has had a second and third visit with the Princess Nina Katerina Georgievna and they have extended discussions regarding the details of her wedding to Mr. Richardson. Because of the danger posed by Bolshevists keeping watch on public venues, the arrangement had been to use the Roman Chapel once used by the estate’s Irish servants. The Princess has asked for an Orthodox prelate to perform the Russian rituals, although there has been some difficulty determining whether the chapel will be suitable, or whether a Russian cleric can be obtained, as none so far have been willing to communicate with Epstein.
Otherwise a tentative date has been suggested, pending word from Mr. Richardson, who is currently in Habanna, and has still has not indicated if he will agree to anything other than an Episcopal service.

Most Sincerely,
Jens Ulbricht Mogenssen

June 23, 1919

My Dearest Sir,

A date has been set. I have received word from Mr. Richardson that he has agreed to the terms Mr. Epstein negotiated with H.H. Katerina Georgievna and that he will arrive on July 1st for a wedding service within the Roman chapel. Apparently Mr. Richardson has located an ordained Russian Orthodox cleric in Newark who is willing to perform the rituals. The Princess is to depart with Mr. Richardson to his family estate on the Hudson on the same day. Mr. Richardson is satisfied with the title of Count, although the domains he has been granted are at present still controlled by Latvian freikorps.

Captain Wilmar is reported to be having private communications with Mr. Richardson regarding the rapport observed between Mr. Epstein and the Princess, and it has been suggested by Mr. Richardson that given Mr. Epstein’s excellent references and services rendered, he should now be sent to negotiate with the Latvians.

Most Sincerely,
Jens Ulbricht Mogenssen

July 18, 1919

My Dearest Sir,
I regret to inform you that no wedding has transpired between Nina Katerina Georgievna and Mr. Richardson.
The Princess waited at the Roman chapel as agreed on the morning of July 1st, however is was not until the Ninth of the month that word arrived of Mr. Richardson’s marriage in the Adirondacks to the motion picture actress Madge Kimball. We have received no word from Mr. Richardson regarding any dispensation or arrangements on behalf of the Princess, and Captain Wilmar has apparently left the estate on the day his salary ended. Mr. Epstein has inquired on behalf of the Princess, and I am at a loss as to how best to advise him. Please contact me and advise whether she should be returned to Europe or if the are any other contacts who can offer her safe passage.

Most Sincerely,
Jens Ulbricht Mogenssen

September 3, 1919

My Dearest Sir,

I received word from Mr. Epstein that he traveled to the estate in the Wachusett Forest where Katerina Georgievna had been in seclusion, but was unable to locate her. It is not clear if whether she left on her own or if she has been taken by Bolshevists, given the circumstances of Captain Wilmar’s recent death. The housekeeper has taken up a new position and has sent Mr. Epstein a telegram believing that the Princess is still on the grounds, and waiting for word from her family.

In any event, our agency has concluded it arrangements with the White Russian Legation and Mr. Epstein is no longer in our employ. Please be informed that our New York office has initiated legal action against Mr. A. Arthur Richardson on several counts, and we offer you our counsel should you desire to co-litigate.

Most Sincerely,

Jens Ulbricht Mogenssen

How can we see without eyes?

hear without ears?

feel without fingers or a heart?

How can we remember when there is nothing left–

When history itself has forgotten,

is the soul left blind and deaf,

alone in the dark?

For those who come after,

who see a sun in a different part of sky,

who experience what we could scarcely imagine,

we are of different realms, separated by a gulf of years.

And yet…