Editing Alexander Bezborodko (section)

==Grand Chancellor of the Russian Empire==
But diplomacy by no means exhausted Bezborodko's capacity for work. He had a large share in the internal administration also. He reformed the [[post-office]], improved the banking system of Russia, regulated the finances, constructed roads, and united the Uniate and [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Orthodox church]]es. On the death of Catherine, Emperor Paul entrusted Bezborodko with the examination of the late empress's private papers, and shortly afterwards made him a prince of the Russian Empire, with a correspondingly splendid apanage. On the retirement of Osterman he received the highest dignity in the [[Russian Empire]] – that of imperial chancellor.<ref name="EB1911"/>

Bezborodko was the only Russian minister who retained the favor of Paul to the last. During the last two years of his life, control of Russia's diplomacy was entirely in his hands. His programme at this period was peace with all the European powers, [[revolutionary France]] included. But the emperor's growing aversion to this pacific policy induced the astute old minister to attempt to "seek safety in moral and physical repose." Paul, however, refused to accept his resignation and would have sent him abroad for the benefit of his health, had not a sudden stroke of paralysis prevented Bezborodko from taking advantage of his master's kindness. 

He died in Saint Petersburg on 6 April 1799.<ref name="EB1911"/>