Most Highly Esteemed Sir, .
I write to you with an update on the current situation in Petrograd. Last November, the Bolsheviks led a massive revolution against Kerensky's provisional government. From my office, I witnessed the Red Guards forcibly seizing control of all the government buildings, communication lines and railway stations. For two days, gunshots penetrated the air and attacks were launched against government officials, prompting Kerensky to flee in panic. Now, they have full control of the city and have established a new Communist government under Lenin. .
It is astounding how a second revolution could ever take hold; ever since the monarchy was overthrown, we all reckoned the people would be content with a new democracy. But lately, there had been major opposition to the Government's policies. For starters, people were appalled at how Kerensky kept Russia in the war, continuing to support our country in the hopes of establishing greater freedom and democracy. Their soldiers were ill-equipped, starving and lacked the necessary skills to win, causing them to suffer major defeats. Furthermore, the support from the wealthy landowners prevented the peasants from obtaining the land that they were so rightfully promised. When Lenin came back from exile, he made a promise to the people that he would one day overthrow the government and give them peace, bread and land. The idea gained momentum and soon enough, the Bolsheviks were the dominant force in the Petrograd Soviet. They had the full support of the workers and peasants by September and at that point, we all knew a successful revolution was inevitable.
In his first months as leader, Lenin made a call to end the war and announced that the 540 million acres of the land was to be handed over to the Russian people. This met with joy and delight from the people and I was told that the Bolsheviks won over 80% of the population's support.