Działalność „Komitetu Opieki” na rzecz polskich zesłańców politycznych i ich rodzin w pierwszej połowie XIX wieku

Among many charitable initiatives undertaken in Podolia in the period between the national uprisings that were to benefit the Polish political exiles and their families was the informal “Care Committee”, also known as “Charity Work” or “Siberia Campaign”, organised by Róża Sobańska, Ksawera Grocholska, Eliza Brzozowska, Tekla Bołsunowska and Zygmunt Szczęsny Feliński. It is an important example of a well-organised charity project that operated over a very long period of time and positively affected not only the Polish exiles in Siberia but also many who stayed in the country and were persecuted for their patriotic attitude. The aim of this article is to offer a new perspective on said organisation, expanding on the previous historiographic research in order to highlight the scope and impact of this charitable undertaking amongst the Polish community on the both sides of the Ural Mountains in the period between the national uprisings.