Alexander Danilovich Schumacher's memoirs as the source on the stories of the ministry of affairs of the Russian Empire 1840 - beginnings of the 1860th years
One of the critical periods in the history of domestic statehood is the period of the 40-60th years of the XIX century when there was a process of preparation and carrying out Great reforms of Alexander II. At the same time, it is necessary to admit the fact that a role and value of the Ministry of Internal Affairs as one of the central public authorities in the conditions of preparation and carrying out reforms didn't become subject to independent scientific research yet. One of the reasons of such situation is the lack of source study researches. The solution of this problem is thought by the source study analysis of one of little-known epistolary sources - Memoirs of the vice-director of Economic department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of this era A. D. Schumacher which reflect process of functioning of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in one of critical stages of domestic statehood. Article is also devoted to the source study analysis of this document.