Three years ago, we set out to publish the entire Demosthenes in a Russian translation, providing the translation with notes and sending him a preface, which would offer a feasible assessment of the greatest orator of the famous ancient Greek republic. But fate wanted to dispose differently: at the end of the year before last, I fell ill with a serious illness that forced me to reduce my office work to a minimum and almost completely suspend the translation of Demosthenes and its printing. When my strength returns to me, I, of course, will try to complete the translation that has begun, if the patience of a respected publisher is not exhausted yet, but for now I have decided with his consent to publish what I have done in the form of the first issue of Demosthenes' speeches.