, 1843-06-10
From the Paris Steele.
The VIII OF Peter tEae Great.

will be read with lively interest. 1t
is the will Of Peter the Great, rs was
sent TO Louis XIV, by the French
ambassador at St. Petersburg. IN
which is found the political idea
which has ever since presided over
the policy Of the ~sovcreigns Of Rus
sin:
'.In the name of tie Most Holy
and Indivisible Trinity. we, Peter J.,
to all our descendants and SUCCESSORS
TO the throne AMI government Of the
Russian nation: The great God, from
whom we hold our existence and our
throne, having opened u eyes and
upheld U steps, permits me to con-
slider the Russian people as tore,or-
dained to the general domination of
Europe. found this thought upon
the fact that European nations have
reached, for the most part, 4 state Of
old age, approaching decay, or they
are making rapid strides towards it;
it follows, therefore, that they must
be easily and individually conquered
by a people voung and fresh. when
this latter shall have obtained It's fall
age and strength. look upon the
invasion of the countries of the Fast
and West by the North, rs periodical
movements, determined by the de-
signs of Providence, who thus rccenc-
rated the Roman people by the inva-
sion of barbarians. Tie e~migraats
Of the Polar races are like the flow Of
the Nile, which, at certain periods.
are sen TO f~erlllize the impoveri-hed
land of Egypt. | found Russia q
stream, leave it a rirer; my success
sors will make it q large sea, destined
to fertilize Impoverished Europe; and
its waves will flow over. in spite OF
the dikes opposed by weak hands, II
my descendants know how to direct
its course. 1t is on that account
leave them the following directions,
which ! recommend to their attention
and constant observation.
81. Keep the Russian nation al
ways in 4 position for war, that the
soldier may be always Injured and in
breath; leave him 10 repose but for
the aneiioration of the finances Of
the Stale; remodel the army; choose
favorable moments for an attack. Ia
this way, make peace subservient 10
war, and war TO peace, in the interest
and aggrandizemcnt Of the Increasing
prosperity Of Russia.
so. Attract, by all possible means.
from among the learned people Of
Europe, captains during war. and the
learned during peace, thatlhe Russian
nation may profit by the advantages
Of other countries without losing any
Of her own.
80. On every occasion, take a part
in the affairs and debates of Europe.
and especially in those Of Germany.
which, being nearer, more directly in.
tereSts.
81. Divide Poland, by keeping up
continued trouble and jealousy: gain
over by gold other powers; influence
diets; corrupt them. in order 10 have
a decision in the choice Of kings; cause
partisans TO be named; protect Them;
introduce Muscovite troops, and seize
the occasion to render them s%tationa-
ry there. If neighboring powers Of
fer difficulties, appease them mo-
mentariIy by parcelIins out the coun-
try, until an opportunity offers Of re-
taking what was given.
IS. Take as much as possible from
Sweden, and study the means of
drawing on her attacks, in order to
have 4 pretext for subjugatin. her
To obtain this, separate her from
Denmark, and carefully, for their riv-'
airy.
sc. Always take wives for Russian
princes from among the p~rincesses Of
in order TO multiply family
alliances; bring interests nearer, and
unite Germany itself TO cause by
increasing our influences there. |