Loudon free press. (Loudon, Tenn.) 1852-1855, 1854-01-17
THE WILL OF PETER THE GREAT.

| Great Emperor of Russia. That monarch
bodily asserted that twas recorded among the
DEGREES of Presidehce thatthe Russian people
were to be called to the supremacy of all Eu-
rope at least, if not the whole world. He reach
FED this conclusion by adopting the theory that
most of the nations of Europe had, already, in
this day, reached an old age, bordering decrep-
titude, and were rapidly going the down hill
road. Heregarded the death of nations as GER
tain as that of the individuals of whom they
were composed, and that youthful and energet-
ic governments were sure tospring up from de-
cayed nations as a young and more intelligent
| generation succeed an older one. History
proves that it is an easy matter to conquer old
and decriped nations Holding these views,
he was not willing to die without leaving a lega-
cy behind which was intended to be guide to
his successors in carrying out his decree Of Pro
vince, which in in his judgement was to make
Russia the sole power in Europe. This legacy,
! in the shape of will was never intended for
| the eye of other nations; but, French gentle
men, on a government mission to Russia, who
so initiated himself in the good graces Of the
! Empress Elizabeth, that he vas permitted to
make copy of it. Thus it was that this re-
markable document came to French in the
time of Louis XIV, in 1851. The stupendous
| scheme of the Russian monarch astounded Eu-
rope though it was generally believed that it
was absurd and improbable. The French
Minister who Transcribed the WILL few years nn
nft-- =, 155oJ SuuS wroIe III leaulnS french
journal, in reference to his having informed hrs
government of this Will:
"My communication was treated as of slight
importance by the Ministry of Versailles; they
considered the plan impracticable, and the
views chimerical. In vain from my bed of pain
| (dEon had broken his return from Russia, did
transcribe it, explanatory memoranda, and send
special memorials to the King, to the Marquis
dell' Hopital, who was just appointed Ambassa-
dor to St. Petersburg and lastly, to Mr.. de
Broglie, Ambassador to Poland, to Prove to
them thatthe secretintention ofthe Court of Rus
STA, was at the impending death of Augustus III,
to fill Poland with her troops, to make herself
the arbitress of the election of the future King,
and to possess herself of portion of her terri
tory, in accordance with the plan of Peter the
Great; all my disclosures were considered I'M
worthy of serious attention, doubtless because
they came from so young man, but in l77S
they found the dreadful result of the prejudice
they had against so young an informant"
The fufllment of the decress of Providence
is often of slow growth, though Russia at this
day is f1ly impressed with the belief that the de-
cree alluded to by her former monarch, is GER
tain of being matured. He said he found Rus
STA q small brook, and left her a noble river,
and if his successors were wise they would fer
tilize decayed Europe with his waves like the
Nile which at certain seasons of the year rem
ders Egypt so fruitful and gives new life and
strength to the exhausted soil. The Jews have
no more confidence in the command of Moses
to observe the tablets of the laws, than the Rus
slams have in this command of Peter the Great.
AS Rome was regenerated by the incursons Of
barbarians, the Russians except to do the some
thing for the whole of Europe. We annex the
remarkable testament Of the first Emperor of
Russia:
In the name of the holy and indivisibe Trini-
ty we Peter, Emperor or Autocrat, of all the
Russians &c. to all our decendents and success
ors in the throne and government Of the Rus
sian nation.
Almighty God, of whom we hold our life and
our crown, having constantly enlightened us
with his wisdom, and sustained us by his Nigh:
ty arm, &C., we loo
cesSors::|-he Keep the nation in constant state
UI warllke readiness, and the soldier prepared
for battle, and in full activity; not to allow him
to repose unless for recruiting of the finances of
the State; continually to renew the constitution
of the army and to choose the most opportune
moments for aggression, thus to make peace
serve the end of war, and war promote the SUBJ
jects of peace in The interest of the aggrandise-
ments and growing prosperity of Russia.
Ito gather together, by every possible
means, skillful generals during the war, and
earned men during peace, from the several
most intelligent nations of Europe, that the
Russian nation may profit by the advance of
other counties, without losing any of her own
home supplies.
III.-To mix themselves on all occasions in
the negotiations and disagreements of the peo-
pie of Europe, and above all in those of Ger
many, which from its geographical position,
interests her more Immediately.
IV.-To SOW division in Poland, by contin- !
ual fomenting jealousies and disturbances; to
buy over the powerful with gold; to influence |
so as to hold the control in the election of their
kings; to obtain the nomination of partisans, to
support them, and whenever possible, to take |
the opportunity of marching Russian troops in
to that kingdom and to remain there until the |
time shall come for permanent occupation. If |
the neighboring Powers oppose difficulties,
soothe them for time by apportioning them
shares in the county, in such manner that the
gift may be revoked.
l.-Io take the most you can from Sweden,
and cause her to attack you, which will give the
pretext for subjugating her. 1t will serve this
view to insolate her from Denmark and, Den
mark from Sweden, or to foster carefully their
rivalry.
VL-Always to take the wives for the Rus
sian princes from among the German princess
es so as to multiply alliances to draw the bonds
of interest closer, and even to join Germany in
cause, by the Continual extension of our inhu-
enees.
VH.-To cultivate, in preference to all other
,he alliance of England in commercial matters,
rs that is the power which has the most need Of
is for the extension of its maratime interest,
md which can be of most use to US in develop
ng our marine. We should exchange our
timber and other products for her gold, and es.
ablish with her merchants, her seamen and
our own, the most intimate communications
which the people of that country will form for
he purposes of navigation and commerce.
VIII--Never to relax in the extension of
your territory nothward, on the shores of the
Baltic, and southwark on those of the Baltic
Sea.
IX.-Encroach as far as possible in the di.
'ection of Constartinople and the Indies He
who reigns there will be the true ruler of the
world. To work this out raise wars continually
at one time against Turkey, at another
against Persia; make dock yards on the Black
Sea; by degrees make your, Baltic; this double
project is necessary for fnal success hasten the
lecay of Persia; and penetrate to the Persian
5ulf; establish, if possible, via Syria, the an
,ient commerce of the East, and push on to the
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