User blog:Jeremiah Garland/A Letter to the Austrian Empress

22 JULY, 1749 in the Year of Our Lord

SUMMER PALACE, TSARKOYE SELO

20 MILES SOUTH OF ST PETERSBURG

To Her Imperial Majesty, The Holy Roman Empress, Archduchess of Austria, Queen of Hungary and Bohemia,

''          It is with high spirits that I write to you from my palace desk near Petersburg! I realise the present hardships and strife facing your marvellous empire – and Europe as a whole – and it is for that reason that I wish you the best of luck in your current conflict. Let us pray for a hasty and painless end to this war with the Sardinian state. To this end, Russia fully endorses the Habsburg allies, and, after consulting with my prime minister, I am honoured to inform you that we will be sending provisions and ammunition to your borders, as means to aid your cause.''

''However, the foremost purpose of this letter is to cement between our two great kingdoms an alliance; already Russia and Austria enjoy a healthy relationship, but it is my desire that we make the friendship between our nations known. Thus, I propose several measures, namely the exchange of embassies between Vienna and St Petersburg; the establishment and initiation of trade between the Russian and Austrian crownlands; and lastly, the foundation of a strong military and diplomatic pact between our kingdoms. Should you agree with these terms, we will help propel Europe one more step towards a bright and prosperous future of peace and stability. I strongly urge you to consider, and anxiously await your reply!''

With kind gratitude,

Vladimir Petrovich, Emperor of Russia

(This letter has been translated to English from its original French)