Nargum, Persian envoy to Muscovy, to Usbek in Paris

Of all the nations on earth, my dear Usbek, there is none that has surpassed that of the Tartars, either in glory or in the grandeur of its conquests. [1] That people is the true dominator of the universe ; all the others seem to be made to serve it. It is equally the founder and destroyer of empires ; at all times it has given to the earth signs of its power ; in all ages it has been the scourge of nations.

The Tartars have twice conquered China, [2] and they still hold it under their obeisance.

They hold sway over the vast countries that make up the empire of the Mogul.

Masters of Persia, they are seated on the throne of Cyrus and of Gustaspes. [3] They have subjected Muscovy. Under the name of Turks they have made immense conquests in Europe, Asia and Africa, and they hold sway over these three parts of the earth.

And to speak of more distant times, it is from them that have come almost all the peoples who overthrew the Roman empire. [4]

What are the conquests of Alexander, in comparison to those of Genghis Kahn ?

The only thing this victorious nation has lacked is historians to celebrate the memory of its wonders.

How many immortal acts have been buried in oblivion ! How many empires which they founded, whose origins we do not know ? This bellicose nation, focused solely on its present glory, sure of conquering in all eras, had no thought for standing out in the future by the memory of past conquests.

Moscow this 4^th day of the moon of Rebiab I, 1715