Robert Nisbet Bain

“ Osterman stood at the height of his power, and the French ambassador, La Chetardie, reported to his court that “it is not too much to say that he is tsar of all Russia.” Osterman's foreign policy was based upon the Austrian alliance. He had, therefore, guaranteed the Pragmatic Sanction with the deliberate intention of defending it. Hence the determination of France to remove him at any cost. Russia, as the natural ally of Austria, was very obnoxious to France ”

“ Osterman, together with General Bruce, represented Russia at the Åland peace congress of 1718. Shrewdly guessing that Sweden was at exhaustion point, and that Görtz, the Swedish plenipotentiary, was acting ultra vires, he advised Peter to put additional pressure on Sweden to force a peace. In 1721 Osterman concluded the peace of Nystad with Sweden, and was created a baron for his services. In 1723 he was made vice-president of the ministry of foreign affairs for bringing about a very advantageous commercial treaty with Persia. ”

“ Peter also constantly consulted him in domestic affairs, and he introduced many administrative novelties, e.g. “the table of degrees,” and the reconstruction of the College of Foreign Affairs on more modern lines. ”