Chapter XII (1)

1811.

Buonaparte declares he will conquer a "Maritime
Peace."--Illness of George III.--Prince of Wales Regent.--Sir
James obtains leave of absence.--The Victory sent to Lisbon
with troops.--Attack on Anholt.--Gallant defence of the
garrison.--Sir James continues in the Baltic at the request of
ministers.--Letters respecting Anholt.--Letters from the Duke
of Brunswick and answers thereto.--Arrival in Sweden of Sir
James.--Letters to Mr. Yorke and Admiral
Reynolds.--Negotiations on the sequestration of English ships
at Carlscrona.--Conference with Baron Tawast.--Written document
from the Baron unsatisfactory.--Letter from the Admiralty.--Sir
James remonstrates with the Swedish Government.--Evasive
answer.--Further correspondence.--Value of sequestered
property.--Capture of two Danish privateers.--Gallant conduct
of Lieut. St. Clair and Mr. Purcell.--Determination of Russia
not to accede to the terms of France.--The Crown Prince places
implicit confidence in Sir James.--Arrival of Mr. Thornton.--He
is smuggled into the city of Gothenburg.--Amicable confirmation
of the Ghent treaty.--Situation of the fleet.--Sir James's
letter.--Disaster of the St. George and convoy.--Admiral
Reynolds's letter.--Arrival of St. George at Wingo.--Sailing of
the fleet.--St. George and Hero's convoy put back.--Sail
again.--Melancholy wrecks of the St. George and
Defence.--Captain Pater's narrative.--Remarks.--Loss of the
Hero and convoy.--Proceedings of the Victory.--Remarks on
crossing the North Sea.--Sir James arrives at Spithead.

The beginning of the year 1811 was remarkable, as being the period at which the tyrant of France had arrived at the summit of his career. He had seized upon Hamburg and every other place on the Continent, whence a seaman could be procured, and had declared that with one hundred and fifty sail of the line he would humble the navy of England and conquer a "Maritime Peace." The disasters of 1810, that ended with the loss of his Majesty's ship Minotaur, and a large convoy on the Haake Sands, and the illness of his Majesty George the Third, which terminated only with the life of that excellent Monarch, threw a damp on the spirits of the nation, and caused a suspension of all Royal functions until the appointment of the Regency, on which his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales took the reins of government at one of the most eventful periods that ever occurred in the history of the empire.

Sir James, immediately after his communications with the Admiralty and the Ministers, applied for and obtained leave of absence. His ship, the Victory, with seven sail of the line under Sir Joseph Yorke, was employed in transporting troops to Lisbon, which was surrounded by Massena's army; but she returned in time to receive Sir James's flag, which was hoisted on the 2nd of April.

The island of Anholt, which had been garrisoned by seamen and marines under the command of Captain James W. Maurice, of the Royal Navy, was attacked on the 23rd of March by a body of Danish troops, amounting to 1600 men; but they were so well received by the Governor and his brave crew (for the island was on the establishment of a vessel of war) that they were forced to capitulate, with the loss of their leader Major Melstedt, two officers, and 500 of their people in killed, wounded, and prisoners; while Capt. Baker, of the Tartar, and Captain J.P. Stewart, of the Sheldrake, chased and took several of their gun-boats employed on that expedition.

Sir James had finished his three years in the Baltic, the time generally prescribed for an Admiral commanding-in-chief to remain on one station, and it was now his turn to have a command in the Mediterranean, which was considered more lucrative; but his conduct during his command in the Baltic had so completely gained the confidence and good-will of the Swedes, and it had now become of such importance to keep them, with such a general as Bernadotte at their head, on good terms, that he was requested to continue on that most important command, as the only chance of accomplishing the desirable object of a Northern coalition. Nothing could be more delicate or more difficult than the situation in which Sir James was now placed, for while it required firmness to uphold the dignity of the empire which he represented, as the only diplomatic functionary as well as commander-in-chief in the North, tact, wisdom, and forbearance were equally indispensable. These qualities Sir James possessed in a superlative degree, and the Author, who from his knowledge of the Swedish language was employed confidentially on all the communications which subsequently took place, can testify that it is to the wise policy of the Admiral that the nation owes the success of these negociations. It is the opinion of Swedish and Russian diplomatists that had Sir James not been employed, the Northern Coalition, which was so fatal to the ambitious views of Buonaparte, never would have taken place; and for such a service no reward which it was in the power of Government to bestow on him would have been too great. There can be no doubt, had the lamented Perceval not met with an untimely end by the hand of an assassin, that he would at the close of 1812 have been rewarded by the Peerage which was so long unaccountably withheld.

Sir James was still in London when he received the statement of the discomfiture of the Danish attack on Anholt, a particular account of which may be seen in James's Naval History.

The following letters on this gallant affair, which have not yet been published, will be perused with interest.

London, 10th April 1811.

MY DEAR SIR,

I most heartily congratulate you on the brilliant success of
the brave garrison under your command in having repulsed an
attack of the enemy's select troops, consisting of as many
thousands as the whole band opposed to them amounted to
hundreds, and by the gallantry and intrepid conduct of your
valiant heroes, succeeded in taking a greater number of
prisoners than your whole collected force. Mr. Yorke having
signified to me that he should write to you, I can only assure
you that this gallant affair is the theme of every one's
praise, and has excited the admiration of all, and I have no
doubt but your services upon this occasion will be duly
appreciated by the Admiralty. I have great pleasure in adding
that Lieutenant Baker is made a commander, and that Captain
Torrens and Lieut. Fisher are recommended to his Royal Highness
the Prince Regent for Brevet rank.

I have, &c. with high regard,
JAMES SAUMAREZ.

Captain Maurice, Governor of Anholt.

In Captain Maurice's letter the Danish force was estimated at 4,000 men, but it does not appear that their numbers exceeded 3,000, including the crews of the gun-vessels. Sixteen hundred men only were landed, and the defence which these made was highly creditable to them. It has therefore been justly said, that "if the British gained honour by their victory, the Danes lost none by their defeat." The unexpected arrival of the Tartar frigate and Sheldrake sloop turned the scale; the Danish gun-boats being unable to cope with that naval force, abandoned the brave troops they had landed as soon as the frigate and sloop were discovered. Before the fleet left England, Sir James received the following letter from his Serene Highness the Duke of Brunswick:

Great George Street, London, 6th April 1811.

SIR,

I take the liberty to recommend to your kindness Major
Nordenfeldt, who is gone to Germany on private affairs of my
family. I imagine that the difficulties he has met with in
returning to England are the cause of his having been more than
six months absent. If circumstances should allow him to pass
from Colberg to this country, I request your interference on
his behalf, and that you would have the goodness to communicate
to him the inclosed order of Government[12] for landing either
at Portsmouth or Yarmouth.

I am, &c.
William, Duke of Brunswick.

To Vice-admiral Sir James Saumarez.

[12] The order alluded to was from the Treasury to the Customs,
desiring the officers to transmit the effects of the Duchess of
Brunswick to London under the office seal.

To this letter Sir James wrote the following answer:

St. James's Place, London, 6th April 1811.

SIR,

I have received the honour of your Serene Highness's letter
respecting Major Nordenfeldts, and inclosing one from Mr.
Harrison of the Treasury, which I shall have great pleasure in
delivering to Major Nordenfeldts, should I meet with him on his
way from Colberg, and I shall also use my endeavours to
facilitate his means of returning to England.

I have the honour to be,
With the highest respect, &c.
JAMES SAUMAREZ.

To his Serene Highness the Duke of Brunswick.

The deposed King of Sweden, after having spent the winter in England, was embarked on board the Horatio to return to the Continent, but choosing to remain longer than necessary on board that ship, Sir James wrote instructions how to act respecting him; but he had fortunately disembarked before Sir James's arrival in the Baltic. He sailed from the Downs on the 28th of April and arrived at Gothenburg on the 2nd of May 1811, where he was received joyfully by the Swedes, although they could not publicly give vent to their feelings.

On Sir James's arrival he wrote the following letter to the Admiralty:

Victory, in Wingo Sound, 3rd May 1811.

I have the honour to acquaint you with my arrival here
yesterday morning, after a short passage of only four days from
the Downs. Admiral Reynolds arrived here with the detachment
from Hosley Bay ten days before, and Admiral Dixon yesterday
evening. The weather proving unfavourable, I have received no
communication from Gothenburg, except by a letter from Mr.
Consul Smith, informing me that, on his having signified my
arrival to the Governor, he immediately despatched a courier to
Stockholm, agreeably to orders he had received from thence, and
that when the courier reached Stockholm, it would determine the
commander-in-chief Count Essen's journey to Gothenburg, which
had been postponed until the account of my arrival was
received.

The Consul adds, that everything was very tranquil hitherto,
and that I should see him soon on board the Victory. I
received letters from Mr. Fenwick informing me that the Danes
were fitting out more than double the number of privateers and
armed vessels than they did last year, intending, if possible,
to obstruct the passage of the convoys through the Belt. This
is a service that I fear will be attended with much hazard and
difficulty, if the trade is carried on to any considerable
extent.

The island of Anholt is threatened with a second attack, and
will require stationary force for its protection.

I am, &c.
JAMES SAUMAREZ.

To the Right Hon. C. Yorke, &c. &c. &c.

On the 4th of May Sir James received the alarming intelligence that the cargoes of both goods and colonial produce at Carlshamn, were ordered by the Governor of Carlscrona to be discharged and conveyed up the country. Admiral Puke had also ordered three of the largest merchant ships to be fitted as block ships for the additional defence of Carlshamn, which was considered as a bad omen.

No one, excepting Sir James, doubted that this was an act of hostility, and that a retaliation on our part would speedily take place. The Admiral, however, judged that it was only to keep quiet the French agents. He accordingly forbore to proceed to hostilities, and wrote the following letter to Mr. Yorke:

Victory, Wingo Sound, 11th May 1811.

SIR,

I received two days ago the enclosed from Mr. Fenwick,
informing me of the unloading of the cargoes on board the
neutral vessels at Carlshamn, and that the British goods and
colonial produce had been conveyed up the country. Although Mr.
Fenwick appears under very considerable alarm at the
circumstance, I do not believe it to have been with any hostile
views against our commerce, although it certainly requires
explanation, and I have written to Mr. Smith upon the subject.

I expected to have received some communication from Stockholm,
in consequence of the courier which was despatched upon my
arrival; but nothing has as yet reached me. This is rather a
dubious crisis, and I trust soon to be better informed of the
sentiments of the Swedish Government towards us; at the same
time, I have no reason to believe they are more hostile than
last year.

I have the honour to be, &c.
Jas. Saumarez.

To the Right Hon. C. Yorke, &c. &c. &c.

At the same time Sir James wrote the following letter to Rear-admiral Reynolds, who had been ordered to Hano, the place of rendezvous, which is only six leagues from Carlshamn.

Victory, in Wingo Sound, 11th May 1811.

MY DEAR REYNOLDS,

This will be delivered to you by Mr. Wilkinson, the gentleman I
mentioned to you on leaving the Victory: he proposes
establishing himself upon Hano Island for the furtherance of
commercial arrangements, and as he is well known as a person of
respectability, I beg leave to introduce him to your friendly
offices.

I have not been able as yet to obtain any explanation of the
extraordinary circumstance that has taken place at Carlshamn,
and I am as yet uninformed whether it has been a business of
the merchants only, or by direction of the Government. As soon
as I can receive any information, I shall write to you by a
courier; in the mean time, we cannot act with too great
moderation in the present state of affairs.

Believe me,
With the highest regard, &c. &c. &c.
JAMES SAUMAREZ.

To Rear-admiral Reynolds, &c. &c. &c.

Meanwhile Sir James, instead of making any hostile demonstration, most readily complied with the request of Count Rosen, the Governor of Gothenburg, to grant him a licence for a vessel to sail to Lubeck for medicine and drugs for the use of Sweden, and enclosed him passports for Baron Stedinck for the purpose of allowing two vessels to proceed to St. Petersburg, to convey his excellency from thence to Stockholm. He concludes his letter thus: "I take this opportunity to express the satisfaction it affords me to have it in my power to comply with your wishes," &c. (14th May) making no mention of the affair at Carlshamn.

On the 17th Mr. Smith came on board the Victory, being desired by Count Rosen to inquire whether, in the event of differences between Sweden and Norway, the hostile measures of Sweden would be opposed by Sir James, to which he replied that he was not authorised to make any opposition to such an attack, but that he did not consider himself justified in supporting it without having instructions from Government; at the same time Sir James received information by an officer who had been some time a prisoner at Christian Sand, representing that place as open to an attack in order to capture the merchant vessels therein, as well as the flotilla.

It was evident that the Swedes were very intent on the possession of Norway, either by negotiation or otherwise; but it was questionable whether such an addition would be advisable. Sir James was of opinion that if Norway could be rendered independent of Denmark or of any other country, it was not improbable that the inhabitants of that country would accede to proposals to that effect, if assured of the support of our Government and the advantage of our trade to them. Sir James both personally and by letter, previously to his coming on board, had expressed to Mr. Smith that the sequestration of the British property at Carlshamn had been by no means satisfactorily explained, and requested that an account of this apparently unjustifiable measure should be speedily given, assuring them that nothing short of the full restitution of the property would be accepted, and requiring that his strongest remonstrances should be transmitted to Stockholm without delay. The consequence was the appearance of the Baron Tawast, who came with a flag of truce ostensibly to treat for the exchange of prisoners, but virtually to explain the affair of Carlshamn. The usual articles for the cartel were exchanged, ratified, and published, and need not be inserted here; but the true mission of the Swedish general will be best understood from the following letter, which Sir James wrote immediately after the conference.

Victory, in Wingo Sound, 23rd May 1811.

SIR,

I request you will please to inform the Lords Commissioners of
the Admiralty that Major-General Baron Tawast,
commander-in-chief of the Swedish forces at Gothenburg and the
coast adjacent, in the absence of his excellency Count Essen,
having yesterday come on board his Majesty's ship Victory,
under a flag of truce, for the purpose of entering into an
arrangement with me for the exchange of prisoners, and other
points connected with the present state of affairs between our
respective nations, informed me, that he was instructed to
communicate to me, in the most confidential manner, that it was
the earnest wish of the Swedish Government to keep up the most
amicable terms with Great Britain; and that it was not
intended, under any circumstances, to commit any acts of
hostility whatever; that the supplies of water and fresh
provisions for the use of the squadron should be facilitated
both at Hano Bay and Gothenburg, for which purpose picquets
should be withdrawn from the points the most convenient for
these articles to be received; that the correspondence, both by
post or by courier, should be continued unmolested; and that,
in the event of any British subjects being made prisoners on
any part of the coast, they would be immediately liberated, for
which purpose the cartel intended to be ratified had been
proposed. That the appearance of any hostile measure was only
intended for demonstration, and in order to elude the
vigilance of French spies, who might be dispersed in the
country.

With respect to the late transaction at Carlshamn in landing
the cargoes from the Russian or Danish vessels, it was in
retaliation for the Swedish property sequestered last year in
the ports of those nations, but that the measure was not
intended to operate against merchandise belonging to British
merchants under any other flag, the whole of which would be
secured, and the underwriters, _secretement_, indemnified for
the value of the cargoes that were insured in England.

I strongly represented to Baron Tawast that the merchandise and
colonial produce on board the Russian vessels were positively
the property of British merchants trading to the Baltic, under
licences from one of his Majesty's principal Secretaries of
State, and which had been left in one of the ports of Sweden
upon the strength of the declaration made to me in the month of
November last year, that the property of British merchants
would be secured to them, notwithstanding the imperious
necessity which Sweden had been under of declaring war against
England; and that his Majesty's Government would doubtless
expect the same to be restored; or that the merchants would be
indemnified for the full value of the cargoes landed from the
vessels under the Prussian flag; and I requested him to put in
writing what were the real intentions of the Swedish Government
upon that subject; but this he positively declined, nor would
he allow Mr. Consul Smith, who was present when this discussion
took place, to insert any part of it in writing. I signified to
Baron Tawast, for the information of the Swedish Government,
that it was far from my intention to commit any act of
hostility against Sweden, and that I was confident it was the
wish of my Government to keep upon an amicable footing as long
as circumstances would possibly admit; that I received
instructions to allow the coasting trade of Sweden to pass
unmolested, and that I had reason to hope it might be extended
to the ports in Swedish Pomerania, on which the Baron laid so
great a stress, but that I was very apprehensive that the late
measures adopted against the British property at Carlshamn, and
the want of more satisfactory explanations than he appeared
instructed to make to me upon that subject, could not fail
being very ill received by my Government.

Baron Tawast was particularly solicitous that the communication
which he made to me should be considered in the strictest
confidence, and expressed his hopes that the whole of the
conference would be kept a profound secret, which I assured him
I should take particular care to signify in the statement I
transmitted for the information of Government.

I have, &c. &c. &c.
Jas. Saumarez.

To J.W. Croker, Esq. &c. &c. &c.

On the 24th May, the Author being sent confidentially by the Admiral to insist on some written document to explain the views of the Swedish Government in the sequestration of British property at Carlshamn, he obtained a promise, in presence of Mr. Smith, that the demand should be complied with after the arrival of the Stockholm post that evening; and accordingly on the following day the Baron Tawast transmitted what he termed the substance of his verbal communication with Admiral Saumarez.

1. That the ships under Prussian colours loaded with colonial
produce were detained as reprisals for Swedish ships detained
and confiscated in Prussian ports.

2. That the same step has been taken with the Danish ships, in
consequence of their having captured vessels belonging to
Sweden.

3. That Sweden has been forced by imperious demands to
confiscate all colonial produce found at Carlshamn under
whatever flag, that the cargoes are put into safe stores, and
that the ships are permitted to depart paying nothing, and that
these steps are taken to avoid great inconvenience and to hope
for better times.

4. We engage to indemnify all merchandise insured in England,
therefore, only those merchants who have neglected to insure
will lose.

5. Colonial produce belonging to Swedish subjects will not be
seized or confiscated.

6. Ships having made false declarations, and found loaded with
warlike stores, will be confiscated, as also in time of peace.

7. It is engaged to give every possible facility for watering
and supplying the English fleet with provisions: the same shall
be given to Admiral Reynolds at Hano.

The above explanations stating the substance of the conference, according to Baron Tawast, being by no means satisfactory to Sir James, and indeed at variance with what he had inferred from it, he wrote the following letter to Mr. Smith:

Victory, in Wingo Sound, 25th May 1811.

SIR,

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of this date,
enclosing Baron Tawast's explanations of the late transactions
at Carlshamn. With regard to the first article, it does not
appear that any indemnification is held out for the property
landed from the vessels under the Prussian flag at Carlshamn,
which is represented as an act of retaliation for similar
cargoes, belonging to Sweden, having been confiscated in the
Prussian ports. Neither does the 4th article hold out any
indemnification but to such property as may have been insured
in England, it stating that the loss would fall only upon those
merchants who have neglected to insure their cargoes. I request
you will be pleased to report to Baron Tawast, what I had
before the honour of stating to him, that Government will
naturally expect that the British merchants will be indemnified
for whatever property belongs to them which has been landed
from vessels in Sweden, trading under licences from one of his
Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, at the same time
informing him that I shall transmit by the earliest opportunity
to Government, under strict secrecy, a copy of the document you
enclosed to me, and you will also be pleased to express to him
my acknowledgments for the facility with which the supplies are
proposed to be conveyed to the squadron at this anchorage and
in Hano Bay.

I have, &c. &c. &c.
JAMES SAUMAREZ.

To J. Smith, Esq. Gothenburg.

Sir James at the same time enclosed the document to the Secretary of the Admiralty, as a confidential communication to the Board. He also wrote a private letter to Mr. Yorke, which we prefer inserting, as it gives a more full and explicit detail of all the circumstances of the transaction, and because it is an answer to the following letter from him which precedes it, and which was received by Sir James at that moment.

Admiralty, 21st May 1811.

SIR,

I had the honour to receive your letters of the 3rd, 4th, and
11th inst. and am glad to hear that the first divisions of your
squadron made so favourable a passage to their rendezvous in
Wingo Sound. The four ships with Linzee, which have been ready
for some days, have been detained by the strong easterly winds;
and though they sailed from St. Helen's the day before
yesterday, I should not wonder to hear that they have put back
again. Impetueux is getting forward, and we shall send her to
you as soon as we can spare her from the reserve. Fisguard
ought to be ready, but is to call at Deal for M. de Begenhas,
Minister from Portugal to Russia, whom you will have the
goodness to land as well as you can at Gothenburg, that he may
find his own way forward.

I think we ought not to listen for a moment to any Swedish
projects on Norway; my own opinion is that Bernadotte is
playing us false, and at any rate I, for one, should dread to
see a consolidation of the Swedish and Norwegian power, such as
it is, in his, or indeed in any hand.

Since the arrival of the accounts of the landing the cargoes at
Carlshamn, and the accompanying measures, considerable distrust
appears to prevail here about alternate views of the Swedish
Government. A little more time will develop their plans in all
probability; in the mean time it seems very desirable that the
bulk of your efficient force should remain where it is (in the
Sleeve) to be ready to receive the requisite orders. Admiral
Young has taken his station off West Cassel, and has fifteen
sail of the line. Enemy, eleven in the Scheldt, three in Texel,
and two at Helvoet. When the Impetueux joins, you will have
eighteen, which is as many as we shall be able to give you for
some time at least.

The public letters will have apprised you of the views of the
Board of Trade and of the Government in the several points on
which it was important that you should be informed. The Swedes
should be gently but steadily convinced that it is in our power
to resent this ill usage, and to turn the consequence of
perfidy on the inventors; but the evil day should be postponed
as long as possible and every practicable chance should be
given them of remaining in the right path.

Accounts have been received this morning from Oporto via
Bristol in eight days, which give us reason to suppose that
Massena has had a good beating near Almeida on the 3rd, 4th,
and 5th inst., and has been obliged to retire towards
Salamanca, with the loss of four thousand killed, and seven
hundred prisoners. The British loss is stated at twelve
hundred. It is very probable, as when the last accounts came
away a battle was shortly expected.

I have, &c. &c. &c.
C. Yorke.

To Vice-admiral Sir James Saumarez, Bart., K.B. &c. &c.

Victory, in Wingo Sound, 28th May 1811.

DEAR SIR,

I have received the honour of your letter of the 21st, and I
beg to assure you that I shall pay particular attention to that
part of it which relates to the measures to be pursued with
this country. With the exception of the affair at Carlshamn,
which took place previously to my arrival, nothing has occurred
to cause any interruption to the same intercourse as was held
last year. The usual supplies are continued, and the places
pointed out whence they can be most readily received. There
certainly appears great prevarication on the part of the
Swedish Government relative to the property landed from the
neutral vessels at Carlshamn; and in an object of such
importance, I beg to suggest the expediency of one or two
persons, duly authorised by the merchants and underwriters
concerned in the Baltic trade, repairing to Stockholm for the
purpose of asserting their claims, and seeing how far this
Government may be disposed to indemnify them for the property
sequestered. The sooner such a measure is adopted the better,
as should it be delayed, and any alteration take place betwixt
the two Governments, the whole will be lost. From what passed
between Baron Tawast and myself, I have reason to believe that
Sweden would accede to this proposal.

In my letter to the Board I have recommended that the two bomb
vessels that were intended for this station, should be
expedited; their appearance alone would have the best effect in
intimidating the Swedes to a compliance with our just demands.
I am in hourly expectation of seeing the ships from Spithead;
the addition of the Impetueux will, I hope, make us
sufficiently strong in line-of-battle ships, but two or three
good frigates are much required.

I beg to offer you my sincere congratulations on the continued
success of the army under Lord Wellington, and I trust the
accounts from Spain will prove equally splendid.

With the highest regard,
I have, &c. &c. &c.
JAMES SAUMAREZ.

The Right Hon. Chas. Yorke.

P.S.--I have received no further accounts from Mr. Smith
relative to the rupture between Russia and France, which makes
me apprehend that the reports have not been confirmed.

It now became Sir James's duty to make a strong remonstrance to the Swedish Government. Anticipating the worst, he had made dispositions of the force under his command, which were at least sufficient to ensure respect. This was well known to Baron Tawast, whose visit was probably, in addition to other objects, to ascertain whether or not resistance could be effectually made in the event of hostile measures being taken. The following is the remonstrance alluded to.

His Britannic Majesty's ship Victory, Wingo Sound,
30th May 1811.

SIR,

I have the honour to inform your excellency that intelligence
having been received by his Majesty's Government, that the
cargoes belonging to British subjects, and that have been
insured to a considerable amount in England, embarked in
vessels belonging to Prussia, Denmark, Mecklenburg, and other
States, have been landed in Sweden by order of the Swedish
Government, under pretext of making reprisals for the Swedish
property said to have been confiscated in Prussia and
Denmark,--I have been directed to remonstrate in the strongest
manner against measures so deeply affecting the interest of his
Majesty's subjects, and at the same time to signify to the
Swedish Government that I cannot permit such proceedings, under
whatever pretext they may be disguised, and that if acts of so
injurious a tendency are persevered in, I shall be obliged to
depart from that indulgent course I have hitherto pursued
towards Sweden.

In requesting your excellency will be pleased to make known the
above communication to your Government, I beg to renew the
assurances of the perfect consideration with which I have the
honour to be, Sir, &c.

JAMES SAUMAREZ.

To his Excellency M. General Baron de Tawast,
Commander-in-chief, &c. Gothenburg.

Baron Tawast's reply to this letter was a simple assurance that no hostile act was intended, and that the Swedish Government had been compelled to act as it had done. He had no doubt but eventually the English merchants would be indemnified, and he trusted that Sir James would not insist on sending his remonstrance to Government as he had no doubt that Baron Von Essen, who was expected in a few days, would explain all to his satisfaction, and that a rupture would thereby be avoided. The same assurances were given to Mr. Consul Smith, but their proceedings had so evidently the appearance of gaining time that Sir James firmly insisted that his remonstrance should be transmitted to Government through the medium of Baron Essen, and in reply to a note from Consul Smith and Baron Tawast he wrote the following:

Victory, in Wingo Sound, 6th June 1811.

SIR,

I request you will signify to Baron Tawast, that I can have no
objection to the letter I had the honour to address to him on
the 30th ultimo being communicated to the Swedish Government
through the means of his Excellency Count Essen; but having
received directions from England to make the remonstrance it
contained on the very unexpected measures adopted against the
property of the British, I hold it my indispensable duty to
require that it should be transmitted to the Government at
Stockholm.

It could never be expected by this country that England would
pass with indifference a measure so seriously affecting the
interests of British merchants; and Government will naturally
expect some satisfactory explanation upon the subject. Those
made to me by Count Rosen and Baron Tawast have been
transmitted without delay, and I hope those in reply to the
remonstrance I have made by order of Government will prove of a
satisfactory nature.

I have, &c. &c. &c.
JAMES SAUMAREZ.

To J. Smith, Esq., Gothenburg.

P.S.--You will be pleased to signify to his Excellency Count
Rosen and General Baron Tawast, that I have not replied to the
confidential communications they have done me the honour to
make, as you would more fully convey to them any sentiments
upon the subject to which they relate, and at the same time
express to them my most ardent hope that the amicable
intercourse that has existed between both countries, may not be
interrupted by the present unfortunate altercation.

His Britannic Majesty's ship Victory, in Wingo Sound,
6th June 1811.

Vice-admiral Sir James Saumarez has the honour to signify to M.
General Baron Tawast that he has lost no time in transmitting
to his Government the note his excellency has been pleased to
address to him on the 4th inst. in reply to his letter of the
30th ultimo, remonstrating by order of his Government against
the late measures pursued in Sweden upon the British property
landed from the neutral vessels in the Swedish ports, and which
Baron Tawast was requested to communicate to his Government.

Notwithstanding the reasons assigned by Baron Tawast for
wishing to delay transmitting to Stockholm the remonstrance
above mentioned, the Vice-admiral thinks it his indispensable
duty (having received instructions from his Government to that
effect) to request that it should be communicated either
through the means of his Excellency Count Essen, or direct to
the Ministers at Stockholm, according as Baron Tawast may judge
most advisable; and the Vice-admiral hopes that the reply from
the Swedish Government will be of a nature to convince England
of the uprightness of its intentions in the proceedings
adverted to, and that the amicable course hitherto pursued will
meet with no further interruption.

The Vice-admiral requests Baron Tawast will receive the
assurance of his perfect consideration.

At the same time Sir James sent a detail of his proceedings to the Admiralty, with a disposition of the fleet, which was now prepared for the worst. He recommended that proper persons should be sent to Sweden for the purpose of making claims for the merchants and underwriters, and he also desired that bomb-vessels might be sent to him, which would show that his remonstrance was serious. By letters from Mr. Foy at Stockholm, and from Mr. Consul Fenwick at Helsingburg, Sir James learnt that the amount of property confiscated at Carlshamn amounted to 500,000_l._, about half of which was insured; that the measure of confiscation was very unpopular in Sweden, but that every one relied on his moderation and forbearance. From this time forward the situation of Sweden was extraordinary beyond precedent, as fully represented in the following extract of a letter which the Swedish Admiral Krusenstjerna subsequently wrote to the Author:

I know nothing, says he, of politics, but I find our situation
very singular. Our _friends_ the French and Danes express their
friendship to us with unremitted zeal in capturing and robbing
from us our merchant vessels, whilst our _enemies_ the English
let them pass unmolested from one port to another. We did not
suffer by one hundred times as much from these two nations, the
time we were at war against them, as we do now when they call
themselves our friends and allies.

The Danes, not content with attacking ships passing through the Sound and Belt, had the audacity to send their privateers to the coast of Sweden, only eight leagues to the southward of Wingo, where the Victory was at anchor. Information being given of their position, a small one was surprised and taken without resistance by two of the Victory's boats under Lieutenants Ross and Brenton. In September, accounts were obtained that two of superior force had taken a position among the small islands ten leagues to the southward of Gothenburg, when Lieut. D.L. St. Clair and Mr. E. Purcell, midshipman, were detached from the Victory in search of them. The Danes, not calculating on the prowess of British officers and men, left their vessels in a small creek, probably as a decoy, landed their guns, and planted them on an eminence which commanded them, and on the approach of the Victory's boats had promised themselves the capture of a part of the crew and the boats of the English commander-in-chief. But Lieutenant St. Clair, to the astonishment of the enemy, pushed directly for the battery, and ascending the hill gallantly stormed and carried it at the point of the sword, the Danes having fled on the approach of the assailants. Few prisoners were made, but both privateers were taken and carried to the Victory on the following morning.

Sir James duly appreciated the bravery of these officers, and having represented their gallant conduct to the Lords of the Admiralty, Lieut. St. Clair was promoted to the rank of commander, and subsequently employed in the Baltic and coast of Spain. Mr. Purcell, who had particularly distinguished himself, was made Lieutenant, and is now a Captain of the Royal Navy.

Sir James's remonstrances had at length the desired effect. After several confidential interviews which the Author had with Count Rosen, it was agreed that the Count should come privately on board the Victory, to explain everything to the commander-in-chief, which he did on the 25th of June. The following letter to Mr. Yorke will show the happy result of Sir James's wise conduct and well-timed firmness in this important crisis.

Victory, Wingo Sound, 26th June 1811.

DEAR SIR,

If I could have had any further doubts upon my mind relative to
the sincerity of the intentions of this Government, they have
been perfectly removed by the conversation I had yesterday with
Count Rosen, who came on board the Victory, by desire of the
Crown Prince, in consequence of my remonstrance upon the affair
at Carlshamn, as will appear by my public letter. Count Rosen
assured me that it was the earnest desire of the Crown Prince
to render Sweden independent of France whenever he could do so
consistent with her security, but they are so apprehensive
that, in the event of the difference between Russia and France
being settled, Bonaparte will bring that country to act against
Sweden, they dare not openly avow that sentiment. I informed
Count Rosen that so long as Sweden acted up to the system he
mentioned to be intended towards England, I had every reason to
believe that his Majesty's Government would be satisfied with
it; but that if it should be deviated from, I had the
authority, and they might be assured I would exert the utmost
in my power to resent any aggression on the part of Sweden,
with which he was perfectly satisfied, and informed me that he
would communicate to the Crown Prince precisely what I stated
to him. There have been very serious commotions in Scania on
account of the conscriptions, wherein several of the peasantry
have lost their lives, and about three thousand guards under
the Prince, and a strong body of troops, have been ordered to
that province to restore order. I have had the honour to
receive your letter of the 14th by the Impetueux, and since
that one of the 8th, with a commission for Mr. Delisle, for
which I beg to return my thanks.

I have, &c. &c. &c.
JAMES SAUMAREZ.

To the Right Hon. Chas. Yorke, &c. &c. &c.

Soon after this letter was despatched, Sir James received information that Russia had determined not to accede to the terms of Bonaparte, and that a rupture was likely to take place; the situation of Sweden, therefore, became every day more critical. She had now to determine whether she would throw herself into the arms of France for protection, or still depend on England for independence, Had hostilities actually commenced, the former would, doubtless, have been her decision, and it is impossible to say what might have been the consequences. On the one hand the restoration of Finland was the probable result of an alliance with France, while the whole force of Russia was employed in repelling the invaders; and on the other hand, Norway might be added, as an indemnification for the loss of Pomerania.

Trusting in the honour of the British Admiral, the Crown Prince of Sweden did not hesitate to place the most implicit confidence in Sir James. The negotiation for a treaty of peace, and for a coalition against the tyrant of France, only wanted the presence of an accredited Plenipotentiary to make it complete.

The Oberon sloop of war arrived with an officer of distinction, who proceeded through Sweden to the Continent, and soon after several Russian noblemen arrived from St. Petersburg with despatches of importance. The despatches received by the Oberon contained instructions respecting the affair of Carlshamn; and notwithstanding the opinions and assurances of Sir James to the contrary, the Ministers continued to suspect the Crown Prince of Sweden to be insincere. Being, however, still desirous of remaining at peace with Sweden, Sir James continued his friendly and courteous policy. The bomb-ships he sent for had arrived, and his force, both within and without the Baltic, being formidable, gave Sweden a good excuse for not proceeding to hostilities, although she had declared war.

Sir James having declared that he "would not fire the first gun," things went on as usual, and the restrictions which he found necessary to put on the Swedish trade, to prevent supplies being thrown into Norway, was also a good proof to Bonaparte that Sweden was not favourable to England. During this summer the Tartar frigate was lost, and two gun-brigs were captured by the Danes, from whom several privateers and gun-boats were taken, and an exchange of prisoners was made. At length it was communicated that war between France and Russia was inevitable, and Sweden having refused to permit French troops to pass into Norway, ostensibly for the invasion of Scotland, determined to join England; but it was advisable to keep this state of affairs a profound secret.

In the mean time the negotiations for an offensive and defensive alliance continued, and were ready for ratification when the Oberon arrived with Mr. (now Sir Edward) Thornton. This ship, on leaving Portsmouth, was supposed to be bound for the West Indies, and letters were actually on board her for the Leeward Islands; but on opening her sealed orders, Capt. Murray, her commander, found he was destined for Gothenburg, and that he was to have no communication on his passage with any other ship. Being unacquainted with the coast of Sweden, and having no pilot on board, his ship unfortunately ran on shore in a thick fog; the guns were thrown overboard, and every exertion made in vain to get the ship off. It is scarcely possible to describe the anxiety of Mr. Thornton (who had been hitherto supposed to be a passenger for the West Indies) until the morning gun of the Victory informed them that their ship was on the rocks to the northward of Wingo Beacon, over which the flag of the Victory (white at the fore) could be plainly distinguished, and in an hour afterwards he was safe in the Admiral's cabin.

The utmost caution was still necessary in communicating with Count Rosen, and so strictly were the orders given by the commandant of the castle complied with, that several attempts to get Mr. Thornton on shore were unsuccessful. He was at length smuggled into the fort as a servant of the Author, who had, from his knowledge of the Swedish language, no difficulty in passing the gates as a Swedish officer. Thus were all differences happily adjusted: it was determined to keep up the appearance of war without committing any act of hostility on either side.

We shall now turn to the situation of the fleet. Admiral Reynolds had been stationed at Hano, which is near Matvick, where the convoys assembled, and which were with very little loss protected through the Belt. On the 9th of November, the St. George sailed from Hano with the last homeward bound convoy, which had been put back by a gale on the 1st.

The account of the disasters that befel this unfortunate fleet, which, as a prelude to the losses which afterwards took place, must be interesting to every reader, will be best given from the lamented Admiral's own report to Sir James, which has not before appeared in print.

St. George, off Nystad, bearing N.N.E. 1/4 E., 19th November
1811.

SIR,

It gives me inexpressible concern to inform you of the sad
disaster which has befallen his Majesty's ship St. George,
bearing my flag. I have already detailed to you, sir, the gale
of the 1st instant, which caused the merchant ships to return
to Matvick for shelter, and transmitted you convoy lists of one
hundred and twenty sail, which sailed from Hano Bay with us on
the 9th instant, besides twelve more which had no instructions.

On the evening of the 10th we had severe weather, and anchored
between Moen Island and Dars Head. On the morning of the 12th
we weighed, and (the wind heading us before dark) anchored off
Nystad with the convoy pretty well collected. At the close of
the evening of the 15th, the weather was remarkably fine, but
about ten at night it began to blow strong with a heavy, swell
from W.S.W., and we veered to a cable and half on the small
bower. The gale increasing, we veered to two cables, and should
probably have rode the gale out safe had not a large ship of
the convoy drove athwart hawse and parted our cable. The best
bower was immediately let go, and veered to two cables, which
did not check her. We then let go the sheet anchor and gave her
two cables on that also, but she would not look at it. By this
time we had shoaled our water from ten to eight fathoms, and
the fury of the gale increasing, we continued to shoal into
seven and six fathoms, when the pilots and officers advised the
cutting away the masts as the only means of saving the ship and
the lives of the people. I resisted their advice for some
time, in hopes that a favourable lull might bring the ship up;
but when she had drifted into a quarterless five, and still
driving before a tempest of wind and rain, I ordered the axe to
be laid to the mast, and soon after they were over the side:
the ship struck violently several times, and the rudder was
torn away with a tremendous crash. About four in the morning
the strength of the gale abated, and her shocks were less
violent. Every officer and man in the ship were now employed
erecting jury-masts, hoping that by lightening her we should be
able to float her off; and at daylight I telegraphed Captain
Pater of the Cressy to prepare us a Pakenham rudder; and it
still blowing too strong for boats to come to us, I made
signals for the Rose and Bellete to anchor a cable's length
from us and from each other, upon our larboard bow, that when
it moderated we might send hawsers to them to endeavour to
heave us off. Nystad now bore N.N.E. 1/2 E. distant about five
miles, and Skielbye church E.N.E., and the ship lay in four
fathoms water. On the 16th we were busily employed rigging
jury-masts. Towards the evening it moderated, and about four in
the morning of the 17th we had the cheering happiness to find
she had swung to her anchor. The hands were instantly turned to
the capstan, and we hove short on the sheet cable. The night
signal was then made for the assistance of boats, and having
happily succeeded in warping her into deep water, we made sail
(with which we steered her) with a fine breeze from the
eastward, and anchored near the convoy in eleven fathoms.

I have much pleasure in acquainting you, sir, that the officers
and ship's company merit my warmest praise for the constant
exertions and cheerful obedience with which they conducted
themselves throughout this distressing scene. Captain Guion
was unwearied and indefatigable, and his abilities could never
have been better shown than on this trying occasion. It is no
small consolation to me that in the awful moment of the masts
going over the side, and throughout the whole terrific gale,
not a man was hurt.

I have now, sir, to acquaint you that out of one hundred and
twenty sail which were at anchor here when the gale began, only
seventy-six are now remaining; twelve are seen wrecked upon the
Danish coast and in the enemy's possession; two ran foul of
each other, and both went to the bottom, and in the midst of
the gale several of the smaller vessels were observed
dismasted, and the sea making an entire breach over them; it is
much to be feared they foundered at their anchors. Many
remaining here are so much disabled that I doubt whether they
will be able to proceed with us, although they have had every
assistance from his Majesty's ships which could be given them.

I am happy, sir, to tell you that the St. George has her
jury-masts rigged, and her rudder hung, and is in every respect
as complete to proceed with the convoy (the first favourable
wind) as hands can make her in our present situation.

Before I conclude this narrative, permit me to insert my public
acknowledgments of the prompt and timely assistance I received
from every Captain of his Majesty's ships under my orders,
which accelerated our equipment much sooner than otherwise
could be expected.

I have, &c. &c. &c.
R.C. REYNOLDS.

Vice-admiral Sir James Saumarez, Bart. K.B.
&c. &c. &c.

James received the above letter on the 29th of November, when
he despatched a vessel with the disastrous intelligence to
England. In his answer to Admiral Reynolds we find the
following paragraph:

Greatly as I lament the severe injury sustained on board the
St. George, and the melancholy loss of so many vessels of the
convoy by the tempestuous weather, I am fully persuaded that
every possible means, which judgment and skill could dictate,
were employed by you for the safety of his Majesty's ships and
the preservation of the convoy under such perilous
circumstances, and I highly applaud the good conduct manifested
by the officers and men of the St. George during the whole of
so trying an occasion, and the alacrity and exertions displayed
by them in having jury-masts erected during the continuance of
the gale, which reflects the highest credit on Captain Guion,
for the good order and discipline preserved in the ship. I also
feel great satisfaction in observing your marked approval of
the prompt and ready assistance you received from all the
Captains of his Majesty's ships and vessels under your orders.

Accounts from Captain Dashwood informed Sir James that thirty out of the fifty-six vessels supposed to be lost had reached Matvick with the loss of their anchors and cables, and that he would take them under his convoy as soon as they could be got ready to sail.

Admiral Reynolds received assistance from Admirals Dixon and Bertie, who were stationed in the Belt, and the St. George with her convoy reached Wingo Sound in safety on the 2nd of December. As the season was so far advanced, it was proposed to leave the St. George at Gothenburg during the winter, but Admiral Reynolds entreated that he might be permitted to navigate the ship to England, which, he said in hearing of the Author, was "as fit to make her passage with the assistance of another ship of the line as any in the fleet." Sir James did not accede to his wishes until he had also taken the opinion of Capt. Guion; and it was at length determined that she should be attended by the Cressy, Capt. Pater, and the Defence, Capt. Atkins, while the Hero, Capt. Newman, took charge of the convoy.

During the stay of the fleet in Wingo Sound, court-martials were held on the Commanders and crews of the Manly and Safeguard gun-brigs, which had been captured by the Danes, and the crews exchanged; also on the boatswain of the Anholt Island, which had been considered a ship, but as the pendant had not been flying in the island, doubts had arisen in the minds of the members of the court, and reference was made to the Admiralty, with a request that the law officers of the Crown might be consulted as to the legality of holding a naval court-martial on the accused.