To Sir Brooke Boothby, Bart.,
Seagerlind’s Hotel.
* * * * *
_2nd July 1808._
MY DEAR UNCLE--The information I sent you yesterday was from the
Fountain head, and is indeed perfectly true.
The General found himself, by his instructions, obliged to return
to England, but the King wished him to wait for despatches from
England. This the General declined, upon which he received a
message in the night not to leave Stockholm without the King’s
consent.
Sir John sent a messenger to embark the army and horses
immediately, and then remonstrated through the minister. No
attention was paid, until a second remonstrance was made, when the
prohibition was repeated.
Sir John then made his escape in his travelling dress. The
Secretary of Legation drove him beyond the first stage in his
curricle, and a messenger was despatched by Mr. Thornton with
orders to take him up on the road. This is incredible, but
_certainly_ true.
I went on board the _Victory_ yesterday. Sir J. M. was very kind,
and went himself to the Admiral to get an order for your coming on
board this ship (which I carried through its several stages), and
she is prepared to receive you, and Mr. Christer will describe her
accommodations. If you come you will be sorry to learn that I am
not going straight to England, being ordered on board the _Superb_,
at the request of Admiral Keats, to _reconnoitre_ the little Isle
of Sproe in the Belt, after which I shall be sent to England by
the first ship of war that goes. Pray, if I do not see you this
evening (for I shall not go on board the _Admiral_ till to-morrow),
communicate this to Edwinstowe. It is an excursion which I am
delighted to make, because it is creditable, useful, and agreeable.
I hope to see you here this evening. In the meantime believe me
ever most affectionately yours,