1808, 1809.
Sir James at Carlscrona.--Arrangements.--Author left in
Sweden.--Letter from the Swedish Admiral.--Sir James leaves
Carlscrona.--Arrives at Gothenburg.--Makes arrangements for the
protection of the Trade.--Leaves Rear Admiral Keats in
Command.--His departure from Sweden, and arrival in the
Downs.--Proceeds to the Admiralty, and receives their
Lordships' high approbation.--Proceedings of the
Fleet.--Revolution in Sweden.--Sir James reappointed to the
command in the Baltic.--His correspondence with Mr.
Foster.--Official notice of the Duke of Sudermania being
elected King of Sweden.--He confers upon Sir James the Grand
Cross of the Order of the Sword.
On Sir James's arrival at Carlscrona, he was received with every mark
of attention and respect by Admiral Puke, the governor, and other
authorities. The sick, amounting to 3,000, were landed from the
Swedish fleet; and their hospitals were visited and supplied, as far
as possible, with medicine from the English, while they on the other
hand received fresh provisions, vegetables, and water.
Arrangements being made for the protection of the commerce, and
convoys, which were to sail as long as the sea was open, Sir James,
and the Swedes themselves, aware of the inefficiency of the Swedish
ships of war compared with the English, and desirous that they should
be in a better state to co-operate next season, complied with the
request of Admiral Nauckhoff, to leave the Author with them during the
winter, to assist in their operations of refitting, &c.
On his leaving Carlscrona, Sir James received the following farewell
letter from that officer:
His Swedish Majesty's ship Gustaf IV. Adolf,
20th October 1808.
SIR,
I have the honour to acknowledge your excellency's letter of
the 18th of this month, in which your excellency has been
pleased, in the most polite and flattering terms, to mark your
satisfaction with the co-operation of the Swedish squadron, and
the conduct of the commanders of the ships under my orders.
It is impossible for me to express the sentiments of esteem and
gratitude for the unremitting and zealous exertions with which
your excellency on every occasion has been pleased to promote
the interest of my sovereign and country. His Majesty, my royal
master, will be duly informed of the valuable services rendered
to him and to the Swedish nation by your excellency, and the
gallant flag-officers, captains, and others under your command;
and I shall certainly regard your excellency's appointment to
the command of the British fleet in these seas, as a most
convincing proof of the inviolable friendship which his only
but most faithful and powerful ally the King of Great Britain
entertains for him, and for the promotion of Swedish interests.
I beg your excellency will be pleased to convey my best thanks
to every admiral, captain, and officer under your excellency's
command, for all the attention and the very active zeal which
they have on every occasion displayed. The care and attention
which the worthy Dr. Jameson, and the surgeon Mr. Duke, have
given to the sick, will ever be remembered with sentiments of
sincere gratitude.
I have the honour to remain,
With the highest regard and consideration,
Your excellency's
Most obedient and very humble servant,
NAUCKHOFF, Rear-admiral.
Admiral Nauckhoff struck his flag on the 15th of November; at which
time the mortality and sickness had been so great, that only three
frigates could be manned to assist in the protection of the trade.
Sir James left Carlscrona on the 25th October, and, passing through
the Great Belt, reached Gothenburg on the 29th of November. Here he
remained in the Victory until the 3rd of December, during which
interval he made the necessary arrangements for the protection of the
trade in that quarter; and, leaving Rear-admiral Keats in the Superb,
and, under his command, the Orion and two smaller vessels, he
proceeded to the Downs, where he landed on the 8th, and appeared at
the Admiralty on the 9th current. Their lordships were pleased to
signify their high approbation of every part of his conduct, as far as
the naval operations were concerned; but they considered his address
to the Emperor of Russia a stretch of power. Of this the public will
judge. Sir James did no more, in fact, than propose an armistice,
which is undoubtedly the province of every commander-in-chief. It is
indeed true that Buonaparte, who was at Erfurth when the Emperor
Alexander received his letter, made this the basis of a deceitful
overture for peace, in order to gain time, and thereby puzzle the
ministers a little; but this circumstance can never be held out as a
reason for preventing a commander-in-chief at a great distance from
home concluding an armistice, when he is confident it would be
beneficial to the cause on which he is engaged.
In the mean time, the Russian fleet, with the exception of two ships,
which were lost on the passage, succeeded in returning to Cronstadt.
It was said that Admiral Henikoff, who commanded, was degraded in
consequence of his conduct in not engaging the Swedish fleet.
The mortality continued at Carlscrona among the seamen until the cold
weather set in about Christmas, when it was calculated that the Swedes
had lost a number nearly equal to the original crews of their ships,
including sixty-four officers; among whom were fourteen of the rank of
captain (lieut.-col. in their service).
The Orion sailed with the first convoy in November, which she carried
successfully through the Belt. The next ship was the Africa, which,
after seeing her convoy through the Malinoe channel, was attacked by
Danish gun-boats in a calm, and suffered so severely as to oblige her
to return to Carlscrona. The Mars, Orion, and two bombs, made an
unsuccessful attack on Eurtholms; but the last convoy which left
Carlscrona, under the Salsette, Magnet, and two Swedish sloops of war,
was the most disastrous undertaking of all. They sailed on the 23rd
December, after the winter set in with unusual severity. A storm
coming on from the northward, brought the already-formed ice down on
the convoy. The Magnet (Captain Morris) was wrecked, with several
others; the rest, with the Salsette and two Swedish armed ships, were
carried back into the Baltic; and, excepting the Salsette, none of
them were ever heard of.
The gallant Captain Bathurst, who afterwards fell gloriously at
Navarin, after suffering severe hardships by being frozen out the
whole winter, during which his ship was drifted twice round the island
of Bornholm, was able to approach Carlshamn in March, and was cut into
that harbour by the Swedes, who afforded him every assistance. The
Swedish armed ships were lost by being carried by the ice on a
sandbank in sight of the Salsette, which had then only four feet water
to spare; the former, immediately they struck, turned bottom up, and
all hands perished, being instantly covered with the ice. The
thermometer, in January 1809, sank to forty-five degrees below zero;
the Sound and Belt were completely frozen over, and many passed
between Sweden and Denmark on horseback over the ice.
The Author did not escape the infection at Carlscrona, but was one of
the first who recovered, and was sent for by the King to Stockholm; it
was, however, the middle of February before he could undertake the
journey.
There were at one time nineteen packets due from England.
Things in Sweden began to take a different turn. The conduct of the
King in disgracing his guards, because, after beating three times
their number of Russians in Finland, they were obliged to retreat, and
could no longer defend Abo, the capital of that province, rendered him
unpopular; and a conspiracy was formed, at the head of which was
Aldercreutz, the general who had been in Finland, in conjunction with
Aldersparre, who commanded the western army, which was secretly set in
motion for Stockholm from the frontiers of Norway, and had arrived at
Orebro before reports of its progress reached the King.
On the night of the 8th of March, his Majesty issued orders for all
the troops to get under arms at daylight; and on the morning of the
9th he demanded the specie from the bank, intending to set off with it
to Scania. The ministers and officers of state were summoned to the
council; and others, among whom was the Author, were required to
attend his levee at nine o'clock, which was the moment fixed on by the
conspirators, who entered, and told the King that he must not leave
Stockholm. Drawing his sword, his Majesty made a pass at one of the
conspirators: in the mean time the General seized the _staff of
power_,[8] and ordered the others to seize the King, which they
immediately obeyed by forcing him into the next room. They forgot,
however, when they locked the door, that there was a private entrance,
out of which the King immediately escaped, and appearing on the
staircase, below which the Author was standing, he called loudly for
help. Some of the conspirators, however, with great presence of mind,
called to the soldiers on duty, "The King is mad;" on which they again
secured him, and in the evening he was removed to Drottningholm, where
his family resided.
[8] In Sweden the high officers of state carry a staff, which
is in fact their commission; therefore the staff of power was
that of the commander-in-chief of the army, which the King
always kept; but, when seized by another, he lost the power,
every person by the law of Sweden being obliged to obey whoever
is in actual possession of this staff.
The conspirators then went to his uncle the Duke of Sudermania, and,
having represented the state of the King, requested he would assume
the reins of government, to which he readily assented; and a
proclamation was forthwith issued, declaring that Gustaf IV. Adolf was
unable to govern the nation, and that his uncle had assumed the royal
authority in his stead.
This proclamation made no sensation, and things went on as if nothing
had happened.
The new regent and government were of course anxious to have the
matter set favourably before the government of England; and, in order
to prove that the King was actually deranged, the regent submitted to
the Author a paper found in the dethroned King's desk, certainly in
his own handwriting, in which he described himself as the "Man on the
white horse" in the Revelations, and declared that he must fight a
battle under the walls of Copenhagen, which would give peace to
Europe.
The Author, who had only a few days before been named aide-de-camp and
adjutant to the fleet, had no longer any command, and therefore
demanded his passports, which were granted: but, understanding that he
was to be arrested at Orebro, he left Stockholm two hours sooner than
the stated time of his departure, and by pretending that he was a
Swedish officer who had despatches for Count Rosen at Gothenburg, and
that the English officer was some hours behind, he escaped through the
western army, after being questioned and examined by Aldersparre. He
at length arrived safe on board the Superb, which had cut out of the
ice into Wingo Sound; and, being immediately forwarded by a packet,
reached London in only nine days, where he found Sir James Saumarez
preparing to resume his command.
It has been seen that, after Sir James's arrival in London, he was
offered the chief command in the East Indies, which he declined
chiefly because he did not consider his health equal to it; but he was
not allowed to remain long idle. A squadron of the enemy's ships
having escaped the vigilance of the Brest blockading fleet, Sir James
was ordered to hoist his flag in the Mars, and proceed to sea in
search of them: but their return into port before his squadron could
be reported ready, did away with the necessity of his following them;
and the affairs in Sweden rendering more necessary than ever, that an
officer of his rank, character, and abilities should be sent to the
Baltic, he was reappointed to that important command.
In the mean time Captain Searle was appointed to the Victory,
Vice-captain Dumaresq, who had left her in consequence of a severe
family affliction. The former was sent to Corunna, and was one of the
fleet which brought home the remains of the army of the gallant but
unfortunate Sir John Moore. On her return, Captain Dumaresq returned
to the ship, as also Captain Hope, in his former situation; and Sir
James's flag was hoisted in April at the Nore, whence she sailed soon
after. His instructions were to proceed to Gothenburg, and take under
his command all his Majesty's ships and vessels employed and to be
employed in the Baltic: he was to consider the protection of the trade
his principal object; to watch the Russian fleet, and attack it if
possible. In the present state of Sweden no precise instruction could
be given: but he was to preserve as long as possible an amicable
intercourse with the Swedes; to use every means in his power to
encourage and protect the trade of his Majesty's subjects with Sweden;
to be cautious not to give offence to its government, and to afford
protection to such Swedish vessels as might require it; to keep up the
supply of water and provisions in the fleet, so as not to be dependent
on the supplies from Swedish ports; and finally, to guard against the
admission of the infectious disease which was at that time prevalent
in Sweden.
The Victory arrived at her station on the 6th May, when a
correspondence took place between Sir James and Mr. Merry, the British
minister and charge d'affaires. Sir James informed the latter that the
Alexandria was ordered to take his excellency to England if required,
which offer was accepted by Mr. Merry. Mr. Augustus Foster was left as
charge d'affaires, who announced his appointment in a letter to Sir
James, dated Stockholm, 7th May. He describes the state of Sweden to
be most unsettled and perplexing, but that no change had taken place
in regard to her relations with England.
The following is a continuation of the correspondence between Sir
James and Mr. Foster:
Victory, in Wingo Sound, 11th May 1809.
SIR,
Having arrived at this anchorage on the 4th instant, and
Rear-admiral Sir Samuel Hood being parted for England, in
consequence of the ill state of his health, I opened your
letter addressed to the Rear-admiral, dated 7th instant,
informing him of your being appointed his Majesty's charge
d'affaires in the absence of Mr. Merry.
I have the honour to inform you that I shall feel highly
gratified by any communication you may be pleased to make to me
relating to his Majesty's service, and which may be interesting
for my knowledge as commander-in-chief in these seas; and I
shall be happy in conveying to you any information in my power,
which may be connected with his Majesty's service.
His excellency Mr. Merry sailed yesterday for England, on board
his Majesty's ship Alexandria. From him I received such
information as he possessed to the period of his leaving
Stockholm. I propose to detach Rear-admiral Dixon, who joined
me the 9th instant in the Temeraire, to relieve Sir Richard G.
Keats; and I propose to continue here for some time longer for
the more speedy communication with England, as well as to
receive what you may do me the honour to write to me; giving
you due notice previously to my proceeding for the Baltic.
The accounts rumoured of the pretended defeat of the Austrians,
I trust, will not prove correct; and we must not be surprised
at the circulation of exaggerated accounts of the success of
Buonaparte in the present state of affairs on the continent and
in the northern parts of Europe.
I have the honour to be,
With great truth and respect,
Sir, &c. &c. &c.
JAMES SAUMAREZ.
To A. Foster, Esq. his Britannic Majesty's
charge d'affaires, Stockholm.
Stockholm, 15th May 1809.
SIR,
Scarcely had the letter which I wrote to your excellency late
last night been received by the person who set out with it this
morning, when a note reached me from Baron de Lagerbjelke,
minister for foreign affairs _ad interim_ of this government,
to inform me of his having important communications to make to
me, and appointing an hour for a conference with me this
forenoon.
The object of this conference was to expose to me the critical
position in which Sweden is placed at this moment, from her
desire to remain in amity and maintain her commercial
intercourse with Great Britain, of which, as he was pleased to
express himself, she was on the point of becoming the victim;
and to ask of me to explain to you the full extent of her
dangers, in the confidence that you would give her all the
assistance in your power which her perilous situation requires,
without waiting for instructions for the purpose from his
Majesty's government; it not being the interest of England that
this country should be conquered by Russia, although the same
alliance no longer existed between his Majesty and the Swedish
government. Buonaparte has evaded the repeated solicitations
of Sweden to take into his own hands the management of the
negociation for a peace, which this country is willing to enter
into with all her enemies; and has referred her for the terms
of such a peace entirely to the court of St. Petersburg. This
court, meanwhile, has manifested the most marked discontent at
the delays which have already taken place in the negociation;
and has insisted, as a preliminary condition to the treating
for peace, that this country should enter into the alliance
against Great Britain. She has also declared the kind of
armistice concluded by her generals at an end; and Baron
Schwaren, who had been sent on a mission to St. Petersburg,
which place he left the 24th ultimo, returned here on the 6th
instant, bringing intelligence of very formidable preparations
which are making in Finland for the immediate invasion of this
country, while the Russian army at Torneo has been considerably
reinforced.
Baron de Lagerbjelke gave me the assurances of the Duke of
Sudermania, that every effort shall be made on the part of
Sweden to repel the meditated attack of Russia, and that his
Royal Highness is determined not to yield to the conditions of
peace proposed by her, as long as he has the means of defending
himself; but he proposes that your excellency should on your
part aid him in his defence, by displaying first a part of the
fleet under your command in the Sound and on the coast of
Denmark, to deter the Danes from making an attack on the
southern provinces of Sweden, while the troops and sailors
necessary for the defence of this part of the kingdom shall be
withdrawn from these shores. Secondly, that you should engage
to send such a force into the Baltic sea as to render it
dangerous for the Russians to make any attempt with ships of
the line against the harbours, or to carry an invading force
against the coast of Sweden. And thirdly, that by detaching
sloops of war, brigs, and frigates in the direction from
Norrkoeping and Stockholm, as far as Gefle, you should strew
such a force in those seas as to intimidate the Russian General
in Finland from embarking his troops on board the flotilla at
Abo, for the purpose of attacking at once the centre of this
kingdom. Such are the paucity of means, and so few the troops
which this government can assemble for the defence of Sweden
against so powerful an enemy, that the invasion cannot in all
probability but succeed, unless your excellency can send the
aid the King desires.
On the supposition that you might act in consequence of the
above-mentioned representation of this government, I observed
to Baron de Lagerbjelke, that, from the remoteness of the seas
in the neighbourhood of Aland and Gefle, it was very probable
that many of your officers might be unacquainted with them, and
thereby risk being thrown into situations of danger; on which
he observed, that through the means of his father, the minister
of marine, he should take care that pilots should be sent out
to meet you whenever it was ascertained that any of the ships
under your command were coming into these seas. The navigation
of the Gulf of Bothnia promises now to be open in ten days or a
fortnight; and therefore this government hopes, in case you
should accede to their wishes, that as little time as possible
may be lost in the execution of them.
Three Swedish frigates, as Baron de Lagerbjelke gave me to
understand, have been ordered round from Carlscrona to cruise
off these coasts; and 106 gun-boats, hemmemas, and other
vessels, are at present in or near the water; but the want of
men from the mortality of the last winter is severely felt, and
can only be supplied from the south, in case you think fit to
coincide with the views of this government.
I have, &c. &c. &c.
AUGT. FOSTER.
Vice-admiral Sir James Saumarez, Bart, and K.B.
&c. &c. &c.
This was the first communication which had been made by the Swedish
government since Gustaf IV. Adolf was deposed, and his uncle had
accepted the regency with full powers. By this _expose_ it appears
that their first act after the revolution was to try to make peace
singly with Buonaparte, which was of course refused; because the
Swedes could give him nothing in return, and shutting the ports
against Great Britain was a preliminary that could not be dispensed
with. There was no alternative therefore but to apply to England for
protection against their inveterate enemies the Russians, who had
already possessed themselves of all Finland, and were preparing for
the invasion of Sweden. Mr. Foster added the following private opinion
on the state of affairs, which now became so interesting:
Stockholm, 15th May 1809.
SIR,
I have written you a long public letter upon the wishes of this
government for your co-operation in the defence of Sweden. My
private opinion is, that the Swedes, in addition to their
desire to maintain their commercial relations with us, (which
of course they wish should be still carried on, though by
secret understanding,) entertain the design of preventing the
Russians from interfering in their interior concerns; they also
hope the French may be ultimately victorious against Austria,
as they suppose they will not be inclined to the confirming of
Russia in her conquest of Finland; which considerations make
this government so backward in accepting the terms proposed by
Russia. In the mean time they are in a most deplorable state,
and cannot, I believe, collect 10,000 men: without your
assistance they must perish or yield; with your aid it will be
but a respite, I dare say, but perhaps of use for the Swedes.
The news of to-day is rather better: on the Tagliamento it
would appear the Austrians are victorious; and in Poland, where
Colonel Marfeld is said to have cut off some Russians, marched
on Warsaw, and to be about besieging Dantzic: these latter want
confirmation. The French, I fear, have crossed the Inn, but
with great loss.
I have, &c. &c. &c.
AUGT. FOSTER.
Vice-admiral Sir James Saumarez, Bart. and K.B.
&c. &c. &c.
To the above letters Sir James returned the following satisfactory
answer, which decided the plan of his operations for this year:
Victory, Wingo Sound, Gothenburg, 18th May 1809.
SIR,
I have just received the honour of your letter of the 15th
instant, by the messenger Mears, acquainting me with the
particulars of a conference you had with Baron de Lagerbjelke
on the present critical state of Sweden, in consequence, as he
was pleased to state to you, of her desire to remain in amity,
and maintain her commercial relations, with Great Britain; and
requesting you to explain to me the full extent of her danger,
in the confidence that I should give all the assistance in my
power which her perilous situation required, without waiting
for instructions from his Majesty's government. Also informing
me of the formidable preparations making in Finland for the
immediate invasion of Sweden.
The assurances made to you through Baron de Lagerbjelke, on the
part of the Duke of Sudermania, that every effort will be made
to repel the meditated attack of Russia, and that his Royal
Highness has determined not to yield to the conditions of peace
proposed to him, as long as he has the means of defending
himself, will decide me in employing the fleet under my command
in the best manner in my power for the defence of Sweden; for
which purpose an adequate force will be stationed in the Sound
and on the coast of Denmark, to intimidate the Danes from
making any attack on the southern provinces of Sweden; and a
squadron of line of battle ships will be employed in the Baltic
to watch the Russian fleet, and prevent any attempt on their
part to carry an invading army against the coast of Sweden from
the side of Finland.
As the attention of the Swedish marine will be principally
confined to the defence of Stockholm, and the coast within the
Gulf of Bothnia, it is to be presumed that, with proper
exertion, they will be perfectly adequate to that service; and
as three Swedish frigates have been ordered to cruise on that
station, with other armed vessels, and one hundred and six
gun-boats, no doubt can be entertained of their being for the
present sufficient to repel the enemy; and I shall readily
order such further part of the force under my command, as can
be spared from other services, to co-operate in that quarter.
The important transactions going on in the southern coast of
the Baltic, in which the interest of Sweden is materially
concerned, require a considerable part of the force under my
orders for that particular service; but I have the honour to
assure you, that every effort will be exerted for the
protection and security of Sweden against any attack of the
enemy.
You will be pleased to take the necessary measures that orders
may be given for his Majesty's ships to be supplied with water,
and such necessaries as they may stand in need of, at
Carlscrona and other Swedish ports; and pilots when they
require them.
I have the honour to be, &c.
JAS. SAUMAREZ.
Augt. Foster, Esq. &c. &c. &c.
Victory, in Wingo Sound, 18th May 1809.
SIR,
I have replied to your public letter as fully as I can consider
myself warranted, without having received any special
instructions on the subject from his Majesty's government; but,
considering it to be the intention to maintain the terms of
amity with Sweden so long as it can be done consistently, and
prevent the country from falling a prey to the common enemy, I
trust to be right in using my efforts for that purpose; and I
hope to receive the sanction of ministers on the measure I am
adopting. I shall proceed for the Baltic the moment it lies in
my power; but the late prevailing calms and adverse winds have
prevented the arrival of the ships on their way to join me, and
no accounts later than the 5th from London have reached this
place. I sent, three days since, a small detachment of ships to
take possession of Anholt, where supplies of water could be
obtained, and which would also be a proper place for convoys to
resort to in the event of exclusion from the Swedish ports.
Any information you can favour me with respecting the state of
the Russian fleet at Cronstadt will be highly desirable, and
also the probable time they may be enabled to put to sea from
that port.
I have, &c. &c. &c.
JAMES SAUMAREZ.
To Augt. Foster, Esq. &c. &c. &c.
As the next letter from Mr. Foster gives an account of the Russian
forces and other interesting particulars, we have given it a place
here, which makes any further account of the situation of Sweden
unnecessary.
Stockholm, 14th May 1809.
SIR,
I received this evening the letter which your excellency did me
the honour to write to me, dated the 11th instant, in answer to
one which I had written to Rear-admiral Sir Samuel Hood on the
7th.
I take the opportunity of a private conveyance to have this
forwarded to you at Gottenburg; and I beg to assure you that no
efforts shall be wanting on my part to procure information
which may be interesting to you as commander-in-chief in these
seas, and to convey it to you as speedily as possible.
Our relations with Sweden have not changed materially since Mr.
Merry's departure. Indeed, this government has had no stated
form hitherto; though now the Duke of Sudermania is empowered
to treat for peace, or to continue war. The Russians have a
disposable force of near 20,000 men in Finland, and 105
gun-boats, and are building more, which creates alarm here; and
it has been strongly insinuated by several of the officers of
government here to me, that nothing could be more grateful to
them than such movements of the fleet under your command, sir,
as would overawe the Danes, while they should deter the
Russians from attempting invasion on the Bothnia coasts of this
country; or which, by giving them security in Scania, would
enable them to draw their forces this way.
Captain Tillard will sail on the 20th instant, with about
eighteen or nineteen merchant-ships under his convoy.
I have, &c. &c. &c.
AUGT. FOSTER.
Vice-admiral Sir Jas. Saumarez, Bart, and K.B.
Sir James soon after received a letter in the French language from
R.A. Nauckhoff, containing the same _expose_ and request as Baron
Lagerbjelke had made. He concludes with the following additional
particulars:
Les etats du Royaume de Swede ont declare par un acte formel,
le 12 de ce mois, que le Roi ci-devant, aussi que son fils, a
perdu tout le droit au trone ou a la couronne de Swede pour
jamais: c'est la mauvaise conduite dans le gouvernement, dont
tout le Royaume est mis en misere, qui a cause le malheur de ce
Roi et sa famille. Le Duc Charles est, en attendant, Regent
avec tout le pouvoir du Roi, et il sera fait et declare pour
Roi de Swede aussitot que les etats ont eu le tems pour faire
une autre forme de regence. Dans le moment on apporte la
nouvelle que les Autrichiens ont totalement battu l'armee de
Napoleon. Si cela se manifeste, je n'en doute pas que cela
causerat des grands changemens chez les puissances du Nord.
The attack on the island of Anholt, for which Sir James had previously
obtained the sanction of government, was completely successful. The
detachment consisted of the Standard, sixty-four, Captain Hollies; the
Owen Glendower, thirty-six; Avenger, Rose, Ranger, sloops; and Snipe,
gun-boat: this was reinforced by the marines of the Victory, under
Captain Peter Jones, who particularly distinguished himself.
The governor, having been summoned, refused to surrender; when the
marines of the squadron were immediately landed, under Captain
Nicolls, who was senior officer, and who soon stormed their batteries,
and obliged the governor to surrender at discretion.[9]
[9] Sir James, before leaving Wingo Sound, sent Captain Acklom
home with the following letter, and a detailed account of the
capture of the island, which will be found in the Appendix:
Victory, Wingo Sound, 24th May 1809.
MY DEAR LORD,
It is with great satisfaction I have the honour to inform your lordship
of the capture of the island of Anholt, which, although not a very
productive island, will prove of great importance for the purposes as
stated in my public letters, more particularly when excluded from the
ports of Sweden. Captain Acklom is a very deserving officer, who has
been on the station all the winter; being known to his grace the Duke of
Portland, he flatters himself with the hope of promotion.
Lieutenant Daniel Ross, acting on board the Kangaroo, is an old follower
of mine, and a most deserving man. I shall feel greatly obliged to your
lordship for his promotion.
I hope to be enabled to sail for the Baltic this evening; but the late
calms and baffling winds have proved against us, and delayed the ships
getting through the Belt.
I have, &c. &c. &c. JAS. SAUMAREZ.
The Right Hon. Lord Mulgrave.
The objects of this capture were to obtain a supply of water, a
rendezvous for convoys, and the destruction of a retreat for
privateers. Sir James appointed Captain Nicolls governor of Anholt,
which was confirmed by the Admiralty. Rear-admiral Sir Samuel Hood
returned to England on account of ill health, and was replaced by
Rear-admiral Pickmore, who was stationed in the Belt under
Rear-admirals Keats and Manly Dixon; while Rear-admiral Bertie was
stationed at Helsingburg: the former three having the care and
directions of convoying the fleets of merchant ships through the Belt;
the latter through the Sound and Malmoe channel. Sir James, in passing
through the Great Belt, visited the station at the island of Sproe,
and afforded protection to a numerous convoy of merchant ships passing
at that time, and trading under neutral colours, under a licence from
the English and the Swedish governments.
After touching at Ystad, Sir James arrived at Carlscrona on the 4th of
June: from Ystad, he wrote the following letter to Mr. Foster:
Victory, Great Belt, 29th May 1809.
SIR,
I had the honour yesterday morning to receive your letter of
the 19th, inclosing one from Admiral Nauckhoff addressed to me,
and also the copy of General Wrede's report on the state of the
north. I have been detained by adverse currents and calms since
my departure from Gottenburg; but think myself fortunate in
having been as early as Admiral Dixon, who sailed eight days
before me, and with whom I fell in yesterday evening off
Langeland.
The Danish force of gun-boats in the Belt has been considerably
increased since last year. The Melpomene frigate was attacked
by several in the night of the 23rd, and had four men killed
besides about twenty wounded. Captain Warren, in having drawn
their attention, succeeded in preserving a numerous convoy at
anchor near Langeland, which seemed to have been the principal
object for which they came out. The Ardent having very
injudiciously landed a party of men on the island of Ramsoe,
for the purpose of procuring a supply of wood and water, they
suffered themselves to be surprised, and about eighty men were
made prisoners.
I am hastening with all despatch towards Carlscrona, and I hope
to have the honour of hearing from you in my way off Ystad. I
think it right to mention, _in confidence_, that I shall not
have more than six sail of the line of battleships with me,
until I can be joined by those that may be on their way from
England.
I have, &c. &c. &c.
JAMES SAUMAREZ.
Augt. Foster, Esq. his Majesty's charge
d'affaires, Stockholm.
Victory, off Ystad, 30th May 1809.
SIR,
I have the honour to acquaint you with my arrival off Ystad
this afternoon, and that I have received your letter of the
23rd instant, informing me of the satisfaction expressed by the
Swedish minister, M. de Lagerbjelke, at my compliance with the
request of the Swedish government in affording them all the
assistance in my power; and that Vice-admiral Stedinck had
promised to take the necessary steps for the fleet under my
command being supplied with water and necessaries, as well as
pilots; and also informing me of the exertions used by the
Swedish marine for the defence and security of the country.
As it may be necessary for convoys to pass through the Malmoe
channel, I trust you have represented the expediency of the
co-operation of the Swedish gun-boats stationed there; and I
request you will please to signify to the Swedish government
that all the protection in my power to afford the trade of
Sweden, shall be granted to them.
I am proceeding with all despatch off Carlscrona, where I hope
to have the honour of hearing further from you: as I shall
probably proceed from Carlscrona off Dalaroe, you will permit me
to have such letters or despatches as may arrive for me at
Gottenburg from England to be addressed to your care. I have,
&c. &c. &c.
JAMES SAUMAREZ.
Augt. Foster, Esq. his Majesty's charge
d'affaires, Stockholm.
P.S. A boat, spoken with this morning (30th May) from Stettin,
reports that Colonel Schill had taken possession of Stralsund.
Sir James, while off Ystad, had the honour of receiving on board
Prince William of Orange, who was the bearer of news which had great
effect in deciding the Swedes in their choice of the line of policy to
be pursued at this critical period. This account, which is detailed in
Sir James's next letter to Mr. Foster, led to a correspondence which
showed the nature of his opinion as to the integrity of the Swedes.
Victory, off Ystad, 3rd June 1809.
SIR,
I have the greatest satisfaction in transmitting to you the
copy of a bulletin, detailing a statement of the important
victory gained by the Archduke Charles over Buonaparte on the
21st and 22nd of May. It was delivered to me by his highness
Prince William of Orange, who, with two attendants, arrived on
board the Victory yesterday from Colberg, on his way to
England. There is every reason to hope this victory will have
been followed up by other important successes, which will
decide the other states in uniting with Austria to extirpate
the tyrant of the human race. I am proceeding to Carlscrona,
where I trust to find letters from you; and, in the present
critical state of affairs with this country, I hope to be
forgiven for again repeating my anxious wish to have the honour
of hearing from you as frequently as possible.
Admiral Bertie, who is stationed off Helsinburg, wrote to me
that he has made repeated applications through Mr. Consul
Fenwick for pilots, but has not been able to procure any: as
this is an object of great importance, I request you will
represent it to the Swedish government. He also mentions his
suspicions that a better understanding exists with the Danes,
from the frequent flags of truce, and also from some prisoners
having been exchanged from Denmark, which he states as a
circumstance very unusual.
Sir R.G. Keats also informs me, that two ships of the line and
a frigate are fitting with expedition, intended, as is
reported, to transfer troops to the eastward; but he adds that
it was also rumoured that the ports of Sweden are expected to
be shut against us even before the 14th. Although I feel the
greatest confidence that there can exist no intention on the
part of Sweden to deceive, we cannot be too much on our guard
with that government, should they find it necessary to enter
upon terms with either Russia or Denmark.
I have, &c. &c. &c.
JAMES SAUMAREZ.
Augt. Foster, Esq. his Majesty's charge
d'affaires, Stockholm.
Confidential.
Stockholm, June 9th, 1809.
SIR,
I thank you for, and sincerely congratulate you on, the
interesting news which you have been so obliging to send me
from off Ystad. It is complete and glorious indeed, and will
add to the other reasons I shall entertain for thinking that
this government cannot mean to deceive us. Their situation is
certainly a very delicate one; but, till now, I have no reason
to complain of any insincerity on the part of the Swedes. Be
assured that, if I had, I should instantly despatch notice of
it to you. I do not like to venture writing general opinions by
the common post, and therefore I have appeared perhaps to write
to you too little at length hitherto. The post is also very
tardy, or you must have received letters from me of the 23rd
ultimo; one of the 30th must also be lying for you at Ystad. I
shall now make a practice of writing to you by every post, as
you very naturally will be glad to hear even negative news.
Admiral Bertie's suspicions are very natural for him to
entertain, but I really believe entirely unfounded.
The situation of Norway (which, I will confide to you, seems
more critical for Denmark than for Sweden,) will account for so
many couriers passing. The desire of peace, openly manifested
by this country, accounts for their allowing such passage,
which has for some time been permitted in return for the
passage through Denmark being allowed to Swedish officers. As
to a better understanding being supposed to exist with the
Danes, I had occasion to inquire on this subject the day before
yesterday of M. d'Engestroem, who is the new minister for
foreign affairs here, and who assured me that the Danish
government was even so pettish as to prevent the passage of the
Hamburgh Gazette for some time back. The Russian government has
demanded the exclusion of our ships from Swedish ports, and on
this and other conditions have agreed to receive Baron Stedinck
as negotiator: this they have informed me of, and at the same
time of their intention to negotiate upon this point, and to
gain further time. Delay is what they covet in appearance, and
what in reality appears to be their interest to desire until
the campaign in Germany is decided; for on it depends most
probably the portion they will lose of territory, and the
question even of their independence as regards their conduct
towards us.
In the character of the Duke of Sudermania, who was created
King on Thursday the 6th, I confess also that I place much
confidence, more perhaps than in that of his ministers. His
conduct has been loyal and frank, nor does he seem to exhibit
that pliability in principles too common among this nation.
I have not time to copy the enclosure which I send you on the
subject of pilots, which Vice-admiral Stedinck has just written
out before me, as the post goes in an hour and a half; nor
shall I perhaps have time to write to Admiral Bertie as I could
wish, this being post-day for England.
Two ships of the line and a frigate are arrived off Dalaroe,
with 2,000 some hundred troops, and 500 sailors; and
twenty-four gun-boats set out the day before yesterday from
here: fourteen more follow to-morrow or next day. A camp is to
be formed at Upsala of 10,000 or 12,000 men; they mean to treat
armed at least, which shows spirit. A Baron Taube has been sent
to St. Petersburg to ask for passports for Baron Stedinck: he
went the day before yesterday, and cannot be back under fifteen
days.
The Russians are now said to have only about eighty-six
gun-boats at Aland, but 11,000 men, and to be taking measures
to defend themselves against you: one of the ships of the line
is going back to Carlscrona; and a frigate, the Freya, I think.
The report that the Swedish harbours would be shut against us
on the 14th, must be attributed to the fears of the merchants,
I suppose, who are nervous in such a precarious state of things
as the present.
I have, &c. &c. &c.
AUGT. FOSTER.
Vice-admiral Sir James Saumarez.
Victory, off Carlscrona, 15th June 1809.
SIR,
I yesterday had the honour to receive your letter of the 9th
instant, and although I was before perfectly convinced of the
good disposition of the present government of Sweden towards
our country, and of the sincerity of the Duke of Sudermania's
intentions, I could not do otherwise than make you acquainted
with the surmises of the two officers next in rank to me in the
fleet. Your letter has perfectly removed any doubts that would
have existed upon the subject, and I should place the same
dependence in the Swedes as at the time of our alliance with
them: the longer they are enabled to protract the negotiation
with the Russian government, the more favourable will be the
conditions of peace they are likely to obtain, as Russia will
lose much of her ascendancy should Buonaparte be defeated by
the arms of Austria.
The different accounts I receive from the Continent state that
the French army has been very considerably reduced by the late
actions, and that it is considered to be in a most critical
situation. A messenger, who arrived yesterday on board the
Victory, charged with despatches from Mr. Bathurst, informed me
that, subsequently to the brilliant victory of the 23rd, there
had been several actions, though of less importance; they had
all terminated in favour of the Austrian troops. The messenger
left Baden on the 4th instant; and described in the strongest
terms the high spirits of the whole army, and the hopes formed
that the next action would prove decisive, and annihilate the
French.
I shall have great pleasure in transmitting to you any accounts
I may receive of importance; and I return you my sincere thanks
for the Gazette you did me the favour to enclose to me in your
letter of the 6th. I beg leave to congratulate you on the
splendid success that has attended the army in Portugal.
I have, &c. &c. &c.
JAS. SAUMAREZ.
Augt. Foster, Esq. charge d'affaires, &c.
Stockholm.
On the approach of the Victory off the harbour of Carlscrona, the
Admiral wrote the following complimentary letter to Admiral Puke, who
was then commander-in-chief and senior admiral in the Swedish service:
His Majesty's ship Victory, off Carlscrona, 4th June 1809.
SIR,
It is with the highest satisfaction that I have the honour to
inform your excellency of my arrival off Carlscrona, being in
my way up the Baltic, with part of the fleet under my command,
for the defence of Sweden against the attack of the Russian
fleet, and that I shall use every possible effort to preserve
the good understanding that has for so many years subsisted
between our respective nations.
I shall be thankful to your excellency for any information you
will be pleased to honour me with that can tend to the
advancement of the great and good cause in which we are
engaged; and I am happy in profiting by the present opportunity
to transmit an official bulletin which I received last Friday,
giving an account of a most important victory over the French
army, commanded by Buonaparte in person. This glorious event,
it is to be hoped, will unite the powers in the northern parts
of the Continent totally to extirpate the atrocious tyrant, who
has been so long the scourge of the human race.
I have the honour to be,
With sentiments of the highest regard and consideration,
Sir,
&c. &c. &c.
JAMES SAUMAREZ.
Vice-admiral Puke, &c. &c. &c.
Carlscrona.
To which Admiral Puke returned the following answer:
Carlscrona, 7th June 1809.
SIR,
I felicitate myself very much on being so happy as to have
occasion of renewing with your excellency the acquaintance I
was favoured with the last year. Your excellency's flattering
letter of the 4th instant gave me a very agreeable remembrance
of it; and I may give my hearty acknowledgments therefore, as
also for the news your excellency was pleased to annex.
The post arrived a short time ago from Stockholm, and did not
contain any thing of importance, but that matters stand well.
The German mail has not come, and, in general, the news was so
contradictory that nobody knew what to believe.
All our forces on the southern coast being in the necessity to
be drawn up to the northern parts of the country for repelling
the attack of the Russians, the coasts on this side will be
without sufficient defence. It is only in your excellency I may
fix my confidence, convinced as I am by the good intelligence
that subsists between both nations, and his Britannic Majesty's
benevolence towards Sweden, your excellency will not omit to
protect, as far as possible, the trade from Gothenburg and
through the Baltic, and prevent all hostile enterprises.
I should wish to have some of such gun-brigs as your excellency
can allow, and other small vessels, to send up to the Finnish
Gulf, where they would be of no little service.
I include myself in your excellency's friendship, which I shall
be very proud to possess; and wish no better than that your
excellency, with all your brave officers and men, with their
usual success, may frustrate the enemy's projects against us.
It is with these sincere sentiments,
I have the honour to remain, &c.
JOHAN AF PUKE.
At Carlscrona Sir James received intelligence of the fate of the
unfortunate Major Schill, who had taken possession of Stralsund; but
whose corps of 6,000, as well as himself, were surprised by a large
body of Danish and Dutch troops and cut to pieces. These accounts, and
a demand for bomb vessels to assist the Swedish flotilla, were sent to
the Admiralty.
In consequence of a solicitation from Baron Stedinck, the Swedish
Minister of Marine expressed the high satisfaction of the Duke Regent
at the arrangement Sir James had made, not only for the protection of
the coasts of Sweden on the south, east, and west, but for his
undertaking to proceed up the Gulf of Finland, to prevent the sailing
of the Russian fleet, with his own powerful squadron.
On the 6th of June, the Duke of Sudermania was elected King by the
States, and took the title of Charles XIII, on which occasion due
notice was given to the Admiral both by Mr. Foster and the Swedish
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Baron Engestroem. At this time everything
seemed to go well on the Continent, and the period of the new King's
accession to the throne was thought a proper epoch to sue for peace
with Russia. This, however, was not done without the knowledge of Mr.
Foster, to whom assurances were given that the alliance with England
should not be broken; and in this the King subsequently showed great
firmness. An officer was sent to demand passports for Baron Stedinck,
who was to be the negotiator, and who actually proceeded to the Gulf
of Finland. But the Emperor of Russia, acting under the influence or
fear of Buonaparte, made the shutting of their ports against the
English a preliminary concession before he would either grant a
passport to the negotiator, or a cessation of hostilities. The
attempt, which was indeed intended to gain time until the war between
Austria and France was decided, totally failed, and nothing was left
but to prosecute the war.
An attack on Aland, which had been meditated, was abandoned; and the
plan now was to cut off a division of the Russian army, which had
advanced to Urneo, in West Bothnia, for which extraordinary exertions
were made. In the meantime the Russians, amounting to 11,000, with 84
gun-boats, had, in dread of the approach of the Admiral's fleet,
fortified themselves strongly in Aland, which could not safely be
approached by ships of the line.
Prince William of Orange, who had brought the intelligence from
Colberg of the fate of Major Schill, and been hospitably received on
board the Victory, wrote the following letter, which Sir James
received off Carlscrona:
MONSIEUR,--Arrive a Gothenburg, je m'empresse de remercier
votre excellence de toutes ses bontes pour nous, et des
facilites qu'elle nous a procurees pour continuer notre voyage.
Je prends la liberte de joindre ici une lettre a M. Schroeder
qui en renferme une autre a ma mere a Berlin; priant votre
excellence de la faire parvenir a Colberg si elle en a
occasion, je lui en aurai une grande obligation. Je suis avec
une parfaite consideration,
De votre excellence, le tres devoue Serviteur,
GUILLAUME, PRINCE D'ORANGE.
Gothenburg, 6 Mai 1809.
Monsieur le Vice-amiral Saumarez.
The Victory left Carlscrona on the 20th June, having ten sail of the
line in company, and proceeded to the Gulf of Finland, in order to
blockade the Russian fleet at Cronstadt. Sir James chose a position at
the small island of Nargue, near Revel, as the most convenient place:
on passing Landsort, at the entrance of Stockholm, he sent the Rose
with letters, and to receive any which Mr. Foster might have for him.
The coronation of the new King was to take place on the 29th June. It
was the intention of his Majesty to invite Sir James to assist at that
ceremony, had he anchored at Daleroe, the anchorage for ships of the
line near the entrance of the river of Stockholm; but the Admiral had
proceeded without anchoring, and on that day was off Hang Udd.
On arriving at Nargue Island, which had a Russian governor, but no
fortification, Sir James found a large quantity of wood prepared for
transportation to Revel, which was very acceptable to the fleet; but
the water was not plentiful. The inhabitants of this island, who are
fishermen and speak the Swedish language, are inoffensive people; and
the Admiral, on his arrival, signified that it was not his intention
to molest them.
A correspondence was established between Mr. Foster and Sir James by
means of small vessels; and he was informed from time to time of the
progress of the negotiation with Russia, which was now going on, but
which, as we have already stated, entirely failed. It was proposed
that Baron Platen, one of the most talented men in Sweden, should
proceed to the Victory to confer with Sir James, and decide on some
plan of co-operation against the common enemy. Having received this
proposal from Mr. Foster, Sir James sent the Rose to convey the Baron
to the Victory.
Captain Mansell, of the Rose, was the bearer of the following letter:
Victory, off Nargue Island, 11th July 1809.
SIR,
By the Mary cutter, which arrived yesterday, I received your
letters of the 2nd and 4th inst. marked _private_ and
_confidential_; and I return you thanks for the important
communication you have been pleased to make to me of the
rejection by Russia of the proposed armistice with Sweden, and
of the intended plan of the latter to transport a force to Wasa
to co-operate with General Wrede, and endeavour to force the
Russian troops in West Bothnia to capitulate, which I sincerely
hope will be attended with the desired success.
I have not seen Baron Platen yet; but, should he put in
execution his intention of running to the squadron, I shall
readily attend to any proposal he makes to me respecting a
small part of the force under my orders being stationed off the
Aland Haf, although the services in the Gulf of Finland occupy
all the forces I can muster.
I remember to have had the honour of making the Baron's
acquaintance, who appeared to me to be a clever and
well-informed man. Be pleased to convey to him the information
that, should he honour me with a visit, Captain Mansell has my
directions to receive him on board, and that I shall be happy
to concert with him any measures he may suggest for the defence
of Sweden.
You will be happy to hear of the success that has attended a
detachment of this fleet under the command of Captain Martin,
of the Implacable, in an attack on the Russian flotilla, by the
boats of that ship, the Bellerophon, Melpomene, and Prometheus,
under the orders of Lieutenant Hawkey, who succeeded in
boarding and carrying off six gun-boats, besides one sunk, and
a convoy of vessels, fourteen in number, which were also
captured, laden with stores and provisions for the Russian
troops. It is with concern I have now to state the loss of
Lieutenant Hawkey, who conducted that attack; and Lieutenant
Stirling of the Prometheus, Mr. Mountenay, a midshipman,
besides ten men killed and thirty-seven wounded.
The Implacable and Melpomene had, previously to this, nearly
captured a large Russian frigate off Hoegland; but she escaped
to Aspoe, and, with four other ships of war, proceeded between
the rocks to Frederickshamn. On the following day they captured
nine vessels laden with naval stores belonging to the Emperor,
which they fell in with in Narva Bay.
I anchored here last Sunday in expectation of procuring a
supply of wood and water; of the former I found an abundance,
which had been ready prepared for the Emperor's troops at
Revel, but was disappointed in being able to obtain but a small
supply of water.
I am in anxious expectation of receiving favourable accounts
from the armies. If Napoleon can but be defeated, the cause of
Sweden will be materially benefited, and the Emperor of Russia
kept within proper bounds.
I am, &c.
JAMES SAUMAREZ.
One of the first acts of his Swedish Majesty after his coronation was
to put into execution the intention of the former sovereign, by
conferring on Sir James the Grand Cross of the honourable military
order of the Sword for his past meritorious service. This was
communicated to him in the handsomest manner; but the honour could not
of course be accepted without the permission of his own sovereign,
which, on application, was most graciously accorded.
The news of the triumph of the British squadron over the Russian
flotilla occasioned great rejoicing in Sweden, and inspired the nation
with new spirit and courage: congratulations were sent from all
quarters. Baron Platen sailed in the Rose from Daleroe on the 20th, and
came on board the Victory on the morning of the 23rd under a salute of
seven guns.
In a letter to Mr. Foster, Sir James says:
"Since the attack upon the gun-boats, not a vessel has been seen upon
the coast; and I hope effectually to prevent any supplies getting to
the Russian troops in Finland excepting over land, which must tend to
retard all their operations exceedingly.
"I have had this day (23rd July) a great deal of conversation with
Baron Platen upon the actual state of affairs, and I feel perfectly
disposed to give every assistance which the too limited means (owing
to the various services required for my whole force) will admit. He
informs me that the service is not likely to be of any continuance.
"I have ordered the Tribune, with the Rose and a gun-brig, to cruise
in Aland Haf. The Tribune is a frigate of the largest class, which I
can ill spare at present. Captain Reynolds will be directed to
communicate with you, and I request you will furnish him with all such
information as he may occasionally profit from.
"Baron Platen has brought me the decorations of Commander of the Grand
Cross of the order of the Sword, a mark of distinction I by no means
considered my services to have merited; and I feel sensibly this
instance of attention from the King of Sweden. The choice fixed upon
for successor to the throne is likely to lead to important events, as
it is probable the Prince of Holstein will have influence enough in
Norway to attach that country to Sweden, which would make up for the
loss of Finland."