1809.
Blockade of the Russian fleet.--Swedes' expedition, under
Admiral Puke and General Wachtmeister, sails,--is
unsuccessful.--Private correspondence with Mr.
Foster.--Armistice and Peace with Russia.--Peace with
Denmark.--Proceedings of the Fleet.--State of affairs in
Sweden.--Fleet returns to Carlscrona, and subsequently to
England.
The part of the campaign which depended on Sir James Saumarez, namely,
the blockade of the Russian fleet, which consisted of thirteen sail of
the line,--the protection of the coast of Sweden and of the trade of
both nations,--was completely successful. Not so, however, the efforts
of the Swedes: they indeed fought most bravely; and, if any fault
could be found with their general, it was that he was too courageous.
The force of the Russians was too great for their Swedish opponents;
and every attempt made by the latter was in vain, notwithstanding
Baron Platen's wishes were acceded to. Admiral Puke, on receiving his
appointment, left Carlscrona in a ship of the line, and, arriving off
Daleroe, wrote the following letter to Sir James:
His Majesty's ship Adolf Frederick, off Daleroe, 2d Aug. 1809.
SIR,
I do myself the honour to inform your excellency that his
Swedish Majesty has most graciously been pleased to intrust to
me the command of his sea and land forces, who are to act on
the coasts and in the Gulf of Bothnia against the common enemy
of our respective nations; and I beg to assure your excellency
that nothing could afford me more pleasure than receiving your
commands, if ever I can be of the smallest use to your
excellency. I submit to your excellency's own judgment if it
should not be useful to the common service to have respective
officers, who are acquainted with the languages, placed aside
of the commanders-in-chief. For my part, I should find it very
agreeable if Lieutenant John Ross, who served last year on
board the Swedish Admiral's ship, would be permitted to resume
the same employment on board of this. He is so well acquainted
with the Swedish language and customs, that I flatter myself he
would have no objection to this proposition.
If winds permit, I intend to depart to-morrow with two ships,
one frigate, six galleys, fifty gun-boats, and some transports,
carrying 7,000 troops, and proceed up the Gulf in order to
debark this army on a proper place, so that they might fall in
the back and destroy the enemy's troops, who at present occupy
the province of West Bothnia. Vice-admiral Baron Cederstrom
will remain with one hundred gun-boats and some galleys to
protect the Swedish coasts opposite Aland. The Camilla frigate
is left cruising in the Aland Haf, to act in conjunction with
the British force stationed there by the orders of your
excellency.
I should think it very useful for the service we are upon if a
British frigate and some sloops of war could be stationed at
Revel, in order to prevent the enemy from sending any
reinforcement to Aland; and also if your excellency should
proceed further up in the Gulf of Finland with the British
squadron, and make such demonstrations as would contribute to
keep the enemy in uncertainty of an attack on either of the
coasts in the Gulf. He would thereby be obliged to disperse his
forces, which in the present case would be of the greatest
utility for the service.
I submit all this to your excellency's invaluable judgment, and
have the honour to remain, with the highest esteem and
consideration,
Sir,
Your excellency's
Most obedient and most humble servant,
JOHN AF PUKE, Admiral.
His Excellency Vice-admiral Saumarez,
Commander-in-chief, &c.
The Swedish councillor of state, Baron Platen, who had been sent to
communicate with Sir James, remained only a few days on board the
Victory, when it was agreed that the Swedish flotilla should be
reinforced, so that there could be no doubt left of its superiority to
that of the Russians. The following correspondence will demonstrate
the amicable feeling produced by the interview.
Stockholm, 2d August 1809.
SIR,
It is with great pleasure I have the honour to return my best
thanks for all the numberless civilities bestowed on me during
my last visit. I should be vain were I to consider these as
paid to me personally; they were given in honour of my King and
country, so powerfully protected by your excellency, for which
his Majesty has ordered me to express his highest gratitude.
In reference to the operations in the common cause, as well as
to some other matters, I have written to Captain Hope, to whom
I sent several charts and drawings. I hope he will make out
what I mean, though I cannot express my ideas as I wish in a
foreign language.
Part of the expedition to the north is already under way, and
the rest will to-morrow set off under the command of Admiral
Puke. May the Almighty crown the undertaking with success, and
soon send them back again! Perhaps something might be effected,
before bad weather puts a stop to operations, with the small
fleet. Till now, every event seems favourable to the
expedition; and the knowledge of the chief makes me confident
that what is possible will be done. How much will Sweden be
indebted to your excellency for having so powerfully promoted
the business by combined measures.
I rejoice in the opportunity this gives me to assure your
excellency of the high esteem wherewith I am for ever,
Sir, &c. &c. &c.
B.V. PLATEN.
P.S.--It is by the order of his Majesty that I have the honour
to announce to your excellency that Lieutenant Ross has been
created a Knight of the order of the Sword, on the particular
request of the Admiral Puke.
Victory, Gulf of Finland, 12th August 1809.
SIR,
With the greatest pleasure I have received the letter your
excellency has done me the honour to write, and I have to
express my sincerest regret at not having been able to enjoy
for a longer time your valuable company on board the Victory;
but when I considered how precious every hour must be to your
excellency at this important epoch, I could not prevail upon
myself to offer the least delay to your departure, however
happy it would have made me to postpone it for some days
longer.
I hope soon to have the satisfaction to be informed that the
expedition has been crowned with the most complete success; and
should the proposed enterprise against Aland be adopted, I
trust to be able to reinforce the detachment under the orders
of Captain Reynolds, and contribute, as far as my means will
admit, to an expedition that has the security of Sweden for its
object.
I return you my sincere thanks for the charts you have been
pleased to send to Captain Hope, and for the attention your
excellency has bestowed on the welfare of the squadron in
directing that the ships may be supplied with fresh provisions
from the island of Gothland, should they require it.
The unremitted marks of friendship and regard shown to the
fleet under my command in the different ports in Sweden have
excited my highest gratitude, and I have not failed to express
the same to my government.
I shall take the earliest opportunity to signify to Mr. Ross,
who is at this time absent from the squadron on a particular
service, the distinguished mark of favour his Majesty the King
of Sweden has been pleased to confer upon him for his services.
I have the honour to be, &c. &c.
JAMES SAUMAREZ.[10]
His Excellency Baron de Platen, Stockholm.
[10] It has been already mentioned that a reinforcement was
granted to Admiral Puke's expedition; but Lieutenant John Ross
being at that time acting in command of his Majesty's sloop
Ariel, and detached on a particular service, the request that
he might be again appointed as adjutant to the Swedish fleet
could not be complied with. The following letters from Sir
James to Mr. Foster are given to show the progress of affairs
at that time, and how dependent the Swedes were on the issue of
undertakings in other quarters.
Victory, Gulf of Finland, 19th August 1809.
SIR,
I received by the Mary your letter of the 10th, with the papers
to the 1st instant from London. I hope the next accounts will
convey the pleasing information of the complete success of the
expedition under Lord Chatham, and that so powerful a blow in
favour of the common cause will induce Austria to renew
hostilities against Bonaparte. I shall also be happy to hear
that the expedition to the Gulf of Bothnia has been terminated
by the expulsion of the whole of the Russian force from Sweden.
Nothing has transpired in these quarters since my last letter.
From what I am informed, great discontent prevails in Russia at
the conduct of Bonaparte with respect to Poland.
In my last letter from England, orders have been given for the
vessels that conveyed the Spanish troops from the Danish
islands to Gottenburg to be restored. This looks as if peace
was about to take place between Sweden and Denmark; and I am
informed by Mr. Merry it was a condition demanded by Denmark
previously to preliminaries being entered into.
I have, &c. &c. &c.
JAMES SAUMAREZ.
Augt. Foster, Esq.
&c. &c. &c.
Victory, Gulf of Finland, 22nd August 1809.
SIR,
I return you many thanks for the letters and despatches you
have been pleased to forward to me, and which, with your letter
of the 19th, reached me yesterday evening. It becomes of so
great importance that I should receive my several
communications as speedily as possible, that I lose no time in
hastening the cutter back to Dalaroe, and I shall be obliged to
you to transmit my letters for England that I send by her.
I have this morning received a letter from Berlin, dated the
30th ultimo, from a person who had recently left the Austrian
head-quarters. It was expected that hostilities would be
renewed at the expiration of the armistice, and measures were
ordered to be in readiness for that purpose. I also understand
that information of this being the intention of the Emperor has
been transmitted to government, and also to Lord Chatham,
commanding the expedition. I therefore hope we may yet see a
favourable termination of the campaign.
With respect to Sweden, I am really anxious to be informed what
are the intentions of ministers relative to that country, as
also if there exists any probability of their concluding peace
with Russia and the other powers.
On receiving the account of the insurrection on the
Earthholmes, I sent immediate orders to his Majesty's ships
that might be at Carlscrona to use their endeavours to take
possession of them, and I have detached a ship of the line upon
that service. It is an island of great importance, and I
sincerely hope it will fall into our hands. I also hope to
receive accounts of the expedition from Sweden having succeeded
to its fullest extent, and request you will be pleased to
transmit to me the earliest accounts that may arrive. I am
rather surprised at not having heard from the detachment under
Captain Reynolds.
I have, &c. &c. &c.
JAMES SAUMAREZ.
Augt. Foster, Esq.
&c. &c. &c.
Admiral Puke, having been reinforced by the Tribune, Rose, Hearty,
and some gun-boats, proceeded safely to his destination at West
Bothnia. In every attack on the Russian flotilla he had the advantage,
and he eventually landed General Count Wachtmeister with 7,000 troops
near Umeoe. It appears that this general did not take up the best
position for preventing the escape of the Russian general Kaminski,
who, notwithstanding the bravery of the Swedish troops in the battle
of Umeoe, succeeded in effecting a retreat on a reinforcement, and at
length compelled the Swedish general to propose an armistice on the
terms dictated by Russia. This led to a peace, by which Russia
obtained the whole of Finland and West Bothnia as far as Umeoe.
The terms would no doubt have been still worse had not the English
fleet remained in the Gulf, for there was nothing else to prevent the
Russians from taking possession of Stockholm. It will be manifest,
from the following correspondence, that, under circumstances of heavy
responsibility, Sir James remained to a very late period for the
defence of Sweden and the protection of the commerce of that country
and England.
Stockholm, 2d Sept. 1809.
SIR,
I had the honour to receive yesterday your excellency's letter,
dated 28th ultimo. Despatches and letters have been lying here
for you some days: in those which came yesterday you will find
the official account of the surrender of Flushing. I am sorry
not to be able to give you such satisfactory intelligence as I
could wish of the operations of the Swedes, who have failed to
cut off the retreat of the enemy, although they have gained
considerable advantages. I enclose to you the Swedish Gazette,
as I think you have an officer on board who can read it.
I delivered to Baron Platen your message. He is, however, quite
despondent as to the possibility now of an attack upon Aland.
Count ----, it really appears, might have taken a stronger
position, so as to prevent the escape of Kaminski. The time
that will now be lost in his pursuit being fatal, renders
future operations equally so.
The Baron means to write to you, and I shall detain the King's
messenger Meares; whom, not having anybody else to send, I am
obliged to despatch to Daleroe until this letter is ready.
The negotiation at Frederickshamn, as far as I can understand,
is proceeding slowly. The demands of Russia continue
peremptory, as before, upon the cessions required. On the
article respecting us, some propositions of a modifying nature
have been offered by the Russians; such as though the general
preliminary for excluding from Swedish ports is still insisted
on, that colonial goods, salt, and raw produce of various
kinds, amounting to almost every thing that is not actually
prohibited by the Swedish laws, shall be considered as
exceptions. But on the question of the ships, and particularly
of the ships of war of Great Britain, I am afraid, in the
present state of things, that Sweden will not obtain a peace
without a stipulation for their exclusion.
Under this conviction I have addressed myself to Baron
Engerstrom, representing to him the danger that his Majesty's
ships might be exposed to in keeping the seas at the perilous
season of the year if no ports were open to them; and I
requested of him to give me early intelligence if Sweden were
disposed to consent to this article, and as to when it might be
put into execution. The Swedish minister gave me the most
solemn assurances that he would not fail to communicate to me
full time enough if this country should be obliged to enter
into such stipulations; and observed that, although necessity
might oblige them to act against their wishes, yet that they
would _always be honest_. He likewise remarked that preliminary
conditions were not at any rate to be put in force until the
peace was ratified; and that, before that event should take
place, arrangements were to be entered into relative to the
ceded provinces, which would necessarily cause a very
considerable delay; so that he would not look upon a final
arrangement with Russia as being likely to ensue before the
winter should set in, and render navigation impracticable.
The Swedish minister has frequently remarked to me, that, even
if a treaty should be signed by which Sweden should bind
herself to exclude us from her ports, such an obligation could
only extend to those that were capable of defence; but that
there were innumerable inlets and harbours which were not
commanded by cannon, and which of course could not be included.
One of the propositions to be put forward will, I have reason
to think, be grounded upon this state of the coasts; and it
will be offered to close the large harbours, mentioning them by
name, leaving the rest open. I should be glad to know what you
think of these speculations of the Swedish cabinet on so
interesting a point. If the Earthholmes are taken, I suppose
you will not be very anxious about them. I forward to you two
German papers from Mr. Fenwick, and two of Pelletier's papers,
which you may like to see, and have an occasion to forward to
Mr. Drusina. The Hamburg Gazette says the armistice is broken
in Germany, and there are reports of two battles.
I have, &c. &c. &c.
AUGT. FOSTER.
Vice-admiral Sir James Saumarez.
Victory, Gulf of Finland, 8th Sept. 1809.
SIR,
I had the honour to receive yesterday your letter of the 2nd
inst., and I am truly concerned to find the success of the
Swedish expedition has been so very inadequate to what was
reasonably to have been expected, and that the delay in
endeavouring to cut off the retreat of the Russian troops will
render it too late to make the intended attack upon Aland. The
terms persisted in by Russia appear to be very severe; but I
apprehend Sweden will be obliged to make the most of them, from
the slender means she has of defending herself during the
winter months, when the country will be exposed to danger of an
invasion. It is a fortunate circumstance that the navigation
has been so long protracted as to enable the trade to proceed
hitherto out of the Baltic, and as considerable delay must
still take place before the peace can be ratified, it will
afford sufficient time for the ships that are loading in the
Russian ports to assemble at Carlscrona before the exclusion
can be enforced. The period agreed upon for the last convoy to
sail from Carlscrona was fixed to the 15th Nov., till which
time, at least, we must hope the ports will be open, both to
ships of war and the trade. Should you think it advisable, it
might be mentioned to the Swedish minister (Baron Engerstrom)
that if the stipulation of exclusion is absolutely insisted
upon, that it is hoped that it will not be put in force till
the winter is too far advanced to admit any ships sailing from
the ports of Russia.
It will be proper to know from Baron Engerstrom if the notice
that was signified in the spring, of not allowing more than
five or six pendants at a time at Carlscrona or other ports in
Sweden, is insisted upon at present, in order that I may
regulate myself accordingly. At the same time, as tempestuous
weather in going down the Baltic, or other circumstances, may
render it advisable for the whole squadron to enter Carlscrona,
I would wish orders to be given for that purpose, and that the
pilots may be directed to go out to ships making the signal. I
shall be obliged to you to let me know by the return of this
vessel the determination of the Swedish government upon this
point.
It is my wish to remain in the Gulf of Finland as long as is
possible, consistent with the safety of his Majesty's ships;
but as the equinoctial gales may soon be expected, and as it
will become indispensable to withdraw the ships, particularly
those stationed in Makelato Bay, I could wish to be informed
whether it becomes of importance to Sweden for the squadron to
remain in this sea any longer, and which I also request you
will let me know, by the return of the vessel that conveys
this, with as little delay as possible. I forward some papers I
yesterday received from Pillau; you will find the armistice has
been prolonged for a fortnight with fourteen days' warning, but
it was expected hostilities would re-commence the middle of the
present month.
I sincerely congratulate you upon the surrender of Flushing. I
hope we shall soon hear that the other objects of the
expedition have been accomplished, particularly as far as
regards the capture or destruction of the enemy's ships in the
Scheldt. I delivered to Captain Ross the Cross of the Order of
the Sword, which was enclosed to me by Count de Moerner. He will
be happy to avail himself of this signal mark of distinction,
on receiving his Majesty's gracious permission. Permit me to
request your having the goodness to forward the enclosed to
Count Moerner.
I have, &c. &c. &c.
JAMES SAUMAREZ.
Augt. Foster, Esq.
&c. &c. &c.
Stockholm, Sept. 7th, 1809.
SIR,
Your private letter of the 5th inst. has reached me with
extraordinary despatch. By this time you will, I trust, have
had mine of the 2nd: I have nothing to add to the statement I
then made to you of the appearance of affairs in Sweden, except
that an armistice has been offered by General Kaminski, which
will probably be accepted. Platen is in great despondency, and
says he never will be sanguine about anything again. The
generals have certainly not done as they might. As far as the
council and the navy were concerned, all was well combined, but
the army was ill posted, and Wachtmeister has shown that he has
but a very poor head. Unless the Russians are disposed to
change sides, the negotiation at Frederickshamn is not likely
to be benefited by these events. You must calculate on this
country yielding, if the ministers are pressed strongly, to the
terms demanded. I see no means they have of resisting. It is a
mutilated land, and the resources that remain are ill managed,
while the debt is rapidly increasing.
Baron de Platen desires me to say he will send you the plan you
demanded of St. Petersburg by the next opportunity; it is
copying, and not quite ready. I have the honour to send to you
a couple of the last French papers. Lieut. Allen delivered to
me your letter, and I shall endeavour to get him a seat in the
messengers' carriage to-morrow night.
I should be glad to know when you think of quitting the Gulf
with the fleet, and how soon the navigation becomes dangerous.
If an armistice between the hostile armies in West Bothnia
takes place, in all probability the squadron in Aland's Haf
will be no longer necessary there.
I have, &c. &c. &c.
AUGT. FOSTER.
To Vice-admiral Sir James Saumarez.
P.S.--I send you a paper of the 26th, a day later than
any here, which I have got from the packets having been
detained a day in Harwich. I hope you will be able to
send the French papers to Mr. Drusina. I beg to submit
the suggestion of the advantage of as frequent a return of
the despatch vessel to Dalero, at this period, as is convenient
to you.
The armistice between France and Austria appears to
have been prolonged, some say twenty-eight days, some
eighteen: it is said proposals have been made to us. I can
think of none that would be palatable.
Stockholm, 15th Sept. 1809.
SIR,
On the day before yesterday Mr. Reynolds delivered to me your
letters of the 8th and 9th inst, as also a despatch containing
three letters addressed to me from Pillau, for which I beg to
return you my best thanks. I had already taken occasion, some
days back, to prepare Baron d'Engestroem for the moment, when,
in consequence of the lateness of the season, a formal
notification might be made to him, on your part, of the
impossibility of your much longer keeping the seas you are in;
and I lost no time in soliciting an interview of the Swedish
Minister for the purpose of obtaining from him the information
which you desire in your letter above mentioned.
I stated to his excellency that you were anxious to know
whether it became of importance to Sweden that the squadron
under your orders should remain in the sea in which it is any
time longer. I laid stress upon the circumstance that the only
object which you now had in remaining in the Gulf of Finland
was the defence of Sweden, and to cover the expedition in West
Bothnia; and I did not fail to remark upon the season being
advanced, and the dangers to which his Majesty's ships might be
exposed by a longer stay in the Gulf of Finland, though at the
same time I thought it advisable to dwell upon the sincere wish
which I was sure you had to do everything in your power, short
of endangering the safety of the fleet, that might be judged
desirable by the Swedish Government for the further defence of
this country.
Baron d'Engestroem asked to consult his sovereign upon the
answer to be made, and yesterday he appointed an hour in the
evening for me to wait upon him. I had previously written to
him in the morning a letter of which the enclosed is a copy,
from the warmth with which he assured me that at all events,
and under whatever stipulations, peace might be made between
Sweden and her enemies. His Majesty's ships under your command,
to whose efforts Sweden was so much indebted, should have no
reason to dread the result, or your excellency have cause to be
anxious, lest an article for the exclusion of British ships
from the Swedish ports should be suddenly enforced, even if
Sweden were finally to be under the necessity of agreeing to a
treaty containing it. I was afraid that the Swedish Minister
might labour under the mistake of imagining that a suspicion of
such a state of things being likely to take place, might
possibly be connected with your desire to withdraw from the
Gulf of Finland at the present moment, and I therefore judged
it advisable, without making an official note of it, to write
the letter, a copy of which I enclose, and which I hope will
meet with your approbation.
On seeing the minister I found he was fully sensible of the
motives by which you were guided; he thanked you for the
assistance you had given to Sweden on the part of his
sovereign, who, he said, was penetrated with the delicacy of
your conduct to this country. If you could not keep your
station in the narrow Gulf of Finland, he hoped that you might
be able to remain at least in the Baltic, until the accounts
from Fredericksham should become more decided; and as to the
squadron in Aland Haf, he observed, that Admiral Puke was soon
expected, when the service of that squadron would no longer be
wanted; he wished it to remain till then, which would be a few
days longer.
As I had demanded, in conformity with your desire, if the
regulation of last spring, which limited the number of his
Majesty's pendants that might be in Carlscrona or other ports
of Sweden, was still to be considered in force, he answered me,
that with respect to the ships under your orders, any number of
them, or all, might enter into Carlscrona or any other port,
and procure what they stood in need of; and he offered to give
me a written engagement to that effect, which I expressed a
desire to have, and it is for that I wait in order to despatch
the Hero.
I have, &c. &c. &c.
AUGT. FOSTER.
To Vice-admiral Sir James Saumarez,
&c. &c. &c.
Stockholm, Sept. 16th, 1809.
SIR,
Lieut. Reynolds having been so long detained, without entering
into particulars, I shall only mention that peace is on the
point of being signed between Sweden and Russia; an officer
arrived yesterday from Fredericksham, and on the 18th or 20th
the signature is expected. The exclusion of British ships and
merchandise is one of the articles; but those under your
command, and the merchant ships now in the Baltic or at
Gottenburg, M. d'Engestroem has assured me, are to be excepted
from its operations.
I have the honour to enclose to you a copy of the note which I
have this moment received from the Swedish minister, in answer
to the propositions you had made. The minister remarked to me,
that though he should not mention it in the note, yet that he
trusted you, in using the ports of Sweden, would be cautious of
committing the government of Sweden. Both he and Baron Platen
are desirous that you should still keep the sea near the Gulf
of Finland, in order to influence their negotiation; certain
British goods are still to be admitted. I shall despatch a
messenger to Captain Reynolds the moment Admiral Puke arrives.
I have, &c. &c. &c.
AUGT. FOSTER
To Vice-admiral Sir James Saumarez,
&c. &c. &c.
Victory, off Nargen, 19th Sept. 1809.
SIR,
I had the honour yesterday evening to receive your letters of
the 15th and 16th inst., enclosing the copy of one you had
written to Baron d'Engestroem, and of that minister's answer to
your letter. It affords me great satisfaction to find that the
Swedish government have so readily acquiesced in the
representation you were pleased to make to them of the
expediency of the squadron leaving the Gulf of Finland, in
consequence of the present advanced state of the season, and
also of the ready concurrence with the proposal that all the
squadron, if required, should be admitted into the ports of
Sweden, without adverting to the number that had been
previously limited.
I request you will do me the honour to assure Baron
d'Engestroem, that I shall not withdraw the squadron from this
station until the weather renders it indispensable for the
safety of his Majesty's ships, and that, on my leaving the
Gulf, I shall order a detachment to cruise between Daggerort
and the Swedish coast, should it be further required. It is a
fortunate circumstance that the preliminaries of peace were so
far advanced as not to give a pretext for their being hastened
by the squadron having been withdrawn from the station, and it
affords me singular satisfaction to find that the government
appears so strongly impressed with the measures that have been
pursued for the welfare of Sweden.
I shall detach vessels as frequently as possible to maintain
the correspondence, and I beg to express my sincere
acknowledgments for the punctuality you have shown in
permitting me to hear from you by all opportunities that have
offered.
I have, &c. &c. &c.
JAMES SAUMAREZ.
To Augt. Foster, Esq.
&c. &c. &c.
Stockholm, 1st Oct. 1809.
SIR,
According to your desire I shall not detain Lieut. Reynolds. I
have the honour to acknowledge the receipt from him of your
letters of the 24th, 25th, 26th, and 28th ult., with their
enclosures, which I have delivered as directed. I have given in
charge to him your letters which came by the last two mails,
bringing our accounts from London to the 19th ult. Another may
be expected to-morrow or next day, as the wind was fair at
Gottenburg; and according to your wish I shall forward whatever
may come to your address by express to Carlscrona. I return you
my best thanks for the newspapers and letter from Koningsburg
and Pillau, which you were so good as to forward to me.
I have now received the assurances of the Swedish government
that British ships of every kind will be received into the
Swedish ports until after the 12th of November, the time fixed
by them for putting into execution the stipulations contained
in the 3rd article of their treaty of peace with Russia. This
article does not at all refer to the departure from Swedish
ports of British ships, and therefore I conclude, as I am
indeed warranted by the declarations of the ministry here, that
the sailing of convoys from Sweden may continue up to any
period of the year, but the English flag may not enter any port
of the country after the 12th of November; you will, of course,
be best able to judge how this will agree with your
arrangements.
I had several days ago spoken to Admiral Stedinck about orders
to the pilots to be ready at Carlscrona in case you should want
any number of them, and I received his assurances that every
necessary direction should be instantly given to that effect.
The Mercurius has sailed with the Duke of Brunswick's chests. I
understand a Swedish brig is off Daleroe to give convoy. The
Hearty is not, owing to contrary winds. I shall inquire about
the periods when convoys will be required, and let you know the
results.
I have, &c. &c. &c.
AUGT. FOSTER.
To Vice-admiral Sir James Saumarez.
Stockholm, 1st October 1809.
SIR,
I think it right you should be informed that the opposition
here have raised some outcry on the invitation made to you to
enter Carlscrona. I can perceive even that some of the members
of the government do not wish your stay there to be long, for
fear of their being committed, and I really believe, that
provisions were collected for you in Gothland, in order to
diminish the necessity of it: finding such to be the case, I
intimated to Baron Platen, whose frankness and openness on all
occasions I have the greatest cause to commend, that I would
write to you, and that I was sure you would find means to avoid
entering Carlscrona at all, if you heard that any ill-founded
and unjust suspicions were entertained of your intentions, on
which he conjured me not to do so; that on the contrary he
wished you would come in, and that it would have the happiest
effect if you were to stay there with a fleet a few days, and
prove to the ill-minded that British honour was to be trusted.
I cannot but think so too, and therefore I was very glad to
find that it was your intention to take at least some ships
into Carlscrona. The fleet, of transports coming from England
with the Russian seamen, described in the German papers as a
formidable fleet, has also created some alarm among the
ill-informed. Harassed and torn as this country has been, it is
perhaps excusable that the people should be fearful and nervous
to excess, as to the situation of the small remaining resources
which they possess.
I hope to have the honour to hear from you from Carlscrona, and
that your excellency has had everything you wished there.
I have, &c. &c. &c.
AUGT. FOSTER.
To Vice-admiral Sir James Saumarez, Bart. K.B.
During the time the fleet lay at Nargen roads the ships were not
molested by the Russians, who had marched 15,000 men to defend Revel.
The poor inhabitants on the island were liberally paid for everything
that was supplied to the fleet; some valuable trees were cut down, and
the empty transports which had brought out stores and provisions were
partly loaded with them.
On the 28th of September it became no longer necessary to blockade the
Russians, who had now concluded an armistice; Denmark had done the
same. Sir James, therefore, proceeded to Carlscrona with three sail of
the line only, the remaining ships being distributed in other places
where anchorage could be found.
During the summer, Rear-admirals Bertie and Manley Dixon had been
stationed to protect convoys, the former in the Sound, and the latter
in the Belt. Nothing of any consequence happened except the capture of
eighty men, who were surprised by a powerful body of Danes on the
small island of Romsoe, where they had been to procure wood and water.
The Minx gun-brig was taken off the coast of Norway. Anholt was placed
in a state of defence, and garrisoned by a detachment of marines from
England.
Having entered the harbour on the 5th October, Sir James wrote the
following letter to Mr. Foster, which states a circumstance of rather
a delicate nature, wherein he displayed both tact and prudence.
Victory, at Carlscrona, 7th October 1809.
SIR,
I have the honour to acquaint you of my arrival at Carlscrona
on Wednesday evening, with three sail of the line only, having
thought it most advisable to order the others to the Belt and
off Gottenburg. The permission to admit any number of ships was
received by Vice-admiral Baron Palmquist as I was coming into
the harbour, and every possible attention has been manifested
by the Vice-admiral and all the other Swedish officers towards
the squadron, which I cannot represent in too strong terms. A
circumstance of rather an untoward nature has occurred, with
which I think right to make you acquainted, in case any
explanation should be required. I was informed that with the
order to admit any number of his Majesty's ships, Admiral
Palmquist was also directed to invite me and the captains of
the squadron to dinner on this day, being the anniversary of
the King's birth-day. Knowing that government have not as yet
acknowledged the present sovereign, it would have been improper
for me to appear on so public an occasion: I accepted the
invitation, intending to excuse myself as I might find
necessary. On Baron Palmquist returning my visit yesterday he
noticed it was the anniversary of his sovereign's birth-day. I
have this morning sent him a note to excuse myself the honour
of dining with him, on the footing that my official duties
would not permit it.
Admiral Pickmore, Captain Hope, and all the captains dine with
the Baron. I did not think it proper to prevent this, after the
great attention paid upon every occasion to the officers of the
squadron. The motive I have before mentioned must prevent the
salutes that usually take place on similar occasions.
I enclose to you a despatch which I received from Pillau
yesterday, and a German paper I received by the same
opportunity. It was generally believed that hostilities would
be renewed on the 5th inst.
The period of my remaining here is not yet fixed, but I shall
have the pleasure of informing you the moment I can decide.
I have, &c. &c. &c.
JAMES SAUMAREZ.
To Augt. Foster, Esq.
&c. &c. &c.
Nothing could surpass the kindness of the Swedes at Carlscrona, and
Sir James left them after a stay of a few weeks with sincere regret.
He proceeded through the Belt, affording protection to a large convoy,
and visiting the different stations. The order not to admit any
British ships of war or merchantmen after the 15th of November, was
dated on the 25th October; but it was considered on both sides as a
matter of form, it being notorious that the Swedes could not prevent
English men-of-war from entering any of their ports if they chose; but
out of delicacy to them, and that there should be no cause of
complaint for not fulfilling the treaty, Sir James did not occupy any
of their fortified harbours, and as little as he could the others. He
touched at Gottenburg to give his final directions about the convoys,
and at Christmas arrived and struck his flag in the Downs. Having
received the high approbation of the Lords of the Admiralty for his
judicious conduct under such extraordinary circumstances, and for the
protection so successfully afforded to the trade, he returned to his
native island, to enjoy for a few months the society of his family and
friends.