This appeal to his imperial Majesty unfortunately did not reach St. Petersburg until the day after the Emperor Alexander had left it, on his journey to meet Buonaparte at Erfurth; and, in consequence, Sir James received the following answer from the Russian Admiral Tchitchagoff, the minister of the Marine: St. Petersburg, 12/27 Sept. 1808. MONSIEUR, La lettre que votre excellence a adresse a sa Majeste l'Empereur m'est parvenu a mon retour a St. Petersburg conjointement a celle que m'a ecrit Monsieur Thornton. Sa Majeste n'etant plus dans sa capitale depuis quelque jours, je me suis empresse de la lui expedier. Pendant mon sejour au Port Baltique, ayant appris que votre excellence desiroit savoir si l'echange de nos equipages pris sur le vaisseau Le Sewolod, contre des sujets de sa Majeste Britannique ou Swedoise pourroit avoir lieu, je suis bien-aise de lui annoncer que des ordres ont ete donnes au general en chef commandant en Finlande de rendre un nombre egal, et rang pour rang, des sujets de sa Majeste Swedoise contre les prisonniers Russes faits dans le dernier combat. En priant votre excellence de vouloir bien transmettre la ci-jointe au ministre de sa Majeste Britannique, Monsieur Thornton, je dois la prevenir que je n'ai point recu les gazettes que ce dernier m'avoit annonces dans sa lettre. Je saisis avec empressement cette occasion pour assurer votre excellence de la consideration la plus distinguee avec laquelle j'ai l'honneur d'etre, De votre excellence, Tres humble et tres obeissant serviteur, P. DE TCHITCHAGOFF. A son Ex. Mon. le Vice-amiral Saumarez. The letters addressed to Mr. Thornton, being to the same effect, need not be given. The exchange of prisoners took place at a subsequent period. A negociation now ensued between the Russian and British commanders-in-chief, for permission that the blockaded fleet should return to St. Petersburg unmolested, on condition that a part should be given up by the former. In answer to this proposition, his Swedish Majesty requiring that the whole should be given up, and Sir James's demand being for both the three-deckers and half the remainder, the negociation was broken off, and fire-ships were fitted out as the only chance of destroying them.[7] In the mean time, the Thunder and another bomb-ship, covered by the Goliath and Salsette, continued to throw shells into the fortress, and on one occasion a magazine was blown up; but the fleet was too far within the harbour for the shells to reach them, or to prevent their extending a barricade of booms to prevent the approach of fire-ships. The Erebus and a brig having however been prepared, an attempt was made on the 20th September; but failed, owing to the rise of the moon before the vessels could approach. [7] The Erebus sloop and Baltic, besides a brig, were converted into fire-ships.