Memoirs and Correspondence of Admiral Lord de Saumarez. Vol IIRoss, John, Sir
History
Memoirs and Correspondence of Admiral Lord de Saumarez. Vol II
Ross, John, Sir
Admirals -- Great Britain -- Biography; Saumarez, James, 1757-1836
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,
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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