I have received the honour of your Serene Highness's letter respecting Major Nordenfeldts, and inclosing one from Mr. Harrison of the Treasury, which I shall have great pleasure in delivering to Major Nordenfeldts, should I meet with him on his way from Colberg, and I shall also use my endeavours to facilitate his means of returning to England.
I have the honour to be,
With the highest respect, &c.
James Saumarez.
To his Serene Highness the Duke of Brunswick.
The deposed King of Sweden, after having spent the winter in England, was embarked on board the Horatio to return to the Continent, but choosing to remain longer than necessary on board that ship, Sir James wrote instructions how to act respecting him; but he had fortunately disembarked before Sir James's arrival in the Baltic. He sailed from the Downs on the 28th of April and arrived at Gothenburg on the 2nd of May 1811, where he was received joyfully by the Swedes, although they could not publicly give vent to their feelings.
On Sir James's arrival he wrote the following letter to the Admiralty:
Victory, in Wingo Sound, 3rd May 1811.
I have the honour to acquaint you with my arrival here yesterday morning, after a short passage of only four days from the Downs. Admiral Reynolds arrived here with the detachment from Hosley Bay ten days before, and Admiral Dixon yesterday evening. The weather proving unfavourable, I have received no communication from Gothenburg, except by a letter from Mr. Consul Smith, informing me that, on his having signified my arrival to the Governor, he immediately despatched a courier to Stockholm, agreeably to orders he had received from thence, and that when the courier reached Stockholm, it would determine the commander-in-chief Count Essen's journey to Gothenburg, which had been postponed until the account of my arrival was received.
The Consul adds, that everything was very tranquil hitherto, and that I should see him soon on board the Victory. I received letters from Mr. Fenwick informing me that the Danes were fitting out more than double the number of privateers and armed vessels than they did last year, intending, if possible, to obstruct the passage of the convoys through the Belt. This is a service that I fear will be attended with much hazard and difficulty, if the trade is carried on to any considerable extent.
The island of Anholt is threatened with a second attack, and will require stationary force for its protection.