CHAPTER IX.
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 Puké, 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.