I cannot
meddle with politics; but, I am not at liberty to suffer a fleet,
whose intention is not yet known, to approach the guns of the
castle which I have the honour to command. In case your excellency
should think proper to make any proposals to the King of Denmark, I
wish to be informed thereof before the fleet approaches nearer to
the castle.

"Heer Stricker."

After receiving the above reply, the British commander in chief
immediately sent notice to the Danish Governor--That, finding the
intentions of the Court of Denmark to be hostile against his Britannic
Majesty, he regarded his excellency's answer as a declaration of war;
and, therefore, agreeable to his instructions, could no longer refrain
from hostilities, however repugnant it might be to his feelings: but
that, at the same time, the admiral would be ready to attend to any
proposals of the Court of Denmark, for restoring the former amity and
friendship, which had for so many years subsisted between the two
courts. During these negociations, an officer of distinction, high in
favour with the crown prince, coming on board the admiral, with a verbal
answer to one of our proposals, and finding some difficulty in
expressing, with sufficient accuracy, the sentiments of his court, was
requested to communicate them in writing; when, a pen being brought for
this purpose, which happened to be ill pointed, he held it up, and
remarked, with a sarcastic smile--"If your guns are not better pointed
than your pens, you will make little impression on Copenhagen." Certain
it is, that the Danes, who were conscious of having taken every
precaution which science could suggest for the defence of their country,
entertained very little doubt that the British fleet would be compelled
to retire, should it even venture to make an attack. The Sound was
protected, on the Swedish side, by the fort of Helsingberg; and, on that
of Denmark, by the Castle of Cronenberg: each of them garrisoned with
forces very sufficient to withstand any attack. Besides this formidable
opposition, numerous strong batteries were erected on the Danish shore,
through the tremendous fire of which it was thought quite impracticable
for any hostile fleet to pass. As for Copenhagen, it was, from the
excellent state of it's ancient fortresses, the different batteries
recently constructed, and the numerous well-disciplined troops by which
they were manned, considered as absolu