hey respectively exchanged written documents to that effect; thus
proving, that two honest and wise seamen are by no means such bad
pacific negociators as might be imagined. Nor was this all; for, on the
26th, Lord Nelson received an invitation to visit the Emperor
Alexander, in a letter from the Comte de Pahlen, which also apprised his
lordship that the British merchant ships, unjustly detained by his
imperial majesty's late predecessor, were now ordered to be liberated.
To this pleasing communication, his lordship instantly returned the
following answer, by the Russian lugger which brought his letter from
the count.

"St. George, Rostock Bay,
10 o'clock at night, 26th May 1801.

"SIR,

"I am this moment honoured with your excellency's flattering letter
of May 6, O.S. and I assure you, that his imperial majesty's
justice has filled the idea I had formed of his excellent heart and
head; and, I am sure, the handsome manner in which the embargo has
been taken off the British shipping, will give the greatest
pleasure to my good and gracious sovereign. I am truly sensible of
the great honour done me, by the invitation of his imperial
majesty; and, at a future time, I hope to have the pleasure of
presenting my humble duty. I have now only to pray that a permanent
(which must be honourable) peace, may be re-established between our
gracious sovereigns; and, that our august masters reigns may be
blessed with every happiness which this world can afford: and I beg
that your excellency will believe, that I am, with the highest
respect, your most obedient and very humble servant,

Nelson and Bronte.

His Excellency the Comte de Pahlen."

There could now be no sort of doubt, that a peace with the northern
powers must soon be concluded on terms honourable to all parties. The
Danes, however, though so liberally treated, appear to have been
somewhat sore from the wounds which their temerity had invited. Sweden,
through the whole business, sagaciously kept as much as possible aloof:
ready to meet the evils of war, if necessary; but prudently prefering to
avoid them, while this might be effected without dishonour. Such,
happily, was also the disposition of Russia, from the moment of the
frantic Paul's demise; as well as that of the British government, which
had been forced into a state of hostility with those whom they were ever
des