them as at this moment. The only
consideration in my mind is, how to get at them with the least
risk to our ships. By Mr. Vansittart's account, the Danes have
taken every means in their power to prevent our getting to
attack Copenhagen by the passage of the Sound. Cronenburg has
been strengthened, the Crown Islands fortified, on the outermost
of which are twenty guns, pointing mostly downwards, and only
eight hundred yards from very formidable batteries placed under
the Citadel, supported by five Sail of the Line, seven Floating
batteries of fifty guns each, besides Small-craft, Gun-boats,
&c. &c.; and that the Revel Squadron of twelve or fourteen Sail
of the Line are soon expected, as also five Sail of Swedes. It
would appear by what you have told me of your instructions, that
Government took for granted you would find no difficulty in
getting off Copenhagen, and in the event of a failure of
negotiation, you might instantly attack; and that there would be
scarcely a doubt but the Danish Fleet would be destroyed, and
the Capital made so hot that Denmark would listen to reason and
its true interest. By Mr. Vansittart's account, their state of
preparation exceeds what he conceives our Government thought
possible, and that the Danish Government is hostile to us in
the greatest possible degree. Therefore here you are, with
almost the safety, certainly with the honour of England more
intrusted to you, than ever yet fell to the lot of any British
Officer. On your decision depends, whether our Country shall be
degraded in the eyes of Europe, or whether she shall rear her
head higher than ever; again do I repeat, never did our Country
depend so much on the success of any Fleet as on this. How best
to honour our Country and abate the pride of her Enemies, by
defeating their schemes, must be the subject of your deepest
consideration as Commander-in-Chief; and if what I have to offer
can be the least useful in forming your decision, you are most
heartily welcome.

I shall begin with supposing you are determined to enter by the
Passage of the Sound, as there are those who think, if you leave
that passage open, that the Danish Fleet may sail from Copenhagen,
and join the Dutch or French. I own I have no fears on that
subject; for it is not likely that whilst their Capital is menaced