ing the disposition of his troops. Thus circumstanced, Sir John
begged permission to send his aide-de-camp, Col. Graham, (now Lord
Lynedoch,) to the Admiral with despatches; which being granted, he
changed coats with the aide-de-camp, proceeded to Gothenburg himself,
leaving the colonel in his stead, and arrived safely on board the
Victory, to the great joy of Sir James, who was no less alarmed for
Sir John's safety, than puzzled as to what measures would be most
advisable to effect his release from unwarrantable confinement.

The following extract of a letter from Sir James to his brother,
written from Gothenburg, will afford the best account that can be
given of the state of affairs at the time he arrived there:

14th May 1808.

I fear you will be disappointed at the little information I can
give you; it will, however, be satisfactory to know that none
of the enemy's troops have, as yet, been enabled to cross the
Sound, or get a footing on any part of Sweden. The Danes have
about 30,000 troops in the island of Zealand; and at Funen and
Holstein there are about 30,000 French, Spaniards, and Dutch:
but the Sound and Belts are so closely watched, that it will be
very difficult for any number of vessels to escape our
different cruisers stationed to intercept them.

The Swedish troops on the frontiers of Norway, under the orders
of General Armfeldt, have had several skirmishes with the
Danes, which have in general proved very favourable to the
former; but nothing of importance has yet taken place, owing to
the roads being almost impassable from the depth of snow and
ice, which, even at this advanced season, cover them. Last
Wednesday, accounts were received from Stockholm, of the
surrender of Sweaborg! It was the more unexpected from the
garrison having withstood two assaults, in which the Russians
are said to have lost a great number of men. This event decides
the fate of Finland. Sweaborg was considered a fortress of
great importance.

The following extract, on the subject of Sir John Moore's detention
and escape, shows the state of affairs up to his departure from
Gothenburg on the 1st of July:

Victory, 30th June 1808.

You will have been surprised at the length of time we have been
detained here, and particularly so when I inform you that the
troops are returning to England, owing