ost is also very
tardy, or you must have received letters from me of the 23rd
ultimo; one of the 30th must also be lying for you at Ystad. I
shall now make a practice of writing to you by every post, as
you very naturally will be glad to hear even negative news.
Admiral Bertie's suspicions are very natural for him to
entertain, but I really believe entirely unfounded.

The situation of Norway (which, I will confide to you, seems
more critical for Denmark than for Sweden,) will account for so
many couriers passing. The desire of peace, openly manifested
by this country, accounts for their allowing such passage,
which has for some time been permitted in return for the
passage through Denmark being allowed to Swedish officers. As
to a better understanding being supposed to exist with the
Danes, I had occasion to inquire on this subject the day before
yesterday of M. d'Engestroem, who is the new minister for
foreign affairs here, and who assured me that the Danish
government was even so pettish as to prevent the passage of the
Hamburgh Gazette for some time back. The Russian government has
demanded the exclusion of our ships from Swedish ports, and on
this and other conditions have agreed to receive Baron Stedinck
as negotiator: this they have informed me of, and at the same
time of their intention to negotiate upon this point, and to
gain further time. Delay is what they covet in appearance, and
what in reality appears to be their interest to desire until
the campaign in Germany is decided; for on it depends most
probably the portion they will lose of territory, and the
question even of their independence as regards their conduct
towards us.

In the character of the Duke of Sudermania, who was created
King on Thursday the 6th, I confess also that I place much
confidence, more perhaps than in that of his ministers. His
conduct has been loyal and frank, nor does he seem to exhibit
that pliability in principles too common among this nation.

I have not time to copy the enclosure which I send you on the
subject of pilots, which Vice-admiral Stedinck has just written
out before me, as the post goes in an hour and a half; nor
shall I perhaps have time to write to Admiral Bertie as I could
wish, this being post-day for England.

Two