23rd, there
had been several actions, though of less importance; they had
all terminated in favour of the Austrian troops. The messenger
left Baden on the 4th instant; and described in the strongest
terms the high spirits of the whole army, and the hopes formed
that the next action would prove decisive, and annihilate the
French.

I shall have great pleasure in transmitting to you any accounts
I may receive of importance; and I return you my sincere thanks
for the Gazette you did me the favour to enclose to me in your
letter of the 6th. I beg leave to congratulate you on the
splendid success that has attended the army in Portugal.

I have, &c. &c. &c.
JAS. SAUMAREZ.

Augt. Foster, Esq. charge d'affaires, &c.
Stockholm.

On the approach of the Victory off the harbour of Carlscrona, the
Admiral wrote the following complimentary letter to Admiral Puke, who
was then commander-in-chief and senior admiral in the Swedish service:

His Majesty's ship Victory, off Carlscrona, 4th June 1809.

SIR,

It is with the highest satisfaction that I have the honour to
inform your excellency of my arrival off Carlscrona, being in
my way up the Baltic, with part of the fleet under my command,
for the defence of Sweden against the attack of the Russian
fleet, and that I shall use every possible effort to preserve
the good understanding that has for so many years subsisted
between our respective nations.

I shall be thankful to your excellency for any information you
will be pleased to honour me with that can tend to the
advancement of the great and good cause in which we are
engaged; and I am happy in profiting by the present opportunity
to transmit an official bulletin which I received last Friday,
giving an account of a most important victory over the French
army, commanded by Buonaparte in person. This glorious event,
it is to be hoped, will unite the powers in the northern parts
of the Continent totally to extirpate the atrocious tyrant, who
has been so long the scourge of the human race.

I have the honour to be,
With sentiments of the highest regard and consideration,
Sir,
&c. &c. &c.
JAMES SAUMAREZ.

Vice-admiral Puke, &c. &c. &c.
Carlscrona.

To which Admiral Puke returned the following answer:

Carlscrona