the
loss of Finland."

CHAPTER X.

1809.

Blockade of the Russian fleet.--Swedes' expedition, under
Admiral Puke and General Wachtmeister, sails,--is
unsuccessful.--Private correspondence with Mr.
Foster.--Armistice and Peace with Russia.--Peace with
Denmark.--Proceedings of the Fleet.--State of affairs in
Sweden.--Fleet returns to Carlscrona, and subsequently to
England.

The part of the campaign which depended on Sir James Saumarez, namely,
the blockade of the Russian fleet, which consisted of thirteen sail of
the line,--the protection of the coast of Sweden and of the trade of
both nations,--was completely successful. Not so, however, the efforts
of the Swedes: they indeed fought most bravely; and, if any fault
could be found with their general, it was that he was too courageous.
The force of the Russians was too great for their Swedish opponents;
and every attempt made by the latter was in vain, notwithstanding
Baron Platen's wishes were acceded to. Admiral Puke, on receiving his
appointment, left Carlscrona in a ship of the line, and, arriving off
Daleroe, wrote the following letter to Sir James:

His Majesty's ship Adolf Frederick, off Daleroe, 2d Aug. 1809.

SIR,

I do myself the honour to inform your excellency that his
Swedish Majesty has most graciously been pleased to intrust to
me the command of his sea and land forces, who are to act on
the coasts and in the Gulf of Bothnia against the common enemy
of our respective nations; and I beg to assure your excellency
that nothing could afford me more pleasure than receiving your
commands, if ever I can be of the smallest use to your
excellency. I submit to your excellency's own judgment if it
should not be useful to the common service to have respective
officers, who are acquainted with the languages, placed aside
of the commanders-in-chief. For my part, I should find it very
agreeable if Lieutenant John Ross, who served last year on
board the Swedish Admiral's ship, would be permitted to resume
the same employment on board of this. He is so well acquainted
with the Swedish language and customs, that I flatter myself he
would have no objection to this proposition.

If winds permit, I intend to depart to-morrow with two ships,
one frigate, six galleys, fifty gun-boats, and some transports,
carrying 7,000 t