s
from the island of Gothland, should they require it.

The unremitted marks of friendship and regard shown to the
fleet under my command in the different ports in Sweden have
excited my highest gratitude, and I have not failed to express
the same to my government.

I shall take the earliest opportunity to signify to Mr. Ross,
who is at this time absent from the squadron on a particular
service, the distinguished mark of favour his Majesty the King
of Sweden has been pleased to confer upon him for his services.

I have the honour to be, &c. &c.
JAMES SAUMAREZ.[10]

His Excellency Baron de Platen, Stockholm.

[10] It has been already mentioned that a reinforcement was
granted to Admiral Puke's expedition; but Lieutenant John Ross
being at that time acting in command of his Majesty's sloop
Ariel, and detached on a particular service, the request that
he might be again appointed as adjutant to the Swedish fleet
could not be complied with. The following letters from Sir
James to Mr. Foster are given to show the progress of affairs
at that time, and how dependent the Swedes were on the issue of
undertakings in other quarters.

Victory, Gulf of Finland, 19th August 1809.

SIR,

I received by the Mary your letter of the 10th, with the papers
to the 1st instant from London. I hope the next accounts will
convey the pleasing information of the complete success of the
expedition under Lord Chatham, and that so powerful a blow in
favour of the common cause will induce Austria to renew
hostilities against Bonaparte. I shall also be happy to hear
that the expedition to the Gulf of Bothnia has been terminated
by the expulsion of the whole of the Russian force from Sweden.
Nothing has transpired in these quarters since my last letter.
From what I am informed, great discontent prevails in Russia at
the conduct of Bonaparte with respect to Poland.

In my last letter from England, orders have been given for the
vessels that conveyed the Spanish troops from the Danish
islands to Gottenburg to be restored. This looks as if peace
was about to take place between Sweden and Denmark; and I am
informed by Mr. Merry it was a condition demanded by Denmark
previously to preliminaries being entered into.

I have, &c. &c. &c.
J