pears that this general did not take up the best
position for preventing the escape of the Russian general Kaminski,
who, notwithstanding the bravery of the Swedish troops in the battle
of Umeoe, succeeded in effecting a retreat on a reinforcement, and at
length compelled the Swedish general to propose an armistice on the
terms dictated by Russia. This led to a peace, by which Russia
obtained the whole of Finland and West Bothnia as far as Umeoe.

The terms would no doubt have been still worse had not the English
fleet remained in the Gulf, for there was nothing else to prevent the
Russians from taking possession of Stockholm. It will be manifest,
from the following correspondence, that, under circumstances of heavy
responsibility, Sir James remained to a very late period for the
defence of Sweden and the protection of the commerce of that country
and England.

Stockholm, 2d Sept. 1809.

SIR,

I had the honour to receive yesterday your excellency's letter,
dated 28th ultimo. Despatches and letters have been lying here
for you some days: in those which came yesterday you will find
the official account of the surrender of Flushing. I am sorry
not to be able to give you such satisfactory intelligence as I
could wish of the operations of the Swedes, who have failed to
cut off the retreat of the enemy, although they have gained
considerable advantages. I enclose to you the Swedish Gazette,
as I think you have an officer on board who can read it.

I delivered to Baron Platen your message. He is, however, quite
despondent as to the possibility now of an attack upon Aland.
Count ----, it really appears, might have taken a stronger
position, so as to prevent the escape of Kaminski. The time
that will now be lost in his pursuit being fatal, renders
future operations equally so.

The Baron means to write to you, and I shall detain the King's
messenger Meares; whom, not having anybody else to send, I am
obliged to despatch to Daleroe until this letter is ready.

The negotiation at Frederickshamn, as far as I can understand,
is proceeding slowly. The demands of Russia continue
peremptory, as before, upon the cessions required. On the
article respecting us, some propositions of a modifying nature
have been offered by the Russians; such as though the general
preliminary for excluding from Swedish p