orts is still insisted
on, that colonial goods, salt, and raw produce of various
kinds, amounting to almost every thing that is not actually
prohibited by the Swedish laws, shall be considered as
exceptions. But on the question of the ships, and particularly
of the ships of war of Great Britain, I am afraid, in the
present state of things, that Sweden will not obtain a peace
without a stipulation for their exclusion.

Under this conviction I have addressed myself to Baron
Engerstrom, representing to him the danger that his Majesty's
ships might be exposed to in keeping the seas at the perilous
season of the year if no ports were open to them; and I
requested of him to give me early intelligence if Sweden were
disposed to consent to this article, and as to when it might be
put into execution. The Swedish minister gave me the most
solemn assurances that he would not fail to communicate to me
full time enough if this country should be obliged to enter
into such stipulations; and observed that, although necessity
might oblige them to act against their wishes, yet that they
would _always be honest_. He likewise remarked that preliminary
conditions were not at any rate to be put in force until the
peace was ratified; and that, before that event should take
place, arrangements were to be entered into relative to the
ceded provinces, which would necessarily cause a very
considerable delay; so that he would not look upon a final
arrangement with Russia as being likely to ensue before the
winter should set in, and render navigation impracticable.

The Swedish minister has frequently remarked to me, that, even
if a treaty should be signed by which Sweden should bind
herself to exclude us from her ports, such an obligation could
only extend to those that were capable of defence; but that
there were innumerable inlets and harbours which were not
commanded by cannon, and which of course could not be included.
One of the propositions to be put forward will, I have reason
to think, be grounded upon this state of the coasts; and it
will be offered to close the large harbours, mentioning them by
name, leaving the rest open. I should be glad to know what you
think of these speculations of the Swedish cabinet on so
interesting a point. If the Earthho