s have certainly not done as they might. As far as the
council and the navy were concerned, all was well combined, but
the army was ill posted, and Wachtmeister has shown that he has
but a very poor head. Unless the Russians are disposed to
change sides, the negotiation at Frederickshamn is not likely
to be benefited by these events. You must calculate on this
country yielding, if the ministers are pressed strongly, to the
terms demanded. I see no means they have of resisting. It is a
mutilated land, and the resources that remain are ill managed,
while the debt is rapidly increasing.

Baron de Platen desires me to say he will send you the plan you
demanded of St. Petersburg by the next opportunity; it is
copying, and not quite ready. I have the honour to send to you
a couple of the last French papers. Lieut. Allen delivered to
me your letter, and I shall endeavour to get him a seat in the
messengers' carriage to-morrow night.

I should be glad to know when you think of quitting the Gulf
with the fleet, and how soon the navigation becomes dangerous.
If an armistice between the hostile armies in West Bothnia
takes place, in all probability the squadron in Aland's Haf
will be no longer necessary there.

I have, &c. &c. &c.
AUGT. FOSTER.

To Vice-admiral Sir James Saumarez.

P.S.--I send you a paper of the 26th, a day later than
any here, which I have got from the packets having been
detained a day in Harwich. I hope you will be able to
send the French papers to Mr. Drusina. I beg to submit
the suggestion of the advantage of as frequent a return of
the despatch vessel to Dalero, at this period, as is convenient
to you.

The armistice between France and Austria appears to
have been prolonged, some say twenty-eight days, some
eighteen: it is said proposals have been made to us. I can
think of none that would be palatable.

Stockholm, 15th Sept. 1809.

SIR,

On the day before yesterday Mr. Reynolds delivered to me your
letters of the 8th and 9th inst, as also a despatch containing
three letters addressed to me from Pillau, for which I beg to
return you my best thanks. I had already taken occasion, some
days back, to prepare Baron d'Engestroem for the moment, when,
in consequence of the lateness of the sea