on the 11th March 1810, he proceeded to
Hawke Roads, which is the outer roadstead to Gottenburg, and was
followed by Rear-admirals Reynolds, Dixon, and Morris. Before leaving
England, Sir James had communicated with Lord Mulgrave, then first
Lord of the Admiralty, on the relative situation of the two countries;
and as it was the wish of his Majesty's ministers to avoid, as long as
possible, committing any hostile act against Sweden, they confided in
the tact of Sir James to pursue the course which he judged most
advantageous to the interests of commerce, and at the same time to
uphold the honour and naval superiority of the nation. The Swedes had
already a sufficient knowledge of the British Admiral's high
character, and our government could not have afforded them a more
decisive assurance of their desire to remain on amicable terms with
them than by sending Sir James with extraordinary powers to act
according to circumstances. On the one hand, they knew that in all
matters of a delicate nature they could place the utmost reliance on
his word, and that they were treating with a person quite incapable of
deception or intrigue; on the other, they were aware that if coercion
became necessary, he would act with decision, and baffle every evasive
manoeuvre.

The following correspondence with Mr. Foster and others, with some
occasional remarks, will convey to the reader some idea of the
important and difficult situation in which Sir James was placed.

Victory, Hawke Road, 21st May 1810.

SIR,

I have the honour to acquaint your excellency of my arrival
here with part of the squadron under my command, and of my
intention to proceed into the Baltic as soon as the wind will
permit. It will afford me the highest satisfaction to renew a
correspondence from whence I derived such great benefit during
the time I was employed upon this station last year; and
although the unfortunate exclusion of British ships from the
ports of Sweden will render it more difficult at this time, I
hope it will not be the means of entirely depriving me of the
honour of hearing from your excellency. As I propose calling
off Ystad, on my getting into the Baltic, I shall detach a
vessel to that place for any letters you may have done me the
honour to write.

I have, &c.
JAMES SAUMAREZ.

The Victory arrived off Ystad on the 6th June, when Sir James received
the fo