ment for
its restoration whenever peace should be concluded between England
and France. In case of refusal, the prince-royal was informed that the
British commanders would proceed to hostilities; and as a direct refusal
was given, operations soon commenced. The English army landed on the
16th of August without opposition; and Copenhagen was closely invested
on the land side, while the fleet formed an impenetrable blockade
by sea. A proclamation was issued by Lord Cathcart, notifying to the
inhabitants of Zealand the motives of the expedition, and the conduct
that would be observed towards them, with an assurance, that whenever
his Britannic majesty's commands should be complied with hostilities
would cease. Copenhagen was bombarded on the 2nd of September, and the
firing continued, more or less actively, for four days, when a flag
of truce was sent to the British commanders by the commandant of the
garrison. A capitulation was settled on the 8th of September, and the
British army took possession of the citadel, dock-yards, and batteries;
engaging to restore them, and to evacuate Zealand, if possible, within
six weeks. All the ships laid up in ordinary were rigged out and
fitted by the British Admiral; and at the expiration of the term, they,
together with the stores, timber, and other articles of naval equipment
found in the arsenal, were conveyed to England. In the whole there were
seventeen ships of the line, eight frigates, besides sloops, brigs,
schooners, and gun-boats captured by the British admiral. But the most
valuable part of the seizure consisted of the masts, spars, timber,
sails, cordage, and other naval stores. They were so immense, that,
exclusive of the quantity shipped on board of the British and Danish
men-of-war, ninety transports brought away full cargoes. The expedition
reached the Yarmouth-Roads and the Downs in safety on the 21 st of
October.

As soon as the British fleet had passed the Sound, the Danes fitted out
a number of small armed vessels, which made successful depredations on
the English merchantmen in the Baltic. Soon after a declaration of war
followed on the part of the Crown-Prince, being instigated thereto by
having a formidable French army near at hand for his aid, and by having
an alliance with the Emperor of Russia in perspective. This was followed
by an order of reprisals from the British government against the ships,
goods, and subjects of Denmark. But even before the capitulatio