The National Register. — London, England, 1812-10-18 00:00:00

` / ~__ MR 'I THE NATIONAL RIEGISTE i t* C ur Iting, Contitution, anti talus. ~ti . PUBLIS►IED AT NO. 357, STRAND, CORNER OF - EXLTER .CHANuk: No. 251 We were amongst those who 'augured well of the success of this enterprise if proneily cart ied into execution, and who pointed out most forcibly the value of the diversion it might produce in favour of our Russian ally. The suspicions which we had icing entertained of BEexanoTTE's . sinceiify were removed by the eagerness which he evinced to treat with us, and to second our views by his hostile preparations against France. It also appeared, that be had proceeded too far , not to have otietidA his former master NAPOLEON heyonst all hope of forgiveness. Ile had openly challenged the enmity of the French, we thought, and war, spirited and, successful could alone shield his head from their ven geance. His security demanded it, and we might rely on - his exertions to make it effective and decisive, since triumph had become necessary, not only to his political existence, hut to his personal safety. Such were the reasons with which we argued ourselves out of all the doubts naturally ex cited by the former situation of the CROWN PRINCE, as a French vassal and commander, and in the pleasing hope that our anticipations would be realised, we urged the propriety of adding the allied weight of British valour to his force, in order to render its attack irresistible. Circumstances, .bow, ever, soon arose, which once more shook our confidence;. yet we deemed it proper to withhold. a full di:claration of oar sentiments on that head, as long as we could reasonably cling to our former opinion, fearing lest an exposure of possi ble deceit should only serve to make it real. Meanwhile we closely watched the conduct of Sweden, and the propriety of raising a warning voice having at last, become apparent, we shall lay our observations before the public to substantiate the conclusion which they have led us to form. The origin of our renewed connexion with Sweden is in volved in some obscurity. It was long doubtful whether the • overtures proceeded from that country, or from our coyern merit ;' but w e fi n d a c l a im set up by Marquis WEL LESLEY., in one of his Champion VETCS'S ktterse to the conception of a plan for gaining over the CROWN PRINCE to our interests, which, although we have 'no authority to prove the justice of his pretensions, is some evidence at least, that the first step. towards reconciliation originated with our Ministry, whether they adopted the suggestion of the Noble Marquis, or designed the measure themselves. Sounded on this itn-t. portant subject, at a'time when the approaching war between Russia and France was known both to our Governoient, and that of Svedcu, BERNADOTTE was unexpectedly found inure tractable than the most sanguine hope Could have anti cipated. He acknowledged the ruin which a partial acqui escence with the Continental system would bring upon his . Vol. V. No. CCM: • • • • V SUNDAY, OCTOBER is, 1-812.- . . . kingdom, the immeasurable advantages which he derived from trade, by which a!one the exhausted cctfers of the State couhi be replenished, and its strength restored, and he pressed n firm determinntion to reject BUONAPARTei of commercial exclusion, provided we should conclude a treaty with him, and atioid him our aid in case he should be • attacked. Such conduct op his part seensed'ae;pandid as poling,: our secret intercourse was therefore •CcAitinte:d,-and ne„ociations seriously cotnrnenced ; when, thiou&li a breach of faith aslir.r.gAnovr rontended,N aPOL tor; learnt What was passing, and immedikteiy carrell' into execution his sudden and apparently unacconnted for occupation of Swedish Pomerania, which be .had , but 'lately restored as a congiatulatory offering to the CROWN PRiNeE, on his being appointed successor to the throne. This act of hosti. lity against Sweden seemed to enerease her clAims to Our friendship, .confidencei.and aid, and a British Minister, not many mouths after, repaired to Stockholm to settle all our differences, whilst a Swedish agent was appointed for the same purpose in London. Meanwhile the collecting stotm burst on tbe.Russian frontiers t. the French rapidly advanced through Lithuania and Courland to' the banks of the Dwina, where it was expected ALEXANDER'S armies would concen;. trate theinselve.; intheir intrenched csidip, and NAPOLEON. desirous of striking a decisive blow, drew almost, the whole of his force, and. that of his allies, to the immediate seat of' war, and left the States of the Confederation of the Rhine and • the Baltic Coasts so hare of soldiers, as to afford little prosp4t pf resistance to an invading enemy. This, it must be recut. tected, took.plice so early as . the close of last June. The op portunity was ioo inviting not to be pointed- out to the Swe dish PatNce, as likely to enahle.him, not oniy to reconquer Pomerania,. but to save the Russian Empire, by exciting • a general insurrection in the rearof the enemy. He seemed to enter heartily into our views, and hastened to conclude treaty of peace with us, formed on our part with kencret una• derstanding that he would operate a powerful diversion on the Continent in, hchalf of „Russia. Every assistance wrs tendered by our Ministers,. in arms, stores, and transports. which could render the expedition. complete, and quicken its progress ;. and the' active and effective co-operation of Sweden, now thought to be i secured by .a solemn engage : - ment, ceased to be a Cabinet mystery . , and became an avowed abject of public expectation. . Nearly a .month elapsed, and although a general move ment had been observed among the SWedish troops, no hos tile demonstration was Ina de to divert the -attention of france from the successful campaign in which she was engaged., TO our remonstrances we received for answer: . that the finanees .cof Sweden were so low, that without a siiili vicitt subsidjahelound itimposiihie to fulfil her engagements. 4 Ws d w:. 7 x' 7 t. , .9 • • i ) 4 r . % •i ~~ . . ~ti:a POLITICAL bIB.4UISITION. SWEDISH EXPEDITION. PEKE yd.