Star.
London, England, 1808-04-30 00:00:00

pRIVATE LETTER.

a STOCKHOLM. APRIL 16.—T0-d-ty the Governor
of Stockholm (here called Stathallare) has been in
person upon 'Change, at the mull hour for the meet-
ing of the merchants, and communicated to the pub-
lic his Majesty's Message to him, authorizing a free
and uninterrupted corrt•spondence, even with the
enemy's countries, provided nothing be written which
is unsuitaMe to the present circumstances, and hos-
' tile to the welfare of the country ; for which purpose
the levers are to be road fist in the Governor's office,
signed and sealed up by him, and then restored to the
writer, who is then permitted to send them off in what
way he pleases. This is a new proof that our King
wishes to relieve his subiects, as far as is in his power,
fromthc inconveniencies inseparable from our situation.

" According to all the intelligence received here, it
appears that a great alteration has taken place in the
plans of the Russians in Finland. Instead of pushing
:Orward against the Swedish army, they are retiring,
a Id keeping up only a sort43f mock attack with lien.
light troops. The skill and conduct of Count Kling-
spor cannot be s ifficitn ly praised.

" He effected his retreat with a force much inferior
in numbers, in the face of an hostile army, numerous
well provided with • every thing. French engineers,
t 'to, were among them, if the general assertion is to
be credited, and conducted by a set of traitors, •
Sdringporten, Cnorring, &c. who cannot but be well
acquainted with the country ; this army always pres-
, sag upon him, a proof of which is the incessant fight-
ing which was carriA on. This retreat was conti.
nued during the length of more than 60 Swedish •
miles (417 English miles), through a country where
there are but few roads, and these rendered almost
impracticable by the immense quantity of snow which
tell during the winter, bringing with him magazines,
stores, &c. which, of course, made his march but slow.
He was able to avoid giving battle, and at last, effec-
t.dan union with the tromp wider Cutinteionsted,whO
,Ame from Savolax. The having succeeded in such a
task,.is a master piece of military skill, and deserves,
peAaps, to be more praised than the famous retreat of
Moreau from Germany, when we consider the feeble
means at the command of Count Klingspor, the
length of the way, and that lie marched through a
country which he did not dare to lay waste, and whose
inhabitants he did not dare to ruin, in order to impede
the progress of the enemy's march, which has been
very often the resource of the celebrated leaders of
our days. His general A ile-de-Camp, Count Gus-
t if Lowenlajelm, is a young man equally distinguished
for valour and skill, and we have rejoiced to peteciv4
that in many acts of bravery, the troops and subaltern
olcers have shown themselves worthy to obey the
commanders in whom our Sovereign with so much
justice, has placed his confidence. -
" The reports of a great change in the political
plans of Russia gain ground every day more and
more. To-dav, two couriers are said to have arrived ;
nothing is published, but the accounts of the Russians
leaving Aland, where between 6 and 700 men were
arrived, having passed between the Islands. This
they did in so precipitate a manner, as not to allow
themselves time to bring away the stores which they
had collected from the inhabitants. The Count de
Saint Priest, who has resided here many years, and
was about to leave this country and return to Russia,
in consequence of the war, is said to have taken the
resolution of postponing his journey, in the hope of
soon receiving intelligence which may make his ;gur-
ney winecessary."