Star.
London, England, 1813-03-01 00:00:00

•
long ago; but with what title esa I wit bee that teestrY
what I cannot obtain Irons oweden? I often my to myself, who
knows whether I shall always be on a good footing with Russia?
Who can read the chapter of events ? May it not one day be
of the greatest Interest to me to have a friendly Power in the
North, strong in its own resources as well as by alliance ? But
could it, meanwhile, be believed in Sweden, that I would Mu
any thing in my invariable principles in favour of the new Prince
Royal ? ' On the contrary, the political crisis into which I have
brought myself in her favour gives me a stronger title. Mean-
while Sweden owes a great obligation to the person of the Prince
Royal; for, without that choice (by no s.Aans influenced by me),
I should, two months ago, have taken the step which I now find
myself forced to du. I nevertheless repent of this delay, which,
on account of the season, has been so beneficial for yuu ; not be.
cause I regret whatever good you may have derived from it, but
because that you have used me too ill.

" For a long time past, the office which was intended for you
was found prepared in the bureau of Mons. the Duke de Cadore
[so affirmative reverence from the Minister]; but I waited for
the arrival of the Prince Royal, who is instructed in my way of
thinking t. I have not been able to do it. I have told you that
I was on the point of embroiling myself with Russia. I gave all
Europe notice, that at this decisive moment my system might be
capable of modification. Besides this, new complaints against
Sweden reached me from all sides.

" Ah ! I know what you have to say to me ; I have read all
you haVe written. Well, be it so—there may have been some
exaggeration in the complaints, but there still remains a sufficient
quantity of truth—l wish you had a better cause to deleud.
" Oh, no ! The situation of the Prince Royal will not be so
difficult as comes from here, there is nothing embarrassing in the
choice. But yet, could they believe in Sweden, that they might
serve the cause of Eugland, without resentment ou my part, be-
cause that I love and esteem the Prince Royal ?

" I likewise love and esteem the King of Holland : he Is my
brother, and yet I have broke with bins, I have silenced the voice
of blood to give ear to that of general interest. It you were on
my trentlers, I should, with regret, be forced to act as 1 have
just done with the Sw►ss; I have caused soma troops to march,
and the Government has confiscated the English merchand►ze.
Let us resume ourselves at length. If but bweden act as she
thinks most advantageous to her, I know that it is out of my
power to force her. Let her frankly rangti herself on the side
of England against me and my allies, if such be her interest; or
let her unite with sue against Engla►d. But the tune of doubt-
fulness has passel away. When Ave days have passed, M. Al-
quier will depart, and I will give you your passports. You have
said no more than what you ought to have said, but I cannot. do
otherwise than send you back. Open war or constant friendship ;
this is my last word, my ultimate declaration. Adieu! May I
see you again under more favourable auspices.
" The Emperor left me without deigning to hear me further.
On leaving the Emperor's apartment, 1 saw no one else in the
other apartment, not even the Officers on duty. I know not
what had given cause to this exiraordinary circumstance, whether
by order, or proceeded from the spontaneous discretion of the
functionaries, because that the Emperor had frequently elevated
his voice to such a pitch, that it was impossible slot to hear hint
iu the next room.

" I had afterwards a conference with the Duke of Cadore, on
parting from whom I set olf for Paris. This conversation was
nothing more than wrepetition of what had passed with the Em-
peror, that my dispatch to your Majesty and that of the Minister
Baron Alquicr might agree as near as possible. Every thing
having been said on this subject, I could not forbear expressing
to the Duke of Cadore, how sensibly 1 telt the harsh aad violent
lorni into which the Emperor had put his demand.
" The Minister laid great stress on the satisfaction which I
had (as lie told me) hi tempering the Emperor's vivacity, espe-
cially towards the conclusion, and quoted several passages which
expressed sonic interest, and which gave some hope for the fu-
ture. lie g ace me a courier passport, which was prepared be-
forehand. Pie promised me not to send his courier from Fon-
tainbleau till about the same time I should expedite site from
Paris, that is to say, in the evening of this day, in order that this
might have a little advance.

•` He a,sured me that M. Alquier would have two days to
prepare his office, be.ides the five which formed the time of bis
yr.•scrpaon. He dwelt much on the tact, which he requested,
Inc to make of consideration, that the election of Monseigneur
the Priuce Royal, tar trona having provoked this step on the Em-
peror's part, had retarded it for several months, and hasi thereby
p.ocuresi fur Sweden a delay doubly important, on account of the
segson. tie even added, that the Emperor's resoln•ion of taking
his steps, were whilst the Prince was said to be on his journq,
and had partly in view the intention of not rendering him inno-
cently unpopular."

t The Emperor had promised the rrince Royal not to exact
any thing front Sweden before the month of May, 1811; and the
Prince Royal assured him that, after that terni, Sweslen would
extend her system of policy, and be openly for or against the
Continental system, according as her interest might require.

No. 11.

NOTE FROM THE FRENCH MINISTER BARON ALQUTER. TO
THE MINISTER OF STATE, BARON D'ENGERSTROM,
DATED STOCKHOLM, NOVEkIBER 13, 1810.

MONSIEL RLE BARON-1 have several times predated to
your Excellency, that the evidently false interpretation given by
hweden to her engagements with France, would produce tome
serious and important event. I will not lose, Monsieur I.e Baron,
remindinZ you of the explanations, hitherto useless, the sh:trt
time which is allowed me to lay before you damands with
which I am charged to make to your Court.
" His Majesty the Emperor and King is informed, that in
contravention of the treaty of Pal is, the most active commerce
continues between Sweden and England: that a regular corre-
spondence subsists between the two countries; that packet-boats
come and return front England and Scotland to Gottenburgh ;
that there sail from Swedish ports, not merely some vessels under
a stmilated distinction, but immense cargoes, openly directed for
England. lncontestible accounts prove, that troni the 20:h to
the 22d September, more than 1500 vessels, with English car-
goes, destined for the Baltic and North Sea, wets in Goitenburgh
Roads; and that the Swedish Minister, not confining to shutting
his eyes, upon this state of things, gave commercial permissions
to trade directly with England. His Majesty the Emperor and
King not only feels himself injured by so manifest a violation of
the treaty of Paris, but considers it with api ofound and legiti-
mate resentment, as one of the causes which, by preventing the
conclusion of peace with England, aggravates and prolongs the
misfortunes of Europe.

" If the British Government did not repose with secutlty upon
the fatal condescension of Sweden, the English vessels which this
year penetrated into the Baltic in such numbers, would not have
entered It, because no asylum would have been Num to them;
they were sure of receiving upon the Swedish side a friendly re-
ception. There they were furnished with water, provisions, and
wood ; there they could wait and choose the opportune moment
for introducing their merchandize upon the Continent, and every
where this importation was favoure 4. His Majesty owes it to
his dignity, not to staler any longer so striking an infraction of a
treaty, in which hearkening but to sentiments of esteem and af-
fection for the King, he 'hewed himself so generous to the Swe-
dish nation.

g• It Is certain, Sir, that Sweden, by har commercial relations
with the English. render the sacrifices and the ttforts of the Con-
tinent useless, that in her pretended neutrality she is the most
useful ally that ever the British Government had ; that she thus
constitutes herself the enemy of the Continental Powers, after
having adhered to their principles. But whilst that Prance, Rus-
sia. Austria, Prussia, and an the other countries of Germany are
st.ifering and imposing on themselves painful privations for the
purchase of peace, it cannot be expected that Sweden will, for
any longer time, find in the violation of her promises the means
of icurably mewing her pro.perity, and of obtaining immense
riches for herself,

" His Majesty the Emperor and King, my master, desiring to
change an (adult of things so opposite to the system adopted by
nearly the whole of Europe, has formally charged me to press
Ais Swedish Majesty, by Ele most lively instances, to declare
war against England, and the - tin irder '

widest Wang lave, five days titer tho date of the &spats&
which I have the honour of addressing to your Eteelleney.—l re.
quest you to accept, Stox (Signed) Atgotta."
LETTER PROW THE PRINCE ROYAL OP SWEDEN TO HIS

MAJESTY THE EMPEROR OF THE FRENCH, DATED
STOCKHOLM, DECEMBER 8, 1810.
" Star—By my letter of the 19th of November I had the ho-
nour to inform you, that the King, faithful to the sentiments
which he expressed to your Majesty, resolved to declare war
against England, notwithstanding every t►ing which the safety of
his States opposed to that measure, and with the object alone of
pleasing your Majesty.
" The King will alwaye be proud of having given this proof
of devotion to your Majesty; but it belongs to me, who am a
daily witness of his sufferings and inquietudes, to appeal to your
Majesty's magnaultuity, in an affair which may have an influence
upon the King's health, land upon the happiness of Sweden. I
flatter myself that your Majesty will graciously receive my ob-
servations.

" In addressing myself directly to you, Sire, I take advantage
of an old privilege, which I shall always like to preserve, and
which will renew in my heart recollections equally agreeable as
glorious.

" Sweden, ire the sad condition to which the last war has re-
duced her, neither should nor ought to aspire, but after a long
peace. It was the only means of regaining, by agriculture and
commerce, the losses she bad sustained; and thus•re-establishing
by degrees her fimnces, and of entirely recruiting her military
system and her administration. Far from that, it is Sweden who
has just declared war; she has hazarded this step without a single
battalion ready to march, without het arsenals or magazims con-
taining the least necessary article, and what is still worse, with-
out a single sous to provide for the expLnces of so great an enter
prise. In a word, in the state in which the Government of this
country is, such a step would undoubtedly make it be accused of
folly, if your Majesty's approbation did not legitimate every
thing. Sweden, it is true, possesses in herself the principles of
a great force; her inhabitants are by nature warriors ; her consti•
tution allows of eighty thousand men being put on foot ; and its
male populatit.n is such, that this levy can be easily raised. But
you, Sire, know, that war can only be supported by war; and a
great military State, purely defensive, is an expellee which Swe-
, den cannot support without foreign aid.
" The Contitutional laws forbid the King from imposing new
taxes, without the consent of the general States ; and the war has
just destroyed one of the principal branches of Public Revenue,
the produce of the Customs, which anic:lnted to more than six
millions of francs a year. To that must be added, that the
contributions are in arrear, and that the confiscations which are
made, fall upon Swedish subjects, and not upon foreigners, who
take the precaution In insuring payment fur the goods imported.
" In short, Sire, our situation is most alarming, if France does
not come to our succour. Since the first alliance concluded
between Gustavus Vasa and Francis I. France has been not only
the constant friend of Sweden, but has supported and succoured
her in all her wars. Nature seems to .have destined these two
nations to live in harmony; and if she has refused Sweden riches,
she has endowed her wish valour and all the qualities requisite
for the execution of the greatest designs. There is here but one
wish, that of being sincerely of accord with France, and of par-
ticipating in her glory every time an opportunity presents itself.
But money fails us.
" Deign, Sire, to take into conrideration the particular state of
this country, and be pleased to kindly accept the expression of
the sentiments," &c.,&c.

FROM THE SAME TO THE SAME, DATED STOCKHOLM,
DECEMBER I'2, 1610.

" SIR r.—M. de Cz.•rnicheff asked me if I would take charge
of a letter for your hlajr.sty. I hastened to do it, hoping that lie
will tell your Majesty what he has seen in Sweden. In truth,
Sire, full of confidence in your magnanimity, and of your parti-
cular kindness for me, I have but one thing to desire, viz. that tl.e
truth should be known to you.
" M. De Cz-rnicheff will tell your Majesty that Sweden is
upon the point of being reduced to the most deplorable state;
that she Is without ail means of suppprting the war which she
has just declared; that nevertheless the Government redoubles
its efforts in so violent a crisis ; bat that it is not in the power of
the King to extend, as in other places, the system of confisca-
tions ; that tht_ Constitution here guarantees the rights and pro-
perty of every individual ; and that if even the Kiag should adopt
,contrary ni...isure, no Louncillor Of State would give his con-
sent, to it.
" hava the happiness of having in my favour the general
opinion of the nation—bet most certainly I shall lose this mural
force, that day in *shirt' it was believed I had the least intention
of making the smallest attempt upon the Con,titution.
" The King offers to your Majesty every thing in his power.
No sacrifice will be painful to bun, to prove to your Majesty his
devotion to France : but I conjure you, Sire, deli') to calculate
our means, and grant us the confidence we merit, by our sincere
and unalterable attachment."

In another letter the Prince Rnyal points out the
embarrassing situation in which lie is placed by con-
tending duties to France and Sweden, adds, that it
has always been his desire to conciliate the former,
and that such being his feeling, he resolved to absent
himself from the deliberations of the Council of State,
which came to the following resolutions, with respect
to war with England :
I. That a state of open war, provoked by ns, would infallibly
cause the capture of all vessels which are gone to carry iron to
America.

2. '1 hat at the tertninatiqn of an unfortunate war, our maga-
zines were empty, our arsenals without activity, and in Sant of
every thing, and thaE our funds %%cry deficient to answer an the
wants.

3. That considerable sums were wanting to protect the fleet at
Carlscrona, and repair the fortifications of that place, without
there be-ng any fund- tur such purpose.
4. That the re-union of the army required an extraordinary
expenditure of at least seven or eight millions, and that the Con-
stitution does not permit the King to levy any tax without the
consent of the Stwes-General.

5. That salt 1, an object of the first and most etsolute neces-
sity in Sweden, and that It has hitherto been supplied with it
from Englard only.
. . . .

It is added, that all these resolutions, and the misery of the
nation, were neglected to gratify the Emperor, and war was de-
clared with England.—This is dated N0v.19, 1810.
" When the voice of the Swedish people called on me to sue-
erect. to the throne, I hoped, on quitting France, to be always
able to unite my personal affections with the iiitereas of my
country; my heart cherished the hope that it might identify with
the sentiments of :his people, yet always preserving the remem-
brance of Its first affectiot.s, and never losing sight of the glory
of France, nor of the sincere attachment which it has vowed to
your Majesty ; an attachm tit foun led on a confraternity in arms,
which so many great deeds hteve illustrated.
" It was with this hope that I arrived in Sweden; I found a
nation in general attached to Frat ce, but still more to to their
liberties and their laws; ji:alous of your friendohip, Sire, but
never desiring to obtain it at the expense of their lionneur and in-
dependence. Your Majesty's Minister wished to irritate this
national feeling, and his arrogance has offended every one • his
communications bore no character of those regards which; are
mutually due from crowned heads ;co each other. In fulfilling
your /Majesty's intentions, as it pleased his passions, Baron Al-
quier spoke like a Ronriti Pro-Consul, without reflecting that he
was not speaking to slaves. That Mintster has, therefore, been
the first cause of the distrust which Sweden has begun to dis-
cover with regard to your Majesty's instructions concerning her;
subsequent events have added weight to It.
" I have already, Sire, had the honour in my letters of the
19th of November and 13th of December, 1810, of giving your
Imperial Majesty information of the situation of Sweden, and the
desire which she Lad of finding in.your Majesty a supporter. She
could not but perceive in your Majesty'. silence all cruntrittli
indifference, and she owed it to herself to provide against the
storm which was about to beeak out on the Continent.
humanity has already suffered too much. The blocs liot man has, I
for the last twenty years, inundated the earth, and there is no-
thing wanting to your Majesty's glory but to put a teop to it.