The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1809-05-30

L
gen by our troops, offers of peace were made
by the enemy, and rejected /; and the Ger-
man possessions of Sweden. the last remains
Iof the conquests of Gustav,is Adoiphus the
Great, were lost. Sweden had, however to
sustain losses still more severe The winter
OF 1857. and the following year, serious. app
prehensons arose of an Impending rupture
| with our neighbors both on the East and
West OF the Empire. These approximations
and dangers might have been warded off
few months before by the Swedish Govern
ment, by its accession to the peace of Tilsit.
a peace which Sweden was not vented
from concluding by her only ally, and which
was offered OH terms by no means irrecun-
c'iea6ie with the public interests of Sweden.
-" The war broke out in Fipland and it's
gallant defenders, at the end OF severe.
and honorable conflict With ain enemy far sY-
perlor in number, were Obliged to give up to
him their beloved Country. This misfortune,
the most calanitous event which has befat-
len Sweden for Centuries past. might have
been averted, it the powerful preparations
OF defence, which the situation and nature,
OF the country admitted, had been Conduct
ed with wisdom and skill. and il the plans os
resistance. no sooner adopted than REIN
pushed, Had bean continued and carried into
effect, with unity and iirmness. Finland
which in point of population and intrnsE
value. formed one third part of the Swed sh
empire, was lost and this loss bears with
the most destructive pressure on the two re-
manning thirds.
:" In this state Of affairs, the means of wa,
ging war against such numerous enemies,
could not prove sufficient for any length 1t
time, and no other resource was left, than to
Du'then, with new taxes, a peopl.. perfectly
unable to bear them. Th. pubic pecexai.
ties increased, in the same proportion as the
means and allowance OF the state were des-.
tr"yed Trade and navigation were az a
stand; our mines and agriculture were. ,,,,L
productive from want Of hands; uni yers,,
rum spreading vide and afar and vet il
was universally known, that his Rt1yal Ma
jesty had again repeated his for me !. firm and
uhaiterabie DISCRIMINATION not to cone Ltle;,
peace with the present governments of
france, without which, however. no recon-
citation with Denmark and Russia could
take place;
In this situation Of affairs considera-
Die part OF the western army FORMED the.
resolution to march to the Capital, with 2
patriotic view which appears by he prat:E,-
mation issued on their part. Similar move,
ments took place among the rest IF The Swe-.
dish troops, and 1T was in this critical posi-
tioh ms Royal Majes.y came to the unfortu
nate resolution of leaving Stock holm. and
airecnng ms family, and several officers of
the staff. to follow him. The Garrison was
ordered to file off, and it was IN ended toas.
semoie an army in the south 10 oppose the,
troops, who were assembling troal the north
and west. Two distinct governments were
thuS to be formed two armies to be assem-,
oied, and civil war was to fiji up the mea-
sure OF our calamities ard distress,
The kings departure was. however.
postponed until the 10Th March. al noon. =,
4 universal CONSERVATION prevailed. The.
most respectful remonstrances against his.
MaJesty determination were rejected, and
no other means remained even to secure thq.
sa1ety OF the Kings own person, than TO pre-
vent him from carrying his unfortunate re-
solve into effect In these circumstances
all the officers of state in concert " ith.the
States OF the Empire who were present in
Stockholm, expressed to his Royal M,ies-
ty the constitutional wish that he might
take the reins OF Government into MS hands.
a wish TO which his Royal Highness, not
outstanding his advanced age, thnnght him
self in duty bound to accede. confi,iine that
this step will be viewed in its proper liphr
by every honest patriotic Swede.
Stockholm, March Is, 1902