Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-08-17

CnrIStlan III, guilty OF all sorts or excuses,
was driven from his throne, became fugi-
tive, and a prisoner, but finally died apeni-
tent. aged 78 years, ten ofwhich lie reigued,
nine he passed in exile, and twenty-sevem as
a captive. Christian III, to whom Christi
an III was indebted for his liberation from
dungeon, is represented as an able prince,
who established Lutheranism in Denmark,
and under whose reign Norway was firmly
united to his kingdom. In the year 1860 a
very singular revolution occurred: the crown,
at that period elective, was made hcredita-
~ in the posterity of Frederick III. This
occurrence took place in consequence OF the
arrogance of the nobility. The clergy aud
the commonalty, depressed by the MOBILES,
determined to rescue themselves from OPP
PRECISION by throwing their weight into the
scale of the executive branch of the govern
ment. Accordingly, in an assembly OF the
three orders of the state, held at Copenha-
gen, the bishop and the burgo- master of that
city, both popular characters, suddenly pro-
posed to render the crown hereditary, and
Immediately in the name of the classes
which they represented, made tender to
that effect to the sovereign. The mobiles, Ia
ken without warning, followed the exam
pie; and thus the world beheld the eXtraor-
binary spectacle OF whole people, making
a voluntary VI tiICli III
year 1772 is distinguished in Danish history
by the misfortunes of Matilda, sister of
George III, king of Great Britain, and wife
of Christian VII. This unhappy woman had
Ibtained a complete asCendency over her
husband, and taking into her own hands the
management of public business, had elevat-
ed to power persons that were odlous 10 the
people. This did not escape the notice OF
Mcqueen dowager, who was mother-in-iaw
of Christian VII She did not fail TO excIle
popular discomfort against her rival NATL
da and her favnrite, whose name was Stru-
enzee. Selling convenient moment, the
queen dowager and her adnerents eXtorted
from the king, whose mind had Deen pre-
viously filled with jealousy, AN order Tor the
arrest of Matilda and her favorite. Struen-
zee, and a friend of his named Brandt, we're
beheaded, and the queen only escaped death
by the interposiuon Of the British an5assa'
dor at the court of Denmark.
The principal wars of the Danes have
been with Sweden, if we except contest Of
about FIVE years duration against Austria, III
the war Of thirty years. They have been
more distinguished in modern times by com
mercial than by military transactions; and,
independently of their possessions IN Europe,
comprizing Denmark proper, Holstein and
Norway, they could at one period boast OF
colonies in Africa, Asia, and America. Oh
these however, they have been chiefly, #
noe altogether, stripped by the British, dur-
ing the war which commenced Ill The year
1903 between France and England. the
policy of the Danes, during the wars of the
French revolution was pacific; and they did
not relinquish it till compelled 10 take an
active part in the present conflict by their
more powerful neighbors. Copenhagen, the
capital of Denmark, has been treated with
much cruelty by the British. In the year
1901 they bombarded it with great slaugu-
ter, in order to compel the Danish govern
ment to relinquish certain principles OF ma
litime law inimical to the commercial and
naval interests of England. The Danes, af-
ter making gallant defence, were Obliged
tn submit, and sign a convention agreeable 10
the British ministry. In the year 1907, tie
English again appeared before Copenhagen
in force, and, investing it also by land, obig-
ed the Danes to deliver up the ships of war
then in their possession. The aliedged rea-
son for this latter coercion, was the danger
OF the Danish navy's falling into the hands OF
| the French to the detriment of Great Bri-
tain.
Denmark is now in close alliance with
France; aud, more from intrinsic weakness
than from inclination, acts in suOservlency
to all NapoleOn's edcts.
SWEDEN.
The early history of Sweden, like that OF
all the northern German Communities, is but
family discernible through the night Of time
That country is the ancient Scandinavia, the
store-house of those swarms of Barblrans
who, crossing the Baltic sea, spread terror
and desolation wherever they advanced
The monarchy, ike that of Denmark, was
| originally elective. BY the union of Cdlmar,
| in the year 1897, Sweden became mere tri-
butary Kingdom to Denmark. This Union,
which was effected By the abilities of Mar
| garet of Waldemar, who was denominated
the Semiratnis OF the North, was in the end
| productive Of great inquetudcs: after her
! death a struggle ensued between the Danes
| and the Swedes, tor subsection on the one
side, and for independence on the other. AT
| length Christian II. of Denmark, a bloody
and remorseless tyrant, IN order to destroy
I every hope Of freedom III the hearts of the
| people of Sweden, conceived the gigantic
! wickedncss of butchering all the noble and
powerful families of that Kingdom. From
| this dire tragedy one gallant youth escaped ;
| and seeking shelter among the DaleCarliaus,
| a race Of hardy mountaineers. reused them
| to a sense OF their degradation and to an act
| e vengeance. This youth was Gustavus
| Vasa, whose story has furnished sub
jet for the drama, ana who, putting him
| self 1T tie head OF the pcasantry OF Dllccar-
la, triumphautiy rcpulsed the Danes, and
| for his valor and patriotism was rewarded
with the crown. The royal authority con-
| Jinucd in the house OF Vasa until the abdica-
! ton Of Christiana in the year 1854, when the
crown was transferred 60 the house OF Dcux-
| Points, Of which the celebrated Charles XII
| was descendant. This prince, aud Gus
! tavu5-Adolphus, who was OF the house oil
| Nas1 were The L1nsf IislinnnisheL sn,crr;,.,..