was possible to imagine. He had to protect the
commerce of both nations in a dangerous and intricate navigation, with
which his ships were but little acquainted, opposed on every side by
Russians, Prussians, French, Danes, and Norwegians. It was requisite
that his forces should be most judiciously disposed; and great tact
and firmness were indispensable to conduct affairs under the existing
circumstances. His conduct on this, as well as on every former
occasion, was such as to deserve and obtain the high approbation of
the government, and the people of both Great Britain and Sweden. The
first letter Sir James received from Gustavus Adolphus was written in
French, of which the following is an exact copy:

Chateau de Stockholm, le 6 Mai 1808.

MONSIEUR L'AMIRAL,

J'ai ordonne a mon aide-de-camp general de la marine, le
Vice-amiral Baron de Rayalin de se rendre en Sconie, pour se
concerter avec vous sur les operations des flottes Swedoise et
Anglaise contre l'ennemi commun. Il est indispensable de
deployer la plus grande activite et energie proportionnees au
danger; le Baron Rayalin vous montrera un plan a cet effet, que
j'ai arrete, et dont communication a ete faite au Ministre de
sa Majeste Britannique, resident aupres de moi, qui'il a du
vous envoyer. Je suis persuade que vous saisirez avec plaisir
cette occasion pour remplir a ce que l'honneur et le devoir
vous prescrivent. Et sur ce je prie Dieu qu'il vous ait,
Monsieur l'Amiral, en sa sainte et digne garde; etant votre
bien affectionne,

GUSTAF ADOLPH.

A l'Amiral commandant les forces navales de sa
Majeste Britannique, dans le Sund.

Baron Rayalin having, with this letter, transmitted his _expose_ of the
situation of the Swedes since the capture of Sweaborg and the recapture
of Gothland, states that the Russians and Swedes had each eleven sail of
the line: it was agreed that the Swedish fleet should be reinforced by
two ships, the Centaur of 74 guns, Rear-admiral Sir Samuel Hood, and the
Implacable 74, Captain Byam Martin, and take a position at Hango-udde, a
small, ill-fortified harbour at the north-west point of Finland, round
which the Russian flotilla must pass to attack Abo and Aland; and that
the English commander-in-chief should employ the rest of his fleet in
blockading the enemy's coast from the Gulf of Finland to Norway,
including the coasts of Prussia, Pomer