ania, Denmark, the Belt, and
Sound, for the protection of commerce and the defence of the kingdom of
Sweden.

These matters being arranged, Sir James left Gothenburg on the 2nd of
July, in the Victory; and, passing through the Great Belt, visited the
different stations where ships were to be placed. Having taken
possession of the small island of Sproe, he proceeded to Carlscrona, the
principal naval arsenal of Sweden, and arrived there on the 10th July.

The ensuing extract of a letter from Sir James to a friend, on leaving
Gothenburg, will be read with interest, as it will throw some light on
the important and difficult line of conduct he had to pursue on this
occasion.

Victory, off Gothenburg, 2nd July 1808.

You will, I am persuaded, feel much concern at the untoward
circumstances that have occurred, and the impossibility that
must now exist of the troops being of any service in this
country. Every arrangement is made for their sailing the moment
the wind will enable the transports to get out of the harbour;
and I shall proceed at the same time for the entrance of the
Sound, off Helsinburg, which is the station whence I can most
easily communicate with the different detachments, and at the
same time receive the despatches from England.

The only part for me to act in the present state of things, is
to uphold the honour of the country, and, as far as lies in my
power, keep up the friendly intercourse that has hitherto been
maintained with our only ally.

In what light the business will be taken up at home it is
impossible for me to say. It is certain that a most flagrant
outrage has been offered by the King of Sweden in the detention
of Sir John Moore; and how far his Majesty can justify himself
in the eye of our government for so great an insult to an
officer of Sir John's rank, entrusted with the command of an
army, ordered from England for the defence of Sweden, and who
went to Stockholm to confer in a confidential manner on the
measures to be adopted for putting the orders he had received
into execution, is at present difficult to conceive.

He had doubtless, in his own opinion, good grounds for having
taken so strong a measure, but which scarcely can be admitted
when the whole transactions that may have led to it are known
to our government. This misunderstanding is