f the kingdom shall be
withdrawn from these shores. Secondly, that you should engage
to send such a force into the Baltic sea as to render it
dangerous for the Russians to make any attempt with ships of
the line against the harbours, or to carry an invading force
against the coast of Sweden. And thirdly, that by detaching
sloops of war, brigs, and frigates in the direction from
Norrkoeping and Stockholm, as far as Gefle, you should strew
such a force in those seas as to intimidate the Russian General
in Finland from embarking his troops on board the flotilla at
Abo, for the purpose of attacking at once the centre of this
kingdom. Such are the paucity of means, and so few the troops
which this government can assemble for the defence of Sweden
against so powerful an enemy, that the invasion cannot in all
probability but succeed, unless your excellency can send the
aid the King desires.

On the supposition that you might act in consequence of the
above-mentioned representation of this government, I observed
to Baron de Lagerbjelke, that, from the remoteness of the seas
in the neighbourhood of Aland and Gefle, it was very probable
that many of your officers might be unacquainted with them, and
thereby risk being thrown into situations of danger; on which
he observed, that through the means of his father, the minister
of marine, he should take care that pilots should be sent out
to meet you whenever it was ascertained that any of the ships
under your command were coming into these seas. The navigation
of the Gulf of Bothnia promises now to be open in ten days or a
fortnight; and therefore this government hopes, in case you
should accede to their wishes, that as little time as possible
may be lost in the execution of them.

Three Swedish frigates, as Baron de Lagerbjelke gave me to
understand, have been ordered round from Carlscrona to cruise
off these coasts; and 106 gun-boats, hemmemas, and other
vessels, are at present in or near the water; but the want of
men from the mortality of the last winter is severely felt, and
can only be supplied from the south, in case you think fit to
coincide with the views of this government.

I have, &c. &c. &c.
AUGT. FOSTER.

Vice-admiral Sir James Saumarez, Bart, and K.B.
&c. &c. &c.