the army gives an excellent proof of the good choice
made by our native country; but a great national misfortune
occurred, by which our hopes were destroyed.

His Royal Majesty dwelt on that hope, and overwhelmed with
grief, his sorrowful heart beheld Sweden's last misfortune. The
Crown Prince, Carl August, is no more, and a cloud has overcast
the joyful and bright days of our native country. With a heart
rent by sorrow and affliction, his Royal Majesty has assembled
the Diet, on this occasion to repair the loss. His Royal
Majesty sees on our side endless disputes and disturbances
throughout the realm. His Royal Majesty's years are far
advanced, and he wishes to employ his last days for his
people's repose. He will be happy when he has seen his people
unanimous, and their swords sheathed, and the laws and
constitution kept sacred; then he will end his days happily,
and at the present time will give them a proof of his love for
his native country by proposing a successor to the throne,
whose talents, virtues, and abilities are universally admitted.

With the utmost tenderness for the welfare of his subjects, he
now recommends a prompt decision on the choice of an heir to
the Crown, and offers to the voice of his people, as his
choice, the Prince of Ponte Corvo, whose name is brightened by
his glorious deeds and laurels of honour, and whose
unparalleled services deservedly obtained them. His renowned
knowledge as a statesman has astonished every body; his
mildness and compassion, even to an enemy, have gained him the
respect and affection of all ranks. Separated from the
misfortunes which have hitherto attended Swedish warriors, we
must judge of the Prince with the most tender sensations, and
with them he will use the sword. Indeed, all the circumstances
have convinced his Royal Majesty, and having maturely
considered the nation's public and secret affairs, his Royal
Majesty recommends him to be elected as his heir.[11]

[11] Translated from the Swedish by Lieutenant J. Ross.

According to this recommendation the Prince of Ponte Corvo was elected
on the 21st of August, the very day on which the communication was
made by Admiral Krusenstjerna, but, as it was reported, not without
opposition by the friends of the son of the deposed King, Gustavus
the IVth,