u by Mr. Wilkinson, the gentleman I
mentioned to you on leaving the Victory: he proposes
establishing himself upon Hano Island for the furtherance of
commercial arrangements, and as he is well known as a person of
respectability, I beg leave to introduce him to your friendly
offices.

I have not been able as yet to obtain any explanation of the
extraordinary circumstance that has taken place at Carlshamn,
and I am as yet uninformed whether it has been a business of
the merchants only, or by direction of the Government. As soon
as I can receive any information, I shall write to you by a
courier; in the mean time, we cannot act with too great
moderation in the present state of affairs.

Believe me,
With the highest regard, &c. &c. &c.
JAMES SAUMAREZ.

To Rear-admiral Reynolds, &c. &c. &c.

Meanwhile Sir James, instead of making any hostile demonstration, most
readily complied with the request of Count Rosen, the Governor of
Gothenburg, to grant him a licence for a vessel to sail to Lubeck for
medicine and drugs for the use of Sweden, and enclosed him passports
for Baron Stedinck for the purpose of allowing two vessels to proceed
to St. Petersburg, to convey his excellency from thence to Stockholm.
He concludes his letter thus: "I take this opportunity to express the
satisfaction it affords me to have it in my power to comply with your
wishes," &c. (14th May) making no mention of the affair at Carlshamn.

On the 17th Mr. Smith came on board the Victory, being desired by
Count Rosen to inquire whether, in the event of differences between
Sweden and Norway, the hostile measures of Sweden would be opposed by
Sir James, to which he replied that he was not authorised to make any
opposition to such an attack, but that he did not consider himself
justified in supporting it without having instructions from
Government; at the same time Sir James received information by an
officer who had been some time a prisoner at Christian Sand,
representing that place as open to an attack in order to capture the
merchant vessels therein, as well as the flotilla.

It was evident that the Swedes were very intent on the possession of
Norway, either by negotiation or otherwise; but it was questionable
whether such an addition would be advisable. Sir James was of opinion
that if Norway could be rendered independent of Denmark or of any
other country, it was not