gence, and not from an order issued by the King; but despatches were delivered to him of a very disagreeable tenor from Colonel Murray *. This officer had been sent before to notify to the King of Sweden the succours that were coming; and to obtain information of the strength of the Swedish army, and his Majesty's views. In four days Colonel Murray came from Stockholm, and brought a variety of accurate details of a most unpleasant nature; for he had discovered not only that the Swedish army was weak and badly organized, but that the King, who was despotic, often proposed measures so absurd as to manifest great imbecility or derangement of mind. He also delivered a letter to Sir John from the King, in which objections were stated to three conditions stipulated by the British Government in the employment of their troops. First, to the power retained of recalling them, should their services be required elsewhere: the King de

Since that time, the Right Honourable Lieutenant-General Sir George Murray, &c. &c. &c.

manded that fourteen, or at least eight days' notice, should previously be given. Secondly, to the British acting separately, and in conjunction with the fleet, which could not be strictly followed on many accounts; and, thirdly, to the British troops not being placed under the King's commands, which he positively insisted upon.

To this letter Moore returned an answer, couched in the most respectful terms, stating that he should instantly transmit his Majesty's letter to England, for fresh instructions; and he expected that such would be sent as should enable him to testify his zeal for his Majesty's person, and for the welfare of his dominions.

Colonel Murray was then requested to carry the King's letter and despatches to London; being the person, from his knowledge of the affairs of Sweden, and from his superior capacity, the best qualified to give information to the Cabinet Ministers. Until his return, everything was at a stand: at length the Colonel came back, bringing long

letters to Moore from Lord Castlereagh; by which it appeared that the Ministers acquiesced in the King of Sweden's having the supreme command of the British troops, when landed in his territories. The other points were also yielded, though it was expected that his Swedish Majesty would conform to their purport: yet a positive objection was insisted on to an invasion of Zealand, which was projected by the King. And by another confidential letter, it was enjoined, that if the King of Sweden deviated from the spirit of the instructions, Sir John Moore was directed first to remonstrate; and should that not avail, and he saw sufficient cause, he was to withdraw the troops altogether.

Lord Castlereagh also wrote,' that it was 'with much surprise and dissatisfaction his 'Britannic Majesty had learnt there had 'been any hesitation on the part of the Swe'dish government to permit the troops to

land; and Mr. Thornton, the British Envoy, was instructed to declare, that if the most

' unreserved facilities in this respect were not

' afforded, orders were given for the return of 'the British army.'

The instructions sent were long and intricate; as the Ministers were extremely embarrassed how to act with a sovereign of so singular a character. Sir John Moore perceived that nothing could be terminated quickly by a correspondence, and, therefore, resolved to go immediately to Stockholm with Colonel Murray. They travelled night and day until they arrived.

After some formalities, Sir John had a private audience with the King, in which he signified, that having received fresh instructions from his government, he considered it most respectful to come in person to lay them before his Majesty, and receive his orders. He then read to the King the consent of the British Ministers to his demands. But the King, instead of being mollified, observed, 'These instructions only give me 'the command of the British troops when 'landed in my own dominions; whereas, I 'judge it of the utmost importance to attack

VOL. II.

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'Zealand.' To which Sir John stated, with great submission, that his government disapproved of any attempt upon Zealand, because it was defended by twenty-eight thousand Danes, and forty-four thousand French, Spanish, and Dutch troops, who were stationed in Funen and the neighbourhood; consequently, it was an enterprise far exceeding the power of Sweden and Great Britain at present.

But in this, and in other subsequent interviews, Sir John discovered that this King's mind was of a peculiar kind. It was distinct from that of many obdurate persons, which, being strongly impressed with reasons on one side of a question, are incapable of weighing calmly those on the other. The King was decided by neither, but solely by his own will; and that was unalterable. To Moore's arguments, he therefore never replied; but either put some question quite irrelevant, or repeated nearly in the same words his first observations.

Arguments being useless, Sir John en