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Grand Admiral, &c. do declare, that, under existing circumstances, his Majesty is incapable to act, or of conducting the important affairs of the nation: We have therefore (being the nearest and only branch of the family of age,) been induced, for the time being, as administrator of the kingdom, to take the reins of government into our hands, which, with the help of the Almighty, we will conduct, so that the nation may regain peace both at home and abroad, and that trade and commerce may revive from their languishing state. Our inviolable intention is, to consult with the States on the means to be taken to render the future time happy to the people of Sweden. We invite and command, therefore, all the inhabitants of our nation, our forces by sea and land, and also the civil officers of all degrees to obey us, as our real intention and their own welfare demand. We recommend you all to the protection of God Almighty. Done at Stockholm Palace, the 13th March 1809. (Signed)

CHARLES.

C. LAGERBRING. On the 14th of March, the Duke of Sudermania published another proclamation, summoning the Diet to meet at Stockholm on the 1st of May :

"We Charles, by the grace of God, &c. assure you, Estates of the Realm, Counts, Barons, Archbishops, Bishops, Nobles, Clergy, Burghers of Cities, and Commonalty, of our particular favour, gracious intentions, and kind affection, under the protection of almighty God. "Since we, according to our gracious proclamation of the 13th instant, have found ourselves called upon to take the reins of Government as, Regent, in or der to save our beloved native country from unavoidable destruction, we have considered it of the highest importance to deliberate with the states of the realm upon the means which may procure and confirm the future happiness of the Swedish nation. We wish, therefore, and command that all the States of the realm may assemble in the capital of the kingdom before the 1st of May next, and that not only the Nobility may regulate their conduct by the laws for the House of Nobles, given the 6th of June 1626, by the King Gustavus Adolphus, of glorious memory, &c. and revived and confirmed by King Gusta

vus III. on the 9th of November 1778, but that the other States, which, as usual send Deputies, may observe the following order :-From the Clergy are expected to appear the Archbishop, every Bishop from his diocese, the first Pastor in Stockholm, together with so many from each diocese as usual, and of the other States as many as usual, all provided with necessary letters of deputation, in order that we may be able to begin the Diet, and, after its being fortunately finished, give you permission to return every one to his province. Which every one must respectively observe, and we are, &c.-Given at the King's palace at Stockholm, March 14. 1809."

On the 15th of March the Duke of Sudermania published a vindication of his conduct, and an account of the measures which led to the arrest of the King. The paper is interesting, but too long for our insertion. It begins by the part which Sweden took in the coalition against France in 1805, which was followed first by the loss of their commerce with most of Europe, and afterwards by that of all the Swedish dominions in Germany. The King of Sweden was invited to accede to the peace of Tilsit, but refused; the consequence of which was a war with Russia and Denmark, the loss of Finland, amounting to onethird of Sweden, in point of population and value. Commerce was destroyed, and the people burthened with taxes to an extent which they could not bear. In this state of things, the army of the north resolved to march to Stockholm to obtain redress of their grievances; the other armies had formed the same resolution. The King, on hearing of this, had resolved to withdraw to the south to raise a counter army, and oppose the insurgents, and nothing could persuade him to alter this resolution. No other means remained to prevent a civil war from being added to all the other evils with which Sweden was scourged, but to do as he had done. He had been entreated by all the officers, civil and military, to take upon himself the government of the State, and, old as he was, he thought it his duty to do so, as the only means even of preserving the safety of his Majesty's person; and he confides that this step will be viewed in its proper light by every honest Swede. Such

is the substance of the Duke of Sudermania's vindication of his conduct; and we confess that, to us at least, it appears in some measure satisfactory. We are disposed to allow the King of Sweden the greatest praise for the manliness of his conduct, and the goodness of his principles. The conduct of his brother in-law, the Emperor of Russia, was altogether indefensible. He attacked him without provocation, contrary to thre most solemn treaties, after having contributed to bring him into the situation of an enemy of France. But to expect that a country like Sweden could effec tually resist the united attack of all Europe, was vain and delusive. Sweden as it stood was unable to carry on the war. Complete subjugation must have been the consequence of persisting. We do not see therefore, since the King absolutely refused to listen to peace, how the country could have been sa ved, except by a revolution similar to what has happened.

With respect to the continuance of the alliance between Sweden and Britain, nothing is yet known, but the Duke of Sudermania has declared that he wishes to remain on friendly terms with Great Britain. The Swedish Ambassador in London has got new instructions, and has been continued in his situation by the new Government. That the Swedes would wish to continue their connexion with this country, cannot be doubted; but as their object is peace with their present enemies, and as it is a rule with Bonaparte to stipulate that his allies shall have no correspondence with Britain, it is easy to foresee that Sweden will be ultimately forced into the coalition against us. Meanwhile Ministry, it is said, have resolved to keep the Baltic open, and a large fleet is to be sent immediately to that sea.

One instance of disapprobation of the revolution in Sweden has come to our knowledge. In Dalecarlia, anciently so famous for the heroic patriotism of its inhabitants, Baron Norden, the Governor, summoned the provincial chiefs, who formally protested against the de position of Gustavus.

The latest dispatches from Sweden state, that the King has been removed to a greater distance from Stockholm. His Queen has not been permitted to see him; but he has had an interview with April 1809.

his mother. An armistice has been concluded with Russia and Denmark, and messengers have been sent to Paris to treat about a peace.

PRUSSIA.

The Royal Family of Prussia have paid a visit to the Emperor Alexander at Petersburgh;-but whether it has any political measure for its object, has not transpired. On the 27th of Decem ber the King, Queen, with the Princes William and Augustus, set out from Konigsberg, and arrived at Petersburgh in perfect health on the 6th of January. The following is the account of their reception in Petersburgh :

On the arrival of the King and Queen of Prussia at the castle of Strelme, where they passed the night, they were met by the Grand Duke Constantine, and the Count Tolstoy, to compliment them in the name of his Majesty. They were scarcely seated at table, when they were surprised most agreeably by his unexpected arrival. The Monarch spent the evening with his illustrious visitors, and did not return till late to St Petersburgh. The solemn entry into the capital took place next day.

The King was remarkably gay. He wore a uniform lined with sables, which the Emperor had given him. The Queen had a white satin pelisse lined with sables. The Grand Duke Constantine, on horseback, with his sword in his hand, rode on the left side of the Queen's carriage, and immediately behind this carriage marched a squadron of chevaliers gardes; then followed three carriage belonging to the Court, drawn by eight horses, and afterwards the new carriages built here for the Queen, and drawn by eight black horses. Forty thousand persons paraded in the streets.

The two Empresses came to meet their Majesties at the gate of the last antichamber of the castle; and these august Personages, preceded by 64 Chamberlains and Gentlemen in waiting, repaired to the apartments of the Dowager Empress, to whom the King of Prussia gave his hand. The Queen was led by the Emperor and Empress. In a most elegant apartment, hung with rose-co-.. loured silk, the Queen found a superb golden toilette, and in a basket adorned with flowers, six Turkish shawls, &c.

Their

Their Majesties left Petersburgh on the 31st January. His Imperial Russian Majesty attended them to the confines of the district of Petersburgh, and they were saluted by 101 guns. During their stay in Petersburgh, they received numerous proofs of the friendship of the Imperial family; and also, according to report, a million of ducats, on account of an old debt due from Russia to Prussia. Among the fetes given in honour of their Majesties, that at the French Ambassador's hotel was by far the most splendid. Their Majesties arrived in Memel on the 8th February in the evening.

HOLLAND.

The Dutch ports have been opened by a fresh decree for the exportation of numerous articles, and the importation of many others. The following is a list of goods which, from the st of April 1809, are permitted to be exported and imported to and from allied or neutral States in Dutch vessels, or those of allied or neutral powers, to and from the harbours of Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Dort, Groningen, Embden, Harlingen, Veere, Zienkee, Delfzyl, and Brouwers. haven :

Exports.-Books, beans, butter, brandy, bricks, cambrics, cheese, copper manufactured, clocks, clover and garden seeds, eels, flower-roots, fruits, Geneva, gauzes, glue, hoops, hides dried, iron manufactured, leather, linen, lintseed, madders, mill-stones, oak-bark ground, oats, oils of seed, pottery, powder blue, peas, paper, perfumery, plants, pipes, playing cards, quills, rushes, silk manufactured, sacch. saturni, starch, tiles, thread and thread tape, tobacco, tarras, turf, vinegar, watches, white lead, wine, wood manufactured.

Imports. Ashes (pot), candles, copper, corn, fish-oil, isinglass, hare-skins, hemp and hemp-seed, hides (rough), iron, leather (manufactured), lead, lintseed, mercury, mats, pitch, Russia skins, rape-seed, stock-fish, soda, tar, tallow, tobacco, timber, wax, wool, and wine.

The motives which have induced Bonaparte to permit this relaxation of his political system, it is difficult to conjec ture. Has he found it impossible to raise the necessary supplies of money,

while his subjects and dependents are labouring under so many anti-commercial impediments? It cannot be supposed that humanity is his motive.Perhaps also he may wish to conciliate the Americans, as most of the articles to be imported into Holland are those which they can furnish. Our Govern. ment, it is said, purpose to obstruct this extension of commerce, because British manufactures are still excluded from the Continent. They mean to withdraw the licences to the Continent, which have been hitherto granted liberally.

That Bonaparte is rather inclined to conciliate the Americans, wè conclude from the following decree which he has recently promulgated:

1. The American ships detained in the ports of the empire, in consequence only of the embargo, may set sail to return directly to the United States, but this favour is not to extend to vessels seized in consequence of irregular papers or other causes. 2. The ships from which the embargo is taken shall be put at the disposal of General Armstrong, Minister Plenipotentiary from the United States, to secure the direct return of those vessels to that country. Their departure shall not take place till they have given security, and received certificates from our consuls, vice-consuls, or agents of commerce in France or America, that the said cargoes contain only territorial or manufactured productions of our empire, and there is nothing in them produced by the collonies or commerce of England.—8. Our Ministers of Foreign Relations are charged each, in as much as concerns him, with the execution of this decree.

Another decree of the same date contains in substance, that the confiscated American vessels, whose sale will take place on the part of the empire, may be bought on foreign account, on paying a duty of 15 francs per ton.

WEST INDIES. CAPTURE OF MARTINIQUE. We announced in our last Magazine (p. 218) the preparations making by the British General for an attack on this island, and we have now the satisfaction to find that this valuable colony is once more under the sovereignty of the Bri

tish Government. General Beckwith, the Commander in Chief, has transmit. ted the following account of this expedition:

On the 28th of January, the army sailed in two divisions from Carlisle Bay, Barbadoes. The first division, near 7000 men, under Lieut.-Gen. Sir George Prevost, landed on the 30th at Bay Robert, on the windward coast, without opposition. And the second division of 3000 men under Major-Gen. Maitland, landed at Point Solomon, also without opposition. The following is the report of the success of the several divisions.

Martinique, Heights of Surirey, Feb. 2. 1809. SIR-In conformity with your orders, I disembarked on the 30th ult. with the Fuzileer brigade of the first division of the army, at Malgre Tout, in the Bay Robert, at four o'clock P. M. and proceeded from thence to De Manceaux's estate, where I arrived late, in consequence of the difficulties of the country.

Before the dawn of next day, I reached Papin's, and proceeded with the ad. vance, composed of the Royal Fuzileers, and the Grenadiers of the 1st West India regiment. The enemy retiring before me, I reached the heights of De Borke's estate towards evening, where I was joined at day-light, on the 1st inst. by Brig.-Gen. Houghton, with the 23d, and the light infantry battalion, under Major Campbell of the Royal West India Rangers. I lost no time after this junction, and pushed forwards the Hon. Lieut. Col. Pakenham, with the Royal Fuzile ers, to possess himself of Morne Bruno. This movement I supported by the light infantry battalion, under Brig. Gen. Houghton, who was ordered, after uniting the two corps, to proceed to force the heights of Defourneaux, whilst I held the Royal Welsh Fuzileers in reserve to strengthen such points of attack as might require it.

As the greater part of this operation was conducted by the Brigadier-General with spirit, I shall beg leave to refer to his report. I have only to add, that on my coming on the heights of Surirey, I had innumerable proofs of the valour and judgment of the Hon. Lieutenant. Col. Pakenham, of the ex

cellence of the Fuzileer brigade, and of the spirited and judicious exertions of Lieut.-Col. Ellis and Majors Pearson and Offley, of the 23d, also of the bravery of Major Campbell and the light infantry battalion, all of which have enabled me to retain this valuable position without artillery, within 300 yards of the enemy's intrenched camp, covered with guns. I have to lament the loss of Capt. Taylor, acting Deputy Quarter-masterGeneral, who was severely wounded whilst rendering effectual service to his country.

I cannot omit acknowledging, that to Lieutenant Hobbs, of the Royal Engineers, I am indebted for the rapidity of our movements, and ultimate success, from his acquaintance with the country, which enabled him to guide and direct our movements. I have the honour to be, &c.

GEORGE PREVOST, Lieut.-Gen. To Lieut. Gen. Beckwith, &'c.

Heights of Surirey, Feb. 1. 1809. Sir, I moved from the Habitation Bork at seven o'clock this morning, with the light battalion commanded by Major Campbell, and being joined on the heights of Bruno by the Honourable Lieut.-Col. Pakenham with the 7th regiment, the rifle company of 23d regiment, and the grenadiers of the 1st West India regiment, I proceeded towards the heights of Defourneaux. The column was scarcely in motion before a considerable body of the enemy's regular forces, commanded by General of Brigade d'Houdelot, was discovered very advantageously posted on the declivity of a hill, with the river Monsieur in their front, and one or two field-pieces on their left. Having reconnoitred their position, I determined to attack them, although the light artillery attached to the brigade could not be brought up. Col. Pakenham, with the rifle company and grenadiers of the 7th, and rifle company of the 23d, was directed to turn the right, and Major Campbell, with the light battalion, the left of the ene my's position, whilst I proceeded to attack them in front, with the battalion. companies of the 7th, and the grenadiers of the 1st West India. The result praved in every respect such as was to be expected from the bravery and discipline of the troops which I had the ho

nour

nour to command. The enemy were driven back from every position with considerable loss, and retired in the greatest disorder.

Col. Pakenham having turned the right flank of the enemy, pushed forward towards the heights of Surirey, supported by the 23d under Lieut.-Col. Ellis, and Major Pearson. The enemy had collected a considerable force, chief ly drawn from Fort Bourbon, to defend the approaches to the heights of Surirey, supported by a small field train, and fa. voured by a very strong position. Notwithstanding such formidable obstacles, Lieut. Col. Pakenham, seconded by the exertions of Lieut.-Col, Ellis, Ma jors Pearson and Offley, and the determined bravery of the whole detachment, after repeated attacks, at length, by a very spirited charge, compelled the enemy to take shelter under the cover of their redoubts, and established his position on the heights.

At this moment you resumed the command of the advance, and, in con formity with your orders, I brought up the remainder of the Royal Fuzileers, and the light battalions, to the heights of Surirey.

I have the honour to be, &c. DANIEL HOUGHTON, Brig. Gen.. To Lieut.-Gen. Sir Geo, Prevost Bart. c.

Return of Killed, Wounded, and Missing, of the division under the command of Lieut.-General Sir George Prevost, Bart. in the action of the 1st February 1809.

7th or Royal Fuzileers, 1st battalion, 1 captain, 9 rank and file, killed; 2 serjeants, drummer, 56 rank and file, wounded; 4 rank and file missing. 23d or Royal Welch Fuzileers, 1st battalion 1 serjeant, 14 rank and file, killed; 2 serjeants, 79 rank and file, wounded; 1 serjeant, 5 rank and file, missing. Detachment of the 1st West India regt. I rank and file killed; drummer, 18 rank and file, wounded; 1 subaltern missing. Light Battalion, 11 rank and file killed; 1 captain, 2 subalterns, I serjeant, 2 bugles, 30 rank and file, wounded; 3 rank and file missing.

Total-1 captain, 1 serjeant, 35 rank and file, killed; 1 captain, 2 subalterns, 5 serjeants, 4 drummers, 2 bugles, 183 rank and file, wounded; 1 subaltern, I serjeant, 12 rank and file, missing.

Officer killed.-Captain Taylor, of the Royal Fuzileers, acting Deputy Quar. termaster-General.

Officers wounded-Captain Gledstanes, of the 3d West India Light Infantry; Lieutenant Johuson, of the 4th ditto; Lieutenant Jackson, of the rifle Company Royal West India Rangers.

Officer missing.-Lieutenant Gilmour, of the 1st West India Regiment, taken prisoner.

Return of Killed, Wounded, and Missing, upon the Heights of Surirey, 2d February 1809.

7th or Royal Fuzileers, 1st battalion, 1 serjeant, 20 rank and file, killed; 1 field officer, 2 captains, 1 serjeant, 1 drummer, 58 rank and file, wounded; 3 rank and file missing. Sth, King's Regiment, Ist battalion, 1 field officer, 4 rank and file, killed; 13 rank and file wounded. 23d, Royal Welch Fuzileers, 1st batt. I serjeant, 3 rank and file, killed; I subaltern, staff, 19 rank and file, wounded; 1 serjeant missing. Detachment 1st West India Regiment, 1 rank and file killed, Light Battalion, I captain, I serjeant, 14 rank and file, killed; 1 field officer, I subaltern, 2 serjeants, 36 rank and file wounded.

Total- field officer, 1 captain, a serjeants, 42 rank and file, killed; 2 field officers, 2 captains, 2 subalterns, I staff, 3 serjeants, I drummer, 126 rank and file, wounded; 1 serjeant, 3 rank and file, missing.

Officers killed.—8th Regiment, Major Maxwell. Captain Sinclair, 25th regi

ment.

Officers wounded.- 7th Regiment, Hon. Lieut. Col. Pakenham; Captains Rowe and Cholwick. 23d ditto, Lieut. Roskelly; Surgeon Power. Light Battalion, Major Campbell of the Royal West India Rangers; Lieutenant Hopwood, of ditto. Staff, Capt. Coote, aid-decamp to Lieut.-Gen. Sir George Prevost, slightly.

GEO. W. RAMSAY, Brigadier and Adjutant-General.

Here follow two letters from Rear Admiral Sir A. Cochrane, containing an account of the co operation of the navy with the army, and the capture of the battery at Point Solomon, and of Pigeon Island, with the destruction of the Amphitrite frigate of 44 guns, and all the shipping in Fort Royal Bay, and of the

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