1803,] Memoirs of Gustavus Adolphus 1V. King of Sweden. 
myself sought the means, by useful ar-. 
rangement and strict economy, to in- 
crease the resources of the state. The 
revenues and expences, together with 
the wants of the kingdom, I have caused 
to be estimated, that they may this day 
be laid before the members of the diet, 
to preve what I have been able to effect 
for the benefit of my country; and sug- 
gest what farther measures may be ne~ 
cessary for promoting our mutual endea- 
vours to ameliorate and fix the standard 
of the current coin. ‘The low course 
of exchange, arising from the pressing 
debts of the kingdom,, has always thwar- 
ted my best designs and plans for the 
welfare of the state. Every individual 
feels this oppressive evil more or less, 
but the government feels it most sen- 
sibly; for in every way it-sustains the 
load of responsibility. It has not only 
diminished the revenues of the. state; 
but the low exchange has opened a wide 
field to selfishness and usury; than which, 
nothing can operate more prejudicially 
to the fellow-citizens of ‘greedy specula- 
tors; who ought to be shunned by every 
honest man, and, when discovered, put 
down by every honourable prince. 
“< Two oppressive and disastrous years 
have not a little contributed to the pre- 
sent high prices of corn and other pro- 
visions; and the state, as much as 
individuals—has felt the deficiency of 
crops, and other heavy losses. I shail, 
nevertheless, and indeed in proportion 
to the difficulties of the existing period, 
find great consolation in any efficacious 
means to enable me to succour my dis- 
tressed subjects, and to furnish them 
with farther proofs of my solicitude for 
their comfort, prosperity, and happi- 
ness. 
“* T have called this diet, purposely to 
obviate the pressing evils, and to ad- 
vise with you, how to prevent future ones 
of similar nature and magnitude. To 
effect this important end, it is necessary 
that I should he crowned King of Swe 
den, in order to cement the sacred bonds 
of union in the most solemn manner, 
which ought ever to unite the sovereign 
with the nation. I eceanceived the most 
propitious period forthis solemnity would 
be, on the birth of my beloved and firste. 
born son, Gustavus, the fruit of my hap- 
py union with my most dear consort. 
I want words to express to you the joy 
I felt on seeing the throne of Sweden, 
by the grace of the Most High, still more 
fortified than before; and this happy 
€unviction was mixed with the natural 
Monyuty Mac. No. 170. 
S21 
satisfaction of being a father. And if I 
this day recall these unspeakable emo- 
tions te my breast, it is in the fond hope, 
the perfect trust, that my beloved and 
faithful subjects. may partake in these 
feelings with their prince, and when he is 
no more, find in Gustavus the Fifth, a 
worthy representative of his love, and 
of the high deserts of Gustavus Vasa, 
Gustavus Adolphus, and Gustavus the 
Third ! 
“ When I gave a name to my son, 
which in so many respecis must be dear 
to his country, I hoped to educate -hing 
in such a manner as to render him wor- 
thy to be called Gusravus! I shall ever 
represent to him the great destiny to which 
Providence calls a King of Sweden; 
for [am not to be taught that the 
Almighty does not marshal his armies, 
by the uumber of their hosts, nor 
the extent of their territories. From 
time immemorial the Kings of Sweden 
have been the champions of the North; 
and under the blessing of the Lord of 
Hosts, 1 hope that the race of Swedish 
heroes shall not fail in me. 
‘In order that my son may, from his 
earliest infancy, be impressed with the 
Importance of his future duty: and that 
he may never forget that he is born and 
destined to reiga over a free, united, 
and independent nation, and to pro- . 
mote its happiness above all selfish grati- 
fications, I shall imprint on his heart, that 
being born to the throne, he is the en- 
listed servant of the pubtic, the devoted 
martyr to the ordinances of God. Severe 
as this tuition is, it is the only one to 
form good kings; and in the end will pro- 
duce their content, as well as the peo- 
ple’s happimess. All who have been 
kings, in the true sense of the word in 
which God ordained it, will know, that 
the consolation of seeing our people 
happy, is the only comfort that can sui- 
ficiently repay the heart of a worthy 
sovereign for his manifold cares and trou- 
bles. ‘eleered 
“« Having opened to you, if this au- 
gust place, the inmost of my thoughts 
and principles; and revealed to you 
with sincerity and confidence my feel- 
ings, aS a son, a sovereign, and a fa- 
ther; 1, on the broad and open fel- 
lowship of virtue between man and man, 
expect from you, as my brethren whom 
I wish to serve, as my subiects whom I 
might command, and as my friends who 
ought to trust me, that ye will answer all 
my wishes, for they point to your own 
good! A few reeds of land would satisfy 
Uiu | the 
