Conformably to a separate article in 
the military convention concluded at the 
court of London, on the 17th of June 
1807, respecting the sending of the Ger- 
man Legion to support the defence of 
Stralsund, the British government expres- 
sed (just before the close ef the siege) its 
wish that the Legion should immediately 
return to England. The king of Sweden 
did not hesitate to comply, but without 
delay gayé orders for its embarka- 
tion. This measure having taken place, 
the citizens of Stralsund, dismayed at the 
vast army which lay before their walls, 
and threatened them with all the mise- 
ries of a city taken by storm, threw them- 
selves at the feet of Gustavus,and implored 
him, as circumstances had s0 fatally op- 
posed his arms, that he would save their 
wives and daughters and aged parents 
from the rage of an incensed and cruel 
foe—that he would consent to surrender 
the town! 
Having assented to these prayers, the 
king took every proper measure to se- 
cure the future safety of the terrified in- 
habitants, His brave ‘troops.marched 
out in honourable martial order; and, 
after spikimg the cannon, and destroying 
the ammunition, on the 23d of August, 
he and the remnant of his faithful fol- 
lowers resigned the city to its own ma- 
gistrates,—aud embarked for Sweden. 
Smee that period, the French, have 
extended their conquests in Pomerania; 
have gained Denmark, and secured Rus- 
sia; but still hope settles on the proud 
crest of the young and undaunted Gus- 
tavus! And to shew how deeply the 
principles of sublime patriotism, honear, 
and loyalty, are fixed im his soul; we shal! 
close this sketch with an account of a 
conversation which passed at, Schlatkoff, 
between him and the French General 
Brune. 
When the general came into the pre- 
sence of the king, he bowed and said, “ I 
am here in consequence of your majesty’s 
command.” The king then addressed 
him. 
“¢ T have wished to speak with you my- 
self, General, in order to render unne- 
cessary, all farther explanation on the ar-. 
ticle added to the conclusion of the ar- 
mistice at Schilatkeff; as I wish that 
every thing be clear and distinct, so 
that no misconstruction may arise. My 
governor-general has already, in ‘conse- 
quence of my order, told you in his letter 
of the 14th of May, that I do not ac- 
knowledge any other agreements than 
those established in the armistice itself; 
EE 
1808.] Ademoirs of Gustavus Adolphus IV. ie ing of Sweden. . 
329 
and J now repeat to. you, that it is that 
act only, which I regard as binding.” 
“ Does your Maiesty (asked the gene- 
ral,) permit me to speak? or 18 1t your 
Majesty’s pleasure to explain only your 
theughts on the subject?” 
“* You are at liberty to speak yours,” 
answered the king.—The general then be- 
gan. 
“« T can mention an instance in which 
I was myself concerned; for I conclu- 
ded a similar armistice in Helland with 
the Duke of York; and I had thought 
the additional article now in question, 
ought to have been as sacred as the ar- 
mistice itself, when founded on the ho- 
nour of both the commanders in chief,” 
“ Yes, (said the king,) it is exactly on 
the same principle that 1 acknowledge 
only the armistice at Schlatkofi. Besides, 
Bonaparte has himself furnished me with 
areason if I chose to make use of it; 
for did he not say, that when he took the 
command of the army himself, he order- 
ed General Mortier, in case the addi- 
tional article should not be accepted, to 
break off the armistice! Now, since I 
have taken the command of my army in 
person, I might have had, on these 
grounds, a sufticient plea for putting an 
end to the armistice, as I would not ac- 
knowledge the additional article; but I 
have not done so.” 
General Brune answered this by a re- 
ference wide from the mark, saying. 
something about the ancient alliance be- 
tween Sweden and France, and hinting 
at 2 union between the two nations. 
“True, (said the king); I wish as sin~ 
cerely as you can, that this alliance might 
be revived. But the French nationis no 
longer the same; those happy times are 
past, when a close alliance contributed 
to the political advantage of the two 
kingdoms: the present state of affairs 
prevents the renewal of their old friend- 
ship.” 
“The French nation (returned the 
general,) is always the same. It has ac~ 
quired much honour and power. France 
has made great progress; sie has im- 
proved her agricultural resources; and if 
ata future time your Majesty might have 
an opportunity of going thither, it would, 
‘perhaps be interesting to your Majesty. 
to see and to know that country.” 
“ T look upon France as it now stands, 
(said the king), as the scourge of Europe.” 
““ Yes, (auswered the general), we 
have been much engaged in warfare, 
The emperor has a great character.” 
** I do not know of any enmperor of 
France,’* 
