most especially to thank you for the seasonable exertions which you have enabled him to make for the augmentation of the military force of his kingdom.

Gentlemen of the house of com

mons,

His majesty has commanded us to return you his warmest thanks for the supplies which you have granted with so much cheerfulness for the current year; and when he considers the provision which you have made for those contingent and unforeseen services which the events of the war may render necessary, his majesty has the great est satisfaction in recognising the wisdom wherewith, in a time of extraordinary difficulties, you have anticipated the possible demands which those difficulties may occasion.

My lords, and gentlemen,

His majesty commands us to assure you, that he deeply deplores the unfortunate issue of the war upon the continent.

The immense extension of the power and influence of France, and the undisguised determination of the enemy to employ the means and resources of those countries which he possesses or controls for the purpose of effecting the ruin of his majesty's kingdom, undoubtedly present a formidable view of the difficulties and dangers which this country has to encounter. But his majesty trusts that the loyal and brave people over whom he reigns are not to be daunted or disheartened. From the recollection of those difficulties under which his people have successfully struggled, and of those dangers which they have happily surmounted, his majesty derives the consolation of believing that the same spirit and perseve

rance, which have hitherto remain. ed unbroken, will continue to be exerted with unabated vigour and

success.

And, while his majesty commands, us to repeat the assurances of his constant readiness to entertain any proposals which may lead to a secure and honourable peace, he commands us at the same time to express his confidence that his parliament and his people will feel with him the necessity of persevering in those vigorous efforts which alone can give the character of honour to any negotiations, or the prospect of security or permanency to any peace. His majesty therefore trusts that his parliament and his people will always be ready to support him in every measure which may be necessary to defeat the designs of his enemies against the independence of his majesty's do minions, and to maintain against any undue pretensions, and against any hostile confederacy, those just rights which his majesty is always desirous to exercise with temper and moderation, but which, as essential to the honour of his crown and true interests of his people, he is determined never to surrender.

The troops in general have exhibited an unexampled valour, the firmest intrepidity, and heroic action; wherever they were called by the voice of honour the sense of danger disappeared; their glorious deeds will remain beyond the power of oblivion in the annals of national honour, and a grateful country will consider them as standing examples for prosperity.

The nobles of the civil class, treading in the footsteps of their predecessors, have not only distinguished themselves by the sacrifices they have made of their property, butalso by their perfect readiness to hazard their lives for the honour of their country.

The merchants, and all other classes, neither sparing of their endeavours nor their property, have cheerfully borne the burthen of the war, and have shown themselves ready to make any sacrifice what

ever.

With such a general and intimate union of valour and patriotism, it has pleased the Most High, defending and strengthening our armies in the severest conflicts, finally to reward their intrepidity, by putting a happy period to a sanguinary war, and presenting us with a propitious peace, by a treaty between France and Russia, which was concluded and ratified on the 27th of June, in our presence, at Tilsit.

According to the basis of this treaty, we have rejected all the plans for the enlargement of our frontiers at the expense of our allies, as inconsistent with justice and Russian dignity.

Not willing to extend our spacious empire, we only made use of our arms to restore the violated tranquil lity of the continent, and to avert the danger which threatened our own, and the states that were in al

Jiance with us.-Through the establishment of the present peace, Russia's ancient limits are not only secured in their complete inviolability, but rendered more complete, by the addition of a natural and advantageous line of frontier. Several countries and provinces have been given to our allies, which had been lost by the fortune of war, and sub. jugated by force of arms.

Peace being concluded upon these principles, we are convinced that all our faithful subjects will join with us in offering up their prayers to the throne of the King of Kings, that Russia may long enjoy its advantages, defended by the blessings of the supreme, and the unshaken and tried valour of her armies.

Given at St. Petersburg, Aug. 9, 1807, and the seventh year of our reign.

ALEXANDER.

PROCLAMATION

Issued on the 16th of August, at Zealand, by admiral Gambier and lord Cathcart, commanders in chief of his majesty's forces by sea and land, employed in the expedition.

Whereas the present treaties of peace, and the changes of government and of territory, acceded to by so many powers, have so far increased the influence of France on the continent of Europe, as to render it impossible for Denmark, though it desires to be neutral, to preserve its neutrality, and absolutely necessary for those who continue to resist the French aggression, to take measures to prevent the arms of neutral powers from being turned against them in this view, the king cannot regard the present position of Denmark with indifference; and his majesty has sent negotiators with ample powers

to

to his Danish majesty, to request, in the most amicable manner, such explanations as the times require, and a concurrence in such measures as can alone give security against the further mischiefs which the French meditate, through the acquisition of the Danish navy.

The king, our royal and most gracious master, has therefore judged it expedient to desire the temporary deposit of the Danish ships of the line in one of his majesty's ports. This deposit seems to be so just, and so indispensably necessary, under the relative circumstances of the neutral and belligerent powers, that his majesty has further deemed it a duty to himself, and to his people, to support this demand by a powerful fleet, and by an army amply supplied with every preparation necessary for the most active and determined enterprise.

We come, therefore, to your shores, inhabitants of Zealand ! not as enemies, but in self-defence, to prevent those who have so long disturbed the peace of Europe from compelling the force of your navy to be turned against us. We ask deposit; we have not looked to capture so far from it, the most solemn pledge has been offered to your government, and is hereby renewed in the name, and at the express command, of the king, our master, that if our demand is amicably acceded to, every ship belonging to Denmark shall, at the conclusion of a general peace, be restored to her, in the same condition and state of equipment as when received under the protection of the British flag.

It is in the power of your government, by a word, to sheath our swords, most reluctantly drawn against you; but if, on the other hand, the machinations of France

render you deaf to the voice of reason, and the call of friendship, the innocent blood that will be spilt, and the horrors of a besieged and bombarded capital, must fall on your own heads, and on those of your cruel advisers. His majesty's seamen and soldiers, when on shore, will treat Zealand, as long as your conduct to them permits it, on the footing of a province of the most friendly power in alliance with Great Britain, whose territory has the misfortune to be the theatre of war. The persons of all those who remain at home, and who do not take a hostile part, will be held sacred.

Property will be respected and preserved, and the most severe discipline will be enforced. Every article of supply furnished or brought to market will be paid for at a fair and settled price; but as immediate and constant supplies, especially of provision, forage, fuel, and transports, are necessary to all armies, it is well known that requisitions are unavoidable, and must be enforced.-Much convenience will arise to the inhabitants, and much confusion and loss to them will be prevented, if persons in authority are found in the several districts to whom requisitions may be addressed, and through whom claims for payment may be settled and liquidated. If such persons are appointed, and discharge their duty, without meddling in matters which do not concern them, they shall be respected, and all requisitions shall be addressed to them, through the proper channels, and departments of the navy and army: but, as forbearance on the part of the inhabitants is essential to the principle of these arrangements, it is necessary that all manner of civil persons shall re

main at their respective habitations; and any peasants, or other persons, found in arms, singly, or in small troops, or who may be guilty of any act of violence, must expect to be treated with rigour.

The government of his Danish majesty having hitherto refused to treat this matter in an amicable way, part of the army has been disembarked, and the whole force has assumed a warlike attitude; but it is as yet not too late for the voice of reason and moderation to be heard.-Given in the Sound, under our hands and seals, this 16th day of August, 1807.

(Signed as above.)

DANISH PROCLAMATION.

We, Christian the seventh, by the grace of God, king of Denmark, Norway, &c. &c. do hereby make known, that whereas, by the English envoy Jackson, it was declared to us, on the 13th of this month, that hostilities against Denmark would be commenced; and whereas at the same time he demanded passports for himself and his suite; consequently the war between England and Denmark may be considered as actually broken out: therefore we herewith call on all our faithful subjects to take up arms, whenever it shall be required, to frustrate the insidious designs of the enemy, and repel hostile attacks. We further herewith ordain, that all English ships, as well as all English property, and all English goods, shall be seized by the magistrates, and others, in particular by the officers of customs, wheresoever they may be found. It is further our will, that all English subjects, until pursuant to our further orders they can be sent out of the country,

shall, without exception, be arrested as enemies of our kingdom and our country; which measure is strictly to be carried into execution by all magistrates, as well as by all subordinate officers, duly to be instructed by them for that purpose; and it is a matter of course, that all English ships and boats which approach our coasts shall be considered and treated as hostile. It is also our will, that all suspicious foreigners shall be watched with the greatest attention; and that all magistrates, and subordinate officers, shall use their utmost ef forts, as soon as possible, to discover all spies. Lastly, we find it necessary to ordain, that, immediately after publication hereof, all correspondence with English subjects shall entirely cease; and that no payment shall be made to them, on any ground whatever, until our further order, on pain of severe punishment in case of contravention. For the rest we rely on the justice of our cause, and the courage and tried fidelity of our beloved subjects.-Given under our royal seal, in our fortress of Gluckstadt, the 16th of August, 1807. (L. s.) C.L. BARON V. BROCKDORF. (R.) J. C. MORITZ."

The prince royal addressed the following proclamation to the inhabitants of Moen, Falster, and Laland:

Countrymen I call upon you to take up arms against an enemy who has not only taken you by surprise, but has approached your coast under the mask of friendship. Remember the ancestors from whom you descended, and that they, through their courage and unanimity, acquired immortal fame. Your king, your country, and your home, let these be your watch

words,

words, and nothing will be impossible to you. Advance, then, to arms! Assemble under the banners of a Danish prince,-drive back the enemy, for nothing can withstand you. I only regret that the circumstances of the present moment do not permit me to put myself at your head.

FREDERICK, Crown Prince.

DECLARATION.

All Europe is acquainted with the system, which Denmark, during fifteen years of warfare and commotion, has pursued with uniform perseverance. The sole object of all her efforts and wishes has been strictly to maintain a candid and impartial neutrality, and scrupulously to fulfil all the duties attached thereunto. The Danish government, in its relations and conrections with other states, has never lost sight of that simplicity which was inseparable from the purity of its intentions, and its love of peace, in which it cannot be suspected ever to have varied. Providence had hitherto blessed its endeavours. Without injury to, or cause of reproach from, the other powers, Denmark had succeeded in preserving with each a good understanding; and if circumstances have from time to time occasioned reclamations or discussions on the part of the belligerent powers, they have always originated in that impartiality in her conduct and rigorous principles, which they have served more fully to demonstrate.

This state of peace and security has suddenly been annihilated.

The English government, after having by a shameful supineness betrayed the interests of its allies, who were engaged in a struggle as important as the issue of it was

uncertain, has suddenly developed all its power to surprise and attack a neutral and peaceful state, against which it had not even the shadow of complaint. The execution of the plan of invading Denmark, united with Great Britain by bonds as antient as they were sacred, has been prepared with as much secrecy ás promptitude. Denmark saw the British forces approach her shores without even a suspicion that they were to be employed against herself. The island of Zealand was surrounded, the capital threatened, and the Danish territory insulted and violated, before the court of London had, by a single word, declared its hostile intentions. This hostility, however, soon became evident. But Europe will with difficulty believe what it is about to learn. A project the basest, the most violent, and atrocious, that has ever been conceived, is found to have originated alone in a pretended information, or rather in the vague report of an attempt, which, according to the English ministry, was about to be made to inveigle Denmark into engagements hostile to Great Britain. Grounding their actions oa this hypothesis, which the slightest discussion would have proved false, and founded alone on bare supposition, the English government declared in the most peremptory manner to the court of Copenhagen, that, in order to secure its own interests and provide for its own safety, it could leave Denmark no other choice than a war, or a close alliance with Great Britain. And what kind of alliance did they dare to offer? an alliance, the first guarantee of which as a pledge of the subjection of Denmark, was to deliver up all her ships of war to the British govern

ment.