submitted himself to the scrutiny of a court-martial; the result of which was highly honorable to his lordship.

The British arms were very successful in the West Indies; Martinico, and Cayenne, were both captured. Another attempt was also made for the reduction of the city of Naples, by Sir John Stewart, who embarked with fifteen thousand British troops, and was afterwards joined by a body of Sicilian forces. The garrisons of Joctica, and Procida, were made prisoners; but existing circumstances were so unfavorable to an attack upon Naples, that Sir John thought it prudent to abandon the idea.

During the whole progress of the war in which Great Britain was engaged with France, in consequence of the French revolution, we have had occasion to notice the general failure of particular expeditions, fitted out in, what was denominated, a secret manner. Indeed, there seemed to be an infatuation of the most extraordinary nature, which compelled the British ministers to concert measures upon so wild and Quixotic a plan. We have now to record the failure of an expedition, projected upon a more formidable scale than any one, of a similar nature, during the war. Immense preparations were, for a considerable time, making for fitting of it out; and it was, at length, ascertained, (a fact well known in France long before the expedition sailed,) that this grand expedition was destined for the capture of the islands at the mouth of the Scheldt. The greatest anxiety prevailed throughout the country as to the person to whom the command of this fleet, which was to achieve wonders, was to be committed; and nothing could exceed the chagrin, disappointment, and mortification of the public, when the command was bestowed upon John Earl of Chatham; a nobleman, whose mediocrity of talent rendered him ill qualified for superintending an expedition of the most important nature. Upwards of forty thousand men were embarked on this service; and the fleet consisted of upwards of twenty sail of the line, exclusive of frigates, gun-boats, bomb vessels, &c. On July 28, the fleet sailed from the Downs; and intelligence was soon received of the conquest of the island of Walcheren; a place notorious for the unhealthy state of

the atmosphere; and which has, with great propriety, been designated as, "The Golgotha of the human species." Flushing was also invested by Lord Chatham; and on August 13, the bombardment of this town took place, and the destructive nature of Sir William Congreve's rockets, soon set the town in flames, which was afterwards surrendered by General Monnet, and the garrison, consisting of upwards of four thousand men, were made prisoners. It was universally supposed that the attack upon Flushing was only the precursor of other operations of still greater moment. Sir Richard Strachan, who was the Admiral of the fleet, was not a little astonished, when, upon consulting with Lord Chatham, he was informed, that his Lordship designed to advance no farther.

It was ascertained that the enemy had made immense exertions to resist the proposed attack of the English; and that a numerous army had been formed for the defence of Antwerp, and the vast quantity of shipping collected there; a difference of opinion arose between Lord Chatham and Sir Richard Strachan, when the former deemed it expedient to return with the greatest part of the troops to England. But a large number of the forces which had been embarked, was encamped at Walcheren, and were there seized with the Walcheren fever, which carried off a multitude of persons. length, after that pestilential disorder had made the most dreadful ravages, and the army was reduced to a skeleton, the miserable island was evacuated by the surviving few and thus ended this disgraceful and ill fated expedition, which excited a great degree of dissatisfaction throughout the country.

At

CHAP. XXIII.

Deposition of the King of Sweden. Campaign in Spain and Portugal. Campaign in Germany. Battle of Wagram.

THE spirited opposition which Gustavus IV. had made to the tyranny of Bonaparte, excited the utmost hatred in Napoleon, who stirred up a spirit of revolt in Sweden, which terminated in the deposition of that monarch. The following particulars relating to this singular event, are peculiarly interesting.

The conspirators had fixed to arrest the King in a street through which he usually passed, a little after two o'clock in the afternoon, on his way from the palace of Stockholm to Haga, where he generally resided."

Just at this time, an officer arrived from the western army, with a manifesto to the leaders of the revolution in Stockholm. All was now prepared, and the different parts in this great drama were assigned to proper actors. The King was to be conveyed to the fortress of Vaxholm, the garrison of which should be relieved by a troop of the guards from Stockholm. A solemn oath was taken, that nothing should be attempted against the life of the King, but that every respect should be shown him consistent with safety and prudence. The regiment of curassier life-guards was informed of the projected revolution, and prepared to assist in its execution. When the King should be arrested, one of the principal conspirators, accompanied by a squadron, was to march up to the court of the palace, to wait the orders of his Royal Highness the Duke; while some men of the highest authority, should endeavor, in the name of their country, to persuade his Royal Highness to accept of the government, under the title of Protector, until the states of the kingdom should be assembled. In the mean time it was agreed, that no meetings should be held, no conversation permitted which might betray the conspiracy; but that every one should anxiously attend to the part assigned to him, and expect in silence the moment of action.

Circumstances occurred, which obliged the conspiraVOL. II.-32.

PP

tors (at the head of whom was Baron Adlercreutz) to delay the execution of their project; and the western army, which had been persuaded to adopt the cause of the revolutionists, advanced in the mean time towards Stockholm.

On Sunday, March 12, an extra post arrived with the proclamation which they had issued, a full account of their proceedings. The King was panic struck. In the afternoon he went from Haga to Stockholm; and as soon as he entered the palace, the gates were shut, guards were placed at the different entrances of the town, who were commanded strictly to examine every person who entered, and allow no one to leave Stockholm. In the evening, an account of the approach of the western army was sent to all the public establishments. The night was passed in dispatching the most contradictory orders. All the great officers of state, were ordered to repair to Nyköping. The military were to depart from Stockholm, and one of the German regiments, with some artillery, was destined to oppose the western army. Baron Rozenblad, secretary of state, was called from his bed, and ordered to raise as much money as he could, by the sale of bills on England; and he in vain represented, that at such an hour no business of that kind could be transacted. The commissioners of the bank were commanded to assemble at seven o'clock in the morning, and the proper officers were ordered to use every effort to collect the greatest possible number of horses.

Baron Adlercreutz judged, that the eventful moment was arrived. He sent to desire those who were stationed at the gates, and other parts of the palace, to be watchful on their posts, and having assembled a number of officers, he entered the King's room. When the door

opened the King seemed surprised, and the Baron approached his Majesty, and began to address him: he said, "that the public mind was in the utmost irritation from the unfortunate circumstances of the country, and particularly from his Majesty's intended departure from Stockholm: that the higher officers of state, and of the military, and the most respectable citizens, had encouraged him to represent the consequences, for which purpose," Here the King interrupted the Baron, loudly exclaiming, "Treason! You are all corrupted, and shalt

be punished!" The Baron answered, "We are no traitors, but wish to save your Majesty, and our country." The King immediately drew his sword, when the Baron rushed upon him, and seized him round the waist, while Colonel Silversparzo took the sword from his Majesty. The King then vociferated, "They are going to murder me; help! help!" They endeavored to tranquilise the mind of the King, who appeared to be more composed, and requested his sword to be returned to him, which was refused.

His Majesty's cries had alarmed some of his body guards, who had just arrived, and servants of the pa-. lace, who endeavored to force open the door; but not being able so to do, they broke the upper pannel of it with pokers and their sabres. At this moment Baron Adlercreutz commanded the door to be opened, and rushing into the middle of the crowd, seized a sabre from an hussar, and snatched from the Adjutant-general his staff of office, which holding up, he said, That he now considered himself as Adjutant-general, and in that capacity commanded the guards immediately to retire. After some hesitation, this command was obeyed; and several officers, who were not in the conspiracy, were put under arrest. The Baron then went to the room where the guard usually assembled, when the Baron assured those present, that the King's person was not in the smallest danger; and that nothing more was intended than to save the country from ruin. He conjured them, therefore, as they should answer to God and their country, not to attempt any thing which might occasion bloodshed, and endanger the life of the King. The guards were yet hesitating, when the Baron again assuring them of the purity of his intentions, they remained tranquil. Stockholm remained all this time in a state of tranquillity; the citizens mounted guard at the bank, and publie offices.

Counts Ugglas and Stromfelt, were sent in to his Majesty to quiet his mind. The King had, unperceived, drawn Count Stromfelt's sword from the scabbard; and when the General missed his sword, which the King carried naked in his hand, and intreated to have it returned, his Majesty answered, "The General was just as good a General, as he a King, without a sword." Baron Adlercreutz at this moment returned to the King's anti