N^o. 31.

Sir,

I am honored with Your Letter N^o. 6, containing the Earl of Suffolks commands relative to the American Brig, which came in August last to Marstrand, and was said to be English property, taken by an American Pirate.¹

All ever since I had presented a Memorial on this subject to Senator Baron Falckenberg² I have made every inquiry in my power to learn such particulars as might confirm, that the Vessel had been taken by an American Pirate. But I got only a very vague Report, by which nothing could be proved; and when I applied lately to Baron de Falckenberg, he told me that according to the accounts which were sent hither from the Governor, strict inquiries had been made, but it had not been found that the Brig in question had ever been English property. I took this opportunity of declaring to Baron de Falckenberg, that I made no doubt but the amicable, just, and dignified Principles, which had induced His Swedish Majesty to prohibit the admission of Pirate armed Vessels into His Ports, would operate equally against the admission of all Piratical Prizes. He said, that, he did not know exactly the King his Masters sentiments about such prizes as might come in unarmed under the title of Merchant Ships some time after they had been taken, but he supposed that when ever the case should exist, His Swedish Majesty would declare Himself in a satisfactory manner: with regard to those as should be carried into Swedish Ports by American Pirates, or such as were sent within twenty four hours after having been made Prizes they would certainly by no means be admitted. I replied, that I could wish orders without distinction would be given on this subject before any of these cases happened to exist, because there was reason to apprehend, that were they to be dis patched afterwards, several accidents were likely to happen, by which the execution of them would be rendered difficult, or perhaps impossible. But he did not seem to be much inclined to comply with this request, and told me only that it would be best to decide the question as soon as the case existed.

Upon an information that the Master of the same Vessel had of late been received Burgher at Marstrand, and his Ship made a Swedish Bottom, I gave Baron de Falckenberg to understand, that this proceeding could not fail but give encouragement to all Rebel Vessels coming to Marstrand; and that notwithstanding their being made Swedish Bottoms and carrying Swedish Flag, I would not venture to say that they would be secure should they be met with by His Majestys Cruizers, and that therefore it was to be apprehended that the Swedish Flag would of course be exposed to disagreable accidents. He said that according to the Laws of Sweden and a long continued practice every Foreigner was to be admitted Burgher, whenever he had got a formal possession by purchasing a House or Estate, that many Foreigners and particularly Britainers had thus settled in this Country, and when they had amassed some Fortune, they returned with it to their Country under divers pretences. He said farther that he knew nothing positive of the Vessel in question having been made a Swedish Bottom; but that at all events he could not suppose that such a step would give cause of complaint, as it was impossible for any Vessel to export Arms or Ammunition, because His Swedish Majestys orders were so strict that he was confident they would be most exactly observed, and that therefore the Swedish Flag would always meet with the same consideration as before, the rather as the King his Masters assurances of friendship and attachment to His Majestys Cause against His Rebellious Subjects were true and sincere.

I think it necessary to observe, that it is difficult to enter with the Senator into Points of Business, and to get an immediate and positive Answer, as his Power with regard to publick affairs is extremely limited. This is the Complaint of almost all the Foreign Ministers here, who generally prefer to treat with Mons^r. Scheffer,³ having in every Respect infinitely more Power than the other. As he is expected here towards the End of this Month, I hope to obtain a more direct, precise, and favorable Answer.⁴ I have the Honor to be [&c.]