N^o. 34.
My Lord,

. . . I received lately advice from Gothenburg, that a quantity of sixty Quintals of Gunpowder had been exported from thence to Marstrand, which was afterwards laid up; together with a Parcel sent from Lubeck, at a Fishery hard by Marstrand, and that it was probably designed for the use of the Rebel Vessels now in that Harbour. Mr. Erskine, from whom I had this Intelligence, wrote me at the same time several particulars relative to it, informing me likewise, that he had already requested the Governor of Gothenburg in order to have the Powder prevented from being shipped, which in answer the latter assured he would do. In consequence hereof I took the first opportunity of speaking on this subject to Count Scheffer, whom I desired to send immediately strict orders to the Governor not only for the confiscation of the Powder, but also for calling to account those who contrary to the King of Swedens express Prohibition had exported such a quantity of Gunpowder without special licence. His Excellency promised that he would write without loss of time to General Durietz ordering him to act in this Affair according to his Royal Masters positive and repeated commands, and that he would of course communicate to me his Answer as soon as it was received, adding, that he made no doubt but it would prove statisfactory in every respect. and convince me entirely of the sincerity and good faith with which this Government was always acting.

I took afterwards an opportunity of mentioning to Count Scheffer the admission of unarmed Trading Vessels belongng to the Rebels into the Port of Marstrand, calling to His Excellencys mind that he had once assured me at a certain occasion that the King of Sweden would not allow His Subjects to carry on Trade with the American Rebels. He answered, that according to the Privileges granted to Marstrand every Trading Vessel without distinction was to be allowed entrance into that Free Port; but that His Swedish Majesty would by no means permit His Subjects to carry on Trade in their own Vessels to any of the American Ports; His Excellency repeated at the same time in very strong terms, that the King his Master would at all times strictly follow His System of preventing to the utmost in His power that the Rebels may by no means get any supply of Arms or Ammunition from Sweden; that however, notwithstanding the best precautions which had always been and would for the future constantly be taken, it was impossible for every Government to prevent entirely some Contraband Trade carried on by some Individuals, but that he was sure it could not be but most insignificant from this Country. Upon my mentioning that one Woodhouse, Master of a Rebel Vessel,¹ had been received Burgher at Marstrand and his Ship made a Swedish Bottom, His Excellency said, that when that Free-Port had been established, all sorts of People had been invited to settle there, and that consequently Woodhouse could not be refused; but he had upon him the same obligation as every other Swedish Burgher not to carry on Trade to any American Port; and should he act contrary to it, he would lose of course his right, and must impute to himself if he was then taken by some of the British Cruizers. When I asked Count Scheffer, whether His Swedish Majestys Prohibition against admitting Pirate armed Vessels into His Ports was not equally to be extended indistinctly to all Piratical Prizes; His Excellency answered, that there was not the least doubt but the King his Master would in such a case' act in consequence of those Principles which He had for ever adopted in order to prove His sincere Friendship towards His Britannick Majesty to Whose arms He always wished the happiest success. . . . I have the Honor to be [&c.]