He says that the question of peace and war lies with the Crown Prince, His Royal Highness Charles John, who used to be known as Marshal Bernadotte. His Royal Highness is not in Sweden at the moment. He is visiting the Tsar in Russia.
I expect thats what these despatches I have for you are about, sir, said Wychwood. He produced a large canvas envelope, heavily sealed, and handed it over. Hornblower tore it open and read the contents.
Embassy of His Britannic Majesty at StockholmMay 20, 1812
SIR,
The bearer of this despatch, Colonel Lord Wychwood, First Guards, will inform you as to the political situation here. It is to be hoped that Bonapartes invasion of Swedish Pomerania will bring about a declaration of war on the part of the Swedish government. It is therefore necessary that all possible aid should be given to Swedish officials who wish to communicate with H.R.H. the Crown Prince. You are therefore directed and required to use all diligence and despatch to escort or convey any such officials on their way to Russia. You are further directed and required to make all use of this opportunity to enable Lord Wychwood to open communication with the Russian government so as to assure H.I.M. the Tsar of the full support of His Majestys forces by land and sea in the event of war between H. I. M. and the French government. You will further make all use of any opportunity which may present itself to you to further good relations between H.M. and H.I.M.
Your obdt servant,
h. l. merry, H.B.M.s Ambassador
to the Court of Stockholm
CAPTAIN SIR HORATIO HORNBLOWER, K.B.
Commodore Commanding the British Squadron in the Baltic
Yet on the other hand Hornblower knew only too well that if he were to ignore Merrys letter there would be bitter complaints sent to London.
Hornblower recalled his Admiralty orders to himself; they gave him wide discretion as to how he should behave towards the northern powers. Merrys letter relieved him of no responsibility. He could allow Wychwood and Basse to proceed in the Swedish brig, or he could convey them himself; the point at issue was whether the news of Bonapartes latest aggression should be conveyed by a British squadron or not. Bearers of bad tidings were always unpopulara ridiculous detail to have to bear in mind, but an important one. The two potentates might feel exasperated at being reminded of the meddling British Navy, bringing trouble to everyone. On the other hand, the presence of a British squadron far up the Baltic, at the very gates of St. Petersburg, might be a salutary reminder of the length of Englands arm. Submission to Bonaparte or the part of Sweden and Russia must mean war, real actual war with England this time; Bonaparte would be satisfied with nothing less. The sight of British topsails on the horizon, the knowledge that war would mean instant blockade, instant capture of every ship that ventured out, constant harassing of all their shores, might be a powerful argument at their councils. Bonaparte might be at their frontiers, but England would be at their doors. Hornblower made his decision.
Gentlemen, he said. I think it is my duty to convey you to Russia in this squadron. I can offer you the hospitality of this ship, if you would be kind enough to accept it.
Chapter Eleven
Boneys weakness, said Wychwood, is that he thinks all the opposition in the world can be dissolved by force. Often hes right, of course; you have only to look back at his career to see that. But sometimes he is wrong. People would rather fightwould rather diethan be slaves to his will any longer.
Spain showed that, said Hornblower.
Yes. But with Russia it still may be different. Russia is the Tsar, much more definitely than Spain was the Bourbon monarchy. If Alexander chooses to submit to Boneys threats, Russia will submit. Alexanders swallowed insults enough already.
Hes swallowed other things besides insults, said Hornblower dryly.
Finland, you mean? Thats perfectly true. And all the other Baltic provinces, Lithuania and Courland and so on. You know better than I do how much difference that makes to the security of St. PetersburgI find it hard to blame him for it. At home, of course, his attack on Finland roused a good deal of feeling. I hope they forget it if he becomes our ally.
And what are the chances of that?
God knows. If he can be sure of the Swedish alliance he may fight. And that depends on whether Bernadotte is willing to submit to having Pomerania taken away from him.
Bonaparte made a false step there, said Hornblower.
Yes, by God! The British colours are like a red rag to a bull to him. You have only to show them to get him to charge. The way you destroyed that shipwhat was her name?the Blanchefleur under his very nose must have driven him crazy. If anything makes the Swedes fight, itll be that.
Lets hope it does, said Hornblower, decidedly comforted.
He knew he had taken a bold step when he went in to destroy the Blanchefleur ; if the subsequent political repercussions should be unfavourable he might well be called to account. His only justification would be the final event; a more cautious man would have held back and contented himself with keeping the privateer under observation. Probably that would have resulted in her slipping clean away the first foggy night, to resume her ravages among British shipping, but no man could be held responsible for fog. And if Sweden became an active enemy all