September 1807.
Tuesday 1st. Septr. 1807
At 3,O'Clock this
morning (having sat up all night waiting for Horses) we set out from the
City of Moscow on our Journey to Petersburg; which we hoped to reach in
four days, but the Roads being very bad the greater part of the way we
were not able to get on near as fast as we had done between Astracan and
Moscow. —
Sunday 6th. Septr. 1807 !
At 9,O'Clock this
morning, after a Journey of 5 days and 6 hours from Moscow, we arrived
at St. Petersburg the elegant and beautiful Metropolis of all the
Russias; taking up our Quarters at the Dhaimond Hotel. — We have
thus performed a long and arduous Journey by Land of 2140 Russian
Versts, or about 1500 British miles between Astracan (or rather Salanka
opposite to it) and the Imperial City of St. Petersburg without meeting
with any incident worthy of notice excepting my cruel detention at
Kolomna, which has lengthened my Journey hither a week longer than it
ought to have been.
As soon as I had taken up my Quarters at the Hotel, I hired a Valet de Place who could speak English and a Carriage & 4 Horses; paying two Rubles [sic] for the former, and Twelve Rubles for the latter per day. —
Having Dressed and Breakfasted, I immediately set out in my new hired Carriage to wait on and pay my respects to His Excellency Lord Granville Levison Gower, the British Ambassador at the Russian Court, at his Country Residence at Kaminiostroff on the Banks of the Northern Branch of the beautiful River Neva.
I found His Lordship at home, and was received by him in the most polite and friendly manner. — There were with him at the time I called, his Private Secry. Mr. Rich, the Secry. to the Embassy Mr. Stuart; Lieut. Genl. Lord Hutchinson, and his A.D.C. Capt. Eustace. — After giving His Lordship a brief account of my Travels, and of my mission from the King of Persia, I had half and hour's private conference with him on the latter subject, intreating [sic] at the same time that he would advise me what Route I ought now to pursue so as to arrive in the least possible space of time in England, and whether he would advise my Travelling through Sweden in preference to waiting for a sea conveyance from hence direct for England — His Lordship in reply to my Queries, was kindly pleased to inform me that the Calypso Sloop of War was now lying at Cronstadt waiting for His Dispatches, which would be ready in a few days when she would sail with them, and that I might have a Passage on her, which he thought preferable to my going through Sweden. — His Lordship kindly added that if it was agreeable to me to take charge of them, he wished to send his Public Dispatches for Ministry by me to England — to which I most readily acquiesced - thanking his Lordship for the great honor he intended doing me. —
Lord Gower at this interview was so good as to give me all the Public news as far as Great Britain is concerned, the most remarkable events being a new Parliament, a new Ministry, still at war with France, and now also at war with Denmark, an army of 25000 British Troops Commanded by Genl Lord Cathcart, and a Fleet of 24 Sail of the Line under Admiral Gambier, now besieging Copenhagen, the Capital of Denmark, a Peace lately concluded between Russia and France, to which Great Britain is invited to accede through the mediation of Russia. — The King in good health and all quiet in England by the latest accounts from thence, which come down to the 15th. of last month. — The Fleet that sailed from India in March last arrived in England in July ! — After giving me all the foregoing news, Lord Gower told me that he was engaged to dine out today, but that he should expect me to dine with him tomorrow. — I then took my leave of His Lordship and returned home.
I spent the rest of this day in riding through and viewing the different parts of this most magnificent elegant City which is certainly by far the finest and most beautiful I have ever yet seen, and I believe is the finest and most regular built City in the whole World; - at least it far exceeds every idea I had formed of its grandeur and magnificence; which are greatly heightened by the three beautiful Branches of the Neva running through the City, with elegant Bridges of Boats across each Branch, none of which is less than half a mile broad. —
In the evening I took a walk in the Public Summer Gardens, and also in Count Strogonoff's Gardens; which are always open on Sundays for the Public, with a Band of Music Playing in them in the Evening. Both these Gardens are very extensive and beautiful, and that of Count Strogonoff is most elegantly laid out. — Dr. Thomas and Lieut. Brande accompanied me in my Excursions through the City; - my other Travelling Companion not being yet arrived from Moscow, where he was detained a day after us by an accident that befel [sic] him there just as we were leaving it. — We retired early to Bed tonight.
Monday 7th. Septr. 1807.
As soon as I had
Breakfasted, I went agreeably to promise to call on Lord Hutchinson,
with whom I remained for an hour in close conversation on Indian and
Persian Politics. I afterwards accompanied His Lordship to call on the
Marquis of Douglas our late Ambassador at the Russian Court; but His
Lordship being just gone out, I had not the honor of seeing him. —
At Noon I accompanied Dr. Thomas and Lieut. Brande to Lord Gower's to introduce them, and His Lordship was so good as to invite them to dine with him today. —
After leaving Lord Gower's, we went to view the Emperor's Palace at Kaminiostroff on the Right Bank of the Northern Branch of the Neva, about Four Versts from the City. — This is a plain neat Palace, beautifully situated and is the summer Residenceof His Imperial Majesty — being now here with all his Family - but we saw none of them. — The rest of the Day till Dinnertime, we spent in viewing and riding through various parts of the City, and in calling upon some of the English Merchants who are settled here to arrangeour money matters with them, prepatory to our departure hence.
At 5.P.M. we repaired to Lord Gower's to Dinner, where we met Lord Hutchinson, Sir Stephen Shairp, and several other English Gentlemen. —His Lordship gave us a most elegant Entertainment, and we did not break up till Eight O'Clock at Night. — We then went to sup with Mr. Brown on the English Quay in the City agreeably to an invitation we had received in the morning. Here we met with several of our Countrymen, and spent a a very pleasant Evening. —
Major O'Neill arrived from Moscow at our Hotel this afternoon.
Tuesday 8th. Septr. 1807.
I was introduced
yesterday, on my arrival at Ld. Gower's by His Lordship to Captain
Bradby comy. H.M. Sloop of War the Calypso. — Capt. Bradby very obligingly said he should be extremely
happy to receive me on board the Calypso, and to give me the best sort
of accommodation she afforded. he was also kind enough to say he would
offer a Passage to my two friends Dr. Thomas &
Lt. Brande in his Gun-Room, where he had no
doubt his officers would be glad to accommodate them, his own Cabin
being too small to take more than myself. — I called again this
forenoon on Lord Gower to know when His Lordship's Dispatches were
likely to be ready — being now very impatient to get away; —
and was happy to be informed by His Lordship that they would be ready to
be delivered to me in the course of tomorrow. —
In the course of this day I visited a great many parts of the City, and all the Imperial Palaces I had not yet seen. — Those called the Emperor's Winter Palace, the Marble Palace, the Emperor Paul's (where he was murdered) and the Dowager Empress Elizabeth's are particularly striking, grand, and beautiful in the their outward appearance.
I was highly gratified with the sight of the magnificent Galleries, fine Paintings, and beautiful Spacious Apartments in that part of the Emperor's Winter Palace called the Hermitage fronting the River Neva. — I was also highly gratified with the Statue of Peter the Great on Horseback, climbing up a huge Rock of Granite, situated in the Great Square of this magnificent City. —
We dined today with Mr. Rankin an English Mercht. living on the English Quay, a beautiful Quarter of the City. Mr. Rankin had several Countrymen to dine with him and gave us a heart welcome.
Wednesday 9th. Septr. 1807.
I called again this
morning on Lord Hutchinson to take leave; and also on Sir Stephen
Shairp,and Capt. Bradby of the Calypso. I
settled this forenoon all my money matters with Mr. Brown, in whose favor I drew a Draft on my Agent
in England for £70 - Sterling. — We dined this day with Dr. Creighton and his Lady, where we were entertained
in a most friendly and hospitable manner. In the Evening we went to see
a Russian Play performed in the Great Theatre, and afterwards a French
Theatre at the little Theatre. Both Theatres are very elegant,
particularly the Great one; and the Russian Play appeared to us to be
very well performed. —
Thursday 10th. Septr. 1807.
At Noon this day
Capt. Bradby of the Calypso called to inform me
that he had received his sailing orders from Lord Gower, and also the
Dispatches His Lordship intended for me to carry to England with orders
to deliver them to me on my getting on board the Calypso. Capt. Bradby informed me that he intended setting out
immediately to join his ship at Cronstadt, and recommended that I should
also proceed thither without delay as he should certainly set sail from
thence with the first fair wind. — I therefore prepared to set out
from Petersburg immediately after Capt. Bradby.
— I went instantly to pay my respects to and take leave of Lord Gower at his House at Kaminiostroff, accompanied by Major O'Neill - whom I took the liberty to introduce to His Lordship — I delivered Lord Gower a Letter I had written to the King of Persia's first Vizier agreeably to the promise I had made to His Highness on my receiving the Sha's [sic] Letters for His Britannic Majesty at the Persian Court, which His Lordship promised me to forward through the channel of the Russian Government via Teflis. — I had my Letter translated into Russian, and left it open for the perusal of the Russian Minister for Foreign Affairs, through whom it must be forwarded to the Governor General of Teflis and Georgia. —
Lord Gower told me that in order to save time he had sent me his Dispatches for Ministry by Capt. Bradby, and requested I would deliver them with the least possible delay in London; adding that he had written to Adml. Gambier Commanding the British Fleet at Copenhagen requesting he would either allow the Calypso to proceed with me all the way to England or order some other Man of War to convey me thither directly — as the Dispatches I was charged with were of the greatest importance — I then took leave of His Lordship and returned to the Hotel. —-
Having discharged my Bills and provided a fresh Carriage for ourselves, and a Kabitka to convey George and our Baggage to Cronstadt, I set out from the Dhaimond Hotel at 2,O'Clock in the afternoon, accompanied by Dr. Thomas and Lieut. Brande; leaving our friend Major O'Neill at Petersburg, where he wished to remain a few days longer to gratify his curiosity in that elegant City. —
On our arrival at the Barrier Gate of the City, and shewing our Passports from the English Consul General Sir Stephen Shairp, the officer Commanding the Port Guard told us they were not sufficient and that he could not permit us to pass without an order from the Governor or General of Police of the City — by one or the other of whom our Passports must be Countersigned. —
Finding we could nor prevail on the officer to let us pass the Barrier, I was reluctantly compelled to go back into the City to call upon the Governor and General of Police to get this difficulty removed. — The first of these Gentlemen had just gone off for his Country Residence, and the latter was gone to sleep and could not be disturbed for some hours, so that I was still at a stand from not being able to see either of them I then called in at the Police Office — but there they could do nothing without the orders of their Superior the General of Police — who must not be disturbed till 8,O'Clock at Night. —- Thus baffled I called on Sir Stephen Shairp in hopes of his being able to get us passed but he was gone out, and his Servants did not know where he was to be found. —
Being extremely mortified and perplexed by this most unexpected detention, and being particularly anxious to get away from Petersburg this Evening if at all possible, I was Compelled to have recourse at lengthto the only expedient that remained to extricate us out of our present difficulties — namely — soliciting the public interference of our Embassador [sic] Lord Gower; which was now become absolutely necessary, however disagreeable it was to my own feelings thus to intrude on His Lordship's time. — In pursuance of this resolution, I waited on Lord Gower at his House in Kaminiostroff between 4 and 5,O'Clock, and stated to him the difficulties that had so unexpectedly occurred to prevent my getting out of the City. His Lordship received me on this occasion in a most kind and truly polite manner — saying that I might make myself perfectly easy; for that he would write immediately to Count Soltikoff the Minister for Foreign Affairs to beg of him to grant myself and my friends the necessary Government Passports to enable us to quit the City this Evening and proceed to Cronstadt.
In the meantime His Lordship invited me to stay to dine with him, and adding that he would now trouble me with some Private Letters for his friends in England - which he retired to finish. — We dined at 6,O'Clock, and at Seven I took leave once more of His Lordship after receiving his Private Letters.
From Lord Gower's we proceeded to Count Soltikoff's House. - The Count received us very politely, and immediately ordered his Secretary to make out the Passports; some delay however took place in preparing them, and it was almost Ten OClock at Night before we received them from the Secretary of Count Soltikoff.
We set off at 10.P.M. and having at length passed the Barrier, we set out for Cronstadt: — The Night was dark, and it rained very hard, so that we did not get on very fast.
Friday 11th. Septr. 1807.
It was between 2 and
3.O'Clock this morning before we reached the Village of Oranianbom
[Oranienbaum] opposite to Cronstadt, and 35 Versts distant from
Petersburg. — here we were forced to remain till Daybreak, as no
Boats could be procured till then to ferry us over to the Island of
Cronstadt. — We therefore took up our Quarters at a small Inn in
this Village; where having got some refreshment, we lay down to take a
nap till Daylight.
At 5. a.m. we embarked on board of a Boat at the head of Oranianborn Canal near the Emperor's Summer Palace here, which is very pleasantly situated on the side of a Hill, surrounded by a fine Park and Garden, at the head of this Canal, and Commanding a beautiful view of the Island & Town of Cronstadt, the Harbour, Shipping, and the Gulph of Finland ! —
At Half past 6,O'Clock we passed through the Fleet of Russian Men of War into the Harbour or Mould of Cronstadt; and went on board the Guard Ship at the Mound-head, Commanded by Captain Booning of the Russian Navy. — This Gentlemen received us in a most polite and friendly manner; having invited is into his Cabin, immediately after looking at our Passports, and treated us with Coffee. — He then proposed to us to wait upon Admiral Hanekoff at his House on Shore, being both Admiral of the Port and also Governor of the Island and Town of Cronstadt. — We did so accordingly accompanied by Captain Booning himself, and met with a most polite and friendly reception from Admiral Hanekoff, who was kind enough to order his own Barge to be got ready immediately to carry us on board the Calypso British Sloop of War then lying about 7 miles off in Cronstadt Roads. —
After taking leave of Admiral Hanekoff, Capt Booning was so good as to conduct into the Great Dock Yard, where Eight Line of Battle Ships can be building or Docking for repair at the same time; he also conducted us to several of the works and grand Batteries round the Town, which are very numerous and very strong. There being no less than 700 Pieces of Cannon mounted on the several Works and Batteries which defend the Town and Harbour of Cronstadt, which are strongly fortified on all sides. — The Island of Cronstadt is very small being only about three English miles in length, and separated from the nearest part of the Main (- which is Oranianbom - ) by a narrow Strait of only 7 Versts (or 4 British miles) across — The Mound or Moll, as well as the principal Forts and Batteries here, which are truly grand and noble works, were all erected by Peter the great, who so well merits that appellation in every use of the word. After having seenall the principal Docks and Fortifications of Cronstadt, I returned on board the Guard Ship along with Capt. Booning about 9,O'Clock, who then gave us a most excellent Breakfast in the true English stile; [sic] — he himself speaking very good English, having served with the Russian Squadron last War in England.
At 10. a.m. we had our Baggage removed into the Admiral's Boat which he had kindly sent to carry us on board the Calypso; but at this time it blew so very fresh and there was such a high sea running, together with heavy rain, that it was thought advisable to defer going off until it should moderate. — In the meantime Capt. Booning begged we might consider ourselves quite at home on board of his Ship. —
At Noon Captain Bradby of the Calypso came on shore in his own Cutter, and having called on board the Guard Ship at the Moll-head, it was settled that we should all go off together in the Evening after Dinner, when it was expected the weather would be more moderate. — Capt. Booning gave us an excellent Dinner with a most hearty welcome. —
The weather in the Evening being still very boisterous, we could not set off to the Calypso, and were therefore obliged to take up our Quarters for this Night on board the Guard Ship. — Capt. Booning being engaged to sup with his friend Genl Sheekoff [?] on shore, insisted on our accompanying him there, which we accordingly did, and were most kindly received and hospitably entertained by the General, who had a very large Party of Naval and Military officers to spend the Evening with him in honor of the Emperor's Birth-Day - this being the anniversary of it. We did not return on board the Guard-Ship till a late hour at Night, but found excellent Beds prepared for us by Capt. Booning's Servants.
Saturday 12th. Septr. —
It blew very hard
all last Night and this morning; but it having moderated a little at
Noon, we took leave of our kind good Host Capt.
Booning, and set out along with Capt. Bradby to
go on board the Calypso. — Soon after leaving the Moll-Head, it
came on to blow very fresh, with heavy Rain, and occasional Hail showers
— and the wind right ahead. — After trying to work out to
the Sloop for two hours, and getting ourselves most completely drenched
with Rain, we found we could make no hand of it. — Therefore we
put back and returned again to the Guard Ship in the Moll, where our
friend Capt. Booning once more received us in
the kindest manner, and very soon after our return on board gave us a
most excellent Dinner. — The whole of this day continuing very
boisterous, we were reluctantly compelled to pass another night on board
the Guard-Ship, but the great kindness, and polite hospitality shewn us
by Capt. Booning, in a great degree consoled
us for being thus Storm staid. —
Sunday 13th. Septr. 1807.
It being moderate at
10,O'Clock this morning, we once more took leave of our kind Host
Capt. Booning, and set out in company with
Capt. Bradby for the Calypso, he being in his
own Cutter, and Dr. Thomas, Lt. Brande, myself and George, with our Baggage in
the Barge furnished by the Admiral.
We got on board the Calypso at 11,O'Clock, and were most kindly and politely received by Capt. Bradby, who introduced us to all his officers, and also to Mr. Nicholas a fellow Passenger in the Cabin, and who is one of the British Diplomatic Mission resident at Copenhagen whither he is now proceeding to visit. — Doctor Thomas and Lieut. Brande are to live as mess with the officers in the Gun-Room; Mr. Nicholas and myself only living with Capt. Bradby in the Cabin; which, tho' small is uncommonly neat, and extremely well furnished.
The Calypso is one of the new beautiful Brig Sloops of War, Carrying 16 Thirty-two Pound Cannonade, and 2 Long Six Pounders, with a Complement of 120 men, all prime Seamen.— The officers are Mr. Gardner 1st. Lieut.; Mr. Thompson 2nd. Lieut.; Mr. Hill Master, Mr. Price Surgeon; and Mr. Bradby Acting Purser and Four midshipmen.
At Noon we weighed anchor and set sail out of Cronstadt Roads down the Gulph of Finland with a fine fair Breeze.
Monday 14th. Septr. —
The Wind having
changed in the Night, and blowing most violently against us this
morning, so as to prevent our making any way, it was deemed advisable to
put back to a good anchorage near Cronstadt Roads until the Gale should
abate; it being reckoned very dangerous to sail in this narrow Gulph
with a contrary wind, on account of the innumerable Islands, Rocks and
Shoals in it. — We therefore returned to within about Thirty miles
of the spot we sailed from Yesterday — coming to an anchor about
11,O'Clock this forenoon. —
Tuesday 15th. Septr. 1807 —
At Day-break
this morning, it being once more moderate and the wind tolerably fair,
we weighed anchor and proceeded on our Voyage down the Gulph of Finland.
Friday 18th. Septr. —
At Noon today, we
were abreast and in sight of the Sea Port Town of Revel; having it on
our Left.
Sunday 20th. Septr. 1807. —
We have been
dreadfully tossed with contrary winds and calms for the last four days;
- but we have now a fine fair Breeze and in the course of last night we
got clear out of the narrow dangerous Gulph of Finland, being now in the
Eastern - or Great Baltic Sea; having also passed the Gulph of Bothnia,
leaving it and the Swedish Shore, and the City of Stockholm at some
distance on our Right. — We have likewise passed several large
Inhabited Islands in the Gulph of Finland, and several Russian Men of
War Cruizing in it. —
Capt. Bradby Mr. Nicholas, & myself dined with the officers in the Gun-Room today.
Wednesday 23d. Septr. 1807. —
At 3,O'Clock this afternoon, we were
abreast of the North end of the Island of Bornholm, and passing through
the channel which divides it from the Swedish Shore on our Right, and
from which we were only distant Eight English miles. — The Island
of Bornholm belongs to the Danes and is only 35 Leagues distant from
Copenhagen - which we hope to reach in the course of tomorrow; The
Navigation thither, however, from where we are now, being intricate and
dangerous, we shall be obliged to ly-to all Night. —
Thursday 24th. Septr. 1807.
At Noon we came in
sight of the Church Spires of the City of Copenhagen, at this time
distant from us about 8 Leagues or 24 British miles. — The Wind,
however, being very light, and rather scant also, we do not expect to
arrive there till late in the Evening. —
At half past 7.P.M. we came to anchor in Copenhagen Roads, close to the British Fleet, and within about 4 miles of the Shore and Town of Copenhagen. We found an immense Fleet of British Men of War and Transports lying here; there being 24 Sail of the Line, besides smaller Vessels of War, and at least 300 Transports; which was a noble and most animating sight to us, on board the Calypso, as we approached Copenhagen Roads from the Eastward before it became dark. —
At 8. P.M. accompanied Capt. Bradby to pay our respects to Adml. Gambier the Comr. in Chief of the British Squadron on board of his Flag Ship The Prince of Wales of 98 Guns; where we were first received by my old acquaintance Capt. Sir Home Popham, who is the Captain of the Fleet. — He introduced me to Admiral Gambier, who received me in very polite kind manner, and with whom we drank Tea and conversed for about half an hour. — I was here informed of the particulars of the fall and Capture of Copenhagen, which surrendered to the British Arms, by Sea and Land, on the 7th. Instant by Capitulation, with very little Loss on our side; there being only about 200 men killed & wounded during the Siege in the whole Army, which consists of nearly Thirty Thousand Fighting men, under the chief command of General Lord Cathcart, having 4 Lieut. Generals and as many Major Generals, besides several Brigadiers under him ! — I find to my great surprise that my much esteemed Friend Lieut. Genl. Sir David Baird (whom I concluded was still in his command at the Cape of Good Hope) is here in command of one of the Divisions of Lord Cathcart's Army, together with many other old friends and very much esteemed ones too — but whom I shall not have time to see - I must however, wait on Lord Cathcart and endeavour to see my good friend Sir David Baird; whom, I am very sorry to find has been wounded twice during the Siege — first in the Left Breast, and afterwards in the fore finger of his Left Hand - both by Musquet Balls; but, I am happy to hear not dangerously, and that he is now almost recovered again. — It appears we [have] taken Possession of the whole of the Danish Navy lying at Copenhagen, consisting of 24 Ships of the Line, and upwards of Forty Smaller Vessels of War; together wit the whole of the Naval Stores in the Danish Arsenals and Dock Yards, which are to be carried away with the whole of their Fleet. — Our Army, by the terms of the Capitulation, keep the entire Possession of the Citadel & all the Batteries, Docks, and Arsenals of Copenhagen for the space of six weeks from the date of the Armistice; leaving the free and entire Possession of the Town of Copenhagen to the Danes, without interference with either their Laws or Police. —Our Army is either Quartered in the citadel, or are Cantoned in the Country adjacent within three miles of it. —
After getting all the Public News, I had Private Conference with Admiral Gambier on the Subject of the very important Dispatches with which I had the honor to be charged, requesting he would be kindly pleased to allow the Calypso to proceed on with me direct to England with the least possible delay. — The Admiral promised to send off the Calypso or some other Sloop of War with myself and my Dispatches in the Course of tomorrow afternoon; adding, that the Calypso should proceed with me if he found on enquiryshe could be spared - of which I should be informed tomorrow morning. —
Capt. Bradby and myself then took our leave, and returned on board the Calypso between 9 & 10,O'Clock. —
Friday 25th. Septr. 1807. —
As soon as we
had Breakfasted, Capt. Bradby and myself went
on board the Prince of Wales to wait again on Adml. Gambier, who
then informed us that the Calypso was to proceed with me this Evening to
England with all possible dispatch, and gave Capt. Bradby orders to prepare accordingly. — This
was most agreeable news to Capt. Bradby who was
above all things anxious to return at this present moment to England.
Finding that the Calypso could not sail till late in the Evening, I determined immediately on goingon shore to see as many of my friends as were near at hand for the few hours I had to spare.
Having mentioned my intention to the Admiral and Sir Home Popham, I took my leave of them and returned again on board the Calypso to get a Boat to carry me on shore. —
At 11.a.m. Capt. Bradby having himself occasion to go on Duty to the Dock-Yard, carried me on shore and landed me at the Citadel. The first Persons I met here, were Major Genl Grosvenor and his A.D.C. Capt. Hood of the Guards, both old London Staff acquaintances, and were not a little astonished at seeing me in this part of the world. I proceeded directly to wait on Lord Cathcart at his Head Quarters in the Citadel. — I found His Lordship at home, and not met with a very polite and kind reception from him. He invited me to dine with him, and said he must detain me on shore till the Evening, as he wished to send home to Ministry some Dispatches of considerable import by me — the opportunity being so very good. — His Lordship (who knew myself when on the London Staff) was pleased to give me some very pleasing information respecting my dear Brother Charles - whom he left in Scotland three monthsago in perfect good health, and in the command of the 2d. Battalion of the 42d. Regt. or Royal Highlanders. His Lordship was also pleased to inform me that the 73d. Regt. (of which I find I am now First Lieut. Colonel in consequence of the Death of Lt. Colonel Monypenny) was then stationed in Dundee in Scotland, where they would be completed from the Militia Regiments. His Lordship after giving me these very pleasing accounts, was so obliging as to order one of his Carriages to be got ready immediately to carry me to see my friend Sir David Baird whose Quarters were three miles out in the Country, charging me to be back to dine with him at 2,O'Clock, and promising to dispatch me between 3 and 4,O'Clock — by which time he said his Dispatches for England would be ready for me. —
I set out from Lord Cathcart's at ½ past 12,O'Clock, and arrived at Genl Baird's Quarters at 1.P.M. The General was astonished to see me, and received me in a most friendly and affectionate manner. — I staid with him for half and hour in close confab — and was rejoiced to find my dear good friend in such good health and spirits. — I left him at ½ past One to return to Lord Cathcart's where I arrived at Two O'Clock, and there had the pleasure to meet with several old friends and acquaintances, amongst whom was Lieut. Colonel Lord Blantyre of the General Staff of Lord Cathcart's Army. — Lord Blantyre was so good as to introduce me to his friend the Earl of Rosslyn, and favored me with further very pleasing intelligence of my dear Brother Charles. —
We did not sit down to Dinner till 3,O'Clock. — Lord Cathcart did me the honor to place me on his right hand at Table and was extremely attentive and kindly communicative during Dinner, and while we remained at Table, which we did upwards of an hour. His Lordship then retired to finish his Dispatches, which he delivered me at Sunset; charging me to call on Lady Cathcart in Scotland whatever time I visited the Country. I then took my leave of His Lordship and returned on board the Calypso, but the Night being very dark, it was deemed most inadvisable to defer prosecuting our Voyage till the next morning. — I was happy however to find that Capt. Bradby had finished all his business, and was now in every respect ready for Sea. —
Saturday 26th. Septr. 1807 —
At Day-break
this morning we weighed anchor, and we set sail out of Copenhagen Roads,
with the Little Belt Corvette, Danish Prize in Company. — But the
Wind having very soon afterwards died away entirely, we were obliged to
come to an anchor, as soon as we had got clear out from the Fleet.
A fair Breeze having sprung up at 3.P.M. we again weighed anchor and made sail; — but the Navigation here being now very narrow and intricate - and the Night very dark also - we were forced to come to an anchor at 8.P.M. off the North West end of Hewen-Island - about halfway between Copenhagen and Elsineur.
Sunday 27th. Septr. 1807.
The Wind is directly
against us this morning, and blowing very hard from the Northwest - so
that we are forced to remain at anchor. — At Noon the Spitfire
Sloop of War, and a King's Cutter, both from England, passed close to us
for Copenhagen. —
Capt. Bradby and myself (- our fellow Passenger Mr. Nicholas having remained at Copenhagen -) dined this day with the Officers of the Gun-Room.
At 5.P.M. The Wind shifted round a few Points in our favor, and we weighed and made sail. —
At 8.P.M. we came to anchor in Elsineur Roads — about mid-way between the Danish and Swedish Shore.
Monday 28th. Septr. 1807. —
The Wind is
again directly against us this morning, blowing strong at N.West, and we
fear likely to continue from that Quarter for some days to come. —
A very large Fleet of Transports and Merchant Ships, under [word
missing] of the Railleur Sloop of War, and now here bound for England,
waiting for a fair wind for two days past. —
There is also a Russian Squadron here, consisting 4 Line of Battle Ships and some Frigates, lately arrived from Archangel bound for Petersburg. —
The view I had this morning on going upon Deck, of Elsineur Roads - the immense number of Shipping of all Nations at Anchor there; the Town of Elsineur and ancient Castle of Kroningsberg on the Danish Shore and the opposite Town of Helsingburg on the Swedish Shore, the two Kingdoms being here divided by a narrow strait of only Four miles and a half in breadth was really one of the grandest and finest I had ever been gratified within any part of the World. —
As there was no appearance of a change of Wind, Capt. Bradby and myself after we had Breakfasted, went on shore at the Sea Port Town of Helsingburg in Sweden to pass a part of the day. On going on shore we learnt that the King and Queen of Sweden were now residing here for the benefit of Sea Air; His Majesty having been for some time past past much indisposed.
We had the pleasure of seeing the King and Queen and the little Princess their Daughter, as they were going into their Carriage to take an airing and they returned our bow most graciously as they passed us.
We called on Mr. Pierepoint [sic] the English Embassador [sic] at the Court of Sweden, and now here to pay him our respects but we did not find him at home. — We afterwards took a long walk into the Country to see the Spa or Mineral Water situated in a very romantic partly wooded Valley about 4 miles to the South East of the Town of Helsingburg - where vast crowds of the Swedish Nobility and Gentry resort in summer for their health.
We returned on board the Calypso again between 3 and 4,O'Clock in the afternoon to Dinner after a most pleasant walk. Capt. Collard of the Railleur dined with us.
Tuesday 29th. Septr. 1807. —
The Wind
being still foul, and a strong current also against us, we are obliged
to remain still at anchor in these Roads - which is a most cruel
mortification and a severe disappointment to me, as every day appears
now to me an age as long as I am absent from my dear and beloved friends
in England, after getting thus near to them.
As soon as we had Breakfasted this morning, Capt. Bradby and myself went on shore at the Sea Port Town of Elsineur in Denmark, which the Danes are still allowed to retain notwithstanding our Capture of Copenhagen. — We called upon Mr. Fenwick the English Consul, and several other English Gentlemen settled here, whom Capt. Bradby is well acquainted with. — Mr. Fenwick gave us a very polite invitation to dine with him at 2,O'Clock, and which we accepted as it was our intention to remain on shore till the Evening in order to have another long walk and view the Environs of Elsineur. — We first went to take a good view of the old and gothic castle of Kroningsberg, but which we could do so only at some distance; no Foreigner being even admitted the inside of the Works that surround it. — We then proceeded to Hamlet's Gardens - within half a mile of the Town - and which is a most delightful walk; being very extensive - and most beautifully laid out in the finest taste. - We also visited the Cave [?] and the Tower, named after the same illustrious Danish Prince so famed in story. — From the Tower, there is a most delightful view of the Town of Elsineur, the Castle of Kroningsberg - the Roads and Shipping - and of the opposite Coast of Sweden - and indeed of the Baltic all the way up to the City of Copenhagen, which is only 28 miles distant from Elsineur. — We strolled about in Hamlet's Gardens and in the Tower till 2,O'Clock, when we adjourned to Mr. Fenwick's to Dinner, and where we were most hospitably entertained by himself and his Lady till near 5,O'Clock. — We then took leave of them, and went to drink Tea with Mr. and Mrs. Chapman, agreeably to a promise we had made them in the morning. — Mr. & Mrs. Chapman are very agreeable well-bred sensible People, and we spent a very pleasant afternoon with them. — Mrs. Chapman was particularly attentive to me on accidentally discovering that I was acquainted with her deceased Brother Mr. Cleaver late Counsellor at Law at Bombay. — We returned on board the Calypso between 7 & 8,O'Clock at Night.
Wednesday 30th. Septr. 1807. —
At length
the Wind has fortunately changed in our favor, and blown a fresh gale
from the South West since day-break this morning. We accordingly weighed anchor at 6.a.m. and made sail immediately with a fine fair wind through
the Sound at the rate of Eight Knots ah hour; and by 9,O'Clock were
nearly out of sight of Kroningsberg Castlle ploughing through the
Cate-cat before a delightful fine gale — going Eleven Knots. The
Railleur Sloop of War, with her convoy, and a great many other Ships at
least a hundred sail of shipping, weighed anchor and sailed at the same
timewe did from Elsineur Roads; but before 12,O'Clock, we had run out of
sight of all of them. By 3.P.M. we were abreast of Gottenburgh from
whence the regular Packets from Sweden to England take their departure
twice a week for Harwick. —
Provenance
Lachlan Macquarie. Journal 18 March 1807 - 17 October 1807.
Original mss. held in the Mitchell Library, Sydney.
ML Reference: A771
pp.189-255 [Microfilm: CY Reel 300 Frames #619 - #687].
