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in self-defence, to prevent those who have so
long disturbed the peace o f Eu rope , from
compelling the force o f your navy to b#
- burned -against us.;
W e ask-deposit, we have not looked to
capture; so far from i t , the most solemn
pledge has been offered to your Govern
ment, and is hereby renewed in the name*
and at the exprefs command o f the K ing ,
our master , that if our demand be amicably
acceded t o , every ship belonging to Den
mark shall, at the conclusion o f a general
peace, be restored to h e r, in the same con
dition and state of equipment, as when re
ceived under the protection o f the British
flag.
ft is in the power o f your Government,
k y a w o rd , to sheath our swords, most re
luctantly drawn against you 5 but i f , on the
other hand, the machinations o f France ren
der you deaf to the. voice o f reason and the
call o f friendship , the innocent blood that
w ill be sp ilt, and the horror of a besieged
gnd bombarded, capital, must fall on your
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