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C o p e n h a g e n . Printed for the Author b y , If. Christensen.

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Head-quarters, before Copenb. Aug. . . S ir , . . ; *

1 cannot omit requesting your Excellency as Well in ray own name a9 in the name of the Admiral who commands his Majesty’s Fleet, to take into your most serious consideration the present situation of the city of Copenhagen, which is brought into a most dreadful crisis. I f this, city, the capital o f vDenmark, the residence of the King, and that of all the royal family and of the Government, the seat .of the sciences and commerce, and full of inhabitants of all ranks, of every age and sex if this >city * should deter* Maine to abide the horrors of a siege, then the same shall be annoyed by every possible means ' o f devastation. As soon as ever the order? shall be issued for this purpose, the Officers, who are entrusted With them will no longer have any choice left them, of exerting every means in their power to make themselves masters of that place. An assault made upon a place So full of men and treasure, must, in the issue, involve the inhabitants in ruin and the lorss of their pro- v * C1) * * 1 •' .

perty, as an unavoidable consequence. Should Den­ mark refuse to join us in a friendly alliance, the most absolute orders are given by our Govern­ ment to attack this city by land and sea. The preparations for this purpose are in a state of greater forwardness than you are willing to be­ lieve. For God’s sake, Sir! consider coolly whether resistance will not be the ruin of the place, which you wish to defend, and whether under the circumstances of the present contest, an exhibition of your valour, which certainly no man will dispute,' will- hot involve the1 capital in that ruin, which is always the result of a siege, and the final issue of whioh will be the loss of your fleet and arsenal, both of which may now be preventet. - All fhe property without the city has been hither to respected. I must also avail myself of this occasion to ,inform you,’ that objetfft of the greatest national importance to Denmark are in my power, and that I have hitherto respected them: tljis state of things cannot indure long. It will not offend your Excellency by any kind of manace; but I request you and your ad­ visers most earnestley to think of the irreparable injury, which may be caused by the operation of a few days, and that you are still in a situa­ tion to avert it. -Y o u r Excellv’s most obedient Servant. . C a t ho a r t , '

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By James Gambier, Esq: Adm. of the Blue, and Conwiander iri Chief of a Fleet of his Maje- r sty’s Ship.? and Vessels employed on .a parti- 'cular Service. Whereas I have received information tfiat the French army is in possession'of Stralsund, and It being essential to the servicie in which hi? Majesty’s fleet under my command, is employed, that no reinforcements "should be sent from thence to ’ the island of Zealand, you are hereby requi­ red and directed to station such part of the force under you orders off Stralsund as you may judge sufficient for the above purpose, as well as for maintaining a close blockade thereof; and to this end you are to diredlt the Captains and Commanders of the ships and vessels which you may employ on the above service, to give notice •of this blockade to any neutral vessels which' •they may find going into the port abovementio- tied, or into any of the channels or creeks lea­ ding thereto, or connected therewith, with direc­ tions not: to enter tlie same ; and in case any neutral vessel, after having received this notice, shall attempt , to enter into the said port, or into any of the channels or creeks leading thereto, or connected therewith, the said Captains and Com­ manders are hereby authorized and required to detain such vessels, and leaving their respective masters, and a proportion of their crewS on board to assist in navigating them, put a careful perty Officer, with as many seamen as may be

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necessary into them respectively, and send them to me at this anchorage. , Given on board the Prince of Wales, off Copenhagen, Aug. 23. 1807* ’ . (Signed), , J . G a m b l e r . To Commodore R. G; Keats, &c. See. &c. Superb. By Command of the Admiral. „ (Signed), J o s . T h r o u n s e l l . M y L ord , . I have tlje honour, in reply to your letter of the *6th instant, to transmit to you a copy of the summons.which was yesterday sent in to the Governor of Copenhagen, and of the Gover­ nor's answer; by which your Lordship will be informed of the terms which in pursuance of your former instru&ions, Lord Cathcart and my­ self conceived it our duty to propose previously -to the opening of the batteries against the city. Not conceiving it expedient to suspend our ope­ rations so long as to-allow the Governor to com­ municate with his Danish Majesty, we have ap­ prized General Pfeyman of our determination, in a letter, of which I have the honour also to transmit your Lordship a copy, vt I have the honour to be, See.' ’• [' /. C rum b ie r . The Right Honourable Viscount Castlereagfcu Prince of Wales, off Copenh, Sept. 1807.

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- " j JSrittish .Head-quarters before Copenhagen, September i, 1807. ' 'h ’‘- ' 'S ir , ' -> We, the Commanders in Chief of his Maje- stu’s Sea and Land Forces now before Copenha­ gen, judge it expedient at this tiipe to summon you to surrender the place, for the purpose of avoiding the further effusion of blood, by giving up a defence which it'is evident cannot long bo continued. . The King, our gratious master, . used every endeavour to settle the matter now in dispute,, in the most conciliating manner, through his diplomatic servants. To convince his Danish Majesty and all the world; of-the reludtance, with which his Majesty finds himself compelled to have recourse to arms, we, the undersigned, at this moment when our ' troops are before your gates, and'our batteries ready to open, do renew to, you the, offer or the same advantageous and conciliatory terms which were proposed through his Majesty’s Ministers at your Court. ' , • * ' I f you will consent to deliver up the Danish fleet, and to our carrying it away, it shall be held in deposit for his Danish Majesty, and shall he restored, with all its equipments, in as good state as it is received, as soon as the provisions of a general peace shall remove the necessity which has occasioned this demand. V

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The property of all , sorts which HAS been captured since the commencement of hostilities will be restored to its owners, and th e , union between the United Kingdoms of Great Britain and Ireland, and Denmark may he renewed. .But if this offer is rejerted now, it cannot be repeated. The captured properly, public and private, must then belong to the captors; and the city, when taken, must share the fate of conquered places. We must request ah early decision, because ih the present advanced position o f the troop! so near your glacis, the most prompt and vigo* rous attack is indispensable, aud delay Would be improper. We, therefore, expert to receive-your decision by We have the honour to be, $cc. J . G & m b i e r , ■ r' •. Commander in Chief of hi? Majesty^ . Ships and Vessels in the Baltic. C a t h e a r t , His Excellency General Peymann, Governs* of Copenhagen, &c. &c. 8cc, , : . f-y ' r* v Copenhagen, September 1, i§P f. - M y L ords ! Our fleet, our own indisputable property, we are convinced is as safe in his Danish Majesty’s hands Is ever it can be in those of the King pf England, as our master never intended any hos­ tilities against yours. . ; ■ >•- r * '

I f you are cruel fehough'toendeavbur to destroy a. city -that has not given any the least* cause to such1a treatment at your hands, it must submit to its fate; but honour and duty bid us’ rejedt a proposal unbecoming an independent power; and we are resolved to repel every at­ tack, and defend to the utmost the city and our good cause,' for which we are ready to lay down ©Ur lives. . , ... The only proposal in my power to make, in order to prevent further effussion of blood, is- to send to my Royal Master , for learning his final resolution, with respedt to the contents of your letter, if you will grant a passport for this purpose. I am, &c. (Signed). P e y m a n . Commander in Ch ief of his Danish , Majesty’s Land Forces. •- His Excellency. Admiral Gambier and Lord Cathcart, Commanders in Chief of the British Sea and Land Forces. Head-quarters before Copenh. Sept, a, t 80f. S ir , *• • ’ ' - It is with great regret that wfe acquaint you; that it is not in our power to suspend ouf cbm*. Combined Operations during the time necessary for consulting your Government. ! We have done the utmost within the limits of our authbrity in offering to you, at this mo* Jnent, terms as advantageous as thosfe Which were proposed to prevent a rupture. ' ■ --

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. t ... We shall deeply lament the destruction of the city, if i t ‘is injured; but we have the satis-, faction to reflect, that, in having renewed to you, tor the last time, the offer, of the most ad­ vantageous and conciliatory terms, we have done our utmost to save the effusion of blood, and prevent the horrors of war. - r n . We have the honour to he, 8co> (Signed) J. G a m b i e r , Admiral,. &c. r . ' C a t h c a r r, Lieut.-Gen. &c. Jlis ExcellencyMajor-General Pe^mrinn, Com- 1 . mander in Chief of His Danish Majesty’s " Land Forces, Copenhagen. I have the honour to transmit your Lord- ship a copy of an order which I judged it my duty to issue on the 17th ult. for detaining Da­ nish vessels,1in consequence of which, the ships under my command have sent into this ancho­ rage, sixty sail, which I have kept in order that, i f circumstances should have*made it expedient, in treating for the Danish fleet, to agree to deli­ ver up all private property that had been taken since the commencement of hostilities, the said vessels might have been restored to their proper owners; but the Danes not having, accepted the proposals ipade to them for the above purpose, it is my intention to send the said vessels to. • Prince of Wales, Copenh. Roade, Sept. 5,1807". ’ ' v M y L ord , , ,

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London; under proper convoy, to be dealt with according to his Majesty’s pleasure. . I have the honour to be, &c. ♦ - „ ■ J . G a m b l e r . The Right Honourable Lord-Viscount Castlereagh. . By James Gambler, Esq. Admiral of the Blue, and Commander in Chief of a Fleet of His Majesty’s Ships and Vessels/ employed on a particular Service. Hostilities having this day commenced be­ tween His Majesty’s arms and those of Denmark by the Danish gun boats having captured and destroyed a British merchant ship passing Copen­ hagen, the Flag Officers, Captains, and Comman­ ders of his Majesty’s ships and vessels under my command, are hereby authorized and required to use their utmost endeavours to take possession of and detain any ships or vessels of war belon­ ging' to the King of Denmark, or any merchant vessels whathsoevex-, with their cargoes, belonging to subje&s of his Danish Majesty, observing to send all such ships and vessels to me, to be dealt with as circumstances all require. . 1~ Given under my hand on board the Prince of Wales, off Copenhagen, August 17. 1807. (Signed).' ' J. G a m b i e r . By Command of the Admiral * (Signed). J o s . T r o u n s e l l

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Citatel bf'Copenhagen, S6pt. 8, 1807. Sm , It lias fallen to rny lot to have the great satisfaction of forwarding to your Lordship. the ratified Capitulation of the Town and Citadel of Copenhagen, including the surrender of the Da­ nish Fleet and Arsenal in this port, which are placed at his Majesty’s disposal. The objedt of securing this fleet having been attained, every other provision of a tendency to wound the feelings, or irritate the nation, has been avoided; and although the bombardment and cannonade have made considerable havoc and destuClion in, the town, not one shot was fired into it till after it was summoned, with, the offer of the most advantageous terms, nor a single shot after the first indication of a disposi­ tion to capitulate; on the contrary, the firing which lasted three nights from bis Majesty’s bat­ teries, was considerably abated on the 2d, and . was only renewed on the 3d, to its full vigour, on supposing from the quantity of shells thrown from the place that there was a determination to hold out. On the evening of tke 5th of September, a letter was sent by the Danish General, to pro­ pose an armistice of twenty-four hours, for pre­ paring an agreement on which Articles of Capi­ tulation might be founded. The armistice was declined, as tending to unnecessary delay, and the works were continued, but the firing was

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'% r countermanded,' and Lieutenant-colonel Murray was sent to explain., that no proposal of capitu­ lation could be listened to , unless accompanied by the surrender of the fleet. . This basis having been admitted by a sub- seguent letter on the 6ih, Major General. Sir A, Wellesley, whom I had sent for, for this pur­ pose, from his command in the couutry , \yhere he had distinguished himself in £ manner so ho­ nourable to bimself and so advantageous to the public, was appointed, with Sir Home Popham, and Lieutenant-Colonel Murray, to prepare, and sign Articles of Capitulation; and those Officers having insisted on proceeding immediately to.bu­ siness, the Capitulation was drawn up in the night between the 6th and 7th. ^ ' The ratification was exchanged in the course of the morning; and at four in the afternOUii o f the same day, Lieut-General Burrard procee­ ded to taXe possession. - — \ J:. r The British Grenadiers present, with de­ tachments from all the other corps of cavalry and infantryj under the command of Colonel Cameron,.'of the 79th regiment, with two bri­ gades of artillery, marched into the citadel, while Major-General Spencer, having embarked his bri­ gade at the Kalk Brandiej-e, landed in the Dock­ yard, and took possession of each of the line, of battle ships, and of all the Arsenal; the Danish guards withdrawing when those of his Majesty were ready, to replace them, and proper officer "

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attending to deliver Stores, as far aS inventories could be made up. 1 ■ The Town being in a state of the greatest ' ferment and disorder, I most willingly' acceded to the request that bur troops should not be quartered in it, and that neither officers os sol­ diers should enter it for some days; and having the command of possession from the Citadel* whenever it might be necessary to use it, I had no objection to leaving the other gates in the han d's of the troops of his Danish Majesty, to­ gether.with thb police'bf the place. . We have consented to the re-setablishm'ent of the Post; but all arrivals' and departures &re 1 to be at and from the Citadel. This work sis in good condition, very Strong, and well stored with ordnance and ammunition. The amount, of-the garrison of the town is not easily ascertained. The regular troops were not numerous; but the number of batteries which fired at the same time, together with the floa? ting defences , prove that there* must ,have been a very great number of Militia and Burghers; with other irregular forces, and their ordnance was well served. Considering the advanced position in which his Majesty’s troops have been placed for the last fortnight, our loss, (highly as I prize the value of bvery officer or soldier who has fallen been wounded) has been comparatively small. '

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The zeal, spirit, and perseverance of everjr rank in the array have been truly characteristic of the British Nation;. and the King’s Germah Legion are entitled to a full share in this com­ mendation. , . ; " x. . All the Generals , and indeed each OfBc&iv has rendered himself conspicuous in proportion to his command', arid the opportunities which have occurred, arid opportunities have occurred to a ll.' ' , ■ 4_$ ’ ! The Staff have done themselves the greatest credit, and been of all the service that could be desired in their several deparments. r- ; Colonel D’Arcey, the Chief Engineer,, raid every Engiheer under him, have given the most unequivocal proofs of science and indefatigable industry; the works under their direction have gone on with fresh parties without ceasing; ’ General Bloomfield, and the Officers > and Corps of Royal Artillery, have done great honor to themselves, and to that branch of his Maje­ sty’s service, of.which their fire upon the gun­ boats, and the rapidity and success of the mor­ tar practice, afford sufficient proofs; nor is1?the distribution at so many points in this extensive line, in so short a period, a small proof o f the -{method and resources of that corps. ' . »vig. zx ■ Lieutenant-Colonel Smith, with the 82d re- giment under his command, held the post at the Windmill on the left, which for the greater part of the time ,was the must exposed to the gun-

^>oats and sorties of the enemy ; and the unre- qhitting attentions of that Officer claim particu­ lar notice. .i? ■ •: :•••• By the naval blockade the force opposed to us has been limited to the resources of this and Kof the'adjacent islands, separated,only;by narrow berries; and almost every wish of assistance has -fceeh anticipated, and every requisition of boats, guns, and stores has been most amply and effeo-: tually provided for with the greatest dispatch and the mo$t perfect cordiality; and every pos- csibte attention has been paid, and every accom­ modation given, by every Officer in, that servicq, from Admiral Ganibier downward?, j .* A battalion of Seamen and Marines-, wit£ •three divisions of Carpenters, were; landed o;p -the gth, under Captain; Watson, of*,his'Majesty’2 schip Inflexible; and had. the effort*.been made, ,which would have been resorted £a. in a few flays, if the place had not capitulated* their ser­ vices in. the passage of the ditch would havp. .been distinguished. ... , .. . ^ I ;send this Dispatch by Lieutenant Catfc caj’df, who has become for some, time my first Aidrde-Camp, who has seen every thing that hap oqpqrred hero. and.a* Stralsund, and wiil.be able to give any further details that may hq required. I have the honoqr to he, &c. . ' (Signed) t h c a r t .

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