the Capital made so hot that Denmark would listen to reason and
its true interest. By Mr. Vansittart's account, their state of
preparation exceeds what he conceives our Government thought
possible, and that the Danish Government is hostile to us in
the greatest possible degree. Therefore here you are, with
almost the safety, certainly with the honour of England more
intrusted to you, than ever yet fell to the lot of any British
Officer. On your decision depends, whether our Country shall be
degraded in the eyes of Europe, or whether she shall rear her
head higher than ever; again do I repeat, never did our Country
depend so much on the success of any Fleet as on this. How best
to honour our Country and abate the pride of her Enemies, by
defeating their schemes, must be the subject of your deepest
consideration as Commander-in-Chief; and if what I have to offer
can be the least useful in forming your decision, you are most
heartily welcome.

I shall begin with supposing you are determined to enter by the
Passage of the Sound, as there are those who think, if you leave
that passage open, that the Danish Fleet may sail from Copenhagen,
and join the Dutch or French. I own I have no fears on that
subject; for it is not likely that whilst their Capital is menaced
with an attack, 9,000 of her best men should be sent out of the
Kingdom. I suppose that some damage may arise amongst our masts and
yards; yet perhaps there will not be one of them but could be made
serviceable again. You are now about Cronenburg: if the wind be
fair, and you determine to attack the Ships and Crown Islands, you
must expect the natural issue of such a battle--Ships crippled, and
perhaps one or two lost; for the wind which carries you in, will
most probably not bring out a crippled Ship. This mode I call