Full resolution (TIFF) - On this page / på denna sida - XVIII. Reign of Chales XIII, 1809–1818 - C. Administration of Charles John as Crown Prince
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Charles XIV John 319
able leader as at the time of the arrival of the new
crown prince. There was peace, it is true, but the
country lay mutilated and exhausted. The Russian
prime minister compared its condition to that of a
dying man, whom one should not touch until life has
fully gone out. The peace with France had been pur-
chased at a great price. Sweden was compelled to join
Napoleon’s continental system. It would not only ruin
Sweden’s commerce and industry, especially the mining
industry, but a war with England seemed also an in-
evitable result. In the meantime, however, a lively
smuggling trade was carried on with England. But
when Napoleon heard of it, he was filled with great
anger and demanded that Sweden should at once de-
clare war against England. Sweden had no choice but
to submit to this humiliation. But before any declara-
tion of war could be issued, the Swedish government
had agreed with its coming enemy that it would be
only a paper war.
It was soon brought to Napoleon’s notice that the
trade between England and Sweden was carried on as
before, and that not a gun had been fired in the war
he had ordered. His cup of wrath was now filled to the
brim, and French troops were sent to occupy Swedish
Pomerania. By this he thought he had completely
quashed Sweden. But he had instead aroused the
Swedish people’s bitter resentment against having
their country treated as a subject kingdom of France.
"The gauntlet is thrown down," exclaimed the prince,
"and I will take it up." Under his leadership Sweden
armed herself for the coming conflict. To strengthen
the defense of the realm a militia, or national guard,
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