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FORTIA’S TRAVELS IN SWEDEN. 513
We fhall haften their immediate expulfion, in order fo, if poflible, to efface the remem-
brance of fuch a horrid crime, which, by their detention in the fortrefles of the king-
dom, would only renew the remembrance of a misfortune in itfelf indelible. For ever
be thefe unhappy wretches banifhed from that Sweden whofe calm and tranquillity they
have difturbed; and in order to encreafe their remorfe, let them know that it is the
King, againft whofe life they dared to confpire, who, in his dying moments, gave them
theirs.
As for other perfons accufed fince, we are not authorifed by the will of His late Ma-
jefty to leffen the feverity of the law in their favour, neither can we in an affair of this
nature follow our innate inclination to clemency; whereupon we confirm, with refpect
to them, the definitive fentence of the High tribunal: in confequence of which Coun-
cillor Von Engeflrceum fhall be fufpended from his poft, and be confined for three
years in a fortrefs. Major Hartmanfdorff fhall likewife be difplaced and imprifoned for
a year; the Secretary Von Engeltrceum fhall be fufpended from his office for twelve
months, and General Major Baron de Pecklin fhall be confined in a fortrefs until more
ample information ; but the territorial judge Nodell, agreeably to the fentence of the
Parliament and the High ‘Tribunal fhall be releafed from all charges.
His Royal Highnefs immediately appointed the fortrefs of Waxholm for the prifon of
Councillor Von Engeftroeum, that of Malmoe for Major Hartmanfdorff, and that of
Warberg for General Major Pecklin.
The prefent verbal procefs and the fentence it contains having been read and col-
lated, the Commiffion broke up its fitting, in fidem protocoli.
(Signed) - N. JOHNSON.
We conceive that what will now have met the reader’s eye requires no comment.
A dying King pardons his affaffins: the laft a of his power is to draw afide the venge-
ful {word of the law, from punifhing thofe who had robbed him of life: how honour-
able, how glorious fuch an end! How well it crowns a reign, too fhort for Sweden, but
long enough for thofe Sovereigns difpofed to take him for a model, and enlightened
enough to follow his fteps.
‘The clemency of the King is fo well known to us, that upon the firft intelligence of
this execrable a&t, we declared as our opinion, that if His Majefty recovered, the mur-
derer alone would be punifhed with death. The event has fhewn that we were not
deceived.
Cuap. XVIII.—On the Death of Charles XII.
THIS event, fo important from its confequences, which paved the way for Sweden
to obtain a peace wanted fo many years before, and which changed the form of go-
vernment of the country, is related in fo many different manners, but each fo void of
proofs, that every hiftorian, without being liable to the charge of impofture, is left to
adopt which he will. The ftatement of M. Voltaire has, had moft partizans, yet do we
confider it wrong, and the refearches we have been able to make put our opinion be-
yond all doubt. We thall prefently difcufs that of Mr. Coxe, given at great length in
his Second Voyage to the North, publifhed in 1791: but fhall firft begin with the account
of Lagerbring, Profeflor at Lund, taken from his Hiftory of Sweden, vol. iv. part 3. which
treats of the reign of Charles XII. Stockholm, 1779 ; in it will be feen the effential dif-
ferences which charatterize the account of each hiftorian. ‘
VOL. VI. 30 On
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