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254 A History of Sweden
sia by a band of horsemen sent by the Russian gov-
ernment, was dragged from the highway, robbed, and
murdered. A popular song, "Sinclairsvisan," giving
the account of the foul murder, was composed, circu-
lated, and sung throughout all Sweden, arousing hot
indignation and a burning desire for revenge. It ended
with this challenge :
"And, therefore, heroes, brave and good,
With heart within your bosom,
Avenge ye Malcolm Sinclair’s blood,
Which Kuthler shed, most gruesome!"
Proud memories from the days of Charles XII and
his champions were revived, and bitter memories, too,
of the sufferings of fathers and kinsmen in the long
captivity under the hated foe. And now "Up and
avenge these sufferings and the murder of an innocent
man!"
The Declaration of War. In 1741 the Riksdag de-
clared war. The army was not equipped for defense,
much less for attack. But what mattered such trifles !
The objective was clearly understood. The least that
would satisfy the patriots was the conquest of south-
eastern Carelia and St. Petersburg with surrounding
territory. Thus in dreams the people were back once
more in the glorious days of Gustavus Adolphus. In
the name of the Estates a report was made of the con-
dition of the country. There was a general song of
rejoicing over the courage of the Estates, and the evi-
dent fact that Providence was shaping events to the
plan and wishes of the Estates.
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