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486 SWEDENBORG IN THE HOUSE OF NOBLES. [Doc. 172.
light the wisdom of the policy which Swedenborg so strongly
recommended in the following memorial:]
1. In declaring war, not only one year, or the existing
state of circumstances, but from ten to twenty years, or the
whole series of consequences that may arise, must be taken
into consideration. Should we be unfortunate, we may be
very sure that Prussia will covet the remaining portion of
Pomerania, that Denmark will claim Schonen, and Russia
the whole of Finland, and that to bring this about all the
powers lying nearest to us will lend a helping hand.
Should mischief be brewing, or war be declared, Russia
will certainly not fail to harass our freedom , to speculate upon
our right of succession, and cause thereby more trouble to
Sweden than can beforehand be imagined. Perhaps, also,
some may hope to catch fish in the troubled waters, and
their secret desire for war may thereby be strengthened.
2. It must also be taken into consideration that Sweden
is no longer the formidable power it was in former times,
that we have fewer men to serve in our army, and that it
is generally known we have not the pecuniary means by which
to sustain a protracted war.
If the seat of war should be in a foreign land, it is yet
customary to fit out ourselves by our own means : moreover, we
could not claim anything from Poland, as we would come to
them as friends.
From France, on the other hand, there is not much to be
expected, since they require their own means, even if they should
succeed in their undertaking, and still more if they should
prove unfortunate. They would not be wanting in promises;
but in carrying on war present help is of more consequence
than a mere promise of assistance.
3. Russia, also, is more formidable now than she was
in former years ; inasmuch as, on the one hand, she has
become more powerful by the advantage she has gained over
Sweden, and has been provided with better materials for her
army from the conquered provinces ; and, on the other hand,
the Russians themselves are also better trained, and are more
like Europeans in their military tactics, and they are officered
by others than mere native Russians. From all which it
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