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Doc. 286.] 711
THE CONFISCATED WORKS.
for which you enquire, I am able to give you the following
information :
"Fifty copies of Swedenborg’s work De Amore Conjugiali,
were, through the instigation of Bishop Filenius, confiscated at
the custom-house of Norrköping, during the Diet which was
held there in 1769. I know that they were well taken care
of by the custom-house officials in that place. Some time
afterwards, I think in the year 1780, a connoisseur of those
writings came across a number of copies of that book in a
grocery shop in Stockholm, where they were being used as
wrapping paper. The inference was that they were possibly
the copies which were confiscated in Norrköping, and which
were released after the death of Bishop Filenius. The same
connoisseur purchased quite a number of these copies at the
grocery shop , and let me have six copies in exchange for
another still rarer work. I have since disposed of these copies
in such a manner, that I have none left to give away. But
as I have of the same work a bound duplicate copy, I take
the liberty of offering it to you in all humility, and requesting
you to give it a place in your library. I send it to you for
this purpose. I must beg you, however, to excuse the injured
condition of the first leaf; it was so when I first received it.
The name which is written on the title-page shows that it was
formerly owned by a distinguished and learned gentleman.
"I take the liberty of enclosing copies of some of Sweden
borg’s letters, together with a supplication addressed to the
King [
Document 245, X], which throw light upon the confis
cation of the books.
"With your permission I might say much in favour of these
writings; but in your enlightened eyes they speak for them
selves.
"In conclusion I desire only to continue in your favour,
and to have the honour of remaining, with all due reverence,
"Your most humble servant,
"CHRISTIAN JOHANSEN.
"Eskilstuna, November 1, 1785.
"To the Doctor and Bishop C. J. Benzelius."
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