WHEN ENGLAND OUTWITTED NAPOLEON BONAPARTE.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 17, Issue 59, 27 July 1906, Page 2

WHEN ENGLAND OUTWITTED NAPOLEON BONAPARTE.

The seizure of the Danish Fleet and the llattlo of Copenhagen form one of the most striking incidents of the Napoleonic war. In September, 1806, the death of Fox led to the formation of a new Ministry, with the Duke of Portland at its head. During the early part of the same year the victories of Eylau and) Froidland made Napoleon absolutely master of the Continent, and induced the Emperor of Russia to enter into an alliance with the French, the terms of which were ostensibly embodied in the Treaty of Talsit. In connection with this Treaty, however, there were certain secret articles, one of them being that the Danish Fleet should ‘he placed at Napoleon’s disposal. This arrangement seriously menaced the* sea power of England, and the British Government determined to dispatch a combined naval and military expedition to Capenhagen for the purpose of seizing the Danish ships, dockyards, and arsenal. The troops ordered on this, service, numbering 27, 000 men, were commanded by Lord Cathcart ; the reserve, consisting of four infantry battalions with some German horse, being placed under Major-General Wellesley. The object of the expedition was kept a profound secret until the force had arrived at its destination, when Lord Cathcart called upon the Danish Government to place its fleet and maritime stores in the temporary custody of England, pending the conclusion of a general European peace. The Prince Royal of Denmark refused to accede to this summons, and endeavoured by ■ all the means of his power to prevent its enforcement. Lord Cathcart, therefore, Invested the city, and directed General Wellesley (afterwards "Duke of Wellington) with a division about 5,000 strong to attack and disperse the Danish troops operating the field. Wellesley found the latter, to the number of about 14,000, occupying a position at Kioge, the front of which was protected by earthworks, and after a short engagement defeated them with considerable loss. Meanwhile, batteries had been constructed by the investing army ; and, after being bombarded for three days by these batteries and by the guns of the British Fleet, Copenhagen capitulated, and the demands “of the British Government were complied with. England thus obtained possession of fifteen _ line-of-battle ships, several frigates, and 20,000 tons of naval stores. The, action taken by the Cabinet was not only prompt and decisive, but also somewhat unusual, if judged by. the ordinary rules of international comity. On this account it has been condemned by many Continental writers. Nevertheless, the course adopted appears to have been justifiable, on the ground that Napoleon’s secret compact with Russia threatened our maritime supremacy— and, consequently, our national existence—by handing over to the Emperor the resources of a neutral State, which, however well disposed towards us, was too weak to preserve its neutrality. General Wellesley distinguished himself in Zealand, not only by his defeat of the Danish troops at Kioge, but by the strict discipline, which he maintained among his own men, and the protection which he offered to the inhabitants of the island. ■ ... The expedition returned to England in October, General Wellesley preceding it by a few weeks in order to resume his functions t as Secretary for Ireland. In February, 1808, he received the thanks of Parliament for his conduct at Copenhagen, and in the July following he was appointed to command an expedition which was being assembled at Cork for operations in Portugal or the 'South of Spain.—“ Weekly Telegraph." •