BOOK the final convention at Uddevalla for the evacuation of Sweden,
X.
l i The prince of Heffe retreated into Norway ; Gotheborg was
ifaved from pillage, Sweden from difmemberment, and Europe
from a general war.
This fuccefsful event, obtained without expence of blood and
.treafure, was the prelude to ftill more important négociations, by
which the neutrality of Denmark was eftabliihed, and the king
of Sweden left to make thofe vigorous and aftonilhing efforts to
fupport the independence of his own crown, and to reftore the
balance of .power in the north.
From Gotheborg we made an excurfion to Marftrand, a fmall
•ifland in the Cattegate, which for its ftrength is called the Gibraltar
of Sweden, and which, being declared a free port during the
late general war, was remarkable as being the place of refort for
the American veffels.
Having changed horfes at Konglhall, we proceeded through
a rocky country to Kiulthal, a fingle houfe, inhabited by a cuf-
tom-houfe officer, where we embarked, and rowing through
fmall bays and creeks, amid barren rocks and crags, we arrived
in two hours at Marftrand, one of the moft extreme of
thofe clufters of iflands which extend in fuch numbers from the
coafts of Sweden,
Marftrand is a rocky ifland, about two miles in circumference
; the town, which lies on the eaftern fide, contains about
160 houfes, and about 1,200 inhabitants. It was declared a free
port in 1776, and was the great refort for the American veffels
trading to thefe parts, who were not permitted to enter into any
■other port of Sweden. The traffic carried on by thefe means
2 enriched
enriched the town, particularly in 1 7 8 0 and 1 7 8 1 . Since the chap.
peace the commerce has greatly diminilhed, and the inhabitants , 1V~
now chiefly fubfift by the herring fiihery, by the number of
fhips which in bad weather take refuge in the harbour, and by a
contraband trade.
Previous to 1781 the inhabitants obtained confiderable profits
by fmuggling brandy into Sweden, the importation of which was
entirely prohibited in the other ports; but as the fame privilege
of importing foreign fpirits for the purpofe of exportation has
been lately granted to Gotheborg, Marftrand has loft great part
of its contraband trade.
Marftrand is called a free port, but its exemption is merely
imaginary; for although all goods are admitted into the town
free of duty, yet they cannot be exported from thence without
paying the ufual cuftoms. Above fixty cuftom-houfe officers
are eftabliihed, and carefully examine all veffels at the time of
their departure: we underwent a very ftriit fearch.
The harbour is extremely fecure and commodious, but of difficult
entrance, and in tempeftuous- weather dangerous, without a •
pilot of the place. It is capable of containing 200 veffels, and
of fufficient depth for the largeft..
Each of the two entrances which lead into the harbour aré
commanded by two new batteries. That on the north fide, which
is quite finiihed, mounts 10 guns of 24 and 36 pounders, and
could contain in time of war a garrifon of 150 men. The fouth
battery, which was not yet mounted, will be capable of containing
3 0 0 foldiers. The place is ftill further, fortified by the
ftrong