[Bombardment of Copenhagen, 1807.] Printed pamphlet: 'An Examination of the Causes which led to the late Expedition against Copenhagen. By an Observer.'

Although ostensibly neutral, Denmark participated was participating in the Continental Blockade, and under heavy pressure from the French and their Russian allies to pledge its fleet to Napoleon. As a consequence a Royal Navy fleet, under Vice-Admiral James Saumarez, bombarded the Copenhagen for a period of days in August and September 1807. The controversial action succeeded in its aims: the Dano-Swedish fleet was seized, and the sea lanes of the Baltic and North Sea were secured for the use of the British merchant fleet. The incident did lead to a war between Britain and Russia, which only ended with Napoleon's invasion of Russia in 1812. [4] + 47pp, 8vo. Including half-title and title. Disbound, uncut, and stabbed as issued. In fair condition, lightly aged, with discoloration to the first and last few leaves. One annotation in light pencil, the identification on the last page of the 'defenceless town' as 'Hamburg'. Uncommon: only present on COPAC at the British Library and three other libraries. The author asserts that a 'commanding and over-ruling necessity' formed 'the justification of Great Britain' in acting as it did. He begins by claiming that 'almost from the commencement of the war of 1793, and particularly from the elevation of Bonaparte to the first consulship, she has directed all her efforts to the attainment of two great and distinct objects, as the seal of her future greatness, and as the pledge of its stability: I mean the subjugation of the continent of Europe by the actual exertion of her preponderant military force, and the subversion (by other means than those of force, which she possesses not) of the foundations of the maritime power of Great Britain, the real, and, at this moment, the only obstacle to the accomplishment of her views.' Scarce: (WorldCat) copies held by 5 US, 1 Canada, the NLWales, BL, and LIBRIS (Stockholm).