Inferno

Chapter 80

British headquarters, Hellerup

‘Read it again. By it, I want General Peymann to be in no doubt about what it means to his situation. No doubt whatsoever.’

Cathcart leaned back while his secretary smoothed out the paper and read.

Summons to the Governor of Copenhagen

Sir. We, the Commanders-in-chief of his Majesty’s sea and land forces now before Copenhagen, judge it expedient to summon you to surrender the place, for the purpose of avoiding the further effusion of blood. The King our gracious master used every endeavour to settle the matter now in dispute, in the most conciliating manner. To convince his Danish Majesty, and all the world, of the reluctance his Majesty finds himself compelled to have recourse to arms, we, the undersigned do renew to you the offer of the same advantageous and conciliatory terms which are proposed through his Majesty’s ministers to your court.

If you will consent to deliver up the Danish fleet it shall be held in deposit for his Danish Majesty, and shall be restored as soon as the provisions of a general peace shall remove the necessity which has occasioned this demand.

Sir, should you reject this summons it will not be renewed, rather your fleet will belong to its captors and the city, when taken, must share the fate of conquered places.

A response is expected before four pm this same day.

J. Gambier

Commander-in-chief of his Majesty’s Ships and Vessels in the Baltic

W. Cathcart

Commander-in-chief British land forces

‘Hmmph. If that’s not clear to the meanest intelligence then I can do no more. What do you think, James?’

Grave and troubled, Gambier seemed reluctant to reply. Eventually he said, ‘My lord, man proposes and God disposes. I pray most humbly that the Danish see fit to acquiesce else we must say that all things are then in God’s hands.’