The King Encourages Anjala

The Anjala Conspiracy has been a thorn in His Majesty, King Gustav III’s side since the first whispers of dissatisfaction in the army began last year. What did these rabble rousers want? It is simple. They desired peace. But their peace would be hard won, for Gustav III is not a man to back down. What do these jokes of army officers, avoiding war and wanting to grow fat on their pensions think now, after the King has won a resounding victory in Denmark, securing glory for Sweden?! They must see, to some extent, the glory of war, and the glory of the Swedish army.

The King intends to return his army to the Russian frontier and when he arrives, he does not wish to be bothered by talks of the Anjala conspiracy. Indeed, the King desires not a long drawn out war. It is thus that he writes a letter to the Anjala conspiracy. To be given to low ranking soldiers on the frontier where it will inevitably trickle up to the conspirators.

”To Whom it May Concern,

My good men. You are well aware of the victory in Denmark. Had you succeeded in your desires for peace, then this would not have happened. Victory against our Southern enemies was only achieved through war.

I know that you may still wish for peace despite these victories.

My friends, I wish for peace too. No monarch wants war for his nation.

I was disappointed when I learned of your letter to the Tsarina last year. However, I now have a separate task to ask of you. You made a pledge to me last year, my good men, that if the Tsarina refuses the peace, you will fight to the last man. I ask that you do this.

Surely, you have seen the glories that war can bring, and the victories that the Swedes can have. I understand your concerns regarding this war, but I assure all of you, that the glory and rewards of victory will outweigh them. Surely you have seen that this war is not folly as you assumed at first. We have vanquished Denmark, and next is Russia.

I will make the following promises to you- my good men. After this war, all officers on the Russian frontier will receive double pensions for five years. After this war, I will provide autonomy to the region of “Finland,” and allow the Finnish people who you claim to represent to be afforded more rights that they have had prior. We are on the verge of a new century and, while the region of Finland will always be Swedish, the Finnish people deserve a voice and that is what I shall give them.

For this, I ask of you one thing. Spread false information to the Tsarina. Continue your correspondence with her that you initiated in Liikala last year and tell her our forces are divided. Tell her of you EXTREME DISSENTIOUS attitudes and convince her that the Swedish army is fractured.Do not stop asking her for peace, for this will further convince her that we are weak. And then, when she attacks out positions, we will stand strong. Our army is not divided conspirators, but it is strnger than ever. The morale of the average soldier has skyrocketed after my victory in Denmark.

Ask yourself one question. What will happen to an independent Finland enforced by Russia? Do you not believe they will invade and massacre the native Fins as they have already done twice in the last century?

Think on this my friends. And remember my promises

Yours under God,

His Majesty, King of Swedes, Fins, Wends, and Goths, Gustav III