On the other hand the Crown Prince, while recognizing the exposure of Copenhagen, feared to yield even to the menace of bombardment, lest he should incur the vengeance of the Czar.
It was to find a middle term between these opposing motives that Nelson's diplomacy was exerted.
On the 3d of April he went ashore to visit the Crown Prince, by whom he was received with all possible attention.

"The populace," says Stewart, "showed a mixture of admiration, curiosity, and displeasure.
A strong guard secured his safety, and appeared necessary to keep off the mob, whose rage, although mixed with admiration at his thus trusting himself amongst them, was naturally to be expected.

It perhaps savored of rashness in him thus early to risk himself among them; but with him his Country's cause was paramount to all personal considerations." Nelson himself did not note these threatening indications.

Fond of observation, with vanity easily touched, and indifferent to danger, he heard only homage in the murmurs about him.
"The people received me as they always have done; and even the stairs of the palace were crowded, huzzaing, and saying, 'God bless Lord Nelson.'" His interview with the Crown Prince was private, only Lindholm being present.

It ranged, according to his private letter to Addington, over the whole subject of the existing differences with Great Britain, and the respective interests of the two states.