"My object," he said, writing the same day he took command, "_was_ to get at Revel before the frost broke up at Cronstadt, that the twelve sail of the line might be destroyed.

I shall _now_ go there as a friend, _but the two fleets shall not form a junction_, if not already accomplished, unless my orders permit it." For the same reason, he wrote to the Swedish admiral that he had no orders to abstain from hostilities if he met his fleet at sea.

He hoped, therefore, that he would see the wisdom of remaining in port.
His visit to Revel, consequently, was to wear the external appearance of a compliment to a sovereign whose friendly intentions were assumed.
To give it that color, he took with him only twelve ships-of-the-line, leaving the others, with the small vessels of distinctly hostile character, bombs, fireships, etc., anchored off Bornholm Island, a Danish possession.

The resolution to prevent a junction was contingent and concealed.

On the 12th the squadron arrived in the outer bay of Revel, and a complimentary letter, announcing the purpose of his coming, was sent to St.Petersburg.The next day he paid an official visit to the authorities, when his vanity and love of attention received fresh gratification.