Fredrikshamn, Treaty of 1809

a treaty between Russia and Sweden concluding the Russo-Swedish War of 1808–09, which had ended in the defeat of the Swedish forces. The treaty was signed on Sept. 5, (17), 1809, in the city of Fredrikshamn (Finnish, Hamina) by N. P. Rumiantsev and D. M. Alopeus for Russia and by C. von Stedingk and A. Skjöldebrand for Sweden.

On Mar. 20, 1808, while the war was still in progress, Alexander I promulgated a manifesto announcing the incorporation of Finland into Russia as a grand duchy. The Russian government pledged to preserve Finland’s laws and Diet. The Treaty of Fredrikshamn required Sweden to dissolve its alliance with Great Britain, conclude peace treaties with Denmark and France, and join the continental blockade. Finland, including the Åland Islands, was transferred to Russia, and the Russo-Swedish border was drawn along the Torneälven and the Muonio River. Trade between Russia and Sweden and between Finland and Sweden was resumed after the interruption caused by the war. A number of articles in the Treaty of Fredrikshamn regulated the legal and property status of Finns living in Sweden and Swedes living in Finland. Other articles covered such subjects as exchanges of prisoners.