THE DISPATCHES

OF

FIELD M.^VRSHAL

THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON, K.G.
DURING HIS VARIOUS CAMPAIGNS
IN
INDIA, DENMARK, PORTUGAL, SPAIN, THE LOW
COUNTRIES, AND FRANCE,
FROM
1799 TO 1818.

COMPILED FROM OFFICIAL AND AUTHENTIC DOCUMENTS,
BY
LIEUT. COLONEL GURWOOD,
ESQUIRK TO HIS GRACE AS KNIGHT OF THE BATH.

VOLUME THE EIGHTH.

LONDON:
JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET.
MDCCCXXXVII.

LONDON:
Printed by William Clowes and Sons,
Stamford Street.

THE
DISPATCHES ov
FIELD MARSHAL THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON,
IN
THE PENINSULA.
IN
ISll AND 1812.

Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to Lieut. General
Sir Brent Spencer, K.B.
' Mv DEAR Spencer, ' Quinta de Granicha, 1 Ith June, 1811.
' I have, received your letter of the 9th June.
' I do not exactly understand what orders have been given
to General Pack, and in what manner affairs are situated at
Almeida. ' My memorandum to you ofthe ISth May was founded on
a supposition that it might be necessary for you to retire from
the frontier, and I expressed a particular anxiety " that that
place (Almeida) should not be abandoned till it should be
necessary." ' My letter to you of the 1st instant was founded on a sup
position that the enemy were about to move through the moun
tains towards the Tagus ; and after having requested you to
make a corresponding movement, I requested that General
Pack's brigade might remain at, and in the neighbourhood, till
relieved by the militia.
' I did not think it probable that, if you should make the
movement to the south directed by my letter of the 1st instant,
there could exist any necessity for abandoning and destroying
Almeida, and I did not advert to it in that letter. But it
appears by your letter of the Sth instant, which I received
VOL. vm. 13

2 PORTUGAL. 1811.
yesterday, that you had directed General Pack " to consider
his secure retreat as a primary object, and that, upon evacuating
the place, he should blow up the remainder of the fortifications,
and destroy the military stores," adverting, of course, to my
memorandum to you of the 15th May. According to this
memorandum, Almeida should not have been abandoned till it
was necessary ; and yet it appears, by your letter of the 9th
instant, to have been so little necessary, that General Pack left
in that neighbourhood one regiment of his brigade, which is
there still.
' There can be no reason whatever why that regiment should
now remain at Almeida. The place, and every thing it con
tained, are destroyed, and the regiment should be directed to
join the brigade ; but as I have had a good deal of correspond
ence with the Government upon the subject of Almeida, and
they have taken some pains and incurred some expense in pre
paring to repair the place, it is desirable that I should have a
copy of the orders sent to General Pack, and his official report
of the mode in which he executed them ; and that the necessity
for abandoning and destroying the place should be made clear.
Upon this last point, it would be desirable to have in detail
the reports of the enemy's situation on the 6th, 7th, and Sth,
and the situation of Barbacena's cavalry and of our posts.
' I requested Colonel Murray to write to you yesterday
respecting the passage of the Tagus by the troops under your
command ; since which I have received Captain Grant's letter
of the 7th, from the enclosures in which, it would appear that
the passage of the Tagus by the army of Portugal, although a
probable operation, is not absolutely decided. I request, there
fore, that the following disposition may, for the present, be
made of the troops under your command, instead of that
directed in Colonel Murray's letter of yesterday^ The Light
division, and one brigade of cavalry, at Niza, as therein directed.
The 1st division, the right at Villa Velha, the left in the villages
between Villa Velha and Castello Branco, and one brigade of
cavalry in front of Castello Branco, towards Salvaterra. The
5th division in the cantonments, as directed in Colonel Murray's
letter of yesterday.
' I have seen Mr. Kennedy regarding your supplies. From
your letter, I understand that the whole have, or will have,
bread to the 15th inclusive ; 100,000 rations of bread have

1811.

QUINTA DE GRANICHA.

been ordered to Castello Branco, which it is apprehended may
not arrive there. But there are 50,000 rations at Villa Velha,
and the magazine is at Abrantes, about nine leagues from
Niza. ' Believe me, &c.
' Lieut. General ' Wellington.
Sir Brent Spencer, K.B.'
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to Lieut. General
Sir Brent Spencer, K.B.
' My dear Spencer, ' Quinta de Granicha, 12th June, 1811.
' I received this morning your two letters of the 10th.
' You had better send the sick you may have to Abrantes,
but not by water from Villa Velha. The Portuguese should
also go from Castello Branco to Lisbon by Abrantes.
' Believe me, &c.
' Lieut. General ' Wellington.
Sir Brent Spencer, K.B'
Lieut, General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to Colonel Austin.
' Sir, ' Quinta de Granicha, 12th June, 1811.
' In consequence of the expected early collection of the
enemy's whole force in Estremadura, I think it probable that
General Blake's corps will i-eturn to the Condado de Niebla,
and that they will pass through Portugal on their way thither.
I have desired the Commissary General to prepare for their
passage with provisions at Beja and at Villa Viqosa ; and I
request you to have from 12,000 to 15,000 rations of bread
and meat, and 1500 rations of forage, prepared for them at
Ma-tola, and boats collected at that place, in order to transport
them across the Guadiana. 1 cannot say exactly when they
will march, but is desirable that all the preparations should be
made immediately ; and I will give you the earliest intimation
of the movement.
' I will pay any expense that may be incurred to collect the
rations or boats. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' Colonel Austin: ' Wellington.

PORTUGAL.

1811.

Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to General Blake.
' Quinta de Granicha,
' Monsieur le General, <:e 12 Juin, 1811.
« J'ai requ la lettre que votre Excellence m'a fait I'honneur
de m'ecrire le 11, et je conviens avec vous que vous ferez bien
de porter les operations du corps d'armee de votre Excellence
dans le Condado de Niebla, en cas qu'il devienne nfecessaire pour
I'armfee alliee Anglaise et Portugaise de se porter sur la Caya.
' Je vous envois une route par laquelle seule votre artillerie
pourrait marcher, et vous verrez a la note la provision qu on
aura faite pour votre marche. J'ai donne ordre qu'on fasse
provision pour 12,000 hommes et 1500 chevaux, et je vous
prie de me faire savoir s'il vous en faut plus.
' Le siege de Badajoz sera entierement leve cette nuit.
' Je n'ai pas encore de nouvelles du mouvement du Mare
chal Soult, mais je crois qu'il aura ete joint par le corps de
Drouet aujourd'hui, et probablement qu'il se mettra en mouve
ment demain. Son premier mouvement sera, il y a apparence,
vers Hornachos, ou m^me plus a sa droite, pour eviter toute
affaire avec nous, jusqu'a Tarriv^e de I'armee de Portugal.
Je suppose que votre premier mouvement sera sur Valverde
pour altendre celui de I'ennemi. Celui de nos troupes en
avant sera sur Albuera.
' Les 3" et 4"° divisions de I'armee de Portugal, sous les
ordres du Gfeneral Regnier, sont arriyees a Plasencia le 9 de
ce mois C'est un jour plus tard que je n'ai compte, mais elles
pourront toujours arriver a Merida le 16 ; et si elles font la
jonction par le pont de Medellin, elles la feront le 15.
' Je vous prie, Monsieur le General, de donner ordre qu'on
conserve la discipline en passant par le royaume de Portugal.
' Je suis bien fache que je n'ai pas eu le plaisir de faire
la connaissance de votre Excellence, mais j'espere que I'occasion
est seulement retard^e pour le moment.
' J'ai I'honneur d'etre, &c.
• Le Capitaine General Blake.' ' Wellington.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Major General
the Hon. W. Stewart.
' Mv dear Sir, ' Quinta de Granicha, I2t.h June, 1811.
' I have received your letter of the 9th.
' I was allowed by the Commander in Chief to recommend

1811. quinta di: granicha. 5
for brevet promotion a certain number of officers ; and I was
under the necessity of course of taking them from all parts of
the army. I was also obliged to attend to the claims of se
niority in instances in which the senior officer had besides
the claim of merit. Under these circumstances, although the
Light regiments had their proportion of this promotion, I was
not enabled to recommend your brother. Captain J. Stewart,
although I certainly wished it.
' General Craufurd has since proposed to me a plan, under
which I could have got hini the rank of Major, if that plan had
been practicable ; but the Spaniards were to be concerned, and
if the plan was practicable, so much time must elapse before
they can be brought to consent to it, that it is useless to un
dertake it.
' 1 assure you that it will give me great satisfaction to have
-it in my power to forward the views of your brother in the
service, not only for his advantage, but for that of the public.
' Believe me, &c.
' Major Gen. t/ie Hon. W. Stewart.' ' Wellington.

Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to Lieut. Colonel Gordon,
Commissary in Chief.
• My dear Colonel, ' Quinta de Granicha, 12th June, 1811.
' I have received your letter of the 17th May, and I am
much obliged to you for the desire you express to render your
department useful to us in this country.
' The Portuguese Commissariat, and all the departments
attached to that army, are in a miserably inefficient state, from
two causes : the want of authority to enforce obedience to
order and regulation ; the want of money to defray the neces
sary expenses.
' The departments attached to the army are not liable to
ihe mihtary law ; we therefore have no power to punish those
guilty of any offence ; and as for expecting punishment from
complaint to the Government, or to the civil tribunals, it would
be just as reasonable to expect the coming of the Messiah, or
.the return of King Sebastian.
' These unfortunate Governments in the Peninsula had been
reduced to such a state of decrepitude, that I believe there was
no authority existing within Spain or Portugal before the

PORTUGAL.

1811.

French invaded these countries. The French invasion did not
improve this state of things ; and since what is called in Spain
the revolution, and iti Portugal the restoration, no crime that
I know of has been punished in either, excepting that of being
a French partizan. Those malversations in office ; those
neglects of duty ; the disobedience of orders ; the inattention
to regulation, which tend to defeat all plans for military opera
tion, and ruin a state that is involved in war, more certainly
than the plots of all the French partisans, are passed unnoticed ;
and notwithstanding the numerous complaints which Marshal
Beresford and 1 have made, I do not know that one individual
has yet been punished, or even dismissed from his office.
' The cause of this evil is the mistaken principle on which
the Government have proceeded. They have imagined that
the best foundation for their power was a low, vulgar popu
larity, of which the evidence is the shouts of the mob of
Lisbon, and the regular attendance at their levees, and the
bows and scrapes of people in office, who ought to have other
modes of spending their time ; and to obtain this bubble, the
Government of Portugal, as well as the successive Governments
in Spain, have neglected to perform those essential duties of all
Governments, viz., to force those they are placed over to do
their duty, by which, before this time, these countries would
have been out of danger.
' The other evil is connected very materially with the first.
The Government will not regulate their fiijances, because it
will interfere with some man's job. They will not lay on new
taxes, because in all countries those who lay on taxes are not
favorites with the mob. They have a general income tax
called ten per cent., and in some cases twenty per cent., which
the-y have regulated in such a manner as that no individual, I
believe, has paid a hundredth part of what he ought to have
paid. Then, from want of money, tbey can pay nobody, and
of course have not even the influence which they ought to have
over the subordinate departments.
' The hire of mules and carts, the food for the animals and
drivers, are never paid ; and of course the animals die, and the
people desert the service.
' The Coriimissaries have no money to purchase any thing
in the country. I will not allow the soldiers to pillage. The
Government have no money to pay for the transport of pro-

1811. quinta de granicha. 7
visions from the magazines on the coast to the army, and are
bankrupt in credit, and are unwilling to execute thdr own law
to force means of transport ; and the result is that the troops
get nothing, and every department and branch of the service
is paralyzed. ' The remedy which has been proposed from England has
been that we should take the Commissariat upon ourselves.
I have already done as much as I could in this way ; that is,
under an arrangement which provides for the expense being
subtracted from the subsidy ; I have arranged that the Com
missary General shall provide for those parts ofthe army serv
ing with the British divisions- I know that we cannot do more
without failure.
' In addition to embarrassments of all descriptions surround
ing us on all sides, I have to contend with an ancient enmity
between these two nations, which is more like that of cat and
dog than any thing else, of which no sense of common danger,
or common interest, or any thing, can get the better, even in
individuals. ' Our transport, which is the great lever of the Commissariatj
is done principally, if not entirely, by Spanish muleteers ; and
to oblige Mr. Kennedy, they would probably once or twice
carry provisions to a Portuguese regiment, but they would
prefer to quit us and attend the French to being obliged to
perform this duty constantly.
' When a Portuguese brigade is in a British division, the
muleteers do not inquire, and do not know, for whom they carry
the supplies ; and the Commissary with the division issues to
the Portuguese Commissary what is required for the Portu
guese troops, taking his receipt for the quantities, and a charge
is made against the subsidy for the actual cost, including a
certain sum for transport from the magazines.
' There are but few Portuguese troops not serving in our
divisions; but there is the militia, there are the forts, and
other establishments, to be provided for, into which we could
not enter without Involving ourselves in inextricable details,
and an enormous expense.
' The remedy for the existing evils is simple, and has been
repeatedly recommended by me as far back as November, 1809,
at the period of the Austrian peace. It consists in the follow
ing measures.

8 PORTUGAL. 1811.
' First ;. to make the disposable income of the State more
nearly equal to the expenditure, by reforms, improvements in
collection, and some increase of taxation. Something has lately
been done in this way, and I understand with very considerable
success ; but, notwithstanding my repeated remonstrances, and
telling the Government over and over again that money (that
is specie) could not be got for their expenses in England, and
that they must look to the produce of their own exertions alone
for that necessary, it is only lately that they have done any
thing. ' Secondly ; to make all officers and departments connected
with the army liable to the military law of the country.
' Thirdly ; to alter the military law of the country so as to
render it more conformable to the circumstances of the present
day. ' Fourthly ; to appoint a Commissary General, with a suf
ficient number qf deputies and assistants, to perform the duty
of the army, instead of what is called a J unta, consisting of
merchants of Lisbon and their clerks, who have no responsi
bility, and know nothing of provisioning an army, excepting
the profitable jobs they themselves derive from it, and to regu
late the duties of the Commissary General's office, in the man
ner, the details of which have been proposed to them.
' Fifthly ; to regulate the medical department, and render it
liable to military law. You will scarcely believe that the office
of Physician General is a sinecure, held for life, with a right
to appoint a deputy, likewise a sinecure held for life; and at
the same time a right to interfere in the medical department,
and to prevent any body else from doing any good.
' Sixthly ; to regulate the department of the arsenal, and
render its officers liable to the military law. This is a depart
ment connected not only with army and military stores, but
with the clothing and appointments of the army, and this also
is managed by a Junta, responsible to nobody, and who do
nothing. ' It may be observed that all these improvements would do
very well, but still that a British Commissary or two might be
of use. So they might if they were worth having ; but if they
are worth having, I cannot spare them ; and if they are not,
they will do no good to the Portuguese concerns. In fact,
there is no want of ability in the country, or of good will.

1811. QUINTA UB granicha. 9
The wants consist in what we cannot give them, unless more
disposition is shown to attend to our counsel, and the local
Governments determine to alter their system, and really to do
their duty by their country. ' Believe me, &c.
• Lieut. Colonel Gordon, ' Wellington.
Commissary in Chief.'
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to Sir Charles Asgill, Bart.
' My DEAR Sir Charles, ' Quinta de Granicha, 12th June, 1811.
' I have received your lettter of the 18th May, and I shall
be very happy to give you every assistance in my power, in
carrying into execution the charitable intentions of the people
of Ireland. That which the people of Portugal have lost, from
the want of which they are likely to suffer most, is their laboring
cattle, bullocks; Ireland could supply many, and cows with calf
would be very acceptable. Building materialg,^ such as planks,
nails, and bar iron, would be very useful ; large casks with
iron hoops would also be desirable, particularly at an early
period, as the French destroyed their casks, and they will find
it difficult to replace them" in time to receive the wine harvest
of this year. Blankets, and coarse woollen in the piece, might
be sent with advantage. ' Believe me , &c.
' Lieut. General ' Wellington.
Sir Charles Asgill, Bart:
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to the Officer Commanding
His Majesty's Troops at Niza.
i gijj ' Quinta de Granicha, 13th June, 1811.
' I request that the brigade of cavalry under Major General
Anson, which I understand arrived at Niza on the 12th, and
the Light division of Infantry under Major General Craufurd,
which I understand arrived at Niza on this day, the 13th, may
march to Portalegre on the morning of the 15th instant.
' 1 have the honor to be, &c.
' The Officer Commanding ' Wellington.
H.M. Troops at Niza.'

10 yOKTW^hL. Ifcf I,
IdeiU. General Viicmtnt WeUtni^bm, ELB., lift Ike fJ^^ioer Cmmtmiing
the lit Divimm vf Infamirf.
'Sib, ' Quanta ie6Taiind»,13fliJime, 1811.
' I request that the 1st dirmon of ksfantij, vidi the artil
lery attached, or marching with it, wlndb 1 ladej^and anived
this day at Villa Velha, Saraadas, and the viB^eB between
Vilk Velha and Castello Braooo, may cjti^ the Ts^gos at VUla
Velha, on the morning of the loth instant, and proeeed to
Niza, and on the 16th to Portal^re.
' I have the honor to be, &e.
• 7%« 0,^ficer Commanding ' Wkli-isgtos.
the lit JHvidon of Infantry:
lAeut. General Viicount WeUington, K.B^ to Heut. General
Sir 8tai[^t<m Cotton, Bart.
' Qninta de Gcfameha, ISth June, 1811.
* My dbab Cowom, ^ p-h-
' I have recaved your letter of 10 kjl., and if you have no
authority, excepting  's report for saying that the
enemy were in Los Santos, I should be inclined to doubt
it. However, I have ordered General Hamilton's division to
Albuera this night, and if I should not receive a contradiction
of the report before the moon rises I shall go there myself.
' Believe me, &c,
' Umt. General ' Wellington.
&,r Stapleton Cotton, Bart:
Lieut. General Viscount WeUington, K. B., to Marshal
Sir W, C. Beretfard, K.B.
' Quinta de Granicha, 13th June, 1811.
* My dear Beresford, 7 p.m.
' I enclose some letters just received. I doubt the enemy
being in Los Santos, although as Drouet joined either last
night or this morning, they will probably move to morrow. I
have ordered Hamilton to move to Albuera, and I shall go
there to night, if I should not receive a contradiction of the
report before the moon rises. ' Believe me, &c.
' Marshal Sir W. C. Bere^ord, K.B: ' Wellington.

1811, quinta DE granicha. II
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, K,B., to Lieut. General
Sir Brent Spencer, K.B.
' Quinta de Granicha, 1 Sth June, 1811.
' My dear Spencer, 20 minutes past 8 p.m.
' I have just received your letter of yesterday evening, and
1 request that the blankets which the Commanding Officers of
regiments may be desirous of getting rid of, may be sent by
return mules to the Commissary's stores at Abrantes, if any
should be sent there. A mule will not carry more than about
forty, and they should be made up in packages of twenty each.
The Commanding Officers of regiments should report to the
Quarter Master General the number they send into store, and
to what place.
* I send directions to General Craufurd to march with the
Light division, and to General Anson to march with his
cavalry to Portalegre on the 15th, and to the 1st division to
march on the same day to Niza, and on the 16th to Porta
legre ; and I request you to order General Campbell and
General Pack to move on the 15th to Villa Velha and Sarna-
das, and on the 16th to Niza. The other brigade of cavalry
may move into Castello Branco on the 15th, keeping still a
look towards Salvaterra.
' I beg that the 9 pounders, and the reserve artillery, &c.,
may move with any division with which they may be.
' Believe me, &c.
' Lieut. General ' Wellington.
Sir Brent Spencer, K.B:
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My dear Lord, ' Quinta de Granicha, 13th June, 1811.
' I beg leave to inform your Lordship that since the com
mencement of the siege of Badajoz, 52 of the Chasseurs Bri-
tanniques have deserted, notwithstanding that we have with
the army only a selection of that corps ; 686 who are suspected
being left behind at Lisbon. The inconvenience of the deser
tion of the soldiers of this army is very great, because it is
almost the only mode by which the enemy can acquire intel
ligence ; but besides the inconvenience which all must feel, the
disgrace is no trifle, and it would be very desirable if these
corps could be relieved by others.
' I much fear from all that I hear that the recruiting of

12 PORTUGAL. 1811.
these corps has not been conducted as Government intended,
and that prisoners have been enlisted, as well as deserters, into
the Chasseurs Britanniques and the Brunswick Legion.
' Believe me, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool! ' Wellington.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My Lord, ' Quinta de Granicha, 13th June, 1811.
' In consequence of a report from the Chief Engineer,
Lieut. Colonel Fletcher, that the fire from San Christoval
might occasion the loss of many lives in the operations on the
left of the Guadiana, and the breach in that outwork having
been apparently much improved by the fire throughout the
6th, I directed that an attempt might be made to carry San
Christoval by storm that night. Major General Houstoun,
who conducted the operations of the siege on the right of the
Guadiana, accordingly ordered a detachment under Major
Macintosh, of the 85th regiment, to make the attempt. The
men advanced under a very heavy fire of musketry and hand
grenades from the outworks, and of shot and shells from the
town, with the utmost intrepidity, and in the best order, to
the bottom of the breach ; the advanced guard being led by
Ensign Dyas, of the 51st regiment, who volunteered to per
form this duty ; but they found that the enemy had cleared
the rubbish from the bottom of the escarp ; and notwithstand
ing that they were provided with ladders, it was impossible
to mount it.- They retired with some loss.
' The fire upon San Christoval, as welt as upon the place,
continued on the 7th, Sth, and 9th, on which day, the breach
in the wall of San Christoval appeared practicable, and I
directed that a second attempt should be made on that night
to obtain possession of that outwork. Major General Houstoun
ordered another detachment for this service, under the com
mand of Major Mc Geechy, ofthe 17th Portuguese regiment
who, with the officers destined to command the different
parties composing the detachment, had been employed through
out the Sth and 9th in reconnaitring the breach, and the dif
ferent approaches to it.
' They advanced at about 9 at night, in the best order,
though opposed by the same means, and with the same de-

1811. QUINTA DE GRANICHA. 13
termination as had been opposed to the detachment which had
made the attempt on the 6th .
' Ensign Dyas again led the service, and the storming party
arrived at the foot of the breach, but they found it impossible
to mount it, the enemy having again cleared the rubbish from
the bottom of the escarp. The detachment suffered consider
ably, and Major Mc Geechy, the Commanding Officer, was
unfortunately killed, and others of the officers fell ; but the
troops continued to maintain their station till Major General
Houstoun ordered them to retire.
' When the reinforcements had arrived from the frontiei-s of
Castille, after the battle of Albuera, I undertook the siege of
Badajoz, entertaining a belief that the means of which I had
the command, would reduce the place before the end of the
second week in June, at which time I expected that the rein
forcement for the enemy's southern army, detached from
Castille, would join Marshal Soult. I was unfortunately mis
taken in my estimate of the quality of these means.
' The ordnance belonging to the garrison of Elvas is very
ancient and incomplete; unprovided with the improvements
adopted by modern science to facilitate and render more
certain the use of cannon ; and although classed generally
as 24 pounders, the guns were found to be of a calibre larger
than the shot in the garrison of that weight. The fire from
this ordnance was therefore very uncertain, and the carriages
proved to be worse even than we supposed they were ; and
both guns and carriages were rendered useless so frequently
by the effect of our own fire, as to create delay in conse
quence of the necessity which existed for exchanging both in
the advanced batteries.
' Those who are accustomed to observe the effect of the
fire of artillery, will be astonished to learn that fire was kept
up from the 2nd to the 10th instant from fourteen 24 pounders,
upon the wall of the castle of Badajoz, constructed of rammed
earth and loose stones, of which the foot was seen at the
distance of from 400 to 600 yards, and that it had not at last
effected a practicable breach. It was impossible to estimate
the leno-th of time which would elapse before a practicable
breach could have been effected in this wall ; and even if one
liad been effected, it was the opinion of the engineers and
others, as well as my own, that although the breach could have

14 PORTUGAL. 1811.
been stormed, we could not have formed our troops to attack
the enemy's intrenchment within, unless we had possession of
Fort San Christoval.
' We had failed in two attempts to obtain possession of Fort
San Christoval, and it was obvious to me that we could not
obtain possession of that outwork without performing a work
which would have required the labor of several days to
accomplish it.
' On the morning of the 10th instant I received the en
closed intercepted dispatch, from the Duke of Dalmatia to the
Duke of Ragusa, which pointed out clearly the enemy's design
to collect in Estremadura their whole force; and I had reason
to believe that Bonet's corps, which had marched from Toledo
on the 28th and 29th of May, and was expected at Cordova
on the 5th and 6th instant, would have joined the southern
army by the 10th ; and it was generally expected in the
country that the southern army would have moved by that time.
' The movement of this army alone would have created a
necessity for raising the siege ; but on the same morning I
received accounts from the frontiers of Castille, which left no
doubt of the destination of the army of Portugal to the south
ward, and gave ground for belief that they would arrive at
Merida on the 15th instant.
' I therefore ordered that the siege should be raised.
' I am concerned to add that this measure was rendered ex
pedient, not only by the military considerations to which I have
above referred, but by others relative to the security of Elvas.
' If the siege had been continued only for two days longer,
there would have remained in Elvas only 10,000 24 pound
shot, a quantity by no means sufficient for its defence, if
the course of events should enable the enemy to attack that
place ; and I learn that there are none at Lisbon, and if there
were any, the Government, under present circumstances, have
not the power of procuring means of transport to send it up.
' Since the troops under Sir William Beresford have been
in this part of the country. General Hamilton's division of
Portuguese troops, consisting of three brigades, had been sup
plied with provisions generally from the stores of Elvas, as
well as the troops of the garrison ; and the stores of Elvas
had been very inadequately, if at all, upheld to answer these
demands.

1811. quinta de GRANICHA. 15
' The consequence is, that there are not at this moment in
the fort supplies for the garrison for one fortnight.
' All the means of transport which could be collected in this
neighbourhood, were employed in aid of the operations of the
siege, from which they could not be relieved till the siege
should be raised, and the ordnance and stores returned to
Elvas. ' The application of these means of transport, to bring a
supply to Elvas from the British magazines at Abrantes, (which
is the resource from which at last it must be drawn) and the
eventual safety of that place, depended upon the early dis
continuance of the operations against Badajoz ; and this,
independent of the circumstances above referred to, and the
military considerations resulting from them, was a principal
motive with me for raising the siege on the 10th instant.
' From this circumstance your Lordship will see additional
reason to lament the state of inefficiency of all the Portuguese
departments attached to the army. It affords an additional
proof of the embarrassments which meet me at every turn,
from wants and deficiencies for which the Portuguese Govern
ment ought to provide, but which invariably at last fall, at the
most critical moments, upon the resources which have been
provided with great difficulty and labor, and at great expense,
liy the departments of the British army.
' I have every reason to be satisfied with the conduct of all
the officers and troops employed at the siege of Badajoz, whose
labors and exertions deserved a very different result.
' Major General Picton directed the operations on the left
of the Guadiana, and Major General Houstoun on the right ;
and I am much indebted to those officers, as well as to Major
General Hamilton, and the other General and Staff Officers,
and the officers and troops under their command respectively.
Lieut. Colonel Fletcher, of the Royal Engineers, was the
directing engineer, and immediately superintended the opera
tions on the left of the Guadiana, and Captain Squire those on
the right of that river ; and these officers, and the corps of
Royal Engineers, have, by their conduct on this occasion, aug
mented their claims to my approbation.
' Lieut. Colonel Framingham commanded the artillery,
having under his orders Major Dickson, attached to the Portu-

16 PORTUGAL. 1811.
guese service, who, during the absence of Lieut. Colonel Fra
mingham with the troops which were employed to cover the
operations, conducted all the details of this important depart
ment. 1 had every reason to be satisfied with these officers,
and most particularly with Major Dickson, from whose activity,
zeal, and intelligence, the British service has derived great
advantage in the different operations against Badajoz.
' Captain Cleves, of the Hanoverian artillery, conducted that
department on the right of the Guadiana with great success.
' The service of the batteries was performed by detachments
from the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd regiments of Portuguese artillery,
vfho conducted themselves remarkably well. They were aided
by Captain Rainsford's company of the Royal artillery, who
were indefatigable; some of them having never quilted the
batteries. ' I am much indebted to General Leite, the Governor of
the Province of Alentejo and of Elvas, for the assistance
which he again afforded me in this operation.
' I enclose a return of the killed and wounded throughout the
siege, from which your Lordship will observe, that excepting
in the attempts to obtain possession of San Christoval, our loss
has not been severe We still maintain the blockade of Bada
joz ; and I know from an intercepted letter, that the enemy
had in the place on the 28th of May, only three weeks' pro
visions. ' I have not yet heard that the enemy have moved from
their position at Llerena, and I imagine that the arrival of the
9th corps has been delayed longer than was expected ; and it
is probable that Soult will be unwilling to move till he hears
of the movements of the army of Portugal. They broke up
from the Tormes on the 3rd, and their advanced guard arrived
at Ciudad Rodrigo on the evening of the 5th. They moved
forward again on the 6th, and Lieut. General Sir Brent
Spencer withdrew the advanced guard of the troops under his
command first to Nave d'Aver, and thence to Alfayates ;
having his main body on the high ground behind Soito ;
and on the following morning, he retired behind the Coa at
Sabugal. ' The enemy patrolled on the 6th into Fuentes de Onoro,
and into Nave d'Aver.

1811. quinta DE GRANICHA. 17
' I enclose Sir Brent Spencer's report of these operations,
from which it appears that the Royal Dragoons, under Colonel
Clifton'*', and a squadron of the 14th, the whole directed by
Major General Slade, distinguished themselves.
' I imagine that the enemy's march in this direction was
intended as a reconnaissance, and to cover the march of a con
voy to Ciudad Rodrigo ; as on the following day, the 7th, the
whole moved from thence to Morasverdes, in the direction of
the Puerto de Banos ; near which pass. General Regnier had
been with two divisions of the army of Portugal since the 5th.
On the Sth, in the evening, one division of General Regnier's
troops had come through Baiios ; and I expect that those
divisions will have arrived at Plasencia on the 9th, and the
whole army on the 10th.
' I had directed Lieut. General Sir Brent Spencer to make
a movement corresponding with tho.se of the enemy, if they
should move to the southward ; and the greatest part of his
corps is now at Castello Branco, and Villa Velha ; and a part
of it on this side of the Tagus, at Niza.
' The Commissary General has thrown a sufficient quantity
of provisions into all the places on the frontier, and measures
are in progress to improve the defence of them all.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpnnl. ' Wellington.
' P.S. Since writing this dispatch, I have received accounts
that General Drouet's troops joined on the enemy's right at
Berlanga and Azuaga yesterday ; and a report that their
cavalry were in movement towards Los Santos this morning,
The British cavalry, and the 2nd and 4th divisions were about to
march from Villa Franca and Almendralejo, towards Albuera;
and I have ordered there General Hamilton's division; and
1 .shall proceed there this night myself, if 1 should find this
report confirmed.' * Major General Sir Arthur Clifton, K.C.H.

VOL. VIII.

18

PORTUGAL.

1811.

Return of Killed, Wounded, and Missing, ofthe Army under the Com
mand of Lieut. General Lord Viscount Wellington, KB., in the
several Affairs with the French Army, from the 30th of May to
the IXfh of June, 1811, inclusive.

' Head Quarters, Quinta de St. Joao, 13th June, 1811.

oj

(^
Total loss of Officers,
W
"c
Non-Commissioned
S
C
oJ
»
Officers, and Rank
3
se
_«
.a
o
aud File.
O
tc
M
K
Killed . . .
9
3
106
—
118
Wouuded
22
17
315
—
354,
Missing .
3
—
6
—
9
* I have the honor to be, &c.
The Earl of Liverpool: ' Wellington.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My DEAR Lord, ' Quinta de Granicha, 13th June, 1811.
' 1 enclose the weekly state of the 1st instant, from which
you will observe, that our list of sick and wounded is much
increased. We have no sickness of any consequence, but I
should think not less than 7000 altogether.
' I likewise enclose the last return from Belem, which will
show of what descriptions the men returned sick absent, in the
• May returns, are composed. There are now at Elvas 300 or
400 recovered, who cannot join for want of arms and accoutre
ments ; our friends the Spaniards having played the usual trick
of plundering the arms and accoutrements of the wounded at
Albuera, on the field of battle. I am much annoyed about
Badajoz, although convinced I could not have taken the place
with the means we had of carrying on the operation.
' Believe me, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool: ' Wellington.
1811.

ALRVJERA. \[)

Lieut. General'Viscount Wellington, K.B., lo Marshal
Sir W. C. Beresford, K.B.
'•My DEAR Beresford, ' Albuera, 14th June, 1811. 10 a.m.
' I find that General Blake is not satisfied with the arrange
ment made for feeding his troops on their passage throuo-h
Portugal, and he insists upon having rations at Jurumenha.
I beg you to give most particular orders to the Governor of
Jurumenha, to allow no armed men to go into his fort, and
to give rations to nobody not belonging to the garrison, with
out an order from you.
' The French are in strength in Los Santos, and we are not
certain of any thing on this side of that town, although it has
been reported they are every where. We could not take the
position in front of this for want of water. If what I have
heard this morning is true, they must be this day at Truxillo.
' Believe me, &c.
' Marshal Sir W. C. Beresford, K.B. ' Wellington.
* If our provisions should be sent to Jurumenha, they
should be well escorted, for fear of outrages, if Blake should
be on his march.'
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to R. Kennedy, Esq.,
Deputy Commissary General.
' My dear Sir, ' Albuera, 14th June, 1811.
' I learn from General Blake, that his demand in Portugal
will be for 13,000 men, and I request you, therefore, to order
rations for 26,000 at each of the stations I mentioned to you.
' Believe me, &c.
' if. Kennedy, Esq., ' Wellington.
Deputy Commissary General'
Lieut. General Viscount M'ellingion, K.B., to General Blake.
' a Albuera, ce 14 Juin, 1811.
' Monsieur le General, a 10 heures du matin.
' J'ai eu I'honneur de recevoir votre lettre du 13 dans la
nuit ; et je suis bien fache d'etre oblige de vous prevenir que
les Commissaires ne peuvent donner des rations a vos troupes,
apr^s leur entree en Portugal, que dans les lieux nommes dans
la route que j'ai eu I'honneur de vous indiquer. Ainsi il reste
k votre Excellence de faire les arrangemens qui seront neces-
saires k Olivenca ou a Valverde pour empecher que les troupes
c 2

20 SPAIN. iSll.
ne souffrent I'inconvfenient de ne trouver rien a manger le
jour qu'elles arriveront a Jurumenha. ' J'ai I'honneur d'etre, &c.
' Le Capitaine General Blake.' ' Wellington.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to Major General Picton.
' My dear Sir, ' Albuera, 14th June, 181 1.
' Colonel Murray has communicated to me your letter to
him of last night, in which you have expressed a want of con
fidence in the Spanish troops, (at which I am not astonished)
and have desired specific instructions. My object in keeping
any troops before Badajoz, just at present, is to maintain the
blockade, and prevent the garrison from getting provisions.
' Adverting to the disposable strength of the garrison, which
may be about 2500 men, and to the description of troops
which are co-operating in the blockade, and to the advantage
which the enemy would immediately derive from the pos
session of our advanced batteries and trenches, as cover for
their outposts, as far as the range of their guns would reach,
I have thought it expedient that we should continue to hold
those advanced batteries and trenches. It is not very pro
bable that, as long as we are so forward, the enemy will attempt
any thing upon the Spaniards; nor, with 2500 men, are they
likelv to make any formidable sortie upon us. 1 do not think
it at all necessary to employ 1500 men to guard these trenches :
we have nothing in them to guard, and in my opinion, one
quarter of the number would be sufficient. If these guards
should be attacked by a superior force, their retreat is always
secure and covered ; and if they are so attacked, they must be
considered as any other advanced guard not able to keep its
ground, and must be kept farther back
' In respect to other points, all I wish is to have a strict
blockade kept ; the ground favors it, and the Spanish troops,
who may be employed in it, might be encamped so far off as
to be out of the reach of sorties by the garrison, and the
situation of their piquets altered, in order to prevent the facility
of enterprize against them. I have gone thus into details,
because you desired it. I think it probable, however, that 1
shall be obliged to relieve you from this duty before long.
' Believe me, &c.
' Major General Picfon.' ' Wellington.

1811. albuera. 21
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Lieut. General
Sir Stapleton Cotton, Burl.
' My dear Cotton, ' Albuera, 14th June, 1811. 9 p.m.
' 1 have received your letter of 3 p.m., and 1 hope that you
will have taken up the position near Solana, keeping your
parties of observation out. You will have good cover there.
' As for the Spaniards, we must manage them the best way
we can ; but as for the Portuguese, they are entirely under
your orders, and you must direct Paes what he is to do. I
wish you to treat them in every respect as British Cavalry,
observing always that their horses are of an inferior order.
' Are you certain that the enemy are in Villa Franca ?
' Lieut. General ' Believe me, &c.
Sir Stapleton Cotton, Bart. ' Wellington.
' P.S. The bivouac which Hill quitted this morning,
appears to be an excellent situation for the cavalry to-morrow.
It is in an olive wood, half a league south of Solana.'
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Lieut. General
Sir Stapleton Cotton, Bart.
' Albuera, 15th June, 1811.
' My dear Cotton, half past 8 a.m.
' A note from you arrived here a little after five this morn
ing, which Captain James lost, and if its contents are im
portant I request that you will repeAt them.
' General Loy has sent in here to inform me that the enemy
were advancing upon S'* Marta, and had already come as far
as Feria about six o'clock, and that he intended to retire upon
Almendral as soon as he should ascertain the fact. I conclude
that I shall hear from the officer of our cavalry who is at
Sia Marta.
' I have heard from the north of the Guadiana that the
French from Castille were in Truxillo on the 13th. They
will therefore be in Merida this night.
' Believe me, &c.
' Lieut. General ' Wellington.
Sir Stapleton Cotton, Bart.
' The letter that was lost was brought by a man of the 4th
dragoons, who takes this back, and who was dispatched at
half past one this morning. 1 understand that the letter was
not directed for me, but for Murray.'

22 SPAIN. ISU.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Lieut. General
Sir Stapleton Cotton, Bart.
' Albuera, 15th June, 1811.
' My dear Cotton, 12 at noon.
' As I have not heard from you upon the subject, I conclude
that you have not heard that the enemy's cavalry arrived in
S'" Marta * two hours ago. Some officers whom we had there
say that they could see no infantry from the steeple of tbe
church; but a Spanish officer, sent here by General Loy,
reports that there were infantry as well as cavalry, and that
the infantry were upon their own right of the great road from
Los Santos.
' The Portuguese cavalry are now marching from S Marta
upon this place, and the Spanish cavalry under Loy upon
Almendral. I have not heard of the party of British cavalry
which was to have been there, and to have reported to me here.
You ought to fall back with your cavalry to the wood in front
of this place, otherwise you may be too late.
• Believe me, &c.
' Lieut. General ' Wellington.
Sir Stapleton Cotton, Bart.'
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to R. Kennedy, Esq.
Deputy Commissary General ' Albuera, 15th June, 1811.
' My dear Sir, 12 at noon.
' I think that General Blake will commence his march from
Jurumenha for O Redondo on the 17th or 18th, and you had
better send up, on the receipt of this letter, to have the rations
got ready. ' Believe me, &c.
' R. Kennedy, Esq. ' Wellington.
Deputy Commissary General.'
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, K.B., io Marshal
Sir W. C. Beresford, K.B.
' My dear Beresford, ' Albuera, 15th June, 1811.
' It would be very desirable either to appoint a General
officer to command in Upper Beira, as Le Cor does in Lower
* A falsu rejiort.

1811. ALBUERA. 23
Beira, or to extend the powers of Le Cor over Upper Beira ;
and to have the militia there, if not actually embodied in their
towns, which in ray opinion they ought to be, at least in such
a state of organization as that we can get them for duty when
we shall want them. This would relieve me from the neces
sity of keeping a division of infantry in Beira, at least while
the enemy are weak in Castille, which is very desirable in the
existing state of our army. ' Believe me, &c.
• Marshal Sir W. C. Beresford, K.B. ' Wellington.
' The Spaniards have sent us word that the French are
advancing upon S** Marta, which however we have not heard
from any other authority, and we have officers at that place :
as an officer, however, has arrived from Truxillo, and reports
that the French entered that town on the 13th, and they
will be in Merida this evening, I shall break up from hence
this evening.'

Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Lieut. Colonel Fletcher,
Commanding Royal Engineer.
' My dear Sir, ' Albuera, 15th June, 1811.
' As we are not likely to have occasion for the four or five
tin pontoons, remaining of the six brought from Lisbon, for
some time ; and as we shall have plenty of others by the time
we shaU have occasion to use them, I am desirous of giving the
four or five tin pontoons, now at Elvas, with their carriages
and all the equipments belonging to them (excepting the
horses), to General Blake ; and I request you to deliver them
to the person who will give you this letter, or a duplicate of it.
' As the flying bridge between Elvas and Badajoz can no
longer be of any use to any body, I think it might be as
well to take it up, and have the boats, &c., lodged in Elvas,
together with the boats, casks, stores, &c., still at Jurumenha.
All this should be done as soon as may be in your power.
' Believe me, &c.
' Lieut. Colonel Fletcher.' ' Wellington.

24 SPAIN. 18U.
Lieut, General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to General Blake.
' Monsieur le General, ' a Albuera, ce 15 Juin, 1811.
' Je viens de recevoir la lettre de votre Excellence de midi
et demi. Je ne vous ai pas 6crit sur les evenemens de S'* Marta
parceque tout k I'heure, seulement, j'ai requ des nouvelles du
General Loy qui a du vous ecrire.
' Je viens de recevoir un rapport du General Cotton
d'Azeuchal, qui me dit que I'ennemi a seulement 800 hommes
decavalerie a S** Marta. II ne me dit pas ou est I'infanterie
de I'ennemi ; et I'officier qui est venu de la part du General
Loy m'a dit qu'il y en avait a S'* Marta. L'ennemi n'a pas
encore depass^ le bois de ce c6te-ci de S*^" Marta ; et le General
Erskine ecrit a onze heures et demi de Corte de Peleas qu'il
allait y envoyer trois escadrons de cavalerie Anglaise. La
cavalerie Portugaise est dans le bois en avant d'ici.
' Vous avez regu I'arrangement propose pour la marche de
cette nuit. J'ai donne I'ordre a votre cavalerie de se replier au
bois qui est en avant d'Albuera, et aussitot qu'elle arrivera je
vous ferai dire I'heure a laquelle je ferai marcher I'infanterie.
' Si I'infanterie de I'ennemi' est campee a Feria, c'est pro
bable qu'elle marchera a S'* Marta dans I'apres midi.
' J'ai I'honneur d'etre, &c.
* Le Capitaine General Blake.' ' Wellington.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to General Blake.
' Monsieur le General, " a Albuera, ce 15 Juin, 1811. 5 p.m.
' Je viens de recevoir un rapport que I'ennemi a quitte
S''' Marta et s'est porte du c6te d'Azeuchal. Je crois que la
cavalerie Anglaise y est maintenant, et que la cavalerie Espa-
gnole y sera retournee.
' Le General Hill se mettra en marche au lever de la lune,
c'est-k-dire, vers une heure du matin.
' J'ai I'honneur d'etre, &c.
' Le Capitaine General Blake.' ' Wellington,

1811. ALBUliRA. 25
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to Lieut. General
Sir Stapleton Cotton, Bart.
' My dear Cotton, ' Albuera, 16th June, 1811. 8 a.m.
' 1 was in hopes that the cavalry would have been here some
hours ago, in consequence of the orders sent to you yesterday
and last night. This movement does not depend solely upon
what is passing in your front, but principally upon what is
passing upon your left ; and you must recollect that from
hence you have six leagues at least to Elvas, near which place
probably it will be necessary the cavalry should be to-morrow
morning. Under these circumstances, 1 was anxious that you
should be here early this morning, in order that men and
horses might have time to go to rest and feed ; and that your
baggage might have time to get off before you in the afternoon.
' Your note of 9 p.m. did not arrive till after 4 this morning.
The officer of the 4th dragoons to stay with General Slade, did
not arrive till the troops had marched, and General Hill was
leaving this also, about 4. All this shows how uncertain this
description of communication is at night, and how desirable it
is that a certain direction given to a particular body of troops,
as part of a general combination, should be strictly adhered to.
' Believe me, &c.
' Lieut. General ' Wellington.
Sir Stapleton Cotton, Bart.'
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to R. Kennedy, Esq.,
Deputy Commissary General.
' My dear Sir, ' Albuera, 16th June, 1811.
' 1 am afraid that you are deceived about the bread in pos
session of the 2nd and Light divisions, as I understand they
had none yesterday, and the cavalry no corn. I understood from
you that all these divisions had their biscuit complete.
' I have'given an order, which you will see, that the blankets
in the possession of the soldiers of the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 7th
divisions should be sent to your stores at Elvas as occasion
may offer. It is desirable that they should be sent to Lisbon
by the return carriages, and there cleaned and put into store.
' Believe me, &c.
' R. Kennedy, Esq., ' Wellington.
Deputy Commissary General.'

26 SPAIN. 1811.

Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to General Blake.
' Monsieur le General, ' a Albuera, ce 16 Juin, 1811.
' L'ennemi n'a fait aucun mouvement encore de ce c6te-ci.
Ses videttes sont pres de Feria, et a Solana, Azeuchal, &c.
Nos postes d'observation sont a S'" Marta en avant de Corte
de Peleas, &c. Le General Loy est ici, et je I'ai prie d'envoyer
un escadi-on k Almendral pour y rester, si vous n'y avez pas
laisse de la cavalerie. Notre cavalerie est ici.
' L'ennemi avait hier 5000 infanterie a Villa Franca ; et
vers le soir elle est entree a Almendralejo, mais je ne sais pas
en quel nombre.
' Je viens de donner ordre pour que I'armee alliee Anglaise
et Portugaise passe la Guadiana demain matin. Les troupes
ici, et les divisions avec le G6n6ral Hill se mettront en mouve
ment vers deux heures du matin ; et demain nous nous trou-
verons avec la droite en avant d'Elvas, et la gauche a Campo
Mayor, avec nos postes sur la Caya.
' Je proposerais a votre Excellence de vous mettre en
mouvement a la m^me heure, et de passer la Guadiana a Juru
menha, laissant le General Loy comme avant-garde a Olivenqa,
oil il pourrait aller en meme tems que les autres troupes quit-
teront cette position.
' Si les mouvemens de l'ennemi sur uotre gauche vers
Talavera rendent necessaire quelque mouvement de ce c6te-
ci, plut6t qu'd I'heure ci-dessus indiqu^e, j'ordonnerai au
General Cotton de vous le communiquer tout de suite, et de
prier le General Loy de se porter sur Olivenqa par Valverde
jusqu'a ce qu'il puisse recevoir les ordres de votre Excellence.
' Je resterai ici jusqu'a vers deux heures de I'apres midi ;
et j'irai d'ici au camp du General Hill, ou je resterai vers la
nuit ; et j'irai coucher a la Quinta de Granicha de I'autre cote
de la Guadiana.
' J'ai fait marcher le General Giron, sur Villa Real, pres
Jurumenha, ce matin ; pour qu'il puisse ^tre en mesure de se
joindre avec vous sur la marche de demain.
' J'ai I'honneur d'etre, &c.
' Le Capitaine Ghiiral Blake.' ' Wellington.

1811. ELVAS. 27
memorandum.
Fbr Major Generals Campbell and Slade.
' Quinta de Granicha, 17th June, 1811. 6 a.m.
' I wish the 6 th division, and General Pack's brigade, to
cross the Tagus to-morrow, the 18th instant, and to move to
Niza, and next day, the 19th, to Portalegre.
' If this order should reach the rear of these troops so late
that they cannot reach Niza on the 18th, they must remain
either on the Tagus on the left bank, or on the stream between
the Niza and the Tagus, and march on the 19th to AlpalhaS,
and on the 20th to Portalegre.
' I wish Major General Slade's brigade to march to-morrow,
the 18th, to Sarnadas and neighbourhood from Castello Branco,
on the 19th to cross the Tagus and march to Niza, and on the
20th to march to Portalegre.
' When the troops cross at Villa Velha they must march on,
each regiment of infantry, and each troop of cavalry, as soon
as it shall have crossed, and not wait for the others.
' Major General Campbell is requested to forward this
memorandum to Brigadier General Pack without loss of time.
' Wellington.'
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, K.B., io General Blake.
• Monsieur le General, ' ^ Elvas, ce I7 Juin, 1811.
' J'ai I'honneur de faire savoir tl votre Excellence que les
troupes sous mes ordres ont fait ce matin le mouvement indique
dans la lettre que je vous ai ecrite hier de Albuera.
' Je n'ai pas encore des nouvelles positives de l'ennemi.
II y a un bruit que le General Regnier s'est porte sur Me
dellin au lieu de sur Merida. Une grande partie de la force
ennemie a passe le Tage ; et toutes leurs troupes sont en
mouvement sur Almaraz, selon les nouvelles que j'ai regues
dans la nuit, de Coria, du 15.
' J'ose recommander d votre Excellence de continuer votre
marche demain pour arriver bien vite en Andalousie. L'ennemi
ne s'attendra pas a ce mouvement; et il est probable qu'il n'en

28 PORTUGAL. 1811,
apprendra rien de quelques jours, pendant lesquels vous pour-
rez avoir le tems de faire un beau coup.
' J'ai I'honneur d'etre, &c.
' Le Capitaine General Blake.' ' Wellington.

Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to Lieut. General
Sir Brent Spencer, K.B.'
' My dkar Spencer, ' Quinta de Granicha, 17th June, 1811.
' 1 send with this, orders addressed to Major General Camp
bell and General Pack, to march to Niza to-morrow, the 18th,
and to Portalegre the 19th ; and to Major General Slade to
march to Sarnadas the 18th, to Niza the 19th, and to Porta
legre the 20th. It is important that these orders should reach
them without loss of time, and I shall be obliged to you if you
will send them copies of this letter by an officer, besides my
memorandum addressed to each by the guide, who must not
be delayed a moment. ' Believe me, &c.
' Lieut. General ' Wellington.
Sm- Brent Spencer, K.B.'

Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to Marshal
Sir W. C. Beresford, K.B.
• My dear Beresford, ' Elvas, 17th June, 1811. 8 p.m.
' Campo Mayor must of course at present be supplied from
hence, and as that place is in the first instance of primary im
portance, 1 have desired Mr. Kennedy to settle with the Super-
intendant of Viveres, to send there to-morrow morning 20,000
rations, which will last the garrison about a month, which is
all we want of them. 14,000 rations were sent to Jurumenha
this afternoon at four o'clock upon 40 mules ; and if you will
let Mr. Kennedy know immediately what ammunition you
wish to have back, he will bring it back upon these mules as
far as they will go. Our ammunition has already been brought
here, I understand from Colonel Framingham.
' In respect to the wounded of the French army, I know
nothing of them, as General Leite and the Portuguese depart
ments have had charge of them from the beginning ; but if we

1811. ELVAS. 29
should receive any distinct account of the numbers which
require carriages, and what can walk, I have no doubt but that
we shall be able to remove the whole.
' Believe me, &c.
' Marshal Sir W. C. Beresford, KB.' ' Wellington.

Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Colonel Austin.
' My dear Sir, ' Elvas, 17th June, 1811.
' 1 am much obliged to you for your two letters of the 15th,
which I just received.
' General Blake marches from Jurumenha to-morrow, and ,
will arrive at Mertola on the 22nd or 23rd. He passes by
Beja, where he will be on the 20th or 21st, and you will do
well to communicate with him at that place.
' Believe me, &c.
• Colonel .iustin.' ' Wellington.

Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, K.B., io His Excellency
Charles Stuart.
'Sir, ' Elvas, 17th June, 1811.
' In the course of the last three months, the British army
have had but few men less than 7000 wounded in the service
of Portugal ; and the hardships and fatigues of the service,
and the season, must, of course, have occasioned some sickness.
' I have frequently endeavored to prevail upon the Portu
guese Government to allow us to establish the British hospitals
in the rope walk at Belem, of which no use can at present, or
indeed ought to be made ; and I find that the convents, &c ,
which were used as hospitals at Lisbon by the British army
heretofore, are now applied to other purposes, and all accom
modation of this description is now refused.
'I beg you will do me the favor to lay this letter before the
Portuguese Government, and to obtain for me a decided an
swer, by return of post, whether they will or not supply any,
and what accommodation, at Lisbon, for the British soldiers
wounded in fighting the battles of Portugal.
' If I should find the Government still disinclined to attend
to my requests upon this subject, 1 propose to send an officer
express to England to apprise his [Soyal Highness the Prince

30 PORTUGAL. 1811.
Regent and his Ministers of this extraordinary circumstance,
and I request to hear from you as soon as possible.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart.'
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to His Excellency
Charles Stuart.
' My dear Sir, 'Elvas, 17th June, 1811.
' I have received your letters of the 12th, 13th, and 15th,
but as I have been forward with the troops for some days,
I have not been able to send you answers as regularly as I
ought. ' I do not recollect to have written to you upon the subject
of hay, in Lower Beira. If I should want any article of that
description, and money is to be laid out in the previous collec
tion of it for a magazine for the British army, I shall employ
a British Commissary on the service, as 1 know from experience
what a very good thing it is to give money to have a magazine
collected for the British army by the Portuguese. We can
scarcely keep them out of the magazines we collect for our
selves, and we should scarcely get into one which they should
collect for us.
' I shall send Dr. Somers' memorial home.
' If it was not a matter of most serious importance, which
may go not only to the safety of the army, but to the fate of
the whole cause, I should be highly diverted by the busde
occasioned at Lisbon by the danger of Elvas. All of a sudden
the utmost activity prevails, and all means are set at work to
relieve distress which ought never to have existed, if common
precautions had been taken, or if any measures had been
adopted to feed General Hamilton's division, excepting to
throw their consumption upon the magazines of the fortress.
After all, this bustle will produce nothing in time ; and if I
cannot get up a sufficient supply from our magazines, I shall
be obliged to fight a battle to save this place against the whole
force of Andalusia, Castille, and the centre of Spain, with di
minished force on my side. The enemy will be one fourth
stronger than us in every arm, nearly double in cavalry ; and
we shall not have iu the action 14,000 Portuguese troops ! I
' Under these circumstances 1 should, and shall, avoid a

1811. elvas. 31
general action if I can ; but I must put a countenance upon
the state of affairs, and matters must be risked till provisions
be placed in Elvas.
' The Portuguese Government may depend upon my bring
ing this subject under the distinct consideration of the Regent's
Ministers. 1 have long determined that I will have no discus
sion with them upon any subject ; but 1 shall report the con
sequences of their conduct to my own Government, and leave
to them to determine what shall be done. I conclude, how
ever, that Lord Wellesley will think it necessary that our
Regent should explain himself clearly to the Regent of Portu
gal on these subjects.
' I have no objection to agricultural cattle being purchased
and distributed to the districts that require them, provided
the money which is to purchase them is not to come out of the
military chest. I give the same answer about pipes.
' I also beg that whatever is thus given in charity may be
given on the ground of the wants of the several districts, and
by no means in reference to the wants of the means of transport
for the military operations. The Government have it in their
power to collect those means of transport whenever we may
require them, and ought to do their duty ; and I do not think
that the charity of the people of England ought to be laid out
to aid in the operations of the war, or to save the Government
the trouble of forcing those parts of the people who have not
suffered to do their duty by their country.
' The quantity of 24 pound shot, we understand, that could
be sent from Lisbon, was 480, which we fired in about two
hours 1 ! ! 1 never heard there were any at Estremoz. This
place, however, has 6000 more shot than it had before we
commenced operations against Badajoz ; and although we de
stroyed sixteen miserable guns, it has four more pieces of
ordnance, and these sent up are better than those they had.
All it wants is provisions.
' The state of this place, however, and the means of keeping it
hereafter, are subjects of very, very, serious consideration, upon
which 1 shall address Sir William Beresford, and I shall send to
you, and to my Government, a copy of my letter. If we save
it now, this Government will yet lose it, if they pay the usual
attention to it.
' Soult has been very cautious in his movements, and has

32 PORTUGAL. 1811.
kept clear of us, and has gone to his right. I think he com
municated with Regnier yesterday, not by Merida, but by
Medellin, as Regnier also does not dash now.
' We raised the blockade and crossed the Guadiana this
morning. ' Blake marches to-morrow to cross the Guadiana again at
Mertola, and try something towards Seville.
' Believe me, &c.
• His Excellency ' Wellington.
Cliarles Stuart.'

Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to Lieut. General
Sir Stapleton Cotton, Bart.
'Sir, ' Elvas, 18th June, 1811.
' Adverting to my letter to you ofthe 2nd instant, regarding
two squadrons of the 12th light dragoons expected from Eng
land in this country, I have now the honor to enclose the copy
,of a letter of the 28th May, which 1 received yesterday from
the Secretary of the Commander in Chief, in which I have
been informed that the squadrons of the 12th light dragoons
are destined for service in Portugal. You will therefore coun
termand the orders for the disposal of their horses, if you should
have given any ; and I send orders this day that they may be
landed and prepared for the field as soon as they shall arrive.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' Lieut. General ' Wellington.
Sir S. Cotton, Bart.'

Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Marshal
Sir W. C. Beresford, K.B.
'Sib, ' Elvas, 18th June, 1811.
' The circumstances of this place have been materially al
tered since the enemy have obtained possession of Badajoz ;
but they appear to have been but little adverted to hitherto,
either by the Governors of the kingdom, or by those charged
with its immediate defence, in consequence of a large part of
the army having been in this ])art of the country ever since
Badajoz fell into the hands of the enemy. It is obvious that
the army cannot always remain in the Alentejo, and yet it is

"^'^ll- ELVAS. 33
clear from what occurred in the recent attempts to obtain
possession of Badajoz by the allied troops, that there is no
time during which the army may be absent so short that the
enemy will not be justified in military prudence to make the
attempt to obtain possession of Elvas, and that they can raise
the siege at any time, and carry off every thing in thirty-six
hours. ' Of all fortified towns in the world, Elvas therefore ouo-ht
to be the one in the state best prepared to stand an attack ;
and I am sorry to observe that, however respectable in itself
as a fortification, it appears to me to be the fortified town th;it
I have yet seen that is the least prepared to make a defence.
' I recommend to you to draw the attention of the Go
vernors of the kingdom to the following measures, to put the
place in the state in which it ought to be.
'First; a distinct, clear arrangement by the Government
to keep the place supplied with the provisions which it will
require ; to keep up the stock of provisions in the forts to the
quantity which it will be deemed necessary to have in them.
' The Commissary General of th« British army is taking
measures, as you know, to throw a stock of provisions into
Elvas ; but these measures will answer only a temporary pur
pose, if the Government should not take care, by adequate
arrangements, to keep up the stock of provisions, and providing
for the regular daily consumption of the garrison, as well as
for the consumption of those Portuguese troops which may be
employed in its neighbourhood.
' The ordnance in Elvas is generally very bad, and in very
bad order ; the carriages worn out, and generally unfit for
service ; the shot does not suit the calibres of the guns, and of
course the practice of the artillery must be very uncertain.
The ordnance and carriages should be very particularly in
spected, and reported upon, as well as the shot ; and measures
should be taken to replace by degrees those guns deemed
unserviceable or bad, by others of the calibres for which shot
can be procured. If there is no good ordnance in the arsenal
at Lisbon, it will be necessary to apply for it to England, and
I will make the application.
' As Elvas must now be considered in the light of a real and
important place de guerre, it is desirable that a sufficient space,
from 800 to 1000 yards around it, should be cleared of trees,

VOL. VIII.

34 PORTUGAL. 1811.
that walls and fences should be levelled, and all the measures
adopted which can increase its security, by exposing to its fire,
as far as possible, all the ground within its range.
'There are some glaring deficiencies and defects in the works,
to which, without incurring any large expense, by degrees,
improvements might be made.
' First ; the covert way, as well of Elvas as of La Lippe
and S"* Lucia, ought to be palisaded.
' Secondly ; the ground over which the road from Villa
Boim passes is not seen at all from S'^ Lucia, or from the
body of the place ; and it appears that a redoubt on the rock
on the right of S'"^ Lucia would command that ground, and
would aid in the defence of S'" Lucia, and of the body of the
place, by both of which its flanks would, in some degree, be
protected. A good palisaded redoubt ought to be constructed
on that ground.
' I have no doubt that a closer examination of the place would
point out other improvements ; and if I saw any desire in the
Government to maintain the place manifested, by their constant
attention to keep it supplied with provisions, ordnance, and
ammunition, I would employ our best engineer to examine it,
and to make a complete report upon it.
' In the existing situation of Elvas as a fortified garrison,
liable at every moment to be attacked, it is a question whether
the head quarters of the province of Alentejo should remain
there, and so large a population as there is in it should be en
couraged, or even allowed to remain. At all events, nobody
ought to be allowed to remain who has not at all times a supply
of provisions for four months.
' The duty of the garrison, and the discipline of the troops
composing it, ought to be most particularly attended to ; and
the whole system ought to be founded on the situation in which
Elvas is placed as a fortified garrison, necessarily left to itself,
close to one occupied by an active and enterprizing enemy,
possessing means of attack at any moment ; and the duties
ought to be carried on in the most regular manner.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' Marshal Sir W. C. Beretford, KB.' ' Wellington.

181 L ELVAS. 35

Lieut. General Viscount WeUington, K.B., to Major General Peacoche.
'Sir, ' Elvas, 18th June, 1811.
' I request, that when the 12th light dragoons shall arrive
at Lisbon, they may be landed and prepared in the usual
manner to join the army as soon as it may be convenient.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' Major General Peacocke.' ' Wellington.

Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My dear Lord, ' Elvas, isth Juno, 1811.
' I enclose the copy of an intercepted letter from Joseph to
Napoleon, which appears to me to be as interesting a docu
ment as has yet appeared ; and you may depend upon it that
this is a true copy of the original, which is at Cadiz, in the
possession of that Government.
« It shows that this tyrant does not treat his relations, or
even his brothers, l)etter than he does other people ; and
gives ground for hope that his tyrannical temper will at no
distant period deprive him of the advantages which he would
derive from the Austrian alliance. ' Believe me, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool' ' Wellington.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My Lord ' Elvas, 18th June, 1811.
' Captain ¦  , of the French service, who*was aide de
camp to General  , deserted from the French army about
a month ago, when they were at Salamanca.
' He is desirous of serving in the East Indies, which is,
I believe, impossible ; or if that cannot be done, in the service
of Russia ; and I request your Lordship to facifitate to him
the means of arriving in Russia.
' 1 have the honor to be, &c.
The Earl of Liverpool' ' Well ington.

36 PORTUGAL. 1811.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to Major General Picton.
' My dear Sir, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 20th June, 1811. 6 p.m.
' I write to let you know that a body of the enemy's
cavalry, consisting, as is stated, of 1500 or 1600 men, entered
Badajoz at half past 4 p.m. ; about 300 are said to be encamped
upon the Gevora. ' Believe me, &c.
' Major General Picton.' ' Wellington.
L'ieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Marshal
Sir W. C. Beresford, K.B.
' Quinta de St. Joao, 20th June, 1811.
' My dear Beresford, l pm-
' I have been over the ground behind Campo Mayor, as
far as Ouguela. It is very important that this last place,
although in a great degree dismantled, should be occupied by
about 200 infantry, and I have given orders to General
Picton to send there that number this evening, and shall be
obliged to you, if you will desire General Leite to relieve them
in the morning early with 100 of the line, and 100 militia ;
they should take with them provisions for to-morrow and next
day, and 1 will settle with the Commissary General to throw in,
for ten days, provisions for them ; there will be no difficulty in
withdrawing these men, if we should withdraw.
' I have sent for Dickson to endeavor to get two 18 or 24
pounders for the garrison of Campo Mayor, in order to assist
us ; and I think it might be desirable to put two iron 6 or 4
pounders in Ouguela, if there are such guns in Elvas.
' Believe me, &c.
' Marshal Sir^W. C. Beresford, KB.' ' Wellington.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
* My Lord, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 20th June, 1811.
' The enemy moved forward his advanced guard, consisting
of about 10,000 men, to Los Santos, on the morning of
the 13th.
' Upon this occasion, Lieut. Strenuwitz, of the 21st dragoons,
was sent out by Major General Sir William Erskine to recon-
naitre the enemy with a small detachment of the 2nd hussars,

1811. quinta dk ST. joa5. 37
and the 3rd dragoon guards, which distinguished themselves
in an attack upon a superior number of the enemy, and took
some prisoners.
' I had arranged that the cavalry, and 2nd and 4th divisions
of the allied British and Portuguese army, and the corps of
Spanish troops under General Blake, should collect upon
Albuera, if the enemy should advance to interrupt the siege or
blockade of Badajoz ; and 1 went to Albuera on that night to
superintend the movements of the troops.
' I also moved, on the night of the 13th, General Hamilton's
division from the blockade of Badajoz to Albuera, with an
intention to stop the enemy at that place, in case the army of
the south alone should have moved forward.
' On the 14th, in the night, Lieut. Ayling, of the 40th
i'«giment, who had been employed at Truxillo to observe the
movements of the enemy, arrived at Albuera with the account
that the advanced guard of the enemy's army of Portugal from
Castille had entered that town (Truxillo) at noon on the 13th,
which confirmed the other accounts which I had received of
their progress up to the 12th ; and as from Truxillo they
might have been at Merida on the 15th, and in communication
with the army of the south, I determined to raise the blockade
of Badajoz, and that all the allied troops should cross the
Guadiana on the 17th, This was accordingly effected with
out difficulty or loss of any description ; and General Blake,"
who it had been settled should cross the Guadiana again at
Mertola on the 22nd instant, in order to make an attempt upon
Seville, likewise crossed with his corps at Jurumenha on
the 17th.
' Since that period, the right of the allied British and Portu
guese army have been encamped in the woods upon the Caya,
about Torre del Moro, having their right upon the Ponte de
Caya ; the 3rd and 7th divisions, and Brigadier General Mad-
den's cavalry, being in Campo Mayor ; and the troops which
had been under the command of Lieut. General Sir Brent
Spencer on the frontier of Castille, have crossed the Tagus at
Villa Velha in proportion as the enemy have crossed that
river at Almaraz ; and with the exception of the Sth division,
and Colonel Barbacena's brigade of Portuguese cavalry, which
I did not order to move from Lower Beira till 1 was assured
that the last of the enemy had moved for Almaraz, the whole

38 PORTUGAL. 1811.
are now upon the Caya, between this place and Arrohches.
I expect that the 5th division will be at Arronches by the 24th
instant. ' The enemy's advance have appeared in the neighbourhood
of Badajoz this day ; and I conceive that their whole army
will be collected to-morrow in the neighbourhood of Merida.
' The enemy have collected upon this occasion all their
force from Castille, their whole force from Madrid, and what
is called their centre army ; and all the force from Andalusia,
excepting what is absolutely necessary to maintain their posi
tion before Cadiz, and that held by Sebastiani in the eastern
kingdoms of Andalusia. I believe that they have left for
these objects about 11,000 infantry, and no cavalry fit for
service; and that they have collected in this province from
48,000 to 50,000 effective rank and file of infantry, and
about 7000 cavalry, besides artillery, &c.
' 1 hope to have to oppose to them about 41,000 or 42,000
effective rank and file of infantry, if the 5th division should
be in time, and 4000 cavalry, besides artillery.
' The diversion made by General Blake upon Seville, may
possibly have a good effect ; and at all events, the enemy have
abandoned Old and New Castille, with the exception of a
small garrison in Madrid, and have risked every thing in all
parts of Spain in order to collect this large army in Estre
madura. Under these circumstances, I am inclined not to
risk the fate of the cause on the result of one battle, in which
I am certain that, with every exertion, the allies must be in
ferior in numbers, particularly in that description of troops
(cavalry) for whose operations this country is favorable. I
therefore propose not to risk an action, unless I should find
it necessary in order to provision Elvas ; notwithstanding that
I have the fullest confidence in the result of any action in
which I may deem it expedient to engage the troops.
' I am in hopes that before the 24th, the convoys expected
from Abrantes will arrive in Elvas ; and your Lordship may
depend upon it that I shall not engage in any affair which
will involve the safety of the army, or at this moment any
serious loss, without evident necessity.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' The Earl nf Liverpool: 'Wellington.

1811. QUINTA DE ST. JOa8. 39
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to R. Kennedy, Esq.,
Deputy Commissary General.
' My dear Sir, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 21st June, 1811.
' 1 have desired that 200 men of the garrison of Elvas
might be sent to occupy Ouguela, which is situated about four
miles from Campo Mayor. As usual, the Portuguese autho
rities have no means of providing for these men, and I shall
be obliged to you if you will send biscuit, wine, and sheep to
Ouguela either this day, or very early to-morrow, to last this
detachment for ten days. ' Believe me, &c.
' R. Kennedy, Esq., ' Wellington.
Deputy Commissary General.
' How are the supplies getting on at Elvas ?'
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to Lieut. General
Sir Brent Spencer; K.B.
' Quinta de Granicha, 21st June, 1811.
' My dear Spencer, Half-past 2 p.m.
' I have been so busy that I have not been able to write to
you for some days, but I have had no news to tell you.
' The French came to Badajoz yesterday, but it appears
that the greatest part of their cavalry went back to Talavera
this morning.
' I shall be very much obliged to you if you will send Waters
and O'Lalor, and any others of the officers attached to head
quarters, that you do not want with you. I am only three or
four leagues from you, and dine every day at 3, and shall be
glad to see you any day that you will come over.
' Believe me, &c.
' Lieut. General ^ ' Wellington.
Sir Brent Spencer, KfB.'
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to the Right Hon.
Henry Wellesley.
Q ' Quinta de St. Joao, 21st June, 1811.
« I have the honor to enclose a letter which I wrote on the
10th instant to General Castaiios*, regarding the operations of
the armies in consequence of raising the siege of Badajoz, with
his reply, and that of General Blake, and the copy of a letter
* See vol. vii., p. 634.

40 PORTUGAL. 1811.
which I wrote to General Blake of the 12th instant'', on his
route, and his reply, and of one which 1 wrote to him on the
14th instantf ; and the copy of a letter to General Blake of the
17th instant:^, which I beg you to lay before the Spanish
Government. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' The Rt. Hon. H. Wellesley: ' Wellington.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to the Right Hon.
H. Wellesley.
' My dear Henry, ' Quinta de St Joao, 21st June, 1811.
• 1 enclose copies of my last dispatches, which contain all
the intelligence I can give you. Matters are in a very critical
state just now, but I think I shall carry them through.
' Ever yours, most affectionately,
' The Right Hon. H. Wellesley: ' Wellington.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., io Major General
Sir William Erskine, Bart.
' Ponte de Caya, 22nd June, 1811.
' My dear Sir William, Quarter past 5 p.m.
' The enemy appear to be withdrawing, and I beg you will
order  to take up his ground in any convenient
situation near Elvas, and that he will attend to the directions
he before received from Sir Stapleton Cotton, to throw out
small piquets of observations on the Caya and Guadiana. If
he had had his whole brigade instead of a large piquet on the
Caya, he could not have prevented the enemy from advancing,
and the difficulty of retiring is increased in proportion to the
numbers of which the body which is to retire consists. This
principle is well known and understood jn this army ; and if it
had not been acted upon invariably, we should have lost all
our cavalry long ago in the way in which   lost
the piquet of the 11th this morning. To crown all, I under
stand that these large piquets were not able to give sufficiently
early intelligence of the enemy, and that the 11th dragoons
have lost their corn sacks.
' Let the piquets of   's brigade communicate
with those of General Madden, which they have not done yet,
* See this vol., p. 4. f Ibid. p. 14. I Ibid. p. 22.

181L quinta de ST. joaO. 41
and with the piquet of the 28th regiment on the Atalaya, near
the Ponte de Caya ; and I repeat that they must be very small,
being only of observation. They can always retire upon Elvas,
and thence join their brigades. ' Believe me, &c.
' Major Gen. Sir W. Erskine, Bart. ' Wellington.
' Let Colonel Murray know where General  's brigade
will be, and desire General  to apply to the Commissary
General this evening for corn sacks for the 11th dragoons ; he
is in Elvas.'
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Major General Picton.
' Quinta de St. Joao, 23rd June, 1811.
' My dear General, Half past 11 a.m.
¦ I shall be very much obliged to you if you will send an
intelligent officer, with a glass, to Ouguela, and another to the
Atalaya, between Ouguela and Campo Mayor, an hour or two
before sunset this evening, in order to reconnaitre well the
wood beyond the Gevora, and to see whether the enemy have in
it any infantry, and let me know if they should observe any.
' Believe me, &c.
' Major General Picton: ' Wellington.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Marshal
Sir W. C. Beresford, K.B.
' Quinta de St. Joao, 23rd June, 1811.
' My dear Beresford, Half past 11 p.m.
' I am just come in from Campo Mayor, where all is per
fectly quiet. General Picton told me that the Governor
had informed him that he had sent to Elvas yesterday, by
order of General Leite, 40 bullocks, which had before been
sent to Campo Mayor, as provision for the garrison. '
' Believe me, &c.
' Marshal Sir W. C. Beresford, K.B. ' Wellington.
' P.S. Mr. Kennedy tells me that the Governor of Juru
menha has sent his bullocks back, saying that he had no money
to pay any body to take care of them !'

42 PORTUGAL. 1811.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Vice Admiral
the Hon. G. Berkeley.
' Sir ' Quinta de St. Joao, 23rd June, 1811.
' I have had the honor of receiving your letter of the 20th '
instant, and I am much obliged to you for the arrangement
which you have ordered respecting the flat boats in the river
Tagus, for the conveyance of the sick, &c., down to Lisbon.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' Vice Admiral ' Wellington.
the Hon. G. Berkeley:
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., io His Excellency
Charles Stuart,
« Sir, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 23rd June, 1811.
* I have had the honor of receiving your letter of the 19th
instant, and I have again communicated to Sir William Beres
ford the desire of the Portuguese Government that he should
recommend the detail of the measures to be adopted in respect
to the Commissariat.
' 1. It appears to Marshal Beresford, as 1 confess it does to
me, that these details have already been fully discussed and re
commended by him, as well as by me ; by me in my private and
public letters to you of the 26th of March and 8th of April,
and by Sir William Beresford in his comments upon those
letters. It is desirable, therefore, that Sir William Beresford
should be informed upon what point the Government wish to
have his opinion further in detail.
' I have not understood that the Commissary General re
quired hay in Lower Beira, but 1 will inquire.
' 2. It always gives me much concern to make any observa
tion on an assertion made by Dom M. de Forjaz, but I must
say that the assertion made that the magazines of Elvas sup
plied the British troops with provisions is without foundation,
in the view in which it is made.
' It is true that, because the Government will not enforce
their own regulations, means of transport could not be procured
in Alentejo, and therefore at times the troops serving on that
frontier, during the month of April and part of May, were not
very regularly supplied with provisions.
' I beg to refer you to a letter which I wrote to you on this
on the 31st March.

1811. quinta DE ST. joa8. 43
' The troops must have been withdrawn, as I stated they
would, if they had not received occasional assistance from the
garrison of Elvas; but the whole amount which they received
was trifling, and could not have been the cause of the existing
distress, as the whole was repaid.
' If assertions of this description are repeated, I must be
under the necessity of withholding all assistance from the Por
tuguese Government. I do every thing in my power to assist
them. At this moment I have provisioned all the forts on the
frontier, and the return made is a reproach that our troops
have been the cause of the deficiency .
' If I were to withhold this assistance, our troops would
never have occasion to ask for any, even the smallest supply,
from any of the Portuguese establishments.
' I am apprehensive that the money received from Mr. Sam-
payo to be laid out in the purchase of cattle and wine pipes
will interfere with the supplies for the military chest.
'3. I do not know of any signal being made to prevent the
transmission of 24 pound shot. I was informed by Marshal
Sir William Beresford that there were no more at Lisbon, ex
cepting 480 which the Admiral was about to send.
' 4. I have this day had the honor of receiving your letter of
the 21st, containing a proposition from Dom M. de Forjaz
for the regulation of the boats on the Tagus. I concur in the
propriety of the first two Articles of the regulation, and will
direct the Commissary General to attend to them. In respect
to the 3rd Article, which regulates a division of the boats be
tween the Commissariat establishments of the two armies, I
must beg leave to decline to have any concern in such a dis
tribution. ' When the troops were on the Mondego, such a distribution
was agreed upon, and carried into effect ; and the consequence
was, that the boats delivered over by the Commissary General,
and employed in the service of the Portuguese army, were
never paid for, and the British army has since experienced the
inconvenience resulting from this loss of credit. The owners
of boats on the Mondego were unwilling to engage to serve us,
because they expected to be obliged to serve the Portuguese
army without payment. ' 1 have the honor to be, &c.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:

44 PORTUGAL. 181 L
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Marshal Marmoni,
Due de Raguse. ' Au-Quartier General,
' Monsieur le Marechal, ce24 Juin, 1811.
' Je suis bien fache que vous n'ayez pas re^u la reponse
que je vous ai ecrite a la lettre que vous m'avez fait I'honneur
de m'ecrire le 16 Mai, et j'ai I'honneur, a present, d'en envoyer
a votre Excellence le duplicata.
' Je crois que Mons. Ville sur Ance a ete depuis envoye
en Angleterre ; mais si votre Excellence consent que Monsieur
Gray reste ici, je manderai que Mons. Ville sur Ance soit
tout de suite renvoye en France. Si non,je renverrai Mon
sieur Gray aux avant-postes de I'armee Franqaise demain matin,
ou aussitot que je connaitrai les desirs de votre Excellence.
' J'ai I'honneur d'etre, &c.
' Monsieur le Marechal ' Wellington.
Due de Raguse:
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., io Lieut. General-Graham.
' Sir, " Quinta de St. Joao, 24th June, 1811.
' I have the honor to enclose the copy of a letter which 1
have received from the Secretary of State, directing that you
should join this army, leaving Major General Disney in the
command at Cadiz, and authorizing me to draw from Cadiz
such reinforcements as I might think proper.
' Adverting to the return of the troops at Cadiz of the 1st
June, which is the last that 1 have received, I find that you
have not at Cadiz nearly so many men as is supposed by the
Secretary of State ; and I learn from a private letter from Mr.
Wellesley, your letter upon that subject not having reached
me, that you have detached the 2nd batt. 47th regiment; and
it appears to me that the only troops that can be spared from
Cadiz are one squadron, or the dismounted men of the 2nd
hussars, with the Major and a proportion of the officers, and
the detachment of the 3rd batt. 95th regiment. If you should
agree in opinion with me that these troops can, with propriety,
be detached from Cadiz under existing circumstances, 1 beg
you to send them to Lisbon without loss of time.
' I also request you to give such orders and instructions, as
you may think necessary that General Disney should have.

1811. quinta de ST. joa8. 45
including those which I originally gave to General Stewart,
and those which you have received from time to time from the
Secretary of State and Commander in Chief; and you will
deliver to General Disney the command of the British troops
at Cadiz, and proceed yourself to join the army in this
country. ' I beg you to make such arrangements as you may think
proper respecting the Staff at Cadiz, bringing with you such
of the officers belonging to it as you may be desirous should
accompany you, and leaving to perform the duties, under
Major General Disney, those who may be necessary to him.
' 1 have the honor to be, &c.
' Lieut. General Graham: ' Wellington.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to Lieut. General Graham.
' My' dear Sir, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 24th June, 1811.
' I have great pleasure in sending you the accompanying
orders to join this army. You will find us somewhere in this
neighbourhood ; but 1 believe you will find it most convenient
to join us by Lisbon, particularly if you should have at all a
fair wind from Cadiz. Let me know by which road you will
come, that I may have arrangements made to facilitate your
progress. ' I do not know whether you have had any communication
from England respecting sending troops to Tarragona. If you
have not, I should think you had better take advantage of the
detachment now drawn from Cadiz to call back the 47th, as,
if the Government have not altered their opinion upon this
subject, I am apprehensive that they will not approve of your
sending these troops.
' This is, however, only an opinion floating in my mind. I
am not at all aware of the circumstances in which Tarragona
stands, or of those which induced you to detach these troops,
as I have not yet received your letter upon this subject, and it
is not improbable that both may be of that urgent nature to
prevent your recalling the troops.
' Nothing of importance has occurred since I sent my last
dispatch to my brother, excepting a great reconnaissance by
the enemy the day before yesterday, in which we lost a piquet
of the 11th dragoons, just arrived, owing very much to the

46 PORTUGAL. 1811.
officer,  of the 11th, having mistaken the French
dragoons for ours. ' Believe me, &c.
' Lieut. General Graham: ' Wellington.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, K.B., io Lieut. General Hill.
' Quinta de St. Joao, 25th June, 1811.
' My dear Hill, 12 at Noon.
' About 1600 cavalry, which were at Olivenqa, have come
over to Badajoz, and at half past nine were still upon the
esplanade of the fort on the left of the Guadiana.
' Send this intelligence to Cotton and Picton, as it is not
improbable they may make another reconnaissance upon Campo
Mayor. ' Believe me, &c.
' Lieut. General Hill' ' Wellington.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to Marshal
Sir W. C. Beresford, K.B.
' Quinta de St. Joao, 25th June, 1811.
' My dear Beresford, 2 p.m.
' I enclose an account of what is already thrown into Elvas
by Mr. Kennedy. Would you wish to have any more thrown
in by us ?
' You will have seen how well pleased they are in England
about Albuera. I wish to see you upon that subject.
' Believe me, &c.
' Marshal Sir W. C. Beresford, K.B: ' Wellington.
lAeut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Major General Campbell ,
Commanding at Gibraltar.
' Sir, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 25th June, 1811.
' I have the honor to enclose the extract of a letter which I
have received from the Secretary of State, in consequence of
which I have requested Admiral Berkeley to send to Gibraltar
vessels to convey to Lisbon the 1st batt. 28th regiment; and
I beg you to order them to embark as soon as those vessels
shall arrive at Gibraltar. ' 1 have the honor to be, &c.
' Major General Campbell' ' Wellington.

1811- quinta de ST. joa5. 47
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Vice Admiral
ihe Hon. G. Berkeley.
' Sir ' Quinta de St. Joao, 25th June, 1811.
' In consequence of the receipt of orders from the Secretary of
State, I have to request that you will send vessels to Gibraltar,
to convey from thence to Lisbon the 1st batt. 28th regiment,
which consists of about 600 rank and file.
' I have the honor to enclose a letter for the Governor of
Gibraltar, which I request you to forward by this occasion.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' Vice Admiral 'Wellington.
the Hon. G. Berkeley:

Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Lieut. General
Sir Stapleton Cotton, Bart.
' On the Atalaya of Ponte de Caya, 25th June, 181 1.
'.My dear Cotton, Half-past 6 p.m.
' The intelligence which 1 have from Elvas this day states
that about 1600 cavalry left Olivenqa this morning, marched
through Badajoz at ten, passed the river, and went into the
woods on the Gevora, where I now see them, and that 600
cavalry went from the woods on the other side of Badajoz to
Olivenqa. ' I think it possible that there may be a great reconnais
sance to-morrow morning at Campo Mayor, and therefore I
recommend that General De Grey's and Anson's brigades, and
Le Fevre's troop of artillery, should be shortly after day light
behind the hill behind the town. " Believe me, &c.
Lieut. General ' Wellington.
Sir Stapleton Cotton, Bart:
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Colonel Murray,
Quarter Master General.
' Sir, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 25th June, 1811. 8 p.m.
' The greatest part of the cavalry which were about Oli-
ven(ja have certainly moved into the woods on the Gevora,
where I saw them this afternoon.
' I have desired Sir Stapleton Cotton to have De Grey's

48 PORTUGAL. 1811.
brigade and Anson's on the hill behind Campo Mayor in the
morning, as I think it not unlikely that there will be a recon
naissance on that place, and it would be advisable that Sir Wil
liam Erskine should be desired to have Long's brigade shortly
after day-light near the Ponte de Caya, as it is clear that the
cavalry are now on this side of the Guadiana, and to the north
ward of Badajoz. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' Colonel Murray, 'Wellington.
Quarter Master General'
memorandum.
' Quinta de St. Joao, 25th June, 1811.
' I. The Junta de Viveres to be abohshed, and in lieu of
that Board a Commissariat to be appointed, consisting of a
Commissary General, a certain number of deputies, assistants,
and clerks, to perform the task of provisioning the Portuguese
army. ' 2. For the present it is proposed to appoint a Commissary
General, six deputies, twelve assistants, and twenty-four clerks.
' 3. The Commissary General to receive possession of all the
magazines and stores of the Junta de Viveres, and to cor-
respond in the same manner with the magistrates in the dif
ferent districts.
' 4. The Commissary General should be obliged to give in
an estimate, on the 1st of every month, of the articles and their
cost required for his department, stating for what purposes
required, where to be sent, the expense of transport, &c., for
which the Government should be obliged to furnish funds.
The Commissary General must show in each estimate the state
of the magazines in every part of Portugal, and how far each
can be made available for the service.
' 5. The Commissariat of provisions and transport to be
united. ' 6. The departments of the arsenal to be more distinctly
mentioned, and the head of each department to be responsible
for the duties of it. Estimates from the arsenal to be furnished
every month, of the articles and their cost, required for
each of the departments, and funds to be provided by the
Government for the payment of them.
' 7. All the civil departments attached to the army (the

ISll. QUINTA DK Sr. ,I0AO. 4!)
commissariat, arsenal, and ho.'spitals) to be placed under mili
tary law. All crimes committed by the people employed in
those departments to be tried by Courts Martial. The inter
position of the civil law in all such cases to be abolished. A
code of regulations to be framed, and specific punishments to
be decreed for certain crimes and misdemeanors.
' 8. A medical board to be formed, consisting of the dele-
ijado of the Phijsico Mor and the inspector of hospitals, for the
general management of the medical department. The dele-
yado is more particularly to superintend the physical depart
ments, and the Inspector General the surgical. The hospitals
to be under the superintendence ofthe Inspector General, who
will make his report to the Board. The medical officers
should, on the 1st of every month, give in an estimate of the
expense of their departments, and the Government should be
obliged to provide funds for the pavment of them.
' 9. Though the commissariat and medical departments are
to be placed under military law, it is clearly to be understood
that the rise of each individual is not to be regulated on any
military principle, but that each individual is to be promoted
according to his merit.
' 10. The military law to be altered according to the sug
gestions of Lord Wellington, and the repeated representations
of ]\Iarshal Beresford.
' 11. The Government to enforce strictly their own laws
and regulations respecting the means of transport to be
supplied by the country for the use of the army ; and specific
punishments, whether of fine or confinement, to be decreed
against those guilty of withholding their carts, boats, &c.,
when required in the regular manner for the public service;
and against carters and boatmen guilty of desertion and of
embezzlement, or destruction of provisions or stores, which they
are employed to transport.
' 12. The odious and oppressive system of embargo to be
abolished ; and any commissary, or officer, or other public ser
vant guilty of it to be punished.
' 13. The Government to provide funds for the regular pay
ment of the officers and troops, regulars as well as militia, of
the Bagajeiros attached to the several regiments, and of all the
departments of the army.
' Wellixgton.'
VOL. viii. e

50 PORTUGAL. 1811.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., io Vice Admiral ¦
the Hon. G. Berkeley.
' Sir, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 25th June, 181 1.
' I have the honor to enclose the copy of a letter which I
have received from the Secretary of State, regarding the trans
mission of prisoners and deserters to England, and 1 beg leave
to recommend that you should send the whole number to Eng
land as soon as it may be convenient to you.
' I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter
of the 21st, upon this subject. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' Vice Admiral ' Wellington.
the Hon. G. Berkeley:
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to Lieut, Colonel Gordon,
Commissary in Chief.
' My dear Colonel, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 25th June, 1811.
' I received this morning your letter of the 30th May, and I
am sorry to say that Mr. Kennedy did apply to me to be re
lieved from his situation, but I prevailed upon him to allow me
to delay the application for some time. I did not understand
that his application was founded on his own want of health,
but rather upon the anxiety of his wife that he should return
to England ; and 1 shall have to thank this lady and her sister,
Mrs. Bourke, for having deprived me of the assistance of two
very able officers.
' I do not know how to fill Mr. Kennedy's place. Mr.
 is certainly the best here ; but as I have lately dis
covered, even he is not entirely fit for such a charge. He
certainly did not manage extremely well the duties of the Com
missary of the troops which were here under Marshal Beres
ford. Matters were not going on well when I arrived here in
April, or afterwards in May ; and the wants of that depart
ment, of which, however, I believe that Mr. * * * * ^as the
cause, occasioned the fatal delays of the end of March and be
ginning of April.
' If therefore I must submit to the misfortune of losing Mr.
Kennedy, I believe you had better send out Mr. Bissett. I
hope, however, that Mr. Kennedy, who is as well as I am,
will be prevailed upon to stay. ' Believe me, &c.
' Lieut. Colonel Gordon: ' Wellington.

1811. quinta de ST. ,)oa5. 51
Lieut. General Viscount WeUington, K.B., to the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My dear Lord, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 25th June, 181 1.
' I received this day your letter of the 11th, and 1 have
replied in another letter to what you say respecting the thanks
for the battle of Fuentes.
' I will communicate the vote to General Blake in the mode
which I may think will be most satisfactory to him. 1 rather
think that I shall send it to my brother, as it will afford him
an opportunity of conciliating Blake. ' Believe me, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool: 'Wellington.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My dear Lord, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 25th June, 1811.
' I received this morning your letter of the 4th, marked
" Private." Your Lordship may rest assured that I am per
fectly satisfied that you acted right in not proposing a vote in
Parliament on the battle of Fuentes. The business would
have been different if we had caught the garrison of Almeida,
but, as it happened, the Government were quite right.
' Indeed, people in England appear to me to be so much
elated by any success, and so much depressed by any tempo
rary check, that I feel difficulty in describing the state of our
affairs, and am always apprehensive that the Government will
appreciate too highly what we do.
' I have sent for General Graham.
' I had a communication with General Abadia, when he was
on his way to Coruna, and recommended to him to attend to
Santofia. He is certainly the best of all the Spanish officers
that I have seen ; but still some time must elapse before he
or any body else can form a Spanish army that will be of much
use to us or to themselves. ' Believe me, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool' ' Wellington.

52 PORTUGAL. 1811.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to ihe Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My dear Lord, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 25th June, 1811.
' The messenger did not arrive till the day before yesterday
with your Lordship's letter marked " Private," of the 30th
May.' ' Since Beresford has been relieved from the command of
the army in this quarter, many measures have been adopted to
reinforce and recruit the Portuguese troops, which 1 hope will
in a short time increase our numbers for duty ; and I have had
many conversations with Marshal Beresford and Mr. Sydenham
since the latter arrived here, with a view to the arrangement
of the civil departments of the Portuguese army, without
which I have considered it proper to withhold my consent to
the grant of the increased subsidy to the Portuguese Govern
ment. When these points are settled here, Mr. Sydenham
will go to Lisbon to arrange them with Mr. Stuart.
' The revenue arrangements recently adopted, have already
had the effect of increasing the pecuniary means of the Portu
guese Government, as I was sure they would ; and I have but
little doubt that they will get on tolerably svell in finance.
There may be some difficulties in procuring specie ; and we
may not be able to prevail upon the Government to carry the
laws of the country strictly into execution as they ought. But
the complaints which I have made of them to your Lordship,
and which I have uniformly communicated to them, have had
an excellent effect, and are not unlikely to stimulate their
efforts. ' We are, however, suffering much from the misconduct of
the Portuguese Government ; and 1 am risking an action at a
moment in which it is desirable I should not fight. But not
withstanding that the French have collected all their troops
here, and have left literally nothing in other parts of Spain,
and are so much stronger than we, they appear as little inclined
to risk an action as we ought to be.
' The Spaniards have now another opportunity to make an
effort to shake off the yoke somewhere, but I am apprehensive
that they will not avail themselves of it. [
' I have not heard of, or from, Blake since he left Juru
menha. ' Believe me, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool' ' Wellington.

1811. quinta DE sr. joaS. 53

Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Vice Admiral
ihe Hon. G . Berkeley.
' Sir, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 26th June, 1811.
' Learning from your private letter of the 24th instant, just
received, that it is probable there will be no vessel at Cadiz to
bring round 500 men, viz., about 300 of the 95th regiment, and
about 200 dismounted hussars, who 1 have requested might
be sent lo the Tagus, I request you to send these vessels to
convey that number of troops, and that you will request Sir
Richard Keats to send them back, in case he should have been
able to send away the troops. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' Vice Admiral ' Wellington.
the Hon. G. Berkeley:
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., io Marshal
Sir W. C. Beresford, K.B.
' Sir, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 27th June, 1811.
' I enclose some papers which have been put into my hands
by Brigadier General Alava, regarding the conduct of certain
persons at Sabugal, in seizing and detaining mules coming
from Spain to join the army. As this has been a very common
practice lately, 1 request you to direct that those persons may
be called before the Special Commission to answer for their
conduct. ' 1 have the honor to be, &c.
' Marshal Sir W. C. Beresford, K.B: ' Wellington.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to His Excellency
Charles Stuart.
' Sir, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 27th June, 1811.
' I have had the honor of receiving your Jetter of the 20th,
with its enclosure from Dom M. de Forjaz, announcing the
intention of the inhabitants of Caminha to present to the
British Government a number of bullocks now in the service
of the army ; and I request you to have the goodness to inform
the Portuguese Government that I am highly sensible of the
desire of their people to assist the British army, but that I re
commend that they should apply their voluntary donations to

54 PORTUGAL. 1811.
the service of their own country, or to relieve the sufferings of
their countrymen in Estremadura. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., io His Excellency
Charles Stuart.
> gjR 'QuintadeSt.Joao, 27th June, 18 U.
' I have had the honor of receiving your letter of the 10th
instant, regarding certain green barley said to have been
consumed near Elvas by the British troops.
' I am concerned to observe, in all the complaints of this
description which I receive from the Portuguese Government,
a want of accuracy of statement, which precludes the successful
issue of any inquiry. In this case, the numbers of the regi
ments to which the persons belonged, who are said to have
taken this corn, are not detailed ; and, in point of fact, there
were no British troops at Elvas on the 11th May, and could
be none on the 18th May, two days after the battle of Albuera.
' This circumstance having occurred to me, I requested
M. Sodre to call upon the complainant and mention it to
him, and request him to let me know the numbers of the
regiments to which the soldiers belonged who cut the barley,
and he then sent me the enclosed paper, stating that on the
22nd and 23rd May the barley was cut. At that period I was
at Elvas ; but at all events I should think that the Governor
of the province of Alentejo might have contrived to protect
the barley growing under the guns of the fort, without com
plaining on the subject to Government.
' It is impossible for me to give any redress for an evil com
plained of in such loose terms, and in making which there
appears so little adherence to truth.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., io His Excellency
Charles Stuart.
' My dear Sir, ' QuintadeSt.Joao, 27th June, 18I1.
' 1 have so repeatedly received anonymous letters from the
Patriarch and the Principal, that at last it is necessary to put

1811. QUINTA DE ST. JOAO. 55
an end to a practice which is carried on in the most barefaced
manner. I now enclose one which I beg you will look at,
merely that you may be able to recognize the writihg again
in case it should come in question ; and that you will then
forward it, as directed, to the Patriarch. 1 have not read it.
' I have received from Dom M, de Forjaz the answer to
my dispatch of last week, which contains a paragraph giving
great credit to Senhor Cardozo, for throwing supplies into the
place of Elvas.
' I shall send you to-morrow the return up to yesterday of
what had been thrown into Elvas, from which you will see
with what degree of justice the merit of provisioning the place
is attributed principally to Cardozo, and then you will not
think me unreasonable in declaring that justice to the depart
ments of the British army will prevent me in future from giving
the assistance which they are capable of giving ; for you must
observe that these efforts, which are entirely gratuitous, and
which are even denied by the Government, much less acknow
ledged and thanked, are not made without considerable incon
venience to the British army.
' I am sorry to be again obliged to remark upon Dom M.
de Forjaz's want of justice, to say no more ; but these re
peated instances of efforts to screen inefficient departments by
misrepresentation, do not add to my good opinion of that
Minister. ' Believe me, &c.
' His Excellency " Wellington.
Charles Stuart:
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, K.B., io His Royal Highness
the Commander in Chief*.
i Sir, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 27th June, 1811.
' I have had the honor of receiving your Royal Highness's
commands of the 30th May, and those of the 5th instant.
' I had already drafted the 2nd batt. 48th regiment into the
1st battalion, and orders have been given to draft the 2nd
batt. 7th Fusihers into the 1st battalion, and the 7th line bat
talion of the King's German Legion into the other three line
battalions ofthe Legion ; and the officers and non-commissioned
officers of those battalions which have been drafted will be
sent home immediately. The 2nd batt. 88th regiment will
likewise be drafted into the 1st battalion ; but as both these
* His Royal Highness the Duke of York had been reappointed to the Com
mand of the Army on the 25ih May, 1811.

56 PORTUGAL. ISll.
battalions are at present almost in sight of the enemy, it will
be necessary to delay the arrangement for a short time.
' I request to have your Royal Highness's commands whether
I am to complete the 1st battalions of the 5th foot, 31st, 38th,
39th, and 42nd to the numbers stated in the memorandum
enclosed in your Royal Highness's letter of the 30th May,
from the 2nd battalions of those regiments respectively, before
I shall send those 2nd battalions to England ; or whether I
am to send those 2nd battalions to England when the 1st bat
talions shall arrive in Portugal, whatever may be the actual
strength ofthe 1st battalions.
' I likewise request to have your Royal Highness's com
mands whether I am to send to England the 2nd battalions of
the 24th, 44th, 53rd, 58th, 66th, and 83rd, and the 85th regi
ment, when the 1st battalions of the 5th, 31st, 38th, 39th, and
42nd shall arrive in Portugal.
' It is impossible to have better soldiers than the real Hano
verians; and it would be very desirable that the 1st, 2nd, and
Sth line battalions of the Legion should be reinforced by any
men of that description who may be in the depots.
' In consequence of orders from the Secretary of State, of
the , 1 have directed General Graham to join the
army from Cadiz ; and to send to the army the detachment of
the 3rd battalion 95th regiment, and the squadron of the 2nd
hussars which are dismounted, which are at Cadiz. The horses
expected from England will enable me to mount them.
' I have not yet been able to ascertain the exact amount of
the final loss of each of the regiments in the late actions, under
the command of Sir William Beresford, but I should hope that
in a short time so many men will have recovered from their
wounds, that it will not amount to more than half the num
ber of killed, wounded, and missing in the first returns.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' His Royal Highness ' Wellington.
tfie Commander in Chief
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My Lord, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 27th June, 1811.
' The enemy made a great reconnaissance with a very large
body of cavalry upon Elvas and Campo Mayor, on the 23rd.

1811. quinta de ST. joa5. 57
The cavalry of the army of the south went upon Elvas from
the neighbourhood of Olivenqa, and to the woods between that
town and Badajoz ; and the cavalry of the army of Portugal
upon Campo Mayor, from the neighbourhood of Badajoz.
' The former succeeded in cutting off a piquet of the 11th
hght dragoons, who had been posted on the Caya, in front
of Elvas, under the command of  . It is under
stood that the cause of this misfortune was that 
mistook a regiment of the enemy's hussars, for a body of ours
sent to his support.
' The 2nd hussars also, which were on the Guadiana, on the
right of Elvas, suffered considerably in their retreat towards
Elvas. ' The enemy were kept in check in the neighbourhood of
Campo Mayor, by General de Grey's brigade of British, and
General Madden's Portuguese cavalry, and they retired with
out seeing the position of our troops. Since that day they
have made no movement of importance. Their army is along
the Guadiana, between Badajoz and Merida, and their principal
occupation appears to be to procure subsistence.
' They are already beginning to experience in some degree
the effects of drawing together in Estremadura their whole
force. General Bonet has evacuated the Asturias. Don
Julian Sanchez has possession of the open country in Old
Castille, and has recently intercepted a valuable convoy of
money and provisions, on the road from Salamanca to Ciudad
Rodrigo ; and I learn from Valladolid, that a very valuable
convoy has been intercepted by Mina, consisting of the King's
baggage and property, near Vitoria, the whole escort having
been put to the sword.
' General Blake crossed the Guadiana, as had been arranged,
on the 22nd instant, and I understand was at Castillejos on
the 24th ; and I conclude that the enemy, finding that the
allied army are in a situation in which the attack of them
could not be made without difficulty, will detach towards that
quarter. ' It is to be wished that the Spaniards would take more
extensive advantage of the concentration of the enemy's forces,
and thus oblige them, by the loss of their convoys, the danger
of their small garrisons and civil departments, and adherents

58 PORTUGAL. 1811.
residing in the large towns, to keep their armies separate, and
expose some to our attacks.
' The Commissary General has thrown a sufficient quantity
of provisions into all the places on the frontier ; and measures
are in progress to improve the defences of them all.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool' ' Wellington.

Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My dear Lord, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 27th June, 1811.
' 1 enclose the weekly state to the 25th. The loss of the
piquet of the 11th dragoons, and that sustained by the piquet of
the 2nd hussars, were disagreeable circumstances, but they tend
to show the difference between old and new troops. The old
regiments of cavalry throughout all their services, and all their
losses put together, have not lost so many men as the 2nd
hussars, and 11th and 13th dragoons, the former in a few
days, and the latter in a few months. However, we must
make the new as good as the old. Our cavalry are just now
in very good condition. ' Believe me, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool: ' Wellington.

Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to General Blake.
' Sir, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 28th June, 1811.
' When the accounts of the recent battle at Albuera arrived
in England, all ranks and descriptions of His Majesty's subjects
were eager to manifest their admiration of the conduct of all
the allied troops, and their sense of the benefits which had
)-esulted to the common cause, from the cordial union of coun
cils of the Generals in command of the armies of the different
nations, and from the gallantry and discipline of the troops.
' The Houses of Lords and Commons have expressed these
sentiments in resolutions which they have unanimously voted
upon this occasion ; and they have imposed upon me, as the
Commander of His Majesty's Forces in this country, the pleas
ing task of communicating to the Generals commanding the

1811- QUINTA DE ST. JOa5. 59
forces of the several allied nations, their unanimous sense of
the conduct of the armies under their command respectively.
' 1 have therefore the honor of enclosing to your Excellency
the unanimous resolutions of the Houses of Lords and Com
mons of Great Britain and Ireland of the 7th, expressing their
sense of the conduct of the Spanish army under the command
of your Excellency, in the battle fought at Albuera, on the
16th May, 1811 ; and I beg leave to congratulate your Excel
lency upon receiving this justly merited honor, which is the
highest those illustrious assemblies have to bestow, and which
must be esteemed and valued by every friend to the freedom
and good order of society. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' General Blake: ' Wellington.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Major General
the Hon. W. Stewart.
' My dear General, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 29th June 1811.
' I have had a conversation with General C. Stewart respect
ing your wish to quit the army for a short time, and con
ceived that he had communicated with you, which is the reason
that you have not received an earlier answer to your letter.
' We experienced so much inconvenience last spring, from
the absence of the General Officers from the army, that I have
received orders, which leave very little discretion with me, to
give leave of absence on private concerns. Your case, however,
appears to me to be of a different description, for at the same
time that you have private affairs to settle, the state of your
health renders your absence desirable ; and I think that at this
period it will be more convenient that you should absent your
self, than it would be at any other. Under these circum
stances, I have no objection to your going, but as I think it
not improbable that others will desire the same indulgence,
who have neither the same claims, nor the same reasons for
going as you have, I wish you would send me a certificate, in
the usual form, of the state of your health.
' Believe me, &c.
• Major General ' Wellington.
the Hon. W. Stewart:

60 PORTUGAL. loli

Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., io His Serene Highness
the Prince of Orange.
' Sir, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 29th June, 1811.
' I have had the honor of receiving your Highness's letter
of the 27th instant, and I assure you that I shall be happy to
see your Highness with the army whenever it will be conve
nient to you to join it. ' 1 have the honor to be. Sec.
* His Serene Highness ' Wellington.
the Prince of Orange:

Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to His Excellency
Charles Stuart.
( Sir, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 29th June, 1811.
' You must be the best judge ofthe expediency of applying
the money which will come into your hands, as the proceeds of
the flour imported from America, to the purposes of the Por
tuguese charity.
' I expected that this money would come into the military
chest, upon which the demands are very heavy, and which is at
present but ill supplied.
' However, as you have received directions from Govemment
on this subject, you must be the best judge in what manner
this money shall be disposed of.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:

Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to His Excellency
Charles Stuart.
« Sir, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 29th June, 181 1.
' I enclose a letter and its enclosures which I have received
from the Commissary General, on the subject of a complaint
transmitted to me some time ago by you, received from the
Portuguese Government, respecting the want of boats on the
Mondego. ' None of these complaints have ever come under my cogni-

1811. QUINTS DE ST. J()a5. (il
zance, in which the facts were not misrepresented or exagge
rated, or in which some facts were not omitted, that were
material to a just decision on the case.
' There is no British Officer who is not interested to jrive
o
every assistance in his power to the officers of the Portuguese
Government, because he well knows that the deficiencies re
sulting from the want of means, or from neglects of the latter,
are invariably supplied from the stores of the British Army.
' But 1 am sorry to observe that the officers of the Portu
guese Government, almost without exception, neglect their
duty, in the performance of which there is neither intelhgence
nor activity ; and the excuse of the interference of the British
commissaries is too readily admitted by the Portuguese Go
vernment and their ministers, who prefer any thing, even the
loss of the kingdom of their Sovereign, to the punishment of
those who neglect their duty, although they receive their
salaries. ' The enclosed letter from Mr. Drake is deserving of atten-
tion, as showing how business is carried on by the officers of
the Junta de Viveres. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
• His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:

Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Lieut. Colonel Torrens,
Military Secretary to the Commander in Chief.
' My dear Torrens, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 29th June, 1811.
' The last post brought us accounts of the Duke of York's
appointment to be Commander in Chief, at which I assure you
I rejoice most sincerely.
' The arrangement is not less a matter of justice to him than
it is beneficial to the public interests ; and it appears to me to
have been admirably timed, and that the motion of Lord
Milton upon it is likely to be advantageous to the Duke's
character. I would not allow the mail to go without telling
you how well satisfied I am with this arrangement, and I beg
you to take an opportunity of conveying my congratulations to
His Royal Highness.
' The dispatches will let you know how we are situated.
We have now got upon us the whole disposable force in

62 PORTUGAL. 1811.
Spain ; and although we are not quite so effective as I could
wish, I entertain no apprehensions for the result.
' Blake's operations in Andalusia, if he can do any thing,
will immediately relieve us from part of the weight bearing
upon us, and as soon as that is done I have some operations in
view to remove the war from this frontier.
' Believe me, &c.
* Lieut. Colonel Torrens: ' Wellington.

Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, K. B., to Vice Admiral
ihe Hon. G. Berkeley.
' giE, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 30th June, 1811.
' 1 have had the honor of receiving your letter of the 28th
June, with its enclosures. I am sorry to say that, under ex
isting circumstances, no confidence can be placed in the parole
of any French officer. I know many who have been allowed
to quit England on their parole, not to serve till exchanged,
who are now serving in the armies in Spain, although no
British officer, or others, have been sent from France in ex
change for them.
' This practice will be continued till the allies determine to
adopt a system of rigor and punishment towards the prisoners
in their power, in proportion to that followed by the enemy,
and in reference to the conduct of the prisoners themselves.
I have invariably experienced the greatest inconvenience from
allowing any persons to return to the enemy's army.
' As nothing is believed in England that is written by per
sons in authority in this country, it is not believed that the
Generals commanding the French armies have no communi
cation with each other, and that they are entirely ignorant of
all that is passing around them, and that they have, in fact,
no information, excepting what they derive from deserters from
the foreign regiments in our service, of whom there are, I am
sorry to say, too many, and from the prisoners occasionally
sent back to them, in exchange for some of our officers or
soldiers. ' Adverting to the superiority of the enemy's numbers over
the allied British and Portuguese armies, and to the inefficiency
of the Spanish troops, 1 attribute the success which we have

1811- QUINTA DE ST. J0A5. (53
had hitherto in a great degree to the want of information by
the enemy's General Officers. At this moment, though the
whole army are within a few miles of them, they do not know
where they are ; but if disabled prisoners are to be sent to
them, they will get all the information they require, if not
directly from themselves, from their friends of the French
interest at Lisbon, from Portuguese or English newspapers
&c. &c. I am therefore of opinion that the disabled, as well
as the other prisoners, ought to be sent to England, and thence
to France, if the Government are desirous of getting rid of
them. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' Vice Admiral ' Wellington.
the Hon. G. Berkeley:

Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., io the Right Hon.
ihe Lord Mayor ofthe City of London.
' My Lord, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 30th June, 1811.
' I have had the honor of receiving your Lordship's letter
of the 20th May, in which your Lordship has transmitted to
me the Resolutions of the Court of Common Council of the
City of London, of the 9th May, expressing their approbation
of the conduct of the army under my command in the late
operations in Portugal.
' I have communicated the Resolutions of the Common
Council to the General and other Officers, the non-commis
sioned officers, and soldiers of the allied army.
' I beg that the Court of Common Council will accept my
thanks for the honor which they have conferred upon me, and
upon the army under my command ; and I trust that by a con
tinuance of our endeavors to serve his Majesty, and to pro
mote his interests in this country, we shall continue to enjoy
the good opinion of the city of London.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' The Right Hon. ' Wellington.
the Lord Mayor ofthe City of London:

64 PORTUGAL. ISll-

Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, K.B.,to the Governor of Cuimbra,
and the Magistrates of Arganil, Goes, Lousao, Ponte da Murcella,
and Foz d'Arouce.
' Gentlemen, 1811.
' I have sent Captain Macleod of the Royal Engineers to
look at the state of the bridges on the Alva and the Ceira, and
to put them in a state of repair, if they should not already
have been repaired. I desire that you will give him every
assistance of workmen and materials which he may require for
the work upon which he has been ordered, and I hold you
responsible to attend to his requisitions.
I have the honor to be, &c.
' The Governor of Coimbra, c^c' ' Wellington.

Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Lieut. General
Sir S. Cotton, Bart.
' Quinta de St. Joao, 1st July, 1811.
' My dear Cotton, ' Half-past 9 p.m.
' The priest of La Roca is arrived, but I do not recollect
who it was that complained of him, or the nature of the com
plaint. 1 shall be very much obliged to you, if you will let
me know what you recollect of this complaint.
' Believe me, &c.
Lieut. General ' Wellington.
Sir. S. Cotton, Bart:

Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to ihe Right Hon.
the Speaker of ihe House of Commons.
' Sir, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 1st July, 1811.
' In obedience to the orders of the House of Commons, I
have communicated to Sir William Beresford, and to Captain
General Blake, the resolutions of the House of the 7th June,
conveying their approbation of the conduct of the General
and other Officers, non-commissioned officers, and soldiers
of the alhed armies, which fought the battle of Albuera on the
16th May. It has given me great satisfaction to have been
made the channel of communicating to those officers the hifh

1811. QUlNrA DE ST joaS. 65
honors which the House have conferred upon them. I have
the honor to enclose a letter from Sir William Beresford.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' The Right Hon. ' Wellington.
the Speaker of ihe House of Commons:
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to General Leite,
Governor of Elvas.
' Sir, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 2nd July, 1811.
' The provisions at Ouguela being almost expended, I re
quest that you will send to that fort to-morrow morning, pro
visions for ten days for 220 men ; by provisions is to be under
stood bread, meat, and wine ; and you will be good enough to
report when this order is executed.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' General Leite, 'Wellington.
Governor of Elvas:
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to Major General Peacocke.
' Sir, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 2nd July, 1811.
' I enclose a letter from Major General Howard, enclosing
one from Colonel Stewart of the 50th regiment, regarding the
equipments of a detachment of that regiment recently arrived
from England. 1 beg that you will make a requisition upon.
Colonel Fisher for new arms and accoutrements for this de
tachment, if upon inspection those which they have in use
should be deemed unserviceable. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' Major General Peacocke: ' Wellington.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My dear Lord, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 2nd July, 1811.
' Upon considering of the best mode to communicate to
General Blake the resolutions of the Houses of Lords and
Commons regarding the Spanish army, I have thought it best
to communicate them in a letter from myself, as being the
mode most likely to be agreeable to him.
' Believe me, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool' ' Wellington.
VOL. VIII. F

GG PORTUGAL. 1811.

Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to the Earl of Liverpool
Secretary of State.
' My dear Lord, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 2nd July, 1811.
' I have received your Lordship's letter of the 19th of June.
I have already informed you that I had had some conversation
with General Abadia when he was on his journey to Gahcia.
That which I recommended to him was, if possible, to retake
Astorga ; and if he could not do that, to endeavor to extend
himself in the Asturias and La Montaiia, but not to venture
into the plains of Leon and Castille till he should have
formed his army, and, particularly, should have got a body
of cavalry.
' I believe that the French, have evacuated Astorga, as well
as the Asturias, so that the first measures I recommended to
his attention are already accomplished ; and he may now direct
his attention to something further, as soon as he shall have an
army. Indeed he might now work on in La Montana towards
Biscay. ' 1 have also requested General Abadia to endeavor to ob
tain possession of Santona, in concert with the officer com
manding his Majesty's ships at Coruna, and with General
Mendizabal, who has been sent by the Spanish Regency to
command in Biscay.
' When General Walker quitted Coruria, he left there Mr.
 , a Commissary, who has continued the correspondence
with me ; but as 1 consider that a most important point, and
that the supplies of arms, ammunition, &c. to the guerrillas may
be best distributed from that quarter, I conceive that it might
be convenient to Government, as well as to me, that a person
of more respectable station in life than Mr.  should he
appointed to reside there. I have no officers to spare for this
service, and I shall be obliged to your Lordship if you will
send the gentleman you mention ; and I shall be happy to see
him here, or 1 will send him instructions to Coruna, if your
Lordship should think it better that he should go there at
once. ' Believe me, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool: ' Wellington.

iSll- QUINTA OE ST. .TOAO. 67

Lieut. General Viscount WeUington, K.B., to His Excellency
Charles Stuart.
' My dear Sir, ' Quinta de St. Joao, .3rd July, 1811.
' I have received your letter of the 30th.
' I have no doubt but that the letter which I sent to
you, was written by the Patriarch, but as you entertain a
doubt upon the subject, I am much obhged to you for stop
ping it.
' To send an anonymous letter to any body, is to accuse him
of writing it, the meanest action, certainly, of which any man
can be guilty. It is not very proper, perhaps, to accuse a
man in the Patriarch's situation of being guilty of such an
action, but he positively ought not to be accused of it if there
is any, the slightest, doubt of his guilt. I therefore acqui
esce entirely in your retaining the letter.
' In the account which the Commissary General has made
out of supplies to the Portuguese Government, he has charged
for the articles delivered in kind, at the rate which they cost.
' I have given directions that the paper issued to the Portu
guese Government, shall be taken credit for at the price of the
day. For instance, when ,£'100,000 in paper was given to
them, the rate of discount being 18 per cent., the charge
against them was to be only £82,000.
' If they do not take care to manage the markets, they may
lose even by this arrangement, but that I cannot help.
' Believe me, &c.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart.'

Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to His Excellency
Charles Stuart.
' My dear Sir, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 3rd July, 181 1.
' I enclose Dom M. de Forjaz's Commissariat Regulations,
with some remarks upon them. If 1 had leisure to go minutely
through the whole, probably I might out of them be able to
form something ; but I have written in the margin the general
principles on which the establishment ought to be formed, and
that of all the regulations for its guidance, which will probably
F 2

68 PORTUGAL.

1811.

answer better than to enter into the particulars of the regula
tions, and at all events, saves me some time.
' Believe me, &c.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to His Excellency
Charles Stuart.
J gjjj ' Quinta de St. Joao, 4th July, 1811.
' I have had the honor of receiving your letter of the 2nd
instant. ' I am convinced of the expediency of adopting some mea
sures to stimulate and support the efforts of the inhabitants of
Portuguese Estremadura to restore the agriculture of their
province ; but the circumstances which I am about to state
will show you that it is of paramount importance not to de
liver any money from the military chest, to be employed in
that manner.
' The pay of the British troops is now nearly two months in
arrears, instead of being paid one month in advance, according
to His Majesty's regulations.
' The muleteers, upon whose services the army depend
almost as much as upon thoseof the soldiers, are six months in
arrears. ' There are bills to a large amount drawn by the Commis
saries in the country on the Commissary at Lisbon, still re
maining unpaid, by which delay the credit of the British
army and Government must be impaired; and you are aware
of the pressing demands of the Portuguese Government for
specie. ' There is but little money in hand to be applied to those
several services. There is no prospect that any will be sent
from England ; and the supplies derived from the negotiation
of bills upon the Treasury at Cadiz and Lisbon, have been
gradually decreasing.
' Under these circumstances, it is my duty to object to the
apphcation of any sum of money which can be brought into
the military chest, to any purpose excepting to defray our
expenses, which would otherwise fall upon the chest.
' Admitting, as I do, the expediency of adopting measures

1811. QUINTA DE ST. JOAb. 69
to revive the agriculture of Estremadura, 1 have reason to be
lieve that matters are not in so bad a state in that province
generally, as they are represented to be in the papers which
you enclosed in your letter of the 2nd ; and I cannot admit
that if they were, it would be expedient to encourage an ex
pectation that they would be restored, or wise to endeavor to
restore them at once to the situation in which they were pre
vious to the recent invasion.
' Time must elapse before the agricultural classes will have
in their possession the carriages and other means by which
they could render their laboring cattle useful to thera, if the
cattle could be restored to them ; and time also must elapse
before the land will produce sufficient food to support all the
laboring cattle which they could use.
' It would be prudent, therefore, not to distribute in those
districts at once, too large a proportion of laboring cattle, if
the distribution is to be made by degrees ; and in the progress
of time, I see no reason why we should not look to a supply
from Ireland, and other countries from whence they might be
brought, in which the purchase of them would not be a burthen
upon the mihtary chest of this army.
' 1 do not foresee any inconvenience from your countermand
ing the execution of that part of the commission for the pur
chase of flour in America, which may remain unexecuted when
your orders shall reach America.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., io the Rev. J. Owen,
Chaplain General.
' My dear Sir, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 4th July, 181J.
' I enclose letters which Mr. Briscall has put into my hands
from Mr. Downes and Mr. Hill, two of the Chaplains attached
to this army. I have accepted Mr. Downes's resignation,
and have given leave to Mr. Hill to go to England ; the latter
gentleman never quitted Lisbon.
' I have already, upon a former occasion, made General
Calvert acquainted with my opinion respecting the establish
ment on which the army Chaplains are placed, in a letter
which I believe you saw; and I now assure you, that the

1^ PORTUGAL. 1811.
opinions which that letter contains, have been confirmed by
the experience which I have since had. The remuneration in
the shape of half-pay is not sufficient to induce respectable
persons in a good state of health, who have any other prospect
in the profession, to accept the situation of Chaplains to the
army ; and adverting to the general expense of the establish
ment, compared with that of the old regimental establishment,
of which, after many years, it is intended to be an efficient sub
stitute, I cannot see why the remuneration, particularly in
the shape of half-pay, should not be made more liberal. My
decided opinion is, that until that is done, the Government
will not insure a religious establishment for the army on
foreign service ; and it is obvious, that all that could be done
in that way, would not amount to one third part of the ex
pense of the old regimental establishment. ' Believe me, &c.
' The Rev. J. Owen, ' Wellington.
Chaplain General'

Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Aubrey de Vere
Hunt, Esq., High Sheriff of ihe County of Limerick.
' Sir, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 4th July, ISIl.
' I have had the honor of receiving your letter of the 17th
May, in which you have enclosed the unanimous resolutions of
a meeting of the county of Limerick, assembled under your
auspices on the 16th May. I am much flattered by the notice
which the county of Limerick have been pleased to take of my
endeavors to serve His Majesty, and by the approbation which
they have expressed of the conduct of the officers and troops
which have been placed under my command ; and I hope by
the support and assistance of the General and other Officers
and the discipUne of the troops, to continue to enjoy the
valuable approbation of the gentlemen of the county of
Limerick. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' Aubrey de Vere Hunt, Esq: Wellington.

1811. quinta de ST. JOAb. 71
Lieut. General Viscount WeUington, K.B., to His Royal Highness
the Duke of Kent.
' Sir, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 4th July, 181 1.
' I have had the honor of receiving your Royal Highness's
letter of the 9th June, and in obedience to your Royal High
ness's commands, I have placed Lieut. St. Martin, of your
Royal Highness's regiment, at the disposal of Marshal Sir
Wilham Beresford, to be appointed a Captain of the Portu
guese service. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent: ' Wellington.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, K.B. , to Vice Admiral
the Hon. G. Berkeley.
' Sir, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 4th July, 1811.
' I have had the honor of receiving your letter of the 30th
June, and I have desired the Commissary General to give
directions that the stores may be placed in the store houses in
such manner, that the houses may be made to contain the
largest quantity they are capable of containing.
' The large quantities of provisions now at Lisbon, are to be
attributed to the removal of the magazines from the Douro
and the Mondego, to the Tagus, in consequence of the change
of the seat of operations of the army. These magazines had,
immediately previous to their removal, been very much in
creased by the arrival at Oporto and Figueira of several ships
.from England laden with provisions, which had been sent to
those places by order from the Secretary of State. The quan
tity of provisions now at Lisbon, has also been increased very
much lately by the arrival of flour purchased in America for
the Portuguese Government ; and of provisions from England,
likewise for the Portuguese Government, to be delivered as
subsidy in lieu of money payments, which provisions they
have not yet taken from His Majesty's Minister.
' These circumstances have occasioned the inconvenience of
which you complain, which, however, I hope will be only tem
porary, as 1 have requested that no more provisions may, at
present, be sent from England, and the consumption of the
army occasions a constant draw upon the magazines. I am
apprehensive that it would not be possible to store our maga-

72 PORTUGAL. 1811.
zines of provisions along the Tagus, without incurring a very
large and useless expense, and putting ourselves eventually to
great inconvenience. ' 1 have the honor to be, &c.
' Vice Admiral ' Wellington.
the Hon. G. Berkeley:
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., io the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My Lord, ' ' Quinto de St. Joao, 4th July, 1811.
' Since I wrote on the 27th of June, the enemy have with
drawn the great force which they had in the neighbourhood of
Badajoz. ' Lieut. General Sir Stapleton Cotton reconnaitred with a
part of the cavalry along the Gevora and the Guadiana as far
as Montijo on the 2nd instant, and found no troops excepting
a small body of infantry and cavalry at Montijo ; and near
Badajoz, the cavalry belonging to the garrison.
' By all accounts, the army of Portugal are on the right of
the Guadiana, between Montanches and Merida, keeping a
small part at Montijo ; and the army of the south on the left
of that river, extending their left towards Zafra. It is re
ported that one division of infantry has been detached from
the latter towards Seville.
' The enemy have withdrawn from Badajoz their train of
artillery with which the place was taken, and have sent it to
the southward.
' A part of General Bonet's troops, whose evacuation of
the Asturias has been confirmed, have gone to Leon : and I
have a report from General Silveira of the 25th June, stating
that the enemy had, on the 19th, evacuated Astorga.
' By accoilnts from Valladohd, it appears that Marshal
Bessieres had quitted that place on the 12th with all the troops
he could collect, and went to Rio Seco, from whence he moved
on the 15th towards Benavente. A party of guerrillas were
consequently in sight of Valladolid on the 15th ; and it is re
ported that they attacked that place on the I6th. This de
scription of force appears to be increasing in numbers, activity,
and boldness, in all the northern parts of Spain.
' I have no authentic accounts of General Blake's movements
since the 27th JJune, on which day his head quarters were at

1811. QUINTA DE ST. JOaS. 73
Alosno, in the Condado de Niebla, and his advanced guard,
under General Ballesteros, at El Cerro.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool: ' Wellington.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My Lord, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 4th July, 1811.
' I have the honor to transmit a duplicate of a memorandum
of field equipment required for the use of this army, the
original of which 1 forwarded to your Lordship on the 1st of
April last ; and I shall be much obliged to you if you will
direct that these things may be sent to Portugal without loss
of time. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool' 'Wellington.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, K.B. , to the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My Lord, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 4th July, 1811.
' I send to England by Mr. Sydenham, who leaves this to
morrow, the eagle of the 39th regiment, which was thrown into
the river Ceira, near Foz d'Arouce, on the night of the 15th
March last, when the 6th corps of the army of Portugal, which
formed the rear guard of the army posted on the other side of
the river, were driven across that river by the 3rd and Light
divisions of the British army, under the command of Major
General Picton and Major General Sir William Erskine.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool: ' Wellington.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary qf State.
« My dear Lord, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 4th July, 1811.
' In addition to the intelhgence contained in my dispatch,
I have reports from Badajoz and from Marmont's head quar
ters at Merida, stating that the Spaniards had entered Seville
on the 28th. If this should be true, and Blake has, as I

74 PORTUGAL. 1811.
advised him, destroyed every thing there, it will make a most
important alteration in the state of affairs.
' First ; it will show that the Spaniards can do something,
and we may venture to depend a little upon operations com
bined with them.
' Secondly ; it will lead to raising the siege of Cadiz more
effectually than any other operation that could be undertaken.
' The operations of that siege depend entirely upon the sup
plies received from the foundery and arsenal at Seville, which
the Spaniards contrived to abandon in a complete state of
equipment ; and if the stores at Seville should be lost, the siege
may as well, and will, be given up, as it is hopeless to endeavor
to collect again what would be necessary to carry it on.
' If, however, the siege of Cadiz should be given up, we in
this country shall have upon us, in addition to what we have
already, the small portions of the army still remaining in Anda
lusia ; and I doubt whether the assistance which we might
expect to receive from the Spaniards, in consequence of their
being relieved from that weight, will compensate for the addi
tional pressure upon us.
' The great army in our front must, and will probably soon
separate, having effected nothing excepting the relief of Bada
joz, for which object they have weakened themselves every
where, have lost Astorga and the Asturias ; and the greater
number of them would have been destroyed, if all the Spaniards
were like the lower orders. However, we must have patience,
and we may yet be able to root them out of this country.
' I enclose you some copies of Joseph's interesting letter,
certified by Bardaxi. ' Believe me, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool' ' Wellington.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Marshal
Sir W. C. Beresford, K.B.
' My dear Beresford, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 5th July, 1811.
' I have just received your letter of the Sth.
' The enemy appear to have drawn off entirely from this
neighbourhood ; and the right of the army of Portugal is at
Montanches, the left and head quarters at Merida, the right of
the army of the south at Lobon, and the left at Zafra. I be
lieve they have sent one division into Andalusia.

1811. QUINTA DE ST. J0a5. 75
' Blake crossed the Guadiana on the 22nd or 23rd. He
failed in an attack upon Niebla, where the French had only
300 men, on the 30th at night ; and he is, I believe, going to
embark at Huelva.
' 1 keep our troops still in their camps, meaning, if Soult
leaves Marmont alone, to endeavor to give Marmont a blow.
However, I doubt that Soult will leave that in my power.
' The French have taken a great deal of cannon out of
Badajoz, They have blown up Olivenca.
' I have sent to Hamilton about Mr. Charles Monk.
' Believe me, &c.
' Marshal Sir W. C. Beresford, KB: ' Wellington.

Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Vice Admiral
the Hon. G. Berkeley.
' My dear Sir, ' Quinta de St. Joao, Sth July, 1811.
' I have spoken to Mr. Kennedy respecting the store houses.
The house you mention would not answer for us, as the com
munication with it by land is very awkward and inconvenient.
I hope, however, that by the improvements in the mode of
stowing the store houses, we shall have no want of store room
at Lisbon and the neighbourhood.
' I hope that we shall have a sufficiency of bridge at Villa
Velha. I do not understand what the Portuguese Govern
ment want with pontoon boats. We shall have plenty of pon
toons for as many bridges as we can require anywhere ; but
as we have already so much bridge there, I do not propose to
remove there any of our pontoons ; indeed the Tagus will be
very soon fordable almost every where.
' I congratulate you upon your son's promotion.
' I have not yet heard of March this morning, but will add
a line if I should receive any intelligence of him before the
post shall go out.
' I have omitted to tell you that I have written to my
brother regarding the money, and have requested that it may
be sent only in the ships which you send for it periodically.
' Believe me, &c.
' Vice Admiral ' Wellington.
the Hon. G. Berkeley:

76 PORTUGAL. 1811.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, K.B., io General Dumourier.
' Monsieur le General, ' Quinta de St. Joao,ce 5 Juillet, 1811.
' J'ai eu I'honneur de recevoir votre lettre du 6 Juin ; et je
suis bien aise d'avoir I'avantage de votre opinion sur les affaires
de ce pays-tsi.
' II y a presque trois ans a present que je conduis les opera
tions de la guerre la plus extraordinaire qu'il y eut jamais.
Quoique les allies soient chez eux, et que tout le monde (en
Portugal sans exception quelconque, et presque sans exception
en Espagne) soit ennemi des Francais, les alhes ont rarement
eu plus que la moitie de la force de l'ennemi, et jamais, meme
a present, plus que les deux tiers. A ce desavantage il faut
ajouter que nous sommes allies ; que nous n'avons pas de
tete ; qu'il n'y a ni gen^raux, ni officiers d'etat-major, ni troupes
disciplinees, et point de cavalerie parmi les Espagnols; que ces
deux Gouvernemens ont commence la guerre sans magasins ou
ressource militaire d'aucune espece, et sans argent ou ressource
de finance ; et que ceux qui ont etfe d la tete des affaires sont
des individus aussi faibles que les ressources a leur disposition
sont pauvres ; et vous serez etonne que nous puissions du tout
continuer la lutte meme avec espferance de succes definitif.
' Je crois que ni Bonaparte ni le monde n'ont compte
sur les difficult^s a subjuguer la Peninsule, etant oppos6 par
une bonne armee en Portugal. II a fait des efforts gigan-
tesques, dignes de sa reputation, et des forces dont il a la dis
position ; mais il n'en a pas fait assez encore ; et je crois
que I'ancien dictum de Henri Quatre, que " quand on fait la
guerre en Espagne avec pen de monde on est battu, et avec
beaucoup de monde, on meurt de faim," se trouvera verifi6 de
nos jours ; et que Bonaparte ne pourra jamais nourrir, m^me
de la mani^re Franqaise moderne, une armee assez grande
pour faire la conqu^te des royaumes de la Peninsule, si les
alHes ont seulement une arm6e assez forte pour arr^ter ses
progres. ' Pour ce qui est d'aujourdhui, les Francais ont r6uni en
Estremadoure toutes les forces qu'ils avaient en Andalousie, et
dans La Vieille et La Nouvelle Castille, pour m'obliger a lever
le siege dc Badajoz ; a quoi ils ont necessairement reussi.

1811. QuiNT.v DE sr. joa3. 77
J'ai rassemble mon monde a deux heues de-la dans une assez
bonne position pres de Campo Mayor ; et ils n'ont pas voulu
me toucher : et j'ai prie le General Blake avec les Espagnols,
10 a 12 mille, de repasser la Guadiana a Mertola et de se porter
sur Seville, ou sont I'arsenal, la fonderie, les magasins, et tout
ce qui leur est necessaire pour le si6ge de Cadiz,_^qu'apres ce
coup ils auraient ete obliges de lever. II passa la Guadiana
le 22 Juin, le jour meme' que Soult et Marmont m'ont re
connu a Campo Mayor. Mais il n'a rien fait jusqu'au 30 au
soir, quand il a essaye de s'emparer de Niebla, qui n'est rien
comme place forte, et oil 11 n'y avait que 300 hommes de
garnison ; mais le coup a manqu^. En meme temps les Fran
cais se sont retires d'ici. lis ont envoy6 une division d'in-
fanterie et quelque cavalerie en Andalousie ; et je crois que
Blake va s'embarquer pour retourner a Cadiz.
' On croirait que quand toute la force disponible de l'ennemi
est rassembl^e en Estremadoure, on couperait la gorge aux
Francais eparpilles dans les autres parties de I'Espagne ; et que
tout le monde etant ennemi des Franqais (comme je le crois
vraiment), il y aurait insurrection gen6rale. Pas du tout; voila
Textraordinaire de cette guerre ! Voici la troisieme fois, en moins
de deux ans, que toute la force disponible Francjaise s'est reunie
sur moi ; mais personne n'y gagne excepte les guerrillas, qui
pour un moment prennent possession du pays ouvert de la
Castille; les administrateurs Franqais tenant toujours les
grandes villes. Cette fois-ci cependant ils ont ete obliges
d'abandonner quelques points importans, comme les Asturies
et Astorga ; etles guerrillas, ayantplus de force et d' experience,
leur ont portes quelques coups qui doivent leur faire du mal.
' Par ce petit exposfe des faits, vous verrez quel est 1' espece
de guerre que nous faisons. II faut de la patience, de la
grande patience, pour la faire ; mais j'attends tout du temps,
qui donnera I'experience, des generaux, et des armees, a mes
amis les Espagnols ; et ce n'est pas possible que I'liurope
puisse se soumettre bien plus long- temps a la tyrannie degou-
tante dont elle est opprimee.
' A moins que Soult et Marmont ne se separent de maniere
que je puisse porter un coup d I'un ou d I'autre, je ne crois pas
qu'il y a a esperer que les Franqals se porteront sur I'Ebre ;
et si Blake s'embarque, il n'y a pas de raison pour qu'ils se

78 PORTUGAL. 1811.
Separent, a moins que ce ne .soit que Soult veut tacher,de s'em
parer de Cartagena, a quoi il vise ; ou veut pousser vigoureuse-
ment le siege de Cadiz.
' Je suis bien aise d'avoir pu faire ce qui vous 6tait agreable
sur le sujet du Comte de  ; que j'ai mis au service Fortu-
gais, conservant toujours sa commission Anglaise.
' J'ai I'honneur d'etre, &c.
' Le General Dumnurier: ' Wellington.

Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to the Right Hon.
Henry Wellesley.
' My dear Henry, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 5th July, 1811.
' 1 received last night your letter of the 26th' June, and I
now enclose my last dispatches to the Secretary of State.
' Castanos, in one of his letters to the Spanish Government,
says that the armies of the enemy have separated, and so I
believed on the 2nd. But I have since learned to a certainty
that they are still united, but being at a greater distance from
us, they are more extended than they were.
' We had a report that Ballesteros had entered Seville on
the 28th, but we hear this morning that there is a courier
from Blake of the 2nd, who does not mention the circumstance.
' Colonel Austin had all the means prepared for General
Blake to cross the Guadiana, and his infantry crossed on the
23rd, and his cavalry on the 24th, at Mertola. Austin tells
me that he believes the ships sent to the mouth of the Gua
diana, are to carry Blake off, which I think not unlikely.
' I do not think the French have yet sent more than one
division back into Andalusia, and not much cavalry.
' Now that Laval is returning I hope that the correspondent
will give better intelhgence. The disposition ofthe Spaniards
to exaggerate their littie successes, and to diminish those of the
enemy, and the reports of their numbers, is evident in the
last papers which you have sent me. Soult's advanced guard
" destroyed near Los Santos," was a little affair between 30 of
our hussars and 70 French dragoons, in which the former had
the advantage and took some prisoners !
' I do not think that the British Government have set to
work in the business of the mediation in the manner in which

1811. QUINTA 1)e ST. joa5. 79
they ought, in order to bring it to a successful termination, and
it appears to me that it will never answer any purpose.
' Ever yours, most affectionately,
' The Right Hon. H. Wellesley. ' Wellington.
' Will you mention to General Graham, or if he should
be gone, to General Disney, that I have requested Admiral
Berkeley to send vessels to Cadiz for the 95th, and the dis
mounted hussars.
' The Admiral has desired me to request that, as he sends
a vessel periodically to Cadiz, to bring the money which is
procured there for the Commissary General's bills, you will be
so kind as to send the money always in the ship sent by him,
and retain the money till this ship shall arrive. 1 shall be
obliged to you if you will give these directions to Mr. Duff.'

Lieut. General Viscount WeUington, K.B., to the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My dear Lord, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 5th July, 1811.
' Since I wrote to you yesterday, I find t'nat there is no truth
in the report that Blake had got into Seville. He made an
attempt to obtain possession of Niebla on the night of the 30th,
in which place the enemy had a garrison of 300 men, and he
failed ; and 1 understand that he was about to embark at
Huelva for Cadiz, and was going upon some other expedition,
the object of which I do not know ; nor indeed does it ap
pear that my brother, from whom I have heard to the 26th
June, had any knowledge that Blake was about to embark.
I have not heard from General Blake myself, but I have this
intelligence from Castanos. There is an end, therefore, to any
expectations from this expedition.
' It is reported that the French have retired from Benavente
towards Valladolid, However, I have not this report from any
of my people on whom I can rely.
' Believe me, &c.
' T/ie Earl of Liverpool' ' Wellington.

80 PORTUGAL. 1811.

Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Major General Peacocke.
i ]y[Y DEAR Sir, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 6th July, 1811.
' 1 do not recollect whether 1 sent you a copy of the enclosed
letter to Mr. Stuart at the time I wrote it, but I shall be very
much obliged to you if you will attend to its contents, and refer
to me all applications which may be made by officers or others
for goods to be landed duty free.
'Believe me, &c.
' Major General Peacocke: ' Wellington.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, K.B., io Major General Picton.
' My dear General, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 7th July, 1811.
' I omitted to mention to Pakenham that, in inaking ar
rangements for drafting the 2nd batt. 88th regiment into the
1st, it would be expedient to leave in the 2nd battalion the
boys, whose numbers I do not recollect, who were left at Lis
bon when the battalion marched, as being unfit, from weakness,
to take the field. ' Believe me, &c.
Major General Picton: ' Wellington.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., io Marshal
Sir W. C. Beresford, K.B.
' My dear Beresford, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 7th July, 1811.
' I received last night a letter from Austin, enclosing one
from Blake, which shows that it is the intention of that General
to embark his troops forthwith, having failed in an attempt to
obtain possession of Niebla, and having heard of the return of
some of Soult's troops to Seville : he does not say how many ;
but Austin says that he has heard of two columns of 14,000
men. 1 have heard from this side of only one division and a
few cavalry.
' The removal of cannon from Badajoz has continued ; but
yesterday I received a report that troops and cannon were
returning this day. It was rather loose, to be sure, but I had
it from two different quarters.
' I conclude that you have desired Bacellar to have Almeida
examined, to see whether any thing can be done to render it a

1811. (iUINTA DE ST. joa5. 81
post tenable against a coup de main. Tho destruction of this
place comes upon us in every way.
' 1 have no account from Salamanca, and therefore nothing
that I can rely upon in respect to the enemy's movements in
Castille and Leon. The last report was, that Bessieres was
retiring from Benavente upon Valladolid. If this be true, he
has been obliged to reinforce that town and the northern parts
of Castille, in consequence of the increased activity of the
guerrillas in that quarter; but if he assembles his force upon
Valladolid, he will soon get the better of the guerrillas, and
we must eventually look to his threatening the frontier either
of Upper Beira, or Tras os Monies ; and although there may
be militia in those provinces in sufficient numbers to defend
them in the absence of the army, no reliance can be placed on
their efforts ; nor indeed can they be counted as troops at all,
till the regiments shall be embodied, each in its own district.
' Then comes the question of finance, upon which I must
say, that, from all I hear, we are as badly off as ever ; for I
understand that, notwithstanding; what Mr. Stuart states of
the increased receipts, the officers of the army have not been
paid for four and five months. But supposing the money has
been collected, and is in the Treasury, like other articles ne
cessary for the army on the frontier, it has not legs, and can
not travel without means of transport, and arrangements made
to apply them ; and if it be true that the revenue has risen,
the continuance of all the evils of poverty must be attributed
to the inefficiency of the civil departments of the army. How
ever we must watch very narrowly that force of Bessieres, and
take care to call out the militia of Beira, and Tras os Montes,
and the Minho in time. In the mean time, some intelligent
Staff officer should turn his mind to the means of collecting
these regiments in the shortest possible space of time.
' I have sent to Mr. Stuart my opinion on the proposed
regulations for the Commissariat, and have stated generally the
principles on which the establishment should be founded, and
the objects of the regulations for its guidance. This being
done, it will be easy to draw up the regulations, which ought to
be few and simple, and applicable to general circumstances. It
is very obvious that the various duties, at different times, of
the several officers of the Commissariat must be the subject of
particular directions from the Commissary General, and cannot
VOL. VIII. G

82 PORTUGAL. 1811
be that of general regulations, which can apply only to general
circumstances. On this ground, I conceive that nearly the
whole of the compilation which I read is useless, and a great
deal, much worse.
' I find that we are drawing like cart horses upon Elvas for
provisions for Hamilton's division, &c. However, I have
called for a return of the stores there, and I will take care that
they shall not get too low.
' Let me understand what you wish in respect to the dispo
sition of the Portuguese cavalry ; what part of it is to belong
to the garrison of Elvas, and what brigade to be stationed near
Elvas, with the particular object of supporting the cavalry of
the garrison, of keeping up the communication between Elvas
and Campo Mayor, and preventing the enemy's cavalry at and
near Badajoz from annoying the garrison and its communica
tions. ' Believe me, &c.
• Marshal Sir W. C. Beresford, K.B. ' Wellington.
' 1 have spoken to Fletcher to send to Almeida a British
engineer, to report on the damages ; but you may as well send
them a Portuguese.'
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to Marshal
Sir W. C. Beresford, K.B.
' My dear Beresford, ' Quinta de St. JoaS, 8th July, 1811.
' 1 do not hesitate a moment in answering your letter of the
6th, which I have just received. In arranging the depart
ments of the Portuguese army, I must take care not to engatie
to perform that which is impossible, and thus take upon me
responsibility for what does not belong to me. 1 cannot
engage to pay £600,000 or £700,000 a year in cash to the
Portuguese Government besides feeding their army ; they
shall have from time to time as much money as I can give
them. I cannot allow Mr. Kennedy to undertake either to
supply the forts of Abrantes and Elvas, or to feed any more
Portuguese troops than he feeds at present, unless those Portu
guese troops should be infantry, and actually serving in a
British division.
' I shall be much concerned if my unwillingness to pledge

1811. quinta dr ST. .?oaB 83
myself, or the British departments, to perform that for which
I can have not only no certainty, but upon which I can have
no grounds of calculation, should delay your arrangements ; but
I will not involve myself in concerns in which I have nothing
to do; and I know well, that if the Portuguese Ministers
choose to work, and to make others work, the arrangement can
be made without calling upon me for such a pledge.
' Believe me, &c.
' Marshal Sir W. C. Beresford, KB: ' Wellington.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Major General Peacocke.
' My dear Sir, ' Quinta de St. Joao, Sth July, 181 1.
' I enclose a letter, &c., which I have received from Mr.
Stuart, and I request you to see the gentleman mentioned by
him, and inquire who he is, whether he has any recommenda
tion for me, or any other officer, and what his business is in
Portugal. ' Believe me, &c.
' Major General Peacocke. ' Wellington.
' Return the enclosed.'
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington. KB., to His Excellency
Charles Stuart.
' My dear Sir, ' Quinta de St. Joao, Sth July, 1811.
' The system proposed for arranging the Portuguese de
partments just goes to throw all the work, all the expense, and
all the responsibility upon the British Commissariat and me ;
and to relieve the Portuguese Government from it entirely.
To this 1 object, and I cannot concur in any part of the arrange
ment proposed.
' I shall feed the troops we now feed, but no more, unless it
should be Portuguese infantry serving in British divisions.
I will have nothing to say to Elvas and Abrantes, or to any
concern jointly with the Portuguese Government ; and I will
not, because I cannot, pledge myself that any particular sum
shall be paid in each month to the Portuguese chest. I can
only say, that the sum shall be as large as I can make it.
' Believe me, &c.
• His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:
u2

84 PORTUGAL. 1811.
Lieut. General Viscount WeUington, KB., to Major General Dunlop.
' My dear Sir, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 9th July, 1811.
' I have received your letter of the 6th. The affairs of the
Peninsula have always been, and are still, in such a state of
uncertainty, that it is impossible for me to give any opinion,
whether it would be convenient, or otherwise, for the General
Officers of the army to go home ; they must decide this matter
for themselves ; and if they wish to go, fix the period at which
they will apply for leave. I must inform you, however, that
not only the public, but the Commander in Chief, and Govern
ment, were highly displeased that so many General Officers
were absent from the army, during the last winter; and that
it will be desirable to me, as well as to the General Officers who
may wish for leave in future, that I should consult the Com
mander in Chief before I allow of the departure of any one in
future, excepting on account of ill health.
' I am very much obliged to you for your kindness to Lord
March. ' Believe me, &c.
' Major General Dunlop: ' Wellington.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Marshal
Sir W. C. Beresford, K.B.
' My dear Beresford, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 9th July, 1811.
' I enclose the state of the provisions in Elvas and La
Lippe, the former on the 6th; and the latter on the 1st instant ;
you will see that they draw very handsomely on Elvas.
' I cannot understand the difficulties said to exist in keep
ing the mihtary chest supplied with the money, said to be
wanted for it in every month : for instance, the sum required
for the expense of the whole army is 30,000,000 of crusades
per annum, or 2,500,000 of crusades per mensem : the
revenue, according to Mr. Stuart's letter to me of the 10th
June, is 730 contos in a month, 1,825,000 crusades. The
supplies we already furnish your troops, cost about £40,000
per mensem, or 350,000 crusades ; and I should suppose that
the Portuguese Government could well receive supplies in
kind at Lisbon every month to a similar account, wihch would
be monthly 700,000 crusades. There would remain to be pro
vided for, monthly, 1,800,000 crusades, to which it appears that
the revenue would be more than equal; but there are some

1811. quinta de ST. joaS. 85
other little items of accounts which would increase the pay
ments by us, and of course decrease the payments to the mili
tary chest ; one of them is the whole expense of the pay and
food of the 20th regiment at Cadiz.
' After we should have thus given in provisions to the Portu
guese troops, or in kind at Lisbon, to the value of £80,000 per
mensem, or, in round numbers, £1,000,000 sterhng per annum,
there would remain £1,000,000 sterling of the subsidy to be
made good, of which sum Mr. Stuart thinks he can venture to
promise to throw into the military chest every month between
,£50,000 and £60,000, or 500,000 crusades. Upon adverting
to Mr. Stuart's statement of the expenditure of the Govern
ment, 1 find that it amounted to 113 contos, exclusive of
arsenals ; and to about 160 contos, or 400,000 crusades in the
month, including arsenals, besides military expense : if then,
the Government will put the whole of these receipts every
month into the military chest, and take from us £1,000,000 in
provisions and kind, and trust to what we can pay monthly of
the subsidy for the expenses of the Civil Government, the
military chest will be amply provided for ; and in the course
of the year, doubtless the money payments of that part of the
subsidy to be received in money, will not be much in arrear,
nor of course the charges of the Civil Government.
' What I object to in the plan which came to me )'esterday
was, that under pretence of forming a commissariat arrange
ment, it threw all the labor and all the responsibility upon the
British army and British Commissariat ; while, at the same
time, we were to supply, that which is the most difficult, the
greatest part of the subsidy in money ; and the Portuguese
Government, who alone can get the money which is necessary
to carry on their affairs, and who are most interested in carrying
them on, were not to make every exertion in their power. I
will make no exertion, and come into no arrangement which is
not founded upon the positive stipulation that all the powers
of the Govemment are to be really and duly exerted, and all
their means fairly applied to carry on the war : when that is
done, they will find me ready to labor in the cause, and to
make every sacrifice, and every thing else to forward it.
' I see that some of the officers have not been paid even
gratuity since January, others not since February; some of
the troops have been paid only to the 31st May : if they had

PORTUGAB.

1811

all this money, surely some might have been sent to pay the
troops. ' Believe me, &c.
' Marshal Sir W. C. Beresford, K.B: ' Wellington,
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to His Excellency
Charles Stuart.
' My dear Sir, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 11th July, 1811.
' I send with this, my dispatch to Government, which I beg
you to show to Generals Graham and Beresford.
' I enclose a statement showing the periods to which the
officers and soldiers of the Portuguese army have been paid
pay and gratuity. I am concerned to observe that my repre
sentations upon this subject have had as little effect in pro
curing for these unfortunate gentlemen what is due to them,
as my representations to the Government have upon other
subjects. ' Believe me, &c.
' His Excellency 'Wellington.
Charles Stuart:
'Lient General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to the Earl of Liverpool
Secretary of State.
' My Lord, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 1 1th July, 1811.
' I have had the honor of receiving your Lordship's dis
patch (No. 39) relative to the grant of a medal to Colonel Sir
Robert Wilson.
' I have already had the honor of reporting to the Secretary
of State my sense of the services rendered by Sir Robert
Wilson while under my command in the year 1809 ; and I
see no reason why they should not be distinguished by the
grant of the medal. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool' ' Wellington.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My Lord, ¦ Quinta de St. Joao, lith July, 1811.
' The enemy continued in the positions reported in my dis
patch of the 4th instant, till the 7th, when they moved a large
body of cavalry, and about two battalions of infantry, from

181 1. quinta de ST. joaS. 87
Montijo towards the Gevora; and from thence upon Villar
del Rey, La Roca, and Alburquerque.
' The object of this movement was apparently to cut off our
detachments employed in observing the enemy on that side,
in which, however, they did not succeed ; Major Cocks having
retired with all his detachments upon San Vicente, still keeping
communications open with Arronches and Portalegre.
' The enemy's troops retired from Alburquerque on the
Sth, and Major Cocks again entered that town with his parties
on the same day.
' The army of Portugal are again in the same positions on
the right of the Guadiana which they occupied when I
addressed your Lordship on the 4th instant.
' It appears by a letter of the 1st instant, from Marshal
Marmont to the Prince of Neuchatel, that Soult has returned
into Andalusia, leaving with Marshal Marmont the Sth corps,
and the greater part of his cavalry. Marmont appears to
entertain the intention of posting his army on the Tagus at
Almaraz, where he has a bridge, and maintain an intermediate
post between his army and Badajoz, probably Truxillo, where
I understand that the enemy are at work upon the ancient
castle. ' Excepting from this intercepted letter, I have had no
reason to believe that the enemy had sent back so large a body
of troops into Andalusia. But it is almost impracticable to
procure intelligence of the enemy's movements in this part of
the country ; notwithstanding, that I believe the inhabitants
are as well disposed towards the Spanish Government, as those
of any other part of Spain.
' If the battalions of the 9th corps, belonging to the regi
ments in the 5th corps, have made good the losses sustained
by the latter in the battle of Albuera, I should conceive, from
the returns I have, that the 5th corps consists of 12,000 effect
ive infantry ; which, added to the army of Portugal, would
leave under the command of Marmont from 36,000 to 40,000
infantry ; and between 5000 and 6000 cavalry, besides artil
lery. The alhed army under my command consists of 42,000
effective infantry, and 4000 cavalry, of which, 3000 are British
cavalry, and this strength will in a short time be considerably
increased. ' General Blake made an attempt to obtain possession of

88 PORTUGAL. 181 L
Niebla on the night of the 30th June; in which place the
enemy had a garrison of about 300 infantry. I am sorry to
say, that this attempt failed ; and he remained before the
place till the 2nd instant, and then retired towards the Gua
diana. On the 6th, two divisions of infantry, and the cavalry
of the 5th army, under the Conde de Penne Villemur, were
crossing the Guadiana on a bridge constructed for them at
San Lucar by Colonel Austin. The artillery was embarked at
Ayamonte, and General Ballesteros, with the advanced guard;
remained upon the river Piedra; but 1 think it probable
that General Ballesteros would have been obliged to retire ;
as a division of the enemy's troops which had moved from
Seville, had arrived at Almendro on the 6th, and had turned
off from thence upon Cartaya.
' It appeared to be General Blake's intention to embark his
troops for Cadiz ; but neither General Castaiios nor I have
heard from him since he marched from Jurumenha, on the
18th of June.
' In the north, General Bessieres has returned again to
Valladolid from Benavente; and in the end of the month of
June the enemy assembled at, and in the neighbourhood of,
Valladohd, a considerable body of troops. General Bonet,
however, still remained in the neighbourhood of Leon and
Benavente with the troops under his command ; and I have
received from General Silveira a report of the defeat of the
French in an attack made upon a Spanish detachment from
the army in Galicia, in front of Astorga, on the 25th June.
The guerrillas likewise continue their operations, and besides
the alarm given to Valladolid on the 15th, reported in my last
dispatch, Don Julian gave a similar alarm to Salamanca on
the 29th June ; but a considerable party of guerrillas belong
ing to different chiefs, which had taken a convoy at Peiiarandaj
were afterwards surprised there on the 30th of June, and
dispersed ; about 200 having been killed, wounded, and made
prisoners. ' I wish that I could report to your Lordship that some
more beneficial advantage had resulted from the collection of
the enemy's troops in Estremadura to raise the siege of Bada
joz, and better calculated to reconcile us to the disappointment
upon that occasion. But I am apprehensive, that till th(f
Spanish Government shall reform their military system • till the

1811. quinta DE ST joa5. 89
officers shall be instructed and the troops disciplined ; till regular
resources shall be found, and faithfully applied to the support
of their armies on an expedition ; and till the armies shall be
equipped as they ought for the service required from them,
the history of every attempt on our part to alter the nature of
the war on any general combined plan, will be the same as the
last. ' The enemy will collect to oppose us a larger body of
troops than the alhed British and Portuguese army can bring
into the field ; and will oblige us to take the defensive : and
they will experience no danger, or even inconvenience, from
their weakness in all other parts of the Peninsula, in conse
quence of their collecting their whole force to oppose us, be
cause the Spanish armies are neither disciplined nor provided
or equipped in such a manner as that they can perform any
operation, even of the most trifling nature, if there should be
any opposition on the part of the enemy.
' The only chance, therefore, is to watch for opportunities
of undertaking important operations of short duration with the
means at our own disposal, till the Spanish armies shall be in a
better state. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool' ' Wellington.
Lieut. General Viscount WeUington, K.B., to the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My Lord, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 11th July, 1811.
' I have had the honor of receiving your Lordship's letter
of the 22nd June, in which your Lordship desires to have my
opinion, as to the restrictions which it may be expedient to put
upon the grant of medals to British Officers, for distinguished
merit displayed jipon such occasions as the battles of Vimeiro,
Coruna, Talavera, and Barrosa.
' My opinion has always been, that the grant of a medal
to an individual officer, ought to have been founded originally,
partly on the importance of the occasion or action which it
was intended to commemorate, and partly on the share which
the individual officer had had in the action to be commemo
rated; and that medals should have been granted for im
portant actions only, and to those engaged in them in a con
spicuous mannei-, whatever might be their rank in the service.

fiO PORTUGAL. 18 I L
' It was decided, however, that medals should be granted on
the same principle only, but following strictiy the example of
the grant of medals to the Navy, notwithstanding that an action
on shore is very different from an action at sea ; and the merit
of the different classes of individuals are likewise entirely
different. At the same time, this principle was departed from
in some of the grants made.
' If the principle adopted in the grant of medals to the Navy,
is adhered to in the grant of medals to officers of the Army ;
and that medals are to be granted to General Officers, and
Lieut. Colonels commanding regiments, on an occasion to be
commemorated, because, on a similar occasion, they would be
granted to Admirals and Captains of ships of the line, it is
difficult to restrict the grant, or to make a selection of officers
to whom they should be granted to commemorate the battles
at Busaco and Fuentes de Oiioro, if Government determine
that these actions should be commemorated in that manner.
If, however, that principle is departed from, it is not difficult
to make out a list of the names of officers already reported to
your Lordship, who were at the head of corps or detachments
upon these occasions, and who had a conspicuous share in the
event which it is the intention of the Government to com
memorate in this manner. It is not probable, however, that
the adoption of this principle will decrease the number of those
to whom the honor would be granted ; but as I have already
represented to yonr Lordship, I do not think this important :
that which is important in the establishment of the principle
on which the grant of this honor should be made, is, that every
officer should feel that he shall receive the mark of distinction,
if he should be in the place to distinguish himself, and should
act in the manner to deserve to be distinguished, whatever
may be his military rank. It may be contended by me, that
the officers of the British army do not require an honor of this
description to stimulate their exertions, and that the grant of
the medal is therefore useless ; but, however, those who con
tend for this principle, must admit that a selection of those
who have had an opportunity of distinguishing themselves in
an action, is a less objectionable mode of granting it, than the
grant of it by classes, whether the individuals composing those
•classes have distinguished themselves or not.
' I have now the honor to enclose lists of the names of the

1811. QUINTA DE ST. JOa6. 91
officers who, on the principle of selection, ought, in my opinion,
to receive medals for the battles of Busaco and Fuentes
de Onoro, if Government think proper to distinguish these
battles by medals.
' In respect to the battle of Albuera, I was not there, and
I am not able to give an opinion upon it. One brigade of the
4th division of infantry, however, was not in the action, nor
Brigadier General Madden's brigade of cavalry. The brunt
of the action was on the right, but some of the corps of
infantry, I believe, and certainly General Otway's brigade of
cavalry on the left, were not engaged. At all events, these
troops were not engaged, as far as I understand, in a greater
degree than the whole army were at Busaco, and every corps
on the field at Fuentes de Onoro.
' I mention these circumstances only to point out to your
Lordship, that in every action on shore, however severe, there
must be some to whose lot it does not fall to have an oppor
tunity to distinguish themselves ; and that the principle of
selection without reference to ranks, ought to be adopted in
every instance of the grant of medals to the Army.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool: ' Wellington.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to Marshal
Sir W. C. Beresford, K.B.
' My DEAR Beresford, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 12th July, 1811.
' You will have seen from Austin's report of the Sth in
stant, that it is probable Blake is off (for we know nothing of
him), and that the Algarve is left very much to itself. I do
not think it very probable that the enemy will make any
serious attempt upon that province, but straggling parties
might do a great deal of mischief; and I think you do well to
send into Algarve the Setuval and Alcacer militia, to be under
Austin's orders, and to prevent any thing small from insult
ing him : we can easily get them back by land, or by water,
when we shall require them.
' I have at last got a statement of the regiments in the
army of Portugal, but not their numbers : there are six
divisions of infantry, and in each division four complete regi
ments, besides the Legion du Midi, Hanoverians, Prussians^

92 PORTUGAL. 1811.
and Irish. The regiments had last campaign four and five
battalions each, including those brought in by the 9th corps,
which have now joined them, and 1 should think this cannot
now have less than from 1000 to 1200 men in each regiment;
I am convinced, therefore, I am under the mark in supposing
each division only 4000 infantry. They have one new regi
ment, the 130th, of which I have no account. They have
eleven regiments of the cavalry which was in Portugal, which
had 44 squadrons ; and they have three regiments of four
squadrons each, which passed the winter in Castille, and are in
capital order: supposing the old cavalry to be reduced one
half, or to 22 squadrons, they must have now 34 squadrons.
There is another fresh brigade of cavalry belonging to this
army still in Castille, for which I have got the letter which
Marmont has written.
' The devil is in the French for numbers ! ! ! A deserter
came in yesterday, and told me he heard Broissard say to
another officer, that the two armies had 60,000 infantry, and
nearly 10,000 cavalry ! I made them from 48,000 to 50,000
infantry, without the garrison of Badajoz, and 7000 cavalry.
' Our army continues very healthy, indeed more so since the
nights have become warmer. I think you will do well to send
us up your men as soon as they shall be fit to join.
' Believe me, &c.
' Marshal Sir W. C. Beresford, KB.' ' Wellington.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to Colonel Austin.
' My DEAR Sir, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 12th July, 1811.
' I received last night your letter of the Sth. I write to
Marshal Beresford to request him to adopt measures to send
you a force into Algarve at present. In the mean time, I
request you to take measures to force the boats on the Gua
diana to keep on the right of the river as much as possible. I
do not think it probable that the enemy will venture to make
any serious attempt upon Algarve, particularly if you keep
the boats out of their way, but it is as well that you should
have some force. ' Believe me, &c.
' Colonel Austin: ' Wellington.

1811. quinta de ST. joa5. 93
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to Lieut. General
Sir S. Cotton, Bari.
« Sir, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 13th July, 1811.
' I have received your letter of the 10th to Lord Fitzroy
Somerset, and 1 am very sorry that Captain  has
been guilty of a very great irregularity, in taking upon him
self to do himself justice at Espinhal on the 11th May last,
for which I must bring him to trial. I beg, therefore, that
Captain  may be put in arrest at large, and inform
him that he will receive the copy of the charge on which he
will be tried in due course. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' Lieut. General ' Wellington.
Sir S. Cotton, Bart:
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Lieut. General Graham.
' My dear Sir, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 13th July, 1811.
' I have just received your letter of the 10th.
' You will have seen from my letter to the Secretary of
State, which I requested Mr. Stuart to communicate to you,
that affairs are in such a state, that there can be no reason
why you should put yourself to any inconvenience to come to
the army sooner than you would otherwise.
' Nothing has occurred since I wrote to the Secretary of
State, excepting that General Blake has embarked, leaving
General Ballesteros, with his division, and the cavalry of the
5th army, under the Conde de Penne Villemur, in the Con
dado de Niebla. ' Believe me, &c.
' Lieut. General Graham. ' Wellington.
' I have just received a letter of the 10th from Campo
Mayor, from which I find that the Spaniards have not sailed
yet, and some of Loy's cavalry have not embarked, but the
French have retired from Castillejos and Gibraleon.'
MEMORANDUM
For General Castanos.
• Quinta de St. Joao, 13th July, 1811.
' The Captain General Castaiios informed me yesterday,
that General Ballesteros had remained with a division of in-

94 PORTUGAL. 1811.
fantry, and the cavalry under the Conde de Penne Villemur,
in the Condado de Niebla ; and that he (the Captain General)
intended to recommend to General Ballesteros to retire across
the Guadiana, into the kingdom of Algarve, in case he should
be so pressed by the enemy as to render his retreat from the
Condado de Niebla expedient. In consequence of this in
formation, I recommend that General Ballesteros may be
requested to communicate confidentially with Colonel Austin,
who commands in Algarve, on all matters relating to his ope
rations, in order that Colonel Austin may be prepared to
assist General Ballesteros with the means of crossing the
Guadiana with expedition, in case that measure should be ex
pedient. It is also desirable, in order that Colonel Austin
may be able to adopt measures to have the troops under
General Ballesteros supplied with provisions during the time
which it may be necessary that they should remain within
the kingdom of Algarve. I propose to send Colonel Austin
a copy of this memorandum, in order that he may be pre
pared to attend to General Ballesteros' want of assistance
to pass the Guadiana, and to his wants in provisions while
he may be in Algarve. ' Wellington.'
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Marshal
Sir W. C. Beresford, K.B.
' My dear Beresford, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 13th July, 1811.
' I received yesterday your letter of the 10th, and I am
much concerned that I cannot take upon me to answer for
your having the supplies of money, wanted to make up the
sum which you require to have in the chest every month.
If you find that this failure, on the part of Great Britain,
to be able positively to assure a certain sum every month, will
prevent the accomplishment of the arrangement which you
think necessary, you ought to report your opinions officially to
the British Government ; and I shall be very glad if they will
make any arrangements by which I can be relieved from all
concern in the money transactions of Great Britain with the
Portuguese Government.
' I also think that if you are of opinion that the reserves of
provisions cannot be supplied for the forts by the Portuguese
Government, you should state officially that opinion, and then

1811. QUINTA DE ST. JOaO. 95
our Government will know upon what they arc to reckon. I
should think, however, that Elvas being entirely supplied, you
would be inclined to alter that opinion, unless indeed you
should think that the Portuguese Government will not be able
to supply the current consumption of the garrisons, and that
they will immediately begin to consume the reserves.
' I acknowledge that the suspicion that this would be the
case, and the discussions in which that question would involve
the departments of this army, are the reasons why I positively
refuse to have any thing to say to the garrisons.
' If the Government act according to their own regulations,
and will really put them in force, and really punish those who
disobey them, there can be no difficulties about means of trans
port ; but 1 do not see how these difficulties would be removed
by our Commissaries supplying the reserves of the garrisons,
and the Portuguese Commissaries the current consumption.
' 1 have done a great deal in the way of supplying the con
sumption of the Portuguese army, and probably have under
taken far more than I shall be able to accomplish in all situa
tions ; but this is very certain, that I cannot venture to under
take to do more.
' General Castanos has promised to garrison and refit Albur
querque, which is a great object in these times. He is going to
send Don Carlos de Espana to Castille ; and I am thinking of
fitting up, as a little depot of ammunition, &c. for him, in Mon
santo, in which he will put 200 or 300 men, if the Portuguese
Government will have no objection to his holding that place.
I shall be much obliged to you if you will inquire. He is
also desirous of having a similar depot north ofthe Douro. I
know of no place in Portugal which would answer his purpose,
but as well as I can recollect, Monterey would. Do you recol
lect any thing of Monterey ? ' Believe me, &c.
' Marshal Sir W. C. Beresford, K.B. ' Wellington.
' P.S. General Picton tells me that the outwork at Campo
Mayor is finished, and ready for the palisades.
' The artillery are much in want of mules, to which I hope
you have adverted in your communication with Government;
so much so, that I think it might be advisable to send away
the 6 pounder brigade in Hamilton's division, and to have

96 PORTUGAL. 1811.
only 9 pounders, and to employ all the mules in equipping
them as they ought to be. Your brigades of infantry are
likewise miserably deficient in provision mules.
' I saw the 2nd and 4th, and Hamilton's division this morn
ing. The 13th is a very fine regiment, in very tolerable order.
1 am sorry to say that Ash worth's brigade have fallen off in
their marching; all the rest capital. These Albuera divisions
were very strong again .
' I have desired Mr. Kennedy to give the chest 50,000
dollars in coin.'
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to Marshal
Sir W. C. Beresford, K.B.
' Quinta de St. Joao, 13th July, 181 1.
' My dear Beresford, 7 p-m.
' I have just received your two letters of the 11th.
' I have not yet seen the complaints of the officers of our
Commissariat at Coimbra, but when I see them, I shall write
upon them. Our Commissaries are not allowed to give pro
tection to individuals of any description, but they must have
assistance from the country ; and it will not answer the pur
pose of the Portuguese Government to prevent them from
having it. All persons employed by us belonging to Spain
are protected from the requisition. I suppose the Portuguese
Government will not refuse to give the same countenance to
the British army that is given by the Spaniards.
' I do not exactly understand the letter of the Government
on the fortification of Elvas. In answer to the last paragraph,
however, I must express a wish that Mr. Stuart should send
it home. ' I do every thing in my power to forward the cause, and I
wish that the Portuguese Government should try whether their
affairs could not be improved by a change of hands. Nothing
could be more satisfactory to me than such a change.
' I shall attend to your wishes in the distribution of the
cavalry. You did not send me the report on Almeida.
' I sent Mr Stuart a statement of the period to which the
officers of the army are paid. Mr. Kennedy can easily, and 1
shall desire him to-morrow to send an estimate of his disburse
ments for the Portuguese Government, which it is probable
they will not much amend ; and he can send a monthly account,

1811. quinta de st. joa3. 97
and a quarterly account ; because in the former he cannot include
the disbursements at Cadiz. You can likewise send your de
mand upon England, which ought to have been sent by the
Government as long ago as March ; but 1 cannot say tiiat the
balance will be paid in money, or at what periods it will be
paid ; and upon that point I sincerely wish that you should
come to an explanation with the British Government, and not
with me.
' I have not now money to answer the demands of the Bri
tish army ; and it is rather too much that the Portuguese should
insist that I should fix the sums which they are to receive every
month, out of the sums at my disposal, already not sufficient
for the British army ; to which add, that occasional assistance is
wanted for the Spaniards, and that there is no man, however
anxious for the prosperity of Portuguese concerns, who will
not admit that this assistance should be given. However, I
have no desire that matters should continue as they are. Let
Government provide only decently for the British army, and
I shall be satisfied ; or let them take the whole concern out of
my hands, and I shall be happy to resign it, Just to show
you how we stand in respect to money, 1 mention that we have
not even a shilhng in the chest to pay the demands of the
officers of the 2nd battalion of your regiment, upon the first
being drafted by orders from England.
' Believe me, &.c.
• Marshal Sir W. C. Beresford, K.B: ' Wellington.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Colonel Austin.
' My dear Sir, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 13th July, 1811.
' I send you the copy of a memorandum which I have sent
to General Castanos, which will explain itself. You will act
as therein stated, if so required by General Ballesteros ; and I
beg you to let me have an account of any expense you may
incur on account of provisions or boats for General Balleste-
ros's division of troops.
' You might as well have prepared a magazine, with 6000 or
8000 rations, for General Ballesteros, in case he should cross
the Guadiana upon you suddenly ; but it may be as well not
to let him know of it, otherwise you would not keep it long.
' Beheve me, &c.
' Colonel Austin: ' Wellington.
VOL. Vlll. H

98 PORTUGAL. 1811.
Lieut.Generou Viscount Wellington, K.B. , io Major General Peacocke.
i My dear Sir, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 13th July, 1811.
' I have received your letter of the 11th, and its en
closures, from the tenor of which last I suspect Mr.  to
have been in the French service, and probably to be a spy.
The phraseology of his letter to you is evidently that of a per
son who has been in the service of the French ; and I beg you
to communicate with Mr. Stuart in order to have him released
from confinement in gaol, and send him to head quarters under
charge of an assistant provost and a guard, -but let his reason
able convenience be provided for.
' I beg you also to send me any letters or papers, or the me
morandums of any interrogatories to him, which can throw light
upon his conduct or intentions. ' Believe me, &c.
• Major General Peacocke: ' Wellington.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, K.B., io His Excellency
Charles Stuart.
' Sir, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 13th July, 1811.
' I enclose certain papers which I have received on the sub
ject of the misconduct of certain officers at Espinhal, on the
11th May last, adverted to in a letter from you of the 10th of
June ; and I have to inform you that 1 have ordered Captain
 in arrest for his conduct, and I shall keep him in arrest dur
ing one month, in hopes that the Government will, in the course
of that time, adopt measures to enforce the attendance of the
evidences against Captain  . If they should not do so, I
shall be under the necessity of relieving Captain  from his
arrest. ' I mention this, because I observe that, as usual, there is
great readiness to complain of the injury done in this case, but
no desire to prosecute, as it is obvious that the complainant
not only knew the name of Captain  , and the regiment to
which he belonged, but that he did not belong to the hussars.
The consequence of his concealing the name of Captain 
is that much time has elapsed, and I have been obliged to look
through all the march routes given to troops in the month of
May, before I could discover who was complained of

1811. QUINTA DE ST. JOA(> 99
' I shall likewise observe on this case, that although Captain
will be brought to trial for having taken upon himself to

do himself justice, I am not astonished when an officer of the
British army is guilty of this conduct.
' They scarcely ever enter a village in which tbey or their
men are not robbed, and they can get no redress on the spot ;
and as for punishment for any crime committed, I repeat that
since I have been in Portugal, I have not known any man
punished, excepting those suspected of being French partlzans.
But whatever may be the conduct of the Portuguese Govern
ment, I shall not allow the British army to commit irregula
rities with impunity, and Captain  shall certainly be tried,
if, within a month, any evidence should be produced against
him. ' It is useless to inquire whether any steps have been taken
against the criminal confined for the robbery.
' I beg you to return the enclosed papers as soon as may be
possible. ' Believe me, &c.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:

Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to the Right Hon.
Henry Wellesley.
' My dear Henry, ' Quinta de St. JoaS, 13th July, 181 1.
' I enclose my last dispatch to the Secretary of State.
' I have got a statement of the regiments in the army of
Portugal, which amount to 24, and 4 or 6 battalions of foreign
troops, and 14 of cavalry. I have an officer who counted
25,000 infantry coming through Banos, and there were some
that passed through Lagunilla. They must be between 24,000
and 30,000 infantry, and the cavalry between 3000 and 4000
at least. They have one regiment that was not in Portugal ;
and when one considers what that army was last year, and the
reinforcements it received, allowance is made for very hand
some losses, in supposing them reduced to the numbers above
stated. I think these numbers agree tolerably well with what
I saw of the army at Fuentes, allowing for the detachment to
Andalusia of 19 battalions of the 9th corps.
' It is said in the French army, that they have between the
two armies lately brought into Estremadura, 60,000 infantry
h2

100 PORTUGAL. 1811.
and 10,000 cavalry. I believe the latter exaggerated by about
3000 men, although they had at Badajoz 27 regiments of
cavalry, but the former but very little, and not at all if the
garrison of Badajoz is included.
' We are increasing in strength. I have received at Lisbon
2000 or 3000 men from England. Our wounded, &c., are
coming about, and we shall soon have not much less than
60,000 effective men, Portuguese and Enghsh.
' Ever yours, most affectionately,
' The Right Hon. H. Wellesley: ' Wellington.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., io Lieut. General Graham.
' My dear Sir, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 14th July, 1811.
' I have just received your letter of the 12th. The horses
to which you refer have been sent here by the Government at
my request, in order to supply the wants of the officers of the
cavalry, who ought to have each an English horse ; but they
had not been able to purchase any in the country, and I
requested the Secretary of State to send them out.
' I conceive that it is equally necessary that a General Officer
in your situation, coming from a place in which you could not
get the horses you require, should be provided by some public
arrangement : and therefore I beg you to take such number of
those horses as you may think proper. I do not exactly recol
lect whether the price is £50 or £60 each, or whether Sir
Stapleton Cotton settled that they should be paid for according
to a valuation of each, the whole amount covering the expense
of their purchase incurred by Government ; and I shall not
delay this answer to your letter till I shall have had time to
inquire. Let me know the number you will take, in order
that I may write to England to have them replaced for the
service of the officers of the cavalry.
' There is nothing new this day, excepting a report from
Caceres that Marmont has commenced his movement, which,
however, has not yet been confirmed by anything from our
outposts. ' Believe me, &c.
' Lieut. General Graham. ' Wellington.
' I enclose an order to the officer commanding the cavalry
depot, to deliver to you as many of the horses purchased for
the officersof the cavalry as you may require.'

1811. QUINTA DE ST. .?Oa5. 101
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, K.E., to the Right Hon.
Henry Wellesley.
' My DEAR Henry, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 14th July, 181 1.
' 1 received last night your letter of the Sth, after I had sent
off the dispatch of yesterday.
' I never entertained such an opinion as that attributed to
me by Don E. de Bardaxi, viz., that if the mediation of Great
Britain between Spain and her colonies should fail, we ought
to go hand in hand with the Spanish Government in carrying
on hostilities against the colonies.
' My opinion has invariably been, that in all the concerns of
Spain, Great Britain ought to take the liberal line of policy,
and to lay aside, at least during the existing war, all considera
tions of mercantile profit ; and it appeared to me that, in this
question of the colonies particularly, this line would suit
equally with the military policy and the mercantile interests of
Great Britain, and add greatly to the general estimation of our
character. ' I am, and have always been, of opinion, that the notions of
our merchants of the vast profits to be made by an immediate
direct intercourse with the Spanish colonies were erroneous.
That profit was to be made by this intercourse there is no
doubt, and that eventually the extent and value of the com
mercial intercourse with the colonies will be very great, I am
certain ; but this value must be the effect of time, of the in
crease of riches, and of the growth of luxury in the colonies,
and the period of its arrival at its highest state is likely to be
checked by the extravagant speculations of our merchants.
' 1 think that whatever may be the final relative situation
between Spain and her colonies. Great Britain must be the
gainer. The result must be the relaxation, if not annihila
tion of the colonial commercial system, and a direct allowed
intercourse between the colonies and all other countries, in
which Great Britain must be a partaker and the greatest
o-ainer. In expectation of this ultimate gain, the policy of
Great Britain ought to have been liberal throughout, asl
hope it will turn out upon examination to have been. jThej
wild speculations of the colonies ought to have been checked ;
the authority of the mother country ought to have been coun
tenanced ; and the endeavors of our traders and captains of

102 PORTUGAL. 1811.
ships to separate the colonies from Spain ought to have been
suppressed.^ ' On these principles I approved highly of Lord Liverpool's
letter to the Governor of Curaqoa, which circumstance may
probably have given Don E. de Bardaxi a notion that 1 thought
we ought to go all lengths with Spain in subduing the spirit
of independence in the colonies ; but I conceive these principles
are by no means inconsistent with the conduct of the British
Government since Lord Liverpool's letter was written, at least
as far as I have any knowledge of it ; and what has occurred
since does not appear to me to be inconsistent with that letter.
' When the colonies, at least some of them, had manifested
an inclination to separate from the mother country, it was
necessary for the British Government to consider, not only
what Spain could do, but what Great Britain could assist
Spain in effecting. Knowing what I do of the Spanish Go
vernment and its means and resources, and the employment
for them, I am certain that they have not the power to reduce
to obedience even one of the weakest of the colonies which is
disposed to separate. I am equally certain that to make the
attempt would be the grossest folly and misapplication of
means ; and I will go further, and declare, that I believe that
Great Britain could not in justice to the greater object in the
Peninsula, give Spain any assistance from which any good
effect can be expected.
' I am afraid that it is but too true, that if distant colonies
choose to separate from the mother country they will effect their
object ; and at all events it would have been the height of mad
ness, in these times, for Spain to have endeavored, by force, to
prevent such a separation, or for Great Britain to have en
couraged and aided in such an attempt.
' The conduct which Great Britain ought to have followed
was to endeavor, by influence and advice, to prevent matters
from coming to extremities, if possible ; and at all events not to
direct her force to an object which was quite unattainable.
' Nothing can be so absurd as to suppose that Spain, with
two frigates, could prevent the separation of the Caraccas; or
that the reception in London of the deputies from that colony
prevented that great effort from having its effect. If the^-
deputies had not been received in London, they would have
gone by the first packet to France ; and the truth, however

1811. QUINTA DE ST, J0a5. 103
disagreeable, which 1 have above stated, would have been
discovered. ' At last Great Britain has offered her mediation in the
dispute, which 1 wish had been asked for ; and it remains to
be considered on what terms the offer ought to be accepted.
I have already pointed out that Great Britain is a fair me
diator, as our interests, well understood, as I b.elieve they are,
are not inconsistent either with the well-understood interests of
Spain, or of the colonies, in their existing situation ; and it
would have been better if the mediation had been accepted in
the spirit in which it was offered, and that the Spanish Govern
ment had come forward with a full but confidential declaration
of their intentions respecting the colonies in future, both on the
subject of constitution and of commerce. Great Britain would
then have had something to mediate upon and to arrange be
tween the two parties ; but under present circumstances there is
nothing for her to do, excepting to procure the submission of the
Caraccas and Buenos Ayres ; and if Great Britain does not suc
ceed in these impracticable objects, she is to aid Spain in forcing
their submission ! And I am supposed to approve of this
condition, and to think that Great Britain ought to join in
this war between mother country and colonies ! One would
really believe that Don E. de Bardaxi had never adverted to the
means and resources of his own country, and to the objects
which they have to acquire at home, or to the efforts making
here by Great Britain, and that he thought I had considered
of these subjects as little as he appears to have done !
' Great Britain cannot agree to this condition. In respect to
constitution the Spanish Government has gone a great length ;
but 1 doubt that they have gone so far as the colonies, some
of them at least, will require. I think they will ask to have
separate local representative bodies for the management of
their interior concerns, of the same description with our colonial
assemblies, leaving in the Cortes more or less authority in im
perial and general questions, and having in the Cortes a repre
sentative or not, according to the nature of the authority re
maining with the Cortes, and the mode in which it will be
exerted. But this question, however important, does not ap
pear to have been considered.
' In respect to commerce, the Spanish Government have said
nothing. There is nothing more certain, however, than that the

104 PORTUGAL. 181 1.
commercial intercourse between Spain and her colonies cannot
continue to exist as it has hitherto. The consequence of what
has already been done, and of what is offered in this proposed
treaty of mediation, must be to place the colonies, in respect to
trade, on the same footing with the mother country, and to
allow the colonies to trade, as it may suit their interests, with
all parts of the world, in the same manner as any province of
Old Spain. If this consequence does not follow what has been
done, it is useless to talk to the colonies of equal rights, and
interests equally well attended to. It will be obvious to the
inhabitants of the colonies, and they will feel, that their interests
are sacrificed for the supposed interests of the mother country,
on the old system of colonial policy.
' I admit, however, that the mother country will lose im
mediately (though probably not eventually) very largely in
revenue, and its inhabitants in commercial profits, by these
commercial concessions to the colonies ; and although probably
these losses are the unavoidable effects of the circumstances of
the times, the mother country has a fair claim to participate
in the advantages which the colonies will enjoy, particularly
in the existing moment of her distress. This is an object to
which the treaty of mediation should have adverted. The
Spanish Government should have made known to Great Britain
confidentially, on what system it was proposed that the com
merce of the colonies should be carried on hereafter; what
duties should be levied on the imports of goods of foreign
countries into the colonies : and what proportion of those
duties should be paid to the mother country for general im
perial purposes, and what to remain in the colony for local
objects. ' With a system thus formed. Great Britain might have
gone to work with some prospect of success in making an ar
rangement which would have permanently united the colonies
to the mother country, by providing for their mutual interests
on just and fair principles; and which at all events, by putting
an end to the existing disputes, would have removed the un
easiness which they occasion, and would have increased the
means and resources of Spain to carry on the war against the
common and only enemy. And you will observe that in the
establishment of this system Great Britain would have done,
in every point, that which suits her own interest.

1811. QUINTA DE ST. .TOAn. 105
' But I am apprehensive that the Spanish Governinent have
not taken an enlarged view either of their own situation, or
that of the colonies, or of the two relatively with each other ;
and till they do so matters will only grow worse and worse daily,
and it is useless for us to interfere in them ; and after a long-
contest, which will onlv tend to the weakness of the mother
country, and will deprive her of all the resources which she
could otherwise derive from the colonies in her war with
France, the business will end in the separation of the colonies
from Spain.
' You are now in possession of my opinion upon this whole
subject ; and you may inform Don E. de Bardaxi that there is
nothing so far from my thoughts as that it is possible for Spain
to prevent the separation of any one colony that chooses to
separate; and that nothing could be so absurd or so injurious
to Spain herself, as for Great Britain to divert any of her
military resources from the war in the Peninsula to the im
practicable object of reducing to obedience even the smallest and
least powerful of the colonies of Spain disposed to separate.
' There is nothing new, excepting a report that Marmont is
in motion to take up his proposed position on the Tagus.
' Ever yours, most affectionately,
' The Right Hon. H. Wellesley: ' Wellington.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to His Excellency
Charles Stuart.
' My dear Sir, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 15th July, 1811.
' I shall be very much obliged to you if you would look at
the last paragraph of Dom M. de Forjaz's last letter, on the
subject of the repairs of the forts, in which he refers to the
payments of the subsidy.
' As I believe that the Portuguese Government have received,
up to the present day, more than the old and new subsidy, and
that we have been at all times in advance to thera, those asser
tions respecting arrears of subsidy ought not in ray opinion to
go unanswered. At all events, as far as 1 have any knowledge,
they have no right to make any official reference to the new
subsidy, as they have not been officially apprized of it.
' Believe me, &c.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:

106 PORTUGAL. 1811.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, K.B., io Marshal
Sir W. C. Beresford, K.B.
' My DEAR Beresford, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 17th July, I8II.
' I have received your letters of the I2th and 13th. The
breeze about the subsidy is a very curious circumstance ; I
really believe that up to the present day, it has been overpaid
to the amount of about £200,000 sterling ; and last year they
received above a million in hard cash : within the last two
months they have received above £200,000 in money, allowing
25 per cent for discount upon paper.
' The losses at Albuera, and the substitution of 1st for 2nd
battalions, will render it difficult to place even one brigade in
General Hamilton's division. I intended to have placed there
two brigades, and to have formed his division like the others,
with only one Portuguese brigade, which we should then have
been able to provision ; but we should not be able to provision
two Portuguese brigades, with the means attached to one
British brigade, in addition to the British brigade.
' There is also another point to be adverted to in the con
sideration of this subject, and that is, the growing deficiency of
means of transport with all the Portuguese brigades in our
divisions, particularly in the Sth division; they have not mules
sufficient to carry their ammunition ; in the 3rd, 28 mules
were driven away by their drivers two days ago, and in others
there are deficiencies. I suspect that the Portuguese Com
missaries do not take care to feed the people attached to the
mules, for their life must latterly have been an easy one, and
they have had but little to do, excepting to carry forage for
their own beasts. Whatever may be the cause of desertion,
however, the evil is a serious one, and must increase the diffi
culties of supplying the Portuguese troops by our Commissariat,
and in case of a march it will be quite impossible.
' I see that there are some troops in motion in Castille to
wards Ciudad Rodrigo, which is 1 believe with a view to pro
vision the place, which Don Julian had kept tolerably closely
blockaded. ' You may depend upon it that the return which I sent to
Mr. Stuart of the state of the payments to the Portuguese
troops was correct, as 1 received it from the regiments. Joa-
quim de Costa covers himself under the usual Portuguese sub-

1811. quinta de ST. joa5. 107
terfuge, that he has sent the money, but it has been applied to
some other purpose, and the troops have not received it.
' 1 have just received your letter of the 15th. As Balles
teros remains in Niebla, it is not so necessary to send militia
into Algarve. I think we become more healthy every day.
' I enclose you a daily state, which will show you how we
stand now in cavalry and infantry. I have had a great deal of
trouble in getting this state, particularly from Madden's bri
gade, in which 1 believe no return was kept ; however, 1 be
lieve it is at last right and regular. March is gone to Lisbon,
and I shall be much obliged to you if you will give him house
and table room at Cintra, where he proposes to go.
' As Marmont has moved, I move into cantonments also on
to-morrow, having our right about Estremoz, and our left at
Castello Branco. I shall go to Portalegre; I shall remain
there for a short tirae, till all I expect join us, when I have
two or three different designs in conteraplation.
' Believe me, &c.
' Marshal Sir W. C. Beresford, K.B. ' Wellington.
' I enclose a paper with but bad news.'
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Major General Peacocke.
' Sir, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 17th July, 1811.
' The horses of the 9th light dragoons are to be landed and
given in charge to the men of the 2nd Hussars, King's German
Legion, and others who may be at the depot at Belem, until
they shall be hereafter distributed to regiments under orders
from Lieut. General Sir Stapleton Cotton.
' The men and officers of the 9th light dragoons, with their
appointments, &c., are to be embarked in infantry transports,
and to proceed to Sicily*, for which purpose I request you to
make the necessary application to Admiral Berkeley for trans
ports, as well as for a sufficient number of horse transports to
carry to Sicily the horses belonging to the officers of the 9th
light dragoons. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' Major General Peacocke: ' Wellington.
* A subsequent arrangement was made, and the 9th light dragoons served
in the Peninsula until they returned to England in the spring of 1813.

108 PORTUGAL. 1811.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Vice Admiral
the Hon. G. Berkeley.
« Sir, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 17th July, 1811.
' In order to explain the orders which I have received from
the Secretary of State, regarding the 9tii light dragoons, in the
readiest way, I have the honor to enclose a copy of tbe orders
which I have given to General Peacocke ; and I shall be very
much obliged to you if you will order ships to convey this
regiment to Sicily, and horse ships to convey the officers'
horses. I have been likewise directed to request you to send
back to Plymouth the horse transports which brought out the
9th light dragoons. ' Believe me, &c.
' Vice Admiral ' Wellington.
the Hon. G. Berkeley:
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Messrs. Brown and Reid.
' Gentlemen, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 17th July, 1811.
' I have had the honor of receiving your letter of the 13th
instant, and I have referred to the consideration of the Com
missary General the offer which it contains, of the sale of cer
tain oats, barley, and hay. I must inform you, however, that
in every case of this description, I consider myself obliged to
act for the public as I would for an individual, that is to say,
to purchase what the army require at the cheapest rate at
which it can be procured, without any reference whatever to
the loss of the seller. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' Messrs. Brown and Reid: ' Wellington.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Lieut. General
Sir Stapleton Cotton, Bart.
' My dear Cotton, ' Quinta de St. Joao, ISth July, 1811.
' I enclose a letter which I have just received, which shows
an alteration of plan about the 9th dragoons, and probably it
may not be necessary for Sir William to go to Lisbon just
at present ; however, it is possible that the packet may bring
the account of another change. ' Believe me, &c.
' Lieut. General ' Wellington.
Sir Stapleton Cotton, Bart:

1811. quinta DE ST. joa6. 109

Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to Marshal
Sir W. C. Beresford, K.B.
' My dear Beresford, 'QuintadeSt.Joao, 18th July, 1811.
' Madden, who formerly complained of hard work, now that
he has no work, complains of starvation ; two days ago his
horses had been six days without corn, and having inquired on
this subject from Mr. Thomas, I enclose his letter to Major
Harvey. ' One of Madden's brio-ades was to cross the Tagus in the
new distribution of the army, but if they cannot be fed at
Campo Mayor, they cannot anywhere, and it would really be
much better to draw all this cavalry to the rear, and feed them
there, than keep them in front starving and plundering, and
consuming that which our own horses will want yet, viz., straw.
' Believe me, &c.
' Marshal Sir W. C. Beresford, K.B. ' Wellington.
' Barbacena's cavalry, and Nos. 6 and 9, are to go to Elvas.'
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to ihe Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My Lord, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 18th July, 1811.
' Since I had the honor of addressing your Lordship on the
11th instant, I have received a particular account of the regi
ments composing the army of Portugal. It consists of 24
regiments of French infantry, of which one, the 130th of the
line, was not in Portugal during the last campaign, and four
regiments of foreign infantry, and 14 regiments of cavalry,
three of which were not in Portugal last campaign.
' All the troops which were in Portugal last campaign are
now in this army, with the exception of 17 battalions of the
9th corps, belonging to regiments serving in the corps com
posing the array of the south, and three or four battalions of
the Sth corps, also of the same description.
' Allowing very largely for the losses of the French army in
the late operations in Portugal, I cannot suppose the regiments
of French infantry to be reduced below from 1000 to 1200
men each, or the foreign infantry below 500 men each ; and on
this ground I should suppose the army of Portugal now to

110 PORTUGAL. 1811.
consist of from 28,000 to 30,000 infantry. Sixteen of the
regiments of cavalry which were in Portugal last campaign,
cannot now exceed from 200 to 250 men each ; but the three
which were not in Portugal arrived from France in the last
autumn, passed the winter in Castille, and now consist of 400 or
450 men each. According to this estimate the cavalry would
amount to from 3500 to 4000 men.
' These estimates of the numbers of the army of Portugal,
agree with the reports I havfe received of them from a very in
telligent officer. Captain Grant, ofthe 11th regiment, who saw
them march through the Puerto de Banos, and with what I
saw of them at the battle of Fuentes de Onoro, after allowing
for the deduction from the force opposed to us on that occa
sion, of the battalions of the Sth and 9th corps, since detached
to the army of the south, and for the cavalry of the Imperial
Guard, still remaining in Castille. The estimate of numbers
also agrees with what the enemy have stated of their own force,
and with the accounts which I have received of the numbers
of particular divisions.
' The army of Portugal, however, may be stronger than I
suppose, as I have only a list of the regiments and battalions,
and their distribution in divisions, but not a return of their
strength. I know also that there are three more regiments of
cavalry belonging to this army still in Castille, making the
cavalry of the army of Portugal seventeen regiments of four
squadrons each.
' From the returns which I have of the array of the south,
and supposing that the troops which joined Marshal Soult
from Castille, with General Drouet, amounted to only 6000
men, I have estimated that the force of infantry which he
brought into Estremadura amounted to 25,000 rank and file,
and 13 regiments of cavalry, making a total in the two armies
of from 50,000 to 55,000 infantry, exclusive ofthe garrison of
Badajoz, and 27 regiments of cavalry, or about 7000 cavalry,
besides artillery.
' This estimate of the numbers of the army of the south,
likewise agrees with the accounts which I have received of
thera from different quarters.
' In my dispatches of the 11th instant, I apprized your Lord
ship that the 5th corps d'armee, and the greatest part of the
cavalry of the array of the south, had been left in Estremadura,

1811. aUINTA DE ST. ,r0A5. Ill
in communication with the army of Portugal ; and that from
the returns I had reason to believe that the 5th corps consisted of
12,000 effective infantry. This would leave in Estremadura at
present about 40,000 effective infantry, exclusive of the garrison
of Badajoz, and between 5000 and 6000 cavalry, besides
artillery. ' In the situation which Marshal Marmont will take upon
the Tagus, he may assist or may receive assistance by his
right from Marshal Bessieres, in Castille, as well as assist or
receive assistance from the Sth corps d'armee in Estremadura,
and that is the motive for taking up this position. I should
imagine that Marshal Bessieres could bring together about
10,000 men, including Bonet's division, now in Leon, &c.,
and the Imperial Guard.
' I have now the honor to enclose to your Lordship the last
weekly state of the British troops in Portugal, and the morn
ing state of yesterday morning of the troops composing the
allied army actually in the field, from which your Lordship
will observe that there are 44,810 rank and file of infantry ;
and taking the number of cavalry from the horses, 4299
cavalry, of which 3073 are British, besides artillery. In this
state are not included the 68th, 77th, 32nd, and 26th regiments,
which have not yet joined the army ; nor the 12th light dra
goons ; the whole of which, with recovered men from the hos
pitals, may be expected to add 5000 men to our numbers in
the course of the next fortnight.
With this force it becomes a question whether any and what
operation shall be undertaken.
' With the fine and well-equipped army which we have,
and with our cavalry in such good order as it is, and with the
prospect of the renewal of hostilities in the north of Europe, 1
am most anxious not to allow this moment ofthe enemy's com
parative weakness to pass by without making an effort to im
prove the situation of the allies in the Peninsula ; and I pro
ceed to inform your Lordship of what I think of the different
courses of operation which we may pursue.
' In the present season of the year, it is quite impossible to
undertake the siege of Badajoz. The loss of men from the
heat of the weather and the unwholesomeness of the climate in
Estremadura, if the troops should be obliged to perform any
labor during the ensuing six weeks or two months, would ex-

112 PORTUGAL. 1811.
ceed what might be expected in a general action. Besides, if
this operation were to be attempted, Soult could without diffi
culty increase the army in Estremadura from 10,000 to 15,000
men, and the enemy would again have the superiority of num
bers in the field.
' I had intended to endeavor to fall upon the army of Por
tugal, if left to itself by Soult's movement to the southward, in
consequence of General Blake's operations. But from what I
have stated to your Lordship of the relative numbers of the
two armies now existing in Estremadura, you will observe that
ours are but little superior ; that we are inferior in that prin
cipal arm in this open country, cavalry ; and therefore that
any success which we might derive in a general action, to which
I might bring the army of Portugal and the 5th corps d'armee,
would not be very decisive ; and that, on the other hand, the
loss which we should sustain by the heat of the weather and
by the length of the marches which we should be obliged to
make, in order only to get water, would be very great.
' The attempt to relieve Cadiz would certainly not succeed.
The 5th corps d'armee and the army of Portugal would follow
our movements to the south, if they did not attempt some
offensive operation on the Portuguese frontier in our absence;
and we should meet in Andalusia the whole force which lately
obhged us to raise the siege of Badajoz, with the addition to it
of the force which was left before Cadiz.
' The next operation which presents itself, is the siege of
Ciudad Rodrigo, for which I have so far prepared, as to have
our battering train in the Douro.
' It would be necesssary in this case to leave 10,000 or 1 2,000
men in Alentejo, to watch the movements of the 5th corps
d'armee, which would reduce our force to about 45,000 men,
to which Marmont and Bessieres would be equal, and superior
in cavalry ; and if the 5th corps were to be moved to the north
of the Tagus, to co-operate in the endeavor to oblige us to
abandon our object, our troops in Alentejo would follow the
movement. But still the enemy would be equal to us in
numbers, and superior in cavalry.
,' This enterprise, however, upon the whole promises best.
We can derive some assistance frora our militia in the north
in carrying it into execution, and the climate in which
fhe operation is to bo carried on is not unfavorable at this

1811. QUINTA DE ST. ,fOA5. 11.3
season. If it should not succeed, the attempt will remove the
war to the strongest frontier of Portugal ; and if obliged to
resume the defensive, the strength of our army will be centri-
cally situated, while the enemy's armies of tbe north and of
the south will be disunited.
• Under all these circumstances I am tempted to try this
enterprise. But 1 beg your Lordship to observe that I may
be obliged to abandon it. In a case in which the relative force
of the two armies will be so nearly balanced as in this, and
particularly in an operation in the Peninsula of Spain, it is
impossible for me to foresee all the events which may lead to
this result. But the arrival of reinforcements to the enemy,
or farther information of the enemy's force, which should show
them to be stronger than I now imagine them to be, or the
falling off of the strength of our army owing to the sickness
of the troops, which I do not now expect, would necessarily
oblige me to abandon the enterprise.
' My intention now is to canton the army on the two banks
of the Tagus, until the reinforcements have joined. In the
mean time the train will be moved up the Douro, and the
preparations will be made for transporting it to Ciudad Rod
rigo ; and when these are completed, I propose to put the
army in motion to attempt the siege of that place, if I
should find that circumstances afford a chance of success.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool: ' Wellington.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My Lord, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 18th July, 1811.
' The army of Portugal broke up from their position on the
Guadiana on the 14th instant, and have moved towards
Truxillo. ' I have not yet heard that any troops had passed that town
towards Almaraz, or that the cavalry which had been about
Talavera and Lobon had retired farther than Merida. But
their intention is certainly to take a position on the Tagus,
which shall be centrical to the north as well as to the south,
from which they could move with facility to either quarter to
which our operations may be directed, and in which they cftn
VOL. VIII. I

114 PORTUGAL. 1811.
receive the assistance of the troops in Old Castille or in Estre
madura, if they should require it.
' They are fortifying the old castle of Medellin, as welt
as that at Truxillo, from which circumstance I judge that the
communication between the army of Portugal and the 5th
corps d'armee' will be carried across the Guadiana, by the
bridge of Medellin.
' As the circumstances which induced me to occupy the po
sition in which the army now is, no longer exist, I propose to
canton the troops for the present along the frontier, in those
towns reported to be healthy, with the right at Estremoz, and
the left across the Tagus, at Castello Branco ; and the troops
are already in movement with that object in view.
' General Blake embarked his corps in the mouth of the
Guadiana on the 6th, leaving General Ballesteros' division of
troops, and the cavalry of the 5th army, still in the Condado
de Niebla. The troops sailed on the 13th ; and General Bal
lesteros was near Ayamonte by the last accounts.
' As soon as General Blake's corps embarked, the body of
the enemy's troops which had marched towards the Guadiana
and by the last account I sent your Lordship had turned
towards Cartaya, retired from the frontier towards San Lucar,
having heard probably that one of the objects which General
Blake had in view when he embarked was to make an attack
upon that place.
' I understand that the troo[)s belonging to the 4th corps,
which Marshal Soult had brought into Estremadura, had
marched towards Granada, so that there remain in Andalusia
the 1st corps and the reserve; the 5th corps and the greatest
part of the cavalry being in Estremadura.
' 1 have heard nothing more of the action which it was re
ported had been fought near Astorga; and I have reason to
believe that there was no foundation for the report upon that
subject which General Silveira forwarded to me.
' There is nothing new on the side of Valladolid, excepting
that King Joseph had returned to Spain, and it is said arrived
at Burgos with an escort of about 3000 men on the 5th instant.
It is reported that he was to be followed by large reinforce
ments ; but no troops had arrived at Bayonne when I last
heard from thence.
'A detachment of about 1000 men of the garrison of Salamanca

1811. QUINTA DE ST. J0a5. 115
had marched towards Bcjar on the 10th, apparentiy to relieve
Ciudad Rodrigo, which place Don Julian had for some time
held closely blockaded. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool: ' Wellington.
MEMORANDUM
For Colonels Framingham and Fletcher, and Mr, Kennedy.
' Quinta de St. Joao, 19th July, 1811.
' 1. The heavy ordnance and stores, and engineers' stores,
now embarked in the transports in the Douro, being required
at Ciudad Rodrigo, measures must be adopted to remove thera
thither. ' 2. They must be reraoved into boats at Oporto, and carried
by water to Lamego.
' 3. At Lamego they must be landed, and the ordnance re
moved at once by 384 pairs of bullocks to Trancoso. The
stores, that is to say, 350 rounds for each 18 pounder and 24
pounder gun, and 160 rounds for each 10 inch mortar, to be
removed to Trancoso, on 892 country carts.
' 4. The engineers' stores to be removed to Trancoso upon
200 country carts.
' 5. The 892 carts mentioned in No. 3, to be unloaded at
Trancoso, and to return to Lamego, to bring up to Trancoso
the remainder of the stores.
' 6. Upon the arrival of the second qu*ntity of stores at
Trancoso, the whole ordnance, and the stores for 350 rounds a
gun, and for 160 rounds each mortar, on 892 carts, and the
engineers' stores on 200 carts, to move to Ciudad Rodrigo.
' 7. The ordnance stores to be unloaded at Ciudad Rodrigo,
and the 892 carts to return to Trancoso for the second convoy.
' 8. Colonel Framingham to order from Lisbon to Oporto
1600 barrels of powder, to complete the quantity at that
place, to what will be sufficient for the shot and shells with
the battering train.
' 9- Major Dickson is requested to proceed to Oporto, in
order to superintend the removal of the ordnance and stores
from thence, and Colonel Fletcher will send there an officer of
the engineer department.
' 10. These officers will communicate with the gentlemen
I 2

116 PORTUGAL. 1811.
employed by the Commissary General, to collect the neces
sary boats and carts ; and the matter should be arranged in
such a manner as that the stores would be at Lamego at the
time the carts would be ready to remove them.
' 11. The two companies of British artillery, now at Lisbon,
to be ordered to Oporto by sea.
' 12. Probable tirae these operations will take.
' 12 days for Major Dickson's journey to Oporto.
' 6 . . for the removal of the stores and ordnance to
the boats.
' 6 . . from Oporto to Lamego.
' 8 . . from the boats to Lamego.
' 4 . . from Lamego to Trancoso.
' 4 . . carts to return and load.
'4 . . two trips to Trancoso.
'6 . . to Ciudad Rodrigo.
' 6 . . to return to Trancoso.
'6 . . to bring the second quantity of stores.
' 62 days. ' Wellington.'
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Major General Peacocke.
' Sir, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 19th July, 1811.
' 1 request you to apply to Admiral Berkeley for transports
to convey to Oporto two companies of the Royal British artil
lery, which you will direct to embark when the transports shall
be ready ; and on the arrival of these companies at Oporto^
they are to place themselves under the orders of Major
Dickson. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
'Major General Peacocke: ''Wellington.'
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, K.B., io Major Generals Picton,-
Campbell, and Slade.
' Gentlemen, ' Quinta de St Joao, 20th July, 1811.
' I have the honor to inform you that Don Carlos de Espana
has been appointed to command and to superintend all Spanish
affairs in Castille, and that part of Estremadura north of the
Tagus, and to request you to communicate with him on the
public service, and to give him countenance and support as

1811. QUINTA DE ST. J0a5. 117
far as may be consistent with the instructions which you will
have received.
' I request you to forward to head quarters any letters that
he may send to you for that purpose.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' Major Generals ' Wellington.
Picton, Campbell, and Slade:
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Rear Admiral
the Hon. A. Legge.
* Sir, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 20th July, 1811.
' 1 have had the honor of receiving your letter of the 15th,
announcing your arrival at Cadiz, to relieve Admiral Sir
Richard Keats, and I assure you that I shall have great satis
faction in communicating and in co-operating with you, to
forward the public service. Mr. Wellesley will make you
acquainted with the state of affairs in this quarter.
' 1 have the honor to be, &c.
' Rear Admiral the Hon. A. Legge: ' Wellington.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Marshal
Sir W. C. Beresford, K.B.
' My dear Beresford, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 20th July, 1811.
' In the existing situation of affairs, I think it not impossible
that I may be able to make the siege of Ciudad Rodrigo,
although the prospect that I should be able to effect that
operation is become less favorable since the accounts have
arrived of the fall of Tarragona. However, we shall have a
very fine array of little less than 60,000 men, including artil
lery, in the course of about a fortnight; and I do not see
what I can do with it, to improve the situation of the allies,
during the period in which it is probable that, the enemy's
attention being taken up with the affairs of the north of
Europe, we shall be more nearly on a par of strength with
him, excepting we undertake this operation. I have, there
fore, at all events, ordered the battering train up the Douro,
and the preparations to be made for moving it from Lamego,
and Dickson goes to Oporto to-raorrow to superintend these
arrangements. There would be no difficulty in them if we
had been able to save Almeida : however, it is useless to lament
what cannot be easily remedied.
' It will be necessary that the militia of the Tras os Montes,

118 PORTUGAL. 1811.
at least of the northern provinces, should be under arms during
this operation, and that we should have the assistance of all
that in Beira, whether for work or for other objects. These
regiments should, therefore, be immediately embodied in their
districts, and they can afterwards be assembled in large corps.
I expect that in seven weeks I shall have matters in prepara
tion for this enterprise ; but before that time, it will be neces
sary to have troops on foot in Beira, to cover the movement of
stores, &c. ; this will give the array something more than a
month in cantonments. ' Believe me, &c.
• Marshal Sir W. C. Beresford, KB: ' WELLINGTON.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to Marshal
Sir W. C. Beresford, K.B.
' My dear Beresford, ' Quinta de St? Joao, 20th July, 1811.
' I received last night your letter of the 16.th. In respect
to the protections from the recruiting laws of persons in the
private service of individuals in the British army, I shall be
very much obliged^ to you if you will let me know what is the
law, and the practice under the law, in regard to the private
servants of the Portuguese officers, and the nobility and the
gentry, and I shall desire to have the same exemptions in
favor of persons in the private service of individuals in the
British army.
' I think I may reasonably claim the same exemption for
them, because, generally speaking, every man thus employed
saves a man to the ranks. There may be abuses on our
side, but I believe I can prove there is oppression on that of
the Portuguese Government. The officers of the Govern
ment in general have been very uncivil to our officers lately,
and there exists a very general disposition among them to
quarrel and complain for very trifling causes, and that dispo
sition is not a little encouraged by the Government. I should
not like to see the convenience which an officer derives from
his servant, depend upon any Portuguese authority ; as in their
present disposition, I should be certain that the servant would
be obliged to march, unjustly perhaps, whenever it should suit
the Portuguese authority to manifest his dislike.
' I have received your letters of the 17th and 18th.
' Believe me, &c.
' MariJial Sir W. C, Beresford, KB: ' Wellington.

1811. QUINTA DE ST. J0a3. 119
Lieut. General Viscount IVellington, K.B., Id Marshal
Sir W. C. Beresford, K.B.
• Quinta de St. Joao, 20th July, 1811.
' Mv DEAR Beresford, i past 7 p.m.
' Wc have with our train, at Oporto, one half of the powder
which is necessary for our enterprise, which I communicated
to you this day, and I cannot discover exactly whether or not
we have any more at Lisbon, or how much we have received
from England of the different quantities for which I have
written, or what we have done with any portion of it. We
ought to have received 4000 barrels, besides what we had with
our train. I believe we received 6000 barrels, and I know
that General Howorth told me we had 7000 barrels when I
ordered the last 2000 barrels for Elvas, and we ought to have
therefore now 5000 barrels, but I can get no information upon
anything here. 1 therefore request that upon the receipt of
this letter, you will make inquiry what quantity of powder
either we have, or the Portuguese stores have, or the Admiral
has to spare, and send off to Oporto without loss of tirae 1600
barrels; there raust be a large quantity of powder in the works
which could be brought down, and it is desirable that this
quantity should be sent as soon as possible from any place to
Oporto. ' On the 6th of June I wrote to England for 4000 barrels
of powder, 2000 to be sent immediately, and 2000 hereafter ;
and if you should not be able to send any powder from Lisbon,
I beg you to explain the circumstance to the Admiral, and ask
him to order a vessel to cruize off Oporto for the powder ships,
and to take them in there.
' In case you should not be able from our stores, from your
stores, or from the Admiral's, to send any powder to Oporto,
I beg you to get the Admiral to send the enclosed letter to
England by an express vessel. ' Believe me, &c.
' Marshal Sir W. C. Beresford, K.B. ' Wellington.
' P.S. It occurs to me that there is a very large quantity of
powder in the British stores at Cadiz, and I beg you to inquire
upon this point from General Graham ; and if there should be
any, to send it immediately, and to order to Oporto what we
want, if our wants cannot be supplied from Lisbon ; it can

120 PORTUGAL. 1811.
easily be replaced when ours shall arrive from England. I
have written to my. brother to have preparation made to send
off the powder as soon as your requisition shall arrive, for
any quantity not exceeding 1600 barrels.'
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., io the Right Hon.
Henry Wellesley.
" My dear Henry, ' Quinta de St. .Joao, 20th July, 181K
' I received last night your letter of the 15th, and I now
enclose my last dispatch, and a confidential dispatch which I
wrote to Lord Liverpool on the 18th. The fall of Tarragona
will make some difference in the calculations on which my de
sign is founded. But I have ordered the preparations for it,
and I shall continue them till I find the plan to be impracticable,
' I am not sufficiently acquainted with tbe state of affairs in
Murcia, to decide whether it is right or necessary to increase
the army in that quarter. You may depend upon it, however,
that that army cannot be increased to such a degree as to en
able it to make any effectual or useful progress even against
the 4th corps, which Soult has reinforced, by sending back the
division belonging to it which he had brought into Estrema
dura, much less such a progress against the whole army of the
south. But it might be necessary to reinforce the army of
Murcia, to enable it to hold its ground, which, however, from
all that I have heard of the country, I am inclined to doubt.
The reinforcement of the army of Murcia, therefore, is neither
more nor less than a rank job, and a very dangerous one in
these times.
' In my opinion the most interesting points at present in
Spain, are the Sierra de Ronda, or the Condado de Niebla.
The former, if the Spaniards should be obliged to act alone, is
the fittest scene of their operations, and they would always
have a retreat upon Gibraltar. The latter, if they are to com
bine their operations with ours, is the best, because the com
munication is shorter and more certain, and they would have a
secure retreat into Portugal. In either case they could be
supplied with facihty from Cadiz, or they could be drawn
thither if the enemy were to prepare for a seriotis attack upon
that position.
'A corps of 10,000 or 12,000 men, well equipped, in the
Sierra de Ronda, or the Condado de Niebla, would be a

1811. QUINTA DE ST. J0a3. 121
thorn in the enemy's side, to which he must pay attention ;
would be an effectual diversion for our operations ; and if in
the latter, would be ready either to join us through Portugal,
or to march upon Seville, if we should be able, in a later period
of the season, to make another attack upon Badajoz. It may
be depended upon that if the allies can only get hold of Seville
for a few hours, the enemy must raise the siege of Cadiz ; and
therefore it would appear most desirable for the Spaniards to
turn their attention seriously to that object. But it must be
seriously. It must be attempted with a corps of 10,000 or
12,000 men, well equipped with what is necessary to obtain
success, and in some degree disciplined ; and if they once make
such an establishment in one of those quarters, not only is
their retreat secure, but the enemy must attend to them, or
must give up Seville and the siege of Cadiz.
' This is the object I had in view when I proposed to
General Blake to go to the Condado de Niebla, when he de
clined to join himself to us, after the last siege of Badajoz.
But he has since embarked, and he looks to other objects,
which are quite impracticable, as he may depend upon it are
all off'ensive operations with the Spanish troops in their exist
ing state ; and he will find that not only they are impracticable,
but that he removes himself and his troops from the real scene
of action, in which he might be of some use, if he would re
main quiet.
' 1 have not talked with Castaiios or any body upon this
plan. The truth is, that it is impossible for any rational raan
to talk to any of them. They are visionaries and enthusiasts
who will not look at things as they really are ; and although
they cannot be ignorant of the truth of all we say of the
miserably inefficient state of their army, they talk and act as if
it was an array, till some dreadful disaster happens, and they
are highly offended if in any discussion the truth, which ought
never to be concealed in such a discussion, is even hinted.
' I make you acquainted however with my intentions, and
my opinion of the mode in which the Spanish force under
General Blake could assist me most effectually, and you will
judge from circumstances whether the subject can be brought
forward usefully at all, and in what manner.
' Austin, who has some sources of intelligence in Andalusia,
tells me that the French intend to make a serious attempt upon

122 PORTUGAL. 1811.
Cadiz. The removal of the cannon from Badajoz looks like
that plan, but it may be also with a view to the attack of
Carthagena, which Soult had in contemplation. I understand
that the Spanish Government, with their usual want of fore
sight, discontinued the works for the defence of the Isla, and
the communication with the Isla, as soon as they were able to
send some of the troops away in the end of February last, and
have not yet resumed them !
' The thoughtlessness of this nation is too bad 1 !
' What do you mean should be done about the 47th
regiment ? ' Ever yours, most affectionately,
' The Rt. Hon. H. Wellesley. ' Wellington.
' Just to show you what kind of people even the best of these
Spaniards are, I mention that Abadia, who took leave of me at
Elvas about seven weeks ago, after having remained in that
neighbourhood nearly three weeks, is still at Lisbon. They
say he is sick, but a journey would recover him. If he had
gone when he ought, his army would now have been ready for
action. As it is, the season for any operation on the coast will
be over before he will reach Coruiia, and then there is work
for two months in organization, &c.'
Lieut, General Viscount Wellington, KB., io ihe Right Hon.
Henry Wellesley.
' My dear Henry, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 20th July, 1811.
' I am rather apprehensive that I shall want from 1200
to 1600 barrels of gunpowder, to complete the equipment
necessary to enable me to carry on the operation, which you
will find in my letter of the 18th, to the Secretary of State, I
intended to carry on.
' I have desired Beresford, who is at Lisbon, to apply for
assistance to the British stores at Cadiz, if he should not find
what we want in our or the Portuguese stores, or in the Ad
miral's ships ; and I request you to tell General Cooke that I
beg that any quantity of powder which may be in the British
stores at Cadiz (not exceeding 1600 barrels), may be shipped
and ready to be sent off at a moment's notice, when he shall

1811. quinta DE ST. joa8. 123
receive a requisition for it from Sir William Beresford. I will
replace what he will send. ' Ever yours, most affectionately,
' The Rt. Hun. H. WeUesley: ' Wellington.

Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to the Earl of Liverpool,
Sea'etary of State.
' My Lord, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 20th July, 1811.
' Since I wrote you on the 18th instant, I have had reason
to believe that we have not in Portugal the quantity of powder
necessary to enable me to carry on the enterprise which I then
informed your Lordship I intended to undertake.
' I therefore trust that your Lordship will have ordered out
immediately 2000 of the 4000 barrels of powder which I re
quested to have on the 6th of June ; and if they should not
have been sent before your Lordship will receive this letter, I
beg that you will send them to Oporto without loss of time.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool' ' AVellington.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My Lord, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 20th July, 1811.
' I enclose a letter from Marshal Sir William Beresford, in
which he has desired that the number of medical officers at
tached to the Portuguese army may be increased from twelve
to twenty, and that measures should be taken to replace those
become noneffective on account of ill health.
' I would beg to recomraend on this point the adoption of
the rule which I have made in respect to Staff appointments
attached to the British army, viz., that those who hold them
shall receive no emolument on account of them, if absent from
their duty on account of their health for a greater length of
tirae than two raonths, unless their absence should have been
occasioned by wounds. However severe it may appear to de
prive an officer of his emoluments, whose absence may be
occasioned by illness acquired in the performance of his duty
in a bad climate, still, adverting to the abuse of sick certificates,
and considering the right which the public have to expect that

124 PORTUGAL. 1811.
those paid for performing the duty of a Staff employment shall
be efficient, I conceive that the justice of the rule will be found
to preponderate over its severity.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool: ' Wellington.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, K.B., io the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My Lord, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 20th July, 1811.
' I enclose a letter from Marshal Sir William Beresford, in
which he has enclosed one from Mr. Wellesley, conveying the
offer of the Spanish Government to appoint Sir William Be
resford a Captain General in the Spanish array, in testimony
of their approbation of his conduct in the battle of Albuera,
upon which I request your Lordship to state the pleasure of
his Royal Highness the Prince Regent.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
• The Earl of Liverpool' ' Wellington.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Major General
R. Craufurd.
' My dear General, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 21st July, 1811.
' I have received your note about Colonel Barnard. Paken
ham consented to the arrangement you proposed as soon as it
was proposed to him, and 1 intended to send him to your
division, but I waited till I should receive the report of the
Medical Board on Beckwith's case. I am not certain, how
ever, that the most convenient arrangement for the pubhc
service, will not be that which you have proposed for the tem
porary command of the brigade, and Pakenham will do with
pleasure whatever I wish him to do.
' Believe me, &c.
' Major General R. Craufurd: ' Wellington.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., io General Leite,
Governor of Elvas.
' Sir, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 21st July, 1811.
' I send herewith a soldier who was concerned in the robbery
of the house of Joana Euphemia Rita Silveira, in Elvas, about
which I wrote to you in the month of March last, and who can
point out the persons who bought from him some flax stolen in

1811. QUINTA DE ST. J0a8. 125
the said house. I request you to send an officer with him, to
have the person pointed out who bought the flax, and that
you will have this purchaser of property, which he must have
known was stolen, dealt with according to law, and that the
owner of the property, Joana Euphemia Rita Silveira, may
have her property again. 'I have the honor to be, &c.
' General Leite, ' Wellington.
Governor of Elvas:
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Colonel Austin.
' My dear Sir, 'Quinta de St. Joao, 2 1st July, 1811.
' Adverting to my letter to you of the 13th, requesting you
to form a magazine upou the Guadiana, for the supply of the
Spanish troops, in case they should be obliged to retire into
Portugal, I have to inform you that I have desired Mr. Ken
nedy to send from the Tagus to the mouth of the Guadiana
a supply of flour and of forage corn for the magazine, as under
existing circumstances it is much more easy for us to send
these articles, than to send money to purchase them. They
will be entirely at your disposal. ' Believe me, &c.
' Colonel Austin: 'Wellington.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., io Lieut. General Graham.
' My dear Sir, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 21st July, 1811.
' 1 have received your note of the 19th, and I conceive that
the same circumstances which render it expedient that you
should be supplied with horses by some public arrangement,
apply to your aides de camp, Captains Hope and Stanhope,
and I beg you will take as many of the horses sent out for the
officers of the cavalry as you may think proper.
' You will have seen in my dispatch of the 18th, that the
enemy have moved; the cavalry left Merida on the 17th, when
Cocks arrived there, and the array of Portugal are going into
cantonments on the two banks of the Tagus. It is said that
the 5th corps have moved likewise ; but this I doubt. We are
going into cantonments likewise, and as we are becoming very
strong, I propose to endeavor to obtain possession of Ciudad
Rodrigo; some time will elapse before the train, which is in

126 PORTUGAL. 1811.
the Douro, can be brought up ; in the mean time the troops
may as well be out of the sun. ' Believe me, &c.
' Lieut General Graham: ' Wellington.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., io His Excellency
Charles Stuart.
' My dear Sir, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 21st July, 1811.
' The letter from Dom M. de Forjaz, to which I referred
in mine of the 14th, is written to Marshal Beresford, and is
dated the 1st July. It relates principally to the forts of
Elvas, Campo Mayor, &c. ; but the last paragraph, to which
I refer, and of which I now enclose a copy, goes to assert that
the subsidy has not been regularly paid. This I deny, and
the assertion ought to be contradicted. ' Believe rae, &c.
'His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, K.B., io His Excellency
Charles Stuart.
' Sir, ' Quinta de St Joao, 21st July, 1811.
' I beg you to inform the Portuguese Government that it
is my intention to repay to the Government the sums which
have been advanced by General Silveira by my desire.
' The delay which has taken place in transmitting an
answer, has been occasioned only by the necessity of putting
the transaction into an official shape, and of making those who
have received the advances from General Silveira accountable
. through the several departments in which they are serving.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My Lord, 'Quinta de St. Joao, 21st July, 1811.
' It appears by accounts which I have received from Mr.
Wellesley, dated the 15th instant, that Tarragona was taken
by storm on the 28th of June ; the 47th regiment, and the
other troops which General Graham had lately sent to that
quarter from Cadiz, having arrived on the preceding day in
the roads.

1811. quinta de ST. joa5. 127
' I beg to draw your Lordship's attention to General
Graham's dispatch of the 14th June, and its enclosures, upon
the subject of sending to Tarragona the 47th regiment, and the
plan of recruiting, and other arrangements connected with that
measure, upon which I request to have your Lordship's orders.
' I hkewise beg to draw your Lordship's attention to the
future arrangements for the command at Cadiz, the troops at
which place are now considered part of this army. The
General Officer in command there has, however, always re
ported directly to the Secretary of State, and received his
orders immediately from your Lordship, and I have not
always been made acquainted with your Lordship's instructions ;
nor have I known whether the measures adopted there have
been founded upon them.
' As lonjj as there was in command at Cadiz an officer of
the rank and character of General Graham, I had no objection
to this system. But I beg to inform your Lordship, that I
cannot conceive myself responsible for the acts or conduct of
any General Officer on whom the command at Cadiz may
devolve, unless the correspondence with the Secretary of
State is carried on through me, and I am made acquainted
regularly with your Lordship's wishes and intentions regard
ing that place.
' It appears to me, that the best plan would be to consider
the troops at Cadiz as those at Gibraltar are, a distinct
comraand. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool: 'Wellington.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Lieut. General
Sir S. Cotton, Bart.
' Quinta de St. Joao, 22nd July, 1811.
• My dear Cotton, 8 a.m.
' Tell De Grey to send rae the usual certificate of his health.
I cannot allow any officer to quit the array on any plea what
ever, excepting that of ill health.
' In regard to  , surely no man can contend that
the want of a daily state for so many days, was not a ground of
complaint. Upon that ground I ordered the person responsible
to the Adjutant General (of whom in the first instance I com
plained) to be put in arrest, and upon being informed that

128 PORTUGAL. 1811.
 's inferiors were in fault, (for fault there was) I

said, let them be put in arrest. I do not think there is any
thing unreasonable or harsh in all this, and with every good
disposition towards  , he must not expect that I
shall recall any thing I have ever authorized to be written
respecting any body, on any omission of duty in the army.
' Believe me, &c.
' LieuL General ' Wellington.
Sir S. Cotton, Bart:
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, K.B., io Marshal
Sir W. C. Beresford, K.B.
' My dear Beresford, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 22nd July, 1811.
' Brito was with me last night, and told me that he was
obliged to go to the sea coast for the sake of bathing, upon
which subject he will probably apply to you. He leaves at
Elvas a person who has always assisted him in giving intelli
gence, who he says is capable.
' Do you mean to promote Brito .'' It is certainly hard
upon an officer to employ hira out of the line of his pro
fession, and then not to promote hira in his turn ; at the same
time, it does not answer to promote those who have no know
ledge of their duty. However, the practice of aggregado and
gradragao may enable you to overcome the difficulty which
certainly exists in this case. ' Believe me, &c.
' Marshal Sir W. C. Beresford, KB: ' Wellington.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., io Vice Admiral
the Hon. G. Berkeley.
' Sir, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 22nd July, 1811.
' I have received your letter of the 20th instant, and, in
consequence of the orders brought out by the Herring
schooner, it is expedient to suspend the arrangement which I
had proposed in my letter of the 17th, for sending to Sicily the
officers and men of the 9th light dragoons. I think it pro
bable, however, that the arrangement, as originally proposed,
will be resumed, as soon as it shall be known in England that
1 have brought from Cadiz to Lisbon the dismounted hussars

1811. QUINTA DE ST. JOaS. 129
of the £nd King's German Legion, to be mounted on the horses
of the 9th light dragoons. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' Vice Admiral ' Wellington,
the Hon. G. Berkeley:
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to His Excellency
Charles Stuart.
' My dear Sir, ' Quinta de St. Joao, 22nd July, 1811.
' I return the letter to Marshal Beresford, in which I have
marked the paragraph of which I complain. I sent you a
copy of it yesterday.
' I observe that Dom M. de Forjaz's last note contains the
same unfounded statement, viz., that the subsidy has been in
arrear, which I positively deny ; and what I aver, viz., that it
has always been in advance, can be clearly proved by a re
ference to the state of the payments at any one period since
June 1809.
' We cannot negotiate a loan here without the authority
of Parliament, which is a very short answer to Dom M. de
Forjaz's proposal to raise money by loan. Besides, if we
could raise money in that manner, the British army must have
their share of it.
' The question of money becomes more serious every day ;
so much so, that Mr. Kennedy is going down to Lisbon to
endeavor to effect an improvement. If this improvement can
not be effected, we must become bankrupt, as we have not a
shilling. ' We have got but very little for the Algerines besides my
subscription ; but that little shall be sent to you.
' Beheve me, &c.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:
Lieut. General Viscount WeUington, K.B., io the Right Hon.
Henry Wellesley.
' My dear Henry, ' Quinta de S. Joa*, 22nd July, 1811.
' I have received another account this day of the enemy's
preparations at Seville, which it is reported are intended either
to push with vigor an attack upon Cadiz, or to destroy Freire ;
the latter would lead to an attack upon Carthagena, which we
know, Soult has in view. -.
VOL. viii. , K

130 PORTUGAL. 1811.
* It is very extraordinary that we should hear of these de
signs, and not the Spanish Government ; and particularly that
they should have had no intelhgence, and have taken no notice
of the collection of heavy ordnance at Seville from Badajoz.
They may depend upon it that this equipment has not been
brought to Seville for no object, and that if it begins to move
upon Cadiz, it is the enemy's intention to make a serious attack
upon the position there.
' You will of course send me the earliest intelligence you
will receive of this design, and I will take care to reinforce
Cadiz in time with some of our troops. But the Spaniards
must look themselves a little to this subject, and must complete
the works. ' Ever yours, most affectionately,
• The Right Hon. H. Wellesley: ' Wellington.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, K.B., io the Juiz de Fora,
at Borba.
•Sir, ¦ ' Quinta de St. Joao, 23rd July, 1811.
' I send herewith a soldier in the British army, who was
lately concerned in committing a robbery at Elvas, in the
house of Joana Euphemia Rita Silveira ; and he sold some of
the articles stolen, viz., sheets, and a table cloth, for five dol
lars, to a woman at Borba, whom he will point out to you. I
beg you to attend, and see this person, and that you will recover
the sheets, and send them to Elvas to the woman. I likewise
request you to carry into execution the law against the woman^
who purchased the sheets, &c., as she must have known them
to be stolen. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' The Juiz de Fora, at Borba: ' Wellington. .
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, K.B., io Marshal
Sir W. C. Beresford, K.B.
' My dear Beresford, ' Portalegre, 24th July, 1811.
' I am sorry to observe that the Government continue s6
unwilling to adopt the measures which you think necessary to
supply what is required for their army, and at the same time tp
save as much as possible the expenditure of money ; but there
is one very easy remedy, and that is, to order from England the
articles which you think it necessary to have, and when they

1811. QUINTA DE ST. .TOaO. 131
arrive, their value shall be carried to account as so much
subsidy. ' If the Government do not choose to adopt measures to
feed their cavalry, and the brigades of infantry, on the Portu
guese establishment, I wish they would say so, in order that
we might send these troops to the rear, and that I might not
be supposed to have 50,000 men, when in reahty I have not
40,000 for action.
' It would also be but fair towards me, if the members of
the Government would explain to the Prince Regent of Por
tugal that they cannot maintain their army upon the frontier,
that his Royal Highness might lay aside some of the prejudices
which he has imbibed against me.
' In respect to Madden and Colman, I confess I think the
latter has the better claim to obtain his British rank of the two.
I think it as well to leave both till an opportunity shall occur
for the Portuguese Government to make the request from
the British Government. ' Believe me, &c.
' Marshal Sir W.C. Beresford, KB: ' Wellington.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to General Castanos.
' My DEAR General, ' Portalegre, 24th July, 1811.
' I have had the pleasure of receiving your Excellency's
letter ofthe 23rd. I do not think that the intelligence which
I have received from Cadiz tends to prove that the enemy are
about to carry into execution the plan which Soult had in con
templation for the attack of Carthagena.
* The execution of this plan must be connected with the
march of heavy artillery and stores from Seville, which does
not appear to have been sent yet ; and I am therefore inclined
to believe that Soult will use the force of which he has the com
mand at present in making a serious attack upon Cadiz. It is
difficult, however, to form a decided opinion upon this subject,
without having better information than I possess.
' It is obvious that the removal of the heavy artillery from
Badajoz was connected with a plan to attack either Carthagena
or Cadiz ; and if the people who gave information from Seville
would watch the progress of this heavy artillery, the Spanish
Government must be acquainted with Soult's design. K 2

132 PORTUGAL. 18n.
' One division of infantry, which belonged to the 4th corpsj
and came into Estremadura with Soult lately, has certainly
returned to Granada ; but it might have been desirable to re
inforce the troops in that quarter, without reference to any
plan of offensive operation, and Soult would still have a suffi
cient number of troops for the execution of his design against
Cadiz. I request your Excellency to let me know whether
you have received any intelligence which states that the divi
sion of the army of Portugal, which Colonel Grant informs me
arrived at Plasencia on the 20th, had marched on for Ciudad
Rodrigo. Colonel Grant mentions that part of it was intended
to march in that direction by Coria, but not that these troops
had marched.
' I sincerely wish that your Excellency had an army wilh
which you could carry into execution the plan of operations of
which your Excellency has given the sketch in your letter. ; I
have always found that when 1 have undertaken an operation
which has reraoved me to a distance from the raagazines of the
array, the troops have starved. 1 have likewise found that
when I have undertaken an offensive operation of great extent,
and connected with the operations of the troops of Spain, the
whole disposable force of the eneray has been turned against
me with impunity.
' If I >vas to take the proposed position in the Sierra Morena,
if my troops could survive the starvation which they would
suffer, I should have Marmont, with the whole array of Porr
tugal, to act on one side of rae, and Soult, with the whole
army of the south, on the other, leaving a division to maintain
the blockade of Cadiz, and another at Granada to observe
General Freire's corps, in the same manner as during the late
expedition into Estremadura for the relief of Badajoz. And
this collection of troops would be made with impunity, as the
late collection was. Instead of alarming King Joseph in. his
capital there, I should be too happy to be able to reach again
the frontiers of this kingdom, in order to save my army. >
' An array under the command of your Excellency might be
more successful in all these respects ; but your Excellency may
depend upon the truth of what I have repeatedly had the honor
of stating to you in conversation, and that is, that until the
Spanish arijiies shall possess regular resources, by which they
can be supplied during any operation which they may underr

1811. PORTALEGRE. 133
take; until they are equipped in such a manner that casual
or trifling difficulties will not impede their operations ; and
Until the troops are disciplined, as all other troops are which
are produced to meet an enemy in the field, it is useless to
think of plans of co-operation between this army and those of
Spaiij, which must be founded on the active offensive operations
of all parts of the armies of all the nations. 1 should deceive
myself, and you, and the Governments of both nations, if I
were to encourage such a notion ; and if I were to undertake
(he execution of such a plan, I should incur the risk of the loss
of my army for no object whatever. ' Believe me, &c.
* General Castaiios: ' Wellington.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to Major General Peacocke.
' Sir, ' Portalegre, 24th July, 1811.
' I enclose a letter which I have received from Mr. French,
complaining of want of room at the depot at Belem.
' This complaint has suggested to me an improvement in
our arrangements of the depots, which I have long had in con
templation, which is, to divide the depot, having one part of
it, consisting of men most nearly fit to join the army, at St.
Julian or Cascaes, or any large healthy building in that part
ofthe country; and the other part, consisting of men just dis
missed from the hospital, in the barracks at Belem.
' Both parts of the depot might be under the superintendence
of the comraanding officer of the depot at Belem ; but he might
have a commanding officer under him, stationed at that part of
it which would be in the neighbourhood of St. Juhan.
' I beg you to endeavor to arrange this plan ; and you will
fix with the medical officers at Lisbon what part of the medical
department shall attend that part of the depot near St. Julian.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' Major General Peacocke: ' Wellington.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to His Excellency
Charles Stuart.
' Sir, ' Portalegre, 24th July, 1811.
' I have had the honor of receiving your letter of the. 22nd
instant, enclosing a complaint of some officer, whose name is
not stated, for his conduct, and that of some soldiers, in enforc-

134 PORTUGAL. 1811.
ing a billet for Lieut. General Graham, granted by the com
petent authority, on the house of Senhor de Salles, at Lisbon.
' A billet is a legal order from a competent authority to the
person to whom it is addressed, to provide lodging for the
bearer of it, and Senhor de Salles, to whom this order was
addressed, refused to obey it ; and the complaint is, that the
British officer, whose name is not stated, enforced the legal
order of the Portuguese authority.
' I am at a loss to know what I am to do upon the statement
of this case by the complainant himself, and by his friends, the
Judge of the Police, the Magistrate of the Barrios, and the
Secretary of State.
' It is impossible that the case can be made worse than it is
by those who have already inquired into it; and there may,
and probably will be, denials, justifications, and reasons given
for much of the imputed misconduct ; but I have no hesitation
in declaring, that if I were to pronounce judgment, even upon
the aggravated statements which 1 have read, all of them on
one side of the question, I should honorably acquit this un
known officer.
' I am ready to admit that it is very disagreeable to receive
strangers into the house in which a family reside ; but it must
also be admitted that it is very disagreeable to become the prey
of the conqueror, and to be " hewers of wood and drawers of
water" to the comraon enemy of mankind.
' On the other hand, it is not very agreeable to come to a
foreign country to seek the enemy in defence of that country,
and to leave our houses and our properties in order to assist in
saving the houses, the properties, and the honor of strangers.
' The law of Portugal has provided that officers and soldiers
shall be billeted upon private houses, and has inflicted this
inconvenience upon individuals as one of the burdens resulting
from the contest in which the country is engaged to save all
from the tyrant ; and during the whole time that I have been
in Portugal, in every town in which thousands have been bil
leted, I can recollect but one complaint on the subject of
billeting, excepting at Lisbon.
' Having read, however, the inflammatory report of the
Judge of PoHce, and of the Juiz dos Barrios, and of the Secre
tary of State, on the complaint of Senhor de Salles, I am not

1811. PORTALEGRE. 135
astonished that complaints on this subject should be frequent
at Lisbon, where, if they did not receive encouragement from
these high authorities, there ought, and would be none.
' This complaint, however, has at last brought the point to
issue, which 1 discussed in my letters to you of the 31st De
cember, 1810, and of the 3rd January, 1811. There is law
in Portugal, or there is not. If there is law, it must be en
forced in respect to the inhabitants of the country, as well as
in respect to the British army.
' The inhabitants of Portugal have duties to perform, and
obligations have been imposed upon them by the law, in the
Critical situation in which their country is placed, of which one
is to furnish lodging to the officers and soldiers of the army
upon the orders, called billets, of a magistrate. I beg to know
from the Government whether the performance of these duties
and obligations is to be enforced ; or whether the people of
Lisbon in particular are to be exempt from them, and are to
be encouraged by the magistrates to resist the law and the
performance of these obligations, where the Convenience of a
British General Officer is concerned.
' 1 have long seen the inutility of complaining to the Go
vernment on the conduct of any of the public servants. Indeed
I have found it an useless waste of time to address them on any
subject whatever ; and therefore I shall not trouble you to
make any complaint of the conduct of the Judge of the Police
in this transaction, who, instead of endeavoring to concihate in
a case in which a General of the ally of the Prince was con
cerned, or, as was his duty, instead of enforcing the necessary
law of the billets, has done every thing in his power, in his
report, to aggravate the supposed cause of complaint, and has
become an advocate instead of a judge.
' The case, however, is so flagrant, and the conduct of the
magistrate has been so improper, and there has been manifested
a spirit so hostile to the alliance, and so different from that
which ought to exist, that if I could entertain any hopes that
the truth would reach the Prince Regent of Portugal, I would
address his Royal Highness upon the subject.
' I only hope that the time is not far distant when the British
ai-my, tired of such conduct, will impart to the British nation
the disgust which it must occasion, as well as the desire to leave

136 PORTUGAL. 1811.
to its fate a country in which, by the Government and tbe
higher orders, they have been so unworthily treated.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to His Excellency
Charles Stuart.
' Sir, ' Portalegre, 24th July, 181 ll
' I have the honor to enclose a list of the names of the officers
of the King's German Legion who have subscribed 279 Spanish
dollars for the liberation of the Portuguese captives in Algiers.
' I likewise subscribed the sum of 500 dollars ; and 1 have
directed the Commissary General to pay these sums to the
Portuguese Government. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to ihe Right Hon. ,
Henry Wellesley.
• My dear Henry, ' Portalegre, 24th July, 1811.-
' I have received your letter of the 18th. From the intelli
gence which you have enclosed I do not think that Soult's
design is quite clear. The Spaniards are as extraordinary in
their mode of acquiring and detailing intelligence as they are
in every thing else. The whole world have seen the letters
from Soult, in which he detailed his plan of operations in case
he should be reinforced. He has been reinforced, and he has
besides at his elbow the army of Portugal. But they forget
this plan of Soult's, and the people who are employed to pro
cure intelligence, and those who receive it, are as wild in their
notions as if they had not the advantage of a knowledge of the
enemy's design from himself. I acknowledge, however, that I
have not yet received any intelligence which makes it quite
clear whether Soult is about to push his attack upon Cadiz,
or to make one upon Carthagena. But the march of the 5th
corps, which has certainly quitted Estremadura, will show;
what his plan is.
' I enclose a letter which I have received from  and

ISll. portalegre. 137
my answer. This gentleman is as loose and as light as any
¦Spaniard I know. He possesses all the defects of the Spanish
character, with better temper and better manners than the
Spaniards have in general. But in want of foresight he beats
them all.
' In respect to money for the Spaniards, 1 beg you will re
collect that you do not expend a shilling at Cadiz, which does
not take so much from the military chest of this army, from
which disbursements to a considerable amount are likewise
making constantly on account of the Spanish Government.
We have never been in such distress as at present, and I can
devise no means of relieving it. The Cortes and Spanish
Government, if they could look at their real situation, ought
before now to have adopted a plan for the relief of their
finances, instead of which it is a subject of joke for Castaiios.
We have forced this measure upon the Portuguese Govern
ment, and in the course of a very short time their finances will
be in a very flourishing state, if I can contrive to pay them any
part of the subsidy in money with any degree of regularity.
But this is impossible, and still more so to support our own
army, if we are to give money to the Spaniards, either by way
pf loan or of gift. . There would be no difficulty in either if
the Spanish Government would arrange the American ques
tions ; but they will not do this, and in my opinion to give
them specie is impossible.
' I am much afraid that it is too late to call in the Princess of
Brazils to the Regency. But, as I before told you, I approve
of that measure, having altered my opinion upon it. I do not
think there is any reason to apprehend evils from her influence
over the Portuguese Government. First, I do not think that
she would have any influence ; and next, if she had, I have
brought matters almost to that state that it is nearly indiff'erent
what the Portuguese Government do ; and indeed I never give
myself the trouble of writing to them, or of consulting their
opinion on any subject whatever.
' Ever yours, most affectionately,
^Ttie Right Hon. H. Wellesley: ' Wellington.

138 PORTUGAL; 1811.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Major Gen. Houstoun.
' My dear Houstoun, ' Portalegre, 25th July, 1811.
' I am concerned to receive so bad an account of your health,
but you must go, if you cannot stay ; and I have only to
lament that we are so unlucky as to lose you. Including
yourself, we shall have nine General Officers gone, or going im
mediately, and five more want to go.
' As, however, the regulations of the army are applicable to
all, I request you to send me the usual application for a medi
cal board on your case, after whose report the whole transaction
will be in a regular train. ' Believe me, &c.
'Major General Houstoun: ' Wellington.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to Marshal
Sir W. C. Beresford, KB.
'Sir, ' Portalegre, 25 th July, 1811.
' I enclose the answers to two complaints from Coimbra,
which you recently transmitted to me, against Captain
 , of the — th, and Mr.  of the Commissariat, from
which you will observe, that there was originally but little
ground for complaint, and that, as usual, the Portuguese
authority that complained never intended, and did not wish, to
substantiate his complaint.
' While writing upon this subject, I cannot avoid observing,
that the persons in authority at Lisbon have appeared to me
lately to encourage these frivolous, and generally groundless,
complaints from the officers of the Government, to which I
am induced to attribute the number of them which I have
lately received ; at the same time that those who make them
manifest the usual disinclination to substantiate them. I havef
strong reason to believe that they are generally without founda
tion ; as I have for some time observed a visible improvement
in the conduct of the soldiers towards the people of the country,
and certainly, those crimes for which so many soldiers of this
army have been executed, now occur but rarely. It cannot be
credited that the soldiers who shared their provisions with the
inhabitants of the country, to save them from starving, should
afterwards ill treat the same inhabitants ; and I am therefore
very apprehensive that the frequency of groundless complaints
lately, is to be attributed to the excitement of the spirit of
complaint by the Government.

1811. PORTALEGRE. 139
' However, I shall continue, as I have hitherto done, to
inquire into every case brought forward, which appears to
afford ground for inquiry ; and I hope that the Portuguese
Government will discover, before it is too late, that the mode
of saving their country is not to excite discontent against the
British nation, by whose assistance alone they can be saved.
' 1 have the honor to be, &c.
' Marslml Sir W. C. Beresford, KB: ' Wellington.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington. K.B., to Marshal
Sir W. C. Beresford, K.B.
' My dear Beresford, ' Portalegre, 25th July, 1811.
' In my opinion, it is necessary that Austin should continue
to incur the expenses for intelligence.
' 1 have called for fresh returns of payments to the army,
and have informed Mr. Stuart that I shall never cease to re
present upon this subject, till the whole arrears are cleared off.
' I am so confused with the numbers of the regiments of the
Portuguese cavalry, that I do not know one from another,
or what regiments are in brigades together. I understood that
the 6th and 9th cavalry were at Estremoz, and were the
cavalry allotted for the garrison of Elvas, to which place it was
desirable they should go, as Estremoz is in the line of our
cantonments. Barbacena's brigade is in our 2nd division of
cavalry, and has been put into Elvas and Campo Mayor, as
its cantonments, and to assist the cavalry of those garrisons in
preserving their communications.
' The militia of Lower Beira must continue assembled, but
I have no objection to half a company at a time having leave,
provided the other half company remains with the regiment
complete. ' I am much obliged to you for the trouble you have taken
about our parade; we shall now be complete in every thing.
' Believe me, &c.
' Marshal Sir W. C. Beresford, K.B: ' Wellington.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Lieut. Colonel Torrens,
Military Secretary to the Commander in Chief.
' My dear Torrens, ' Portalegre, 25th July, 1811.
' Cadogan has desired me to write to you about his brother,
a captain in the 71st regiment, whom he is very desirous of

l40 PORTUGAL. 1811.
having sent out here, in order to do duty with the 7lsf regi
ment. He is very low down among the captains, and as com
manding officer of the regiment, Cadogan cannot order him-
to join the battalion in Portugal. But if he could be sent out
in any manner, he would be very glad to have an opportunity"
of instructing him in his duty.
' I have got tHe army under cover from the sun for a little
time, till the reinforcements shall come up, and some of our
numerous wounded shall recover ; and while the preparations
are making for an enterprize which I intend, if possible, to
try ; and as usual, all the officers of the army want to go home,
some for their health, others on account of business, and others,
I believe, for their pleasure.
' General Spencer is going, because General Graham has
come from Cadiz; General Nightingall is gone; General
William Stewart, General Lumley, General Howorth, and
Colonel Mackinnon, likewise on account of their health ;
Colonel Beckwith likewise going for the same cause : General
De Grey has asked to go, because he has put his shoulder out ;
and I have this morning an application from  for
leave to go, as his spleen is out of order. To this list add
General Dunlop, General Hay, General Cole, and General
Alexander Campbell, who have applied to go to settle their
affairs ; and you will see how we shall stand for want of
General Officers. General Leith still absent. I have also
innumerable applications for leave from officers of all ranks.
Till we can get the minds of the officers of the army settled to
their duty, we shall not get on as we ought.
' Believe me, &c.
' Lieut. Colonel Torrens: ' Wellington.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to Vice Admiral
the Hon. G. Berkeley.
'Sir, ' Portalegre, 25th July, 1811.
' I have received your two letters of the 22nd instant, and
1 am much obliged to you for the information which they
contain. ' I have directed that the train and stores may be disem
barked from the ships in the Douro, but it is desirable that the
ships should remain for the present in that river. The ship

1811. PORTALEGRE. Ill
of war which convoyed them thither might be employed on
any other service you might think proper.
' I am obliged to you for sending the detachment of artll^
lery to Oporto. ' 1 have the honor to be, &c. ,
' lire Admiral ' Wellington.
the Hon. G. Berkeley:
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to Vice Admiral
the Hon. G. Berkeley.
' My dear Sir, ' Portalegre, 25th July, 181].
' The Prince of Orange is about to take advantage of the
army being in cantonments for a short time, to visit Cadiz,
and even, eventually, Gibraltar, if the winds should be favor
able. He proposes to go to Cadiz by Ayamonte, and I shall
be very much obliged to you if you can make it convenient tp
have a ship of war at Ayamonte to take him to Cadiz, and
thence to Gibraltar, if it should be expedient for him to go
there, and to bring him back to Ayamonte, the same vessel to
take our money at either, or both places, if there should be
any at Gibraltar. The Prince of Orange will be at the mouth
of the Guadiana about Thursday or Friday next, and I shall
recommend him to the commanding officer in Algarve, Colonel
Austin. ' Believe me, &c.
' Vice Adiniral ' Wellington. ¦
the Hon. G. Berkeley:
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to Lieut. Colonel Torrens,
Military Secretary io the Commander in Chief.
' My dear Torrens, ' Portalegre, 25th July, 1811.
' Lieut. Colonel Colborne of the 66th regiment (who also,
by the by, is going home for his health) has sent me word that
he is very desirous of remaining with this army; and with this
view, of effecting an exchange with Lieut. Colonel Ross, of the
52nd, who it appears is going to Ceylon with General Brown
rigg. 1 do not know any body so fit to succeed Ross in the
command of the 52nd as Colborne, Arbuthnot being, I am
afraid, in such a state of health as to render it hopeless th.it
he will ever be able to take the command of the regiment in
the field. ' Believe me, &c.
• LieuL Colonel Torrens: ' WELLINGT0^(.

142 PORTUGAL. 1811.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., io His Excellency
Charles Stuart.
< giR ' Portalegre, 25th July, 1811.
' I have had the honor of receiving your letter of the 22nd,
enclosing a paper regarding arrears of pay to the Portuguese
troops, and I have called for returns to show whether the
statements in that paper are correct ; and for returns to be
made every three days of the state of the payments, till the
whole of the arrears are paid off.
• As the British Government supply the pay for 30,000
officers and men, and the gratuity for the officers of the array,
and the subsidy, is not, and has never been, in arrear ; the pay
of the 30,000 officers and men, and the gratuity to the officers
of the army, ought never to have been in arrear, whatever
may have been the financial distresses of the Government, if
the subsidy had not been misapplied.
' I shall continue to give you information on this subject
till I shall find that the arrear is entirely paid off.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., tn His Excellency
Charles Stuart.
' My dear Sir, ' Portalegre, 25th July, 1811.
' I have just received your letter of the 23rd, and I
entirely concur with you, that till the Junta de Viveres are
abolished in totn, the new subsidy cannot be given to the
Portuguese Government. You may proceed on the principle
of all the letters which I have written to you on this subject,
with a certainty that I shall concur with you.
' Believe me, &c.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to the Right Hon.
Henry Wellesley.
' My de.ilR Henry, ' Portalegre, 25th July, 1811.
' I wrote to you on the 20th, to request that you would
urge the Commanding Officer at Cadiz tp have 1600 barrels
of gunpowder embarked, and in preparation to be sent to us.

1811. PORTALEGRE. 1 4,'J
if Sir William Beresford should require them. I find that
we shall not want this powder, and 1 shall be obliged to you
if you will tell the Commanding Officer at Cadiz that the pre
paration may be discontinued, and that the powder may be
relanded. ' Ever yours, most affectionately,
' The Right Hon. H. Wellesley: ' Wellington.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., io Lord Eldon,
Lord High Chancellor.
' My Lord, ' Portalegre, 25th July, 1811.
' I have the honor to enclose the copy and translation of a
letter which I have received from General Blake, in answer to
one which I wrote to him, to transmit the resolutions of the
Houses of Lords and Comraons of Great Britain and Ireland
of the 7th June, on the subject of the battle of Albuera.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' The Lord High Chancellor: ' Wellington.
[A Letter in similar terms to the Right Hon. ihe Speaker
of tlie House of Commons."]
Jjieu t. General Viscount Wellington, KB., io ihe Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My Lord, ¦ ' Portalegre, 25th July, 1811.
' I enclose the last weekly state, likewise the morning state
of the troops in the field of the 23rd instant.
' The 12th light dragoons, the 26th, 28th, 32nd, 77th, 3rd
batt., and 95th regiments are not included in the latter, not
baving yet joined the army.
' I have given leave to Lieut. General Sir Brent Spencer to
go to England, at his own desire, in consequence of Lieut.
General Graham having arrived at Lisbon to join the army in
the field. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool' ' Wellington.

144 PORTUGAL. .1811,
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to the Earl of Liverpool, -
Secretary of State.
' My Lord, ' Portalegre, 25th July, I8il.
' The enemy's cavalry left Merida on the morning of the
17th, and Major Cocks' piquets were in that town shortly
afterwards. ' The enemy have since continued their march upon
Almaraz; and, on the 20th, one division of infantry had
arrived at Plasencia, which town, I imagine, will be the farthest
advanced of their cantonments on the right of the Tagus. On
the same day Marshal Marmont was at Almaraz, and other
divisions had marched from- Truxillo in the same direction.
One division of infantry and some cavalry still remained at
Truxillo, according to the last accounts. The 5th corps had
broke up in Estremadura, and marched towards Andalusia.
' The allied army under my comraand have taken up the
cantonments towards which I informed your Lordship in my
last dispatch they were marching.
' I have reason to believe that the French troops did meet
with a check in an attack which they made on a detachment
from the army of Galicia at Puente de Orvigo on the 24th of
last month.
' There is nothing new in the north. King Joseph was at
Valladolid on the 10th, and proceeded on the 12th on his jour
ney towards Madrid. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool: 'Wellington.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to ihe Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary nf State.
' Mv Lord, • Portalegre, 25th July, 18) 1.
' I beg to draw your Lordship's attention to the letter which
I addressed to your Lordship on the 6th of June, in regard to
the want of powder in this country. It is very desirable that
the 4000 barrels therein required should be sent out at an early
period, and that arrangements should be made to send, out
hereafter 2000 barrels in addition to that quantity.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool: ' Wellington.

1811. portalegre. 145
LieuL General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Major Dickson, R.A.*'
• My dear Sir, ' Portalegre, 26th July, 1811.
' 1 write just to let you know that the powder, deficient of
the quantity necessary for our object, will be sent from Lisbon
to Oporto without loss of time. ' Believe me, &c.
' Major Dickson, R.a: ' Wellington.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to Major General
the Hon. C. Colville.
* My dear Sir, ' Portalegre, 26th July, 1811.
' I have received your letter of the 24th. The placing the
77th in your brigade is only a temporary arrangement, to make
it of due strength till the 1st batt. 5th shall arrive, when that
battalion will be sent to you, and the 77th removed.
' Believe me, &c.
' Major General ' Wellington.
ihe Hon. C. Colville:
Lieut.General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Major Gen. A. CampbeU.
• My dear Campbisll, ' Portalegre, 26th July, 1811.
' I enclose two letters, which I beg you to send by an officer
to the Juiz de Fora at Sabugal, and desire the Juiz de Fora
to send a trusty person with one to Almeida ; and another per
son, on whom he can depend, with that for Don Julian Sanchez
to Fuente Guinaldo, where will be found a detachment of his
troops. ' Believe me, &c.
• Major Gen. Alex. Campbell' ' Wellington.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., io Major General
the Hon. G. L. Cole.
' My dear Colf., ' Portalegre, 26th July, 1811.
' The scene shifts in this extraordinary war so frequently,
and so many unexpected circumstances occur affecting our
situation, that it is difficult to say at what period it is possible
to allow an officer to quit the army.
' I have now an enterprize in progress, which, in the course
* Major General Sir Alexander Dickson, K.C.B., then Captain Dickson, RA,
and BI..jor in the Portuguese Service. The details and superintendence of the
sieves were principally confided to him.
VOL. VIII. L

146 PORTUGAL. 1811.
of a short time, will bring us all out of our cantonments ; and
if it should be successful, will give a new turn to affairs.
' You ought not to go now, therefore. Whether you can
go in winter will depend upon circumstances and events, for
which I cannot answer, and upon which you had better delay
to determine till you shall see how affairs stand.
^ Believe- me, &c.
' Major General 'Wellington.
the Hon. G. L. Cole:

Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Marshal
Sir W. C. Beresford, K.B.
' My dear Beresford, ' Portalegre, 26th July, 181L
' I concur entirely with you about Dickson's merits, and I
will endeavor to get for him the rank of Major. The manner
in which he was employed at the two sieges of Badajoz, and
that in which he is now employed, will raake a distinction in
his case, of which I will avail myself in my recommendation f
him to head quarters.
' I shall leave two divisions in Alentejo, unless the 5th corps
should cross the Tagus to co-operate with the army of Portu
gal in impeding our enterprize.
' We are a good deal embarrassed in our cantonments by
your sick horses. Would it not be desirable to move away
every thing of this kind as far to the rear as Evora, where they
would be well supplied, and quite out of our way ?
' I hope to send up the account of your Commissariat ex
penses for feeding the Portuguese troops to the 24th June,
from the 25th April. This will give the best estimate of the
expense for future raonths.
• In the raean tirae, Mr. Kennedy has furnished me with an
estimate of the expense of feeding 2000 men and 200 horses
for 30 days, which amounts to 41 contos of reis, £11,050 ster
ling. If we feed 16,000 men and 1600 horses, the expense
will be £88,000 per mensem, which is something more than
double the amount of the charge for April, in which was not
included transport to the expense of magazine. However, the
actual charge will probably not amount to this sum.
' First ; we do not feed 1600 animals.
' Secondly ; some of the articles estimated are not always

181L

portalegre. 147

paid for, such as wood ; and others, such as wino, and some
times forage, are not always issued ; but I should think that
the actual charge would not amount to much less than £70,000
per mensem. ' Believe me, &c.
' Marshal Sir W. C. Beresford, KB.' ' Wellington.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., io the Right Hon.
Henry Wellesley.
' My dear Henry, ' Portalegre, 26th July, 181 1.
* I enclose my last dispatch. Since writing it, I have received
accounts that Bessieres had brought 10,000 or 12,000 men to
Benavente, in consequence of which Santocildes had retired
one march behind Astorga.
' The Prince of Orange is going to Cadiz, and I shall give
him a letter of introduction to you.
' Ever yours, most affectionately,
' The Right Hon. H. Wellesley: ' Wellington.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Lieut. General
Sir Stapleton Cotton, Bart.
' My dear Cotton, ' Portalegre, 27th June, 1811.
' I am very much annoyed by  's conduct. By
this unfortunate obstinacy he will be in a bad scrape, and he
deserves that an effort should be made to save him ; but no
man can be allowed to insult his comraanding officer.
' I did not recollect that I had told you that Captain Byrne
should go horae. I am convinced there is no reason why he
should go ; but if 1 told you he should, he shall go, and I must
write to the Secretary at War by next post, to say that I had
allowed hira to go. He must have leave, however, for only
two raonths.
' I am concerned to hear of the bad condition of the 13th
dragoons. ' I must make a movement to our left, and place the greatest
part of the army, and at least your division of cavalry, on the
other side of the Tagus ; but if the 13th dragoons are in such
bad condition, they must be left behind, and we must take the
14th instead.
'I must take some decided steps about the 13th dragoons.
l2

X48 PORTUGAl. 1811.
It is too bad that they in particular should be so unfit for
service. ' Believe me, &c.
'Lieut.General 'Wellington. ,
Sir S. Cotton, Bart:
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., io Colonel Austin.
' My dear Sir, ' Portalegre, 27th July, 1 81 1 .
' I have received your letter of the 21st. General Castaiios
certainly informed me of the intention of the cavalry of the
5th army to return through Portugal into Estremadura ; but
I concluded that of course they would wait for a military route
before they would march, and that till that was called for, I
did not think it necessary, or rather it did not occur to me, to
apprize you of this march.
' I now enclose you the route, and beg you to fill up the
days, and apprize the British Commissary at Beja, &c., when
they will pass each place, that they may be prepared.
' Believe me, &c.
' Colonel Austin: ' Wellington.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Lieut. General Graham.
' My dear Sir, ' Portalegre, 27th July, 1811.
' I had the pleasure of receiving your letter of the 24th last
night, and I write to let you know that there is no reason why
you should hurry yourself from Lisbon.
' Upon a comparison of the strength which we can bring
upon one point with that which the enemy can collect in Cas
tille, I think I have a chance of succeeding in taking Ciudad
Rodrigo, and the preparations are in progress for that enter
prize. ' I can certainly undertake nothing else at present which
would at all improve the situation of the allies in the Penin
sula ; and, adverting to the facility with which the French
march corps from one side of the Peninsula to the other, and
to the little detriment to their interests which results from the
abandonment of a province or kingdom to collect a large force
against us, I raust consider it not improbable that I shall be
obliged to abandon the enterprize. The preparation for it.

1811. PORTALEGRE. 149
however, will take up a considerable time, and you will see
that there is no occasion for your hurrying yourself
' We have reports, as usual, that Ciudad Rodrigo is but ill
supplied with provisions, for which I believe there is no more
foundation than for these reports in general.
' It may be advisable, therefore, that we should approach
the place a little earlier than I at first intended ; and with this
view, and because the whole of Marmont's array have crossed
the Tagus, I ara sending more troops across, and I have it in
contemplation to make a general movement to our left.
' Soult certainly intends to avail himself of the large force
he now has in the south to raake an effort against the position
of the allies at Cadiz, or to obtain possession of Carthagena.
I do not think it quite clear which plan he will follow. He
has certainly sent to Granada the division of the 4th corps
which was lately in Estremadura, and, it is said, some troops
under La Tour Maubourg ; but I believe these last are cavalry
only, which would not be of much use in an attack upon the
Isla de Leon. These reinforcements may have been sent to
enable Laval (who I believe now commands the 4th corps) to
keep Freire in check, as this last General had lately made some
progress, and had got as far as Guadix.
' I am inclined to believe he will attack Cadiz, as I have not
heard that any of the heavy ordnance moved out of Badajoz
has been sent from Seville towards Granada, and I suspect that
it is going down the Guadalquivir unobserved by those who
are employed to procure intelligence for the Spanish Govern
ment. ' I have written to my brother about the state of the works
on the Isla de Leon ; but, from all I see and hear, I am very
apprehensive that the affairs of Spain are nearly irretrievable.
There is no money, and there are no means of getting any ;
and there are no disciplined troops. Even if we should strike
a fortunate blow, I fear that we should do them no good.
* Till Soult's design upon Carthagena is manifest, nothing
can be more absurd than to send Blake's corps into Murcia,
where they have already 20,000 men opposed to 5000 French,
which may have been increased to 12,000 by the first reinforce
ment from Estreraadura, and probably to 14,000 by the last.
My opinion is, that Blake's corps should be employed either
in the Sierra de Ronda, or in the Condado de Niebla as

150 PORTUGAL. 1811;
this may be depended upon (although the Spaniards will not
admit it), that they may increase the corps in Murcia to any
extent tbey please, but they will not be able to drive the
French out of Granada.
' The strength of their corps in Murcia, therefore, ought to
be fixed with a view to a defensive war in a very strong coun
try, and should be increased in proportion as the enemy, by
the increase of his force, and his other measures in that quarter,
should manifest a design to attack Carthagena.
' A force stationed in Niebla, or the Sierra de Ronda;
would always have a secure retreat. From either situation
they would threaten Seville, which is the foundation of the
enemy's existence in the south of Spain. In Niebla they
would be in direct communication with us, and they might be
equipped in such a manner as to render it quite impossible for
Soult to move all his troops with impunity upon us ; and from
Niebla or La Ronda the troops might be brought to Cadiz
with facility if wanted. But this plan will not be adopted,'
because it does not afford ground for any body to boast for a
few days that the enemy will be overthrown, and that the
southern provinces of Spain will be relieved.
' Believe me, &c.
• Lieut. General Graham: ' Wellington.

Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to Major General
R. Craufurd.
" My DEAR General, ' Portalegre, 28th July, 1811. 11 a.m.
' The orders were sent from hence, I believe, two days ago,
for you to march, not exactly with a view to a mere change of
cantonments, but to a service which 1 think it probable you
will be able to perform, which I will explain more fully when
I shall see you, which will probably be in a day or two. The
fact is, that I am about to move the whole army farther to the
left, and I want to get your division in your old place at the
head of our cantonments.
• Murray will send the orders by your aide de camp ; and I
wish that, if you can with convenience, you would go to-morrow.
' Believe me, &c.
'Major Gen. R. Craufurd.' ' Wellington.

1811. PORTALEGRE. 151
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Major Gen. A. Campbell.
' My dear Campbell, ' Portalegre, 28th July, 1811.
' Upon referring to your letter of the 28th to Murray, I
observe that you complain that the soldiers receive their
balances at the depot at Belem. I rather think that you must
be mistaken with regard to this fact. They may receive money,
necessaries, &c., at Belem ; but I conceive that they cannot,
under existing orders, receive the balance due on their accounts.
Let rae know how this fact stands. ' Believe rae, &c.
' Major General A. Campbell' ' Wellington.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Vice Admiral
tlie Hon. G. Berkeley.
' My dear Sir, ' Portalegre, 29th July, 1811.
' Lord Blantyre has written to me to propose to transfer to
the Navy a boy 'oy the name of John Fraser, who is so prone
to desertion, that they cannot keep him with the 42nd regiment.
I have sent him to the Provost at Lisbon ; and if you have no
objection to taking him, I request you to desire General Pea
cocke to send hira on board any ship you please, and I will
discharge hira from the 42nd. He will not be at Lisbon for
some days. ' Believe me, &c.
' Vice Admiral ' Wellington.
the Hon. G. Berkeley.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to Major Gen. R. Craufurd.
' My dear General, ' Portalegre, 30th July, 1811.
' I am very much distressed by the contents of Lieut.
Bell's letter of the 28th to General Murray ; and I beg that
in future the General Orders of the Army may be attended to
in the Light division, which require that when a soldier is so
unwell as to be unable to march, he should be sent to the
General Hospital.
* I am perfectly aware of the inconvenience and loss of
numbers attending this order, but I am also aware of the im
possibility of finding conveyance for the reraoval of an accumu
lation of sick with the several divisions of the army, at the
moment it may be necessary to order them to march ; and I

152 PORTUGAL. 1811.
am convinced that the loss of numbers would eventually
be greater than it can be under the system which has been
ordered. ' I would also beg to draw your attention to the order which
was issued only on the 23rd instant, in regard to the immediate
issue of clothing, &c., brought up for the troops. Obliged as
we are to bring from Lisbon every article of food, and of
equipment of all descriptions for the troops, it is impossible
to find conveyance to draw after the regiments the clothing,
&c., which they may require. What the troops want should
be issued to thera as soon as it reaches the regiraents, and the
means of conveyance should be delivered. to the Commissariat,
to be, applied to other purposes.
' Obedience to this order may sometimes be attended by
inconveniences, but they are trifling in comparison with the
inconveniences which all would suffer from a disobedience of it.
If the troops in the Light division are to disobey these orders,
others will do the sarae ; and we shall end by being obliged to
employ the means of conveyance which we can get in removing
sick, when the General Officers commanding divisions should
choose that they should be sent away ; and in carrying clothing,'
which the commanding officers of regiraents may find it con
venient to bring with their regiments ; and the movements of
the array must be cramped.
' It is very desirable that the General Officers commanding
divisions should understand, that the divisions under their com
mand respectively, are only parts of an army, which must be
governed by system and rule ; and that every departure from
the system ordered, and the rule laid down, however con
venient to the particular division, must be inconvenient to the
army at large, and therefore detrimental to the service.
' I have ordered that the men of the Light division left at
Castello de Vide may be removed to tbe hospital at Abrantes,
and that the clothing belonging to the 43rd may be sent after
the regiment ; and 1 beg that it may be issued to the soldiers
the day it reaches the regiment. ' Believe rae, &c.
' Major General R. Craufurd: * Wellington.,

1811. PORTALEGRE. 153

Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Marshal
Sir W. C. Beresford.
• My dear Beresford, ' Portalegre, 30th July, 1811.
' 1 have received another letter from General Picton, respect
ing the state of Arentchild's mules. You will be good enough
to equip the 9 pounder brigade ; as the others are nearly use
less, and there are not enough for the 6 pounder brigade, it
would be better to send these away.
' It is very desirable that we should send to a distance
from the army all useless animals incapable of work. Cries
of want of forage are coming from all parts ; animals with sore
backs, or useless from want of condition, eat as much hay
and straw as others ; and there are numbers of the Portuguese
array of this description mixed up with the troops. I shall
be very much obhged to you, if you will order all the dis
abled horses of the Portuguese cavalry, and the disabled
mules of the artillery, to Evora, which will be out of every
body's way, and they will get forage there, and recover.
' Believe me, &c.
' Marshal Sir W. C. Beresford, K.B: ' Wellington,
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., io Major General Peacocke.
« My dear Sir, ' Portalegre, 30th July, 18II.
' Although anonymous letters in general deserve no attention,
and I feel but little inclination to attend to the complaints of
the people of Lisbon about billets ; still, when a fact is stated
against any officer, it is fit that it should be inquired into.
' I therefore enclose you the extract of an anonymous letter
which I have received, regarding the conduct of the Pay
master of the  ¦' regiment, in a house in which he was
lately billeted at Lisbon; and I request you to find out what
house it was, and to go or send to the owner, and find out
whether there was any, and what, cause to complain. If there
was any ground for complaint, I beg you to have the story of
the complaint taken down in writing, and to send it to me.
' Believe me, &c.
' Major General Peacocke: ' Wellington.

154 PORTUGAL.

1811.

Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Major General Peacocke.
' My dear Sir, ' Portalegre, 30th July, I8ii.
' I did not explain myself sufficientiy in my letter to you on
tbe subject of the division of the dep6t at Belem. I am de
sirous that it should be divided if possible; and that the
soldiers who are nearest to being fit to join the army, should
be sent to a distance from Belem, as proposed in my former
letter. ' I request, therefore, that you will endeavor to arrange a
plan for the division of the depot, notwithstanding that you
have procured a building in the neighbourhood of the barracks
at Belem, which will hold 800 men.
' Believe me, &c.
' Major General Peacocke: ' Wellington.

General* Viscount Wellington, KB., to the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My Lord, ' Castello Branco, 1st August, 1811.
' As Mr. Kennedy had written to the Commissary in Chief
regarding our want of money, I did not think it necessary to
trouble your Lordship upon that subject, nor should I do so
now, if I did not feel the utmost anxiety upon it, particularly
as these wants will materially affect any prospect we may have
of carrying on the war offensively.
' The array subsist at present almost entirely upon supplies
brought from the sea coast, and either imported from England,
or purchased at Lisbon with bills drawn upon England, not to
be negotiated in the Peninsula.
' Your Lordship may conceive the detail and labor, and
expense of transporting all that such an army consumes, ex
cepting meat and straw, so great a distance by land and water
conveyance, and will judge how these must be increased by the
increase of distance, particularly of land carriage. The land
carriage is also materially increased in this season, in conse
quence of the rivers ceasing to be navigable for a great part of
the course for which they are usually navigable till July.
* Lord Wellington was promoted to the rank of General in Spain and Por
tugal, ou the 31bt July, 1811.

1811. castello 13RANCO. 155
' Notwithstanding the saving of the demand for money,
which has resulted from the mode in vifhich we have subsisted
the army hitherto, I am sorry to say that we have not had
enough to pay the army to the 24th June, whereas they ought
to be paid, according to his Majesty's regulations, to the 24th
August. The bflt and forage allowances due to the officers of
the army in March last have not been yet paid, and the winter
bfit and forage allowances will be due in September ; and the
Spanish muleteers, by whose aid alone we can exist at all under
the system which we have been obliged to adopt, have gene
rally not been paid for six months.
' It may be depended upon that no supplies can be procured
in Spain without ready money to pay for them ; but your
Lordship will see that we have no means of purchasing supplies
in Castille, or any fertile district near which we may be able to
carry on our operations ; and that we must still rely solely upon
the long, complicated, and laborious communication with our
magazines upon the coast, which will become more difficult
and precarious in proportion as the distance will be increased.
' Under these circumstances, notwithstanding that I am
convinced that his Majesty's Government have done every
thing in their power, I venture again to draw their attention
to the subject. If so small a sum as 100,000 dollars in specie
could occasionally be sent to this country, I am convinced it
would have the best effects, if only in enabling the Commissary
General to keep down the rate of exchange, and increasing the
confidence of monied men in the resources of Great Britain.
' I have heard that two millions of dollars for the merchants
of Cadiz have lately arrived from Mexico, a part of which sum,
I have no doubt, will be secured for the use of the army ; but
the whole of this sum would scarcely defray the demands upon
the military chest which I have above detailed to your Lord
ship, which must be paid in specie, besides the others of a con
tingent nature, depending upon the possibility of assuming the
offensive : and at all events the supplies of specie to be pro
cured for bills would be increased, and would be procured at
a cheaper rate, if it was known that any sura whatever in specie
(the amount of which need not be stated) was periodically
received from England. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool' ' Wellington.

156 PORTUGAL. 1811.
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My Lord, ' Castello Branco, 1st August, 1811.
' Since I addressed you on the £5th of July, I have received
intelUgence which has induced me to beUeve that the garrison
of Ciudad Rodrigo was very Ul suppUed with provisions ; and
that Don Julian Sanchez bad been more successful in prevent
ing the introduction of suppUes from the country than I had
imagined the limited force under his command would have
enabled him to be. I have therefore moved the whole army to
their left, with the intention, if I should find the intelUgence
which I have received to be well founded, to blockade Ciudad
Rodrigo immediately. If, however, I should find it otherwise,
or if, as I imagine, the enemy have within these last two days
introduced a supply of provisions into the place, I propose that
the army shall take up its cantonments in Lower Beira instead
of Alentejo, till all the preparations will be completed for the
further operation which I intend to carry on against Ciudad
Rodrigo, if circumstances should permit it.
' I propose to leave General Hill, with the 2nd and General
Hamilton''s divisions of infantry, and part of Sir WilUam
Erskine's division of cavalry, in the Alentejo, to observe the
enemy's movements on that side.
' I had been misinformed respecting the movements of the
Sth corps when I addressed your Lordship on the 25th July.
They had not then quitted Estremadura; but I understand
they are now in march towards Andalusia.
' The army of Portugal remain in the positions which I
informed your Lordship that they occupied in my dispatch of
the 25th July, excepting that the division at Plasencia has
extended through the mountains to Bejar and Banos.
' By a letter from General Silveira of the 21st July, which
I received on the 26th, I learned that General Santocildes had
retired with the army of Galicia from the neighbourhood of
Astorga to Manzanal on the 17th, in consequence of Marshal
Bessieres having collected at Benavente a force, consisting of
11,000 infantry, and 1500 cavalry. General Santocildes in
tended to endeavor to maintain himself at Manzanal • and,
although 1 have not heard from that quarter since the receipt
of General Silveira's letter of the 21st, I imagine that the

1811. castello branco. 157
enemy have been satisfied with obliging Santocildes to retire to
the mountains, as I learn from Don Julian from Ledesma, on
the 26th, that a detachment of Bessiferes' troops, consisting of
6000 men, had arrived on that day at Salamanca ; and I have
since heard from other quarters that these same troops had
moved with a convoy towards Ciudad Rodrigo. These tvvo
last reports, however, have not been confirmed from any other
quarter, or by any accounts from Don Julian since the 26th.
' It is reported that Marshal Soult is gone to Granada, but
this report has not been confirmed.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool' ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., io Major General A. Campbell.
' My dear Campbell, ' Castello Branco, 2nd August, 1811.
' It is very evident to me that you have not before you a
true statement of the case regarding the payment of soldiers in
the depot at Belem, and I beg you therefore to delay to give
any orders ; or, if you have given orders upon the subject, to
recall them, till I shall have inquired how this matter really
stands. It cannot be as you suppose it is.
' BeUeve me, &c.
• Major General A. Campbell' " Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., io Marshal
Sir W. C. Beresford, K.B.
' My dear Beresford, * Castello Branco, 2nd August, 181 1.
' I have received your letter of the 29th. In all the discus
sions which we have with the Portuguese, as well as the
Spanish Government, on the subject of the resources for the
war, one would imagine they had no interest, or a minor interest,
in carrying it on ; and that we were the principals, and that they
were conferring an obhgation upon us in doing what is neces
sary, not only to preserve their independence as nations, but
their lives and fortunes as individuals. I protest against such
notions ; and I declare again, that if I find the Portuguese
Government do not allot every shilling of the revenue which
can be so allotted to carry on the military operations, do not
improve their resources to the utmost, and do not carry into

158 PORTUGAL. 1811.
execution the laws to bring forward the resources of the coun
try for the army, I will not consent to give the increase of sub
sidy, and 1 shall recommend to the British Government to give
no more than the subsidy of 1810.
' I have long been convinced that there is no chance of suc
cess in this war, unless the Governments and people of the
Peninsula should exert themselves really for their own salva
tion ; and I shall be satisfied with no half measure. I shall be
obliged to you if you will hint these sentiments fo Dom M. de
Forjaz. ' The mules which we have bought have cost us lately 150
dollars each.
' I do not understand the answer of the Portuguese Govern
ment to my proposition respecting Monsanto. Don Carlos
de Espana was desirous of having a place in which he could
lodge ammunition, &c., to be delivered to the guerrillas, and
which would afford him a secure retreat for the depots of
corps, and the recruits raised in Castille and Estremadura, in
case the enemy should advance, for which purpose I proposed
that Monsanto might be given over to him. This place has
long been abandoned by the Portuguese Government : they
will not, and have it not in their power, to garrison it, and
the enemy consequently bad possession of it last summer ; and
yet they say that Don Carlos de Espana shall have the place,
provided a Portuguese Governor, and the Portuguese civil
authorities, shall remain in it. There is neither Portuguese
Governor nor garrison, and I suspect only a Juiz Ordinario.
' The question is, whether the Government will give the
place over to the charge of Don Carlos de Espana and a Span
ish garrison, or whether they wiU not ; upon which I should be
glad to have an answer in the affirmative, or the negative, as
soon as may be practicable. Of course Don Carlos will have
nothing to do with the place ; and I shall lodge no ammunition
in it under the circumstances proposed by the Portuguese
Government. ' Believe me, &c.
' Marshal Sir W. C. Beresford, K.b: ' Wellington.

1811. CASTILLO BRANCO. 159
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to the Right Hon.
Henry Wellesley.
' My dear Henry, 'Castello Branco, 2nd August, 1811,
' I have received your letter of the 26th July, and I now
enclose the copy of my dispatch to Government of yesterday.
' The opinion which you say prevails at Cadiz is very little
promising ; but I do not see in what manner you can combat
it, or, if you could, that it is any concern of yours.
' Great Britain did not bring Spain into the contest. On
the contrary, the war, in its commencement, and throughout its
progress, has been carried on by the Spaniards without refer
ence to our opinions, and generally in direct contradiction to
our recommendation: and then we are to be blamed and
abused, because, contrary to our own judgments and the plain
dictates of military expediency, we do not choose to enter upon
wild and visionary schemes which we have not the means of
accomplishing. ' The Spaniards forget that, by the folly and treachery of
their own officers, they have been brought to the state in which
they now find themselves ; and we do not remind them suffi
ciently often of these circumstances, and that the cause for
which we are contending is theirs essentially, whatever niay be
the degree of interest which we feel in it.
' Who lost the battle of Ocaiia, contrary to our advice and
intreaties, and consequently Andalusia ? Who gave up Bada
joz treacherously, when we were moving to their assistance .''
Are we to blame if the Spanish armies are not in such a state as
that they can be opposed to the eneray ? or if the Cortes have
neglected their duty, have usurped the powers of the Executive
Government, and have misspent their tirae in fruitless debates?
Are we in fault because, by the ralsmanagement of the Araeri-
can colonies, the world has been deprived of its usual supply of
specie, and Great Britain in particular cannot find money to
carry on her own operations, or aid the allies .''
' Let any one Spanish transaction be examined, and the
inexperience and folly of the principal people in Spain will be
manifest. I apprized  of my intention and plan for
attacking Ciudad Rodrigo, and him alone, the success of which
depends principally upon the length of time during which I
can keep it concealed from the enemy. Some Spanish women.

160 -PORTUGAL. 1811.
at Portalegre were apprized of the plan by him, and it must
reach the eneray ! ! ! Yet  is one of the best of them.
' Look at Abadia 's conduct in respect to Galicia. Examine
any transaction in which they have been concerned, and it will
be found characterized by delay, weakness, folly, or treachery !
And then we are to be told that our political object is to ruin
Spain. ' It is rather a curious circumstance that I have received, in
the report of a conversation between two French Generals at
Salamanca, the account that the French attributed to us the
same motives.
' I have already apprized you of my opinion of the practi
cability of assisting Spain with money ; and I now enclose you
the copy of a dispatch which I wrote to Lord Liverpool yester
day, upon our own wants.
' How we are to get through an operation upon the frontier
I do not know ; and if the muleteers should leave us, which
they ought, there is an end to the war, as far as we are con
cerned in it, as it will be quite impossible to carry it on at a
distance from the points at which the rivers cease to be navi
gable. ' I do not think it quite clear that Soult has left Seville,
though Austin, who has the best intelligence, says he has.
' Ever yours, most affectionately,
' The Rt. Hon. H. Wellesley: ' Wellington.

General Viscount Wellington, K.B., io Lieut. General HUL
* My dear Hill, ' Pedrogao, 4th August, 1811.
' I received yesterday your letter of the 1st, and the enclo
sure from Lieut. Mackworth ; and I now enclose the letter
for Marmont, which he desires to have, and which I request
you to forward to Truxillo if you can ; if not, to Badajoz.
Desire the officer who goes with the letter to be very cau-i
tious in his communications with the French officer respecting
the movements of the army. He may say, if asked, that the
cantonments have been altered, and that my head quarters are
in a Quinta, near Portalegre. He must say that he belongs to.
my Staff; and, upon the whole, both because it would be diffi
cult to get to Truxillo, and because it might be discovered at

iSli. PEDROGA5. 101
that place that we had marched, 1 consider it best that he
•should go only to Badajoz.
' I write this letter to Marmont only because you desire it,
but I am positively certain that it will answer no purpose
whatever. ' I have been moving pretty quickly, and have not yet had
time to write you instructions applicable to the different cases
which may occur while we may be separated, but I will do so
this day or to-raorrow if I can. ' Believe me, &c.
' Lieut. General Hill' ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Marshal Marmont,
Due de Raguse. ' Au Quartier General,
* Monsieur le Marechal, ce 4 Aout, 1811.
' Ayant recu hier une lettre de la part de Monsieur le Lieut,
Mackworth, qui est prisonnier de guerre a Truxillo, par laquelle
il m'apprend que votre Excellence etait dispose a le renvoyer
S I'armee Anglaise si j'en fesais la demande, en echange pour
un officier du m^me rang, prisonnier de guerre en Angleterre,
qui serait renvoye de suite en France, j'ose vous prier de
faire cet arrangeraent, et de rae nommer I'officier prisonnier en
Angleterre que vous desirez soit renvoye en France, et je
m'engage qu'il sera renvoye de suite.
' J'ai I'honneur d'etre, &c.
' Le Marechal Marmont, ' Wellington.
Due de Raguse: General Viscount Wellington, KB., io Marshal
Sir W. C. Beresford, K.B.
' My dear Beresford, ' Pedrogao, 4th August, 1811.
' I have received your letter of the 31st July. It is quite
impossible to allow General Hervey to go to England at
present. ' The officers of the Corps of Guides must of course not be
promoted over the heads of the seniors. I only wish that
when their seniors shall be made lieutenants, they may be made
lieutenants aggregados. ' Believe me, &c.
" Marshal Sir W. C. Beresford, K.B: ' Wellington.
VOL. VUI. M

162 PORTUGAL. 181 L
General Viscount Wellington, K.B. , io Vice Admiral
the Hon. G. Berkeley.
( gjjj ' Pedrogao, 4th August, 181 Ij
' Major General Luraley's state of health requiring his
immediate return to England, I shall be much obliged to you
if you will give directions that he may be accommodated with
a passage in the first man-of-war which may sail for that
country. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' Vice Admiral ' Wellington.
the Hon. G. Berkeley:
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Vice Admiral
the Hon. G. Berkeley.
< SiRj ' Pedrogao, 4th August, 1811.
' I have this day received your letter of the 30th July. I
consider it desirable that the battalion of Royal Marines, under
the command of Major WiUiams, should still be detained at
Lisbon, but that all the marines belonging to the ships of the
squadron under the command of your Excellency should be
sent to their ships. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' Vice Admiral ' WELLINGTON.
the Hon. G. Berkeley:
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Major General Needham.
' My dear General, ''Pedrogao, 4th August, 1811.
' I have received your letter of the Sth July. I concur in
the recommendation of Lieut. Colonel Sutton to be promoted
to the rank of Lieut. Colonel in the service of his Majes"ty,
because Lieut. Colonel Sutton had distinguished himself in the
Portuguese service, and he deserved that promotion.
' Major Offley, who has retired from the Portuguese service,
is likewise a very good officer, and may distinguish himself
likewise when he shall have an opportunity ; but he has not yet
had the opportunity, therefore I cannot recommend him for
promotion. ' 1 am sorry that Major Offley should feel hurt at the pro
motion of Lieut. Colonel Sutton; and particularly so, that I

1811. PEDR0Q\5. 163
cannot with justice to others attend to your request that I
should recomraend Major Offley for promotion.
' Believe mc, &c.
' Major General Needham: ' Wellington.

General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to Lieut. Colonel Torrens,
Military Secretary to tlie Commander in Chief.
' Sir, ' Pedrogao, 4th August, 1811.
' I have had the honor of receiving your letter of the 2nd
July, regarding Lieut.  of the — dragoons.
' I beg to observe, that in an army so large as that under
my command, and so dispersed as it is in general, and the com
munications between one part of the country and the other
being so difficult as they are in Portugal, it is not at all times
possible to collect the members of a Court Martial, and the
witnesses who it is necessary should attend it ; and when a
General Court Martial is assembled, its proceedings raust ne
cessarily be suspended, when the army, or that division of the
army to which the members belong, are in operation against
the enemy.
' Lieut.  was brought to trial in the month of Sep
tember last at Niebla, upon charges preferred against him by
Colonel Sir Granby Calcraft, before a General Court Martial,
of which Major General Slade was President. Before the
Court could conclude its proceedings, the movements of the
enemy obhged it to adjourn, and the members to return to
their duty; and, shortly afterwards. Captain Percy, one ofthe
members, was taken prisoner, and two others. Major Butler
and Captain de la Motte, were obliged to quit the country on
account of their health ; and the number of members was
reduced to a President and eleven.
' It then became a question, upon which doubts were enter
tained, in what manner it was legal, just, and proper to proceed
to the trial of Lieut.  , upon which I forwarded the en
closed memorandum to the Judge Advocate General.
' When his answer arrived, the array was again engaged in
operations against the eneray. The regiraents to which some
of the members of tbe Court Martial, the prosecutor, the pri
soner, and some of the witnesses belonged, were detached to the
frontiers of Andalusia, while others were on the frontiers of
M 2

164 PORTUGAL. 1811.
Old Castille; and it would have been impossible to assemble
all the parties till the army coUected in the end of June on the
frontier of Estremadura.
' In the mean time, Lieut. Fox, the principal witness for the
prisoner, was killed ; and I then received the letter from Colonel
Lord Edward Somerset, and its enclosure from Lieut.  ,
which I now transmit.
' Upon recdving that letter, I deemed it proper to pardon
Lieut.  , and to order that he might be released from
his arrest, in a letter, of which I enclose a copy, from the Ad
jutant General ; notwithstanding that. His Royal Highness will
observe, by the perusal of the copy of the proceedings of the
Court as far as they had gone, that Lieut.  was not
entirely free from blame.
' I am much concerned if any officer suffers from delay in
bringing hira to trial, or in bringing his trial to a conclusion.
It can be no object to rae to delay a trial : on the contrary ;
but I raust take care that the trial, when it does take place,
is one in earnest, and that all the witnesses who can throw light
on the charges are present to give their testimony, and that the
law and the Articles of war are attended to ; and also that the
members of a General Court Martial are with their regiments
and brigades at the time the troops are engaged in operation
against the enemy.
' If the mode of trial by Court Martial is inconvenient on
active service, the fault is in the law, and, I hope, not in the
mode in which it is carried into execution.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' Lieut. Colonel Torrens: ' Wellington. -

General Viscount WeUington, K.B., io Lieut. Colonel Torrens,
Military Secretary to the Commander in Chief.
' My dear Torrens, ' Pedrogao, 4th August, 1811.
' 1 have received your letter ofthe I6th, with the enclosure
from Colonel Harailton.
' Our cavalry were in very bad order, because they were
very hard worked, in very bad weather, in a country in which
there was very little forage. All the arrangements of carts
could not have remedied this inconvenience.
' Mr. Kennedy, as Commissary General, is at the head of

1811. PEDR0GA5. 165
the transport department, and is perfectly Capable of conduct
ing it, and does conduct it as well as any man can. I should
not wish to have any body sent out from England to perform
the duties now performed so well by Mr. Kennedy.
' Believe rae, &c.
• Lieut. Colonel Torrens: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My dear Lord, ' Pedrogao, 4th August, 1811.
' I have had the honor of receiving your Lordship's letter
of the 17th July, in which you have enclosed the copy of a
memorandum of the 13th July, which you had received from
His Royal Highness the Commander in Chief, in regard to the
enlistment of Portuguese recruits for the British regiments.
' The people of Portugal agree remarkably well with the
British soldiers. I have never known an instance of the most
trifling disagreement among the soldiers or officers of the two
nations. The Portuguese soldiers eat the same food, and, as
military men, adopt the same habits as our soldiers, including,
in some instances, their disposition to intoxication ; and there
fore I should think it a preferable mode of introducing them
into the British service, to place them indiscriminately in the
same companies with recruits raised in his Majesty's dominions.
Each individual would then be more likely to conduct himself
on every occasion, and in all circumstances, as a British soldier.
However, there is no reason to believe that the Portuguese
soldiers, if collected in separate companies, would behave other
wise than well in any situation ; and if that mode of incorpo
rating them be preferred, I see no objection to it.
' I am apprehensive, however, that your Lordship is much
mistaken if you imagine that you could increase your numbers
to any great extent by the adoption of this measure. It could
not be attempted without the consent of the Portuguese Go
vernment, and I do not think that they could be prevailed
upon to give their consent to our enUsting a single man.
' Your Lordship is probably not aware that the whole mili
tary force of Portugal is raised by a conscription, not very
different from that which prevails in France ; and that, accord
ing to the ancient constitution of Portugal, every individual is
obliged to serve in the regular array, in the miUtia, or in the

166 poutugal. 1811.
ordenanza, as an officer or a soldier. Those who might enlist
to serve in the British army therefore, would, in proportion to
their numbers, decrease the number of those liable to be caUed
upon to serve in one of the Portuguese raUitary estabhshments,
and this plausible reason would afford the Portuguese Govern
ment ground for a refusal to grant permission to enlist recruits
in Portugal, to which they would adhere.
' But if the Portuguese Government should, contrary to my
expectation, grant permission to enlist recruits, 1 believe that
we should get but very few, notwithstanding the known attach
ment of the people to us.
' The people in Portugal, in general, are agriculturists,
and, like those of the same description in all other countries,
are very little disposed to military service. As 1 have before
stated, they are obliged by the ancient law of their country to
serve, otherwise I believe that very few of them woidd be found
in the ranks; and they are very much addicted to desertion
(not to the enemy) in their own country, as well as in Spain.
' In Lisbon and Oporto some recruits might be got ; but, to
show your Lordship how few, 1 may mention that an attempt
was made, under the patronage of the present Patriarch, to raise
the Lusitanian Legion by enlistment, instead of by conscrip
tion, and two battalions were never completed ; and their
losses by desertion were so great, and their gains by recruiting
by the mode of enlistment so small, that in a very few months
after they were raised it was necessary to give up the mode of
recruiting by enlistment, aud to allot the Lusitanian Legion to
one of the provinces, to be completed with recruits raised
within the same by conscription.
' The recruits for the Lusitanian Legion, however, were
raised principally at Oporto, and some raight be raised at Lis
bon ; but, to show your Lordship how few, and how difficult
it would be to detain in the service those enlisted there, and how
unhkely the Government would be to consent to our enUsting
recruits there, I may mention that, even with the assistance
of the conscription, they have never been able to keep the Lis
bon regiments complete, notwithstanding that, with their usual
partiality to that city, they have not allotted the number of
regiments which it ought to keep complete, according to any
fair comparative estimate of its population ; and the recruits
sent to those regiments deaert as soon as they reach them.

1611. PENAMACOU. 167
' From this statement, your Lordship will be able to judge
of the expediency of pressing this subject on the Portuguese
Government. ' Believe me, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool' ' Wellington.

General Viscount Wellington, KB,, io ihe Earl nf Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My Lord, ' Penamacor, Sth August, 1811.
' As I never reported to your Lordship that I entertained
any intention to repair the fort of Almeida, I did not think it
necessary to apprize your Lordship that that intention had
been frustrated ; nor should I now advert to the subject, only
that I observe that the measures adopted at Almeida, under
the directions of Lieut. General Sir Brent Spencer, in the com-
menceraent of June, have attracted the attention of the public
of England.
' The raines which the French General Brenier had prepared,
when he was about to evacuate Almeida, entered the rampart
on a level with the terre-plein of the fort, and were carried
along the exterior rev^tement.
' Many of these mines did not explode, and those which did
explode did no more mischief than to throw into the ditch of
the place the exterior rev^tement of the rampart of that part,
as low down only as the terre- plain of the fort. The effects
of the mines were so ill calculated, that the ramparts and
parapets remained entire, and, with but few exceptions,^the
guns in their places in the embrasures in the latter, and the
destruction could not be perceived in the inside of the fort.
' The stone and rubbish, however, which were lodged in the
ditches by the fall of the exterior rev^tement of the rampart
afforded practicable passages into the place, nearly at all the
points at which the mines had exploded ; but with this excep
tion, and the destruction of one outwork in the same manner,
the works of the place were in as good order as when I had
seen them in the year 1810.
' Under these circumstances, I proposed to the Portuguese
Government a plan for putting the place iramediately in a state
to be tenable against a coup de main, in order to afford tirae
for consideration whether the expense should be incurred here-

168 PORTUGAL. I81L
after for re- estabhshing it entirely. Although I was aware of
the utility and importance of having Almeida as a secure post
for the operations which I had in view for the campaign, yet
I thought it not improbable that I should be obliged to remove
the whole array from that part of the country ; and, for that
reason, and because I knew from experience that the Portu
guese Government would adopt none of the measures necessary
to put the place in a state to be held against a coup de main,
if they entertained any hopes that I should do the work, I
thought it proper to intimate to them that the work must be
done by the means which they should collect themselves, and
that I must have their determination, and that they must
collect the people immediately.
' I enclose the copy of the letter which I wrote to Mr. Stuart
upon this occasion, on the 13th of May, in answer to which 1
was informed that the Portuguese Government would readily
undertake the proposed work.
' On the 16th of May I quitted Villa Fermosa to join the
troops in Estreraadura, having previously detached two divi
sions from the army in Castille ; and I left with Sir Brent
Spencer the enclosed memorandum, written on the night of
the 15th*. It provided for his operations, in case the enemy
should make an irruption into Portugal upon hearing of my
departure with the two divisions of the army, and for the neces
sity of his retreat ; and particularly specified that Almeida
should be destroyed when abandoned by General Pack, but
that it should not be abandoned " till it should be necessary."
' On the 29th of Mayf, I made Lieut. General Sir Brent
Spencer still further acquainted with my views respecting Al
meida, in a letter which 1 wrote to him in answer to one in
which he had informed rae that he had set General Pack's bri
gade to perform the work which I had thought necessary to
render the place tenable against a coup de main.
' On the 1st of June I wrote another letter:|: to Lieut. Gene
ral Sir Brent Spencer, directing the movements which he
should make in the event of the eneray moving to the south
ward, in which letter I particularly specified that General
Pack must remain at Almeida, till relieved by the expected
militia garrison.
' It will thus appear that 1 ordered, on the 15th of May
- Seevul. vii. 1,. r)33. | Ibid. p. 603. * Ibid. p. 612.

1811. PENAMACOR. 16??
last, that Almeida should be effectually destroyed, if it should
be necessary to abandon it, when I contemplated the possibility
of the enemy's endeavor to return into Portugal, and of the
necessity for the retreat of the troops from the frontiers of
CastiUe ; and that on the 1st of June I ordered the movement
of the troops on the frontiers of Castille to the southward,
when I thought it probable that Marmont would make the
movement to the southward, with the exception of General
Pack's brigade, which I desired might remain at Almeida till
relieved by the militia, and of the Sth division, in the canton
ments on the Upper Coa.
' It did not occur to me that, in the event of the eneray's
movement to the southward, it could be necessary to withdraw
from the frontier, or to abandon Almeida, and therefore I did
not advert to this possibility in my letter ofthe 1st of June.
' It appears that Marmont made the movements in the be
ginning of June contemplated in my letter of the 1st of that
month, and Lieut. General Sir Brent Spencer made those di
rected for the troops under his comraand ; but, on the 7th of
June (the day on which Marmont marched to Moras Verdes,
after having thrown provisions into Ciudad Rodrigo), General
Pack withdrew from Almeida by order of Lieut. General Sir
firent Spencer, and completed its destruction, leaving still one
battalion in the neighbourhood of that place, from which it
would appear that the abandonraent of the place was not ne
cessary ; and I have the honor to enclose the official report
which I have received from Sir Brent Spencer, ofthe 14th of
June, on that subject, in answer to a letter which I wrote to
him on the 11th of June*. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool: ' Wellington.

General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Marshal
Sir W. C, Beresford, K.B.
' My dear Beresford, ' Penamacor, eth August, 1811.
* I have received your letter of the 2nd August. 1 do not
recollect the proposal raade against Lemos, but 1 suppose it was
some trick by the Government.
' It appears to me that we are going backwards in the way
* See page 1.

170 PORTUGAL. 1811.
of influence with these gentlemen. Let me know it officiaUy
if they refuse to adopt the measure you propme in respect to
the military chest, &c.
' I enclose the state of the ammunition with the several bri
gades of Portuguese artiUery on this side of the Tagus, from
which you will see how things stand.
" I think I shaU soon have a sufficient quantity of artillery to
attach a British brigade to each division, excepting Hamilton's
brigade, the 3rd, so that you may then keep the whole of this
artillery in reserve.
' I rather think that I shaU immediately close up Ciudad
Rodrigo. It wiU depend upon what I shall hear this day.
' I beg you to let me know what orders you have given
about the miUtia of Beira and Tras os Montes, and to what
places I shall send orders for each of the regiments.
' BeUeve me, &c.
• Marshal Sir W. C. Beresford, KB: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to Lieut. General Graham.
' My DEAR Sir, ' Penamacor, 6th August, 1811. 9 a.m.
' I have received your note of the Sth. I do not know
whether you received a long letter which I wrote to you from
Portalegre nearly a fortnight ago, in which I explained the
object of our movement to this side of the Tagus.
' I have not yet received the intelUgence which I expect
at every moment, which will enable me to determine whether
I shall move on upon Ciudad Rodrigo immediately or not.
From the tenor of that which I have received, however, I thmk
I ought to move on, and I therefore recommend to you to come
here to-morrow. If I should leave this place, I shall send a
note to Pedroga3 in the morning early, where you will do well
in that case to halt, and you will be able to overtake me at
Sabugal the next day. ' Believe me, &c.
' Lieut. General Graham: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Colonel O'Lalor.
' My dear Colonel, ' Penamacor, eth August, 1811. 8 p.m.
' I have just received your letter of 5 p.m. yesterday. I
do not exactly understand the paper which you have sent me.

1811. SABUGAL. 171
' The enemy have certainly not got provisions for two raonths
in the place, if they have no more than you state ; but 1 sup
pose what is stated has been introduced lately, and, with what
was there before, makes an amount sufficient for two months ;
but this notion does not agree with my other accounts. I wish,
therefore, that you would make farther inquiries what quan
tities they really received, what quantities they had before,
and for what time they have now ; and the strength of the gar
rison, of what force of each description of troops.
' I shall be to-morrow at Sabugal, and next day, probably,
in front of that town.
' It is very desirable that some arrangement should be made
for securing for us all the provisions of that part of the coun
try, as, if we are to blockade that place, we must not starve.
' Believe me, &c.
' Colonel O'Lalor: ' Wellington.

General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Marshal
Sir W. C. Beresford, K.B.
' My dear Beresford, ' Sabugal, 7th August, 1811.
' From what I have heard of the state of the provisions, and
of the garrison of Ciudad Rodrigo, I propose to shut it up as
soon as I can, unless, before I can do so, I should receive posi
tive inteUigence that the information which I have already
received is erroneous.
' It must be expected that the enemy will adopt all the means
in their power to oblige us to desist from our object ; and we
must be prepared to adopt measures to resist them wherever
they shall attack us.
' One of their plans will be to collect the whole of their force ;
that is, Bessieres' array of the north, the array of Portugal,
and the Sth corps, and fight a general action to oblige us to
relinquish our object. If they do this, I shall bring Hill's
corps to this army.
' Another plan will be, to manoeuvre with the Sth corps on
the south of the Tagus, whilst, with the army of the south, and
the array of Portugal, they attack us. This we shall oppose
with Hill's corps on the south of the Tagus.
' Another plan will be, to manoeuvre with the army of For-

172 PORl'UGAL. 1811.
tugal on the north of the Tagus, and through Lower Beira,
and, with the Sth corps on the south of that river, thus, if pos
sible, to oblige us to raise the siege, or blockade, and the army
of the north would then relieve the place.
' Against the execution of this plan, I propose to make the
following disposition : —
' First ; I propose that all above 10,000 men of Hill's corps
shall form a reserve, to be stationed at Castello Branco ; and,
secondly, in the disposition for the blockade, or siege, I pro
pose that the 4th division shall be between Penamacor and
Sabugal. This division, with what Hill can spare, will give
nearly 1 0,000 men for the position of the Ocreza, besides Le
Cor's militia. On the other hand, the 4th division will he at
hand to join the army, in case the army of Portugal should
join the army of the north to attack us. I propose to make
Le Cor occupy Monsanto, which will confine the enemy in-
some degree ; and, I beUeve, Penagracia, and also Sortelha.
' It will be very desirable that the garrison should be in
readiness to be thrown into Abrantes, as well as that the miUtia
of the north, and of Beira, should be ready to play such part
as may be allotted to them in these operations.
' It will also be necessary that the Government should be
prepared to feed the militia, and that money should be sent to
the Commissaries of Madden's and Otway's brigades of cavaky,
and of Pack's brigade of infantry, and of the brigade. No. 5
Caqadores, and 13th infantry, in order that something may he
purchased for them in Spain, otherwise they will starve ; or I
must relinquish the operation.
' I have just received your letter of the 4th. I wait to give
any answer about the servants till Government shall have de
cided upon your reference. You have forgotten to send me
the enclosures mentioned in your letter.
' Believe me, &c.
' Marshal Sir W. C. Beresford, KB: ' Wellington.

General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Major General Peacocke.
' My dear Sir, ' Sabugal, 7th August, 1811.
' I request you to give directions that every man, and every
thing, coming from Lisbon for the 1st, 3rd, 4th, Sth, 6th, 7th,

1811. sabugal. 173
and Light divisions of infantry may be sent by sea to the
mouth of the Mondego, and thence by Coimbra to the army.
• Believe me, &c.
' Major General Peacocke: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to Lieut. General Hill.
' My dear Hill, ' Sabugal, Sth August, 1811.
' My intention is to blockade, and even to attack, Ciudad
Rodrigo, if it should be in ray power ; and I am now about to
inform you of the mode in which I should wish you to co
operate in what I shall do.
' You are aware that what is called the army of Portugal is
stationed upon the Tagus, with its right at Plasencia, and its
left at Truxillo ; and the Sth corps, under Drouet, is at Zafra,
having, I believe, one division in the Condado de Niebla.
This corps consists of two divisions of infantry of about 10,000
men, and, I should think, not less than 2000 cavalry.
' My wish is, that you should observe the moveraent of the
Sth corps. If the 5th corps should raove to cross the Tagus
at Alraaraz, you will then raove to cross the Tagus at Villa
Velha, and proceed on by Castello Branco to join the array.
' I propose that your corps in Alentejo should be joined by
the 9th dragoons. Barbacena's brigade of cavalry already
belongs to it : and it will further be joined by the 28th regi
ment, and detachraents arrived for the 57th and other reei-
ments, and others that are expected every moment, including
cavalry and infantry.
' I should not wish you to keep more men in Alentejo than
10,000, and that the remainder should be eventually detached
to Castello Branco, in order to form the foundation of a corps
to be formed there to keep up the communication with the
army. ' In a view to this detachment, I would vvish you now to
send one brigade of British infantry from the 2nd division, and
one regiment of Portuguese infantry from General Hamilton's
division, to Portalegre. This brigade of British infantry
should be supplied by its Commissariat, and Major General
Hamilton will take care that the Portuguese regiment is well
supplied with provisions by the Portuguese Comraissariat.
Hereafter, when the proper time shall come, I will order these
troops to cross the Tagus to Castello Branco.

174 PORTUGAL. 18[1
' If the Sth corps should, instead of crossing the Tagus,
manoeuvre upon you in Alentejo, I request you first to move
upon Portalegre, and there either stand their attack or not, as
you may think proper, according to your notion of their force
compared with your own. If you should not stand their attack,
you will retire by Gavia5 towards Abrantes, and thence across
the Zezere, taking the line of the Tagus, with Santarem upon
your right. When you shall pass Niza, you will pick up the
bridge of VUla Velha, and either send the boats down to
Abrantes, or destroy them.
* It is possible that the army of Portugal, instead of moving
to attack us at Ciudad Rodrigo, may manoeuvre on the right
of the Tagus, by Zarza la Mayor and Castello Branco.
' I shall in that case join the 4th division of infantry with
the detachment from the 2nd, and General Hamilton's division',
which will be at Castello Branco, and with Le Cor's militia,
and shall endeavor to stop them in the position of the Ocreza.
In this case, it would be desirable that you should maintain
yourself at Portalegre as long as possible, and that you should
not retire from GaviaS in a hurry ; and that you should main
tain yourself upon the Tagus, with your left upon the Zezere,
till these troops should have joined you.
' This is the general outline of what I intend ; and I shall
be glad to hear from you whether I have made myself clearly
understood by you.
' I have desired Murray to establish a daily communication
with you by means of raounted guides ; and I beg that you
will have the dispatch sent from your quarters daily at the
TCgular hour. ' Believe rae, &c.
' Lieut, General Hill. ' Wellington.
' I send a letter for Marmont, which I beg you to forward
to Badajoz.'

General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Major General Peacocke.
* My dear Sir, ' Sabugal, 8th August, 1811-
' I shall be very much obliged to you if you will let me
know what regulation you have made for the payraent of the
soldiers at the dep6t at Belem, as the officers commanding

1811. sabugal. 175
companies in many regiments of the army, complain that the
soldiers being paid their balances at Belem, for a period to
which the estimates of the regiments ofthe army have not been
discharged, come up to their regiments in debt.
' I do not recollect that the regulations of the service or the
General Orders of the army would allow of more raoney being
drawn for a soldier in the depot at Belem, than would be abso
lutely necessary to sustain him, or than would be required to
supply him with necessaries. But I should be glad to know
what the order and practice is at Belem, before I give any
further order upon the subject.
' I shall be obliged to you if you will have the men re
ported to be fit for duty at Belem, examined from time to
time, to see whether any of them have become fit for service in
the field. ' Believe me, &c.
' Major General Peacocke: * Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to the Earl of Liverpool
Secretary of State.
' My dear Lord, ' Sabugal, sth August, 1811,
' I wish to draw your attention to the situation of the
Prince of Orange with this array. I have appointed him,
with his own consent, to be one of my aides de camp, and
it is impossible for any body to conduct himself with more
propriety than he does in every respect.
' I think, however, that if His Highness was promoted in
the course of a short time to be a Colonel in the army, 1 could
attach him to a brigade, in a situation in which he would have
a better opportunity of seeing how the detail of the army was
conducted, and how the duty was done, at the same time that
it would be more suitable to his rank and situation in life.
' I shall be ranch obUged to you if you will consider of this
subject. ' The Prince is now gone to Cadiz, and I expect hira in
about a fortnight. ' Believe rae, &c.
• The Earl of Liverpool' ' Wellington.

176 PORTUGAL. 1811.

General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My dear Lord, ' Sabugal, Sth August, 1811.
' I enclose the morning state of the Sth instant, of the troops
in the field. The 32nd and 77th regiments are not included,
not having yet joined the divisions to which they belong.
' I am sorry to say that the young troops have not stood
their march very well, although the marches were purposely
made very short, and they were never exposed to the sun at a
later hour than eight o'clock. The diseases, however, are very
slight, and with the exception of some few of the Walcheren
soldiers, the old soldiers are remarkably healthy.
* BeUeve me; &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool' ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., io ihe Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My dear Lord, ' Sabugal, Sth August, 1811.
' I have continued to move the troops to their left, since I
addressed you on the 1st instant, as I did not, till last night,
receive any accounts upon which 1 could depend, of the state
of the supplies in Ciudad Rodrigo. I have now reason to
believe that a sufficient supply to last the garrison for two
months was introduced into the place about the 28th of July,
and the troops which escorted the convoy returned again to the
north about the 2nd instant.
' General Silveira writes on the 28th of July, that Bessieres'
troops, and those under General Santocildes, still maintained
tlie positions which he had reported on the 21st that they
occupied respectively ; and he says that Bessieres has under
bis command, including the garrisons of Zamora and Toro,
not less than 20,000 men. This force is larger than 1 imagined
he could coUect, and renders it improbable that I shall be
able to undertake the siege of Ciudad Rodrigo.
' I observe also that the French are collecting large maga
zines at Vitoria, from which circurastance I should imagine
that the reports which they have circulated of the early arrival
in Spain of reinforcements have some foundation.
' These circumstances, combined with a knowledge which I

1811. sabugal. 177
have obtained, that the Governor of Ciudad Rodrigo had
received information of our march in that direction, have
induced me to continue it, and to take up our cantonments
in that neighbourhood.
' At present I think it more doubtful than it was that I shall
be in a situation to undertake the siege of Ciudad Rodrigo ;
but the moveraent which I ara raaking may lead to some
operation by the enemy, which may afford an opportunity of
striking an advantageous blow; or, if reinforcements are not
expected frora France, the eneray raay be induced to draw
some troops from the eastern coast of the Peninsula, or from
the southward, to impede our progress, and thus a seasonable
diversion will have been afforded to those of the allies who are
at present the most pressed.
' In all my considerations upon this subject, I do not at all
reckon upon the operations of the corps under Santocildes,
because I am quite convinced that if the enemy should think
it expedient to collect their forces, to fall upon the allied
British and Portuguese army, not only they will not be pre
vented from doing so by any apprehension of the operations of
the corps under General Santocildes, but that the operations
of that corps are not Ukely to be of the description to give
them any reasonable ground for uneasiness.
'All the movements of General Santocildes, from the moment
he would leave the hills of Galicia, would be cramped by his
apprehensions of the enemy's cavalry opposed to his undis
ciplined infantry, and he would probably not be able to get
possession even of Salamanca.
' I learn that a part of the Sth corps still remained at Zafra
on the 2nd of this month, and one division only had gone
towards the Condado de Niebla.
' All accounts agree in stating that Marshal Soult has gone
towards Granada. ' Believe me, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool. 'Wellington. ,
'P.S. I have received a report from Valladolid, stating that
Marshal Bessieres has returned to France,, and that General
Dorsenne now commands the troops in the North.' j

VOL. viii.

178 PORTUGAL. 1811.

General Viscount Wellington, KB., io Marshal Marmont,
Due de Raguse. ' au Quartier GSli^ral,
' Monsieur le Mar6chal, ce 9 Aout, I8ii.
' J'ai I'honneur de vous envoyer une lettre que je viens
de recevoir de I'Angleterre, par laquelle votre Excellence
Verra que Monsieur Ville sur Ance, au sort duquel votre
Excellence s'interessait, a ete envoye en France.
' J'ai I'honneur d'etre, &c.
' Le Marechal Due de Raguse: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to J. Duff, Esq.
' My dear Sir, ' Casillas de Flores, 9th August, 1811.
' I was in hopes that I should have heard from you after
the arrival of the Minho, to inform me of your success in pro
curing for the array sorae of the money which has arrived in
that vessel. I assure you that we were never in such want of
money as we are at the present moraent, and I hope that you
will spare no effort to send us, as soon as possible, the largest
supply that can be procured. ' Believe me, &c.
' J. Duff, Esq: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to the Right Hon.
Henry Wellesley.
' My dear Henry, ' Casillas de Flores, 9th August, 1811.
' I enclose my dispatch of yesterday to the Secretary of
State. I am very apprehensive that, there are some symptoms
of Bonaparte's coming to Spain, of course with a large rein
forcement, notwithstanding that I hear from Salamanca that
the report there of a war with Russia was more prevalent than
ever. ' I write to Duff by this opportunity, to request him to
spare no means whatever to increase our supplies of specie ;
you may depend upon it that every shilling you get for bills
upon England, and advance to the Spanish Government, is so
much out of our military chest. I conceive that we now get
every sum which any individual is wiUing to advance for a bill

1811. Fuknte guinaldo. 179
upon England, excepting those sums which you get, and that
we should get these sums likewise, if you did not take them.
I do not mean to saj', however, for it is not .is necessary to
supply the Spaniards with money at times, as it is to supply
our own troops, and I have more than once supplied them
frora our military chest, but still the supply of specie by you
at Cadiz diminishes the supply of the military chest of this
army. ' Ever yours most affectionately,
' The Right Hon. H. Wellesley: ' Wellington.

General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Captain Kipping,
Commandant at Coimbra.
' Sir, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 12th August, 1811.
' 1 have the honor to enclose a letter and its enclosures,
which I have received frora Mr. Stuart.
' I beg that you will go to the house occupied by Staff
Surgeon  •, and that you will ascertain whether it is true or
not that Mr.  had the door of a room broken open at the
 's, at Coimbra. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
• Captain Kipping: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to His Excellency Charles Stuart.
' My dear Sir, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 12th August, 1811,
' 1 received last night your letter of the 6th, and I am con
cerned to find that the Government persist in an erroneous
system of taxation, notwithstanding ail that we can represent
to them upon the subject. However, the Government of the
Brazils being determined to annihilate the influence of the
servants of the British Government in the concerns of Portu
gal, it is almost useless to remonstrate ; and in my opinion, you
should confine yourself to the limit of telling thera individually
and privately, that unless they introduce the reforras in all the
branches of the administration which have been recommended
to them, they must not expect the increased assistance of
Great Britain. This intimidation will have, at all events, the
effect of strengthening the hands of our friends.
' You are quite in the right to adhere strictly to the orders
* N 2

180 SPAIN. 1811.
you have received respecting the settlement of the accounts of
the subsidy.
' I believe there was some mismanagement on the part of
the gentlemen who ordered the preparations for the feast at
Mafra ; but I was intolerably cheated, as will appear when I
state that I found the meat, fowls, wine, &c., and the Com
missary General carried the things to Mafra for me, and yet
the feast, in addition to these, cost me £1200. I referred the
bills to the police. I do not know what their decision was;
but as they were certainly exorbitant eyond measure, I de
termined to defer the payment till it should be perfectly con
venient to me. I do not know whether it is yet so, not having
had time to look into my accounts, but I should imagine not;
as the situation which I fill is not only not a sinecure, but not
remarkably well paid. I cannot, however, think it .any hard
ship to oblige people to wait for their money, who have asked
three times at least more than they ought ; and, at all events,
I cannot allow you to incur an inconvenience which I cannot
at present incur myself. I can certainly pay some of the
money, and I shall make Sodre begin the settlement ira
mediately. ' I desired Mackenzie to remove my wine from Bandeira's
because Bandeira, after having invited me and all my family
to consider his house as our own, and to go there when we
pleased without biUet, had a breeze with Campbell the other
day, because he went to live there without a billet, and was
nearly coming to blows in the street. I was very glad to have
so good an opportunity of divorcing myself from Bandeira.
I desired that a house might be taken for me, in order in some
degree to mortify the Government and the principal people of
Lisbon, and if possible to make thera feel a little respecting
their conduct about billets. I am slaving like a neero for
thera : I have saved the people in Lisbon, particularly, from
the eneray, and I take nothing from them, while they con
tinually torment me with their frivolous complaints on subjects
on which they ought to have no feeling.
' I shall not make use of the palace of Beraposta, or of any
thing else belonging to the prince, nor will I lie under an
obligation to any Portuguese for my private convenience. I
r 'lall pay rent for the house, which I want only to hold my
wine, and to receive the officers of ray family when they go to

•1811. FUENTE GUINALDO. 181
¦Lisbon. I shall not be sorry if the Government and principal
people of Lisbon know the reason why I take this house ; viz.,
that 1 will not lay myself under an obligation to any of them.
' Believe me, &c.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:

General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Major Dickson, R.A.
' My dear Sir, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 13th August, ISll.
' In consequence of the reports which I received, that the
garrison of Ciudad Rodrigo were in want of provisions, which
reports were not contradicted in time, I have brought the
army to this quarter sooner than I intended ; which circum
stance may, I think, injure our enterprize.
' I have received your letter of the 6th, but not that of the
1st; everything appears to me to be going on well, and I
should hope that we shall not be materially wrong in our time.
' Believe me, &c.
' Major Dickson, R.A: ' Wellington.

General Viscounty Wellington, K.B., to Major General H. Campbell.
' My dear Sir, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 13th August, 1811.
' I have received your letter of the 12th, in respect to
Captain Boyce's leave. I beg you to show to Captain Boyce
the enclosed letter, which I have received from the Horse
¦Guards, upon the numerous applications from the officers of
the army for leave of absence, and also to point out to him the
inconvenience to his own regiment which must result from his
absence at present. I have felt this inconvenience so strongly
that I have sent my own aide de camp. Captain Canning, to
do duty with the regiment.
Under these circumstances, I am under the necessity of de
clining to give leave of absence to Captain Boyce ; and even
if he should send in his resignation, 1 cannot allow him to quit
his regiment till his successor shall be appointed. I am very
sorry to be obliged to refuse Captain Boyce, and I hope that
his good sense will point out to him the injury which wilL
result to himself from the step which he states he intends to
take. I can only say, that if any officer is sent from England

182 sPAi>-. 1811.
to relieve Captain Boyce, he shall have immediatdy the leave
which be solicits. ' BeKere me, &c.
' Major Gen. H. Campbell: ' Wellington.
General Viicmnt Wellington, K.B., to Hii Excetlency Charles Stuart.
* My dear Sir, ' Fuente GuinaLSo, 13th Augiist, 1811.
' I have received your letter of the Sth. The acqaittal of
the Conde de Sabugal is very extraordinary, his honorable
acquittal still more so ; as, if I recoUect righdv, I sent to the
Govemment undoubted proof of his belonging to the " Legion
d' Honneur," and of his being an officer in the service of France.
Indeed, I have his name in the Emplacement of the army as a
Lieut. Colonel.
' I should think Beresford wfll not aUow him to join any
regiment as an officer.
' I do not know whether I have the power to depute any
person to administer an oath, which I am required by the
Auditors to administer, or in what form I ought to make out
the deputation. But you will do well to make inquiry from
the Auditors on both points. ' Believe me, &c.
' His Excellenaj ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to His Excellency Charles Stuart.
* My dear Sir, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 13th August, 1811.
' I have received your letter of the 9th, regarding the send
ing to France the disabled prisoners of war.
' I can have no objection to their being sent ; but as the
French Government will in all probability pay no respect to
the Portuguese flag of truce, I should recommend that these
prisoners should be sent to England, and that you should
address the Transport Board to have them sent to France by
an English flag of truce. ' Believe me, &c.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:

1811. fuente guinaldo. 183
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to Lieut. General HUl
< Sir, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 14th August, 1811.
' I enclose a complaint, and the translation of it, which his
Majesty's Minister at Lisbon has transmitted to me, of the
damage done to the barracks at Evora, by the British troops
lately stationed there under  , of the Buffs.
' It distresses me much to find, that notwithstanding the
pains which I have taken for such a length of time, the troops
cannot be detached frora under the iramediate view of their
General Officers, without doing some damage to the buildings
in which they may be quartered, or mischief to some indi
vidual. I cannot but attribute the cause which is thus given
for these constant complaints, to the inattention of the officers
of the regiments. I beg that  may be called upon
to report upon this complaint, and particularly to state whether
the General Orders of the 29th May, 1809, were obeyed
when the detachraent under his coramand was at Evora ;
because it appears to me, that if they had, these causes for
complaint could not have been given.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' Lieut. General Hill' ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., io Major Dickson, R.A.
' My dear Sir, ' Fuente Guinaldo, Mth August, 1811.
' I have this day received your letters of the 9th, but not
yet that of the 1st, which, however, appears to be very in
teresting, as you had communicated in it some opinions and
wishes respecting roads. I beg you to send rae a duplicate
of it. ' Believe me, &c.
' Major Dickson, R.A: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., io Brigadier General
R. Craufurd. ' Fuente Guinaldo, 14th August, 1811.
' My dear General, half past 5 p.m.
' I have not sent you instructions regarding your situation
at Martiago, because I have not yet been able to acquire all
the information which I want regarding the country on the

184 SPAIN. 1811.
right of the Agueda. It appears to me that you have nothing
to apprehend in your front. Don Julian has detachments in
Tenebron, Santi-espiritus, and I believe Moras Verdes ; and I
have this evening desired Murray to request that you would
place a detachment of infantry at Las Agallas, and one of
cavalry at Monsagro, to observe the roads leading through the
Sierra on that side, and to communicate with Captain Grant,
who was at Aldea Nueva de la Sierra yesterday evening ; ybu
will do well to coraraunicate with hira, and open all letters to
me coming from him, or others, on that side.
' 1 would likewise recomraend to you to place a party of
cavalry at Zaraarra, and let them communicate with Don
JuUan's people, Tenebron, &c., and know all that is^going on.
' You have nothing to apprehend from the garrison of
Ciudad Rodrigo, where there is no cavalry, and only 1500
infantry ; you must only observe well the enemy's movements
below the mountains, and give me the earliest intelligence of
them. I propose, if possible, to keep the troops in their.can-
tonments, and to prevent any thing from getting into Ciudad
Rodrigo ; and after I shall have completed my reconnaissance
on the right of the Agueda, the day after to-morrow, I shall
be, able to tell whether I shall succeed. It vyould be impossible
to throw the troops permanently across the Agueda.
• The Sth division observe Gata, Perales, &c., on your
right, and behind you ; but you must observe those on your
side of Gata. I have ordered Slade's brigade to be relieved
by the 1st hussars and the 11th. ' Believe me, &c.
' Brig. Gen. R. Craufurd. ' Wellington.
' Have you ordered from Gallegos the Commissariat stores
belonging to your division, which I told you were there.?'
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to the Right Hon.
Henry Wellesley.
' My dear Henry, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 14th August, 1811.
' I have received your letter of the 31st July, and I recom
mend to you to raake Government acquainted (in a private
form) with the circumstances which have come to your know
ledge. It appears to me that something is wrong, though
what I cannot say, as I cannot conceive in what manner those

1811. fuente guinaldo. is,*)
most hkely to be discontented with the continuance of the war,
viz., the landed proprietors, emigrants to Cadiz, can have, or
can suppose they have, the power to deliver the place to the
enemy by any negotiation of theirs. It is obvious, however,
from the intelUgence sent frora the Puertos, that the French
believe they have a chance of obtaining possession of the place;
and this intelligence tends to confirra the truth of that which
you received of the meetings of the American deputies. These
deputies met because they found that there existed an incli
nation somewhere to submit to the French, which fact is con
firmed by the inteUigence from the Puertos; and the turn
which the deliberation took is natural, and can be accounted
for only by the belief that they considered the submission of
Cadiz to be probable.
' My own opinion is, that several will be inclined to sub-
rait to the French, as soon as they shall find them in pos
session of Valencia. Almost all the grandees have estates
in Valencia, upon the rents of which they have subsisted
since they have been deprived of the estates in the other
provinces by the operations of the war, and they will of course
feel sorely the loss of these their last means of subsistence ;
but their influence at Cadiz is not great, much less paramount,
and I should think that the raerchants and people of that
town would not subrait on any account ; however, you should
inform Governraent of what you have heard, and either pro
pose to thera sorae plan of proceeding, in case matters should
come to the worst, or desire that they should leave the de
cision upon the occurrences which may arise to the authorities
upon the spot.
' I do not understand your meaning in one part of your
letter, in which you say that our Government will have to
decide whether " to take up the cause of the people, and
abandon the Government altogether, or continue to support a
system which must in the end prove fatal to the cause." I
have always thought that we supported the existing Govern
ment in Spain, because it was the choice of the people ; if that
is not the case, we are acting on a very mistaken principle.
' I enclose my dispatch of this day.
' Ever yours, most afl'ectionately, &c.
' The RL Hon. H. Wellesley: ' Welling roN.

186 SPAIN. 1811.
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to the Adjutant General
of ihe Forces.
« Sir, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 14th August, 1811.
' I have had the honor of receiving your letter of the 2nd
July, regarding Private   , of the — th regiment.
This soldier was tried by a General Court Martial, for deser
tion, on the 14th June, 1810, and was sentenced to be trans
ported, as a felon, for seven years, and at the end of that
period to be at the disposal of His Majesty.
' I enclose an extract of the General Order of this army of
the 22nd June, 1810, by which it appears that this sentence
was confirmed ; and having been published in General Orders,
it cannot be believed that the sentence of the General Court
Martial was not made known to the prisoner.
' The Deputy Judge Advocate's papers of the year 1810
being at Lisbon, I cannot at present show that the proceedings
of this General Court Martial were transmitted to the office of
the Judge Advocate General ; but Captain Goodman declares
that he believes they were, in the sarae manner as the pro
ceedings in all other trials are ; and although I cannot find
the copies of the letters written to the Adjutant General, and
to the Commandant of the depot at the Isle of Wight, I en
close the copy of a letter written on the 19th September, 1810,
by Major General Stewart to Colonel Darrocb, respecting
 •  , — th regiment, from which it appears that the
sentence of the General Court Martial on   had
been communicated to the Adjutant General, and to the
Commandant of the Dep6t.
' As it is necessary that His Majesty's pleasure should be
taken upon sentences of transportation, in order that they may
be carried into execution, I have latterly considered it proper to
transmit to the Judge Advocate General, to be laid before His
Royal Highness the Prince Regent, for His Royal Highness's
coraraands, all proceedings of Courts Martial on the trial of
soldiers, on whom that sentence may have been passed.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' Wellington.
' The Adjutant General of the Forces:

1811. fuente guinaldo. 187
General Viscount Wellington, KB., io the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My Lord, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 14th August, 1811.
' The eneray have made no alteration in the position of their
several corps since I addressed you on the Sth instant. The
army of Portugal were in the same positions in the valley of
the Tagus, and about Plasencia, on the 12th instant ; and the
army of the north, and the Sth corps, on the Sth instant.
' It appears that Soult has certainly proceeded to Granada
with a large body of troops.
' I have cantoned the allied army in the country on the
sources of the Coa and the Agueda, and between those rivers,
in situations from which I can collect them at any point at
which it may be desirable. In the mean time, the train is
moving up the Douro, although but slowly, owing to the diffi
culties which attend all operations of that description in the
Peninsula. ' 1 have received a report that a reinforcement, consisting of
about 10,000 men, of which 800 cavalry , were assembled at
Bayonne in the last week in July, but I have not yet received
any intelligence of their farther progress.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool' ' Wellington.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., io the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My Lord, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 14th August, 1811.
' I enclose the last weekly state, and the morning state of
the troops in the field of the 11th instant. The 32nd and
77th regiments, and the detachment of the 3rd battalion 95th
regiment, are not yet included in the latter.
' I am sorry to observe, however, that there is a diminution
of the effective strength of the troops which have marched,.
to the amount of about 1000 men, in the last three weeks,
notwithstanding the care which was taken to move them by
short marches. The sickness has fallen principally on the
troops lately arrived ; but I understand that it is not of much
importance. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool' ' Wellington.

188 SPAIN. 1811
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Major General Dunlop.
' Fuente Guinaldo, 15th August, 1811.
' My dear Sir, 8 a.m.
' General Craufurd has sent me a report which he has
received from Robledillo, stating that a division of the enemy
were yesterday marching between Sanlivanez and Villa de
Torre, as they said, on their road towards Gata. It is also
reported that there were cavalry marching towards Cilleros.
If this intelligence be true, 1 conceive it can be only a recon
naitring party, but I shall be glad to know whether you have
heard any thing of them.
' I ordered that hussars might be placed in observation in
Gata, Perales, Cilleros, Acebo, San Martin, Villa Miel, and
Valverde del Fresno, so that nothing ought to raove in that
part of the country without your being inforraed. You should
fix upon a bivouac upon the top of each of the passes of Gata,
Perales, San Martin, and Valverde, to assemble your troops
from these cantonments, in case the enemy should move that
way. ' Believe me, &c.
' Major General Dunlop: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Major General Dunlop.
' Fuente Guinaldo, 15th August, 1811.
'My dear General, 7 p.m.
' I have just received your report of this day, which is very
.'satisfactory. I agree with you that Payo is a most important
point, and 1 would recomraend to you to keep as raany troops
there as you can cover, and probably one battalion in bivouac,
which might be relieved occasionally. Of course the troops
raust not be moved to the heads of the passes till the enemy's
designs shall be manifest ; probably Payo would be the best
alarra post for them all, and the troops to be moved there in
the first instance in case of alarm. ' Believe me, 8ec.
' Major General Dunlop: ' Wellington.

1811. fuente guinaldo. 189

General Viscount IVellington, KB., to Brigadier General
R. Craufurd.
' My dear General, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 1 sth August, 181 1'.
' I have received your letter of this day. 1 have General
Dunlop's report of the enemy having been at Gata last night
with about 1200 men. They left it this morning, and had
parties in all the villages at the bottom of the passes of Perales,
Acebo, and San Martin, and they were out of all early in the
day, excepting San Martin, from whence Dunlop had not heard
when he wrote. ' BeUeve me, &c.
' Brig. General R. Craufurd: 'Wellington. ¦¦

General Viscount Wellington, KB., io Colonel the Hon. E. Capel. ¦
' My dkar Colonel, ' Fuenta Guinaldo, ISth August, 1811.
' General Graham gave me your letter of the 28th June,
some days ago, and I mislaid it by accident, or should have
answered it at an earlier period. When Colonel Macdonald
went horae, an application was made to rae by Lord Aylraer,
who had been an Assistant Adjutant General with this army,
to be appointed Deputy Adjutant General at Cadiz, and I
recommended him to General Graham. In the mean tirae,
however. General Graham had appointed Ponsonby, who was
already attached as an Assistant to the Staff' at Cadiz, and
Lord Aylmer's appointment did not take place.
' Lord Aylmer is now in England for the recovery of his
health, and it is possible that he raay not return to the Penin
sula, or that if he should return, he may not now wish to go
to Cadiz ; in either case, as far as I am concerned, nothing
would be more satisfactory to me than that you should be ap
pointed Deputy Adjutant General at Cadiz ; but you must see
from what I have stated to you respecting the part which 1
had taken to procure the appointment for Lord Aylmer, long
before you had come out, that it would be impossible for me
to interfere in your favor, tiU it should be decided that Lord
Aylmer either could not, or declined to, receive the appoint
ment. 1 understand that you are now Assistant Adjutant
General, doing the duty of the office at Cadiz, and I recom-

190 SPAIN. I81I.
mend you to remain in that situation till we shall see what
Lord Aylmer will do. ' Believe me, &c.
' Colonel the Hon. E. Capel ' Wellington.
' Since writing the above I have seen General Graham, from
whom I learn that you are not on the Staff at Cadiz, and I
beg you to let me know whether it would be agreeable to you
to be appointed an Assistant Adjutant General there, under
the circumstances stated in this letter.'
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Major General Cooke.
' SiRj ' Fuente Guinaldo, 15th August, 1811.
¦' I have had the honor of receiving your letters to the Sth
instant, for which I am much obliged to you. I shall attend
to the enemy's operations towards Cadiz, when he shall direct
them to that quarter.
' I do not understand that the battalion of German recruits
at Cadiz is one to which an officer could get his original com
mission in His Majesty's service, although being in His Ma
jesty's service he might be appointed to act with it. I shall,
therefore, recommend Mr. Fox for a commission in one of the
regiments of the line, and it will then be possible to appoint
him to do duty with the battalion of German recruits at
Cadiz. ' Captain  cannot be appointed a Captain in the
army. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' Major General Cooke: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., ioHis Excellency Charles Stuart.
' My dear Sir, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 15th August, 1811.
' Mr. Kennedy having arrived, I have appUed to him for the
vouchers and receipts for the provisions delivered to the Por
tuguese troops, and they shall be sent to you.
' I have ordered that £100,000 in paper may be paid into
the chest ; likewise 100,000 doUars in specie, of a sura which
ought to arrive at Lisbon about this tirae from Cadiz.
' You will have observed from my dispatch to Government,
that I had heard of the reinforcement expected in Spain. I
heard of it from my friends in Salamanca; but as I have in-

1811. fuente guinaldo. 191
variably found that they diminish the numbers of the enemy
in their accounts, 1 am inclined to beUeve that the reinforce
ment consists of the numbers stated to you from Coruiia.
' I hope to be able to send you, in a day or two, further
accounts of the suppUes to the Portuguese troops to the 24th
of June.
' Mr. Kennedy tells me that the Portuguese Government
refuse to take from us wheat, barley, or oats, or any of the
articles which they are daily purchasing with money in the
market of Lisbon. This is a rank job of the Junta de
Viveres. ' I am not in general very suspicious, but I begin to suspect
the Government of treachery. Nothing can be so fatal to the
cause as to distress us for money, and yet all the measures of
the Government appear to have that sole object in view.
' Believe me, &c.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:

General Viscount Wellington, KB., io His Excellency Charles Stuart.
• Sir, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 15th August, 1811.
' I enclose a petition which I have received from the keeper
of a coffee-house at Lisbon, on the subject of a regulation
supposed to have been recomraended by me, that the coffee
houses at Lisbon should be closed at a certain hour every
evening. ' If this regulation was adopted, and still exists, in conse
quence of my recomraendation, I beg you to represent to the
Governraent that I recommended the regulation at a period
when the enemy were advancing into the country, and wheii
disturbances were expected in that city. But unless there is a
reason to suspect an inclination to disturb the peace of the
city, in the disaffected class of the inhabitants, under existing
circumstances, I see no reason why the regulations should be
continued. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
• His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:

192 SPAIN. - 1811.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to the Right Hon. .
Henry Wellesley. f
' My dear Henry, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 15th August, 1811.
' Since I wrote to you yesterday, I have received your
letters of the 3rd and Sth. All accounts appear to agree in
stating the fact that there exists a very bad spirit at Cadiz.
General Graham has shown me two very impudent publica
tions, one of which, the noticias, in the Seminario of the
1st August, is, I understand, published by an agent of the
Government. ,¦
' It is a curious circumstance that I, and not General Cas
taiios, should be blamed for the plunder of Alburquerque, as if
it was my business, and not his, to occupy that fort ; what
makes this abuse still better is, that 1 urged hira repeatedly to
occupy this place, in which he had his hospitals. As for the
French expedition to Alburquerque, you will see the account
of it in my dispatch to the Secretary of State of the ITth
July. They were at Alburquerque one evening, and unless I
had extended my posts to that town, I could not have pre
vented what happened, and this extension did not suit my plan
at the time. Besides'this answer to the abuse, I have another
to give, which is, that when I enter Spain, I quit ray maga
zines, and my troops and their horses starve. Will the
Government or General Castaiios set this to riffhts? Even
Cock's parties of observation, which saw the French enter
Alburquerque, found it difficult to subsist so far from the-
magazines. What would the army itself have found ?
' I agree with the Spanish Government, that it would, be
very desirable to thera that we should be bound by certain
stipulations to perforra certain operations for them, which they
cannot, or will not, perform for themselves ; but in general,
there are two sides to a bargain or contract of this description^
and it would be very desirable that the Spanish' Government,
who will be one side in this contract, should state which part
they will perform in any one operation which can be under?
taken. When they come forward v\ith a statement of this
description, which will satisfy ray raind, and in which I can
have confidence, the Governraent will not find me backward in
engaging myself in any operation.
' 1 am obliged to you for the pains you have taken about

1811. fuente qu!n,\ldo. 19.'J
our money. I approve highly of Green's proposition to have
supplies of arms, ammunition, provisions, and corn, in the
ships of war on the coast of Catalonia, for the use of the
Spanish armies there. Green appears an intelligent fellow,
and I shall begin now to read with some interest the ac-
counts of the war in that quarter. I return his and Doyle's
letter. ' Ever yours, most affectionately,
' The Right Hon. H. Wellesley. ' Wellington.

' Just to show you the kind of people the Spaniards are to
deal with, I mention that I cannot station even a corporal's
party, or send a patrole, into the Sierra de Gata, or the Sierra
de Francia, without giving the corporal money to pay for
rations for the horses and men of his party, while the French
take everything in the sarae districts for nothing. The
inconvenience does not consist in paying for these articles,
for which I am willing to pay, but in being obliged to make
every corporal who goes with a patrole, a purchasing com
missary.'

General Viscount Wellington, KB., to the Right Hon.
Henry Wellesley.
' My dear Henry, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 15th August, 1811.
' I have received an application frora Captain Lewis Ruman,
of the 97th regiment, who has been for some tirae employed
within the Spanish territory with Lieut. Colonel Fraga, in
obtaining intelligence of the enemy's moveraents for the Mar
quis de la Romana, Castanos, and myself, that I should
request the Spanish Government to appoint him a Lieut.
Colonel in the Spanish array. I shall be much obliged to
you if you will lay this request before the Spanish Govern
ment, and I assure you that they cannot promote a more
deserving officer, or one who has rendered more important
services to the cause than he has.
' In general, I have objected to the grant of rank in the
Spanish army to British officers, but in this instance it is
VOL. viii. o

194 SPAIN. 1811.
feally a duty to promote the wish of Captain Ruman to re
ceive this mark of distinction from the Spanish Government.
' Ever yours, most affectionately,
' The Right Hon. H. Wellesley: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Lieut. Colonel Torrens,
Military Secretary to the Commander in Chief.
« giR ¦ Fuente Guinaldo, 15th August, 1811.
' I enclose sorae letters on the claim of the acting Adjutant,
Harvey, of the 66th regiment, to receive the pay of that
appointment during the period that he has been doing the
duty for the Adjutant, who has been absent since the year
1809, on account of his health.
' I conceive that it is not intended that the officers of the
General Staff of the array, or those attached to regiraents,
shall have leave of absence excepting on account of their
health ; and it remains a question how long they shall be
entitled to their pay, when their bad health requires that they
should be absent frora their duty. I have established a rule
in this array, that any officer of the General Staff, absent from
this country for raore than two months for the recovery of his
health, shall forfeit his staff pay, unless his bad health shall
have been occasioned by wounds received in the service, but
I do not conceive that I have authority to extend the opera
tion of this rule to the Regimental Staff.
' It would be desirable, however, that sorae general rule
should be made upon this subject, and that it should be clearly
understood, how long an officer on the Staff of a regiment may
be absent, and continue to receive his Staff pay.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' Lieut. Colonel Torrens: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to Major Dickson, R.A.
' My dear Sir, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 17th August, 1811.
I have at last received your letter of the 1st August, and I
have desired General Murray to have the road repaired which
leads down to, and up from, the ford of the Coa immediately
above the bridge of Almeida. I have no objection to your

1811. fuente guinaldo. 195
avoiding Trancoso entirely, and proceeding by any other
route that you may prefer. You will in this case fix upon the
place for the first depot on that road, letting mc know whicli it
is, and giving information to the Commissary General's Officers,
in order that they may collect there the necessary provision of
forage, &c. ' Believe me, Sec.
Major Dickson: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to Marshal
Sir W. C. Beresford, KB.
* My dear Beresford, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 17th August, 1811.
' I received last night your letter of the 12th. I think the
24th regiment should be in the brigade with the 13th and the
Sth Cacadores. I propose to move these last towards the lower
parts of the Coa, in order to be nearer the Portuguese raaga
zines on the Douro. I do not think it would answer to
relieve the 20th regiment by any thing but a good and well-
disciplined one. I do not know what can be done respecting
the 22nd regiment, excepting that the Governraent should
render the law more efficient in respect to the discovery and
punishment of desertion.
' I am concerned to find that the Government still go on
so slowly.
' Our train is moving up gradually, though 1 much fear
that I shall not be able to accomplish my object ; particularly
if it be true that 17,000 men have entered Spain lately. It is
as weU, however, to be in some degree prepared to undertake
it, if circumstances should favor its accomplishment.
' BeUeve me, &c.
' Marshal Sir W. C. Beresford, K.B. ' Wellington.
' I believe we shall want the assistance of sorae Portuguese
artillery, besides the artillery with the several brigades, for the
siege, and it would be desirable that you should send 200 or
300 to the army. I propose to attach a 9 pounder brigade to
the 6th division, so that the 6 pounder short brigade with
them may be put down.'

o2

196 SPAIN. 1811.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to His Excellency Charles Stuart
• My dear Sir, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 17th August, 1811.
' Having lately made an arrangement for the better con
ducting of our military 'posts, my attention has been drawn in
a very particular manner to the enormous expense which we
are incurring on this head every month for the Portuguese
Government. ' The post office is a branch of the civil Government, from
which, in every well-regulated country, the Government
derive a revenue, of course after defraying all the charges
attending upon it ; and the Portuguese Governraent, as well as
others, enjoy this revenue. One of the charges against this
profit was, I believe, peculiar to this country. T'he Govern
ment not only engaged to pay the usual price for the use of
the post mules to transport their posts and messengers, but
likewise half a dollar a day for each mule, to the number of
six kept at each post stage. It is true, that they never per
formed the engagement above referred to ; and the only pro
fit the keepers of post horses derived, was from the hire of
their horses or mules to carry the messengers or the mails.
' Before the last French invasion,' we paid for any extra
ordinary post which the service of the armies required, only
the expense of the hire of the post mules which carried it ; and
I understand that the keepers of post mules were perfectly
satisfied with this payment, as well on account of its regularity,
as because the constant daily employment of the mules afforded
means to subsist them, and sufficient profit to replace any that
might have been worn out in the service.
' Since the French invasion, however, circumstances have
altered ; and although the British Governraent derive no profit
from the posts, we have incurred enormous expenses on this
account. First, while the head quarters were at Cartaxo,
the Comraissary General of the British array was obliged to
supply with rations all the mules and postilions posted on the
road from Lisbon to that place; besides paying the hire of
the mules for the carriage of our messengers and posts.
' Secondly, since the French have retired from Portugal,
the Commissary General ofthe British army has supplied with
rations all the mules and postilions on all the roads leading to

1811. FUENTE GUINALDO. 197
the array, on which that mode of communication has been
established, besides paying the expense of their hire for our
messengers and posts.
' The expense of these rations is enormous, and at all events,
ought not to fall upon the British Government ; and in my
opinion, we do a great deal when we pay the expense of any
particular line, or raore frequent communication which the
miUtary operations for the defence of Portugal may render
necessary. ' When the British Government sent an army to this country
to aid in its defence, and gave Portugal a subsidy, it did not
contemplate the possibility that it was not to have the use of
the ordinary establishments of the country ; or that the ex
pense of the maintenance of those establishments was to be
paid out of the military chest, while all the profits resulting
from them were to go to the Portuguese Governraent ; ray
opinion, therefore, is, that the expense of these rations is
properly a charge against the Portuguese Government.
* When first the French retired, it may have been necessary
to give rations to the mules and postilions established at the
several post stages, and the same necessity may still exist in
some parts of the country ; but it is still desirable to revert to
the old system as soon as possible. Accordingly, I have this
day directed, that wherever it may be possible, half a dollar a
day for each mule kept at each post stage in all the military
communications may be given instead of rations, which will of
course be charged against the Portuguese Governraent ; and
besides that, we shall pay for our couriers and extra posts, the
usual hire of the mules.
' I beg you to inquire from the Portuguese Government,
whether this arrangement is satisfactory to them. If it should
not be so, I beg theni to take care that the post mules are
estabUshed and kept up as usual on the roads; and I will use
them as before the late French invasion, paying the usual hire
for those which I use. ' Believe me, &c.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:

198 SPAIN. \^\\,
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Brigadier General
R. Craufurd.
' My DEAR General, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 18th August, 1811.
' I heard of the misfortune which occurred to one of your
brigades of mules, but I hope it is not so extensive as you
imagine. The Commissary General will remedy it. I do not
know how they came to pass by San Martin, and it is still more
difficult to account for the surprise of our piquet there ; but
I understand that the whole party, German, English, Spa
niards, and muleteers, were looking at a procession when the
French entered the town. It is very unfortunate that the
cavalry, whom I had ordered to Gata, were not sent to that
place ; if they had been, this misfortune would not have
Occurred, and I should have known of the enemy's being at
Gata sufficiently early to attempt something upon thera.
' I heard last night (but not from good authority) of a party
being collected at Granadilla, probably for another recon
naissance. ' I am going over to Cesrairo this morning, in order to look
at the country on the other side of Ciudad Rodrigo, and I
shall not be back till to-morrow, but if any thing comes near
enough to you to enable you to strike a blow without incurring
much risk, I wish you would do it.
' You see by Grant's account of the I6th, how the last
reconnaissance got off ; I think the next would be directed more
towards Escarigo. It is not impossible but that they might
wish to open a communication with Ciudad Rodrigo; in which
case, I raean to assemble the army about Pedro de Toro, and
you raight collect your division at once at Zaraarra, and he
in readiness to fall upon any thing not too large for you which
should attempt to cross the plain. I consider Monsagro to be
a point at which you ought to have an intelligent officer, who
would be able to give you information of all that passes in the
Sierra on that side. ' Believe rae, &c.
• Brig. General R. Craufurd. ' Wellington.
' I had a report frora Sir Stapleton Cotton yesterday, that
there was a squadron of hussars at Ciudad Rodrigo. I rather
believe that be must have mistaken Don Julian's people for
Frenchmen ; Don JuUan's people are about the place in all
directions ; and 1 heard from the town yesterday, that there
was no cavalry there.'

1811. CESMIRO. 199
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to  
 , — th Regiment.
'Sir, ' Cesmiro, 18lh August, 1§11.
' Major General Campbell has informed rae that he had
placed you in arrest, on charges, copies of which will be trans
mitted to you in the usual course by the Adjutant General,
and he has communicated to rae a correspondence which has
passed, upon which he has founded those charges. I am
very desirous, if possible, to prevent these charges coming
under the consideration of a General Court Martial ; and as
it appears to me that you have not considered the subject
in its true light, I trouble you with this letter, and I send it
direct to yourself, because your Coraraanding Officer is the
other party in the question, and I am desirous to avoid in
fluencing the final decision by a Court Martial, by any opinion
of mine, in case 1 should not succeed in convincing you that
you have taken a mistaken view of your case.
' It appears that you imagine that you have reason to com
plain of an order issued by your Commanding Officer, Major
General Campbell, and you have remonstrated upon this order.
I put out of the question for the present the consideration of
the justice and the injustice of this order, or whether you had
ground, or otherwise, to remonstrate, as bearing in no raanner
upon the case. It is obvious that if you address your superior
officer upon any subject, you raust make use of respectful
terms, and must avoid the use of those which are offensive.
This necessity exists in the common intercourse of life, in which
nothing offensive is tolerated, either by the rules of society or
by the law ; much less is any thing offensive allowed in the
intercourse among military men, particularly in the communi
cations of an officer, of whatever rank, to his Commanding
Officer. I observe that in your letter of the 9th August, ad
dressed to the Assistant Adjutant General, you state that from
the papers you transmitted, " it must appear that the orders
of that day, as applicable to the regiment and yourself, are
totally destitute of foundation," — that it is " proved that it is
the reverse of what has been stated,"" and that if allowed to re
main on record, it will be a gross injustice to yourself and the
You sent the letter containing these expressions.

200 SPAIN. 1811.
notwithstanding that the Assistant Adjutant General and Major
General Burne had refused to forward it to the Major General,
because it contained offensive expressions.
' I believe it will be admitted that the use of such expressions
would not be tolerated in private life ; nay, the law would pro
tect any individual from them, whatever might be the ground
afforded for the use of them; much less can the use of them be
allowed from an officer to his superior, upon an order issued
by such superior. I would also observe, that the use of these
expressions was entirely unnecessary for the purpose of your
remonstrance ; your legitimate object in that remonstrance was
to show Major General Campbell that he was mistaken, and
that his order ought not to have referred to the — th regiment ;
you were to effect this object by the papers which you en
closed, and to add your comments upon these papers was
not necessary for your purpose; but when those comments
were conveyed in offensive terms, it would appear that they
were added only for the purpose of offending. On this ground
I ara most anxious that you should not appear before a Gene
ral Court Martial on such a subject. The discussion of it can
not lead to any good effect, whatever may be the result, and
if the General Court Martial should view it in the light which
I do, in concurrence with the opinion of Major General Burne,
and of the Assistant Adjutant General, you will be in a situa
tion in which I shall be concerned to see any officer of your
rank. I request you, therefore, to reconsider the subject, on
the ground on which I have placed it, and I assure you that
nothing will give me more satisfaction than to have succeeded
in prevailing upon you to recall expressions, which nothing
should have provoked you to use to your Comraanding
Officer. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
'  , ' Wellington.
— th Regiment.
' P.S. Since writing the above Major General Stewart has
brought me the papers which you had sent to him, which, as I
have above informed you, I had already seen.'

1811. FUENTE GUINALDO. 201
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to His Excellency Charles Stuart.
• My dear Sir, ' Cesmiro, 18th August. 181 1.
' I have received your two letters of the 13th. The delays
of the Portuguese Government are most provoking. I must
ao-ain draw the attention of our Governraent to their conduct.
It appears to me that we have lost all influence over them.
' The clothing for 30,000 men, and arras, sent to Portugal,
are in addition to the subsidy, and must not be charged
against it.
' I concur entirely with you regarding the persons chosen
to corapose the Committee at Lisbon. I do not know Dr.
Bonifacio, but I dare say he is a proper person. The others
certainly are so.
' I do not know how you are to get raoney for the purposes
proposed. However, that is never thought of in England.
' Believe rae, &c.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Major General Dunlop.
<, My dear Sir, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 19th August, 1811.
' I understand that there was, on the I6th, a French officer
of the 47th regiment prisoner in Acebo, whom the magistrates
were inclined to set at liberty. I beg that, as soon as possible
after you shall receive this, you will send a patrole into Acebo,
and demand this French officer, and send him, and the magis
trates of the town, to me. If he should be gone, send the
magistrates of the town. ' Believe me, &c.
' Major General Dunlop. ' Wellington.
' I enclose a letter from General Alava to the magistrates.'

General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Lieut. Colonel Framingham,
Commanding Royal Artillery.
' Sir, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 20th August, 1811.
' I request you to order Lieut. Colonel Fisher to deliver to the
Spanish Ambassador at Lisbon, 2000 stand of arras for Colo
nel Downie's Estreraadura Legion, which are to be forwarded
to the orders of General Castanos ; likewise 1200 stand of arms

202 SPAIN. 1811.
for the regiment la Princessa ; and 2000 stand of arms for the
use of new levies in Castille. These two last-mentioned 1200
and 2000 stands are to be delivered to the orders of Major
General Don Carlos de Espana. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' Lieut. Colonel Framingham: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Marshal
Sir W. C. Beresford, K.B.
' My dear Beresford, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 20th August, 1811.
' I enclose a copy of a report which I received from Fletcher,
respecting the present state of Almeida. It would be really
worth while to have the men collected, and that done which he
recommends. ' Believe me, &c.
' Marshal Sir W. C. Beresford, KB: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to General Abadia.
' Sir, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 20th August, 1811.
' This letter will be delivered to you by Colonel Sir Howard
Douglas, who has been appointed by the British Government
to reside in Galicia, and to communicate such matters, for the
information of His Royal Highness the Prince Regent, as it
may be interesting for His Royal Highness to know ; and to
deliver to your Excellency such supplies of arms, &c., as the
British Government raay have it in their power to forward
to you.
' I beg leave to recommend Sir Howard Douglas to your
attention. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' General Abadia: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., io Lieut. General Calvert,
Adjutant General to the Forces.
' My dear General, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 20th August, 1811.
' I have received your letter of the , and I am very
much obUged to His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent for
the trouble which he has taken to remove from my mind the
uneasiness which I felt, under the notion that His Royal High
ness believed that I could do otherwise than forward his views
in respect to his regiment, by every means in my power.

1811. FUENTE GUINALDO. 203
' I shall be much obliged to you if you will take an oppor
tunity of stating to His Royal Highness how sensible I am of
his graciousness. ' Believe rae, &c.
' Lieut. General Calvert, ' Wellington.
Adjutant General to the Forces:
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to the Officer Commanding
the Artillery at Lamego.
' Sir, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 21st August, 181 1.
' I have received a letter frora Mr. Pipon, informing rae of
the illness of Major Dickson of the artillery ; and I have now
to request that you will have the ordnance and stores brought
up to Lamego, and that you will remain there till Brigade Major
May shall arrive with my further orders.
' I beg to hear from you what progress has been made in the
operation of the removal of the ordnance and stores from the
boats to Lamego. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' The Officer Commanding ' Wellington.
the Artillery at Lamego:
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Major General Dunlop.
' My DEAR Sir, 'Fuente Guinaldo, 2lst August, ISll. 3 p.m.
' I request you to send to Acebo a patrole ; and to send
here, to wait upon General Alava, Don Jose Almazara, Com-
mandante del Rey of Plasencia, who is established there.
You had better send a few infantry with the party, least this
gentleman should think of resistance. ' Believe me, &c.
'Major General Dunlop: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Major General Peacocke.
'Sir, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 2 1 st August, 1811.
' I have directed that  raay be sent back to Lisbon, and
I beg that after his arrival there he may be sent to England
by the first opportunity that may offer.
' I enclose the duplicate of a letter to the Secretary of State
regarding this person, and I beg that you will give it to the

204 SPAIN. 1811.
Captain of the ship in which  shall sail, and request him
to send it to the Secretary of State, frora the port at which he
will land, inforraing the Secretary of State at the same time
that he is landed.
' I beg you to have ¦  comfortably accomraodated on his
passage, and that you will give the Captain of the ship ten
pounds, to be given to  when he shall be put on shore in
England. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' Major General Peacocke: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., io His Excellency Charles Stuart
' My dear Sir, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 21st August, 1811.
' I have written a long letter to the Portuguese Government
to endeavor to prevail upon them to adopt the arrangements
for the conduct of the civil departments of the army recom
mended to them.
' I shall send you in a day or two the accounts of our de
mands to the 24th June. They will amount to above £80,000 ;
and besides this, there is a demand for above 400,000 dollars,
for provisions for the 20th regiment. To this add £100,000
in paper, and 100,000 dollars in specie, which I ordered to be
paid to the chest the other day, and it will turn out that the
subsidy is pretty well in advance according to ray account.
' You wUl have heard that  is arrived at Lisbon,
and by all accounts he appears to be " a liar of the first
magnitude." ' Believe me, &c.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Colonel Gordon,
Commissary in Chief.
' My dear Colonel, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 21st August, 1811.
' I have received your letter of the 2Sth July. Since I
wrote to you in June, Sydenham has been at head quarters,
where, with his usual ability, he acquired a great deal of in-
forraation upon many points, which will be very useful to the
Government in England. While he was with me, I arranged
all the details of a system for aU the departments ofthe Portu
guese army, and he and Beresford went to Lisbon in the end

1811. fuente guinaldo. 205
of June, to endeavor to prevail upon the Government to carry
them into execution. Beresford has been there ever since, and
nothing is yet done.
' In the raean time the Portuguese revenue has increased so
much, as that in the month of July they reaUzed more than
£300,000 sterling, so that there is no longer the excuse of
want of money, and yet Commissariat matters go on so ill,
that I have been obliged to send 4000 troops to the rear,
because they can get no food in a forward position, and these
are the only troops they have to feed with this part of the
array. I have written a remonstrance to the Portuguese Go
vernment upon the subject, of which I will send a copy to
England. ' I think that you have done well to send Mr. Bissett out to
see what the nature of the duties of the Commissary General
are, before he undertakes to perform them, but I anxiously hope
that Mr. Kennedy will not leave us. In promoting Mr. Bissett,
you have put him over the head of Mr.  , who is with
this army. I have tried Mr.  , and he certainly was
not, and, I should think, is not, fit to be Commissary General
to such an army as this, but he is a very meritorious public
servant, and has performed his duty very much to the satis
faction of Mr. Kennedy, and I have no doubt would be equal
to the management, as Commissary General, of a concern on a
smaller scale, which should be attended with less difficulty than
is experienced in this. I am apprehensive that he will be a
little annoyed that Mr. Bissett is put over his head, and pro
bably you raight be induced to proraote him likewise, as he
really deserves it. ' Believe me, &c.
' Colonel Gordon: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My Lord, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 21st August, 1811.
' Sir Howard Douglas arrived here two days ago, and
having had a conversation with him, he has set out for Galicia,
through the northern provinces of Portugal.
' At his desire I have permitted Captain Douglas, of the
51st regiment, to accompany him ; and I enclose to your Lord-

206 SPAIN. 1811.
ship a letter which I have received from Sir Howard Douglas,
in which he requests to give a Staff allowance to Captain
Douglas, upon which I request to have your Lordship's com
mands. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool' ' Wellington.
General Viscount WeUington, K.B., to the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My Lord, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 2lst August, 1811.
' I beg to recomraend that 15,000 sets of accoutreraents may
be sent to Lisbon, in order to enable me to supply the Spanish
levies with accoutreraents from time to tirae. 1 have in the
stores at Lisbon about 15,000 stands of arms, but no accoutre
ments now remaining. ' I have the honor to b, &.
' The Earl of Liverpool' ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My Lord, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 21st August, 1811.
' I received information from Major General Peacocke some
time ago, that a British subject by the name of  ,
was confined at Lisbon, by order of the Portuguese Govern
ment, on suspicion of being a spy ; and upon a perusal of the
report of his examination, and of the letters he had written,
having been of opinion that there was sorae foundation for the
suspicion, I requested the Portuguese Governraent to deliver
this person over to me, in order that I might examine him.
They readily complied with this request, and   was
brought to head quarters in charge of the Provost Marshal ;
and having had two conversations with him, he appears to me
to be able to give but a very unsatisfactory account of the
motives for which he came to this country, where he knows
nobody, and his account of his former life in England is by no
means consistent. I have therefore deemed it best to send
 back to Lisbon, and to direct Major General Peacocke
to send him to England by the first opportunity that will offer
after he shall reach Lisbon.

1811. fuente guinaldo. 207
' Since the works between the Tagus and the sea were com
menced, I have directed that they should not be inspected by
any body, from a desire to prevent not only a description, but
a plan of them from being given to the public and to the
enemy.  was found near the works at Alhandra, and
had questioned the peasants in the neighbourhood respecting
the number and calibre of the guns in them ; the number of
men, &c. &c. ; and he was arrested by the guards of the Orde
nanza stationed in the works.
' In his examination before the magistrates of Lisbon and
by me, he stated that he had come to Portugal with a view of
serving in the German hussars, and it appeared that the ship
in which he said he had come, had returned to England, and
he knew nobody at Lisbon.
' From the terras in which he addressed Major General
Peacocke, I was inclined to believe that he had been in the
French service, and that he intended to enlist into the hussars,
in the belief that he would be able to desert from that corps
with the intelligence which he should have procured, more
easily than frora a British regiraent, but on examining hira I
did not find any cause to confirm the suspicion that 
had been a soldier. But as he had no business in Portugal,
and could not give a satisfactory account of himself, I thought
it best to send him to England. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool' ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My Lord, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 21st August, 1811.
' Since I addressed you on the 14th instant, I have received
frora diff'erent quarters reports of the moveraent of reinforce
ments into Spain, the numbers of which have been stated to
be from 14,000 to 24,000 men. The accounts which appear
most deserving attention state, that a corps de reserve, amount
ing to 24,000 men, is to be forraed in the northern part of
Castille, consisting principally of battalions belonging to regi
ments already in Spain, filled with recruits of the late con
scription. ' But besides these battalions, I have reason to believe that

208 SPAIN. 1811.
some of the old troops are coming into Spain. The Sth light
infantry in particular, which were at Cherbourg, are, I knovv,
upon their march into the Peninsula, and this circumstance
will serve to show that the collection of troops in the camp of
Boulogne has the same object in view as the formation of an
army of reserve in the north of Castille, viz., to form the newly
raised conscripts. If the collection at Boulogne had any other
object in view, the Sth light infantry would not have been
brought from Cherbourg into Spain.
' I have not heard how far the reinforcements have advanced
into Spain, but they had not reached Valladolid on the ISth
instant. ' The enemy have made no movement of any importance
since I addressed your Lordship on the 14th. On that even
ing a detachment, consisting of about 1200 infantry and cavalry,
arrived at Gata, which is on the south side of the mountains
which separate Castille frora Estreraadura, and on the follow
ing morning they surprised a small piquet in San Martin de
Trebejo, under Lieut. Wood, of the 11th light dragoons,
whom they raade prisoner, with ten raen, and went off that
evening to Moraleja, and on the next raorning to Monte
Hermoso. ' The army of Portugal have nearly exhausted that part of
Estremadura in which they are now stationed, and it is extra
ordinary that, notwithstanding the miseries which they have
inflicted upon the people of the country, there is no resource
or service which they require from the inhabitants, that is not
instantly afforded. Such is the effect of the terror which they
have inspired, that they draw resources even from some ofthe
viUages in which the guerrillas are stationed. I have, however,
no doubt of the attachment of these people to the cause of their
country. ' There is no doubt of the enemy being much distressed for
want of raoney. I have reports from all quarters that the
troops have not been paid for several months, and their de
partments are much distressed. They endeavor to relieve
this distress by levying contributions on the country in every
manner that can be devised. But the relief to be obtained in
this manner is trifling; and the Spaniards will at last learn
from the repeated oppressions of the eneray, that their only
chance is determined resistance or flight.

1811. FtJENTE guinaldo. 209
• I have not heard of any movements by the troops in the
north, or in the south, since I last addressed your Lordship.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Major Grey", 6th Foot.
' My dear Grey, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 22nd August, 1811.
' There are two modes in which officers have been permitted
to serve in the Portuguese army ; twenty four officers obtained
one step of promotion in the British army, in which they are
considered as unattached officers, not having a regimental
commission, and these are doing duty in the Portuguese regi
ments, with one step of Portuguese rank senior to that which
they hold in the British service.
' Officers belonging to British regiments, principaUy with
this army, we allow to enter the Portuguese service, still holding
their commissions in their regiments in the British service ;
these obtain no step of British rank on entering the Portu
guese service, but they obtain one step of Portuguese rank,
that is, a British Major is made a Lieut. Colonel of a Portu
guese regiment, still continuing Major of his regiment in the
British army ; but as long as he holds his Portuguese com
mission he will command all Lieut. Colonels appointed after
he shall have been appointed.
' Since March 1809, when the twenty four officers first re
ferred to were appointed to serve with the Portuguese army,
and promoted, the officers selected to fill vacancies among those
twenty four, and to receive one step of British rank, have been
taken from among those serving with the Portuguese army, of
the other description who had not received British rank upon
entering the Portuguese service.
' From this statement you will see that Marshal Beresford
cannot recommend that you should be made a British Lieut.
Colonel upon entering the Portuguese service ; you will be a
Portuguese Lieut. Colonel, and if there should be a vacancy
in the twenty-four, you will have the same claim with others
of being promoted, more particularly if fortune should favor
you by giving you an opportunity of distinguishing yourself.
' Believe me, &c.
' Major Grey: ' Wellington.
* Now Major General Grey. He had served in the 33rd regiment, when
Lord Wellington commanded it.
VOL. VIII. P

210 SPAIN. 1811.
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., io Brigadier General
R. Craufurd.
' Fuente Guinaldo, 22nd August, 1811.
' My dear General, 9 a.m.
' I am much obliged to you for the information contained in
your letter of yesterday. There are certainly not more than
from ten to twenty cavalry in Ciudad Rodrigo. I have written
in Bell's* favor, and I will repeat my recomraendation of him.
We have accounts of reinforcements having arrived in Spain,
the head of them at Valladolid. ' Believe me, &c.
' Brig. Gen. R. Craufurd: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Marshal Marmont,
Due de Raguse.
' Au Quartier General, ce 22 Aout, 1811.
' Monsieur le Marechal,
' J'ai I'honneur d'envoyer k votre Excellence le requ de
Mons. Ville sur Ance pour I'argent que vous lui avez envoye.
' J'ai recu la lettre que votre Excellence m'a fait I'honneur
de m' ecrire le 13 Aoiit, et je vous suis bien oblige d'avoir
renvoye M. le Lieut. Mackworth. J'ai ecrit en Angleterre
pour faire renvoyer en France sur parole M. le Capitaine
d' Artillerie, Gravelle; et je suis bien-aise de pou-voir faire
quelque chose qui vous soit agreable.
« Je vous propose de faire I'echange de cet officier pour le
Capitaine Lutyens de 11"" regiment du dragons; et je
vous prie de nommer un officier du grade de lieutenant que
je pourrais renvoyer en echange pour M. le Lieut. Mackworth.
' J'ai I'honneur d'etre, &c.
' Le Marechal Due de Raguse: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., io Lieut. General Hill.
' My dear Hill, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 22nd August, 1811.
' I enclose a letter for Marmont, which I beg you to for
ward to Badajoz as soon as you can. I likewise enclose Mar
mont's letter to me, from which you will observe that Mr.
Mackworth is not exchanged, but only allowed to come ih
* Colonel Bell, Secretary to Government at the Cape of Good Hope. He was
then a Lieut, in the 52nd. His great talent in sketching country had recommended
him to Lord Wellington's notice.

1811. fuente guinaldo. 211
upon his parole ; but if Marmont does not name an officer to
be exchanged for him, in answer to ray letter, I shall send one
in, and will give Lieut. Mackworth his cartel.
' I have lately made an alteration in the system of our
ordnance, and I propose to have with each division of infantry,
one heavy brigade of 6 pounders, or one brigade of 9 pounders,
and to have no artillery in reserve, excepting with the infantry,
and the Portuguese artiUery. You have with the 2nd division
two brigades, one of heavy 6 pounders, and one of 9 pounders,
and I wish you would keep which you choose, and send the
other across the Tagus to join the Sth division. Murray will
send the route for it.
' There is in General Howard's brigade a company of the
3rd battalion 9Sth, which Sir Brent Spencer detained last
year, as the regiment was his ; I wish this company to join its
battalion, and that one of the companies of the 60th, in the
brigade with the Buffs, &c., should be in General Howard's
brigade; this brigade having the 71st in it, requires light in
fantry less than any of the others.
' The company of the 95th may move with the guns.
' Believe me, &c.
' Lieut. General Hill' ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., io Marshal
Sir W. C. Beresford, K.B.
« My dear Beresford, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 22nd August, 1811,
' I received last night your letter of the 17th. I agree
"with you, that you ought to recommend an officer in the room
of M'Mahon, but I ara afraid it ought to be  . instead of
 .  is the senior of the two in the same brigade, and
although  is undoubtedly the best, and the most deserving,
 has by accident been the most distinguished ; and it will
increase the bitterness of the pill which has already been
administered to him in too great a degree, if  should be
preferred to him, the claims of both being grounded on services
performed while both were in the same brigade. There is
time for you to consider this suggestion before the post goes
next week, and I therefore make it to you, but if you should
still prefer •  , I will of course recommend him.
' In my opinion, there are no officers who deserve pro
motion better than Carroll, Whittingham, and Roche ; it was

2lS SPAIN. 1811.
a job originally to place them among the twenty four destined
to discipline the Portuguese army, but I believe they could
not get thera proraoted to the rank of Major in any other
manner; but having been placed in that situation, there are no
officers who have led such a life as they have, particularly
Carroll. However, I think that Hill, or Doyle, Le Mesurier,
and Campbell, have claims likewise ; and I have no objection
to bring them forward, but I think it better not to say any
thing against the promotion of the other three. I have taken
the opportunity of Pack's wants, to write to the Government,
about the delay of the arrangements, a letter which I hope
will have some effect.
' Mr. Stuart informed me that Redondo and Forjaz are
inclined to refer their dispute to me ; if they do, I shall decide
upon it by return of post.
• I sent you Fletcher's opinion about Almeida ; if the masons
and people are assembled for the work proposed by Fletcher, I
shall send him an English engineer over to have it executed ;
it is an inconvenience of the first magnitude not having that
place in order.
' You will hear that the French are getting in reinforce
ments, and they appear to threaten Galicia. My position
here, however, raust keep them in check, at the sarae time
that they must prevent the execution of the design which
brought me here ; that I cannot help, and I shall not be dis
satisfied, if I can save GaUcia. In the mean tirae, although
I scarcely hope that I shall be able to attack Ciudad Rodrigo,
I allow the train to come on as far as the neighbourhood of
Trancoso, in case the French should enter Galicia, that I
may be in a situation to proceed at once, and vigorously, with
the siege : as for Marmont, I think I am more than a match
for him singly, but not if he has 20,000 infantry and 2500
cavalry upon the Duero to join him, of which number the
northern army now consists. From this statement, you will
see what a convenience it would be to have Almeida in a state
of security.
' If 1 find that the troops move forward frora Rio Seco I
shall order Silveira to collect his forces.
' Believe me, &c.
' Marshal Sir W. C. Beresford, KB: ' Wellington.

1811. FUENTE GUINALDO. 213
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to His Excellency Charles Stuart.
' My dear Sir, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 22nd August, 1811.
' I quite agree in opinion with you regarding the military
chest. It should be entirely under the control of the General,
or of the Minister in the war department. I rather believe of
the latter ; at the same time, that the heads of departments
who receive funds from the military chest, should be account
able in the usual manner to the department of finance. But
when the parties shall refer their dispute to me, I shall draw a
meraorandura upon the subject, which will settle the mode in
which the business shall be conducted. ' Believe me, &c.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Major General Cooke.
< Sir, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 22nd August, 1811.
' I have received your letter of the 11th. We have in the
British stores at Lisbon no planks for gun and mortar plat
forms, nor any of the articles which you require, which are
not wanted for the service of the army, and I believe that they
cannot be procured at Lisbon at a cheaper rate than you can
procure thera at Cadiz, but I recommend you to send to
England a regular requisition for every article of store that
you require. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' Major General Cooke: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to the Right Hon,
H. Wellesley.
' My DEAR Henry, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 22nd August, 18II.
' I enclose my dispatch of yesterday. Since I wrote it, I
have heard that about 5000 or 6000 infantry, and 1500
cavalry, have arrived at Valladolid ; these are said to be the
garrison of Pamplona, &c., who have been replaced by the
lately arrived reinforcements. The French appear to threaten
GaUcia, but it is said, that hearing of our position here, they
are about to detach to Salamanca. It will be impossible for
me to attack Ciudad Rodrigo, while this large army shall
remain on the Duero, and another on the other flank at Pia-

214 SPAIN. 1811.
sencia, but I shall not be dissatisfied, if by our position we
shall save Galicia, and I do not propose to give up all thoughts
of attacking Ciudad Rodrigo, if it should be possible.
' It is again said that Soult is not gone from SeviUe, and I
should be glad to hear from you on that subject. I believe
he is gone. ' Ever yours, most affectionately,
' The Right Hon. H. Wellesley: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., io Lieut. General
Sir Stapleton Cotton, Bart
' My dear Cotton, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 23rd August, 1811.
' I do not want to renew the discussion of the other day,
but I enclose the account of the cause of the issues to the
Royal Dragoons since the 1st August, at the head quarters
only, without counting what they had picked up at the out
quarters. This quantity is very insufficient, and I hope such
deficiencies will not occur again, but there is some difference
between this account, and that of fifteen pounds in fifteen
days given by Slade.
' When suppUes are deficient, there is a loose way of talk
ing of thera, which may be very excusable, but it should not
be taken for an official report. ' BeUeve me, &c.
' Lieut. General ' Wellington.
Sir S. Cotton, Bart:
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to Lieut. General
Sir Stapleton Cotton, Bari.
' My Dear Cotton, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 23rd August, 1811.
' Just after you went away, Mr. Kennedy brought the
enclosed returns, which revived me a little, from which it
appears that, since the date of your returns, the 16th has been
supplied, and have in hand to the 25th.
' However, the 100 mules which left Loza the 22nd, can
not be back till the 27th or 28th at soonest, and I am afraid
that unless they manage their stock now in hand, they will be
again without for a day or two. ' Believe rae, &c.
' Lieut. General ' Wellington.
Sir S. Cotton, Bart:

1811. fuente guinaldo. 215
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to General Don Carlos de Espana.
• k Fuente Guinaldo, ce 23 Aoilt, 1811.
' Monsieur le General,
' J'ai eu I'honneur de recevoir votre lettre du 22. Je ne
pourrais pas, sans grand inconvenient, 6tendre mes postes ii Le
desma, malgre que ce point soit iraportant. Je vous conseille
de ne rien risquer pour le maintenir ; a moins que les Franqais
se renforcent considerableraent sur le Tormes, je ne crois pas
qu'ils s'etablissent a Ledesma ; mais il y a grande difference
entre s'fetablir dans un poste et d"y laisser s'etabUr la force
ennemie. Ainsi raalgre qu'ils n'y resteront pas k moins que
les renforts ne viennent sur le Tormes, ils pourront bien
tftcher d'en chasser les troupes de Don Julian, et si vous trou-
vez qu'ils en ont le dessein je vous conseille de les en retirer.
' J'ai I'honneur d'etre, &;c.
• General Don Carlos de Espana: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to His Excellency Charles Stuart.
' My dear Sir, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 23rd August, 181 1.
' I have received Dom M. de Forjaz's letter and the en
closures respecting the military chest, to which the answer is
written, and will go this night, if Mr. Sodre can translate the
papers in time.
' I observe that one of the proposals in the Conde de Re-
dondo's plan, is that we should begin a new account of the
subsidy from the 1st October ; and that all arrears or debts
previous to that time shall be settled thereafter — how, is not
stated. I have taken no notice of this article in my observa
tions, excepting that the regulation thereof has nothing to do
with the formation of the military chest ; but I recommend to
you to take notice of it, and not to increase the Portuguese
debt, at least till the 1st October.
' I have desired Mr. Kennedy to pay to the chest 100,000
dollars in specie of a sum lately arrived from Cadiz, which is
200,000 dollars in specie; and £100,000 in paper, which I
have ordered to be paid to the chest within these last eight
days ; and I intend to give another 100,000 dollars in specie, of
a sum which I expect frora Cadiz in the end ofthe month.
' Believe me, &c.
' His Excellency ' W E L L i N Gl'o n' .
Charles Hlimrt.

216 SPAIN. 1811.
' I enclose the accounts of issues to the Portuguese troops to
the 24th June, and the accounts of issues to the regiment at
Cadiz, amounting to £163,800.'

General Viscount Wellington, KB., io Marshal
Sir W. C. Beresford, K.B.
' My dear Beresford, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 24th August, 1811.
' 1 enclose a letter which I have received from Picton, re
garding Charaplemond, to which I beg to draw your attention.
It states generally the purport of a conversation which I had
with him the day before yesterday on the same subject, with
this addition, that I told him I believed I was the cause of
Champlemond's disgrace, by having reported to you the man
ner in which the sick of his brigade were sent from Nave
d'Aver in the commencement of the month of May. In answer,
he told me that Charaplemond had brought to punishraent the
officer and surgeon who had gone in charge of these sick ; and
he then mentioned that he had ordered Charapleraond off the
field on the 3rd May, in consequence of his being entirely
unfit for duty from sickness. All this being the case, you
will probably think him worthy of being promoted to be a
Brigadier General. ' Believe me, &c.
' Marshal Sir W. C. Beresford, KB: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., io His Excellency Charles Stuart.
' My dear Sir, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 24th August, 1811.
' Mr. Sodre has finished the translation of my papers on
the miUtary chest ; but as I cannot tell whether the translation
accurately explains ray meaning, I send you the original drafts,
which I beg you will return to me so soon as you shall have
done with them. If there should be any doubt, you can
explain ray raeaning from these papers.
' Believe rae, &c.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:

1811. FUENTE GUINALDO. 217

General Viscount Wellington, KB., to His Excellency Charles Stuart.
' Sir, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 24th August, 1811.
' I forward a letter and its enclosure which I have received
from the officer who commands at the hospital station at
Coimbra. ' I ara inclined to beUeve that  raust have raade a
mistake, and that she intended to make the complaint of Mr.
H  •, which she has made of Mr. G  . Mr. H  is
in the Portuguese army. If, however, she should be of
opinion that she has any reason to complain of Mr. G  's
conduct, I shall have him put in arrest, and shall bring him
to trial before a General Court Martial, if she will order the
witnesses to attend it.
' I have likewise the honor to enclose a letter from Lieut.
General Hill, with a report from Lieut. Colonel Stewart, who
commanded the troops lately occupying the barracks at Evora,
on the damages stated to have been done to those barracks.
' It is very desirable that some means should be adopted of
verifying these complaints. It is obvious that this complaint
is much exaggerated, if not entirely destitute of foundation ;
and, at all events, Lieut. Colonel Stewart having manifested an
inclination to attend to any complaints made of the conduct of
the troops, it appears that it would have been more friendly if
the magistrates or Barrack Master at Evora had complained
in the first instance to that officer, instead of to the Secretary of
State. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:

General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to Marshal
Sir W. C. Beresford, K.B.
< Sir, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 24th August, 1811.
' Having received the directions of the Secretary of State
to pay to   , late of the Lusitanian Legion, certain
aUowances from the 29th June, 1808, to the 23rd February,
1809, I beg that you will ascertain for rae whether any allow-

218 SPAIN. 1811.
ances had been issued by the Portuguese Government to the
Lusitanian Legion during that period.
' I have the honor to be, Sec
' Marshal Sir W. C. Beresford, KB: ' Wellington.

General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Marshal
Sir W. C. Beresford, K.B.
' My dear Beresford, ' Fuente Guiiaaldo, 25th August, 1811.
' I wish that you would speak to Dom M. de Forjaz about
the practice which prevaUs of publishing in the Lisbon news
papers, the intelligence received frora Salamanca by General
Silveira, and forwarded by him to the Portuguese Govern
ment, from which papers it is copied in the EngUsh news
papers. Our correspondents there will certainly be discovered
if this practice is continued. Indeed they will be lucky if
their own indiscretion does not bring some of them to the
gallows. ' What do you think of one of them going to Ledesma the
other day and dining with Don Carlos de Espaiia and Don
Julian, which was known publicly, and talked of at Salamanca ;
and having escaped hanging upon that occasion, they wanted
to have a meeting with Alava and O'Lalor ! ! ! However,
they are so very useful to us, that we should take care that
they are not discovered by our means. You may depend
upon it that if this inteUigence from Salamanca, as pubUshed
in our newspapers, is observed in Paris, and it becomes an
object to discover who gives it, our friends will be discovered
and hanged.
' 1 think that Marmont is about to move ; and if he ap
proaches us alone, or not sufficiently supported, I should not
be surprised if we were to come to blows in a few days. How
ever, it is not to be expected that he will approach us, ex
cepting in great strength, as they are very strong upon the
Duero. ' Believe me, &c.
' Marshal Sir W. C. Beresford, KB: ' Wellington.

1811. fuente guinaldo. 219
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to His Excellency Charles Stuart.
< Sir, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 25th August, 1811.
• 1 have the honor to enclose to you an extract of a letter
of the 14th August, which has been transmitted to me by
Marshal Sir William Beresford, from one paragraph of which
it appears that the Portuguese Government has decided a
question respecting recruiting persons in the employment
of the departments of the British army, upon which I intended
to address you as soon as I should have ascertained exactly
how the law stood upon this subject.
' It is impossible for any army to keep the field without
having some assistance from the country ; and assistance of
this description is particularly necessary to the British army in
this country.
' It might have appeared desirable to the Portuguese Go
vernraent to know how far we could do without this assistance,
particularly as the greatest part of the Portuguese army are fed
by the British departments.
' I beg likewise to mention that the Spanish Government, to
whose troops we do not at all times give this assistance, have
exempted from the laws of the conscription all the persons in
the employment of the British army.
' I ara far from wishing to interfere with the laws for re
cruiting the army, but I beg you to inforra the Portuguese
Governraent, that if they do not recall the words marked in
pencil in the enclosed letter, I beg that they will take raeasures
to feed their own troops, as the British departraents can feed
thera no longer.
' The inconvenience which the array will feel from the want
of the services of these people would be so great, and the con
duct of the Government in depriving us of their services in
this sudden manner, without previous notice, is so unfriendly,
compared with the conduct of the Spanish Government on the
same subject, that I must submit it to the consideration of His
Royal Highness the Prince Regent of Great Britain.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:

220 SPAIN. 1811.
' General Viscount Wellington, KB., io Brig. General R. Craufurd.
' My dear General, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 26th August, 1811.
' Having been out all the morning, I have only now received
your two notes of this day.
' I did not know that Don JuUan's party had been with
drawn from Zaraarra, and I suppose they have also withdrawn
from the neighbourhood of the place, as they sent no report
either of the party that went to Zaraarra, or of that which
went likewise to Pastores.
' In consequence of Major Greuben complaining that his
party had too much to do, I have ordered another squadron
to be sent to you ; but I think it would be advisable to place
some of your infantry in Zaraarra. I think you had better not
send thera any farther forward at present.
' BeUeve me, &c.
' Brig. General R. Craufurd: ' Wellington.
MEMORANDUM
For Lieut. Colonel Framingham, Commanding the Royal Artillery.
' Fuente Guinaldo, 27th August, 1811.
' 1. Captain Macdonald's troop of horse artillery to be
ordered to be prepared to march as soon as possible, and, when
ready, they are to march to join this army.
' 2. One of the two companies of artillery, now with the
battering train, to be ordered to Castello Branco, to take
charge there of the brigade of 6 pounders lately belonging to
the German artillery. The drivers at Coimbra, and all other
spare drivers with the army, likewise to be ordered to Castello
Branco. ' 3. When the heavy 6 pounders shall arrive from Lisbon
at Castello, the company of artillery, ordered by No. 2 from
the heavy train, are to be attached to them, and the brigade of
heavy 6 pounders there to be equipped from the horses, &c.,
of Captain Thompson's brigade, and are to join the army.
' 4. Captain Thompson and his company are to go to
Lisbon with the German light 6 pounders, either drawn by
bullocks or worn-out horses, according as may be provided
hereafter.
' Wellington.'

1811. FUENTE GUINALDO. 221
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Marshal
Sir W. C. Beresford, K.B.
' My dear Bkresford, 'Fuente Guinaldo, 27th August, 1811.
' T enclose a letter from the Engineer at Almeida, from
which it appears that he has neither money nor people to pro
ceed with his work, for which he desires to have my instruc
tions. It is useless to instruct him under such circumstances.
' I have ordered Lieut. Craufurd, of the 91st regiment, to
place himself under your orders.
' I have no particular anxiety respecting the German Ser
jeant you mention in your letter of the 23rd.
' Beheve me, &c.
* Marshal Sir W. C. Beresford, K.B: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., tn Major General Peacocke.
' My dear Sir, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 27th August, 1811.
' I have received your letter of the 21st August. My
opinion is, that there will be no inconvenience in equipping at
Oeyras the soldiers who are fit to join the army ; and, when
equipped, they might be embarked at Paqo d'Arcos or else
where, and sent up with the tide as high as Sacavera, from
whence they raight proceed.
' It will not do to send thera to Oeyras, and to bring them
back to Belem to be equipped, and keep them there in con
finement. It is much better, though a little more troublesome,
to equip them at Oeyras.
' However, the great difficulty will probably consist in the
Commissary's sending out to Oeyras the articles of equipment
which they will require, but I dare say that he will not find
it impossible to overcome this difficulty.
' Believe me, &c.
'Major General Peacocke: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., io His Excellency Charles Stuart.
' My dear Sir, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 27th August, 1811.
' I have desired the Commissary General to pay to the chest
of the "aids" 150,000 dollars of a sum of money recently
arrived from England.

222 SPAIN. 1811.
' The conduct of the Portuguese Government in refusing to
receive from the Commissariat articles which were tendered to
them, and afterwards purchasing those articles in the market
at Lisbon, and covering this transaction by a falsehood, viz.,
that they did not know that the Commissariat would supply
the articles wanted, is of a nature so injurious to the alUance,
and to the very existence of the contest, and is so mean and
dirty in itself, that I earnestly request of you to represent it to
Lord Wellesley, and to inform the Portuguese Government
that I have made this request.
' The Portuguese Government are, or ought to be, aware of
the difficulties in which Great Britain is involved, in order lo
procure not money's worth, but money, — specie, — to maintain
the contest, of which the probable want alone renders the result
doubtful. In order to avoid this want, they are making the
most gigantic efforts, at an enormous expense, to send to this
country every article that an army can require, in hopes to
save the deraand for, and expenditure of, specie in the purchase
of these articles in the country ; and the Portuguese Govern
raent, instead of seconding their laudable efforts, set themselves
against them, and, for the sake of a dirty job in Lisbon, pur
chase there the articles with which the Commissariat have
been supplied from England, and which were tendered to
them. ' Either the Portuguese Government are entirely ignorant
of what is going on in the world, or they are the friends and
partizans of the enemy to the utmost of their power. I defy
them, in their situation, to aid the enemy so much as by in
creasing the demands of specie upon the British Government.
I declare that I have no patience with such conduct.
' Believe rae, &c.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to His Excellency Charles Stuart
' Sir, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 27th August, 1811.
' I have had the honor of receiving your letter of the 21st,
enclosing a note of the 17th from Dom M. de'.Forjaz, on the
subject of a complaint from the Postmaster at Estremoz.
' This complaint does not mention the name of the person

1811. FUENTE GUINALDO. 22.3
complained of, or the regiment to which he belongs, or even
the date of the occurrence which is its subject, or any one
circumstance by which it could be traced and investigated.
It is impossible to give redress when the complaints are so
vague. ' 1 have the honor to be, &c.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' Mv dear Lord, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 27th August, 1811.
' By reference to the states which I send you by this post,
your Lordship will see how we stand in respect to British
cavalry. As for the Portuguese cavalry, I am afraid that,
owing to starvation, they are worse than useless, and we must
not reckon upon more than the British. I am very confident
that, even with the numbers which I have now with rae, no
accident can happen to us, but we have not enough to take
the field on a decidedly offensive plan.
' In ray letter of the 18th July, I reckoned the French
cavalry actually with the army of Portugal, about 3500 men.
Recent reports state that the army of the north have 2500
cavalry. These are already double the numbers which we can
produce, on this frontier, of British cavalry. But I believe
there is also, in Castille, a brigade of light cavalry belonging
to Marmont's army ; at least he mentions it in a letter which
we have intercepted.
' When, in ray letter of the 18th July, I mentioned 3500
s the number of cavalry with the army of the south, I meant
the cavalry which had come into Estremadura, and had joined
with that of the army of Portugal. According to the returns
which I have of Soult's army of the south, he has 7774 cavalry,
of which he brought only the number above mentioned, as I
believe, into Estremadura.
' From this statement, your Lordship will see how unlikely
it is that you can make us equal to the French in cavalry for
a decidedly offensive operation.
' It has never been possible for us to assemble our whole
army on this frontier, more particularly since the fall of Bada-

224 SPAIN. 1811.
joz, and the destruction of the Spanish army of Estremadura.
We are nearly twice as far from Lisbon at this spot as Badajoz
is. The Tagus is fordable nearly everywhere from Abrantes
to below Santarem ; and if I were to leave the Alentejo without
a respectable body of troops, the enemy might and would move
the Sth corps through that province, and they would be at
Lisbon as soon as I should hear that they had passed the Gua
diana. It is as necessary to leave cavalry with that corps in
Alentejo, as it is to leave infantry ; and accordingly your
Lordship will see that some of the British cavalry remain
there. These, however, are not the most efficient regiments.
' There is another point also to be considered in the as
sembling of these large bodies of cavalry, and that is, their food.
It is impossible to describe the difficulty with which food is
procured for them. The cavalry collected with this army are
now fifty or sixty miles distant, in order to get food, and I
trust to be able to assemble them when I shall want them. If
I should bring them together too soon, or keep them together
too long, the horses would starve.
' At the same tirae I am of opinion that we cannot have too
much British cavalry. We can certainly do nothing without
them in a general action out of our mountains ; and from all
that I can learn, the expense of feeding the horses is not greater
than it is in England, as the hay or grass they eat is seldom
paid for, and the straw when they get it is not nearly so ex
pensive as the hay is in England. An augmentation of cavalry,
therefore, should the season be favorable, and the country
which is the scene of our operations should produce forage,
will give us great advantages: and even if we should be
obUged to keep part of our cavalry in the rear, from the want
of forage, it will enable us to relieve those in front occasionally,
and thus always to have a body of cavalry in good condition.
I ara therefore very glad that you have sent Le Merchant's
brigade. ' I am almost certain that I shall not be able to attack
Ciudad Rodrigo, and I think it is doubtful whether I shall be
able to maintain the blockade of that place. However, I shaU
not give up my intention untU I ara certain that the eneray are too
strong for me in an action in the field. The place, although
weak in itself, and though the ground on which it stands is
badly occupied, (the French have improved it in some degree)

1811. FUENTE guinaldo. 225
is in the best chosen position of any frontier fortress that I
have ever seen. It is impossible to do any thing against it,
either in the way of siege or blockade, excepting by crossing
the Agueda, and of all the ravines that I have ever seen this is
the most difficult to cross, excepting close to the fort ; and in
winter it cannot be crossed at all, excepting at the bridges, of
which the only practicable one for carriages is under the guns
of the fort. We must fight the battle therefore to maintain
this blockade, with our backs to this river, over which we
should have to retire in case of check : and this would be an
awkward position, in which I ought not to involve the army,
unless the numbers are so nearly equal as to render success
probable. You will observe that these circumstances all
favored the French when they attacked the place from Spain,
' However, there is one thing very clear, that if we cannot
maintain this blockade, the enemy must bring 50,000 men to
oblige us to raise it, and they can undertake nothing else this
year, for they must still continue to watch this place, and we
shall so far save the cause. In the raean time, if they offer
me a favorable opportunity of bringing any of them to action,
I shall do it.
' I hear reports of peace from all parts of Spain, and it is a
subject of common conversation and general joy among the
French officers. I know that some of them have received ac
counts from Paris, stating that peace was likely to take place.
We have certainly altered the nature of the war in Spain ; it
has become, to a certain degree, offensive on our part. The
enemy are obliged to concentrate large corps to defend their
own acquisitions ; they are obUged to collect magazines to
support their armies (Marmont says he can do nothing without
magazines, which is quite a new era in the modern French
military system) ; and 1 think it probable, from all I that hear,
that they are either already reduced, or they must soon come,
to the resources of France for the payraent of those expenses
which raust be defrayed in money. As soon as this shall be
the case, and as soon as the war will not produce resources to
carry itself on, your Lordship may be certain that Bonaparte
will be disposed to put an end to it, and will subrait to any
thing rather than draw from France the resources which must
be supplied in order to keep together his armies. I think
VOL. VIII. Q

226 SPAIN. 1811.
it not unlikely, therefore, that peace is speculated upon in
France, ' We have a great many officers and men sick, but none or
very few seriously so. It is astonishing how easily the officers
and soldiers of our array are affected by sickness, and tbe little
care they take of themselves. In some situations also the
effects of the climate are terrible. Very recently the officer
commanding a brigade of artillery encamped them in one of
the most unwholesome situations, and every man of them is
sick. However, the weather will soon become cool in this part
of the country, and I hope there will be an end of the sickness.
' Beheve me, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool. ' Wellington.
' I enclose the morning state of the 25th, with a note on the
back, showing the state of the army in cavalry and infantry in
Castille, and in Alentejo.'
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to R. Kennedy, Esq.,
Commissary General.
' My dear Sir, " Fuente Guinaldo, 28th August, 1811.
' I enclose a letter, and its enclosure, from Mr. Stuart, and
I shall be obliged to you if you will let me have your opinion
upon the latter. It appears to me to afford another instance
of the desire of some of the members of the Portuguese Go
vernraent to interfere in every thing ; it regulates those raatters
which have been regulated already fifty times ; it interferes,
by way of civil regulation, in that which can be the result only
of military order, &c. &c. ; however, let me have your opinion
upon it. ' Believe me, &c.
' if. Kennedy, Esq., ' Wellington.
Commissary General.
' However desirable it may be that the Portuguese Govern
ment should take from us articles in kind, instead of money,
Mr. Dunmore raust not be allowed to give any thing whatever
without reference to you.'

1811. FUENTE GUINALDO. 227
General Viscount Wellington, KB., io Brigadier General
R. Craufurd.
' My DEAR General, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 28th August, 1811.
' I have received your note of this day ; the reports which
you have received agree with those which I have. I rather
iraagine that the whole of the cavalry had gone forward to
wards Salaraanca, but I suppose now that only part is gone to
open the communication with the army of the north. A rein
forcement has arrived at Valladolid, and the army of the north
is very strong, and is apparently about Leon, Benavente, Rio
Seco, and Valladolid. The army of Portugal are apparently
collected in the different passes of the Sierra, Banos, Tornavacas,
and El Pico, and thereabouts ; and they will pass the mountains
probably when the army of the north approach the Tormes,
unless they have in view some plan of greater extent, founded
upon the arrival of larger reinforcements than I have yet
heard of.
' It appears from intercepted letters that great preparations
were ordered at Valladolid, Burgos, &c., in the end of June,
for the arrival of reinforcements which were to be at Bayonne
early in August ; and these were of such an extent, and the
orders so detailed, that 1 think that the Emperor then intended
to be of the party. The recall of Bessieres, in July, would
prove an alteration of plan ; but whether he comes or not, or
whatever may be the extent of the reinforcement now come, or
coming, it is certain that there is now a very large army north
of the Duero. ' Believe me, &c.
' Brig. Gen. R. Craufurd: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, K, B., to Marshal
Sir W. C. Beresford, K.B.
' My dear Beresford, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 28th August, 1811.
' 1 enclose you the draft of a letter which I have written
this day to Bacellar, and I rather think that the intelligence
which I have received since I wrote this letter ought to induce
me to go further, and to collect his troops immediately.
' You will see the dispatches to Government, but I have no
doubt that unless the design has been altered since the end of
June and beginning of July, we shall have the Emperor in
Spain and hell to pay before much time elapses.
q2

'228 SPAIN. 1811.
' I h'ave my train well in hand, and can have it on board
again in a very few days. ' BeUeve rae, &c.
' Marshal Sir W. C. Beresford. KB: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to Lieut General Bacellar.
i s,R ' Fuente Guinaldo, 28th August, 1811.
' You will have received from General Silveira, accounts of
the eneray's progress, and of their positions on the frontiers of
Galicia and Tras os Montes. I have no doubt that their
design, whatever it was, has been suspended, in consequence
of the position of the allied army under my command on the
frontiers of Castille ; but as it is difficult to foresee what move
ments the enemy will raake, and as at present the provinces of
Tras OS Montes and the Minho are in a very defenceless
state, I wish you to give orders that all the officers and soldiers
of the railitia in those provinces should join their corps ; and
you will direct General Silveira, General Trant, and Colonel
Wilson to be in readiness to perform those operations which
were directed by Marshal Sir William Beresford last year, in
the event of the enemy's invasion of the northern provinces by
the different northern passes.
' The enemy's position at present at Benavente, Leon, &c.,
would indicate a moveraent by the northern passes ; and it
raight be expedient that General Silveira should assemble his
cavalry, and two or three of the nearest battalions, at Braganza,
from whence he vvould observe the movements of the enemy,
and could adopt such further measures, according to the in
structions of Marshal Sir William Beresford, as the move
ments of the enemy might render necessary. My opinion is
that the enemy wUl immediately move their whole force to
wards the Agueda, but as I may be mistaken, and as a large
force is certainly collected about Benavente and Leon, I think
it proper to direct you to adopt these measures of precaution.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' Lieut. General Bacellar: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Major General Cooke.
' Sir, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 28th August, 1811.
' I have had the honor of receiving your letter of the 20th
instant. I will appoint Colonel Skerrett to be a Colonel on the

1811. FUENTE GUINALDO. 229
Staff, from the 4th May, till the pleasure of His Royal High
ness the Prince Regent shall be known.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' Major General Cooke: ' Wellington.

General Viscount Wellington, KB., io the Right Hon.
H. Wellesley.
' My dear Henry, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 28th August, 1811.
' I have this day received your letter of the 21st, and I now
enclose copies of two dispatches to Government of this date.
Nothing can be more interesting than the intercepted letter,
and the return you sent me, and I shall be much obliged to
you for every thing of that kind that you can send.
' I always reckoned the Imperial Guard at 6000 infantry
and 900 cavalry ! ! But there is nothing Uke the Spaniards for
exaggerating their own force, and diminishing that of the
enemy. I am convinced from these papers that Buonaparte
intended to come to Spain himself; the departure of Bessieres
for France raay be a sign that that intention has been relin
quished ; he certainly will not come unless he has a most com
manding force. ' Ever yours, most affectionately,
' The Right Hon. H. Wellesley: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary qf State.
' My Lord, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 28th August, 1811.
' A considerable body of troops arrived at Valladolid by
forced marches, on the 16th and 17th of this month, and
turned off' towards Rio Seco, from whence I have not yet heard
of their moving. These troops, in number about 7000 or 8000,
are stated to have been drawn from the garrisons in the north
of Spain, having been relieved by the reinforcements which
have lately arrived from France. I have likewise learnt that
about 1500 dragoons, belonging to the regiments with Mar
mont's array, who had been sent to France in the spring, dis
mounted, have returned to Valladolid with their horses.
' I have not yet heard that the eneray had made any move
ment in the north. General Santocildes wrote on the ISth
from Astorga, that the enemy were in considerable strength

230 SPAIN. 1811.
in his front, and he proposed to retire into the mountains of
Galicia. But as they must have heard about that time that
the allied array were upon the frontiers of Castille, it is pro
bable that the execution of their plan was suspended, more
particularly as the march of the reinforcements which had
been forced as far as Valladohd, was stopped about the same
time at Rio Seco.
' Marmont has likewise broken up his cantonments in the
valley of the Tagus, and his army are in the mountains which
separate CastiUe frora Estremadura ; but excepting a small
body of cavalry, apparently destined to open a communica
tion with the army of the north, none have yet passed into
Castille. ' I conclude that he will not pass the mountains till the
army of the north shall have approached the Tormes, and that
then the operations of both will be directed against the allied
army under my command.
' The division of the arAiy of Portugal which was cantoned
at Jaraicejo and Truxillo, in breaking up has, I hear, had
some success against a small Spanish corps under General
Morillo, and the Estreraadura legion, under Colonel Downie,
which had moved on as far as Montanches.
' I have not yet heard that this French division has passed
the Tagus.
' I have received no late intelligence from the south of
Spain. General Ballesteros was still in the Condado de
Niebla by the last accounts, there being no vessels to remove
bis troops to Algeziras.
' The enemy are exerting themselves in an extraordinary
manner to raise contributions in Spain. Tbey have demanded
one-fourth of the crops frora the cultivators of the land; and
in order to procure raoney, they sell the grain, even by retail,
which is thus forced from the people by way of contribution.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool' ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to General Dumourier.
' Monsieur le General, a Fuente Guinaldo, ce 28 Aoiit, I8li.
' Je vous suis bien obUge de votre lettre du 5 Aoiit que je
viens de recevoir. Vous avez vu la maniere dont nos ten-

1811. fuente guinaldo. 231
tatives sur Badajoz ont fini, et vous allez voir comment celles
que j'avais I'intention de faire sur Ciudad Rodrigo vont finir.
' J'etais bien content de faire passer mes troupes a la droite
du Tage pendant les chaleurs d' Aoiit et Septembre, et je mena-
Qais Ciudad Rodrigo pour faire une diversion pour les Espag
nols, et j'avais I'intention d'en faire le siege, si j'aurais eu une
force contre laquelle je pouvais me tenir. Tout de suite,
voila tout le monde que se rassemble sur moi. Marmont
passe en Castille ; I'armee du nord, renforc6e par des troupes
dernierement arrivees, arrfete sa marche sur Santocildes, et
j'attends d chaque moment les nouvelles de son arrivee sur le
Tormes. ' Vous verrez que Santocildes, ou plut6t Abadia qui com-
mande en GaUcie a present, ne pourra rien faire, faute de res-
sources et n'ayant point de cavalerie, malgr6 qu'il soit entiere
ment degage par nous.
' Vous verrez aussi que I'armee de Blake qui est allde en
Murcie ne fera rien. Peut-etre mfeme que Blake sera battu
par Soult, qui a avec lui le 4'= corps d'armee et la reserve, et
quelques battaUions du P corps, ayant laiss6 le 5° corps en
Estremadure et le restant du 1' corps devant Cadiz. Mais
si Blake n'est pas battu, soyez stir que faute de ressources
et de discipline et d'arrangement jamais il ne fera la marche
que vous avez indiquee. Pour Silveira, il ne commande que la
milice, qui fait tres bien pour une defense pour le Portugal,
mais ne pent pas entrer en operation en Espagne.
* Ainsi vousvoyez que votre perspective d'une guerre offen
sive n'est pas encourageante ; mais je ne perds pas courage.
Tant que nous ne serons pas battus, les Franqais ne peuvent
rien faire de ce cote-ci ; et a la fin les Espagnols verront qu'il
est necessaire d'organiser et discipliner leurs arraees et de leur
fournir des ressources ; et alors les affaires iront mieux.
' Je serai bien-aise d'avoir le plaisir de vous voir, si vous
passeriez dans ce pays-ci ; mais je ne vous le conseille pas.
Vous verriez bien des choses qui vous degouteraient de ces
guerres revolutionnaires, malgre que les malheurs de notre
temps les rendent peut-^tre necessaires. ' Agreez, &c.
' Le General Dumourier: ' Wellington.

232 SPAIN. 1811.
Lieut. General- Viscount Wellington, KB., to the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My Lord, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 28th August, 1811.
' Since I closed my dispatch of this day to your Lordship,
I have received some very interesting papers which have been
intercepted from the enemy.
* It appears by a return of the 10th July, that the division
of Guards alone, which are in Castille, amount to above
15,000 infantry and 2,500 cavalry ; and as far as I can judge
from the accounts which I have of the eneray's strength, they
had besides, in the army of the north, at least 16,000 infantry
and sorae cavalry, before the late reinforcements arrived.
' These papers contain very particular and detailed orders
for equipping the army of Portugal with a very large pro
portion of cannon, and with horses to draw it, and for the
junction of all detachments. There are also detailed orders
direct from the Emperor for the collection at Burgos and
Valladolid, of the contents of particular magazines; and a
communication is made to the Due de Raguse on the 1 9th
July, that the Emperor had on that day reviewed a very fine
body of troops, destined to reinforce the armies in Spain ;
which country and Portugal it had been determined to
subdue. ' From all these circumstances, I should be inclined to be
Ueve that the Emperor was coming to Spain in person.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool' ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to Brigadier General
"R. Craufurd. ¦ Fuente Guinaldo, 29th August, 1811.
' My dear General, 3 p.m.
' I have just received your second letter of this day, and at
the same time, one of the 28th from Don Carlos de Espaiia,
which does not mention the enemy's arrival at Ledesma,
neither do I believe Colonel Barnard's account of the arrival
of the convoy.
' I have an intercepted letter this day in cypher, which
shows that the array of the north, and of Portugal, will join
to attack us, as I supposed.

1811. FUENTE GUINALDO. 233
' If the Spanish peasantry will not trust us for a short time,
they must keep their wheat for the French, and we must eat
our biscuit. 1 cannot get up money in sufficient sums to pay
ready money for all our provisions, and the pay of the troops
hkewise. ' Believe me, &c.
' Brig. General R. Craufurd: ' Wellington.
Lieut General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Marshal
Sir W. C. Beresford, K.B.
' My dear Beresford, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 29th August, ISll.
' I find that the miUtia in Beira are not supplied with arms,
and it is desirable that you should immediately turn your
attention to that object.
' I find that the Government has suppUed the superin
tendent of transports, who is to buy mules for the artillery,
with paper money only. He will not get one mule in Spain
for the whole sura in paper that he has in his hands.
'I am in hopes soon to have with each of the Sth and 6th
divisions a 9 pounder, or a heavy 6 pounder brigade ; and I
propose then to send away your 6 pounder artiUery for these
divisions, and you might apply the mules to render Arent
child's and Dickson's artUlery quite complete: or if they can be
completed otherwise, it would be very convenient to have these
two brigades in reserve with the array, in case it should be
desirable to move any division by mountain or narrow roads,
for either one or the other purpose; they will, however,
both be disposable in tbe course of a short time, I hope.
' Believe rae, &c.
• Marshal Sir W. C. Beresford, K.B: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to His Serene Highness
the Duke of Brunswick.
' Sir, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 29th August, 1811.
' I have delayed to reply to your Highness's letter of the
27th July, regarding Lieut.  , tlU I should receive
an answer to a reference upon the subject which I raade to
Colonel de Bernewitz for information, and I have now the
honor to enclose to your Highness a letter which I have re
ceived from Colonel de Bernewitz. I recollect to have refused
leave of absence to Lieut.  after the siege of Badajoz,

234 SPAIN. 1811.
or to accept his resignation without your Highness's consent,
because 1 was not aware of the circum'stances which occasioned
the request for leave, or the offer of the resignation, and I
wish to adhere to the rules which I had made to allow no
officer in your Highness's regiment to resign his comraission
and return to Germany, without your Highness's special per
mission ; but if I had been made acquainted with the circum
stances which had occurred, I should have thought it desirable
that Lieut.  should quit the service, and should in the
mean time have leave of absence.
' My reason for entertaining this opinion is, that the in
stances of want of spirit among the officers of the army are
very rare, and the example of punishment for this crime is not
required ; this being the case, I should wish to avoid giving
the soldiers, and the world, a notion that an officer, particularly
one belonging to a foreign nation, can behave otherwise than
well in the presence of the eneray ; and if there should be an
unfortunate person who fails in this respect, I would prefer to
allow him to retire to a private station, rather than expose his
weakness. ' On these grounds, I would still recommend to your High
ness to accept the resignation of his commission, which Lieut.
 has offered. Your Highness will observe that he
has absented himself from his regiraent without leave, for
which crime I propose forthwith to order him in arrest; but I
beg to recomraend to your Highness to accept his resignation,
and to allow him to return to Germany, as being in every
respect an officer unfit to serve His Majesty in your Highness's
regiment, at the sarae time that it is not expedient to expose
his weakness by bringing him to trial before a General Court
Martial. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' His Serene Highness ' Wellington.
The Duke of Brunswick:
General Viscount Wellington, KB., io His Excellency Charles Stuart.
' Sir, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 29th August, 1811.
' I have had the honor of receiving your letter of the 24th
August, in which you have enclosed one of the 23rd from
Dom M. de Forjaz, desiring to have my opinion of a proposed

1811. FUENTE GUINALDO. 235
regulation on the subject of means of transport, and of supplies
of provisions for the troops.
' As the Commander in Chief of the British army, I have
nothing to say to any Portuguese regulation, excepting to obey
it, as far as may be in my power, and as far as it may not be
inconsistent with the orders and regulations of His Majesty.
' I am sorry that there are parts of the proposed regulation
which are inconsistent with those regulations, viz., all the ar
rangements included in the 7th, Sth, 9th, 10th, and lltb
Articles. I cannot allow any person to give receipts for pro
visions excepting those who receive them ; nor can I allow
the Commissary General to pay for provisions delivered to the
British troops on the production of any document, excepting
the receipt of the person who received the provisions.
' If I am desired, as the Marshal General of the Portuguese
army, to give my opinion of the proposed regulation, I answer
that the regulation appears to me to be entirely useless in many
parts, and in others injurious to the public service.
' There is already a Superintendent of Transport in each
province, whose duty appears to be of the same description with
that prescribed for the Inspector General of Transport and
of Provisions in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Articles of the proposed
regulation. I do not see the use of two officers to perform the
same duty.
' The lists of means of transport to be made, under the 4th
Article of the regulation, were actually made and completed in
all the provinces of the kingdom, in consequence of a propo
sition raade by me as long ago as November, 1809, and I have
now copies of them. It raight be very proper to order that
new Usts raight be raade in parts of Beira and parts of Estre
madura, in consequence of the invasion of those provinces last
year ; but the Usts of the means of transport, &c., in the other
provinces ought stUl to be complete.
' All that is required to render the existing system perfect
is to enforce the law.
' First; to oblige all magistrates, upon whom requisitions
should be made for means of transport, to issue their orders to
the qwners of means of transport to produce them at a certain
place, at a certain time.
* Secondly ; to oblige the magistrates to levy a penalty on
those who should omit to obey this order ; and.

236 SPAIN. 1811.
' Thirdly ; to punish all magistrates who should omit to levy
the penalty if the means of transport should not be produced
as ordered.
' I beg to observe that this is the law of England, and the
practice ; and it is notorious that more attention is paid in
England to the rights of private property than in any other
country. But, on the other hand, every person is obliged,
under a penalty, to assist the public cause ; and the magistrates
are obliged to do their duty, or they are punished.
' If this system be carried into execution, it will be neces
sary that the Portuguese Government should pay regularly
the hire of the means of transport which are required for the
service, and then the odious and oppressive system of embargo
may be put an end to throughout the country. But I wish
the Government to understand that, unless the owners of
means of transport are forced to produce at the place and hour
ordered the means which are required ; unless the magistrates
are forced to do their duty ; and unless the Portuguese Go-
¦vernment shall pay regularly for the means of transport
required for the Portuguese army, either the odious system of
embargo must continue in all its rigor, or the Governors of
the kingdom must make up their minds to lose the country.
* I see that the Sth Article goes to suspend the powers of
the Special Comraission and of the raagistrates, in regard to the
proprietors of lands, which, in my opinion, is not advisable.
The proprietors of lands are those most able to supply means
of transport. They are the persons most interested in the
defence of the country ; and yet the effect of the regulation
would be to protect these very people from punishment, for
neglecting to supply the means of transport which are neces
sary for its defence, and which they alone have in their
possession. ' The 6th Article is as objectionable as the others. The
question is, whether means of transport are required for the
army or not. If they are required, they must be made to go
the distance ordered, unless reUeved. They cannot be relieved
unless a fresh set of magistrates, and fresh inhabitants, should
do their duty, and produce fresh means of transport required
from thera. Upon this subject a new regulation is not
required. ' I have always objected to the plan of the Government

1811. FUENTE GUINALDO. 237
crowding different objects into the same regulation. I have
already stated the objections to the remaining articles of the
proposed regulation as referable to the British army ; and
understanding that there is now under consideration a plan
for regulating a Commissariat for the Portuguese army, the
consideration of this part of the subject should be deferred till
the Commissariat should be estabUshed, to which it essentially
belongs. I am convinced that the proposed regulation in the
7th, Sth, 9th, 10th, and 11th Articles must be altered when
the Commissariat shall be established, or it will be very incon
venient to that establishment.
' I request you to lay this letter before the Portuguese
Government, as containing my opinion on this regulation.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to the Right Hon.
Henry Wellesley.
' My dear Henry, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 29th August, 1811.
' I was obliged to send off the dispatch to you at an early
hour this morning, in order to catch the post at Elvas, and I
did not reply to a very interesting part of your letter of the
21st instant.
' I am quite convinced that the majority of the officers of
the Spanish army would prefer submitting to the French, to
allowing us to have any thing to say to their troops. In truth,
they are by no means convinced, or at all events will not
allow, that our officers know any more of their profession than
they do themselves ; and we may depend upon it that we
should always have them acting against us, and that all of
their class in this country would follow their example.
* I think it probable, but I am not quite certain, that we
should get some ofthe lower orders of the people of Spain to
serve in regiraents officered by British officers ; but I ara con
vinced that if the authorities of the country shoidd set their
faces against the raeasure, we should get but kvf. Then the
discipline through which a soldier raust pass, that in which he
must be kept, and the privation's to which every soldier is
exposed, do not render his life a very happy one ; and this
circumstance, added to the reproach which every soldier under

238 SPAIN. 1811.
the command of our officers would have to endure from the
Spanish officers and people of that class, would occasion de
sertion to a degree scarcely credible. We have already expe
rienced it in the Chasseurs Britanniques, in which regiment
there were some Spaniards, but they have all deserted.
' If we trace the history of the establishment of British
officers in the Portuguese army, it will be found that two cir
cumstances occasioned it.
' First ; the absence of a great number of the efficient officers
of the array with' those corps which were, and are still, in
France, and the suspicions which attached to those which were
returned to Portugal.
' Secondly ; the raurder of the Coramander in Chief, Ber-
nardim Freire, in a mutiny of the soldiers, and refusal of all
the Portuguese officers to take the command of the troops.
' To this add, that it had not been unusual to call foreign
officers to the comraand of the Portuguese armies; and circum
stances which had recently occurred had tended very much to
raise the reputation of our officers at that time in Portugal,
while the conduct of the foreign officers in the service had
tended to sink theirs.
' None of these circumstances exists in Spain ; and it raust
not be expected that we should find the Spanish soldiery
inclined in the same degree to submit to our discipline.
• You will then say, what is Great Britain to do ? I an
swer, persevere in the contest, and do the best she can, while
she endeavors to prevail upon the Spaniards to improve their
military system.
' The contest is expensive, but affords no hopes of success,
excepting by tiring the French out. After all, military success
probably could not reasonably be expected in a contest between
the powers of the Peninsula and Great Britain on one side,
and the French on the other, which had begun by the French
seizing the armies, the fortified places, the arras, and the
resources of the Peninsula. These are cireurastances to which
the people do not advert in general, but they bear upon every
event of the contest; and the folly and treachery of the
Spaniards in the loss of battles and strong places have in
creased our difficulties, but still I am not without hopes. We
have already, in some degree, altered the nature of the war
and of the French military system. They are now in a great

1811. FUENTE GUINALDO. 239
measure on the defensive, and are carrying on a war of maga
zines. They wUl soon, if they have not already, come upon
the resources of France ; and, as soon as that is the case, you
may depend upon it the war wiU not last long.
« We may spend ten millions a year in this country ; but it
is a very erroneous notion to suppose that all that expense is
incurred by the war in the Peninsula. Our estabhshments
which we have here would cost very near half that sum if they
were kept at home, and the surplus only should be charged as
the expense of this war. I do not mean to say that that ex
pense is not great, but it must be borne as long as the Spaniards
and Portuguese can hold out, or we must take our leave of our
character as a great country.
' I enclose an intercepted letter which was in cypher, which
shows that I have not mistaken the enemy's plan of operations.
' Ever yours, most affectionately,
' The Ri. Hon. H. Wellesley: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, K.B,, to Lieut. General Sir Stapleton
Cotton, Bart, President of a General Court Martial
' Sir, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 30th August, 1811.
' I have perused the proceedings of the General Court
Martial, of which you are President, on the trial of Private
  of the 52nd regiment, whom the Court have
recommended in the body of their sentence, in which recom
mendation I entirely concur ; but as that mode of recommend
ation adopted by the General Court Martial is not regular,
and has been forbidden by His Majesty's orders, I return the
proceedings of the General Court Martial on this trial, and
request that that part which recommends Private Davy may
be struck out from the sentence, and may be the subject of a
separate letter. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' Lieut General ' Wellington.
Sir Stapleton Cotton, Bart:
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Marshal
Sir W. C. Beresford, K.B.
' My dear Beresford, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 30th August, 1811.
' I shaU be very much obliged to you if you will have some
mode arranged of feeding your detachraents on the roads to

240 SPAIN. 1811.
the array. They come through our cantonments invariably
starving, and they are fed by our Commissaries, which, in ad
dition to our own detachments, is an increase of consumption
not provided for ; and it prevents the accumulation of supplies
which is necessary, in order to enable the army to do any
thing. ' In the march routes to the detachraents from this army,
it is particulary specified at what places, and frora whom, they
are to receive provisions, and very few, and very small, raaga
zines are sufficient for the purpose.
' It would be very desirable if an arrangeraent of the same
description were raade for the march of the detachments of the
Portuguese army.
' I have complaints from our cantonments on the high road
from Castello Branco of the consumption of the supplies for
these detachments, and it comes to be a serious object.
' BeUeve me, &c.
' Marshal Sir W. C. Beresford, KB.' " Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to General Don Carlos de Espaiia.
' Monsieur le General, ' ^Fuente Guinaldo, ce 30 Aoiit, 1811.
' J'ai donne ordre qu'on donne a I'Ambassadeur d'Espagne
a Lisbonne 2000 fusils et autres equipemens pour etre a vos
ordres ; et 1200 fusils et autres equiperaens pour le Regiment
la Princessa, pour 6tre pareillement a vos ordres.
' Vous me demandez a present 1000 fusils, et je voudrais
savoir si vous en voulez 1000 outre les 3200. Je vous
previens que je n'ai pas d'^quiperaens, les ayant envoye tousd
Cadiz. Vous me demandez aussi de les envoyer a Oporto.
C'est doraraage que vous n'avez pas pense a Oporto plutdt, si
vous voulez y avoir les 3200, parceque. les fusils auront ete
donnes il y a quelques jours a I'Arabassadeur d'Espagne, etles
departemens Anglais ne peuvent plus s'en charger apres qu'ils
ont ete donnt^s a I'Arabassadeur. Mais je ne doute pas que "
si vous ecrivez a Monsieur I'Arabassadeur il vous les enverra
a Oporto. ' II parait que I'ennerai va se rassembler en assez grande
force sur le Torraes. Quand je saurai leur force, je verrai
ce que nous pourrons faire. ' Agreez, &c.
' General Don Carlos de Espana: ' Wellington.

1811. fuente guinaldo. '241

General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to General Abadia.
' Sir, ' Fuento Guinaldo, 30th August, 1811.
' I have had the honor of receiving your letter of the 15th
of August. I had already requested Colonel Sir Howard
Douglas to apprize your Excellency of the state of aft'airs in
this quarter, and I have now to inform you that we remain
still in the same positions as when he left this.
' The eneray heard on the 14th instant of our arrival here,
and it appears that from that time they altered their design in
the country north of the Duero, whatever it was.
' I understand that the troops which arrived at Valladolid
about the middle of the month by forced marches, halted at
Rio Seco; and I learn that there was another detachment of
about 7,000 very fine troops still at Valladolid on the 22nd.
' Marmont at about the same time commenced collecting his
troops in the Puertos, and on the 28th and 29th his advanced
guard passed through the Puerto de Banos, and arrived on
the 29th at Tamames.
' I understand from an intercepted letter, that it is his object
to effect a junction with the array under the coramand of
General Dorsenne, which is that beyond the Duero, and the
two to move to attack this army. This junction, which 1 can
not prevent, will necessarily frustrate my object, more particu
larly as I see by your account of the state of your array, that
you cannot move from Galicia, and I propose to act according
to circumstances and to the strength of the enemy. It is very
obvious, however, that unless the enemy should be very largely
reinforced, they cannot undertake any thing serious against
you, so long as I can keep my army collected and entire,
unless they should give up Ciudad Rodrigo.
' 1 have the honor to be, &c.
' General Abadia: ' Wellington.

General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to His Excellency Charles Stuart
' My dear Sir, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 30th August, 1811.
' I have received your letters of the 2Sth and 26th. I see
that, even by their own accounts, the Portuguese Govern
ment are debtors to us, after bringing in the charge for the
VOL. VIII. R

242 SPAIN. 1811.
20th regiment, and for the supplies to the latest period ; and
they will be debtors for a much larger amount when the ac
counts shall be settled as they ought to be, on the principle
fixed by us.
' You did quite right to send your note, marked A, in your
letter of the 26th.
, ' I do not understand what offence the Spaniards can have
taken with my brother's letter to Bardaxi.
' I am afraid that Beresford has been rather in a hurry in
his application to the Portuguese Governraent about Colman
and Madden. I applied sorae time ago to the Horse Guards
to have these officers restored to their rank in the British ser
vice, and received an answer stating that hereafter it might be
granted upon an application from the Portuguese Government.
The tirae for the application was not stated, but it appears to
me that the proper time for such an application would have
been the moment at which the alUed army should have gained
any success, if they should again gain -such. It would then
certainly have been successful ; success is now doubtful, and a
second refusal of the application may affect its final success.
' Believe me, &c.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to His Excellency Charles Stuart.
' My dear Sir, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 30th August, 1811.
' A Portuguese of the name of  passed through
here sorae days ago, on his way to Lisbon frora Madrid, re
specting whom, since he has gone through, 1 have entertained
some suspicions. It appears by his papers that he was ap
pointed to be an officer of the Secretariat by M. Araujo, and
was employed in the embassy at Madrid, where he has re
mained ever since the revolution. He told us some few lies
here, but that is nothing. What strikes me as extraordinary
is, that he should have been able to find his way from Madrid,
through the French armies and the guerrillas, bringing with
him some valuable baggage, and a kind of suite, consisting of
his sons, servants, &c. If I have a correct notion of the state
of things at Madrid, he could not have passed with this train
from that city to the guerrillas without the connivance of the

1811. fuente guinaldo. 243
Government, and if that is the case, he is come for some
sinister purpose.
' He talked to me of his intimacy with Dom M. de Forjaz.
I rather think that the guerrilla who first took charge of him,
Avril, has not a good opinion of him.
' Believe me, &c.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:
General Viscount WeUington, K.B., to Brigadier General
R. Craufurd. ' Fuente Guinaldo, 31st August, 1811.
' My dear General, 11 a.m.
' 1 have received the reports of Lieut. Bedell and Major
Griiben, and the letters which I received last night gave me
reason to believe that the enemy had not come to Taraaraes.
' There is no convoy coming to Ciudad Rodrigo. The
convoy which left Salamanca on the 27th, or was about to
leave it, was one of artillery for the army of Portugal, and its
route is between the Tormes and the Duero.
' I have constant intelligence frora Salamanca, the last
letter dated the 27th ; and there was no convoy for Ciudad
Rodrigo then thought of. ' BeUeve me, &c.
' Brig. General R. Craufurd: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Major Generals Slade, Anson,
and Alten, and Colonel Sir Granby Calcraft.
' Gentlemen, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 31st August, 1811.
' Arrangements have lately been made, which I hope will
be carried into execution, to attach to each of the regiments of
cavalry under your command, such a number of mules as will
secure for them a constant supply of corn ; but I am desirous
to carry this arrangeraent still further, and If possible, that
each of the regiments should at all times have in its canton
ments a supply of corn to last the horses for six days.
' A large supply of corn is shortly expected from the maga
zines in the rear ; but it is obvious that this quantity can be
gained upon the daily consumption only, by reducing the
allowance, if the horses should be in good condition, and
while they do not work, and if they should be well provided
with other forage. R 2

244 SPAIN. 1811.
' It is impossible for me, or for any body who does not
see the horses, to judge of these points, but I request you
to reduce the quantity of corn to be issued to the horses of
the regiments in the troops under your comraand, to eight, or
even seven, pounds a day for each horse, if you should
be of opinion, frora the cireurastances above referred to, that
you can do so without injury to their condition, in order
with what shall arrive from the magazines, to gain upon the
consumption a store of corn to remain in the cantonments of
the regiments, which will last the horses at the full allowance
six days. When this store shall have been accumulated,
I should then wish that, at all events, the issue of the full
allowance should be recommenced. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' Major Generals ' Wellington.
Slade, Anson, and Alten,
and Colonel Sir Granby Calcraft:
General Viscount Wellington, KB., io His Excellency Charles Stuart.
' My dear Sir, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 31st August, 1811-
' I shall be very much obliged to you, if you will talk to
Dom M. de Forjaz about the state of the bridges on the
Alva, on the Ceira, and on the Mondego, which were destroyed
in the last campaign, some by the French and some by General
Bacellar. ' Among other excellent establishments in Portugal still
existing, there is a fund for the construction and repairs of
roads and bridges, which, Uke all others, is, I believe, entirely
raisappUed ; and then, as usual, when it becomes necessary to
do the work the expense falls upon us.
' It becomes necessary to repair these bridges forthwith.
In the course of the month of October, the rains will com
mence, and the safety of the army may depend upon the
passage of these bridges being secured. I have already sent
an officer to look at thera, and whether the Governraent will
repair them or not, I must have them repaired ; but I am de
termined that the expense shall be charged ao-ainst the
subsidy. ' It is too bad, that with funds existing in the country for
aU these purposes, and with persons capable of executino' thera,
I can get nothing done excepting by my own officers : and

1811. CARTAXO. 245
then we are involved in the greatest difficulties to get the
people necessary to work, and the materials to enable us to
perform the works which we are obliged to undertake.
' I beg you to tell Dom M. de Forjaz that 1 desire to know
by return of post, whether the Portuguese Government will
or will not undertake to repair the bridges on the Alva, the
Ceira, and the Mondego, in such a manner as that they will
be passable in October; and that if they will not, I request
them to write orders to the Governor of Coimbra, and the
magistrates of Arganil, Goes, LousaS, Ponte da Murcella,
Foz d'Arouqe, &c., to give every assistance that Captain
Macleod may call for, either in workmen or materials, to
enable him to Repair them. ' Believe me, &c.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart.
' General Bacellar, who destroyed the bridges on the Mon
dego, should be ordered to repair them.'
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to His Royal Highness
the Prince Regent of Portugal
' Sir, ' Cartaxo, 30th November, 1810.*
' The Governors of the Kingdom will, without doubt, trans
mit to be laid before your Royal Highness, a detailed account
of recent events and transactions in Portugal ; and I should
not think it necessary to trouble your Royal Highness upon
this occasion, if some discussions which I have lately had with
the Governors of the Kingdom, had not rendered it desirable
that I should make your Royal Highness acquainted with the
opinions which I have entertained, and the principles on which
I have acted.
' Your Royal Highness is informed, that till the recent
change made in the Government of this country, I had the
good fortune to possess the confidence and good opinion of the
Governors of the Kingdom ; and notwithstanding the magni
tude, the variety, and the intricacy of the affairs which I had
* The draft of this letter was missing from the Duke of Wellington's papers,
and consequently was not inserted according to date in vol. vii. p. 14. On appli
cation to the Secretary of State's Office, Lord Glenelg was pleased to direct that
the copies of any dispatches should be supplied which might be required for this
compilation.

246 SPAIN. 1811.
transacted with them, there had existed no difference of opinion
upon any point of importance.
' When the peace was made in Germany, in October, 1809,
it was necessary that I should consider of the system of mili
tary operations to be carried on by the allied armies of your
Royal Highness, and of His Majesty, the command of which
had been intrusted to me, in reference to the state of affairs in
the Peninsula; to the description of the troops of which the
armies were composed ; and the defence of your Royal High
ness's dominions.
' Having forraed the plan in concert with Marshal Beres
ford, I went to Lisbon early in February last from the
frontiers of Beira, purposely to communicate it to the Gover
nors of the Kingdom, whose approbation, including that of the
Patriarch, it received.
' It is necessary that I should trouble your Royal Highness
with a detail of this plan. It was founded upon the fact, that
the allied array under ray command was the only organized
body existing in the Peninsula, which could keep the field
against the enemy.
' I considered that Lisbon and the Tagus were the sinews of
your Royal Highness's Governraent, the point of coramuni-
cation with your Royal Highness's person, and with His
Majesty's Government ; and that tbey were the objects which
it was essential for the aUies to retain, and for the enemy to
get possession of.
' I also considered that it was expedient, in the existing state
of the war in the Peninsula, to avoid risking the fate of the
whole on one general action, the result of which might, from
circumstances, be doubtful. I therefore raade the possession
of Lisbon and the Tagus the principal object of my attention ;
others were considered subordinate to these, and were to be
maintained or not, according to the circumstances of the
moment, and to the chance I had of success in a contest to
maintain them with the force which the eneray should employ
to obtain possession of thera.
' These principles were thoroughly understood, and were
approved of, as well as the details of the plan which was
founded upon them ; and I have invariably acted upon these
principles in all the operations which I have carried on since
I have commanded the allied army.

1811. cartaxo. 247
' Unfortunately, one of the gentlemen who was appointed
by your Royal Highness to be a member of the new Govern
ment, in the month of , did not approve of the plan
. of operations, or of the principles on which it was founded.
Possibly, when your Royal Highness appointed me to be the
Marshal General of your armies, and to hold that office with all
the powers and privileges which were enjoyed by the late Duke
de la Foens, your Royal Highness intended that I, and not
the local Government of Portugal, much less any individual
member of the Government, should be responsible for the plan
and conduct of the military operations. At all events. His
Majesty, with the command of whose troops I am hkewise
intrusted, considers me responsible for the honor and safety of
his army ; and I could not allow any individual, however re
spectable, to interfere in the performance of duties peculiarly
and exclusively, in my opinion, my own.
' The Principal Souza, however, was of opinion, that the
war ought to have been maintained, at all events, upon the
frontiers of Beira ; that an offensive operation ought to be
carried on within the Spanish frontier; that a general action
ought to be fought, at all risks ; and he entertained and de
livered other opinions upon the details of the operations, with
which, in my judgment, he had no concern whatever.
' Entertaining these opinions, both of the plan of operations
which was adopted, and of that which ought to have been
adopted, he, by his influence over the other members of the
Government, prevailed on the Government to omit and delay
to carry into execution many measures recommended by rae,
which were calculated to aid the railitary operations, and to be
of service to the people of the country themselves ; in order to
refer to me, and discuss, the propriety of adopting another
system of operations which he preferred.
' As it was probable that circumstances would render it
advisable to bring the contest to a decision in the neighbour
hood of the capital, it was necessary that the different divisions
of which the army was composed, should retire frora the
frontier ; and I recommended that the people of the country
should be directed to remove out ofthe enemy's reach, carrying
with thera, as far as was possible, their valuable property,
and what could be useful to the enemy, and rendering useless
the mills. This measure had been successfully adopted in

248 SPAIN. 1811.
Upper Beira, under the provisions of a Proclamation issued by
me on the 4th August, 1810*; and it could be carried into
execution effectually, and with convenience to the inhabitants
of other parts of the country, only by being adopted at an
early period ; and it was recomraended at an early period to
the attention of the Governors of the Kingdom.
' But it was delayed in respect to the country between the
Tagus and the Mondego, till the last moraent, by various dis
cussions, and under various pretences ; and particularly, be
cause it was contended by the Principal Souza, that the war
ought to be maintained on the frontier. Tbe inhabitants con
sequently had not time to carry it into execution; and the
eneray have found, in Portuguese Estremadura, every thing
which could tend to their comfort and subsistence, and to
enable them to maintain their position in Portugal, notwith
standing, that, as your Royal Highness is aware, the local
circumstances of Portuguese Estremadura afforded means of
removing these articles out of their reach, which do not exist
in other parts of the country.
' Although I have adopted the plan of operations which I
have followed upon mature reflection, and every day's expcr
rlence convinces me of its propriety, it is possible that the
Principal Souza may be right, and I may be wrong ; and that
it would have been expedient to adopt the system recommended
by him, which I had thought the experience of the misfortunes
in Spain had exploded. But even in this ease, I contend for
it, that the Governors of the Kingdom ought to have adopted
without delay the measures which I recommended to them, to
aid and conform to the plan of the military operations.
' As I have already explained to your Royal Highness,
some of tbe Governors of the Kingdom, including the Patriarch,
approved of the plan which was adopted ; but even if they had
not (and I admit that the Principal Souza had not), it was
still their duty to aid and cooperate in that plan by every
means in their power, and particularly not to thwart or delay
measures recommended by me. If I was wrong; if I had
showed myself incapable of executing the great trust reposed
in rae, the proper steps to be adopted, would have been to
request your Royal Highness and His Majesty to dismiss rae
» See vol. vi. p. 308.

1811. CARTAXO. 240
from my command ; but as long as I continued to exercise it,
the Governors of the Kingdom were bound, as honest men and
well wishers to their country, to aid and co-operate with me as
I recommended. ' By the delays occasioned by the opposition to those mea
sures given by the Principal Souza, they have been rendered
nugatory, and parts of your Royal Highness's dominions, and
some of your people are now suffering.
' The influence of Principal Souza has, in this instance,
been pernicious ; and I leave it to your Royal Highness to
determine, whether it is expedient that that gentleman should
continue to be a member of the Government.
' It is with pain that I make this appeal to your Royal
Highness. I am fully aware of the patriotism and of the
integrity of this gentleman, and of his connexion with persons
of high rank in your Royal Highness's service, and of con
sideration in this country. But I cannot conceal from your
Royal Highness, that I have had no satisfaction in transacting
business with your Government since he has been a meraber
of it ; all confidence is at an end ; and your Royal Highness
will judge whether it is possible for things to go on as they are.
' It is unnecessary that I should trouble your Royal High
ness upon the sentiments of each individual member of the
Governraent, on the questions to which this letter relates. In
late instances, I believe that a large raajority of the raembers
of the Government have decided at once to adopt the measures
which I have recommended to them ; and have not suffered
them to be delayed by farther references to me, and by the
discussions proposed by the Principal Souza ; and I ara con
vinced, that if this gentleman should be removed from the
Government, affairs will be conducted with the same unanimity
and satisfaction to me, as they had been till his appointment.
' I cannot conclude this letter without stating to your Royal
Highness, injustice to rayself, that Ihave never obtruded my
opinion upon your Governraent on any subject not imraediately
connected with the military service, or the operations of the
army, on which they have not previously desired to have it.
The differences of opinion which I have had with the Govern
ment, or more properly speaking, with Principal Souza, have
been either on subjects exclusively miUtary ; or on others inti-

250 SPAIN. 1811.
mately connected with the military operations ; for in nothing
else do I take any concern. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' His Royal Highness, ' Wellington.
the Prince Regent of Portugal'
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My dear Lord, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 1st Sept., 1811.
' I received only yesterday your letter of the 20th July.
In case the unfortunate event, which you mention, should
occur, I am at a loss to know how I shall employ Herbert
Taylor with this army, excepting in the situation of Deputy
Adjutant General, now held by General Pakenham, but which
he would resign, I know, if I could make any other convenient
arrangeraent for the performance of its duties.
' Employment with the Spaniards would not suit him at all.
Sir Howard Douglas is in the only situation of that description
in which he would feel any interest; and he is too low down
among the colonels of this array to give him the command of
a brigade. ' If you should think that the situation of Deputy Adjutant
General would suit him, I shall be obliged to you if you will
offer it to him. Major General C. Stewart generally goes home
every winter, when the business of his department would fall
upon him ; and in the event which would leave him at liberty
to accept the situation, it is probable that it would be necessary
to Stewart to be absent for a great length of time, in order to
ensure his election to Parliament. " Believe me, 8ec.
' The Earl of Liverpool' ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Vice Admiral
the Hon. G, Berkeley.
" My dear Sir, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 2nd September, 1811.
' I have received your letters of the 29th August, regarding
the conduct of two Marines on duty at Fort St. Julian, and
I am very sensible of the kindness of the motives which have

1811. fuente guinaldo. 251
induced you to refer this case for my consideration. I have
directed the Judge Advocate to draw charges against these
men founded on Major Dickenson's report.
' I am much obliged to you for sending the newly arrived
detachraents to Figueira.
' I agree entirely with you about the sea sand on the plat
forms at St. Julian. It will undoubtedly render the water
brackish collected in the tanks frora these platforms, and fresh
sand bags can be placed at any moment.
' Have you heard any thing of Lord March ?
' Believe me, &c.
' Vice Admiral ' Wellington.
the Hon. G. Berkeley:

General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Lieut. Colonel
 , — th Regiment
' Sir, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 3rd Sept., 1811. 9 p.m.
' I return your letter of this day's date, as it contains a
request to which I can give no reply, unless the letter should
be transmitted in the channel prescribed by His Majesty's
Regulations. ' 1 have the honor to be, &c.
' Lieut Colonel  .' ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to General Bacellar.
i gjg ' Fuente Guinaldo, 3rd September, 1811,
' I write to inform you, that the Spanish army has been
obliged to retreat frora its positions at La Baiieza and Puente
de Orvigo, and has fallen back at least as far as Villa Franca.
' I am not exactly informed of the circumstances which
occurred previous to the retreat of the Spanish army of
GaUcia, but I believe they must have sustained some check.
' A considerable proportion of the eneray's troops, which
were in their front, have arrived at Salamanca, with a view to
operations in this quarter, in concert with the army of Mar
mont ; and it is stated that 25,000 men, belonging to the army
of the north, will be assembled there in the course of a few
days : at all events, it is obvious that the enemy have at
present no design to extend their operations in that qutwter ;

252 SPAIN. 1811.
and therefore, it appears to me desirable that General Sil
veira should place his corps of observation for the present at
Freixo de Espadacinta, or Torre de Moncorro, rather than at
Braganza. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' General Bacellar: ' Wellington.

General Viscount Wellington, KB., io the Earl of Liverpool
Secretary of State.
e ]V[y Lord, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 3rd September, 1811.
' I have the honor to enclose a letter which I have received
frora the Conde de Aguiar, and its enclosures, from which I
learn that His Royal Highness the Prince Regent of Portugal
has been pleased to confer upon me the title of Conde de
Vimeiro, and the Grand Cross of the Order of the Tower and
Sword, and a pension of 20,000 cruzados per annum.
' I beg that your Lordship will lay these letters before His
Royal Highness the Prince Regent, and request that His
Royal Highness will be graciously pleased to permit me to
accept of the favors which His Royal Highness the Prince
Regent of Portugal has been pleased to confer upon me.
' Having considered it my duty to urge the local Portu
guese Government almost with importunity, to increase the
disposable revenue of the state to the utmost, by every mea
sure in their power, as well of increased taxation, as of reform
of abuses in the collection and manageraent of the Revenue,
and of economy in the grant of salaries, and in every branch
of the expenditure, as the only measures by which the ex
penses of the war could be provided for by the necessary sums
of specie, I have thought it proper not to accept of any allow
ance from the Portuguese Government for the office of
Marshal General of the army, which I fill.
' In case His Royal Highness the Prince Regent should
think proper to aUow me to accept the favors conferred upon
me by his Royal Highness the Prince Regent of Portugal,
I propose in Uke manner to decline the acceptance of the
pension offered to me, during the continuance of the existing
war for the independence of the country.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool' ' Wellington.

1811. fuente guinaldo. 253

General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Major General A. Campbell
' My dear Campbell, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 4th September, 1811.
' I received your letter yesterday evening. You are quite
right to go on the staff to the East Indies, if you think it will
suit your views ; and I can only say, that I shall be very sorry
to lose your assistance here.
' I hope that you will soon get well of the ague ; you had
better move up to this high ground for a day or two.
' Believe me, 8ec.
' Major General A. Campbell' ' Wellington.

General Viscount Wellington, K.B., io His Excellency Charles Stuart.
' My dear Sir, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 4th Sept., 1811.
' In answer to your letter of the 31st, I state that I con
ceive you will act correctly in not making over to the Portu
guese Government all the money which the Commissary
General gives to you. I order him to give to you raoney
whenever he can spare it, specie particularly. You raust be
the best judge whether the money ought to be given to the
Portuguese Government. Their debt to us is now so large,
and daily increasing so fast, that I conceive that you ought
not to advance any more money, unless it is obvious that the
money cannot be got from any other quarter, and that the
service suffers from the want of it. You will observe that
there will be a very heavy deraand for the provision stores
lately required ; and a demand for the provisions issued to the
troops from the 2Sth July to the 24th September.
' Believe rae, &c.
* His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart.
' I return the list of persons who receive newspapers. I
know nothing of any of them, excepting of those who are
officers of the army, and of course can form no judgment
whether any of them send the newspapers to the French
army.'

254 SPAIN. 1811.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., io the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My Lord, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 4th Sept., 1811.
' I enclose the copy of a dispatch from General Foy, who
coraraands the division of the army of Portugal at Truxillo,
to General Girard, who commands a division of the Sth corps
at Zafra, which was intercepted and deciphered, and shows
that the plan of the enemy is exactly what I inforraed your
Lordship, in ray dispatch of the 28th August, that I believed
it was. * That this is the plan is further confirmed by an intercepted
letter of the 1st instant from General Wathier, at Salamanca,
to the General comraanding at Ciudad Rodrigo, of which I
enclose an extract, announcing the intention of the General
coraraanding the army of the north to coUect 25,000 guards
at Salaraanca in the course of six days, and to raove to the
relief of Ciudad Rodrigo in concert with the Due de Raguse.
' Your Lordship will observe that General Wathier states
that the army of the north had had some considerable success
against the Spanish array of Galicia. I have received no
accounts of these operations, excepting that the troops which
had been halted at Rio Seco, towards the middle of tbe month,
had afterwards moved forward upon Benavente about the 23rd
or 24th. No attack had been made as late as the 26th ; and
General Dumoustier's division of guards arrived at Salamanca
on their return from the expedition on the 1st instant ; so that
it is not probable that the check received by the troops in
GaUcia was of the iraportant description stated by General
Wathier. ' 1 enclose a letter, however, of the 15th instant, received
from General Abadia, who commands the array in Galicia,
frora which your Lordship will observe that they are in Want
of every thing ; and that I did not form an erroneous calcu
lation when I stated, in my dispatch of the 8th August, that I
could not believe that this array could raake any movement to
assist us. I do not believe that they have been defeated, as
stated ; but I shall consider it very fortunate if General Abadia
should be able hereafter to sustain himself in Galicia.
' Some detachments of convalescents, amounting to about
2000 men, belonging to the army of Portugal, which had been
left in Castille, have lately been sent to join their regiments ;

1811. FUENTE guinaldo. 255
and this array has likewise been reinforced by the dragoons
lately returned from France with their horses. I likewise
believe that some of the reinforcements (of the number I am
not accurately informed) which have lately entered Spain have
been sent on frora Valladolid to join this same array. Your
Lordship will see frora General Wathier's letter the strength
in guards expected frora the array of the north, which must
either be exaggerated, or the guards have been reinforced since
the return of the 10th of July, adverted to in my dispatch of
the 28th of August.
' The army of Portugal, however, reinforced, and the guards,
even according to their state on the 10th of July, united,
would be too strong for me to think of maintaining the
blockade of Ciudad Rodrigo on the other side of the Agueda,
under all the disadvantages attending the coraraunication across
that river. I therefore propose to take a position on the left
of the Agueda, if I should find the enemy to be really in such
strength as that it is not advisable that I should attack them,
and leave it to them to attack us if they should think proper.
' In consequence of the statement, in General Foy's letter,
that a body of troops from the army of the centre were to take
the ground of the army of Portugal at Plasencia and Almaraz,
I have desired General Hill to detach a body of troops, which
had before been prepared for that purpose, to Castello Branco,
to keep up the communication between him and the army,
and to station himself with the 2nd division of infantry at
Portalegre. ' I have received reports that a division of the Sth corps
had moved upon General Ballesteros near Ayamonte. The
General retired to the Island of Candas, in the mouth of the
Guadiana ; and the enemy were in Ayamonte, but in small
force, on the 24th August. As the ships had arrived to carry
off General Ballesteros to Algeziras, I imagine that the enemy
will have retired again from Ayamonte.
' According to accounts frora the south east coast, which I
have received from Mr. Wellesley, it appears that the Spanish
army of Murcia had retired eaily in August to its position at
Lorca, one of the divisions having received a check on it^
retreat. General Roche reports, on the 14th August, that the
French had in front of this army only 14,000 men ; and if
this report be true, it is probable that Soult has returned to

256 SPAIN. 1811.
Cordova with a part of his force, which is generally reported
throughout the country. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool ' Wellington.
' P.S. Since closing this dispatch, I have received a letter
from General Silveira of the 1st instant, from which I learn
that General Abadia had retired in the best order from La
Baiieza and Puente de Orvigo, and that he was preparing to
resume his position in front of Astorga, in consequence of the
retreat of the enemy.
' I enclose the morning state of the 1st instant.'
General Viscount Wellington, KB., io ihe Right Hon.
H. WeUesley.
' My dear Henry, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 4th Sept. 1811.
' I enclose my dispatch of this day. Since writing it,
I have received a letter from Silveira, of the 1st, which
affords ground for belief that Abadia managed his matters
remarkably well ; and that instead of having retired to Coruiia,
he was about to advance again to occupy his ground at Astorga.
I do not give any credit to the account of Mlna's affair. I
must have heard of it, if there had been any foundation for
the report.
' I believe I can send you 3000 or 4000 stands of arms,
but no accoutrements.
'  having determined to quit the French service
without any engagement being entered into with hira, there
does not appear any occasion for making such an engagement
at present.
« I will apply to the Secretary of State regarding him, after
I shall have inquired frora some of our officers whether he
really did behave well to them when they were taken at
Talavera, as I ara sorry to say, that I have heard frora some
of them, that the Irish officers in the French service behaved
particularly ill to them.
' I have not often seen so absurd a paper as  's.
It would do very well for the Encyclopaedia, but there is not
one word in the whole paper applicable to the present situation
of Valencia. ' Ever yours, most affectionately,
' The Hon. H. Wellesley: ' Wellington.

1811. fuente guinaldo. 257
General Viscount Wellitigton, KB., to His Excellenaj Charles Stuart.
'Sir. ' Fuente Guinaldo, 6th Sept., 1811.
' I have had the honor of receiving your letter of the 31st
August, and I am much concerned to find there is any diffi
culty upon a subject on which, of all others, it appears to me
that there ought to be none.
* The establishment of post mules on the roads for the con
veyance of letters is one of the ordinary establishments of the
country, of which the Government have at all times borne the
expense ; and the question is, whether the Government or the
military chest are to defray this expense in future.
' It is very possible that I raay be mistaken in my notion
that profit is derived from the establishment of the posts in
Portugal, and that, owing to the usual mismanagement, what
is profit elsewhere becomes loss in this country ; but that is
no reason why the military chest of the British army should
defray the expense of the Portuguese posts ; neither can any
ground be found for such an extraordinary conclusion in
Senhor Sodre's correspondence with the Secretary of the Post
Office. ' When the army pursued the enemy to the frontiers of
Castille, there were no means on the roads of communicating
by letter with Lisbon, and Senhor Sodre wrote to S' J. B.
Cromez to urge that measures might be taken to have post
horses placed at the stations at which they had formerly been,
for which mules, Senhor Sodre was authorized to say that the
Commissary General of the British army would provide forage,
and also rations for the postiUions, as the only mode by which
either could be provided with subsistence in those days.
' An advance was made by the Portuguese Government to
the post masters of six contos of reis, to enable them to pur
chase and place mules upon the roads, in order to provide the
means of communication. I believe it will be admitted that it
was the interest and the duty of the Portuguese Government
to provide these means without loss of time ; and they accord
ingly made this advance, which the post masters were to repay
out of the suras due to them, of 400 reis each mule per diem
for keeping the mules.
' It now appears that not only the Government refuse to pay
the expense of the rations given to the men and animals placed
VOL. VIII. S

258 SPAIN. 1811.
on the roads, by which alone they were kept alive, but that a
claim is stated against the military chest for the advance of sik
contos of reis for purchasing them, in order to keep up the
coraraunication, for which it is the peculiar duty of the civil
Government, in every civilized country, to provide. And
this claim is raade at the same time that it had been settled
that the post masters were to repay these very advances !
' I am willing to pay frora the military chest the usual price
of 200 reis a league for every post horse or mule used for the
service of the British army on the ordinary lines of communi
cation of the country ; and, besides, to pay half a dollar a day
for each horse or mule kept at the post stages on the lines of
communication established purposely for the service of the
army ; but the Government must pay the expense of all the
rations which have been delivered to the postillions and post
mules, or of the 400 reis per diem which have been given for
each mule kept on all the ordinary lines of communication of
the country, of which I shall send you the account.
' I beg to have an answer to this proposition by return of
post, and that you will inform the Government if they do not
acquiesce in this proposition, I request they will provide posts
for the Portuguese army, and for the civil correspondence in
all parts of the country, as well on the direct as on the cross
lines of coraraunication ; for if any proposition so unreasonable'
should be insisted upon, as that the military chest of the
British array is to defray the expense of all the Portuguese
posts between the Tagus and the Douro, I give notice that
1 will not allow any Portuguese correspondence of any descrip
tion, whether civil or railitary, to be carried on by those posts
of which I shall defray the expense.
' I beg that you will lay this letter before the Portuguese
Governraent. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:
General Viscount WeUington, K.B., to Vice Admiral
the Hon. G. Berkeley. ,
• Sir, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 7th Sept., 18 IK
' This letter will be delivered to you by General Carrera of
the Spanish service, who is anxious to proceed immediately to

1811. FUEN,TE guinaldo. 259
Cadiz ; and I shall be much obliged to you if you will forward
his wishes, by providing him with a passage in a man of war,
whenever an opportunity may offer.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' Vice Admiral 'Wellington.
ihe Hon. G. Berkeley:
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Lieut. Colonel
 , — th Regiment
• Sir, • Fuente Guinaldo, 7th Sept., 1811.
' I have had the honor of receiving yoitr letter of the 6tll
instant, in which you have desired that 1 should give you leave
of absence for two months to go to England, " where business
deeply involving your future prospects requires your pre^
sencei." ' ' As I have been under the necessity of declining to comply
with all the requests of this description which have been made
to me lately, I cannot comply with yours ; and I observe that
you must have been prepared for this answer, by the answer
which I learn from Major General Campbell, that he had sent
to the letter which you had written to him upon the same
subject. ' As you have stated to me in a former letter the nature of
your business in England, and as it appears not only that it
can, but that if you were in England yoU would be under the
necessity of transacting it in writing, and therefore that it can
be transacted with equal advantage from this country, I feel
the less concern at being obliged to refuse to comply with your
request for leave of absence. ' I have' the honor to be, &c.
' Lieut Colonel  .' 'Wellington.

General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Lieut. Colonel Torrens,
Military Secretary io the Commander in Chief.
'My DEAR Torrens, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 7th Sept., ISll.
' So much time elapses before soldiers who have been in
hospital in this country recover sufficiently to be able to iinder-'
take a march to join their regiiAents ; and being under the
necessity of making theita invariably march iinder the command
of an officer, in order to keep them in order whereby thei
s2

260 SPAIN. 1811.
march of even those who. are sufficiently recovered is neces
sarily frequently delayed till the party becomes so large as
that an officer can be afforded to take charge of it, this has
occasioned very large depots of convalescent and recovered
men and officers at all our hospital stations, but particularly at*
Lisbon. ' It is impossible to allow the command and charge of these
depots to fall irtto the hands of any captain of the army who
may happen to be the senior of the convalescent officers, or the
senior of those who may have been sent to the hospital station
in change pf sick ; as the charge, at all times one of import
ance, is sometimes of great magnitude, as, for instance, there
are now at Lisbon not less than 8000 sick and convalescent
soldiers. * Under these circumstances, not being able to spare Field.
Officers for the duty, I have been obliged to select a captain
to place at the head of each of these depots, who is generally,
the best in his regiment, and necessarily one of long standing.
Of course this is an inconvenience to the regiments,, ancl a
detriment to the service ; and it occurs to me that there might
be found in England Field Officers who would be glad, to.
undertake this charge, who would have sufficient intelligence
to conduct it well, but who are unequal to the more active and
arduous duties of the field.
' I shall be very much obUged to you if you will mention
the subject to His Royal Highness ; and if he should consent
to the plan proposed, if you will endeavor to find four intel
ligent Field Officers, to be sent out here, to be at the head of
our principal depots of convalescents.
' I allow the captains when employed on this duty nine
shillings and sixpence a day. ' Believe me, &c.
' Lieut. Colonel Torrens: ' Wellington.

Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to ihe Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My Lord, - ' Fuente Guinaldo, 7th Sept... 181 U
' I enclose a letter which I have received from Marshal
Sir William Beresford, containing the copy of one which he,
had received frora the Conde d'Aguiar, acquainting him that

1811. fuente guinaldo. 261
the Prince Regent of Portugal had been pleased to confer upon
him the title of Count of Trancoso, and the grand cross of
the order of the Tower and Swordi
* I beg your Lordship to lay these letters before His Royal
Highness the Prince Regent, and to request the permission of
His Royal Highness for Sir William Beresford to accept the
honors conferred upon him by His Royal Highness the Prince
Regent of Portugal. • I have the honor to be, &c.
• The Earl of Liverpool' ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to Major General A. Campbell
« Sir, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 10th Sept., 1811.
* I enclose a sealed paper which contains a letter of the 8th
instant, which I received last night, from Lieut. Colonel — — ,
of the — th regiment.
* I beg that you will return this paper to Lieut. Colonel
-, and inform him that although the Regulations al

lowed of his applying to me direct for leave of absence, on an
occasion on which his immediate superior had declined to for
ward his application, it is inconsistent with the spirit, as well
as a breach of the letter of the Regulations, that he should
forward complaints of his iraraediate superior, on various sub
jects, under pretence of continuing a correspondence on the
subject of his request for leave of absence.
' I hope that the feeUngs which Lieut. Colonel  ex
presses upon the censure which he has received, will induce him
to avoid that conduct in future which may expose him to it.
The object of His Majesty's Regulations, on the mode to be
observed by officers in forwarding their appUcations and stating
their complaints, is not less to support the discipline and pre
serve the subordination of the army, than it is to bring to the
knowledge of the Commander in Chief the truth, by which
knowledge alone he can do justice to aU parties.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
'. Major Gen. A. Campbell" ' Wellington.

262 SPAIN. 1811.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to ihe Right Hon.
H. Wellesley.
* My DEAR Henry, 'Fuente Guinaldo, Uth Sept., 181 1.
' I have received your letter of the 30th, and I now enclose
my dispatch of this day. I have no news which that dispatch
does not contain ; excepting a report that Suchet is collecting
his troops at Zaragoza.
' Is it true that Monserrat is taken ?
' Ever yours most affectionately,
' The Right Hon. H. Wellesley: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to His Excellency Charles Stuart
« Sir, '' Fuente Guinaldo, 1 Ith Sept., 181 1.
' I have received your letter, enclosing one froni Lord Wel
lesley of the 24th of August, relative to the omission of Dom
M. de Forjaz to make known to the Prince Regent of Portu
gal the names of the officers who had distinguished themselves
in the service in this country ; to which I have to! reply thati
Dom M. de Forjaz receives from me every week a dispatch,
t;ontaining an account of the operations of the army during
tbe preceding eight days, in which dispatch the names of those
officers of both services who have distinguished themselves are
mentioned. These dispatches are intended for the information
of the Governors of the Kingdom ; and I conclude that they
communicate thdr contentsj or possibly transmit the originals,
or copies, to His Royal !Highness the Prince Regent in the
Brazils. ' Dorii M. de Forjaz has no authority from me to reconl-
mend any officer, nor any means of acquiring information
regarding the services of any officer, excepting from these
weekly dispatches.
. ' As the contents of these dispatches, particularly those parts
of them relating to the services and merits of! different officers,
are publislied in the Lisbon Gazetis, I should think that it
might have been discovered that the names of the officers,
British and Portuguese, who had distinguished themselves
throughout the war, were already known to His Royal High
ness, and that, without any great effort, Dom M. de Forjaz
might have been screened from the imputation of neglect and

1811. FUENTE GUINALDO. 263
disobedience upon this occasion. But I am concerned to have
again occasion to remark that, in addition to all the other
difficulties which prey upon me in this country, the support of
the British Government is not given to that officer of His Royal
Highness the Prince Regent's Governraent in Portugal, who
was selected by His Royal Highness, and upon experience has
been found to be the most fit of all His Royal Highness's
servants to carry on the arduous concerns with which he is
charged. ' I say " found upon experience," because I do not hesitate
to acknowledge that I entertained against Dom M. de Forjaz
prejudices of the sarae description as appear to be entertained
against hira in the Brazils ; but I altered my opinion of him
upon experience of his abilities, his zeal, and his integrity ;
and I think I have reason to complain that this officer, who is
thus preferred by rae, after a prejudice against hira, and upon
trial, has not received the support of His Majesty's Govern
ment in the Brazils, and that he is consequently at this moraent
on the point of being driven from his office in disgrace, and all
the details of the miUtary department to be placed in the hands
of a person certainly less capable, but probably entirely inca
pable of conducting them, and this in the middle of a campaign.
' I had recommended to Dom M. de Forjaz to resign his
office, and had determined to raake no effort to induce the
Prince Regent to retain him in his service; because His Royal
Highness, in his letter to me of the 7th of February last,
expressed his displeasure with him in such strong terms, that
it appeared to me to be useless, and likely only to be injurious
to Dom M. de Forjaz, to endeavor to protect him against the
powerful party in the Brazils, who appeared determined to
remove him from his office, and, if possible, to destroy him.
' The accusations against him also are so inconsistent with
each other, and so contemptible, that it is obvious they are
only the effect of malice, and of the spirit of party, which
could have been contended against successfully on the spot
alone. ' Dom M. de Forjaz is at one time accused of being a par
tizan of the French. He is then accused of disobeying the
Prince's orders, of opposing himself to his Prince, and of
,;ounding bis opposition on the support he received from His
-Maj.esty's servant in this country, and of boasting of this sup-

264 SPAIN. 181 *•
port,- forgetting that Dom M. de Forjaz, who is the Secretary
of the Local Government in Portugal, will neither obey nor
disobey any orders but those of the Local Government. He
is then accused of an intrigue with me, forgetting that I have
something else to do and to think of besides the petty intrigues
of Lisbon ; that excepting the Patriarch, I never spoke to any
member of the Portuguese Government ; that I do not know
even by sight the majority of them ; and that it is quite im-.
possible that I can feel any interest in their proceedings,,
excepting as they affect the operations of the war; and lastly,
to crown all, Dom M. de Forjaz is accused of disobeying the
Prince's repeated orders, in omitting to bring under His Royal
Highness's view, in order to receive marks of His Royal High
ness's favor, the names of his friends, the EngUsh officers, of
those friends on whose support he relies to keep him in office,
against the wishes of his Prince.
' But this last crime is, I conclude, committed in his quaUty
of French partizan. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
\ His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Lieut. Colonel Torrens, ,
Military Secretary to the Commander in Chief.
' My DEAR Torrens, ' Fuente Guinaldo, lith Sept., 181.1 .
' I have received your letter of the 24th August.
' General Campbell had already consented to stay some time
longer. ' When I wrote to you in February last in regard to
Clinton, things were in a very different state from what they
are now, and the opinions of people very different.
' I object to the mode which our officers have of adopting
an opinion upon a subject before they can entirely understand
it ; and then acting as if it were necessary that he should pro
duce by his conduct au alteration of measures in an army, as
he would in the House of Commons. Every man has a right
to form his own opinion, and to retain it if he thinks fit ; but
I expect what I do not always find, viz., that when he comes
to the army, he shall act according to my opinion, I being
alone responsible for every thing. However, matters are so
altered, and it is so Utile likely that ther-e can be any difference

1811. FUENTE GUINALDO. 26.'>
of opinion about what is going on, or what may go on, that not
only I have no objection, but I shall be glad to have the assist
ance of General Henry Clinton.
' As for former subjects of difference of opinion, they are
gone by, and are not worth considering ; neither would ever
think of them under existing circumstances.
' Believe me, &c.
' Lieut. Colonel Torrens: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to the' Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State,
' My, DEAR Lord, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 11th Sept., 1811.
' I have received your letters of the 21st and 23rd August,
regarding specie for this country.
' Since I wrote to you on the Ist August, we have received
more money than usual from Cadiz, and we have got some at
Oporto, which, with the sum which arrived very opportunely
from England, relieved our distresses. You may depend
upon it that there is no scheme for raising a shilUng which.
can be suggested which is not considered ; and when it comes
to be closely examined, it generally turns out that it would not.
answer any purpose, except to interrupt for a time the success
of the existing mode of raising money.
' The only thing that has ever occurred to me that it might
be practicable to try, and which might produce the effect of
bringing some money into the chest, which would not come into
it otherwise, is to lodge in the hands of the Commissary Gene
ral a certain sura, £100,000 for instance, in exchequer bills,
and to enable him to issue them when he should think proper,.
with the consent of the Commander in Chief, and to pay and
charge the interest of them in his accounts when issued.
' We raight possibly, at some periods, get some money in
this raanner, and we might save the issue of some specie in the
payment of our debts, by paying them in exchequer bills.
' In the discussions for the formation of a military chest for
the Portuguese array, to which Sydenham was a party, it was
pretended that sorae difficulty was experienced in the arrange
ment, because I would not engage to pay a specified sum every
month from the military chest to the King's Minister, to
enable him to pay the subsidy ; but this was nonsense. I
proved that the payment of the subsidy was in advance ; and.

266 SPAIN. I8I1.
in point of fact, when all accounts shall be settled, I have no
doubt that it will be found that we are in advance, on account -
of the subsidy, not less than £400,000. ;
• ' The difficulty on the subject of specie, as well as. that felt
on every other subject, originates with the Government ; and,
till a new Government is formed, and acts ujson better prin-,
ciples, the increase of subsidy, even accompanied as it has been
by an increase of revenue, will produce no effect.
' Believe me, &c.
' The. Earl of Liverpool' ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of Stdiei
•,My dear Lord, ' Fuente Guinaldo, lith Sept., 1811.
' Referring to the assembly of troops on different points on
Our frontier, and to the accounts which I receive frotti the
Admiral of general naval preparations, I should wish that,
till tbe equinoctial rains have filled the Tagus, we should be
tolerably strong in fleet, either at Cadiz or Lisbon.
' I think we have nothing to apprehend on shore, and no
thing on shore and afloat, if the Tagus should be in a state to
afford us a barrier ; but, being fordable every where just now,
and there being a chance of an attack by land and by sea at
the same time, I think it proper to mention that we ought to
have some maritime strength, particularly if the Government'
give any credit to the reports of the great maritime preparations
by the enemy which are in circulation. ' BeUeve me, &c.
" The Earl of Liverpool'' '" Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to ihe Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My dear Lord, ' Fuente Guinaldo, nth Sept., 1811.
' I have received lately from the Duke of York several
orders to send regiments home, &c. &c., upon which I should
wish to be informed what is the practice of the service.
' If His Royal Highness directs rae to draft two battalions
into one, there is no material diminution of force here, and I
understand that the arrangement is to be carried into execu
tion ; but he has lately desired me to send home the SSth

iSll. FUENTE GUINALDO. 267
regiment, which I intended to do as soon as it should be re
lieved, or iramediately, if there had been no prospect of an
early operation ; and by the last post the 29th and 97th regi
ments, the whole of which would raake a diminution of about
600 rank and file of infantry, which becomes a little important.
' I do not know whether I am right or wrong, but I con
sider your Lordship responsible for the force I have here ; and
although I should be sorry to be the cause of any unpleasant
explanation on a subject of this kind, I think it right to inform
you that 1 have received these orders, and that I consider that
I must obey them ; but if it should be possible, it is desirable
that you should come to an understanding with His Royal
Highness regarding the recall of troops from this country.
' I have written to him this day, to tell him that I had de
tained the SSth, and should detain the 29th and 97th till
relieved, in consequence of the sickly state of some of the
regiments, and the prospect of an early operation, unless I
should receive his orders to send them home immediately at all
events. ' Believe me, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool'' ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
* My Lord, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 11th September, 1811.
' The plan of operations of the eneray's arraies,or the period
of its execution, appears to have been altered since the 1st
instant, as the Guards have not been collected at Salamanca,
at least as far as I have heard ; and Marshal Marmont has
undoubtedly removed his head quarters back again to Pla
sencia, and Foy's division of infantry of the array of Portugal,
which he announced in his letter in cipher to Girard, of the
20th August, was to cross the Tagus at Alraaraz, still remains
in Lower Estremadura. The enemy, however, are actively
employed in raising contributions in Castille and Estremadura;
and a detachraent of the Guards and of the Landers de'Berg,
\Vhich arrived at Salamanca on the 1st instant, drove Don
Julian's troops from Ledesma on the 4th, and have since obliged
them to retire across the Yeltes. They have, however, them
selves again retired towards the Tormes.
' Either these operations or increased vigilance of the police

268 SPAIN. 1811,
at Salamanca, have prevented ray receiving any intelligence
from my correspondents in that town since the 3rd iiistant, and
I am therefore not fully informed of all that has passed lately,
and is passing on the Tormes and the Duero. I am very
apprehensive that their silence may be attributed to the latter
cause, and even that some of them may have suffered for their
attachment to us, as the intelligence which they sent to General
Silveira having been constantly published in the Portiigues^;
and afterwards coipied into the English newspapers, must have
attracted the notice of the enemy ; and it is more than pro*
bable that if any great operation is in contemplation, particular
orders have been sent to increase the vigilance of the poUce;
and to put an end to all intercourse which I may have had
with the interior of Spain.
' The enemy appear not only to have altered the plan of
operations which they had formed for the army of the north,
and for the army of Portugal, for the first days of this month,^
but also the general plan for the campaign of the year.
' Soult certainly marched to attack the Spanish army of
Murcia, and his intention was to endeavor to obtain possession
of Cartaghena. He left in the blockade of Cadiz, two divisions
of the Ist corps, and in SeviUe and about Zafra, in Estrema
dura, the 5th corps. He had some success, as reported in
my last dispatch, against one division of the army of Murcia,
on the 9th of August, and the army of Murcia took a position
near Lorca. It is generally reported that there had been
another action on the 14th of August, in which the French
suffered considerable loss ; but Mr. Wellesley has transmitted
to me a letter from General Roche, from AUcante, of the I8th,
in which he does not mention that event, and 1 therefore give
no credit to this report.
. ' But it appears that Soult, instead of following his success
against the army of Murcia, has returned to the westward, and
I have a report that a detachment had arrived on the 2nd
instant at Llerena, in Estremadura, and that he was about to
assemble a force there. It is so difficult to obtain intelligence
in the south of Spain, that I cannot be certain of the truth of
this report. Mr. Wellesley has transmitted me another, re
ceived from General Campbell, of the 26th August, which the
latter had received from General Beguines, that the enemy had
moved upon Malaga.
' These two reports are not entirely inconsistent with each

1811. FUENTE GUINALDO. 269
Other. It was probable that the intelligence of our movements
upon Ciudad Rodrigo, would induce the enemy to turn aU
their attention to this side of the Peninsula ; and that the desire
that Girard should occupy the position of Truxillo, which it
is very necessary for the enemy to secure, would occasion the
march of additional troops to occupy the country about Zafra
and this would impede the execution of all the great plans in
the south-east part of the Peninsula, at the same time that
Soult would still be sufficiently strong to carry on his opera
tions in the Campo de Gibraltar .
' If the alteration of the plan, or of the period of execution
by the armies immediately in my front, is connected with a
plan for a general movement of all the armies towards the
frontiers of Portugal, the movement stated would be made
upon Llerena; but probably as large a force would be as
sembled at that place as could be drawn from the southern
provinces of Spain, in which case the movement upon Malaga
could not be made.
' This is the plan, the execution of which would probably
be attempted, if the Emperor were to come to the Peninsula ;
but since the receipt of the intercepted letters, adverted to in
my dispatch of the 28th August, and which were dated in the
end of June, I have had no reason to believe he was coming ;
and as Bessieres and other officers have been called to France
suddenly in the end of July, and from intelligence lately re-.
ceived from Bordeaux, I am inclined, to believe he is not
coming, and I do not think the execution of this plan would
be intrusted to any of his officers now in Spain.
' The French retired from Ayamonte on the night of the
24th, and a detachment proceeded to make an attack upon the
castle of Paymogo, in which a small Spanish garrison had
been left by General Ballesteros. The enemy were repulsed.
'/The detachraent of Spanish troops in Estreraadura, under
(Jeflfiral Morillo, joined with Colonel Downie's legion, and the
cayalry of the Sth array, the whole under the Conde de Penne
Villeraur, have had some success in an attack which they made
upon a detachment of Foy's division, at Caceres. They drove
the enemy in a very creditable manner from that town, and
took some prisoners. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool ' Wellington.

270 SPAIN. 18 11,
' P.S. Since I wrote this dispatch, I have received a letter
of the 7th from Salamanca, which has relieved me frbm the
anxiety which I felt respecting my correspondents in that
place. It appears that the enemy have not collected on the
Tormes the troops which they had intended to collect early in
the month.'

General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to the Fkirl of Liverpool,.
Secretary of State.
• My dear Lord, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 1 1th Septeriiber, is'll.
' I have received your letter of the 21st August, regarding
the intention to request the Prince Regent of Portugal to re
turn to this country, and I can only assure your Lordship that
the Government shall be made acquainted with the opinion
which I have been able to form upon that subject, as His
Royal Highness' return will affect the situation of affairs here,
and in the Brazils.
* It is my opinion that a change of Government in Portugal
is become absolutely necessary. The Prince Regent's, servants
have in fact no influence over the proceedings of the Local
Government ; and it appears to me that approbation is claimed'
from the Brazils, in proportion as all the measures proposed by
the Prince Regent's servants are opposed. None of the re
forms proposed in the civil departments of the army are yet
carried into execution ; the Local Government have positively'
refused to adopt some of them, and they have done every thing
in their power to defeat the effect of others, by tbe mode in
which they have proposed to carry them into execution, and
they would not have discussed even one of the plans proposed,
if I had not positively refused to allow a shilling of the addi
tional subsidy to be paid till they were adopted.
' It is a matter of astonishment that such a spirit should
exist among people who absolutely depend for their existence
4ipon the continuance of His Royal !Highness's protection of
their country, but so it is. The truth is, that they have been
ashamed of the degree of influence and power which they had
been induced to give to British officers in their army. The
contrast of the conduct of the Spaniards is perpetually occur
ring to them ; the Spaniards reproach them that they have no
¦country, and that there are no Portuguese, and the object of

1811. FUENTE GUINALDO. 271
the Local Government appears to be to diminish the reputation,
and the influence of the British officers, :as much as they can,
after they have given them the coramand of their armies, and
to raise that of Silveira, and of others of this description ; and
with this view they oppose every measure proposed by us, and
I suspect have gone even farther, and have employed more
than the due proportion of the resources of the Government to
support the little desultory operations of these officers, in
preference to those of the army. I believe there was never a
more flagrant instance of the perversity of the human mind ! I
I believe that if  had cordially supported the mea
sures of the King's servants here, that the Government would
have been changed long ago ; as matters are, however, there is
no chance of a change of Government, or of an alteration of its
conduct for the better.
' Without more knowledge than I have of the character of
the Prince Regent of Portugal, it is difficult for me to de
termine what effect would be produced by his coming to
assume the Governraent. The endeavors to raise the national
character would probably be redoubled, to which, however,
I have no objection whatever, if the measures for improving',
and for the better application of the resources of the country
recomraended by me, are carried into execution ; and as I
beUeve fear is the predominant feature in the character of the
Prince of Brazils, I think that a sense of the danger which
would result from a neglect of the raeasures proposed would
secure his support of thera ; but it would be necessary to have
about him a British minister, who, at the same time that he
should conciliate His Royal Highness's confidence, would act
cordially with the officers in comraand of the army.
' It might be necessary to insist with His Royal Highness
that all the engagements entered into with Beresford when he
took the command of the army, regarding the promotions of
the array, punishments, &c. &c., should be strictly performed,
otherwise the Fidalgos would soon annihilate all discipline,
and ruin the army.
' The presence of His Royal Highness in Portugal would
have many good effects- in respect to the coiitest, if it should
produce no very bad effect in respect to the authority which
we now have over the operations of the army.
' First, it would give fresh spirit to theexertionsof all the

272 SPAIN. 1811.
Portuguese, many of whom look very anxiously to the futurp
state of their country, even if it should get through the existing
crisis. Secondly, it would have some effect of the -same
¦description throughout the Peninsula, as well on the Spaniard^
as the French. It would show both that Great Britain was
not only determined to persevere, but considered success tp be
certain, if the Portuguese should continue their exertions in
union with us.
' I am not so certain of the effect that will be produced by
*his change in the Brazils, and indeed I do not understand the
subject so well ; but it is my opinion, that the British Govern
ment ought to consider even this branch of the subject, as it
will affect the interests of Great Britain through Portugal, and
jiot as one affecting the mercantile interests of His Majesty's
subjects. ' The Brazils will be reduced from the situation of an inde-
.pendent country, to that of a colony, which the inhabitants of
the Brazils may not much like, and Considering all that is going
on around them, some of them (unless they are well managed,
as we may be certain they will not be) may be induced to
oppose; but even in this extreme case of the loss of the Brazils,
I should think it the interest of Portugal, and of course of
Great Britain, that the Sovereign should reside in Portugal.
' I am entirely convinced that Portugal can do without the
JJrazils4 but it ds not impossible, in my opinion, to conciliate
the interests of the ' Brazils, and of Portugal, the Sovereign
residing in the latter kingdom. It cannot be done, in my
opinion, by bringing back the Brazils to the state of restraint
of a colony in point of trade ; and if the trade is left as it is,
the mercantile interests of the Brazils, and of His Majesty's
subjects, wiU not be injured by the removal of the Govern
ment to Portugal ; but in this case it would probably be neces
sary to arrange that a proportion of the duties on imports and
exports paid in the Brazils, should be transferred to the
treasury of Portugal.
« If this object should be effected, the poUtical and financial
interests of Portugal will be conpilj.^ed with the mercantile
.interests of the colony, and of the British n;^^rchants. , It is
impossible for rae to say whether it can h^ effected or not ;
I only state what is desirable, and what mi|st be effected at
some time or other., if the result of the contest should be sue-

1811. ruENxn guinaldo. 273p
cessful, and we should be able to maintain the independence
of Portugal against the enemy ; neither is it possible for me
to judge whether the inhabitants of the Brazils would be con
tent to return to the situation of a colony, their trade being
left independent, paying to the mother country a part of the
duties levied upon it. « Believe me, &c.
• The Earl of Liverpool: 'Wellington. •
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, K.B., io ihe Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My dear Lord, ' Fuente Guinaldo, Uth Sept., 1811.
' I enclose tlie weekly state of the 1st, and the morning
report of the Sth instant.
' I am sorry to say that our young soldiers are sickly ; but
the disorders are not very violent ; and I hope that at the end
of this month they will be less prevalent. It is melancholy,
however, to see the effect which the Walcheren fever has had
upon the constitutions of both officers and soldiers.
' Believe me, &c.
' The Earl of Liveipooi: 'Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., io General Bacellar,
' Sir, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 12th Sept., 1811.
' Major General Don Carlos de Espafia has informed me,
that upon the recent movements of the enemy between the
Tormes and the Yeltes, he had been under the necessity of
sending across the Duero the battalions of Spanish recruits
which he was forming on the left of that river, and that one
battalion, consisting of 1300 men, under the command of
Lieut. Colonel Don Manuel Bendito, had gone over from
Fermosellfe to Beraposta, and that another battalion, consisting
of 600 men, under the command of Don Felipe Baxona, had
gone over from Saucelle to Freixo de Espadacinta. I request
that these troops may be received with hospitality within the
Portuguese frontier.
^ Don Carlos de Espaiia has informed rae, that he had sent
over from Saucelle and Fermoselle, magazines of corn for the
support of these troops, but as they may be under the necessity
of remaining in Tortugal longer than those magazines will
provide for their subsistence, I beg that you wiU give direc-
VOL. VIII. T

274 SPAIN. ¦ 1811.
tions that the Superintendent de Viveres in the province of
Tras os Montes may take measures to supply them with pro:
visions, for which I will pay from the military chest of the
British army, until a British Commissary can be sent to supply
them. ' I beg that you will inform the Superintendent de Viveres
of the, province of Tras os Montes, that I hold him responsible
for a due obedience to this order, and that there shall be no
ground for complaints on the part of the Spanish officers and
troops. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' General Bacellar: ' Wellingtoii.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to His Excellency Charles Stuart
-* Sir, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 12th Sept., 1811.
' I enclose a list of Portuguese subjects in the service of the
Medical department, and a list of those also in the Commissariat
of the British army, whom I wish to be exempted from the
operation of the recruiting laws.
' In the list of persons employed by the Commissariat, the
names of several laborers are included. These I should have
directed to be struck out, if I had observed any system or
justice in the mode of executing any of the laws of this descrip
tion in Portugal. But I know that the magistrates invariably
neglect their duty, generally from corrupt motives ; and when
called upon to perform it, would lay their hands upon these
laborers in the service of the Commissariat as the persons most
easily got at, and the Corairiissariat might, at the most im
portant and critical moment for the country, be totally without
the necessary assistance of this description.
' I do not write without information, when I accuse the
magistrates of Portugal of performing their duties corruptly.
At this moment I have under consideration a complaint from
tbe people of Lamego, that a requisition which I had lately
made for carts had been complied with entirely by forcing the
poor to supply their carts, and by totally exempting the rich
from supplying theirs. 'I have the honor to be, &c.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Siuurt:

1811, FUENTE OlilNALDO. 275
General Viscount IVellington, KB., to His Excellency Charles Stuart.
« Sir, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 13th September, 1811.
' I have had the honor of receiving your letter of the 5th in
stant, containing one from   .
' Upon perusal of the judicial papers enclosed, it does not
at all appear that Mr.  is the person of whom Madame
¦  complains. At all events, as she does not choose to
prosecute him before a Court Martial, it is impossible for me
to take any steps on the subject of her complaint.
' If she chooses to order or allow the witnesses to attend to
give testimony, I wiU bring him to trial before a General
Court Martial, and whatever punishtrtent for his conduct the
Court may sentence shall be carried into effect. But I cannot
do any thing so unjust or so inconsistent with the laws and
customs of our country, as to adopt any measures to punish
pr censure an officer, who declares that he has not been guilty
pf the offence imputed to hira, without a previous trial.
' Ihave the honor to be, &c.
• His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to His Excellency Charles Stuart.
' Sir, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 13th Septeraber, 1811,
' I have had the honor of receiving your letter of the 9th
instant, containing a complaint of the conduct of two soldiers
(names not mentioned) belonging to the ¦  regiment, at
Leyria, on the 1st instant. As soon as those soldiers join tbe
army they shall be tried for the alleged offence, and whatever
sentence may be passed upon them shall be carried into execu
tion ; but I request you again to represent to the Portuguese
minister, that unless the witnesses attend the trial of the
offenders, and give their testimony upon oath viva voce, the
offenders will not be convicted, and it will not be in ray power
to punish them.
' The feelings which induce the people of Portugal to re
frain from giving evidence against criminals, are those of false
humanity. They prevent the punishment of the robber and
the murderer, who is thus by impunity encouraged to continue
his depredations, and many innocent people suffer because
those who complain will not come forward to prosecute.
t2

276 SPAIN. 1811.
' I have frequently represented this circumstance, but in
vain. ' 1 should be glad to have proof that either officer or soldier
of the British army embargoes carriages and demands money
for their release. I know the latter do so ; but without proof
of the fact I cannot punish them.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
• His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:

General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My dear Lord, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 13th September, 1811.
' Since I wrote to you on the 11th, on the return of the
Prince of Brazils to this country, I have received from Mr.
Stuart a letter, of which I enclose an extract, which speaks
volumes on the subject on which you desired to have my'
opinion. ' These complaints of ours, referred to by the Conde de
Linhares, are of want of provisions, and means of transport
for the Portuguese troops, and of the latter to assist the British
troops in the defence of the kingdom of Portugal ; and the con
fidential minister of the Prince of Brazils, upon reading these
complaints, instead of urging the Local Government to adopt
energetic raeasures to prevent the existence of ground for these
complaints, recomraends " greater energy in their replies to
them," and that the King's servants here (that is to say, I)
should be made responsible for the failure of the Portuguese
departments. ' After obtaining a knowledge of the sentiments of Conde de
Linhares, I cannot recommend that the Prince of Brazils
should be invited back to Portugal. Bad as things are now,
they would certainly be worse if he were in the country ; and
unless the British Government take up the subject, and bring
these gentlemen to a proper understanding of the nature of
their situation and of their duties, we must only jog on as we
can, exposed to all the inconveniences and risks, and incurring
all the expenses of this contest.
' If Government would follow my advice, however, they
would make the Prince of Brazils understand, that great as is

1811. FUENTE GUINALDO. 277
the interest of the British Government in maintaining the con
test for the preservation of his dominions, his own interest is
greater ; and that if he and his ministers, and his servants in
this country, did not exert themselves, the assistance of the
British, both in money and troops, should be withdrawn.
' I have already fought one battle on this frontier with de
fective equipments of all kinds, owing to the neglect of the
Portuguese Government, and I am on the eve of another; but
this will not^ do : there is not another officer in the Service who
would go through what I daily endure to keep the machine
together, and it cannot last.
' Your Lordship may depend upon it, that with all our
efforts and good will, we cannot save this country, if the senti
ment of the Conde de Linhares and of the Governraent should
becorae the prevalent sentiment of the country, and it should
be imagined for a moment that the interest in the contest is
ours, and that the Prince of Brazils and the Portuguese nation
have but a minor interest in it, and need make no exertion.
This is exactly what I have been contending against since I
first landed in Portugal, and that one sentence which I enclose
is sufficient to undo aU the good that we have done to this
moment. ' Whatever measure Government may adopt upon this sub
ject, I trust that they will not make it known that the intelli^
gence of the existence of this dispatch from the Conde de
Linhares was received from  .
' Believe me, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool' 'Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., io Major General A. CampbeU.
' Sir, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 14th Sept., 1811.
« I received last night your letter of the 13th, enclosing one
of the 12th from Lieut. Colonel  to Major General Burne,
and I beg that Lieut. Colonel may be informed that I cannot
give him leave of absence.
' I have not received through the channel prescribed by His
Majesty's Regulations, any statement of the injuries of which
Lieut. Colonel  complains. Till the Lieut. Colonel
will adopt that mode of transmitting his statement, it wUl be
impossible for you to know of what he complains, or for me to
form a fair opinion on his complaints.

278 SPAIN. 1811.
' As' I returned the letter which Lieut. Colonel  ¦

wrote to me on the 8th instant, in a cover, sealed up and di
rected to Lieut. Colonel — — , I conclude that it :reached
him in the state in which it left me, and therefore! that you
could -not have seen it. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' Major General A. Campbell' ' 'Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to Major General A. CampbeU.
' My^ dear Campbell, * Fuente Guinaldo, 14th September, 1811.
' We have no chance with Colonel  , excepting we
proceed regularly, and you may depend upon it that at last be
will be brought to act as he ought ; he will give me a great
deal of trouble, but that is my misfortune, and I should have
much more trouble by departing from the regular mode
pointed out by the Regulations. When he sends his state
ment of injuries to you, you will of course write your observa
tions, your answer, and the defence of yourself, on each injury
stated, and forward it to me ; when that paper shall reach me,
I shall determine what I will do.
* I have sent you a cask of Lamego.
' Believe me, &c.
' Major General A. Campbell' ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB-, to His Excellency Charles Stuart.
' Sir, ' Fuente Guinaldo, Uth Sept., 1811.
' I have tbe honor to enclose a copy of General Orders* which
I have issued this day on the subject of billeting the officers
and troops, which I beg you to lay before the Portuguesq
Government, and urge them to give orders that the arrange
raent proposed in the third paragraph may be carried into
execution, as far as may be possible, in all the large towns in
the Kingdom. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:
* See volumeof General Orders, unilerthe heads of Lisbon, 14th March, 1809,
and QuAKTjius, Fuente Guinaldo, 14th Septeraber, 1811.

1811. fuente GUINALDO. ,279
Lieut General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Vice Admiral
the Hon, G. Berkeley.
' My dear Sir, * Fuente Guinaldo, 15th Sept. 1811.
' I received your letter of the 6th in time to write to Lord
Liverpool by the last post, to apprize him of my opinion that
we ought, under existing circumstances, to have a larger fleet
in the Tagus than we have ; and indeed I think that we ought
at all times to be at least safe on that side.
' I also wrote to Sir William Beresford, to apprize him of
my opinion that the sea batteries ought again to be armed.
' Believe me, &c.
• Vice Admiral ' Wellington,
ihe Hon. G. Berkeley:
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., io Vice Admiral
the Hon. G. Berkeley.
* My dear Sir, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 16th Sept. 1811.
' I received last night your letter of the 12th.
' Our horses are bought in England for twenty five guineas
each, and I calculate that it costs ten pounds to bring every
horse to this country, making his price here thirty five guineas,
or thereabouts.
' I could not with propriety make a contract with an
American to supply horses for the army without the consent
of Government, and it would scarcely be worth while to make
one for such a sa'ving as five guineas for each horse.
' In all probability, the expenses of the officers there to
approve of the horses, would cost as much as the difference of
expense of the horses. There is also another objection to this
planj which is, that although a horse might be very fit for the
service in Passamaquoddy Bay upon their embarkation, the
voyage would probably make such an alteration in their con
dition, particularly under American care, as might make them
very unfit for service on their arrival here, more particularly
as this American care would be bestowed upon the horses with
a certainty that, after the inspection previous to embarkation,
they must be taken, whatever may be the state of their con
dition on landing.
' We do not use horses for b^t, but mules, and these, dear
as they are, are cheaper than the American horses would be

280 S.PAIN. 1811.
under the proposed contract, and answer the purpose equally
well, if not better. ' Believe me, &c.
• Vice Admiral ' Wellington.
the Hon, G, Berkeley:
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Lieut. General Graham.
' My dear Sir, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 16th Sept., 1811. Ip.h,
' I have just received your letter ofthe 15th, and that from
General Cooke. The orders of this army specify that when a
Lieut. Colonel is named in orders to comraand a brigade, he is
to receive a Staff allowance equal in amount to his pay ; but
those who hold the command in a temporary manner, without
being named in orders, as many do at this moment, do not re
ceive the allowance.
' 1 think the best Way would be to consider the regulations
of this army applicable to the troops at Cadiz, and to give to
those officers named by you to command brigades, and in
Cadiz, the allowance during the time they shall exercise their
command respectively. Upon tbe same ground Lord Proby
ought to have the allowance likewise.
' When I settled this arrangement the same objections werp
made by several of the seniors here, as are now made at Cadiz ;
but, in my opinion, it is very injurious to the service to re
move an officer from a situation of which be performs the duty
well, viz., the command of his regiment, for any temporary
purpose, such as the command of a brigade, till a General
Officer should be sent from England to command it. I resisted
these pretensions on these grounds, and I must do to officer?
the justice to say that they ceased to bring them forward-.
Lately I have not appointed in orders Lieut. Colonels, to com
mand brigades, and I believe there are none in this army who
receive the allowance. ,
' I wiU write to England respecting the battalion of foreign
detachments. I have a great objettion to foreigners in this
army, as they desert terribly ; and they not only give the enemy
intelligence which he would find it difficult to get in any other
manner, but by their accounts and stories of the mode i»
which deserters from the French army are treated by us,; some
of them well founded, tbey have almost put an end to desertion.;

1811. fuentH guinaldo. 281
I would therefore prefer not to have any of them here. I hAve
sent orders to the 39th to join this army, and the Chasseurs de
Watteville to go to Ireland, according to the orders of the
Secretary of State.
* Of course Captain HamUtort cannot be more than a Deputy
Assistant till he shall be promoted to be a Field Officer.
' I send you a letter of the 10th from my brother, froni
which you will see the intelligence he had up to that period.
' Believe me, &c.
• Lieut General Graham. ' Wellington.
' I enclose some interesting papers just now received. I,
rather judge, that Montbrun, in his " Patente Jaune," states
that the convoy will commence its march on the 20th or 21st.
It is obvious, from the letter from Salamanca, that it will not
on the 15th.'
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to His Excellency Charles Stuart.
' Sir, ' Fuente Guinaldo, Ifrth Sept., 1811.
' I have had the"honor of receiving your letter of the I2th
instant, regarding the estabhshment of the posts.
' I have no authority, and never had the intention, to pay
from the miUtary chest for any Portuguese civil or military
establishment. I have taken upon myself at times to assist'
the Portuguese Government by raaking ad-vances from the
military chest for the support of their establishments, for the
benefit of the Service ; but I never conceived it possible that
any hesitation would be made about repaying these advances,'
whether made by way of ration or in money ; and I can only
say, that if there is any hesitation about complying with a
proposition so reasonable as that the Portuguese Government
should repay the advances made in ration and money for the
support of the post horses and mules on the ordinary lines of
communication of the kingdom, I must throw myself on the
mercy of my own Govemment for forgiveness for having been
so improvident as to make these advances under a confidence
in the honor of the Portuguese Government that they should
be repaid.
' I can make no arrangement to pay half or any proportion
of the expense of maintaining post horses and mules on the
ordinary lines of communication in Portugal.

282 SPAIN. 1811.
* If the Portuguese Government choose not to support the
post horses and mules on the ordinary Unes of communication,
I must take measures to establish a,nd support a communication
with Lisbon for the use of the British army, till I can receive
the orders of my Government upon such an extraordinary
determination by the Portuguese Government, as that the
miUtary chest of a foreign army is to defray the expense of
one of their ordinary, domestic, civil establishments. But I
repeat, that I will not allow one Portuguese letter to be carried
by the communications which I shall support.
* I beg to have a decided answer upon this subject by return
of the post, in order that I may lose no time in apprizing my
Government of the fault I have committed in trusting to the
honor of the Portuguese Government, in making advances for
the support of one of their civil establishments, and in request
ing the forgiveness of the Prince Regent of Great Britain and
Ireland for this improvidence.
' I beg that this letter may be laid before the Portuguese
Government. ' The Government shall have the account of the rations
issued to the post horses and mules, and postilions, as soon as
it can be made up. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
• His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:
General Viscount Wellington, KB., io His Excellency Charles Stuart.
' Sir, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 16th Sept., 1811.
* I have had the honor of receiving your letter of the 12th
instant, conveying complaints from Dom M. de Forjaz, on
the subject of means of transport, which you state that you
would not have forwarded to me if Mr. Dalrymple had sent
you an answer upon them. It is my duty to attend to all
subjects of this description ; and you may depend upon it that
I shall give every attention in my power to the subject now-
brought under my consideration.
' I am sorry, however, to have to observe that these com
plaints on the part of the Portuguese Comraissaries are gene
rally the pretences for some neglect of duty, and I cannot
recollect one of them which has contained a plain statement of
facts.

I8I1. FUENTE GUINALDO. 283
' It generally turns out, upon inquiry, that some fact, ma
terial to thie consideration of the case, has been grossly mis
represented,, and that no ground of complaint does in reality
exist. ' It will not excite surprise, therefore, that I should have
called for explanations from Mr. Berard, Mr. Pratt, and Mr.
Drake, before I should decide upon the complaints which have
beeni made against these gentlemen respectively.
* When the allied army are acting together, it is necessary
-.hat some rule should be established for the distribution of the
means of transport, &c. which the country affords, and which
are generally required for the service. Under the 2nd and 3rd
Articles of the arrangement of the 10th June, 1809, it has
been settled that the Commissary General of the British army
shall make that distribution; and accordingly, during the
campaign of 1810, the distribution of the means of transport,
both by land and water; was made under my directions, accord
ing to the number of troops of both nations then in the field.
'It was found, however, that great inconvenience resulted
from this distribution, because ' the British Commissariat paid,
and the Portuguese Commissariat did not pay, for the means
of transpoirt which each used ; and, in the campaign of 1811,
the boatmen in particular on the Mondego insisted, as a con
dition on which alone they would put their boats in a state to
perform any service, that they should not be banded over to
the Portuguese Commissariat.
' The distribution of the means of transport, therefore, has
not gone 1 on so regularly this year, and it appeared to be a
matter of but little importance, as so large a proportion of the
Portuguese army was fed by the British Commissaries.
' My attention, however, has lately been drawn to this subject
by Mr. Kennedy, ih consequence of a large requisition for cairts
for the movement of the heavy train having been made at La
mego. The Portuguese Commissaries immediately discovered
that they could not carry on the service unless they had some
carts on the road, from the army to Lamego ; and, upon refer
ence from Mr. Kennedy, I decided that upon every fifteen carts
received from the Superintendent of Transport at Lamego and
on the Mondego, the Portuguese Commissaries should have'
one. « I made this distribution by referring only to the number

284 SPAIN. 1811.
of rations for men and horses which the Commissary of each
nation had to issue, and putting entirely out of the question
the movement of the battering train from Lamego, or the field
stores from Coimbra, which falls exclusively upon the means
of transport allotted to the British Commissary General.
* In considering this subject, I only request the Secretary
of State to consider that the British Commissariat feed the
largest proportion of the Portuguese troops, and that the trans
port of the equipments for all the operations of the war fall
upon the means of transport allotted to him.
, ' Lately, indeed, he has been feeding not only the regular
troops, but the militia who are escorting the battering train,
because nobody else will perform that duty.
' I have frequently repeated that, of which I am firmly per
suaded, if the call for means of transport for both armies were
twice as large as it is, the country possesses the means of sup
plying it without inconvenience, if the Government chose to
enforce their own laws and regulations.
' I have lately had an opportunity of seeing how the French
conduct these concerns in Castille, in which kingdom neither
the Spanish nor the British army could ever procure adequate
means of transport, any more than the British or the Portu
guese army can now in Portugal. The Prefect issues his
orders to the several heads of districts, directing that a certain
number of carts, drawn in a certain manner, and a certain
number of mules, belonging to the district, each cart and each
piule attended by its owner ot his servant, shall be at a certain
place, at a certain hour, on a named day. The head of the
district either sends a similar order to the heads of villages,
or makes the detailed distribution by name throughout the
district. ' This is the mode of proceeding pointed out by the law of
Portugal, but the difference in the mode of executing the law
is the cause of the difference of effect. Notwithstanding the
disUke to the French, and the reluctance with which the people
of the country serve them, and that they are never paid, not a
cart or mule required is missing at the named hour, not an
owner of a cart or mule is absent. But in Portugal, where the
Governraent will not carry into execution their own laws,
raeans of transport are always deficient, the service is always
cramped, and so it will continue until some dreadful misfor-

1811. FUENTE GUINALDO. 285
tune happens, and the French enabled to estabUsh themselves
in Portugal, to carry into execution the law, as they do in
Spain. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:

General Viscount Wellington, KB., to His Excellency Charles Stuart.
' Sir, 'Fuente Guinaldo, 16th Sept., 1811.
' I have had the honor of receiving your letter of the 12th
instant, regarding the assistance to be given to tbe poor inha
bitants of Portugal who are sick, from the funds arising from
the bounty of the British Parliaraent, or the charity of indi
viduals in England.
' The knowledge which I have of this country induces rae
to request that you will suggest to the gentleraen appointed to
manage and distribute these funds, the expediency of attending
to the districts on the banks of the Coa, from its source at least
as far as Pinhel.
' These districts were the seat of war during the months of
July, August, and September, 1810, when the harvest of that
year was reaped, the whole of which was consuraed by the
enemy; and again in the beginning of April of this year,
when the little they had sown began to appear above ground,
and was consumed. ¦
' The inhabitants of these villages are reduced to subsist
upon a small quantity of millet which they have contrived to
save ; but the food is not of a description, nor is the quantity
sufficient, to subsist thera through the winter. Money distri
buted in these ¦villages would enable thera to procure some
food from Spain ; and if the British array should canton for
any time in these districts, the inhabitants will gain something
by the services they will render the army.
' However, the distressed state of these people deserves the
attention of the managers of these charities.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
* His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:

286 SPAIN. 1811.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Lieut. General
Sir S. Cotton, Bari.
' Fuente Guinaldo, 17th Sept., 1811.
« My dear Cotton, 12 at Noon.
' I recommend the arrangement you propose for the com
mand of the 16th by to-morrow's post.
' I had thoughts of reducing the establishment of all the
regiments in this country to three squadrons, being certain
that we shall thereby lose no efi'ective numbers, and that it
will be a great convenience to the regiments; but I have de
layed the measure till I should see you, and till the horses
should arrive.
' The latter are arrived, I understand ; and you might as
wellprepare your returns and statements of men and horses in
each regiment, and after the expected bustle I will settle, the
business. * Believe me, &c.
• Lieut. General ' Wellington.
Sir S. Cotton, Bart:
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to the Right Hon.
H. Wellesley.
' My dear Henry, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 18th Sept., 1811.
' I have received your letter of the 11th, and I enclose the
copy of my dispatch of this day to the Secretary of State.
' I do not believe that Suchet came to Burgos, although
Castaiios swore that he was there ; and I am quite at a loss to
know what Soult is doing.
' Ever yours, most affectionately,
• The Right Hon. H. Wellesley: ' Wellington,

General Viscount Wellington, K.B., io the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My Lord, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 18th Sept., 1811.
' Neither the army of Portugal, nor that of the North, have
made any movement of importance since I addressed you on
the lltb instant. Both, however, have been concentrated in
a greater degree than they were ; the army of Portugal being
between Bejar and Plasencia, with their advanced posts on

1811. fuente guinaldo. 287
this side, at Val de Fuentes ; and the army of the North on
the Lower Tormes, and between that river and the Duero.
' Both armies are employed in collecting supplies of pro
visions ; and I enclose the deciphered copy of a letter in cipher,
from General Montbrun to the Governor of Ciudad Rodrigo^
from which it appears that it is the enethy's intention to en
deavor to introduce large supplies of provisions into Ciudad
Rodrigo from the side of Plasencia, as well as from thiit of
Salamanca. The dates being all in cipher, and not having
been able to discover that part of the key, we do not know
exactly on what day the operation is to commence, but I
should imagine about the 20th or 21st.
' From what I have stated to your Lordship in former dis
patches regarding the enemy's strength, and the difficulties
and risks attending any operation on the right of the Agueda^
you will not have expected that I should be able to prevent;
the introduction of this convoy into Ciudad Rodrigo.
' Since I last addressed your Lordship, I have heard that
the army of Portugal had received a reinforcement of 4000
men from Valladolid, recently arrived frora France, besides
one of between 2000 and 3000 convalescents, which had before
joined from Salamanca ; and many horses, as well for dragoons
as artillery.
' All accounts, however, concur in stating that there are a
vast number of sick in this army ; and I may be mistaken in
my estimate, as well of their numbers as of those of the army
of the North, although founded on the best information in
regard to the army of Portugal, and upon actual returns of the
army of the North.
' I propose, therefore, to keep the allied army in such a
situation, as long as I can, as that I may see the enemy, and
form an opinion of their strength from a view of them when
coUected. ' If I should not be able to prevent the introduction of the
convoy, I shall at least have had the satisfaction of obliging
the enemy to collect all their troops for the purpose of escort
ing it, and thus of contributing to save the army, and the
kingdom of Galicia.
' I have not yet received from General Abadia an account
of his operations ; but I enclose the copy of a letter which he
wrote to Don Carlos de Espaiia on the Sth instant, and the

288 SPAIN. 1811.
extract of a letter from General Walker of the 4th, and the
copy of a letter from General Abadia to the Junta of Coruiia
of the 31st of August, the whole of which, with the account of
General Wathier to the Governor of Ciudad Rodrigo of the
1st September, transmitted in my dispatch of the 4th, will give
your Lordship a notion of what occurred, and of the existing
state of affairs in GaUcia. I do not transmit a letter of the
Sth instant which I have received from Colonel Sir Howard
Douglas, as he has your Lordship's directions to send home
copies of all his comraunications to me.
* In my opinion. General Abadia made his retreat in good
order, notwithstanding that it was made under circumstances
of disadvantage, in consequence of its having been commenced
too late. On this account he lost the great communication
with Coruna ; and if the enemy had been able to persevere,
they would have gained possession of that town and of Ferrol.
' Your Lordship will have seen the account of events in
Murcia subsequent to the 9th of August, from which it appears
that the army of Murcia also lost the great communication
with Lorca and Murcia by a similar error; and that the seve
ral divisions were separated, and sustained severe loss.
' I have not yet received accounts; upon which I can rely,
of the direction of Soult's operations, since his success against
the army of Murcia, as it is so difficult to procure intelligence
in the south of Spain which can be relied upon ; but it is cer
tain that none of bis troops had arrived at Llerena, as reported
to me ; and I believe equally so that they had not been di
rected to estabUsh the authority of the French Government in
the Campo de Gibraltar. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool: 'Wellington.

General Viscount Wellington, KB., tn ihe Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My Lord, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 18th Sept., 1811.
' Major General Cooke has written to request that some
arrangement may be made for the disposal of the battaUon of
foreign detachments doing duty at Cadiz. This battalion con
sists of some men belonging to the Chasseurs Britanniques,
and of some recruits enlisted for general service, either at

1811. FUENTK GUINALDO. 289
Gibraltar or on the eastern coast of the Peninsula, and not
)'et allotted to any regiment, and therefore but ill- provided
with clothing and appointments. Major General Cooke states
.that he has understood that these men are dissatisfied with the
uncertainty of their situation, and he expresses an anxiety that
they should be disposed of in regiments.
' I am not at all anxious to have any of them with this army.
The number of foreigners with this army is a serious incon
venience, as they not only convey intelUgence to the enemy,
which they could acquire in no other manner, but they.have
nearly put a stop to desertion from the enemy's ranks by their
accounts, unfounded or exaggerated, of the raanner in which
deserters are treated and disposed of in the British service.
' Those men who do desert now, therefore prefer to take
their chance with the Spanish levies to coming to us ; and they
.earnestly intreat that they may not be sent to us, as they have
been informed by the deserters from our army that the de
serters from the enemy are sent to the West India Islands, and
have no chance of ever returning to Europe.
' I would beg to recommend, therefore, that those men of
the battalion of foreign detachments at Cadiz, not . belonging
to the Chasseurs Britanniques, should be formed into a bat
talion of the German Legion, or of the 60th regiment, and
that officers should be sent to take charge of thera, and that
they should be clothed in the usual manner.
' I have the honor to be, Sec.
' The Earl of Liverpool' ' Wellington.

General Viscount Wellington, KB., to the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My Lord, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 18th Sept., 1811.
' I enclose the last weekly state ofthe British army, and the
morning report of the army in the field of the 15th September.
' I am concerned to say that the sickness of the newly
arrived troops, and of those which were in Walcheren, still
continues. Some of the regiraents lately arrived have not now
in the ranks fit for duty half of the number of raen they landed
in this country; and the daily diminution of nurabers froni
these, and the regiraents that were in Walcheren, is such, that
the nurabers of the army for duty are scarcely kept up by the
VOL. VIII. u

290 SPAIN. 1811.
daily arrival of reinforcements. The officers also'are as sickly
as the soldiers. •;
' The army is situated in good cantonments, in the most
healthy part of the country. The troops have undergone no
fatigue, and have been remarkably well fed.
' The disorder is generally of the intermittent description,
and not very severe, and the deaths not numerous. I am in
hopes also, that as there has been a favorable change in the
weather within these last few days, the troops swill soon regain
their health and strength. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
The Earl of Liverpool' ' Wellinoton^ .
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to His Excellency Charles Stuart.
' My dear Sir, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 20th Sept., 1811.
' I have received your letter of the 16th.
' I think you had better send to England the papers which
have passed between you and the Government regarding Don!
M. de Forjaz.
' I wrote by the last post to Lord Liverpool on the conduct
ofthe Governraent of Brazils, and I hope that the subject will
be taken up and handled with some vigor.
' Believe me. Sic.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles' Stuart:

General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Major General
Alexander. Campbell.
'Sir, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 21st September, 1811.
' I have received your letter of this date, enclosing one of
the Sth instant frora Lieut. Colonel  , of the — ^th
regiment, containing a narrative or statement of com'
plaints against yourself I am much concerned that LieJut.
Colonel  ' should have thought it necessary to bring
forward these complaints at this period ; but as he has done
so, it is my duty to take them into consideration, and to de
cide upon them.
' Before I advert to the complaints raade by Lieut. Colonel
 of the language which he asserts you used to him

1811. FUENTE guinaldo. 291
and the — th regiment, on the morning of the 11th May, I
shall consider of the others contained in the statement enclosed
in his letter.
' Your report of the transactions of the 11th May, does
not appear to me to afford any ground of complaint to-
Lieut. Colonel  .
' First : Lieut. Colonel  does not know what that
report contains.
'Secondly: It contains nothing regarding the conduct of.
Lieut. Colonel  , excepting that he crossed the bridge
of Barba de Puerco in pursuit of the enemy, contrary to your
mtentions, which is acknowledged by himself in the papers
which he transmitted to me enclosed in a letter to the Adjutant
General, of the 24th of May.
• But this report occasioned what Lieut. Colonel — —
calls a most severe censure on his conduct from rae ; upon
which I have only to observe, that the censure was directed
to that part of Lieut. Colonel  's conduct which is acknow
ledged by himself; a conduct, of which there had lately been
other repeated instances in the army, from which the public
interests had suffered, and I thought it proper to record every
flagrant recent instance of it in the notice which I took of it
addressed to you, but intended to be circulated to the officers
of the army at large.
' It is not necessary that I should explain to Lieut. Colonel
'  the reasons for which this paper was not circulated to
the array, as I had intended ; but they were not founded on
any conviction produced on my mind by Lieut. Colonel  's
letter of the 24th, that the conduct of Lieut. Colonel  ¦
had been misrepresented to me ; because, on the contrary,
Lieut. Colonel  avowed in the papers which he enclosed,
that he did cross the bridge of Barba de Puerco, and attempted '
to justify that measure ; but without producing any conviction
on my mind of its propriety.
' Neither do 1 think that your division order of the 9th
August, adverting to the number of men of Major General
Burne's brigade who were not in the ranks on the march, and
to the mode of messing in those regiraents, affords any ground
of complaint to Lieut. Colonel ¦  ¦.
' First, 1 observe that there is nothing harsh in the mode
of expression used in this order ; and that it prescribes nothuig

9

292 SPAIN. 181 L
that can be too often repeated to the regiments composing this
army. • But secondly, I observe that it was called for, and rendered
necessary ; first by your own observation, and the report by
the Brigade Major, of the number of both regiments, of the
brigade who were moving with the baggage, instead of in the
ranks of their regiments, which report I have in my possession;
and secondly, by what you had seen of the mode of messing
of both regiments, and by the conversations which you had
had on that subject with Major General Burne.
' I would also add, that from the proceedings of the Court
of Inquiry of the 14th August, held by Lieut. Colonel  ,
it does appear that the soldiers of the — th regiraent were
not at all times messed in the manner pointed out by your
order : a question was asked, " Have the men of your com
panies been messed according to this rule .''" to which the
answer was " Invariably, in stationary quarters, and at all
other times that circumstances allowed it to be practicable."
' 1 am not aware of any circumstances in which the — th
have ever been placed, in which it was not practicable to mess
the soldiers as directed in your orders, and the standing regu
lation of. the service ; and if that mode was departed from in
any one instance, it was not only right, but you would have
neglected your duty, if you had omitted to notice it ; and it
would have been raore becoming in Lieut. Colonel 
to have explained the cause of the deviation frora your order
in so important a matter, in order to avoid censure, than to
have complained in the terms be did of a division order, of
which the object was to correct this irregularity.
' I postponed the consideration of the complaints first stated
in Lieut. Colonel  's narrative, because it appears to me, that
till he conceived he had other grounds of complaint, he must
have considered the language which he states you used to him
and his regiment on the morning of the lltb of May, of very
Uttle importance, or else deserved ; and that he has complaiiied
of it now only to aggravate the other complaints which he has
made. * Harsh and ungentlemanlike language by a superior does
afford ground of complaint to an inferior officer. But the
complaint of it ought to be made at the moraent at which the
feelings of the inferior have been injured.

1811. FUENTE GUINALDO. 29.3
' ¦' It would uiidoubtedly be better if language of this descrip
tion were never used, and if officers placed in the situation in
which you were on the raorning of the lltb of May, could
correct neglects and errors likely to be attended by conse
quences fatal to the public interests, in language which should
not hurt the feeUngs of the person to whora it is addressed ;
and with a raanner divested of veheraence.
' But unfortunately, there are some of us who cannot avoid
to feel warmly for the success of the operation of which we
have the charge ; and to express ourselves with veheraence,
and in language not perfectly correct, on the raistakes and
neglects which are likely to irapede it ; and although I con
sider every officer responsible for language of this description,
the complaint of the person to whom it is addressed ought to
be made iraraediately, in order that all the circumstances
under which it was used raay come fairly before those whose
duty it may be to inquire into the subject ; and that it may
be seen whether there was any, and what provocation in error
or neglect for the language used.
' Conceiving, therefore, that Lieut. Colonel  's feel
ings could not have been hurt by the language now com
plained of, or that be could not have allowed four months to
elapse without raaking his complaint ; and that it is now
made only to aggravate his complaints on other subjects,
which afford him no ground at all for complaint, I do not
think it proper to make his complaint on this head the subject
of farther inquiry.
' I beg that you will communicate this letter to Lieut.
Colonel  , and that you will inform him that I cannot
give him leave of absence. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
• Major General ' Wellington.
Alexander Campbell'
General Viscount Wellington, KB., io Lieut. General Hill.
' My DEAR Hill, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 22nd Sept., 1811.
' You wUl have seen Mozinho's report of the 16th Septem
ber, ten o'clock at night, containing an account which he had
received from a friend at Badajoz, of the enemy's intention to

294 SPAIN. 1811.
augment that garrison considerably, with a view certainly to
annoy our frontier.
' I have long been astonished that they had not done some
thing of this kind, more particularly as they must know that
Campo Mayor and Ouguela are very indifferently garrisoned,
and that those points are very important to us, in case we
should take any position on the frontier.
* I shall be very much obliged to you, therefore, if you will
send an officer over to Campo Mayor and Ouguela, and see how
those places are supplied with provisions. Sic, and garrisoned.
Let me know whether the new outwork at Campo Mayor is
yet palisaded, and what is the state" of the works at Ouguela.
The commanding officers of those places should likewise be on
their guard against surprise.
' I do not recollect exactly how General Hamilton's division
are cantoned ; but it might be desirable to move them to S*''
Olaya and St. Vicente, Src, in order to give protection and
countenance to these places, in case any dash should be made
at them.
^ The French have moved ; and 1 think that by to-morrow
we shall have a very large army in our front.
' BeUeve me, &c.
' Lieut General Hill' ' Wellington,
General Viscount Wellington; K.B., to His Excellency Charles Stuart.
' My dear Sir, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 22nd Sept., 1811.
' I have received your letter of the ISth. 1 imagine that
Marshal Beresford's objection to salt fish, equally with salt
meat, is principally that those articles are more expensive than
fresh meat, and require large means of transport to move them
to the troops, and because he could leave no discretion with
the Junta de Viveres, who purchase salt fish as a job, and
issue it constantly at any inconvenience ; and he prohibited
the issue of it entirely.
' Salt fish, however, and salt meat are very necessary for
the garrisons. They would also be very necessary if the
troops should again be obUged to retire to the neighbourhood
of Lisbon ; and I recommend that you should converse with
Beresford upon the subject, and let what he may think neces-

1811. fuente guinaldo. 295
sary for the garrisons, Src. be retained in store, not to be issued
without his orders, and the remainder be disposed of as you
propose. ' The French array has raoved upon Ciudad Rodrigo.
' Believe rae. Sec.
' His Excellency 'Wellington.
Charles Stuart:

General Viscount Wellington, KB., to His Excellency Charles Stuart.
' My dear Sir, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 23rd Sept., 1811.
- « I received last night your letter ofthe 19th.
• I have not got by me at present the memorandum which
I sent for the formation of the military chest ; but it appears to
rae that the Portaria will answer tolerably well.
' I do not understand the plan of giving up the new decima
in order to obtain means of transport. Is it intended that the
produce of the decima should be allotted to the payraent for
'means of transport? If it is, the produce of the decima ought
to go into the military chest. Or is it intended to remit the
decima to the inhabitants as a bonus in consideration of their
supplying raeans of transport ? If that is the plan, the abuses
will be greater than ever, and the Portuguese Government will
get neither decima nor means of transport. The rich, who
. will gain all by the remission of the decima, will, as usual,
throw; the burden of supplying the means of transport upon
the poor, who will gain nothing; and the odious system of
embargo will in a manner be legaUzed, as the officers of Go
vernment will have a kind of right to the use of the means of
transport of every man, which they will exercise upon the
poor in that raanner.
' Is it intended to remit the decima, and to pay the present
price for means of transport likewise ? If it is, the price of an
article, or rather for a service, which is paid for by no other
army excepting ours and the Portuguese, will be enormously
increased. We £ilready pay more for the comraon transport
by the country carts than we should for the carriage of the
sarae weight in England ; and I believe that the transport,
even by mules, is not only rnore convenient, but little more
expensive. You may depend upon it that the price paid is full
compensation for the service, and it is, in fact, all clear gain.

296 PORTUGAL. 1811.
' The French have not yet appeared, but I think they will
before evening.
' 1 shall have ray hands very fuU of business for the next
three or four days, and shall not be able to dispatch the mail
on Wednesday, and I therefore request you to detain the
packet till I shall write to you to dispatch it.
' Believe rae. Sic.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:
General Viscount Wellington, KB., io Lieut. General Hill.
' My DEAR Hill, 'Fuente Guinaldo, 23rd Sept., 1811. 7 a.m.
' Since I wrote to you yesterday, I have received the en
closed copy of a letter in cipher, from Marmont to Girard,
which has been intercepted. Marmont is mistaken ; and I
-do not think that Girard has a force to annoy you.
' I reckon that you have about 11,000 men; and he cannot
have 6000, of which 1100 or 1200 are cavalry.
' If he moves forward, I beg you will fall upon him, if you
think you can do so with any prospect of success.
' Believe me, &c.
' Lieut. General Hill' ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Lieut. General Hill.
' My dear Hill, 'Quadraseis, 29th Sept., 1811.
' I have received your letters of the 24th, 26th, and 27th.
' Do not be too early in putting troops in Arronches. It is,
in sumraer, the most unhealthy place in Alentejo ; that is,
before the Caya runs plentifully.
' I promised General Castanos a month's provisions for the
garrison of Alburquerque, and I beg you will give them
to hira.
' I could not prevent Marraont from relieving Ciudad
Rodrigo, and we have retired to this neighbourhood ; but we
had two little affairs with him, in which the troops behaved
remarkably well, particularly the 2nd batt. Sth, 77th, and 21st
Portuguese regiment, and General Alton's brigade of cavalry,
near El Bodon, on the 25lb.
' The French have gone back. ' Believe me, &c.
' Lieut General Hill' ' Wellington.

1811. QUADRASEIS. 297
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to His Excellency Charles Stuart.
* My dear Sir, ' Quadraseis, 29th Sept., 1811.
* I have received your letter of the 25th.
' I recommended the measure of arming the forts, not on
any suspicion of the enemy's intentions founded on intelUgence,
but from the suggestions of mj' own raind, reflecting upon
what it was probable the eneray raight atterapt. I am certain,
that if Buonaparte does not remove us from the Peninsula, he
must lower his tone with the world : and I am equally certain
that he will make every effort to avoid this necessity. He has
a fleet, and does not want for armies; and he is just the man
to sacrifice his fleet, and to make a great effort with his armies
to effect his object. I fear the results of neither the one nor
the other, if we are prepared. But as we are not prepared
with a fleet at Lisbon, which, in my opinion, we ought always
to be, I thought it proper to desire that the sea forts might be
armed, as the only measure in ray power at the time it was
supposed probable that he was coming himself to take com
mand of his armies.
' The mail was robbed by some of my vagabond soldiers.
' The packet may sail when you please. I shall send off
another dispatch on Wednesday, to sail by the packet of
Sunday. ' Believe me, Sic.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to His Excellency Charles Stuart.
' Sir, ' Quadraseis, 29th Sept., 1811.
' I have had the honor of receiving your letter of the 20th.
' It is very reasonable and proper that the Portuguese
officers should manage the Portuguese concerns, and 1 hope
the Portuguese Government do me the justice to feel that!
interfere in no concern of theirs, excepting by their desire, and
to give them assistance. I sincerely wish that it was never
necessary to interfere even in this manner.
' In respect to the Post Office, I do not desire to have any
concern with it, provided they will really manage it. I shall
run my own parte, and pay 200 reis a league, and manage
that by my own officers on the ordinary lines of communica-

298 PORTUGAL. 1811.
tion ; and I will pay all the expenses, and manage by my own
officers all the concerns on the extraordinary lines.
' I hope, however, that the Governraent, which are so
tenacious about their right to manage this concern, will really
.conduct it as it ought to be conducted, and not allow it to be
neglected as every thing else is.
' I have the honor to.be. Sec.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:
General Viscount Wellington, KB., io His Excellency Charles Stuart.
' Sir, ' Quadraseis, 29th Sept., 1811.
' I have had the honor of receiving your letter of the 21st,
and I am much concerned to observe that my letters upon the
subject of the posts are not yet understood by the Portuguese
Government. ' I wish them to pay for nothing but the ordinary estabhsh
ment of posts, and I will pay from the miUtary chest for all tbe
extraordinary lines of communication rendered necessary by
the course of the operations of the war.
' I shall state what I conceive to be the ordinary lines of
communication, and how many miiles at each stage, and what
the extraordinary lines, by the next post.
'Although it is not my business as Comraander of the
British army to observe upon the intention of charging the
expense of the posts of the kingdom to the Portuguese military
chest, 1 beg leave to draw your attention to it.
' If I understand the reason for forming the miUtary chest,
it is to have at command, and distinct, the funds for defraying
•the expenses of the army. But not only will those funds not
be distinct, but they will be very insufficient for their purpose,
if the ordinary expenses of the civil establishment of the
Government are to be defrayed from it.
' The Portuguese Government might as well defray the
expenses of the salaries of the Juiz de Fora from the military
chest, as the expenses ofthe Post Office.
' I shall make a representation to the Government on tliis
subject, as Marshal General of the army.
' 1 have the honor to be, &c.
* His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:

1811. (JUADRASEIS. 299

General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State,
' My dear Lord, ' Quadraseis, 29th Sept., 1811.
' I enclose the last weekly state, and the last morning report
of this army.
' We are really almost an army of convalescents. There is
no serious sickness among the troops, and but very few die,
but I never saw the army capable of bearing so little ; nearly
one half of all those recently arrived from England, have gone
into the hospitals. You will see that we were hard pressed on
the 25th, but I never saw the troops behave so well, or so
steady. ' The French produced an immense array.
' Believe me. Sic.
' The Earl of Liverpool. ' Wellington.
' P.S. I shall write to you on Wednesday respecting my
plans in future. I propose to try something of the same
kind as what I have done lately, that is to draw every body
upon myself, and relieve other parts of Spain ; but I shall
first allow these armies to separate, and in the mean time, the
equinoctial rain will fall, and I hope that our troops will be
come more healthy.'

General Viscount Wellington, K.B., io the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of Slate.
' My Lord, ' Quadraseis, 29th Sept., 1811.
' The enemy commenced their moveraents towards Ciudad
Rodrigo with the convoys of provisions from the Sierra de
Bejar, and from Salamanca on the 21st instant, and on the
foUowing day I collected the British array in positions, from
which I could either advance or retire without difficulty,
and which would enable rae to see all that was going oil, and
the strength of the enemy's army.
" "The 3rd division, and that part of Major General Aliens'
brigade of cavalry which was not detached, occupied the
range of heights which are on the left of the Agueda : having
their advanced guard, under Lieut. Colonel WilUaras, of the

300 PORTUGAL. ISn.
60th, on the heights of Pastores, within three miles of Ciudad
Rodrigo ; the 4th division was at Fuente Guinaldo, where I
had strengthened a position with some works ; the Light division
on the right of the Agueda, having their right resting upon
the mountains which separate Castille and Estremadura.
Lieut. General Graham commanded the troops on the left of
the army, which were posted on the Lower Azava; the 6th
division, and Major General Anson's brigade of cavalry, being
at Espeja, and occupying Carpio, Marialva, &c.
' Don Carlos de Espaiia observed the Lower Agueda with
Don Julian Sanchez's cavalry and infantry.
' Lieut. General Sir Stapleton Cotton, with Major General
Slade's, and Major General De Grey's brigades of cavalry
were on the Upper Azava, in the centre, between the right and
left of the army ; with General Pack's brigade at Campillo ;
and the Sth division was in observation of the Pass of Perales,
in the rear of the right, the French General Foy having
remained and coUected a body of troops in Upper Estrema
dura, consisting of part of his own division of the army of
Portugal, and a division of the army of the centre : and the 7th
division was in reserve at Alamedilla.
' The enemy first appeared in the plain near Ciudad Rodrigo,
on the 23rd ; and retired again in a short time ; but on the
24th, in the morning, they advanced again in considerable
force, and entered the plain by the roads of Santi-espiritus and
Tenebron ; and before evening, they had collected there all
their cavalry, to the amount of about 6000 men, and four
divisions of infantry, of which one division was of the Imperial
Guard ; and the remainder of the armies were encamped on
the Guadapero, immediately beyond the hills which surround
the plain of Ciudad Rodrigo.
' On the raorning of the 25th, the eneray sent a reconnais
sance of cavalry towards the Lower Azava, consisting of about
fourteen squadrons of the cavalry of the Iraperial Guard.
They drove in our posts on the right of the Azava, but baving
passed that river, the Lanciers de Berg were charged by two
squadrons of the 16th, and one of the 14th Ught dragoons,
and driven back ; they attempted to rally and to return, but
were fired upon by the light infantry of the 61st regiment,
which bad been posted in the wood on their flank, by Lieut.
General Graham ; and Major General Anson pursued them

1811. quadraseis. 301
across the Azava, and afterwards resumed his posts on the
right of that river : Lieut. General Graham was highly pleased
with the conduct of Major General Anson's brigade ; and
Major General Anson particularly mentions Lieut. Colonel
Hervey, and Captain Brotherton, of the 14th, and Captain
Hay and Major Cocks, of the I6th.
* But the enemy's attention was principaUy directed during
this day, to the position of the 3rd division, in the hill between
Fuente Guinaldo and Pastores. About eight in the raorning,
they moved a column, consisting of between thirty and forty
squadrons of cavalry, and fourteen battalions of infantry, and
twelve pieces of cannon from Ciudad Rodrigo, in such a
direction, that it was doubtful whether they would attempt
to ascend the hills by La Encina, El Bodon, or by the direct
road towards Fuente Guinaldo ; and I was not certain by
which road they would make their attack, till they actually
commenced it upon the last.
' As soon as 1 saw the direction of their march, I had rein
forced the 2nd battaUon Sth regiment, which occupied the
post on the hill over which the road passes to Guinaldo, by the
77th regiment, and the 21st Portuguese regiment, under the
coramand of Major General the Hon. C. Colville, and Major
General Allen's brigade, of which, only three squadrons
leraained which had not been detached, drawn from El Bodon ;
and I ordered there a brigade of the 4th division from Fuente
Guinaldo, and afterwards from El Bodon, the remainder of
the troops of the 3rd division, with the exception of those at
Pastores, which were too distant.
' In the mean time, however, the small body of troops in
this post sustained the attack of the-enemy's cavalry and artil
lery. One regiraent of French dragoons succeeded in taking
two pieces of cannon which had been posted on a rising ground
on the right of our troops, but they were charged by the 2nd
battalion Sth regiraent, under the command of Major Ridge,
and the guns were imraediately retaken.
' While this operation was going on on the flank, an attack
was made on the front by another regiment, which was
repulsed in a similar manper by the 77th regiment; and the
three squadrons of Major General Allen's brigade charged
repeatedly different bodies of the enemy which ascended the

302 PORTUGAL. 1811.
hill on the left of the two regiments of British infantry, the
Portuguese regiment being posted in the rear of their right.
' At length, the division of the enemy's infantry which had
marched with the cavalry from Ciudad Rodrigo, were brought
up to the attack on the road of Fuente Guinaldo, and seeing
that they would arrive and be engaged before the troops could
arrive either from Guinaldo or El Bodon, I determined- to
withdraw our post, and to retire with the whole on Fuente
Guinaldo. The 2nd battalion Sth regiment, and the 77th
regiment, were formed into ¦'one square, and the 21st Portu
guese regiment into another, supported by Major General
Alten 's small body of cavalry, and the Portuguese artiUery.
' The enemy's cavalry immediately rushed forward, and
obUged our cavalry to retire to the support of the Portuguese
regiment ; and the Sth and 77th regiments were charged on
three faces of the square by the French cavalry, but they
halted and repulsed the attack with the utmost steadiness and
gallantry. We then continued the retreat, and joined the
remainder of the 3rd division also formed in squares, on their
march to Fuente Guinaldo, and the whole retired together in
the utmost order, and the enemy never made another attempt
to charge any of them ; but were satisfied with firing upon
them with their artillery, and with following them.
' Lieut. Colonel Williams with his light infantry, and Lieut.
Colonel the Hon. R. Trench with the 74th regiment, retired
from Pastores across the Agueda; and thence marched by
Robleda, where they took some prisoners, and recrossed the
Agueda, and joined at Guinaldo in the evening.
' I placed the 3rd and 4th divisions, and General Pack's
brigade of infantry, and Major General Alten's, Major
General De Grey's, and Major General Slade's brigades of
cavalry in the position at Fuente Guinaldo on the evening of
the2Sth, and ordered Major Genei-al R. Craufurd to retire with
the Light division across the Agueda, the 7th division to form
at Albergueria, and Lieut. General Graham to collect the
troops under his coramand at Nave d'Aver, keeping only
posts of observation on the Azava ; and the troops were thus
formed in an echellon, of which the centre was in the pdsition
at Guinaldo ; and the right upon the pass of Perales ; and the
left at Nave d'Aver ; Don Carlos de Espaiia was placed on

1811. QUADRASEIS. 303
the left of the Coa; and Don Julian Sanchez was detached
with the cavalry to the enemy's rear.
' The enemy brought up a second division of infantry frora
Ciudad Rodrigo in the afternoon of the 25th ; and in the
course of that night, and of the 26th, they collected their
whole array in front of our position at Guinaldo; and not
deeming it expedient to stand their attack in that position,
I retired about three leagues, and on the 27th forraed the
array as follows ; viz., the Sth division on the right, at Aldea
Velha; the 4th, and light dragoons, and Major General
Alten's cavalry, at the Convent of Sacaparte, in front of
Alfayates; the 3rd and 7th divisions in second line, behind
Alfayates; and Lieut. General Graham's corps on the left at
Bismula, having their advanced guard beyond the Villar
Mayor river; and Lieut. General Sir Stapleton Cotton's
cavalry near Alfayates, on the left of the 4th division, and
having General Pack's and General M'Mahon's brigades at
Rebolosa, on their left. The piquets of the cavalry were in
front of Aldea da Ponte, beyond the Villar Mayor river ; and
those of General Alten's brigade beyond the same river^ to
wards Forcalhos.
' It had been the enemy's intention to turn the left of the
position of Guinaldo by moving a column into the valley of
the Upper Azava, and thence ascending the heights in the rear
of the position by Castillejos ; and from this column they
detached a division of infantry and fourteen squadrons of
cavalry to foUow our retreat by Albergueria, and another
body of the same strength. followed us by Forcalhos. The
former attacked the piquets of the cavalry at Aldea da Ponte,
and drove them in ; and they pushed on nearly as far as Al
fayates. I then made General Pakenham attack them with
his brigade of the 4th division, supported by Lieut. General
the Hon. L. Cole, and the 4th division, and by Sir Stapleton
Cotton's cavalry; andthe enemy were driven through Aldea
da Ponte, back upon Albergueria, and the piquets of the
cavahry resumed their station.
' But the enemy having been reinforced by the troops which
marched from Forcalhos, :again advanced about sunset, and
drove in the piquets of the cavalry from Aldea da Ponte ; and
took possession of the village.
: ' Lieut. General Cole again attacked them with a part of

304 PORTUGAL. 1811.
General Pakenham's brigade, and drove them through the
village ; but night having come on, and as General Pakenham
was not certain what was passing on his flanks, or of the num
bers of the enemy, and he knew that the army were to fall
back still further, he evacuated the village, which the enemy
occupied, and held during the night.
'On the 28th, I formed the army on the heights behind
Soito ; having the Serra de Meras on their right, and the left
at Rendo, on the Coa ; about a league in rear of the position
which they had occupied on the 27th. The enemy also
retired from Aldea da Ponte, and had their advanced posts
at Albergueria ; and as it appears that they are about to retire
from this part of the country, and as we have already had
Some bad weather, and may expect more at the period of the
equinoctial gales, I propose to canton the troops in the nearest
villages to the position which they occupied yesterday.
' I cannot conclude this report of the occurrences of the
last week, without expressing to your Lordship ray admiration
of the conduct of the troops engaged in the affairs of the 25th
instant. The conduct of the 2nd battalion Sth regiment,
commanded by Major Ridge, in particular, affords a memor
able example of what the steadiness and discipline of the
troops, and their confidence in their officers, can effect in the
most difficult and trying situations. The conduct of the 77tb
regiraent, under the coramand of Lieut. Colonel Bromhead,
was equally good, and I have never seen a more determined
attack than was made by the whole of the enemy's cavalry,
with every advantage of the assistance of a superior artiUery,
and repulsed by these two weak battalions. I must not omit
also to report the good conduct on the same occasion, of the
21st Portuguese regiment, under the comraand of Colonel
Bacellar, and of Major Arentschildt's artillery. The Portu
guese infantry were not actually charged, but were repeatedly
threatened, and they showed tbe utmost steadiness and dis
cipUne, both in the mode in which they prepared to receive the
enemy, and in all the movements of a retreat made over six
miles of plain in front of a superior cavalry and artillery.
' The Portuguese artillerymen attached to the guns which
were for a moraent in tbe eneray's possession, were cut down
at their guns.
' The infantry upon this occasion were under the command

1811. QUADRASEIS. ;J0.)
of Major General the Hon. C. Colville ; Lieut. General Picton
having remained with the troops at El Bodon : and the con
duct of Major General Colville was beyond all praise.
' Your Lordship will have observed by the details of the
action which I have given you, bow much reason I had to be
satisfied with the conduct of the 1st hussars and 11th light
dragoons of Major General Alten's brigade. There were not
more than three squadrons of the two regiments on the ground,
this brigade having for some tirae furnished the cavalry for
the outposts of the army, and they charged the enemy's cavalry
repeatedly ; and notwithstanding the superiority of the latter,
the post would have been maintained if I had not preferred to.
abandon it to risking the loss of these brave men by continuing
the unequal contest under additional disadvantages, in conse
quence of the iraraediate entry of fourteen battaUons of in
fantry into the action, before the support which I had ordered
up could arrive. Major General Alten, and Lieut. Colonels
Cumming and Arentsehildt, and the officersof these regiraents,
particularly distinguished theraselves upon this occasion.
' I have also to raention that the Adjutant General, Major
General the Hon. C. Stewart, being upon the field, gave his
assistance as an officer of cavalry with his usual gallantry.
' In the affair of the 27th, at Aldea da Ponte, Brigadier
General Pakenham and the troops of the 4th division, under
the orders of Lieut. General the Hon. G. L. Cole, likewise
conducted themselves remarkably well.'
' His Serene Highness, the Hereditary Prince of Orange,
accompanied me during the operations which I have detailed
to your Lordship, and was for the first tirae in fire ; and he
conducted himself with a spirit and intelligence which afford a
hope that he will become an ornament to his profession.
' The eneray having collected for the object of relieving
Ciudad Rodrigo the army of the north, which were withdrawn
from the attack they had commenced on General Abadia in
Galicia, in which are included 22 battaUons of the Imperial
Guards, and General Souham's division of infantry, composed
of troops recently arrived in Spain from the army of Naples,
and now drawn from the frontier of Navarre, where they had
been employed in operations against Mina, together with five
divisions and all the cavalry of the army called of Portugal,
composing altogether an army of not less than 60,000 men,
VOL. VIII. X

306

PORTUGAL.

1811.

of which 6000 cavalry and 125 pieces of artillery, I could not
pretend to maintain the blockade of Ciudad Rodrigo, nor
could any effort which I could raake prevent or raaterially
impede the collection of the suppUes or the march of the con
voy for the relief of that place. 1 did all that I could expect
to effect without incurring the risk of great loss for no object ;
and as the reports as usual were so various in regard to the
enemy's real strength, it was necessary that I should see their
army in order that the people of this country might be con
vinced that to raise the blockade was a raeasure of necessity,
and that the momentary relief of GaUcia, and of Mina, were
the only objects which it was in my power immediately to
effect. ' I have had no reports from the north since I addressed
your Lordship last, nor from the south of Spain.
' General Girard had collected at Merida a small body of
troops, I believe with the intention of making an incursion into
Portugal, under the notion that 1 had withdrawn Lieut. Ge
neral Hill's corps from the Alemtejo for the purpose of main
taining the blockade of Ciudad Rodrigo. But I iraagine that
he will break up this collection again, as soon as he shall hear
that General Hill is at Portalegre.' I have the honor to be. Sec.
' The Earl of Liverpool. ' Wellington.
' I enclose a return of the killed and wounded on the 25th
and 27th instant.'
Return of the Killed, Wounded, and Missing, of ihe Army undef the
Command of General Viscount Wellington, K.B., in an affair with
the Enemy on the Heights of El Bodon, on ihe 25th, and near Aldea
da Ponte, on the Uth September, 1811.

<a

bl
Total loss of Officers,
»
g
Non-Commissioned
ii
¦&
a
W
Officers, and Rank
and File.
o
m
M
B
Killed ....
1
I
40
40
42
Wounded . . .
16
13
156
63
185
Missing . . .
—
1
33
9
34
1811. RicHoso. 31^7
General Viscount Wellington, KB,, to Major Dickson,
Royal Artillery.
' My DEAR Sir, ' Richoso, 1st October, 1811.
' I received your letter of the 20th, and I am happy to find
that you are so well.
* The Portuguese Comraissariat raust feed the militia wher-
ever they can. If they cannot feed thera our Coramissaries
will, but the Portuguese Governraent shall pay the expense.
' Believe rae, Ssc.
' Major Dickson, ' Wellington.
Royal Artillery:
General Viscount Wellington, KB., io His Excellency Charles Stuart.
' My dear Sir, ' Richoso, 1st October, 1811.
' I have received your letter of the 28th Septeraber, and I
shall consider of Dom M. de Forjaz's plan for transport.
From the first appearance of it, however, I ara decidedly
against it.
' I forward a note and its enclosure which I have received
frora Colonel Grant, who is prisoner at Plasencia, regarding
the Marquez de Ponte de Lima, and the Marquez de Valen^a.
Let me know what the Government wish that I should do
respecting these noblemen.
' Gordon says that Pamplona's aide de camp told him that
he wished to come in, and he thought he said General Pam
plona likewise. Gordon says that he answered hira that he
knew nothing about the mode in which he would be received ;
and that all the information he could give him was, that
Mascarenhas had been hanged, and the Conde de Sabugal
acquitted. ' Believe me, he.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart.
' The French retired yesterday from Ciudad Rodrigo.'
General Viscount Wellington, KB., io the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
* My Lord, ' Richoso, 1st October, 1811.
' I have had the honor of receiving your Lordship's dispatch
(No. 49), regarding a plan proposed by Brig. General Carroll
X 2

308 • PORTUGAL. 1811.
for raising 7500 men in the Spanish service, to be called the
Irish brigade.
' I beg to refer your Lordship to my dispatch of the 15th
December, 1810, regarding the means which the regiments of
this army possess of affording officers to assist Brig. General
Carroll. Since that dispatch was written, the officers of .the
British array have been so sickly, that there are with the regi
ments not sufficient nurabers to do the duty, particularly qf
those regiraents recently arrived in this country.
' I have in store at Lisbon sorae arras, but no accoutrements
or clothing, or necessaries. Excepting in arms, therefore, it is
impossible for me to give to Brig. General Carroll the assist
ance which he requires.
' In referring to my dispatch of the 15th December, I beg
your Lordship to advert to the opinions it contains regarding
the policy of giving assistance of the description required by
General Carroll to raise corps in Spain.
' Colonel Downie, and particularly General Carroll, are
more fit to comraand corps than many, or perhaps than any,
of the officers to be found in the Spanish service ; and I con
ceive that the British Government cannot apply their resources
allotted for the Support of the cause in Spain better than by
supplying arms, clothing, accoutrements, and necessaries for
the troops to be raised and commanded by those officers. I
have no doubt that they will make as good use of this assist
ance as it is possible to make, and that the result will be as
beneficial to the cause, as it has been under any other mode of
distributing this description of assistance.
' But I beg to observe to your Lordship, that when a num
ber of soldiers have been raised, armed, and accoutred, and
even disciplined, but half the business to be done, in order to
derive any effectual service from them, is effected.
' Means must be found of paying and supporting them, at
least of supporting them while engaged in operations against
the enemy in the field ; and, tiU these means are found, the
other expense incurred cannot produce much of the benefit
expected from it.
' The employment of British officers would make no differ
ence in this respect. The corps of troops to which they should
be attached would be better disciplined possibly ; but it would
be equally useless as a miUtary body in large operations ; and

1811. RICHOSO. .'109
indeed it is doubtful whether these officers could attempt to
discipline, or even to command soldiers neither paid nor fed,
even if they were willing to serve without pay themselves.
' In whatever way British officers are employed with the
Spanish troops, the measure will be viewed with jealousy, and
will occasion some disgust among the national officers. If it
should not be completely successful, as it appears to me im
possible that it should be, unless means of paying and feeding
the troops are provided, it is certain that the want of success
will not be concealed, and that it will be attributed to the want
of skill in the British officers, or to any rather than the real
cause. ' Under these circumstances I recommend it to your Lord
ship not to allow British officers to serve with the Spanish
ti-oops, till adequate means of paying and providing for those
troops, at least when engaged in operations with the enemy,
shall be found.
' But there is another view of this subject to which I wish
to draw your Lordship's attention. When the British officers
would enter the Spanish service, they would have prejudices
and opposition of all descriptions to contend with, as well on
the part of the soldiers as of the officers of the national service.
They could perform their duty only by receiving the steady
support of their own commander, whose character must be of
that description to command the respect of the Spanish
authorities. If their comraander should omit, or should not
be able to support them in their exertions and their authority,
they must fail.
' I must also observe that British officers require to be kept
in order, as well as the soldiers under their command, particu
larly in a foreign service. The experience which I have had
of their conduct in the Portuguese service, has shown me that
there must be an authority, and that a strong one, to keep
them within due bounds, otherwise they would only disgust
the soldiers over whom they should be placed, the officers
whom they should be destined to assist, and the country in
whose service they should be employed.
' Neither Brigadier General Carroll nor Colonel Downie are
persons of that character in the military profession, to be able
to protect and support the British officers in the performance
of their duty in the Spanish service, or to preserve due subor-

3iO POftTUGAL. 1811.
dinatioii among them, in relation to the Spanish officers and
authorities. ' 1 therefore earnestly recomraend to your Lordship not to
allow any officers of the British array to serve with General
Carroll's corps, under existing circumstances.
" I have the honor to be, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool' ' Wellington.

General Viscount Wellington, KB., to ihe Earl of Liverpool^
Secretary of State.
' My DEAR Lord, ' Richoso, 1st October, 1811.
' Adverting to your Lordship's dispatch of the 3rd Septem
ber, regarding tbe grant of medals to the Officers of the army,.
it occurs to me that an improvement might still be made in
the system ; for instance, many Officers in the course of service
become entitled to two, or three, or more medals. In my
opinion they should receive but one ; but for every ad
ditional action deemed worthy of the medal, in which any
Officer having a medal should be present, he should be war
ranted to have the name of that action engraved on his medal,
and that in'that case the fresh medal for that action should
be given to tbe officer next in command in the regiment, who
was present, and distinguished in the action.
' BeUeve me. Sic.
' The Earl of Liverpool' 'Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My Lord, ' Freneda, 2nd October, 1811.
' I enclose the last morning state.
' Your Lordship will be concerned to observe the number
of sick it contains, but I am happy to say that there is no
serious disorder, and that that which prevails is principally a
return of the Walcheren fever, or a disorder of the same de
scription produced among the newly-arrived troops by previous
derangement of their bowels, in consequence of their eating
unripe fruit, and drinking to excess on their arrival in this
country. ' I yesterday saw the 4th Dragoon Guards. Of 470 men
they could produce only 230 mounted, and these looked more

1811. FRENEDA. 311
like men come out of the hospitals, than troops just arrived
from England.
' These raen have to take care of the horses of the whole
regiment, and aUowing that one man can take care of three
horses, they could not produce in the field for any service at
this moraent above 110 men.
' All the newly-arrived regiments of cavalry are in nearly
the same state. ' I have the honor to be, Stc.
• The Earl of Liverpool' ' Wellington.

General Viscount Wellington, KB., to the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My Lord, ' Freneda, 2nd October, 1811.
' Since I addressed you on the 29th September, I have
learned that the enemy retired from Ciudad Rodrigo on the
30th, the army of the north towards Salamanca, and it is said
Valladolid, and the army of Portugal towards Baiios and
Plasencia. ' Girard's division of the Sth corps, which I informed your
Lordship had been collected at Merida, has retired from thence,
and has again been cantoned in the neighbourhood of Zafra.
' I likewise learn that General Foy, who had advanced as
far as Zarza la Mayor, in the valley of the Alagon, with his
own division, and one of the army of the centre, has retired
towards Plasencia.
' The allied army are cantoned on both sides of the Coa,
having their advanced posts on towards Ciudad Rodrigo.
' I enclose the copy of a letter of the 19th September, which
I have received from General Abadia, which will show your
Lordship the state of affairs in that province.
' The last accounts which I have received from Cadiz are
of the 14th, from which it appears that Marshal Soult was on
his return to the westward. • I have the honor to be, Stc.
' The Earl of Liverpool' ' Wellington.

312 PORTUGAL. 1811-

General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to the Adjutant General
to ihe Forces.
' Sir, ' Freneda, 3rd October, 1811.
' Having learned from the enclosed letter from Major General
Alexander Campbell, that Lieut. Colonel  , of the — ^th
regiment, intends to lay before the Coramander in Chief
the circumstances of a complaint of bis commanding officer,
Major General Alexander Campbell, which he has lately
brought under my consideration ; and thinking it probable,
from the length of time which has elapsed since he an
nounced his intention of making this complaint, that he has
either forwarded it, or proposes to forward it direct to His
Royal Highness, and that it might be convenient to His Royal
Highness to be made acquainted with all that has passed her^
relative to this complaint, I trouble you upon this subject.
' When the garrison of Alraeida escaped on the morning of
the 11th of May last, I received a report from Major General
Campbell, of which I enclose the extract regarding the conduct
of Lieut. Colonel  , stating the losses which had been
incurred, in consequence of the imprudence. of Lieut. Colonel
 in passing the bridge of Barba de Puerco. Upon receiv
ing this report, I wrote a letter to Major General CampbeU, in
which I pointed out the evil consequences which had resulted
from Lieut. Colonel  's conduct, and adverted to instances
which had recently occurred of similar conduct, which had
been attended with similar unfortunate results.
f 1 had intended to circulate copies of this letter to all the
divisions of the array ; but on the night of the day on which I
wrote it, I received the intelligence of Soult's movement into
Estremadura ; and I comraenced ray journey, in the morning,
to that province, which was continued at such a rate, as that
my papers could not keep pace with rae. When they arrived
in Estremadura, I was employed in other concerns ; in reor
ganizing the divisions which had fought the battle of Albuera,
in preparing for the siege of Badajoz, &c., &c. ; and the cir
cumstances adverted to in the letter to Major General Campbell
of the 15th May, had no longer that degree of attention from
the officers ofthe army, to render its circulation so beneficial as
it might have been.
' About a fortnight or three weeks after this letter was

1811. IRENEDA. 313
written, I received the enclosed, of the 24th May, frora Lieut.
Colonel  , which only tended to prove that his conduct
at Barba de Puerco had been as represented by Major General
CarapbeU, and I therefore returned hira no answer.
' I conceive that my letter of tbe 15th May contains no
censure upon the conduct of Lieut. Colonel  , which
was not justified and even rendered necessary by the circum
stances which had occurred.
'It appears to be quite a novel notion in the military pro
fession, that an officer is to commit an imprudence, by which
some loss is incurred, and more is risked ; and that I, who- am
responsible for the faults and neglects and imprudences of all,
shall not be allowed even to notice such misconduct.
' I heard no more of this complaint of Lieut. Colonel
 's, till the month of August, when Major General
Campbell issued a Division Order, of which 1 enclose a copy,
on the 9th of August, in which he noticed the mode in which
the regiments in Major General Burne's brigade made their
marches, and that in which they messed.
' This Order drew from Lieut. Colonel  letters to
his Commanding Officer, Major General Campbell, for writing
which he was placed in arrest, and brought to trial, and' con
victed of writing improper letters to his Commanding Officer.
The proceedings on the trial of Lieut. Colonel  are
at the office of the Judge Advocate General; and I enclose
a copy of the General Order of the first Septeraber, which
contains the reprimand which he received.
' Before I ordered that Lieut. Colonel  might be
brought to trial, I made an effort to bring him to a sense of
the impropriety of his conduct in a private letter, which I
addressed to him on the 18th of August, of which I enclose a
copy. His Royal Highness will see in the proceedings of the
General Court Martial the use which Lieut. Colonel 
makes of this letter.
; ' After the trial was over, I had the correspondence pf which
1 enclose copies, with Major General Campbell, on Lieut.
Colonel  ^'s wish to go to England, as he said, to com
plain to His Royal Highness of Major General Campbell, and
to take legal advice in respect to his conduct ; and having at
length, on the 20th of September, received his complaints of

314 PORTUGAL. 1811.
Major General Campbell in the prescribed channel, and Major
General Campbell's reply to his complaints, of which I enclose
a copy, I wrote Major General Campbell the letter upon them,
of which 1 enclose a copy, on the 21st of September.
' I have only to add to this letter the report which Major
General CampbeU gave me, which he had received from the
Brigade Major of General Burne's brigade, of the number of
men found straggling from their companies on the march on
the 9th of August ; on which report his order of the 9th of
August was founded. When it is considered that the — th
regiment had not 400 raen under arras, it did not appear to rae
to be unreasonable in Major General Campbell to require that
they should not have as many as sixty, besides Major General
Burne's orderlies and guard, marching with the baggage.
' I have the honor to be. Sic.
' The Adjutant General ' Wellington.
to the Forces:

General Viscount Wellington, KB., iO the Right Hon.
Henry Wellesley.
' My dear Henry, ' Freneda, 3rd October, 1811.
' I enclose copies of my last dispatches ; and have no news to
give you in addition to that they contain.
' The equinoctial rains have begun here. They are pro
bably general ; and if so Abadia is, I hope, safe for this vv inter.
But I shall try something for him as soon as the weather shall
settle. ' Ever yours, most affectionately,
' The Right Hon. H. Wellesley: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to His Excellency Charles Stuart.
' Sir, ' Freneda, 3rd October, 181 1.
' 1 have had the honor of receiving your letter of the 28th
September, in which you enclosed one from Dom M . de For
jaz, and a copy of a proposed Portaria, regarding means of
transport. ' It is not in my power, as Commander of the British army,
to make an advance of £150,000 upon a speculation, which

1811. freneda. 315
has in view to procure means of transport for the army, even
though I should be convinced that it would be successful.
' I ara convinced, however, not, only that the proposed
scherae will not produce any good effect, but that it will aggra
vate all the existing evils.
' It is not necessary that I should trouble you with ray
reasons for entertaining this opinion, as what I have stated
above is a sufficient answer to the proposition made to rae as
Commander in Chief of the British array ; but if the Portu
guese Governraent should think proper to call for ray opinion
on this proposed Portaria, they shall have it.
• I have the honor to be, Stc.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:

General Viscount Wellington, KB., to His Excellency Charles Stuart
'Sir, ' Freneda, 3rd October, 1811,
' I enclose a letter of the 28th September, from Mr. Bar
nard, containing a complaint of the conduct of the CapitaS Mor
of Abrantes, in seizing certain persons while ernployed by him
in transporting corn for the cavalry.
' When the exception to the laws of the conscription was
under discussion, I stated to Sir William Beresford the pro
bable result of leaving persons in the employment of the
British army at the discretion of the magistrates of the
country. ' It was quite certain that as soon as these magistrates should
find any persons liable to the laws of the conscription, actually
in the eraployraent of the British array, they would iraraedi
ately seize thera, to show their activity, and in hopes that by
our subsequent interference these people raight be released.
' The recent occurrence at Abrantes is a practical example
of this conduct. The Capita5 Mor had it in his power to
seize those persons, as recruits for the army, before they quitted
Abrantes in the service of the British army, but that would not
suit his purpose. The men must have served, and his activity
would not have attracted notice. But by delaying the raeasure
he puts the British army, and of course the service of the
country, to the greatest inconvenience.

316 PORTUGAL. 1811.
'. 'It is absolutely necessary that while persons are in the
actual service of the British army, they should not be seized in
this manner. ' I have the honor to be. Sic.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:

General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Lieut. General Hill
" My dear Hill, ' Freneda, 4th October, 1811.
' I write to let you know that I have received accounts
through my brother at Cadiz, stating that Soult returned to
Seville about the 18th of last month, bringing with him some
of the troops which he had taken to the eastward, if not all of
thera : he was making requisitions for carriages, and it was
generally supposed was about returning into Estremadura.
' Inforra GeneralCastanosof these cireurastances, and if you
should have reason to think them confirmed, let me know it,
and send orders to the brigade of the 2nd division, and the
regiment of General Hamilton's division (which are gone to
Castello Branco), and the 2nd Hussars to cross the Tagus, and
join you. ' Believe me, &c.
' Lieut General Hill ' Wellington.
' Could not you get some man to go to Zafra, and discover
for you whether the eneray have there any, and what quan
tity, of heavy artillery ?'

Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Vice Admiral
the Hon. G. Berkeley.
' Sir, ' Freneda, 4th October, 1811.
' ' I enclose the proceedings and sentence of a General Court
Martial, which I have confirmed, on the trial of privates 
and  , of the Royal Marines, doing duty on shore at Fort
St. Julian.
' I beg you to peruse these proceedings ; and as it appears
that the property which was taken from the woman was re
stored, and as it was the first and only complaint which has

1811. FRENEDA. 317
been made of these troops, I propose, if you see no objection,
to pardon these two soldiers. ' I have the honor to be, Sic.
' Vice Admiral 'Wellington.
the Hon. G. Berkeley:

General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to His Excellency Charles Stuart.
' Sir, ' Freneda, 4th October, 1811_
' I have had the honor to receive your letter of the 30th
September, in which you have enclosed one of the 28th from
Dom M. de Forjaz, in regard to the attendance of witnesses
upon British Courts Martial.
' I beg that you will inform Dom M. de Forjaz, that when
a British soldier is accused of an off'ence against the laws of
Portugal, I have no raeans of punishing hira, excepting by
giving hira over to the Portuguese tribunals for trial, or by
bringing him to trial before a Court Martial.
' If the Portuguese Government desire it, offenders of this
description shall be given over to the Portuguese tribunals;
but frora what I have seen of the proceedings of these tribu
nals, I ara afraid that they will not be punished, excepting by
confinement in a miserable prison, without trial, and that you
will be obliged to interfere in their favor, as His Majesty's
subjects, in order to soften the rigor, alleviate the miseries, or
abridge the duration of their confinement.
' If offenders of this description are to be tried by Court
Martial, the Court must by law have the best evidence of -the
case which circumstances will admit. The law of England
prefers viva voce testimony to all other ; and if that can be
got and is not produced, the Court will acquit the prisoner.
On this account I am always obliged to require the attendance
of witnesses, on the Courts Martial.
' It would be impossible to assemble a Court Martial ^t
Leyria, for instance, or in every place in which a British soldier
should be accused of an offence. All that can be done is to
assemble a General Court Martial at head quarters, and to
sumraon the witnesses of a fact which is the subject of com
plaint, to attend and give their testimony viva voce ; and if

318 PORTUGAL. 1811.
they will not or cannot attend, I am sorry to say that it is not
in my power to punish. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:

General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Lieut. General
Sir Stapleton Cotton, Bart.
' My dear Cotton, ' Freneda, 5th October, 1811.
« Let me know what orders you have given respecting the
disposal of the remount horses recendy arrived at Lisbon.
' I wish to have the 2nd Hussars mounted as soon as pos
sible, and that the 3rd squadron of the 9tb Light Dragoons
should join their corps. ' BeUeve me, Sic.
• Lieut General ' Wellington.
Sir Stapleton Cotton, Bart.
' General Le Marchant having arrived at the army, the 4th
Dragoon Guards had better be left under his command.

General Viscount Wellington, KB., to His Excellency Charles Stuart.
t SiR^ ' Freneda, Sth October, 1811.
' I have the honor to enclose a list of the stages at which
mules ought to be kept, for the purposes of the ordinary com
munication between the frontier and Lisbon, and a statement
of the number of mules to be kept at each stage.
' The sarae number of mules have been at all times kept at
the sarae stages, by the Portuguese post office.
' I likewise enclose a Ust of stages, and a statement of the
number of mules to be kept at each stage, which are necessary
for the communications of the army, and where mules have not
been usually kept ; and as they will be placed there for the
convenience of the army, I propose to ' pay their expense from
the military chest. ' I have the honor to be, Sec.
' His Excellency ' Wellington,
Charles Stuart:

1811. freneda. 319
General Viscount Wellington, KB., io Major General A. Campbell.
' My dear Campbell, Freneda, eth October, 1811.
' I am very sorry to hear that you are unwell, particularly
as I had put you on a Court Martial to try Major Offley for
an act of insanity. If you are not well enough to sit on the
Court Martial, let me know it, and I will order Hulse for the
duty. ' I have been very well during the late bustle. Pray let
me hear how you are, and ' Believe me, &c.
¦• Major General A. Campbell ' Wellington.
' P.S. I have written to the Adjutant General a detail of
  's concerns, which I should wish you to see
before it goes. Ill send it to you, if you can't come here
before Wednesday.'
General Viscount Wellington, KB., io General Bacellar.
' Sir, ' Freneda, 6th October, 1811.
' It is absolutely necessary that there should be a sufficient
nuraber of workmen and artificers at Almeida to complete the
works at that place, and that there should be a guard of militia
with the heavy train. You will make such dispositions as you
may think proper for these purposes, but it is really time that
a work, which was ordered above two raonths ago, should at
length be seriously coramenced upon.
' The enemy have retired from this neighbourhood, and it is
necessary that the Conde d'Amarante should observe their
movements to the northward. If he should find that they are
about to attack General Abadia in Galicia, he will put his
corps of observation at Braganza, or at Chaves, and he will
endeavor, without risking his infantry beyond the frontier, to
divert their attention frora General Abadia by Ught movements
of his cavalry, and by threatening their communications.
' I have the honor to be. Sic.
' General Bacellar: ' Wellington.

320 PORTUGAL. 1811.
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to His Excellency Cliarles Stuart.
' My dear Sir, ' Freneda, 6th October, 1811.
' I have received your letter. I have not leisure to read
Senhor  's works, nor have I inclination to contend with
him, whether he or my officers have the merit pf the plans by
which Lisbon and the country were saved from the eneray.
' I think that I have reason to complain of Senhor  's
plans and memoirs as having misled me, and occasioned incon
veniences and expenses which would not have been incurred, if
I had not had them in my hands. I am not desirous of making
any complaint of Senhor  , and I give hira credit for
being a good draftsman, and for having taken some pains to ac
quire inforraation in the country which was the object of our
researches; but it would be just as possible to discover the
longitude in his papers and plans, as that degree of accuracy
and information on which alone any good system could be
founded. ' If Senhor ¦  wants a reward for bis plan and memoir,
I have no objection to his getting it, and I shall be silent, or
even recommend it. But if he pretends to have anything to
say to what has been done by our officers, I raust expose his
ignorance, and the negligence with which he made his survey
and report, and the consequences which would have resulted
by attending to either, whatever trouble such exposition may
cost me.
' I can only tell you that I reconnaitred the ground in Oc
tober, and depended for sorae facts upon his report, and formed
my plans accordingly. Afterwards Fletcher and our engineers
found that these facts were represented erroneously; and I was
obliged to travel again to Lisbon in February, 1810, and to
alter the whole plan, and to undo all that -had been done, in
consequence of the erroneous information in  -'s memoir.
You know that I was at Lisbon in February, 1810, as you fol
lowed me to Thomar ; and that was the reason of the journey.
From this statement, which refers only to one point, you will
judge of  's merits. ' Believe me. Sic.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:

1811. freneda, 321

General Viscount Wellington, K.B., io Smhor Jose dementi Pereira.
f SiR^ ' Freneda, 7th October, 1811.
' I received by the bearer your two letters of the 4lh, from
Caiiaveral. 1 beg that you will acquaint the two gentlemen,
to whom one of your letters relates, that in consequence of a
communication of their wishes to me through another channel,
I have applied to the Portuguese Government in their favor.
I expect the answer at every moment, and as soon as it shall
arrive, I will send it to them through you.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' Senhor Jose dementi Pereira. ' Wellington.
' P.S. I enclose letters for those two gentlemen, but they
shall hear from me again, as soon as I receive a letter respect
ing them from the Government.'

General Viscount Wellington, KB., io Lieut General
Sir Stapleton Cotton, Bart.
' My dear Cotton, ' Freneda, 7th October, 181 1.
' I understand that the greatest nuraber of the dismounted
men of the 2nd hussars are at Lisbon, with their appointments ;
and if they are to receive the horses of the 12th and 9th, they
should be ordered to some station with their appointments, to
which station the horses of the 12th and 9th should be ordered
likewise. ' In regard to the transfer of horses from one regiment to
another, we must go by some general rule ; and I shall be
obliged to you. if you will make an official report of all your
proceedings on this subject, as I must report on them to the
Horse Guards.
' The general rule which I would lay down is, that every
regiraent shall have one tenth of the nuraber of its rank and
file dismounted. Afterwards, if you find a regiment very sickly,
you may dismount more if you think proper, and transfer the
horses to other regiraents whose men are more healthy ; but I
wish you to begin with the adoption of that general principle.
' The horses which the officers of the cavalry will not take
at the price stated, must be sold by public auction for the
price bid for them.
VOL. VIII. y

322 PORTUGAL. 1811.
' I do not like to weaken the light cavalry in the Alentejo
just now, as Soult is at Seville, and preparing for some move
ment. ' Believe me, &c.
' Lieut General ' Wellington.
Sir S. Cotton, Bart.
' Clinton is sick at Lisbon, I should prefer that the desire
to join his regiment should come from himself, rather than the
order from rae, and I wish you would write to him about it.
The 16th, however, will not be badly off when they get Lord
Charles Manners, which is likely before Clinton can join.'
General Viscount WeUington, KB., to Major General Peacoche.
' My dear General, ' Freneda, Sth October, 1811.
' I have had sorae conversation with the Quarter Master
General regarding the mode in which the barracks occupied by
the Sth Dragoon Guards were recently given over to the Por
tuguese barrack department, and your orders to Captain
Mackenzie, to which I wish to draw your attention.
' There is no doubt that it is absolutely necessary that a
staff officer should attend upon every occasion in which a regi
mental officer is to hold official intercourse with any of the
departraents of the Portuguese army, particularly if the regi
ment should recently have arrived in this country. I am sorry
to say that our officers are too much disposed to treat with
contempt all foreigners ; and I have seldom met with a Portu
guese from ^hose story the truth can be discovered, if he
should have reason to complain. It is very proper, therefore,
that an officer of the Quarter Master General's department
should superintend the delivery of barracks to the regimental
officer who receives thera, and their restoration to the Portu
guese departraent, of which restoration he should give notice
to the Portuguese departraent, as he is the person who conveys
to the regiraent their orders to march, and to quit the barracks
which they have occupied. So far is necessary.
• But your order, by letter of the 31st of October, goes to a
weekly inspection of the barracks in Lisbon and Belem, under
the inspection of the officer of the Quarter Master Generals
department. It is quite impossible that he should really exe
cute this duty, and the others required from him ; and if the

1811. freneda. «^23
weekly inspection is necessary, it is necessary that it should be
made without his superintendence, and exposed to all the evils
of an intercourse between a Portuguese department and a regi
mental officer, without such superintendence.
' I conceive, however, that it wiU be better that this weekly
inspection should not be made, and that the matter should be
left as it now is, viz., that the officer of the Quarter Master
General's department should superintend the delivery and the
restoration of the barracks alone. ' BeUeve me, &c.
' Major General Peacocke: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., io Lieut. General
Sir S. Cotton, Bari.
' My dear Cotton, ' Freneda, 9th October, 181 1.
' I also thought, at one time, that horses were come out for
the 2nd hussars, but if you have no official report of it, it can
not be true.
' I agree with you that the 12th ought not to lose any more
horses, and leave it to you to give such orders as you may
think proper about turning sorae of their horses to grass.
' I do not think the 9th dragoons ought to have raore than
40 dismounted raen altogether. It appears by your return
that they have already 20 men dismounted, and they might
give 20 raore horses to the 2nd hussars.
' I shall accordingly desire Murray to order 20 men with
their appointments of the 2nd hussars to come up to Abrantes,
and I think it would be well to order as many more without
their appointments as would mount the effective horses of the
regiment : when the sick shall recover, they might either go
to the depot at Belem to wait for horses from England, or
they might return to their horses, and the men to be now
ordered frora the depot might return to Lisbon. Let me
know how many men would be required from Belera accord
ing to this scheme, and Murray shall send the route.
' How do the 13th stand in respect to men and horses .''
Could they give any to the 2nd hussars ? The 2nd hussars
have left PedrogaS, and have returned to the Alentejo. It is
necessary to keep Major General Long's division in strength
just at present.
y2

324 PORTUGAL. 1811.
' I was yesterday at Celorico, where among other irregu
larities 1 saw that the soldiers of the cavalry carry to the
hospital their corn sacks, which are filled with baggage on their
return. I had one of these sacks, belonging to a man of the
16th dragoons, examined, and found that it contained his bags,
three blankets, a jacket, Sec, havresack, accoutrements, pots,
pans, &c. Sic.
' It is very reasonable that the soldiers of the cavalry should
have means given them of carrying to their regiment from
hospital their bags, and probably their cloak. But their ac
coutrements and clothes they might carry themselves on the
march, as well as one blanket ; and at all events the corn sack,
one should think, ought to remain with the horse. Will you
check this practice ? The consequence of it is increased diffi
culty in procuring conveyance to carry those articles which
ought to be carried, viz., the men's bags and cloaks.
' I beg you to write to Sir William Erskine about drafting
the horses from the 9th, when the men of the 2 nd hussars
shall arrive at Abrantes, respecting which Murray will apprize
you. ' Believe me, &c.
' Lieut. General ' Wellington.
Sir S. Cotton, Bart:

General Viscount Wellington, KB., to the Right Hon.
Henry Wellesley.
' My dear Henry, ' Freneda, 9th October, 1811.
' I received last night your letter of the 1st, and I now en
close my dispatch of this day. I have no other news for you
excepting a general report among the French, that Buonaparte
left Paris to take the comraand of his army in Germany, on
the 12th September. This report receives some confirmation
from a letter which I received by the last mail, from the Duke
of Brunswick, dated the 10th September ; in which he teUs me
that that event was expected, and he wished that his regiraent
raight be sent to England, in order to go to Germany.
' Ever yours, most affectionately,
' The Right Hon. H. Wellesley: ' Wellington.

1811. FRENEDA. 325
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., io His Excellency
Charles Stuart.
' Sir, ' Freneda, 9th October, 1811.
' 1 have had the honor of receiving your letter of the 6th
instant and its enclosures, containing a correspondence which
you have had with Major General Peacocke and with the
Secretary of the Portuguese Government, regarding the arrest
and imprisonraent of Mr. Borel, the Cashier of the Payraaster
General at Lisbon.
' From this correspondence it appears, that Mr. Borel has
been arrested and imprisoned without cause assigned, without
notice to any British authority, contrary to the stipulations of
treaty, and to the principles of the Alliance, and even to the
common forms of civility, in consequence of orders frora the
Prince Regent in the Brazils, that certain persons of that narae
should be arrested. I request that you will inform the Portu
guese Governraent that if they do not either give sorae better
reason or raore satisfactory explanation than that already given
for the arrest and iraprisonraent of this person, I shall consider
it my duty to order all persons attached to the British army
to place themselves in security, till the orders of the Prince
Regent of Great Britain and Ireland can be received.
' I am perfectly aware of the consequence of the measure
which I shall adopt upon this occasion ; of the want of confi
dence, and terror, which it will create at Lisbon, throughout
Portugal, and even throughout the Peninsula. But if those
under whose immediate directions this violation of all the decent
forms of civility has been committed do not think it necessary
to advert to these consequences, there is no reason why I
should ; and I shall certainly endeavor to prevent these sud
den and arbitrary arrests of persons confidentially employed
by the departments of the British army without cause as
signed ; and shall take measures to make known to the public
my reasons for the adoption of these measures of precaution and
security. ' I beg to be understood as not giving any opinion on the
cause of the arrest of Mr. Borel. This gentleman^ equally
with others in the British service who have been arrested and
imprisoned, either by the Portuguese Government with notice
to me, or by me, \n consequence of the desire of the Portu-

326 PORTUGAL. 1811.
guese Government, may have been guilty of crimes which
deserve punishment. But I complain of the insult, of the
mode in which this measure has been carried into execution, to
which, as the Commanding Officer of His Majesty's troops,
I will not submit. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My Lord, ' Freneda, 9th October, 1811.
' The army of the North have cantoned along the Duero,
having sorae troops at Benavente, and some at Valladolid :
they have likewise one division, that of General Souham, at
Alba de Torraes, and a stronger garrison than usual at Sala
raanca. ' The division at Alba is probably destined to preserve
the coraraunication with the array of Portugal, which have
taken up their cantonments again about Plasencia.
' Soult arrived at Seville about the 18th of last month, and
some preparations were making there, apparently for a move
raent into Estreraadura by the troops which he brought back
with hira from Granada. I conclude that his return to Seville
and these preparations were occasioned by the notion which
was generally entertained by the French officers, that I had
drawn Lieut. General Hill's corps out of Alentejo for the pur
pose of aiding in our design upon Ciudad Rodrigo.
' It is probable, therefore, that the movement will not be
made, unless it should be necessary with a view to protect the
march of a convoy for Badajoz, as soon as it shall be found
that Lieut. General Hill was still in Alentejo ; and that the
convoy had been introduced into Ciudad Rodrigo. I have
also heard this day that General BaUesteros had defeated on
the 25th September, near San Roque, a French division of
3000 raen which had been sent against him, which renders it
more probable that there will be no reinforcements to the
troops in Estremadura.
' The position of our troops for the last two months has
undoubtedly deranged all the enemy's plans for the campaign,
and they have been able to eff'ect. nothing, excepting to relieve

1811. FRENEDA. 327
Ciudad Rodrigo, notwithstanding that they have received very
large reinforcements. 1 do not think it probable that at pre
sent they will undertake anything of importance, excepting
to endeavor to force Ballesteros to embark, which he can
always effect, having a secure retreat upon Gibraltar.
' 1 have the honor to be, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool: ' Wellington.
General Viscount WeUington, K.B., to the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My Lord, ' Freneda, 9th October, 1811.
' I have the honor to enclose the extract of a letter from
Brigadier General Trant, containing the copy of one which he
has received from His Royal Highness the Prince Regent of
Portugal, stating that His Royal Highness has been pleased to
confer upon him the order of the Tower and Sword, in the
degree of Commander.
' I beg that your Lordship will lay these letters before His
Royal Highness the Prince Regent, and that you will request
the permission of His Royal Highness for Brigadier General
Trant to accept the honor conferred upon him by His Royal
Highness the Prince Regent of Portugal.
' I have the honor to be. Sic.
' The Earl of Liverpool' ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Lieut. General Hill
' My dear Hill, ' Freneda,. ibth October, 1811.
' I have received your letter of the Sth.
' It is difficult to give credit to the accounts which we
receive from General Castaiios of the operations of the enemy's
southern armies, as I believe he has very Uttle, if any, intelU
gence on which he can rely ; and I know that the desire to
involve us in operations in Estremadura, with a view to cover
a ceri-«in extent of country, in order to draw provisions from
it, gains credit for intelligence very little deserving of any,
which is afterwards communicated to us as true.
' It is not easy to believe that Soult is coming with any
force into Estremadura, now that the object which. would have
¦brought hira there is gone by, and that one of his detachments
has met with a serious check by Ballesteros, near San Roque,

328 PORTUGAL.

1811.

on the 25th of last month. It may be true, however, as we
know that Buonaparte has ordered that a garrison of 6000 men
should be placed in Badajoz, and it is probable that Soult
may find the presence of a large body of troops to be necessary*
in order to throw into the place the supplies which it wiU
require for that number of troops.
' There is likewise another, and a larger view of the state of
affairs in the Peninsula, in which Soult's presence, and that of
a large force in Estremadura, would be expedient. The
enemy's plan for the campaign has certainly been interrupted,
and possibly prevented by our recent operations, and it is not
unlikely that they may be desirous of resuming part of it, viz.,
that part which had for its object the conquest of Galicia.
' In my opinion the army of the North could not venture to
invade Galicia, leaving Castille and the array of Portugal at
our raercy, as there is no doubt that this army is much stronger
than either the army of the North or that of Portugal, and the
consequences of such a measure might be fatal to the whole
French system. The only mode in which the invasion of
Galicia can be resumed with safety, is for Soult to bring a
large army into Estremadura, and either alarm us for the
safety of the frontier of Alentejo, or to be in a situation to
join the army of Portugal, in case we should attack them.
The former is the plan which the enemy would most probably
adopt. Or the enemy may have another plan, they may intend
to employ the array of Portugal in the execution of that part
of their plan for the campaign which had the attack of Valencia
in view ; in which case also they would assemble a large corps
in Estremadura, and Soult would come there himself. I have
taken this view of the enemy's intentions, in order to render
ray intention raore clear to you ; and I shall add to it the
certainty I feel that there exists at present no serious intention
of making an attack upon any of the Portuguese possessions,
excepting probably the post at Ouguela, or that at Campo
Mayor. ' If your corps and this army could both be so strong in
cavalry, as tha,t both could venture into the plains, there would
be no difficulty in our concerns. Unfortunately neither of us
is so strong as we ought to be, and I can therefore venture
upon the little offensive which I can undertake only in one
quarter. If you had cavalry, you certainly have infantry in

1811. freneda. 329
sufficient numbers to beat the 5th corps out of Estrema
dura ; but your cavalry is not sufficiently strong. I think,
however, that you are strong enough to prevent the Sth corps
from doing any thing, even though Soult should add to it
another division.
' In attempting this, however, you must proceed with great
caution, and endeavour to have the best intelligence of the
force Soult brings with him. I recomraend to you to canton
your troops as soon as you find that the eneray are serious
in their advance upon Badajoz, nearly on the ground which
we occupied with the army in the end of June and beginning
of July, baving one Portuguese and one British brigade, and
a brigade of Portuguese artillery, and some Portuguese ca
valry, cantoned in Campo Mayor, but ready to take post on
the heights behind at a short notice, and the others at S'"
Olaya, Quinta del Obispo, Sic. &c.
' If you should find that Soult collects in too great force
for you, you will retire upon Portalegre, and thence, if you
should find it necessary, upon GaviaS and Abrantes, sending
down our bridge from Villa Velha.
' It appears to me, however, to be scarcely possible for
Soult to bring such a force as to be able to attack you at
Campo Mayor, or to cut off your communication at the same
time, both with Elvas and Portalegre, and unless he can do
that, you have always a secure retreat, and he must give up
his plan, or fall between your corps and the army.
' If Soult should bring a large army into Estremadura, with
a view to enable the army of Portugal to co-operate in the inva
sion of Valencia, I shall reinforce your corps with some in
fantry, and nearly all the cavalry, and I think we shall soon
have back again the army of Portugal. If he should come
only to throw provisions into Badajoz, I am afraid that we
cannot prevent it, under existing circumstances.
' Believe me, &c.
' Lieut. General Hill' ' Wellington.

General Viscount Wellington, KB., io His Excellency Charles Stuart.
'Sir, ' Freneda, 10th October, 1811.
• Having transmitted to Lieut. General the Hon. L. Cole
your letter of the 9th ultimo, containing the complaint of an

330 PORTUGAL. 1811.
outrage committed at Leyria, by two soldiers of the  regi
ment, with directions to bring these culprits to trial when they
should join their corps, I have the honor to forward to you,
to be laid before the Portuguese Government, the accompany
ing letter and its enclosure, which 1 have received from the
Lieut. General, by which it appears that the two soldiers have
been convicted and punished for the crime they have committed.
' I have the honor to be. Sic.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to His Excellency Charles Stuart.
' My dear Sir, ' Freneda, 10th October, 1811.
' I have received your letter of the 6th.
' I think you had better entirely confine your efforts to the
measures recomraended in my letters of the 26th March, and
of the Sth April. The Commissariat and military chest being
now in hand, should be carried through ; and then we can take
up the arsenal and medical establishment.
' I have written to you officially regarding M. Borel, and I
have written to the Government to desire to see the Prince's
orders on this subject.
' Whenever we get a sum of money from Cadiz or frotn
England, I always desire that a proportion of it may be given
to you ; and I have besides ordered at times that paper money
should be given to you. You are tbe best judge at what
period to pay these suras to the Portuguese Government, but
I would advise you not to pay any more till the military chest
be estabUshed ; and not to pay into the miUtary chest in any
one month, more than £100,000, whatever may be the sum in
your hands.
' I have omitted telling you that I have recommended to the
Portuguese Government to pay the interest on their paper
money from the 1st of July last, and to call in that now in cir
culation ; and to issue paper of the sarae numbers and for the
same suras as those now in circulation, of a better description
and not so likely to be forged. These two measures together
will raise the value of the Portuguese paper so high, as nearly
to overcome all our financial difficulties in this country. It
will not cost above £100,000 every six months to pay the in
terest, and the rise in the value of the paper, and the consequent

1811. freneda. 331
saving in the price of every article purchased for the army, will
more than cover the expense. But I much fear that the
Government will not adopt the measure.
' Believe rae. Sic.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:

General Viscount Wellington, KB., io His Excellency Charles Stuart,
c Sir, ' Freneda, Uth October, 1811.
* I enclose a letter from Mr. Kennedy, containing various
papers from Mr. Pratt, Mr. Drake, and Mr. Berard, in answer
to complaints of these gentlemen by the Portuguese Govern
ment and Commissariat forwarded to rae by you on the 12th
September. ' The perusal of these papers will shew you the degree of
confusion which prevails in the transport departraent of the
army, and the uncertainty in all our operations which must
result from it, and the corruption of the Portuguese Com
missariat ; and the tyranny and oppression under which the
people labor.
' Unless I determine at once to move the army down to
Lisbon, and thus put a stop to our demands for means of trans
port, it is impossible that any orders I can give can apply
a remedy to these evils. It must be very evident to any per
son who reads these papers with attention, that the British
Commissaries are not in fault ; indeed Mr. Pratt has no troops
at his comraand to carry on the war against his adversary the
Portuguese Commissary at Escaroupim ; and the alleged seizure
of boats by that gentleman was nothing more than the employ
ment of a certain number of boats, already in the service of the
British Government to perform a particular service, viz., to
remove sick and wounded men to Lisbon.
' Nothing but the desire to complain could have occasioned
any complaint against Mr. Drake or Mr. Berard.
' I have already repeatedly pointed out the only remedy to
all these evils. It is for the Governraent to enforce their own
regulations, by adequate punishraent of the magistrate who
refuses or neglects to issue his warrant or order to the owner of
a boat or cart, at a particular tirae and place for the service of
the army ; and by adequate punishment of the owner of a boat

332 PORTUGAL. 1811.
or cart, who shall refuse to attend and to continue to attend so
long as his services shall be required.
¦= This is the law and practice in Great Britain and in all
parts of the world ; it is the practice in those parts of Spain
occupied by the eneray, and the consequence is that although
they do not pay, they never want means of transport of all
kinds ; and until the Portuguese Government shall abandon
their view of false popularity, and shall protect the people over
whom they are placed from the horrible tyranny and oppression
under which they are laboring, by enforcing their own regu
lations by adequate punishments, the system of embargo, with
all its evil consequences, including these corruptions, disputes,
&c.. Sic, must be continued, or the army must go down to.
Lisbon. ' I have the honor to be, Stc.
¦ His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to His Excellency Charles Stuart.
' Sir, ' Freneda, 11th October, 1811.
' Having caused inquiries to be made regarding the state of
the people on the Coa, with a view to the distribution of the
raoney which you inforraed rae in your letter of the 27th Sep
tember last that the Coraraittee intended to intrust to me to be
distributed, sorae raeasures have occurred to me which it would
be expedient that the Portuguese Government should adopt
with a view to the relief of these unfortunate people.
' First ; it is very desirable that the utmost encouragement
should be given to the transit of provisions as well from Spain
into Portugal as frora one part of Portugal into another ; and
that duties on all kinds of goods passing in or unto Upper or
Lower Beira should be excused. The. Government will lose
but little revenue by this raeasure, as the army being exactly on
the frontier, it is impossible that it can be collected ; but the
existence of the revenue regulations gives an excuse for a
system of oppression on the part of the Portuguese revenue
officers which raust prevent Spaliish dealers from bringing pro
visions to the Portuguese markets.
' Secondly ; it is desirable that all duties should be excused
on the sale of goods in the fairs and markets of Upper and
Lower Beira.

1811. FRENEDA. 333
' Thirdly ; it is desirable that the prices of provisions and
indeed of all other goods in aU the towns and villages of those
provinces should be left free, and find their own level.
' By these measures we may hope that the people will have
something that they can buy with the raoney that will be given
to them.
' From what I hear, I am much afraid that the distribution
of money to the Bishops has not been and will not be of much
service. The Bishops and great convents in Portugal and
Spain have always been in the habit of distributing provisions
daily to the poor ; and the consequence of this system is the
establishment in the neighbourhood of their palaces and con
vents of a number of idle people of both sexes, who perform no
labor, and live upon what they thus receive and can procure
by begging from strangers.
' I understand the Bishops have added the sums sent to them
respectively by the Committee to what they already expended
in this manner, by which proceeding the relief it affords is but
partial. ' That which would be desirable is, if possible, to aid laborious
exertions to procure a subsistence, by small advances of money,
and I propose to keep this principle in view in the distribution
of the money entrusted to rae, by which not only it will subsist
those to whom it will be given for a longer period, but it raay
be hoped that the people will resurae their habits of industry,
and that they will soon again be able to provide for their own
subsistence. ' I have the honor to be. Sec.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Lieut General Hill
' My dear Hill, ' Freneda, 13th October, 1811.
' I hope you do rae the justice to believe that if I had
the slightest notion of the cireurastances under which the sick
of the 2nd division had been detained with their regiments, or
that you had had any thing to say to that measure, I should not
have noticed it in the manner I did in the Orders of the Sth
instant. ' The ignorance of their duty of the officers of the army who
are every day arriving in this country, and the general inatten-

334 PORTUGAL. 1811.
tion and disobedience to orders by many of those who have
been long here, increase the detaUs of the duty to such an ex
tent as to render it almost impracticable to carry it on ; and
owing to this disobedience and neglect, I can depend upon
nothing, however well regulated and ordered-
' I have lately, therefore, endeavored to correct this inatten
tion by pointing out to officers in General Orders its conse
quences ; and you will observe that the General Order of the
Sth to which you refer, does no more than advert to these
consequences. I adopt this raeasure very rauch because I am
convinced that the disobedience of which I complain is not
wilful, but is the consequence of inattention, and the bad
military habits which our officers acquire when they enter the
service. ' In this part of the army, even under my own eye, the same
thing is occurring daily, and is attended by the most disastrous
consequences. Although we had recently been in expectation
for a fortnight of the necessity for moving the troops, the sick
were left with the regiments contrary to repeated orders, and
they were at last sent to the general hospital at Celorico, at the
same moraent, to the araount of about 2000 : the consequence
was that the people at the hospital were not prepared to receive
so many at a time, and it happened to be bad weather, and
aboVe 50 died in one week, and the others were in a very un
comfortable state : to this add, that by keeping the fever cases,
as they do, till the fever approaches to, or is in, or has passed
the crisis, the danger of death is increased by removal ; whereas
by reraoval in an early stage of the disorder, the patient is
generally improved. However, all this never occurs to these
gentlemen, who think of nothing but their regimental con
venience ; and yet if they witness any of the inconveniences
which uniformly result from their own or the disobedience of
their brother officers, they are not the last to cry out; as for
instance, my friend  of the — th Dragoons, in the case of
Captain  .
' However, you may depend upon it that I had not any the
most remote intention to advert to you, and if it will be any
satisfaction to you, or you wish it on any account, that this
should be explained in General Orders, 1 have no objection to
doing so. ' Believe me. Sec.
'Lieut, General Hili: ' Wellington.

1811. FRENEDA. 335
General Viscount Wellington, KB., io Vice Admiral
the Hon. G. Berkeley.
<¦ Sir, ' Freneda, 13th October, 1811.
' I have had the honor of receiving your letter of the Sth
instant, and I think it would be desirable to make use of the
Agincourt to carry to England the 29th, SSth, and 97th regi
ments, with the addition of such transport tonnage unemployed
as may be necessary for the accoinmodation of these regiraents.
' I purpose to write to the Secretary of State by the next
raail to suggest the expediency of sending back the troop ships
to the Tagus. ' I have the honor to be. Sic.
' Vice Admiral ' Wellington.
the Hon. G. Berkeley:
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to His Excellency Charles Stuart^
' My dear Sir, ' Freneda, 13th October, 181 1.
' In answer to your letter of the 9th, I can only assure you
that I wrote to the Governraent upon the wants of General
Pack's Brigade, in consequence of his coraplaints to the Quarter
Master General, and being determined to bring officially under
their view every deficiency of this description which occurs.
' I am inclined to think that the continuance in circulation
of the Portuguese paper, if it should rise in value, will be a con
venience; and I could not now advise that the debt should be
funded, but rather that the interest promised should be paid
upon the circulating paper, and that the quantity in circulation
should not be increased. ' Believe rae, &c.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to His Excellency Charles Stuart.
' My dear Sir, ' Freneda, 13th October, 1811.
' I am afraid that you did not understand ray letter respect
ing the Marquez de Ponte de Liraa, and the Marquez de
Valenqa, as I intended you should. I intended that you
should apply for an answer to the application of these two
noblemen to be allowed to return to Portugal; and I men
tioned at the same time the application of Pamplona's aide de

336 PORTUGAL. 1811.
camp to Gordon, which I did not intend should be forwarded
to the Government, but as a matter of information to yourself
' As the Government, however, have answered the applica
tions of the Marquez de Valenqa and de Ponte de Liraa, with
that of Pamplona's aide de camp, it raight happen that the
latter might be hanged by the French if I were to send the
copy of the note, which I should wish to be able to do to the
former. If Valenqa and Ponte de Lima should not like the
answer, which it is probable they would not, they might pos
sibly inform against Pamplona's aide de camp, and there is no
reason why they should be made acquainted with his secret.
' There appears to me to be a clear distinction between the
case of Ponte de Lima and Valenqa and that of Pamplona's
aide de camp.
' First ; those noblemen were forced to go to France,
whereas the aide de camp went voluntarily, I beUeve, since
the restoration.
' Secondly; those noblemen have never served in any
mUitary capacity, and I believe were never in the service.
The aide de camp has served in Portugal, and against his
country. ' I wish, therefore, that the answer of the Government
should be confined to the cases of the Marquez de Valenqa
and de Ponte de Lima. In regard to the aide de camp, I
propose, if possible, to make a spy of him, under a promise
that if he gives good intelligence, I will, at some time or other,
endeavor to obtain for him a pardon.
' Believe me, &c.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:

General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to Lieut. General Hill.
' Freneda, 14th October, 1811.
' My dear Hill, Half-past 10, p.m.
' 1 have just received your letter of the 13th. I think
upon the whole, that you had better not raove Colonel Byng's
brigade from Niza, unless you should have a reason for doing
so, which you did not know when you wrote to rae on the 13th.
' My opinion is, that Marraont has only gone in search of
provisions, and not to attack Valencia. However, we shall see

1811. freneda. 337
in a few days, and I shall determine how to annoy, aud derange
their projects again. ' Believe me. Sic.
' Lieut General Hill' ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to His Excellency Charles Stuart.
' My dear Sir, ' Freneda, 15th October, 1811.
' I have received your letter of the 11th.
' I am astonished that, since the British engineers have been
employed between the Tagus and the sea, the Governraent
should have employed any officer to make a plan without
reference to me ; and I wish that neither plan nor memoir had
been sent home to Lord Wellesley.
' I shall be very much obliged to you if you will inform
Dom M. de Forjaz of these my sentiments, and that I object
to the recomraendation of Senhor das Neves to the Prince
Regent, for a work in which he had no share whatever.
' Believe rae, &c.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart'
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to Lieut. General
.Sir Stapleton Cotton, Bart.
' My dear Cotton, ' Freneda, 15th October, 1811. 9 am.
' I have been turning over in my mind what you stated in
a late letter about the horses for the officers of the cavalry ;
and I am very rauch afraid that if we do not take measures to
insure to Government the price that they have paid for the
horses which they have sent, the officers of the cavalry will not
have the advantage of getting horses in this manner in future.
' The horses cost Governraent £50 each ; and 1 have put
the price of £60 upon each, in order to defray the expense of
loss by deaths, &c. It is reasonable to suppose that sorae of
the horses are worth more than ^^60, and others may be worth
less, but they would all run the chance of getting the good •
and even the bad, probably (as they are bought by the best
judge in England), would not be worth less than £50.
' If they were all taken at £60 each, I think the Govern
ment would have no reason to complain ; but if some are taken
and others are to remain upon ray hands, I think it but fair
that the Government should have the advantage of a laro-er
VOL. viii. z

338 PORTUGAL. 1811.
price for the better horses, as it will incur the risk of receiving
a smaller, in a sale by auction, for those not so good.
>• If, therefore, the officers of the cavalry will not take the
horses, after all the pains which it has cost me to get them for
them, I shall request you to get Lieut. Colonel EUey, and two
otlier good judges, to fix a price upon the several horses which
will come up; and the officers who choose to take them, raay
take thera at the price fixed. Those they do not choose to
take shall be sold by public auction ; and, in the raean tirae,
till the period of the auction shall be fixed, I shall be obliged
to you if you will have the horses taken care of.
' I shall request General Graham to show his horses to
Lieut. Colonel Elley, and the officers you will appoint to fix
the price of these horses, and they shall likewise fix the price
which he is to pay for those which he received.
' Believe me, &c.
' Lieut General ' Wellington.
Sir S. Cotton, Bart:
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Lieut. General
Sir Stapleton Cotton, Bart.
' Freneda, 16th October, 1811.
' My dear Cotton, Half-past 5 p.m.
' I am glad that the plan which I proposed for the horses
will answer. In fact, General Graham chose only out of the
first lot of horses, and not out of the whole ; but it is fair,
that having had the choice, he should pay ; and the price shall
be fixed by Colonel Elley, &c., who will, of course, do justice
between the public and individuals. The payment for the
horses shall be made easy to them.
' 1 was convinced that there was a mistake in Mr. Macleod's
return of your forage. You should not allow your aide de
carap to draw for the Comraissariat mules attached to the
cavalry staff ; or if you do, they should be separately raen-
tioned, and not called yours. The orderlies appear to be
separately accounted fbr.
' I enclose you the Commissary General's note respecting
the 4th Dragoon Guards. I hope they have not ten days'
supply of rye bread, or forty days of bad meat.
' Believe me, &,c.
' Lieut. General ' Wellington.
Sir Stapleton Cotton, Bart

1811. FRENEDA. 339
'I see Tweeddale's hounds are just arrived. I hope you
will come over and take a hunt some day or other, or we will
draw your way when you like it.'

General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Lieut. General
Sir Stapleton Cotton, Bart.
¦ My DEAR Cotton, ' Freneda, 16th October, 1811. Noon.
' 1 am concerned to hear that the 4th Dragoon Guards do
not get better, and particularly that their continued sickness
should be attributed to that extraordinary circumstance iu this
array, " bad food." However, that is very easily reraedied ;
and 1 have spoken to Mr. Kennedy both about that and their
want of corn, and of salt, this morning. Colonel Sherlock
applied to keep the Comraissary they have.
' The commanding officer should apply for money if he
wants it.
' The regiments which have long been with the army are
much in arrear, and those which arrive are generally in advance ;
but I never refuse to advance to the latter whatever suras they
raay require on the estiraates, for months to which the rest of
the army have not been paid. This is a case that has occurred
frequently. ' I have no objection to the quarters of the 4th Dragoon
Guards being changed ; but I think they are in as healthy a
situation as any in the country. ' Believe rae. Sic.
' Lieut General ' Wellington.
Sir S. Cotton, Bart:
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to Lieut. General Hill.
' My DEAR Hill, ' Freneda, 16th October, 1811. 2 p.m.
' I received this morning your letter of the 14th, and I have
since seen the papers transmitted by Colonel Offeney. 1 have
no doubt but that the object of the French is to throw a con
voy into Badajoz, which we cannot prevent under present
circumstances. ' Girard commands only one division of the Sth corps ; and
we may depend upon it that if there were more than one
z2

340 PORTUGAL. 1811.
division on this side of the Guadiana, besides cavalrj'^, Drouet,
who commands the corps, would have been with it.
' You have done right to order up the troops from Niza.
' Believe me. Sic.
' Lieut. General Hill' ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Vice Admiral
the Hon. G. Berkeley.
' Sir, ' Freneda, 16th October, 1811.
' I have had the honor of receiving your letter of the 12th.
' I am very desirous that the sick should not be removed
from Coimbra, excepting those belonging to the 29th, SSth,
and 97th regiraents, and such men as it may be necessary from
time to time to send to England, as I find that it is almost
impracticable to get up to the army from Lisbon a soldier
who has recovered from sickness.
' I write this day to request the Secretary of State will order
the troop ships of war to the Tagus, and will send out twelve
coppered transports, drawing nine or ten feet water.
' I have the honor to be, 8cc.
' Vice Admiral ' Wellington.
the Hon. G. Berkeley:
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to the Right Hon.
Henry Wellesley.
' My DEAR Henry, ' Freneda, 16th October, 1811.
' I enclose ray dispatch of this date ; I have no other news
for you, excepting that Dr. Curtis, the rector of the Irish Col
lege of Salamanca, and the Providor of the Bishopric, both
connected with my correspondents there, have been arrested
by the French.
' We hear that there is hell to pay at Cadiz ; but I do not
understand about what. ' Ever yours, most affectionately,
' The Rt Hon. H. Wellesley: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to Lieut. Colonel Torrens,
MiUtary Secretary io the Commander in Chief.
' My dear Torrens, ' Freneda, leth October, 1811.
« I am obUged to trouble you again upon the old subject
of General Officers. I was obliged to give General Dunlop

1811. freneda. 341
leave to go home, and I doubt his coming out again ; and he
is really a loss. General Sontag is so ill as to be obUged to go
away, and I iraagine will never again be fit for service.
' Leith is not corae, and we have no Comraanding Officer
for the Sth division ; I understand that Houstoun will not
return, and there will be none for the 7th ; and General
Campbell's departure will leave the 6th division without a
Commander. We have a brigade or two without officers
also, in consequence of Beckwith's continued absence (and
we are told he will not return) and Mackinnon's. But these
I can manage.
' 1 do not know whom to propose for our divisions. Clinton
shall have one, either the Sth or 6th ; Leith, if he comes,
another ; and 1 wish I could get back Dunlop, or some respect
able person, if Houstoun does not return, for the 7th. Let me
know whether Leith comes or not, and also whether Houstoun
returns. ' Believe me, Stc.
' Lieut. Colonel Torrens: ' Wellington.

General Viscount Wellington, KB., io the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of Stale.
' My Lord, ' Freneda, 16th October, 1811.
' There has been no material alteration in the position of the
enemy's troops since I addressed you last.
' The army of Portugal are cantoned beyond Plasencia,
having one division at Plasencia, with their advanced posts on
the Alagon ; and the cavalry on the north side of the moun
tains, which divide Castille from Estremadura, about Penar-
anda. I imagine that they communicate with the infantry
in Estreraadura by Congosto and the Puerto del Pico, the
-road through which was repaired by the enemy in the year
1809, after the battle of Talavera.
' It is reported that three divisions of Guards belonging to
the army of the north, have gone to Valladolid, which, how
ever, requires confirmation. The other troops of the array of
the north are upon the Torraes.
' I learn from Lieut. Colonel Sir Howard Douglas, that the
enemy are fortifying the posts which they occupy in front of
the army of Galicia ; from which, I judge that they have no

342 PORTUGAL. 1811.
intention of attempting to penetrate into that kingdom during
this winter.
' In Lower Estreraadura, the enemy appear to intend to
introduce a convoy into Badajoz, which it is impossible for the
alUes to attempt to prevent. With this view, probably, one
division of the Sth corps, with a considerable body of cavalry,
have crossed the Guadiana at Merida, under General Girard ;
and the remainder of the corps was to the south of that river.
But I understand that Soult remained at SeviUe.
' I have received a report that Don Julian Sanchez yester
day carried off a large proportion of the cattle grazing near
Ciudad Rodrigo, and destined for the supply of the garrison ;
and he made prisoner the Governor, General Renaud, either
by surprise, or in consequence of the latter having endeavored
to save the cattle with a very inadequate force.
' I have the honor to be. Sic.
' The Earl of Liverpool: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
" My Lord, ' Freneda, 16th October, 1811.
' Admiral Berkeley has at different times sent to England
either with convoys, or to carry troops, all the troop ships of
war named in the margin, and the Agincourt is now going
with the 29th, SSth, and 97th regiments, but none of these
ships have returned.
' As it is very desirable that we should have the service of
these ships, particularly during the winter months, I shall be
very much obliged to your Lordship if they can be returned.
' It would also be very desirable, and a saving in the hire
of craft, if there were attached to this array twelve coppered
transports, drawing from nine to ten feet water, which could
pass the bars of the rivers Mondego and Douro. If these
could be sent, a proportionate quantity of the tonnage de
tained in the Tagus according to my dispatch of the 21st
of March, raight be sent horae.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool' ' Wellington.

1811. freneda. 343
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., io the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My dear Lord, ' Freneda, 16th October, 181 1.
' I enclose the last fortnight and weekly states of the British
army, and the morning state of the allied array of the 13th.
' You will see that we are not much better in respect to the
number of sick ; but the disorder continues to be of a very
mild description.
' I was twice last week at the hospital at Celorico, and I
saw no bad cases, but the numbers are astonishing. In the
4th division there are as many sick, absent and present, as
there are men fit for duty.
' The 40th regiment, out of 1419, have only 652 fit for
duty ; and the whole number of their recruits, recently arrived
from England, are in the hospitals. The 77th regiment
arrived in Portugal two months ago, about 800 men, and in
the action of tbe 25th September, they bad 250 rank and file ;
by the return of the Sth, they have 287 fit for duty, and 414
in the hospitals.
' The 2nd division, which have been all the summer in the
Alentejo, are, and have been, the most healthy of all, notwith
standing they suffered so much in the battle of Albuera, which
shows how little reliance is to be placed on general reports of
the unwholesomeness of climates.
' The French have seized Dr. Curtis, of the Irish college,
and the Providor of the bishopric of Salamanca, who are two
of the people with whom my correspondents there communi
cate. I suspect that they have bad orders from Paris to cut
us off from all intelligence. ' Believe me, &c.
• The Earl of Liverpool: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Lieut. General Hill.
' My dear Hill, ' Freneda, 17th October, 1811. 11 a.m.
' I received in the night your letter of the 15th. I concur
entirely in your giving assistance to General Castaiios, and
should approve of your adopting a raeasure which should be
more effectual, and should drive Girard from Caceres across
the Guadiana again, if you think you can do it without risking
the safety of Campo Mayor and Ouguela.

344 PORTUGAL. 181 J.
'It appears to me that you are too strong for Girard in
every way, if the other division of the 5th corps have not
crossed the Guadiana.
' If General Castanos, or his troops, enter the Portuguese
frontier, our Comraissariat must provide for them, keeping a
regular account of what they issue to them, but only as long
as they remain within the Portuguese frontier.
' Believe me, &c.
' Lieut General Hill' ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., io General Bacellar.
< Sir, ' Freneda, 1 8th October, 18U.
' I have had the honor of receiving your letter of the
lltb October, containing three queries from General Conde
d'Amarante. ' In answer to the first, I beg you will inform the Conde
d'Amarante, that it is not my intention to prohibit him from
passing the frontier in all cases, but, on the contrary, that I
wished him to pass the frontier (taking care not to risk his
infantry) on any occasion on which he should think he could
make an useful diversion with his cavalry in favor of General
Abadia, without risking the loss of his cavalry.
,' The second question is answered above.
' In answer to the third q^uery, I beg that the Conde
d'Amarante may understand, that the troops under his com
mand are destined principally to defend the frontiers of
Portugal. He must not enter upon any operation combined
with, or joined to the Spaniards, which may remove him frora
the object for which the force under bis comraand is principally
destined. Under present circumstances it does not appear
probable that the enemy will attack General Abadia.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' General Bacellar: 'Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Major General Peacocke.
' Sir, ' Freneda, 19th October, 1811.
' This letter will be deUvered to you by General Renaud,
late Governor of Ciudad Rodrigo, who is going to Lisbon, on
his way to England, as a prisoner of war on his parole.
' I beg leave to recommend him to your attention, and I

1811. FRENEDA. 345
request you to take an early opportunity of forwarding him
to England, either in a ship of war, or a transport, or the
packet ; and that you will desire the Captain of the vessel in
which he will go, to apprize the Coraraissioners of transports
of his arrival as soon as he shall reach any port in England.
' I have the honor to be. Sic.
' Major General Peacocke: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., io His Excellency Charles Stuart.
' My dear Sir, " Freneda, 19th October, 1811.
' This letter will be delivered to you by General Renaud,
the late Governor of Ciudad Rodrigo, who is going to Lisbon,
on his way to England. I beg leave to recommend him to your
attentions as long as he may remain at Lisbon.
¦ Believe me, Sic.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to His Excellency Charles Stuart.
' My dear Sir, ' Freneda, 20th October, 1811.
' I have received your letter of the I6th, and I concur in
opinion with you, that you have done right in resuming your
seat at the Regency.
' I have received a most handsome letter from the Prince in
answer to mine of the 7th May, upon which I have addressed
the Governors of the Kingdom. These will go, I hope, by
this post, so that I shall not trouble you further upon them.
' I have recommended General Renaud, the Governor of
Ciudad Rodrigo, to you ; you will find him a very inteUigent
fellow. ' Believe me, Sic.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:
General Viscount Wellington, KB,, to the Governor of Almeida.
'Sir, ' Freneda, 21st October, 1811.
'Major Sturgeon, of the Royal Staff corps, being eraployed
by rae upon the public service, I request that you will let him
have from the old carriages, Sic, any axletrees or other iron

346 . PORTUGAL. 181 L
which he may want, brass boxes from wheels, &c., which he
may require ; likewise the use of the grinding stones, and
smith's forges in Almeida, and a certain quantity of timber for
the construction of a pile engine, and of a trustle.
' I have the honor to.be, &c.
' The Governor of Almeida: ' Wellington.

General Viscount Wellington, KB., to His Excellency Charles Stuart.
' My dear Sir, ' Freneda, 21st October, 1811..
' I received yesterday your letter of the 17th. It is very
obvious to rae, both from the Prince's letter and from every
thing that has passed, that he will not dismiss Principal Souza;
and the orders which have been lately received here, and the
promise which the Prince makes to receive favorably the
services of Doiii M. de Forjaz, render the dismission of the
Principal an object of less iraportance. I have therefore taken
advantage of the receipt of the Prince's letter, to put an end
to the uncomfortable state in which I have so long stood in
respect to the Governraent. We shall now start fresh, and we
must endeavor to carry the business on as well as we can.
The recent orders of the Prince certainly give us great advan
tages, which we have never till now possessed.
' In respect to the military chest, you will be able to judge
whether the delay to form it by the 1 st November is necessary ;
whether that necessity has been produced by the real magni
tude of the concerns of the Junta de Viveres, or by design, or
by neglect to settle the accounts of the late Junta de Viveres ;
or whether the delay is not unnecessary. As far as I can
judge here, the delay cannot be necessary; because, whether
the Coramissary General or the Junta de 'V^iveres are to supply
the wants of the army, the money raight as well corae frora
the military chest, as direct from the Treasury. However, if
you should think the delay necessary, I recomraend to you to
be sparing in your issues of money, as there is no reason for
abandoning any principle on which we have hitherto acted.
' As I wish to put an ¦ end to the whole difference between
the Portuguese Government and me, and am not desirous of
carrying on the war in the Brazils when peace has been raade
in Portugal, I beg you not to transmit to England my letter
on the subject of  's charge against Dom M.

1811. FRENEDA. . 317
de Forjaz, which is certainly now unnecessary, and would tend
only to revive old disputes, and that if you have sent it, you
will write to Mr. Harailton to request that it may be retained.
' I shall be much obliged to you if you will speak to the
members of the Regency regarding the case of Borel. I shall
be sorry to comraence the era of peace by a coup d'etat such
as that which I had in contemplation on this subject. But it
must be obvious to the Government that the Prince did not
mean that this person should be arrested ; and even if he did,
the mode in which the arrest was made, was such that I
cannot submit to it, and I must adopt some measures which
shall show to the public ray sense of it. Among friends this is
better avoided. ' Believe me, &c.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart
' P.S. Upon referring to my dispatch to you of the 1 1th
September *, I conceive that down to the words " neglect and
disobedience upon this occasion," in the third paragraph, might
go to England ; the rest of the dispatch will only tend to revive
the dispute.' General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Lieut General Hill.
' My dear Hill, ' Freneda, 22nd October, 1811. 8 a.m.
' I received your letter of the 20th, last night. I think
you had better not pass Caceres with your head quarters and
main body. When you have driven off Girard, replace the
Conde de Penne Villemur at Caceres, and bring back again
your troops towards the frontier. ' BeUeve rae. Sic.
' Lieut. General Hill' ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Colonel Gordon,
Commissary in Chief.
' My dear Colonel, ' Freneda, 22nd October, 1811.
' I received by the last post your letter of the 22nd Sep
tember, and I ara very rauch obliged to you for what you have
done for Mr. Dalryraple. I propose to keep him here, not
withstanding that 1 am afraid that he will be unwilUng to
*See page 262.

348 . PORTUGAL. 1811.
stay when Mr. Kennedy goes. This misfortune will happen
very shortly, but I hope he will return soon, as he promises.
I have too much reason to complain of Mrs. Kennedy and her
sister. ' I am very much obliged to you also for the notice you
have taken of Campbell, and particularly for allowing him to
come to this army. You will find him a very zealous, hard
working fellow, who will at least do his best. He is the only
person who knows anything about my concerns, and I: have
no tirae to attend to thera myself. He is besides, very useful
as a Staff Officer, particularly in an affair.
' Believe me, &c.
' Colonel Gordon: " Wellington.

General Viscount Wellington, KB., io Vice Admiral
the Hon. G. Berkeley.
' glR^ ' Freneda, 23rd October, 181 1.
' I have had the honor of receiving your letter of the 19th,
and I am much obliged to you for the measures which you
have adopted to send to England the 29th, SSth, and 97th
regiments. ' Major General Cooke found it necessary to detain at Cadiz
the regiment de Watteville, after he had sent to Lisbon the
horses belonging to the Field Officers of that regiment, and I
have desired that application might be made to have those
horses sent back to Cadiz, with which I shall be much obliged
to you if you will comply.
' I have written to England to have small transports sent
out, which will be capable of passing the bars of the Mondego
and Douro ; but in the mean time, till they shall arrive, it is
very desirable that we should have vessels capable pf entering
those rivers.
' I entirely concur with you in the expediency of occupying
the fort Bugio with a detachm.ent of the battalion of Marines,
and of the Marine Artillery, and of relieving the detachment
every week. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' Vice Admiral ' Wellington.
the Hon. G. Berkeley:

1811. FRENEDA. 349
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My Lord ' Freneda, 23rd October, 1811.
' As the soldiers of this army frequently sleep out of doors,
and as, even when in houses, they are obliged to sleep in their
great coats, that article of their equipment is worn out in a
much shorter period of time than that specified by the Regu
lations (three years) that it should last, and there are no
means in this country of replacing them. I therefore request
your Lordship that 10,000 great coats (as recommended in
the enclosed memorandum) may be sent, as an article of store,
to the Commissary General, to be issued to regiments as they
may have occasion for them ; and regular accounts shall be
kept of their issue, and forwarded from time to tirae to the
Secretary at War, iu order that the price of these great coats
may be charged against the great coat fund of the several
regiments. ' I beg leave to recommend that your Lordship should order
that 20,000 stands of arms and 20,000 sets of accoutrements,
may be sent to Lisbon, in order to supply the casual demands
of the army, as well as those of the Portuguese and Spanish
Governments, there being at Lisbon at present only 1000
stands. ' I likewise beg leave to recomraend to your Lordship to
order that a division of infantry, now raising in Castille, under
Don Carlos de Espana, to which I have supplied arms and
accoutreraents, and to which he is paying great attention, raay
be supplied with blue clothing. It amounts to 4000 raen,
and it is desirable that this blue clothing should be sent to
Oporto, consigned to the British Coramissary there, as soon as
possible. ' I have the honor to be, Sec.
' The Earl of Liverpool' * Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My Lord, ' Freneda, 23rd October, 1811.
' The enterprize of Don Julian Sanchez to carry off the
cattle from Ciudad Rodrigo, adverted to in my last dispatch,
was very well conducted and very successful. During the
night of the 14th he posted his troops near the places at which
he had been informed that the cattle frora the garrison were

350 PORTUGAL. 1811.
usually brought to graze in the morning ; and he expected
that they would come to the ground on the left bank of the
Agueda, between the hiUs on the El Bodon road and the fort,
and he placed two detachments of cavalry behind these hills.
The Governor, General Renaud, had come out of the fort and
across the Agueda, attended by sorae Staff' officers, and es
corted by a party of about twenty cavalry, and he was sur
rounded by Don Julian's detachraent as soon as he entered
the hills, and was taken, with two of his escort, under the fire
of the guns of the place. The reraainder of the escort
escaped ; one of the officers attending the Governor having
been wounded.
' Shortly afterwards Don Julian's detachments on the right
of the Agueda, drove off the greatest nuraber of the cattle
which had been sent out to graze, under the guns of the fort,
on that side of the river.
' The enemy's troops in front of this army have made no
movement of importance since I addressed your Lordship last.
A detachment of the army of the North, which had crossed the
Torraes with a view to plunder the country between that river
and the Yeltes, have returned to their cantonraents without
deriving rauch advantage from this expedition.
' I have directed General Hill to endeavor to force Girard's
division, the Sth corps, to retire from Caceres, as in that posi
tion they distress for provisions the troops under the Conde
de Penne Villemur and General Morillo, belonging to General
Castaiios. General Hill was to move from his cantonments
on this expedition on the 22nd.
' By the accounts which 1 have received from Cadiz to the
15th instant, I learn that Marshal Suchet had entered the
kingdom of Valencia, from Tortosa, with 20,000 men, and
had advanced as far as Murviedro. He made three attempts
to obtain possession of the Fort of Saguntum, near that town,
by escalade, on the 29th of last raonth, in all of which he was
repulsed with considerable loss, and left behind him his lad
ders. He was still at Murviedro on the 4th instant.
' In the raean time General Blake had thrown himself into
Valencia, with 23,000 men, composed of the divisions which
he had brought with hira frora Cadiz and from Murcia, and
other troops; all the strong holds in Valencia were occupied,
and the greatest efforts were making to bring a large force into

1811. freneda. 351
that kingdom, in order to annoy the enemy's communication
with his rear. The utmost confidence appears by the accounts
to be placed in General Blake, and the people of Valencia ap
pear determined to co-operate in resistance to the enemy.
' The enemy have not detached from their force in front of
this army to aid Marshal Suchet. As far as I have been able
to learn, they expect, in addition to the reinforcements which
have already joined, 65 battaUons of infantry, being the fourth
battalions of the regiments now in the Peninsula.
' Sorae of these are of course destined for the regiraents in
the corps d'armee in the south ; and others for the regiments
in Catalonia and Aragon, and now in Valencia; but the
greater number for the regiments in the armies of the North
and of Portugal, and in the Sth corps, which are more imrae
diately opposed to the alUed British and Portuguese array ;
and I understand that they do not purpose to raove till these
reinforcements shall arrive.
' I learn from Major General Cooke that he had detached
1200 raen from Cadiz, under Colonel Skerrett, to land a
Tarifa, and in co-operation with a Spanish corps under Gene
ral Copons, likewise to be detached from Cadiz, to endeavor
to create a diversion in favor of General Ballesteros, against
whom the enemy appear to have detached frora the lines be
fore the Isla de Leon and from Seville a considerable force.
General Ballesteros has taken a position near San Roque,
and there is reason to believe that Colonel Skerrett, who sailed
on the 10th, will have reached Tarifa ; but General Copons'
force did not sail so soon, and had been obliged by the weather
to return to Cadiz, and had been re-landed when the accounts
came away on the ISth.
' There has been no moveraent in the north since I addressed
your Lordship last. ' I have the honor to be, Sec.
' The Earl of Liverpool' ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Lieut. General Hill.
' My dear Hill, ' Freneda, 25th October, 1811.
' I received yours of the 23rd last night, and I now enclose
a duplicate of my last note, in case by any accident the original
should have miscarried. There is nothing new on this side.
' Believe rae, &c.
' Lieut General Hill' ' Wellington.

352 PORTUGAL. 1811.
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., io His Excellency Charles Stuart.
' My dear Sir, ' Freneda, 25th October, 1811.
' I have received your letter of the 21st October, and I shall
refer to the consideration of the Commissary General the paper
regarding money and supplies from the Commissariat, which
you enclosed.
' Beresford and Dom M. de Forjaz know their own concerns
best, certainly; but in my opinion, the military chest is a
separate concern from the Commissariat, and it would be a
convenience that it should commence first.
' Let the Government send me the bill for the labor in the
arsenal. I rather believe it is for the ordnance on the fortified
ground between the Tagus and the sea.
' I have heard of the exportations of silver by the Americans,
which it does not appear to rae to be possible to prevent,
excepting by laying such high duties upon the import of all
articles, including corn, the produce of America, as shall pre
vent the Americans from resorting to the Portuguese markets.
' When the Americans sell their corn at Lisbon, they must
receive payment in raoney ; as, owing to the uncorafortable
state of affairs between Great Britain and Araerica, they can
not take bills upon England, because that which they would
purchase with those bills in England would not be admitted
into America. The only remedy, therefore, excepting that
of a settlement between Great Britain and America, is for
Portugal to lay high duties upon the import ofthe produce of
America. ' The question upon this remedy, which will exclude the
Americans from the Portuguese markets, is whether the
Portuguese can do without the produce of America ? or in
other words, whether Great Britain and Ireland, the Barbary
States, and the Greek Islands, can supply the demands of
Portugal for provisions ? If these demands can be supplied,
I should recomraend this raeasure ; but it is desirable that
you should write to the British Governraent upon the subject,,
to let thera know how the matter stands. I shall also mention
it to Lord Liverpool.
' Adverting to the mode in which business is done in
Portugal, I should doubt whether to affix a stamp upon the
Portuguese paper in circulation, would be equivalent to the

1811. fkkneda. 353
substitution of a new paper instead of the old. The stamp
would be the easiest mode of proceeding, but great care should
be taken to examine the paper ; not to stamp any numbers
that have been destroyed, and not to stamp two numbers of
the same denomination. I would likewise recomraend, that
for each 100 numbers there should be a different stamp, the
difference to be known only to particular persons. For in
stance, one stamp from No. 1 to No. 100, another from No. 101
to No. 200, and so on. This is more troublesome, but it
increases the difficulty of forgery, which is the object.
' Believe rae, Sic.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to the Juiz de Fora of Sabugal,
* Sir, ' Freneda, 26th October, 181 1.
' I understand that you have again seized nine mules, and
four mule loads of cheese, and have taken eight dollars from
some Spaniards who were going to sell their cheese to the
army. ' You raay be right, for aught I know, in committing this
act of oppression, but I apprize you that your conduct shnU
be inquired into by the Special Commission, and if you have
exceeded your authority, or what the law directs, you shall
be punished.
' I also hereby order you to have the nine mules, and the
cheese, and the money, taken care of, in order that the whole
raay be returned in good order to the Spaniards, in case the
¦Governors of the Kingdom, to whom I have written upon this
subject, should so direct. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
• The Juiz de Fora of Sabugal' ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to ihe Juiz de Fora, at Gouvea.
'Sir, ' Freneda, 27th October, 1811.
' I have to inforra you, that I have ordered for trial before
a General Court Martial, now sitting at Guarda, the corporal
and private soldier of the S2nd regiraent, who you complained
to me had committed an outrage in pressing cars at Gouvea ;
and I desire that you will be prepared to send to Guarda, to
VOL. viii. 2 A

354 PORTUGAL. 1811.
-give testiraony before the Court Martial, all the persons who
were witnesses of the facts of which you have complained,
when the officer acting as Judge Advocate with that Court
Martial shall send to you for them.
' I have the honor to be, Sic.
* The Juiz de Fora, at Gouvea: " Wellington.

General Viscount Wellington, KB., to His Excellency Charles Stuart
'Sir, ' Freneda, 27th October, 1811.
' I have had the honor of receiving your letter of the 21st
October, in which you enclosed one of the 19th October from
Dom M. de Forjaz, regarding the number of foreigners in the
service of the British army now in Portugal. In answer to
which, I beg you will inform Dom M. de Forjaz, that any
regulation which the Government shall make upon this subject,
which it may be practicable to carry into execution, shall be
strictly obeyed.
' I request the attention of the Governors of the Kingdom,
however, to the following considerations. It appears by the
statement of the magistrate of Santarem, enclosed in Dom M.
de Forjaz's letter of the 19th, that the nuraber of persons
eraployed, even in that town, is very inadequate to the per
formance of the several duties already imposed upon them ;
and that these persons can scarcely exist. It is notorious tha|;
this is the case in this part of the kingdom. The raagistrates
of the towns and villages have no longer any of that description
of business for the performance of which they received fees,
by which they were enabled to live ; and they are now starving ;
they are indifferent about the tenure of their offices, and they
perform their duty with negligence.
' This is a subject deserving the consideration of Govern
ment, upon which, if they desire it, I will give thera my opinion ;
but in the mean time, tiU a remedy is applied, it is desirable
that the duties of tliese same magistrates should not be increased.
' Before the (Irst French invasion of Portugal, the laws
respecting the passage of strangers throughout the country
were very strict, and were put into execution with some vigi
lance. Whether they were at that time necessary or not, is
' not now the question, but whether it is expedient to revive them
'and increase their severity at the present moment. '

1811. FRENEOV. 355
' 1 have been concerned with the affairs of Portugal for
more than three years, and I have never known an instance
in which any thing was to be apprehended from strangers in
the kingdom ; and in my opinion, the Governors of the King
dom have given too much importance to persons of this
description. ' The policy of Great Britain, or of other countries upon
this subject, does not at all bear upon the question, as it may
be very necessary to restrain the intercourse of foreigners with
the natives of these countries ; but it is, in my opinion, quite
unnecessary in Portugal.
' There is another view of the subject which is peculiar to
Portugal, to which the Intendant of Police has not adverted,
and that is, there is in Portugal, for its defence, a large foreign
army, which must have foreigners of all descriptions attached
to it, and following it ; and every restriction upon . the inter
course of these foreigners with the country must increase the
difficulty of defending the country.
' The Governors of the Kingdom do not appear to be aware
of the immensity of the machine which has been formed in
this country for the support of the Portuguese as well as of
the British army, conducted in all its branches by foreigners.
Any restriction upon the passage of these foreigners through
the country would be very inconvenient to the military system,
unless the restriction could be removed by passports. But
passports, it is well known, are liable to abuse and fraud, as
well as every other institution ; and if the description of the
person to whom they are given is included in them, in order to
guard against fraud, they are attended by such an increase of
the detail of business in the departments of the army, as well
as in the offices of the several magistrates, who are to examine
the passports and the bearers of them, as would render the
operations of the war almost impracticable.
' For instance, not only every officer and his servants, but
every conductor and his muleteers must have passports de
scribing the persons of each, which passports must be examined
at every stage, and signed by the magistrate examining them.
If this is not done, no object will be gained: and I beg the
Governors of the Kingdom to consider whether they can prevail
upon the magistrates of the country, under existing circum-
.stances, to perform this duty ; and whether there are any evil
2a2

356 PORTUGAL. 1811.
existing or to be apprehended, to avoid which will compensate
for the loss of time and the trouble which will be the conse
quence of this system.
' I request you to lay this letter before the Governors of the
Kingdom. ' I have the honor to be. Sic.
' His Excellency " Wellington.
Charley Stuart:
General Viscount WeUington, KB., io Captain JosS Clemenii Pereira.
<¦ Sir, ' Freneda, 29th October, 1811.
' I enclose you the copy of the answer which I have received
to the application which 1 raade to the Governors of the King
dom some time ago, in favor of the Marquez de Ponte de
Lima, and the Marquez de Valenca, which I beg you will
forward to those noblemen in the most secure manner ; you
will at the same time inform them, that if they should come
here, they will be treated with every attention which I can
show them, and that I have no doubt of their safety, if they
can prove the case which they stated in their first address to
rae. Tell them, that if they should experience any difficulty
in making their escape, I may be able to assist them, by put
ting them in communication with one of the parties of Spanish
guerrillas, but that in that case they must do exactly what the
guerrilla chief may desire them to do.
' I have the honor to be, Sic.
' Captain Jose dementi Pereira: ' Wellington.
General Viscount WeUington, KB., to Lieut. General Graham.
' My dkar Sir, ' Freneda, 29th October, 1811.
' About the end of last month, when Soult arrived at Seville,
Girard came forwards towards the Guadiana, and General
Drouet, wilh the other division of the Sth corps, to Zafra, from
Andalusia. That moveraent appeared to be connected with
Marraont's objects, and Girard afterwards retired. He has
since come forward again, however, and at first I thought his
object was to throw a supply into Badajoz, which we could not
prevent, but he has besides pushed forward to Caceres, and
has driven General Castafios' posts beyond the Salor, by which
he has distressed him much for provisions and forage, and it

1811. FRENEDA. 357
was necessary either to prepare to receive these vagabond
troops in Portugal, or to replace them at Caceres.
' I therefore desired General Hill to make a movement with
bis troops, and to threaten Girard's communication with Merida
by his right, while with the remainder of his troops he at
tacked him at Caceres.
' I have a letter from General Hill of the 26th, informing
me that Girard had that morning retired frora Caceres on
Torremocha. General Hill was at Malpartida, and intended
to move on the 27th to Aldea del Cano. As soon as Girard
should cross the Guadiana, Hill would return to his canton
ments, leaving the Spaniards in the country about Caceres, &c.
' As Soult will hear of these .moveraents much about the
time that he will feel the necessity of reinforcing the corps
sent against Ballesteros, I am in hopes that they may be of
some use to Ballesteros.
' There is nothing new here this morning.
' Believe me. Sic.
' Lieut. General Graham: ' Wellington.

General Viscount Wellington, KB., io Dr. Frank.
• My dear Sir, ' Freneda, 29th October, 1811.
' I was much concerned to receive this day your letter by
which you apprized rae of the necessity that you should go to
England for the recovery of your health ; and this concern was
occasioned not less by my feelings for you personally, than by
my sense of the inconvenience and injury which the army and
the public interests will suffer by the loss of your valuable
services. ' I do not, however, yet lose all hope that you will be able to
return to us; but if you should not, and you should think that
I can be of any use to you to forward your views in England,
I beg that you will let me know it; and you will always find
me ready to state my sense of your services and merits.
' General Stewart will send you the official leave for you to
go home. ' Believe me, &c.
' Dr. Frank: ' Wellington,.

358 PORTUGAL. 1811.

General Viscount Wellington, K.B., ioHis Excellency Charles Stuart,
' My dear Sir, ' Freneda, 29th October, IS'l I.
' I enclose you a paper on the Portuguese finance, in answer
to the paper of the Portuguese Government on the same sub
ject, transmitted in your letter of the 24th. I beg that you
will lay this paper before the Government.
' You will see by ray letter to thera of yesterday, that I have
insisted upon their estabhshing the miUtary chest, although
not prepared with other arrangements. My opinion upon
this subject need not prevent you and Beresford from acting
on it as you please. ' Believe me, Sic.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:
memorandum.
' In considering the paper on the subject of Portuguese
finances of October, 1811, it is necessary to advert to the state
of the kingdom and its credit, the probability of success in the
war, and the chances which exist that Portugal may again
becorae the theatre of the operations of the war.
' It is not necessary that I should enter into details on all or
any of these topics ; but it is obvious that the plan which the
paper contains of araelioraling the credit of the Government,
is founded upon a favourable view of all and of each of them ;
which view, it is probable, would not be taken by these indi-r
viduals, who raust be induced by their own sense of their
private interests to adopt the scheraes proposed in this paper
for the amelioration of the credit of the state.
' The object of the Governraent being to pay its debts, and
to revive the credit of the state, is a most laudable one, and
they shall have every assistance which I can give them to carry
it into execution.
' In the present situation of the kingdom, however, the first
object, even with a view to re-estabUsh the credit of the state,
is obviously to secure the funds for carrying on the war. In
this view, and with a view to aid the efforts of Great Britain,
I proposed to the Government to pay the interest upon paper
money, including the Apolices Grandes, from the 1st July

1811. freneda. 359
last ; to which proposition the Government have added the
objects adverted to in the paper of October, 1811.
' 1 ara apprehensive, however, that it is impossible at present
to go farther than I proposed, and that, however honest and
desirable it would be in the Government to find means of
paying the arrears of interest on the paper raoney, and the
Apolices Grandes, and the debts of the Junta de Viveres, and
of the Marine, it is irapracticable, and at the same time to carry
on the war.
' It is not a matter of indifference to propose a plan to the
public for the payment of debts and for the restoration of
credit, which shall fail to produce its object. For instance;,
the Government will propose that certain individuals, creditors
of the state, shall have the option of purchasing the lands and
estates proposed to be sold in the paper under consideration.
I will suppose that these creditors are not satisfied with this
discharge of the debts; that they think the lands under
existing circumstances are worth nothing, and, above all, that
it would not suit their interests to risk a farther capital in theii-
improvement. ' The consequence raust be that the Government not only
will not have paid their debts in the opinions of these persons
their creditors, but they will have incurred the farther discredit
of having endeavored to induce the public to take that in
payment of debts which was in reality worth nothing.
' On these grounds I earnestly recoramend to the Govern
ment to proceed in these measures with the utmost caution and
circumspection ; to propose no measure to the public of which
they are not certain that the public will entertain a favorable
opinion ; and to confine themselves in the first instance to those
measures which are absolutely necessary to place their credit iu
such a state as to enable them lo carry on the war, and to aid
their ally.
' It appears generally admitted that the first of these raeasures
is to pay the interest on the paper money in circulation from
the 1st July last, and with regularity from thence forward.
' The paper money in circulation bearing interest, including
the forged paper, is stated to be 17,250,000 crusades, upon
which the half-yearly interest would be 431,250 cnisadel.
Besides this sum there is some paper in circulation without
bearing interest, and the total amount in circulation, including
forged paper, is 20,500,000 crusades.-

S6l) PORTUGAL. 1811.
,. ' The effect of this raeasure, combined with others to secure
the public against forgery, and the future exactness of the
Treasury, as well in paying the interest upon the paper, as in
issuing paper in its due proportions to money, according to
law, viz., half money and half paper in every transaction, will
raise the value of the paper in the market to such a degree as
will affect the price of all coraraodities, and by that raeans save
to Governraent in its purchases the full amount of the interest
which will be paid.
' It would likewise be desirable to add to this measure a
declaration on the part of the Government that no new paper
should be fabricated.
' I am not quite certain whether tHe Government have it in
conteraplation to pay th*e arrears of interest on the paper
money beyond the 1st of July. This does not appear to be
necessary ; and I wish here to draw the attention of the
Governors of the Kingdom to a principle which applies more
forcibly to this description of paper, but which may probably
with justice be appUed to the arrears on the Apolices
Grandes. ' The paper money has always been a circulating security, and
has generally (particularly of late years) been at a considerable
discount. It is therefore not probable that the individuals who
now hold any portion of it, held that portion in 1808 or 1809,
or at any very distant period for which the Government might
be disposed to pay the arrears of the interest ; nor adverting to
the rate of discount which the paper has borne in late years,
can it be supposed that any person who has purchased paper
has ever had in contemplation the probabiUty that the arrears
of the interest would be paid, and has taken that advantage
into consideration, in the price which he paid for the paper.
The Government will find the paper money generally in the
hands of dealers in bills of exchange or of speculators, who wiU
have bought paper upon hearing of the intention of Govern
ment to pay the interest ; and the arrears of interest which
Government wUl pay beyond the term stated, viz., the 1st of
July, will be so rauch raoney gratuitously put in the pockets of
these individuals, not one of whora, most probably, is the indi
vidual to whom the interest for the past period is really due.
' Neither would this raeasure have any effect in raisino- the
credit of paper money beyond the first moraent. If the interest
should hereafter be paid regularly, such an accumulated debt

ISll. FRENEDA. 361
on account of interest could never again be incurreil, and the
pubUc would have no reason to expect such an advantage in
future. ' The measure next for consideration is the payment of the
interest on the Apolices Grandes. It appears that the securities
of this denomination, which are extant, as I understand, besides
the paper money, amount to 11,818,065 crusades, the half-
yearly interest of which appears to be 295,452 crusades, which
added to the half-yearly interest on the payier money, 431,250
crusades, would make a total of interest half-yearly amounting
to 727,702 crusades. From this sum the 10 per cent, income
tax would be to be deducted, being 72,670 crusades, which
would leave the charge upon the public 654,032 crusades. It
appears to me that the public revenues would be able to
defray this sum, and I would therefore recomraend to Govern
ment to pay the interest from the 1st July on the Apolices
Grandes, as well as on the paper money, and hereafter regularly.
' They ought by a public act to allot a particular denorai-
nalion of the public revenue to defray these demands of in
terest regularly every half year, and, if possible, a small
addition to form a sinking fund to discharge the principal of
the Apolices Grandes.
' I now beg the Governraent to apply the principle to
which I have above referred, in respect of the payraent of the
arrears of interest on the paper money, to the payments of the
arrears of interest on the Apolices Grandes. If these securities
are generally in the hands of the original lenders to the state,
it would be a matter of justice, if it were practicable, to pay the
arrears of interest due upon thera ; but I believe it will be
found that these securities, as well as the paper money, have
been transferred at a very low price ; that the present
holders were not the original lenders to the state; and that in
the price which they paid for the securities, they never con
sidered it probable that the arrears of interest would be paid.
' If this be the case, to pay the arrears of interest on the
Apolices Grandes, would be an useless waste of public money.
' But supposing these securities to be now in the hands of
the original lenders to the state, I think there are some con
siderations to which prudence should induce the Governors of
the Kingdom to advert before they venture to bind themselves
to defray the arrears of interest beyond the 1st of July.

362 PORTUGAL. 181 L
'First, It is my opinion, that the plan proposed in- the
paper, will not answer at all ; that the security proposed to be
given will be deemed worth nothing; and would not raise a
shilling in any raoney market in the world.
' Secondly, It is ray opinion, that the revenues of the state
cannot now afford to pay the interest on a new fund to be
created, amounting to 1,350,252 crusades, in addition to the
interest on the paper raoney in circulation, and on the Apolices
Grandes. ' Thirdly, This measure must be attended by the creation of
a new paper, which will do raore harm to credit, than the
payraent of the arrears of interest can do good.
' Fourthly, I would beg the Government to advert to the
crisis through which the nation has passed ; that it was actually
in possession of the eneray, and all the debts of the state wiped
away as with a sponge ; that it has been three times invaded ;
and that the war with its chances still continues. The holders
of Apolices Grandes, even though they are the original lenders
to the state, are not unaware of these circumstances, and the
Governors of the Kingdom may depend upon it, that there is
not one of thera who will not consider himself too happy in
receiving payment of the current interest ; and that there is
not a. thinking man in Europe, who wiU not be of opinion that
the Governors of the kingdom will have acquitted themselves
handsomely by the creditors, and will have redeemed the credit
of the state by the payment of the interest of their debts from
the 1st of July.
' The next subject for consideration, is the payment of the
debts of the Junta de Viveres, and of the marine; and I
acknowledge that I consider this measure more iraportant to
enable the Governraent to carry on the war, than to pay the
arrears of interest of the ApoUces Grandes. Accordingly, I
recoramend to the Government that, if upon a review of their
income and their expenditure, they should have reason to be^
Ueve that a sum can be spared to pay these debts, they should
allot it to their payment in certain proportions by instalments.
' One of the consequences of the loss of credit, is the in
crease of price of every article which is purchased, far be
yond ils real value, by which increase of price, the seller
endeavors to compensateto himself for the delay in receivino-
payment for the interest of his money during the period of

ISll. FRENEDA. 363
delay of payment, and for the risk which he incul's that he
will never be paid at all. The Governors of the Kingdom
may therefore be satisfied, that they will do strict justice to
these creditors of the state, if they can find raeans of allotting
a sum to liquidate their demands gradually by instalments,
proportionate to the amount of their several demands. The
first step towards settlement should be to ascertain the amount
of the debts, and this alone will increase the credit of the
Government. If it should not be possible to allot a sum to
defray these debts by instalment, when their amount should be
ascertained, I would rather recomraend to mortgage that part
of the revenues of the Brazils which has lately been made over
by the Prince Regent of Portugal to the assistance of this
kingdom, to raise a loan in England which should liquidate
the whole.
' In regard to the other measures adverted to in the paper,
they would be beneficial at any other time than the present,
but at present they are impracticable, without mixing up these
questions with those of public credit, which are so very delicate.
The Government can easily ascertain the truth of ray opinion
upon these subjects.
' Let the lands to be brought into cultivation, or the estates
of the crown be advertised for sale, with all the advantages
proposed to be granted to the purchasers ; and the Govern
ment will find that at present no man will purchase.
' If no man would purchase, what man would lend his
money upon the security of these same lands, or of their pro
duce from cultivation ?
' I ara not acquainted with the law adverted to in the paper,
which has for its object to prevent the exportation of specie ;
but I am apprehensive that it cannot be put into execution.
The exporters of specie, to the great distress of the army, and
the ruin of the country, are the American merchants, who
have brought to Portugal articles of the first necessity ; these
merchants cannot venture to take in payment bills upon
England, because the non-importation law in America would
prevent them from importing into their own country the goods
which they would purchase in England with the produce of
these bills.
' They must continue, therefore, to export specie frora
Portugal as long as the non-iraportation law of America shall

364 PORTUGAL. 1811.
continue in force ; unless the Portuguese Government, upon
finding the inconvenience of this drain of the precious metals,
shall adopt raeasures to put an end to the iraportation into
Portugal of the produce of America. The Government should
consider whether the country can do without the importation
from America ; whether his Majesty's dominions, and his in
fluence with the Greek islands, and in the Barbary States,
would procure for the country the articles of first necessity
which it requires ; and if these articles can be procured in this
manner, it is a measure of vital iraportance to put an end to
the trade with Araerica. ' Wellington.'
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Lieut. General Graham.
' My dear Sir, ' Freneda, 30th October, 1811. 10 a.m.
' 1 enclose two letters from Don Carlos, containing an ac
count of the enemy's intention to collect a force at Frades,
near Endinal, I conclude with a view to realize the contribution
in the Sierra de Francia. -
' There is nothing new here. ' BeUeve me, &c.
' Lieut General Graham: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to the Right Hon.
Henry Wellesley.
' My dear Henry, ' Freneda, 30th October, 1811.
' I have received your letters of the 10th and 15th, and one
from General Cooke of the 18th, and I now enclose copies of
my dispatches of the 23rd and this day, from which you will
learn the state of affairs here.
' I directed Marshal Beresford to send you all the arms we
could spare from this country, not exceeding 5000 stands.
But we have no accoutrements. Beresford will let you know
how raany stands he sends you.
' I do not know whether you are aware that the Spanish
Government are sending troops to Araerica. Alava lately
showed me a letter to Castanos, in which great credit is taken
for the activity with which this force, which I understood was
to consist of 8000 men, was getting ready. They have with
drawn for this service two regiments, of 600 men each, from
Galicia, who had lately been completed with arms by the

1811. freneda. 365
British Government. This was done much against the incli
nation of the Junta, and inhabitants of the province; and
much to the annoyance of Abadia, who appears to be going
on well himself; but he is thwarted by the Junta.
' Ever yours most affectionately,
' The Right Hon. H. Wellesley: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to His Excellency Charles Stuart.
' My dear Sir, ' Freneda, 30th October, 1811.
' I received last night your letter of the 26th ; and I beg that
you will tell Dom M. de Forjaz, that so long as he conducts
himself in his office with the fairness and zeal which have cha
racterized his administration since I have been in this country,
he shall have ray support ; and in ray opinion, if the Prince
Regent's proraise can be relied on, his services will in future be
favorably viewed. At all events, the continuation of the un
comfortable situation in which I have lately stood in respect
to the Government can be of no use to Dora M. de Forjaz.
I think I should not have been justifiable if I had not taken
advantage of the Prince's letter to rae and of his recent orders
respecting the military departments, to put an end to it ; and
I am much mistaken if the raeasure which I adopted will not
be of as rauch use to Dom M. de Forjaz, as to the cause in
general, in the increase of our influence with the Prince, by
showing hira that at least on one side there is no intrigue.
' Believe rae. Sic.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:
General Viscount Wellington, K.B , io Lieut. Colonel Torrens,
Military Secretary to the Commander in Chief.
* My dear Torrens, ' Freneda, 30th October, 1811.
' I am sorry to tell you that Dr. Frank, the Inspector of
Hospitals, is so unwell as to be obliged to go horae ; and the
departraent under him is so iraportant, that if, as I fear, he
should not be able to corae out again, it will be necessary that
we should have the most active and inteUigent person that can
be found to fill his station.
' I am very unlucky in this respect. Excepting in the
Quarter Master General's department, I have had two, and in
some instances three different persons at the head of every

.366 PORTUGAL. 18 ll'.
department in the army. Here have been three officers
second in command; and General Officers commanding divisions
and brigades, and officers, have been changed repeatedly ; and
there is not one General Officer now with the array who came
out with it, excepting Hill, and he was at home for six months
last year ; and Campbell, and be was at home for the same
period the year before last, and is now going again ; and
General Henry Campbell, who was at home for two years.
'Believe rae. Sic.
• Lieut Colonel Torrens: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My Lord, ' Freneda, 30th October, 1811.
' The detachment of the army of the north which was at
Ledesma, moved from thence towards Salamanca, on the 28th
instant, and it is generally supposed that the enemy are about
to collect a force in the neighbourhood of the Sierra de
Francia, with a view probably to realize the heavy contribu
tion v/hlch they have laid on the villages in that part of the
country. ' Excepting that movement, the troops of the armies of the
north and of Portugal have made none since I addressed you
last. ' The last report I received from General Hill was dated at
Malpartida de Caceres, on the 26th. General Girard retired
from Caceres on that morning, and Lieut. General Hill in
tended to move upon Aldea del Cano on the 27t.h. The over
flowing of the rivers in consequence of the rain, is the reason
of my not having heard from him for two or three days.
' He will return to his cantonraents as soon as he shall have
placed General Castaiios' posts, under the Conde Penne Ville
mur, in possession of Caceres.
' By the last accounts which I have from Cadiz of the 18th,
it appears that General Ballesteros had retired under the guns
of Gibraltar, and that the French were at San Roque, and had
taken possession of Algeziras. Colonel Skerrett's detachment
had arrived at Tarifa, but the Spanish detachraent under
General Copons, with which it was intended to co-operate, had
not been able to leave Cadiz on account of the weather.
' I have received no further accounts from Valencia.

1811. freneda. 367
' It appears from all the accounts which I have received,
that the euerrillas are increasing in numbers and boldness
throughout the Peninsula. One party, under Temprano,
lately retook, at the very gates of Talavera, Lieut. Colonel
Grant of the Portuguese service, who had been taken in the
beginning of September in Upper Estreraadura, while eraployed
in observation of the eneray's raovements. Both the Empe-
cinado and Mina were very successful against some of the
enemy's posts and detachraents, when their armies were lately
collected for the relief of Ciudad Rodrigo ; and Longa was
likewise very successful in the neighbourhood of Vitoria, in the
middle and towards the latter end of September.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
* My Lord, ' Freneda, 30th October, 1811.
' I have the honor to enclose a letter from Marshal Sir
William Beresford, containing Brigadier General Wilson's
application for permission to accept the honor conferred upon
him by His Royal Highness the Prince Regent of Portugal.
' I beg that your Lordship will be pleased to lay these
letters before His Royal Highness the Prince Regent, and that
you wUI obtain His Royal Highness's authority for Brigadier
General Wilson to wear the Insignia of the Order of the
Tower and Sword, of which His Royal Highness the Prince
Regent of Portugal has nominated hira a coraraander.
' I have the honor to De, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool' ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My Lord, ' Freneda, 30th October, 1811.
' I have the honor to enclose a raeraorandum. Sec, showing
the mode in which it is wished that the clothing. Sic, should
be raade, for which I applied to your Lordship for Don Carlos
de Espaiia, in my dispatch of the 23rd instant.
' I have the honor to be. Sic.
'. The Earl of Liverpool' ' Wellington.

368 PORTUGAL. 1811,
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Lieut. General Graham. '
< Sir, ' Freneda, 1st November, 1811. 9 a.m.,
' I enclose a letter from General Castanos, with its en
closure from General Giron, which contains the only account
I have received of General Hill since the 26th. He has done
his business very handsomely.
' I likewise enclose a letter of the 28th from Salamanca, and
one from Don Carlos de Espaiia, with an intercepted letter
from Souham. This last shows the object of the collection of
troops at Salamanca ; and I think it not improbable that Dor
senne will move with the whole of the army of the north and
the Plasencia division of the army of Portugal. Indeed this
is almost certain from the nuraber stated in the Salamanca
letter to be coming from Toro. They generally diminish
numbers at Salamanca; but adding even the numbers stated
to the tvi'o divisions already upon the Torraes, the force is a
good strong one, and forms altogether no inconsiderable part
of the army of the north.
' I propose to endeavor to strike a blow, if possible, upon
this occasion, and to bring the army up for that purpose. It
is very desirable, therefore, that you should come to the front,
I propose to raove head quarters to-morrow to Guinaldo; but
as you will have to cross one of the bridges of the Coa, not
withstanding that the river is falling, you had probably better
halt at Sabugal or Alfayates, or if you come by the lower
bridges, somewhere hereabouts. General Craufurd tells me
that the Agueda was fordable yesterday, but that of course
was above the junction of the Vadillo. If it should be ford
able below the junction ofthe Vadillo, I shaU not move more
troops to the right of the Agueda than the light and 6th divi
sions. Otherwise I propose to collect the troops as they come
up between the Agueda and the hills.
' I was very sorry to hear of Captain  's conduct. I
had intended to delay to make any general rule on the subject
ofthe authority of the Provost, till Captain * * * * should be
tried, who has been in arrest above three months for miscon
duct of the same description. But I find that Captain  's
is not the only instance that has occurred of similar misconduct
and abuse of authority, notwithstanding the conversation which
took place on this subject in the army generally at the time of

1811. FRENEDA. 369
Captain * * * *'s arrest, showed that the authority and duties
of the Provost were well understood, and rendered it probable
that a similar abuse would not take place. Indeed this con
viction, not less than the desire to leave the whole subject
open for Captain * * * * 's defence, induced me to delay laying
down any general principle upon it.
' Believe me, &c.
' Lieut. General Graham. ' WELLiNorON.
¦ P. S. I find that the letter from Salamanca of the 28th,
is not from our friends, but from a person there to one of
Don Julian's comraanders. It is probable therefore that the
report is premature ; but at all events there is no harm in our
moving. Murray thinks that you had better cross the Coa at
the Ponte Sequeiros, and come to Villa Mayor or Alfayates to
morrow.'

General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to Lieut. General Graham.
' My dear Sir, 'Freneda, 3rd November, 1811. 10 a.m.
' After I had written to you the day before yesterday, I
went to the ford of Molino de Flores, and found that horses
could pass there ; and I thought it most probable that even
then, but certainly if the fair weather continued, the ford of
Pastores would be practicable for every thing next raorning.
' However, upon my return home, 1 received further intelU
gence, which showed that the proposed collection of troops
would not be made, and that Thiebault had set out on the
30th from Salaraanca, to join the troops collected frora Alba,
and that they were within six leagues of Ciudad Rodrigo on
the night of the 30th. It was useless, therefore, to move our
troops, excepting those in front, and I thought it just possible
that Thiebault might have been delayed, and that we might
have a choice of intercepting the convoy, by crossing at the
ford of Pastores yesterday. We were however too late, as the
Governor and his bullocks arrived in the preceding night.
Indeed I saw the enemy's fires in the Sierra de Gavilanes yes
terday morning, as I was going from hence towards El Bodon,
before daylight.
' The troops which raoved will return to their quarters this
day. VOL. VIII. 2 B

370 PORTUGAL. 1811.
' The enemy went off again before daylight yesterday, and
took the road of Salamanca.
« I have not yet received HiU's report of his affair. His
brother came here the day before yesterday, and it appears
that HiU completely surprised the enemy. He was at Alcu-
escar on the evening of the 27th, within three miles of thera,
and they did not know it, and he raoved before daylight next
morning, and formed for the attack within two hundred yards
of one of their sentries, who did not see our troops !
' The result is as stated by General Giron. The name of
the General Officer is Brun. They hoped to take Girard.
• Believe me. Sic.
' Lieut General Graham: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, K. B., to His Excellency Charles Stuart
i Sir ' Freneda, 3rd November, 1811.
' I beg leave to acquaint you, for the information of the
Portuguese Governraent, that I have directed the Purveyor
to the forces to pay the expenses incurred by the University
of Coimbra in supplying the British hospitals, &c., the ac
counts which were enclosed in your letter of the 17th Septem
ber, with the exception of the charge for bedding and utensils
taken from the hospital of the city by the soldiers, which
cannot be admitted, as the attendants should not have per
mitted those things to be taken away, without making a
representation on the subject to the proper authorities.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.,
Charles Stuart:
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to Major General Peacocke.
'Sir, ' Freneda, Sth November, 1811.
' I have had the honor of receiving your letter of the 30th
October, regarding a ration of wine for the soldiers of the
regiments in the garrison of Lisbon, &c.
' I beg that you will inform the comraanding officers of
regiments, that wine forms no part of the soldier's ration when
he receives fresh raeat. It has been issued to the soldiers of
the army as an indulgence, originally only when they raade
long marches, or were exposed to bad weather, but by subse-

1811. FRENEDA. 371
quent orders of the late Commander of the Forces raore
frequently. ' There are reasons for continuing the issue of wine or spirits
to the soldiers with the army, which do not affect those at
Lisbon. The pay of the soldiers with the army is unfortu
nately considerably in arrear, while that of the soldiers at
Lisbon is regularly given to them. The former, therefore,
have it not in their power to purchase any thing which might
be off'ered for sale : the latter have not only the means of pur
chasing what they require of this description, but they can
find something to purchase.
' Upon the whole, therefore, I am unwiUing to burthen the
public with this additional expense, which it does not appear
to rae to be necessary to incur.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' Major General Peacocke: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to Lieut. Colonel Torrens,
Military Secretary to the Commander in Chief.
' My DEAR Torrens, ' Freneda, 6th November, 1811.
' I hear that raeasures are in contemplation to alter the
clothing, caps, &c. of the army.
' There is no subject of which I understand so little ; and,
abstractedly speaking, I think it indifferent how a soldier is
clothed, provided it is in an uniform manner ; and that he is
forced to keep himself clean and smart, as a soldier ought to be.
But there is one thing I deprecate, and that is any imitation
of the French, in any manner.
' It is impossible to form an idea of the inconvenience and
injury which result from baving any thing like them, either on
horseback or on foot. Lutyens and his piquet were taken in
June because the 3rd Hussars had the same caps as the French
Chasseurs a Cheval and some of their hussars ; and I was near
being taken on the 2Sth September frora the same cause.
' At a distance, or in an action, colors are nothing : the
profile, and shape of the man's cap, and his general appearance,
are what guide us ; and why should we make our people look
like the French ? A cocked-tailed horse is a good mark for a
dragoon, if you can get a side view of him ; but there is no
such mark as the English helmet, and, as far as I can judge,
it is the best cover a dragoon can have for his head.
2b2

372 PORTUGAL. ISll.
' I mention this, because in all probability you may have
something to say to these alterations ; and 1 only beg that we
may be as different as possible from the French in every thing.
' The narrow top caps of our infantry, as opposed to their
broad top caps, are a great advantage to those who are to look
at long lines of posts opposed to each other.
' Believe me, &c.
' Lieut. Colonel Torren^: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My Lord, ' Freneda, 6th November, 1811.
' I inforraed your Lordship, in my dispatches of the 23rd
and 30lh October, of the orders which I had given to Lieut.
General Hill to raove into Estreraadura with the troops under
his command, and with his progress to the 26th October.
' He marched on the 27th by Aldea del Cano to Alcuescar ;
and, on the 28th, in the morning, surprised the enemy's troops
under General Girard at Arroyo Molinos, and dispersed the
division of infantry and the cavalry which had been employed
under the command of that General, taking General Brun,
the Prince d'Aremberg, and above 1300 prisoners, three pieceg
of cannon, &c. &c., and having killed many in the action with
the enemy, and in the subsequent pursuit. General Girard
escaped wounded ; and, by all the accounts which I have
received. General Dubrowski was killed.
' I beg to refer your Lordship, for the details of Lieut.
General Hill's operations to the 30th October, to his dispatch*
* Lieut. General R. HiU, to General Fiscouni Wellington, K.B.
' My Loud, ' Merida, 30th October, 1811.
' In pursuance of the instructions which I received from your Excellency
to drive the enemy out of that part of Kstremadura which lies between the
Tagus and the Guadiana, and to replace the corps under the command of Bri
gadier General the Conde de Penne Villemur,. in Caceres, (from which town
it had been obliged to retire by the superior force of the enemy,) I put a
portion of the troops under my orders in motion on the 22nd instant, from their
cantonments in the neighbourhood of Portalegre, and advanced with them
towards the Spanish frontier.
' On the 23rd the head of the column reached Alburquerque, where I learned
that the enemy, who had advanced to Aliseda, had fallen back to Arroyo del
Puerco, and Caceres, and that the Spaniards were again in possession of
Aliseda. ' Ort the 24th I had a brigade of British infantry, half a brigade of Por
tuguese aitillery (six pounders), and some of my cavalry at Aliseda, and the

1811. IRENEDA. 373
to me of that date from Merida, a copy of which I enclose.
I have frequently had the pleasure to report to your Lordship
remainder of my cavalry, another brigade of Britisli infantry, and half a
brigade of Portuguese six pounders at Casa de Castillana, about a league
distant. ' On the 25th the Conde de Penne Villemur made a reconnaissance with his
cavalry, and drove the enemy from Arroyo del Puerco ; the enemy retired to
Malpartida, which place he occupied as an advanced post with about 300
cavalry and some infantry, his main body being still at Caceres.
' On the 26th, at daybreak, the troops arrived at Malpartida, and found that
the enemy had left that place, retiring towards Caceres, followed by a small
party of the 2nd Hussars, who skirmished with his rear guard. I was shortly
afterwards informed that the whole of the enemy's force had left Caceres, but
the want of certainty as to the direction he had taken, and the extreme badness
of the weather, induced me to halt the Portuguese and British troops at Mal
partida for that night. The Spaniards moved on to Caceres.
' Having received certain information that the enemy had marched on Torre
mocha, I put the troops at Malpartida in motion on the morning of the 27th,
and advanced by the road leading to Merida, through Aldea del Cano and
Casas de Don Antonio, being a shorter route than that followed by the enemy,
and which alforded a hope of being able to intercept and bring him to action,
and I was here joined by the Spaniards from Caceres. On the march I re
ceived information that the enemy had only left Torremocha that morning,
and that he had again halted his main body at Arroyo Molinos, leaving a
rear guard at Albala, which was a satisfactory proof that he was ignorant of
the movements of the troops under my command. I therefore made a forced
march to Alcuescar that evening, where the troops were so placed as to be out
of sight of the enemy, and no fires were allowed to be made.
* On my arrival at Alcuescar, which is within a league of Arroyo Molinos,
every thing tended to confirm me in the opinion that the enemy was not only
in total ignorance of my near approach, but extremely off his guard, and I
determined upon attempting to surprise, or at least to bring him to action,
before he should march in the morning, and the necessary dispositions were
made for that purpose.
' The town of Arroyo Molinos is situated at the foot of one extremity of the
Sierra de Montanches, the mountain running from it to the rear in the form of
a crescent, almost everywhere inaccessible, the two points being about two miles
asunder. The Truxillo road runs round that to the eastward.
' The road leading from the town to Merida runs at right angles with that
from Alcuescar, and the road to Medellin passes between those to Truxillo and
Merida, the grounds over which the troops had to manoeuvre being a plain
thinly scattered with oak and cork-trees . My object of course was to place
a body of troops so as to cut off the retreat of the enemy by these roads.
' The troops moved from their bivouac near Alcuescar about two o'clock in
the morning of the 28tli, in one column, right in front, direct on Arroyo
Molinos, and in the following order: Major General the Hon. K.Howard's bri
gade of infantry (1st batt. 50th, 71st, and 92nd regiments, and one company of
the 60th) ; Colonel Wilson's brigade (1st batt. 28th, 2nd batt. 34th and 39th
regiments, and one company of the 60th) ; 6th Portuguese regiment of the
line, and 6th cagadores, under Colonel Ashworth ; the Spanish infantry under
Brigadier General Morillo ; Major General Long's brigade of cavalry (2nd

374 PORTUGAL. 1811.
the zeal and ability with which Lieut. General Hill had carried
into execution the operations intrusted to his charge ; and I
Hussars, 9th and 13th Light Dragoons) ; and the SpanLsh cavalry, under the
Conde de Penne Villemur. They moved in this order until within half a mile
of the town of Arroyo Molinos, where under cover of a low ridge the column
closed, and divided into three columns. Major General Howard's brigade, and
three six pounders under Lieut. Colonel Stewart, supported by Brigadier
General Morillo's infantry, the left; Colonel Wilson's brigade, the Portuguese
infantry under Colonel Ashworth, two six pounders and a howitzer, the right,
under Major General Howard ; and the cavalry the centre.
' As the day dawned a violent storm of rain and thick mist came on, under
cover of which the columns advanced in the direction and in the order which
had been pointed out to them. The left column, under Lieut. Colonel Stewart,
marched direct upon the town. The 71st, one company of the 60th, and 92nd
regiments, at quarter distance, and the 50th in close column, somewhat in the
rear with the guns as a reserve.
' The right column, under Major General Howard, having the 39th regiment
as a reserve, broke off to the right so as to turn the enemy's left, and having
gained about the distance of a cannon shot to that flank, it marched in a cir
cular direction upon the further point of the crescent, on the mountain above
mentioned. ' The cavalry under Lieut. General Sir W. Erskine moved between the two
columns of infantry, ready to act in front or move round either of them as
occasion might require.
' The advance of our column was nnperceived by the enemy until they ap
proached very near, at which moment he was filing out of the town upon the
Merida road ; the rear of his column, some of his cavalry, and part of his bag
gage being still in it. One brigade of his infantry had marched for Medellin
an hour before daylight.
' The 7lst and 92nd regiments charged into the town with cheers, and drove
the enemy every where at the point of the bayonet, having a few men cut
down by the enemy's cavalry.
' The enemy's infantry, which had got out of the town, had, by the time
these regiments arrived at the extremity of it, formed into two squares, with
the cavalry on their left, the whole were posted between the Merida and
Medellin roads, fronting Alcuescar ; the right square being forraed within half
musket shot of the town, the garden walls of which were promptly lined by
the 71st Light Infantry, while the 92nd regiment filed out and formed line on
their right, perpendicular to the enemy's right flank, which was much annoyed
by the well directed fire of the 71st. In the mean time one wing of the 50th
regiment occupied the town and secured the prisoners, and the other wing
along with the three six pounders skirted the outside of it ; the artillery as
soon as within range firing with great effect upon the squares.
' Whilst the enemy was thus occupied on his right, Major General Howard's
column continued moving round his left, and our cavalry advancing and cross
ing the head of the column, cut off the enemy's cavalry from his infantry,
charging it repeatedly, and putting it to the rout. The ISth Light Dragoons,
at the same time, took possession of the enemy's artillery : one of the charges
made by two squadrons of the 2nd Hussars and one of the 9th Light Dragoons
was particularly gallant; the latter commanded by Captain Gore, and the
whole under Blajor Busche ofthe Hussars. I ought previously to have mentioned

1811. FRENEDA. 375
have great satisfaction in repeating my commendations of him,
and of tlie brave troops under his command, upon the present
that the British cavalry having, through the darkness of the night and the
badness of the roads, been somewhat delayed, the Spanish cavalry under the
Conde de Penne Villemur was on this occasion the first to form upon the plain
and engage the enemy, until the British were enabled to come up.
' The enemy was now in full retreat, but Major General Howard's column
having gained the point to which it was directed, and the left column gaining
fast upon him, he had no resource but to surrender, or to disperse and ascend
the mountain. He preferred the latter, and ascending near the eastern ex
tremity of the crescent, and which might have been deemed inaccessible, was
followed closely by the 28th and 34th regiments, whilst the 39th regiment and
Colonel Ashworth's brigade of Portuguese infantry, foUowed round the foot of
the mountain by the Truxillo road, to take him again in flank. At the same
time Brigadier General Morillo's infantry ascended at some distance to the
left with the same view.
' As may be imagined, the enemy's troops were by this time in the utmost
panic, his cavalry was flying in every direction, the infantry threw away their
arms, and the only effort of either was to escape. The troops under Major
General Howard's immediate command, as well as those he had sent round the
point of the mountain, pursued them over the rocks making prisoners at every
step, until his own men became so exhausted and few in number, that it was
necessary for him to halt and secure the prisoners, and leave the further pur
suit of the Spanish infantry under Brigadier General Morillo, who from the
direction in which they had ascended had now become the most advanced ;
the force General Girard had with him at the commencement which consisted
of 2500 infantry and 600 cavalry, being at this time totally dispersed. In the
course of these operations Brigadier General Campbell's brigade of Portuguese
infantry (the 4th and 10th regiments), and the 18th Portuguese infantry
joined from Casas de Don Antonio where they had halted for the preceding
night, and as soon as I judged they could no longer be required at the scene of
action, I detached them with the brigade consisting of the 50th, 71st, and 92nd
regiments, and Major General Long's brigade of cavalry towards Merida ; they
reached San Pedro that night, and entered Merida this morning ; the enemy
having in the course of the night retreated from hence in great alarm to
Almendralejo. The Conde de Penne Villemur formed the advanced guard with
his cavalry, and had entered the town previous to the arrival of the British.
' The ultimate consequences of these operations I need not point out to
your Lordship ; their immediate result is the capture of one General of cavalry
(Brun), one Colonel of cavalry (the Prince d"Aremberg), one Lieut. Colonel
(Clief dEtat Major), one aide de camp of General Girard, two Lieut.
Colonels, one commissaire de guerre, thirty Captains and inferior officers, and
upwards of 1000 men, already sent off under an escort to Portalegre ; the
whole of the enemy's artillery, baggage, and commissariat, some magazines of
corn, which he had collected at Caceres and Merida, and the contribution of
money which he had collected on the former town, besides the total dispersion
of General Girard's corps. The loss of the enemy in killed must also have been
severe, while that on our side was comparatively trifling, as appears by the ac
companying return, in which your Lordship will lament to see the name of
Lieut. Strenuwitz, aide de camp to Lieut. General Sir W. Erskine, whose
extreme gallantry led him into the midst of the enemy's cavalry, and occasioned
his being taken prisoner. i I'll,,,

376 PORTUGAL. 1811.
occasion, in which the abiUty of the General, and the gallantly
and discipline of the ofBcers and troops have been conspicuous..
, ' Thus has ended an expedition which, although not bringing into play to the
full extent the gallantry and spirit of those engaged, will, I trust, give them a
claim to your Lordship's approbation. No praise of mine can do justice to their
admirable conduct, the patience and good-will shown by all ranks during forced
marches in the worst weather, their strict attention to the orders they received,
the precision with which they moved to the attack, and their obedience to
command during the action. In short, the manner in which every one has per
formed his duty, from the first commencement of the operations, merits my
warmest thanks, and will not, I am sure, pass unobserved by your Lordship.
' To Lieut. General Sir W. Erskine I must express my obligations for his
assistance and advice upon all occasions. To Major General the Hon. K. Howard,
who dismounted and headed his troops up the difficult ascent of the Sierra, and
throughout most ably conducted his column ; and to Major General Long, for
his exertions at the head of his brigade, I feel myself particularly indebted. I
must also express my obligations to Colonel Wilson, Colonel Ashworth, and
Lieut. Colonel Stewart, commanding brigades, for the able manner in which.
they led them.
' Lieut. Colonel Cameron, Lieut. Colonel the Hon. H, Cadogan, Lieut. Colonel
the Hon. A. Abercrombie, and Lieut. Colonels Fenwick, Muter, and Lindsay,
Majors Harrison and Busche, Major Park (commanding the light companies),
and Captain Gore, commanding the 9th Light Dragoons, Major Hartmann,
commanding the artillery, Lieut, Colonel Grant and Major Birmingham of
the Portuguese service. Captain Arriaga of the Portuguese artillery (whose
guns did so much execution), severally merit-my warmest approbation by their
conduct ; and I must not omit to mention the exertions made by Brigadier
General Campbell and his troops to arrive in time to give their assistance.
General Giron, the chief of General Castafios' staff, and second in command
of the 5th Spanish army, has done me the honor to accompany me during these
operations, and I feel much indebted to him for his assistance and valuable
advice. Brigadier General the Conde de Penne Villemur, Brigadier General
Morillo, Colonel Downie, and the Spanish ofiicers and soldiers in general have
conducted themselves in a manner to excite my entire approbation.
' Having now, I hope, accomplished the object of your Lordship's wishes
with the troops under my command, I shall give them one day's rest at this
place, and then return towards the Portuguese frontier for the purpose of re
placing them in cantonments.
' To Lieut. Colonel Rooke, Assistant Adjutant General, and Lieut. Colonel
Offeny, Assistant Quarter Master General, for the able manner in, which they
have conducted their departinents, and also for the valuable assistance and
advice which I have at all times received from them ; to the officers of the
Adjutant and Quarter Master General's departments ; to Captain Squire, Royal ,
Engineers, for his intelligence and indefatigable exertions during the whole
operations ; and to Captain Currie and my personal staff, my warmest thanks ,
are due.
' This dispatch will be delivered to your Lordship by Captain Hill, my first ,
aide de camp, to whom I beg to refer your Lordship for all further particulars.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
General Viscount Wellington, K,B, ' Rowland Hill, Lieut. General.

1811.

FRKNEDA.

377

' I send, with General Hill's dispatch, a plan of the ground
and of the operations on the 28th of October, by Captain HiU,
the Generals brother and aide de carap, who attended him in
the action, and will be able to give your Lordship any further
details which you raay require. I beg leave to recommend
him to your protection.
' Lieut. General Hill has since returned to his cantonments
at Portalegre, having left General Castanos' troops at Caceres.
' It would have been useless for General Hill to push his
operations beyond the Guadiana, as Drouet, with the other
division of the Sth corps, would have retired before him ; and
equally so to remain at Merida. He would not have raain-
tained his position beyond the Guadiana, and he would always
have been liable to a hurried retreat by a raovement of a su
perior enemy to the bridge of Badajoz. Neither could he
have remained at Merida without increasing the difficulty and
expense of the subsistence of the troops, and augmenting the
distance from, and rendering raore difficult the coraraunication
with, this part of the array. I therefore desired him to return
' p. S. — Since writing the above report a good many more prisoners have
been made, and I doubt not but the whole will amount to 1300 or 1400.
' Brigadier General Morillo has just returned from the pursuit of the dis
persed, whom he followed for eight leagues. He reports that, besides those
killed in the plains, upwards of 600 dead were found in the woods and moun
tains. ' General Girard escaped in the direction of La Serena with 200 or 300 men,
mostly without arms, and is stated by his own aide de camp to be wounded.'
Return of Killed, Wounded, and Missing of the Corps of the Army tinder the com
mand of Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, K.B., under the immediate
orders of Lieut. General R. Hill, in the Action witli the French Army near
Arroyo Molinos, on the 28/A of October, 1811.

<U

(±4
Total loss of Officers,
Z
Non-Commissioned
2
a
nJ
09Il>
Officers, and Rank
s
and Pile.
o
CO
M
a
Killed . . .
—
—
7
6
7
Wounded .
7
4
53
11
64
Missing . . .
1
—
—
4
1
The Portuguese loss, but not the Spanish, is included in this return.
378 PORTUGAL. 1811.
to Portalegre as soon as he should have put General Castafios'
troops in possession of Caceres.
' After I had written to your Lordship on the 30th of
October, I received inforraation on the 31st that the eneray
were raaking preparations for the collection of a large corps at
Salamanca, and for their march in this direction, with a view
to convoy in safety a new Governor, and a further supply of
provisions and stores, to Ciudad Rodrigo, of which prepara
tions the raovement from Ledesma, reported in my dispatch of
the 30th, was a part.
' The reports received on the 31st affiDrded ground for
belief that the army of the North, with one division of the array
of Portugal, were to be assembled upon this occasion, and I
was therefore induced to make arrangements for collecting our
army on the right of the Agueda to attack them ; but the
heavy rains which had fallen just at this period filled the
Agueda, and the fords were no longer practicable ; and the
enemy took advantage of this circumstance to effect their
dbject, by raeans of one division of infantry, and about 600
cavalry. ' The new Governor of Ciudad Kodrigo, General Barri6,
moved frora Salamanca on the 30th of October, and, on the
1st of November, at night, arrived at Ciudad Rodrigo, es
corted by one division of infantry, and 600 cavalry, coUected
from their cantonraents on the Upper Tormes, and brought
with hira a considerable nuraber of cattle for the garrison.
The state of the fords of the Agueda, till the morning of the
2nd, prevented our troops from raaking any raoveraent to
prevent his communication with the place, and the enemy had
marched on their return before daylight.
' I have before now described to your Lordship the river
Agueda as a railitary feature in this country. It is difficult
for an array to pass this river at any tirae ; but the only road
by which it is practicable for an array to pass to the eastward,
when the rains have filled the rivers, is by the bridge of Ciudad
Rodrigo ; and the torrent of water in the Agueda during the
rains is of that description, that it is irapossible to overcome this
obstacle. I hope, however, soon to have the means of passing
the river in the state in which it is usually in winter.
' According to the last accounts, of the 22nd October, which
I have received frora Cadiz, General Ballesteros was still

lyil, FRENEDA. 379
encamped under the guns of Gibraltar. No attack had been
made upon Tarifa; but the Spanish troops, under General
Copons, had not arrived there.
' The eneray had made a second attack upon Saguntum, in
Valencia, on the evening of the Sth of October, but had been
repulsed, it is stated, with considerable loss ; and it was believed
that Marshal Suchet was about to retire. I have since heard
of the^march of 9000 men by Calatayud on the 21st of Octo
ber, by one channel, on their return frora Valencia ; by another,
that they were going to join Marshal Suchet from Aragon.
' It is possible that he may have been obliged to retire by the
want of provisions ; and the second attempt to obtain posses
sion by storm of a post against which he had not broken
ground, affords a hope that he was distressed in this raanner ;
but I have no doubt that the French have the raeans of in
creasing their force in Valencia to the araount stated, without
detaching from the armies of the North, of Portugal, and of
the South, which are kept in check by us.
' In the raean time, I see by accounts of the 11th October,
from Valencia, that General Blake began to feel distress for
the want of provisions, and of raoney to purchase them.
' No moveraent has been made in the North since I wrote to
your Lordship last. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool' ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My DEAR Lord, ' Freneda, 6th November, 1811.
' I enclose a letter * from General Hill, which, besides his
dispatch, shows his wishes regarding his oflicers. I particu-
Lieut. General R. Hill, io General Viscount Wellington, K.B.
' Mr DEAR Lord, ' Merida, 30th October, 1811.
' In my report which accompanies this I have endeavored to give your
Lordship as faithful a detail of the occurrences of each day as possible, and I
have to request that should your Lordship deem the advantage I have gained
over the enemy of sufficient consequence to send an officer to England with the
report of it, my first aide de camp, Captain Hill, may be the bearer of it.
' Never did troops behave better than those which your Lordship has been
pleased to place under my command, and 1 do feel they are deserving of any
mark of approbation your Lordship may feel disposed to confer on them, either
by selecting individuals for promotion or otherwise, as to your Lordship may

380 PORTUGAL. 1811.
larly recommend to your protection his brother. Captain Hill ;
and I hope that the Commander in Chief will promote his
aide de camp, Captain Currie.
' It would be particularly agreeable to me, if some mark of
the favor of His Royal Highness the Prince Regent were con
ferred upon General Hill ; his services have been always
appear most suitable. I beg, however, clearly to be understood, I have held
out nothing of tbe kind to them.
. ' I do again most strongly recommend to your Lordship's protection my aide
de camp, Captain Currie, of the 90th regiment ; an officer of eighteen years
active service. From the manner in which your Lordship was pleased to favor
the late memorial of this ofiicer, I have reason to hope he has been promoted
before this; but, as there may be a delay, I will thank your Lordship to insure
his promotion by a second application.
' To the zeal and indefatigable exertions of Captain Squire, royal engineers,
I shall ever feel indebted, and 1 do most strongly recommend him for that
promotion which is so justly due to his merits and to the service. I can assure
your Lordship that his knowledge of the Spanish language has enabled me to
co-operate most cordially with the Spaniards, and that bis military knowledge
has contributed very much to our late success.
' Lieut. Bayley, 31st regiment, deputy assistant adjutant general, has been
long usefully employed on the staff of this corps of the army. He is an officer
of eleven years standing, aud I strongly recommend him for promotion.
' I am happy to add that the greatest harmony subsisted amongst the allied
troops during our late operations, and that nothing could exceed the good will and
friendly disposition of the inhabitants of the district through which we passed.
I mention it as a singular instance of fidelity and patriotism, that although the
inhabitants of Alcuescar in general, as also those of Arroyo Molinos, knew
of the arrival of the allied troops in the vicinity of the former place, on the
night of the 27th, not a man could be seduced from his duty, and the enemy
remained in total ignorance of our near approach. On the other hand, I was
correctly informed of every thing going on in Arroyo Molinos during the
night. ' In writing my official report I fimnd it difficult to state the distinct services
of some officers, from the nature of our operations ; but I am sure your Lord
ship will be pleased to hear of the extreme good conduct of Colonel Cadogan
and Colonel Abercrombie, two officers of the greatest promise. The conduct,
too, of General Howard has been uniformly praiseworthy. The Marquis of
Tweeddale has evinced great zeal and personal bravery, and several other
officers of the staff distinguished themselves. I cannot in justice omit Captain
Btaquiere of the 60th regiment, who went into the town of Arroyo Molinos,
in the night of the 27th, and brought me the most correct information of the
enemy's situation. The commissariat department has been well conducted by
Mr. Routh, considering the circumstances under which he acted.
< Lieut. Hillier of the 29th regiment, who has been employed on the recon
naitring service for some time past, has been extremely useful on this occasion,
from his intimate knowledge of the country which we passed, and of the
Spanish language. ' Believe me, &c.
' Ccneral I'lscount Wellington, K.B.' 'Rowland Hill, Lieut. General.

1811. freneda. 381
meritorious, and very distinguished in this country, and he is
beloved by the whole army.
' At the passage of the Douro, he coramanded the detach
ment which first crossed the river, after General Paget was
wounded, which maintained itself against all the efforts of
Soult's corps ; and he coramanded a division, distinguished
himself, and was wounded in the battle of Talavera. He has
since coraraanded a separate corps of this array ; he has shown
the greatest ability in all the raovements which he has raade ;
and nobody could have been more successful than he has been
in his late operation.
' In recommending hira, as I do most anxiously, I really
feel that there is no officer to whom an act of grace and favor
would be received by the army with more satisfaction than on
General Hill. ' Believe me, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., io Lieut General Hill.
'Sir, ' Freneda, 7lh November, 1811.
' I have had the honor of receiving your letter of the 30th
October from Merida, and I congratulate you upon the suc
cess of your expedition into Estremadura.
' I beg leave, at the same time, to return you my thanks
for the zeal and ability which you have raanifested in carrying
into execution the raeasures which I had recomraended to your
attention in that province, and I request you to take an oppor
tunity of assuring the General Officers and troops under your
command, that I have perused with the greatest satisfaction
your report of the patience, perseverance, gallantry, and dis
cipline of their conduct throughout the late expedition ; and
that I have not failed to make my sense of these qualities
known to His Royal Highness the Prince Regent, and to His
Royal Highness the Commander in chief, as well as to the Por
tuguese Government. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' Lieut. General HUL' ' Wellington.

382 PORTUGAL. 1811.
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to Lieut. General Hill
' My dear Hill, ' Freneda, 8th November, 1811. 10 p.m.
' I have just received your letter of the 7th, 4 p.m.
Churchill did not arrive till the afternoon of the 6th, but
the delay did not signify, as I stopped the packet, and your
brother could not arrive at Lisbon till late on Sunday, or even
Monday, on account of the same cause, the badness of the
horses on the road. I have likewise perused your letter to
Lord Fitzroy Somerset of the 7th, and you will have heard
from Churchill, that I concurred in the arrangements you had
made respecting Brun's carriage, the guns, and the horses or
mules for them.
' The raoney which remains, should be given to General
Castaiios. The Prince d'Aremberg is a great card, being a
member of the confederation of the Rhine, and a Prince of the
Imperial family ; that is to say, married to Mademoiselle
Tascher, Josephine's niece, who was to have been married to
Ferdinand VII. You should take care, therefore, that in
any communications he has with his brother, or other officers,
he has fhe attendance of a sharp EngUsh Officer, and the
sooner he is sent off the better.
* I send you cartels for the exchange of Lieut. Strenuwitz
and Captain Nixon, for Lieut. Du Bourg and Captain Margen ;
and take care that our officers are at your posts when the
French officers are sent in, otherwise they will play you the
tricks they did to rae last winter about Percy and Carden.
' In respect to Mackworth, he is a Lieutenant, and I can
not allow a Captain to go in exchange for hira ; but you may
name any Lieutenant of those you have taken in exchange, for
whom I will give Mackworth a cartel, and the officer you will
name shall either be sent to France, or back to the array ; I
should prefer the forraer. If this will not suit, I will write to
England, that a Lieutenant may be sent back to France in
exchange for Mackworth, and when I shall know his narae,
I will give Mackworth his cartel.
' Tell Captain Larchier that I am sorry I cannot allow him
to go, but that I will write to the Commissioners in England
to desire that they will exchange him by the earliest oppor
tunity. 1 beg that you will inform the Comte d'Erlon, that

1811. FRENEDA. 383
with every desire to obUge him, I am rauch concerned that a
regard for the interests and honor of ray own country, and of
the officers and soldiers placed under ray command, will prevent
me from complying with his desire that the Prince d'Aremberg,
Colonel Hudry, and the chefs de battaillon, Veiten and Voirol,
should return to the French army on their parole ; that I am
concerned to state that the Commissioners for prisoners in
England have informed rae that they have sent to France
several officers prisoners on their parole, not one of whora has
ever returned, nor has the same indulgence ever been extended
to British officers prisoners in France.
« 1 ;am scffry to add to this statement, that in the course of
three years, during which I have been opposed to the French
armies in the Peninsula, the French generals have not allowed
one officer to come back upon his parole, excepting Lieut.
Mackworth, who was aUowed to return by the Mardchal Due
de Raguse.
' I beg you also to inforra the Comte d'Erlon, that I have
received with the greatest concern the accounts which have
reached me of the ill treatment of the prisoners of the allied
British and Portuguese array taken by the French army of the
South. He who has served in the French array of Portugal
knows how I have treated the French officers and soldiers who
have fallen into my hands, and how many of thera I have
saved ; indeed, nobody ought to know this better than Marshal
Soult ; yet, I am sorry to say that the officers and soldiers
who have been taken by the army of the South, have been
treated most shamefully.
' I observe Brito's intelUgence regarding Soult's movement,
•which has certainly been occasioned by yours ; however, you
are in safety, and you have now only to attend to the instruc
tions 1 sent you to watch the enemy's movements upon Carapo
Mayor and Ouguela, and endeavor to ascertain the exact
strength of the eneray in Estremadura ; and I raay probably
request you to try what you can do wilh them again.
' Believe me, &c.
' Lieut. General Hill' ' Wellington.

384 PORTUGAL. 1811.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to the Right Hon.
H. Wellesley.
* My dear Henry, ' Freneda, 8th November, 1811.
' I have received your letter of the 22nd, and I enclose the
copy of my last dispatch and its enclosure ; and likewise a
private letter from Hill. He has done his business very well.
I have desired him to give the guns, mules, and money taken
from the enemy to Castanos, so that the Spaniards will be in
very good humour with us for a day or two.
' I believe we had more at one tirae than 17,000 sick and
wounded, but 7000 to 8000 of thera were wounded. 1 never
saw any array so unhealthy. Every man that came out from
England went to the hospital iramediately after, if not before
he joined the array, and several of the old Walcheren cases
appeared again. We lost but very few, and they are now re
covering, but we have still 14,000 in the hospitals. Notwith
standing, however, that I have sent home about 1000 effective
men in three weak regiraents, we have 3000 raen fit for duty
more than we had when the French were here in September.
' The sickness of our army might as well not have appeared
in the Spanish newspapers. But the liberty of the press, as it
is called, at Cadiz, is as prejudicial to us as something of the
same kind is in England.
' Lardizabal's story affords a curious commentary upon the
modern notions of liberty. The Cortes began wrong, and they
will never be right till they constitute a stout executive Go
vernraent, and have sense enough to confine theraselves to be
a branch of the legislature. ' Ever yours, raost affectionately,
' The Right Hon. H. Wellesley: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., io His Excellency Charles Stuart.
' My dear Sir, ' Freneda, 8th November, 1811.
' You will have seen my answer to the Portuguese Govern
ment on one point of the Prince's letter about Olivenqa; viz.,
to order that the Portuguese flag might be kept flying there.
In point of fact, the Portuguese and Spaniards were fighting
there when the place was taken, and I arrived at Elvas last
April, which matter I settled, by ordering out the Portuguese
and desiring Castaiios to take possession of the place.

1811. freneda. 385
' The other point I did not touch upon ; because, in a dis
cussion with the Portuguese Government, I have no concern
with His Majesty's arbitration of their claim upon Spain, that
OUvenqa shall be restored to thera.
' But what is the nature of this claira, and what is Great
Britain to arbitrate.'' The claim is one upon the goodwill of
Spain, as Olivenqa was ceded by treaty, as formally as Trinidad
was ceded by treaty to us. There is no difference about the
treaty which Great Britain could arbitrate ; but His Majesty
will have to use his influence with Spain to make the resto
ration. His Majesty must take care that Spain does not on
the same grounds require from hira the restitution of Trinidad.
' In respect to Dom M. de Forjaz, it is my opinion that he
ought to confine himself, in his letter of justification to the
Prince, to the charges contained in the Prince's letter to rae,
without alluding to private reports, &c. of his being the cause
of ray being on a bad footing with the Government. It is
difficult to say what will be successful and what otherwise, in
these Governments of intrigue; but in my opinion, the broad
distinct line is best. The Prince accuses him of want of zeal
and love for his service, and of disobedience to his orders ; and
not of fomenting differences.
' It is difficult, excepting by protestation, to prove the
negative of the first two charges ; and in respect to the last,
1 should recoramend him to defend himself as I have defended
him, by saying that he is the officer of this Government, and
can neither obey nor disobey, excepting by their orders, and
beg that His Royal Highness will descend to facts, or justify
him. ' In regard to other points, he ought not to refer to them,
or suppose it possible that he can be charged with causing or
fomenting difi'erences. They may clear him of the formal
charges in the letter of the Prince to rae, which is all that is
on record against hira ; 'but if I know them at all, they never
will allow that I could have quarrelled with Principal Souza,
if I had not been misled by Dom M de Forjaz. I alone can
set that matter right, which I shall do in my answer to Dom
M. de Forjaz, which I shall send him in EngUsh.
' Believe me, &c.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart.
VOL. vm. 2 c

386 PORTUGAL. 1811.
' By the by, is it wished that I should answer Nogueira's
paper ?' General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Colonel Lobo.
' Sir, ' Freneda, 9th November, 1811.
' I enclose a letter which I have received from Lieut. Hay,
who lately passed through Abrantes in charge of the French
General Renaud, who it appears, having occasion to com
plain to the Juiz de Fora that the General's servants were
robbed, was sent for by the Juiz, and abused and ill treated
by hira.
' It is always ray~ wish to support the authority of the
Portuguese civil magistrates, but I am sorry to say that they
in general conduct themselves in so arbitrary and improper a
manner towards the officers of the army, that it is impossible
for me to interfere in their favor.
' In this case, the French General's servants were robbed in
the house of the Juiz de Fora, and what was so natural as to
suspect that the Juiz de Fora's servants had committed the
robbery ? Is it offensive to a magistrate in whose house an
officer is robbed, to inform the magistrate that his servants are
suspected ? Is suspicion proof .'' Or is there any thing in such
a stateraent which ought to disturb the teraper of a reasonable
man to such a degree as to induce bim to call an officer before
him to insult hira ? The fact is, that if the civil magistrates
of the country expect the support of authority, they must
conduct themselves as raagistrates ought, and protect officers,
and others, from robbers ; and I must say, that if there had
been any civil police in Abrantes, the French General could
not have been robbed in the house of the Juiz de Fora.
' I beg that you will communicate these ray sentiraents to
the Juiz de Fora of Abrantes. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' Colonel Lobo: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Lieut. General Hill.
' Mv DEAR Hill, ' Freneda, 9th November, 1811.
' I have not written to you since the 22nd, as I had nothing
new to instruct you, and I would not interrupt your operations.
' Nothing could be more satisfactory to me than all that

1811. freneda. 387
you did, and I am happy that I had determined to send home
your brother with the report of your transactions, before I had
heard that it was your wish that I should do so.
? He and Churchill will tell you how we are going on here.
' Believe me, &c.
' Lieut Generg,l HUl' ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., io Lieut. General
Sir Stapleton Cotton, Bart
' My DEAR Cotton, ' Freneda, 9th November, l si l. 10 a.m.
' I have written to General Grahara, to request that the
board of officers may see the horses which he and his staff
received from the lots sent out for the officers of the cavalry ;
and I shall be obUged to you, if you will desire Colonel Elley
to fix the time at which he will see them.
' I am very much concerned to hear such bad accounts of
the — th light dragoons. It is difficult enough, God knows, to
find forage for a regiment of cavalry anywhere ; but it is not
impossible, as the officers of other regiments have proved.
• AU depends upon the dihgence and attention to their duty
of the officers ; and I can only say, that if any circumstances
exist in the — th regiraent to render them less efficient than
other regiments, I raust take their horses frora thera, and give
them to other regiments who will take care of them, and send
the regiraent to Lisbon to do duty there, and eventually to
England. ' I shall be sorry to be obliged to adopt these raeasures by
a regiment of which I have reason to entertain a good opinion ;
but dragoons are worse than useless, if their horses and
appointments are not taken care of, and we must get rid of all
of this description. ' Believe me, &c.
' Lieut General ' Wellington.
Sir S. Cotton, Bart:
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to J. Bissett, Esq.,
Commissary General.
' My dear Sir, ' Freneda, 11th November, 1811.
' I am sorry to enclose a report which I have received from
the 7th division regarding the want of bread' by the troops.
2c 2

388 PORTUGAL. 1811.
I shall be obliged to you to let me know from what magazine
those troops draw their supplies; bow that magazine was Sup
plied according to the last returns ; and what means of trans
port there are at the disposal of the Commissaries of the 7th
division, particularly of Mr. Carey.
' It is very desirable that the troops should have at all times
in their cantonments six days' bread and six days' corn. Acci
dents from the swelling of rivers vvould then be avoided ; and
in case I should have occasion to move the troops, it would not
be impossible.
' 1 shall be obliged to you if you will let rae know also, how
the several divisions of infantry, regiraents of cavalry, brigades
and troops of artillery, now stand for suppUes.
' Believe me, &c,
' /. Bissett, Esq: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to General Don Carlos de Espaiia.
' Sir, ' Freneda, lith November, 1811.
' I have had the honor of receiving your Excellency's
letter of the 11th instant, and I have ordered Lieut. Reid, of
the Royal Engineers, to proceed to your Excellency's head
quarters, in order to obey such orders as you will give him
respecting mining the bridges of Yecla and Cerralvo.
' I concur entirely in the opinion of your Excellency, re
garding the importance of these points, whether with a view to
offensive or defensive operations, and I would occupy thera,
only that I find it irapossible to support my troops from the
raagazines, at a greater distance from those magazines than
they are at present.
' If I had the command of money, to pay in ready money
for all the supplies which a division or larger body of troops
would consume in advance of the Agueda, it might not be
inconvenient to occupy the Yeltes and Huelva with one of our
divisions, which would effectually secure the points referred
to. But I cannot at ail times comraand ready money; and
the people in Spain, however well inclined, wUl not part with
their supplies without ready money ; and it is impossible for
me to pretend to supply a division at such a distance in ad
vance from the raagazines. Under these circumstances, what
ever raay be the inconvenience resulting frora the eneray being
in possession of the passages of those rivers, we raust be satis-

1811. freneda. 389
fied with adopting measures to secure them which may not
prove adequate to their object.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
¦ General Don Carlos de Espana: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to Lieut. General Hill.
' My dkar Hill, 'Freneda, 12th November, 1811.
' I am much distressed by Strenuwitz's coming away ; how
ever, as he had raore reason than another to be alarmed for
the consequences of staying with the French, I excuse in him
what I would not excuse in another. However, we raust put
the best appearance on the transaction that we can, and I beg
you to write to the Conte d'Erlon, and tell hira that as I had
already signed and sent to you the cartel for Lieut. Du Bourg,
I would not withdraw it, but desired that that officer might be
sent back in exchange for Lieut. Strenuwitz ; that I beg, how
ever, to protest against the notion that an officer who is under
charge of a guard is bound, by any implied parole, not to
raake his escape from that guard ; that the contrary has been
admitted in a late correspondence which I have had with Mar
shal the Duke of Ragusa, and that the French General
Officers raay depend upon it, that as long as they continue the
hitherto unheard of mode of confining officers under a guard,
and not leaving them at liberty upon their parole, they raust
expect that they will take advantage of the favorable dis
position of the people of Spain to raake their escape.
' I enclose a cartel for Strenuwitz, to be given to hiraself.
' Believe rae, &c.
' Lieut. General HiU: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., io Major Geheral Campbell.
' My dear Campbell, ' Freneda, 13th November, 1811.
' I see that Colonel  has published his letter in answer
to raine on the affair of the Barba de Puerco, I imagine
garbled in the usual jacobin style, and preceded by a state
ment, the raeaning of which is (as far a? I can understand it)
to insinuate that I, or ray friends, have published my letter.
I write in hopes that this will catch you at Lisbon, to intreat
you on no account to be drawn into a war in the newspapers
with this fellow. ' Believe me, &c.
' Major General A. CampbeU: ' Wellingto.

390 pdRtU6AL. 1811.
General VkboUM tVellingtdn, KB., to Lieut, General Hill
' My dear Hill, ' Freneda, 13th November, ISll.
' I have received your letter of the 11th, and I enclose a
cartel for Lieut. Mackworth in exchange for Lieut. Miramort.
I write to desire that Lieut. Miramon raay be sent from Eng
land to France, in exchange for Lieut. Mackworth. Pray
desire the latter not to throw hiraself unnecessarily in the way
of being taken, till Lieut. Miramon can have arrived in
France, which wiU be in about three weeks. As you have
writtetl to Drouet that you would send Du Bourg for Strenu
witz, it is scarcely worth while to write the letter which I re
commended to you yesterday. ' BeUere me, &c.
' Lieut, General Hill: ' Wellington.
General Visiouhi Wellington-, K.B., to His ^XcellenCp Charles Stuart
' My dear Sir, ' I^reneda, l3th November, 1811.
' I was pretty certain that the establishment of the military
chest and other measures were delayed by tricks. If they
execute the former measure as I intended, it is quite discon
nected with all others, and there is no reason whatever for its
delay, excepting to give time for the operatioh of intrigue at
the Brazils.
' I do not know what plan ¦  had for Exchequer bills
and the fabrication of paper. I have also a plan for Ex
chequer bills, but not at Lisbon, where they would ruin us and
the Portuguese Government also. As for paper they must
positively fabricate ho more.
'  is a very extraordinary personage ; at the same time
that he was in ecstasies of admiration of Mr. Pitt's plans of
finance, the foundation of which is credit acquired by honest
and plain dealing, and he urged these plans, right or wrong,
upon this bankrupt Government ; he was urging upon them
likewise all the wild, revolutiotlary plans of America and
France, fabrication of paper, selling of crown lands, mortgaging
estates of emigrants, &C.
' I enclose the draft* of my letter to the Portuguese Govern
ment about Olivenqa. The Princess C'arlotta appears to get
on apace. ' Believe me, &c.
• His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart: * This draft is missing.

1811. FRENEDA. 391
General Viscount Wellington, K.B,, to the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My Lord, ' Freneda, 13th November, 181 1.
' By the accounts which I have received frora Cadiz of the
29th October, it appears that the enemy had retired from
Algeziras and San Roque on the night of the 21st October.
General Ballesteros had pursued their rear guard, against
which he had some success.
' Colonel Skerrett conducted with great judgment the de
tachraent of British troops, of which he had the coraraand at
Tarifa, and his movements towards the enemy's communica
tions must have shown them the impracticability of their re
maining in the position which they had taken.
' The service on which Colonel Skerrett's detachraent was
sent from Cadiz having been effected, I propose to suggest to
Major General Cooke, the expediency of re-calUng it, and the
regiraent de Watteville will be sent to its destination forth
with. ' I have received no further intelUgence from the eastern
coast since I addressed your Lordship on the 6th instant. I
learn from intercepted letters that the enemy have accounts
that the army of Murcia had moved upon Cuenca, with a view
to co-operate with the guerrillas, in intercepting the comrau
nications of Suchet's corps ; and it is reported that there has
been a general insurrection in Aragon, since the troops have
been withdrawn from that kingdom for the expedition into
Valencia ; but of this I have no certain accounts.
' Nothing iraportant has occurred either in Estreraadura
since General Hill returned to his cantonments, or in this
quarter since the Governor arrived at Ciudad Rodrigo. The
enemy have augmented their force in Estremadura, but I
iraagine only with a view to introduce in security a convoy
into Badajoz, as I understand that they have barricaded the
streets of Merida since General Hill withdrew from thence ;
and likewise those of S"' Marta.
' It is reported that there are troops in movement towards
Benavente, but I have not any intelligence of these movements
on which I can depend.
' It appears that the country on both banks of the Tagus
as far up as Aranjuez, has been made over by the Emperor to

392 PORTUGAL. 1811.
Marshal Marmont, for the support of the army of Portugal.
This arrangeraent has reduced the King to the greatest distress,
as the produce of that country was all that he had to depend
upon ; and he was actually subsisting upon the money produced
by the retail sale of the grain forcibly levied upon the people.
' This grain having been thus levied and sold by the King,
has been seized again by Marmont's orders, and taken from
the people who had purchased it from the King's magazines,
who have been informed that the King had no right to sell it !
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool' ' Wellington. ,
General Viscount Wellington, KB., io ihe Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My Lord, ' Freneda, 1 3th November, 1811.
' In consequence of the receipt of your Lordship's letter of
the 8tb August, directing me to order the Commissary Gene
ral to pay to  , Esq., the sum of £577 10s., I
considered it proper first to inquire whether Mr.  had
received any money from any of the pay departments, British
or Portuguese, in this country ; and I have the honor to en
close a letter which I have received on the subject from Mar
shal Sir William Beresford, stating that Mr.  received,
besides his pay as a  in the Portuguese service, from
January to June, 1809, and an allowance for purchasing
horses and mules, a sura araounting to 1,200,000 rees, or
£337 10s. sterling, from the late Colonel of the CovilhaS
railitia, for which sum he has not accounted.
' I beg to receive your Lordship's directions whether I shall
order that sum to be paid to the widow of the Colonel of the
CovilhaS militia, and that Mr.  may receive the balance
of his demand of £577 10s.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My dear Lord, ' Freneda, 13th November, 1811.
' I send you the last morning state of the army in the field,
and the last fortnight's state of the British array.

1811. freneda. 393
• I likewise enclose a very curious intercepted letter, which
was in cipher, from Marmont to Foy, which shows how these
gentry are going on ; in fact each Marshal is the natural
enemy of the King and of his neighbouring Marshal. Pray
take care that this letter is not raade public, as it would dis
close that we have the key of the cipher.
' We laugh at the distresses of the French, and enjoy their
robberies and frauds to relieve them, but we are in great dis
tress ourselves ; however, if you have sent rae the Exchequer
biUs which I desired to have, I think I shall be able with their
assistance, and by the operation of certain financial measures
which I have prevailed upon the Portuguese Governraent to
adopt, to do something.
' I refer you to the statement of our financial situation,
which the Comraissary General sends home this day, which is
indeed nearly the same as that which I sent you in August ;
and I beg you to attend particularly to what I stated in a
recent letter respecting the purchases of bullion at Lisbon by
the Americans. Seven weeks have elapsed since the date of
our last accounts from England. ' Believe me, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool' ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., io Major Dickson, R.A.
' My dear Sir, ' Freneda, 14th November, 1811.
' I believe that our train and stores, and the means of
moving thera, are in the following situation.
' The Engineer's stores, with the carts and bullocks ready
to move ; the gun bullocks at Lamego, but the guns at Villa
da|Ponte ; the ordnance stores, powder, shot, &c., at Villa da
Ponte, but the carts, &c., employed by the Comraissary General.
I beg that you will order what there are the raeans of movino-
to proceed by regular easy stages to Alraeida, and that you
will send to Mr. Boyes for the bullocks to draw the guns ; and
as soon as they arrive, let thera proceed likewise to Almeida.
' The ordnance stores must be left where they are, till the
means of conveyance for the Engineer's stores can be sent back
to convey them by trips to Almeida, as I fear that it will be
impossible to take the cars from the comraissariat for that
purpose. However, if Mr. Boyes is of opinion that they can be

394 PORTUGAL. 1811.
taken without Inconvenience, I have no objection ; and the
ordnance stores for the train may come on as fast as there shall
be means of conveyance for them.
' Let the company of artiUery raove with such part of the
equipraent as you may think proper.
* Believe me, &c.
' Major Dickson, R.A: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to Major General Cooke.
« SiH, ¦ Freneda, 1 Sth November, 1811.
' I have had the honor of receiving your letters to the 6th
instant, and I entirely concur with you in the approbation
which you have expressed of the conduct of Colonel Skerrett
up to the 21st of October, when the enemy retired from his
position at San Roque.
' It is not my wish or intention to interfere with your dis
cretion in detaching troops from Cadiz. When first I de
tached troops frora this army to that station, I ordered that
they should not quit the limits of the harbour ; but the events
of the war in that quarter may render it expedient that a
detachment should be made from Cadiz, and there may not
be time to receive my opinion upon the measure. In deciding
upon measures of this description in future, however, I wish
you to advert to the following points.
' First ; that the object for which you detach the troops, is
specified, and iraportant in itself.
' Secondly ; that there is a prospect that the detachment
of the British troops to be sent will have the desired effect.
' Thirdly ; that they shall be at all times in secure commu
nication with their shipping; for which their Commanding
Officer must be held responsible under his instructions, what
ever may be the orders he may receive from the Spanish
General Officer under whose command he may be placed.
' Fourthly ; that the British troops detached shall act to
gether in a body under the immediate command of their own
Commanding Officer.
' When you made the detachment to Tarifa, all the points
above recited appeared to me to have been attended to. But
I would beg you to observe, that as soon as the French re
tired, the object for which Colonel Skerrett was sent, was

1811. FRBNBDA. 395
accomplished ; and he has remained for no specified object. I
would therefore suggest to you, that if there is no specified
object for his remaining any longer, he should be withdrawn.
' The consequences of his remaining under existing circum
stances, must be to involve him and his detachment in the
operations of General Ballesteros, which, if they have a speci
fied object, that General, even with the assistance of the
British troops, has not the means of accomplishing ; and the
British detachraent must in the course of these operations be
exposed to be cut off frora the shipping,
' These operations may be very useful to the cause, and
are highly creditable to General Ballesteros, even though they
may not have a specified object, or may not be successful.
But it was not my intention when I detached part of the army
to Cadiz, not is it the intention of the British Government,
that any detachment of His Majesty's troops should take part
in those operations. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' Major General Cooke: ' Wellington.

General Viscount Wellington, KB., io the Right Hon.
Henry Wellesley.
' My dear Henry, ' Freneda, 15th November, 1811.
' I have received your letters to the 6th instant, and I flow
enclose my last dispatch.
* I write by this opportunity to General Cooke, to suggest
to him the expediency of drawing back Colonel Skerrett's de
tachment. I know the Spaniards well, and particularly Bal
lesteros. They will never stop till they shall have lost that
detachment. Il may have been very proper to send it to
secure Tarifa, or for any special object, taking care that its
communication should be always secure with the sea coast.
But it will not answer to allow our troops to remain in search
of adventures, Under the guidance of such men as Bal
lesteros. ' Ever yours, most affectionately,
' The Ri. Eton. tt. Wellesley: ' Wellington.

396 PORTUGAL. 1811.
Genei-al Viscount Wellington, KB., to the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My Lord, ' Freneda, 15th November, 1811.
' I think it proper to transmit to your Lordship the copy of
a letter which I have written to Major General Cooke, in
regard to Colonel Skerrett's detachment.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool' ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., io His Excellency Charles Stuart
' My DEAR Sir, ' Freneda, 16th November, 1811.
' I have received your letter of the 12th, and I now return
Dom M. de Forjaz's papers. I agree that the last, nay, that
all the papers in No. 4, allude pretty clearly to him ; but ex
cepting the last they have all been answered.
' The question is, what is Dom M. de Forjaz's object .¦' I
suppose to reraove from the mind of the Prince the notion
that he caused and promoted a misunderstanding between the
Governors of the Kingdom and rae, and to obtain from His
Royal Highness an acknowledgment of the erroneous judg
ment he had formed upon that subject. This object is legiti
mate, and I think it one which Dom M. de Forjaz ought to
endeavor by all prudent means to accomplish.
' The next question is, what are these raeans .'' I must say,
not the topics into which he has entered in bis letter of the
Sth November, addressed to the Governors of the Kingdom.
In that letter, he has entered not only into the origin and
cause of the misunderstanding, but has shown much more
clearly than I was ever able to show, that T had, that tbe
people of this country had, and that the Prince had, most
just ground for complaint of the Bishop and the Principal.
But I would ask, is the Prince a person upon whom such a
representation is likely to have any effect .'' Does Dom M. de
Forjaz believe, that when I and the British Government have
failed in prevailing upon him to exaraine fairly these sarae
circumstances, he is likely, even with his stronger statement,
to produce a different result ? Will not his statement be con
tradicted, and all kinds of misstatement and sophistry be used
to conceal the truth from the Prince, in this case, in the sarae
manner as the same arts were used to blind hira in regard to

1811. FRENEDA. 397
the statement transmitted by me a year ago ? What will be
the consequence ? If the Prince takes any official notice of his
paper, it will be to repeat the accusation that he caused the
misunderstanding ; and probably he will add to it that, after
it had been reconciled, he endeavored to foment it again.
' The worst of this accusation will be, that the world, who
never half inform themselves of those matters on which they
will pronounce a judgment, will sanction with their opinion
this decision of the Prince. I would therefore recommend to
Dom M. do Forjaz to leave out of his letter of the Sth
November all that I have marked with pencil, and in lieu
thereof, to write what I state in the enclosed paper. This
will probably bring a fair answer from the Prince, and there
will be an end to the business. He raay depend upon it, that
the other mode will not accomplish his object.
' Believe me, &c.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart.
' I think also, the words which I have marked in regard to
the Conde de Linhares, raight as well be left out of the letter,
as pointing at a motive for Linhares' conduct, which, however
true the allusion may be, had better not be made on this
occasion.' General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to His Excellency Charles Stuart.
' My DEAR Sir, ' Freneda, 17th November, 1811.
' I have received your letter of the 13th, and I hope that
you are as sorry to leave us as I am to lose your co-operation
in our task. I was in hopes that I should have had your
assistance till the end of the war ; but if you are to go.
Government could not raake choice of a successor whose
appointment will be more agreeable to rae.
' I ara particularly sorry to lose you for the concern on
which you are going, as I agree with you in thinking, that
you will effect no good purpose *. I shall send you the copy
of a letter which I wrote to my brother Henry some time
ago upon this subject, which will show you what I thought
about it.
*¦ Mr. Stuart had been named as Chief of a Commission for settling the
disputes between Spain and her American colonies.

398 PORTUGAL. 1811.
' I hope it is yet possible that you will not go. The
Spaniards never more than half consented to our mediation,
and that only upon a condition with which it is impossible that
our Governraent can coraply. If they do not now relish the
raeasure, they will get rid of it by the usual way, by delay ;
and in the raean time, I hope that you will not quit your
present station. ' Believe me, Sic.
* His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart,
' I send you the copy of my letter to my brother, which I
beg you to return, as it is the only one I have.'
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to Lieut. General Hill.
' My dear Hill, ' Freneda, 18th November, 1811. 9 a.m.
' I just write to mention that I hear from Austin of a col
lection of troops at Seville, which Victoria likewise mentions
in a foolish letter which I have from him.
' Attend to Ouguela and Campo Mayor in the first instance,
and if Soult should be too strong for you in Estremadura,
which I should think he can scarcely be, and you cannot bold
the position of Portalegre, you have your instructions where
to fall back. ' Believe rae, &c.
' Lieut. General Hill ' Wellington.
' If you do not already correspond with Austin, you had
better do so.' General Viscount Wellington, K.B., io 
'Sir, ' Head Quarters, 20th November, 1811.
' I have received your two letters, and I concur with you in
thinking that the only raode in which you can expiate the
injury which you have done to your country, by aiding a
cruel foreign enemy to invade it, is by giving me every intelli
gence in your power. If you do give roe such intelligence,
I will endeavor to procure for you a pardon for your offences,
but it must be real intelligence, of a useful description, and
sent with celerity, and frequently.
' If you will point out the person at Alcantara through
whose hands the money is to be sent to you, I will send it, or

1811. FRENEDA. 399
will adopt any other mode you will point out of supplying
you. I gave the bearer of your letters twelve dollars, and I
shall reward any person you may employ to bring me letters.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
'  ' 'Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to J. Bissett Esq.,
Commissary General.
' My dear Sir, ' Freneda, 20th Nov., 1811. 12 at noon.
' 1 enclose a letter from Major General Craufurd, to whicli
I beg to draw your particular attention.
' I request you to let rae have a return of the nuraber of
mules employed with the light division, and Captain Ross's
troop of horse artillery ; and a return of the number of persons
and animals receiving rations in that division and the troop.
Likewise the state of the magazine at Celorico, between the
10th and 20th instant. ' BeUeve me, &c.
' J. Bissett Esq: ' Wellington.
General Viscount WeUington, KB., to the Right Hon. the
Secretary at War.
' My Lord, ' Freneda, 20th November, 1811.
' I have received your Lordship's letter of the 21st ultimo,
requesting me to inform you of the grounds upon which I had
determined that no deduction for rations should be made from
the pay of persons holding the situation of Assistant Provost
Martial; and I beg to acquaint your Lordship that I have
always considered persons so employed to be entitled to the
sarae advantages as Staff Officers, whose pay, according to the
book of General Regulations (page 64), is not liable to de
duction on account of rations. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' The Ri. Hon. the Secretary at War: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to the Right Hon.
Henry Wellesley.
' My dear Henry, ' Freneda, 20th November, 1811.
' I have nothing to tell you in addition to what is contained
in the enclosed dispatch, excepting that since I sent it off I

400 PORTUGAL. 1811.
have received a Madrid Gazette of the 10th, which contains
a proclamation of Blake's to the city of Valencia of the 26th,
from which it appears that he was beat on the 25th, having
left the town to endeavor to raise the siege of Saguntum I I
suppose Mahy had joined him before the action.
' There is nothing new frora England to the 15th October.
' Ever yours, most affectionately,
' The Right Hon. H. Wellesley: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., io the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' Mv Lord, ' Freneda, 20th November, 1811.
' I have received a report that General Ballesteros had made
a second successful attack upon the enemy between Bornos
and Xerez on the Sth instant. The details of this affair have
not reached me, but I have no doubt that it took place, and
that its result was favorable to the Spanish troops.
' There is a report in the Madrid Gazette, that Marshal
Suchet had beat General Mahy between Liria and Valencia
on the 25th of October, and taken prisoner General Mahy,
whose corps were dispersed. It was also stated that Marshal
Suchet had summoned Valencia on the 27th. These reports
do not appear to be official, and they are contradicted by other
reports from Madrid, and by other reports which I have re
ceived from the south, which state that Suchet has been
obliged to retire into Aragon. I am not exactly apprized of
General Mahy's plan of operations, or of the time of his
march. But it appears to me that on his approach to Va
lencia, he would not have been on the line between Liria and
Valencia, but on the right of the Chelva.
' The last letters which I have received from Mr. Wellesley
are dated the 6th instant, and he had not then received the
accounts of General Ballesteros's last success, nor of affairs in
Valencia since the 11th of October.
' No moveraent of' any importance has taken place in Es
tremadura or in this quarter, since I addressed your Lord
ship on the 13th instant. By a letter of the Uth from Sir
Howard Douglas, I learn that accounts had been received on
that day from the Junta of Mondonedo, stating that the enemy
had entered Oviedo on the 6th. instant.

1811. freneda. 401
' I am afraid that the Spanish division in the Asturias had
left the passes of the mountains unguarded, otherwise it is im
possible that the French could have reached Oviedo without
opposition, and that the first intelligence of their raovement
should have announced their arrival in that city, and should
have been received from the Civil Junta of Mondofiedo.
' 1 have the honor to be, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool' ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., io ihe Earl qf Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My Lord, ' Freneda, 20th November, 1811.
' I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your
Lordship's dispatch of the 1st October (No. 61), and I beg
to acquaint you, that the regiments named in the margin*
sailed for England some tirae ago.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
• The Earl of Liverpool' ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to ihe Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
* My dear Lord, ' Freneda, 20th November, 1811.
' I enclose the last weekly and raorning states. The cap
ture of the Prince d'Aremberg has occasioned a request from
the Marquesa de S'" Cruz, that an endeavor raight be made to
exchange him for the Marques de S'" Cruz, a Grandee of
Spain, who was seized by Buonaparte at Bayonne, I believe
in 1808, and has been confined ever since in a fortress in
Italy. It would be very desirable, if possible, to effect the
exchange of the Marques de S" Cruz, but I do not recoramend
that the Prince d'Aremberg should be given for him ; he is too
great a card to be so thrown away ; besides, I should suppose
that if Governraent were disposed to aUow him to return to
France in exchange for any person not an officer, they would
name Ijord Beverley. ' Believe me, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool' 'Wellington.
* The 2'Jth, 8otb, and 97th.
VOL. vm. 2 D

402 PORTUGAL. 1811.
General Viscount Wellington, K.B,, io J. Bissett, Esq.,
Commissary General.
' My DEAR Sir, ' Freneda, 21st Nov. 1811. 9 a.m.
' I received last night your letter of the 20th, and its en
closures, which I return.
' Upon the examination of the state of the raeans with the
light division, to the demands for supplies, on the principle of
the raeraorandum which I sent you yesterday, it appears that
they have 4736 men, which number would require —
Mules to supply them with bread at 12 leagues 144
„ with spirits . 48
„ with rice, &c. . 24

216
And they have 398 horses, whose corn would require 116

To this add spare one for every six . 55
387
Number with the division . 340

Wanting . . 47
' I imagine that the muleteers and their mules, as well for
carrying provisions as for carrying ammunition, are Included
in the number of 4736 men, and of 398 horses. If that is the
case it will turn out that this division is well supplied with
means of transport.
' In respect to Captain Ross's troop, they have, including
muleteers, 243 men, requiring mules —
For bread . . .71
For rum . . .24
For rice . . .12

107
And they have 206 horses, requiring mules 69

176
To which add spare one for six . 29

205
They have , 97

Wanting" . ] 08

1811.' FRENEDA. 403
' It is obvious, however, that the muleteers, probably, for the
ammunition of the division, are included in the nuraber of
raen, and, probably, of horses, in this return, and therefore
they may be complete. I have gone into this calculation just
to apply the principle of the memorandum which I sent you
yesterday. Let rae know how many men and horses of both
these returns are hired muleteers and their mules.
' But there is another view to be taken of this subject, and
that is the distance which these troops are from the magazine.
They are at least 15 leagues from Celorico, and they cannot
be less than 15 leagues frora St. Joao da Pesqueira. This dis
tance wUl require 8 or probably 9 days for a communication.
Some raeasures raust be adopted therefore to supply these
troops with one-third more of bread and corn than their mules
can carry to them from these magazines, even supposing they
are sufficiently supplied for a distance of 12 leagues frora the
magazines. And these measures are either a supply of money
or an additional number of mules, or to send them every week
three days' supply from hence. ' Believe me, &c.
' J. Bissett, Esq: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., io Major Dickson, R.A.
' My dear Sir, ' Freneda, 22nd November, 1811.
I have received your letter of the 18th with the enclosure,
from Mr. Boyes. I beg that you will tell Mr. Boyes that I
am very rauch obliged to him for the zealous desire which he
manifests to forward our stores, but that I cannot allow the
depot at Celorico to reraain unsupplied, at least till that of
St. JoaS da Pesqueira is fully supplied. I request him to
correspond on this point with the Commissary General.
' BeUeve me, &c.
' Major Dickson: ' Wkllington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., io Captain  .

' Sir, ' Freneda, 22nd November, 1811.
' I send you separate answers on the subject of the noble
men, and of the CapitaS Mor of Zibreira.
' I beg you to take care how you communicate with the
Portuguese in the French army. They are in desperate
2 D 2

404 PORTUGAL. 1811.
circumstances, and raen in those circumstances do any thing,
however bad and traitorous.
' Do not let any one of them know where you are on any
account, and be particularly cautious that a second individual
of them does not discover that you are in correspondence with
one of thera ; be assured, that those who have betrayed their
country are not to be trusted in any raanner.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
• Captain  .' ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, K,B., to Captain Jose Clemenii Pereira.
' Sir, ' Freneda, 22nd November, 1811.
' I received this raorning your letters of the 20th, and I
am very rauch obliged to you for your intelligence, and very
well satisfied with all that you have done. Give such reward
as you raay think proper to the person who took the letter, and
brought the answer from the two noblemen, and I will pay it ;
and pay likewise to the party d'El Medico, any expenses they
may have incurred, which shall likewise be defrayed by me.
Assure the noblemen that they will be well received by me.
' Tell the party d'El Medico, that if they want araraunition,
or any thing that I can give them, and will send means of
conveyance here for it, they shall have it.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
'. Captain Jose Clemenii Pereira: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Major General A. Campbell.
' My dear Campbell, ' Freneda, 22nd November, 1811.
' I have received your letter of the 18th November this day,
and I write to the Admiral to request that he would give you
a passage in a raan of war.
' I have no doubt that Colonel  himself inserted
in the newspapers the sentence of the General Court Martial,
&c., in order to have a pretence for publishing on the subject:
this is a regular Jacobin trick. I see also in the Star, my letter
on the business of Barba de Puerco.
' I begged Lord Fitzroy Somerset to write to Arbuthnot
about leave for your son ; I rather thought, from Beresford's
letter, that he objected to it, which is the reason that I did not
press it.

1811. FRENEDA. 405
' I was very rauch obUged to you for the kindness of the
letter which you wrote to rae on your departure from this part
of the world, and I assure you, that I lament the chance which
certainly exists that I may never meet you again. I acknow
ledge, that with this chance before your eyes, 1 am astonished
that you should think at your time of life of returning to the
East Indies. With the income of your regiment, and on the
staff in England or Ireland, or at Gibraltar, or Malta, or
Sicily, or in America, you raight live with your family. I do
not think that any man's family have a right to expect that he
should die a few years sooner to put a little more raoney in
their pockets after his death ; and I should think that your
wife, who in a pecuniary way would be the person raost in
terested in your return to the East Indies, would prefer your
prolonged life to increase of pounds. After all, I am not certain
that increase of pounds would be the result of your voyage
there, and I think it very little doubtful, I am sorry to say,
that if you do return, it will be in a state of health in which
you will be very little capable of any enjoyment.
' God bless you, my dear Campbell.
' BeUeve me, &c.
' Major General A. Campbell: ' Wellington.

General Viscount Wellington, KB., to General Don Carlos de Espana.
* Monsieur le General, ' Freneda, ce 22 Novembre, 181J.
' J'ai requ il y'a deux heures votre lettre d'aujourd'hui : et
j'ai envoy6 des ordres a nos troupes qui sont dans ces environs
de se rassembler demain matin du cote de Guinaldo, El Bodon,
Pastores, etc., et celles de I'autre cote de la riviere, a Zaraarra.
' J'irai raoi-meme^ Guinaldo demain ou le lendemain matin ;
mais je crois le lendemain.
' Je vous conseille de faire rassembler votre infanterie a
San Felices el Grande pour €tre prepare a passer la riviere
ou a co-operer avec nos troupes, si nous pouvons passer la
riviere au gue de Pastores. ' J'ai I'honneur d'etre, &c.
' General Don Carlos de Espana. ' Wellington.
' Je compte que l'ennemi marchera demain et arrivera dans
ces environs le 25. Don Julian fera bien de les observer.'

406 PORlLGAL. 1811.
General Viscount Wellington, K.B. , io Vice Admiral
ihe Hon. G. Berkeley.
' My dear Sir, ' Freneda, 22nd November, 1811.
' By some accident I did not receive your letter of the 13th
till two days ago, and it was necessary that I should speak to
Fletcher before I could send you a satisfactory answer.
' When the pontoons came from England, I applied to
have with them a number of the artificers belonging to the
civil branch of the Ordnance; and I understand they have
with them a certain number of firemen, &c., and I intended to
make up the establishment when I should want to use thera,
by requesting your assistance to give us a few Portuguese or
English seamen.
' In addition to what we have, I Understand that we are to
have a regular pontoon master from the Ordnance; and it
would be very desirable when we shall want to use the pon
toons, to have the assistance of about twenty seamen, either
English or Portuguese, for whose services 1 shall be very much
obliged. ' Unfortunately, we cannot use the pontoons to form a
bridge over the rivers of the Coa and the Agueda. The
bridge which I am constructing for the latter river, is one upon
loaded chevalefs, which I hope will stand in the ordinary
state of the river during the winter ; when the great floods
come down, we must take up our bridge ; and indeed I do not
propose to keep it in the river, excepting when I want to
use it.
' I think it not irapossible, however, that I may want to
use the pontoons before the winter is over.
' Believe me, &c.
' Vice Admiral 'Wellington.
the Hon. G. Berkeley:
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to the Bishop of Castello Branco.
' Sir, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 25th November, 1811.
' I have the honor to enclose sorae letters which I have
received on the subject on which you did rae the honor to
write to me, from which it appears that, the Commanding
Officer of the 3rd Dragoons having already had a communi
cation with you on the subject of the conduct ofthe soldiers at'

1811. FUENTE GUINALDO. 407
Ninho de Assor, yoU had expressed your satisfaction with his
explanation, and that you did not intend to coraplain to rae.
I ara apprehensive, therefore, that the answers to the inquiries
which I had made, which answers I enclose, do not relate to
the transaction on which you wrote to rae.
' If they do not, or if you are not satisfied with the expla
nations contained in these answers, I beg you to inforra me of
it, and I will have the subject inquired into by a Court Martial,
before which it will be necessary that the witnesses should
attend. ' I ara inclined to believe that the inhabitants of Ninho de
Assor, having been displeased that the party of dragoons
should have taken away their forage, misrepresented and
raade an exaggerated coraplaint to you. It is very unfortu
nate that the people of Portugal cannot have the advantage of
the assistance of a large foreign army to defend their country,
without incurring some inconvenience. The horses of the
cavalry must have forage, paying for the same, or they will
die, and this country will derive no advantage from all the
expense which has been incurred in bringing them here. It
may be inconvenient to the inhabitants of Ninho de Assor to
supply any part of this forage, even though it is paid for, but
the others must bear this inconvenience, or they must bear the
greater evil of submitting to the French.
' 1 have stated these circumstances to you as they have
occurred to me, being, however, determined to maintain the
discipline of the army, and not to allow the soldiers to insult
the religion, or to injure the property of the inhabitants of
the country. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' The Bishop of Castello Branco: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., io General Don Carlos de Espaiia.
' Monsieur le General, ' Fuente Guinaldo, ce 25 Nov., 1811.
' Je viens d'avoir I'honneur de reqevoir votre lettre du
24, et je serais bien aise de pouvoir aider les peuples de la
Sierra de Francia, si c'etait en mon pouvoir.
' II faut que je vous dise cependant que c'est avec la plus
grande difficulte que je peux faire subsister les troupes dans
les positions qu'elles occupent a present. Je tire tout des maga-

408 SPAIN. 1811.
sins sur la mer. Le pays ne me fournit absoluraent rien.
Les Espagnols ne donnent rien sans qu'on paye argent
coraptant, malgre qu'ils sachent bien que nous n'avons jamais
manque de payer nos dettes ; et quand nous avons de I'argent,
et que les Espagnols veulent nous donner quelques provisions,
c'est a un prix si enorme, que nous sommes fournis a meilleur
marche de la mer, malgre les frais de transport.
' II ne m'est done pas possible d'fetendre mes postes per-
manens dans la Sierra de Francia, oil raes troupes et leurs
chevaux mourraient de faim: etjevous dis la verite quand
je vous assure que je ne crois pas que les soldats ou leUrs
chevaux qui sont a present a Zaraarra, ont de quoi manger ;
parceque les habitans de Saugo, Martiago, Robleda, Zaraarra,
Atalaya, Serradilla, &c., oil nous avons depensd tant d'argent
pendant T^te, ne veulent rien donner a present sans argent
comptant. II n'est pas facile de prevenir les courses de l'ennemi
entre les avant postes des deux armees. II faudrait etendre les
postes de Tarmfee pour les empecher definitiveraent de lever
des contributions dans la Sierra de Francia ; et corame je vous
I'ai explique je ne puis Etendre les miens. Sous ce point de
vue c'est malheureux que les armes, pour lesquelles je vous
ai donne les ordres au raois d'Aoirt, ne sont pas encore arriv&s,
et que vous n'ayez pas de troupes Espagnoles a raettre dans
la Sierra, auxquelles les gens du pays peut-etre donneraient des
vivres. ' II y a une autre raison pour laquelle il ne faudrait pas a
present s'avancer dans la Sierra. Si I'ennerai apprend que nous
sommes prepares pour empecher I'entree du convoi, il ne
bougera pas de Salamanca, et nous manquerons un beau coup,
qu'il est probable que nous pourrions lui porter.
'Cependant j'ai ecrit au General Craufurd qui est a Za
raarra pour savoir I'etat exact de ses vivres, afin que si je
trouve que c'est possible, et qu'il n'y ait pas d'inconvenient
k faire une raarche sur la Sierra, je puisse lui en donner
I'ordre. • J'ai I'honneur d'Stre, &c.
• Gincral Don Carlos de Espana: • Wellington.

1811. fuente GUINALDO 409
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Lieut, General Hill.
• My dear Hill, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 27lh November, 1811.
' I enclose a letter for my brother, which I beg you to for
ward. I wish you would make the trumpeter give a detailed
account of all he knows of Lieut. King's death.
' I beg that you will inform the Comte d'Erlon that 1 had
always been disposed to consider the persons belonging to the
civil departments of the armies as not liable to be considered
as prisoners of war when taken, till I read the correspondence
between a Commissioner appointed by His Majesty, and one
appointed by the French Governraent, to regulate the exchange
of prisoners, in which I see that peers of the realra, and indi
vidual travellers of all descriptions, seized in France, and in
other countries, when the war coraraenced, were to be con
sidered as prisoners of war, and to be exchanged as such for
French Officers and soldiers: that when travellers are con
sidered as prisoners of war, 1 cannot consider the persons
belonging to any civil department of the army in any other
light ; and that I shall not allow one of thera to be returned to
the French array unless exchanged.
' I have no objection to an exchange, either partial or gene
ral ; but before 1 consent to it, I beg to .have the names, in
writing, of those it is intended to exchange for the prisoners
in our possession belonging to the civil departments of the
French array.
' I have requested General Castaiios to inquire into the
circumstances of Lieut. King's death.
' Believe me, &c.
'Lieut. General Hill ' Wellington.
-Desire Rooke to give the officer who goes in with the next
flag of truce, a copy of the orders upon this subject.'
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to the Right Hon.
Henry Wellesley.
' My dear Henry, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 27th November, 1811.
' I have nothing to tell you that is not contained in the
enclosed dispatch. If the French bad come forward with
another convoy on any day after the 24th, I think we should
have cut them off. We cannot prevent them frora raaking
excursions to the Sierra, without occupying it with our posts.

410 SPAIN. 1811.
and the Spaniards will not support our troops, and I cannot
support them at such a distance from our magazines.. As it
is I cannot stay much longer where we are, and I must imme
diately make another distribution : but I shall remain in this
quarter till the winter has fairly set in.
' Ever yours, raost affectionately,
' The Rt. Hon. H. Wellesley: ' Wellington.

General Viscount Wellington, KB., io ihe Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My Lord, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 27th November, 1811.
' Having received intelligence that the enemy were about to
move towards Ciudad Rodrigo with another convoy of pro
visions, and having heard that a body of troops marched from
Salamanca to the Sierra de Francia, on the 22nd and 23rd
instant, I ordered our advanced guard across the Agueda to
Zaraarra, and closed up the cantonraents of the array in gene
ral, and moved the head quarters to this place. I have reason
to believe that the enemy have since retired from the Sierra de
Francia ; and I think it probable that they will have heard of
our movements ; and that if they entertained the intention of
moving a convoy to Ciudad Rodrigo, they will now abandon
it, till the rain shall have again swelled the Agueda. If I should
find that they do not move, I propose to send the troops back
to their cantonments, or to others in which it will be easy to
subsist them.
' Since I addressed you on the 20th instant, I have heard,
that General Blake, having been joined at Valencia by the
army of Murcia, under the command of General Mahy, had
moved out of Valencia on the 24th of October, and had
attacked Marshal Suchet on the 25th. He was repulsed ;
and, according to the French accounts, they have taken Ge
neral Caro and General Loy, and 4500 prisoners and some
cannon. ' General Blake states, in his proclamation to the people of
Valencia, that his retreat had been made in good order. On
the 26th, at night, the castle of Saguntum capitulated; and
it is stated that Suchet summoned Valencia on the 27th.
' The castle of Saguntum has made as brilliant a defence as
any that has been made since the comraencement of the war in
Spain. The enemy made several attempts to obtain possession

1811. FUENTK GUINALDO. 411
of it by assault, before they brought up their cannon to attack
it regularly; and two attempts to carry it by storm, after
the breach was made, previous to the action of the 25th of
October, in both of which, as well as in all the attacks before
the breach was made, they were repulsed with considerable
loss. The garrison conducted themselves with the utmost
gallantry on all these occasions.
' I have not heard what passed between the battle of the
25th and the capitulation of the 26th ; but adverting to the
good conduct of the garrison, and as the eneray were ill pro
vided with heavy cannon to support their attack, the place
would probably have held out, if the action of the 25th of
October had not been fought and lost. If I am right in
this conjecture, the Spaniards will owe the loss of another
kingdom, and the allies disadvantages of which the con
sequences cannot be calculated, to the insatiable desire of
figliting pitched battles with undisciplined troops, led by
inexperienced officers.
' By a letter from Sir Howard Douglas, of the 14th, I learn
that, as I had imagined, the passes of the Asturias were not
guarded, and that the enemy turned by La Ventana. The
troops which were in the pass of Pajares (the Spanish head
quarters), retired to Campomanes. I imagine that the object
of the eneray's movement into the Asturias is to disperse the
assembly of troops under General Mendizabal in the moun
tains of Santander, in which I am afraid they will succeed.
If they had intended to attack GaUcia through the Asturias,
they would, from La Ventana, have pressed more vigorously
upon the right of the Spanish troops in that principality, and
would not have gone to Oviedo in the first instance.
' According to the last accounts from Cadiz, General Bal
lesteros was still at Bornos on the 13th ; and I imagine that
General Copons and Colonel Skerrett were at Casa Vieja.
According to accounts from Captain Everard, of His Majesty's
ship Sophia, the enemy, on the 17th, moved a body of troops,
consisting of 1500 men, from Conil upon Vejer, which will
probably have .obliged Colonel Skerrett to retire again upon
Tarifa. ' 1 have the honor to be, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool' ' Wellington.

412 SPAIN. 1811.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary nf State.
' My dear Lord, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 27th November, 1811.
' I enclose the last weekly state, and the last morning
report. ' You see that the army does not become much more
efficient, notwithstanding that the number of sick upon the
return diminishes. We have sent horae a great number of meti ;
besides the 29th, SSth, and 97th Regiments, and some have
died : the troops are certainly better however, but not in a
state to undertake any operation of magnitude. Any move
ment, and particularly exposure to the night air, throws them
into the hospitals again.
' The newly arrived dragoons are particularly inefficient, so
much so, that I have been obliged to leave them all, the five
new regiments in their cantonments, in our recent movement,
and have brought forward only the six which have been here
during the whole service : this shows the advantage of troops
inured to climate and service. ' Believe rae, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool' ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB,, to General Don Carlos de Espana.
' Fuente Guinaldo, ce 28 Novembre, 1811.
' Monsieur le G^n^ral,
' Je n'ai pas requ de nouvelles du detachement de Tennemi qui
est venu a la Sierra depuis qu'il a quitte Alverca. Ce detache
ment a raarche de Salamanca le 22 et est arrive a Alverca
le 24. Le 23, votre Excellence m'a 6crit une lettre dans
laquelle vous dites m'avoir envoye un papier avec ces nou
velles. J'ai requ cette lettre le 23 dans la nuit, mais le papier
n'y etait pas; et je n'ai rien su de I'ennerai que dans la
journee du 24. C'etait alors trop tard de faire quelque chose ;
et d'ailleurs nous n'avions point de vivres.
' Les ra^raes difficult^s de vivres rendent tres iraportant
que je reraette les troupes tout de suite dans leurs anciens
cantonnemens : mais pendant que la riviere donne des gues,
je crois que je pourrai empecher que l'ennemi puisse faire
entrer rien a Ciudad Rodrigo, pourvu que premierement on
vous donne avis de la marche du convoi, s'il est possible, un

1811. FUENTK GUINALDO. 413
jour avant qu'il ne marche ; et que secondement vous m'en
donniez avis aussitot que vous le recevrez.
' Je changerai mon Quartier G6ndral demain a Freneda.
J'en donnerai avis a votre officier qui est k Lumbrales ; ct je
ferai changer le relais qui est h present a Gallegos.
' J'ai I'honneur d'etre, &c.
' General Don Carlos de Espana: ' Wellington.

General Viscount Wellington, KB., io His Excellency Charles Stuart.
' My dear Sir, ' Fuente Guiiaaldo, 28th November, 1811.
' I have received your letter of the 19th, enclosing a regu
lation for the raeans of transport of which I approve, excepting
the 2nd section of the 6th article. As I explained in ray late
letters to the Government, it is impossible to carry into execu
tion those provisions of any arrangement which are in favor of
the owners of transport, unless the army should be sufficiently
supplied, and every man should be obliged to bring forward
his carriage when required.
' The 2nd section of the 6th article should be struck out of
the regulation.
' I also think the penalty of non-attendance not sufficient.
Half the nation would prefer to be in prison for a fortnight to
going to serve with the army with his cart. The penalty of
non-attendance should be the full value of the cart and
bullocks, which the raagistrate should be authorized and re
quired to sell on the spot, and to report that he had done so
to the head inspector.
' There is likewise another very comraon crime not adverted
to in this regulation, and that Is deserting with the stores
laden in the cart, after having been received into the service.
The punishment for this offence ought to be the forfeiture of
the cart and bullocks to the public, payment of the value of
the stores, to be levied by sale of house and goods of the owner
of the cart, and banishment for years to the coast of
Africa. ' The.se punishments may appear severe, but depend upon
it that tlie only chance the people have is, that there should be
the raeans of enforcing this regulation.
' There is also another point to be adverted to in this regu-

414 SPAIN. 1811.
lation, and that is the duties it enforces upon the magistrates.
The raagistrates of this country are in a very unfortunate
situation. They are originally charged with judicial duties ;
they had fees by which they gained a livelihood, their salaries
being trivial. They gained nothing by the performance of
their duties of police ; but the bad probably gained something
by the omission to perform them.
' The confusion which has resulted from the different in
vasions ofthe country have almost put an end to the judicial
duties of the magistrates ; at the same time that the duties of
police, particularly those which have relation to the operations
of the armies, have been vastly increased, such as the supply
of quarters, provisions, raeans of transport, guides, &c. &c.,
for which the Juiz de Fora is called upon at every moment.
The consequence is that the Juiz de Fora has much to do and
nothing to Uve upon; and I hinted some tirae ago to the
Government the expediency of taking into consideration their
situations during the continuance of the war. I think, how
ever, that this regulation would afford an opportunity of doing
something for these magistrates, without any very great ad
ditional expense to the public, by authorizing them to demand
and receive as a fee for every carriage they should produce at
the place required, the sum of 200 reis. This would tend to
ensure the execution of the regulation, which is what is re
quired. ' I am doing a great deal to lighten the demand for carriages
frora the country for the service of the British army. First, I
am building 800. Secondly, I have discovered that the Douro
can be made navigable even into Spain with very Uttle trouble,
and I have ordered the necessary work to be performed.
' Believe me, &c.
' His Excellency " Wellington.
Charles Stuart.
' The regulation, when passed, should be well translated
and printed, and let me have several copies of it. I shall take
care to enforce it in this army. It should take effect at some
short period after it is promulgated.'

1811. FRENEDA. 415

General Viscount WeUington, KB., io Senhor JoaX) Carlos
Oliveira Pimentel
« Sir, ' Fuente Guinaldo, 28th November, 1811.
' Having lately sent an Officer of Engineers to survey the
Douro from St. JoaS de Pesqueira to Barca d'Alva, he has re
ported to me that the river is already navigable to that point
for large boats, with some inconvenience, and at certain seasons
of the year ; and that it might be made navigable with conve
nience at all seasons, by a certain degree of labor. I have
given directions to Captain Ross, of the Royal Engineers, the
officer who surveyed the river, to adopt the measures which
are necessary to render it navigable ; and I beg you to give
him such assistance as you can to enable him to perform this
service. ' Understanding that you have from His Royal Highness
the Prince Regent the power to destroy the mill daras in the
river Douro, which are the principal obstruction to the navi
gation, I request you to co-operate with Captain Ross in the
perforraance of this work. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' Senhor Joao Carlos Oliveira Pimentel' ' Wellington.

General Viscount Wellington, KB., to ihe Juiz, or other Magistrate
of Villa Nova do Foz Coa, Torre de Moncorvo, Freixo de Nunao
Nuvao, and St. Joao da Pesqueira.
« Gentlemen, ' Freneda,29th November, 1811.
' I have eraployed Captain Ross, of the Royal Engineers, to
perform certain works upon the Douro, in order to render the
river navigable as high up as possible for the service of the
army. I beg you to give him such assistance of workmen,
with their tools, as he may require for this work, he paying
them their hire. For this you will be responsible.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' The Juiz of ' Wellington.
T^lla Nova do Foz Coa, ^c."

416 PORTUGAL. 1811.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Vice Admiral
the Hon. G. Berkeley,
' My dear Sir, ' Freneda, 2nd December, 1 81 1.
' I received at the same tirae your letters of the 24th and
28th, and by the same post a dispatch from Lord Liverpool,
of which I enclose a copy, regarding the troop ships and small
transports for the Douro and Mondego ; and a letter, of which
I enclose an extract, regarding the subject to which yours of
the 24th relates ; the last is exactly of the same purport with
that which you have received frora Mr. Yorke.
' In answer to the last paragraph of your letter of the 24th ,
I assure you that I shall be very sorry if any change is raade
in your situation, which is not wished for by yourself.
' I shall write to my brother again respecting the employ
ment of the ships of your squadron exclusively in carrying the
money from Cadiz for this army.
' I observe that you have bad some correspondence with
Captain Holloway, of the Engineers, regarding the construc
tion of furnaces for hot shot in the sea batteries of the Tagus.
I am desirous that this work should be performed by the Por
tuguese Engineers, as being necessary for the completion of
the old works of the country. If I were to allow our Engineers
to perform any work (not immediately necessary for our own
accomraodation) in the ancient fortifications of the country, I
should have to incur an expense nearly equal to the subsidy,
as there is nothing which the Portuguese Government would
not throw upon us. I have therefore drawn the line as above
stated. ' Believe me, &c.
' Vice Admiral ' Wellington.
the Hon. G. Berkeley:
General Viscount WeUington, K.B., fo Lieut. Colonel Torrens,
MiUtary Secretary io H.R.H. the Commander in Chief.
' My dear Torrens, ' Freneda, 2nd December, 1811.
' I have received your letters of the 28th October and of the
3rd November, and I am very much obUged to His Royal
Highness for attending to my requests in favor of Brig.
Generals Murray, Hulse, Pakenham, and Mackinnon. The
arrangement for the rank of the British Officers in the Por-

1811. freneda. 417
tuguese service was not made according to my opinion, but I
am inclined to beUeve it was right. It has worked well, at all
events, which is the best test of its soundness, and it requires
only a little attention in bringing the troops together, in order
to avoid inconvenience frora those parts of it which one would
wish to be otherwise than they are. Any thing would be
better than an alteration at present.
' I am obliged to you for attending to our wants of General
Officers. •  did not succeed very well when he was here
before, but I dare say he will do so now. I have a high
opinion of General Kempt, from all that I have heard of hira.
VVe have now raore than we can well dispose of, particularly if
Beckwith comes out again ; and there are two with whom we
could dispense with advantage,  and  . They are
both respectable officers as coramanders of regiments, but they
are neither of them very fit to take charge of a large body.
I understand that  wishes to return home, to unite him
self with a lady of easy virtue ; and  has been very ill
lately, and I think might be induced to go. I shall try if I
can get them away in this manner, as I would not on any
account hurt the feelings of either. ' Believe me, &c.
' Lieut. Colonel Torrens: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to His Excellency Charles Stuart.
' My dear Sir, ' Freneda, 3rd December, 1811.
' I have received your letter of the 29th, and I concur in
your giving the Portuguese Government £20,000, or any
sura you please. It is well, however, to continue the threat
to pay no raore till the military chest shall be established.
' I desired that 50,000 dollars of the sum recently received
from Cadiz should be paid to you.
' I shall desire Mr. Bissett to receive the 24,000 dollars for
the marine stores sent to Algiers.
' I intended to write to you this morning, to recomraend that
the Government should take up my Proclamation of April
last, as the ground of their proceeding in respect to the con
cealment of property by the people. This appears to be
Nogueira's opinion, and I see that they propose sending me
VOL. VIII. * 2 E

418 portug,4l. 1811.
the papers on the subject, so that I shall be able to put the
business in such a train as not to create unnecessary alarm.
' You will have seen that the Marquez de Valenca and the
Marquez Ponte de Liraa and Colonel Vasconcellos, went from
Guinaldo towards Lisbon some days ago.
' Believe me, &c.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to the Right Hon.
Henry Wellesley.
' My dear Henry, ' Freneda, 4th December, 1811.
' I enclose my dispatch of this date. I have received one
or two reports of a general movement by the eneray to this
quarter with another convoy. They raust come before long,
or the place will be distressed.
' Admiral Berkeley has written to rae again upon the em
ployment of the ships of his squadron to carry our money
from Cadiz and Gibraltar to Lisbon. As the officers and men
of this squadron perform all the duties of the array, it is but
fair that they should enjoy any benefit to be derived from the
service. At all events, it is not fair that they should perform
all the severe and unpleasant duty, and that those of another
squadron should enjoy the benefit. On these principles I
settled that a ship of the Adrairal's squadron should go to
Cadiz periodically, to bring away the money which Mr. Duff
might have for us ; but it has frequently happened that it has
been sent in one of the vessels of the squadron at Cadiz, even
though one of Admiral Berkeley's squadron has been waiting
there ; and in a recent instance, the Admiral says that in the
order given by  , it was stated that the vessel was sent by
your particular desire.
' I shall be very much obliged to you if you will desire
Duff to send this money by the vessel which Admiral Berke
ley will send for it periodically. If this should not be done,
it would be better that we should not suffer the inconvenience
of sending the vessel. ' Ever yours most affectionately,
' The Right Hon. H. Wellesley: ' Wellington.

1811. viieni:da. 419
General Viscount IVellington, KB., to the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My dear Lord, ' Freneda, 4th December, 1811.
' I received only by the last post your letter of the 3rd
October. Lest it should be imagined that I have any desire
that Admiral Berkeley should be reUeved, I raention that it is
impossible for two officers to be on better terms than we are.
I have always found the Admiral not only disposed to give us
every assistance in his power, but to anticipate and exceed our
wishes in this way. I know that the Duke of Richmond and
Lord Bathurst are anxious that the Admiral should remain,
and I would subrait to many inconveniences to gratify them ;
but it would really be unjust to Admiral Berkeley to say
otherwise than that he anticipates all our wishes, and that we
go on very well with him. ' Believe me, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool' ' Wellington.

General Viscount Wellington, KB., to ihe Earl 6f Liverpool
Secretary of State.
* My Lord, . ' Freneda, 4th December, 1811.
' According to the intention which I communicated to your
Lordship in my dispatch of the 27ih November, I withdrew
our advanced guard across the Agueda on the 29th, and again
extended the cantonments of the army.
' The impossibility of finding subsistence on the spot, and the
difficulty of procuring means of transport in Portugal, to move
forward our magazines from the places at which the rivers
ceased to be navigable, have obliged me at present to extend
the cantonments, particularly of the cavalry, farther than would
be expedient on railitary considerations. But offensive military
operations in the present season are almost impracticable, and
I hope that I have kept in this neighbourhood a force suf
ficiently large to prevent the enemy from undertaking any
thing. ' Don Carlos de Espaiia has informed me that he attacked
the enemy on the 28th of November, on their retreat from the
Sierra de Francia, between Miranda and Endrinal, with a de-
2 E 2

420 PORTUGAL. 1811.
tachment of Don Julian Sanchez' infantry, and a detachraent
of the Regiraent de la Princessa. On their arrival at Endrinal
they were attacked by Don Julian Sanchez with his cavalry,
and were obliged to forra in a square.
' Don Carlos informs me that the eneray suffered consider
able loss, and that his troops got possession of some of the
money of which the eneray had plundered the inhabitants of
the Sierra de Francia.
' Don Carlos de Espaiia mentions particularly the conduct
of Lieut. WilUam Reid, ofthe Royal Engineers, who attended
hira upon this expedition, having before been eraployed to
perform a service under his directions.
' I have received no intelligence either from Galicia or
from Cadiz, or from Valencia, since I addressed your Lordship
on the 27lh of November. It appears that the troops which
have entered Asturias belong to General Bonet's division of
the army of the North, which division was employed to observe
the army of Galicia at the period at which the armies of thp
North and of Portugal were collected in Septeraber, for the
relief of Ciudad Rodrigo. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool' ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., io the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My DEAR Lord, ' Freneda, 4th December, 1811.
' I enclose the last morning reports. The cold weather has
occasioned an increase of deaths in tbe hospitals lately ; this
was to be expected ; but I have not heard of any bad descrip
tion of sickness. ' Believe me, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB,, fo ihe Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My DEAR Lord, ' Freneda, 4th December, 1811.
' I have a report that Suchet has suffered severely by a
sortie from Valencia, and by an attack upon him from the
Valencian peasantry, and had been obliged to retire upon Mur
viedro. Reports of this description have generally been the

1811. FRENEDA. 421
forerunner of accounts of some serious disaster to the Spa
niards, and I am very apprehensive that Valencia is lost.
' The loss of this place is of great importance ; the greater
nuraber of the Grandees of Spain have estates in Valencia,
upon the revenues of which they have subsisted since they
have lost every thing elsewhere. It raay be expected, there
fore, that the loss of this kingdom will induce raany to wish
to subrait to the French yoke. The probability that the fall
of Valencia would iraraediately follow the loss of Tarragona,
was the cause of the ferraent at Cadiz in the commencement
of the last sumraer. This ferment was directed against us, and
the failure of the operations in which we had been engaged
was stated to be the cause of it ; but as the fall of Badajoz,
which was certainly the raost fatal event of the war, created
no impression at Cadiz, notwithstanding that it was the result
of treachery, it cannot be believed that the failure in retaking
it was the cause of the ferment at Cadiz, in the summer. It
was the fall of Tarragona, which having opened the road to the
remaining estates of the Grandees, created a wish to submit
among this order and their adherents ; and as this misfortune
could not by any misrepresentation be attributed to the Eng
lish, the attention of the public was turned with great dexterity
to the operations in which they had not succeeded.
' We may expect a similar ferment on the present occasion,
and a more general inclination at Cadiz to submit to the
French ; but this is not the only view in which the loss of
Valencia is a misfortune. I am afraid that, although Blake
has found no resources in that province, that his army was
starving, and that he could get no raoney to buy the provisions
which were expected in the port, excepting by loans raised
upon the credit of Mr. Tupper, my brother's agent there, the
French will find in Valencia the resources of money and pro
visions of which they stand so much in need.
' There is also another view in which the loss of Valencia is
a serious misfortune, and that is, that this conquest, unUke the
others which the enemy have made in Spain, will promote the
concentration of their forces. Even if Suchet should not be able
to press on farther to the southward than Valencia, and Soult
should not be able to extend his troops so as to communicate
with Suchet through Murcia, Suchet will be able to communi
cate, by a shorter route than he had, with the armies of the

422 PORTUGAL. 1811.
centre and of Portugal, and with the troops in Castille ; he
will be on the back of the Empecinado, Mina, and others, and
will cut off the supplies which they have received through
Valencia. i
' If the people of Valencia should submit, as soon as the
military force in the kingdom will be subdued, which from
what I hear of them I think probable, Suchet's force will then
be disposable on the left of Soult, or to support the armies of
the north and of Portugal, more immediately opposed to us.
' However, notwithstanding this misfortune, if it should
have occurred, and ils probable consequences, I do not despair
of the result of the contest. Buonaparte is still far from
making the conquest even of that part of the Peninsula of
which he has the railitary possession, and the people of the
country are still disposed to resist whenever they see a prospect
of advantage ; we shall soon find new modes of communicating
with, and supplying the guerrillas, even if the old should be
cut off; and in truth, the devastation which attends the pro
gress of the eneray's arms, and is the consequence of their con
tinuance in any part of the country, is our best friend, and will
in the end bring the contest to a conclusion.
' The whole country between Madrid and the Alentejo is
now a desert, and a still smaller proportion of the land has
been cultivated this winter. The argument of the people of
the country is, that it is better to rob, than to sow and have
the produce of their harvests taken from them ; and the French
begin to find that they cannot keep their large armies together
for any operation that will take time, and that when we can
reach them they can do nothing with small bodies.
' The misfortune is that we experience nearly the same
difficulties ; we cannot venture to undertake any thing with a
small body, and a large body would starve. But we have ad
vantages in the Peninsula which the French cannot enjoy ; we
have possession of all the navigable rivers, of which we make
use to convey our supplies, as far as they will carry, and the
naval power of Great Britain protects the arrival of these
supplies, and the formation of our magazines on the coast. It
is true that the rivers carry only to a certain distance from the
coast, and we have hitherto been able to supply ourselves with
difficulty on the frontiers of Portugal ; but I have now in hand
various measures to increase our means, and to enable us to

1811. FRENEDA. 423
establish ourselves still farther in the country, whatever raay
be the state of the local resources ; one of these is to render
the Douro navigable up to the junction of the Agueda, which
I hope to effect in a short time.
' Besides this, I hope to be able to report to your Lordship,
in the course of next month, that Almeida is re-established as
a military post. I found upon examination that Sir Brent
Spencer's explosion had not done so much damage as he had
supposed, and indeed the injury was almost confined to the
dispersion of the people collected to repair the damages done
by Brenier, and to the delay, till I had again examined the
place, of all measures to re-establish it.
' The financial arrangements, which I hope will soon be
carried into execution at Lisbon, will likewise improve our
situation, and increase our resources for a forward operation.
However well inclined the Spaniards are, they will give nothing
without payment in ready money ; and when I assembled the
troops some days ago, we should soon have suff'ered distress,
if I had not separated them again, because we had no ready
money ; and the Spaniards, as usual, would give nothing,
except for ready raoney payments.
' The object of our arrangements at Lisbon is to increase
the value, raise the credit, and of course promote the circula
tion of the Portuguese paper. This measure will enable us to
use it in our payments at Lisbon, and in the lower parts of
Portugal; and we shall have for our expenses on the frontier
a great part of the specie which was before expended in these
payments. To this add, that the improveraent in the value of
the paper will reduce the raoney price of all the articles which
we purchase in Portugal.
' Our situation is improving therefore ; and whatever may
be the fate of Valencia, if the Spanish nation still hold out, I
think they may yet be saved. ' Believe me, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., io  .

« Sir, ' Head Quarters, Sth December, 1811.
' I have received your letter of the 23rd November, and I
enclose the duplicate of one which I wrote to a person who
made rae a communication respecting you some days ago

424 PORTUGAL. 1811.
You appear to have written your letter of the 23rd November
under a misapprehension. You think that the Government
are inclined to pardon you : so far from it, that if they can
catch you, or have you caught, you will be banged ; and I
therefore recomraend you to keep out of the way, and to take
care of yourself. In the enclosed letter I have stated the only
means by which you can hope to receive a pardon for your
crimes ; and I can undertake to solicit your pardon on no
other terms.
' In order to comply with these terras, and to perform the
service which I require from you, it is not necessary lo put you
in communication with any of the persons you raention. You
have only to send your letters to the advanced posts of this
army, and there is no occasion for any answer from rae. I must
tell you, however, that if 1 were to attempt to put you in
communication with the Spanish officers you mention, such
is their well-founded detestation and mistrust of every Por-
guese who has any thing to say to the French, that notwith
standing their confidence in me, they would refuse to comply
with my proposition. ' I have the honor to bej&c.
'  — .' ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Lieut. General Hill
' My dear Hill, ' Freneda, sth December, 1811.
' I shall not move Byng from his brigade if I can help it ;
but we have many General Officers coming out, all of whom
will require commands.
' 1 have orders to complete the 1st batt. 39th regiraent
to 1200 rank and file, by drafts from the 2nd battalion, and to
send the latter home. 1 was actually writing you the orders
to raake this arrangeraent, when I received your letter an
nouncing that the ophthalmia prevailed in the 1st battalion ;
but when they recover so far as to induce you to think that
you can mix them with the other troops without danger of
infection, I request you to carry these orders into execution.
Let me know when you do so, that I may give out the orders.
' You will do well to open all the letters coming to me from
Austin. ' Believe me, &c.
' Lieut General HiU: ' Wellington.

1811. FRENEDA. 425
General Viscount Wellington, K,B., to Major General Clinton'' .
' My dear General, ' Freneda, sth December, 1811.
' I was in hopes that I should have had the advantage of
your assistance in this country, and I had intended to request
you to take the comraand of the 7th division of infantry, when
I thought that General Macfarlane was coming likewise ;^and
of the 6th division, when I found that he was destined for
Sicily. ' I was concerned to find by your letter of the 16th Novem
ber, which I received this day, that Lord William Bentinck
had desired to have your assistance likewise in Sicily, and as
the Commander in Chief has permitted me to allow you to go
there, and it appears by your letter that you are desirous of
joining Lord William Bentinck, I cannot bring myself to de
tain you, notwithstanding that I am much in want of your
assistance. I am not aware of Lord William's objects in
Sicily, but if you should think it desirable to return to this
country, I shall be happy to have your assistance.
' I beg to be kindly remembered to Mrs. Clinton, if she
should be with you, and that you will
' Believe me, &c.
' Major General Clinton: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to His Excellency Charles Stuart^
' My dear Sir, ' Freneda, eth December, 1811.
' I have received your letter of the. 2nd. I propose that
those for whose use the carts are hired, shall pay the fee of
200 reis to the magistrate for producing them ; and I shaU
authorize the Comraissaries, and others of the British array, to
charge this fee in their accounts (properly vouched), by the
sarae General Order in which I shall publish the regulation of
the Governraent.
' I enclose a letter which I have received from Lord Liver
pool, in answer to one which I wrote to him upon the effect
produced upon the circulation of Portugal, by the state
of our affairs with America, and upon the remedy which I
proposed in case those affairs should continue as they now are.
' From the stateraent in this letter, you will see that the
harvest in Great Britain has been so little favorable, that
Portugal cannot expect any supply of corn from thence. It
will therefore be desirable that you should take your measures
* General Sir AVilliam Clinton, G.C.B.

426 PORTUGAL. 1811.
in time to keep this country supplied from the Mediterranean
and from America till the next harvest.
' We have always in store for our army three months'
provisions, and I am about to order the Commissary General
imraediately to raake arrangements to get a supply for
three months' more, independently of what he may get from
England. ' The supply of the Portuguese army is not so important as
that of the nation ; and I am afraid we must submit to a drain
of specie for that object. But the rise in the value of paper,
and its increased circulation, owing to the financial measures,
which ought not to be delayed, will, I hope, enable us to afford
this expenditure of specie. ' Believe me, &c.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to the Magistrate of
the Town of  .
• Sir, ' Freneda, 7th December, 1811.
' Complaints have been made to me, that the soldiers of the
cavalry sell their clothes, arms, and accoutrements, and the
forage for their horses, to the inhabitants of the town of  ,
to obtain money to purchase wine. I have given directions that
those guilty of these practices may be punished ; but as there
would be no sellers if there were no purchasers, I beg you to
give notice to the inhabitants of tbe town and district of  .
that if any thing belonging to a soldier of the British army is
found in the possession of any one of thera, the person will be
sent to ray head quarters, in order to be brought to trial
before the Special Coramlssion, and punished.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' The Magistrate ofthe Town of  .' ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to His Excellency Charles Stuart.
'Sir, ' Freneda, 7th December, 1811.
' I have the honor to inforra you that a duel was fought on
the 11th of Noveraber last, by Captain  and Captain
¦ — - — , of the — regiraent, in which the former received a
wound of which he has since died.
' The duel was fought within the Portuguese territory.
' I request you to lay the enclosed papers on the subject

1811. FRKNUDA. 427
before the Portuguese Government, and to inform them that
Captain  is in close arrest, and that he^shall be given up
to stand his trial when the Government of the country shall
think proper to ask for him.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart'
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Lieut. Colonel Torrens,
Military Secretaiy io H.R.H. the Commander in Chief.
' My dear Torrkns, ' Freneda, 7th December, 1811.
' I ara very rauch in want of such officers as General Clinton
and General Macfarlane. One of our divisions is in itself a
complete army, coraposed of British and foreign troops, artil
lery, departments, &c. ; and it requires some discretion and
sense to manage such a concern. But when Lord William
Bentinck expresses a wish to have the assistance of those
officers for the conduct of such a business as I imagine he has
in hand (for 1 do not know what it is), I could not think of
detaining for a moment General Clinton, respecting whom His
Royal Highness left me an option.
• Accordingly, having received a letter from General Clinton
by the same post with yours of the 17th, expressing his wish
to proceed to Sicily, 1 wrote him the answer, of which I enclose
the copy, giving my consent to his going there.
' I have given leave to Sir William Erskine to go home to
lease his estate ; and General Cole wants to go, and will go
before long. Murray, also, 1 am sorry to say, is desirous of
going for a short lime.
' All that I am afraid of is, that on some fine day I shall be
found with this large array, without the assistance which is
necessary to conduct it. However, I raust do my best.
' I propose to place General Tilson under General HiU.
The 6th and 7th divisions are without Commanding Officers,
and the 4th will be equally destitute when General Cole shall
go. The cavalry with General Hill is under Major General
Long. ' When I say that the 7th division is without a Commanding
Officer, I ought to add that I am perfectly satisfied with Alten,
who is now the senior, and indeed the only General Officer
with that division. But no business can be well conducted by

428 PORTUGAL. 1811.
any body who is to conduct it only for a time. The 6th
division is commanded by Major General Burne, and the 4th
will be commanded by Major General Kerarais, when General
Cole shall go. ' Believe me, &c.
' Lieut Colonel Torrens: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to ihe Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My Lord, ' Freneda, 7th December, 1811.
' I have the honor to enclose a letter from Marshal Sir W.
Beresford, containing demands of the Portuguese Government
against   , and  , late of the Lusitanian
Legion. ' I proposed, for your Lordship's decision, in my dispatch
of the 13th November, 1811, a mode of settling the demand
against ¦   , and I request to have your Lordship's
decision on that subject, and on the deraand against 

' I have the honor to be, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool' ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., io His Excellency Charles Stuart.
' My dear Sir, ' Freneda, Sth December, 1811.
' I have received your letter of the 4tb, and I ara happy to
find that the revenue holds out. I ara convinced that, if the
Government works in earnest, we shall soon have it in a very
prosperous state.
' I observe that the marine cost, last month, above 500
contos. Surely this expense is now useless. It would be
better to apply the money to pay the ransom to the Dey, and
to get rid of the necessity of maintaining a navy and of incur
ring this expense.
' I do not know what to do with the 15,000 doUars which
the Committee for the Charities have sent to me. First : Mr.
Briscall, whom I charged with making inquiries, has been
taken iU, and is gone to Lisbon. Secondly : I find that the
rich persons, in easy circumstances, and the poor, are equally
desirous and claira a right to partake of the charity. The
curates in the villages, who are the legitimate sources of

1811. FRENHDV. 429
intelligence regarding the wants of individuals, declare that
they are afraid to omit the names of any in a list of persons
distressed by the war. They say that the rich and powerful
insist upon sharing with others ; and the curate of this very
village says that a legacy of corn came into his hands to be
distributed to the poor of the village, in which rich and all
insisted upon sharing alike.
' I acknowledge that this has given me a very bad opinion of
the Portuguese ; and if I cannot devise some mode of finding
out who are the really distressed, I shall send the raoney back,
with the exception of 200 dollars, which I have given to
General Pack to lay out for the poor people of Freixo, Azin-
hal, &c. Up to this moment, the people have suffered but
little. • They gain a good deal of money by performing little
services for the troops ; and there is a raarket in every village
in which they are cantoned. This is better for the people than
raillions in charity.
' I see in the newspapers that the Bishop of Guarda has
reckoned every person in his diocese as distressed, in the same
manner as my curates ; and he calculates the assistance which
each can receive, out of the money placed in his hands, at five
reis, which is about a farthing ! I am thoroughly convinced
that there are five persons out of ten in his diocese, who are
richer in money at this moment than they were in the year
1808. Their houses are probably not in such good repair,
their furniture not so good or so plentiful, nor their stores so
full of corn, wine, oil, and garlic, as they were then ; but
there is no want of money. ' Believe me, &c.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to His Excellency Charles Stuart.
' My dear Sir, ' Freneda, 10th December, 1811.
" I have received your letter of the 6th.
' I am very sorry to say that I differ with the Government
on all their measures of finance ; and I ara rauch afraid that
they will not only defeat their own objects, but will entirely
prevent rae from deriving any advantage from those measures
in the British finance in this country.

430 PORTUGAL. 1811,
' The first raeasure goes to perpetuate the circulation of
fictitious paper. Is it intended that all the circulating paper
raoney shall have the stamp of all the subordinate offices, or
of one only ? If of all, then the paper must circulate through
all the offices before it can be worth any thing. If of one only,
then it is in the power of any office to circulate any fictitious
paper they please.
' The Portaria, mentioned as the second measure, will be
just as inoperative as the ancient law, if the intrinsic value of
the paper, or in other words, the credit of the Government, is
not improved by the measures which they will now adopt.
' The third measure is not fit to be considered by a Govern
ment, and shall not have one raoment of ray consideration.
The Governraent that jobs in stock on its own account, can
never acquire credit !
' The fourth raeasure goes to debase the copper coinage.
Let the copper be Issued at its value, and be exchanged for
paper at the regular rate of exchange, and there will be no
difficulty in raaking it current. The measure of issuing it at
a depreciated rate in respect to other coins for paper, can have
the effect of raising the value of paper only for a moraent.
' The fifth raeasure will be good in eight months hence, that
is to say, in about ten months after I had recommended it,
and after the Prince had ordered it to be adopted.
' If it is proper and right to pay the interest on paper
money, why not pay it from the 1st of July ? who will beUeve
that the interest will be paid on the 1st of June, 1812 ? Not
I, certainly ; and if the Government do not adopt some serious
steps to raise the credit of this paper, I have in contemplation
a measure which will destroy the whole fabric at once ; and
that is, to give orders that it may not be received in payment
for biUs upon England. Why should the British army support
the credit of a paper for which the Government will do
nothing ? I had lately neariy £500,000 in this paper ; that is
to say,^ a good large proportion of the whole ; but unless its
credit is raised, that shall never again happen.
« In regard to the sixth measure, I protest against the whole
of it, excepting that part to pay the interest on Apolices from
the 1st of July. I object entirely to the creation of new paper
or new funds, before the old paper is provided for. As for
the scheme of discriminating between the old holders and new

1811. FUKNKDA. 431
purchasers of ApoUces, nnd of canvassing the prices paid for
ApoUces, it is the most wild and extravagant, the least prac
ticable, the most unjust, and most inconsistent with the prin
ciples of financial policy, that has ever yet come under mv
view. ' I beg the Government to advert to my first letter to them
on the 3rd October, on the subject of the interest on paper
money, which is the foundation of all their proceedings on this
subject. I repeat, that unless they can improve the credit of
the circulating credit in Portugal, Great Britain cannot main
tain the contest in the Peninsula, not for want of means, be
cause, thank God I Great Britain was never in so prosperous a
state; but because the state of the world will not allow her
to procure a sufficient quantity of specie.
' If Great Britain sbould be obUged to withdraw frora the
contest, or if 1 should think proper to adopt the raeasure which
1 have above pointed out in regard to paper money, (and I
must adopt some raeasure of the kind, if the circulating value
of the paper raoney is not iraproved,) what will becorae of
their fine spun and stock jobbing theories for the improvement
of their credit ?
' I can give no opinion respecting the taxes on the farmers,
tiU I know exactly what they are. Generally speaking, it is
a gross error to believe that the country is so much distressed
as it is stated. I would also observe upon all Principal Souza's
plans, that they are drawn with a view to a state of peace.
Portugal is at war, and must be at war ; and great sacrifices
must be made, and every nerve and resource must be strained
to carry the country through its difficulties. It will after
wards be time to think of improvements. This is the only
country in the world which, having such an eneray to oppose,
and such a cause to fight for, would think of leaving any.
resource unappUed to the purposes of war.
' Believe me, &c.
' His Excellency ' Wellington,.
Charles Stuart:
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Major General Cooke.
' Sir, ' Freneda, 12th December, 1811.
' I have had the honor of receiving your letters to the 27th
November.

432 PORTUGAL. 1811.
' The result of General Ballesteros' expedition could not be
different from what it has been. He advanced without plan
or object, and without force sufficient to effect any thing im
portant. He was necessarily obliged to retire as soon as a
sufficient force was brought against him ; and in the mean
time, his own and the British troops have suffered from the
privations to which they have been liable, and exposure to the
weather at this season of the year.
'It is a raistake to suppose that these sufferings, and the
consequent deficiency of nurabers, are confined to our troops.
Our officers are not yet brought to consider these evils with
indifference ; and the trouble which the care of the sick of the
British army brings upon our officers, draws their attention to
the diminution of the numbers of the British troops, while no
care being taken of the sick of the Spanish array, the officers
know nothing about them ; and although we do not hear so
much of sickness, and of diminution of nurabers, from the
Spanish officers, it may be depended upon, that no raen can
bear hunger and fatigue, and the exposure to wet and cold in
this season of the year, without suffering from it ; that all
suffer equally, probably those most who are the least clothed,
and have been least fed and taken care of before.
' I am concerned to observe that Colonel Skerrett attributes
the necessity for the retreat of General Ballesteros and him
self in the end of November, to General Hill's return to his
cantonments in the end of October. We, in this part of the
Peninsula, have never had any knowledge of the plan or object
of, or the means for General Ballesteros' operations ; and
General Hill's expedition was planned without any reference
to what was passing in the bay of Gibraltar. General Hill
had an object which he executed, and then returned to his
cantonments according to the orders he received. These orders
were given, because it was known that General Hill could not
stay any longer without uselessly exposing his troops to the
wants and hardships of which Colonel Skerrett complains;
and which are inseparable from all operations in the Penin
sula, particularly in Spain.
' Although we may be blamed for the necessity of the late
retreat of General Ballesteros, &c., it is certainly true that
General Daricau's detachment has arrived in Estremadura, and
that there are raore of the eneray's troops now in that province

1811. FUEMiDA. 433
south of the Guadiana, than there were when General Hill
withdrew from Merida. So far, it will be admitted, that
since General Hill's operation, some troops have been re
moved from Andalusia ; and certainly none have returned
thither. ' I have thought it proper to advert to these opinions, which
as usual, will be used as topics of abuse against the British
Government, in order to make known to you these matters of
fact as an answer to them.
' Mr. Wellesley has stated to me, that it was possible that
the Spanish Government might require the assistance of 800
or 1000 men to garrison Carthagena : adverting to the im
portance of this place as a naval station, I have taken upon
myself to allow that number of men to proceed to Carthagena,
tiU the pleasure of his Royal Highness the Prince Regent can
be known.
' Accordingly, if Mr. Wellesley should desire it, I request
you to send thither the 2nd batt. 67th regiment, and the
battalion of foreign detachraents ; or in lieu of the latter, five
companies of the regiment De Watteville, if it should be your
opinion that they are more to be depended upon than the
battalion of foreign detachments. You will also send there
one Captain and two subalterns of engineers, and one company
of artiUery.
' Colonel Lambert * is to go in command of these troops till I
can relieve him by the arrival of a General Officer in this
country. You will send with them an officer of the Comrais
sariat, and a sufficient number of officers of the medical depart
ment, supplied with medicines ; but until further orders, these
troops are to be considered as a detachment from the garrison
of Cadiz.
' I enclose the copy of the instructionsf which I gave to
the detachment which was sent from this army to Cadiz, which
raust be the guide for the troops at Carthagena, as far as they
may be applicable. I wish that it should be stipulated that the
British detachment should occupy the castle on the height at
* Lieut. General Sir John Lambert, K.C.B.
f See letter to B. Frere, Esq., Torres Vedras, 7th February, ISlO, vol. v.
P..474 ; and letter to Major General the Hon. W. Stewart, Viseu, 27th February,
1810, vol. V. p. 578.
VOL. VIII. 2 F

4.34 PORTUGAL. ' 1811.
the entrance of the harbour; as being the most important
position ; that from which it is most easy to communicate with
the sea, and the most healthy situation.
' I beg that the officers of the engineers and artillery may
immediately be employed to make out, and send rae plans
and descriptions of the place, returns of the Ordnance, ararau
nition, and stores, which it contains ; and accounts of its
capacity for defence. I request that the attention of the
senior officer of engineers may be turned in particular to the
height on the right of the entrance of the harbour ; and that
he will report whether that height can be occupied by field
works in such a raanner as to be tenable ; and particularly,
whether from that height it is practicable to have a secure
communication wilh the harbour.
'I likewise wish the same circumstance to be reported in
regard to the fort on the height on the left of the entrance of
the harbour, and the nature of the communication between
the two, the breadth of the harbour to be passed, the means of
passing, &c.
' The attention of the medical department must be turned
to the state of the health of the existing garrison, and of the
inhabitants of Carthagena, and if the yellow fever should still
prevail there, Colonel Lambert must not land. The medical
gentleraen raust report on the nature of that disease ; whether
it is practicable by any precautions, such as burning infectious
clothes, &c., to prevent ils return in the next hot season ; or
to mitigate or guard against its effects. They will particularly
advert to the situation of the fort which I wish the British
troops to occupy, and wiU see whether it would be possible to
prevent the coraraunication between that fort and the town, so
as to prevent infection.
' If Colonel Lambert should find the place attacked when
he shall arrive there, he will decide to land or not, accordino- to
his view of the chances which raay exist, that the assistance
of the detachment under his command may save the place, if
there should be provisions and ammunition sufficient to last
during the siege. He will likewise advert to the possibiUty
of embarking ; and if it should be practicable, he will embark
bis detachment before the place shall capitulate, supposing it to
be reduced to such an extremity.
' But if he should be of opinion on his arrival, that the
assistance of his detachment may save the place, he is not to

1811. fkkneda. 43.J
be prevented from landing to aid in its defence by a notion
of the possibility that he may not be able to re-embark.
' In that case he will endeavor to prevail with the Governor
to send away the most valuable ship timber and naval stores in
the transports which will take his department ; but if he should
not succeed, or if it should be irapracticable to erabark those
stores, he will insist with the Governor before he will land,
as a condition on which alone he can land, that before the
Governor shall enter into any terras of capitulation with the
eneray, or before he shall stand a storra, all the ship timber
and naval stores, ships, craft, &c., in the place or harbour,
shall be burnt.
' Mr. Wellesley will give Colonel Lambert the necessary
letters to the Governor of Carthagena.
' The troops must take with them 200,000 rounds of musket
ammunition, besides 60 rounds per man in their pouches.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
* Major General Cooke: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Dom M. de Forjaz.
« Sir, ' Freneda, 12th December, 18i I.
« I have received your letter of the 29th November, regard
ing the mistake which appears to have occurred in England in
respect to the grant of the favors of His Royal Highness the
Prince Regent of Portugal to Brigadier General Wilson, the
Governor of the province of Minho.
' As a British subject, Brigadier General Wilson could not
accept the honor conferred upon hira by His Royal Highness
excepting by the permission of His Royal Highness the Prince
Regent of Great Britain and Ireland, in the name and on
behalf of His Majesty ; and I applied for this permission for
him in a dispatch to the Secretary of State, dated the 30th
October, being convinced, as well from the communication I
had with that officer, as from the communication I had with
the Governors of the kingdom, that His Royal H ghness in
tended to confer upon hira that mark of his favor.
' It is possible that His Royal Highness had likewise con
ferred upon Sir Robert Wilson the same mark of his favor ;
and that knowing that he was not in Portugal, His Royal
Highness did not communicate that circumstance to the
2 F 2

436 PORTUGAL. 1811.
Governors of the kingdom. It might have been made known
to Sir Robert Wilson through His Royal Highness's Ambas
sador at the Court of London ; and Sir Robert Wilson might
have obtained by personal application the permission of his
Own Sovereign to accept it. It is not improbable, however,
that a raistake has been raade in the names of the two indi
viduals; that the permission of His Royal Highness the
Prince Regent of Great Britain for rayself and others to accept
these honors and distinctions, has been published in the
" London Gazette'' in consequence of some communication
to the British Government, besides those which I addressed to
the Secretary of State in my own case, that of Marshal Sir
William Beresford, Conde de Trancoso, that of Brigadier
General Trant, and that of Brigadier General Wilson, to all
of which I have received answers, excepting the last.
' Under these circumstances, it appears to me desirable that
the Governors of the Kingdom should have an explanation with
His Royal Highness's Ambassador at the Court of London
upon this subject ; and I entertain no doubt that His Royal
Highness the Prince Regent of Portugal intended to confer
this honor upon Brigadier General Wilson, the Governor of
Minho. I propose to address the Secretary of State upon the
subject. ' In regard to Marshal Sir William Beresford Conde de
Trancoso's letter, it is proper that it should be transmitted to
be laid before His Royal Highness the Prince Regent of
Portugal. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' Dom M. de Forjaz: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to the Right Hon.
H. Wellesley.
' My dear Henry, ' Freneda, l2th December, 1811.
' I have received your letter of the 27th, and since, those of
the ISth and 30th. I believe General Cooke is right in allow
ing Colonel Skerrett to remain at Tarifa, under the circum
stance which existed in the end of last month. But I do not
know what the plan of the Spaniards is, and what they are
about. They appear inclined to throw upon us the burthen
of occupying and supplying with provisions all the places to
the southward, while they are to keep the comraand of them ;

1811. FRKNEDA. 437
and we are to depend for the safety and honor of our troops
in those places, not only upon those commanding officers in
the field, but upon the commanding officers in the places.
' We have a strong interest in the success of the war, but
the people of the Peninsula have a stronger ; and although I
feel no inclination to refuse the assistance of the King's troops
when it is necessary, I think that that necessity should be
clearly made out, and that when it is to be attributed to the
deficiency of system in the Spanish Government and officers,
they should be made to feel this deficiency upon every occa
sion on which they require our assistance.
' We went to Cadiz to be auxiliaries in the garrison;
and the King's troops were placed under the orders of the
Governor, on the positive conditions which were agreed to,
and have never been altered. One of these was, that our
troops should not go beyond tbe harbour. We are now
obliged to occupy Tarifa with part of the garrison of Cadiz.
We take the field with General BaUesteros upon no known
plan, and with no defined object; and then when General
Ballesteros and all retire upon the enemy advancing, I ara told
that they have retired, because General Hill, who had accom
plished the object of his expedition, had returned to his can
tonraents. I knew nothing of General Ballesteros' plans or
objects ; and General Hill's expedition could have nothing to
do with General Ballesteros. Since General Hill's expedition,
and his return to his cantonraents, the enemy's force in Estre
madura have been much increased, instead of being diminished.
General Hill, however, did not return because he was pressed
by the enemy, but because he began his operation with a de
fined object ; which object he accomplished ; and as usual, in
Spain, he began to feel distress for want of provisions ; and if
he had stayed, and the eneray had been reinforced, he raight
have been distressed in his retreat.
' But we are not only called upon to occupy Tarifa, but
Carthagena. Is it not proper to raake the Spanish Govern
ment, and the nation, and the world feel the shameful neglect
of that place of which they have been guilty ':* If 1000 men
are wanting for Carthagena, is it proper that our garrison of
Cadiz should be called upon to supply them ? If new fortifi
cations are wanting, ought we to defray the expense of con
structing thera ? These are the questions which occur every
day in aU our concerns with these nations of the Peninsula ;

•138 PORTUGAL. 1811.
and I can only say, that if we are induced by a sense of our
own interest in maintaining the contest, to give them this
extraordinary assistance, we ought to make them feel it as a
favor, and we ought to represent to them the disgraceful neg
lect of which they are guilty, in coming upon us at this late
period for assistance to garrison and fortify Carthagena.
' I write to General Cooke to desire, that if you should
require it, he will send 1000 men to Carthagena, detaining
at Cadiz the regiment de Watteville. I particularly request,
however, that these men may not be sent to Carthagena
unless the Spanish Government should request this assistance
as a favor, and that all the conditions which I made with the
late Regency before I allowed the troops to land at Cadiz, are
consented to in respect to the garrison of Carthagena. I be
sides require, that our troops at Carthagena should occupy the
fort (the name of which 1 do not know) which is situated on
the height which cominands the harbour.
' I write upon these points to Major General Cooke.
' I have ordered four casks, containing twenty four dozen
of claret round to Cadiz for you.
' I had written to England at the request of General Cas
tanos, to desire that endeavors might be made to have the
Marques de Santa Cruz exchanged. But as he is in Buona
parte's clutches, I do not think there is any chance of success.
Between ourselves, I think the Prince d'Aremberg, being a
meraber of the Confederation of the Rhine, and married to
MaderaoiseUe Tascher, tbe intended of Ferdinand VIL, is
too great a card to give up for the Marques de Santa Cruz.
' I will take care that General Doyle's recruits shall march
through Portugal by a convenient route, and shall be well pro
visioned on their march, whenever there are any to raarch.
But having spoken to General Castaiios and General Giron
on this subject, they tell me, that since the embarkation of
troops for Araerica, the people of Estreraadura and Castille
have becorae more unwilling to enlist as soldiers ; and parti
cularly unwilling to go to Cadiz.
' I enclose my dispatch of this day.
' Ever yours, most affectionately,
• The Right Hon. ft Wellesley. ' Wellington.
' 1 have reports this day frora Badajoz and from Salamanca
th^t Suchet had retired from Valencia. If this is true, it may

1811. FRENEDA. 439
not be necessary that we should occupy Carthagena. How
ever, I hope that the Spanish Government will not any longer
neglect that place ; and if they will attend to it, and ask as a
favor that our troops should be allowed to go there, I have no
objection to sending there 1000 men.
' I have omitted to recoramend to you to suggest to the
Admiral to employ some of his craft with the Spanish craft at
Cadiz, to observe San Lucar, and any other point at which
the French can coraraunicate with the coast of Barbary, to
prevent the import of provisions. It is really raost ira
portant to make their armies feel the distress which they make
the rest of the world feel.'
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My Lord, ' Freneda, 12th December, 1811.
' I addressed your Lordship on the 30th of October, and
begged you to request the permission of His Royal Highness
the Prince Regent, for Brigadier General Wilson, of the
Portuguese service, to accept the honor of Commander of the
Order of the Tower and Sword, conferred upon him by the
Prince Regent of Portugal.
' The permission of His Royal Highness has since appeared
in the " London Gazette'''' of the 26th October, for Sir Robert
Wilson to accept the Order of the Tower and Sword ; and the
Secretary of the Local Government of Portugal has written to
rae a letter, of which I enclose the copy and copies of its
enclosures, expressing the opinion of the Government that
some mistake had been raade. I likewise enclose the draft of
my answer, which I had written before I had adverted to the
date of the " London Gazette," which was four days previous
to the date of ray letter to your Lordship regarding the honor
conferred upon Brigadier General WUson.
' I entertain no doubt now, that the British Government
nad received intimation of the honors conferred upon His
Majesty's subjects by the Prince Regent of Portugal, through
sorae channel besides myself: and it is possible that the Prince
Regent of Portugal may have intended to confer the Order of
the Tower and Sword upon Sir Robert Wilson as weU as
upon Brigadier General Wilson.
' But there is no doubt whatever, that the person referred

440 PORTUGAL. 1811.
to by His Royal Highness in his letters to this country, is
Brigadier General Wilson (Lieut. Colonel of the Royal York
Rangers), and 1 shall be very much obliged to your Lordship,
if you will obtain the permission of His Royal Highness the
Prince Regent that he may accept this honor ; and if you will
have the mistake in the " Jliondon Gazette" of the 26th
October rectified, if the Order has not likewise been conferred
on Sir Robert Wilson. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
• The Earl of Liverpool' ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to ihe Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My Lord, ' Freneda, 12th December, 1811.
' I have the honor to enclose a letter, and its enclosures,
which I have received from Lieut. General Graham, regarding
the grant of medals to Lieut. Colonel Ponsonby, Lieut. Col.
Jackson, Lieut. Colonel Acheson, Major Busche, and Major
Hope. ' These officers are so highly meritorious, and their conduct
has been so conspicuously good, that I beg leave to recom
mend thera to your Lordship's consideration.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool' ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., io ihe Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My Lord, ' Freneda, 12th December, 1811i
' When the eneray retired frora the neighbourhood of
Gibraltar and Tarifa, as reported in my dispatch of the 13th
ult., I concluded that Colonel Skerrett's detachraent would
return to Cadiz, and I directed that, according to your Lord
ship's orders, the regiraent de Watteville should be sent to
Ireland. But Colonel Skerrett having still continued detached
frora Cadiz, as your Lordship will have seen, the regiment de
Watteville is still at that place.
' I have now the honor to enclose the extract of a letter
from Mr. Wellesley regarding the expediency of occupying
Carthagena with a detachraent of British troops, to which
I have answered, that should the Spanish Governraent request

1811. freneda. 441
as a favor, that a British detachment should be sent to Car
thagena, I would consent to send a detachment.
' Accordingly, I have directed Major General Cooke to
send there, if required by Mr. Wellesley, the battalion of
foreign detachments, or five companies of the regiment de
Watteville, and the 2nd battalion 67th regiment, and a com
pany of artiUery, and officers of engineers to report the state
of the place, in order to enable His Majesty's Govern
ment to decide whether they wUl keep the detachment there
or not. ' I enclose the copy of a letter which I have written to
Major General Cooke upon this subject ; and I beg to have
your Lordship's orders regarding this detachraent as soon as
may be convenient.
' I should not have sent the troops to Carthagena, only that
I have reason to believe, that before this time the disorder,
which has prevailed there, has disappeared. Before the next
summer, we shall have opportunities of ascertaining its exact
nature ; and whether it will be possible to prevent its return,
or to mitigate or to guard against its effects by precautions.
It will be in the power of His Majesty's Government to
withdraw the troops, if they should think proper, before the
return of the season, in which they would be liable to this
sickness; and in the mean tirae the troops may save this im
portant place for the allies. ' 1 have the honor to be, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool' ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My Lord, ' Freneda, 12th December, 1811.
' The enemy have raade no moveraent of importance in this
quarter since 1 addressed you on the 4lh instant. I have
received reports, that in the beginning of the month, Marshal
Marmont had collected some of his troops at Navalraoral ;
but if these reports are correct, I beUeve he did so, only be
cause he heard that our cantonraents had been closed up in the
end of last month. Marmont's head quarters are again at
Talavera de La Reyna. 1 understand that the troops at
Plasencia are suffering frora want; but it is the coramon
practice of the French Generals to collect in store a quantity

442 PORTUGAL. 1811.
of provisions to answer for a sudden movement, while the
troops are left to provide for themselves as they can ; and it
frequently happens that, as in this case, the troops are suffer
ing from want, while I know that there are considerable quan
tities of provisions in store.
' I have received accounts from Cadiz to the 30th Noveraber.
General Ballesteros had been obliged again to retire under the
protection of the guns of Gibraltar ; and Colonel Skerrett had
retired to Tarifa. It appears that the enemy have brought
some troops from Granada to act upon General Ballesteros, as
well as the division under General Semele, belonging to the
1st corps.
' The official accounts from Valencia corae down as far as
the 20th of Noveraber. The enemy had not at that period
made any progress in their attack upon General Blake's posi
tion in front ofthe town. The chiefs of guerrillas, Duran, El
Empecinado, and Espoz y Mina had been very active and
successful in their operations against the enemy. It appears
by the accounts which 1 have received from the latter, which
are confirmed by the enemy's correspondence which has been
intercepted, that he had beaten a force sent against him, con
sisting of 1100 men of the garrison of Zaragoza, on the 17th of
October, and had taken 650 prisoners, and that only three
men of the enemy had escaped. The prisoners have arrived
at Coruiia.
' It is generally reported, that in consequence of the suc
cesses of the guerrillas. Marshal Suchet had been obUged to
retire from Valencia, after blowing up the castle of Saguntum.
This report has come by so many different channels, from
different quarters, that I hope it is founded in fact.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
• The Earl of Liverpool: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB,, io Captain  .
'Sir, ' Freneda, Mth December, 181 1.
' I sent you by your messenger, on the of last month,
SO dollars, an ass, and baskets, according to your desire, and
I gave him for his trouble.
' I will with pleasure make you the monthly aUowance which
you desire, and will pay it in such manner as you may point

1811. freneda. 443
out ; and I beg you to send me intelligence of all that passes
that comes to your knowledge. It would be particularly desir
able to receive it from the head quarters of the French army.
• You will continue to employ the old messenger till you can
get a better. If I were to send you one he might be
discovered, and the consequences might be fatal to you.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' Captain  .' ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, K,B,, to the Right Hon,
H. Wellesley.
' My dear Henry, ' Freneda, 14th December, 1811.
' I enclose a correspondence which I have had with Mr.
Stuart, regarding the conduct of the Spanish Minister at
Lisbon, upon which I request you to have a conference with
Don E. de Bardaxi.
' I beg you to tell Don E. de Bardaxi at the same time, that
if the Spanish mission at Lisbon will promise to discontinue
the purchase of arms there, and will let me know the names of
the agents they employ there for that purpose, if they should
be English or Portuguese, I will give them twice as many
arms and sets of accoutreraents as they can estimate they will
purchase in any named time.
' Return the enclosures, as I have no copies of them.
' Ever yours, most affectionately,
' The Right Hon. H. Wellesley: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to His Excellency Charles Stuarit
' Sir, ' Freneda, 14th December, 1811.
' I have had the honor of receiving your letter of the 9th
instant. ' As long as the person at the head of the Spanish mission
at Lisbon was one of a conciliatory disposition, it was desirable
that all the questions which could arise between the British
and Spanish nations at Lisbon should be settled by amicable
discussion between the Ministers of the two Courts, without
reference to the Portuguese Governmentj in order to avoid the
irritation which always attends discussions between a Portu
guese and a Spanish agent.
' But I believe it is quite unusual to settle diplomatic raat
ters in that manner. The British Minister at the Court of
Lisbon has to conduct the business of his Government only

444 PORTUGAL. 1811.
with that to which he is deputed ; and if he has any complaint
to make of the Spanish Minister, or of the conduct of any
Spanish subject at Lisbon, he should make it to the Portu
guese Government, with whora it would rest by their inter
ference with the Spanish Minister to give redress on the
matter complained of I recoramend this mode of transacting
business to your attention in future, so long as the ChevaUer
de Salmon shall be the Spanish Charge d'Affaires.
' Accordingly, I request you to draw the attention of the
Portuguese Government to the purchase of arms and accoutre
ments by the Spanish Charge d'Affaires at Lisbon. I have
reason to believe that the purchases from British soldiers ar6
not very numerous, but each of thera is very inconvenient, as
it raust be attended by the punishment of the soldier who
sells his arms ; and I would prefer to give the Spanish Charge
d'Affaires two new stands of arms and sets of accoutrements
for each one that he could expect to purchase by continuing
this practice, rather than it should continue. I have written
to Mr. Wellesley on this subject, and have desired hira to
raake this offer to the Spanish Government, to induce them to
order that it may be discontinued.
' The Portuguese Governraent are particularly interested
in effectually putting an end to the purchase of arras at Lisbon,
as it is positively a fact that no Portuguese soldier ever goes
into hospital without selUng his arms and accoutrements. If
there were no purchasers for these articles, this practice would
be necessarily discontinued, to the great advantage of the
service. ' In regard to the particular point of difference with the
Chevalier de Salmon on the present occasion, I have commu
nicated with General Castanos, who knows that it is the
common practice of all armies, that when a soldier, unknown,
has comraitted an outrage, whole regiraents are paraded to
enable the person raaking the coraplaint to point out the per
son against whora he coraplains. It is so common a practice,
and so much a matter of course in this army, that I am seldom
called upon to interfere, but the commanding officers parade
their raen on the first requisition. In a very recent instance,
some soldiers having comraitted an outrage in their shirts and
trousers, a whole brigade were paraded, dressed in a simUar
manner, to enable those complaining to know and point out
those who injured them.

1811. FRENEDA. 445
' General Castafios is so convinced that this is the practice,
that he has sent orders to tho officer comraanding the detach
ments of Spanish troops at Lisbon, to show to the Serjeant of
the Chasseurs Britanniques the raen of his detachment, in
order that he may point out the soldier from whom he received
his wound.
' According to the raode of doing business, which I recora
mend to you in the commencement of this letter, in relation to
the Spanish mission at Lisbon, it will be necessary in future
that when Major General Peacocke has any reason to complain
of any of the Spanish troops, he should make his complaint to
General de Noronha, who will give such orders upon the
subject as he may think proper, as he is the General com
manding the troops at Lisbon.
' If the matter is of that description that the interference of
the Government is necessary, it will then of course be General
Peacocke's duty to lay the subject before you, to be commu
nicated to the Portuguese Government.
' I would recomraend, however, to General Peacocke, to
confine his coraplaints on these subjects to a raere stateraent
of facts. Reflections do not add to the force of facts, at the
sarae tirae that they occasion and increase irritation between
¦officers of aUied nations, who ought to be friends.
' 1 have the honor to be, &c.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:
General Viscount Wellington, KB., io J. Bis.sett, Esq.,
Commissary General.
' My dear Sir, ' Freneda, 16th December, 1811. 10 a.m.
' I shall be very much obliged to you if you will let me have
the state of the suppUes, with the several divisions of infantry,
brigades of artillery, and regiments of cavalry, to the latest
period to which each can be made up.
' As General Graham is always liable to be called away from
the 1st division, it would be desirable that he should have
attached to him a commissariat establishment, with mules, &c.,
for the use of the General and his Staff, with bread, &c., and
corn for their horses. The mules might be taken from that
brigade of the 1st division, with which the General has been
estimated for hitherto. It does not appear that there would be

446 PORTUGAL. 1811.
any necessity that the person with General Graham should
have bullocks attached to him, as he can always get meat from
any division with which he raay be.
• Believe me, &c.
' J. Bissett, Esq: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to J. Bissett, Esq.,
Commissary General.
« S[R^ 'Freneda, 17th December, 1811.
' I have the honor to enclose an extract* of a letter from the
Secretary of State, pointing out the deficiency of the crops of
* Extract of a letter from the Earl of Liverpool to Lord Wellington.
' London, 21st November, 1811.
' I am sorry to be under the necessity of informing you that, owing to a
blight in the month of June, the crops of wheat and of barley (especially that
of the wheat) are now ascertained to be very far below an average crop. You
are probably aware that in an abundant year we cannot do more than feed our
selves ; but upon the occasion of former scarcities, we have had the resource of
importation from other countries, particularly from those bordering ou the
Baltic. In the actual situation of Europe, it is doubtful how far this resource
will be available at all, probably not to any great extent ; and even if available,
the corn will be to be purchased by some exportation of specie, which, in other
views of the subject, will be greatly inconvenient to us, under the present
circumstances. ' I have thought it right that you should be apprized of this state of our
affairs at home.
' You will perceive by this statement, how little you can depend upon any
supply of corn from this country. 1 have desired that inquiry may be made as
to the quantity of rice in hand, and may perhaps be able to send a supply of
this article, though not to a very large extent, but your chief dependence
must be upon America, the Barbary powers, and the Mediterranean ; and I
strongly recommend that no time should be lost in making the necessary ar
rangements for a supply from these quarters.
' I am aware of the inconvenience that must arise from the exportation of
specie to meet these demands. But the only remedy which occurs as applicable
to this evil, is an endeavor to make the purchases by British manufactures
instead of by coin. And if this could be accomplished, a double advantage
might be gained. Notwithstanding the prohibition of the Americans, there
are some articles of this country which must have become really matters of
necessity to them, and which they must be desirous therefore of procuring at
some risk. It is to be hoped, likewise, and there is some reason to believe
that the glut of British manufactures which has existed in South America for
two or three years, owing to the overtrading of our merchants, is in a great
measure at an end ; that there may be expected, therefore, a demand to a
limited extent, from that quarter ; and that the advantage of a trading voyage
may therefore prove a strong inducement to the Americans to bring their
supplies to Spain and Portugal, as on the export of their raw produce, their
own internal prosperity and resources essentially depend.'

1811. freneda. 447
corn for the consumption of the people of Great Britain in the
current year, to which 1 request you to advert in reference to
the demands for supplies of corn for the army.
' Adverting to the length of time which was Ukely to elapse
before the army would receive from England those supplies
which would be procured there, after the demand for them
should be made from hence, Mr. Kennedy and I had agreed
that there ought to be in store in Portugal, at all times, a
supply for the consumption of the array for three raonths.
But as it now appears that we cannot expect to procure corn
from England, I recommend that you should have in store a
supply of bread, corn, and forage for six months, and of the
other articles which can be procured from England, for the
period formerly determined on.
' It would be desirable to have inquiries made, v/hether oats
could not be procured at a cheap rate in Ireland. If they
should be procured there, however, it is desirable that they
should be shipped in bags, and not in bulk, as is usually
practised. If the latter mode of shipping thera be adopted,
they generally heat in the hold of the ships, and if the oats
should be at all serviceable upon being landed, they do the
horses but little good. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
• /. Bissett, Esq: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., io Lieut. General Hill.
' My dear Hill, ' Freneda, 17th Deo., 1811. 10 a.m.
' I concur with you that the report on the 39th is satisfac
tory, and that you should raove the 2nd battalion to the can
tonments of the 1st, preparatory to the transfer of the drafts
on the 25th instant, for which I shall give orders.
' Believe me, &c.
' Lieut. General Hill: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., io Vice Admiral
the Hon. G. Berkeley.
' My dear Sir, ' Freneda, 17th December, 1811.
' I have received your letter of the 9th instant.
' The establishment of a telegraph communication from the
mouth of the Guadiana to Elvas might be very convenient

448 PORTUGAfc. 1811.
under certain circumstances, but, on the other hand, as the
line must be carried along the frontier, it would not be difficult
for the enemy to intercept it. Under these circumstances, I
am unwilling to recommend to the Portuguese Government to
incur an expense to provide for a possible convenience, with
the amount of which 1 am entirely unacquainted.
' I shall be very rauch obUged to you if you will let me
know if you have any notion what the expense of this line of
telegraphs will be. ' Believe me, &c.
' Vice Admiral 'Wellington.
ihe Hon. G. Berkeley:
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to His Excellency Charles Stuart
' My dear Sir, ' Freneda, I7th December, 1811.
' I have received your letter of the 12th, and I recommend
to you to renew your measures in Araerica, so far as to send
there biUs for ^6" 400, 000, to be laid out in purchases of corn ;
to adopt those which you propose for the purchase of rice to
the amount of £200,000 in the northern provinces of the
Brazils ; and further, to raake an effort to get grain frora the
coast of Africa.
' This grain raust be paid for in bills upon England, if pos
sible. If we cannot get it for bills, we raust endeavor to send
money ; but I cannot enter into the detail of sending Colonial
goods or merchandize to pay for corn. The merchants of
England will of course send Colonial goods and merchandize
where they can sell it with advantage, and they will do what
they will think raost advantageous with the raoney. We have
no Colonial goods to send to barter for corn, nor would it be
expedient to have a store of them at Lisbon with a view to
such a traffic. ' Believe me, &c.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to His Excellency Charles Stuart.
' My dear Sir, ' Freneda, I7th December, 1811.
' Adverting to the enclosures in your letter of the 11th, I
observe that the sum for the raiUtary chest is about 5430

1811. FRENEDA. 449
contos during the year, or about 400 contos a month, or about
one million of crusades. I very rauch fear that that will not
be sufficient for the expenses.
' I beg to observe that the demand of our Comraissariat for
suppUes to the Portuguese troops comes to about £50,000
every month, and I have before me at this moment a demand
for suppUes for the Portuguese army for one month, amount
ing to £90,000 : the two together raake £140,000. To this
sum raust be added, as regular deraands, pay and supplies to
the regiments at Cadiz. The monthly araount of the subsidy,
at two millions a year, would be £166,000 ; so that you see
that we could not pay in money wilh propriety more than
£20,000 to £25,000 in any one month.
' It is really necessary and desirable that you, and Beresford,
and Dom M. de Forjaz, should examine with minuteness every
part of the estimate of the raiUtary expenditure, and see what
can, with propriety, be struck off. There is a vast sura spent
in the north for no reason whatever.
' I think also that it would be very desirable that Beresford
and Dom M. de Forjaz should examine very particularly the
demands for supplies on our Commissariat. We feed the
whole army, excepting two brigades here and two brigades and
one brigade of cavalry in the Alentejo ; yet they have de-
raanded corn and flour for bread, besides rice in lieu of bread,
sufficient for above 70,000 raen, for one month's consumption !
Where have they 70,000 men ? They have besides demanded
67,600 lbs. of salt pork, and a sufficient quantity of corn to
supply 7000 horses for a month, although I believe they have
not 700 horses fit for service in the world !
' This must be either a joke or a mistake, or else I suspect
that the Principal calls upon the Comraissariat for supplies for
his agricultural scheraes ; but it will not answer to have these
supplies taken out of the railitary chest.
' Believe rae, &c.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Lieut. General HiU.
'Sir, ' Freneda, 18th December, 1811.
' I have the honor to enclose the copy of a letter which
General Castaiios has sent to rae by General Alava, in which
VOL. vm. 2 G

450 PORTUGAL. 1811'.
the Spanish Minister at War has suggested that you should
make some movement to draw the enemy's attention from
General Ballesteros, and frora Tarifa.
'As far as I ara able to judge of the eneray's position- in
Estreraadura, they have no troops belonging to the 5th corps
between the Guadiana and the Tagus. Drouet's head quarters
are, 1 believe, at Alraendralejo, and it is probable that a con
siderable body of the corps are near that place. There appears
to be a brigade in and about Zafra ; and I imagine that some
of the troops are at La Serena.
' There appears to rae no mUitary difficulty in your advanc
ing to Merida, excepting the want of subsistence.
' The garrison of Badajoz, although, I believe, of the same
strength as it has been for the last six months, is not so well
composed, being principaUy German troops. It must be ob
served, however, that the French battalions which were in the
garrisons have been added to Drouet's array, and increase the
force of the eneray in the field.
' Although the garrison of Badajoz is not so well composed
as it was, it will still be necessary to observe the debouche
which the bridge of Badajoz affords, in case you should make
a raovement upon Merida.
' In your raoveraent upon Merida, I would likewise beg to
draw your attention to the position of the army of Portugal,
on the north side of the Tagus. There are at least two
divisions of that army within a short distance of the bridge of
Alraaraz ; and all the cavalry are cantoned between Arzobispo
and Guadalupe, on the left of that river.
' The principal difficulty, however, which occurs to rae, in
making a raoveraent upon Merida, consists in the want- of
suppUes. I believe there is still sufficient in the country lo
supply the troops under your command; but the people in
Spain wiU not give us those suppUes without payment in ready
money, notwithstanding that the French may come the next
day to take thera without any payraent ; and it is impossible
to procure money to pay on delivery the enormous sums
required for every article which the troops want. The march
to Merida will Increase your distance from your raagazines to
such a degree, as to render the supply of the troops from them
very difficult and precarious.
' Of these raatters, however, you must be the' best judge ;

1811. freneda. 451
and if you should be of opinion that you can maintain your
troops on the march to Merida, and during a reasonable
period which it may be desirable that you should reraain upon
the Guadiana, in m-der to draw the attention of the enemy
from General Ballesteros, 1 should wish you to make this
movement, adverting always to the bridges of Almaraz and
Badajoz. ' Upon your arrival on the Guadiana, you will be able to
judge for yourself, frora the accounts you will receive of the
state of the enemy's force, whether it is in your power to strike
a blow against Drouet ; and if you should think that you can
strike this blow, you have ray authority to make the attempt.
' You will observe, however, from what I have above stated
to you particularly of the position of the division of the army
of Portugal, that it will be necessary that you should make
this atterapt at an early period after your arrival on the
Guadiana, if you are to raake it at all.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' Lieut. General HilL' ' Wellington.

General Viscount Wellington, KB., to General Castaiios.
' Sir, ' Freneda, 1 8th December, 1811.
• General Alava has delivered to me the letter which the
Secretary at War addressed to your Excellency on the 4th
instant, suggesting the expediency that Lieut. General Hill
should make a moveraent with his corps, to draw the attention
of the enemy from General Ballesteros, and frbm Tarifa.
' I beg leave to inform your Excellency that I have never
received from any quarter any -information regarding the
objects or plans of General Ballesteros's operations, or the
means which were afforded to him of effecting those objects,
notwithstanding that it is obvious that it might be in my power
to aid them in various ways.
' There exists no military reason whatever why General
Hill's corps should not be between the Tagus and the Gua
diana, and even upon the Guadiana, taking the railitary pre
caution of observing the debouche of the bridge of Badajoz,
and the raoveraents of tbe array of Portugal by the bridges of
Almaraz and Arzobispo, if the people of Estreraadura would
supply the troops with provisions.
2g 2

452 PORTUGAL. 1811.
« But your Excellency is aware that the people of Spain will
not part with their supplies without payment in ready money
of an enormous price for every article which the troops require,
notwithstanding that experience has taught them that the
British nation invariably pay their debts ; and that they know
that those supplies, which they withhold from us with a cer
tainty of payment, at some future and no remote period, will
be forced from them by the French without payraent at all.
' It is obvious that, in the existing state of the world, and
as long as the unfortunate dispute between Spain and her
colonies continues, and no effort to reconcile thera, it is irapos
sible to procure specie to pay, upon receipt of the articles, for
every thing the troops require. It raust be equally obvious
to your Excellency, that it is impossible for the British troops
to subsist from their own raagazines at the increased distances
which it is necessary that they should move frora thera, in
order to render to the Spanish nation the additional assistance
which it is in their power to give them from tirae to time.
' Under these circumstances, I have ordered General Hill
to move forward upon Merida, if he should be of opinion that
he can subsist his troops during that movement, and during
the reasonable tirae which it will be necessary that he should
reraain upon the Guadiana, in order to be of any use to
General Ballesteros.
' If he should find himself able to raove upon Merida, he
will cross the Guadiana or not to attack Drouet, according to
the inforraation which he shall have of the numbers and position
of bis troops, and to his view of the chance of success.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' General Castanos: ' Wellington.

General Viscount Wellington, KB., io Vice Admiral
ihe Hon. G. Berkeley.
' My dear Sir, ' Freneda, 1 Sth December, 1811.
' Lieut. General the Hon. G. L. Cole, and Major General
Murray, are going to England, and are anxious to avail them
selves of the safe opportunity of one of the troop ships, or a
ship of war.
' They will be at Lisbon in the course of a week ; and if
any ship should be going at about the time, I shall be very

1811. FRENEDA. 453
much obliged to you if you will aid them with your good
offices with the captain to obtain a passage.
' Believe me, &c.
' Vice Admiral ' Wellington.
the Hon. G. Berkeley:
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to the Right Hon.
Henry Wellesley.
'Sir, ' Freneda, 18th December, 1811.
' I have the honor to enclose the copy of a letter which has
been sent to rae by General Castanos from the Spanish Minis
ter at War, and the copy of my answer, and the copy of
instructions which I have sent to General Hill, to endeavor to
divert the eneray's attention from General BaUesteros, and
frora Tarifa.
' I likewise enclose the copy of my dispatch to the Secretary
of State of this date. * I have the honor to be, &c.
' The Right Hon. H. Wellesley: ' Wellington.

Lieut General Viscount Wellington, KB., to ihe Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
* My Lord, ' Freneda, 18th December, 1811.
' I have not received any letters from Mr. Wellesley since
the 30th of last month ; but General Castanos, who is in this
neighbourhood, has accounts from Cadiz to the 4th instant.
From these it appears that the guerrillas in Aragon and
Navarre, and Guadalaxara, Duran, Espoz y Mina, and El
Empecinado, having co-operated in the blockade of Daroca,
in Aragon, that place had faUen into their hands, with 2500
prisoners. I have not been made acquainted with the date of
this event, but I believe it to be certain.
' Marshal Suchet, however, still persevered in his endeavors
to obtain possession of Valencia, and I understand that on the
25th the enemy had opened their fire on some of the posts
occupied by General Blake's array for the defence of the city.
' From these circumstances, your Lordship will observe that
the report communicated in my last dispatch has no founda
tion in fact.

454 PORTUGAL. 1811.
' The enemy continued in front of General Ballesteros, who
was still under the protection of the guns of Gibraltar. It is
also reported that the enemy intended to attack Tarifa.
' In consequence of the suggestion of the Spanish Minister
at War, conveyed to me by General Castanos, that General
Hill should make a moveraent with his corps, to draw the
enemy's attention from General Ballesteros and Tarifa, I have
directed General Hill to raove upon Merida, if he should find
that he can make this movement without distressing the troops
for subsistence, while engaged in it, or during the time that it
will be expedient that he should remain at Merida, in order
to be of any service to General Ballesteros.
' I have likewise authorized Lieut. General Hill to attack
General Drouet, who coraraands the 5th corps, if upon his
arrival at Merida he should find that he can do so with any
prospect of success.
' The enemy have made no movement of any iraportance in
front of this army, nor in the north. A few battalions and
squadrons have passed the Tormes, and have collected at San
Muiioz, but I imagine it is with the inteiition of plundering
the country. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
• The Earl of Liverpool' ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to ihe Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My dear Lord, ' Freneda, 18th December, 1811.
' I have received your letter, marked private and confiden
tial, of the 21st November, to which mine of the 4th December,
regarding the expected fall of Valencia, may be deemed in
some degree an answer.
' I ara sorry to say that, notwithstanding what I told you
in ray last dispatch, 1 rauch fear that Valencia will fall ; the
guerrillas have done wonders to save that place, and if Blake
had conducted his operations with as much prudence as they
have theirs with skill, and if he had opposed the enemy with
solid strength in front, while the guerriUas were cutting oft"
their communication with the rear, Suchet must in the end
have retired ; and the expedition into Valencia, which, next to
the expedition into Portugal, is the most important that the

1811. FRENEDA. 455
enemy could undertake, would have had a termination pro
portionally disastrous to them ; as it is, I fear that Suchet will
persevere, and that his perseverance will be crowned with
success. In this case, the successes of the guerriUas will have
produced no effect, excepting in the nurabers of the enemy
they have killed and taken.
' My letter of the 4th will have informed your Lordship of
the effect of the fall of Valencia, and ray view of our situation.
' Ever since September we have continued to blockade
Ciudad Rodrigo as far as was practicable, and the place has
received nothing from the country, excepting by the convoy
which entered on the 1st November, when the Agueda had
filled ; the consequence is, that the garrison are very ill pro
vided with some necessary articles, and others will be expended
by the 20th of February ; at that tirae the garrison will have
neither bread nor meat, so that you will see that this fine
convoy brought but little more than four months' provisions
for the garrison, and the army which escorted the provisions
took about 120,000 rations, being two days' supply for them-.
selves, or two raonths for the garrison, when they passed
by on their return frora the expedition to El Bodon, which
reduced the stock in the garrison to what I have above
stated. ' It has been quite irapossible for us to do any thing else
than blockade Ciudad Rodrigo, as we have since September.
First, the army have not till lately been in a state of health
to make any forward raovement, even for a limited object.
' Secondly, if the troops had been in health, we have always
been so cramped for the want of provisions, and the Spaniards
are so unwilling to furnish any, excepting for ready money
payments, notwithstanding that they know that the French
will take for nothing all that they can find, that it has been
with difficulty I have been able to keep the troops in the
situation in which they now are, and above half the army are
behind. Being obhged, then, to keep the troops stationary, and
at certain distances from their raagazines, I preferred to re
main on this frontier to returning to Estremadura, after the
month of September. The country on this frontier is the
most healthy during the season which has elapsed ; by con
tinuing on this frontier, I have protected Abadia's arrange
ments, as the enemy did not, and could not know that, even if

456 PORTUGAL. 1811.
they had not been on the Tormes, I should have experienced
great difficulty in getting to Salamanca, nor did they know how
sickly our troops were till they learnt it from the English
newspapers. ' Lastly, by continuing on this frontier I was enabled to re
establish Almeida as a military post, and to perform other
works, and make other arrangements, which will faciUtate and
render less expensive our comraunications in the commence
ment of the year.
' As Almeida is becoming a place of security I have brought
up there our battering train ; and in order to prevent the
eneray frora turning towards Valencia, I have directed ma
terials for a siege to be prepared, and I propose to lay down
our bridge upon the Agueda. I am also making every effort
to get up the stores of our train to Almeida, and if I can
succeed, I shall be in a situation to attack Ciudad Rodrigo on
any day I please, without risk or inconvenience, and if the
weather should permit, I will attack the place before its stock
of provisions be consumed.
' Whether I can take Ciudad Rodrigo or not, I think it
will be expedient to remove our operations to the southward
by the end of February or early in March. Our army wUl by
that tirae be very healthy, and in strength ; that is the season
in which it will be raost practicable for us to carry on our
operations on the frontier of Estremadura, and in the southern
countries, both on account of the plenty of forage for our
horses, and of the wholesomeness of the climate ; and think it
possible that if I can bring the whole army together on one
point, the enemy will not be able to prevent me from getting
possession of Badajoz. At that time also, I expect that I shall
not only have Almeida in security as a military post on this
frontier, but that Don Carlos de Espaiia's Spanish division
will be forraed and equipped, and that Abadia will be able to
stand alone while I shall leave hira.
' These are my present notions, of which your Lordship
will make what use you please ; but I acknowledge that I
should prefer that they were not even hinted to the public, not
only because they will not bear disappointment, but because
they cannot go before our public in any shape, without at
the sarae time getting to the knowledge of Buonaparte and
his officers.

1811. FRENEDA. 457
' I enclose the last weekly and daily states. I have to apo
logize to your Lordship for addressing you upon this paper,
but I have no other. ' Believe me, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool ' Wellington.
' 1 am very much obliged to your Lordship for your kind
ness to my little boy.'
General Viscount Wellington, KB,, io J. Bissett, Esq,,
Commissary General
' My dear Sir, ' Freneda, 19th December, 1811. 6 p.m.
' I find that there are at Villa da Ponte 1058 barrels and
200 boxes of gunpowder, which raight be brought up to Al
meida by 630 mules ; and we shall want, besides, 686 barrels
of gunpowder for our magazine at Lamego, which can be
carried by 343 mules. Total required, 973 mules, to move up
our powder.
' I do not exactly recollect how many mules there are with
the reserve ammunition, but excepting the one-sixth to go to
the magazine to fetch corn for thera, I should wish that as far
as this number were sent to bring up this powder. If there
should not be enough attached to the reserve ammunition,
those attached to the ammunition with the cavalry and the 5th
and 6th divisions, shall be sent to assist, with the exception of
the one-sixth, to carry their corn to them from the magazines.
' 1 have other plans in contemplation for the removal of our
shot, so as to relieve you entirely from the weight of the re
moval of the stores of the train. ' Believe me, &c.
' J. Bissett, Esq: ' Wellington.

General Viscount Wellington, KB., to General Castanos.
• Sir, ' Freneda, 20th December, 1811.
' I have had the honor of receiving your Excellency's letter
ofthe 19th, and I ara rauch obUged to you for having entered
into a consideration of that which I had the honor of addressing
you on the 18th, as it is probable that your Excellency's senti
ments will attract the attention of the ministers of both the
allied Governments.

458 PORTUGAL. 1811.
' There is nothing, however, so desirable, as that the exact
state of the facts should be ascertained, particularly on a point
so important as the means of subsistence of an array ; and
there is no point to which it is so desirable that the Govern
ment and Legislature of your country should turn their atten^
tion, and on which they should have authentic inforraation.
For this reason principally I trouble you with an answer to
your letter.
' When I stated to your Excellency in my former letter of
the 18th, that experience ought to have shown the people of
Estremadura that the British nation always pay their debts, I
referred to the transactions of the army which was under my
comraand in that province in 1809. I acknowledge that it did
not occur to me that the British troops under Marshal Beres
ford had left any debts unpaid in that province in the spring
of 1811.
' There raay, however, be some without my knowledge, into
which circurastance I will inquire, and I will let your Excel
lency know the result. If there are any. your Excellency may
depend upon it that they will be paid in their turn. But
whether there are debts of the British army in Estreraadura
or not since last spring, the necessity that the allied Govern
ments should know the truth, render it expedient that the
people should not be flattered on this occasion ; and I declare
that the province of Estreraadura did not give to the army
under Marshal Sir WiUiam Carr Beresford adequate supplies,
or supplies at all in proportion to their raeans. I know that
the array which fought the battle of Albuera were in the
greatest distress on the 16th, 17th, and 18th of May, for want
of provisions ; and the Captain General Blake, in a conference
which I had with hira at Albuera, declared to me that the
troops under his comraand had been very ill supplied from
the tirae he had arrived in the province. I arrived at Elvas,
and took the coramand of the army on the 19th of May, and
I know that the British army were supplied, from that tirae to
the 17th of June, almost every day, with bread and corn
brought from the Tagus. I also know that when General
Blake crossed the Guadiana, he was so distressed for provisions
as to be obliged to request me to supply him on the day he
should arrive at Jurumenha, which I was obliged to refuse.
And yet it is well known that an army of 60,000 French

1811. freneda. 459
troops, with about 7000 cavalry, found subsistence for a month
in that province, after the alUes had retired from it.
' I likewise recollect that when means of transport were re
quired frora the province of Estremadura for the siege of
Badajoz, the supply was trifling, in comparison wilh the de
mand and want ; and infinitely so in comparison with the means
of the province, and in comparison with what was procured
from the Alentejo. The same want of transport was felt when
the wounded were to be removed from Albuera. I do not
mention these circumstances as matters of complaint, but in
order to raake known the truth, and that the Spanish Govern
ment and Legislature may turn their attention to the subject,
and may apply a reraedy.
' I ara entirely convinced that there is no want of good will
in the people. But they have no faith in our promise of pay
ment for their property, or in their own Government, and they
prefer to trust to the hopeless chance of being able to preserve
their property from the enemy, to giving it to the Spanish
army or to the British array, on promises of payment, by which
they raight enable both to render the raost essential service to
their country ; and at all events they would place resources out
of the reach of the eneray.
' It is very desirable that the Governraent and the Legis
lature should turn their serious attention to this important
subject. ' I am likewise very much obliged to your Excellency for
your observations on the proposed operations of Lieut. General
HiU. The corps under the coraraand of this officer has been
moved forward solely at the suggestion of the Minister at
War, to divert the attention of the enemy frora General Bal
lesteros ; and it remains to be seen for what object it is de
sirable that General Ballesteros should be enabled to remain
where he is.
' I admit that the object which you suppose from the state
ments in the newspapers, for the operations of General Bal
lesteros, is one very desirable in every point of view ; and the
question is, whether he has a force at all equal to attain it, in
whatever degree the eneray's attention may be diverted from
him ; and if he has not, whether the force under his comraand
ought not to be employed elsewhere. I can give no opinion,
however^ upon these points, as I have no information either

460 PORTUGAL. 1811.
of his force or of his plans. I agree with your Excellency in
thinking that the only danger which General Hill can appre
hend, is on the side of the bridges on the Tagus, and I have
instructed General Hill accordingly. But I cannot pretend
to guard General Hill from that danger sufficiently to re
comraend to your Excellency to detach General Morillo into
La Mancha.
' I could guard General Hill from an attack from the
Tagus only, by my moving forward in the valley of the
Alagon and Tietar, or by a similar movement into Castille.
Both these movements are impossible under existing circum
stances. All that I can do is to maintain ray army in the
situation which it now occupies, until I can increase the means
of transport to such a degree as to insure its subsistence in a
more forward situation. I am exerting all the means in my
power to effect this object, and it will be fortunate for the
Peninsula, if the measures which I shall adopt with this view,
shall be accompanied by corresponding raeasures on tbe part
of the Government, to place at our disposal the resources of
the provinces. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' General Castanos: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB,, to His Excellency Charles Stuart,
' My dear Sir, ' Freneda, 22nd December, 1811.
' I received your letter of the 14th only yesterday, and that
of the 18th this day. It is not easy to forra a precise notion
of what is intended upon a financial subject, in which the de
tail is everything, without having under view the proposed
regulation itself.
' First, I entirely agree that whatever measure may be
adopted, it is necessary that the paper money in circulation
should be stamped, and the whole ought to be stamped within
a limited period. I accordingly give orders that all the paper
in our possession raay be taken to the proper office to be
stamped. ' Secondly, I do not understand what is meant by stamping
the paper every time it passes through one ofthe Governraent
Offices, accorapanied as that raeasure is by the consequence of
postponing the payment of interest for a year after the period

1811. FRENEDA. 461
at which the paper will appear by the stamp to have passed
through the bands of Government.
' The circulation of this paper is compulsory, the law of the
country raaking a tender of half paper and half money a legal
tender ; and 1 conclude that the meaning of this regulation is,
that when the paper is paid to Government under the law, the
difference between the value of paper and the value of coin is
compensation to the holder of the paper for his interest due to
that moment. It is really impossible to reason seriously upon
such a scheme.
' The raode of proceeding should be to starap the old, or
make a fresh issue of good paper instead of the old, to pay the
interest on all the real paper, from the 1st of July or even the
1st of October last, and declare the intention of Government
to pay it with regularity every half year in future, and to close
for ever the paper manufactory, and to allot a certain fund for
the payment of the interest regularly.
' This is a plain, simple raeasure, the consequence of which
would be that the value of the paper in the market would rise,
and the price of commodities to be purchased by it would fall.
The price of paper would not only rise, because every man
would feel that it was worth something, but because men in
purchasing it, for instance, in April, would be disposed not
only to give the price of the paper, but to make an allowance
to the seller for the three months' interest which had been
incurred frora the 1st of January to the 1st of April, and at last
the araount of interest due would be calculated and allowed
upon every transfer of paper raoney, as it now is in England
upon Exchequer bills.
' But how will it be by this scheme of the Government ?
No interest will be paid upon paper that passes through the
offices. The araount of the interest, therefore, can never be
calculated in the sale of the paper, because probably the in
terest will never be paid, as the paper probably will get into
the hands of Government in the course of circulation before
the year will expire, at the end of which the interest might be
claimed. The consequence will be, as is intended, that the
holder of the paper will be inclined not to put it in circulation.
' But this measure which is to have the effect of checking
the circulation of the paper, will of course keep down its
price. The holder who has been corapelled by law to take

462 PORTUGAL. 1811;
paper, must keep it by bim in order to make anything by,
it. After all, he can make only 5 per cent, per annum by,
the interest, whereas, in any employment of his capital he
ought to make 10 per cent., and might make above 20. If
he is an individual not engaged in trade, it raay be very in
convenient to him to be without his money so long as it will
be necessary that he should remain in order to receive the
interest upon his paper, and the consequence of this notable
scheme will be that paper will be as rauch avoided in all
pecuniary transactions as it is at this moment, and the value of
it in exchange must remain as it is, notwithstanding the ex
pense which Government will incur by paying some of the
interest ; for, after all, some of the interest will be demanded
from them.
' This scheme will not answer my purpose, and it is quite
beneath a great Government. If the Government will adopt
the simple measure which I have above proposed to them, and
will pay only three months' interest on the paper in circula
tion on the 1st of January, I wUl order the Comraissary Gene
ral to give a receipt for all the interest which will be due on
that day on the paper in our hands.
'- If they do not adopt some such plan as this, I sh^U cer
tainly put a stop to the trade in paper altogether, by refusing
to receive it in payraent for our bills of exchange.
' In regard to the Apolices Grandes, I have not time to
develop the effect of Principal Souza's scheme. But it is totally
inconsistent with every notion of financial policy that I have
ever formed, and equally so with justice, which must be the
foundation of every financial scheme.
' The interest on the Apolices ought to be paid from the 1st
of July, as well as that on the circulating paper money, and
there they ought to be left. The interest should hereafter be
secured and paid regularly.
' I thought that you had, as you ought to have in your
possession in Mr. Bell's chest, the money in metal and paper
which I had at different tiraes ordered the Commissary General
to pay over to you, but frora your letter I iraagine that we
have kept it, and, as usual, have spent it.
' I have desired the Coramissar)' General to send orders to
Mr. Pipon to pay you as large a sum in metal as he can, and
to allow the discount of the day on all the paper he is obhged

1811. FRENEDA. 463
to give you, as I conceive that the Portuguese Government
are entitled to the subsidy in sterling money, and not in cur
rency. In this I may be wrong. ' Believe me, &c.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:

General Viscount Wellington, KB., to J. Bissett, Esq.,
Commissary General
' My dear Sir, ' Freneda, 23rd December, 1811.
' I had some conversation yesterday with Major General
Anson, regarding the horses of his brigade, and it appears to
be very desirable that some effort should be made to supply
those of the 16th dragoons in particular. That brigade have
been on this duty for about a month, and came in good con
dition, and in that time they have lost 56 horses.
' Believe me, &c.
' J. Bissett Esq. ' Wellington.
' I think it would be desirable to look into the disposition of
the mules of the 16th dragoons, as they are not so well supplied
as the I4th, although the latter are farthest off.'
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to Lieut. General Hill.
' My dear Hill, ' Freneda, 23rd December, 1811. 8 a.m.
' I received last night your letter of the 21st.
' Frora all the letters which I have received frora Cadiz, it
appears to me to be very desirable that you should make a
movement, to endeavor to divert the eneray's attention frora
Ballesteros and Tarifa.
' I do, not think that your raeasures at Jurumenha would
answer that purpose ; you raight certainly cross the Guadiana
at that place at present (though that is doubtful), but the
enemy know well that you must re-cross as soon as the river
will fill ; and the raovement of the array of Portugal would
equally oblige you to retire, and you would find your retreat
across the Guadiana by flying bridges excessively tedious.
Your raeasures at Jurumenha, unless you . could cross the
Guadiana immediately, would produce no effect as a diversion
for Tarifa, &c. ; those of Merida may.

464 PORTUGAL. 1811.
' I believe that the road from Portalegre on Merida, by
Alburquerque, passes the head of the Gevora, and of the
Salor ; the other river which you mention I am not acquainted
with. If this be the case, your retreat from Merida would
always be secure ; if it should not be the case, it would only ^,,
be necessary, after the first impression should be raade, and if
you should deterraine not to attack Drouet, to place your
troops, on the first appearance of rain, en echelon, from
Merida, the great body being behind the river which is to be
passed, and the sraaller at Merida, having all the means to pass
the river by the sraaller body prepared beforehand.
' If the Guadiana should be fordable, I agree with you in
thinking that the Jurumenha plan would answer best, as an
immediate diversion ; but still for your retreat and communica
tions, I would recommend to you to turn your back upon
Merida when across the Guadiana, from knowing that you
cannot depend upon a flying bridge on the Guadiana.
' Believe me, Sec.
' Lieut General Hill' ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Captain  .
« Sir, ' Freneda, 24th December, 1811.
' I have received your letter. I am much concerned that
you should imagine that you have been ill treated. You are
certainly raistaken upon this subject. I have desired that 
may be paid 10 dollars, and sent back to you satisfied. I
likewise sent you by hira 40 dollars in gold coin.
' In respect to your pardon, you cannot expect that it should
be given to you imraediately. I told you that I must be able
to assure the Governraent that you had served your country
with zeal, and had given useful information. You cannot
suppose that the two or three letters which you have written
to me will enable me to secure your object.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' Captain  .' ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., io Lieut. General Hill
' My dear Hill, ' Freneda, 24th Dec., 1811. 8 a.m.
' Since I wrote to you yesterday morning, I have received
a report that the 6th division of the array of Portugal raoved

1811. freneda. 465
from Plasencia across the Tietar on the 21st. 1 do not yet
know the object of this movement. The baggage, artillery,
hospitals, &c. belonging to this division had been moved some
days before to Navalraoral.
' There are various reports respecting their ultimate desti
nation ; some that they are going to Valencia, others that they
are to cross the Tagus. I will let you know if I should learij
any thing positive.
' I have not yet heard whether the movement has beep
general, or confined to this one division.
^ Believe me, &c.
' Lieut General Hill' ' Wellin.GTON.

Genei-al Viscount Wellington, K.B., to Major General Cooke.
' Sir, ' Freneda, 25th December, 1811.
' I have great pleasure in forwarding to you a dispatch fronj
the Earl of Liverpool, conveying to you the approbation of
His Royal Highness the Prince Regent of your conduct, and
of that of Colonel Skerrett, which I beg you will communicate
to the Colonel. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' Major General Cooke: ' Wellington.

General Viscount Wellington, KB., to the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My Lord, ' Freneda, 2.5th December, 1811.
' The 6th division of the army of Portugal broke up froin
Plasencia on tbe 21st instant, and marched across the Tietar, in
the direction of Navalraoral ; but I have not yet beard whether
the other divisions of the army of Portugal, which were
cantoned about Bejar, and in the pj-ovince of Avil^, have
moved. ' I cannot learn the object of the moveraent, but it appear?
to have been unexpected, and occasioned by the arrival of an
officer with dispatches from Madrid. I have long expected
that the distress of the troops for want of subsistence would
have rendered it necessary, as that part of the province qf
Estremadura is entirely exhausted.
VOL. VIII. 2 H

466 PORTUGAL. 1811.
' I have no intelligence upon which I can rely of the state
of affairs in Valencia. It is certain that no troops have been
detached from this quarter into Valencia, unless the moveraent
of the 6th division from Plasencia sbould be only a part of a
more general movement in that direction, of which, however,
I have no intelligetice.
' Nothing of any importance has occurred in the north of
Spain. ' I have letters from Mr. Wellesley to the 19th instant ;
but I imagine that I have not received some dispatches from
Cadiz, which probably have been sent round by Lisbon.
.' The object I of the enemy's raoveraents in the Sierra de
Ronda appears to have been to hera in Ballesteros upon
Gibraltar with one body of troops, while, with another, they
should attack Tarifa with heavy artillerj. The enemy re
mained at San Roque from the end of last month till the 12th
instant, when they retired to Los Barrios ; and General Bal
lesteros had advanced to San Roque on tbe 13th, Colonel
Skerrett being still at Tarifa.
' It is reported that the French had retired entirely from
that part of the country ; but Colonel Skerrett, who wrote on
the 13th, appeared to be of opinion that the eneray would stilt
make an attack upon Tarifa, and- that their raovement was
with a view to concentrate their force for that object, and to
approach nearer to their magazines. The heavy artillery for
the attack of Tarifa was between Vejer and Facenes.
' It appears probable that the enemy will persevere in
making their attack, which they had certainly intended.
' Major General Cooke adverts to two attempts made by
the enemy to penetrate the pass of La Pena, in both of which
they failed. I have not yet received the reports of these •
affairs. ' I have not yet beard that General Hill had moved, in
consequence of the orders which I reported to your Lordship
in ray last dispatch that I had sent to him.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool: ' Wellington.

1811. fri:ned\. 467

General Viscount Wellington, K.B.. tn the Earl nf Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My dear Lord, ' Freneda, 25th December, 1811.
' I enclose the last weekly state, and the last morning
report. ' Unless the 6th division of the army of Portugal has been
obliged to move by distress for provisions, I do not know
what to make of that moveraent.
' It is reported that the troops which were at Boulogne
under Ney are coraing into Spain ; but a letter from ray cor
respondent at Salaraanca slates that 15,000 of them had arrived
at Bayonne, and had returned to the northward. If this is
not the case, it is possible that Ney's troops may be considered
a relief for the army of Portugal, to keep us in check, and that
the army of Portugal may be moving towards Valencia.
' Against this conjecture, however, I have to mention. First,
that the troops in Avila, &c. have not moved, at least I have
not heard of their moveraent. Secondly, I was informed sorae
days ago that the 1st division of the army of Portugal had
passed the Tagus into La Mancha, and I then imagined that
they were going to Valencia ; but I have since heard that they
had returned.
' It is reported that there was a very severe battle at Valen
cia on the 2nd; and it is just possible that Suchet may have
been obliged to retire in consequence of this loss, and of the
mischief done to him by the guerrillas in Aragon. It is also
said that an attack had been made upon Barcelona by the
troops in Catalonia.
' The desertion from Suchet's army is immense ; and if he
has sustained any serious loss in the action of the 2nd, he
would be obliged to retire, and in that case Marmont would
naturally close his cantonraents towards Madrid.
' You will observe that this is conjecture upon conjecture,
and upon report ; but I cannot account for these marches and
countermarches in any other manner; and it is certain that
if the raarch of the 6th division had been occasioned by the
want of provisions, it would not have been so unexpected ^s it
was by all those who give intelligence.
' I am continuing our preparations to attacl^ Ciudad Rodrio-o
2 11 2

468 PORTUGAL. 1811*
with the utmost activity, and I shall act according to circum
stances. ' Believe me, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool' ' Wellington.
MEMORANDUM.
For the Commissary General and Major Dickson, R.A.
' Freneda, 25th December, 1811.;
' Six hundred barrels of the powder now in store at, or near
Lamego, must be sent up the Douro in boats, as far as it can
be brought ; a careful person should accompany each boat,i
and see that the powder is preserved from the wet.
' The Comraissary General is requested to report the pro
gress of these boats.
' Major Dickson will send off a copy of these orders to the
Officer of the Ordnance Department in charge of the powder.
' Wellington.'
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Major Dickson, R.A.
' My DEAR Sir, ' Freneda, 26th December, 1811. 9 a.m.
' I have ordel-ed that the 600 barrels of powder at Lamego
may be brought up by the Douro ; and I understand that
53, 53, 33, 99, and 300 mules, that is 538 mules altogether>
have gone to Villa da Ponte to bring the powder from thence.
I do not recollect how much there was at Villa da Ponte when
the mules were ordered there; and I understand from Colonel
Fletcher, that sorae carts loaded with powder have arrived at
Almeida since I saw you. I ara therefore unable to answer
a question put to rae by General Grahara, whether the raules-
of the general reserve with the 1st division should make a
second trip; that is to say, the 115, of which only 99 went.
I have told General Grahara in a letter which the bearer has
in his possession, that you would let hira know if it was neces
sary that the mules sbould m.ake a second trip, and I beg you
to let him know accordingly.
' if you are at all doubtful whether sufficient arrangements
have been made to bring up the powder from Villa da Ponte,
it is better that they should go; and if you have had any of
the bags made for carrying shot, about which you and I con
versed the other day, you might give some of them to these

1811. FRENEDA. 469
mules, and let them bring loads of shot if all the powder should
be brought up; or you should be satisfied that the arrange
ments for bringing it up wiU be sufficient. In this case also,
you will let General Graham know that it is necessary that
the mules should return to Villa da Ponte.
' Be so kind as to let rae know how much powder and shot
there is at Almeida, and how much at Villa da Ponte; and
the weight of each article at the latter.
' Believe me, &c.
' Major Dickson: " Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Major Dickson, R.A.
' My dear Sir, ' Freneda, 27th December, 1811. II a.m.
' I received last night your two letters of yesterday. Let
the quantity of powder required from Pezo de Regoa, come
by water, whether any has been sent to Villa da Ponte or not.
' I understand, that in the quantity of powder in Almeida,
is included that brought yesterday by the mules of the 1st
division ; but that the shot which passed the Coa yesterday
is not included. ' Believe me, &c.
' Major Dickson: ' Wellington
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to J. Bissett, Esq.,
Commissary General.
' My dear Sir, ' Freneda, 27th Dec, 1811. 12 at noon.
' I enclose the report of Captain Ross, from which yoli
will see that the Douro is navigable to Barca d'Alva.
' I have perused Mr. PurceU's letter upon the transport
' with the Light division. Be so kind as to refer Mr. Purcell to
the General Orders, from which he will see that the Sur
geons of regiments have an allowance to keep a mule to carry
their chests. A mule is allowed by the public to a Quarter
Master, to carry the regimental intrenching tools ; and when
any of these are worn out in the public service, they have been
replaced by ray orders. But it is a most extravagant mode of
replacing them to use the hired mules for this purpose.
' I have ordered the Quarter Master General to call for re
turns of the intrenching tool inules with the regiments of the
. Light division.

470 PORTUGAL. 1811-
' I beg to observe upon the appropriation of the mules with
the Light division, that in the winter it appears to me to be
entirely unnecessary to kill the meat for the whole division, or a
whole brigade, at one place. Much transport would be saved
by killing meat at the quarters of each regiraent. I would also
observe that the raules eraployed for the carriage of the reserve
ammunition might perform a part of the duty of carrying
supplies to those troops of the division which are detached to a
distance, and that part of this duty might be performed by the
carts of the country.
' In the conversation which I had with you the other day,
I told you that I thought 400 bullocks would be sufficient for
the duties of the siege. I rather believe we must have the
whole division of 800. 400 of them might as well bring up
with them the carts which have been bought ; possibly with
their loads. • Believe rae, &c.
' J, Bissett, Esq. ' Wellington.
' Considering that we are about to give our transport a little
work, would it not be desirable to give them the third of a
month's pay, on the plan that you and I settled sorae days
ago V General Viscount Wellington, KB., io Lieut. General Hill.
' My dear Hill, ' Freneda, 29th December, 1811. 11 p.m.
' I enclose the copy of a letter which I have this day received
from Lord Liverpool, from which you will learn the gracious
intentions of the Prince Regent in respect to yourself, Cap
tains Currie and Squire, your brother, and Lieut. BailUe.
' It may fall to my lot to be the instrument of conveying to
you the honor intended for you, as I have acted in a similar
capacity in respect to others ; but I assure you that I shall
perform this duty in respect to you (if it should devolve upon
me) with at least as rauch satisfaction as I have upon any
forraer occasion.
' I have received official letters from the Secretary of State
and the Commander in Chief upon your action, which 1 pro
pose to publish in the General Orders of the army.
' I have nothing authentic of Brenier's division, excepting
that they are gone to Navalraoral, and I beUeve higher up

1811. FRENEDA. 471
the Tagus. The division which was at the head of the
Tormes, marched upon Avila on the 26th, and it is said that
the division which was at Avila was to raarch likewise.
' Believe rae, &c.
•Lieut General Hill' ' WellinutoK.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., tn Vice Admiral
the Hon. G. Berkeley.
' My dear Sir, ' Freneda, 29th December, 1811.
' In respect to the telegraphs along the Guadiana, the first
thing to be done will be to have the country surveyed by
one of the gentlemen of the telegraph establishment, and the
stations for the several telegraphs fixed; when this shall be
accomplished, we can have an estimate of the expense framed.
1 would beg leave to suggest to you the expediency of men
tioning your wishes on this subject to Dom M. de Forjaz, that
be may order one of the officers of the telegraph establish
ment to fix the stations for the telegraphs as proposed.
' BeUeve rae, &c.
' Vice Admiral ' Wellington.
the Hon. G. Berkeley:
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Vice Admiral
ihe Hon. G. Berkeley.
' My dear Sir, ' Freneda, 29th December, 1811.:
' I enclose the extract of a letter from my brother, in regard
to the shipment of the money for this army in the vessels of
the Cadiz Squadron. You will see that he is not unaware of
ray desire that it should always corae in one of your vessels,
but it is desirable that they should go to Cadiz at fixed
periods. ' Believe me, &c.
' Vice Admiral ' Wellington.
ihe Hon. G. Berkeley:
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Marshal
Sir W. C. Beresford, K.B.
' Mv dear Beresford, ' Freneda, 31st December, 181 1.
' 1 have received your letters of the 26th December. In
regard to the miUtary expenses of this kingdom in general, it

4f:^ PORTUGAL. 1811.
is my opinion that the Portuguese Government have pro
ceeded on a principle entirely unjustifiable, and such as never
was adopted by a nation involved in war, particularly not
when the war was for its existence as a nation.
' The mode of proceeding generally adopted, is first to se?
¦tvhat the military expenses really would be ; and to supply all
those expenses, leaving the, residue to defray expenses of the
civil, political, agricultural, and other departments. But the
mode of proceeding adopted by the Portuguese Government^
has been first to provide fully for all (he other expenses of the
state, and to leave the residue with the British subsidy for the
military expenses.
' This will not answer my purpose, and for that reason I
am excessively anxious that the detail of all the estimate should
be particularly examined, in order that we may form a judg
ment of what the railitary expense really is ; and then, if the
Governraent will not provide for it, in preference to every other
expense, excepting the payment of the interest on the debt,
I shall recommend to the British- Governraent to withdraw
their subsidy.
' I now enclose some meraorandums on the estimate of the
expenses to be paid frora the southern treasury in January,
which of all the docuraents of this description I have ever seen,
is the most scandalous. Nine regiments of miUtia, which do
not give 6000 men under arms, cost nearly as much as nine
regiments of the line, two battalions of caqadores, and two
regiraents of cavalry !
' Under the two heads 6 and 7 are included the pay of
the only persons who ever do a day's duty, or who ever can
be expected to fire a shot. The expense of their pay is about
30 contos, and the estimate for the others is 37 contos. I
do not mean to say that many of the persons whose pay is
estimated in the latter sum, may not be usefuUy employed,
and are paid even less than they ought to be. But the mere
statement of the subject shows the necessity of strict exami
nation. I believe it never before happened, that the mere pay
of non-combatants and pensioners, and paymasters of a portion
of any army, cost more than the army itself. For this reason,
I again recommend a most close examination of the details of
all the estimates.

1811. FRENEDA. 473
' I see clearly the force of your objections to the existing
constitution of the military chest. It ought to be forraed to
defray the current expenses of the military body properly so
called ; and the pensions and expenses ought to be defrayed
from some other fund. I was aware of this defect when the
formation of the establishment was under discussion ; but
certainly, not of the degree to which it will operate upon the
funds, if " the stay-tape and buckram" in all the estimates is
to amount to the sarae proportion of the expense as it does in
the estiraate for the southern treasury.
' If, however, I had known of the extent of these demands,
I should not have known how to manage them, without placing
thera in the first instance in the raiUtary chest. If I had
attempted to arrange them on any other plan, I should have
embarrassed the discussions on the formation of the military
chest to such a degree, that that establishment would never
have been formed. We must now let it work as it is formed.
* Do you, and Mr. Stuart, and Dom M. de Forjaz exaraine
with the raost rainute detail all the estimates ; and see what
expenses are necessary, and what are not. As soon as that is
done, I shall propose a reform of the plan to go to such points
as may appear to require amendment, and that will oblige the
Government to find means to pay the expenses of their army,
next to the interest of their debts.
' It is most evident that the whole subject requires close and
accurate investigation. Even you and Mr. Stuart do not
understand one another upon it.
' What expenses are estimated in 1130 contos for January .''
You appear to think that the expenses incurred by our Com
missariat are not included ; Mr. Stuart must think they are
included ; as in calculating the means to defray tbe expense of
the estimates, he supposes 600 contos the largest amount of a
monthly payment of the subsidy that could be issued to the
military chest from the chest of aids.
' Believe me, &c.
' Marshal Sir W. C. Beresford, K.b: ' Wellington.

474 PORTUGAL. 1811.
MEMORANDUM OF OPERATIONS IN 1811.
The Notes to the Memorandum, are in the Manuscript.
Freneda, 28th December, 181 1.
' The last memorandum on the operations in the Peninsula,
brought them down to the end of the year 1810, when a divi
sion of the 9th corps, with other troops, which had before
endeavored to join Massena from the frontiers of Castillo,
throuo'b Lower Beira, arrived, and took their station on the
right of the enemy's army at Leyria. These troops, supposed
to be from 8000 to 10,000 men, had been annoyed on their
raarch by Colonel WUson's detachraent on the Alva *
' The other division of the .9th corps under Claparede,
amounting also to about 10,000 men, remained on the froiitier,
and by their manoeuvres kept General Silveira in check dtiring
the raarch of the division under Drouet, jby^,j_the valley of
the Mondego. Silveira attacked their advanced guard at
Ponte do Abade, on the 30ih December, 1810,]and was'.'de-
feated ; and he was himself attacked and defeated at Villa da
Ponte on the 11th of January ; and he^retired, first to Lamego,
and thence across the Douro. f Claparede advanced upon
Lamego; but General Bacellar baving placed the,, divisions of
militia, under the coramand of General Miller and of Colonel
Wilson, on his flanks and his comraunications, he was obUged
to retire, and went to Guarda, to which place |he had beeii
ordered by Massena.^
' But the principal occurrence in the coraraencement of this
year was the moveraent, from Andalusia, of a large force into
Estreraadura, in order to create a division in favor of Massena.
' The array of the south, under the comraand of Soult,
consisted ofthe 1st corps, which was engaged in the operations
of the siege of Cadiz ; of the 4th corps, which was at Gre
nada ; and of the Sth corps, one division of which, under
Gazan, could with difficulty raaintain its ground in Estrema
dura against the Spanish division of Mendizabal and Ballestei-os,
whilst the other division, under Girard, was employed in the
Condado de Niebla, and in keeping open the coniraunicalioii
between Seville and the besieging army of Cadiz. The whole
* ' See dispatch to Liird Liverpool of the 8rd of January.'
+ ' See dispatch to Lord Liverpool of the 17th of January.'
I ' See dispatches to Loid Liverpool of the end of January and beginning of
February.'

1811. FRENEDA. 475
amount of the army of the south could not be less in the
beginning of the year than 50,000 men.*
' Soult broke up from Cadiz with about 5000 men on tbe
21st December, and collected at Seville the troops destined for
the invasion of Estremadura. He had with him about 20,000
raen,f including a very large body of cavalry ; to oppose which
there were the Spanish divisions of Mendizabal and Ballesteros
w hich araounted to about 10,000 men, a brigade of Portuguese
cavalry, and about 1500 Spanish cavalry, making altogether
about 2300 cavalry. There were, besides, garrisons in Badajoz
and Campo Mayor, Alburquerque, and Valencia de Alcantara ;
and Don Carlos de Espana's brigade, about 2000 men, which
was on the right of the British army near Abrantes, was con
sidered disposable for service in Estremadura.
' If this corps had been left entire, and had been prudently
managed, it would have been fully sufficient, even though not
joined by the other troops belonging to the army of the
Marquis de la Romana, incorporated with the British army,
to prevent the enemy frora passing the Guadiana, which was
full at that season of the year.
• But the first raeasure adopted by the Spanish Govern
ment, on the same day, the 21st December, that Soult broke
up from Cadiz, was to order Ballesteros, with a part of his
division, into the Condado de Niebla. Notwithstanding that
we received at Cartaxo, on the 29th December, the accounts
of Soult having broken up from before Cadiz, the Spanish
General Mendizabal did not hear of this circumstance for
some days afterwards ; and the first he beard of it was from
us. He was quite unprepared for his retreat, which was
hurried ; and he retired in a manner different, and making
a different disposition from that which was recomraended and
ordered. ' He had been ordered to break the bridges of Merida and
Medellin, and to defend the passages of the Guadiana. He
retired upon Badajoz and Olivenca ; and the engineer officer
who was sent to destroy the bridge of Merida, instead of obey-
* ' Note. — By a return of the 25th March, it appears that this army then
consisted of 48,619 men ; of which number 7744 were cavalry. This was after
the battle of Barrosa, and after the siege of Badajoz, tbe battle of the 19th
February, &.C. It may be presumed that it was more than 50,000 men in the
beginning ot" the year.'
t ' Note. — The 5th corps alone had about 12,000 infantry ; and 5000
brought from the siege of Cadiz and the cavalry, would mate his army 20,000

476 PORTUGAL. 1811.
ing the orders he received, made a report, which was sent to
Cartaxo to the Marquis de la Romana, and asked for orders.
The town of Merida itself was not defended ; and the conse
quence was, that an advanced guard of French cavalry took
Merida, which post 400 French troops had held in June in
the year 1809, against the whole Spanish army, with this
additional disadvantage, that the river Guadiana was then
fordable, and that the Spanish troops were in possession of all
the avenues to the town.*
' General Mendizabal, in making bis retreat upon Badajoz and
Olivenqa, threw 3000 men of General BaUesteros' division into
the latter, the others having marched under General Ballesteros
by order of the Government, into the Condado de Niebla.
The division of General Mendizabal retired upon Badajoz,
wilh all the cavalry, excepting a sraall body which marched
upon Merida.
' There were various reports of the raovements of the French ;
and in fact it was but little known in what direction, and with
what object, they were moving. It was at one tirae positively
stated, that they had passed the bridge of Merida on the 15th
of January, and that they were raoving towards the bridge of
Almaraz, on the Tagus; at another time it was reported that
they were encamped at Caceres ; but at last it was found that
they did not cross the Giiadiana in any force, but blockaded
the troops of General BaUesteros' division in Olivenqa.
' Thisblockade was raade on the 15th and continued till the
23rd of January, when the garrison surrendered. Two or
three attempts were made by General Mendizabal to raise the
blockade, but without success ; and as the garrison at last
surrendered, before the enemy had attacked the place, and
without being distressed for provisions, it is beUeved that the
place was sold.
' During the month of January, the Marquis de la Romana
was taken very ill at Cartaxo, of which illness he died on the
23rd of that raonth. He had ordered Don Carlos de Espaiia's
brigade to march as soon as he heard of the danger of Balles
teros' detachment from the advance of the French troops, and
he afterwards ordered that the remainder of the troops which
had been incorporated with the British army should move
from Villa Franca, where they had been, cantoned. They
moved on the 30th of January.
• ' See the I'eports of that period'.'

1811. FRKNEDA. 477
' From the period at which we had heard of the movement
of the French, from Cadiz, and particularly, latterly, I had
frequent conversation with him regarding the situation of affairs
in Estremadura ; and as he was unwell, I wrote, in the shape
of a meraorandura, my opinions on the plan of operations to
be pursued, as well for the objects of the war in general, as
for the particular purpose of saving Olivenqa, or rather for
relieving the troops in that place, respecting whom the Marquis
was particularly anxious.*
' The Marquis died three days after he had received this
memorandum ; but not till after he had circulated it among
tbe officers under his coraraand, and had desired thera to at
tend to it. A reference to the raeraorandum, and to the letters
and dispatches of that day, will show how far they attended
either to the first or to the last. f
' After two atterapts were made to raise the blockade of
Olivenca, the place surrendered on the 23rd January ; and
the enemy invested Badajoz, on both sides of the Guadiana, on
the 27th of January, and broke ground on the left ofthe river
on the 29th.J
'The Spanish generals were not decided; respecting the
measures which they should adopt in the circumstances in
which they stood. But at length the troops, which had
quitted the allied army on the 20th of January, were ordered
to advance to Badajoz. They immediately re-established the
communication between Elvas and Badajoz, obliging the
French cavalry to retire beyond the Evora ; and then having
entered the town, they attempted to raise the siege by making
a sortie upon the enemy's works. They were driven back
with loss; and having remained in the town, the communica
tion between Elvas and Badijoz was again cut off by the
enemy's cavalry.^
* ' See memorandum of the 20th January, in letter to Mr. Wellesley, of the
23rd January, in the Foreign Office.'
¦j- ' See correspondence with Mr. Wellesley in the months of January and
February, 1811, with enclosures in the Foreign Office, vi?. : January 6th, 13th,
26th, 23rd, and 28th, all private.
'See dispatches to Lord Liverpool of January Sth 12th, 19th, 26th, and
28th, and February 2nd.'
I ' See dispatch to Lord Liverpool of the 9th February.'
§ ' Note. — If the French had sent a sufficien't body of cavalry to the right of
the Guadiana, they would have taken the whole army without firing a shot.
See the memorandum of the 20th January.'

478 PORTUGAL; 1811
' The Spanisb troops however carae out of the town again
on the 9th of February, and at last took tbe position on the
heights of San Christoval, which was recoramended to them.
They did not however adopt any measure to fortify this posi
tion, nor did they adopt any of the other raeasures recom
mended to them, particularly that of sending away from
Badajoz the bridge of boats, the want of which was afterwards
found to be so fatal to the cause.
' The Spanish array, about 10,000 strong, and having besides
about 2000 cavalry, including General Madden's Portuguese
brigade, reraained in the position at San Christoval, till the
19th February, having the Evora in their front, and that river
and the Guadiana between them and the enemy, on which day
they were surprised by between 5000 and 6000 French troops,
and totally destroyed as a military body ; their camp and
artillery being taken, and the whole body not killed or taken
dispersed, except the Portuguese brigade of cavalry, and a
few hundred Spaniards. About 2000 of the troops escaped
into Badajoz.*
* An examination of the letters written at this period to Mr.
Wellesley and the Secretary of State, will show my anxiety
for the relief of Badajoz, and the raeasures which I recom
mended for that object. The most effectual measure of any
would undoubtedly have been to detach a body of British
troops to that part of the country ; but a moment's reflection
on the relative numbers of the two armies at that time on the
Tagus, and on the extent and nature of the positions which
we had to occupy, will shew that it was impossible to venture
to detach, from our array at least, till the reinforceraents then
expected should have arrived in the Tagus.
' Massena had come into Portugal with 72,000 men, of
which he had lost 10,000 at the battle of Busaco, and its con
sequences ; and it is a large allowance to suppose that he had
in January lost 10,000 more by deaths, prisoners, deserters,
and killed in various little affairs which had occurred. This
would reduce his original number to 52,000 men ; and an aide
de carap of his, who was taken in Deceraber, reported that the
array bad that nuraber before Drouet joined. f
* ' See dispatches to Mr. Wellesley, and their enclosures, of the 2ud, 3rd,
10th, 17th, and 23rd February, all in the Foreign Office.
' Those to Lord Liverpool of the 2nd. 9th, 16th, and 2Sth February.
f ' See dispatch to Lord Liverpool of the 29th December, 1810-'

1811. FRENEDA. 479
' To this number Drouet, in December, and Foy in
January, added about 12,000 men, making 64,000 ; and
Claparede was at Guarda with between 8000 and 10,000 men ;
of the 64,000, about 14,000 raay have been sick, as the array
were very sickly ; and there would have reraained on the Tagus
fit for service about 50,000 men.
' The British army on the 20th January, consisted of 41,040
raen; of which nuraber there were sick, 6715; on coramand,
1974 ; prisoners of war, 1586 ; and there remained present fit
for duty, 30,765. Of this number, the 2nd battalion SSth
(485), were at Lisbon, and the 2nd battalion 58th, at Torres
Vedras ; leaving about 30,000 for service ; of which number
2655 were cavalry.
' The Portuguese army, joined with the British for service
in the field, at the same tirae amounted to about 32,000 effect
ive men, exclusive of the garrisons of Abrantes and Elvas, in
each of which there were two regiments of infantry, one regi
ment of infantry at Cadiz, and one regiment of infantry (the
24th) with General Silveira. The object of the French Gene^
ral at this time was undoubtedly to pass the Tagus ; and he
had his choice of making the atterapt in a course of about
thirty miles from Santarem to the Zezere, and even higher
than the junction of that river. It was necessary to guard
that whole course of the river ; for which it is conceived that
14,000 men could not be deemed raore than sufficient.
' The reraainder of the array, about 40,000 raen, was on the
right of the Tagus, opposed to the whole French array ; and
it must be observed, that if the enemy had been able to
advance, either with their 50,000 men, or after being joined
by Claparede, they would have been opposed by very unequal
nurabers, as some days must have elapsed before the troops
on the left of the Tagus could have been brought across the
river. ' The detachment which it would have been necessary to
make, in order to effect any good at Badajoz, or even to have
been in safety, adverting to the mode in which the Spanish
troops have usually conducted theraselves, ought to have been
about 13,000 raen ; which nurabers, it is obvious, could not be
spared from the army from the end of January to the 19th of
February. ' Reinforcements to the amount of 6000 or 7000 men were

480 PORTUGAL. 1811,
daily expected; which afterwards arrived in the beginning of
March. It was hoped that the Spaniards would risk nothing,
and would be able to hold out till these reinforcements should
arrive, when it was intended to detach a sufficient force to
effect the object at Badajoz, before any thing else should be
attempted against Massena.*
' The delay of all raeasures against Massena's position con
tinued to be absolutely necessary on account of the state of the
roads and rivers in the country ; even if our force had been
deemed sufficient to attack hira.
' The result of the battle of the 19th February, however,
destroyed all hopes of being able^ even when the reinforce
ment should arrive, to make such a detachment from the army
as should be able to relieve Badajoz ; more particularly as
the Spaniards, having neglected to remove the bridge froni
Badajoz to Elvas, tbe troops which should attempt to relieve
Badajoz had no choice left, in respect to the mode of crossing
the Guadiana. They must have passed by the bridge of
Badajoz. ' It was then determined to attack Massena, as soon as the
reinforcements should arrive, by which tirae it was hoped that
the roads and rivulets would become practicable. In the
meantime the Governor of Badajoz was requested to hold out
to the last moment.
' Massena however retired from his position on the night of
the 5th of March, before our troops, which had arrived at
Lisbon in the 1st day of March, could join the army. The
British troops were imraediately put in motion in pursuit of
the French army ; those on the left of tbe Tagus, by Abrantes
and the Zezere ; and those on the Rio Mayor river, by the
different routes leading in the direction which the enemy had
taken. ' A letter was written to General Leite, the governor of
Elvas, from Santarem on the 6th, to request him to apprise
the governor of Badajoz of Massena's retreat, and to assure
him that support and relief would be sent to bim without loss
of time.
' This support was accordingly ordered to march on the 8th,
as soon as the enemy's retreat was found to be decided. -j-
* ' See dispatch to Lofd Liverpool of the 14th March.'
f ' See dispatches tO Lord Liverpool of the l^th March.'

1811. FRENEDA. 481
' When the enemy retired, it appeared at first that llieir
intention was to go by the road of Thoraar and Espinhal,
leaving Coimbra on their left ; and it was not certain that they
had taken the high road by Pombal, till the 9lh ; on that
morning a most favorable report was received of the state of
affairs at Badajoz. It appeared that the garrison had not
suffered ; that the fire of the place was superior to that of the
enemy ; and that one of the eneray's six battering guns had
been dismounted by the fire of the place. Under these cir
cumstances, when it was found on the afternoon of the 9tb,
that the enemy had collected their army in a strong position at
Pombal, it was deemed expedient to order the 4th division, and
General De Grey's brigade of cavalry (which had been ordered
to raarch on the 10th to join the 2nd, and General Harailton's
division, on the left of the Tagus, as soon as the bridge should
be laid for them), to raarch upon Pombal, to co-operate in
the attack which it was intended to make upon the enemy on
the lltb.
' These troops accordingly joined, and the eneray retired ;
but the garrison of Badajoz surrendered on the lOih of
March. ' The raode of the eneray's retreat on the 11th, and the fact
that they were still stronger than we were, and might have
taken up the position of Coimbra and the Mondego, unless
hurried beyond that town, caused the continued detention of
the 4th division, and General De Grey's brigade of cavalry, till
the operations of the 13th forced the eneray past Coimbra, and
enabled us to communicate with that town.
' The troops for Badajoz were imraediately put in motion
to return to the south, but unfortunately we that night heard
of the fall of that fortress on the iOth. These accounts were
accorapanied by reports of the eneray iramediately threatening
Campo Mayor ; and if it had not been desirable to prevent thein
from extending their conquests on that side, the fall of Bada
joz facilitated to such a degree their entry into Portugal, and
Badajoz was so much nearer to Lisbon than the point at which
we then found ourselves, that it would have been impossible
to continue the pursuit of Massena even for one march, with
out providing for the security of our right flank, by placing a
large corps on the Tagus.
' Thus, then, it was still necessary to raake this detachment,
VOL, VIII. 2 I

482 PORTUGAL. 1811.
notwithstanding that the original object for which it was
destined was lost *.
' The pursuit of Massena was continuedwith uniform success
from that period till he finally crossed the Agueda on the 9th
of April. Our reinforcements, however, were not all arrived
in Portugal, and those which had arrived, did not join the
army till the end of March. Even then we were infinitely
inferior to the enemy in numbers, particularly when he ap
proached the frontier, and was joined by Clapar^de's division
of the 9th corps from Guarda. Our movements were, there
fore, necessarily cramped, and we were obliged to proceed with
caution, when the utmost activity would have been desirable.
' Let any body now advert to the difference of the result of
Massena's invasion of Portugal, if the operations on the Gua
diana in the month of January had been carried on as they
ought ; if the Spanish Regency had not drawn BaUesteros
from Estreraadura at the moraent that province was attacked ;
if his troops had not been sharaefully sold in Olivenga ; if the
battle of the 19th of February had not been lost, and the
Spanish array annihilated ; and, finally, if Badajoz itself had
not been sharaefully sold to the eneray on the day after the
Governor was informed that relief would be sent to him.
' As soon as the French were driven across the Agueda,
Almeida was invested ; and it will be seen in a subsequent part
of this memorandum, the eneray raade an atterapt in May to
relieve the place. What would have been the result of that
attempt, nay, more, would it ever have been made, if we had
had 22,000 men in the ranks, which were at that time in
Estremadura ?
' If our attention had not been preferably, and with part of
our army necessarily, carried into Estremadura, in consequence
of the events in that province, in the months of January,
February, and March, what would have been the result of an
atterapt to obtain possession of Ciudad Rodrigo in May, after
the fall of Alraeida, by the concentrated force and resources of
the allied array ?
' But other circumstances occurred, not yet adverted to in this
raeraorandum, which show still more clearly the fatal effects
of the Spanish system of miUtary operations. Notwithstandlno-
* ' See dispatches to Lord Liverpool of the 14th, 16th, 21st, 27th March ¦
2nd, 9th, 18th April.*

1811. FRENEDA. 48.3
that General Ballesteros was weak, and that he ought ncv(M- to
have been removed from Estrcmadur,i, he held his ground
against a French corps which attacked him on the 25th of
January. A part of the French force in Esti'tnutdura was
consequently withdrawn from that province, and (he force
engaged in the siege of Badajoz was reduced '''.
' Another event occurred highly advantageous in all its
cireurastances to the state of affairs in Estremadura, In
consequence of the diminution of the force before Cadiz in
December, 1810, the British and Spanish authorities conceived
that a fair opportunity offered of making an attack upon the
blockading army by the besieged. This attack was fixed for
the 28th of February, but owing to contrary winds, and a
variety of circumstances, could not take place tUl the 6th
of March f. On that day the battle of Barrosa was fought,
four days before the surrender of Badajoz ; and in all pro
bability, if Badajoz had held out one day longer, the enemy
would not have remained to take possession of the place |.
' The troops which were detached from the army at Con-
deixa on the 14th of March, did not arrive at Portalegre till
the 22nd of that month. Carapo Mayor, which had been.
regularly attacked by the enemy on the 14th, surrendered on
the 22nd. Marshal Sir William Beresford, having collected
his corps, advanced against the eneray ; surprised thera at
Carapo Mayor on the 25th, which place they abandoned.
Their cavalry fled into Badajoz, leaving behind them a regi
ment of infantry, and all their cannon. Unfortunately the
excessive irapetuosity of the troops (the 13th light dragoons in.
particular) prevented Sir W. Beresford frora taking the ad
vantage which he intended to take of these events. Sorae of:
the 13th dragoons were taken on the bridge, between the
tfite du pont and the gate of Badajoz §.
* ' See dispatch to Lord Liverpool of the 9th February.
' Note. — He had further successes in an action fought in the end of Fe
bruary. — See dispatch to Mr. Wellesley of the 3rd March.'
f ' See letter to General Ballesteros, enclosed in a letter to Mr. Wellesley,
of the 2nd February.'
I ' Note. — All the enclosures in the dispatches to Mr. Wellesley of the 2nd,
3rd, 10th, 17th, 23rd February; of the 3rd, 26th March, and 20th April, are
worth reading on this subject.'
§ ' See dispatch to Lord Liverpool of the 2nd April, with enclosures.'
2i2

484 PORTUGAL. 1811.
' The instructions to Sir William Beresford were to pass the
Guadiana as soon as he should have possession of Campo
Mayor, and to blockade Badajoz, till the means for attacking
the place regularly could arrive. Unfortunately here again'
our operations were frustrated by the conduct of the Spaniards.
One of the objects particularly recomraended to their attention
was to send to Elvas the bridge of boats that was in Badajoz *.
This had been repeatedly desired before, and the reasons for
urging tbe measure again were particularly stated in that
memorandum. This was the only bridge in the possession of
the allies; and if it had been at Elvas, Marshal Beresford
could have passed the Guadiana, and have blockaded Badajoz
on the 26th March, and in all probability the place would have
fallen into our hands as Campo Mayor had, or as Almeida
subsequently did, as it was at that time unprovided with stores
or with provisions.
' As it was, he could not pass the Guadiana till the 4th
April, and could not advance till the Gth or 7th ; and in the
intermediate time the eneray threw into the place all the pro
visions and stores which it required to last till the eneray were
enabled finally to relieve it in the raiddle of June.
' When the French crossed the Agueda on the 9th of April,
tbey left Alraeida to its fate, and it was iraraediately invested
and blockaded by our troops. The enemy retired beyond the
Torraes, some of thera even beyond the Douro, and abandoned
Ciudad Rodrigo as well as Almeida. Our army, however, was
scarcely strong enough to raaintain the blockade of Alraeida,
and certainly could not have maintained that of Ciudad Ro-
drigof . Indeed the state of the Agueda rendered it impossible
for us to draw supplies across that river.
' The enemy baving passed the Douro, Almeida being in
vested, and raatters appearing tolerably quiet on the frontiers
of Castille, the head quarters were moved on the 15th of
April into Alentejo, and arrived at Elvas on the 20th. Sir
William Beresford had crossed the Guadiana on the 4th of
April, and had blockaded both Badajoz and Olivenqa. The
garrison of the latter place having refused to surrender, guns
* ! See memorandum of the 20th January, in the letter to Mr. Wellesley of
the 23rd.'
t ' See dispatches to Lord Liverpool of the 9th and 15th April,'

1811. FRENEDA. 485
were brought frora Elvas, and Lieut, General Cole forced the
place to surrender on the 15th of April *.
' In the mean time Sir William Beresford advanced with
the 2nd division of infantry, and General Hamilton's division,
and the cavalry, as well to force the enemy to retire frora Es
treraadura entirely, as to give support to General Ballesteros,
who had been obliged to retire into that province from the
Condado de Niebla.
' Marshal Beresford surprised the eneray's cavalry on the
16th of April, at Los Santos, and defeated them with con
siderable loss f .
'Badajoz was reconnaitred on the 22nd, and the general
plan for the attack was fixed. But unfortunately the rain
which had fallen in the third week in April, swelled the
Guadiana considerably ; and the bridge which Marshal Sir
WiUiam Beresford had constructed under Jurumenha, with
great trouble and difficulty, and after rauch delay, was swept
away in the night of the 23rd of April.
' Marshal Sir WiUiara Beresford was consequently instructed
to delay the operations of the siege till be should have re
established the bridge, or tiU the river should become fordable.
' The Marshal was likewise instructed and authorized to
fight a battle, in case he should think it expedient, in order to
save the siege of Badajoz ; and these instructions applied as
weU to the corps under General Blake, which landed about
this tirae at Ayaraonte J.
' All these arrangements being made, the head quarters were
again transferred to the frontiers of Castille. " They quitted
Elvas on the 25th of April, and arrived at Alameda on the
28th. InteUigence had been received that orders had arrived
frora Paris, for Massena to raake an attempt to raise the
blockade of Almeida ; in which attempt Marshal Bessieres was
to co-operate with part of the army of the north §.
* ' See dispatch to Lord Livei-pool of the 25th of April.'
t ' See dispatch to Lord Liverpool of the 25th of April.'
I ' See instructions to Sir William Beresford in dispatch to Lord Liverpool
of the 22nd May (A).'
' See letter to General CastaSos in the same dispatch.'
§ ' Note. — It is a curious circumstance, and shows what good intelligence
we had, that these accounts were received at Elvas, together with accounts of
the day Massena was to set out from Salamanca, and our head quarters arrived
at Alameda in Castille on tbe day before Massena arrived at Ciudad Rodrigo.'

486 PORTUGAL. 1811.
' The enemy's army was collected at Ciudad Rodrigo in the
end of April, but the same fall of rain which had swelled the
i-ivers in Estreraadura, likewise swelled those in CastiUe, and
they did not advance till the 2nd of May *.
' They attacked us at Fuentes de Oiioro on the 3rd and
Sth, but could raake no impression ufion us, and at length
retired on the 10th, and the whole were across the Agueda on
that night f-
' In the middle of the night of the 10th, after the blobkade
was completely resumed in force. General Brenier, the Governor
of Almeida, blew up the place, and raade his escape with his
garrison across the bridge of Barba de Puerco. This event was
to be attributed to a variety of unfortunate circumstances.
' First, the Officer commanding the Queen's regimeiit, who
was close to the place, was not aware of the nature of the
explosion which he heard, or that the garrison escaped, and
made no movement.
' Secondly, the Officer commanding the 4th reginlent, who
had been ordered to Barba de- Puerco, at one o'clock on the
10th, when the French retired, missed his road ; and although
the distance he had to raarch was only three railes, he did not
reach Barba de Puerco till the morning of the lltb, after the
French had arrived there.
' Thirdly, the Sth Portuguese regiment had been ordered to
march from its cantonments at Junqa to Barba de Puerco, in
case an explosion should be heard. These orders were obeyed ;
the regiraent raarched to Barba de Puerco, and arrived before
the French, and before Major General CarapbeU, with the 4th
and 36th regiraents ; but finding nothing there but a piquet of
"= ' See dispatches to Lord Liverpool of the 1st, 8tb, lOtb, aud 15th of May.'
f ' The enemy never had such a superiority of numbers opposed to the
British troops as in this action. They had all the infantry of the four corps,
which had been in Portugal, and all the cavalry. In addition to which they
had three fresh regiments of cavalry, which could not have less than 1200 men,
and 900 cavalry of the Guard.
' We had, British cavalry, . . . 1,331
Infantry, . . . 18,000
Portuguese cavalry, . 300
Infantry, . 10,142
' But we had two divisions, the 5th and 6th, and General Pack's brigade,
and the Portuguese cavalry on the left, either forming or protecting the
blool<ade, and these troops Avere not engaged. The enemy had about 5 to 1 of
c!\valry, and more than 2 to 1 of infantry engaged.'

1811. FKENEDA. 487
cavalry, and the commanding officer believing that he had
raistaken the nature of the explosion, returned again to his
cantonments *.
' The 3rd and 7th divisions were ordered off to Estreraadura
on the 13th and 14th; and accounts having been received on
the 15th that Soult was about to advance from Seville, the
head quarters were again removed on the following day to
Elvas, where they arrived on the 19th. Sir Williara Beres
ford had invested Badajoz on both sides of the Guadiana on
the 4th, and he broke ground on the Sth. He lost some men
on the right of the river, in front of the tete du pont, on the
first day, and a considerable number in a sortie made by the
enemy on the 10th. On the 12th, the Marshal heard of the
collection of a large body of troops by Marshal Soult, in the
neighbourhood of Seville, and of their march towards Estre
madura, and he iraraediately raised the siege ; and, according
to the instructions and recommendation left with thera, he and
the Spanish Generals coUected their troops on the Albuera
rivuletf. ' The battle of Albuera was fought on the 16th May, on
the ground pointed out in those instructions. That which
was raost conspicuous in the battle of Albuera was the want
of discipUne of the Spaniards. These troops behaved with
the utmost gaUantry, but it was hopeless to think of moving
them. In the morning the enemy gained an eminence which
coramanded the whole extent of the line of the allies, which
either was occupied, or was intended to be occupied, by the
Spanish troops. The natural operation would have been to
re-occupy this ground by means of the Spanish troops ; but that
was impossible. The British troops were consequently moved
there ; and all the loss sustained by those troops was incurred
in regaining a height which ought never for a moment to have
been in possession of the enemy J.
• ' See dispatch to Lord Liverpool of the I5th of May.'
¦)• ' See reports of Sir William Beresford, enclosed in dispatch to Lord Liver
pool of the 22nd of May.'
I ' Note. — ^This is stated, because it has been matter of dispute whether the
Spaniards had or had not occupied the height before the French were on it.
They were certainly ordered to occupy the ground, and their piquets were on it •
but it is not clear that they had occupied it in suflScient strength before the
French troops were on it.'

488 PORTUGAL. 181 I.
' After the battle of Albuera, the enemy retired leisurely to
Llerena and Guadalcanal *.
' It was obvious, from the immense superiority of cavalry
which they showed in that battle, and that, as the allies were
but little superior in total strength, and had beaten them with
difficulty, and could derive no great advantage from their
success, it was hopeless to attack Soult in the position which
be had taken at Llerena. There was nothing to prevent him
frora retiring upon Seville, or even upon the troops engaged
in the blockade of Cadiz, if he should have found hiraself so
pressed as to render that measure necessary ; and the arrival
of reinforcements, which it will appear he had reason to expect,
would have placed in a state of risk the troops which would
have obliged hira to take this step. But this reasoning sup
poses that Soult would have considered hiraself under the
necessity of retiring frora the strong position of Llerena and
Guadalcanal, in consequence of the raeasures which we might
have adopted in Estreraadura in the end of May. I believe
there is no foundation for this hypothesis.
' The allies' troops, which were sent from the frontiers of
Castille, and arrived at Campo Mayor on the 23rd and 24th
of May, were rather more than equal to the loss sustained in
the battle of Albuera, and in the first siege of Badajoz. It
had been obvious in the battle of Albuera, that we could not
reckon upon the Spaniards in any affair of manoeuvre, and
therefore that we could not rely upon them in such an opera
tion as the attack of Soult's army in the positions of Guadal
canal and Llerena f .
' But the effect of these operations, even if well executed,
could only be to force Soult to fall back for a tirae ; and here
the question arose whether it was worth while to attempt it.
It was known that Drouet had raarched with 17 or 19 bat
talions of the 9th corps, belonging to the array of Portugal,
from Salamanca, on the 16th or 17th of May, destined for a
reinforcement to Soult ; and it was calculated that these bat
taUons would join Soult on or about the Sth of June J.
* ' See dispatches from Marshal Beresford, enclosed in dispatches to Lord
Liverpool of the 22iid, 23rd, and 24th May.'
¦)• ' See dispatches to Lord Liverpool of the 22i)d and 24ih May.'
I ' Sve dispatch to Lord Liverpool ofthe 22nd of May.'

1811. FRENEDA. 489
' Under these circumstances, it was deemed better not to
lose the tirae between the 25th of May and the Sth of June by
an atterapt to attack Soult, which appeared hopeless ; and to
take advantage of our superiority in the battle of Albuera,
and in the early arrival of our reinforceraents, to raake a
vigorous attack upon Badajoz.
' Accordingly, the place was reinvested on the 25th of May,
and the fire was opened on the 2nd of June*.
' There appeared every ground for belief that we should
have been able to obtain possession of the place before the day
on which it was possible that Soult could advance for its relief.
It is certain that its possession depended upon the possession
of the outwork of San Christoval, which coraraanded the point
of attack in the castle. This outwork was deeraed to be in a
state to be taken by storm on the 6th, and again on the 9th.
Both attempts failed ; and the question whether Badajoz could
be taken or not in the time which remained, during which the
allied army could be appUed to that operation, carae to be one
of means, upon which we were decidedly of opinion that we
had it not in our power to take the place ; and therefore we
raised the siege on the 10th, although we continued the
blockade till the 17thf .
' While the operations of the second siege of Badajoz were
going on, accounts were received that Marshal Marmont was
about to raove frora Salaraanca into Estremadura, in order to
aid Soult in his operations for the relief of Badajoz J.
' The first movements of the array were upon Ciudad
Rodrigo, into which place Marraont introduced a convoy on
the 6th of June. Lieut. General Sir Brent Spencer retired
across the Coa ; -and Marmont then turned about, and marched
through the Puerto de Banos, to Plasencia. Lieut. General
Sir Brent Spencer made a corresponding raoveraent on Castello
Branco, at which place he received intelligence of the eneray
having had posts on the Alagon, and the cavalry in Coria, and
* ' See dispatch to Lord Liverpool of the 30th of May.'
f ' Note. — I believe the failure in the attack upon San Christoval is like raany
other events to be attributed to the want of experience in the British army.
First, the battery to break the wall ought to have been placed on the crest of
the glacis. Secondly, if it was not, care ought to have been taken from the
commencement to prevent the enemy from clearing the rubbish while the fii-e
was continued upou the wall.'
I 'See dispatches to Lord Liverpool of the 6th, 13th, and 20th June,'

490 PORTUGAL. 1811.
some doubts Were entertained of their intention to cross the
Tagus. The head of their army, however, crossed that river
on the 12th, and arrived at Truxillo on the 13th ; and the
advanced guard was at Merida, and in coraraunication with
Soult, on the 15th.
' Soult had broken up frora Llerena and Guadalcanal on
the 12th, as soon as he was joined by Drouet; and he moved
upon Zafra, and his advanced guard to Los Santos, on the
13th, The allied array were iraraediately concentrated upon
Albuera, with the exception of the 3rd and 7th divisions, which
kept the blockade of Badajoz. But the accounts of the arrival
at Truxillo of the advanced guard of the army of Portugal
having arrived at Albuera, and Soult * having raade a raove
ment from Zafra on Almendralejo, having thus shown that he
knew of the arrival of that army, it was deemed expedient to
retire across the Guadiana.
' As far as we could form a judgment, the French had at
that time assembled in Estremadura 60,000 raen, of which
7000 were cavalry.
' The British army consisted of
Cavalry, 1,671
Infantry, 11,812
' The Portuguese, Cavalry, 900
Infantry, 12,885
and General Blake had about 8000 men.
' The head of Sir Brent Spencer's column did not join till
the 20th, the 5th division not till the 24th. The strength of
the whole array when coUected together was,
British Infantry, 25,123
Portuguese Infantry, 18,926
British Cavalry, 3,197
Portuguese Cavalry, 1,200 f
' It would have been irapossible for the allies to maintain
the blockade of Badajoz with the strength which they could
* ' Note. — Soult brought to Zafra little raore than his advanced guard and
cavalry. The main body of the army marched direct from Llerena upon Al
mendralejo and Merida.'
I ' Note. — This account includes the Sth division and Barbacena's brigade
of Portuguese cavalry, which did not arrive at Portalegre till the 24th of June.
The 5th division consisted of about 5000 men. In this account artillery is not
included.'

1811. FRENEDA. 491
produce against that of the enemy, in the days which intervened
between the 17th and 24th of June; nor could the allies pre
tend to attack the eneray in Estremadura, coraposed as they
were, being, after all, even including the Spaniards and Sir
Brent Spencer, inferior in numbers, particularly of cavalry,
and very inferior in composition.
' These circumstances were stated in a conference with
Geheral Blake on the 14th June, at Albuera, and in a previous
letter to him ; and he was urged either to co-operate with the
allied British and Portuguese array ; or, having crossed the
Guadiana at Jurumenha, to raove down the right bank, and to
cross that river at Mertola, and to endeavor to obtain posses
sion of Seville, while the enemy's attention should be drawn to
us on the frontier of Alentejo. General Blake preferred the
last operation, and he recrossed the Guadiana on the 22nd of
June *.
' But, instead of raoving at once upon Seville, he atterapted
to obtain possession of Niebla on the 30th of June, where the
erieray had only 300 men, in which attempt he faded f ; and
Soult baving, towards the end of the month of June, discovered
General Blake's movement, and detached a body of troops into
Andalusia, General Blake embarked at Ayamonte on the 6th
of July J.
' While this was going on, the allied British and Portuguese
army took a position on the 19th of June between Elvas and
Campo Mayor. The particular object in taking this position
Was to protect those places, and to insure the arrival into them
of the convoys of provisions and stores destined for their
supply §. The enemy reconnaitred the position of the army
on the 22nd June, but they never showed any inclination to
attack it ||.
' The armies remained opposite to each other till the 14th
July, when Marmont retired across the Tagus, and cantoned
his array about Plasencia, &c., and along the Tagus to Tala
vera ; and Drouet removed the 5th corps to Zafra. Before
these troops separated, the allies were certainly stronger than
* 'See dispatch to Lord Liverpool of the 22nd of June.'
f ' See dispatch to Lord Liverpool of the 11th of July.'
I 'See dispatch to Lord Liverpool ofthe 18th of July.'
§ ' See dispatches to Lord Liverpool of the 20th and 27th June, and 4th July.'
II' See dispatches of the 18th July, and 25th July.'

492 PORTUGAL. 1811.
the enemy in infantry : the enemy were strongest in cavalry ;
but the attack of the eneray would have answered no purpose,
excepting to oblige them to retire from Estremadura. That
object was likely to be accomplished without incurring the risk
of an attack with inferior numbers of cavalry, and without ex
posing the troops to the inconvenience of making long marches
in Estremadura in that season.
' The enemy having retired from Estremadura, the question
regarding the future operations of the army was maturely
considered, and it was deterrained to remove the seat of the
war to the frontiers of Castille *- The grounds of that deci
sion were,
• First ; that in that season we could not venture to under
take any thing against Badajoz.
' Secondly ; that we were not strong enough to venture into
Andalusia. ' Thirdly ; that from all the information I had received,
the strength of the northern array was less than that of the
south, and that the army of Portugal, which was destined to
oppose us in whatever point we should direct our operations,
was not likely to be so strongly supported in tbe north as in
the south.
' In this supposition I was mistaken. The army of the
north, even before the reinforcements arrived, was stronger
than that in the south ; but it must be observed that there is
nothing so difficult as to obtain information of the enemy's
numbers in Spain. There is but little communication between
one town and another ; and although the most minute account
of numbers which have passed through one town can always
be obtained, no information can be obtained of what is passing
in the next. To this add, that the disposition of the Spaniards
naturally leads them to exaggerate the strength and success of
themselves and their friends, and to despise that of the enemy,
and it will not be matter of surprise that we should so often
have been misinformed regarding the enemy's nurabers.
' The first intention was to reraain in the cantonments of the
Alentejo, which had been taken up as soon as Marraont had
retired, till the train and stores should have been brought up
frora Oporto, to raake the attack upon Ciudad Rodrigo. The
* ' See dispatch to Lord Liverpool of 18th July.'

I8I1. FRENEDA. 493
march of the troops would consequently not have taken place
till the beginning of September. The moveraent was raade in
the end of July and beginning of August, for the following
reasons. ' In the end of July it was discovered, that notwithstanding
Marshal Bessieres had evacuated the Asturias and Astorga
when Marraont moved into Estremadura in the beginning of
July, and had thereby increased the disposable force under his
command, Don Julian had been so successful in the blockade
of Ciudad Rodrigo, that up to that moment the enemy had
not been able to keep open any communication with tbe place,
or to supply it at all with provisions.
' A return of the supplies in the place, when it was left by
Marmont in the beginning of June, had likewise been inter
cepted, from which it appeared that the provisions would be
exhausted by the 20th of August *, It was therefore deter
rained to send the array across the Tagus immediately, and to
blockade Ciudad Rodrigo, if it should not have been suppUed;
and if it should, to canton the army in Lower Beira, tUl the
train and stores should have arrived f ,
' We did not receive intelligence that the place had been
supplied till we went so forward as to disclose our design
against the place. But there were two other reasons for
taking up cantonments for the sumraer in Castille rather than
in Lower Beira : one was, that in Castille we could procure
supplies of provisions, which we rauch wanted, and we could
procure none in Beira; the other was, that by threatening
Ciudad Rodrigo, we were likely to relieve Galicia, and
General Abadia's army from the attack with which both were
threatened by the array of the north.
¦ We accordingly raade the blockade of Ciudad Rodrigo
in the first week in August, and continued it from that time
forward. The train for the siege would have arrived at Al
meida in the first week of September^. But before that
period, accounts were received of the arrival in Spain of the
enemy's reinforcements. It was also discovered by an inter
cepted return of the army of the north, that they were much
stronger than they had been supposed in July, when the plan
* ' See dispatch to Lord Liverpool of 1st August.'
t ' See dispatch to Lord Liverpool of 8th August.'
J 'See dispatches to Lord Liverpool of the 14th and 21st August,'

494 PORTUGAL, 1811,
was deterrained upon to make the siege of Ciudad Rodrigo*.
Under these circumstances, and as Alnieida was not in a state
to give security to the heavy train and its stores, it was de
termined not to bring the equipment forward, and to confine
our efforts to the blockade of Ciudad Rodrigo f.
' In the third week of Septeraber, the eneray collected .the
whole array of the north, (with the exception of Bonet's
division, which observed Abadia's moveraents on the side. of
Galicia,) and two divisions from Navarre, which had recently
come from Calabria, and five divisions, and all the cavalry of
the army of Portugal, to escort a convoy to Ciudad RodrigoJ.
They had not less than 60,000 men^, of which, more than
6000 were cavalry, to which we could oppose about 40,000.
If we had fought a battle to maintain the blockade of Ciudad
Rodrigo, we must have had the river Agueda, and the place
in our rear ; and if defeated, a retreat was impossible.
' Although we did not fight a battle to protect the blockade
of Ciudad Rodrigo, the army was assembled on the left of the
Agueda, and a partial engagement, highly honorable to the
troops, was fought at El Bodon on the 25th of September.
' The object of taking a position so near to the enemy was
to force thera to show their array. This was an object, be
cause the people of the country, as usual, believed and reported
that the eneray were not so strong as we knesv them to be;
and if they had not seen the enemy's strength, they would have
entertained a very unfavorable opinion of the British army,
which it was desirable to avoid. This object was accomphshed
by the operations at the close of September.
' Although the removal of the army from the Alentejo did
not accomplish all the objects which were in view when the
moveraent was raade, it had the effect of obliging the enemy
to collect their whole force for the relief of Ciudad Rodrigo,
* ' See dispatch to Lord Liverpool of the 28th August, for the accounts of
the enemy's reinforcements and strength. See dispatches written to Lord
Liverpool in September.'
f ' Note. — For the account of all that passed in respect to putting Almeida
in a state of repair, see dispatch to Lord Liverpool of the 5th of August. The
place is now nearly entirely re-established as a Place d'Armes.'
I ' See dispiitch to Lord Liverpool ofthe 2i)th September.'
§ ' Note. — Besides these 60,000 men, General Foy was at Plasencia with one
division of the army of Portugal, and some troops of the army of the centre,
with which he co-operated with Marmont, and actually ascended the mountains
by the Pass of Perales and Poyo on our right. For the state of the strength

1811. FRENEDA. 495
and to abandon all their other operations and objects *. The
army of the north were obliged to discontinue their operations
against Abadia, and still further, to call to their assistance two
divisions which had recently arrived from Calabria, and were
employed in Navarre against the guerrilla Mina, Mina's
success in Navarre has consequently been extraordinary, and
his numbers have rapidly increased,
' After the operations for the relief of Ciudad Rodrigo, it
was deterrained to persevere in the sarae systera till the enemy
should make some alteration in the disposition of their force,
and to continue to threaten Ciudad Rodrigo with an attack,
in order to keep a large force of the enemy employed to ob
serve our operations, and to prevent them from undertaking
any operation elsewhere,
' To this systera we were forced, not less by the relative
force of the two arraies, than by the extraordinary sickness of
our own troops. All the soldiers who had recently arrived
from England, and all those who had been in Walcheren, and
vast numbers of officers, were attacked by fever, not of a very
violent description, but they were rendered unable to per
form any duty, and those who recovered, relapsed upon
making any exertions. Even if an opportunity had off'ered,
therefore, for undertaking anything on this side, the unfortu
nate state of the array would have prevented it.
of the allied army in the field, see the Morning State, sent to Lord Liverpool
every week since the month of July. Tbe 2nd, and General Hamilton's
divisions of infantry, and tbe 2nd division of cavalry, have always been in the
Alentejo, with the exception of General De Grey's brigade of the latter, while
it continued on the strength of that division of cavaby.'
* ' See dispatch from Sir H. Douglas, of 5tb September.
' Note. — There is nothing more comical than the lies published in the
" Moniteur" about the expedition to relieve Ciudad Rodrigo, excepting that
our newspapers do not notice them. It is not possible that either Marmimt or
Dorsenne could have written such nonsense as has appeared with their names
affixed to it. They say that they heard of our approach to the Coa in the
beginning of September ; we approached the Coa on the 6th of August, and
they knew it at Salaraanca on the I4th. They then say, that in consequence
of this knowledge, acquired in the beginning of September, Dorsenne attacked
Galicia; he attacked Abadia in Galicia on the 25th August, Marmont then
took four guns on the 25th September ; but he forgets to say that we retook
the only two which he had taken for a moraent. The coraical part of that
story is, that Major Gordon, who was in the French head quarters on the
20th, offered to lay a wager that the Moniteur would raention that tbe guns
had been taken, but would omit the sequel of the story,
' See the dispatches and Morning States sent to Lord Liverpool in October
November, and December.'

496 PORTUGAL. 1811.
' It would not have answered to remove the army to
the frontiers of Estremadura, where a chance of effecting
some important object raight have offered * ; as in that case
General Abadia would have been left to hiraself, and would
have fallen an easy sacrifice to the array of the north. We
availed ourselves of the opportunity which offered of striking
a blow againt Girard in Estreraadura ; by which the country
between the Tagus and the Guadiana, was relieved from the
enemy t-
' But Uttle notice has been taken in this memorandum of the
operations of the Spaniards, which having been confined prin
cipally to the eastern coast of the Peninsula, have been but
little influenced by those on the western side. Tortosa was
surrendered by treachery on the 2nd of January, as Lerida
had been but a short time before. The troops under Suchet
then prepared to attack Tarragona, which place was taken by
storm on the 28th June,
' In the course of the winter, it had appeared by an inter
cepted letter to be Soult's intention to attack Carthagena, in
order to be prepared to attack Valencia on both sides in con
cert with Suchet. He attempted to carry this intention into
execution in the month of July, after he had obliged General
Blake to erabark at Ayaraonte. General Blake, however,
went with bis array by sea to the coast of Murcia, and landed
it there in August, while Soult raoved in that direction by
Granada. It appears that General Blake quitted the army as
soon as it had forraed a junction with the army of Murcia,
called the third army, and he proceeded to Valencia, leaving
General Freire in the coraraand of the troops in Murcia, The
French advanced frora Granada, but the Spaniards did not
retreat in tirae, and their loss was very great J, They had
tirae, however, to reasserable their dispersed divisions, and the
people in Murcia took arras, and partly on this account, partly
on account of the prevalence of the yellow fever at Cartha
gena, and throughout Murcia, and partly because the move
raent of the allied British and Portuguese army upon Ciudad
Rodrigo, rendered necessary a concentration of the French
* ' See Sir Howard Douglas's dispatch of 29th October, in answer to a
question upon that point.'
f ' See dispatch to Lord Liverpool of Cth November.'
X ' See dispatch to Lord Liverpool of 18th September,'

1811. FRENED\. -li>7
forces in the Peninsula, Soult returned to the westward, dnd
arrived at Seville on the 17th September *.
' In the mean time, Suchet, having been joined by reinforce
ments from France, and having dispersed the troops which
General Lacy had attempted to collect in Catalonia, pene
trated into the kingdom of Valencia f. General Blake had been
since August preparing for the defence of that city, and he
coUected there the army of Valencia, and others from Anigon
and Catalonia ; and latterly. General Mahy marched from
Murcia to join him with the troops which General Blake had
brought from Cadiz, and a part of the third army, i. e., that
of Murcia.
' Suchet having gained possession of Oropesa, commenced
an attack on the castle of Saguntum on the 29th September J.
He made several attempts to obtain possession of this castle
by storm, in all of whicli he failed, and at last, having brought
up a few heavy guns, he broke ground regularly before the
place, and made a breach in its wall. He made several at
tempts to carry the breach by storm, in all of which he failed.
' As soon as General Blake was joined at Valencia by the
troops from Murcia, under General Mahy §, he moved out
from Valencia on the 24th October, and on the 25th attacked
Suchet, aud was defeated, with the loss of some prisoners and
eight pieces of cannon. The French immediately summone<l
the garrison of Saguntum to surrender, which they did upon
capitulation. Suchet advanced upon Valencia, and il is under
stood that he opened his fire upon a part of the intrenched
position occupied by Blake in front of the town on the 25th
of November ||. It is likewise stated, that on tIse 2nd of
December, there was a severe action at Valencia, in which the
French suffered considerably.
' These circumstances, and the movement of Marmont's
army towards Toledo, as is supposed, to aid Suchet, have in
duced us to make preparations for the siege of Ciudad Rodrigo.
By these measures we shall bring Marmont back, and probably
oblige the army of the north to reassemble.
* ' See dispatch to Lord Liverpool of 9th Qctnlier '
I ' Seedispatdi to Lord Liverpool of 23rd Ociober.'
\ ,' See dispatch to Lord Liverpool of Gth November.'
J ' See dispatches to Lord Liverpool of I.'ith, 20th, and 27th Novemlier.'
II ' See dispatches to Lord Liverpool of Ith, 12th, 18th, and S.'ith December.'
VOL. VIII. 2 K

498 PORTUGAL. 1811.
' Since Suchet has been in Valencia, the guerrillas have been
very active and enterprising in Aragon and Navarre. Mina
defeated a detachraent of 1100 men, sent against him, only
three of whom escaped ; and besides other advantages of sraall
amount, he and the Empecinado, and Duran, having joined,
it is reported that they bad taken the garrison of Daroca,
consisting of 2400 men.
' When General Blake embarked on the 6th July from the
mouth of the Guadiana, he left there General Ballesteros with
a division of troops, which likewise embarked, and went to the
Sierra de Ronda on the 24th of August *. He has been very
successful against the French by his light operations in rear
of the army, blockading Cadiz ; and he has always a secure
retreat open upon Gibraltar f . In order to aid General Balles
teros, and to give additional security to Tarifa, Colonel
Skerrett, with about 1200 men, was detached thither from
Cadiz on the 10th of October. By this measure the French
were obliged to retire from San Roque on the night of the
21st of October, in which position they had kept Ballesteros
blockaded under the guns of Gibraltar ; and Ballesteros did
thera much mischief in their retreat, and in a subsequent
attack which he raade upon one of their detachments at
Bornos J. He was afterwards again obliged to retire in the
end of November under protection of the guns of Gibraltar ;
and Colonel Skerrett, and the Spanish General Copons, to
Tarifa. The object of the French on this occasion was to
attack Tarifa, while they should keep Ballesteros blockaded §.
But they had comraenced to retire on the 12th December.
' From this memorandum it wiU be seen, that if the
Spaniards had behaved with common prudence, or if their
conduct had been even tolerably good, the result of Massena's
campaign in Portugal raust have been the reUef of the south
of the Peninsula,
' We had to contend with the consequences of the faults
of sorae, the treachery of others, and the folly and vanity of
all. But although our success has not been what it might
and ought, we have at least lost no ground, and with a handfuU
* ' See dispatch to Lord Liverpool of 4th September.'
f ' See dispatch to Lord Liverpool of 23rd October.'
I ' See dispatch to Lord Liverpool of 13th November.'
§ ' See dispatch to Lord Liverpool of 25th December.'

1811. FRENEDA. 499
of British troops fit for service, we have kept the enemy in
check in all quarters since the month of March,
' Till now they have gained nothing, and have raade no
progress on any side. It is to be apprehended that they will
succeed in Valencia ; but I believe there is no man who knows
the state of affairs in that province, and has read Suchet's
account of his action with Blake on the 25th of October, who
does not believe that, if Blake had not fought that action,
Valencia would have been safe. Are the English Ministers
and Generals responsible for the blunders of Blake.''
' Wellington.'

General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Lieut General Graham.
' My dear Sir, ' Freneda, 25th December, 1811. 10 a.m.
' I enclose some letters received this morning from my
brother and General Cooke.
' There are obviously some dispatches missing, as both my
brother and General Cooke advert to circumstances of which
I have no knowledge ; and from the want of the other dis-
patches, which are doubtless gone by Lisbon, I do not under
stand parts of these.
' I have nothing new on this side. All accounts confirm
the march of the French from Plasencia towards Navalraoral
on the 21st. It is believed that they have been obliged to
retire, having eaten up the country. ' Believe rae, &c.
• Lieut. General Graham. ' Wellington.
' It appears by accounts frora Madrid, which General Cas
taiios showed me, that Foy had returned to Toledo. I cannot
comprehend these marches and counter-marches. It can
scarcely be that Suchet was so roughly handled in the affair
stated to have taken place on the 2nd as to have been obUged
to retire ; and that Marraont concentrates towards Madrid in
case Blake should be tempted to raove up from Valencia.
' There were preparations on the 10th for the King's move
ment from Madrid ; and you will observe that this date does
not disagree with that of the arrival of the courier, and the
consequent preparations at Plasencia, raenlioned by ray Por
tuguese correspondent.'
2k2

500 PORTUGAL. 1812,
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., io Lieut. General Graham.
' My dear Sir, ' Freneda, 26th December, 1811, 9 a.m.
' I enclose the letters and dispatches from my brother of the
13th, from the perusal of which you will be better able to
understand those which he sent me on the 19th.
' I likewise enclose General Cooke's letters to the 13th,
' General Castanos told me yesterday that he had heard that
the army of Portugal were to be assembled about Toledo. I
imagine that this is only a report from the Alcaldes.
' I write to Major Dickson at Almeida with this, to request
he wUl let you know whether it is necessary that the mules
should return to Villa da Ponte ; and I shall be very much
obliged to you if you will have them sent for another load, if
Major Dickson should report it to be necessary.
' BeUeve me, &c.
' Lieut General Graham: ' Wellington,
MEMORANDUM
For Mr. Bissett, Lieut. Colonel Fletcher, and Major Dickson.
' Freneda, 1st January, 1812.
' 1. The cars sent by General Alava, now employed in col
lecting at Las Agallas the fascines, gabions, and pickets made
by the Light and 3rd divisions, and all the cars at the canton
ments occupied by the Light division and Major General
Colville's brigade in the 3rd division, to rendezvous at Las
AgaUas on the 5th, to be loaded wilh gabions and fascines and
pickets on the same day, and to move on the foUowing morn
ing to Ciudad Rodrigo.
' 2. Lieut. Colonel Fletcher will charge the officer of en
gineers at Las Agallas with the management of this concern.
' .3. The ninety cars unemployed and in readiness (see sepa
rate raeraorandum), and the sixty-six expected to arrive this
day, are to be sent on the 2nd to Almeida ; fifty of thera are
to be loaded with the sraall stores required by Major Dickson,
106 raust be loaded with what is required by Col. Fletcher,
and to raove on the 3rd to Gallegos.
' 4. All the carts in the cantonments occupied by the 3rd
division, except Major General Colville's brigade, by the 4lh
division, including those sent by General Alava and General
Pack's brigade, by Major General Stopford's brigade, and the

1812. FKEMCDA. 501
forty carts expected from Don Julian, are to rendezvous at
Gallegos on the 5th, on which day thoy arc to be loaded with
fascines and gabions.
' 5. The sixteen cars at Salices are lo be loaded wilh fascines
and gabions on the 5th,
' 6. The fifty carts which will have brought the small stores
of the artUlery to Gallegos (see separate memorandum) on the
3rd, are to be unloaded the same day, and to be loaded at
Gallegos with fascines and gabions.
' 7. The carts mentioned in the 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th
articles are to move to Ciudad Rodrigo, loaded with engineers'
stores and materials, on the 6th.
' 8. The mules (fifty) in the engineers' department lobe sent
on the 2nd to Almeida, to be loaded v/ith engineers' tools, and
to proceed on the 3rd to Gallegos, on the 4th to return to Al
meida for the remainder of the tools, on the 5lh to Gallegos,
and on the 6th to Ciudad Rodrigo.
' 9. 53 raules with the 1st division,
48 ditto ditto 3rd ditto,
51 ditto ditto 4th ditto,
68 ditto ditto 7th ditto,
102 ditto ditto Light ditto,
to proceed to Almeida on the 3rd, and to be loaded with
powder and shot in their proper proportions, and to proceed
on the 4th to Gallegos.
' 10. The gun bullocks now grazing at and in the neigh
bourhood of Celorico to go to Almeida as soon as possible to
draw the guns from Almeida to Gallegos on the  , and
from Gallegos to Ciudad Rodrigo on the  .
'11. In proportion as the raules belonging to the reserve
araraunition of the 5th and 6th divisions and cavalry shall ar
rive at Alraeida with powder and shot frora Villa da Ponte,
they are to be loaded with powder and shot in their due pro
portions, and sent on the first day to Gallegos and on the 2nd
to Ciudad Rodrigo.
' 12. The carts now eraployed with Major Sturgeon, and
the new carts are to be sent to Alraeida as soon as he shall
have done with thera, to be loaded with powder and shot in
their due proportions, and to carry those articles to Gallegos,
there lay them down, return the following day to Almeida, and
the following day bring fresh loads to Gallegos.

502 PORTUGAL. 18l2.
' 13. The mules mentioned in the 9th and 11th articles will
be employed to carry this powder and shot forward from Gal
legos to Ciudad Rodrigo.
' 14. The carts mentioned in the 1st, Srd, 4th, Sth, and 6th
articles, are to return to Gallegos and Las Agallas on tbe day
after they shall have quitted those places, to be teloaded with
fascines, gabions, &c., and to proceed on the following day to
Ciudad Rodrigo.
' N.B. It is desirable that the mules mentioned^ in the 9th
articles should lodge the araraunition (sraall-arm) at the fol
lowing places on their way to Alraeida.
' That ofthe 1st division, Alaraeda.
Srd and 4th ditto, GaUegOS.
7th ditto, Sabugal,
Light ditto, Guinaldo.
' Wellington.'
memorandum
For Mr. Bissett, Lieut Colonel Fletcher, and Major Dickson.
' Freneda, let January, 1812.
' Ninety cars now at Freneda, and sixty-six expected frora
Brigadier Alava, to be sent on the 2nd to Alraeida to be loaded ;
106 with engineers' stores and fifty with smaU stores of the
artillery, to carry these articles on the 3d to Gallegos, return
on the 4th to Alraeida and load with powder and shot ; return
on the 5th to Gallegos and lay down the powder and shot, and
to be reloaded with engineers' stores, to proceed to Ciudad
Rodrigo on the 6tb.
' Wellingtok,'
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, K.B., io ihe Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My Lord, ' Freneda, 1st January, 1812.
' The division of the army of Portugal, cantoned about the
sources of the Tormes, broke up with precipitation on the
26th December, and marched in the direction of Avila ; and
it is repotted that the division cantoned at Avila were making
preparations to march likewise ; but they had not marched on
the 29th, I have not yet heard that the army of Portugal
have passed Talavera. They have their posts stUl at Naval-
moral.

1812. FRKNEDA. 503
' I have received reports that the cavalry of the guard had
returned to France, and that the infantry of the guard had
likewise raoved from Valladolid in a northerly direction. 1
conclude that all these raoveraents have for their object to
support Suchet's operations in Valencia; or even to co-operate
with him, by keeping in check the guerrillas from whom he has
received so much injury.
' I propose therefore to raake an attack upon Ciudad
Rodrigo, in which, if I should not succeed, I shall at least
bring back some of the troops of the arraies of the north and
of Portugal ; and shall so far relieve the guerriUas and the
Spanish arraies in Valencia.
' I have had no accounts upon which I can rely, of the state
of affairs at Valencia, since the 20th of Noveraber. But I hear
from Madrid that Suchet was stiU before the place on the
10th of last month.
' Lieut. General Hill raoved on the 24th and 25th of De
ceraber, but I have not yet heard of his arrival at Merida.
' Since I addressed your Lordship on the 25th December,
I have received the dispatches frora Cadiz which had not then
reached me. It appears that Colonel Skerrett had, at the
requisition of General Ballesteros, embarked at Algeziras on
the 29th November, and had gone to Gibraltar to aid General
BaUesteros in an attack upon the eneray.
' He had however returned to Tarifa on the 2nd Deceraber,
having learned from an intercepted letter that the enemy's
object was certainly to endeavor to obtain possession of that
post. They had made no attack upon it on the 13th Decem
ber ; and General Castanos, who had letters from Cadiz of
the 20th, informs rae that General BaUesteros was at Los
Barrios, according to the last account.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool: 'Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Major General Peacocke.
'Sir, 'Freneda, 2nd January, 1812.
' Mr. Stuart has coraraunicated to me your letter to hira,
of the 28th December last, upon which I think it proper to
give you some instructions.
' As the officer commanding His Majesty's troops at Lisbon,

504 PORTUGAL. 1812
you ought to have no official communication with any person,
excepting myself, and the Lieutenant General commanding the
Portuguese troops in the province of Estremadura, under whose
command you raust necessarily be, and with whora you were
directed to coraraunicate by my letter of the 23rd June, 1809.
' Even the Commanding Officer of His Majesty's troops iti
this country, is ordered to have no coraraunication with the
servants of the Portuguese or Spanish Governments, excepting
through His Majesty's Minister, at their Courts respectively ;
and I have been most cautious in abstaining from any commu
nication with the Portuguese Government on any concern of
the British army, excepting through Mr. Villiers or Mr.
Stuart. ' According to the rules for the conduct of the military
service, all your communications with Mr. Stuart or the Ad
miral, or any other independent British authority, should be
carried on through me ; but these authorities, as well as I, have
thought it most convenient for the King's service, that you
should coraraunicate directly with thera respectively ; and it is
desirable that this practice should continue.
' But 1 am particularly anxious that the King's commands
in regard to all communications with the servants ofthe Portu
guese and Spanish Governments should be strictly adhered to:
and that you should have no communication, upon a public
subject, with any servant of the Portuguese Government (ex
cepting the Lieutenant General commanding in the province
of Estremadura) unless through His Majesty's Minister at
Lisbon. ' In regard to the Spanish Minister at Lisbon, you have
nothing to say to him, nor he to you, on any [lubUc subject.
If you conceive that you have any reason to complain of any
Spanish officer or soldier at Lisbon, you will make your com
plaint known to the Lieutenant General of the province ; if of
any other individual of the Spanish nation, you wUl state the
case to His Majesty's Minister at Lisbon, who wiU raake such
representations on the subject as he may think proper to the
Portuguese Government.
' I write to the Portuguese Governraent in regard to the
SpanLsh troops casually at Lisbon being considered inde
pendent of the Lieutenant General commanding in the province
of Estremadura.

1812. I-UKNEDA. 505
' I have sent to General Castanos regarding the order to the
Spanish Officer commanding the Spanish detachtnents at that
place, to have his troops paraded in order that the soldier may
be pitched upon who comraitted the outrage on the Serjeant
of the Chasseurs Britanniques, and I have been assured that it
was sent, and that it will be repeated.
' I will however let you know when I shall hear that the
Government have settled that all the Spanish detachments at
Lisbon are placed, as they ought to be, under the general
superintendence of the Lieutenant General commanding in the
province of Estreraadura. ' 1 have the honor to be, &c.
' Major General Peacocke.' ' Wellington,
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., in His Excellency Charles Stuart.
' My DEAR Sir, ' Freneda, 2nd January, 1812.
' I have received your letter of the 28th December, I think
the proclamation drawn by Dr, Nogueira will answer ; and it
ought to be completed at an early period.
* I clearly understand Dr. Nogueira's plan on the paper
money ; and it is evident that the paper money must be
staraped whenever it comes into the possession of the Govern
raent ; that a year's interest raust be paid at a time ; and that
the paper must have been a year out of the hands of the Go
vernment before any interest is due upon it,
' This is the constitution of paper money ; and the holders
of these securities have no right to expect that the Governraent
will alter this constitution for their benefit,
' The question reraaining to be discussed is, from what tirae
the Portuguese Government will resume the practice directed
by the Alvara of the 23rd July, 1797 ?
' The first point for information is, whether the Governraent
have continued to starap the paper in proportion as it has
passed through their hands, since they have discontinued the
payment of the interest, if they have, there will be no diffi
culty in commencing now to pay the interest on all the paper
money now la circulation, excepting tbe want of money in
the hands of the Junta de Juros. If they have not been in
the habit of stamping the paper money, and it is now to go
through the progress of being stamped, it is obvious that.

506 PORTUGAL, 1812.
under the law, the measure of paying the interest, from which
measure alone I expect that any advantage will be derived,
must be delayed for twelve months !
' I rather beUeve, however, that they have been in the habit
of stamping the paper on every occasion on which it has passed
through the hands of the officers of the Government; and, if
this be true, I earnestly urge them to begin paying the inte
rest due upon the paper from the beginning of this month.
If they adopt that raeasure, I shall order that all the interest
due upon the paper, in the hands of the Commissariat, shall
be remitted, or in other words, that our paper shall go to the
Treasury to be stamped.
' I do not see any reason, however, why all the paper which
may, at any time hereafter, come into our hands, should of
course go to the Treasury to be stamped ; and I shall not con
sent to that part of the arrangement.
' In urging the Government to commence paying the
interest in the beginning of this month, I shall appear un
reasonably tenacious of my own opinion against the clear state
ments and reasoning of Dr. Nogueira's paper.
' But I ara of opinion, that when a Government propose to
act on the principle of good faith towards their creditors, and
see the necessity of taking measures to support the credit of
their paper currency, they should lose no time about it : they
sbould carry into execution without delay the principle, what
ever it is, on which they propose to act.
' I am clearly of opinion that a country, in the situation in
which Portugal is, should consider the maintenance of her mili
tary establishments, and the defence of the country, the first
object, because upon these depend not only the credit of the
Government, but the existence of the inhabitants. But after
a sufficient revenue has been raised to defray the expense of
the military establishments, then the pecuniary credit of the
Government becomes an object of anxiety. The measures to
find funds to support that credit then take their natural station
in the order of the duties of the government of the kingdom ;
and when once it is determined to pay the interest of the debts
of the state, and on the paper money in circulation, the funds
to pay that interest must be first provided for.
' I contend for it therefore, that if the Junta de Juros have
not funds sufficient to defray the interest due, sorae of the civil

1812. FRENEDA. 507
estabUshments should be put down in order to supply the
Junta with funds sufficient, after it has been determined that
it is expedient to pay the interest, of which no man entertains
a doubt. ' I have already inforraed the Governraent how important it
is to the financial concerns of this army, and to enable the
British Governraent to pay the subsidy, that the governors of
the kingdora should corae to a right decision upon this subject ;
and I have only to add, that if this decision does not raise the
credit of the paper money, I must prevent the Commissariat
frora receiving those securities in payment for the purchase of
bills upon England.
' In regard to the estimates for the army for the month of
January, I refer you to a letter which I wrote on the 81st of
December, to Sir W. Beresford. I am aware that an estimate
is not an account ; but the only way to put a stop to extrava
gance and waste, is to look close into the estimate of any ex
pense, and to endeavor to bring it as near as possible to the
real expense.
' I am glad to find that you reckon upon your 600 contos
only for the expenses of January. ' Believe me, &c.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Major Dickson, R.A.
' My dear Sir, ' Freneda, Srd January, 1812. 3 p.m.
' General Alava has just informed me that 45 carts have
arrived here, of which we had before no intelligence. I have
desired that they may go to Almeida to-morrow, to be employed
next day in the raanner pointed out in the separate raerao
randum of the 1st, for the cars on the 4tb, 5th, and 6th
instant. ' Believe rae, &c.
' Major Dickson: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to J. Bissett, Esq.,
Commissary General.
' My dear Sir, ' Freneda, 3rd January, 1812. 3 p.m.
' General Alava has just inforraed me that 45 carts have
arrived here, of which we had before no inteUigence. I have

508 PORTUGAL, 1812.
desired that they may go to Almeida to-morrow, to be em
ployed next day in the manner pointed out in the separate
meraorandura of the 1st instant for the cars on the 4th, 5th,
and 6th instant.
' General Pack has been with rae this day, and tells me,
that unless we can assist him either with raoney or provisions,
he must go to the rear. Could you let hira have as rauch as
3000 doUars, which I should take care should be repaid here
by the Portuguese Government ?
' You are aware that we feed a Spanish battalion of 800
men in the province of Tras os Montes. Could we without
inconvenience feed another battalion in the same province ?
' BeUeve me, &c.
• J. Bissett Esq: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to the Right Hon.
Henry Wellesley.
' My dear Henry, ' Freneda, 3rd January, 1812.
' I enclose my last dispatch. I propose to invest Ciudad
Rodrigo on the 6th, and to break ground, if possible, on that
night. The weather is however now very bad ; the whole
country being covered with snow. Hill was very near sur
prising Dorabrowski at Merida on the 30th,
' Since 1 wrote to you last, I find that La Pena's brother
did not bring a letter from the Spanish Government for King
Joseph, but a verbal communication to the purport I men
tioned. He has, however, been afraid to go and deliver the
message ; but I do not know for what reason he was not raade
to write it down, as Castanos intended he should ; and then
send it by another hand, ' Ever yours raost affectionately,
' The Right Hon. H. Wellesley: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to General Castanos.
' Sir, ' Freneda, 4th January, 1812,
' I have perused the letter from Don Carlos de Espana,
which your Excellency put into my hands yesterday in regard
to the distresses of the troops under his command ; and I
am much concerned that they are of a nature to induce that
officer to desire to reUnquish his situation, more particularly

18r2. frf.neda. 509
as it is entirely out of my power lo adopt any of the measures
which he proposes for their relief.
' Don Carlos de Espana must have known ihat 1 had nol
the command of money in sufficient sums even for the wants
of the troops under ray command ; he raust have known that
I have been obUged to send three divisions, and almost all the
cavalry of this army to the rear, because I am unable at
present to feed them in front. And I am astonished, that on
the eve of a great operation, which will require the exertion of
every disciplined soldier who can be brought to the front, he
should propose that I should be called upon to supply money,
which he knows 1 have not, or food, which he knov.s 1 cannot
get, for the support of 4000 recruits.
' Eight hundred of these recruits are now in Tras os Montes,
and are supplied by a British Commissary attached to them at.
great inconvenience and expense. I am willing to undertake
to supply 800 more with provisions, provided they are sent
into Tras os Montes, and provided a sufficient number of
raules are attached to and sent with them, to carry the supplies
which they will require from the magazine at St. JoaO da
Pesqueira to the station which these troops will occupy in
Tras OS Montes.
' I have to inform your Excellency, that 1 have received
intelligence that 4000 great coats, and other articles for 4000
men, being part of the requisition made by Don Carlos de
Espaiia for these same raen, have been embarked in the Thames,
and may be expected daily at Oporto. 1 conclude, however,
that as Don Carlos proposes that these men should be dis
banded, he will not now require these articles.
' I have the honor to be, &c,
' General CaslaJios: ' Wellington. '

General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to ihe Right Hon.
Henry Wellesley.
' Sir, ' Freneda, 4th January, 1812.
' I have the honor to enclose copies of my correspondence
with Don Carlos de Espana in the month of November last :
also of the letters which have lately passed between rae and
General Castanos on the subject of the application of the
Minister at War, that General Hill's corps should make a

510 PORTUGAL. 1812,
forward movement, with the object of creating a diversion in
favor of General Ballesteros, ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' The Right Hon. H. Wellesley. ' Wellington.
' P.S. I likewise enclose the copy of a letter from Don
Carlos de Espaiia, which General Castaiios put into ray hands
yesterday, on the subject of the destitute state of the division
under his command ; and the copy of ray answer to General
Castaiios, ' MEMORANDUM. ' Freneda, 4th January, 1812.
' 1, Eighty carts only of those which left Alraeida yester
day, and are now at Gallegos, to be sent back to Almeida, to
be there loaded with articles for Colonel Fletcher, and to pro
ceed to Gallegos on the 6th,
' 2. Forty carts of those now at Gallegos to come to Freneda
on the 5th, to be loaded with stores of Colonel Fletcher's at
Freneda, and to go to Gallegos on the 6th.
' 3, The forty five carts which were sent to Alraeida this
raorning, to be loaded with powder and shot and to go to Gal
legos on the 5th, and there remain; the powder and shot
being laid down at Gallegos.
' 4. All the carts which shall go to Gallegos, excepting the
eighty and forty ordered away by the 1st and 2nd articles of
this memorandum, to be detained there, and loaded with
materials and stores of the engineers' department.
' Wellington.'
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to Lieut. General Graham.
' My DEAR Sir, ' Freneda, Sth January, 1812, 10 a,m.
' I enclose a letter received frora Avila yesterday. Accord
ing to Grant's accounts, I should iraagine that there is still one
division on the Upper Torraes, and at Avila.
' I enclose the intercepted letter which we have not been
a'ble to decipher,
' I am very rauch afraid that we shall not be able to invest
the place till the Sth ; but I shall not relinquish the intention
of investing it on the 7th till I shall be certain it is impossible.
I hope that there wUl be no farther disappointments. At all
events I will not move the troops, excepting the 3rd division,
till Tuesday.

1812. FRENEDA. 511
' If it should be the same thing to you, 1 would request you
to fix your quarters at Gallegos, as I would request you to
assist rae in conducting the details of our operation, and it
would be desirable that we should have a short communication.
' I will send you this day the memorandum which I propose
to circulate to the General Officers comraanding divisions.
' 1 shall desire De Lancy to order the detachraent of Guards
to Viseu. ' BeUeve me, &c.
' Lieut General Graham. ' Wellington,
' The mail is not yet arrived, but Batavia is taken ; and it
appears that the Russians and Turks are about to make peace.'
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to His Excellency Charles Stuart.
' My dear Sir, ' Freneda, Sth January, 1812.
' I received last night your letter of the 31st, and 1 entirely
concur with you on the measures respecting the Algerines.
' As soon as the Government shall pay the interest on their
paper, I have in contemplation a raeasure to relieve us from
the weight of circulating it. I doubt, however, whether it
will relieve us from the loss on the exchange on our bUls on
England. Our money here would stUl cost us from 15 to 20
per cent. I ' Believe me, &c.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Lieut. General Graham.
' My dear Sir, ' Freneda, 6th January, 1812. 10 am.
' I enclose a letter from Salaraanca, and one from my
brother. ' I have not got the details of the state of affairs at Tarifa,
or any letter from General Cooke ; but I see by the papers
inclosed in my brother's letter that the French still persevere
in their plans in that quarter.
' I have a letter from General Hill of the 2nd, frora Alraen
dralejo. Drouet had retired from thence, and Hill had taken
at that place and Merida about 600 fanegas of wheat. He
intended to return to Merida on the 3rd or 4th.
' Believe me, &c.
' Lieut General Graham, ' Wellington.

512 PORTUGAL. 1812.
' The last of the engineers' stores left Almeida this morning,
but it is irapossible to say how far they will go this afternoon;
If they reach Gallegos we may invest the plnce to-morrow.
If they do not, it would be advantageous to defer the operation
till the Sth.
' 1 am going to Gallegos this day.
' Since writing the above, I find that it will be impossible
to invest the place till the 8th.'
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to Lieut General Hill.
' My dear Hill, ' Gallegos, eth January, 1812.
' I have received your letters of the 30th December and 2nd
January, and I have omitted to answer the first, till I could
inforra you of the state of affairs at Tarifa.
' I heard frora my brother yesterday to the 24th December,
and it appears by letters frora Puerto Real, and Puerto S''
Maria, of the 19th, that the enemy still persevered in their
attack on Tarifa. I think it probable, however, that Drouet's
retreat, combined with the bad weather, will have induced
them lo abandon that object for the present ; it is, hovvever,
desirable that you should continue to keep up the alarra which
you have occasioned, till you shall hear that they have aban
doned their projects on Tarifa.
'It appears to me that you have nothing to apprehend at
present from the army of Portugal. It is very desirable tli.nt
you should endeavor to discover the state of the enemy's works,
and their force at the Puente de Almaraz ; it would aid all niv
plans very much, if we could destroy their bridge and works
at that point. You will recollect that the top of the Sierra de
Mirabele, where there is a tower, commands the ground the
whole way down to the river,
' I am about to attack Ciudad Rodrigo, in which enterprise
I shall succeed, or I shall bring back towards this frontier the
whole army which had raarched to v/ards Valencia and Araoon.
By these means I hope to save Valencia, even if I should not
succeed in getting this place ; if I should get this place, «o
shall, I hope, make a fine campaign in the spring.
' BeUeve rae, &c.
'Lieut. General Hill. ' Wellinuton.
' P,S. Since writing the above, I have received a letter

1812. GALLEGOS. 513.
from Geheral Cooke, from which, it appears that about the
20th, the enemy were before Tarifa, but they had not brought
up their heavy artillery.'
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Dr. Frank.
' My dear Sir, ' Grallegos, 7th January, 1812.
' I am very much obliged to you for your account of my
little boy, and for your kindness in going to see hira. I trust
that your own health is re-established.
' You will be glad to hear that the health of the troops is
much improved, though not yet what I could wish it to be.
We lost a great many men upon the change frora warm to cold
weather; but the whole of our casualties in this year, including
sorae bloody affairs, amounts only to 6000 men.
' Believe me, Ssc.
' Dr. Frank: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Major General Cooke.
' Sir, ' Gallegos, 7th January, 1812,
' I have had the honor of receiving your letter of the 24th
December, on the subject of the want of guns and of shot at
Cadiz. ' These frequently occurring demands upon the finances of
Great Britain deserve serious attention, particularly as they
must be defrayed from the funds applicable to maintain this
army. . It would be much better for Great Britain at once to
give a subsidy to the Spanish Government, providing for all
their wants, than thus to take upon ourselves the maintenance
of sraall establishments, which in the aggregate cost more than
any subsidy could amount tb, while the obligation to Great
Britain is not felt.
' I beg that the comraanding officer of the artillery and
engineers at Cadiz will raake an estimate of what iron guns
are required to arm the lines at the Isla, &c., specifyinor what
the arsenals at Cadiz can and will afford; and you will be so
kind as to make a request to the Secretary of State to send to
Cadiz the overplus,
' I likewise beg that the comraanding officer of the artillery
wUl estimate what qiiantitv of s'hot and shells the different
VOL. vm, 2 L

514 SPAIN, 1812.
guns will require, specifying what the arsenals at Cadiz and
the Isla can and will supply.
' 1 likewise beg that an estiraate may be formed of the ex
pense to be incurred in the maintenance of the artificers pro
posed to be maintained at the foundry on the Isla; and a
calculation made of the expense of manufacturing a certain
weight of shot and shells at this foundry.
' I beg you to send these estimates and calculations to the
Secretary of State, in order that his Lordship raay decide
whether it is better to continue to support this establishment,
or to export shot and shells from England.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' Major General CookeJ ' Wellington.

General Viscount Wellington, KB., to the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My dear Lord, ' Gallegos, 7th Januaiy, 1812.
' The contents of my last letters will have inclined you to
expect that by this time I should have invested Ciudad Ro
drigo. I thought that I should, after a fair calculation of the
work to be done preparatory to that operation, and of the
means at my disposal to perform it ; but after every allowance
is made, we must expect disappointments where we have to
deal with Portuguese and Spanish carters and muleteers, and
therefore I cannot invest the place till to-morrow.
' What do you think of empty carts taking two days to go
ten miles on a good road ? After all, I am obliged to appear
satisfied, or they would all desert !
' I shall not write my weekly report till I shall return from
investing the place to-raorrow.
' At this season of the year, and depending upon Portuguese
and Spaniards for means of having what is required, I can
scarcely venture to calculate the, time which this operation will
take, but I should think not less than 24 or 25 days. If
we do not succeed, we shall at least bring back upon ourselves
all the force which has marched away ; and I hope we may
save Valencia, or at all events afford raore time to the Astu-
rians, GaUcians, &c. If we do succeed, we shall make a fine
campaign in the spring.
' According to your Lordship's desire I will endeavor to

1812. GALLEOOS. 515
have a communication with General Lacy in Catalonia. I
have not a sufficient knowledge of aff'airs on the eastern coast
to be able to decide whether it would be practicable to employ
a detachment in that quarter with advantage, on the principles
of my dispatch to General Cooke, a copy of which I enclosed
to your Lordship.
' I have frequently turned over in my mind the practicability
of making an attack (corabined land and sea) upon Barcelona,
but I understand the place is one of the first order. It is
sufficiently garrisoned, and an attack would require a very
large and efficient force, and rauch time would necessarily
elapse in the operations. In this tirae the French Govern
raent would have it in their power to send, even from France,
an army for its relief. ' Believe me, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool' ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., io Major Dickson, R.A.
' My dear Sir, ' Gallegos, Sth January, 1812, 7 a.m.
' I think you had better leave the reserve ammunition of
the 1st division at Pinhel.
' Have you heard anything of 100 carts purchased by
Mr. Boyes, drawn by the public bullocks ? They were to be
loaded with shot at Villa da Ponte, and to come on from
thence, ' The 60 you mention had better return to Villa da Ponte
for fresh loads as soon as they can,
' Believe me, &c.
' Major Dickson, ' Wellington.
' I hear that sorae of your guns are raovingi'
Instructions to General Officers Commanding Divisions, employed
in the Siege of Ciudad Rodrigo,
' Gallegos, Sth January, 1812,
' The Commander of the Forces proposes to attack Ciudad
Rodrigo, and in order that the troops may suffer as little as
possible from exposure to the weather, he intends that the
operations shall be carried on by each of the divisions of the
army employed, alternately, for 24 hours.
2l2

516 SPAIN. 1812.
'Brigadier General Pack's brigade, with the exception of
the 4th caqadores, will do duty with the Light division.
* The 4th caQadores wUl do duty with the 1st division.
' When a division is ordered for the duty of the siege, each
of the battaUons belonging to it is to march from its canton
ments before daylight in the morning. The troops from the
several cantonments of the division separately, by the shortest
and most convenient route, which the General Officers com
manding divisions are requested to ascertain. The troops wiU
be able to cross at the fprds above La Caridad, and all the
fords below tbe ford of Carbonero inclusive. The troops are
to have with them a day's provisions cooked, and they are to
be followed by two days' spirits, and no other baggage.
' A sufficient number of raen to cook the provisions for the
day the division is reUeved are to be left in the cantonraents.
' As soon as the first battalion of the relieving division shall
arrive on the ground, the General Officer coraraanding the
division which has perforraed the duty for the preceding 24
hours, will commence the relief, by sending off to their canton
ments a proportionate number of troops, those of course first
which have the greatest distance to go to their cantonraents,
and the relief will proceed in proportion as the troops shall
"arrive.' ' The Chief Engineer wiir require daily from each division,
20 miners,
30 artificers, or persons accustomed to work,
with a proportion of non-commissioned officers.
' These raen will be fixed upon before the troops raarch
from their cantonments, and are to be placed under his direc
tions (with a list of their names and the regiments to which
they belong) on the arrival of the troops on the ground.
' Each regiment is to take along with it the intrenching
tools belonging to it.
' There will be orders daily respecting the working parties,
covering parties, guards &c.
' The musket and rifle araraunition attached to the Light
division is to be taken to the ground the first day, and reraain
there. The 9 pounders attached to the 4th division wUl like
wise be taken to the ground on the first day, and reraain there.
The artillery men are to be relieved daily, by those belonging
to the brigades and troops attached to the 1st, 4th, and Light
divisions.

1812. GALLEGOS. 517
' The Engineers wiU order to the ground a sufficiency of
cutting tools, to enable those men not iramediately on duty to
supply themselves with fire-wood These tools to be handecl
over from the reUeved to the relieving division.
' Each division to be attended by the Medical Staff belong-'
ing to it. A place wiU be fixed upon to which men who may
be wounded are to be carried to be dressed, and means will be
provided for removing them from thence to their cantonraents.
' To the General Officers ' Wellington,
Commanding Divisions
in ihe Siege of Ciudad Rodrigo:
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Major Dickson, R.A.
' My dear Sir, 'Gallegos, 9th January, 1812. 5 p.m.
' You will have heard that we carried the redoubt on the
hill of San Francisco last night: and we have opened our
parallel within 600 yards of the place. Colonel Fletcher ex
pects to be ready for the guns possibly by the lltb, at night,
or 12th in the morning, as he intends to begin his batteries
this night.
' I think it probable that the gun bullocks will have arrived
this day. If they should, I beg you to make an effort to get
the guns here in one day. They will certainly require a day
to go from hence to the ground of the siege.
* Believe me, &c.
' Major Dickson: ' Wellington,

General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to Lieut General Hill.
' Sir, ' Gallegos, 9th January, 1812.
' I have had the honor of receiving your letters to the 6th
instant, and I beg leave to congratulate you upon the success
of the detachment under Lieut. Colonel Abercromby.
' As your advance to Merida mu.st by this time have had all
the effect expected from it, and as I observe that General
Drouet has retired upon Llerena, I request you to move your
corps back to the frontiers of Portugal, and place it with its
right at Portalegre, its centre and your head quarters at
Niza, and two brigades of infantry at Castello Branco.
' My reason for wishing you to take this position is, that I
think it probable that when the enemy shall find that I have

518 SPAIN. 1812.
attacked Ciudad Rodrigo, they will endeavor to divert my
attention from that operation by movements, by tbe Valley of
the Alagon, towards the frontier of Lower Beira.
' The effect of these movements would be entirely frustrated
by your being in the position pointed out, as you will be able
to cross the Tagus, at least as fast as the enemy can advance,
by the vale of Plasencia,
' It is very desirable to destroy the enemy's works at Merida ;
and I recoramend to you to destroy them if you should find
that you can do so without inconvenience. As yOu will pro
bably move by cantonments, those troops which will leave
Merida the last might be eraployed to perform this service.
' I am desirous, however, that no time should be unneces
sarily lost in marching the troops to the position I have above
pointed out,
' I invested Ciudad Rodrigo yesterday, and broke ground
before the place last night,
' I enclose the extract of a letter to the Secretary of State,
giving an account of a very handsome operation perforraed by
a detachment of the Light division, commanded by Lieut.
Colonel Colborne. ' I have the honor to bcj &c.
' Lieut. General Hill' ' Wellington.

General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' ]\iy Lord, ' Gallegos, 9th January, 1812.
' According to the intention which I informed your Lord
ship that I entertained, I invested Ciudad Rodrigo yesterday.
' Since the enemy have had possession of the place, they
have constructed a palisaded redoubt on the hill of San Fran
cisco, and have fortified three convents in the suburbs, the
defences of which are connected with the work on the hill of
San Francisco, and with the old line by which the suburb was
surrounded. By these means the enemy have increased the
difficulty of approaching the place ; and it was necessary to
obtain possession of the work on the hill of San Francisco before
we could make any progress in the attack. Accordingly,
Major General Craufurd directed a detachment of the Light
division, under the command of Lieut, Colonel Colborne of

1812. GALLEGOS. 519
the 62nd, to attack the work, shortly after it was dark. The
attack was very ably conducted by Lieut. Colonel Colborne,
and the work was taken by storm in a short time. Two cap
tains and 47 men were made prisoners, the remainder' of the
garrison being put to the sword in the storm. We took three
pieces of cannon.
' I cannot sufficiently applaud the conduct of Lieut. Colonel
Colborne, and of the detachraent under his comraand, upon
this occasion. I am happy to add that our loss in this affair
has not been severe ; 6 men having been killed : Captain Mein
of the 52nd, Lieut. Hawkesly, 95th, and Lieut. Woodgate,
52nd, and 14 men having been wounded.
' The success of this operation enabled us iramediately to
break ground within 600 yards of the place, notwithstanding
that tbe eneray still hold the fortified convents; and the
enemy's work has been turned into a part of our first parallel,
and a good communication made with it.
' It is impossible for me to conjecture the length of time
which will be required to bring the siege of Ciudad Rodrigo
to a successful conclusion. Our means of transporting our
stores and materials depend upon the Portuguese and Spanish
carters and muleteers, and the moveraents of this description
of persons are very uncertain. The weather, also, which may
be expected at this season of the year, may interrupt or retard
our progress ; and the eneray raay have tirae to bring back
to this part of the country the troops which had been reraoved
from hence in order to aid the operations of Marshal Suchet
in Valencia, and I may be obliged to raise the siege. If this
effect alone should be produced, we shall have rend^ed a great
service to the Spaniards. - ,
' I think it probable that Marmont will return immediately,
as I understand that great doubts were entertained by the
Ministers and Generals at Madrid of the expediency of his
movements to the eastward, in consequence of intelligence
which had been received that I had constructed a bridge on the
Agueda ; and that in the end of last month he had not left
Madrid. ' I have arranged our operation in such a manner as that,
I hope, the troops will not suffer from the incleraency of the
weather. ' Lieut. General Hill arrived at Merida on the SOth Decem-

520 SPAIN. 1812.
I^er. He had hoped to surprise General DombroWski (who I
, had been led to imagine was killed in General Hill's last affair
with the enemy) in that town ; but his advanced guard was
' discovered on the 29th by a patrole from a small detachment
of the enemy which happened to be at La Nava, which effected
its retreat to Merida, notwithstanding the efforts of a detach
ment bf Lieut. General Hill's cavalry to prevent it.
'General Dorabrowski retired from Merida in the night,
• leaving a magazine of bread and 160,000 lbs. of wheat in tbe
town, and several unfinished works which the enemy bad been
.constructing. ' On the 1st, General HiU moved forward with the intention
of attacking General Drouet, who commands the 5th corps, at
Almendralejo. This General, however, retired upon Zafra,
leaving a magazine in the town, containing 450,000 lbs. of
wheat and some barley. On the Srd, Lieut. General Hill sent
a detachraent, consisting of the 28th regiment, and two squad
rons of the 2rid hussars, and one squadron bf the 10th Portu
guese cavalry, to Fuente del Maestre, under the comraand of
Lieut. Colonel the Hon. A. Abercromby. Our cavalry, de
feated a body of the enemy's cavalry which was there, having
taken 2 officers and 30 men prisoners. . >
' Lieut. General Hill having found that General Drouet bad
retreated upon Llerena, and that it would be impossible for
hira to follow to a greater distance, returned to Merida ori the
5th, in order to place his troops in better cantonraents ,4,wiug
the bad weather. I have the honor to enclose letters ifrom
. Lieut. General Hill of the 30th December, 2nd and 6th
January, giving an account of his operations, returns of killed
and wounded, &c.* ,-..«.• js: a.. ,¦:
, \: -. ... . -. .- ^''^ -i-'- • ¦
.L'f.'j ¦ " ', ¦"
* Lieut. General R. Hilt to General discount Wellington, K.B.
a',-; ¦: , . ¦ ' ', ¦¦
'My Lord, , ,: ' Merida, 30th December, 1811.
, ' In pursuance of your Lordship's instructiojis, Iput the troops under my
oi*fl^rs in march from their several cantonments, and entered this province on
tbe 27th instant, by Alburquerque, Villa de Rey, and San Vicente; and by the
intelligence which I received from various quarters, I was led to entertain the
most sanguine hppes that I should have been ^li'^ *" surprise the enemy
stationed in this town, I was, however, disappointed in my expectations, by
finding iu La Nava, on our approach to that village yestea'day, with the column
from All)urqiierqiie, a party of the enemy, consisting of about 800 voltigeurs
and a few hussars, being part of a detachment wjiich had arrived . there tbe

1812. GALLEGOS. 521
' By accounts which I have from Cadiz to the 27th of De
cember, I learn that the enemy invested Tarifa with a force of
night preceding, apparently on a plundering excursion, the remainder whereof
has proceeded to Cordevillas, another village about two leagues distant.
' A patrole from La Nava fell in with the head of our column, and gave the
alarm to the detachment, which immediately commenced its retreat towards
Merida, followed by the cavalry of my advanced guard, consisting of between
300 and 400 of the 13th light dragoons and 2nd hussars.
'As I considered the intercepting of the entire of this party to be of the
greatest importance to our ulterior operations, I directed the cavalry above
mentioned to make every effort to effect it, or at least to check its march until
the arrival of some infantry.
' The intrepid and admirable manner, however, in which the enemy retired,
bis infantry formed in square, and favored as he was by the nature of the
country, of which he knew how to take the fullest advantage, prevented tbe
cavalry alone from effecting any thing against him ; and after following him for
upwards of a league, and making an ineffectual attempt to break him, I judged
it advisable to give over the pursuit, and he effected his escape with the loss of
about 20 killed, and as many wounded, from four 9 pounders, which, by the
great exertions of Major Hawker, and his officers and men, got within range,
and followed him for some distance, but were unable to close upon him, owing
to the deepness of the country.
¦ One wing of the 71st light infantry, under Lieut. Colonel the Hon. H.
Cadogsjn, also exerted themselves in a most laudable manner to overtake the
enemy, but were at too great a distance to admit of their accomplishing it in
any reasonable time. > ,
' The arrival of the above-mentioned party at Merida made the enemy ac
quainted with our approach, of which I have reason to think he was before
entirely ignorant, and he in consequence evacuated the town during the night,
leaving unfinished some works which he was constructing for its defence, and
we entered in the course of the day.
' I regret to state that we had two men killed and some wounded iu the affair
of yesterday) D^ which I enclose a return.
. ,lj ^.. e ' I have the honor to be, &c.
^ General ^scount Wellington, K.B, 'rB. HiiL, Li^ttt. General,
' Since writing the above, it has been reported to me that'180 fanegas of
wheat have been found in the dep8t of this town, belonging to the French, be
sides a quantity of bread,'
Extract of a Letter from Lieut, Gen. R. Hill to General Viscount Wellington, K.B.
dated Almendralejo, 2nd Janiiary, 1812.
' Since my letter to your Lordship from Merida of the 30th ult., I have the
honor to report, that from all the information I had received, I had reason to
suppose that Drouet was concentrating his troops at this place ; I consequentlv
moved 'on yesterday for the purpose of attacking him. On my approach to
the town, I found that the greater part of the enemy's troops had moved off the
preceding day, in the direction of Villa Franca, and that his rear guard was on
its march, covered by his cavalry, which skirmished with the hussars of ray
advanced guard, and retired after receiving a few rounds frgm the horse artil.
lery. In this town we found a few stores, of which the enclosed is a return.

522 SPAIN. 1812.
about 5000 men on tbe 20tb of December, covering their
operations against that place by another corps at Vejer, under
I thought it possible the enemy might have afforded me an opportunity of
doing something here.'
Lieut. General R. Hill to General Viscount Wellington, K.B,
' My Lord, ' Merida, 6th January, 1812.
' My letters of the 2nd and Srd instant would acquaint your Lordship of my
having, on tbe 1st instant, marched with the corps under my comraand to Al-
inendralejo, in the hope that Comte d'Erlon, who had collected the greater
part of his troops at that place, might have given me an opportunity of
coming in contact with him, as well as of my disappointment in that respect,
he having previously fallen back in the direction of Llerena, leaving only a
small rear guard in Almendralejo, which retired also ou our approach. I have
the honor to acquaint'yonr Lordship that it was my intention to have followed
the enemy, and failing in my desire to bring him to action, to have given him
every possible annoyance in his retreat ; but the dreadful state of tbe weather, the
condition of the roads (which are daily becoming worse), and the consequent
difficulty of getting up my supplies, render any further operations on my part
impossible for the present, without incurring risks and making sacrifices
greater than could have been justified by the occasion, or by your Lordship's
instructions. I therefore determined, after halting two days at Almendralejo,
and occupying Villa Franca and Fuente del Maestre, to put the troops in can-:
tonments in this town and neighbourhood, there to await a more favorable
opportunity of acting ; trusting that the alarm occasioned to the enemy by the
raovement already made will have in part effected one of the objects for which
I was instructed by your Lordship to take the field, A part of the troops
accordingly returned here yesterday, and the remainder are now on their
march ; the enemy being, by the last accounts which I have received, also in
full march towards the south, his rear guard having left Zafra and Los Santos
yesterday. 'Ihave tbe satisfaction to enclose for your Lordship's information a letter
from Lieut. Colonel the Hon. A. Abercromby, detailing the particulars of a suc
cessful attack, made by some of the 2nd hussars and Portuguese cavalry, acting
under his orders at Fuente del Maestre, on a body of the enemy's dragoons,
which reflects the greatest credit on Lieut. Colonel Abercromby who directed,
and the officers and non-commissioned officers and men who executed it.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' General Viscount Wellington, K.B.' ' R. Hill, Lieut. General.
Lieut. Colonel ike Hon. A. Abercromby to Lieut. General R. Hill.
' Sm, ' Merida, Sth January, 1812,
' In obedience to your orders, I marched ou the Srd instant from Almendra
lejo at noon, with the column you did me the honor to place under my com
mand, and reached Fuente del Maestre at a little after 4 o'clock in the evening
of that day. On my arrival, X learned that some of the enemy's cavalry were
still in the neighbourhood ; and having passed through the town, I halted the
column, and proceeded to reconnaitre in front. About 100 of the enemy's
horse were discovered on the Los Santos road, who, apparently ignorant of our
force, formed squadron, and advanced towards us. The Portuguese cavalry

1812.

gallegos.

523

the command of Marshal Victor, Their artillery for the
attack of Tarifa had not arrived on the 26th Deceraber. Colo
nel Skerrett was engaged with the enemy on the 20th, with
the piquets of the British and Spanish infantry and of the
garrison, and a detachment of the 95th. On the 21st, Cap
tain Weir, of the 11th regiment, with his company, destroyed
one of the enemy's piquets ; and, on the 22nd, Colonel Skerrett
made a sortie from Tarifa, in co-operation with the Spanish
troops under General Copons, in order to oblige the eneray to
show their force, on which occasion the eneray sustained con
siderable loss.

exchanged a few shots with them until the hussars were brought up ; tbe
enemy then halted, and showed a disposition to charge : in this, however, he
was quickly frustrated. The two squadrons of the hussars were formed on the
right, and one squadron of the 10th Portuguese cavalry on the left. In
stantly the enemy were charged on one flank by the squadron of Portuguese,
under Lieut. Colonel Campbell, and by Captain Cleves's squadron on the other.
The right hussar squadron remained in reserve. A few minutes decided the
contest. The enemy, being completely routed, left in our hands two officers
and thirty men, besides several killed. The squadron which remained in reserve
was then sent in pursuit, as far as prudence would allow.
' No language of mine can do sufficient justice to the gallantry of Lieut.
Colonel Campbell, as well as that of Lieut. Hutchinson, and the other officers
and men composing the squadron of Portuguese cavalry. Suffice it to say, that
on this occasion the hussars under Major Busche upheld the high military cha
racter they are so universally known to possess.
' This little affair has been achieved with very trifling loss on our side,
' Enclosed I have the honor to transmit to you a list of the killed and
woundedi ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' Lieut, Gen. Hill,' ' A. AsEacaoMBy, Lieut. Colonel.
Return ofthe Killed, Wounded, and Missing, of the Second Division of ihe Army
under His Excellency General Lord Fiscouni Wellington, K.B., in Action
with the Enemy near Fuente del Maestre, on the Srci of January, 1812.

6

b,
Total loss of OfBcers,
s
Non- Commissioned
2 S
SB
o
CO
1 Pi
1
in
Officers, and Rank
and File.
Killed ....
—
—
1
2
1
Wounded . . .
I
2
17
5
20
Missing
—
—
—
I
—
524 SPAIN. 1812.
' The object of Lieut, General Hill's moveraent into Estre
madura was to divert the enemy's attention from General
BaUesteros and from Tarifa ; and as General Drouet has
retired upon Llerena, making some sacrifices, I conclude that
Soult has either been ordered, or is determined to persevere in
his attack upon Tarifa.
' From the accounts which I have received of that place, it
appears to me quite impossible to defend it, when tbe enemy
shall be equipped to attack it. The utmost that can be done
is to hold the island contiguous to Tarifa, for which object
Colonel Skerrett's detachment does not appear to be necessary.
I do not believe that the enemy will be able to obtain posses-i
sion of the island, without which the town will be entirely
useless to thera ; and indeed if they had the island, as well as
the town, I doubt their being able to retain these possessions,
adverting to the means of attacking them with which General
Ballesteros might be supplied by the garrison of Gibraltar,
unless they should keep a force in the field in their neighbour
hood to protect them. '
' Under these circumstances, I have desired General HiU to
return to Portalegre, and to place his corps betvreen that town
and Castello Branco. My reason for giving him these orders
is^ that I think it not improbable that the enemy, finding that
they will not have time to concert an operation between the
armies of the North and of Portugal, and knowing that neither
of those armies separately can venture to attempt the relief of
Ciudad Rodrigo, will try to alarm me for the safety of ray
communication with General Hill, and with LisbdUi^by move
ments in the valley of Plasencia, by Lower Beira.
' General Hill's movement towards the Tagus will check
all these plans; and, whatever may happen, it will'be a great
convenience that he should be nearer this army during the
siege of Ciudad Rodrigo. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool: ' Wellington,
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to ihe Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My Lord, ' Gallegos, 15th January, 1812.
' We have continued our operations against Ciudad Rodrigo
since I addressed you on the 9th instant.

1812. GALLICGOS. 525
' We opened our fire from 22 pieces of ordnance, in three
batteries in the first parallel, yesterday afternoon ; and we
opened an approach to, and established ourselves in, our second
parallel, 150 yards frora the place, last night.
' This raeasure had been faciUtated by Lieut. General
Grahara having surprised the enemy's detachraent in the con
vent of S"' Cruz, close to the body of the place, on the night
of the 13th. The right of our approaches was protected and
secured by this operation. Major General the Hon. C. Col
ville, who commands the 4th division in the absence of Lieut.
General the Hon, G. L. Cole, likewise attacked the eneray's
post in the convent of San Francisco last night, and obtained
possession of that post, and of the other fortified posts in the
suburbs, where our troops are now lodged. Our left is pro
tected and secured by this operation. Two pieces of cannon
were taken in the convent of San Francisco.
' It appears that the preparations and movements which I
first made with a view to the attack of Ciudad Rodrigo had
the effect of inducing the enemy to raove back frora La
Mancha. ' The divisions of the army of Portugal, two of which had
gone as far as Cuenca, and the other to San Cleraente, returned
to Toledo in the beginning of this raonth ; and they are now
on their raarch, it is stated, towards Valladolid, to which place
Marshal Marraont went on the 5th frora Talavera. One divi
sion of infantry still reraained on the 12th instant at Naval-
moral, having detachments as far back as Talavera ; and it is
reported that a second division remained about Talavera.
' It appears that the governraents of Valladolid and Sala
manca, called the sixth and seventh governments, have been
placed under the directions of Marshal Marmont, and that
what can be plundered from those provinces is allotted for the
support of the troops under his comraand ; and the array of
the North are to be confined to the northern provinces,
' Preparations to a certain extent are making at Salaraanca
for the raoveraent of troops in this direction ; and 1 have re
ports that troops were to be collected at Salaraanca on this
day. It appears, however, that the enemy did not even know
at Salamanca that we had attacked Ciudad Rodrigo till the
13th ; and it is not probable that a sufficient force can be col
lected to oblige us to raise the siege, at least for some days.

526 SPAIN. 1812.
' I purpose, therefore, to continue th^ siege as long as I shall
think there is any prospect of success, and till I sball be certain
that the enemy have brought together such a force as to render
success hopeless, and the situation of the army critical.
' We have had, till now, very fine weather, and the troops
have suffered but little from exposure to it. I enclose the
returns of the casualties to the I4th instant,
' It is impossible for me, even now, to tell how much longer
the operations will last. No time has been lost yet ; and your
Lordship may be certain that every exertion will be made to
bring them to a successful termination-
' I have received no authentic accounts of the state of a;fFairs
in Valencia ; but I have reason to believe that, as late as the
24!th December, the enemy had not been able to make any
progress in their attack upon that place. It is supposed that,
unless powerfully supported, Marshal Suchet must retire.
' By the accounts from Cadiz to the 29th December, it
appears to be supposed that the French had not been able to
get their guns up to Tarifa, having been prevented by. the bad
weather, which continued to prevail generally throughpul t^?
Peninsula till the 5th and Gth of this raonth.
' By accounts from Lieut. General Hill to the Uth instant,
it appears that General Drouet had been reinforced from
SeviUe, and had advanced again towards Zafra. I think it
probable that General Hill will have moved on the 12th or
13th towards the frontiers of Portugal, according to the orders
which I informed your Lordship, in my dispatch of the 9th
instant, I had sent him. ' I have the honor to be, Sfc.
' The Earl of Liverpool' ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My Lord, ' Gallego^, 20th January, 1812,
' I informed your Lordship, in my dispatch of the 9^H, that
I had attafjied Ciudad Rodrigo, and in that of the 1.5th, of
the progress of the operations to that period, and I have now
the pleasure to acquaint your Lordship that we took the place
by storra yesterday evening after dark,
' We continued, frora the 15th to the 19th, to complete the
second parallel, and the communications with that work, and

1812, GALLKGOS, 527
we had made sorae progress by sap towards the crest of the
glacis. On the night of the 15th we likewise advanced from
the left of the first parallel down the slope of the hill towards
the convent of San Francisco to a situation frora which the
walls of the fausse braie and of the town were seen, on which
a battery for seven guns was constructed, and these comraenced
their fire on the morning of the 18th,
' In the raean time, the batteries in the first parallel con
tinued their fire ; and, yesterday evening, their fire had not
only considerably injured the defences of the place, but had
made breaches in the fausse braie wall, and in the body of
the place, which were considered practicable ; while the bat
tery on the slope of the hiU, which had been comraenced on
the night of the 15th, and had opened on the ISth, had been
equally efficient still farther to the left, and opposite tp the
suburb of San Francisco.
' 1 therefore deterrained to storm the place, notwithstanding
that the approaches had not been brought to the crest of the
glacis, and the counterscarp of the ditch was still entire. The
attack^was accordingly made yesterday evening, in five sepa
rate columns, consisting of the troops of the 3rd and Light
divisions, and of Brigadier General Pack's brigade. The two
right columns, conducted by Lieut. Colonel O'Toole of the
2nd caQadores, and Major Ridge of the 5th regiment, were
destined to protect the advance of Major General Mackinnon's
brigade, forming the Srd, to the top of the breach in the
fausse braie wall; and all these, being coraposed of troops of
the 3rd division, were under the direction of Lieut. General
Picton. ' The fourth coluran, consisting of the 43rd and 52nd regi
ments, and part of the 95th regiment, being of tbe Light
division, under the direction of Major General Craufurd,
attacked the breaches on the left in front of the suburb of San
Francisco, and covered the left of the attack of the principal
breach by the troops of the 3rd division ; and Brig. General
Pack was destined, with his brigade, forming the fifth column,
to make a false attack upon the southern face of the fort,
' Besides these five columns, the 94th regiment, belonging
to the Srd division, descended into the ditch in two columns
on the right of Major General Mackinnon's brigade, with a
view to protect the descent of that body into the ditch and its

528 SPAIN. 1812';
attack of the breacb in the fausse braie, against the obstacles
which it was supposed the enemy vvould construct to oppose
their progress.
' All these attacks succeeded ; and Brig. General Pack even
surpassed my expectations, having converted his false attack
into a real one ; and his advanced guard, under the coraraand
of Major Lynch, having followed the eneray's troops from the
advanced works into the fausse braie, where they made prison
ers all opposed to them.
' Major Ridge, of the 2nd batt. Sth regiment, having esca-
laded the fausse braie wall, stormed the principal breach in the
body of the place, together with the 94th regilnent, commanded
by Lieut. Colonel Campbell, which had moved alon^ the ditch
at the same time, and had stormed the breach in the fautese
braie, both in front of Major General Mackinnon's brigade.
Thus, these regiments not only efiectually covered the advance
from the trenches of Major General Mackinnon's brigade by
their first movements and operations, but they preceded them
in tbe attack.
' Major General Craufurd, and Major General Vandfeleur,
and the troops of the Light division, on the left, were likewise
very forward on that side ; and, in less than half an hour from
the time the attack, coramenced, our troops were in possession
of, and formed on the ramparts of the place, each body con
tiguous to the other. The enemy then submitted, having
sustained a considerable loss in the contest.
' Our loss was also, I ara concerned to add, severe, particu
larly in officers of high rank and estiraation in this array;
Major General Mackinnon was unfortunately blown up by
the accidental explosion of one of the eneray's expense raaga
zines, close to the breach, after he had gallantly and success
fully led the troops under his comraand to the attack. Major
General Craufurd likewise received a severe wound. * while he
was leading on the Light division to the storra, and 1 ara appre
hensive that I shall be deprived for some time of his assistance!
' Major General Vandeleur was likewise wounijed in the
same manner, but not so severely, and he was able to continue
in the field.
' I have to add to this list Lieut. Colonel Colborne of the
* The wound was mortal.

1812i ilALLKOOS.

529

52nd regiment, and Major George Napior *, who led the storm
ing party of the Light division, and was wounded on the top
of the breach.
' I have great pleasure in reporting to your Lordship the
uniform good conduct, and spirit of enterprise, and patience,
and perseverance in the performance of great labor, by which
the General officers, officers, and troops of the 1st, Srd, 4tli,
and Light divisions, and Brig. General Pack's brigade, by
whora the siege was carried on, have been distinguished during
the late operations,
' Lieut. General Graham assisted me in superintending the
conduct of the details of the siege, besides perforraing the
duties of the General Officer comraanding the 1st division ;
* Major General George Napier, C, B. On the return from the trenches to
the cantonments of the 62nd, at El Bodon, on the morning of the 17th January,
Major Napier and Lieut. Gurwood expressed to each other their mutual desire
of an opportunity for personal distinction in the event of Ciudad Rodrigo
standing an assault ; and they decided to submit their intentions to their friend
and Colonel, now Lieut. General Sir Johu Colborne, After mature delibera
tion, a letter was addressed to Major General Robert Craufurd in the following
terms :
* la ihe event of Ciudad Rodrigo sianding an assault, and that the Light division
should be employed in it, the following officers of the 62nd are desirous of offerirtff
their services : ' Major G, Napier to command the Storming Party.
'Lieut. Gurwood  ihe Forlorn Hope:
This paper, being recommended by Colonel Colborne, was carried by them in
the evening to the quarters of Major General Craufurd, to whom it was sent
up — no answer was returned.
The order for the march of the division to the trenches, out of its tnrn,
soon after daylight on the morning of the I9th, afforded the hope that it was
to be employed in the assault; but it was only on the arrival of the division
at La Caridad, when the orders from Head Quarters were received for the
formation of a storming party of 300 men, with a proportion of officers, that
the intentions of Major Napier and Lieut. Gurwood were made known, as
being appointed to specific commands in the assault. It was very apparent
that the same desire in raany of their brother officers, checked only by the
unwillingness to be taxed with presumption, had been thus anticipated ; and
Major Napier and Lieut. Gurwood watched, with increased anxiety, the tri-
colored,Il^f,on the tower near the lesser breach that it might not be struck,
and expose their announced demonstration for self-distinction to disappoint
ment. This was a nervous excitement absorbing all thoughts in the soldier,
who saw reputation and honor just within his grasp. Success, however, soon
banished this, to give way to feelings difficult to be imagined, still inore so to
be described.
In the subsequent more dangerous assaults of Badajoz, Burgos, and .San
Sebastian, the senior officers of each rank claimed privilege and preference :
but the breaches being insulated and better defended, unfortunately none
successfully survived the storm of them.
VOL. VIII. 2 M

530 SPAIN. 1812,
and I am much indebted to the suggestions and assistance I
received from hira for the success of this enterprise.
' The conduct of all parts of the Srd division *, in the opera
tions which they perforraed with so rauch gallantry and exact
ness on the evening of the 19th in the dark, afford the strongest
proof of the abilities of Lieut. General Picton and Major
General Mackinnon, by whom they were directed and led ;
but I beg particularly to draw your Lordship's attention to
the conduct of Lieut. Colonel O'Toole, of the 2nd caqadores,
of Major Ridge of the 2nd batt. 5th footf, of Lieut. Colonel
Campbell of the 94th regiraent J, of Major Manners of the
74th, and of Major Grey of the 2nd batt. 5th foot §, who has
been twice wounded during this siege.
' It is but justice also to the Srd division to report that the
men who performed the sap belonged to the 45th, 74th, and
88th regiments, under the coramand of Captain Macleod of
the Eoyal Engineers, and Captain Thompson of the 74tli,
Lieut. Beresford of the 88th, and Lieut. Metcalfe of the 45th,
and they distinguished themselves not less in the storra of the
place than they had in the performance of their laborious duty
during the siege.
' I have already reported, in my letter of the 9th instanty
my sense of t.he conduct of Major General Craufurd, and of
Lieut. Colonel Colborne, and of the troops of the Light divi
sion, in the storm of the ; redoubt of San Francisco, on the
evening of the 8th instant. The conduct of these troops was
equally distinguished throughout the siege ; and in the storm,
nothing could exceed the gallantry with which these brave
officers and troops advanced and accomplished the difficult
operation allotted to them, notwithstanding that all their leaders
had fallen.
' I particularly request your Lordship's attention to the con-.
duct of Major General Craufurd, Major General Vandeleur ||,
Lieut. Colonel Barnard of the 95th "fl", Lieut, Colonel Col
borne** Major Gibbsff, and Major Napier of the 52nd, and
* Lieut. Slackie, 88th, now Major Mackie, commanded the " forlorn hopft"-
of the assault of the great breach.
f Killed in the assault at Badajoz.
I The late Major General Sir James Campbell, K.C.B.
i,§ Colonel Grey, C.B,
II Lieut. General Sir John Vandeleur, G,C.B.
^ Lieut. General Sir Andrew Barnard, K.C.B.
** Lieut. General Sir John Colborne, K.CB.
ft Major General Gibbs, C,B,

\S\'2. 0\LLEGOS. 531
Lieut. Colonel Macleod of the 43rd'. The conduct of Captain
Duft'y of the 43rdf , and that of Lieut. Gurwood J of the 52nd
regiment, who was wounded, have likewise been particulariy
reported to me. Lieut. Colonel Elder and the Srd caqadores
were hkewise distinguished upon this occasion.
' The 1st Portuguese regiment, under Lieut. Colonel HUl,
and the 16th, under Colonel Campbell, being Brig. General
Pack's brigade, were likewise distinguished in the storm, under
the command of the Brigadier General, who particularly men
tions Major Lynch.
' In my dispatch of the 15th, I reported to your Lordship
the attack of the convent of S'^ Cruz by the troops of the 1st
division, under the direction of Lieut. General Graham, and
that of the convent of San Francisco on tbe 14th instant, under
the direction of Major General the Hon. C. Colville. The
first mentioned enterprise was performed by Captain Laroehe
de Starkerfels, of the 1st line batt. King's German Legion,
the last by Lieut. Colonel Harcourt, with tbe 40th regiment.
This reoiment remained from that time in the suburb of San
Francisco, and raaterially assisted our attack on that side oi
the place.
' Although it did not fall to the lot of the troops of the 1 st
and 4th divisions to bring these operations to a successful close,
they distinguished themselves throughout their progress by the
patience and perseverance with which they performed the labor
* Lieu* Colond Macleod was subsequently killed in the assault of Badajoz.
+ Colonel Duffy, C.B.
I Lieut. Colonel Gurwood, the compiler of this work. Lieut. Gurwood,
52nd reg., led the "forlorn hope" of the Light division in the assault of
the lesser breach. He afterwards took the French Governor, General Barrio,
in the citadel ; and, from the hands of Lord Wellington, on the breach by
which he bad entered, he received the sword of his prisoner. The permission
accorded by the Duke of Wellington to compile this work has donbtless been
one of the distinguished consequences resulting from this service,, and Lieut.
Colonel Gurwood feels pride, as a soldier of fortune, in here offering himself as
an encouraging example to the subaltern in future wars.
The detail of the assault of Ciudad Rodrigo by tbe lesser breach is of too little
importance, excepting to tJiose who served in it, to become a matter of history.
The Compiler, however, takes this opportunity of observing, that Colonel Wil
liam Napier has been misinformed respecting the conduct; of the " forlorn hope,"
in the account given of it by him, aa it appears in the appendix of thefburtft
volume (first edition) of his " History of the Peninsular War." A cori;ece
statement, and proofs of it, have been since furnished to Colonel W. Napier, for
any futnre edition of his work, which will render any further notice of it here
unnecessary.
2m2

532 SPAIN. 1812.
of the siege. The brigade of Guards, under Major General
H. Campbell, were particularly distinguished in this respect.
' I hkewise request your Lordship's attention to the conduct
of Lieut. Colonel Fletcher, the chief engineer, and of Brigade
Major Jones, and the officers and men of the Royal Engineers.
The ability with which these operations were carried on exceeds
all praise ; and I beg leave to recomraend these officers to your-
Lordship most particularly.
' Major Dickson of the Royal .Artillery, attached to the
Portuguese artillery, has for some time had the direction of the
heavy train attached to this army, and has conducted the intri
cate details of the late operation, as he did that of the two sieges
of Badajoz in the last summer, much to my satisfaction. The
rapid execution produced by the well directed fire kept up
from our batteries affords the best proof of the merits of the
officers and men of the Royal ArtiUery, and of the Portuguese
artillery, employed on this occasion ; but I must particularly
mention Brigade Major May *, and Captains Holcombe,
Power, Dynely, and Dundas, of the Royal ArtiUery, and
Captains Da Cunha and Da Costa, and Lieut. Silva, of the
1st regiment of Portuguese artillery,
' I have likewise particularly to report to your Lordship
the conduct of Major Sturgeon ofthe Royal Staff corps f. He^
constructed and placed for us the bridge oVer the Agueda,
without which the enterprise could not have been attempted ;
and he afterwards raaterially assisted Lieut. General Graham
and myself in our reconnaissance of the place on which the
plan of the attack was founded; and he finally conducted the
2nd batt. 5th regiment, as well as the 2nd cacadores, to their
points of attack,
' The Adjutant General, and the Deputy Quarter Master
General, and the officers of their several departments, gave me
every assistance throughout this service, as well as those of my
personal Staff; and I have great pleasure in adding that, not
withstanding the season of the year, and the increased difficul
ties of procuring supplies for the troops, the whole army have.
been well supplied, and every branch of the service provided
for during the late operations, by the indefatigable exertions
" Major General Sir John May, K.C.B.
f- Killed near Vic Bigorre in 1813.

1812.

(JALLirudS.

5.33

of Mr. Commissary General Bissett, and the officers belonging
to his department.
' The Mariscal de Campo, Don Carlos de Espana, and Don
Julian Sanchez, observed the enemy's movements beyond the
Tormes during the operations of the siege ; and I am ranch
obliged to them, and to the people of Castille in general, for
the assistance I received frora them. The latter have invari
ably shown their detestation of the French tyranny, and their
desire to contribute, by every means in their power, to re
move it.
' I shall hereafter transmit to your Lordship a detailed ac
count of what we have found in the place ; but I believe that
there are 153 pieces of ordnance, including the heavy train
belonging to the French array, and great quantities of ararau
nition and stores. We have the Governor, General Barrie,
about 78 officers, and 1700 men, prisoners,
' I transmit this dispatch by ray aide de carap. Major the
Hon. A. Gordon*, who will give your Lordship any further
details you may require ; and I beg leave to recommend him
to your protection. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool' ' Wellington.
Return of Killed, Wounded, and Missing, of the army under the command of Gene
ral Viscmmt Wellington, K.B., during the siege, and in the assault of Ciudad
Rodrigo, from the Sth to the 19th of January, 1812,

a3

.-3
b
Total loss of Officers,
,J!
3
Non-commissioned
i
ci3
i
OfiBcers, and Rank
§
f
i
i
and File.
o
!»
M
a
Killed . . .
9t
11
158

178
Wounded
70
35
7)3
—
818
Missing .
—
—
7
—
7
* Killed at Waterloo.
f Among the killed was Captain Dobbs, 52nd regiment, who had distin
guished himself at the bridge of Marialva, and in the affair of Sabugal, where
he recovered the howitzer taken by the 43id regiment, but retaken by the
enemy. He was killed in the assault ofthe lesser breach. Captain Dobbs was
a fine fellow, and a firsD-rate soldier; possessing qualifications which would
have done honor to a much higher rank, than that in which he died.
534 SPAIN. 1812.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
,' My dear Lord, ' Gallegos. 20th January, 1812.
' You will receive with this the account of the successful
termination of our operation, in half the time that I told you
it would take, and less than half that which the French spent
in taking the same place from the Spaniards, as you wiU see by
referring to the dispatches of that period.
' Marmont is collecting his army. He was to be at Sala
manca to-morrow, and he talks of raising the siege with
50,000 men on the 29th.
' I enclose you a copy of a letter from Mr. Stuart, which
contains bad news, and a paper published at Cadiz, giving
accounts of the same events.
' It is not true that a single man of Marmont's army, or
Dorsenne' s, has gone to Valencia ; and if  and his array
jare taken, I attribute this event to  's ignorance of his
profession, and  s cowardice and treachery.
' Believe me, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool' ' Wellingjton.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Lord Aylmer.
' My dear Lord, ' Gallegos, 20th January, 1812.
' Your brother-in-law, General Mackinnon *, was unfortu
nately blown up by the explosion of one of the eneray's maga
zines on the ramparts of Ciudad Rodrigo, after he had led the
storm of the breach by his brigade. I have recoramended his
widow, and children, if he has any, to Mr. Perceval ; and I
have informed hira that raeasures should be taken to apprize
hira of the state of the circumstances in whicli they have been
left. You must perform this task ; and wait upon Mr.
Perceval, and tell him that you do so by my desire.
' Believe me, &c.
' Lord Aylmer: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., io the Right Hon.
Henry Wellesley.
' Sir, ' Gallegos, 21st Janufiry, 1812.
' I have the honor to transmit, by Brig. General Alava, a
copy of my dispatch to the Secretary of State, giving an
account of the capture of Ciudad Kodrigo.
* He was buried by the officers of the Coldstream Guards at Espeja.

1812. GALLKGOS. 5.35
' Brig. General Alava having been with me throughout
these operations, will be able to add such details as I may
have omitted ; and I beg you to inform the Spanish Govern
ment that I ara much indebted to hira, and to Mariscal de
Carapo Don Carlos de Espana, and Don Julian Sanchez, for
the success of this operation.
' The people of Castille have shown on this, as indeed on
every occasion in which I have had any thing to do with thein,
their detestation of the French yoke, and their desire to con
tribute to the defeat of the enemy by every means in their
power. * I have given the place, and all it contains, over to the
Captain General Castanos, who is in this part of the country.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
• The Right Hon. H. Wellesley. ' Wellington.
' P.S, I also enclose copies of ray dispatches to the Secretary
t)f State of the 15th instant, and of this date.'
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My Lord, ' Gallegos, 21st January, 1812.
' I have received reports stating that Marshal Marmont,
having arrived at Valladolid on the 11th, had heard about the
15th of the operations against Ciudad Rodrigo. I see, by an
intercepted letter, that he intended to be at Salamanca on this
day, and I have been inforraed that he had given directions for
the collection of his army on the Tormes by the 25th, and he
expected to relieve Ciudad Rodrigo by the 29th. General
Dorsenne was to accompany Marshal Marraont to Salamanca
on this day, but I have not heard that any of the troops of the
army of the north were likely to be on the Tormes, excepting
Thiebault's division,
' The division of infantry under General Bonet has been
withdrawn frora the Asturias, and has been added to the
army of Portugal. These troops are now on their march
towards the Torraes, and had passed Benavente when I last
heard from that quarter. The division under the command of
General Souham, which has always continued in CastiUe, be
tween the Tormes and the Douro, since the enemy reUeved
Ciudad Rodrigo in Septeraber last, has Ukewise been added to

636 SPAIN. 1812'
the same army. This division is strong, and I should imagine
the two would araount to about 13,000 men. These reinforce-"
ments would increase the ariny of Portugal to about 45,000
men, as it is certain that the whole have returned from the
eastward, and are between Valladolid and the Tagus. These
troops, with Thi6bault''s division, are what Marmont can now
collect upon the Tonnes,' and it is reported that they will
amoiint to 50,000 men.
' I am concerned to have to inform your Lordship that
Marshal Suchet attacked General Blake's position in front of
Valencia, on the 26th of December. The divisions of Villa
Carapa and Maby, and General Freyre's cavalry were cut -off
from General Blake and Valencia, and General Mahy retreated
to the position of Alcira, across the Jucar; these troops
haying suffered considerably in the action, and having lost all
their artillery. By accounts from Alicante of the 1st, it ap
pears that General Mahy was retreating upon that city.
' It is not known what had occurred in Valencia, or on the
right of the army, on the 26th, but firing was beard in the
city on that day and the 27th. It is stated that Marshal
Suchet had been reinforced by troops detached from Madrid,
find in a report of General Mahy's, from Alcira, of the 27tb
ultimo, published at Cadiz, on the 11th instant, I see that he
states that Marshal Suchet had beert reinforced by troops from
the array under the command of Marshal Marmont. But
what I have above stated of the army of Portugal, will show
your Lordship that, although a part of the array of Portugal
marched in the direction of Valencia, the whole have returned
and never entered that kingdom.
' By accounts from Cadiz to the 10th instant, I learn that
the enemy had broke ground regularly before Tarifa, i^nd
having brought up their heavy artillery opened their fire upon
the place on the 29th December, and imraediately effected a
breach in the walls. They atterapted to carry this breach by
storra on the 31st December, but were beat off by the gallant
troops under the coramand of General Copons and Colonel
Skerrett, coraposing the garrison ; and notwithstanding that
by a continued fire from that day to the evening of the 4th
January, the enemy had completely laid the town open, they
did not venture to assault it again, but retired ih the night of
^hc 4th instant, leaving behind thera seven pieces of cannon

.1812, GALLKGOS. 537
and two heavy howitzers, and all the carriages and stores
collected for the siege,
' I do not send your Lordship Colonel Skerrett's reports,
as I understand from Major General Cooke that he has trans
mitted them* ; but I cannot refrain from expressing my admiT
• Major General Coohe to ihe Earl of Liverpool, Secretary of Stale.
' My Lobd, ' Cadiz, 29th December, 1811.
' I beg leave to refer your Lordship to the copy of ray last dispatch to
General Lord Viscount Wellington, with the papers enclosed in it, relative to
the situation of affairs at Tarifa.
' I have not received any thing from thence since the 24th, at which date
the French had not brought up their artillery ; and there has been so much
Tain during the last two days, that they may have met with great difficulties.
' 1 have the honor to be, &c.
' Vie Earl of Liverpool.' Geo, Cooke, Major General.
Extract of a letter from Major Gen. Cooke to General Viscount Wellington, K.B. ,
dated Cadiz, 2'Jth December, 1811.
' I have the honor to transmit copies of dispatches from Colonel Skerrett to
the date of the 24th.
. ' The enemy's troops, in addition to those employed immediately against
Tarifa, extended across the plain to Veger, where Marshal Victor had his
quarters with a strong corps. I do not learn any thing of General Ballesteros
since my last.' Colonel Skerrett to Major General Cooke.
' Sir, 'Tarifa, 24th December, 181 1.
' I have the honor to report that, on the 20th instant, the enemy invested
this town with from 4000 to 5000 infantry; and from 200 to 300 cavalry. As
it was not advisable to fight so superior a force, I resisted him for au hour with
the cavalry and infantry, Spanish and British piquets of the garrison, reinforced
by a company of the 95th, and two 6 pounder field guns, of Captain Hughes's
brigade. The loss of the enemy was considerable. On the 21st, Captain Wren^
of the Id th, destroyed, with his company, a small piquet of the enemy. On
the 22nd, I made a sortie at the request of General Copons, and in conjunction
with his troops, with the intention to ascertain the numbers of the enemy,. by
inducing him to show his columns. His light troops suffered considerably
from our shells. The enemy is now making his approaches at a long musket
shot from the town : but the ground so completely commands us, and is so
favorable to him, that our small guns have little or no effect upon him.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' Major General Cooke.' ' J. B. Skerrett, Colonel.
Major General Cooke to the Earl of Liverpool, Secretary of State.
' My Lord, ' Cadiz, 31st December, 1811.
' I have received a dispatch from Colonel Skerrett, dated yesterday, of which
I enclose a copy. It appears that the enemy had brought up four 16 pounders
and some howitzers, and had opened their fire against the wall on the 29th.
The shipping had been driven away by the gales of wind.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool: ' Guo. Cooke, Major General

538 SPAIN. 1812.
ration of the conduct of Colonel Skerrett, and the brave troops
under his command, nor from recommending them to the pro
tection of your Lordship.
Colonel Skerrett to Major General Cooke.
'Sir, 'Tarifa, 30th December, 1811.
' In my last I had the honor to state that the enemy had invested this town
on the 20th instant; sinee which period he has rapidly carried on a regular
.parallel and approach against the wall of the town, which I consider as doing
much honor to the garrison.
' I have several'times found it necessary to drive back the enemy's advance,
and to interrupt his works, in which we have met with a slight loss, and the
enemy, from being exposed to the fire of the few small guns we possess on the
towers, has suffered considerably. It was only on these occasions that we ma
terially annoyed the enemy ; for the wall of the town is so completely com
manded, that, in a few hours' work, he has every where much better cover than
ourselves. ' The enemy yesterday opened his fire at half past ten, and continued to
batter in breach at a distance of about 300 yards, with four French 16 pounders
on the East wall, near the Retiro gate, and four howitzers, and other smaller
pieces playing on the island and causeway. He continued a constant fire until
night, the first and each shot passing through the wall, and through some of
the houses in the rear of it. Before night a practicable breach was effected.
He this day continued to widen the breach, and, I imagine, will not attempt the
assault until it is extended to the tower on each flank (a space of about forty
yards) . I have traversed the streets and taken the only measure by which
there is a chance of preserving the place — that of defending the houses. The
enemy's force employed in the siege is stated at 10,000; probably this is in
some degree exaggerated. A constant fire of musketry is interchanged. I
have particularly to regret the loss of the service of Lieut. Guanter, Deputy
Assistant Quarter Master General, a very inteUigent and brave officer, who is
severely wounded. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' Major General Cooke: ' J, B, Skerrett, Colonel.
Major General Cooke to the Earl of Liverpool, Secretary of State.
' My Lord,
' I beg to congratulate your Lordship upon the complete failure of the
enemy's expedition against Tarifa, and to refer you to the enclosed copy of my
letter to General Lord Wellington, conveying Colonel Skerrett's reports of the
French having been repulsed with great loss in assaulting the breach which
they had effected in the wall, and of their having retreated on the night of the
4th, leaving their heavy artillery and a quantity of stores on the ground.
' Your Lordship will see that Colonel Skerrett, and the brave troops under
his command, have thoroughly done their duty. He has expressed his sense of
the effectual co-operation of the Spanish troops under General Copons, who in
his report gives his full approbation of the conduct of Colonel Skerrett, and the
British troops under his orders, upon this, as he has done upon former occasions,
during the last three months.
' Captain O'Donoghue, of the 47th regiment, acting aide de camp to Colonel
Skerrett, has charge of this dispatch, and will give your Lordship any details
relative to the late events at Tarifa. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' TTie Earl of Liverpool.' ' G. Cooke, Major General,

1812. OALLKGOS. .*l39
' The troops under the comraand of Lieut, General Hill,
have passed the frontiers of Portugal, and the left of them are.
Major General Cooke to General Viscount Wellington, K.B.
' My Lord, ' Cadiz, 10th January, 1812.
' I last night received a dispatch from Colonel Skerrett, dated the 1st instant,
of which I have the honor to transmit a copy, reporting the defeat of a strong
column of the enemy on the day before, in an assault of the breach which they
had made in the wall of Tarifa. ¦
' I received at the same tirae intelligence from Lieut. General Campbell, that
the French had broke up from before the place in the night of the 4th,
leaving their artiUery, &c,, and retiring by a pass of La PeSa, under the fire of
the navy.
' I have this morning received Colonel Skerrett's report of that most satis
factory event, by his aide de camp Captain O'Donoghue, aud I beg leave to
refer your Lordship to the copies of them.
' I have the honor to be, &c,
' General Viscount Wellington, K.B: ' G. Cooke, Major General.
Colonel Skerrett to Major General Cooke.
' Sir, ' Tarifa, 1st January, 1812.
' In my last I had the honor to state that the enemy commenced to bat
ter in breach on the 29th December, since which period until yesterday he
kept up a heavy fire of cannon on the breach, and of shells on the town, cause
way, and island. At 8 o'clock on the morning ofthe Sist December, a strong
column was seen rapidly advancing to the breach ; our musketry several times
checked the enemy ; and the firm front and^intrepid behaviour of the troops, in
less than au hour, gained a complete victory. The most bold of the enemy fell
near the foot of the breach, and the mass of the column made a precipitate
retreat. ' The situation of the enemy's wounded, with which the ground was covered
between his battery and our fire, where they must inevitably have perished,
induced me, from motives of compassion, to hoist a flag of truce to carry them
off. Some were brought into the place over the breach, but from the extreme
difficulty attending this, I allowed the enemy to carry the remainder away.
General Laval, the French Commander in Chief, expressed his acknowledge
ment for the conduct of the British and Spanish nations on this occasion, in
the most feeling and grateful terms. We have made prisoners 10 officers, and
20 or 30 soldiers ; the enemy's loss has been very severe. The column that
attacked the breach was 2000 men, composed of aU the grenadiers and volti
geurs of the army. The enemy invested this town on the 20th December ;
since which period, 1000 British, and 700 or 800 Spanish troops, with only the
defence of a wall, which appears to have been built as a defence against
archery, and before the use of gunpowder, have resisted an army of 10,000
men, with a regular battering train of artillery, and have at last defeated and
repulsed them.
' The wall of the town has the additional disadvantage of being commanded
within half musket shot, and flanked or taken in reverse in almost every part.
'The conduct of all the troops has been admirable; and that of Lieut.
Colonel Gough *, and the 2nd batt, of the 87th regiment, exceeds all praise.
Equal credit is due to the indefatigable exertions of Captain Smith's f Royal
* Major General Sir H. Gough, K.C.B.
t Colonel Sir Charles Felix Smith, C.B., &c.

540 SPAIN. 1812.
I believe, this day at Castello Branco. General Drouet had
not arrived at Merida, according to the last accounts.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
.' The Earl of Liverpool:. ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, K.B,, to General Victoria.
i gjjj • Gallegos, 22nd January, 1812.
' I received your Excellency's letter of the Sth instant. I
had received the most positive information that Don Joa5Leal,
who was employed by you to get intelligence of the enemy's
Engineers, to whom much of our success is due. I have on all occasions
received the greatest assistance from the mihtary experience and the great
exertions of Lieut. Colonel Lord Proby, second in command.
¦ ' We have to regret the loss of two officers kiUed, Lieut. Longley, Royal
Engineers, and Lieut. Hall, 47th regiment. ' I have the honor to be, &c,
¦' Major General Cooke: ' J, B. Skerrett, Colonel.
Colonel Skerrett to Major Generai Cooke.
< Sir, ' Tarifa, 5th January, 1812.
' In my letter of the 1st instant, I had the honor to relate the particulars of
our proceedings here, and of our victory at the breach. Since that period, the
enemy has kept up a partial fire, and the breach was yesterday completely open
for a space of 26 or 30 yards.
' From the movements of the enemy last night, I was induced to supjpose he
intended another assault, and the garrison waited in eager expectation to give
him another proof of British valor. To our astonishment, this morning at day
light the columns of the enemy were already at a distance, having taken ad
vantage of a dark and stormy night to make a precipitate retreat, leaving in
our possession all his artillery, ammunition, stores, &c. &c.
' I immediately ordered Major Broad, with a part of the 47th regiment, to
follow the enemy ; he took possession of his zirtillery, waggons, and a quantity
of stores, time enough to save them from the flames, the enemy having set fire
to them. We have made some prisoners. From the number of dead found
on the ground the enemy occupied, his loss on the whole must have been very
great, ' ' Marshal Victor was present in the French camp to give orders for the
retreat. ' We have thus seen the greatest effort the French are capable of making,
frustrated by 1 800 British and Spanish troops, with only the defence of a paltry
waU ; and an army of 10,000 men, commanded by a Marshal of France, retreat
ing from them silently iu the night, after having been repulse"d and defeated,
leaving behind all their artillery and stores, collected at a great expense and by
immense exertions.
• ' I enclose a return of artillery and stores taken from the enemy.
' The unremitting vigilance and exertion, the zeal and intrepidity of every
individual of this garrison, is above praise.
' 1 have the honor to dispatch this by my acting aide de camp Captain

1812.

gallegos.

.511

movements, was a spy employed by General Philippon, the
Governor of Badajoz. There can be no doubt of this fact,
and I therefore directed that he should be arrested ; and he
must be given over to the person who will deraand hira on the
part of General Castaiios, in order to be tried as a spy,
' If I could entertain a doubt upon the fact of his being a
French spy, the nature of the intelligence which he gave to
your Excellency, and which you communicated to rae, would'
have convinced rae of it. I have never seen any thing of the
kind so impudently false and extravagant ; and it is obvious
that he communicated it to you that he might have, through
your protection, the means of acquiring real intelligence for
the enemy. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' General Victoria: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., io Major General Peacocke.
' Mv DEAR General, ' Gallegos, 22nd January, 1812.
' I shall be much obliged to you if you will let me know by
return of post whether the duty at Fort St. Julian can be done
without the battalion of marines now stationed there.
' Believe me, &c.
' Major General Peacocke: ' Wellington.

O'Donoghue, of the 47th regiment, who is in possession of every informatioiv
relative to my proceedings at this place, an officer of great merit and consider-,
able length of service. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' Major General Cooke: ' J. B. Skerrett, Colonel.
Retwm of Killed, Wounded, and Missing, ofthe troops under the command of
Colonel Skerrett, at Tarifa,from Dec. 24, 1811, to Jan. 1, 1812.

Total loss of Officers,
jO
c
Non-commissioned
c3
^ -
o
Officers, and Rank
and File.
o
^-
«
a
Killed . . .
2

8
6
10
. Wounded . . .
6
—
56
9
62
Missing . . .
—
—
1
—
1
542 SPAIN. 1812.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., io Lieut. General Hill.
' My dear Hill, 'Gallegos, 22nd January, 1812. 11 p.m.
' Major Gordon will have shown you my dispatch to the
Secretary of State, containing the account of the storm of
Ciudad Rodrigo.
' It appears that Marmont is assembling his army upon the
Tormes, and I saw this day an order for the preparation of
rations at Banos for 20,000 men, which looks like the march of
a column into the valley of the Alagon. We have not yet
received your distribution, but I shall be obliged to you if you
will place three brigades of the 2nd division, including the
Portuguese brigade, at and about Castello Branco, extending
towards Idanba a Nova ; send the heavy 6 pounders across
likewise. If I should see occasion to move these troops, I
shall do so by orders from hence, and you can join them after
wards, before tbey can come in contact with the enemy.
' Send a squadron or two of cavalry across the Tagus to
look out to their front towards Zarza la Mayor.
' I suspect, that if Marmont should raove upon this army,
either by way of saving appearances, or really to endeavor
to regain possession of Ciudad Rodrigo, before we can have
put the place in order, he will turn us by tbe Puerto de,
Perales ; in that case, I propose to cut off the troops which he
will employ in this operation, unless they should be very
numerous. I intend that you should move upon Moraleja, &c.,
while the troops of this array, keeping their front upon the
Agueda and Bayllo, shall attack the corps which will come up
by Perales, and drive them back upon you. If you should
have three brigades at and in front of Castello Branco, and the
rest cantoned in column, ready to follow, you will be fully
prepared for all that I propose for you, I think it raost pro
bable, however, that when Marmont shall have heard of our
success, he will not raove at all.
' Our trenches and batteries will be effaced to-morrow, and
the trenches will be in a state of defence against a coup de main
to-morrow, or next day, and the town provisioned and in
order. ' Marraont was to be at Salaraanca yesterday, his army
was to be on the Tormes the 25th, and he expected to raise the
siege on the 29th. The orders for the preparations for the

1812, ¦ oallegos. 543
march of troops by Baiios, are for the 21st, 22nd, and 23rd,
but there were no moveraents on the Tormes on the 20th, and
none at Navalraoral on the 19th, ' Believe me, &c,
' Lieut General Hill' ' Wellington.
MEMORANDUM
For Major General Borthwick, Major Dickson, and J. Bissett, Esq.
' 26th January, 1812.
' 1. As soon as the gun bullocks shall have brought in the
ordnance to Alraeida, it is desirable that the sixteen 24
pounders carronades (howitzers) should be sent off to the
Alentejo by eight buUocks to each,
' They might go by easy stages, and the 150 bullocks
required to draw the bridge might accompany them, in order
to assist in their reraoval,
' 2, Twenty 24 pounder guns and their carriages, and six
spare carriages with their necessary small stores, should like
wise be removed from Almeida to Barca d'Alva, They should
there be embarked in boats and sent down to Oporto, and
thence by sea to Setuval.
' 3, A letter has been written to Mr. Boyes, to request him
to send to Oporto all the 24 pounder shot and spherical case
shot that is at Villa da Ponte, and all the powder (900 barrels)
that is at Pezo da Regoa to Oporto ; to be there embarked
and sent to Setuval by sea without loss of time.
• 4, As soon as the timber shall be brought to Alraeida from
Ciudad Rodrigo, and the bridge shall be brought on the trans
porting carriages to the sarae place from the neighbourhood
of Gallegos, the bullocks should be turned to grass.
' 5. 1000 barrels of gunpowder, recently arrived from
England at Lisbon, to be ordered imraediately to Setuval.
, ' Wellington.'
General Viscount Wellington, KB., io Lieut, General Hill
' My dear Hill, ' Gallegos,, 28th January, 1812.
' The enemy have not advanced from the Torraes, and we
are every day getting on with the re-establishraent of Ciudad
Rodrigo, so that I hope to have the place in a good state in a
few days, and I propose immediately to replace the army in
their old cantonraents.

544 SPAIN, 1812,
' I am therefore turning my mind seriously to Badajoz,
and Major Dickson goes off to the Alentejo on the day after
to-raorrow, and I hope to be in a situation to begin our opera
tions there in the 2nd week in Mal-ch, Araong other arrange
ments, I am sending frora hence sixteen 24 pounder carron
ades, which answer either as 24 pounder guns, or 5| inch
howitzers, and I think that by means of part of this equip
ment you might be enabled to render an iraportant service,
which would go a great way towards enabling us to secure our
object at Badajoz.
' When we shall attack Badajoz, we raust expect that th^
army of Portugal, consisting of eight divisions of infantry, the
whole of which are now in Castille, and the array of the south,-
will co-operate to oblige us to raise the siege. The army of
Portugal would naturally cross the Tagus by their bridge at
Almaraz, and they would be obliged, at the season of the year
in which I propose to undertake this operation, to go round
even by Toledo, if we could destroy their bridge and othet^
establishments at that place. This is what I wish^you to
attempt. ' You probably went to look at the bridge of Almaraz when
the array were at Jaraicejo in the month of August, 1809-
As Well as I recollect, the Puerto de Mirabete commands the
whole ground to the river, the descent from the Puerto being
about a league. The French have there three works defended
by fifteen pieces of cannon (8 pounders) and a howitzer ; that
is to say, one. I beUeve, at the Puerto, and two others below, to
defend the bridge, one being at each side of the river. I am
not quite certain, however, of the locality of the works,
and some accounts have given me reason to believe that the?
works, besides the one at the Puerto de Mirabete, are redoubts
thrown up for the defence of a sraall village called Lugar
Nuevo, on one side of the river, and of another called Casas
del Puerto, on the left side, and about a mile and a half
below the Puerto de Mirabete, If this be true, it would be
possible to destroy the bridge without taking the works; and
at all events, if it is not true, and that the works are near the
river, and properly tetes de pont, they must be very bad ones;
as I recoUect perfectly, that the ground falls on the left side to
the banks of the river, from the Puerto de Mirabete, and
almost an equal distance on the right side.

1812. oallkoos, 545
' Under these circumstances, it appears to me that you will
have no difficulty in destroying the enemy's bridge at Almaraz,
and I hope that you raay have it in your power to destroy
their stores and estabUshments there,
' The earrison of the three works consists of 450 men, in-
o
eluding artillerymen, sappers, &c., and as long as the enemy
remain in CastiUe, they cannot be assisted or reinforced. If
I should find that the eneray move frora Castille again into
Estreraadura, I could easily apprize you of their movement in
time to stop you, if it should be necessary.
* The equipment which you should take with you for the
purposes of this operation, should be eight or ten ladders,
from eighteen to twenty feet in length, about twenty felling
axesj and three or four crowbars ; a coil of good rope raight
be of use to enable you to tow the boats to a situation in which
you could burn them. Besides, I would recommend you to
take four or five of the 24 pounder carronades, which are
going into the Alentejo for the purposes of the siege of Bada
joz : these carronades are mounted upon travelling carriages
with axletrees of the same span as the Portuguese artillery
and the carts of the country ; they can therefore travel any
where, they weigh the same in travelling as our 9 and heavy
6 pounders, and are drawn by eight horses; they are now
traveUing with bullocks, but I will to-morrow send you the
route by which they are to march, and I recommend to you
to send horses belonging to your heavy brigade, or to your
horse artillery, to meet and bring them up to you quicker
than the bullocks can bring them ; each of them has on its
carriage every thing for its use, excepting shot, powder, and
cartridges, and it is desirable that you should without delay
adopt the following measures to procure these articles,
' You should send to Elvas to have selected from the stores
there, 100 English 24 pounder shot for each carronade that
you will take. I say English 24 pounder shot, because any
thing larger will not fit them ; you should likewise draw from
the stores of the army, either at Elvas or Abrantes, fifty 5|
inch shells for each, and about twenty 5J inch spherical cases
for each, if there are so many ; the stores at Elvas will supply
the quantity of powder sufficient for these shot and shells.
The Commissary must get mule carts, if possible, to carry
these stores upon your expedition, if not bullock carts ; thirty
VOL, vm. 2 N

54G SPAIN. 1812.
or forty shot or shells will go in a cart easily ; that part of
the equipment taken frora Elvas, might be given out to be
for the use of Carapo Mayor, Ouguela, and Alburquerque.
' I should hope that all the preparations would be made by
tbe time that the carronades would arrive at Portalegre. I
would then recoramend the following disposition to you : that
General Hamilton and the Portuguese division, and Portu
guese cavalry, should observe the garrison of Badajoz ; that
Generals Morillo and the Conde de Penne Villemur should
observe the bridge of Merida, and the movements of the Sth
corps in Lower Estremadura ; while you should move with the
2nd division, the British cavalry, and such part , of the 6
pounder brigade, and of the horse artillery, as should be
equipped, after equipping the howitzers as above desired, by
Caceres direct upon Jaraicejo, and thence upon the Puerto
de Mirabete. ' Believe me, &c.
' Lieut General HiU. ' Wellington.
' You will of course collect your corps from this side of the
Tagus whenever you please.'
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to Major Dickson, R.A.
? My dear Sir, ' Gallegos, 28th January, 1812. 11 p,M,
' I rauch fear that we must send the 24 pounder guns into
the Alentejo, I wish you would corae here to-morrow morn
ing at an early hour, ' BeUeve me, &c.
' Major Dickson: 'Wellington. ¦
MEMORANDUM ON THE OPERATIONS AGAINST BADAJOZ.
For Major General Borthwick, Major Dickson, Colonel Fletcher, and
the Commissary General. ' 28th January, 1812.
' Major Dickson will proceed to Setuval in order to arrange
the removal of the ordnance and stores from Setuval to Elvas,
passing by Elvas. He will require to go to Elvas seven days ;
to go to Evora two days, to Alcacer do Sal one day ; to Setuval
two days : in all twelve days.
' Mr. Bisset will be so kind as immediately to order an in-

1812, GALLEGOS. 547
telligent Commissary to Setuval, with directions to make the
preparations of boats to convey the heavy ordnance and stores
from Setuval to Alcacer do Sal.
' The same Commissary is likewise to coraraunicate with the
magistrates of Evora and Alcacer do Sal and Setuval, to pro
cure bullocks and carts to remove the ordnance and stores
from Alcacer do Sal to Elvas.
* Supposing these arrangements to be ready by the time of
Major Dickson's arrival at Setuval, and that he can iramediately
comraence removing the ordnance and stores from the trans
ports, it will then take seven days to remove the ordnance and
stores from the transports to the boats, four days to arrive at
Alcacer do Sal ; four days to prepare to move from Alcacer
do Sal; twelve days to march to Elvas: in all thirty eight
days.
' Wellington,'
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., io Major Dickson, R.A.
' My DEAR Sir, ' Gallegos, 29th January, 1812,
' I have seen Fletcher, who says the 18 pounders will answer
if we cannot get 24 pounders, carronades, nine feet long ;
and I have written to the Admiral, to request him to send
24 pounders to Setuval of these dimensions, if he can get
them at Lisbon ; if he cannot, to send 18 pounders of
these dimensions, each of them with 700 rounds of Carron
shot. ' You will do well before you leave Almeida, to arrange
that all the 18 pounder carriages, and the deficiency of 24
pounder carriages, should be put in order ; and the guns
taken off of them preparatory to travelling,
' I have sent your memorandum to the Admiral, in respect
to yokes and transporting carriages to be sent to Setuval.
But you will do well to write yourself to General Rosa.
' I write to Major Tulloh to find out if there are any 24
pounder or 18 pounder Carron guns nine feet long at Elvas.
If there are, it is of course useless for you to bring up frora
Alcacer raore than will be necessary to make with them and
our sixteen guns, thirty six pieces, ' Believe me, &c,
' Major Dickson: ' Wellington.
2n2

548 SPAIN. 1812.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Lieut General Hill:
' My dear Hill, ' Gallegos, 29fh January, 'l§l2,
' The carronades will be at Sabugal on the 2nd February,
at Pedroga5 on the Sth, and at St. Miguel d'Arche on the Gth,
You will do well to have horses there on the 4th, so as to be
able to bring thera off the raoment they arrive. An officer
should come with the horses, who should be able to see that he
takes with the carronades all that they wOl require,
' Believe me, &c.
' Lieut General Hill' ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to the Right Hon.
H. Wellesley.
' My dear Henry, ' Gallegos, 29th January, 1812.
' I enclose my dispatch of this day.
' I propose to attack Badajoz, and I think it probable that
I shall be in readiness to invest the place in the second week
in March, Of course 1 shall have collected to oppose me
every thing that can be brought from the south as well as from
the north. Indeed in Marmont's army they are already talk
ing of movino; in that direction.
' I have always been of opinion that the best situation for
Ballesteros's corps would have been the Condado de Niebla, as
he would have been raore iramediately in communication with
us. But whether in Niebla or in Ronda, it is absoliitely
necessary that the whole of Soult's force should not be brought
upon us with impunity,
' It may be depended upon that all demonstrations towards
the French lines at Cadiz are useless. They are too strong
to be even looked at by such a force as that under the com
raand of Ballesteros, or by any thing which can be added to
his force.
' But this is not the case with Seville. I believe that Bal
lesteros, provided with three or four 18 pounders, and ammu
nition for them, scaling ladders, &c,, would easily lay open
any works the French may have constructed at Seville ; and
it may be depended upon, that if he will only be as active
in destroying tbe stores, &c,, which he will find at Seville, as
I have known him to be in the destruction of property, he will
raise the blockade of Cadiz, as effectuaUy as if he were to force
the French lines in front of that place.

1812. GALLKGOS. 549
' Ballesteros should be reinforced to the utmost extent with
out loss of time. This expedition, and the advantages likely
to result from it, should be held out to hira, and raeasures
should be taken to equip hira for it, either frora Cadiz or Gib
raltar, in such a manner as to ensure his success.
' By well timed and vigorous raeasures he may be of the
utmost use to us ; and he need incur no risk, as he need not
quit his den at Gibraltar tiU he shall find Soult in raovement
against me.
' I have received frora Governraent the approbation of the
orders which I had given respecting Carthagena. They have,
however, called my attention to the state and safety of the
Balearic Islands. I beUeve General O'Donnell has been
appointed to command in those islands. I could write to him
if I could depend upon this report being true; but I shall be
much obliged to you if you will communicate with him, and
lot me know in what way he may think 1 can be useful to
him, ' Ever yours raost affectionately,
' TheRt.Hon.H. Wellesley: 'Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to fhe Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My Lord, ' Gallegos, 29th January, 1812.
' Major General Craufurd * died on the 24th instant, of the
wounds which he received on the 19th, while leading the Light
division of this array to the assault of Ciudad Rodrigo.
' Although the conduct of Major General Craufurd on the
occasion on which these wounds were received, and the circum
stances which occurred, have excited the admiration of every
officer in the array, I cannot report his death to your Lord
ship without expressing ray sorrow and regret, that His
Majesty has been deprived of the services, and I of the assist
ance of an officer of tried talents and experience, who was an
ornaraent to his profession, and was calculated to render the
raost important services to his country,
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool' ' Wellington.
* He was buried at the foot of the little breach. The C(?inmander of the
Forces, and all the Officers of the besieging army attended the funeral, which,
from place and circumstances, was more than usually impressive.

550 SPAIN, 1812.
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to th£ Earl of Liverpool, •
Secretary of State.
' My Lord ' Gallegos, 29th January, 1812.
'Marshal Marmont arrived at Salamanca on the 22nd' in
stant, and the 6th division of infantry of the array of Portugal
were collected in the neighbourhood of Alba and Salamanca
on the 23rd and 24th.
' General Souham's division, with about 600 cavalry and
some artillery, were sent to Matilla on the 23rd, and patrolled
to San Muiioz and Taraaraes. The moveraent of this division
was intended to ascertain the fact of the fall of Ciudad Bodrigtf,
and they retired again to the Torraes on the 26th.
' 1 heard this morning that Marshal Marraont had raoved
yesterday frora Salaraanca, in the direction of Valladolid, with
all his troops, excepting one brigade of Souham's division.
But I am not certain that this report is founded.
' I have not heard that Bonet's division had crossed the
Douro. ' We have been employed in repairing the damages which
our fire had done to Ciudad Rodrigo. For some days it has
not been possible to take the place by a coup de main, and I
hope that in a short time the works will be in a good state of
defence. ' I have the honor to enclose the account published by the
enemy in the Madrid Gazette of the 13th January, of the
affair with the Spanish array near Valencia, on tbe 26th
December. ' It is satisfactory to see that, notwithstanding the unfavor
able result of the action of the 26th December, the enemy's
communication was so difficult, tha,t accounts of that action
had not reached Madrid till that late period.
' I have reason to believe that although the city 6f Valencia
was closely invested, the enemy had made no progress in their
attempts to obtain possession of it as late as the 7th instant,
and that General Blake had ordered the divisions of Mahy,
Villa Campa, and Obispo, which had retired, to return to
Valencia. • It appears by the enclosed report that General Montbrun's
cavalry were in the action of the 26th December. Some of
the regiments which have been under the command of that

1812. gallegos. 551
General, are now in Castillo with Marshal Marmont ; and I
understand that General Montbrun himself was a few days ago
at Arevalo ; but of this I cannot be certain.
" I have no accounts from Cadiz since I addressed your
Lordship on the 21st. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool. ' Wellington.
' P,S, Since writing the above I have received a report that
the enemy had on the 26th fired a salute at Salamanca to an
nounce the capture of Valencia, said to have taken place on the
Sth or 9th instant, but no account had been pubUshed, and
the fact was not believed to be true,'
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to the Earl qf Liverpool
Secretary (f State.
' My dear Lord, ' Gallegos, 29th January, 1812,
' You will see from my dispatch that we are hard at work
at Ciudad Rodrigo, and that place, as well as Almeida, will
be quite secure for the end of next month,
' I now propose to attack Badajoz as soon as I can, I have
ordered all the preparatory arrangements to be raade, and I
hope that every thing will be in readiness to enable me to
invest the place by the second week in March, We shall have
great advantages in raaking the attack so early, if the weather
will allow of it.
' First, all the torrents in this part of the country are then
full, so that we may assemble nearly our whole army on the
Guadiana, without risk to any thing valuable here.
' Secondly, it will be convenient to assemble our army at an
early period in Estremadura, for the sake of the green forage,
which comes in earlier to the south than here.
' Thirdly, we shall, have advantages, in point of subsistence,
over the enemy at that season, which we should not have at a
later period.
' Fourthly, their operations will necessarily be confined by
the swelUng of the rivers in that part as well as here.
' The bad weather, which we must expect, or other circum
stances, may, however, prevent us frora carrying our plan into
execution, but I can only assure you that I will not abandon

552 SPAIN. 1812.
It lightly ; and I have taken measures to have the best equip
ments for this enterprize. I enclose the weekly and raorning
states. ' I ara happy to say that tbe troops employed in the siege
have not suffered in their health ; indeed the divisions which
were not there have sent most men to the hospitals lately.
' BeUeve me, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool' ' Wellington.

General ihe Earl of Wellington, KB., to His Grace
ihe Duke of Richmond.
' My dear Duke, ' Gallegos, 29th January, 1812.
' I have not written to you lately, as I have had nothing
to tell you deserving your attention.
' My troops have been remarkably unhealthy during the
suraraer and autumn, and, although numerous, were so inferior
in numbers to those the enemy had in my front, that I could
do nothing more than keep them in check, and prevent them,
at least, frora undertaking any thing against the Spaniards.
' At length, in the end of Deceraber, convinced, I beUeve,
by the reports in our own newspapers that we were too sickly
to undertake any thing, they broke up from Castille and the
western parts of Estremadura, and marched off towards Va
lencia and Aragon, the former to assist Suchet, and the latter
to endeavor to check the guerrillas. I immediately pushed
forward the preparations for the siege of Ciudad Rodrigo;
invested the place and broke ground on the Sth ; and we took
it by assault, as you wiU have seen, on the 19th of January,
' Marmont returned upon hearing of our first movements,
and collected about 50,000 raen on the Tormes about the 23rd
and 24th of the raonth, but he has advanced only a reconnai
tring party from thence ; and it appears that he will not
attempt to prevent us from putting the place again in a state
of defence. It is already provisioned ; and has been for some
days in such a state as that it could not have been carried by
a coup de main.
' I have likewise restored the works of Almeida, so that I
shall have this frontier as good as it ever was ; and I hope to
be able to get the whole army together, when I shall have a
better chance with these gentlemen.

1812. GALLKGOS. 55.3
' We proceeded at Ciudad Rodrigo on quite a new principle
in sieges. The whole object of our fire was to lay open the
walls. We had not one raortar ; nor a howitzer, excepting to
prevent the eneray from clearing the breaches, and for that
purpose we had only two ; and we fired upon the flanks and
defences only when we wished to get the better of them, with
a view to protect those who were to storra. This shows the
kind of place we had to attack, and how iraportant it is to
cover the works of a place well by a glacis. The French,
however, who are supposed to know every thing, could not
take this place in less than forty days after it was completely
invested, or than twenty five days after breaking ground.
' March came here about a month ago, remarkably well ;
but he has had two sUght attacks of fever since he arrived,
from one of which he is now recovering. He is very liable to
catch cold ; and with the cold he always has fever. This
must be a consequence of his disorder in the summer ; but I
hope that he will be quite well before the hot weather shall
set in. If he should not be so, I shall certainly send him
home. ' Pray remeraber rae raost kindly to the Duchess and all
your faraily, and ' Believe rae. Sec,
¦ The Duke of Richmond: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, K. B., to Major General PeaCocke.
' Sir, ' Gallegos, .31st January, 1812,
' 1 request that on the receipt of this letter you will apply
to Admiral Berkeley, for tonnage to take to England the
battaUon of Marines, and the Marine Artillery, which are at
Lisbon, &c., not belonging to the ships under the command
of Admiral Berkeley, ' I have the honor to be, &c,
' Major General Peacocke: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., io Lieut General Hill.
« My dear Hill, ' Gallegos, 1st February, 1812.
' I did not see Lieut. Hillier's* very clear report to you of
the I6th January till this day, when I received your letter of
=* Lieut. Hillier, 29th regt., now Lieut. Colonel of the 62nd regt.

554 SPAIN. 1812.
the 30th. It is very obvious to me that unless you can send a
detachraent to the right of the Tagus, to cut off the retreat of
the boats, the principal object of your expedition, which is to
destroy these boats, must fail.
' I can supply you with the means of sending a detachment
across the Tagus, but the first point to be ascertained is, whether
wheel carriages can go to the Tagus by any road, excepting
by that of Mirabete, or so near Mirabete that they must be
perceived. As well as I can recollect of. the country, it is im
possible to get down to the Tagus with wheel carriages, any
where between the junction ofthe Tietar, and the junctionof
the Ibor, excepting by the Puerto de Mirabete. I beg that
you will have inquiry made by Lieut. Hillier upon this point.
' It would also be well if he were to inquire whether the
eneray have any raeans of moving off the nine boats which are
under their work, raarked B in his sketch. > .,
' If you cannot get down to the Tagus with wheel carriages,
excepting by the Puerto, it is not worth while to attempt the
operation, for as well as I can recollect, the eneray have in that
part of the country a large quantity of oxen. If, however,
you can get down to the Tagus, it would be desirable to send
over a sufficient detachment to endeavor to surprize and get
possession of the work C, while the castle of Mirabete, or the
work A, should be attacked on the left, bank, and to cut off
and destroy the boats,
' VVe have at Villa Velha six tin pontoons, with all their
equipments, carriages, &c. They are very light, and, as well
as I recollect, are drawn each by four pairs of bullocks^ but
Major Squire can tell exactly. You must desire Mr. Routh to
provide bullocks to draw them, and with these you can form
a flying bridge fully equal to take over the Tagus any detach
ment which you might think proper to send to the right bank.
They would even carry over sorae of the carronades, if you
should think proper to send them, but from Lieut, HiUier's de
scription of the enemy's works at the bridge, I should scarcely
think it necessary to take these carronades, I should think
that under the fire of your heavy 6 pounders and howitzers,
and by keeping a heavy fire of musketry, upon the parapet,
while the storming party should advance, your troops would
escalade any of these works. All the preparations, however,
for the carronades, as detailed in my letter of the 2Sth

1Q12, gallegos.

555

January, might still go on, and Mr, Routh might get the
bullocks for the pontoons, and the pontoons raight be raoved
up to Portalegre, as they will be of use in our ulterior opera
tions ; but you will proceed upon your expedition, or not,
according to the information which you will receive from Lieut,
Hillier, whether or not you can get your pontoons down to the
Tagus, not passing by Mirabete. I do not beUeve the work
C is commanded by the road on which A stands, but I am
quite certain that the work B is completely commanded both
by the ground A and C. I was at the old castle of Mirabete ;
the ascent to it is very rugged indeed, but I should think that
no garrison could reraain in it against your howitzer.
* The eneray have moved towards the Duero, I have not
heard that any have gone into the valley of the Tagus,
' BeUeve rae, &c.
' Lieut General Hill' * Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Major General Cooke.
'Sir, ' Gallegos, Ist February, 1812.
' I have oraitted to answer your letters No. , of the 27th
Deceraber, and No. 41 of the 7th of January, relating to the
correspondence which you have had with the Governor of
Gibraltar, upon the conditional orders which you had given
Colonel Skerrett to withdraw from Tarifa, because I conclude
that you referred that correspondence to the Secretary of
State, with whom alone it rests to decide whether it was your
duty to recall Colonel Skerrett, and whether you performed
that duty at a proper period, and under circumstances which
rendered it expedient that you should give Colonel Skerrett
the orders in question.
' From the report of Colonel Skerrett and Lord Proby, and
other information which I had received respecting Tarifa, I
concuired in the orders which you gave to Colonel Skerrett,
and my opinion on that subject is not at all changed by what
has occurred since.
' We have a right to^expect that His Majesty's officers
and troops will perform their duty upon every occasion, but
we had no right to expect that comparatively a small nuraber
would be able to hold the town of Tarifa, commanded as it is

.>56 sp.%j3». 1812.
at short distance*, and enfiiaded in every direction, and unpro
vided with artillery, and the walls scarcely cannon proof.
' The enemy, however, retired with disgrace, infinitely to
the honor of the brave troops who defended Tarifa, and it is
useleis to renew the discussion.
' It ii necessary, however, that you should now come to an
understanding with General CampbeU, r^arding the troops
which have been detached from Cadiz, and this army under
Colonel Skerrett. Before you will receive this letter, you will
probably have received from Mr. WeUesley a requisition to
send troops to Carthagena, with which you will have complied,
according to my instructions of the 12th Tkxxmber. It is,
therefore, absolutely necessary that the troops under the com
mand of Colonel Skerrett, should return to Cadiz, and if the
Governor of Gibraltar should think proper to detain them,
after you shall have required their return, you wiU let him
know that he is responsible for tbe consequences.
* In regard to Tarifa, at the same time that I have no
desire, and have too much to attend to, to enter into dis
cussions upon the sulgect, it appears to me that the measures
to be adopted should be either to secure the heights in front
of the town, or to provide cover for tbe troops by splinter
proofs &c., and to secure the island.
' I have no doubt whatever that the measure last mentioned
could be carried into execution without difficulty, and that it
would be effectual. Indeed the enemy would neither be in
clined, nor able to remain in the town, if the island were
secured. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' Major General Cooke: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., io the Right Hon.
H. Wellesley.
' My dear Henry, ' Gallegos, 1st February, 1812,
' I received yesterday your letter of the 20th January.
' I am glad to find that the Spanish Government have caUed
upon us to garrison Carthagena, and I only wish they had done
so sooner. General Cooke has his instructions upon this sub
ject, and it does not appear to me to be necessary to take any
further measures.

1812. GALLEGOS. 557
V ' In regard to Alicante, Roche has contradicted himself in
the sarae letter. He says that an EngUsh Governor and 5000
EngUsh troops can alone save the place ; and in another part
he says that he and his troops can save it as long as they are
supplied with provisions. Pray take hira at his word. Send
him provisions, and let him be charged with the defence of
Alicante. ' It is most desirable to keep the French employed for some
time longer on the eastern side of the Peninsula. I think it
not impossible that Suchet may be obUged to return to at
tend to Lacy. ' Ever yours most affectionately,
' The Right Hon. H. Wellesley: ' Wet^lington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Lieut. General Graham.
' My dear Sir, ' Gallegos, 2nd February, 1812.
' 1 am going over to Freneda, and enclose the only intelli
gence I have received since I saw you yesterday, I conclude
that the messengers from Salamanca have ,been prevented
from coming by the swelling of the rivers,
' I wrote to Hill yesterday what I told you I should.
' Believe me, &c.
' Lieut General Graham. ' Wellington.
' The rivers are so full, that I am afraid it will be impos
sible to hunt to-morrow ; but if the day should be fair, the
hounds will be at Pozo Velho at about half-past 11.'

General Viscount Wellington, KB., io Lieut. General Graham.
' My dear Sir, ' Freneda, 4th February, 1812..
' I enclose some letters from Cadiz. I have no account
whatever frora Salamanca or elsewhere ; and I conclude that
the raessengers have been stopped by the swelling of the rivers.
' Believe rae, &c,
' Lieut. General Graham: ' Wellington,

558 PORTUGAL. 1812.
General Viscount WeUington, KB., io Lieut. General Hill.
' Mv DEAR Hill, ' Freneda, 4th February, 1812. 8 a,m,
' I write to let you know that in consequence of the heavy
fall of rain, and other accidents, the carronades, which ought
to have been now two marches on the other side of Sabugal,
are at Aldea da Ponte, two marches on this side of that place.
If, therefore, you should deterraine to undertake your expe
dition, and should think the carronades necessary, it will be
necessary that you sbould order the officer with the horses to
wait for them at St. Miguel, or to come on towards Sabugal to
meet them. If you should give up the plan, according to
what I stated in my letter of the 1st instant, or should not
think the carronades necessary, you might recall the horses.
' BeUeve me, &c.
' Lieut General HiU: ' Wellington.

General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Lieut. General Hill
' My dear Hill, ' Freneda, 4th February, 1812,
' You omitted to enclose the intercepted intelligence frona.
Madrid, in your letter to rae of the 1st instant. That on the
black paper coraes, I believe, from a man employed by Mr.
Stuart. I do not give rauch credit to it.
' Believe me, &c.
• Lieut General Hill' ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to  .
< Sm, ' Freneda, 4tli February, 1812,
' I have received your letter, and upon inquiry I find that
your complaint is not founded, and that the conduct of Mr.
 was regularly investigated. You have also stated
another circumstance in your letter, which is not true, viz.,
that your stable could not hold more than your own horse,
whereas it appears that it is capable of holding four horses,
besides your own horse and ass that are in it.
' Portugal requiring tbe assistance of an army to defend the
country, the Portuguese must submit to the inconvenience of
having officers and soldiers billeted on their houses, and I

1812. freneda. 559
only hope they do not beUeve that we quit our houses in
England for the ^Zea*wre of being biUeted in theirs in Portu
gal. This necessity existing you acted wrong, and should
not have resisted Mr.  • in putting his horse in your
stable, on which he had a billet, and you had no right to send
the horse to another distant stable. Mr.  , however, had
no right to use force himself to enforce his billet, and for
this offence I have ordered that he may be brought to trial
before a General Court Martial, and you will appear as evi
dence against him, but his horse must reraain in your stable,
on which it is billeted. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
•  — ' ' Wellington.

General Viscount Wellington, KB., to His Excellency Charles Stuart
' My dear Sir, ' Freneda, 4th February, 1812.
' I have received your letter of the 30th. I agree entirely
with you that, notwithstanding all your efforts, matters are
become worse, and I am almost at the end of my inventions
and resources to keep them afloat. I have this day written to
Dom M. de Forjaz a letter which I hope he will show to the
Governors of the Kingdom.
* The object which I had in view for Hill was to destroy
the enemy's bridge and establishments at Almaraz. By this
measure I should cut off the coraraunication between the
northern and southern armies, and the army of Portugal would
have been obliged to go round by Toledo, to raise" the siege of
Badajoz. This would have been important ; but nothing can
rouse these people to a sense of their duty. I shall not stay
much longer. ' Believe me, &c,
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart.
' Since I wrote'the above Marshal Beresford has been here,
and 1 have gone through the estimates for January with him,
which were transmitted in your letter of the 14th of January.
It is very desirable to ascertain as nearly as can be done by
estimate, what is the expense of the railitary establish raen ts of
Portugal, and to diminish that expense as much as possible.

560 PORTUGAL, 1812.
It is difficult to guess at the expense from the estiraates for
January, and it is quite irapossible to say what heads can be
diminished, or even entirely discontinued, without seeing the
detailed estimates, upon which the general estimates for the
several divisional pay offices and departments have been
founded. I have no doubt but that tbe expense, real as well
as estimated, can be rauch reduced, and I hope brought withijj
the scope of the means of the Government. But this can be
done only by a strict examination into the subject.
' It is impossible for me to go to Lisbon, and equally so for
Dom M. de Forjaz to come to me. Marshal Beresford is,
therefore, again going to Lisbon, to examine into and settle
this subject. But in order that he raay not be unnecessarily
detained, it is desirable that Dom M, de Forjaz should have
prepared for him the detailed estimates, on which the general
estiraates of the several divisional and departraental estimates,
for January as well as February, are founded ; and all the
inforraation and explanation which can be afforded upon every
head of charge in the estimates. He expects to be able to
allot seven days to this examination.
' I have omitted to mention that, provided the Government
take measures before the 15th of February, to announce to the
public, and to commence paying interest on the paper raoney,
it is a matter of indifference to me when they begin to pay,
provided it is by the 1st of April,'
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to Lieut. General Graham.
' My dear Sir, ' Freneda, 5th February, 1812, 11 a.i^.
' I enclose the only intelligence which I have received. It
is certain that Blake is taken, and probably a very large num
ber of men in Valencia. • Believe me, &c.
' Lieut. General (Sraham. ' Wellington.
' The weather does not proraise much ; but if it should be
fair, the bounds wUl go to-morrow morning to Pozo Velho at
half-past 11.'

1812. FRENEDA, 561
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to His Excellency Charles Stuart
* My dear Sir, ' Freneda, 5th February, 1812.
' I have received your letter of the 31st January. 
appears to know rae as little as he does you, I

had a great deal of conversation with Sydenham upon various
subjects, and I am not quite certain that 1 raay not have ex
pressed to him the sense I felt of the disadvantage under
which I labored, from not having support in the Brazils to
the instruments which we used here for our objects, which
sense I afterwards expressed in a dispatch to you. You will
recoUect that I subsequently requested that you would strike
out from the dispatch every thing upon that subject, as hav
ing made peace in Europe I did not wish to renew the war in
the Brazils.
" I am positively certain, not only that I did not desire
Sydenham to make any complaint to Lord Wellesley of 
¦; but I will go farther, and declare positively that

I desired him to tell Lord Wellesley that it was, in my opinion,
best to take no further steps to endeavor to have the Principal
removed from the Government, as it appeared from the Prince's
letter to me, received in May, that his removal was so very
repugnant to his feelings ; that the matters which had been in
dispute were at an end, and that I should endeavor to work on
as well as I could. You raay tell  this from
me. ' I do not know what to say to the order for the removal
of the Principal. If it were to come direct to Portugal I
should say it ought to be obeyed, for the sarae reason that I
said the order for his appointment ought to be obeyed. But
it appears that it is sent to England, and entrusted to Lord
WeUesley's discretion, who, I think it likely, will ei^trust it to
ours. "" We should certainly do better without the Principal. The
truth is, the man is mad, and he cannot act with common
sense upon any occasion. But if he were removed from the
Government, it would be still composed of bad materials;
and though we should go on better, as we should get rid
of the perpetual talking about affairs and doing nothing,
things would still not go on as we should wish. However,
upon the whole, I am rather inclined to remove him, but I
VOL. viii. 2 o

562 PORTUGAL, 181^.
shall not decide until I shall have considered the matter, and
shall have received your opinioti in answer to this letter." My
own opinion is, that the best reraedy would be for the Prince
to come himself, but as Romana and I used to say of Fer^ii-
nand, ' sin muger.' ' Believe me, &c. :
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart
' In respect to Vasconcellos, I shall be much obliged to you
if you will tell Lord Strangford that I ara entirely indifferent
about hira. He left me and went to the Brazils about his owii
concerns, and carried a letter from rae to recommend him to
the Prince's notice, as an officer who had been in my family.
But I neither know nor care about him, and the Prince wUl do
well to send him back to Portugal if he is troublesome to hini,^

General Viscount Wellington, KB., to ihe Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My Lord, ' Freneda, 5th February, 1812.
' The weather has been very bad since the SSth of last
month, and the roads have become so bad, and the rivers are so
full as to prevent all communication. I have therefore received
no late intelUgence frora the interior of Castille; but I know
that the enemy have no troops on this side of the Torraes. , ;
• Although I have received reports from various quarters
that General Bonet had evacuated the Asturias, and I have
reported it to your Lordship, I am incUned to doubt the
truth of these reports. It is certain that he had concentrated
his troops at Oviedo, between the 15th and 20th of Januaryj
and Porlier had occupied Gijon,
' General Abadia had put the array of Galicia in movement
on the 20th, in order to oblige General Bonet to retire from
Asturias. ' I understand that there is in the Madrid Gazette of the
28th January, the copy of a letter frora General Suchet to
King Joseph, announcing bis entry into Valencia, General
Blake and 16,000 men being prisoners,
' No movement of importance has been made in the south, i
' I have the honor to be, &c, :
' The Earl of Liverpool' 'Wellington, j

1812. kreneda. 503

General Viscount Wellington, K.B. , to J. Bissett, Esq.,
Commissary General.
' My dear Sir, ' Freneda, 6th February, 1812.
' Besides the articles already in Ciudad Rodrigo, I should
wish to throw in about 10,000 lbs. of rice, and about as
rauch salt fish. I believe you have none of the former within
reach, and none of the latter at all. I enclose a memorandum
of what there is in the Portuguese stores of these articles ;
and if you should desire to receive them frora those stores,
I will have directions given that they may be at your disposal.
' It is very desirable that you should send rae the returns of
the forage dravvn, in order that 1 may at an early period put
an end to the abuses which you mentioned.
' Believe rae, &c,
' J. Bissett, Esq: ' Wellington.

General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to His Excellency Charles Stuart.
' Sir, ' Freneda, 6th February, 181?,
' In addition to the papers transmitted to you in my letter
of the 26th ultimo, I have now the honor to forward a letter
and its enclosure from Dr. Fergusson, stating that the mera-
bers of the University of Coimbra disapproved of the demand
made by the Vice Rector for payment of the supplies and
articles of bedding provided for the sick of the British array
who were left under their care ; and that it had never been
the intention of that body to be reirabursed for what they had
voluntarily furnished to the British army.
' Under these circumstances, I cannot avoid expressing my
surprise that an application for the payment of this debt
should have been so repeatedly made by the Portuguese
Government, without having ascertained the wishes of the
University upon the subject, ' I have the honor to be, &;c.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:

2 o2

564 PORTUGAL, 1812.

General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to J. Bissett, Esq.
Commissary General.
' My dear Sir, ' Freneda, 7th February, 1812.
' It is desirable that as fast as the tents shall arrive at
Abrantes, they should be sent on to Elvas.
' It is also desirable, that as soon as the bridge, and the
bullocks to draw it, shaU arrive at Abrantes, it should be sent
on to Elvas, ' Believe me, &c.
' J. Bissett Esq: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., io Major Dickson, R.A.
' My dear Sir, ' Freneda, February 7th, 1812.
• I have just received a letter frora Adrairal Berkeley, from
which I learn that all the block carriages which General Rosa
has, are at Elvas. It will therefore be necessary that you
should order to Alcacer do Sal from Elvas, block carriages for
twenty guns besides those for the sixteen 24 pounders.
' I do not think it yet decided whether we shall have 18
pounders or 24 pounders ; but I rather think the forraer.
? Believe me, &c.
' Major Dickson: ' Wellington.

General Viscount Wellington, KB., io Lieut General Graham.
' My dear Sir, ' Freneda, 7th February, 1812. 10 a.m.
* I enclose a letter from Salamanca, and one from Grant,
received last night,
Maucune's is the Sth division ; and the 25™ leg^re is in
the 2nd, commanded by Clausel, which you will see is sup'
posed at Salamanca to be going to Talavera.
' I enclose the report from Castaiios' head quarters, of
Abadia's operations. ' Believe me, &c.
' Lieut. General Graham: ' Wellington.

1812. FRKNEDA. 565
General Viscount Wellington, KB,, to Lieut General HiU.
' My dear Hill, ' Freneda, 7th February, 1812.
' 1 beg you to send 200 men, either British or Portuguese
(the latter probably can be sent with least inconvenience), to
Castello Branco, and thence forward on the road towards
Penamacor, till they shall meet with the carronades, when
they are to relieve a similar party of the 7th division. The
object of this detachment is to assist the carronades in getting
on, and I beg the officer may be instructed to prevent his men
from beating the bullocks, or ill treating the drivers.
' I have heard that one of the enemy's divisions has raoved
towards Talavera, but I am not certain that this report is
true; at all events, they cannot interfere with you, if you
should undertake your operation.
' I have long intended to write to you about Colonel Inglis ;
as a Colonel on the Staff, senior to Byng, I must employ him
to command the brigade in which the 57th are, but when the
Major Generals all join, I shall be able to make an arrange
ment which will suit Byng equally well, and will be equaUy
agreeable to you. ' Believe me, &c.
• Lieut General Hilt: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, K,B,, io Lieut. General Graham.
' My dear Sir, ' Freneda, Sth February, 1812. 11 a.m.
« Hunting appears out of the question to-day, and I send
the bearer to wait tiU a quarter after twelve at Pozo Velho,
and to go thence to Gallegos. I return Whittingham's letter.
' By a letter from Elvas, I learn that the Duque del Infan-
tado. Villa Vincencio, and Henry O'Donnell, Morqueira, and
Priver, were appointed Regents. Agar, Blake, and Ciscar, were
appointed Members of the CouncU of State. These accounts
are of the 23rd, from Cadiz. ' BeUeve me, &c.
• Lieut. General Graham: ' Wellington.

566 PORTUGAL. 1812.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., io Lieut. General Graham.
' My dear Sir, ' Freneda, 8th February, 1812. 12 at Noon.
' I enclose you a letter frora ray brother ; one frora the
Junta de Avila, which shows that the eneray are raoving troops
towards Talavera ; one from Salamanca of the 4th and Sth,
which is silent on a report which we had received yesterday
frora the hussars, that the bridge at Salamanca was destroyed;
and one frora Madrid. I ara inclined to believe the report of
the capture of Tarragona, and not that of Soria. But you
will see that the latter is raentioned in the letter from
Salaraanca. ' I propose to move Stopford's brigade in a day or two
after the guards. This delightful weather will, I hope, dry
up the roads; and the heavy ordnance carriages march
to-raorrow. ' Believe me, 8sc.
•, Lieut. General Graham. ' Wellington.
' I enclose a letter from Blanckley *, received last night.'
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to Lieut. General Hill.
' My dear Hill, ' Freneda, 9th February, 1812, 8 a.m.
' I have just now received a report from Plasencia, that
Brenier's division is at Talavera with detachments at Naval-
moral, and Oropesa, I do not think that this inteUigence
need prevent your expedition, if you should think that other
tnatters suit. ' Believe me, &c,
' Lieut. General Hill' ' Wellington,
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., io Lieut. General Hill.
' My dear Hill, " Freneda, 9th February, 1812.
' I enclose a copy of General St. Pol's letter, with that part
of it which was in cipher, deciphered. I likewise enclose a
letter from the Senate of Portalegre, upon which I request
you to do what may be expedient, ' Believe me, &c.
' Lieut General Hill: ' Wellington.
* Lieut. Blanckley, 23rd Royal Welsh Fusiliers.

1812. I'RENEDA, 567
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to Major General Cooke.
' Sir, ' Freneda, 9th February, 1812.
' In answer to your letter (No. 47) of the 26th of January,
I request that you will send Major General Ross to Cartha
gena, to relieve Colonel Larabert in the coraraand of the troops
at that place,
' Major General Ross is to draw a table allowance of thirty
shillings per diem. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
• Major General Cooke: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to ihe Right Hon.
Henry Wellesley.
' My dear Henry, ' Freneda, 9th February, 1812.
' I have received your letters to the 27th. There is nothing
new here ; we are going on with the works at Ciudad Rodrigo,
of which, as well as of the raagazines in the place, we are not
only defraying all the expense, but our soldiers are the
laborers who execute them. This is what is called Spanish
enthusiasm ! But I have no doubt of the good will of the
people; only of the abilities of their chiefs to call it into
action. ' I enclose a nuraber of a newspaper which has lately made
its appearance ; and I wish particularly to draw your attention
to the paragraph inserted in the last page.
, ' The Ucence to publish any thing upon military operations,
whether true or not, which results from the liberty of the press,
is a very great inconvenience, particularly to an army com
paratively sraall, which must seize opportunities to avail itself
of favorable circumstances, &c, &c. But that inconvenience
is increased ten fold when a military official body publish a
newspaper, containing statements and observations upon raili
tary transactions. Any editor raay happen to sturable upon
a fact or reasoning, of which it would be important for the
eneray to have information ; but the Staff, the official editors,
raust be supposed to have the inforraation which they publish.
' The contents of the paragraph raarked in the enclosed
paper are positively false ; but under existing cireurastances,
the publication is not less likely to have mischievous conse
quences than if the contents were true. There is no person

568 PORTUGAL. 1812.
who knows any thing of the state of affairs in this country,
who doubts, that if the French beUeve that paragraph, and
choose to make the exertion, they must prevent us from car
rying into execution our design, whatever may be the extent
of the force which I shall collect. Purely, therefore, it is
worthy of the attention of the Government at least to prevent
official bodies from publishing such mischievous nonsense.
' I do not see why the staff are to pubUsh a newspaper at
all ; and if they do, surely what they publish should be strictly
and literally true. Is the statement in the enclosed paper
regarding the Spanish armies, true or false?
' Ever yours most affectionately,
' The Rt. Hon. H. Wellesley: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to His Excellency Charles Stuart.
' My dear Sir, ' Freneda, l ith February, 1812.
' I have given directions that cattle may be purchased, to
the amount of 15,000 dollars, to be distributed among the
viUages in this country, and I shall be very much obliged to
you if you will let me know on what principle you have pro
ceeded in your distributions.
' I think I can fix the proportion to be sent to each village ;
but how are those sent to a village to be disposed of? Are
they to belong to any particular class of inhabitants, or are
they to be common property ? If the latter, who is to take care
of them ? How are the poorer classes to get the proportion of
their labor .'' Would it be advisable to fix a small hire on the
use of thera, the surplus of which, after paying for their food^
and the care of thera, should be employed to increase the stock
of tbe village ?
' Let rae know what you have done on this subject.
' Believe rae, &c.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Lieut. General Graham.
' My dear Sir, ' Freneda, 12th February, 1812. 10 a.m.
* I have received this raorning from General Hill a report
on the road to the bridge at Almaraz, frora which it is evident,
that the object which I had in view for his expedition cannot

1812. freneda. 569
be accomplished. There is but one road to the river Tagus
between the junction of the Tietar and that of the Ibor ; and
that passes under the tower of Mirabete ; so that it would be
impossible to get hold of the boats.
* I think, however, that it may be desirable hereafter to
destroy the enemy's works on the left of the Tagus.
• I received last night from General Castaiios a note, in
which he tells me, that the report still prevailed at Madrid on
the 28th, that Tarragona and Soria had been taken. It was
not believed that Valencia had been taken, as the French bad
prevented all coraraunication with that place; and it was
reported that the contest there still continued on the 18th.
' The extract which was sent to me of the " Madrid
Gazette," containing Suchet's letter to the King, was of the
28th January.
• Montbrun was expected to return to Toledo on the 29th ;
and it is said that Foy had returned from Valencia with 2000
men. I should think this a mistake, as we had before accounts
of Foy's having marched upon Valladolid.
' Upon conversing with General Borthwick and Mr. Lyth,
regarding the horses of Captain Thompson's brigade, they
were of opinion that they could draw to Niza the three
ammunition waggons empty. Their ammunition, therefore,
and the forge cart and wheel cart, only go into Almeida. There
is ammunition in Abrantes, and there are SO French horses at
Coimbra, and some at Lisbon. I hope, therefore, that we
shall be able to equip this brigade again as it ought to be.
• Believe me, &c.
' Lieut. General (Sraham: ' Wellington.

General Viscount Wellington, KB,, to Lieut. General Hill.
' My dear Hill, ' Freneda, 12th February, 1812.
' I have received your letter of the I6th, and I agree with
you in thinking that you would not succeed in obtaining pos
session of the enemy's boats on the Tagus near Almaraz,
although you might destroy their works. This last is not so
iraportant an object, and, at all events, this is not the moraent
at which it ought to be attempted ; but it is desirable that we
should keep this object in view, that we should have, as far as-
possible, all the preparations made for the operation, and that

570 PORTUGAL. 1812.
w^ should endeavor to acquire all the inforraation to be pro
cured on these works ; but it will be desirable that you sbould
not draw away the six boats frofti VUla Velha during the-
period at which the river will be swelled, and then not farther
thart Niza till I shall request you to do so.
' I enclose sorae information which I have received regarding
the works on the Tietar and Tagus. The drawing is by a
different person from him who has sent the written account.
You will see that in some trifles they do not agree exactly ;
but the man who made the drawing was in the works as a
workman, I have examined him, and he is positive on all the
points to which he has spoken. Let me have these papers
again. ' I shall be very much obUged to you if you wUl desire
Lieut. HiUier to report whether the right or the left bank of
the Rio del Monte is the highest at the bridge on the high
road from Jaraicejo to Truxillo, as well as where the road from
Deleytosa lo Truxillo crosses the same stream.
' I shall likewise be much obliged to you if you will have
the course of the different streams examined which fall into
the north bank of the Guadiana, between what is called the-
Rio Burdalo in the raap, which falls into the Guadiana above
Merida, and the Gevora, and see whether any of them would
afford a position which would cover tbe siege of Badajoz on
that side of the Guadiana. The upper part of the Rio Bur
dalo raight be looked at ; the lower possibly could not ; but it
would be desirable to know which bank is the highest.
' Believe rae, &c.
' Lieut General Hill' ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., io His Excellency Charles Stuart
'My dear Sir, ' Freneda, 12th February, 1812,
' I have received your letter of the Sth, and I have perused
with rauch interest Dom M, de Forjaz's paper on the estimates,
which is perfect as to arrangement, but not very satisfactory
as to the amount of expense. The truth is, and it will very
soon be discovered, that all the departraents have gone on a
very large scale of estiraate of their expenses, and the real
araount cannot now be discovered^
' I see that Cardozo estiraates a ration of bread at 120 reis.

1812, freneda. 571
and one of etape at 100 reis. Then he estimates carriage for
the whole. But the rations cannot cost this sum if he does not
include the expense of tbe carriage.
' Then 1 do not know how he makes out 70,000 rations to
be issued, besides those issued by the British Comraissariat.
I imagine he includes the whole effective militia as being under
arms, whereas there is but Uttle of it ; and he takes the gross
nurabers of the array without striking off those in the hospitals,
provided for in the hospital estiraates, or the regiraent at
Cadiz ; but we shall, at last, get to the bottom of this subject,
and shall know pretty nearly what is the real expense of the
army. The provision for it will be raore difficult.
' 1 am certain that the Government will at last be obliged
to set seriously to work to reform the abuses in the Lisbon
Custom House, I ara informed that smuggling now prevails
to a greater degree than ever, particularly by the Araericans,
The revenue produced by tbe Custoras, particularly of the
outports, is ridiculously small ; yet the Customs are the prin
cipal branch of the revenue. The tobacco contract should
likewise produce much more than it does, and so should the
income tax. The naval expenses must be entirely discon
tinued. ' I rather believe it would be better for us to supply the
flour, &c. required by the Portuguese Commissariat than that
your bills should come into the market ; but upon this point
Mr. Pipon can give you an opinion. At all events we might
give as much as is required at present.
' If ever tbe Bishop should return to Oporto, he will be
worse than ever he was. His return must be prevented coute
qui coute ; and I shall be obliged to you if you will mention
this, my opinion, to Lord Strangford. ' Believe me, &c.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary nf State.
' My Lord, ' Freneda, 12th February, 1812.
' The enemy have but few troops at Salamanca, and in the
towns on the Tormes ; and it appears that Marshal Marraont
has cantoned the right of his array on the Duero, at Toro and

572 PORTUGAL. 1812.
Zamora, the centre in the province of Avila ; and that one
division, the 6th, has returned to Talavera and the valley of
the Tagus.
' I have not received the reports of General Abadia's move
ment from Galicia. I understand that he was about to attack
Astorga, but that he retired to Villa Franca in the beginning
of the month ; and General Cabrera, who had advanced to La
Baneza, fell back upon Puebla de Sanabria, in consequence of
the enemy being in strength at Benavente.
' I conclude that the right of the army of Portugal had
moved upon Benavente from Zamora, and he communicated
with Bonet, who it is stated had evacuated the Asturias. I
am not certain, however, of this last fact, notwithstanding that
t has been so often repeated ; and it is now said that some of
Bonet's troops are at La Baneza.
' The detachraent of the Conde de Amarante's troops, which
had occupied Puebla de Sanabria when General Cabrera moved
upon La Baneza, have retired into Portugal, in consequence
of the Spanish troops having retired.
' I have not received any late intelligence from the eastern
coast. ' I have received reports from Madrid, as well as from other
quarters, that General Lacy had taken Tarragona on the 18th
of January, and that the guerrillas had taken Soria ; but it is
impossible to give credit to reports of this description, notwith
standing that these reports have arrived from so many distinct
quarters, that they would appear entitled to some credit.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool' ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to His Excellency Charles Stuart.
' My dear Sir, ' Freneda, 13th February, 1812.
' I agree with you and Marshal Beresford in thinking that
it would be desirable to lighten the military expenses as much
as possible ; but to reraove tbe payraent of certain allowances,
which raust be paid, from one chest to another, is not lightening
the military expenses, but multiplies business; and it will
afford to the Treasury an excuse for not applying to the
railitary chest all sums that can be spared from other services.
I ara afraid that the pensions to reformados, &c. must be paid,

1812. FRENEDA. 573
and if that is the case, they might as well be paid by one chest
as another.' I am rather sanguine in my expectations, that when the
actual expense of one month shall have been ascertained, and
the arrear put out of the question, it will be found that we are
not far short in funds,
' The departments in which it appears to me that retrench
ments can be made, are the medical department ; the public
works, such as repairs and additions to Elvas, Abrantes, &c,,
and the work shops under Fava. I suspect also that the pay
offices estimate pay for establishments and not actual nurabers.
' Le Cor did not mention the desertion of all our drivers, as
he was not aware of it. They have since been replaced by
ordenanza, who were to relieve each other ; but they have
deserted as well as the others. It really becomes quite imprac
ticable to carry on any service in Portugal, unless the Portu
guese Government will assist with their influence, and will
punish those who neglect their duty.
' I must report my opinion on these subjects to the British
Government, and I will not stay after the siege of Badajoz.
' Believe me, &c.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:
General Viscount WeUington, KB., io Major General Peacocke.
' My DEAR Sir, ' Freneda, 14th February, 1812.
' I request that the persons you mention in your letter of
the 10th February, viz.,  , the sergeant major des
Sapeurs, and Adjutant des Travaux, and  , a French
miner, may be sent in charge of a steady non-commissioned
officer, whose name I request you to let me know, to Estremoz,
there to wait till I shall send for them.
' BeUeve me, &c.
' Major General Peacocke.' ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., io Lieut General
Sir Stapleton Cotton, Bart.
' My DEAR Cotton, 'Freneda, leth February, 1812. 10 a.m.
' I received yesterday your letter of the 12th. I have no
objection to the arrangement which you propose in respect to

574 PORTUGAL. 1812.
the horse artiUery, if the captains of the troops of horse artillery
have no objection. I am rather inclined to believe, however,
that it would be very inconvenient to the horse artUlery to
have any persons attached to them who are not mounted.
' You will make your own arrangements on this subject re
specting the two troops attached to the cavalry. If you wish
to attach dragoons to Ross's troop, or to the troop in the 7th
division, I must give orders about it,
' I have written to England respecting remount horses for
the whole cavalry, and have recomraended that they should
come out at an early period in the season. It would be very
desirable that the horse appointments should be at Lisbon, and
a sufficient number of the men at least to bring up the horses
as they shall arrive.
' I am glad to find you are getting on well with forage. I
will speak to the Comraissary General about the full ration of
corn. ' I have ordered Hervey and Slade to begin their raarch, to
go very slow, and to halt, if possible, every second day; the
4th dragoon guards not to raove. I shall move the 5th
dragoon guards soon into the Alentejo, in order to make
room for the other troops on their march ; and General Le
Marchant's brigade will be the first assembled. The Germans
are ordered to Santarem, and will come up to GolegaS.
' Believe rae, &c.
' Lieut. General ' Wellington,
Sir S. Cotton, Bart.
' I shall be very rauch obliged to you if you will desire Cap
tain  to write his letters lo the Quarter Master General in
a legible hand. I am obliged to get them copied before I can
decide upon what he reports.'
General Viscount Wellington, K.B., to the Juizde Forade Niza.
' Sir, ' Freneda, 16th February, 1812.
' I have been inforraed that a person, by narae  , who
had been confined in the gaol of Niza, in irons, and who I had
directed raight be sent to the head quarters of the Portuguese
army, to be tried by the special Comraission, for purchasing
forage from the artillerymen of General Hill's corps, has
escaped from the gaol, although he was in irons. I know per-

1812. freneda. 575
fectly well what that means, and that no individual could escape
from gaol if the magistrates and gaolers did their duty.
' I desire that, immediately upon the receipt of this letter,
the gaoler who allowed this person to escape may be put in
confinement in the gaol, preparatory to his trial ; and if that
is not done, I must adopt other measures to insure the due
execution of the laws. ' I have the honor to be, &c,
' The Juiz de Fora de Niza: ' Wellington,

General 'Viscount Wellington, KB., to General Victoria.
' Sir, ' Freneda, 16th February, 1812,
' I have'the honor to inforra you that I propose to lay siege
to Badajoz at an early period in next raonth ; and I beg that,
without loss of tirae, you will give directions that the fascines,
and gabions, and piquets, raentioned in the enclosed paper,
may be prepared under the direction of the officer of engineers
who made those for the last siege. The persons who will
make them will be paid for each gabion , for each fascine 40,
for each piquet reis ; and the same sum for each will be
paid for bringing thera to Elvas, provided they are brought
there by the 4th of next raonth,
' In order to deceive the eneray regarding the apphcation of
these materials, in case they should hear of their being made,
I request that they raay be lodged near the new work which is
constructing near Fort St, Lucia ; but I particularly request
that you will use your cavalry to prevent all persons, excepting
those who wUl have a passport frora Senhor Colonel Brito, from
passing the frontier, or from crossing the Guadiana between
the junction of the Caya and Jurumenha, in order that the
enemy may not hear of our preparations.
' I have the honor to be, Stc,
' General Victoria. ' Wellington.
' 1800 fascines, six feet long, and one foot thick ;
1800 gabions, three feet long, exclusive of points, and one
foot six inches in diameter ;
1500 fascines, four feet long, and six inches thick ;
2000 fascine piquets, four feet long.'

576 PORTUGAL. 1812,
General Viscount Wellington, K.B. , to Colonel de Brito Mozinho.
i gjjj ' Freneda, 16th February, 1812.
' I enclose a letter for General Victoria, which I beg you to
peruse and deUver to him,
' I beg you to suggest to hira the mode of performing the
service therein directed in the best manner, and at the same
time of keeping the design I have in contemplation secret from
the enemy as long as possible. * I have the honor to be, &c.
' Colonel de Brito Mozinho: ' Wellington,
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to General Don Carlos de Espana.
< Sm^ 'Freneda, 16th February, 1812.
' I have had the honor of receiving your Excellency's letter
of the 13th instant, in regard to the wants of provisions by the
garrison, which your Excellency intends to place in Ciudad
Rodrigo, ' I would beg your Excellency to advert to what has passed
upon this subject.
' First ; this place having been taken by the British army,
I have given it over, with all it contains, to the Spanish Go
vernment. ' Secondly ; I have placed in it a reserve of 50,000 rations
of provisions, which, in addition to the quantity found in the
place when it was taken by tbe British army, amounts to
70,000 rations of provisions, which it is agreed are not to be
touched till the place shall be invested by the enemy.
• Thirdly ; the breaches in the place are under repair, and
various improvements are making to the works of the place, of
which I am not only defraying the expense, but the British
soldiers are performing the labor. And,
' Fourthly and lastly ; your Excellency calls upon me to sup
ply provisions for the garrison to be in the place, for five raonths
to come, having already, as you know, a large army under my
command to be supplied with every necessary, to be drawn
from the sea.
' I mention these circumstances in this forra, in order to
bring under the eye of your Government the state of this
important place, and the manner in which it is thrown upon

1812. freneda. ¦ 577
the resources of the army under my comraand, and that they
und the world raay see what is the real nature of the contest in
which we are engaged, and what are the difficulties which are
thrown upon rae, in consequence of the neglect to adopt proper
measures to supply the wants of the Spanish troops.
' I have now the honor to enclose an order to the storekeeper
of the British magazine at St. Joa5 da Pesqueira to supply to
your Excellency, when you shall send for it, 156,000 lbs. of
biscuit, and 25,000 lbs. of rice. The biscuit, at a pound for
each ration, ought to last for two raonths : the rice is all of
that description that is in store.
' I beg to observe to your Excellency that I can supply no
meat, nor bacalao : we have none in our stores, not being the
rations of the British troops. " I have the honor to be, &c,
' General Don Carlos de Espaiia: ' Wellington.
General Viscount Wellington, KB., to General Castaiios.
« Sir, ' Freneda, 16th February, 1812.
' I have perused with attention the letter from General
Giron of the 14th instant, which your Excellency did me the
honor of putting into my hands yesterday.
' When a great operation, such as the siege of Badajoz, is
to be undertaken, it would be most desirable that all the troops
which the allies can bring forward should be employed in it,
either immediately, or in protecting it, as we may depend upon
it that the enemy will employ all that they can collect to inter
rupt it.
' For several reasons, into which it is not necessary now to
enter, those coraposing the Sth army, adverted to by General
Giron, and those under the coramand of General Ballesteros,
cannot be eraployed either in the operations of the siege of
Badajoz, or directly in protecting those operations ; and it
remains to be seen in what manner they can be eraployed, so
as to divert the attention and forces of the enemy from the
measures which it raust be expected they will adopt to inter
rupt the siege of Badajoz.
' The array of the South, under the command of Soult, is
the nearest, is that which has raost interest in the preservation
of Badajoz, and is that which has it in its power, frora local
VOL. viii. 2 P

578 PORTUGAL, 1812,
circumstances, to make the raoveraents most likely to interrupt
the siege of Badajoz by the allies. If, therefore, the troops of
the Sth army, and those under the command of General Bal
lesteros, cannot from circumstances be employed in aiding or
protecting the operations of the siege, it would be most expe
dient that they should be employed in operations which should
divert the attention of the eneray in some degree from those
troops of the allies so engaged ; and at all events should pro
duce some benefit to tbe country.
' It is my opinion that the most interesting point in Anda
lusia for the enemy is Seville, and that they cannot raaintain
the blockade of Cadiz if they should lose possession of that
point only for one day, whatever may be the result of the
intended operation against Badajoz. I have therefore written
to His Majesty's Minister at Cadiz, to suggest that General
Ballesteros should be reinforced and equipped from the stores
of Cadiz or Gibraltar, in such a raanner as to enable him to
raove upon Seville, in case the eneray should weaken their force
in that city,
' It is my opinion that the employment of the troops under
the comraand of General Morillo, and of the cavalry under
the Conde de Penne Villeraur, in the Condado de Niebla, on
the same object, would have the effect of still further drawing
the enemy's attention from the allies engaged in the siege of
Badajoz ; and, on the principle above referred to, would be
the operation in which they could be employed in which, at the
moraent, they would render most service to the cause.
' I have now considered this question solely in reference to
the siege of Badajoz, which is the great operation of the
moment ; but whether it should succeed or should fail, it
appears to me that the troops above mentioned would be
equally favorably situated for tbe plan which must be pursued
thereafter, ' In regard to the transfer of these troops to CastiUe, I
would beg leave to observe to your Excellency,
' First ; that it appears that the enemy are fortifying the
principal posts on the Tormes and the Douro ; and your Ex
cellency is aware that neither the troops of the Sth army, nor
those of the 6th army, can be equipped in such a raanner as
to be able to obtain possession of any of these posts. They
would therefore only enter the country in order to quit it again

1812. FRENEDA. 579
when the eneray should return in force ; and they could not
by any possible chance aid in any manner, oven by diversion,
in the great operation which is now in conteraplation.
' Secondly ; I would observe to your Excellency, that from
this time till the end of April, all operations are irapracticable
for either party in Castille. The enemy cannot attack Ciudad
Rodrigo ; neither could the troops under the coramand of your
Excellency perform any operation in which they should be
obliged to cross the Tormes, more particularly as the enemy
have fortified all the essential posts on that river, and rendered
their attainment hopeless,
' Thirdly ; I would beg to observe to your Excellency, that
weak as is Don Carlos de Espana's division, he has not the
raeans of supporting it. One battalion of 800 raen is, and has
been for several raonths, supported by me at Torre de Moncorvo ;
and Don Carlos has called upon me to supply with provisions,
for five months, 2600 men, which he proposes to place in the
garrison of Ciudad Rodrigo, besides the reserve of provisions
for the garrison in case of attack. How then can your Excel
lency expect to supply the troops of ihe Sth army when you
bring them to this part of the country ? I assure you that
the British magazines cannot afford them support.
' On every ground, then, of the advantage to be derived from
the operations of the troops of the Sth array in the great opera
tion which we are about to undertake, of the state of the sea
sons, and of tbe difficulties of subsistence, I would recoraraend
that the troops of the Sth array should be sent into the Condado
de Niebla ; of course your Excellency is the best j udge what
ought to be done. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' General Castaiios: ' Wellington.
Lieut. General Viscount Wellington, KB., to Lieut. General Graham.
' My dear Sir, ' Freneda, 17th February, 1812, 10 a.m.
' I enclose the only inteUigence which I have received since
yesterday. You will see that the 1st and 4th divisions of the
array of Portugal are on the left of the Tagus.
' The raail is come to the 31st.
' Alava arrived at Cadiz on the 29th, in the morning.
' Believe rae, &c.
Lieut. General Graham: ' Wellington. 2 p 2

580 PORTUGAL. 1812,
General the Earl * of Wellington, KB., to J. Bissett, Esq.,
Commissary General.
'Sir, ' Freneda, 18th February, 1812.
' I enclose a regulation on means of transport in Portugal,
which I request may be strictly observed by the officers of the
British Comraissariat. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' /, Bissett Esq: ' Wellington,
General ihe Earl of Wellington, KB., to Lieut. General Graham.
' My dear Sir, ' Freneda, 18th February, 1812. 9 a.m.
' I enclose a letter from Lieut. Blanckley.
' Marraont appears to be spreading his army a good deal.
' Some of our concerns to the south are going on well, I
am not quite so certain of others. Those to whom I was
obliged to have recourse to get the ordnance I wanted, seem to
be of opinion that there is no more occasion for precision in the
fire of artillery in a siege, than there is in an action at sea !
' I hear from General Campbell that he is getting on well.
I have desired that he raight be told that he might give leave
at Lisbon to any of his young raen who would return by the
4th of March. ' Believe rae, &c.
' Lieut General Graham: ' Wellington.
General the Earl of WeUington, K.B., io His Excellency
Charles Stuart.
'Sir, ' Freneda, 18th February, 1812.
' I have received tbe translation of the regulation of the
raeans of transport in tbe kingdom, which I have perused, and
as far as depends upon me it shall be carried into execution.
' I observe, however, that although many important altera
tions have been made in the regulation since it was first sub
mitted for ray opinion, only one of those which I suggested has
been raade, viz,, that by which 200 reis for each cart supplied
should be given to the magistrates ; and I am convinced that
this regulation, in its existing state, will be, as it is evidently
intended by the Governraent to be, as ineffectual for the pur-
* The Earldom is dated 18th Febraary, 1812. •

1812. I-RENKDV. ,581
pose of carrying on the war, as the former regulations on the
sarae subject, ' I have the honor to be, &c,
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:
General tlie Earl of Wellington, K.B., to His Excellency
Charles Stuart
' My DEAR Sir, ' Freneda, 18th February, 1812.
' I have received your letter of the 14th, regarding Baron
 . As well as I can recollect, you have an order from the
Secretary of State to have that person closely observed. It is
impossible to recollect every thing, but I have a distinct recol
lection of our being directed to be on our guard respecting this
person. ' Let the Portuguese Government do with him what they
please, excepting to set hira at large.
' Believe rae, &c.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart.
' 1 find that the letter which I received respecting Baron  ,
was frora Colonel Torrens, written at the desire of the Duke of
Brunswick, Let hira be detained by all means.
' It is very desirable that you should send me some more of
the translations of the regulations regarding raeans of transport,'
General the Earl of Wellington, KB., to Lieut. General Graham.
' My DEAR Sir, ' Freneda, 19th February, 1812. 9 A.M.
' I enclose a letter frora Lieut. Blanckley, frora which it ap
pears that the 6th division only are in the valley ofthe Tagus,
and the 2nd about Avila. I likewise enclose a letter from the
Junta de Avila, from which you wiU see bow the 6th division
are cantoned. All the corps mentioned belong to that division.
' I likewise enclose a letter of the 3rd from our old cor
respondents at Salaraanca, and one of the 6th from another
person. It appears from the latter, as well as from a letter
which I have frora Silveira, that Bonet has certainly evacuated
Asturias, at least with part of his troops.
' There are also papers of news from Tordesillas, Valladolid,
and Madrid. Frora the whole of these papers I have a tole
rable notion of the position of five of tbe eight divisions under

582 PORTUGAL. 1812.
Marraont's command, viz., Bonet, at La Baneza; Souhatn,
Zamora ; the Srd division, Maucune, Salamanca, Toro, &c.,
(the 31st and 47th belong to this division) ; the 2nd division,
Clausel, Avila ; the 6th division, Brenier, Talavera, I do not
know where the 1st, 4th, and Sth are, but I should think the
Sth are about Benavente, where Silveira tells rae the enemy
are in force ; and the 1st and 4th in the rear, probably Me
dina del Carapo, and the back parts of Castille,
' You will see also that the Guards and other troops of the
army of the North, have marched frora Valladolid, but they
had asserabled in large force to relieve Ciudad Rodrigo.
' I send you two papers from Tordesillas and Madrid,
raarked X, which contain some details not in the first men
tioned. You will see how the matter stands respecting Soria,
' I am just going over to Ciudad Rodrigo to see how our
works are going on, and shall return to-morrow,
' A packet has arrived at Lisbon, but we have not yet
received the mail. ' Believe me, &c.
' Lieut. General Graham: ' Wellington.
General the Earl of Wellington, KB., to Lieut. General Graham.
' My dear Sir, ' Freneda, 19th February, 1812.
• I enclose you some news from Madrid, Talavera, and
Toledo, a very interesting letter from Grant, and one from
 , giving an account of the force of the 2nd division.
It is stated to be much stronger than we before supposed it,
and I write to  ^  to request him to endeavor to account
for its strength by regiraents.
' I likewise enclose a letter frora my brother, and one from
General Cooke. That referred to by my brother, is one in
which he informs rae that the Cortes had made rae a Grandee,
which I keep to send to England.
' I recomraended that Ballesteros should be raade as strone
as possible, and should be equipped to strike at SeviUe, when
Soult should move against us. ' Believe rae, &c.
' Lieut General Graham. ' Wellington.
' I enclose an English newspaper of the 9th, in which you
will see the capitulation of Valencia,'

1812. I-RENEDA. 583
General the Earl of Wellington, KB., io the Right Hon.
Henry Wellesley.
< Sir, ' Freneda, 19th February, 1812.
• I enclose the copy of a letter which I have received from
the Mariscal de Campo Don Carlos de Espaiia, in regard to
the wants of the garrison of Ciudad Rodrigo, and the copy of
my answer *, which I beg you to lay before the Spanish Go
vernment. ' It is very desirable that measures should be adopted to
supply Don Carlos de Espana with money,
' I likewise enclose the copy of a letter from General Giron
to Captain General Castanos, which the latter put into ray
hands some days ago, regarding the plan of operations to be
adopted in the month of March, and my answer f, which I
likewise request you to lay before the Spanish Governraent.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' The Rt Hon. H. Wellesley: ' Wellington.
General the Earl of Wellington, KB., to the Right Hon.
Henry Wellesley.
' Sir, ' Freneda, 19th February, 1812.
' I have had the honor of receiving your Excellency's dis
patch of the 31st of January, in which you have enclosed a
letter of the 29th, frora tbe Secretary of State, Don E. de Bar
daxi, in which the Secretary of State has conveyed to the
officers and troops under ray coraraand, and to myself, the
thanks of the Cortes for the services which they had rendered
to the cause in the taking of Ciudad Rodrigo.
' I beg that you will request the Secretary of State to adopt
the most respectful mode of assuring that august assembly, that
the officers and soldiers under my command are highly sensible
of the distinguished honor which has thus been conferred upon
them, by the approbation expressed by the Cortes of their
services; and I trust that by a zealous discharge of our
duty, and by our exertions in the good cause in which we are
engaged, we shall continue to merit the approbation of the
Cortes. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
• The Right Hon, H. Wellesley: ' Wellington.
* See p. 574. f See p. 575,

584 PORTUGAL, 1812,
General the Earl of Wellington, KB., to the Right Hon.
Henry Wellesley.
•• Sir, ' Freneda, 19th February, 1812-
' Besides the letter from the Secretary of State, Don E.
Bardaxi, of the 29th January, to which I have repUed in an
other dispatch, your Excellency enclosed one in your dispatch
ofthe 31st January, from the sarae Minister, of that date, in
which his Excellency enclosed the decree of the Cortes, passed
at the recommendation of the Regency, by which the Cortes
have created me a Grandee of Spain, and Duque de Ciudad
Rodrigo. ' I have transmitted this letter and its enclosure to Eng
land, to be laid before His Royal Highness the Prince Regent,
acting in the name and on the behalf of His Majesty, and have
requested His Royal Highness's permission to accept the honors
which the Cortes and Regency of Spain have been pleased to
confer upon me.
' In the mean time, I beg you to request the Secretary of
State to convey to the Cortes and the Regency my respectful
acknowledgments for the favor with which they have viewed
the services of the officers and troops under my coramand, and
for the high honors conferred upon me, by which they have
marked their sense of these services.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' The Right. Hon. H. Wellesley: ' Wellington.
General tlie Earl Of Wellington, KB., io ihe Right Hon.
Henry Wellesley.
' Mv DEAR Henry, ' Freneda, 19th February, 1812,
' You will see from my dispatch of this day, &c., what is
going on. I think it proper, however, besides, to send you a
yery curious paper, which I received last night from General
Castafios. ' He some time ago sent me word that he requested I would
supply his head quarters with provisions, as hq had none, to
which I consented. Shortly afterwards he went, and fixed
himself in Ciudad Rodrigo, although I particularly desired
that Ciudad Rodrigo might be considered solely a place de
guerre, and that nobody might go there excepting the garrison.
When I was there the other day to see the works, I found

1812. FRENKDA. 58.^
that his head quarters were drawing from the commissariat of
our Sth division, which were working there, 290 rations, be
sides 180 rations which another party of them were drawing
frora Fuentes de Oiioro, At this time there were no Spanish
troops in Ciudad Rodrigo.
' I sent O'Lalor over to remonstrate upon this extravagant
waste, at a place where it is very inconvenient to give any
thing, and I enclose the papers which he brought me back.
' From this you will see how these matters go on. Extra
vagant as we are, there is no officer with us who draws more
than one ration, the same as a soldier. He besides draws a
ration for every servant not a soldier. Just observe, that for
123 artillery men and 22 pioneers, making 1 45 troops, and
some of the Staff of the garrison, the Spaniards draw 269
rations ! Each officer drawing 3, 5, 6, 7, and as far as 16
rations ! ' Ever yours most affectionately,
' The Right Hon. H. Wellesley: ' Wellington.
General the Earl of Wellington, K.B., io the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My Lord, ' Freneda, 19th February, 1812.
' Since I addressed your Lordship on the 12th instant, I
have received intelligence that the 1 st and 4th divisions of the
army of Portugal, and part of General Montbrun's cavalry, as
well as the 6th division, are on the Tagus, in the neighbour
hood of Talavera de la Reyna and Toledo.
' It is certain that General Bonet evacuated the Asturias at
the time I received the reports that he had done so in January,
and I understand that he suffered considerably in this opera
tion, as well from the effects of the weather as from the opera/-
tions of a datachraent of the army of Galicia, and of General
Porlier' s troops.
' No moveraent of iraportance has been made by any of the
troops coraposing the army of Portugal since I addressed you
on the 12th instant.
' The reports which had been in circulation throughout
Spain, that Valencia had not fallen on tbe 9th of January, as
stated in the enemy's gazettes, have been contradicted, and no
doubt is now entertained of that misfortune. It is reported

586 PORTUGAL. 1812.
that Marshal Suchet, having left a garrison of 8000 men in
Valencia, had marched in the end of January to the relief of
Tarragona, ' The report that that place has fallen still prevails, but I
have received no confirmation of it on which I can rely.
' There is no doubt that the guerrilla chiefs had possession
of the town of Soria, as stated in ray dispatch of the 12th
instant, but the French troops retired to the castle, which the
guerrillas could not take, and the latter afterwards evacuated
the town,
' These parties continue to increase, and their operations
become every day more important. Saorrail has lately inter
rupted the communications of the army of Portugal, in Upper
Castille, near Medina del Campo, and he took about 100
prisoners near that town ; and the party of Cuesta attacked a
body of French infantry, which crossed the Tietar, and obliged
them to retire with considerable loss.
' My last letters frora Cadiz are of the 31st January. The
enemy was raaking no moveraent of iraportance on that side.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
• The Earl of Liverpool: ' Wellington.
General ihe Earl of Wellington, KB,, io Lieut, General Graham.
' My dear Sir, ' Freneda, 20th February, 1812. 10 a.m.
' I enclose a letter from  , and its enclosure, which
I beUeve is from the Portuguese  .
' De Lancy has a letter from Offeney, stating that Foy had
marched with a detachment by the Puerto de San Vicente on
Guadalupe ; but he had returned one march. He had not
been able to bring either cannon or carriages ; and I think
that this was a reconnaissance to see whether they could com
municate with the Sth corps by that route. There is a report
that they were repairing the roads in that direction.
' There is nothing new on this side. I am going to Ciudad
Rodrigo to-morrow. ' Believe me, &c.
' Lieut General Graham: ' Wellington.

1812. FRENEDA. 587
General the Earl of Wellington, KB., to  . ,
' Sir, ' Freneda, 22nd February, 1812.
' I have received your letter of the 20th. I shall be glad
to keep up the correspondence which you raention with Naval-
moral, and request you to let me know what will be the ex
pense. ' I observe what you have said in your letter of the strength
of the second division in the province of Avila, and you will
observe how inconsistent that account, which 1 believe to be
true, is, with tbe accounts which you before gave of the total
strength of the army of Portugal. I now enclose a list of the
divisions and of their Generals, and of the regiments of the
array of Portugal, including the divisions of Generals Souham
and Bonet, and the cavalry. I request you to inquire how many
battalions there are in each of those named regiraents at pre
sent, and how raany men present under arras in each battaUon,
and where each battalion is ; the name of the Colonel of each
regiment, and of the chief of each battaUon ; how the regi
raents are classed in brigades, and the names of the General
Officers commanding brigades. You need not be in a hurry
about getting this information, but you will consider it to be
an object on which I want to have accurate inforraation, and
you will get it for rae as soon as you can with convenience,
' I have the honor to be, &c.
'  . ' Wellington.
' P.S. 23rd February. Since writing the above, I have
received your second letter of the 20th. As the money has
been paid by your direction to the person who wrote the letter
you enclosed, it shall be refunded by me, but in future you
must not disburse such large sums without my orders. I had
determined that I would give that person no more raoney, as
he is of no use whatever.'
General the Earl of Wellington, KB., to His Excellency
Charles Stuart.
' Sir, ' Freneda, 22nd February, 1812.
' I enclose an extract from the General Orders of the army,
containing the proceedings and sentence of a General Court
Martial, of which Colonel Inglis is President, on the trial of

588 PORTUGAL. 1812.
Lieut.  , of the — regiraent, on a complaint of the master
of the Golden Lion at Lisbon.
' At the same tirae I enclose an extract of the minutes of the
evidence, containing the testimony of Lieut. Wright, 36th
regiment, showing the treatment which the officers of the
British army receive in that house,
' Notwithstanding that I have confirraed and put into execu
tion the sentence of the General Court Martial on Lieut. — — ,
I raust say that the officers of the British array have, and par
ticularly Lieut.  , reason to complain in being obliged to
go to such a house as the Golden Lion, and in being obUged
to submit to the insolence and ill treatment of the landlord
and his waiters.
' I beg you to lay these papers before the Portuguese
Government, and to make my request that the police may
be directed to warn the master of the Golden Lion, and his
waiters, of the necessity of behaving theraselves respectfully to
the officers of the army. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:
General the Earl of Wellington, K.B., io Lieut. Colonel Fletcher,
' My dear Sir, ' Freneda, 23rd February, 1812. 9 a.m.
' In the memorandum which you gave me on Saturday last
for the construction of your gabions and fascines at Elvas, you
inserted the dimensions of the gabions to be three feet high,
exclusive of points, and one foot six inches in diameter. It
appears to Colonel Brito, as well as to me, that this is a rais
take ; and I beg to hear from you iramediately whether you
wish that they should be one foot six, or two feet six inches in
diameter. ' Believe me, &c.
' Lieut. Colonel Fletcher: ' Wellington.
General ihe Earl of Wellington, KB., io Colonel de Brito Mozinho.
« Sir, ' Freneda, 23rd February, 1813,
' Since I wrote to you this raorning, I have heard from
Fletcher ; and I find that he intended that the gabion should
be only 1^- feet in diameter; but as this appears to me to be

1812. FRENEDA. 589
too small, I beg that they raay be made two feet in diameter,
tiU you shall hear further from me.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
• Colonel de Brito Mozinho: ' Wellington.
General the Earl of Wellington, K.B., to Lieut. Colonel Fletcher.
' My dear Sir, ' Freneda, 23rd February, 1812.
' I received this evening your letter of this day, by Cap
tain Canning. Probably it did not occur to you that a gabion
18 inches diameter would not cover a man. Every man, even
the smallest, occupies 20 inches ; and tbe gabion ought at
least to cover hira. Besides, the gabion of 1| feet diameter
does not contain rauch raore than half the solid space of one
of 21
' Adverting to the reasons first raentioned, I have written
to Brito to desire that the gabions might be 2 feet in diameter;
and I beg to hear frora you before the post shall go on the
morning of the 25th, whether you continue to think that they
should be 1| feet. ' BeUeve me, &c.
' Lieut. Colonel Fletcher. ' Wellington.
' P.S, I have just received your letter of the 23rd, regard
ing the march of a company of artificers to Elvas. I have
given orders, that if any officer applies to the Quarter Master
General at Lisbon for a route to Elvas for a company of
artificers, he is to have it. But who is the officer to apply ?
Who is to give him bis orders to apply .'''
General the Earl of Wellington, KB., io Major Dickson, R.A.
« My dear Sir, ' Freneda, 2,Srd February, 1812.
' I received only this evening your letter of the 18th, I
do not know what answer you were to expect frora me upon
the subject of the Russian 18 pounders, I wrote to the
Admiral to express ray disappointment ; but there was no use
in writing to you. You could not raend the matter; and
there was no use in discussing with you by letter the resources
which occurred to my mind to extricate us from the scrape
into which we had got, notwithstanding all the pains I had
taken to avoid it.

590 PORTUGAL. 1812,
' 1 do not know whether the Admiral will send you English
guns or not. If he should not, we must separate carefully,
and mark the English, the Russian, and the Portuguese shot;
and we raust use those of each nation in different batteries.
The artillery officers must then calculate upon the windage of
tbe different descriptions of shot in their charges, and the
direction and elevation of their guns ; and as the shot in each
battery will always be the sarae, there will not be so much
difficulty in managing these pieces as we experienced in the
last siege, under similar circumstances,
' I hope, however, that if the Admiral has them, he will
send English 18 pounders. • BeUeve rae, &c,
' Major Dickson: ' Wellington.
General the Earl of Wellington, KB., to His Excellency
Charles Stuart.
' My dear Sir, ' Freneda, 23rd February, 1812.
' I have received your letter of the 20th, and I ara very
sorry that any inconvenience should have been experienced in
consequence of any order of mine. As, however, I am
responsible for the supply of the British array, and of that
part of the Portuguese array which is supplied by the British
Coraraissariat, and of that part of the Portuguese array which
is not so supplied, it is natural that I should wish to be
acquainted with the contents of our magazines before I order
that any issue should be made ; and adverting to the amount,
and the causes of the deraands made upon our raagazines since
Deceraber last, it is natural that I should not allow any issues
to be made from them without orders frora the Commissary
General, after consulting my opinion.
' The order which has been lately repeated to Mr. Pipon
on this subject, has been frequently given before. I am not
aware of the exact terms in which it was lately given to Mr.
Pipon ; but as Mr. Pipon was aware from the coraraunication
of the paragraph of my letter to you, that it was left to him to
make the advance of the grain, or to give the drafts of the
money, he might have ventured to begin to raake the advance
of the grain without waiting for the result of further reference
to head quarters. I directed, however, this raorning, that the
answer to the reference should be given ; viz., that he was to

1812, freneda, 591
give immediately as much of the grain of all descriptions as
could without inconvenience be spared from our raagazines,
and the reraainder of the araount of the demand when it
should be convenient to us to spare it, I can do no more.
' I observe the attempt of Dora M. de Forjaz, &c., to throw
upon us the inconvenient consequences of wanting this grain,
and not having it immediately. If they had the whole of it
at this moraent in their possession, they could not use it,
excepting for sale. / will lay my life that they will not
carry one third of the quantity from the sea coast in six
months. ' I know nothing about the supply of money to the railitary
chest. I am very certain that the Portuguese Government
have, in money and kind, received more than their subsidy
from the departments of this army in the last year.
' Believe me, &c.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:
MEMORANDUM
To be submitted to General Castaiios. ' 24th February, 1812.
' Tbe British army being now in raarch towards the Alen
tejo, for tbe purpose of attacking Badajoz eventually, it is
desirable to consider what plans the enemy may follow, and
what are our raeans of resisting thera.
' First. They raay raove their whole force, including the
divisions of Souhara and Bonet, into Estreraadura, leaving
Castille and Leon to their fate, as they have done heretofore ;
or they raay move only a part of their force into Estre
madura, leaving a part to occupy the principal points in those
kingdoras. ' Secondly. Leaving the array of the south, and the three
divisions of the army of Portugal, now on the Tagus, and the
cavalry, to oppose the allied British and Portuguese army in
Estreraadura in the best manner they can, they may attack the
kingdom of Galicia with the reraainder of the army.
' Or, thirdly, they may attack the frontiers of Portugal by
the north of the Douro.
' Or, fourthly, they may pass the Agueda by the fords below
Ciudad Rodrigo, cut off the communication between Ciudad

592 PORTUGAL. 1812.
Rodrigo and Almeida : or even pass the Coa, and cut off the
coraraunication between those places and the interior of th6
country. ' The operation which I have stated in the first instance, is
that which it is raost probable the eneray will follow ; and that
they will leave the divisions of Bonet and Souham to occupy
the kingdoms of Castille and Leon.
' It will then become a question, what operation the troops
of Galicia shall carry on, which must be decided by the relative
force of the allies and of the enemy, and by the state in which
the eneray shall leave the towns on the Douro and the Tormes
which they are fortifying; and by the degree of equipment
for attacking those works with which General Abadia can
provide himself.
' If the enemy should adopt this supposed plan, it would
be desirable not only that Don Carlos de Espaiia should take
the field in CastUle with all that be can venture to draw from
the garrison of Ciudad Rodrigo; but that Don Julian Sanchez,
Saorrail, and all the chiefs of parties of guerrillas should co
operate with hira in order to do the eneray as much mischief
as possible ; and that the troops even in Biscay should be put
in motion.
' The Portuguese General officers north of the Douro, have
under their coraraand of regular troops only small detachments
of cavalry. These could not with propriety be raoved to a
greater distance frora the Portuguese frontier, but the Portu
guese General officers shall have orders to support with their
cavalry within reasonable limits, any offensive operations
which it may be thought proper that General Abadia should
adopt in the case supposed.
' If the enemy should adopt the plan supposed in the second
instance, the Portuguese General officers, Bacellar and the
Conde de Amarante, shall have orders to do as much mis
chief to the enemy's flank and rear as they can ; at least with
their cavalry, but not to push their infantry too far forwards,
I imagine that if Galicia should be invaded, and General
Abadia should be obliged to retreat, his line of retreat would
be towards the frontiers of Portugal ; and great care must be
taken in that case, that the Portuguese General officers, by
pushing too far into Leon, do not lose their communication
with his right.

1812. FRENEDA. 593
' If the enemy should adopt the line supposed in the third
instance. General Abadia would of course annoy the enemy'8
flank and rear, while the Portuguese General officers would
oppose them in front,
' If the enemy should adopt either of the plans supposed in
the second and third instances, Don Carlos's division with the
guerrillas might do a geat deal of mischief in Castille.
' If the enemy should adopt the plan supposed in the fourth
instance, I propose to direct General Bacellar to collect all
the miUtia of the northern provinces of Portugal on the Coa,
and to place hiraself in coraraunication with the reraainder of
Don Carlos de Espana's division, which shall not be in the
garrison of Ciudad Rodrigo ; and to endeavor to protect the
magazines on the Douro and the Mondego, and to force the
enemy into Lower Beira, if they should persevere in entering
Portugal. The advantage which General Abadia could take
of this operation, would likewise depend upon the extent of
the force which the enemy would leave in his front ; upon the
degree to which the enemy should have fortified his posts on
the Douro and Torraes, &c. ; and on the degree to which
General Abadia can equip hiraself with artillery to attack
those posts.
' If the eneray should adopt this plan, supposed in the fourth
instance, Don Carlos would of course destroy the bridges on
the Yeltes and Huelva. It appears to rae that it would like
wise be desirable to destroy that of Barba de Puerco ; and
particularly if the weather should be bad, the three bridges at
CastiUejos.
' Wellington.'
General ihe Earl of Wellington, KB., to Colonel de Brito Mozinho.
'Sir, ' Freneda, 25th February, 1812.
' Since I wrote to you yesterday, I. have received another
letter frora Lieut. Colonel Fletcher, who is anxious that the
interior diameter of the gabions should not be raore than 1^
feet, and 1 request that they may be made accordingly.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' Colonel de Brito Mozinho: ' Wellington.

VOL. VIII.

594 PORTUGAL. 1812.
General the Earl of Wellington, KB., to Major General Cooke.
' Sir, ' Freneda, 25th February, 1812.
' 1 have had the honor of receiving your letters (Nos. SO
and 52) of the 6th and 14th instant, and that marked private
of the 9th instant.
'I have already in my letter of the 1st instant, stated to
you ray opinion regarding Tarifa. I do not think that Cap
tain Smith's letter throws new Ught upon the subject. The
island appears still to be the principal point to defend, and the
easiest to be defended at a sraall expense and risk of loss.
Whether the town and the hill of S'" Catalina can be made
subservient to the defence of the island, depends upon circum
stances upon which it would be possible to decide only by
having a local knowledge of the place.
' It is very clear to rae, however, that the enemy will not
attack Tarifa in this spring ; and that you will not be called
upon to furnish troops to garrison that place so soon as you
expect. If you should be called upon either by the Spanish
Government, or by the Governor of Gibraltar, you raust
decide the question according to the suggestions which I raade
to you in my dispatch of the 16th November. If you .should
send a detachment from Cadiz at the desire of the Spanish
Governraent for a purpose connected with the operations of
General Ballesteros, I conceive that the Governor of Gib
raltar has nothing to say to such detachment. If you should
send one to Tarifa at the desire of the Governor of Gibraltar,
or of the Spanish Government, it is better not to discuss the
question, whether the detachment shall or shall not obey the
orders of the Governor of Gibraltar. He has occupied Tarifa
permanently ; and he is about to improve the defences of the
place, which he conceives to be under his orders. The troops
sent to Tarifa should therefore be under his orders ; but
according to all the rules of His Majesty's service, the senior
officer should coraraand the whole.
' I have nothing to say to the division of the coramand of
the island and town of Tarifa, which I conclude has been
settled by the Governor of Gibraltar.
' I have perused the enclosures in Colonel Lambert's dis
patch of the 6th instant. I have not got Tofino's plan of
Carthagena, and I am not able to judge exactly of the situa-

1812. FRENEDA. 595
tion of the different places referred to by Captain Roberts.
The hill of San Julian, however, is in every point of view a
most important post to be secured, not only by a block house,
as is proposed by Captain Roberts, but by a good redoubt,
capable of containing a garrison of 300 men, or even more, if
the ground should be sufficiently spacious.
' As it appears that the soil is rocky, I have no objection to
Captain Roberts comraencing by constructing the block house,
which will always be an additional security to the redoubt ;
but the objects of our attention at Carthagena should be, not
only to defend the existing works, but to secure the corarauni
cation of the town with the sea, without which it will be im
possible to supply the town with provisions, &c,, to last during
the time which the works are capable of holding out, when
our troops will give the example of a determined defence.
' It appears to me that there wUl be time to construct such
works as may be necessary for this object at no great expense ;
and I beg that they may be commenced without loss of time.
' I have tbe honor to be, &c.
' Major General Cooke: ' Wellington.

General the Earl of Wellington, K.B., to the Right Hon.
Henry Wellesley.
' My dear Henry, ' Freneda, 25th February, 1812,
' I received last night your letters of the 12th and 14th.
The enclosures are very interesting.
' I think that Lacy has taken Tarragona. It is generally
reported that he had on the 28th of January ; and I see by
Adam's letter, that he was to attack the place about that time.
' It is impossible to concert operations between two bodies
at such a distance as Ballesteros and I shall be. 1 expect to
be able to invest Badajoz about the 10th. It may be expected
that about the 14th or ISth, Soult will receive the report, and
will prepare to raove to support the place, Ballesteros should
be prepared to raove on Seville at that sarae tirae ; and should
move as soon as he shall find that the eneray have weakened
their force at Seville, &c,, to such an extent as to give him a
prospect of success. He should risk nothing ; and should
retire when he shall find that the enemy return to Seville in
strength.

2q 2

596 PORTUGAL. 1812.
' It may be depended upon, that the greatest part of the
array, particularly the cavalry, will be brought against us ;
and, therefore, Ballesteros' deficiency of cavalry in this expe
dition wiU not much signify.
' You will see by the letter which I gave Castaiios, of
which I sent you a copy on the 19th instant, that I have
recomraended that Morillo's troops should be employed from
the Condado de Niebla in the sarae raanner. I believe, but he
has not told me, that they are to be employed as 1 proposed.
But even these troops can scarcely act in concert with Bal
lesteros. They raust both act with celerity, but independently,
on the sarae object; and coraraunicate as soon as they can.
But concert at such distances is irapossible.
' Ever yours most affectionately,
' The Right Hon, H, Wellesley: ' Wellington.
General ihe Earl of Wellington, K.B., to His Excellency
Charles Stuart.
' My dear Sir, ' Freneda, 25th February, 1812,
' Since I wrote to you on the 23rd, I have received the
enclosed letter frora Mr. Bissett with its enclosures, (1, 2,
and 3,) the whole of which I request you to return to rae.
Frora a perusal of these papers, it will be seen that there is
not rauch reason to complain of us here at head quarters. All
that I know is, that when a question coraes before rae, I decide
it before the post goes out ; and always grant these demands,
whether for money or supplies in kind, when I have before
me the information to enable me to decide upon them.
' It appears that three deraands have been made upon our
stores since the raonth of December. The first demand was a
rank job of the Junta de Viveres ; but both the first and the
second were granted, and the grain in the progress of delivery ;
then carae a deraand for raoney or grain, to which I answered
by referring to Mr. Pipon for information whether it would
be most convenient to us to give grain or money ; upon which
letter Mr. Pipon might have acted, if there was any press for
the grain.
' In the mean time, however, he received the Coramissary
General's directions of the I6th of February, upon which so
much has been said. The directions are very proper in thera
selves, and they raust be obeyed, or we cannot carry on the

1812. i^reneda. ,597
service, Sorae inconvenience raight have resulted from their
being received at that particular moraent, if there had been
any press for the grain, and if Mr, Pipon did not choose to
act upon my letter to you. But it appears that there was
still a remainder on the former deraands, which Mr. Pipon had
positive orders to issue ; and before we are raade responsible
for the consequence of delay, it would be very desirable that
Sr. Cardozo should state what quantity he had in his raaga
zines at Lisbon, and what quantity of conveyance he had to
take any away frora the sea coast.
' I observe in the Portuguese authorities in general, a very
strong desire to have the management of raoney. I wish it
were in ray power to gratify thera by paying in every raonth
the exact subsidy, and thus to have nothing more to say to
them. But as this is not the case, I raust go through these
details : at all events, I cannot allow any demands upon the
British departments to be complied with, unless they come in
the regular channel through the head of the department, with
all the information on the subject. ' Believe me, &c.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:
General ihe Earl of Wellington, KB., io Major Dickson, R.A.
' My dear Sir, ' Freneda, 26th February, 1812.
' I have just received a letter of the 23rd from the Admiral,
in which he tells me that be has ordered to Alcacer do Sal,
ten of the Naiden's 18 pounders, which are English, quite
new, and he thinks will answer your purpose. I hope that
you will take them. * Believe rae, &c.
' Major Dickson: ' Wellington.
General the Earl of Wellington, KB., to the Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My Lord, ' Freneda, 26th February, 1812.
' The troops of the array of Portugal have made no move
ment of importance since I addressed you last, excepting a
reconnaissance by the troops under the coraraand of General
Bonet, from Benavente on Monbuy, and the Puebla de Sana-

598 PORTUGAL. 1812.
bria, between the 14th and 19th instant ; and a movement of
the sarae description by the troops under General Foy, from
the neighbourhood of Talavera towards Guadalupe, through
the Puerto de San Vincente. This last was intended, I believe,
to ascertain whether it was practicable to march a column by
that route from the Tagus to the Guadiana, Both have
returned to their stations.
' The repairs and iraproveraents to the works at Ciudad
Rodrigo being in great forwardness, and the place being out
of danger of being taken, except by regular siege, and the
works of Alraeida having likewise been repaired as far as is
possible at present, and that place having again been restored
as a fortress, I have put the troops in raarch towards the
Alentejo, in order eventually to attack Badajoz.
' I have not been able to raove them at the period, or in the
order which I wished ; as 1 have been obliged to send several
of the regiments, both British and Portuguese, to get their
clothing and equipments at the station to which they were
brought by the navigation of the river, not having been able
to procure means of land transport to carry what was required
to the troops. 1 trust, however, I shall not feel the incon
venience which might be expected from their having been
raoved in a raanner so contrary to every military principle.
' Tbe last accounts which I have received from Cadiz are
dated the 14th instant.
' It appears that the newly appointed Regency are actively
eraployed in equipping a body of troops to reinforce General
Ballesteros, and in endeavors to reform the various abuses
which prevail in the array.
' The troops which had been detached from the array of
Portugal into the kingdora of Valencia, in the end of Decera
ber, under General Montbrun, did not assist in the reduction
of the city of Valencia ; but raarched upon AUcante. General
Montbrun, at the head of a detachraent of about 5000 men,
suraraoned this place to surrender ; and the Governor having
refused to attend to his offer, he retired on the following day-
' Marshal Suchet had left General Harispe's division in
the kingdom of Valencia, and a small garrison in the city,
and after levying a very large contribution, he had marched
into Catalonia ; and I understand that General Lacy was
obliged to raise the siege of Tarragona.

1812. FRKNEDA. .599
' The enemy have made no moveraent of importance in the
south of Spain. ' I have the honor to be, &c,
' The Earl of Liverpool' ' Wellington.
General the Earl of Wellington, K.B., to Major Dickson, R.A.
¦ My dear Sir, ' Freneda, 27th February, 1812.
' 1 have this day received your letter of the 22nd. I
received a letter frora the Adrairal yesterday of the 23rd, in
which he informed rae that he had sent to Alcacer do Sal, ten
18 pounders English, of the best description, from the Naiden.
I beg you to take raeasures to have them reraoved to Elvas,
even though you should have brought up the Russian guns;
if they should arrive before you shall have moved the Russian
guns, you will of course have left ten of the Russians,
' I think you are in advance of your tirae ; but the equip-
raents frora Lisbon, &c., are behind it.
' I think it possible, from the prevalence of westerly winds
for the last few days, that the communication between Lisbon
and Setuval may have been stopped, I intended to have left
this on the Ist, and I should have been at Elvas on the 6th ;
but I shall not now set out till the 2nd or 3rd, at all events ;
and not then, unless I should hear from you, that you are
likely to be there, and complete on the Sth. It is very im
portant that I should not quit this part of the country till tbe
last moraent ; and that there should be no delay after I shall
arrive at Elvas.
' You say nothing about the engineer's stores. Colone
Fletcher tells me that the last of thera had not left Lisbon on
the 19th. ' Believe me, &c.
' Major Dickson: 'Wellington.
General the Earl of Wellington, KB., to General Bacellar.
< Siu^ ' Freneda, 27th February, 1812.
' The allied British and Portuguese army are in raarch
towards the province of Alentejo, with a view to operations
to the southward, and it is necessary that I should convey to
you instructions regarding your conduct during ray absence
from this part of the country.

600 PORTUGAL, 1812.
' If the enemy should diminish his force in the kingdoms of
Leon and Castille, so as to be necessarily on the defensive,
and General Abadia, from the province of Galicia, and the
Mariscal de Campo, Don Carlos de Espaiia, from the frontiers
of Castille, should undertake any offensive operation against
any of the French posts in those kingdoras; the Conde
de Amarante should support the operations of General Abadia
with his infantry, as far as may be consistent with the instruc
tions which he has already received frora Marshal the Conde
de Trancoso, and rae, and with his cavalry, and that under
the immediate coraraand of your Excellency, to such extent as
may be deeraed prudent to advance thera, taking care that
they have a communication with, and secure retreat upon, his
infantry. ' If the enemy should retain a sufficient force in Castille
and Leon, to be able to act offensively, and should attack
Galicia, the General Conde de Amarante is to impede their
progress, and to do them all the mischief he can with his
cavalry upon their left flank, and eventually their rear, sup
porting his cavalry by his infantry ; but he must take care not
to push the latter too forward, or to risk its retreat upon
Portugal. In proportion as the enemy shall advance into
Galicia, and you shall find that he intends to establish himself
in that kingdom, you will raake arrangements to collect the
militia of the two northern provinces of the kingdom of
Portugal to the northward,
' If the enemy should attack the kingdom of Portugal by
the right of the Douro, instead of attacking Galicia, you will
raake the arrangeraents, and adopt the systera for their defence
ordered by the instructions of the Marshal Conde de Trancoso
in the year 1810, If the eneray should, instead of invading
Galicia, or the kingdora of Portugal, on the right of the
Douro, should pass the Agueda, below Ciudad Rodrigo, and
cut off the coraraunication between that place and Almeida,
you will, collect the troops in the provinces of Minho, Tras
OS Montes, and Upper Beira, on the Lower Coa ; and you
will as far as in your power, protect the magazines of the allied
army on the Douro and the Mondego.
' Both Almeida and Ciudad Rodrigo are in a state of de
fence to insure thera against capture by a coup de main, and
are supplied with provisions to last these garrisons at least

1812. FRENEDA. GOI
during the tirae that the enemy could possibly remain in the
country. In case you should have occasion, under these in
structions, to assemble the troops in Upper Beira, I hereby
authorize you to make use of the contents of the magazines of
the allied army at Lamego and St. Joa5 da Pesquiera; but
this authority raust be raade use of only in case of urgent
necessity, as it raay prove of the utmost detriment to the cause
of the allied army, should we not have those magazines here
after, but whatever you may use of them must be replaced
without loss of time.
' I enclose a letter for Sir Howard Douglas, who is eraployed
with General Abadia, in which I request that officer to give
you and General the Conde de Amarante constant intelligence
of the enemy's moveraents, in order to enable you to conform
to my instructions. I likewise request the Mariscal de
Carapo, Don Carlos de Espana, to coraraunicate with you
constantly. ' There is a daily post now between Celorico and Laraego,
and I have ordered one to be established between Celorico and
ray head quarters in the Alentejo, and I beg to hear frora
you constantly. ' I have the honor to be, &c,
' General Bacellar: 'Wellington.
General the Earl of Wellington, KB., io the Right Hon.
Henry Wellesley.
• Sir, ' Freneda, 27th February, 1812.
' I have the honor to enclose the draft of a memorandum
which I have sent to General Castaiios and his answer, being a
report to his Excellency frora General Giron, the Chief of the
Staff, on the probable plans of the eneray in this part of the
Peninsula, and the measures to be adopted by the allies, upon
the march of the allied British and Portuguese array under
my coramand to the south of the Tagus,
' 1 have the honor to be, &c.
' The Right Hon. H. Wellesley: ' Wellington.
General the Earl of Wellington, KB., to Major General Cooke.
'Sir, ' Freneda, 29th February, 1812.
' I request that, upon the receipt of this letter, you will oive
directions that Lieutenants Pitts, Jones, and Vetch, officers of

602 PORTUGAL, 1812,
the Royal Engineers, and 30 of the company of Artificers,
trained to sapping, raay erabark and proceed to Villa Real,
and proceed thence, according to the enclosed route, to Elvas.
* The Coraraissary General will take measures to have these
officers and men provided on their march.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
* Major General Cooke: ' Wellington.

General the Earl of Wellington, K.B., to Major General Cooke.
' Sir, ' Freneda, 29th February, 1812.
' I have had the honor of receiving your letter of the 16th
instant. No. S3, enclosing observations by Lieut. Colonel Dun
can, upon one of the 7th January, which I had addressed
to you.
' Notwithstanding that I hope the lines of the Isla, and
the other fortification depending on Cadiz, will never fall into
the hands of the enemy, I ara not satisfied by Lieut. Colonel
Duncan's observations, that the information which I desired
might be sent to the Secretary of State, cannot or ought not
to become matter of professional calculation, because it is the
Colonel's opinion that the supply of ammunition " should be
without bounds;" or that the Governraent have not a right to
require frora rae and yourself, and we frora the officers placed
under us, such professional inforraation as will enable them to
determine whether it is best for Great Britain to maintain the
foundries at Cadiz, or to send from thence the articles which
these foundries might be expected to supply, if worked at the
expense of Great Britain.
' Accordingly I request you again to call Lieut. Colonel Dun
can's attention to the inforraation required in my letter of the
7th January. If Lieut. Colonel Duncan cannot or will not make
the calculations required, I must and will ; and whether he or
I make them, I shall consider myself responsible that the works
at tbe Isla and Cadiz are sufficiently suppUed for any defence
they can be required to raake, if they should be supplied ac
cording to the calculations which will be sent to England under
my orders of tbe 7th January.
' In order to enable me to make the calculations which I
have required (and which Lieut. Colonel Duncan has declined
to make, there being yet no answer from the Commanding

1812, FRENEDA. 603
Officer of Engineers), I request to have a return of the num
bers of pieces of ordnance, stating of what calibres, in the
several works in the Isla, including the Caraccas, on the
Isthraus and in Cadiz, specifying the raeasureraent of the
nation according to which the caUbre is calculated.
' Of course you understand that the work at the Spanish
foundries is to continue till the Governraent shall have decided
whether they wUl defray the expense, or send frora England
the materials manufactured. ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' Major General Cooke: ' Wellington.
General ihe Earl of Wellington, K.B., to ihe Right Hon.
Henry Wellesley.
' My dear Henry, ' Freneda, 29th February, 1812.
' I have received your letter of the 29th. It is impossible
for me to send a regiment of cavalry to Gibraltar. Considering
what I have upon my hands, I doubt whether I have as much
cavalry as I shall require, notwithstanding that 1 have a good
deal. ' If 1 was to send a regiraent to Gibraltar, it would be under
the orders of the Governor, to whora I have nothing to say.
Any arrangement, therefore, that is made on this subject, must
be by the King's Governraent.
' If I could send a regiment to Gibraltar, and could dispose
of it when there (between ourselves), 1 sbould doubt the expe
diency of placing it under the coraraand of Ballesteros. It is
very desirable that he should succeed, but one regiment of
cavalry will not do much for hira one way or other ; and
having seen the raode in which the Spaniards use their cavalry,
and knowing how BaUesteros used sorae of our hussars, when
he had the disposal of thera for a moment, I should be desirous
of avoiding to trust a regiment to his disposal. The expense
of a regiment of cavalry at Gibraltar will be enormous ; and as
far as I have any knowledge of the scene of its operations, the
Sierra de Ronda, the expense of maintaining it in the field
stUl greater. And I doubt its being of much use, even under
the best manageraent. The fact is, that the French have so much
cavalry, that unless great masses can be brought against thera,
it is alraost useless, and is very expensive and burthensome, to
have raore than enough for the comraon duty of the outposts.

604 PORTUGAL. 1812.
' I give no credit to the shells going 5000 toises, which is
raore than 6 railes. But the French may certainly have im
proved upon the mortar, so as to make it throw farther than
it did before. It may be depended upon that their efforts in
this way are so very expensive that they will be very weak,
and our success, or Ballesteros's at Seville, will put an end to
them entirely. ' Ever yours most affectionately,
' The Right Hon. H. WeUesley: ' Wellington.

General ihe Earl of Wellington, KB., io the Right Hon.
Henry Wellesley.
' Sir, ' Freneda, 29th February, 1812.
' I have had the honor of receiving your letter of the 20th
instant, enclosing one from Don Jose Pizarro, in regard to the
wants of the place of Ciudad Rodrigo ; and I beg that you
will inform the Spanish Government that I had already
adopted the following measures for the security of that ira
portant place : —
' The breaches in the fausse braye wall have been rebuilt,
and the rebuilding of those in the main wall is in progress ; and
in the mean time three breaches have been repaired in such a
manner as to be out of danger of being carried by a coup de
main. ' Various improvements have been made in the works of the
place, and in concurrence, with the opinion of his Excellency
General Castanos, and the Spanish engineers, good works have
been constructed on the teson of San Fransisco, from which the
place can be attacked with the greatest advantage ; by which
works the teson is secured at least till they will be carried.
They are so respectable that they cannot be taken, excepting
by a regular attack.
' Works are in progress for the improvement of the convents
in the suburbs of San Fransisco ; and a redoubt is in progress
to the south of that suburb, which will add to the security of
the place on that side.
' These works have been perforraed by the allied British and
Portuguese troops, with the assistance of some Spanish troops
in the last week, and I have paid all the expense ; and I have
this day left in the hands of the Governor, Brig. General

1812. FRENEDA. 605
Vives, the sum of 12,000 dollars, to defray the expense of
completing, according to the plan settled, the works which have
been coramenced, some of which are in a defensible state, and
all in a considerable degree of progress. The total expense
which will have been incurred, including the sura of 12,000
dollars above mentioned, amounts to about £4500 sterling.
' 1 have the honor tt) enclose states of the ordnance, military
and engineer's stores in the place ; besides which, I have
ordered there 500 barrels of gunpowder from Almeida, which
will be thrown in imraediately ; and I have sent there 355,000
rounds of musket ammunition.
' I have likewise the honor to enclose states of the provisions
and medical stores in the place, and of those which 1 have
lodged in it. I have since ordered there 15,000 rations of
biscuit, and 5500 pounds of salt meat, 6000 pounds of salt fish,
and 25,000 pounds of rice. Reckoning the garrison, there
fore, at 3000 men, it has already iu it provisions for one
month. Your Excellency will besides have seen in my cor
respondence with Don Carlos de Espana, forwarded in my
dispatch of the 19th instant, the measures which had been
adopted to place at the disposal of Don Carlos de Espana, pro
visions for the garrison of Ciudad Rodrigo for two months.
' If other means should not have been found to supply the
garrison before these two raonths shall have expired, I will
endeavor to adopt further measures to supply their wants.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' The Ri. Hon. H. Wellesley: ' Wellington.
General the Earl of Wellington, K.B., io His Excellency
Charles Stuart.
' My dear Sir, ' Freneda, 29th February, 1812.
"¦ 1 have received your letter of the 25th, containing certain
queries from the Superintendent of the Police, on the mode of
carrying into execution the law in regard to numbering the
means of transport at Lisbon ; and I acknowledge that among
my other avocations I did not know that I was the interpreter
of the raeaning of the Portuguese regulations.
' The object of the law is to number the raeans of transport,
in order to be able to get at them for the service of the army ;
and the first question is, whether those are to be numbered
which are kept by the officers of the British army, and by those

606 PORTUGAL. 1812,
employed by the British array at Lisbon. Those officers are
allowed certain sums to buy the animals which are deemed
necessary to enable them to perform their duty, and they are
allowed forage to feed them ; and then the magistrate, who is
to execute this law, asks. Are these animals to be numbered,
in order to facilitate their being taken for the service of the
army ? (they being already eraployed in the service of the
army) ; and the minister supports the notion of taking them by
proposing that the whole should be numbered and registered !
' I will not insult Dom M. de Forjaz by asking whether
he nurabers Cardozo's horses and his own, and Marshal Beres
ford's, and Adrairal Berkeley's, because I conclude that if he
nurabers those belonging to the officers of one nation, he does
the sarae to the officers of the other ; but I would beg to ask
him, whether the horses of the cavalry which may be at Lisbon,
and of the police guard, are to be numbered and registered
under the law ? If the horses and animals in one branch of
the public service are not considered liable to be numbered
and registered, why should those in another ?
' I should suppose that the law is intended to apply to the
horses and animals and raeans of transport, the property of
individuals, not kept for the public service.
' As for Dora M. de Forjaz's plan of first registering these
aniraals, and then excusing them from service, I know enough
of the mode of executing a law in Portugal, to protest against
it. It will give rise to constant disputes, and will tend to
increase the disunion which is growing fast between tbe two
nations, notwithstanding every effort of mine to prevent it. It
will, besides, afford ample ground for the evasion of the law
by the magistrates.
' To the second query, 1 answer, that if any body, whether
English or Portuguese, whether in the service of the army or
not, keeps means of transport which he is not required to keep
by orders of the army, and for which he is not allowed forage
by the regulations of the service, such horses and means of
transport should be liable to the law for means of transport.
' I do not understand the third question. If it means the
boats belonging' to the King's transports and store ships, &c.,
I beg to refer you to my answer to the first query for my
opinion upon it. If that is not satisfactory, Dom M. de Forjaz
had better settle that matter with the British Admiral in the
station.

1812. FRKNEDA. 607
' If I had any influence with the Portuguese Governraent,
1 should recommend that the person who framed these queries
should be dismissed from his station. He certainly does not
mean to carry into execution the transport laws, and he is not
the person who should be at the head of the police in these
times. ' BeUeve me, &c.
' His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:
General the Earl of Wellington, KB., to His Excellency
Charles Stuart
' My dear Sir, ' Freneda, 1st March, 1812.
' I have perused the paper which you transraitted to me in
your letter dated the 27th February, and I have examined the
plan of the proposed canal from the Sado * to the Tagus.
' The proposed canal cannot affect in one way or another
the military works on the heights of Almada, and on the left
of the Lower Tagus.
' Adverting to the nature of the war in which we are en
gaged, it raay be a question how far it is expedient to establish
a coraraunication by water, of which the eneray will have the
coramand, between the port of Setuval and the Tagus ; and to
give the eneray the coraraand of such a resource as that canal
would give him for the transport of stores and provisions, for
the attack of the works erected for the defence of Lisbon.
' It does not appear to be at all probable that the canal
would be of much use for the defence of Lisbon, as the line is
very long, and the right flank by no raeans strong ; and
whether it could be occupied or not would depend upon the
relative force of the attacking and defending troops. It
would be useful to the array if it could maintain itself on the
frontier. ' I say nothing about the expense of the undertaking, or of
tbe expediency of commencing it at present, when the Govern
ment are unable to defray the expense of their array, because
such observations are useless. ' Believe me, &c.
• His Excellency ' Wellington.
Charles Stuart:
* The river which falls into the sea at Setuval, and which, at different parts
is called Sado, Sadao, and Setuval.

608 PORTUGAL. 1812.
General the Earl of Wellington, KB., io J. Bissett, Esq.,
' ¦ Commissary General.
' My dear Sir, ' Freneda, 3rd March, 1812. 4 p.m,'
' 1 omitted to mention to you this morning that it would be
very desirable that somebody, upon whom you can depend,
should go to Elvas, in order to keep together there the bul
locks and carts which will bring up the ordnance and stores,
and have an account of thera ready by the tirae I shall arrive.
Otherwise we shall be hard run for raeans of transport to
begin our operations, and rauch valuable tirae will be lost in
getting the account of what there will be,
' Mr. Routh wUl probably be able to aiTange this for you.
'Believe me, &c.
' J. Bisseti,Esq: ' Wellington.
General the Marl of Wellington, KB., to Lieut. General Hill
' My dear Hill, ' Freneda, 3id March, 1812,
' I have recommended to General Castafios to move General
Morillo's and Penne Villeraur's troops into the Condado de
Niebla during our service in Estremadura, and I think it not
improbable that I shall be able to prevail upon him to move
them iramediately; at least, I propose to try to-raorrow at
Ciudad Rodrigo, where I ara going.
' I shall be very much obliged to, you if you will desire Mr.
Routh to prepare nieans of feeding them at Jurumenha, Re
dondo, &c., towards Bej^, and thence to Mertola, where they.
will cross the Guadiana. They must not go by ViUa Viqosa,
or touch upon our cantonments. The Juiz de Fora will sup
ply them, upon Mr. Roufh giving thera previous notice of the
arrival of the troops, of which I will apprize you.
' I propose to leave this on the 6tbi and to, be at Elvas on
the 11th. ; ' Believe me, &c.
' Lieut. General HilV ' . ' Wellington,
General, the Eaxl of Wellington, K.B.,io the Earl of Liverpool,
, . Secretary of State. y
'MyLord, ,'> ! ' Freneda, 4tk March, 1812,
* 1 had ! ill tended to move the head quarters from hence on
their routSi towards ElVas,: on the Ist instant, but 1 have been

1812. freneda. 609
induced to delay the movement, because, owing to the difficulty
in procuring means of transport, the stores for the siege of
Badajoz are not yet brought up to Elvas, and because I
have learnt that the enemy's troops in all quarters are pre
paring to raove, and that the removal of the head quarters of
the army, when they raay hear of it, will be the signal for their
march. I propose to move, however, on the 6th.
' No moveraent of importance has been made since I ad
dressed your Lordship on the 26th of February. Our troops
have continued their march, for which the weather has been
remarkably favourable.
* I learn frora Cadiz that General Ballesteros defeated on
the of February, a detachraent of the eneray, under Gene
ral Maransin, near Malaga. It is reported that General Ma-
ransin was killed.
' I have a report from Sir H. Douglas of the 24th of Fe
bruary, stating that Espoz y Mina had taken the garrison of
Huerta on the 3rd of January, and that the Governor of Pam
plona, having sent out a detachment to attack General Men
dizabal at Sangiiesa, Espoz y Mina and Longa had joined
him, after the enterprize at Huerta, and engaged the French
detachraent in the valley of Rocaforte, on the 11th of January.
They defeated the enemy and took from them two pieces of
cannon, and killed 5 officers and 600 men.
' One of Don Julian Sanchez's detachments has lately de
stroyed a small detachment, consisting of an officer and 80 men,
between Alba de Tormes and Salamanca. The officer was
carrying orders, which are very interesting, and show the dis
tress of the enemy.
' I enclose two which deserve your Lordship's attention.
That in print wiU point out to you the degree of possession
which the enemy have of the country, which they pretend they
have conquered and settled. Your Lordship will observe that
•they cannot send a courier from Valladolid to Bayonne with
out an escort, consisting of at least 250 cavalry and infantry ;
and that they can secure the services of the estafette, whom
they are obliged to employ, only by placing hira in the centre
of the escort, and by a rope to the bridle of his horse.
' The authenticity of this paper will, as usual, be denied by
authority, because it is necessary to continue to deceive the
world, regarding the real situation of affairs in the Peninsula,
VOL. VIII. 2 K

610 PORTUGAL. 1812.
But I trust that your Lordship wilt believe that I never trans
mitted to you any paper which I did not know to be genuine;
' I have the honor to be, &c.
• The Earl of Liverpool' ' Wellington.
General the Earl of Wellington, KB., io Generals Bacellar and Trant.
' Gentlemen, ' Freneda, Sth March, 1812.
' The Captain General Castanos will pass through Lamego
and Oporto on his way to Juiz, in Galicia, in a short time. I
request you to pay him every attention which is due to his
high rank and situation, and to the important services which
he has rendered to the cause of the allied Governments. I
beg you to recoraraend the General to the attention of the
military governors and civil raagistrates, through whose dis
tricts and towns he raay pass.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' Generals Bacellar and Trant: ' Wellington.
General ihe Earl of Wellington, KB., to ihe Superintendent of
Transports on the Douro.
' Sir, ' Freneda, Sth March, 1812.
' The bearer, Don Pablo Caballero, is eraployed by the
Comraanding Officer of the Spanish troops in Castille, to pur*
chase flour at Oporto, with the intention of reraoving it by the
navigation of the Douro, as far up the river as it may be in
his power ; and I request you to attend to his requisitions for
boats for that service, he paying the usual price for the sarae,
' I have the honor to be, &c.
' The Superintendent of ' Wellington.
Transports on ihe Douro: TO ALL authorities, ' Sabugal, 6th March, 1812.
' The bearer of this is Mr. Croft *, who is attached to the
British Mission at the Court of Lisbon, and is eraployed by
His Majesty's Minister to distribute the bounty voted by
Parliaraent for the relief of the inhabitants of Portugal f. The
• Sir John Croft, Bart,, K.T.S., who declined all remuneration, even of his
expenses, for his services, which were gratefully acknowledged by the British
and Portuguese Governments, as also by the distressed inhabitants.
f See letter to Lord Liverpool, 27th October, 1810, vol. vi., pages 519 and 520.

1812. CASTELLO BRANCO. 611
General or other Officers comraanding posts and detachments,
are requested to give him every assistance in their power, and
to provide him with quarters, provisions, and forage.
' In the event of troops marching into towns in which this
gentleman may be residing for the purpose of executing the
duty with which he is entrusted, he is by no means to be
molested in his quarters ; but is, on the contrary, recommended
to the attention of the General or other Officers commanding
the troops.
' Wellington.'
General the Earl of Wellington, K.B., to Lieut. General Graham.
' My dear Sir, ' Pedrogao, 7th March, 1812. 2 p.m.
' I received this morning, at Sabugal, your letter of the 4th .
' We have at Abrantes 600,000 rounds of musket ammu
nition, and 30,000 of rifle; and we have 318,000 musket, and
148,000 of rifle at Elvas. The Light division, and the Sth
division, bring with thera their ammunition ; and the rifle am
munition, usually in the great reserve, is still with it,
' I had, besides, ordered a complete reserve to Abrantes
about six weeks ago, so that I hope we shall not want ammu
nition. ' I have heard nothing new since I wrote to you last, I
believe I informed you that the 2nd division had positively
moved from the province of Avila,
' I am sorry to hear so bad an account of blankets. From
the returns, I had hoped that the troops would have been
suppUed at Abrantes with every thing,
' I believe it will be desirable that the 24th regiment should
move up ; but if it should be so, I shall send thera orders, and
let you know. ' Believe me, &c.
" Lieut. General Graham: ' Wellington.
General ihe Earl of Wellington, KB., to  .

' SiR^ ' Castello Branco, Sth March, 1812.
' I have received your letter of the 4th, and that which you
enclosed from  . The 2nd division has certainly marched
from Avila by the Puerto del Pico, and I think it not impro
bable that Marraont is at AvUa, as  says. You may teU
2r2

612 PORTUGAL. 1812.
that I shall be happy to hear from his brother, but that

I can make him no promises, excepting to represent to the
Prince in a favorable view his services, and that I cannot fix
the time at which either will receive their pardon.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
'  .' ' Wellington. '
General ihe Earl of Wellington, KB., to Captain  .
< Sir, ' Castello Branco, 8th March, 1812,
' I have received your letter of the . You will recollect
what I wrote to you when first our correspondence commenced.
I held out no hopes of immediate pardon, but, on the contrary,
told you that I could obtain pardon for you only after long
and iraportant services. You will go to France, or not, just as
you please, but if you do go to France, you will do weU never
to return to Portugal, • I have the honor to be, &c,
• Captain  .' ' Wellington.
General the Earl of Wellington, K.B., to Lieut. General Graham. >
- My DEAR Sir, '.Portalegre, 10th March, 1812. Half-past 3 p.m.
' I enclose a letter from the Secretary of State for yourself^
and the copy of one addressed to rae, directing me to invest
you with the order of the Bath ; tbe insignia of which I like
wise send you. I go to Elvas to-morrow ; and if it should be
convenient to you to come there on the 12th, I shall be happy
to invest you.
' I shall be much obUged to you, if you will request the
General and Staff Officers of the 1st division, and the Com-;
manding Officers of the two regiments of Guards, and Blan
tyre, to be present on tbe occasion. I will take care that there
shall be quarters for every body at Elvas.
/ I enclose the only news which I have received since I left
Freneda. I do not believe that Marmont will make an attenipt
on Ciudad Rodrigo ; and if he does, I do not think he can
succeed. ' I have made arrangements to assemble the militia on the
Coa, if the enemy should collect upon the Tormes.
' Believe me, &c.
' Lieut. General Graham. ' Wellington; .
' Bring the insignia of the order with you to Elvas.

1812. PORTALEGRE. 613
' I have had a sad task to perform with poor Stewart ! He
is very much afflicted ; and it cannot be expected that he
should regain any composure for some time, I left him at
Niza, and I have endeavored to prevail upon him to go to
England.'

General ihe Earl of Wellington, K.B,, io Lieut, General Hill
' Portalegre, 10th March, 1812.
• My dear Hill, Half past 3 p.m.
' I send herewith a letter from the Secretary of State, and
the Insignia of the Order of the Bath, and the copy of a letter
to me directing me to invest you therewith.
' I am going to Elvas to-morrow, and as I believe the
earliest occasion wUl be on every account most suitable, I
would invest you there on the next day the 12th, if you can
raake it convenient to come over.
' Pray write to the General and Staff Officers of the 2nd
division to come over to Elvas to be present on the occasion,
ahd to dine with me, and likewise Generals Hamilton and
Long, if they should be near you. I wUl take care that you
shall all be quartered in Elvas. ' Believe me, &c.
' Lieut. General Hill * Wellington.
* I understand that you wish to know by what road I shall
pass to-morrow. By the direct road to Assumar. Bring the
insignia of the order with you on the 12th.'

General the Earl of Wellington, KB., to the Right Hon.
Henry Wellesley.
' My dear Henry, ' Portalegre, 10th March, 1812.
' I have received your letter of the 2nd.
' I think the junta of Generals at Cadiz will do but little
good. I can let you know what I wish that Ballesteros and
others should do, and you can make known my wishes to the
Government, without the intervention of any Generals.
' General O'DonneU has proposed to me, through Alava, to
send a General Officer to Cadiz, to confer with him upon the
operations ofthe ariiiies; and Lord Liverpool, in a letter which

614 PORTUGAL. 1812.
I received this day, has desired me to do the sarae thing. It
appears to me that great inconvenience would result from this
mode of doing business, and that the duties of the office of the
Ambassador would thereby in some degree be taken out of his
hands. ' I am very ready to state, upon all occasions, how ray plans
of operations can be aided by the Spanish troops ; but it must
be obvious that these plans must be founded on my own views
of the state of affairs. I cannot adopt plans to forward the
operations of such a corps as that of Ballesteros, or even as that
of Galicia. ' Ever yours most affectionately,
• The Right Hon. H. Wellesley. ' Wellington.
' I shall be at Elvas to-morrow,'

General the Earl of Wellington, KB., io Viscount Melville.
' My dear Lord, ' Elvas, 12th March, 1812.
. ' I received only the day before yesterday your letter of the
10th February*, and head quarters have been marching ever
since, and I shall not have time to peruse General Maitland's
paper before the post will go out.
' As however it is probable that you will decide upon your
measure before the next mail shall reach England, I will not
miss this opportunity of stating to you my opinion.
' First, that the European army in the East Indies ought to
be the King's.
' Secondly, that the three armies ought to continue separate
and distinct.
' Thirdly, that the Native army ought to be the Company's,
if the Company should continue to be the sovereign of the
territory. It would be impossible to sepai-ate this army from
the sovereignty, and indeed the great difficulty of trans-
* Extract of a letter from Viscount Melville to the Earl of Wellington.
' I am going to do a very unreasonable thing in requesting you, employed
as you are, to read the enclosed papers, which are for yonr confidential perusal.
My apology must be the behef that you are not indifferent to the interest and
character of our Indian armies, and that you will be perfectly disposed to favor
me wilh your opinion on the suggestion contained in these papers ; the sub
ject is not new to you, and it is beginning to make some Stir in this country,' '

1812. ELVAS. 615
ferring the native array to the Crown, and that the Crown
would find in keeping it officered, as it must be by persons ex
clusively belonging to the native service, have always appeared
to me the greatest in the way of the transfer of the sovereignty,
or, raore properly speaking, of the exercise of the sovereignty
to the Crown,
' Fourthly, it is my opinion that the Crown should name
both the Governors and Comraanders in Chief at all the Settle
ments, and should have a very efficient control over the nomi
nation of members of Council. If the Crown do not appoint
the Governor, the Crown should not appoint the Commander
in Chief. I have not time now to enter into a detail of all ray
reasons for entertaining this opinion. They are referable
principally to the experience I acquired in witnessing, and
sometimes being the mediator and reconciler of disputes be
tween the Governor and Commander in Chief. If the latter
were appointed by the Crown and the former by the Company,
the Comraander in Chief would be too strong for the Governor.
' Fifthly, it is my opinion that all authority, civil and mili
tary, must be vested by the law in the Governor in Council.
The law must recognize no other authority in the state. The
Company may and ought to instruct the Governor in Council,
1st, to leave all matters of discipline solely and exclusively to
the Coraraander in Chief, and to interfere in them in no raan
ner, excepting when the safety of the state should require it.
2ndly, that all recoramendations to military appointments,
such as the Staff Officers of the army to coramissions, pro
motions in tbe array of persons, civil or military, to fill the
departments of the array, and the inferior coraraands should
be made by the Commander in Chief to the Governor in
Council. The Governor in Council should be obliged to re
cord his reasons for dissent. Srdly, the recomraendations to
superior coraraands, such as divisions of the army, should be
with the Commander in Chief, when the holders of these cora
raands exercise no civil authority or poUtical function ; and
that in the case of a noraination to a higher comraand being
vested exclusively in the Governor in Council, without the
recommendation of the Commander in Chief, the Governor
should be directed to consult with the Coraraander in Chief in
making the selection.
' It would be very desirable to leave a latitude by law'to the

616 PORTUGAL. 1812,
Governor in Council, to promote officers for meritorious ser
vices, at the recomraendation of the Commander in Chief, out
of the usual regular routine, as well as to pass over officers
guilty of misconduct. This might be done by giving the
Governor in Council the power to promote such officers, by
brevet, in the first instance, who should succeed to the first
vacancies in the rank to which they should have been proraoted
in the regiraent to which they should belong.
' In regard to other points, I concur entirely with you.
The Court of Directors raust be prevented frora raeddUng with
or peddling in the discipUne of the army. It is a matter of
too serious consequence to be allowed to be jobbed at the
India House.
' You will be the best judge whether this can be effected by
the authority of the control of the Crown, or whether the
authority of Parliaraent is necessary. ' Believe me, &c,
* Viscount Melville. ' Wellington.
* I have oraitted to raention that in whatever way the Com
mander in Chief is appointed a meraber of Council, he should
have the same power of voting, &c., as other members of
council on all questions.'
General the Earl of Wellington, KB., to the Earl of Liverpool
Secretary of State.
' My dear Lord, ' Elvas, 12th March, 1812.
' 1 enclose the list of names of General Officers of the British
and Portuguese array, omitted in the vote of thanks of the two
Houses, on the taking of Ciudad Rodrigo, They all belong
to divisions which were employed in the siege,
• I postpone publishing these votes till I shall hear frotti
your Lordship that the error is rectified.
' Believe me, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool' ' Wellington.
General the Earl of Wellington, K.B., to Viscount Melville.
' My dear Lord, ' Elvas, ISth March, 1812.
' Since I wrote yesterday, I have read General Maitland's
and the Duke of York's papers on the transfer of the army^in
India to the Crown. The latter relates only to the mode of

1812. elvas. 617
transfer, which is excellent, if the transfer should be determined
upon. The desire to accumulate wealth, and to return to
Europe, is natural and praiseworthy in an officer of the local
army in India. A great majority of them can have no other
object; and people who have this object exclusively are very
apt to forget their duty, and the rules of subordination, when
either militate with its attainment.
' But I do not agree with those who think that the mutiny
at Vellore is to be attributed to the prevalent existence of
this spirit araong the officers of the army, nor do I think
that the origin of the subsequent mutiny of the officers ought
to be attributed to it, I attribute the mutiny at Vellore
to accidental circumstances. One of these was the arrival in
the East Indies, just previous to its occurrence^ of a new Go
vernor and a new Commander in Chief, many officers of high
rank, and of regiments, recently from England. Tbe Governor
and the Coraraander in Chief were supposed not to be on good
terras, or to agree in opinion upon public affairs. This state
of things did not tend to increase the respect for authority.
' The officer in coramand at Vellore was newly arrived, and
knew nothing of the native troops ; and the officer in charge
of the police of the town did his duty, but badly. I belieVe it
is known that more than one officer at Vellore had received
notice of what was likely tb happen, but they did not attend
to the information.
' If aU this be true ; and if it be true that there were circum
stances in the General Order calculated to create discontent, I
believe it will be admitted that the mutiny at Vellore may be
attributed to other circumstances besides the spirit of gain
among the officers.
' I do not know much of the subsequent mutiny of the
officers. I believe that Government never regained its strength
after Lord Powis's governraent was broken up. The first
quarrels of the persons in authority rendered it contemptible,
and those of their successors brought it to the ground.
' Upon the back of all this carae General Macdowall's orders
and letters, and his conduct ; and it is not astonishing that the
officers mutinied. It is my opinion, from reading the papers,
that the supposed fear of losing their emoluments was the
pretence for the mutiny instead of the real cause.

618 PORTUGAL, 1812.
' But, wUl the measure proposed by General Maitland apply
a remedy to the evil ? I answer, certainly not. If it be right,
to call officers serving with the native troops in India, His
Majesty's local army, and to enable them as colonels to serve
the State in all parts of the world, will that diminish araong
thera the desire of gain ? I am afraid not. The object of
these officers, after having gone through the period of their
service, raust still be to return to their own country with sorae
sort of independence, and this is what creates the desire of gain
throughout the period of the service in that country.
' If the raeasure proposed by General Maitland will not re
move the cause which he supposes has occasioned all the evils
which have prevailed in the local arraies in India, I am afraid
it will increase those evils which, in my opinion, have occasioned
them. ' I say that the evil has been the weakness of the Govern
ment, occasioned by the contending pretensions of the Go
vernor and the Commander in Chief, and by the undue inter
ference of the Company's authorities at home in the Govern
ment and patronage abroad. What would become of the
Governraent if the Comraander in Chief had the whole army
at his back, and obeyed no authority in India ? Have Com
manders in Chief never advanced extravagant pretensions on
the subject of lucre, and advanced those pretensions in such a
raanner as to endanger the public authority .'' Let the records
be looked at, and see what would have been the consequence,
upon more than one occasion, if the army had been entirely
and exclusively the King's, and the Coramander in Chief had
chosen to carry matters to extremities, as he did, having only a
part of the army exclusively under his command.
' If this arrangement is adopted, the Comraander in Chief of
the array must invariably be the Governor of the settlement,
which might be a very proper arrangement; but let it be
adopted on its own ground, and not as the consequence of,
and prop to, another arrangement, which I ara convinced can
never be adopted with advantage till the Crown shall take the
exercise of the sovereignty into its own hands.
' I do think it would be a very beneficial arrangeraent to
allow officers in the service of the Company to exchange into
the service of the King, and for the Company's service, as vyell

1812. ELVAS, 619
as for the public, that His Majesty might be enabled to avail
himself of the service, in Europe, of officers who bad served
the East India Company in India, But this arrangement
raight easily be effected without expense, and without adopting
the whole extent of the plan of General Maitland,
' Believe me, &c.
• Viscount Melville: ' Wellington.
General ihe Earl of Wellington, K.B., to ihe Earl of Liverpool,
Secretary of State.
' My Lord, ' Elvas, 13th March, 1812.
' I moved the head quarters from Freneda on the 6th, and
arrived here on the lltb instant,
' I found every thing so far prepared for the siege of Bada
joz, that I propose to invest the place on the 16th instant,
notwithstanding that all the stores for the siege are not yet
arrived. ' Owing to the difficulties in procuring raeans of transport,
I have been obliged to detach raany regiraents, both of the
British and Portuguese army, to the rear to receive their
clothing and equipments ; but I hope that I shall be able to
collect the whole before the enemy will be in a situation to
interrupt ray operations.
' Marshal Marraont arrived at Salaraanca on the 6th ; but
the eneray had no intelligence, on which they could rely, of the
movement of our army, and it was generally known that I was
still in that part of the country. I have intelligence from
Ciudad Rodrigo of as late a date as the 10th, at which time
the eneray had raade no moveraent.
' The 5th division of infantry, under Lieut. General Leith,
marched in this direction from thence on the 9th and 10th ;
but I have ordered the 1st hussars, under Major General Baron
Alten, to remain in their posts on the Yeltes and Huelva till
the General shall be certain, from the enemy's movements, that
they are aware that the allied array have moved.
' There are none of the enemy's troops in the field in Estre
madura, excepting that part of the Sth corps not in the garri
son of Badajoz, the head quarters of which are at Villa Franca ;
and a detachment, consisting of about a division, under Gene
ral Darricau, whose head quarters are at La Serena. I conclude
that these troops will retire when our troops shall advance.

620 PORTUGAL. 1812,
' Thfe enemy have improved the works of Badajoz very con
siderably since the place has been in their possession, and they
have in the place a very sufficient garrison ; but I hope that
I shall be able to obtain possession of it.
' The enemy have made no movement, and I have beard of
no operation of importance since 1 addressed your Lordship
last. According to the last accounts. Marshal Soult was in
the lines before Cadiz, ' I have the honor to be, &c.
' The Earl of Liverpool' ' Wellington.
General the Earl of Wellington, KB., to Major General Cooke.
' Sir, 'Elvas, 14th March, 1812.
' I havq received orders from the Secretary of State to con
vey to you directions 1x> relieve the troops at present stationed
at Tarifa, by a detachment from those under your comraand at
Cadiz ; but as I am not aware of the strength of the present
garrison at Tarifa, or of the numbers required for it, I beg
you to send there a sufficient force, in their due proportions of
British and foreign troops, under the coraraand of an officer on
whom you can depend.
' In regard to the defence of Tarifa, I still entertain the
opinions which I communicated to you in my letters of the 1st
and 2Sth of February; and in the event of your being of the
same opinion, 1 request that you will take measures to secure
possession of the island, and that the town may be considered
merely as an outpost from it, to be evacuated when the state of
the eneray's preparations for attack may render the measure
necessary. ' I beg that a plan and description of the works prepared by
the Governor of Gibraltar in the town and island of Tarifa,
may be transraitted to rae as soon as it may be possible; and
that you will arrange with Lieut. General Campbell the relief
of the troops which at present garrison the place.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
• Major General Cooke: 'Wellington.
General ihe Earl of tVelUngton, KB., to Major General Cooke.
•Sir, 'Elvas, Mth March, 1812,
' 1 have much pleasure in transmitting to you, to be com
municated to Colonel Skerrett, the duplicate of a dispatch

1812. ELVAS, 621
which I have received from the Earl of Liverpool, conveying
the approbation of His Royal Highness the Prince Regent of
the distinguished conduct of that officer, and the brave troops
under his coramand, in the successful defence of Tarifa,
' I request that you will acquaint Colonel Skerrett that I
did not fail to report, in due course, the events which took
place at Tarifa ; but, by some accident, my dispatch on this
subject had not reached the Earl of Liverpool when his Lord
ship wrote to me the enclosed letter.
' I have the honor to be, &c.
• Major General Cooke: ' Wellington.
General the Earl of Wellington, KB., io ihe Right Hon.
Henry WeUesley.
' My dear Henry, ' Elvas, Uth March, 1812.
' I have nothing to add to ray public dispatch, which I
enclose. We invest the place on the day after to-raorrow,
' Marmont's troops are all ready for a start ; but I hope to
be strong enough for a stiff affair with him and Soult, and to
take the place too. I shall not give the thing up without good
cause. ' Ever yours most affectionately,
' The Rt Hon. H. Wellesley: ' Wellington,
General the Earl of Wellington, KB., to Lieut General
Sir T. Graham, K.B.
¦ Dear Sir, ' Elvas, 16th March, 1812. 12 at Noon.
'I enclose some letters just received from the north; a
report from Lieut. HUlier ; and one from Toledo, &c.
' I have desired Sir R. HiU to communicate with you to
morrow by Almendralejo, if be can ; to move upon Villa
Franca next day, if Bonet should, remain there. If he should
not, to occupy Almendralejo while you shall be employed in
pushing Bon^t into the mountains., ' BeUeve me, &c.
' Lieut General ' ' Wellington.
Sir T. Graham, K.b:
General the Ear,l of Wellington, KB., to Lieut.^ General
Sir R. HiU, K.B.
' My dear Hill, 'Elvas, 16th March, 1812. 18 at Noon.
,' General Graham marched this morning, and we invest the
place on the left of the river this day. I have not been able

622 PORTUGAL. 1812.
to go out, which is the reason for delaying it on the right of
the river.
' General Graham will be at S'" Marta to-morrow ; and it is
very desirable that you should communicate with hira by
Almendralejo, on your arrival at Merida.
' If Drouet should have continued at Villa Franca, it is like
wise very desirable that you should raove on that place early
on the 18th, so as to co-operate with Sir Thomas Graham in
the attack of the enemy.
' Sir Thomas Graham will push the enemy quite back to
Llerena if he should not already have withdrawn entirely ; and
while he is so employed, you raight as well have a part of your
troops at Alraendralejo, unless indeed Sir Thoraas Graham
should require your assistance. ' Believe rae, &c.
' Lieut. General ' Wellington.
Sir R. Hill KB:
General the Earl of Wellington, KB., to Lieut. General
Sir R. HiU, K.B.
' My DEAR Hill, ' Elvas, 18th March, 1812. 5 p.m.
' I have just received a letter frora Sir Thomas Graham,
from S'" Marta, written last night, in which he tells rae that he
intended to raove upon Feria this day, instead of upon Villa
Franca, towards Llerena to-morrow, and on the 20th on
Llerena. ' I think it probable that Drouet, finding that you were
yesterday at Merida, and Sir Thomas Graham at 8*=" Marta,
wiU have moved at once upon Llerena. However, till Sir
Thomas Graham shall return frora his expedition on Llerena,
it is desirable that you should keep your corps at Villa Franca,
and endeavor to coraraunicate with him. If you shpuld find
that he does not carry into execution his plan to the extent of
going to Llerena, you will obey the instructions in my letter
of the I6lh. If, as I hope, he will have taken up the line
which I pointed out to him upon Drouet's retreat, I shall
then point out a position for you north of the Guadiana.
' We broke ground last night, and got on well, notwith
standing the rain. ' Believe me, &c,..
' Lieut General ' Wellington.
Sir R. HiU, KB:

1812. CAMP. 62:5
General ihe Earl of Wellington, KB., to General Don Carlos de Espaiia.
• Sir, ' Camp before Badajoz, 20th March, 1812,
' I have had the honor of receiving your ExceUency's letters
ofthe ISth, 16th, and 17th instant.
' The report which you raake of Ciudad Rodrigo distresses
me much. I had hoped that, when by the labor of the British
and Portuguese troops, and at the expense of the British Go
vernment, I had, in concert with General Castafios, improved
and repaired the works of Ciudad Rodrigo, so that at all events
the place was secure frora a coup de main, and had left money
in order to coraplete the execution of what our troops had not
time to complete, I should not have been told by your Excel
lency, that for want of the assistance of 15 or 20 British sol
diers, who are artificers, and whose services are required for
other objects essential to the cause of Spain, the whole business
is at a stand. Is it possible that your Excellency can be in
earnest.? Is it possible that CastUle cannot furnish 15 or 20
stone cutters, masons, and carpenters, for the repair of this im
portant post ? How have all the great works been perforraed
which we see in the country ?
' But your Excellency's letter suggests this raelancholy re
flection, that every thing, as well of a railitary as of a laborious
nature, raust be performed by British soldiers, and it becomes
my duty to bring this fact distinctly under the view of the
allied Governments.
' I ara decidedly of opinion that the enemy cannot attack
Ciudad Rodrigo for the want of heavy artillery, and that they
cannot get up the artillery which they require till the month
of May at soonest. In that period, if I can keep ray array
coUected, I can do much for the cause ; and, to enable me to
keep my'army collected, 1 require only that the works planned
and agVeed upon should be continued, for which I have left
the money ; and that the provisions for which I had given the
order upon St. JoaS da Pesqueira on the 16th of February^
should be thrown into the place.
' If those provisions are not thrown into the place, it is
obvious that, by placing one division between : the Coa and
Agueda, the enemy will, according to my calculation, in thirty
days, and according to that of your ExceUency, in twenty -three
days, have possession of the place.

621 SPAIN. 1812.
' I acknowledge, however, that I am a Uttle surprised that
there should be provisions in the place to last only for twenty-
three days, even including sorae that your Excellency placed
there. ' I have always reckoned the garrison at 3000 men. Be
tween the 26th January and 17th February, there were de
livered over to the Spanish Commissary, by Mr. M'Nair and
Mr. St. Reray, 50,000 pounds of biscuit, and 37,500 pounds
of salt meat. There were issued frora Almeida, on the 28th
of February, 6000 pounds of salt fish, and, on the 10th of
March, from the sarae place, 10,000 pounds of biscuit, and
3399 pounds of rice ; and there were originally in the store at
Ciudad Rodrigo 19,800 pounds of flour, and 1000 pounds of
biscuit. Reckoning the flour the sarae as biscuit, there would
thus be in the garrison 80,800 pounds of biscuit, and 3399 of
rice. Reckoning one pound of rice equal to two pounds of
biscuit, the garrison would have 87,400 pounds of that article,
or for twenty-nine days ; and for 43,500 pounds of salt raeat
or salt fish, and plenty of spirits, &c,
' Mr. St. Remy was likewise directed to deliver over 5000
pounds of flour on the 10th of March, of which I have not the
report. ' In addition to this quantity, I gave your Excellency, on
the 16th of February, an order upon the magazine of St. JoaS
da Pesqueira, only sixteen leagues from Ciudad Rodrigo, for
156,000 pounds of biscuit, and 25,000 pounds of rice ; and
yet, in one month from that date, that is to say, on the 15th
March, your Excellency writes me that the place has provisions
only for twenty- three days! !
' In writing this letter to your Excellency, I do not mean to
make any reproach. I wish only to place upon record the
facts as they have occurred, and to show to your country, and
to my country, and the world, that if this iraportant place
should fall, or if I should be obUged to abandon plans im
portant to Spain in order to go to its relief, the fault is not
mine, ' I have the honor to be, &c.
• General Don Carlos de EspaHa: ' Wellington.

1811, KliE.MiOA. 025

MEMORANDUM *
For ihe Commissary General.
' Freneda, 2Uth November. 1811.
' In consequence of the difficulty of procuring carts for the
service of the army in the country, Mr. Kennedy and 1 had
arranged that a number of bullock carts should be constructed,
to be drawn by bullocks belonging to the public, and to be
driven by persons hired into the pubhc service for that
purpose, ' The patterns of the carts are fixed upon, and they are
about to be constructed at Alraeida, at Lisbon, and in Eng
land, and, if possible, at Oporto and Viana.
' The total nuraber required is 800. Of this nuraber under
200 will be constructed at Almeida. The number which can
be constructed at Lisbon, Oporto, and Viana, must depend
upon the quantities of materials at those places respectively.
' As, however, some of these carts will soon be finished , it is
desirable that as soon as possible the establishments of drivers
and bullocks for thera should be formed.
' Mr. Kennedy and I had settled that the carts should be
formed into two grand divisions, each consisting of 400 carts,
to be superintended by an officer of the Commissariat ; each
grand division to be formed into eight divisions of 50 carts
each, to be superintended by a Comraissariat Clerk ; and each
division to be formed into two brigades, each brigade to con
sist of 25 carts. To draw these cairts there should be 54 bul
locks, that is, two bullocks for each cart, and four spare bullocks
attached to the briga(}e. The establishment of people attached
to the brigade to load the carts, and drive and take care of the
bullocks, should, be, one Capataz, at per diem ; one sraith,
at per diem ; nine men, at two pesettas per diem ; and
fourteen boys,,.at one pesettas iper diem. These allowances to
be besides their rations.,
' The buUocks must be shod ; and the officers of the Com
missariat attached to the grand divisions and divisions should
be directed to supply iron, &c, for that purpose to their
* This and the following memorandums were obtained too late to be placed
according to their respective dates in the present volume,
VOL, VIII. 2 s

626 PORTUGAL, 1811.
divisions ; and the carts must be greased, as the wheels are
upon iron axletrees ; and they must likewise supply grease.
' When the bullocks work, it will be necessary that they
should receive, besides their forage, about 2J lbs. of barley,
or Indian corn, or rye, every day.
' The first measure to be adopted, with a view to the execu
tion of the measure, is to form one grand division of the officers
and people to take charge of it. The officer of the Commis
sariat should be appointed to it ; and one or two clerks, in the
first instance, to take charge of divisions in the grand division ;
and the capatazes, smiths, and drivers, should be hired to
take charge of the cattle,
' The cattle should then be made over to them and shod ;
and they should be collected in convenient places for shelter
and forage till the carts should be prepared for the work.
Yokes of the common kind should also be prepared.
' It would likewise be necessary that sheds should be built
to hold the bullocks of one division at every stage on the road
between Raiva and Celorico, and at Celorico, in order to give
thera cover in tbe winter. The stages need not be less than
four leagues, and should not exceed five leagues.
' /. Bissett, Esq:* ' Wellington.
memorandum
For the Commissary General.
' Freneda, 20th November, 1811.
» The difficulties which the army already experience from
the want of provisions, notwithstanding the number of mules
employed in transporting provisions, point out the necessity of
examining, very particularly, into the mode in which those
mules are employed, and into the principles on which this
branch of the service ought to be conducted,
' The original formation of the Commissariat of this army
was one Assistant Commissary, with his separate estabhshment
of clerks, means of conveyance to each brigade of infantry, to
each regiment of cavalry, to each troop or brigade of horse or
foot artillery, to the head quarters of the army, and to the
reserve artillery. * Now Sir John Bissett, K.C.H.

1811. freneda. (i'11
' The brigades of infantry of the army were afterwards
joined together in divisions of two brigades, with a brigade of
artiUery, and a Portuguese brigade of infantry attached, but
the establishraent of the Comraissariat was never altered.
When the British Coraraissariat was charged, in the month of
March last, with the supply of the Portuguese troops, there
was no alteration of this establishment. The increase of busi
ness, and the necessary separation and allotment of supplies,
rendered it expedient that one person should be at the head of
the Commissariat in each division, and a Deputy Comraissary
was appointed to superintend the duties of some divisions,
while those of others were superintended by the senior Assist
ants with the brigades in tbe division.
' It is desirable that this distribution of employment should
continue in the Commissariat, and that the means of transport
for all the troops should be founded on a supposed distance of
twelve leagues from tbe magazine. The mules will go this
distance loaded in three days, and unloaded in less time ; and
it may be reckoned that the supply will be kept up at this
distance, by allowing them six days to perforra it, and allowing,
in addition to the numbers required for the supply, one sixth
of the number of mules to be spared.
' Each mule should be raade to carry, on account of the
public, 200 lbs., and, besides this load, he should carry his
own corn going frora and returning to the raagazine, which is
5 lbs. per diem, or 30 lbs. for the six days.
' Upon this calculation a mule should carry biscuit for 6
days for 33 men ; riira for 6 days for 100 raen ; rice for 6 days
for 200 raen ; corn for 6 days for 3 horses, and 20 pounds
over. ' The Assistant Comraissary attached to brigades of infantry
and of foot artiUery, and to troops of horse artillery, should
therefore have placed at their disposal a number of raules in
proportion to the nuraber of raen and aniraals they supply with
provisions and forage calculated upon the above mentioned
principles. ' The Portuguese brigades of infantry serving in the British
divisions have, or ought to have attached to them, raules to
carry three days' provisions. This is only half the nuraber
required, and these I believe are very incomplete. The state of
2 s 2

628 PORTUGAL. 1811,
these raules should be inquired into by the Deputy or Assistant
Coramissary at the head of the department in the division ;
and there should be placed at the disposal of the Deputy or
Assistant Commissary, a sufficient number of mules to supply
the Portuguese troops in the division, calculated upon the
sarae principles as for the British troops. The expense of
these mules will of course be charged to the Portuguese Go
vernment in the expense of feeding their troops.
' There is attached to each division of infantry and to the
cavalry, a number of raules to carry musket and carbine am
munition, and there are raany in the reserve of the artillery.
These ought to be used, when the array halts, to carry from
the dep6ts their own supplies of corn and provisions. As they
receive only five pounds of corn per diera, one sixth of their
numbers will supply their corn, and but little more their bread.
The bargain with them is that they are to carry ammunition
only, but I have no doubt that they would be glad to carry
the corn for their raules, in order to be more certain of a regular
supply, ' In regard to the regiraents of cavalry, the necessity of
keeping them amply supplied with forage induced Mr. Ken
nedy to allot to each regiment a mule for every two raen and
horses which the Coraraissary attached to it had to supply.
This number is rather more than would be allotted to a regi
ment of cavalry, to keep up its supply at a distance of twelve
leagues, upon the calculation above stated for the infantry and
artillery ; but it is better that the arrangement should continue
as he has settled it,
' The means of transport of the array being once arranged
upon this determined principle, it will be easy afterwards to
apply thera as raay be thought raost expedient. Some of the
troops being nearer the magazines than twelve leagues, their
surplus means of transport might be applied either to keep the
magazines complete, or to form an entrep6t at a convenient
distance for the use of those which are most distant, or in such
other manner as the Comraissary General may think proper,
observing always to keep the proportions for the supply of a
certain body according to the distance the mules have to go,
and the time they will take going the distance.
Thus, a mule six days going and returning, will supply

1811. l-RENEDA. 629
33 men with bread ; 5 days, 40 men ; 4 days, 50 men ; 3 days,
66 men ; 2 days, 100 men : and as the nuraber raay be dimi
nished in proportion as the distance decreases, so the number
raust be increased in proportion as the distance from the maga
zine increases.
' / Bissett, Esq: ' Wellington.
memorandum
For the Commissary General
' Freneda, 21st December, 1811.
' It was intended by Mr. Kennedy and me that Major Aird
should superintend the construction of as many bullock carts
at Lisbon, according to the pattern lately sent down by Mr.
Bissett, as there should be found materials for.
' These materials are iron axletrees taken from the French
carriages, of which there are 50 at present in the arsenal at
Lisbon ; and brass boxes taken from the wheels of the French
carriages, of which there are 100 in the arsenal of Lisbon ; the
whole of which Marshal Sir William Beresford assured me
should be delivered over for this service to whomsoever should
be appointed to construct the carts.
' There are besides 25 iron axletrees and 52 brass boxes on
the Tagus, which were likewise to be delivered over for this
service ; and I send herewith a list of articles which Marshal
Beresford assured rae we should have, to be employed in the
same manner.
' I enclose directions frora Major Sturgeon, detailing the
raanner in which the axletrees are to be cut, and to what
diraensions. The brass boxes raust of course be cut to fit the
nave of the wheel according to the pattern on the car. The
car raust be made in every respect according to the pattern.
' Major Aird will report, if it should be necessary, that this
work should Be perforraed in the Portuguese arsenal, that 1
may write to have permission given for this purpose. But it
is very desirable that, if possible, the work should be performed
without applying to the Portuguese arsenal for more than the
materials above referred to, and those stated in the enclosed
list. ' It is raost desirable, indeed absolutely necessary, that no

6.30 PORTUGAL, 1811.
more time should be lost about this work^ which, owing to
unfortunate circumstances, has now been delayed for two
months. ' I shall hereafter send instructions respecting making carts
of the axletrees taken from the English carriages.
' J. Bissett, Esq: ' Wellington.

END OF VOLUME VIII,

A SUPPLEMENTARY VOLUME,
Containing ftirther Dispatches and Letters relating to India, is in
the press, and will be pubUshed without delay.

LONDON :
Printed by WfiLiAiri Clowes and So.\'3,
Stamford Street.

ERliATA.
At p. .S3, line 8, for " these vessels," read " vessels there."
p. 167 and 8, last line, for " hereafter," read " thereupon."
p. 188, line 18, for" these," read " their."
p. 197, Une 7, for " or more," read " or of more.''
p. 209, (note) 2 lines from bottom, for " Major General Grey," read " Colo
nel Grey."
p. 220, line 9 from bottom, after " Castello" insert " Branco."
p. 231, line 6, for " si j'aurais eu," read " si j'eusse eu en tete."
p. 233, line 14 from bottom, omit " however."
p. 236, line 9, after " they are punished,'' insert " according to law."
p. 246, line 15, for " It is necessary," read " It is not necessary."
p, 264, line 8 from bottom, after " and," read " each."
p. 272, line 18 from bottom, after " I am," insert " not."
p, 301, line 8, " hills" for " hill."
p, 323, line 5, " therefore," for " however."
" 19, for " and leave it to you," read " aud I leave it to you."
p. 365, line 24, for " one side," read " our side,"
p. 395, line 12, omit " are."
p. 435, line 5, for " department," read " detachment."
p. 474, line 14 from bottom, for " division," read " diversion."
p. 475, line 10, for " garrisons," read " Spanish garrisons."
p. 476, last line, for " 30th January," read " 20th January,"

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