cers to command the brigades, I trust you will approve of my having ordered him to join Sir David Baird; he will leave one of the officers attached to him to carry on the correspondence.

[This passage contains observations on the abilities of several individuals, Spanish and British, very important for Ministers, but not proper for the public eye.]

*

The British officers employed with the Spanish armies should confine themselves to their duty to transmit faithful statements of all that passes, but should keep aloof from all cabals or intrigues. I have no uneasiness about the relative rank I should hold when serving with the Spanish Generals, though perhaps it will be right for the British Government to stipulate something upon this head. My situation at the head of so large a British force will always give me sufficient influence. The tone of my letter to General Castanos was conciliatory, and tending to convey that I considered him as chief of the Spanish army, the person whose wishes I desired to follow, and begged him to communicate them to me. I shall adopt the same style in my correspondence with the Marquis of Romana. I perfectly feel the power I have, as commanding an auxiliary force, to depart from any plan I disapprove; but this need

not be produced unless required: it is natural that the Commander of the Spanish army should be considered as the Commander of the whole. What

I have stated in my official dispatch of the conduct of the troops, is not more than they deserve: nothing can exceed their behaviour: it is the surprize and admiration of the Spaniards.

*

At Almeida was the only exception.

*

*

*

One of the soldiers who was sentenced to be hanged by a Court Martial, I ordered to be executed; and I spoke my mind pretty freely to both the officers and soldiers as I passed Almeida. I hope this will have a good effect; and that when they join the army, they will behave better. Brigadier-General Charles Stuart is with General Hope. I forwarded his letter to him; and I hear good accounts both of him and of the Cavalry.

I have the honour to be, &c.

JOHN MOORE.

N.

Letter from Sir John Moore to Lord Castlereagh.

Salamanca, 25 Nov. 1808:

MY LORD,

In answer to your Lordship's Letter, inclosing the Copy of a Warrant for the assembling a Court of Enquiry to investigate the circumstances under which the late Convention in Portugal was concluded; I have only to say, that I hope, in the middle of such operations as I am at present engaged in, I shall not be desired to send home the Adjutant and Quarter-Master Generals of the Army; the two Officers upon whom hinges the whole business of the Army. It is hardly necessary for me to dwell upon such a subject; the Members themselves must be sufficiently acquainted with the inconvenience which must attend such a measure to me; and the injury which it will occasion to the service. I trust that the Court and Parties will either dispense with the evidence of these officers, or that they will send out the questions which they wish to be answered; when they can be taken upon oath here, before the Deputy Judge Advocate of the army.

Indeed, from the nature of the evidence which

Brigadier-General Clinton and Colonel Murray can give, I should think this method might be adopted with equal advantage to all the parties: but at any rate, if this cannot be, I hope the Enquiry will be put off until quieter times.

I have the honour to be, &c.

0.

JOHN MOORE.

Letter from Sir John Moore to Lord Castlereagh.

MY LORD,

Salamanca, 25 Nov. 1808,

I HAD the honour to receive your Lordship's letter, mentioning, that it had been determined to send Sir John Cradock to command in Portugal, in consequence of Sir Harry Burrard's recall; but that his superior rank was not to interfere with my command of the army in the field, in the event of the British army falling back on Portugal. Harry Burrard sent an order to Maj. Gen. Mackenzie, now with Sir David Baird, but who belongs to the staff of Portugal, to go to Lisbon to take the command his departure; but, as the commo

upon

Sir

tions which your Lordship mentions are long since quelled, and as Portugal is perfectly tranquil, I have. taken upon me to detain Maj.-Gen. Mackenzie with Sir David Baird, who is much in want of General Officers, until the arrival of General Leith, for whom I have sent to St. Andero.

I am not prepared at this moment to answer minutely, your Lordship's question respecting the defence of Portugal; but I can say generally, that the frontier of Portugal is not defensible against a superior force. It is an open frontier, all equally rugged, but all equally to be penetrated. If the French succeed in Spain, it will be vain to attempt to resist them in Portugal. The Portuguese are without a military force; and, from the experience of their conduct under Sir Arthur Wellesley, no dependence is to be placed on any aid they can give. The British must in that event, I conceive, immediately take steps to evacuate the country. Lisbon is the only port, and therefore the only place from whence the army, with its stores, can embark. Elvas and Almeida are the only fortresses on the frontier. The first is, I am told, a respectable work. Almeida is defective; and could not hold out beyond ten days against a regular attack. I have ordered a depôt of provisions, for a short consumption, to be formed there, in case this army should be obliged to fall back. Perhaps the same should be done at Elvas. In this case we might check the progress of the Enemy, whilst the stores were embarking, and