Sir J. Cradock to Mr. Villiers, December 26, 1808.

"The promises and apparently satisfactory language of the Portuguese government are, in my opinion, by no means sufficient to meet the case. I want to see some steps actually taken before my mind is decided that the nation will defend itself."-" Indeed. I am told, on good authority, that the government are afraid to allow the people to arm."-"The moment I see any materials to work upon, it will be my most anxious duty to give every effect, &c."-" But, under the present inactivity and indifference, it is, &c." Reports of Colonel Donkin (Quartermaster-General) to Sir John Cradock, March 21.

I cannot, however, order officers of my department to check this irregularity" (forcing quarters) "when it originates solely in the neglect of the Portuguese civil magistrates; for troops will not obey orders, which expose them wantonly to great privations."

Sir J. Cradock to Mr. Villiers, March 25.

"I have repeatedly urged this subject" (quarters of troops) “to the Regency, in the strongest manner, but, as you perceive, without effect." Sir J. Cradock to Lord Castlereagh, March 17.

"Whatever suits the momentary purpose, upon the most superficial view, seems to be the guide in the Portuguese counsels. Ultimate objects, which, in the course of things, must arrive, are never brought into the calculation."

Cradock to Berkeley, January 17.

"The Regency seems to decline giving any specific directions relative to the guns in fort St. Julian and the river batteries, and, above all, not to write anything; but they are very willing to acquiesce in anything we shall do, only anxious that, on a future day, it shall appear to be our act, not

theirs.'

Admiral Berkeley to Sir J. Cradock, February 19, 1809.

"I imagine Mr. Villiers has transmitted a copy of the extraordinary note sent him by the Regency, in which they complain of the conduct of the artillery officer who dismantled the Bugio fort, and intimate their intention of sending for all the guns and powder from fort St. Julian; and add many particulars, as novel as they are suspicious."-"Whether the language of this note arises from duplicity, or any other cause, it is equally to be resisted; and, therefore, I have stated some facts which may be retorted upon them, and which will not place their conduct in the most favorable point of view towards either their own sovereign or Great Britain."

Extract from an official note, drawn up by Sir John Cradock, Lisbon,

February 20, 1809.

"It was told me two or three times, by Mr. Villiers, that M. Forjas, or some other member of the Regency, had expressed extreme solicitude about the forts on the Tagus, &c."-"I always urged Mr. Villiers to get from M. Forjas, or any other member, a declaration of what they wished, that we might exactly conform to it; for they seemed to be anxious to go beyond what we should venture to propose. Mr. Villiers, after some time, told me that the Portuguese government were unwilling to put down anything upon paper, or give any specific instruction; but they would willingly leave all the ar

rangement to us."-" After the above statement, which I declare, upon my honor, to be the accurate description of what has passed, I must express my surprise, and even indignation, at the protest now made by the Regency: and when it is considered that the Bugio fort is often inaccessible for a week together, this part of their complaint is shameful to the highest degree. Their general object is, however, to be distinguished."

SECTION VI.-ANARCHY IN PORTUGAL.

Sir J. Cradock to Lord Castlereagh, February 20, 1809.

"Northern parts.-It may be difficult to manage any money-transactions in Oporto, for the populace in that town have been suffered to become the masters; and it was only by an exchange of public and private property that the commissariat money has been lately secured."

Sir J. Cradock to Mr. Villiers, February, 1809.

"To gratify a mob, the other day, at Oporto, a guard of the sixtieth regiment was given up, and disarmed by Baron Eben."

Captain Brotherton to Sir J. Cradock, March 17, 1809, Lamego. "Considering the tumults, and the state of effervescence of the public mind, and the blind fury of the populace-it will neither be so useful nor safe to remain amongst them."

Sir J. Cradock to Lord Castlereagh, March 26, 1809.

"The disposition is good, but the proceedings are those of an ungo vernable mob, exposed to the evil effects of designing persons."-" I confine myself to the north of Portugal and Oporto, for the same excesses have not taken place at this side the Douro; but the principles of insubordination, I should fear, would prevail."-" If the confusion and anarchy that prevail at Oporto will permit a defence, some exertion may be expected.""_"Ammunition has been abundantly supplied, but no quantity would meet the consumption expended in the manner it has been in the Tras os Montes; an attempt to save which was, I believe, the occasion of Bernadim Freire's death."

Sir J. Cradock to Lord Castlereagh, March 30, 1809.

"The anarchy that prevails at Oporto must, I fear, render every exertion unavailable for defence; and such is the ungovernable spirit of the populace, that it is very difficult to say what part they might take if the proceedings of the British did not suit their views."

66

Sir J. Cradock to Mr. Frere, March 29.

Oporto and all its concerns, with the Bishop, nominally, at its head, is in the hands of a wild ungovernable populace, that has already committed the most cruel excesses. I fear the same spirit exists in what is called the Portuguese army."

Sir J. Cradock to Mr. Frere, January 29, Lisbon. "Without a British force in Lisbon, the authority of the Regency would pass away, and the scenes of Oporto would take place here."

Report of Captain Lawson, January 30, Lisbon.

"Last night, my servant returning from the post-office was attacked by a

party of Portuguese pikemen, headed by one of their own officers, who severely wounded the horse in two places, and slightly in several places, and obliged him, the servant, to put himself under the protection of the guard at the town-major's office, to save his own life; the outrage was committed without the slightest provocation."

General Langworth to Sir J. Cradock, February 1, Lisbon.

"The orderly with the general orders, on his way to St. Julian's, was stopped by a Portuguese serjeant and twenty men with pikes; the serjeant forced the orderly to deliver the letter containing the orders, broke it open, read the contents, and returned the inclosed receipt; the same guard stopped Captain Clives, Royal Grenadiers, and Lieutenants Beurman and Liners; these officers were in full uniform."

General Sontag's Official Report, January 3.

"Mr. Usher, deputy-purveyor, and Mr. M'Carty, interpreter, both British subjects, arrived this day from Oporto, went to Moore's hotel, where they were arrested and brought to the Minister of Police. Mr. Usher was in his British uniform."

Sir J. Cradock to Lord Castlereagh, January 30.

"Some unpleasant incidents have lately occurred on the part of the Portuguese armed inhabitants of Lisbon towards British individuals, but I cannot persuade myself that they have proceeded from any fixed evil disposition."-"The British army has not, in any instance, departed from the most regular discipline, and continues to manifest the greatest temper and moderation."-"The excesses on the part of the Portuguese commence by an uncontrolled pursuit, without any authority from the police, after all persons whom they please to call Frenchmen, and, in their indiscriminate career, they often attack every foreigner, and will not even abstain from those in our service. Those persons seek refuge in our guard-room, and though the guards and patrols have positive orders not to interfere under any pretext with the police, yet it is very difficult to smother the feelings of humanity when the wretched persons are flying from a furious and unauthorized rabble. Mr. Villiers has exerted himself much with the Regency to check this disorder, and prevent the assembly of armed persons in the streets at night, who beat drums and discharge their pieces at all hours; but as yet his remonstrances have not had the desired effect."

66

Mr. Villiers to Sir J. Cradock, January 30.

Finding the people beat to arms, and paraded about the streets after dark, on the very evening after the Regency had settled that these irregularities should be restrained, I addressed the ministers of the home department upon the subject; and as other excesses came to my knowledge, I followed up my complaint."

Sir J. Cradock to Mr. Villiers, January 30.

"I have, this morning, been taking such steps as appear necessary to secure our general situation from insult; and, at the same time, if practicable, not to manifest a distrust in the Portuguese nation, which, if sanctioned from head-quarters, would destroy any reason for our being here. I can assure you, every officer and soldier has received impressions that it is most difficult to act against, but I am determined to persevere in keeping the army from aggression to the last moment."

Sir J. Cradock to Mr. Villiers, February.

"When I reflect upon the frequent declarations of individual members of the Regency, that they cannot control the populace; that there are at least seventy thousand armed inhabitants in Lisbon; that the Regency dare not let them parade (their exercise has been at an end for some time, and the Regency, at this moment, say they cannot look upon themselves as responsible,) it appears impossible that I should depart from the reasoning of my own mind, to meet a sensation of I do not know whom, and lessen the proper military appearance of our only guard. We are now beyond the power of surprise or insult, and I cannot, as my own individual act, alter the state of things. However, I never am devoted to my own way of thinking, and if you recommend the measure (the political reasoning, when the enemy is at a distance, may always be weighed against military regulation), or see any good consequences, I will immediately order back the guns to their former station in the artillery barracks."

Marshal Beresford to Sir J. Cradock, April 7, Santarem.

"I, this morning, met no less than three expresses, communicating to me the horrible state of mutiny, for I can call it no less, in which the troops everywhere are, and the inhabitants are in equal insubordination, and they encourage each other. I find two or three regiments have marched away (to what they call to oppose the enemy) where they pleased, in despite of their officers and generals, who are entirely commanded by them. This you will say is a pleasing state to be in; however, we must face it, and I hope for the best result, and I am sanguine enough to look for such. Colonel Trant will shortly have a pretty strong corps, if the regiments continue thus to volun

teer for him."

Mr. Villiers to Sir J. Cradock, February 15.

"I should almost doubt whether the British subjects could be left in safety in Lisbon."

SECTION VII.-FALSE INTELLIGENCE.

Sir J. Cradock to Colonel Donkin.

"I believe it is certain that we cannot depend upon the activity of the Portuguese government upon this head," (intelligence,) "either as to promptitude or security."

Colonel Donkin to Sir J. Cradock, January 1, Lisbon.

"Experience has shown how utterly impossible it is to get correct intelligence here; an enemy may be within four or five days' march of this city before it is known, unless he attacks on the very line our troops occupy."

Sir J. Cradock to Mr. Frere, March 29.

"It is singular how imperfectly all intelligence, though of such important events, reaches this, and we have not had, for two days, any account from Oporto."

Sir J. Cradock to Lord Castlereagh, March 26.

"Yesterday the Chevalier de Castro stated, from authority, a movement on the part of the French, quite different from a direct report from the Junta of Badajos."

No. XXXIII.

SECTION I.-EXTRACTS FROM SIR JOHN CRADOCK'S INSTRUCTIONS.

Lord Castlereagh to Sir J. Cradock, December 24, 1808.

"Upon the actual approach of the enemy towards Lisbon in such strength as may render further resistance ineffectual, you will take care that measures may be taken in due time for withdrawing both the British army and such Portuguese as may be desirous of accompanying it."—" The British Admiral will be directed to take effectual measures, with your assistance, for depriving the enemy of all the resources, more especially those of a naval description, which the Tagus contains. Everything of a naval and military description, that cannot be brought away, must, in the last extremity, be destroyed."

Lord Castlereagh to Sir J. Cradock, November 25, 1808.

"I am to signify His Majesty's pleasure that, in the event of any applica tion being made to you from the Regency of Portugal, on the subject of the occupation of the fortresses with His Majesty's troops, you do refer the subect to Mr. Villiers, who has received instructions, &c., and you will not make any alteration as to the mode prescribed for garrisoning the fortresses without directions from Mr. Villiers.”

Extracts from certain queries put to Lord Castlereagh by Sir J. Cradock, with the answers thereto.