of Madrid, that San Juan, a Spanish General, had repulsed three attacks of the French at Sepulveda; and that Castanos was bringing up the greatest part of his force to unite with San Juan; it was also added, that Bonaparte still remained at Burgos. A long despatch, dated Aranjuez *, Nov. 30th, was at the same time received by Sir John, from Mr. Frere, who had succeeded Lord William Bentinck, as Minister to the Spanish government. This gentleman strongly deprecated a retreat into Portugal. He assured Sir John that the provinces he had seen were the least distinguished of all Spain for a military, or patriotic spirit; but that the other provinces possessed the most ardent and determined resolution; and that every individual in the government, he believed, was resolved to perish with the country.

He finally observes, Our first object, as it ' appears to me, ought to be to collect a force capable of repulsing the French before they

VOL. II.

* Parliamentary Papers.

M

' receive their reinforcements. The covering

' and protecting Madrid is surely a point of

great moment for effect in Spain, and still 'more in France and in the west of Europe. 'It would be a point of the utmost impor'tance for Bonaparte to be able to publish a

decree, or to date a letter from Madrid. The

people of the town are full of resolution, and ' determined to defend it in spite of its situation, which is judged to be an unfavour'able one. This determination ought surely 'to be encouraged by some show of support.'

At this time two Spanish Generals, Esculante and Bueno, arrived at Salamanca, who brought a letter from Don Martin Garay, the War Minister. These Generals confirmed the prosperous state of their affairs in glowing terms; assuring Sir John Moore that the Spanish armies were undismayed, and augmenting daily, so that the approach to Madrid by the French was now impracticable. The facts asserted by these deputed Generals, and corroborated by the official despatches from the Spanish Government

and the British Minister, were strangely at variance with the truth for Bonaparte, instead of remaining at Burgos, had marched, with a numerous and well-appointed army, to the pass of Somosierra, which he reached on the 30th of November. He quickly overthrew San Juan's troops, who fled pusillanimously, and murdered their general, the best in Spain.

On the 2nd of December, at noon, Bonaparte presented himself before Madrid, and summoned the town to yield. A General, and thirty of the inhabitants, went out, to learn what terms would be granted. They were threatened with the horrors of a city taken by storm, should they presume to resist. The Spanish General and his attendants retired, exceedingly dejected, to report what had passed. There were, in fact, only six thousand soldiers in the town; but the streets were crowded with a mob of the inhabitants, some bellowing with fury, others trembling with fear. The height, named the Retiro, which commands the town, was oc

cupied in the evening by a corps of French, with little opposition; and during that night and the next day the negociations continued.

At six o'clock in the morning of the 4th of December, Don Morla, the chief Minister and Governor, repaired to the Emperor, to surrender the city; the necessary conclusion when the weak contend with the strong.

After Bonaparte's triumphal entry into the capital, little remained to complete the conquest of Spain but the destruction of the British auxiliaries, the only troops capable of making resistance to the victorious armies of France. To accomplish this a device was plotted, conducted apparently by others, but undoubtedly contrived in the fertile brain of Bonaparte. His heart was steeled against the British, and being apprehensive that they would withdraw into Portugal, and thence operate on his right flank, to retard and interrupt his progress, when he should proceed to the south of Spain, he was desirous of enticing Sir John Moore to move towards the towards the vicinity of

Madrid, where he could surround his army with triple or quadruple numbers.

Don Thomas Morla, a Spanish Minister and General of some abilities, proved an apt instrument for this scheme. When the Central Junta took to flight, he, together with the aged Prince of Castel Franco, were left behind, and entrusted with the defence of Madrid. Morla saw clearly that this was impracticable, and he knew besides, that Bonaparte was furiously irritated against him for having counselled the breaking the conditions of the capitulation of Baylen, and detaining as prisoners Dupont's army. Being fully aware of his imminent danger, he embraced an effectual measure to avert the Emperor's wrath, and to preserve his own life and fortune.

On the 2nd of December, when this trusty Governor was actually negociating terms for the surrendering of Madrid, a messenger was sent off with the following despatch to Sir John Moore: