Massared minister of the marine, O'Farree minister of war, Jovellanos minister of the interior, Cabarrus minister of finance, and Pinuela minister of justice. A few days before the performance of this solemn mockery, the intruder abdicated the crown of Naples in favor of his brother-in-law Murat, who assumed the title of Joachim Napoleon. After receiving homage from the junta of Bayonne, he proceeded to Madrid, which he reached on the 20th of July, the troops being under arms, and some of the inhabitants receiving him with compulsory rejoicings. After several restrictions, prohibiting the assembling of the people, and commanding their retirements to their homes at an early hour, the proclamation of the new monarch took place on the day of Santiago. The grand standard-bearer and his son effected their escape from the capital, and every attempt to obtain the slightest demonstration of joy from the people of Madrid was ineffectual. The money which was scattered among the populace lay in the streets where it fell for the French themselves to gather up, and the theatres, which were thrown open to the people, were left to be filled by Frenchmen.

Two victorious armies were at this juncture approaching to Madrid. Bessieres, instead of being able as he hoped to march to the assistance of Junot in Portugal, was compelled to consult his own safety by falling back; and Blake, whom the defeat at Rio Seco seemed only to have rendered more formidable by displaying his talents, was ready with the Gallician army to co-operate for the deliverance of the capital, and might probably cut off the retreat of the usurper, unless it were speedily effected. The enterprise would have been facilitated by the inhabitants of the metropolis, who were prepared to rise on the first favorable occasion, and take vengeance for their murdered brethren. Joseph, therefore, had not been ten days at Madrid before he began to prepare for his removal, and on the last day of July, he retired from the city, after destroying all the artillery and ammunition which he could not take

VOL. JI.

away, plundering the palaces and the treasury, and carrying off the regalia and the crown-jewels, on the road to Burgos.

At this juncture the attention of the British government was directed to the Spanish troops, who, having been marched on false pretences into the northern parts of Germany, were now stationed in the Danish islands. In vain had Buonaparte endeavored to impress these regiments with an opinion that his proceedings had received the sanction of the most respectable part of their countrymen. The calumnies of the Moniteur, which stated that they had offered themselves as a body-guard to Joseph, were refuted by their subsequent conduct, for, when informed of the true state of their country, they placed their colours in the centre of a circle round which they formed, and, after swearing an oath of patriotism on their bended knees, marched through the hostile battalions by which they were surrounded, while none thought proper to put their desperate courage to the test. Ten thousand Spaniards on the islands of Langland, Zealand, and Jutland, who had thus emancipated themselves from the control of the French, were conveyed in an English fleet, commanded by admiral Keats, to the Baltic, and were landed at: Corunna on the last day of September, together with their stores, arms, and ar tillery.

The flame of patriotism extended its cheering light from the shores of Spain to her remotest colonies. The vessels containing despatches from the intruder, were generally intercepted; and, notwithstanding every intrigue the inhabitants of Cuba, Venezuala, and Mexico, swore. allegiance to Ferdinand. Even at Buenos Ayres the cause of the patriots daily acquired strength; and, notwithstanding all the efforts of Liniers, an arrangement was made with the Brasilian court, for opening the place to British and Portuguese ships.

When intelligence of the. usurpation of Spain, and of the imprisonment of the royal family was received at Rio de Janeiro, the princess, of Brasil, as daughter

D

of Charles IV. and the Spanish infante Don Pedro, her cousin, addressed a memorial to the prince of Brasil, requesting that he would maintain, protect, and preserve, the rights of their royal house for the king of Spain, or for themselves, as the nearest relations who had escaped. This claim, with the prince's answer and a manifesto on their part, were circulated in the Spanish provinces of South America. It was at this moment that the prince regent was forcibly impressed with the policy of his precipitate escape in the preceding year. At that memorable epoch, the French troops, determining to surprise him, advanced with a rapidity unusual even in their armies, marched 40 miles a day through bad roads and constant rain, reached Lisbon on the 30th of November, 1807, and on the following day, (the anniversary of the Braganza revolution) hoisted the flag of France on the towers of the capital.

Junot had been only four days in Lisbon before he prohibited the use of firearms in hunting and shooting, ordered all goods of British manufacture to be confiscated, and levied contributions to the amount of £4,000,000 sterling. The church-plate in and about Lisbon was ordered to be carried to the mint and taken towards the account. Some of the finest works of modern art were destroyed. A conscription of 40,000 men was ordered, .and the flower of the youth of Portugal were marched off as fast as they could 'be raised, to recruit the armies of the emperor.

The destruction of commerce, the pressure of contributions, the plunder of the convents, the insults and privations to which even the most beautiful and accomplished females were exposed, at length awakened the majority of the population to the thirst of vengeance. From the higher classes, a feeble, selfish, debilitated race, little could be expected. In violation of the feelings of nature, and of the ordinances of religion, the privileged families intermarried with each other; uncles with their nieces, nephews with their aunts, and thus produced a wasted

and degenerate progeny. The middle classes, on the contrary, were improved; the peasantry uncorrupted, and their frequent intercourse and frequent intermarriage with the Spaniards had effaced the antient enmity between the two nations, and promoted an union along the border of the two countries.

Exasperated by the substitution of the French arms and standards in the place of those which they regarded with reverence, an unsuccessful attempt at insurrection was made by the peasantry of the surrounding country, whose only weapon was their knives; and Junot, having imputed seditious designs to the remaining English, confined them in the English hospital, which stood in the burial ground of the factory, a prospect which added to the painful recollections of the prisoners. A number of Englishmen escaped to the fleet of the Russian admiral Siniavin, which was moored in the Tagus, and several Portuguese took refuge in the English fleet. Exasperated by these circumstances, Junot issued a proclamation equally remarkable for the falsehood of its declarations, and the ferocity of its restrictions. Fortunately the greater number of the English were beyond his reach ; but he ordered the Spanish troops at Lisbon to be ready in the great square at an early hour, for the purpose of crossing the Tagus on their way to Setubal. They had no sooner assembled, (June 11th,) than they were surrounded by a French force of horse and foot, compelled to ground their arms, and put m confinement on board the hulks.

1808.

No sooner were the Spanish troops at Porto made acquainted with the events which were passing in Spain, than they seized and imprisoned the French governor of the city, reinstated its former governor Oliviera, and marched into their own country to join the patriots. But the attachment of Oliviera to the French was too evident not to be observed and resented; and on the festival of the Corpo de Deos, or Body of God, the populace took arms, the arsenal was thrown open, and the partisans of France were cast into prison.

The patriots now indulged in the most enthusiastic and unlimited rejoicings, but were restored to reason by the exhortations of their bishop, who entreated them to abstain from celebrating their deliver ance till they had labored to secure it. Tidings were now arriving of insurrections in every part of the country; and on the following day Junot issued a proclamation in his usual style of effrontery and ferocity. On the day of the Corpo de Deos also, an insurrection began at Olhao in Algarve, the French were made prisoners in every adjacent place, and in 48 hours the whole province regained its liberty.

Other parts of Portugal were less fortunate in asserting their rights. At Villa Vicosa, Beja, Evora, and to the north of Lisbon, the Portuguese, assembled in bodies of from 500 to 5000 men, were successively defeated by the superior discipline and numbers of Junot. Such was the state of Portugal, at the time when the patriots of Andalusia were pressing on Dupont, when Joseph was advancing to Madrid, and when Palafox was gloriously defending the streets and houses of Saragossa. There was no force which could withstand the French in battle, with any reasonable hope of success. Yet neither the slaughter which was made upon the field, nor the massacre of the fugitives, nor the murder of the prisoners, could subdue the spirit of the Portuguese. The enemy's troops were master of so much country only as they could over-run, and even there his small parties were cut off, and every straggler put to the death which he deserved. As soon as the French departed from the solitude which they had made, the fugitive peasants collected again, and again renewed the war, aided by the Spaniards, and animated by the example of a kindred people to still more resolute resistance.

These transactions in Spain and Portugal excited the deepest interest in the English people. Every day seemed lost till an army of our own should co-operate with men engaged in a cause so sacred, so congenial to the feelings of a Briton.

So great was the eagerness to participate in the glorious struggle, that the militia almost universally offered themselves for foreign service, and the country called for an effort equal to the occasion. That this effort had not yet been made, was not exclusively to be imputed to the British cabinet. The juntas preferred assistance in money and supplies to an auxiliary force, foreseeing the danger that mutual dislike might arise between combined armies, whose habits and prejudices were so widely dissimilar. In Portugal, however, our aid was required; and it was not doubted that if the deliverance of that kingdom should be completed, a plan of co-operation with the Spaniards might be easily arranged.

An expedition to Portugal was therefore undertaken, of which the command was entrusted to sir Arthur Wellesley. He sailed from Cork' with about 10,000 men, on the 12th of July, and, leaving the fleet as soon as he had seen it clear of the coast, to make its way for Cape Finisterre, he himself set sail in a frigate for Coruna, (or Corrunna,) where he arrived on the 20th. After a conference with the junta of Gallicia, he sailed for Porto, ordering the fleet to follow him. He arrived at that place on the 24th, and obtained a conference that night with the bishop and the general officers. From them and from lieutenant-colonel Brown, he learned that the regular Portuguese troops amounted to only 5000 men, posted at Coimbra; that about 1200 peasants were in advance, and a corps of 2500 and 300 Spanish infantry, all badly equipped, were stationed at Porto. It was concerted that the 5000 should co-operate with the English general, and the remainder, with the Spanish corps then on its way from Gallicia; and that the peasantry should be employed part in the blockade of Almeida, and part in the defence of Tra os montes, apparently threatened by Bessières. After obtaining every possible information from authentic sources, sir Arthur finally determined to disembark in Mondego Bay. He rejoined the fleet on the 30th of July, and there he received intelligence of the defeat of

Dupont, and advice from his own government that he would be reinforced immediately with 5000 men under brigadiergeneral Auckland, and afterwards with the 10,000 who had been under sir John Moore in Sweden, the command being vested in sir Hugh Dalrymple.

The troops began to disembark on the 1st of August. The weather was unfavorable, and the surf so high, that the whole of the troops were not landed till the 5th, and on that day general Spencer arrived. He had embarked immediately on learning the surrender of Dupont, and landed his corps on the 7th and 8th of August. The march of the main body was delayed till the 10th, at the desire of the Portuguese generals; and on that day four companies of Portuguese cavalry arrived at Coimbra. Sir Arthur determined to march along the road nearest the sea, for the sake of communicating with the fleet of store-ships. The advanced-guard marched on the 9th, supported by the brigades under generals Hill and Ferguson. On the 11th, the main body joined the advanced-guard at Leiria, and the next day the Portuguese force, consisting of 6000 men, including 600 cavalry, arrived at the head-quarters. Loison, in the mean time, having added to his force about 1000 men, from the garrison of Setubal, perpetrated fresh slaughters at Evora, revictualled Elvas, crossed the Tagus by the bridge of boats at Abrantes, and arrived at Thomar on the same day that the main body of the English reached Leiria, the two cities being about 30 miles from each other. Laborde was at Alcobaça six leagues from the latter city on the road to Lisbon. Their object had been to join at Leiria, had they not been anticipated by the British army. Leaving the Portuguese general behind him at Leiria, sir Arthur, on the 14th of August, reached Alcobaça, from which the French fell back the preceding night, and the next day he arrived at Caldas. Laborde and Thomiere were now at Borcia, about ten miles off, with 4000 men, and their advanced posts were at Brilos, within a league of Caldas.

Orders were given to drive them from that village. Four companies of riflemen marched upon the service; they were tempted to an incautious pursuit; a superior body of the enemy attempted to cut them off, and would have succeeded had not general Spencer come to their support. A trifling loss was sustained in this affair, but the village was won, and the French retired from the neighbourhood, their picquets having been driven from Obidos. Two days Two days after, they were attacked in their position at Roleia, a small town which stands at the entrance of the mountainous country. Laborde had strongly and judiciously posted him self on the heights and in the passes, so that superior numbers could not be brought against him. But, notwithstanding the strength of his position, it was forced. This victory was purchased at the loss of 479 men, killed, wounded, and missing. The honorable colonel Lake was among the slain. The loss of the enemy was very great. They left three pieces of cannon to the conquerors, but effected their retreat in good order. During the action, sir Arthur learnt from a French officer who was mortally wounded, that their numbers were 6000, and that they had stood the attack in the expectation of being joined by Loison at noon. junction was formed that night, and the united corps retired beyond Torres Vedras, which was ten miles from the field of battle, towards the Cabeça de Montichique, a mountain half way on the road between that city and Lisbon.

This

Sir Arthur was beginning his march for Torres Vedras, on the, morrow, (August 18th,) when he received advices that general Anstruther was arrived on the coast. He marched, therefore, to the village of VIMIERA, the most favorable point of junction, and a march in advance, Calms prevented the fleet which anchored off the Berlings, from standing in till the evening of the 19th. The brigade was then landed in Peniche bay, on a sandy beach, at the foot of a cliff, almost perpendicular, and of which the ascent is exceedingly steep and difficult. They

was

immediately proceeded to Lourinha, to protect the landing and facilitate the junction of the troops under general Anstruther, and on the 21st, they resumed their march.

General Junot, (duke of Abrantes,) having been informed of the large reinforcements expected under the command of sir John Moore, determined to attack the British army before they should arrive. For this purpose he left Lisbon with nearly the whole of his forces under his command, and on the 21st of August came up with sir Arthur Wellesley in the immediate vicinity of Vimiera. The village stands in a lovely valley, about three miles from the sea, and screened from the sea breezes by mountains, through which the little river Maceira winds its way. The western termination of these mountains reaches the shore, and the eastern is separated by a deep ravine from the heights over which the road passes from Lourinha. The greater part of the infantry were posted on these mountains with eight pieces of cannon; major-general Hill's brigade being on the right, and major Ferguson's on the left, having one battalion on the heights beyond the ravine. A hill on the south-east of the village commands all the ground to the southward and eastward, being itself commanded by the mountain to the west. This hill was occupied by brigadiergenerals Fane and Anstruther. The left of this hill was commanded by the heights over which the road to Lourinha passes; and that position was only occupied by a picquet. The cavalry and reserve of artillery were in the valley, flanking and supporting brigadier-general Fane's advanced-guard.

About eight o'clock in the morning of the 21st, large bodies of the enemy's cavalry appeared on the heights to the left, threatening the weak part of the British position. Four brigades under major. general Ferguson were immediately moved across the ravine. The attack began on the advanced-guard, where the French were bravely received. General Auckland, with the last of the four brigades

which had been ordered to the heights, attacked them in flank on his way, and, after a desperate contest, they were driven back, with the loss of seven pieces of cannon. A detachment of the 20th light dragoons pursued them; but the enemy's cavalry were so superior in number, that this party suffered severely, and sustained the loss of their commander, lieutenantcolonel Taylor. The attack was commenced at the same time on the Lourinha heights. It was made with the usual impetuosity of the French, and supported by a large body of horse. Our riflemen were driven in; but general Ferguson's division received the enemy with a tremendous volley, and brought them to close. action. They were the flower of the French army; and they advanced to the charge like men accustomed to victory. But no troops, however disciplined, brave, and accustomed to victory, have ever withstood the charge of the British bayonet. In one moment their foremost rank fell, like a line of grass before the scythes of the mowers. The French gave way, and six pieces of cannon were taken from them in the pursuit. They made a vigorous attempt under general Kellerman to recover this artillery from the 71st and 82nd regiments, which were halted in the valley in which these guns had been taken. Those regiments retired from the low grounds, and, having reached the heights, halted, faced about, and in their turn attacked the enemy, now stationed in the valley, whence they drove them with great loss. The French general Bernier was wounded in the action, and was in danger of being put to death by those into whose hands he had fallen, when Mackay, a Highland corporal of the 31st regiment, came up and rescued him. The French general, in gratitude for this preservation, offered him his watch and purse,-which Mackay positively refused to accept When he had delivered his prisoner in safety to colonel Pack, the French general could not help exclaiming in astonishment, "What sort of man can this be? he has done me the greatest service, and yet refuses to take from me all the reward I can