Chapter II: Introduction: Page 1

CHAPTER II.

Dissensions in the Spanish court--Secret treaty and convention
of Fontainebleau--Junot’s army enters Spain--Dupont’s
and Moncey’s corps enter Spain--Duhesme’s corps enters
Catalonia--Insurrections of Aranjuez and Madrid--Charles the
fourth abdicates--Ferdinand proclaimed king--Murat marches to
Madrid--Refuses to recognise Ferdinand as king--The sword of
Francis the first delivered to the French general--Savary arrives
at Madrid--Ferdinand goes to Bayonne--Charles the fourth goes to
Bayonne--The fortresses of St. Sebastian, Figueras, Pampeluna,
and Barcelona, treacherously seized by the French--Riot at
Toledo, 23d April--Tumult at Madrid, 2d of May--Charles the
fourth abdicates a second time in favour of Napoleon--Assembly
of notables at Bayonne--Joseph Buonaparte declared king of
Spain--Arrives at Madrid. 12

CHAPTER III.

Council of Castile refuses to take the oath of
allegiance--Supreme junta established at Seville--Marquis
of Solano murdered at Cadiz, and the Conde d’Aguilar
at Seville--Intercourse between Castaños and sir Hew
Dalrymple--General Spencer and admiral Purvis offer to co-operate
with the Spaniards--Admiral Rossily’s squadron surrenders to
Morla--General insurrection--Massacre at Valencia--Horrible
murder of Filanghieri. 32

CHAPTER IV.

New French corps formed in Navarre--Duhesme fixes himself at
Barcelona--Importance of that city--Napoleon’s military plan and
arrangements. 45

CHAPTER V.

First operations of marshal Bessieres--Spaniards defeated at
Cabeçon, at Segovia, at Logroño, at Torquemada--French take St.
Ander--Lefebre Desnouettes defeats the Spaniards on the Ebro, on
the Huecha, on the Xalon--First siege of Zaragoza--Observations. 62