Chapter I

The Asturian deputies received with enthusiasm in
England---Ministers precipitate--Imprudent choice of
agents--Junot marches to Alcantara, joined by the Spanish
contingent, enters Portugal, arrives at Abrantes, pushes on to
Lisbon--Prince regent emigrates to the Brazils, reflections
on that transaction--Dangerous position of the French
army--Portuguese council of regency--Spanish contingent well
received--General Taranco dies at Oporto, is succeeded by the
French general Quesnel--Solano’s troops retire to Badajos--Junot
takes possession of the Alemtejo and the Algarves; exacts
a forced loan; is created duke of Abrantes; suppresses the
council of regency; sends the flower of the Portuguese army to
France--Napoleon demands a ransom from Portugal--People unable
to pay it--Police of Lisbon--Junot’s military position; his
character; political position--People discontented--Prophetic
eggs--Sebastianists---The capture of Rossily’s squadron known
at Lisbon--Pope’s nuncio takes refuge on board the English
fleet--Alarm of the French 136