Chapter XLV: Section VI: Central Junta

_Lord Wm. Bentinck to sir John Moore, Madrid, Oct. 4, 1808._

“I am sorry to say that the new government do not seem to proceed with the despatch and energy which the critical situation of the country demands.”

_Ditto to sir H. Burrard, Madrid, Oct. 8._

“In my last letter I adverted to the inactivity and apparent supineness which prevailed in the central council in regard to the military, as well as to the other business of the government.”

_Ditto to sir John Moore, Nov. 8._

“But it is upon the spot where the exact state of the armies, and the extraordinary inefficiency of the government, whose past conduct promises so little for the future, are known, that the danger must be the more justly appreciated.” ... “The most simple order, however urgent the case, cannot be obtained from the government without a difficulty, solicitation, and delay, that is quite incredible.”

_Sir John Hope to sir John Moore, Madrid, Nov. 20, 1808._

“It is perfectly evident that they” (the junta) “are altogether without a plan as to their future military operations, either in the case of success or misfortune. Every branch is affected by the disjointed and inefficient construction of their government.”

_Mr. Stuart to sir John Moore, Madrid, Oct. 18, 1808._

“Lord William Bentinck, as well as myself, have made repeated representations, and I have given in paper after paper to obtain something like promptitude and vigour; but though loaded with fair promises in the commencement, we scarcely quit the members of the junta before their attention is absorbed in petty pursuits and the wrangling which impedes even the simplest arrangements necessary for the interior government of a country.” ... “In short, we are doing what we can, not what we wish; and I assure you we have infamous tools to work with.”

_Mr. Stuart to sir John Moore, Seville, Jan. 2, 1809._

“Morla’s treason is abused, but passed over; and the arrival of money from Mexico, which is really the arrival of spoil for the French, seems to have extinguished every sentiment the bad views and the desperate state of things ought to have created.”

_Mr. Stuart to sir John Moore, Jan. 10, 1809._

“Castaños, Heredia, Castelar, and Galluzzo, are all here. These unfortunate officers are either prisoners or culprits, waiting the decision of government on their conduct in the late transactions. If the state of affairs should allow the government to continue in existence they will probably wait many months, for no determination is to be expected from people who have in no one instance punished guilt or rewarded merit since they ruled the country. The junta indeed, to say the truth, is at present absolutely null, and although they represent the sovereign authority I have never witnessed the exercise of their power for the public good.”

_Mr. Frere to sir John Moore. Las Santos, Dec. 16, 1808._

“The subject of the ships in Cadiz had not escaped me, but I thought it so _very dangerous_ to suggest to the junta any idea except that of living and dying on Spanish ground, that I avoided the mention of any subject that could seem to imply that I entertain any other prospects.”