Chapter XLVI: Section VII: Relating to the Passive State of the People

_Sir John Moore’s Journal, Dec. 9, 1808._

“In this part the people are passive. We find the greatest difficulty to get people to bring in information.”

_Sir John Moore to Mr. Frere. Sahagun, Dec. 23, 1808._

“If the Spaniards are enthusiastic or much interested in this cause, their conduct is the most extraordinary that was ever exhibited.”

_Sir John Moore to lord Castlereagh, Dec. 31, 1808, Astorga._

“I arrived here yesterday, where, contrary to his promise, and to my expectation, I found the marquis la Romana, with a great part of his troops. Nobody can describe his troops to be worse than he does, and he complains as much as we do of the indifference of the inhabitants, his disappointment at their want of enthusiasm; and said to me in direct terms, that had he known how things were, he neither would have accepted the command nor have returned to Spain. With all this, however, he talks of attacks and movements which are quite absurd, and then returns to the helpless state of his army and of the country.”

_Mr. Stuart to sir John Moore, Nov. 17, 1808._

“The tranquillity of Madrid is truly wonderful.”

_Sir David Baird to sir John Moore, Dec. 6._

“Destitute as we are of magazines, and without receiving even a show of assistance either from the government or inhabitants of the country, who, on the contrary, in many instances, even thwarted our plans and measures; we could not have advanced without exposing ourselves to almost certain destruction.”

_Sir David Baird to lord Castlereagh, Nov. 22, 1808, Astorga._

“Major Stuart of the 95th regiment, who was despatched in front of this place to obtain information, reports that the inhabitants appear perfectly depressed by their losses, and seem to abandon all hope of making a successful resistance.”

_Captain Carrol to sir John Moore, Dec. 17, 1808._

“On my arrival at Oviedo all was confusion and dismay; the confidence between the people, the army, and the junta destroyed.” ... “Is it to be expected that the peasantry can be as hearty in the cause of patriotism as if they were treated with justice.”

_Lieut. Boothby to sir J. Moore. La Puebla, Jan. 1. 1809._

“The Spanish soldiers now here (about 700) are merely on their way to the marquis de la Romana; and as to any neighbouring passes, there are no people whom I can call upon to occupy them, or should expect to defend them, however naturally strong they may be, for I see no people who are thinking of the enemy’s advance with any sentiments beyond passive dislike, and hopes of protection from God and the English army.”

_The prince of Neufchatel to the duke of Dalmatia, Dec. 10, 1808._

“The city of Madrid is quite tranquil, the shops are all open, the public amusements are resumed.”

_General Thouvenot to the prince of Neufchatel. St. Sebastian, 29th Nov. 1808._

“The successes obtained by the armies of the emperor, and those which are also foreseen, begin to make a sensible impression upon the authorities of the country, who become from day to day more affable towards the French, and more disposed to consider the king as their legitimate sovereign.”

_The commandant Meslin to the prince of Neufchatel. Vittoria, 29th Nov. 1808._

“The public feeling is still bad, still incredulous of our successes.” ... “As to the tranquillity of the country, it appears certain.”

_Mr. Frere to sir John Moore. Merida, Dec. 14, 1808._

“A thousand barriers would be interposed against that deluge of panic which sometimes overwhelms a whole nation, and of which at one time I was afraid I saw the beginning in this country.” ... “_The extinction of the popular enthusiasm in this country_, and the means which exist for reviving it, would lead to a very long discussion.”