Chapter I

Comparison between the Portuguese and Spanish people--The general
opinion of French weakness and Spanish strength and energy,
fallacious--Contracted policy of the English cabinet--Account
of the civil and military agents employed--Many of them act
without judgment--Mischievous effects thereof--Operations of
the Spanish armies after the battle of Baylen--Murcian army
arrives at Madrid--Valencian army marches to the relief of
Zaragoza--General Verdier raises the siege--Castaños enters
Madrid--Contumacious conduct of Galluzzo--Disputes between
Blake and Cuesta--Dilatory conduct of the Spaniards--Sagacious
observation of Napoleon--Insurrection at Bilbao; quelled by
general Merlin--French corps approaches Zaragoza--Palafox
alarmed, threatens the council of Castille--Council of war held
at Madrid--Plan of operations--Castaños unable to march from want
of money--Bad conduct of the junta of Seville--Vigorous conduct
of major Cox--Want of arms--Extravagant project to procure them 269