Chapter XXXV: Section II: Mr. Stuart to sir J. Moore, December 27, 1808

“You will receive, together with this, several letters from Doyle, which describe events in Catalonia _no way differing from what we have witnessed in other parts of Spain_!”--“The junta have established themselves here, and, whatever may have been the expectation which their alarm on the road may have induced Mr. Frere to form of their future proceedings, _a culpable relapse into their former apathy_ seems susceptible of no other remedies but such as will be much stronger than any Spaniard is likely to adopt.”--“Although Caro promised to write every particular of his conversation with you to the junta, I have hitherto been unable to see his letter. I therefore thought it expedient to put the whole to writing, and, at _the same time, to express my conviction both of the justice and propriety of your whole conduct during the late events, when it was impossible, under any circumstances, to have adopted other determination consistently with the safety of the army committed to your charge_. Though I doubt if this will stop the clamour which has been raised on the subject; and, though events have probably since taken place, which may materially change the state of affairs, it may be satisfactory to tell you that Mr. Frere _appears_ to enter into the reasons alleged by you, and to feel, in their full force, the motives which induced you to act so cautiously, and to ground no operation on the hope of any effectual support from the Spaniards.”

_Mr. Stuart to sir J. Moore, Seville, January 2._

“The president, Florida Blanca, died two days since, and I was in hopes that the junta would have availed themselves of this event to make some change in their government.”--“I see, however, little but good disposition, and _am still to look for that_ energy in rewarding service and punishing treachery which can alone mend matters.”

_Mr. Stuart to sir J. Moore, Seville, January 10._

“Reding is at _Tarragona_, expecting to be attacked, and possessing a force composed chiefly of peasantry, but of which he certainly cannot command above ten thousand men in a situation to face his opponents at any given point.”--“Whittingham arrived here yesterday, last from the duke of Infantados’ head-quarters. He assures me the duke had already twenty thousand men when he _left Cuença_.”--“_On the side of Estremadura_, matters are not going on well: Galluzzo, who allowed the enemy to pass the bridges, is here prisoner, and his corps is placed under the command of Cuesta. I cannot say, however, that I see much activity since the change; parties of the enemy cover the country between Madrid and Almaraz, while the corps of six thousand men, which had been pushed forward from Madrid, have, I understand, already passed Plasencia, and probably are on the other side of the Puerto, for the purpose of falling on the Salamanca country, and, if possible, cutting off your communication with Ciudad Rodrigo.”