Chapter XXXIX: Section III: Portuguese Army

_Sir J. Cradock to sir J. Moore, December 9, 1808._

“I am sorry to state that I find, as far as my limited observation reaches, the Portuguese army, and every other military concern, _in the worst possible state_.”

_Sir J. Cradock to Mr. Villiers, December 18, 1809._

“I am sure that the state of the Portuguese army is quite misunderstood in England; _and that a reliance is placed upon it for the defence of the country that is entirely without foundation_. Their” (Portuguese) “ministers will avow this to you after ten minutes’ conversation.”--“Even of the reduced numbers of their men enrolled, (not amounting to twenty thousand, at the very highest computation,) to make any thing out of them, it is necessary to recur to first principles, and give them _officers_, _arms_, _clothing_, _accoutrements_, _horses_, &c.; and I need not say that money is wanting to effect this: and the ministers positively declare that they have none; and that no collection of their forces can take place, much less a movement to the frontier, without a supply.”--“M. Forjas, secretary to the government, in answer to a strong question from me, stated that _their army have not in possession ten thousand firelocks fit for use_.”

_Sir J. Cradock to lord Castlereagh, December 24, 1808._

“I am exerting myself to bring to account ‘the _supposed_ Portuguese army.’”--“Your lordship will perceive that _I talk of the regulars as if it were a regular force_; but I should be guilty of a deceit, that might lead to bad consequences, if I did not fairly state that _I conceive them to be of no moment at this time_.”

Sir J. Cradock to Mr. Villiers, January 8, 1809.

“I am ready to go to the utmost verge of prudence; but _Mr. Frere, when he talks of Portuguese troops and arrangements, really_ (as I believe you will allow) _fait bâtir les châteaux_.”

_Major-general Cotton to sir J. Cradock, April 7, 1809._

“I yesterday inspected the Portuguese cavalry.”--“This cavalry is unformed, and totally unfit for any sort of service.”

_Sir J. Cradock to lord Castlereagh, February 12._

“It appears that a report has reached your lordship that a conscription for horses in this country had been attended with great effect, and that above three thousand had been collected. It is, indeed, a matter of serious concern that such _serious misrepresentations_ should be transmitted; for it is a well-known fact that many of the Portuguese regiments of cavalry _are without horses_; and, if I am to pursue the subject, their _battalions of infantry are one-half without arms or clothing_! But the total want of all means of regulations for subsistence from so deplorable a view, in the event of co-operation, that the result, in my opinion, cannot be attended with success. _It is, however, but justice to say, that the disposition of the Portuguese seems well-inclined and faithful to the common cause; and that a very efficient soldiery may be formed under more favourable circumstances._”

_Sir J. Cradock to Mr. Frere, February 27, 1809._

“I fear that your excellency is led to entertain a more favourable notion of the efficacy of the Portuguese army than, in any shape, it is entitled. In short, my opinion is that they want every thing that constitutes a respectable force, except about ten thousand English arms. I believe they have no others. Many of their _cavalry regiments are without horses, without swords, pistols, &c. Their battalions are not clothed; and, as to subsistence, they live at free quarters upon the villages where they are stationed._ To take the field with effect, or an assurance of food, seems to me out of the question. Since the first moment of my arrival, I wished to procure the advance of a small Portuguese force to Alcantara; but it has been impossible. It is a matter of serious lamentation that such mis-representations of the Portuguese force should go home, or reach your excellency.”

_Sir J. Cradock to lord Castlereagh, April 3._

“No reliance whatever can be placed upon the Portuguese troops in their present state. _If I said that the whole were ready to mutiny or revolt, I believe I speak general Beresford’s sentiments. They will not be commanded by their own officers and they do just as they please._”