Chapter XLVI: Section II: Sir J. Cradock to colonel Guard, January 3

“The garrisons of Elvas and Almeida have engaged my most serious thoughts.”--“But, as they were occupied by the command of his majesty’s ministers, and _we remain without any fresh instructions under the present critical circumstances_.”

_Sir J. Cradock to general Richard Stewart, January 10._

“I feel what a risk I run in thus leaving Lisbon defenceless, but _I obey the original orders of government_.”

_Sir J. Cradock to general Richard Stewart, January 12._

“_We are still without any instructions whatever from England._”

_Sir J. Cradock to captain Halket, January 13._

“Though we cannot say _when_ it may take place, and it shall be deferred to the last moment, _in hopes of hearing from England_, yet I believe it to be our duty to prepare every thing for the event of an embarkation.”

_Sir J. Cradock to admiral Berkely, January 17._

“I lament to say that there appears nothing before us but the resolution _to remain in Portugal to the last proper moment, awaiting orders from England_.”

_Sir J. Cradock to Mr. Frere, January 19._

“With our force inferior and ill-composed, as it is, _we are determined to remain to the last proper moment, in the hopes of receiving orders from England_.”

_Sir J. Cradock to admiral Berkely_, _February 9_.

“The orders we daily expect may be either for _immediate embarkation, or to maintain Portugal_.”--“I am pursuaded we have but this one wish, which is to act for the credit of our country, and endeavour, under the _want of all information, to discover what may be the object of the government we serve_.”

_Sir J. Cradock to general Mackenzie, February 26._

“Since the 14th of January _we are without instructions from England_.”