Chapter XLVIII: Section 4: General William Stewart, March 13, 1810

“The enemy’s force was supposed to be diminished, but no advantage could be taken of it, on account of the inefficient state of the Spanish troops.”

_General Graham, March 26, 1810._

“The isle of Leon required for its defence a larger force than had been assigned. Its tenure was, in the then state of the defences, very precarious.”

_May, 1810._

“General Blake, appointed to command the Spanish forces, introduced some degree of activity and co-operation, in which the Spaniards had been very deficient.”

_October, 1810._

“The progress made by the enemy at the Trocadero assumed a very formidable character; while the Spaniards persisted in their apathy, and neglected to fortify the most vulnerable points of their line.”

_General Graham to lord Liverpool, Cadiz, January 2, 1811._

“----As far as the exertions of the British engineers and soldiers under my command have been concerned, I have every reason to be satisfied. I can by no means say the same of the Spaniards, for, besides the reluctance with which some of the most essential measures of the defence were agreed to, our people were not permitted to carry into execution the plan for the intrenchment of the left part of the Cortadura de St. Fernando until after much delay and very unpleasant contests.”

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No. IV.

EXTRACTS FROM KING JOSEPH’S CORRESPONDENCE.

SECTION 1.

_The duke of Santa Fé to the King, Paris, June 20, 1810._

(Translation from the Spanish.)

“Will your majesty believe that some politicians of Paris have arrived at saying that in Spain there is preparing a new revolution, very dangerous for the French; and they assert that the Spaniards attached to your majesty will rise against them. Let your majesty consider if ever was heard a more absurd chimera, and how prejudicial it might be to us if it succeeded in gaining any credit. I hope that such an idea will not be believed by any person of judgement, and that it will soon subside, being void of probability.”