Chapter I

Summary of the political state of affairs—Lord Wellesley
resigns—Mr. Perceval killed—New administration—Story of the
war resumed—Wellington’s precautionary measures described—He
relinquishes the design of invading Andalusia and resolves to
operate in the north—Reasons why—Surprize of Almaraz by general
Hill—False alarm given by sir William Erskine prevents Hill from
taking the fort of Mirabete—Wellington’s discontent—Difficult
moral position of English generals Page 1

CHAP. II.

Progress of the war in different parts of Spain—State of
Gallicia-French precautions and successes against the Partidas of
the north—Marmont’s arrangements in Castile—Maritime expedition
suggested by sir Howard Douglas—He stimulates the activity of the
northern Partidas—The curate Merino defeats some French near Aranda
de Duero—His cruelty to the prisoners—Mina’s activity—Harasses
the enemy in Arragon—Is surprized at Robres by general
Pannetier—Escapes with difficulty—Re-appears in the Rioja—Gains the
defiles of Navas Tolosa—Captures two great convoys—Is chased by
general Abbé and nearly crushed, whereby the Partidas in the north
are discouraged—Those in other parts become more enterprising—The
course of the Ebro from Tudela to Tortoza so infested by them that
the army of the Ebro is formed by drafts from Sachet’s forces
and placed under general Reille to repress them—Operations of
Palombini against the Partidas—He moves towards Madrid—Returns
to the Ebro—Is ordered to join the king’s army—Operations in
Arragon and Catalonia—The Catalonians are cut off from the
coast line—Eroles raises a new division in Talarn—Advances into
Arragon—Defeats general Bourke at Rhoda—Is driven into Catalonia
by Severoli—Decaen defeats Sarzfield and goes to Lerida—Lacy
concentrates in the mountains of Olot—Descends upon Mattaro—Flies
from thence disgracefully—Lamarque defeats Sarzfield—Lacy’s bad
conduct—Miserable state of Catalonia 23

CHAP. III.

Operations in Valencia and Murcia—Sachet’s able government of
Valencia—O’Donel organizes a new army in Murcia—Origin of the
Sicilian expedition to Spain—Secret intrigues against Napoleon in
Italy and other parts—Lord William Bentinck proposes to invade
Italy—Lord Wellington opposes it—The Russian admiral Tchtchagoff
projects a descent upon Italy—Vacillating conduct of the English
ministers productive of great mischief—Lord William Bentinck sweeps
the money-markets to the injury of lord Wellington’s operations—Sir
John Moore’s plan for Sicily rejected—His ability and foresight
proved by the ultimate result—Evil effects of bad government shewn
by examples 45

CHAP. IV.

Operations in Andalusia and Estremadura—Advantage of
lord Wellington’s position shewn—Soult’s plans vast but
well-considered—He designs to besiege Tarifa, Alicant,
and Carthagena, and march upon Lisbon—Restores the French
interest at the court of Morocco—English embassy to the
Moorish emperor fails—Soult bombards Cadiz, and menaces a
serious attack—Ballesteros, his rash conduct—He is defeated at
Bornos—Effect of his defeat upon the allies in Estremadura—Foy
succours the fort of Mirabete—Hill is reinforced—Drouet falls back
to Azagua—Followed by Hill—General Slade defeated by Lallemande in
a cavalry combat at Macquilla—Exploit of cornet Strenowitz—General
Barrois marches to reinforce Drouet by the road of St. Ollala—Hill
falls back to Albuera—His disinterested conduct 56

CHAP. V.

Political situation of France—Secret policy of the European
courts—Causes of the Russian war—Napoleon’s grandeur and
power—Scene on the Niemen—Design attributed to Napoleon of
concentrating the French armies behind the Ebro—No traces of
such an intention to be discovered—His proposals for peace
considered—Political state of England—Effects of the continental
system—Extravagance, harshness, and improvident conduct of
the English ministers—Dispute with America—Political state
of Spain—Intrigues of Carlotta—New scheme of mediation with
the colonies—Mr. Sydenham’s opinion of it—New constitution
adopted—Succession to the crown fixed—Abolition of the Inquisition
agitated—Discontent of the clergy and absolute-monarchy-men—Neglect
of the military affairs—Dangerous state of the country—Plot to
deliver up Ceuta—Foreign policy of Spain—Negociations of Bardaxi at
Stockholm—Fresh English subsidy—Plan of enlisting Spanish soldiers
in British regiments fails—The councillor of state Sobral offers
to carry off Ferdinand from Valençay but Ferdinand rejects his
offer—Joseph talks of assembling a cortes at Madrid, but secretly
negociates with that in the Isla 65

CHAP. VI.

Political state of Portugal—Internal condition not
improved—Government weak—Lord Strangford’s conduct condemned—Lord
Wellesley resolves to recall him and send lord Louvaine to Rio
Janeiro—Reasons why this did not take place—Lord Strangford’s
career checked by the fear of being removed—Lord Wellington
obtains full powers from the Brazils—Lord Castlereagh’s vigorous
interference—Death of Linhares at Rio Janeiro—Domingo Souza
succeeds him as chief minister but remains in London—Lord
Wellington’s moderation towards the Portuguese regency—His
embarrassing situation described—His opinion of the Spanish and
Portuguese public men—His great diligence and foresight aided
by the industry and vigour of Mr. Stuart supports the war—His
administrative views and plans described—Opposed by the regency—He
desires the prince regent’s return to Portugal without his
wife—Carlotta prepares to come without the prince—Is stopped—Mr.
Stuart proposes a military government but lord Wellington will not
consent—Great desertion from the Portuguese army in consequence of
their distressed state from the negligence of the government—Severe
examples do not check it—The character of the Portuguese troops
declines—Difficulty of procuring specie—Wellington’s resources
impaired by the shameful cupidity of English merchants at Lisbon
and Oporto—Proposal for a Portuguese bank made by Domingo Souza,
Mr. Vansittart, and Mr. Villiers—Lord Wellington ridicules it—He
permits a contraband trade to be carried on with Lisbon by Soult
for the sake of the resources it furnishes 83