[262] See Leite’s indignant letters to Dalrymple in Napier, vol. i. App. xii. De Arce is the real name of the Dearey of whom Napier speaks on p. 245. Cf. Dalrymple’s Memoir, p. 82.
[263] Foy, iv. 361, 362; Napier, i. 246, 247. Napier suppresses the part taken in saving the French by the Bishop and by Wilson, to neither of whom were his feelings friendly. Foy acknowledges the services of both. There is a good account of the whole by Wilson, in his papers at the Record Office.
[264] Napier, with his customary tenderness for French susceptibilities, has only very general allusions to these disgraceful peculations. My details are mainly from Thiébault (iv. 198-200), who frankly confesses everything, and gives many scandalous particulars. He was, as Napoleon wrote, ‘not delicate in money matters.’
[265] Cf. Thiébault, Napier, and some curious details given in the Annual Register for 1808, with Proby and Beresford’s Report.
[266] For previous acts and plans of this shameless person see Thiébault, iv. 151-3.
[267] Report of General Beresford and Lord Proby to Sir Hew Dalrymple after the evacuation.
[268] For the tumults and murders at the embarkation see Col. Leslie’s Military Journal, pp. 66-76, and Col. Wilkie’s English in Spain, p. 16.
[269] See Col. Steevens’ Reminiscences, pp. 54, 55; Col. Wilkie, p. 14; Col. Leslie, pp. 65, 66.
[270] Well. Suppl. Disp., vi. 207 (figures given for May 23), and Thiébault.
[271] Napier, i. 246; Foy, iv. 363. We have already had occasion to note the proclivity of the 2nd Swiss to desert. The 4th Swiss, who had formed the garrison of Elvas, showed exactly the same tendency.