[741] See the facts stated on [pp. 493-5].
[742] Moore to Castlereagh, from Salamanca, Nov. 25.
[743] Napier, i. 349.
[744] ‘Thus ended the career of Sir John Moore, a man whose uncommon capacity was sustained by the purest virtue, and governed by a disinterested patriotism, more in keeping with the primitive than the luxurious age of a great nation. His tall graceful person, his dark searching eyes, strongly defined forehead, and singularly expressive mouth indicated a noble disposition and a refined understanding. The lofty sentiments of honour habitual to his mind were adorned by a subtle playful wit, which gave him in conversation the ascendency which he always preserved by the decisive vigour of his action. He maintained the right with a vehemence bordering on fierceness, and every important transaction in which he was engaged increased his reputation for talent, and confirmed his character as a stern enemy to vice, a steadfast friend to merit, a just and faithful servant of his country. The honest loved him, the dishonest feared him; he did not shun, but scorned and spurned the base, and, with characteristic propriety, they spurned at him when he was dead.... If glory be a distinction, for such a man death is not a leveller!’ (Peninsular War, i. 333.)
[745] Of transports fitted for carrying horses Dalrymple only had at this moment those which had brought 180 horses for the 20th Light Dragoons, 300 of the Irish commissariat, and 560 of the 3rd Light Dragoons of the German Legion, which had just arrived with Moore.
[746] These articles are shortened of some unimportant verbiage and details.
[747] The meaning of this odd and crabbed phrase is shown by the French duplicate of the Convention—‘d’en faire passer le produit en France.’ Murray should have written ‘the proceeds’ instead of ‘the sale.’
[748] Murray’s English does not here translate Kellermann’s French: the latter has ‘détenus en Espagne,’ i.e. ‘at present prisoners in Spain,’ not ‘who may have been detained in Spain.’ For the persons intended were primarily General Quesnel, his staff, and escort, who had been seized in Portugal and then taken into Spain. The clause also covered some French officers and commissaries who had been seized at Badajoz and elsewhere while making their way to Lisbon, at the moment when the insurrection broke out.
[749] The hostage for the English army was Col. Donkin. I cannot find out who was the naval hostage.
[750] i.e. Junot and his chief officers preferred the hospitalities of a man of war to the hard fare of a transport.