[338] It is to these days, and probably to some date about May 4-7, that belongs General Bigarré’s curious story about the conspirators (see his Mémoires, p. 235, and Le Noble, p. 238; the latter printed the story in 1821 without names, the former’s version was only given to the light a few years ago; they agree in every point). The story is too good to be omitted. Bigarré says that, walking the quay of Oporto on a moonlight night, he came on Lafitte and Donadieu, muffled in their cloaks and vehemently discussing something in a dark corner. He stole up to them unnoticed, slapped his friend Donadieu on the back, and suddenly shouted in their ears ‘Ah! je vous y prends, Messieurs les conspirateurs.’ Lafitte whipped out a pistol, and had nearly shot the practical joker, before Donadieu could reassure him that this was only a boisterous piece of fun and that Bigarré knew nothing. It was not till much later that the latter found out what had been brewing.
[339] In common fairness to Moore, it is necessary to quote Wellesley’s own words on their fundamental difference of opinion as to the possibility of defending Portugal. ‘I have as much respect as any man can have for the opinion and judgement of Sir J. Moore, and I should mistrust my own (if opposed to his) in a case where he had an opportunity of knowing and considering. But he positively knew nothing of Portugal, and could know nothing of its existing state.’ Yet he says that ‘The greatest disadvantage under which I labour is that Sir John Moore gave an opinion that the country could not be defended by the army under his command.’ Wellington to Lord Liverpool, from Vizeu, April 2, 1810.
[340] The official notice is dated April 2 (Wellington Supplementary Dispatches, vi. p. 210), but several letters dated late in March show that the matter had been already settled.
[341] The troops from the abortive expedition to Cadiz, under Mackenzie, Sherbrooke and Tilson, turned up about the middle of March at Lisbon. But Hill, with the first body of the second batch of reinforcements, only appeared upon April 5.
[342] Of the first ten battalions to appear, seven were 2nd battalions—those of the 7th, 30th, 48th, 53rd, 66th, 83rd, 87th regiments. Some were very weak, with less than 750 bayonets, e.g. the 7th (628 men), 30th (698 men), 66th (740 men).
[343] This came from Beresford at Lisbon (see Wellington Supplementary Dispatches, vi. p. 219).
[344] Wellesley to the Duke of Richmond, April 14 (Supplementary Dispatches, vi. 227).
[345] Wellington Supplementary Dispatches, vi. 221-2. It is very creditable to Sir Arthur that, adverting to another possibility, viz. that Cradock may have plucked up courage to go out against the French, and have successfully beaten them off, he declares that ‘he could not reconcile it with his feelings’ to supersede a successful general. He remembered his own state of mind when supplanted by Burrard on the day of Vimiero.
[346] Castlereagh to Wellesley, Supplementary Dispatches, vi. 222 and 228.
[347] Memorandum of March 7, ‘As soon as the newspapers shall have announced the departure of officers for Portugal, the French armies in Spain will receive orders to make their movements towards Portugal, so as to anticipate our measures for its defence,’ &c.