Sept. 18th.—I am very much better to-day, so much that I intend going into Lisbon in a carriage.
Yrs. affecly.,
W. Warre.
Direct to me, care of any resident here to forward it by enquiry where I am. I know none but Portuguese.
[9] Regrets.
Lisbon, Sept. 29, 1808.
My Dear Father,
I wrote a few lines by General Ferguson who went home in the Plover, and by the same ship were also, I believe, forwarded two long letters with some details of the action, which you will of course see.
The indignation expressed in all the English Papers at the Capitulation made subsequent to that is scarce equal to what has been felt by every individual of the Army, whose glory and the gratitude of their countrymen (their best reward) has been so completely frittered away. This in a political point of view is the least of its evils. The consequences of sending to France 25,000 to join Buonaparte in his reconquering Spain and Portugal, men who have marched, and countermarched all over the country, may still be most disastrous, for I never can imagine that the struggle of these countries, (I should rather say Spain, for this country is not in a state to do anything for itself), is more than begun. The Tyrant will not so easily give up his point, but will march all his disposable force, and best Generals against her, unless indeed some unforeseen diversion in the north, or on the Continent, put some weight in the balance, in favour of Spain.