His elder sister, Clara, who was a Roman Catholic, had taken the veil and was a nun in the convent at Lamego. On the invasion of Portugal by the French from the north, the question of how she could be removed into a place of safety exercised her brother’s mind greatly. The French were notorious for their ill-treatment of convents and other ecclesiastical establishments. But the difficulties in the way of her removal, added to her own desire to stay with the rest of the nuns, were insuperable.
Fortunately, after Soult retired from Oporto, they were not molested, and the good lady lived on to a good old age in the convent at Lamego.
The letters to his father with regard to expenses, which the latter deemed excessive, illustrate the financial difficulties with which a good many officers serving in the field and their families must have been troubled during those years of strife and bad business.
A note on the back of the last Letter of the year seems to indicate the nature of a reply to application for clothing for the Portuguese troops made to some English firm.
[11] Vide Oman, vol. i., sec. viii., chap. iv.
LETTERS
Avanilla, Nr. Sahagun (5½ leagues from
Saldanha), Dec. 23, 1808, ½-past 5 P.M.
Though, as you will suppose, my beloved Parents, not a little hurried, I cannot leave this place to march towards the enemy at Saldanha, without a few lines, which although I am sure not necessary to convince you how much I feel, or how grateful for all the affection, love, and kindness I have ever received, will I am sure be a gratification in case of the worst. Should I fall, my dearest friends, do not grieve for me. It has been the fate of many and much finer fellows than I am, and I fall in a just and glorious cause, trusting to my God and my Saviour to forgive me and have mercy on my soul. I do not know of any crime that I have committed, that should make me fear death, but we are all liable to err. At all events I have not disgraced myself or my family. That would be worse than a hundred deaths, or to lose your affection.
The French are at Saldanha, 5¾ leagues from this. We march at 6 this evening to arrive at daybreak, not much over-matched in numbers. I have not a doubt of the issue of the contest. Our cavalry have hitherto behaved most gallantly and taken in all from 500 to 800 men, great booty, and 26 officers....
Rankin has served me very faithfully and honestly, particularly during my severe illness. I would like him to have his discharge bought, and 10£ to take him home. We shall have a cold march to-night, but shall be warm when we see these so vaunted robbers. The Last Bugle sounds. Adieu, may every happiness attend my dearest Parents. Do not regret, I conjure you, the loss of an individual in so glorious a cause. Your ever attached and affecte. son,