The Spaniards under Cuesta and the Duke of Infantado have advanced towards the border of the Sierra Morena nearest Madrid, and at least our official accounts tell us that they speak with confidence, and are in high spirits. Romana wants nothing but ammunition, which has been sent, and we spoke at sea and brought into this with us a Spanish schooner with 105,000 dollars for the Asturians, who has proceeded.
Every thing that I hear confirms my opinion that our retreat from Spain, etc., etc., etc., was inconsiderate, and I fear will place us in rather a disgraceful light. This entre nous. The French after they entered Coruña acknowledged having lost 1000 men killed on the 16th, and of course more than as many wounded. They spoke highly of the bravery of our men. This we have from the General’s Italian servants, whom we left there, and who were in Gurèa’s house when Laborde took up his Quarters there. This I believe certain, that Buonaparte has returned to Paris, and taken his Imperial Guards with him.
The Brest fleet 16 S. L. and 3 frigates is out. We were becalmed off Cape Finisterre only a few hours before they came up bringing the breeze. It was a narrow escape. Yesterday Sir John Duckworth was off here with 11 S. L. and 2 frigates, and was joined from here by 2 S. L., the Norge and Conqueror, and is in pursuit of them. God send he may come up with them. The issue is not doubtful.
So much for Public News. I send on mere reports, though I do not entirely vouch for the whole being true. The Portuguese are very anxious for Sir Arthur Wellesley. They think he would do everything that is possible. Nothing can exceed the high idea they have of him, and they are right.
I am very sorry to tell you that I hear Alvez had not shipped any of your wines, and had near 340 pipes on hand. They complain of want of instructions from you, but could, I believe, if he had exerted himself, have got freight for most. Ignorant as I am of business, and particularly of the instructions you may have given him, I feel great delicacy in writing and giving any orders. He never, I think, can have received my letter from Coruña. Croft certainly did not. I shall write to him by to-morrow post, desiring him to give me an account of how your affairs are, at the same time taking upon myself to desire him, if not contrary to any instructions he may have received from you, to charter at all events a vessel to ship off all your wines (if he can get one), but to wait for convoy unless the business presses very much. Though things look brighter than I expected, the fate of war is so uncertain, and the odds are against us, so that I think no time should be lost. I should have chartered a vessel here, but on consulting with our worthy friend James Butler, he seems not to think it worth while till I hear from Alvez, and there is no English ship at present in this port. I have felt much distressed at this apparent want of foresight, but suppose the last packet must have brought him your instructions. Nothing can be kinder than the interest that Wm. Naylor and Butler take in your concerns, but with great delicacy. It was said on Change at Porto that several Packets only brought 2 letters from my Uncle to John Benito, which caused a smile. I write this to you, my dearest Friend, because these sort of smiles, I fear, do much harm in business. This I heard from other quarters. Croft is here, but I have not yet met him. My heavy baggage, which was left here, I will send by the Amazon to England. I write this by the Peacock sloop of war, though in great haste. I am quite well. I have so many things to do and think of that I hope I shall not have time to be sick. I will write again by the first opportunity. In meantime may God bless and preserve you all. Give my kindest and warmest love to my dearest Mother, etc., etc., and from Yr. ever most affectionate Son,
Wm. Warre.
The weather is most delightful though very warm. The change from England is very striking. Adieu.
I hope the wines I ordered from Spain, have or will be sent.
Lisbon, April 1, 1809.