Wm. Warre.
Lisbon, 10th October 1809.
My Dear Father,
I have to thank you for your very kind letter of 18th September, and will, you may depend upon it, do everything that my affection can dictate, or yours wish, respecting dear Clara. I am, however, sorry you have written to Pedro Alvez who has sent me your letter, as in these times we cannot be too cautious in giving the slightest reason of mistrust or despondency. I do not by any means consider the danger as so pressing or near as you do, and my dear Father will suppose, I am sure, that if I did I would not risk the safety of one so dear to me. At the same time I cannot see the use of alarming her unnecessarily, particularly as being my sister, take what precautions we may and desire what secrecy we will, it will spread in the country. They will fancy that I, and consequently the Marshal, think there is danger to be apprehended. You know the nature of the people, and their malicious propensities are not improved by the unsettled revolutionary state in which they have latterly been. It is almost impossible I should not have notice of the danger approaching in time to remove her to a place of safety, and subsequently, wherever you may think proper. In the meantime I have already drawn up a petition to the Regency, which I have no doubt they will grant, to remove her to a respectable house in Lisbon. And then if occasion press, I can be at hand to assist her, and we need not at once send her to England with strangers, contrary to what I know also is her wish, unless there was absolute danger. I will write to Pedro Alvez, and wait your further orders. To her I will say nothing till it is time to act, and you may be quite at rest that I will not risk anything, and I think I can depend on the Marshal’s friendly assistance.
I am much vexed at ... bill being protested. He is a very brave gallant officer, was much distressed, and I felt happy in relieving him. I would have given him the money, raising it as I could, if that was all, for I admire his conduct as a soldier, but feel much hurt that he should have deceived me, and have written to him as much, and he will pay the money, I have no doubt. Genl. ... also had 41 fl. which he has not paid, and I have written to him, and sent him the account.
I am I confess much surprised at the manner of your letter with regard to my taking up money at Porto. I went there ill, and had no means of getting a farthing any other way. Expence with servants was inevitable, and when I was forced to pay 40 guineas for a horse unexpectedly, I was unable to remit to Porto, as I told Pedro I should, and desired him not to send the account home till he heard from me. I do not at the same time deny that I spent more than I absolutely need, but it was under particular circumstances, and intended to have been paid by my Bat. and Forage money, £42 odd I had to receive, which the loss of my horses prevented. Nor did I imagine at all events even with that expence, I exceeded my pay, which I hope you constantly receive in England, as I never receive any here but my Staff pay as A.D.C.
With regard to my Portuguese Commission, I refused the pay of it for reasons I already stated. From the tenour of your former letters, I was in hopes you would have approved, and most sincerely regret you do not. I have a feeling of dislike to taking the pay of any Sovereign but my own, and, as I am now circumstanced, I merely consider myself as indirectly serving my own King and country, and they have a right to my services, however insignificant, without any further pay or emolument, and shall think myself fully rewarded if Marshal Beresford’s exertions are successful, and that we can give the cursed oppressors of Europe a good beating with Portuguese troops. Under certain circumstances I have not a doubt we should. They are perfectly subordinate and their discipline progressively getting into a very good state. I hope they will soon be completely clothed and equipped and as respectable an army under British Officers as any.
From Spain we have no news. The French appear to wait accounts from Germany previous to any operation of consequence. The English army is getting healthy and is in good spirits. I see little of absolute despondency except in some English newspapers, or discontented Officers, and most sincerely hope the new Ministry will not discontinue their exertions for the defence of this country, if affairs go well in Germany.
The approaching rainy season renders the advance of an enemy into Portugal very difficult, and confines our defence to particular posts. The British army is, I believe, going into cantonments about Elvas, Badajos, etc., etc. Ours between Abrantes and Coimbra. The former in a very good state of defence commands the Tagus and secures our right, while we are in reach of all the passes of Muradal, etc., and within reach of the Douro if necessary.