As to your informant about Ld. Wn. starving the South as well as the North of Portugal, I confess the speech savours as much of roguery as of ignorance, and I should have a very poor opinion of any Englishman who could make such an observation, unless he wishes purposely to discourage the people from continuing this glorious struggle for everything that is dear to man. He shews himself as ignorant of the country as of the means it offers for defence, and of the enemy’s decided superiority in numbers, which can only be overcome by drawing him away from his resources, and weakening him before we can strike.
In the action of Mina near Vittoria the French were completely beaten by his guerilla, which for that sort of corps is more organised than usual, and consists of 4 Bns. and a Regt. of Cavalry, from 4 to 5000 men. They make a good partisan corps, but have neither solidity nor system enough to be much better than a rather more disciplined and subordinate mob, as yet.
The Galicians and Asturians, like the other parts of Spain, I do not think likely to do much at present. Their Government gives them no encouragement, and but little hope of any effectual support, and they, poor devils, have felt how inadequate they are alone to resist regular troops.
The fall of Tarragona was a serious disaster, though expected, and may have a bad moral effect upon the mind of the populace, besides giving a handle to the ill disposed, which order of people I cannot say have increased in Spain, though I fear the indifferents, who are nearly as bad, certainly have. At the same time I have not a doubt that, where the people are not kept under by force, was there any fair prospect of success, or any disaster to happen to the French, the whole would rise against their oppressors, whom they detest—at least, I think, the whole of the lower orders.
I am much obliged to you for the papers with the vote of thanks from the City to the Marshal. They were never better bestowed. He had never heard of them before. I am very glad Le Marchant is coming out, as I think it is what he wished, and I have no doubt that with his extensive theoretical knowledge, and the practice he formerly had, he will be a great acquisition to our Army. I hope my friend Johnstone will get leave to come out with him.
I have heard of no disagreement amongst our Generals, or that the Marshal ever had any idea of going home. We are for the present very quietly settled, and most comfortably, at that lovely place Cintra, where we are likely to remain till some general movement takes place, and something to be done. The air agrees extremely well with the Marshal, who is very well. I never was so well for many years. It is very remarkable that the climate of Cintra is as different from Lisbon as London is. We have not had a day of heat, while here they have suffered very much. The fog morning and evening keeps us, with the number of trees, constantly cool. The rash I had continues, and has increased, but the Doctors tell me it is rather beneficial than otherwise, and desire me to do nothing to it. It gives me no inconvenience. They call it “Morphen,” and most certainly, notwithstanding, my general health never was better. I came in yesterday on business and return to-morrow. The Marshal also. He is at Caxias, nr. St Julians, at the Admiral’s.... I have just heard that a Packet is coming in with a mail in 4 days from Falmouth, but have not heard that the bag is landed....
Wm. W.
Cintra, August 17, 1811.