[26] See Oman, iii., 193 ff. and 415 ff.
[27] Domingos Antonio de Sousa Contentro, afterwards Conde de Funchal.
[28] The eldest of the Brothers Sousa, Prime Minister at Rio Janeiro.
Cintra, August 23, 1811.
My Dear Father,
... I hope you will not delay your departure for this country till much later in the year, and expect by next Packet some further information of your intentions on the subject. I should doubt your finding us here at all events, as I think it very likely we shall join the army again early next month, when the siege of Ciudad Rodrigo will be going on. At present our troops are all around it at a distance, in cantonments, quite quiet, though the place is invested, and for the present the enemy do not show any intention of disturbing us; at least, I have heard of no movement on their part that indicates it. But I cannot think they will quietly allow us to take the place. It is to them well worth risking a battle for, if they intend ever to enter Portugal again. I cannot even guess whether Ld. Wn. will think it worth his while. At this distance I have but general and very imperfect information of the army, and it is dangerous to venture upon conjectures on such a subject.
The Spaniards continue to do nothing, at least on a great scale, and my hopes of any great effort on their part gradually diminish as the accounts arrive of reinforcements entering from France, though it is true in very inconsiderable numbers. We cannot make out that they yet exceed 9 to 12,000 men, which is nothing for the Peninsula. I look to Russia with some anxiety, as much must depend upon her conduct in our future operations. Your opinion, I am sorry to observe, is not favourable, though I think it evident there is some great misunderstanding or resistance to the Tyrant’s will on the part of that Emperor, and, from the nature of the man, I should suppose he will not allow him to oppose him long with impunity. In the disordered state in which we understand the Russian finance to be, it is perhaps better, till she can make peace with the Turk, that she should hold her doubtful posture.
I am surprised you have not received a letter I sent you with the Gazette containing my Portuguese promotion. For the present, at least, I am Lt.-Colonel. Except the rank, I have not one advantage pecuniary or otherwise by my Brevet Majority, but I keep my Staff situation, and unless I should get an effective majority of Cavalry, it is as good a situation as I can have, and I have not the least inclination to quit that service.