Letters from the peninsula, 1808-1812

by Sir William Warre

I am vexed that I have been able to get nothing done for Casey, who is well deserving his promotion. I have written several times to Brown, but have no answer, and I know, from my own situation, how very unpleasant it is to be importuned upon these subjects. Perhaps Greenwood could do something for him. The purchase money is, I believe, in Tom’s hands.

We have yet no account of the honours conferred by the P. R. of P. on the Marshals, and at any rate I do not think them equal to their deserts, and, unless their Pensions are better paid than usual in these cases, they will not be much the richer for them.

I am glad that you have met the Douglas family. There cannot be a finer fellow or better Officer than he is, and more universally respected and beloved. He is a very great friend of mine. I saw him just before we left St Olaia. He was quite well. General Houston is gone home unwell. Campbell arrived the day before yesterday, and writes that he is quite well.

We are in daily expectation of accounts of the poor King’s death, but while I believe every one must regret the loss of such a Sovereign and such a man, considering his sufferings and the present state of the nation, I hardly think it can be a subject of great sorrow to lose him, however much we loved and respected the royal and excellent qualities of such a King.

Your accounts of the internal politics of the country are extremely interesting, but with you I think it is quite impossible to guess the Prince Regent’s intentions, or what his conduct may be after the King’s death, and we all naturally look with great anxiety to the first steps of his reign as a criterion to judge of what we are to expect....

Campbell is this moment arrived. I never saw him looking better. He was detained 5 weeks at Portsmouth and nearly a month on his passage.... Jack is also here quite well after his trip to Castello Branco, where he saw some Divisions marching, and the sight of their hardships, even in a peaceable move distant from the enemy, has not increased his military zeal. It does these English amateurs a vast deal of good to see a little how things are carried on, and what soldiers go through on service, though I think it quite folly for any person, whose duty does not demand it of him, to expose himself as many have, and been laughed at. For after all they but prove what nobody doubted, that they are not afraid of their flesh....

We continue to spend our time very pleasantly. The Marshal has a slight cold and lumbago, which will, I hope, soon pass away. He is otherwise very well....

Aug. 24—The Marshal is much better to-day. He desires to be most kindly remembered to you. We have nothing new. The Duke of Leinster, Lords Clare and Delaware, are arrived in Lisbon, and going up to the army. Yrs., etc.,

Wm. Warre.

The Marshal is Count of Francozo, and Lord W. of Vimiero, but they have not yet the Regent’s permission to accept the titles—which, being compared with Silveira, are not at all flattering to any person but him, and completely marred the P. Regent of P.’s intention of obliging them, for though nobody will deny Silveira considerable merit, it is folly to rank him with the other two. Nor has he ever done anything to deserve such a rank. Poor Baçelar, who commands him, was at least entitled to H. R. H. notice.