After a very long delay I was at length made very happy by your most kind letter from Cowes....
I quite agree with you about the infamous Wine Company at Porto, but I think that it cannot stand long, even supposing we are such dupes as to allow the P. Government to infringe so directly on the Treaty. It is a grievous oppression on the farmer, and so generally disliked, that I much doubt, when the terror of French dominion is removed, they will submit either to this or many other oppressions. O Povo esta mto. desabusado, e seria mto. melhor conceder ehe algums destes privilegios, que em nada contribuem para o bem do estado, mas mto. para o bem de hums poucos de individuos, ò menos penso que o que contribue não sofre o odio de huma tão sega politica.[30]
I therefore hope to have the happiness of giving you an abraço early in the spring, and am not sorry you did not come out at this advanced period of the year, when you would have found very great difficulty in travelling in a country desolate and almost depopulated, in bad weather, and as I could not foresee that our excellent Marshal would fall ill again, I had given up all hopes of meeting you in Lisbon, at all events. We were to have moved to-day, but H. E. has been very unwell, and though now, thank God, much better, our departure cannot take place till the beginning of next month. He has great confidence in the good effects of a change of air and travelling. I confess I rather dread the effects of any fatigue or cold for him after what happened lately, when a not very long ride quite threw him back. If good wishes, not only from his own family, but from all ranks of the people could avail, he would have been long since well, and it is, and must at all events be, a pleasant reflection to him in illness to see how universally he is regretted, and the fears his illness has raised amongst almost the whole nation.
I have not a word of public news to send you. The Prince d’Aremberg, Colonel of the 27th Chasseurs à Cheval, and married to the Empress Josephine’s niece, is arrived here, and 1400 prisoners taken at Arroio del Molino by Hill. He is an insignificant looking creature, and not reckoned a great Officer. Genl. Bron is not yet arrived. I have dined with the Lt.-Col. of their 40th Regt. He is a fine intelligent young man, but quite a Frenchman. He lies without the least hesitation. He half cries at times at his misfortune, but, when he has drank a little wine, sings and dances, and seems to forget entirely that he is a Prisoner. I am going this morning to take the Lt.-Col. of 34th F.A. to make some purchases he wants, and then to dine at Hardinge’s. I think him steadier a good deal than the other, who is a most amusing companion, and less of a soldier. This man is reserved, but I know what he says is true, and therefore we intend to try what the bon vin de Bordeaux will do towards opening his heart,[31] for we often get very interesting information in this way, and, though I hate and despise the fellows, I am rather amused by them now and then.
I think we are likely to remain quiet at Villa Formosa beyond the Coa, where we fix our Hd. Qrs. It was entirely destroyed by the French, but we have had doors and window-shutters put to some of the Houses. But I expect we shall passar m’tos. frios, and I dread it for the Marshal. I do not think the French will make any movement till Ciudad Rodrigo is again distressed for provisions, and then they will probably throw some convoy in which I do not know how we are to prevent, when the Agueda is full and not fordable, unless by a general action beyond it, and that is most unlikely, and I therefore do not myself expect that anything more than outpost business perhaps will be done before the spring. The enemy have certainly received great reinforcements during the course of the year, but even these (say 40,000 men) have not covered the casualties and losses of men in their armies, which are evidently much reduced. I have no reason to alter my opinion about the Spaniards. You know what it is, and I do not expect more from them than I did, and, if Russia does not in the spring declare against Napoleon, the fate of the Peninsula is in my opinion still very doubtful.
As you do not mention anything further in your letters about my business which you said Dr. Domingos wished to be perfectly secret, I hope it is given up entirely, and if not, that you will not press it. It would throw me out of the line of my profession, and place me in a situation I do not think I should be fit for, or can like. You however, my dear Father, know my situation, and I never willingly have or will act contrary to your opinion or wishes.
A Packet is coming in, but I fear we shall not have the letters before the mail for England closes. Yrs., etc., etc.,
Wm. Warre.
[30] The lower classes are greatly undeceived, and it would be much better to concede to them some of these privileges, which in no way contribute to the welfare of the State, but much to the benefit of some few individuals. At least I think that he who takes this course will not incur the odium of such a blind policy.
[31] Cf. Maxwell’s Life of the Duke of Wellington, vol. i., p. 357.