Ditto, Astorga, 23d November.
“It is clearly apparent how very much exaggerated the accounts generally circulated of the strength of the Spanish armies have been.” ... “It is very remarkable that I have not procured the least intelligence, or received any sort of communication from any of the official authorities at Madrid, or either of the Spanish generals.”
Sir David Baird to sir John Moore, Villafranca, Dec. 12, 1808.
“I also enclose a letter from the marquis of Romana; you will be fully able to appreciate the degree of reliance that may be placed on the verbal communication made to him by the extraordinary courier from Madrid. It was from the same kind of authority that he desired the information he conveyed to me of a supposed brilliant affair at Somosierra, which turned out to be an inconsiderable skirmish altogether undeserving of notice.”
Colonel Graham to sir John Moore, Madrid, Oct. 4, 1808.
“The deputies sent over knew nothing but just concerning their own provinces and pour se faire valoir, they exaggerated every thing; for example, those of the Asturias talked louder than any body, and Asturias as yet has never produced a man to the army; thus government, with all their wish to get information (which cannot be doubted), failed in the proper means.”
Lord Wm. Bentinck to sir John Moore, Madrid, Nov. 20, 1808.
“I must at the same time take the liberty of stating my belief, that reliance cannot be placed upon the correctness of information, even if such information should not be kept back, which does not come through the channel of a British officer. It is the choice of officers, rather than the system, that seems to have failed.”
Mr. Stuart to sir John Moore, Madrid, Nov. 19, 1808.