“In your direct communications with Spanish generals, you must, however, be contented with their version of the state of affairs, which I do not think can always be relied on, because they only put matters in the view in which they wish you to see them.”
Ditto, Nov. 29.
“The calculation of force which the junta hope may be united in the army under your command will be as follows, if no impediment prevents the different corps reaching the points selected for their junction.”
| Remarks by the author. | |||
| British | 35,000 | They were only 23,500. | |
| La Romana | 20,000 | ... only 5000 armed. | |
| San Juan | 15,000 | Totally dispersed. | |
| Levies from the south, say | 10,000 | None ever arrived. | |
| ——— | |||
| 80,000 | Real total, 28,500. | ||
| ——— |
Lieut. Boothby, royal engineers, to sir John Moore, La Puebla, Jan. 1, 1809.
“I shall consider of any means that may more completely ensure the earliest information of the enemy’s movements towards this quarter; but the Spaniards are the most difficult people in the world to employ in this way, they are so slow, so talkative, and so credulous.”
SECTION V.—RELATING TO THE CONDUCT OF THE LOCAL JUNTAS.
Sir David Baird to sir John Moore, Coruña, Oct. 24, 1808.
“The answer of the supreme government to our application as read by Mr. Frere last night in the presence of the junta of this province, is certainly very different from what I expected. Instead of expressing an anxiety to promote our views and dissatisfaction at the impediments thrown in the way of our measures by the Gallician government, it merely permits us to land here in the event of its being found impracticable to send us by sea to St. Andero, and directs that if our disembarkation takes place, it should be made in detachments of 2000 or 3000 men each! to be successively pushed on into Castille, without waiting for the necessary equipment of mules and horses.”
Sir David Baird to sir John Moore, Coruña, Nov. 7.