It will gain me the sincerest pleasure, &c.
John Cradock.
No. XIII.
JUSTIFICATORY EXTRACTS RELATING TO THE CONDUCT OF MARSHAL SOULT.
Captain Brotherton to colonel Donkin, (quarter-master-general,) Lamego, March 17, 1809.
“The enemy has, however, on this occasion, practised those arts which Frenchmen are so expert in—circulating proclamations and insidiously abandoning, for a moment, their usual system of terror, plunder, and desolation, treating the inhabitants with feigned moderation and kindness.”
Sir J. Cradock to lord Castlereagh, April 20, 1809, Caldas.
“It also appears to be the object of the enemy to ingratiate himself with the populace of Oporto, by even feeding them and granting other indulgences.”—“It is also said that a Portuguese legion, to consist of six thousand men, has been instituted.”