1808. " are `BOOK VIII, tended his clemency to the degraded deputation from the junta. To conceal their conCHAP. IV. cert with him, and at the same time to gratify his splenetic humour, he cunningly taunted Morla for his former perfidy in breaking the capitulation with Dupont." The English," said he, not renowned for good faith: but having agreed to the convention of Cintra, they observed it." Morla's fortune and military rank were preserved to him. The same indulgence was shewn to his associates, who having joined him in betraying their country, did not disdain to live under the protection of the usurper. Morla, in a circular letter addressed to the Andalusians, endeavoured to draw them over to the side of King Joseph; who, he told them, was a man of great mildness and humanity of disposition. Bonaparte addressed a manifesto to the Spanish nation, in which he promised them all good things if they received Joseph for their king sincerely and with all their heart.-If not, he would put the crown on his own head, treat them as a conquered province, and find another kingdom for his brother; for God had given him both the inclination and the power to surmount all obstacles. The troops that had fled from the Puerto, or gate of Guadarama, having arrived, on the 3d of December, almost under the walls of Madrid, demanded with loud cries to be led to its defence. Their commander, Count St. Juan, who opposed so dangerous an attempt, was massacred. Though the prerogatives of nature may be often neglected for ages, in the progress of time and events they are asserted sooner or later. Long had men of general views and speculation regretted that so fair a portion of the globe, so abundant in all the necessaries and even luxuries of life, and so well situated for the commerce of the world, as South America, should be suffered to languish under a short-sighted system of tyranny and oppression. The grand interest excited by the state of Spain at this period, was the consideration that it would, in all probability, sever the mother-country from the colonies, and open a new theatre on the other side of the Atlantic, that would change the politics and improve the condition of the world. The balance of Europe being overthrown, it was a consolation to look to a balance on a grand scale: a balance of the world. It was not indeed the contemplation of a magnificent order of affairs that at first aroused the Spanish colonies to the exercise of their faculties, but that ardent devotion to the monarch, by which the Spaniards are particularly distinguished, and indignation against his cruel and perfidious oppressor. The central junta, in conformity with the uniform intentions of the central juntas, declared that the colonies in Asia and America'should not be considered as dependent provinces, but enjoy all the privileges of the metropolis and mothercountry. This was also declared in the new constitution framed for Spain by Bonaparte. In the Canaries, in Mexico, and the Floridas, Cuba and the other islands, and throughout the whole of South America, every Spaniard, as if animated by the same soul, breathed the same sentiments of devotion to the king and detestation of the monster who wished to usurp his throne. The vengeance of many, as is natural in burning climates, would have been wreaked on unoffending individuals of the French nation. In the Floridas the French were so apprehensive of falling victims to the vengeance of the Spaniards, that they fled, with their effects, into the territories of the United States. But the moderation, wisdom, and justice of men in authority, restrained the fury of the populace. The proclamations of the Spanish governors in the colonies, for sense, reason, and justice, equalled those of Old Spain, and for a fervent eloquence, perhaps even exceeded them. Hostilities were every where else declared against France, and the most liberal and prompt contributions remitted to the patriots in Old Spain. This year the French were driven out of the islands of Porto Rico, Deseada, and Morie Galante. The great affairs of Europe in 1808 are exhibited in the contest between Spain and Portugal, with their ally Great Britain, on the one part; and the ruler of France, aided by his vassal princes and kings, on the other. The annals of other countries sink almost into provincial history. What is most prominent and important in the history of Spain, Great Britain, and France, during that period, has been seen in the present narrative. With respect to France, however, be it remembered, that in the beginning of the year Bonaparte, as a preparation for the farther extention and consolidation of bis empire, annexed to France, and took possession of the military posts of Kehl, Wesel, Cassel on the Rhine, and Flushing. It was probably with similar views that he established and endowed a Greek bishoprick in Dalmatia. The state of the French empire in its internal as well as external relations, as exhibited by the ministers of Bonaparte, was far from being candidly disclosed. Such papers, notwithstanding their false colouring and misrepresentation of facts, disclosed the spirit and views of government. The most remarkable article in the exposé, or state of the French empire at this period, was the creation of the hereditary nobility, which was declared to be essential in a hereditary monarchy. The main drift of Bonaparte, in his internal regulations, seemed to be to root out all memorials of liberty, and to establish in France a despotic government, a military costume, and a military spirit. Sweden, in the beginning of the year, might have made her peace with France and Russia. The king, with the general voice of the nation, chose a braver, but more impolitic part. After some attempts on the part of the Russians, tutored, it would seem, in the school of their allies, the French, to seduce the Swedish nation from their allegiance to their king, and their duty to their country, and a rapid succession of the most sanguinary battles, where the Swedes were bending, and ready to fall, never to rise again, under the overwhelming power of Russia, the Swedish government signed a convention on the 7th of November, by which Finland, the granary of the kingdom, was virtually given up to Russia. The heroic King of Sweden was not deserted in this extremity of fortune by his ally, Britain. A naval force, under Admiral Keats, drove the Russian squadrons into their ports, where they were held in a state of blockade. A land-force of 10,000 men, under the command of Sir John Moore, was sent in the month of May to assist Sweden, against a combined attack from Russia, France, aud Denmark. On the 17th of May, this army reached Gottenburgh, but was not permitted to land. Sir John Moore repaired to Stockholm to communicate his orders, and to concert measures for the security of Sweden. He there found, to his surprise, that though the Swedish army was quite insufficient for even defensive operations, his majesty's thoughts were wholly intent on conquest. It was first proposed, that the British should remain in their ships, till some Swedish regiments should be collected at Gottenburgh, and that the combined forces should land, and conquer Zealand. Upon an examination of the plan, it was found and admitted, that the island of Zealand, besides several strong fortresses, contained a regular force far superior to any that could be brought to bear against it: and also, that the island of Funen was full of French and Spanish troops, which could not be prevented from crossing over in small parties. It was next proposed that the British alone should land on Finland, storm a fortress, and take a position there. But Sir John Moore represented, that ten thousand British troops were wholly insufficient to encounter the principal force of the Russian empire, which could quickly be brought against them at a point so near Petersburgh. Sir John escaped from the resentment of his Swedish majesty in disguise, aud conformably to his instructions, brought back his little army to England. In consequence of the disastrous and menacing aspect of affairs in Sweden, Louis XVIII. of France, with the queen and the Duchess of Angouleme, took refuge, in the month of August, in England. As the Russians acquired an extension of ter 1808. ritory on the one hand by the acquisition of Swe- BOOK VIII. dish Finland, they still kept a steady eye on the long-meditated project of extending their empire CHAP. IV. to the Bosphorus, by the acquisition of Moldavia, Wallachia, and Bessarabia. The number of their troops in Moldavia and Wallachia, in the autumn of this year, was raised to upwards of 80,000 men. To face these a great number of Turkish troops marched from time to time from Constantinople and other places, to the Danube: and of these no inconsiderable number had been trained in the European manner, and taught the use of the bayonet. In Italy the most prominent events were the transference of the crown of Naples to Murat, Bonaparte's brother-in-law, the Grand Duke of Berg; the usurpation of the papal throne, and annexation of Rome, with all the ecclesiastical states, Placentia, Parma, and Anconia, to the French empire. The cardinals were banished from Rome, but allowed no inconsiderable pensions. The person of his holiness was secured in a state of confinement. Bonaparte said, that he only took back what had been given to the church for the support of religion and promotion of piety: but as the munificent donatious of his predecessor, Charlemagne, had been used for very different purposes, it was very fit that they should be recalled. "The kingdom of Christ," he observed, like a sound divine," was not of this world." The same pope, Pius VII. that had gone to crown Napoleon at Paris, and agreed to the subversion of the Gallican church, and the dimin tion of the apostolical power, by the establishiment of the concordat, in this terrible crisis, assumed the courage and the character of a martyr. He protested, by a public manifesto, against the irreligious and unjust proceeding of the Emperor of the French towards the holy apostolical see. He formally excommunicated him. In procla mations addressed to the Spanish, Portuguese, and all other Catholic nations, he exhorted them to the defence of the altar and the throne, at the hazard of their lives, as well as the expense of their fortune. Many were, indeed, surprised that so subtle and refined a politician as Bonaparte, should incur the hazard of exciting the indignation, and a spirit of resistance to his aggressions, in all Catholic countries, by the spoliation and imprisonment of the pope. But Bonaparte's power had," by this time, risen to so enormous a pitch, that he did not think it necessary to manage or keep any terms with the opinions and prejudices of men and nations. His general plan was to arm and direct one half of the world against the other, and to make every thing bend under the weight of military despotism. BOOK VIII. CHAP. V. 1808. CHAPTER V. Retreat of the British Army.-Numerous Difficulties attending it.-Preparations of the Enemy.- On the 14th of December, Sir John Moore's At Toro, Sir John Moore received accounts of the disorganized and feeble state of the Marquis of Romana's army, with which he was meditating a junction, for adding vigour to his intended attack on Marshal Soult. From Toro, too, Sir John Moore dispatched an account to Mr. Frere, of the intelligence he had received by the intercepted dispatches; and here he was again assailed by the harassing intreaties of the Junta and the forcible representations of the minister-plenipotentiary. The general, firm in his designs, continued his march on Villapardo and Valderos. On December 20 he reached Majorca, and there, by completing his junction with Sir David Baird, united the whole British army, which now amounted to 23,000 infantry and 2,000 and some hundred cavalry. On December 21, the British commander advanced to Sahagun, from which place Lord Paget, at the head of 400 horse, had, the morning before, dislodged and defeated 700 French cavalry, taking 157 prisoners, with two lieutenant-colonels. It was here Sir John Moore concerted, with General Romana, the plan of attack on Marshal Soult, whose forces, to the number of 18,000, were concentrated behind the river Carrion; 7,000 were posted at Saldana, and 5,000 at the town of Carrion, below Saldana. The British were collected between Sahagun, Grahal, and Villado. It was the intention of the British general to march from Sahagun to Carrion, and thence to Saldana by uight, while Romana proceeded to the same point by Mansilla. The marquis prepared, in the best manner the defective state of his troops would permit, to co-operate in the design; for which purpose he arrived at Mansilla on the 23d, at three o'clock in the afternoon, and from thence announced his arrival to Sir John Moore, who was to march from Sahagun the same evening. The expectations of the army were wound up to the highest pitch. The dispositions were already made for combat, and the generals had received their instructions, when Sir John Moore received information, that considerable reinforce ments had arrived to the French from Palencia. A courier from Las Santas told of the halt of the French at Talavera, and several messengers reported their advance from Madrid. The latter part of this intelligence was confirmed by an express from the Marquis of Romana. The purport of these movements was easily frustrated by the British commander. He countermanded the advance of his troops, and determined on a retreat. This retreat, from the distance marched, and the numerous difficulties by which it was attended, will long remain an honorable proof of the energy, perseverance, and valour of the British soldiery. It has no parallel in the annals of modern history; and it reflected equal honor on the talents of the commander-in-chief by whom it was conducted, and the officers and men who were individually concerned in its accomplishment. The following is an extract from Sir John Moore's dispatch to Lord Castlereagh on this occasion, dated December 28: "On the 21st the army reached Sahagun; it was necessary to halt there, in order to refresh the men, and on account of provisions. The information I received was, that Marshal Soult was at Saldana with about 16,000 men, with posts along the river from Guarda to Carrion. "The army was ordered to march in two columns at eight o'clock on the night of the 23d, to force the bridge at Carrion, and from thence proceed to Saldana. At six o'clock I received information that considerable reinforcements had arrived at Carrion from Palencia, and a letter from the Marquis de la Romana informed me, that the French were advancing from Madrid either |