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It appears that the Portuguese are all in a ripe state to throw off the French yoke: but it also clearly appears, from the information received from some intelligent Hanoverian deserters and others, which is herewith inclosed, that the French force concentrated at Lisbon and the neighbourhood, is very considerable, and fully capable of resisting a much larger force than could possibly be landed by Sir Charles Cotton and myself.

Considering, therefore, that no reasonable hopes of success can be entertained, from employing the corps under my orders in this quarter; and that his Majesty's Government will look to Spain as the primary and principal scene of action at the present time; I have determined, with the advice and concurrence of the Vice-Admiral, to return instantly to my corps, which I left to follow me, under General Nightingale, but which, I have no doubt, I shall join to-morrow, to the southward of Cape St. Vincent, the northerly winds that have prevailed, having made it impossible for the transports to weather that Cape.

I shall return immediately, with the troops, to Ayamonte, and upon finding the Spanish and Portuguese frontiers secure and quiet, shall proceed on to Cadiz; there to act according to circumstances, and the instructions I may receive.

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Also a detachment of the 20th Light Dragoons, about 300.

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French Force in Portugal, as stated by three Hanoverian Deserters.

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3d Regiment Spanish Infantry

1

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Cavalry

3,000

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Disarmed at Lisbon, and in prison on
board the Russian ships.

150 Russians are landed from each ship, and doing duty in Lisbon. Very

little French artillery in Portugal.

General Junot, strengthening the citadel of Lisbon.

(A true copy.)

APPEN.

(Signed)

G. W. TUCKER,

Lieutenant-Colonel.

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No. VII.

Copy of a Letter from Lord Viscount Castlereagh to LieutenantGeneral Sir Arthur Wellesley, K. B.

SIR,

[Secret.]

Downing Street, 21st July, 1808.

IN the event of your deeming it may be advantageous, that the troops now proceeding from England, should be disembarked at any point on the coast of Portugal, north of the Tagus, I am to suggest to you the propriety of your requesting Sir C.. Cotton to station one of his cruizers to the northward of the Berlings, with such information as you may deem material to communicate to the senior officer in command of the troops; and I shall intimate to the officers in charge of the troops proceeding from Hence, that they should be prepared at that point, to receive an intimation from you of the actual state of things in the Tagus.

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Copy of a Letter from Lord Viscount Castlereagh to Lieutenant-General Sir Arthur Wellesley, K. B.

Downing Street,, 15th July, 1908.

SIR, I AM to acquaint you, that his Majesty has been pleased to entrust the command of his troops, serving on the coasts of Spain and Por tugal, to Lieutenant-General Sir Hew Dalrymple, with Lieutenant-General Sir Harry Burrard, second in command.

The Lieutenant-General has been furnished with copies of your instructions up to the present date, inclusive. These instructions you will be pleased

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