APPENDIX-NO. XI. length of it, and my inaccuracies, which may have arisen under the circumstances in which I have collected and reported my information, and at the same time expressing my anxious solicitude to merit your approbation. I have the honour to be, &c. SIR, Peacock, off the Tagus, 14th July, 1808. I HAVE this moment communicated with Sir C. Cotton, and do not find that he can add much to the information which I have al ready obtained, and which I' herewith enclose. I have determined, and with Sir Charles's entire approbation, to return to Oporto, and, to the utmost of my power, endeavour to organize the Patriot army; and hope, by the period of your arrival, that a force will be on foot able to afford some assistance to the British army. I take this opportu nity to mention that the Bishop of Oporto expressed a wish that the landing of any British troops might be made to the northward of Lisbon, and, from what I learn here, I conclude you will be disposed to meet his wishes in that respect. I have now only to mention that the Peacock has taken on board 100 marines, which it is proposed to land at Figueira, to support that post, where already 500 marines are stationed. I shall afterwards proceed for the Oporto army, and wait your further commands with much anxiety. To Sir Arthur Wellesley, &c. &c. [Enclosure.] I am, &c. &c. S. BROWN, Lieutenant-Colonel. MONSEIGNEUR, Au Quartier Général à Lisbonne, le 7 Juin, 1808, J'IGNORE si la lettre que j'ai eu l'honneur d'adresser à: votre Altesse Imperiale, par Almeida, lui est parvenue. Je lui rendais compte du soulevement de Badajoz. Je pense qu'elle aura pris des mé sures contre ces revoltés; j'ai envoyé au General Kellermann, à Elvas, la brigade qui devoit se porter sur Cadiz. Si votre Altesse a envoyé quelques troupes sur Badajoz, et qu'elles combinent leur mouvement avec le General Kellermann, les revoltés seront bientôt à la raison; mais je ne peux porter qu'un foible secours; les Espagnols qui me restent, m'obligeant de les garder, m'affaiblissent considerablement au lieu de me fortifier; et depuis quelques jours l'escadre Angloise fait toutes les nuits quelques tentatives, qui, bien qu'elles ne m'inquiettent pas beaucoup, m'obligent neanmoins à un service fatiguant et actif pour le peu de troupes que j'ai. Les troupes de Gallice sont parties d'Oporto, elles ont commencées leur mouvement le 4me. Les deux escadrons de Dragons de la Reine et de Montera sont de même partis pour la Gallice, comme votre Altesse l'a desiré. Le General Caraffa a reçu l'ordre de reprendre le commandement de la Province de l'Estramadure, et d'y rentrer avec le reste de la cavalerie de sa division; mais cela est-il possible dans ce moment? Je ne le crois pas; it exécutera ces ordres dès qu'il le pourra faire. Vous sentez, Monseigneur, combien ma position va devenir difficile ; je prie votre Altesse de vouloir bien y prendre interêt, et si les circonstances devenoient plus critiques pour moi, je compte à l'avance de la continuation de la bienviellance de votre Altesse Imperiale, et sur les secours qu'il dépendrait d'elle de me donner. De votre Altesse Imperiale et Royale, Monseigneur, Le très humble et très obéissant Serviteur, [Enclosure.] Au Quartier Général à Lisbonne, le 7 Juin, 1808. MONSIEUR LE GENERAL LOISSON, JE n'ai point encore reçu de vos lettres. Vous devez ce pendant déjà savoir ce qui se passe du côté de Ciudad Rodrigo.-Ecrivezmoi très souvent, même pour me dire qu'il n'y a rein de nouveau.-Si vous pouvez entrer a Ciudad Rodrigo sans coup ferir, faites-le.-L'insurrection de Badajoz doit mériter toute votre attention, et vous devez faire tout votre possible pour l'empêcher de se propager de votre côté.-Traitez bien les Portugais, et tachêz de faire rentrer les deserteurs.-Protégez nos courriers autant que possible, et ne les hazardez pas.—Si vous pouvez correspondre avec le Grand Duc de Berg, envoyez lui la lettre ci-jointe.Vous savez la confiance que j'ai en vous, agissez en consequence, selon que vous le trouverez plus utile au service de sa Majesté; mais maintenez une severe discipline ;-ne souffrez aucune exaction, et ne permettez pas qu'aucun officier, sous quelque prétexte que se soit se fasse donner une cruzade en Portugal; je serais inflexible contre quiconque se le serait permis, et je rendrais compte immediatement à L'Empereur; mais je compte sur les Officiers de mon armée, et j'espere qu' aucun d'eux ne trompera ma confiance. Votre santé est-elle rétablie ? J'ai l'honneur de vous saluer avec une haute consideration. I NOW resume my report of the 14th instant, to inform you, that after leaving the Tagus, I had opportunities to observe the coast to the northward, and from the heavy surf which falls constantly upon it, even in light winds, there is scarcely a point between the Tagus and Mondego, which can be depended upon for the disembarkation of troops, except Penichè, which is occupied by the enemy.. On the afternoon of the 18th instant, I arrived at Mondego, and immediately waited upon Captain Bligh, of his Majesty's ship Antelope, who com mands on shore, and reported the reinforcement, which I had brought with me on board the Peacock. I found the 300 marines, which had been landed, posted at the entrance of the small town of Figueira, situated on the north side of the river, which is a bar harbour, but safe anchorage within, of very easy access for transports, and well suited for the disembarkation of tops. The river being fordable about six miles above the town, an armed unch from the Alfred is stationed to cover the pass. I received from Capt. Bligh, a general information of the intelligence respecting the force of the enemy, which I had at Oporto; but the troops, under Loisson, are not yet satisfactorily accounted for. The enemy had made a requisition for 15,000 ́rations at Pombale; had burned the village of Nazareth, and committed great excesses at Leyria; and his advanced posts were pushed within about fifteen miles of Figueira, in which, besides the marines, there is only a regiment of Portuguese militia, and the armed population. I am decidedly of opinion, that if the enemy march against Figueira, with a superior force, the place cannot be maintained; and Captain Bligh, expecting the attack of the enemy every hour, had removed the reinforcement from the Peacock to the AI. fred, and made every preparation for bringing off the troops at Figueira in case of an attack; when it is his intention to blow up a small fort, which commands the entrance of the harbour, but is itself commanded in the rear. Lieutenant-Colonel Trant had left Figueira, a few hours before my arrival, for Coimbra, to ascertain the real state of the country; the Portuguese having determined to make a stand at that place; but although there is very good will in the people, their exertions are so short-lived, and with so little combination, that I do not see any hope of their being able to resist the advance of the enemy, even to Oporto, if that place is really the object of General La Borde. Captain Bligh acquainted me, that in case he found it necessary to eva cuate Figueira, he should retire by sea, with the whole of the marines, to Oporto. It is to be observed, that the force under La Borde marched from Lisbon on the 2d instant, and they were still at Leyria on the 18th; and it therefore becomes a question, whether the object of La Borde is to obtain a supply of provisions for Junot, to penetrate to Oporto, or to interrupt the communication between Lisbon and the northern provinces now in arms. No. XII. Copy of a Letter from Lord Viscount Castlereagh to Brigadier-Ge neral the Honourable Charles Stewart. SIR, Downing Street, 4th August, 1808. LIEUTENANT-GENERAL Sir Harry Burrard having been directed to leave orders at Oporto, with respect to the point at which he may deem it expedient that the 18th Light Dragoons should be disembarked, I am to convey to you the King's commands, that you do call off that port for such instructions as the Lieutenant-General may have left for you; and in case you should find that none have been left, you will regulate your movements by such information as you may there receive, with respect to the positions of the British army. I have, &c. (Signed) CASTLEREAGH. To Brigadier-General the Hon Charles Stewart, &c. &c. &c. MY LORD, No. XIII. Hsad Quarters at Villa Verde, Aug. 17, 1808. THE French General La Borde having continued in his posi➤ tion at Roleia since my arrival at Caldras on the 15th instant, I determined to attack him in it this morning. Roleia is situated on an eminence, having a plain in its front, at the end of a valley, which commences at Caldas, and is closed to the southward by mountains, which join the hills forming the valley on the left looking from Caldas. In the centre of the valley, and about eight miles from Roleia, is the town and old Moorish fort of Obidos, from whence the enemy's piquets had been driven on the 15th, and from that 'time he had posts in the hills on both sides of the valley, as well as in the plain in front of his army, which was posted on the heights in front of Roleia, its right resting upon the hills, its left upon an eminence on which was ©a windmill, and the whole covering four or five passes into the mountains on his rear. I have reason to believe that his force consisted of at least 6000 men, of which about 500 were cavalry, with five pieces of cannon; and there was some reason to believe that General Loisson, who was at Rio Major yesterday, would join General La Borde by his right in the course of the night, The plan of attack was formed accordingly, and the army having broken up from Caldas this morning, was formed into three columns. The right, consisting of 1200 Portuguese infantry, and 50 Portuguese cavalry, destined to turn the enemy's left, and penetrate into the mountains in his rear. The left, consisting of Major-General Ferguson's, and BrigadierGeneral Bowes's brigade of infantry, three companies of riflemen, a brigade of light artillery, and 20 British and 20 Portuguese cavalry, was destined, under the command of Major-General Ferguson, to ascend the hills at Obidos, to turn all the enemy's posts on the left of the valley, as well as the right of his post at Rolcia. This corps was also destined to watch the motions of General Loisson on the enemy's right, who I had heard had moved from Rio Major towards Aliventie last night. The centre column, consisting of Major-General Hill's, Brigadier-General Nightingale's, Brigadier-General Crawfurd's, and Brigadier-General Fane's bri |