Full text of "The Spanish journal of Elizabeth, lady Holland"
party in their favor, and those noblemen whose views are
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| party in their favor, and those noblemen whose views are
inclined to the Regency think well of them. The Junta, however, are alive to the feelings of the people, and they have assembled at a distance from the Council of Castile ; but I apprehend that they will issue their edicts thro' this con- stitutional organ, tho' the people consider it as impure. If so, we must expect a good deal of discussion. The edict of the Junta will not pass without observation, and the people exercising the power of the Crown would not surely destroy the only check upon that power which is to be restored to their King by removing Counsellors who give them advice. Had the Duke de Infantado been a man of talent and ambition he must have been at the head of the Government. A council of Regency has been a favorite idea amongst the people, but it never will be so with the Junta. The Duke, should such a Council be formed, must be a leading character in it. He is popular ; he has been the friend and fellow- 4 i2 LADY HOLLAND'S JOURNAL sufferer with Ferdinand, has been once named by him Regent. I allude to the period when the King Charles IV disinherited Ferdinand, and the latter appointed the Duke Regent, in the event of his being prevented ascending the throne on the death of his father. It was the commission to the Duke that was the cause of the arrest at the Escorial. I cannot help thinking that the Council of Castile have the ear of the D. de I., and that they wish to put him forward. But on his part we hear of nothing but joining the armies. The Central Junta are sometimes, I observe, spoken of with contempt ; and I know not whether to attribute it to the bad characters of some members, or to a jealousy of the growing influence of the people. It is something represented as ridiculous the people exercising the power of the Crown, and the slowness of their proceedings is complained of. I do not think that the nobility of this country have much claim upon the people. They were slow to take up arms and they would have formed the levee of Bonaparte, as they had formed that of the Prince of the Peace, had not the just indignation and noble efforts of the most virtuous people in the world driven them to defend their country. But however it is yet too early to speak of the characters of the several orders in this country. The enemy is still at their gate, and I am sorry to say that much time has been lost in appointing a chief of their armies. It would be well if they could do without one. But such men as Cuesta should be controlled. Since my last, Blake seems to have made a good movement. He advanced from Reinosa to Frias, and the French outposts were in consequence of it obliged to fall back upon Pancorvo. In the meantime Blake pushed a division of 5000 men to Bilbao, and the French garrison of that place consisting of 12 hundred men escaped only by 3 hours. The Spaniards put to death 70 Frenchmen they found there, and were in pursuit and likely to cut off the retreat of the twelve hundred. This movement of Blake's has put in motion the Asturias, who have received about half a million sterling from England without one soldier passing their mountains. In the Montana 4000 men have got arms, and about double that number in Biscay. Blake at present has his left at Ona, centre at Frias, and the right extends to Orduna. His head-quarters are at Trapaderno and he has not the least apprehension of the APPENDIX F 413 French daring to attack his position. He cannot descend into the plains of Alava for want of cavalry. Sept. 29th, 1808. I have just heard that the Central Junta have resolved to appoint Don Juan Ruiz de Apodaca, who is already in London, their Minister at the British Court and to recall immediately all other deputies. It is said that the cavalry of Estremadura and a regiment from Granada are ordered by forced marches to join the army assembling in front of the French. I rather suspect that everything is arranged for our army joining the Spanish forces upon the frontier. No. 4 Aranjuez, Oct. 14th, 1808. Dear Lord H., — The Junta are still at Aranjuez, and their adjourning to Madrid is postponed to some distant day. They named the Ministers of State last night. They are as follows : Cevallos, Foreign Affairs ; Hermida, Home Department or Secretario de la Gratia y Justicia ; Cornel, War Department ; Escano, Minister of Marine ; Saavedra, the Department of the Hacienda or Finance. The deputy Garay is named Secretary of the Junta, permanently. I hear that the deputies have resolved that Florida Blanca is to remain their President with a salary of 25 thousand dollars per ann. ; that he is to reside at Madrid in the palace ; to have the title of Highness, and to be escorted by guards when he appears in public. They have voted the inviola- bility of their persons and they are to wear the costume of Counsellors of State, with the addition of a rich crimson velvet mantle on gala days ; moreover, every deputy is to have an annual salary of 5 thousand dollars. To-day, the Birthday of Ferdinand VII, the Junta, after chapel, held a Court in the palace. I am just returned from making my bow to them. The President surrounded by the deputies received a few people who are at the sitio, and the ceremony was merely advancing, making a bow, and imme- diately retiring. I accompanied Stuart, who is the only Minister who has taken any notice of them. The charges d'affaires of Austria and America, and the Russian Ambassador, Count Strogonoff , are the only ones remaining at Madrid of the Diplomatic corps. 414 LADY HOLLAND'S JOURNAL I hear that orders have arrived at Lisbon for 20,000 of our troops to advance immediately into Spain, and that they are to be joined by 10,000 under Baird expected at Coruha. The Marquis de Romana has experienced bad weather off the coast of Spain, and I do not hear that he is yet arrived. I saw his brother this morning, who left him at Gottenburg. My next letter will be dated from Palafox's headquarters. I leave Aranjuez to-night, and set out to-morrow evening with Colonel Doyle and Mr. Cavendish for Saragossa. Thence I mean to advance with Palafox towards the French and return shortly to Madrid by way of the centre of the Spanish army. All that I know of their positions at present is that they are advancing. Since the alarm of the French reinforcements, the utmost activity has prevailed in drawing together troops from all quarters. By the way, the French have not received their reinforcements, but by an intercepted letter they are promised them by the 20th Nov. The Junta will lose no time in appointing Ambassadors to the Courts of Vienna and Petersburg. The Council of Castile is very submissive, and the Junta is popular at Madrid. I cannot thank you too often for your letter to Jovellanos. He is one of the most modest men in his manners, and of the most amiable disposition I have yet seen. It is impossible to see anything of Florida Blanca, and indeed it is very seldom that I have an opportunity of speaking to Jovellanos. He has never seen your book. Count Tilly gave us a dinner the other day. I presume that it was in celebration of his person being declared inviol- able. All the deputies are now arrived. Cuesta and Valdes are before the Junta. The quarrel with Cuesta is the only unpleasant circum- stance that has yet occurred. Otherwise the most perfect harmony and unison now prevails in all classes of the Go vert, and of the people. Remember me kindly to Lady H. and Mr. A. I do not send you the Semanario, as Stuart informs me that he received a packet for you from Quintana of them, and forwarded it, as well as a pamphlet by Capmany, dedicated to you. The Semanario is very much sought after. P.S. — The Bishop of Orense is appointed Inquisitor General. You will observe that not one of the Ministers has been taken from the Junta. APPENDIX F 415 Since writing the above I learn that Romana's forces have landed at Santander. The French have abandoned the line of the Ebro and their force is divided between Bilbao and the posts of Olite, Estella, and Pampeluna. No. 5 Saragossa, Nov. 8 th, 1808. I have just heard of your embarking on board the Amazon frigate for Spain, and I expect that this letter will find you at Coruna. I regret that I did not read your intention of setting out immediately in your enquiries about roads. I ought to have told you of the great difficulty of procuring money for bills upon England ; Coruna is a better place for discounting bills than Madrid, and I would recommend you to negociate your business with M. Barrie, a most respectable merchant, who has been unfortunately persecuted on account of his French origin. He has correspondents in all parts of the world, and may be very useful to you. There cannot be a worse man of business at Coruna than the English Vice- Consul, Magniac. I hope that you have not any French servant in your suite, as he will certainly be discovered and occasion you great uneasiness. Coruna is a bad place to move from with carriages, as I remember that there was but one miserable tiro of mules in the place. If Ferrol and the surrounding district has been swept of mules to carry the baggage of the English army, you would do well to send in to Leon, the country of margatos (sic), and purchase tiros, which you would dispose of afterwards to advantage at Madrid. You need have no fear of the road over the Galician moun- tains ; it is excellent. I cannot give you any information respecting inns, as I travelled post to Astorga, and thence to Madrid rapidly with relays of mules. Before you receive this letter you will know as much of Coruna as myself. The Gallego noblesse are not very well lodged, nor are their tertulias the most brilliant. If Mr. Allen is with you tell him that he will find a very good library in the Consulado. I am just returned from the army of Aragon on the frontier of Navarre and the headquarters of the Central Army at Tudela. I accompanied Doyle and Palafox. In Exea 12 leagues from Saragossa and in Sadava 4 leagues beyond Exea, we found a division of 4960 effective men, of which number about 500 cavalry, under the command of General St. Marc, 416 LADY HOLLAND'S JOURNAL a native of Flanders with the vivacity of a Frenchman, and who has the reputation of being an excellent executive officer. The state of the division did him credit. His men well cloathed, particularly the Valencian regts., owing to the exertions of the Junta of Valencia. At Sos, 6 leagues from Sadava, and a very strong position in the mountains, we found a small detachment of infantry. General O'Neil who commands the army of Aragon in the absence of Palafox had established headquarters at Sanguesa, 2 leagues from Sos. His division, according to the returns on the 1st of Nov., amounted to 9368 effective men, of whom about 200 cavalry armed with lances. The advanced posts of this division at Aybar and Lumbier. In Sanguesa were stationed the men most in need of cloathing, and I was sorry to see many soldiers of advanced guards turned out to their general almost naked. But enthusiasm and a spirit of obedience prevailed everywhere notwithstanding the most severe wants. The divisions of St. Marc and O'Neil have since been reinforced by 4000 Murcians infantry and 120 cavalry, well cloathed and organized. The position of these divisions ought by this time to be as follows : O'Neil at Sanguesa, Aybar, and Lumbier. Gen. Villaba at Sos, Caseda, and Gallifienso. Gen. St. Marc at Sadava. It is the intention to move up to Exea 2000 infantry from Saragossa and 2000 new levies with 100 dragoons from Calatayud, leaving in Saragossa about 2000 men to do the garrison duty and guard 1500 French prisoners. Thus the whole effective force of what may be called the army of Aragon, which forms the right of the Spanish line, amounts to 24,548 men, of which number the cavalry are about 1500. It must be remembered that about 6000 men under the Marques de Lazan, the brother of Palafox, marched from Aragon to the relief of Catalonia, soon after the siege of Saragossa. There will be no difficulty in adding 30,000 recruits to this army whenever musquets can be found for them. Eight thousand English musquets are daily expected here from Tortosa, which will immediately give as many soldiers to the army, and the people of this province are the best formed for soldiers that I have met with. The utmost effort is made here to cloath, to arm, and to organize a force. In the midst of the siege the gunpowder failed and the inhabi- tants immediately set about making it. They have now established a manufactory of it in the city which produces from 10 to 12 anobas pr. day. The earth in the neighbourhood APPENDIX F 417 furnishes saltpetre ; the sulphur is drawn from Terruel and other places, and the charcoal is made from the stalks of the hemp which grows to an immense size. Several hundred monks are daily employed in a large church making cart- ridges. Since the siege, extensive works have been constructed for the defence of the city, and they have established maga- zines for cloathing their armies, and I hope that very shortly they will have completed uniforms for the troops already in the field. The active spirit of the chief pervades every department and is well seconded by the people. At Tudela, the headquarters of the Central Army, there are about 10,000 men under Gen. Castafios. On the left his line extends to Nalda where he has 2000 ; at Ansejo 1000 ; at Calahorra, 6000 ; at Alfaro and Corella 13,000. The whole force about 29,000 men, of whom abt. 4000 cavalry. The Estremadura army has been ordered to Burgos to support the right of Blake, who has had a severe engagement with the French, and been obliged to retire to Valmaseda, where his letter was dated on the 3rd of Novr. The French General Lasalle has moved towards Burgos to check the Estremadura forces. Six thousand of Castafios' division still remain at Madrid. The army of Castafios is well cloathed, but want shoes ; and tolerably well appointed. He mingles his levies with his regulars. It has been proved again and again that armed masses of peasantry cannot resist in the field a regular force such as the French. The Battles of Cabezon, Rio Seco, and all the engagements in Aragon before the siege of Saragossa are proofs of it. But behind walls and in towns peasantry are quite as formidable as regular troops. The French have received during the month of October and the first week of November a reinforcement of 24,681 infantry of the line, 3500 cavalry, 3662 light infantry. I have seen the regular returns, and many of the regts. are Dutch and others of the Confederation of the Rhine. Bona- parte was at Bayonne with Savary on the 3rd of this month, with about a thousand infty. and a proportion of gendarmes. The deputies from the Spanish Junta held a Council of War while we were at Tudela, and it was agreed to make a combined attack upon Caporrosa. The French in Navarre, to the amount of about 28,000 men, are at Pampeluna, and thence extend to Estella, Falces and Peralta, Tafalla, Olita, and Caparrosa. Delay has taken place again in the move- ments of Castafios, and suspicions gain ground with those 418 LADY HOLLAND'S JOURNAL who would be active that he is under the influence of two people upon his staff, who were formerly aides-de- camp of the Prince of the Peace and allowed each of the military departments under their control to go to ruin. Their names are Navarro and St. Pierre. It is impossible to know with what justice their patriotism is suspected, but at the head-quarters at Tudela I heard much of their talents. Nov. gth. I have just heard that the enemy are in movement in Navarre ; and we expect an attack upon the central and right wing. The attacks of the enemy at Logrono on the 25th of Oct., and the same day at Lerin, on the 29th at Calahorra, and the 24th at Sanguesa, look to me very like what the military people call attacks of reconnaissance and having ascer- tained the position of the Spaniards and their force, I shall not be surprised at an irruption into Aragon, dividing Castafios from the Aragon army and beating both in detail before the English arrive. What would I not sacrifice, my dear Lord, for the satis- faction of seeing you the Ambassador in Spain. Your regard for the Spaniards is well known in this country. You are the only foreigner of distinction who has made himself acquainted with their literature, and I so often hear your name mentioned with pleasure where I least expect it that I cannot but feel grieved that you are not the organ of my own Govert. in this country. It would not be right to canvass the character of the person who is sent to Madrid, but I must observe, that I never heard one individual in Spain ever mention his name. I have witnessed the conduct of Stuart from living in the house with him, and in my opinion it has been very judicious. He is very diligent, and there is a frankness in his manners which pleases the Spaniards and he does not, like my country- men in general, shun their society. Hitherto there has been no lack of missionaries in Spain : major-generals and their staffs with every army, not one of whom has ever known enough of the language to obtain the confidence of those with whom they have been placed. This does not apply to Doyle, who is really beloved by the Spaniards, and I do not believe that Palafox receives a private note without submitting it to his perusal. APPENDIX F 419 Nov. 10th. Buonaparte at Vitoria on the 5th. The French seem to meditate an attack upon Castafios. They appear to be collecting a force to pass the Ebro at Logrono and Lodosa. The army of this province are ordered to descend the Aragon river, destroying all the bridges, and to support the center. I shall probably in the course of the next month shake you by the hand at Coruna on my way to England. Kindest remembrances to Lady H. and Mr. A. 2 e 2 INDEX Abbreviations a., signifies afterwards ; v., referred to ; des., description of ; figures in italics, notes. Addington, Henry, a., Viscount Directory: textos diversos textos diversos -> Ignacio Darnaude Rojas-Marcos ufólogos, contactados y espiritualistas Download 4.2 Mb. Share with your friends:
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