The National Register.
London, England, 1813-10-10 00:00:00

THE NATIONAL REGISTER._

-44

. -
Without there having been sii.gle difference of opinion between us in
any matter ot importance,eompels me to remind your Excellency, that
the local situation of the 4th Army, prior to the opening of the Catil-
paign, prevented its being formed into a corps at the head of which the
Capt.• Gen. could be placed with any regard to propriety, considering
the dignity of the office. And even when the union of the 4th Army
would have.been locally practicable, the deplorable state of the Royal
Treasury, and of the resources applicable to its subsistence, would
have prevented that corps from-remaining united for any great length
Of time.
Your Excellency well knows, that when money is wanting for the
maintenance of troops, it is possible, that in a particular district of
country, provision may be made fur the subsistence of a small number
at.y pay ; but that this is impracticable in regard to a large
corps of troops : and for this reason, and others relotive to the state of
discipline and peculiar organization of some corps, I did not deem it
proper that mere troops of the 4th army should be assembled in one
corps, than the two divisions composing the army of Gallicia, under the
command of Gcn. Giros.
It would have been unbecoming and improper, considering the rank
and situation of Gen. Castanos, besides being inconvenient !apiece him
at the head of these two divisions,ur any other portion of the 4th army ;
mad for this reason, and at my request. he placed his head-qnarters with
mine and those of the rortuguese.arniy.
Not only has your Excelleocy not attended to these circumstanees.
in the measure which you have recommended to the Government. in
leglird to Gen. Camillus, but various other considerations have been
everlooked.
G. n. Castanos, besides, commanding the 4th army, was Capt. Gen.
of Eoremuchirti, Castile, and Gullicia, and in that capacity had to per-
form duties of the greatest importance to the public interest, and parti-
cularly to the wellbeing of the army.
It was one his duties to re-establish the Spanish authorities in the dif-
ferent districts and cities which the enemy was successively evacuating;
and eunsideling the nature of the operatiohs of the army, and the pecu-
liar line of march which it pursued, it would have been impossible foe
him to discharge that obligation, had he been literally at the head allies
4th army. or with the head-querters, which, from the period of the
?4th of .:flay, were almost esary day changing place, without ever en-
tering the high road or any one capital city, excepting SO:octanes',
when Gen. Customs left them.
It was myself, not Gen. Castanos, who suggested the idea that his .
Excellency should be employed instils mauler and it is necessary
for me to say, that, considering the :zotitner in which Gen. Giron has
commanded in the field the divisions of the army of Galacia we
should have neglected the welfare of the State, had we not tra-
ced out to Gen. Castanos the very line of conduct which he has
followed, and for which he now finds himself persecuted and de-

famed.
With regard to the arrangements made by your Excellency for the
purpose alining the different offices held by Gen. Castanos, and the
removal of Gen.,Giron (without any complaint alledged, and even w ith-
mit assigning any motive whatever) trout the post in which he was
placed I.y Gen. Castanos at say request, and in which he has conducted
himself to my entire satisfaction, as I have communicated to the Go.
vernmeet,—l believe, that, besides the inconveidencies and misclee's
which result to the service from this kind of change, especially during
military operations, it cannot be denied that they are in direct breach
of the contract made with the last Regency, and confirmed by the
present ; an Agreement which, us your Excellency knows, was that
which induced me to take the command of the Spanish army.
your Excellency also knows, that this is not the first instance in
saich that contract, formed with so much solemnity, and after such
mature deliberation, has been violated ; and no one can be snore fully
aware than yourself of the inconveniences which thence result to the
good of the service. You' Excellency is equidiy well acquainted whit
my natural disposition, and my wishes to continue to serve the Spa-
nish nation, as far us my abilities extend ; but forbearance and sub-
mission to injuries so great, have their limas ; and I. avow that I
have been treated by the Spanish Government in these matters, in
manner the most improper, even simply siren individual.
It does not belong to my character nor sun I iiichned to boast of my
services to the Spaniel) nation ; but 1 can at least publickly declare,
that I have never abused the powers with winch the Cale, and the
G-vernment have eutrusted me, even in the moat trivial affairs, nor
ever employed theta towards any other obj• ct than ,liat of prou.oting
the gaud of the service. In confirmation of this truth, I appeal even to
your Excellency as a witness s and I totlii-ve it sill be admitted, that
the circumstances which rendered 'accessary the formation of the con-
tract above-mentioned, equally require Its fulfilment, if it fa desired
that I should be aVe to retail' the command of the army.
ilay God preserve your Excelb.ncy many years.
(signed) WIiLIANGTON, bake of Ciadad Rodrigo.