Star.
London, England, 1809-04-15 00:00:00

VOYDENCL,' RELATIVE TO SPAIN.

.wsrr Correspondence between General MooRE and
thr most interesting of any thing which has yet
:tcti to the public upon the subject of the unfortunate
in Spin, and the motives that prompted the British
ti: c choice of those measures which have had so me-
•L Nult :

Letter from Lieut.-General Sir ions Mona! K. B.
•
• lion. JOHN H. FRERE, dated Salamanca,Novena.
sOs.
,nversation which Mr. Stuart states you to
l with -----, and the remonstrances with
in have followed it, are perhaps as much as
4,^c by you in your situation. The effect
upon _, and the measures which he said
:rmined, arc very good, if we were looking
six months hence; but the situation in which 1
:311s for something more efficient and ener-
Jadrid is threatened ; the French have de-
me army, have passed the Ebro, and are ad-
in superior numbers against another, which
composition and strength promises no resis-
must either retire or be overwhelmed; no
led force exists in this country ; I perceive
nr or any determined spirit amongst the
The French cavalry, even in parties as weak
or twelve men, enter the villages in Leon,
leighbouring provinces, and raise contribu-
mut opposition.
a state of things quite different from that
by the British Government, when they de-
to send troops to the assistance of Spain. It
:xrected that these were to cope alone with
,e force of France, but, as auxiliaries, to aid
who were believed to be enthusiastic, deter-
Id prepared for resistance. It becomes there-
lesticn, whether the British army should re-
ie attacked in its turn, or retire from a coon-
e the contest, from whatever circumstance,
unequal ?
to throw no responsibility off myself which
belongs to me. The question is not purely
-y one, but belongs at least as much to you
to decide upon it. Your communications
Spanish Government, and the opportunities
had of judging the general state of the coup-
le you to form as just an estimate of the re-
kv!:ich is likely to be offered ; you are per-
:er acquainted with the views of the British
and the question is what would that Cabinet
•ere they upon the spot to determine ? It is
importance that this should be thoroughly'
-d : it is comparatively of very little cense-
,. v.hom shall rest the greatest responsibility ;
!lin:; to take the whole, or a part, but I am
ion, to have your opinion. The movements
'tench give us little time for discussion. As
;lie British army has formed its junction, I
nn the supposition that Castanos either i
retires, march upon Madrid, and throw
heart of Spain, and thus tam all
rlic I,,rtunes of the Spanish nation, et-
.,k upon Portugal. In the latter case
my resource', in Lisbon, cover a
there is a British interest, act as a di-
oar of Spain, if the French cleiach a force
.old am ready to return to the assistance
p;-:iiiards, should drcumstances again render

rching into Spain, I detach myself from my
Le.), and should probably be able to take with
re :),:ta smail portion of the military stores I have
71'::;;It forward : in which case I should not he equal
f r.:!ime to much contest ; but every thing would he
• •-• from Lisbon to Cacli2, and from thence to join
7.;. The movement into Spain is one of greater ha-
as my retreat to Cadiz or Gibraltar must be
tny uncertain ; I should be entirely in the power of
Spaniards ; but perhaps this LS worthy of risk, if
G•A'ernment and people of Spain are thought to
sufficient energy and means to recover from
defeats, and, by collecting in the South, be able,
• . the aid of the British army, to resist and finally
:pel the formidable attack which is prepared
them. It is impossible not to wish, and it is
• the mere difficult not to hope, that the Spaniards
•he at last successful in a struggle which dces
so much honour. They are a fine people, but
.cli kar the opportunity is now past, and that no
they :ire likely to make will be sufficient, or in
• v.) the armies they must engage ; upon
yibject, 1.-,,vever, I cannot be very decided, and
be mo.tt happy to find myself mistaken.
of a Letter from the Right lion. J. li. FR ER F. to Lieitt.
• -.1 :sir Jou S MOORE, K.li. dated Aran;uez, Yov. 30, I SOS,

\Vizh respect to a retreat upon Portugal, i wish to
r :ire myself to a simple political opinion, which,
177,,,ing other considerations not to be decidedly
-: might, I think, determine for a retreat upon
.• !! s-.r.:ntr, country in the neighbenrhood
:..7rfAict! to Portui,al, supposing, of
!ri Lt. already determined upon as
If, however. you do me tiv.
n 1,2 ru;pecting the general state c,f
the means of resistance to be ex-
. • i•, I -,hould lav that the Provinces which
• i!f.•rt,-) srsen, are of all :;pain the least
dis-
r.i.iiitary spirit.
• •1 ..: of the late events they have been
and have seen their country occupied
the strcligcr party ; and in&Ed it
.:I...!ite them. Living in open towns, in
v•ithont either arms or horses, they have
• • 2 means of defence or escape. But even
• - • the towns have been abandoned at :he
. 1 (.1 Frenth—that no Magistrate has ever
• • ver to take an oath of allegiance ; nor
it been able to enlist a single soldier.
.
...V. LI this country has, however, belonged, in
• t•• the party which was superior in cavalry.
mremities of the kingdom, weaker powers
• enabled to preserve their independence for

.. r~.

,• . every thing that I can learn of the disposition
'.:ier pr,..vinces, they seem t') be possessed by
a7dent and determined spirit, which even in
• cf the defeat of t!!e levies which they are
• •- li,r Olt general defence of the kingdom, would
•-rr. in.'indually to continue a desperate resis-
•.• C)C direction of their separate Juntas,
assiAance as England could afford them.
muss, I apprehend, be the wish and intention
fJ• ...rant,nt, on every account, to prevent things
• mouglit to this extremity. There seem

R PQAT'
c,
11 , r,} Fto the
d to tl
Sr3iF
I-r it'Cr cho
Z. • ester
nor
:1,?7
T.,;(.;,-nversa
ov• had with
you have
b ,:one by
—.-d.:c0.1 upon •
determine(
:cry....nts six mo
.ire, calls fo
Madrid
one arm
or,:ing in super
i:crn co/Ivol
vr,c,,,1-nt must
c::.or for
I.IIC F
(:1,,y el or tWe
7,3 th, neighbe
widlout op
r:ik is a stat(
ed by till
d to sem
c recte
• :•;le force
y: ho vi
and prep
questica,
attac
whe:e the c
teom unegi
to thrt
r7operly belong
a military ene,
me to del
the Spank
r-r. have had of
enable you
'.letter acq
C ..;;:et, and th
Ln.,:ct, were the
• rnnch impel
: it
v.hon
! and \Odin.; tc
TC,v In.;:nit:. to
t!•.t, French
::s the Brii
1:p on the
cr reti:
:I:
...
•
m,,rehin•J
„Lt., and
a sm.til
.it forwar
.!iine to ml
Lisb