332 MISSION TO PORTUGAL. [1806. 



those for whom he entertained respect, not even re- 

 jecting the suggestions of others, or their information, 

 without duly considering what was offered ; and only 

 showing impatience when subordinate persons re- 

 quired to be assured that his resolution was taken, 

 and in peremptory terms announced. His objection 

 to the word impossible he did not conceal ; indeed he 

 never could comprehend its meaning, even before his 

 mind was made up and nobody dared to use it after- 

 wards. 



On our arrival in the Tagus, we found that his first 

 step had been, as soon as he anchored, to cut off all 

 communication between his fleet and the shore, which 

 he effectually did by proclaiming an eight days' 

 quarantine. When his colleagues in the commission 

 joined him, he still prohibited all his officers and men 

 most strictly from landing ; but threw open the ships 

 to the inhabitants of the place, whose multitudes 

 never ceased pouring through the vessels, lost in 

 admiration of their beauty, their force, and the dis- 

 cipline of their crews. His intercourse now began 

 with the Court, and we soon found, what might in- 

 deed have been expected, that his name, independent 

 of the armament, made his influence supreme. But 

 our attempts were vain to convince the Court or its 

 ministers that an invasion was prepared, and that 

 they must expect the French army to cross the Pyre- 

 nees immediately. 



I have already stated, generally, the instructions of 

 the commissioners. It happened, however, when I 



