JET. 28.] MISSION TO PORTUGAL. 333 



fully considered the position of Spain in all respects, 

 that there was a fair prospect afforded by our ex- 

 pedition of detaching her from the French alliance 

 in fact, of inducing her to make some efforts at this 

 particular time for recovering her independence, sup- 

 posing that the full powers which we had with respect 

 to Portugal were extended to Spain, both in respect 

 of pecuniary and military assistance. Her grievances 

 were at their height. Her abject submission, and 

 the great losses which it had inflicted, were rewarded 

 not only by the seizure of the last of the Bourbon 

 dominions in Italy, but by an attempt to obtain the 

 cession of Sicily from England in return for the 

 Balearic Islands and Porto Rico, parts of the Spanish 

 possessions. But, independent of just cause of offence, 

 the danger was manifest, indeed imminent, of an in- 

 vasion from France. A French army was assembled 

 on the frontier ; and though the pretence was to invade 

 Portugal, yet even that operation implied its march 

 through Spain, which must prove the next thing to an 

 occupation of the country. There was every induce- 

 ment to make the effort, and the moment was favour- 

 able; indeed, was in all probability the last opportunity 

 the Spaniards ever would have. In Germany there 

 was a great and general agitation occasioned by the 

 French armies continuing on the right bank of the 

 Rhine, and which was there increased to exasperation 

 by the acts of violence committed, especially the 

 murder of Palm, the Nuremberg bookseller. The 

 indignation of Prussia at the establishment of the 



