360 MISSION TO PORTUGAL. [1806. 



Spanish intelligence by means of correspondence. I 

 think matters are so arranged on all hands that we 

 are secure at every point ; and our pickets, as it- 

 were, being all set, we may rest on our arms in full 

 safety. I must, however, mention a circumstance 

 which I rather think has escaped you. You talk of 

 my proceeding to put Lord Strangford in possession of 

 all our sources of intelligence. This I shall, of course, 

 do, the moment before I am to leave Lisbon ; but it 

 would answer no purpose, I apprehend, to do it now. 

 You must be sensible in how delicate a situation 

 I stand respecting some of our emissaries, and still 

 more delicate is my connection with certain Portu- 

 guese officers of high rank. To divulge the part 

 taken by them in our concerns, without the most 

 obvious necessity, would be very unpleasant to me ; 

 and to be plain with you, I would rather do it 

 to another than to Lord S., who is somewhat too 

 flighty and uncertain in his movements to gain my 

 confidence. 



" Whensoever I leave Lisbon, you may rest assured 

 he shall be put in possession of everything which 

 may enable him to keep the channels open; and I pre- 

 sume this is enough. However, tell me if you think 

 otherwise. 



" A similar remark applies to what Morland says 

 of c vouchers for secret-service money/ Why, it is 

 nine times in ten impossible to get any ; at least to get 

 receipts from persons who receive pay as spies or 

 bribes, or even douceurs, of any sort is next to im- 



