413 PENINSULAR WAR [1808. 



service, over both, and in the mean time detached 

 Wellesley with his division that he might find the 

 opportunity of which he availed himself before the 

 arrival of any other officer of higher rank. It is not, 

 therefore, only the fault of having made a bad choice 

 that is imputable to ministers, but that they did so 

 for the express purpose of keeping the command from 

 Sir John Moore, whom the general voice of the whole 

 army, supported by his former services, would have 

 pointed out as the man best qualified for it. 



" With respect to the details of the expedition, and 

 its deficiency either in cavalry or in any other article 

 of necessary appointment, I am entirely ignorant. 

 But I cannot imagine that the want of cavalry could 

 have prevented their advancing. On these matters, 

 however, you have one of the best sources of infor- 

 mation at hand in Lord Eosslyn. 



" With respect to Spain I cannot agree with you. 

 That a most tremendous battle still remains to be 

 fought is certain. Bonaparte, whether it be from 

 choice or necessity, seems disposed to stake everything 

 on the conquest of Spain, and the effort he will make 

 is not to be looked at without great solicitude for the 

 event. But I am not dismayed; and if I was sanguine 

 some months ago, when you all seemed to pity me for 

 my folly, I am much more so now, for I think the 

 situation of Spain much improved. Bonaparte, you 

 say, was surprised by the resistance. But were not 

 the Spaniards surprised by the attack \ and when you 

 recollect that he had in the month of May an army 



