432 HOME AND FOREIGN POLITICS, 1809. [1809. 



now detest us, in that part of Spain at least. The 

 information of all our emissaries Frere, Stuart, Dyer, 

 &c., &c. is described as having been ridiculously in- 

 correct; and the want of information in our army from 

 spies, &c., is quite unintelligible. My informant says 

 all the bribes in our military chest could not get the 

 Spaniards to give any intelligence. Our men plundered 

 our own ammunition, provisions, &c. Lord Paget lost 

 his whole property in this way. Three men were just 

 going to be executed for these things and others, when 

 the French attacked us, luckily for the culprits. The 

 army was drawn up to witness the execution. 



" Sir Arthur Wellesley says the loss at embarking 

 was about 1000 ; K. Ward, 600. I believe the former 

 is nearer the truth. 



" The 4000 under Craufurd were heard from at St 

 Jago ; and it was supposed they could get safe off, 

 there being no tidings of any French thereabouts. 

 Junot commanded the attack. He sent back three 

 women prisoners before the battle ; with compliments 

 from ' Jun6t and the army of Portugal/ The Hol- 

 lands are going by land to Seville ; I really wish they 

 may not get into a scrape, though they do deserve a 

 good fright. 



" Poor Vincent ! What a sudden and melancholy 

 fate ! They are of course all in great distress. 

 It was the first thing Lady Kosslyn heard on her 

 arrival; and you may believe she was dreadfully 

 affected, though she exerts herself with great forti- 

 tude. I seriously think Lord Lauderdale should not 



