The Beturn 



who was desperately anxious for the conclusion 

 of the match, was prepared to cede Madeira, 

 as well as Bombay, Tangier, and a large sum 

 of money, as her daughter's dowry. The story 

 runs that the clerk was actually instructed to 

 include the island in the contract, but that he 

 omitted it, either from carelessness or from 

 patriotic intent. If the latter, he deserves to 

 be honoured as a national hero, splendide mendax. 

 In 1807, during the Napoleonic wars, a 

 British force of 4000 men under General 

 Beresford occupied the island. The principal 

 inhabitants signed a declaration, and took an 

 oath " to bear true allegiance and fealty to His 

 Majesty King George III. and his heirs and 

 successors as long as the island should be held 

 by his said Majesty or his heirs, in conformity 

 to the terms of the capitulation made and 

 signed on the 26th of December, 1807, whereby 

 the island and dependencies were delivered over 

 to his said Majesty." The island was restored 

 to Portugal the following year, but was gar- 

 risoned by British troops until the general 

 peace of 18 14. Our Portuguese friends do not 

 always bear in mind that it is the friendship of 

 Great Britain which has secured, and still 



15 



