HC Deb 11 April 1809 vol 14 cc11-2

Colonel Graham, whom I had requested to go to Madrid, returned last night. He got no further than Talavera, where he met two members of the Supreme Junta, from whom he learnt the capitulation of Madrid, with the circumstances relating to it.—I own I cannot conceive how the duke of Castel Franco and M. de Morla could have given up the town, if the inhabitants had been very resolute in their determination to defend it.—It is, I suspect, like the cry of the armies, who, to cover their misconduct, accuse their chiefs of treachery, and, in the instance of general St. Juan, put them to death.—Although I have little hope of the success of the Spanish cause, for I see no marks any where of enthusiasm or a determined spirit, either amongst the people or the government, yet, as it is possible that it may be roused, and as it is said that forces are assembling in the South, I shall unite the British army, and, in concert with the Marquis de la Romana, undertake such operations as shall appear to us best. I have not yet received an answer from the Marquis to my late letters, but I expect to receive one hourly. I do not know the number of people he has collected, but I hear they are not of a description from which much can be expected.—I have now with me general Hope's division, the artillery and the whole cavalry; which last, however, as yet amounts only to 2,200 men.—Madrid, in the state it is, must occupy a considerable portion of the enemy's force. Saragossa still holds out, and the levies in the South will attract his attention. The whole cannot be turned against us, and in a very few days I hope to have the army in readiness to act. I shall begin to-morrow to put a part of it in motion, and my wish is to unite it at Val-ladolid.—If, at this moment, this town, Ciudad Rodrigo, and Zamora, were armed, they could defend themselves; it would be of considerable service; as otherwise, when I go towards Valladolid, my communication with Almeida and Portugal, from whence I draw my resources in ammunition, &c. may be intercepted.—A man of energy, as captain general of this province, residing under the protection of this army, and explaining in proclamations or otherwise to the people the services expected from them, and which they might perform, would be of infinite use. The people are left too much without direction, and we cannot get, even for money, common intelligence. It is only by colonel Graham, last night, I knew the capitulation of Madrid, which happened the 3rd. —I take the liberty to state these particulars to you, as perhaps, by means of the Junta, remedies might be applied.—I shall thank you not to mention any direction in which I mean to move, but to say in general that the British army will act in conjunction with the army of La Romana.