The Earl of Liverpoolrose, and said, that whatever difference of opinion might sometimes occur in questions of this nature, he could anticipate none on the present occasion The highest honour that could be paid to the exertions of our army and navy, were to be found in the thanks of the parliament, and the approbation of the sovereign, which was so felt by them to whom such approbation was given. He knew also, from former experience, that it was a tribute to departed merit most grateful to the surviving friends and relatives of those who fell in their country's service, a consolation that 512 much alleviated their regret. An attention to this natural feeling was peculiarly applicable in the present instance, considering the nature of the conflict, the magnitude of the loss, and all the other circumstances of the affair. A peculiar feature in this action likewise called for particular attention. Though the severity, of the action fell principally on the British troops, yet it was a battle in which not only British, but Portuguese and Spaniards shared the dangers and glories of the day. Though the army was thus composed of three nations, yet we had seen a perfect cordiality among the officers, and a similar courage and perseverance in the troops. The enemy's object was one of great importance; no less than raising the blockade and siege of Badajoz; in which attempt, if successful, he would have compelled the allies to retreat behind the Guadiana. For this purpose he had collected all his disposable force in the south of Spain, and advanced against the allied army. The details of the business were before their lordships, who had seen, that early in the day the severity of the attack fell chiefly on the Spanish forces; whose steady valour, if not crowned with success, shewed a resistance which was a proof of the innate valour of that gallant nation, and an earnest of still greater exertions. When the height was gained by the French, the efforts of our troops were such in regaining it as to equal the greatest examples ever afforded of martial prowess. Their lordships had lately had repeated opportunities of observing what was the gallant conduct of British troops; but from all the private letters which had reached this country, the victory then under consideration exhibited traits of individual character which were proofs of complete heroism. The corps of British troops, amounting to 8,000 men, were determined not to be conquered. The general himself, in his various experience, had never seen a parallel to their efforts. It must be most gratifying to contemplate the excellent conduct of our allies. Every occasion tended still farther to shew the good effects of that discipline which general sir W. Beresford had introduced and carried to so high a pitch among the Portuguese. After the battle of Busaco, it was natural to say, that although in that strong position the Portuguese did their duty, yet when they should come to face an enemy in the field, they might not succeed 513 equal to the expectations that many had formed of them. In this case they were peculiarly tried, and there was the authority of the general, and many officers, for saying that they manœuvred ill the face of the enemy's fire in a manner equal to the British troops. There was the same ground of justification in the conduct of the Spanish troops. If, unfortunately, there was any former ground of regret, the occasion had now occurred when Spanish and British troops had united with the utmost cordiality, and conquered. The enemy had failed in his object; had been repulsed, and compelled to retire with severe loss. By the judicious arrangements of our general before the battle took place, the enemy was prevented, ill any event, from taking possession of our artillery and stores. By the result of the action we were enabled to recommence our operations. Viewing the number of the troops employed, we had certainly suffered a severe loss; a loss under such circumstances seldom surpassed; but it was consolatory to know they were not lost in a wanton conflict. The conduct of our general had been in perfect conformity to the instructions he had received from lord Wellington. While he deplored the loss, feeling as he did, and particularly with regard to some who had fallen, whom he had the honour of knowing, and particularly general Hoghton, he must still think, and he was sure their lordships would think that it was most honourable to the arms of the allied nations, and deserving of the thanks of that House. It was his intention, after moving Thanks to general Beresford and the Army under his command, to move a similar tribute to the Portuguese and Spanish armies. The noble secretary concluded with moving Thanks to general Beresford, and the British troops under his command.
The Karl of Aberdeenseconded the motion. After expressing his deep sense of the merits of this battle, and his general agreement with what had fallen from the noble earl he mentioned some degree of surprise that no similar notice had been taken of the great merits of lord Wellington, in the battle of Fuentes de Honor; an action, which his lordship conceived, fully entitled him to a vote of thanks from that House, which was distinguished by a most masterly manœuvre, and which the thanks of the House recently voted to his lordship was no reason, in his mind, for preventing.
The Earl of Liverpoolexplained, that the thanks had been given to lord Wellington for the general system of the campaign. There would be no doubt of the disposition of government to thank lord Wellington for his achievements; of which he was certain, that noble commander was perfectly acquainted. No thanks voted to General Beresford could interfere with the honour so justly due to lord Wellington.
The Earl of Moiraexpressed his sincere and hearty concurrence in the testimony to the valour, skill, and perseverance displayed by general sir W. Beresford and his army. Their thanks he should have considered most worthily earned, had the battle been merely a grand assertion of the valour and dignity of the British name and character. On the general subject of the thanks of Parliament, of which he thought the value could not be kept up too high, he observe, that it had of late come too much into practice to exercise too great a latitude. There was a danger in this, because ministers might make use of them to gain parliamentary approbation of expeditions of their own, which were rash and improvident, though the officers employed displayed all those merits, which, as far as they were concerned, deserved a grateful return. In the present instance, however, there were no grounds of this nature on which suspicion could rest. It was another victory, which shewed to the world that the gallant officers and soldiers of our army were the worthy comrades of those who, on every sea, had proclaimed our naval glories. He was happy to see that cordiality as well as steady bravery, in the Spaniards; which cordiality, from some causes or other, had, unfortunately, not been displayed on any former occasion. He trusted it would lead to farther proofs of its efficacy; and that the excellent opportunities it must afford would not be lost, now that the war was, in fact, beginning daily to assume a more important appearance. It was with regret he alluded to our not having taken more effectual steps at an earlier period, to conciliate the Spanish mint!, and to infuse into it a greater degree of confidence in us.
§ Lord Mulgraveagreed with the noble earl who spoke last, that great and extraordinary services, when frequently repeated, became less striking. There was nothing however in the present proceeding that could possibly have such an effect, as that alluded to with respect to lord Wellington: 515 and it was unnecessary for him to say that be most cordially supported the motion of his noble friend.
The Earl of Rosslynsaid, after what had been so ably stated, he could have but little to add. In all that was said in the way of unqualified praise, he most cordially concurred. But there was one point, more especially, upon which the illustrious officer in question deserved the applause of the country. He alluded to the high degree of improvement in discipline to which the Portuguese troops had arrived under his auspices. Of this part of the subject he had some knowledge, from his own personal experience. He was aware of the difficulties he had to encounter, and he knew better than some of their lordships the state in which general Beresford must have found the troops of that country. It was impossible he could adequately express his sense of that officer's merits on this head, or what the country owed to him for such an essential service. He hailed this striking improvement in the discipline and conduct of the Portuguese troops as a most auspicious omen for the Peninsula at large, and for the common cause. He felt it must operate as a most beneficial example to the Spaniards. He could not speak in terms of sufficient praise of the general conduct of the action at Albuera, either with respect to the skill, gallantry or spirit, displayed by every individual engaged on the occasion. He was bold to say that, in these respects, it was never transcended.
§ The Earl of Harrowbycould not avoid saying a few words respecting a point which more than once had been alluded to that evening. He was confident the liberal and enlightened mind of lord Wellington felt superior to every consideration of the kind. His renown was too well established, not only in this country, but throughout the world, to suffer him to harbour such a sentiment; but if any thing could add to his satisfaction, it would be to reflect that his great example was followed by a commander so near to him—that he had infused into British generals the noble spirit of emulation. He acquiesced, of course, in all that had been said in applause of the glorious action under their consideration.
The Earl of Rosslynexplained, and highly panegyrised the military character of lord Wellington, to whom, in some degree, the success in question was to be attributed, in consequence of his admirable and very 516 judicious arrangements for, the conduct of the whole campaign. Indeed, he thought it impossible for any man of common sense to say that the vote of thanks to general Beresford could not be considered also as conveying a high compliment to the character of lord Wellington.
§ The question was then put upon the first motion, for the Thanks of the House to Lieutenant General sir William Carr Beresford, K. B. …c. which was instantly voted nem. diss.
The Earl of Liverpoolthen moved the Thanks of the House in the usual form, to generals Cole, Stewart, and the other principal officers of the army under the command of Marshal Beresford; which were voted in the usual manner. Also to the non-commissioned officers and privates serving in the different corps, and that the Lord Chancellor be desired to communicate the said Thanks in the customary manner to Marshal Beresford. His lordship also moved, That this House do highly approve of and acknowledge the meritorious conduct, the skill and valour displayed by the Spanish army under the command of general Blake, on the 16th of May last, in the glorious battle at Albuera.
Lord Hollandexpressed his wish to be informed by the noble earl what precedents existed of a proceeding of the kind, especially with respect to the mode of conveying the sense of parliament to those officers of our allies who were the objects of the vote? As the matter stood at present, it must be through the medium of the British commander. He seemed to think, by means of an Address to the crown, or to the person exercising the royal authority, that the sense entertained by parliament of the services of our allies might be conveyed: he had not read the precedents with respect to similar cases; he had the highest respect for the honour conferred by such a vote of the legislature, but thought the channel or mode of conveying the expressions of such sense should be in the manner likely to prove the most agreeable and respectful to those who were the objects of it.
The Earl of Liverpoolobserved, that the noble baron could not be more solicitous upon that point than he was himself; but precedents existed of proceedings of the kind, particularly in the seven years' war, in the case of the thanks voted to prince Ferdinand. He adverted to the frequent communication between the commander 517 in chief and the government of that country, and said that care should be taken so to explain the matter to our illustrious allies, as would obviate every objection on that score.
Lord Hollandexpressed himself satisfied with what had fallen from the noble secretary of state.—The question was then put, and the motion agreed to, nem. diss.