Lisbon, Nov. 23rd, 1811.

My Dearest Father,

After a very long delay I was at length made very happy by your most kind letter from Cowes....

I quite agree with you about the infamous Wine Company at Porto, but I think that it cannot stand long, even supposing we are such dupes as to allow the P. Government to infringe so directly on the Treaty. It is a grievous oppression on the farmer, and so generally disliked, that I much doubt, when the terror of French dominion is removed, they will submit either to this or many other oppressions. O Povo esta mto. desabusado, e seria mto. melhor conceder ehe algums destes privilegios, que em nada contribuem para o bem do estado, mas mto. para o bem de hums poucos de individuos, ò menos penso que o que contribue não sofre o odio de huma tão sega politica.[30]

I therefore hope to have the happiness of giving you an abraço early in the spring, and am not sorry you did not come out at this advanced period of the year, when you would have found very great difficulty in travelling in a country desolate and almost depopulated, in bad weather, and as I could not foresee that our excellent Marshal would fall ill again, I had given up all hopes of meeting you in Lisbon, at all events. We were to have moved to-day, but H. E. has been very unwell, and though now, thank God, much better, our departure cannot take place till the beginning of next month. He has great confidence in the good effects of a change of air and travelling. I confess I rather dread the effects of any fatigue or cold for him after what happened lately, when a not very long ride quite threw him back. If good wishes, not only from his own family, but from all ranks of the people could avail, he would have been long since well, and it is, and must at all events be, a pleasant reflection to him in illness to see how universally he is regretted, and the fears his illness has raised amongst almost the whole nation.

I have not a word of public news to send you. The Prince d’Aremberg, Colonel of the 27th Chasseurs à Cheval, and married to the Empress Josephine’s niece, is arrived here, and 1400 prisoners taken at Arroio del Molino by Hill. He is an insignificant looking creature, and not reckoned a great Officer. Genl. Bron is not yet arrived. I have dined with the Lt.-Col. of their 40th Regt. He is a fine intelligent young man, but quite a Frenchman. He lies without the least hesitation. He half cries at times at his misfortune, but, when he has drank a little wine, sings and dances, and seems to forget entirely that he is a Prisoner. I am going this morning to take the Lt.-Col. of 34th F.A. to make some purchases he wants, and then to dine at Hardinge’s. I think him steadier a good deal than the other, who is a most amusing companion, and less of a soldier. This man is reserved, but I know what he says is true, and therefore we intend to try what the bon vin de Bordeaux will do towards opening his heart,[31] for we often get very interesting information in this way, and, though I hate and despise the fellows, I am rather amused by them now and then.

I think we are likely to remain quiet at Villa Formosa beyond the Coa, where we fix our Hd. Qrs. It was entirely destroyed by the French, but we have had doors and window-shutters put to some of the Houses. But I expect we shall passar m’tos. frios, and I dread it for the Marshal. I do not think the French will make any movement till Ciudad Rodrigo is again distressed for provisions, and then they will probably throw some convoy in which I do not know how we are to prevent, when the Agueda is full and not fordable, unless by a general action beyond it, and that is most unlikely, and I therefore do not myself expect that anything more than outpost business perhaps will be done before the spring. The enemy have certainly received great reinforcements during the course of the year, but even these (say 40,000 men) have not covered the casualties and losses of men in their armies, which are evidently much reduced. I have no reason to alter my opinion about the Spaniards. You know what it is, and I do not expect more from them than I did, and, if Russia does not in the spring declare against Napoleon, the fate of the Peninsula is in my opinion still very doubtful.

As you do not mention anything further in your letters about my business which you said Dr. Domingos wished to be perfectly secret, I hope it is given up entirely, and if not, that you will not press it. It would throw me out of the line of my profession, and place me in a situation I do not think I should be fit for, or can like. You however, my dear Father, know my situation, and I never willingly have or will act contrary to your opinion or wishes.

A Packet is coming in, but I fear we shall not have the letters before the mail for England closes. Yrs., etc., etc.,

Wm. Warre.

Lisbon, Nov. 30, 1811.

My Dearest Father,

I quite agree with you on the subject of the Wine Company, and do hope we will behave on this occasion with more energy. I hate half measures, and no man in his senses can, I should think, doubt of the ultimate advantage to the Country by doing away with this odious and oppressive monopoly, which is only persevered in from the narrow views and interested politicks of a few individuals, aided by a little ready money advanced now and then to the Government.

Hardinge desires me to thank you in the kindest manner for the seals, and to be also remembered to you.

You really give me credit for more reserve in my letters than I deserve, for I really know nothing, and think we are likely to be quiet for some time. The Marshal is, I am happy to say, very much better, though still pale and thin. He is very anxious to move, and I know we shall set out as soon as he prudently can. I suppose in about a week or ten days.... Yrs., etc.,

Wm. W.

Extract from Letters to his Sisters.

Lisbon, Dec. 6, 1811.

The Marshal was to have left this for the Army a week ago, and it was his intention to go on Sunday, the day after to-morrow, but a fresh cold will, however, I perceive, detain him some days. He is still very weak and liable to catch cold at the least exposure, which makes me feel quite a horror of his attempting to move at this time of year. But he is very anxious to join the army, and go I see we shall the moment he is able to move. We go to Abrantes first, then Thomar and Coimbra, to inspect the different Depôts of the recruits, and from thence to the Army, to Villa Formoza on the Coa, where we fix our Hd. Qrs. for I daresay the winter. As I see not the slightest prospect of anything being done, the Marshal’s health causes my principal anxiety. His loss, or suspension for any time from his duty, would be a very serious misfortune for this Country. Everybody feels it and laments his indisposition. It is to-day very cold, so much so that, as we are not blessed with fireplaces in this country, and have the plague of many doors and windows, all of which require caulking, I can hardly write—and notwithstanding he will go to a review of the Commercial Volunteer Regiment, composed of merchants and gentlemen of Lisbon, who have done all the duties for two years in the town with the greatest zeal and regularity. They are magnificently appointed at their own expense, Cavalry and Infantry, and upwards of 1300 strong. I wish they were 10 leagues off, that the Marshal might not risk a worse cold to pay them a compliment.

We had a most ridiculous hoax here on the 2nd, which put all Lisbon in a ferment. An English Officer gave out, and hand bills were spread all over the town, that for a wager of £500 he was to walk across the Tagus, from Belem to the opposite bank, in a pair of Cork Boots of wonderful construction. The joke took most completely. Everybody was anxious to see this wonderful performance, which was to take place at one o’clock, and even the day before every Chaise, Mule, Horse, Donkey, Boat or Barge, was in requisition, and great prices paid. At an early hour on the 2nd, the beach near Belem was thronged, “grandees” and “little dees,” great and small, men, women, and children, of all nations and professions, continued to pour in. The day was very fine and the Coup d’œil most beautiful. The river was crowded almost near 1¾ mile with vessels of every description, and the beach and streets with carriages, equestrians, and pedestrians. At the appointed hour a report was spread that the man could not pass till four on account of the tide, and the Mobility and the Nobility waited in anxious expectation, though many began to suspect the Humbug and plenty retired. I had accidentally got a hint of its being a hoax the day before, and therefore only rode down in the afternoon, and a more laughable or absurd scene I never beheld. The people began to be undeceived, some laughed, some were angry, and meeting in their retreat those who undeceived by the way, went only to laugh at the others, and rallying them most unmercifully made them ten times worse. The Portuguese consoled themselves with the idea that the English were as great fools as themselves. Thinks I to myself, they always are on the subject of wonders. I rode quietly along the pavement and was exceedingly amused with the observations of the people. I laughed so much that I was hardly able to sit on my horse, and got a little abuse in consequence which I was prepared to answer and laugh at. A great many of my friends were there. To these I bowed respectfully with a malicious smile, and, “how did you like the man with the boots?” Many ladies and gentlemen in order to have a better view took possession of the Tower at low water, and were so intent upon the beautiful scene on the River, that they quite forgot that the tide would shut them in, and were obliged to be at the expense of Boat hire to take them back to their carriages. Others availed themselves of men’s backs, horses, and any conveyance according to their finances, the water being only a few feet deep, but it was really a most ridiculous sight. Nothing is talked of now in Lisbon but the man with Cork Boots, and it has given rise to the drollest reports and lies. Some even swear they saw him, and describe his figure, dress, etc. Thinks I to myself, “What a ...” Others say he attempted it and failed. Others that his boots sprung a leak and required caulking. Thinks I to myself, “They all l...” and that is likely, for they have wickedly that vice in this country.... We do not move on Sunday, or for some days, as the Marshal has again caught a bad cold and is unwell....

Poor Walter has misbehaved, and I have sent him home to his Regt. He is a poor devil. His misfortune is to be a great fool.

Lisbon, Dec. 14, 1811.

My Dearest Mother,

... The Marshal is much better and again talks of leaving Lisbon next Wednesday morning. I hope he will not again relapse, but even if he continues to mend, I am not quite easy about the journey for him at this time of year, and as there is absolutely no prospect of anything being done at present in the way of operations, both armies appearing to have gone very quietly into Winter quarters, I think him very imprudent in venturing, but perhaps the change of air may do him great good.

We go first to Abrantes, Thomar, and Coimbra. I told you I should write a stupid letter, and John Brown is putting all my rhapsodies to flight by his noise. He desires his love to E.’s poodle, and to be remembered to the rest of the family. We are going at 3 o’clock to a grand funeral of Brigadier-General Coleman, who died of fever after suffering a great deal. He is to be buried with military honours. No man ever died more generally or deservedly lamented, and, what is more than anything distressing, is that he leaves his poor father and mother and sisters, who depended on him for support, in rather painful circumstances. His poor old father resigned the office of Sergeant-at-Arms to him moyennant a pension, which he loses with his son. I am very sorry for him: what a pity he left the House of Commons to come here at all!...

I hope the Company at Porto’s business may be settled to my father’s satisfaction, but that he will not come out till the spring, for it is almost impossible to travel in this desolated country in winter. Yrs., etc., etc.,

Wm. W.