[Sidenote: 1808] Although the forces of Russia and Prussia had been defeated, and a most humiliating peace concluded at Tilsit, yet Sweden still resisted the power of Bonaparte; and the first battalion of the FOURTH, or KING'S OWN, after receiving the thanks of parliament for its conduct at Copenhagen, was selected to form part of a body of troops placed under the command of Lieut.-General Sir John Moore, to support the Swedish monarch. The KING'S OWN, having embarked at Harwich on the 28th of April, 1808, arrived at Gottenburg; but, to the surprise of the troops, they were interdicted landing by the decree of the King of Sweden, who, though desirous of obtaining British aid (like his predecessor, the Great Gustavus Adolphus, who in 1632 had eighteen British regiments in his army), yet he proved so imbecile of mind, and purposed to employ his British auxiliaries in so absurd a manner, that the expedition returned to England. Meanwhile important events had transpired in the Peninsula. Bonaparte, after reducing to submission to his inexorable will all Germany, and forcing Russia to accede to his decrees, was prompted by his restless ambition to attempt the subjugation of Spain and Portugal. Having resolved to commence with the latter, he compelled Spain to join in the enterprise; and when Portugal was subdued, he seized on the Spanish monarchy. The inhabitants revolted against his authority. A British force, commanded by Lieut.-General Sir Arthur Wellesley, proceeded to their aid: and on the return of the KING'S OWN from Gottenburg, they were immediately ordered to proceed to the Peninsula. Having landed in Maceira Bay, in Portugal, on the 25th of August, they advanced on Lisbon, and after the French army capitulated and vacated Portugal, they encamped within two leagues of Lisbon.