History of the Peninsular War, Volume 1 (of 6)Southey, Robert
History
History of the Peninsular War, Volume 1 (of 6)
Southey, Robert
Peninsular War, 1807-1814
the title of Commissioner, whose duty it should be to make out a list
of all the members of his district, their ages and occupations; to
interfere in all family disputes, for the purpose of accommodating
them; and to keep all persons to their respective employments. If
they were not obedient to his admonitions he was to denounce them to
the magistrates, that due punishment might be inflicted. ♦OBSERVADOR
PORTUGUEZ, 144–150.♦ He was also to walk his rounds for at least an
hour every night, accompanied by four of the most respectable men
of the district, to see that no prohibited games were played in the
taverns, and that nothing was committed offensive to good morals.
♦EMIGRATION FROM LISBON.♦
Such were the projects with which Solano amused himself at Setubal!
The conduct of his soldiers easily accommodated itself to the good
disposition of their chief. Accustomed to the same habits of life,
attached to the same forms of worship as the Portugueze, and speaking a
language so little different that they mutually understood each other,
the Spaniards lived among them like men of the same country; and, as
long as the power remained in their hands, the people of Alem-Tejo
and of the northern provinces experienced none of those insults and
oppressions which the French inflicted wherever their authority
extended. In Lisbon the burthen was at once heavier than in other
places and more galling; and most persons who had the power of removing
into the country retired from those daily and hourly vexations which
aggravated their sufferings. The rapacity of the French leaders opened
a surer asylum for others. Notice was given that all Brazilians who
wished to return to their native land might obtain passports, and be
permitted to embark in neutral ships. All who could invent any pretext
for availing themselves of this permission hastened to purchase it;
and the money which the French thus exacted was cheerfully paid as
the price of deliverance. The ships which carried Kniphausen colours
took out many emigrants in the dress of sailors, who smeared their
hands with pitch, the better to disguise themselves. ♦1808. JAN. 5.♦
The Nuncio[20], who during these transactions demeaned himself with
great propriety, and repeatedly solicited passports for Brazil, that
he might follow the court to which he was appointed, succeeded at last
in getting on board a licensed vessel, unknown to Junot, and reaching
England in safety, went from thence to Rio de Janeiro. Meantime the
most rigorous measures were devised to prevent any person from escaping
to the English squadron. All the fishing boats were arranged in
divisions, which were denoted by letters, and the boats then numbered;
and each had its letter and number painted on the bow and quarter in
white characters a foot long. The master of every boat was bound to
carry a list, specifying the letter of its division, the number of his
boat, his name, his dwelling-place, and the number and names of the men
on board.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account