History of the Peninsular War, Volume 2 (of 6)Southey, Robert
History
History of the Peninsular War, Volume 2 (of 6)
Southey, Robert
Peninsular War, 1807-1814
heard the garrison were not to be considered prisoners; that article,
though the opinion was that it would not be executed, occasioned some
uneasiness, and therefore he would make them lay down their arms, and
swear not to bear them again against Spain or her allies.
♦DIFFICULTIES CONCERNING THE SURRENDER OF ELVAS.♦
Galluzo was at this time upon ill terms with the Portugueze. They
complained that throughout the struggle in Alem-Tejo he had promised
much and performed little; that the Spaniards had acted as masters
in those fortresses which they had entered as friends, countermanded
the orders of the Portugueze General, encouraged insubordination,
appropriated to their own use money which had been raised for the
national cause, and pillaged the country as they passed through it. On
the other hand, Galluzo reproached the Portugueze with want of activity
and energy, and with giving his people nothing but water when they went
to assist them. His pretensions to Elvas, therefore, which under any
circumstances might have given offence, were now peculiarly offensive;
and it happened that the Junta of Porto, who were at this time not
without hope of getting the government of the kingdom into their own
hands, had ordered General Leite to march into Elvas and occupy it as
soon as it should be evacuated. The General communicated their orders
to Sir Hew, declaring that he felt it his duty to obey, and laying
before him his complaints against the Spaniards. These difficulties
were surmounted by a proper mixture of conciliation and firmness on
the part of the British Commander. The first great object was, that
British faith should be kept, and complete protection afforded to the
French garrison. For this purpose those troops whom it was intended to
canton in Alem-Tejo were immediately ordered thither, and stationed as
near Elvas as possible. Colonel Graham was sent to Galluzo to bring him
to reason; and if this were found impracticable, then to proceed to
Madrid, and call for the interference of higher authorities. Colonel
Ross was instructed to bear in mind, that as the French surrendered
to no nation except the English, neither Spanish nor Portugueze
troops were to appear when they marched out: that with respect to
the Portugueze, the feelings of the nation were to be gratified, and
their flag every where displayed under a salute; but he was to hold
the substantial power, even if he saw cause for allowing a Portugueze
General to march in with a detachment of his men. Colonel Graham
performed his difficult mission with great ability. Galluzo ceased
from all farther interference, and was so gratified by the temper in
which this affair had been carried on by the British Commander, and the
services which had been rendered to the soldiers of Extremadura who had
been released at Lisbon, that he ordered the black English cockade to
be blended with the red Spanish one in his army, to mark his gratitude,
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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