several points, and at short distances. ♦SILVEIRA RETIRES FROM CHAVES.♦ Whatever hopes Silveira might have entertained of opposing the French with the assistance of Romana’s army, he was fully sensible after the rout of the Spaniards that he could neither stand his ground in the vale, nor defend the dilapidated works of the town with men of whom the greater number were half armed and ♦MARCH 7.♦ wholly undisciplined. On the day therefore when the enemy entered Monterrey he gave orders for evacuating Chaves, and withdrew to ♦1809. MARCH.♦ the heights of Outeiro Joam, and S. Pedro de Agostem. Small as the regular force was which he commanded, Portugal, he well knew, could ill afford to lose it; opportunity for seriously annoying the invaders was likely to occur, but to expose his men now would be vainly and wantonly to sacrifice them. Thus he reasoned; ♦SOME MUTINOUS OFFICERS RESOLVE TO DEFEND IT.♦ but the spirit of insubordination was abroad. The peasantry, in ignorant but honest zeal, insisted upon defending the place, and they were supported by certain of his officers, who were actuated some by mere presumption, others by the intention of ingratiating themselves with the enemy, whom they thus should serve. To Chaves therefore these persons returned, and ♦DIARIO OFFICIAL. CORREIO BRAZILIENSE, T. III. P. 110–11.♦ the vanguard which, having been stationed at Villarelho to observe the French, he had ordered to follow him, joined with this party, and prepared to defend the town, in contempt of his authority. If Silveira’s character had been any ways doubtful, or if he had been less esteemed and less beloved by the soldiers, he must at this time have fallen a sacrifice to popular suspicion. ♦SURRENDER OF CHAVES.♦