History of the Peninsular War, Volume 3 (of 6) — John Shaqi
History of the Peninsular War, Volume 3 (of 6)Southey, Robert
History
History of the Peninsular War, Volume 3 (of 6)
Southey, Robert
Peninsular War, 1807-1814
turned back to Valladolid, and remained there a few days to make his
last arrangements before he returned into France.
♦CHANGE IN HIS VIEWS CONCERNING SPAIN.♦
An attachment to his family was almost the only human part of
Buonaparte’s character; but when any object of aggrandisement
presented itself to his all-grasping desires, that attachment stood
as little in his way as the obligations of truth, honour, and justice.
He had been sincere in his intention of giving Spain to Joseph, while
he thought it an easy gift, and one which in its results would prove
beneficial to the giver. The resistance which had been made to the
intrusion, and the reverses which his arms had for a time experienced,
disturbed and mortified him; and in that temper of mind which escapes
self-condemnation by reproaching others, he imputed to Joseph’s flight
from Madrid, as a consequence, the very spirit of resistance which had
rendered that measure necessary for his own preservation. For this
reason there had been no cordiality at their meeting; he had treated
Joseph with disrespect, as well as coldness, and leaving him in the
rear, had issued edicts by his own authority, and in his own name. This
had been resented by Joseph, as far as one who was the receiver of a
stolen crown could resent it: having been made King, he represented
it was proper he should appear to be such; to debase him was not
the way of rendering him more acceptable to a proud and high-minded
nation. In addition to this there was another cause of discontent
between them. Whatever country Buonaparte entered, that country was
made to support his army; war was to him no expense, ... the cost fell
always upon his enemies or his allies. Thus he had expected to proceed
in Spain; ... but even when he was master of Madrid the intrusive
government had no other revenue than the duties which were paid at
his gates, and Joseph, instead of paying his brother’s armies, looked
to him for the maintenance of his own court. Joseph had represented
also the impolicy of continuing to exasperate the people by a system
of military exactions; and Napoleon, impatient of any contradiction,
instantly perceived that a King of Spain, whether of the Buonaparte
or the Bourbon dynasty, must have a Spanish feeling incompatible with
that entire subserviency to himself which he expected and required.
Having so lately and so solemnly guaranteed the integrity of Spain,
and proclaimed his brother king, he could not at once subvert his own
arrangements; ♦DE PRADT, 207–225.♦ but he avowed to M. de Pradt at this
time that when he had given that kingdom, he did not understand the
value of the present: follies would be committed, he said, which would
throw it again into his hands, and he would then divide it into five
viceroyalties.
♦HE RETURNS TO FRANCE.♦
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