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
In the course of these debates Earl Grey complained that only 2000
cavalry had been sent to Spain, though we had 27,000, and though
that description of force was peculiarly necessary in that country;
and he contrasted the conduct of the British government with that of
Buonaparte, “the consummate general whose plans they had to oppose.
In rapidity of execution,” said his lordship, “he is only equalled by
his patience in preparing the means. He has all the opposite qualities
of Fabius and Marcellus, whether you consider the country in which he
acts, the people with whom he has to contend, or the means by which
he is to subdue them. He rivals Hannibal in the application of the
means, and is exempt from his only fault, that of not improving by past
experience. The means provided by Buonaparte for the accomplishment of
his purposes are so well combined, and his objects so ably prosecuted,
as generally to give him a moral certainty of success; and whatever
may be thought of his total disregard of the justice of those objects,
it is impossible not to admire the ability and wisdom with which he
combines the means of accomplishing them. In order to maintain against
such an antagonist the ultimate contest which is to decide for ever the
power and independence of this country, the true policy of those who
govern it must be, to pay a strict attention to economy, to be actuated
by a determination to concentrate our means, not to endanger them in
any enterprise or speculation in which the event is doubtful; but
pursuing the economical system of husbanding our resources, by which
alone we could enable ourselves to continue a contest, the cessation of
which does not depend upon us, but upon the injustice of our enemy.”
♦EARL OF LIVERPOOL.♦
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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