“The inaction of the regency was apparent at Oporto to a lamentable degree; and, though I saw general Bernadim Friere, I could not gain from him any information as to the state or numbers of the Portuguese troops, where they were stationed, or who commanded them. I apprehend, from his conversation, that the general officers are all of equal authority; and that even seniority had not its usual effect. He concluded his observations to me with the strong expression, ‘_That, from the evacuation of Portugal by the French, the nation had thought all war at an end_.’” _Sir J. Cradock to sir J. Moore, December 28, 1808._ “Mr. Villiers and myself have both concurred upon the _absolute necessity to arouse and animate the Portuguese to some sense of their situation_.” _Colonel Kemmis to sir J. Cradock, Elvas, December 30, 1808._ “_The apathy of the Portuguese is not to be expressed._ Their general, Leite, is a most excellent character: a theorist, and, like his countrymen, _supine_.” _Extract from the Report of lieutenant Brotherton, (an officer employed to obtain intelligence in the north of Portugal,) February 11, 1809. Head-quarters of Romana’s army._ “From the totally defenceless state in which the two northern provinces are left, it will require at least eight days (I speak from authority) to prepare any thing like adequate means of defence.” SECTION II.--LUSITANIAN LEGION. _Lord Castlereagh to sir J. Cradock, November 27, 1808._ “Its formation was proposed by the chevalier de Souza.”--“The pay, allowances, and clothing were settled by the chevalier de Souza. The former regulated, as I understood, upon the scale _of increased pay, which the provisional government of Oporto had adopted for all the troops they were in progress of levying_.” _Sir J. Cradock to lord Castlereagh, December 24, 1808._ “I have considerable doubt if ever they” (the legion) “can be incorporated, with effect and conciliation, with the body of the Portuguese army.”--“They are viewed with _extreme jealousy by the regency_; and the _commanding officers of the Portuguese battalion resisted, universally, the allowing of volunteers from their regiments to enter into the legion_.” _Sir J. Cradock to lord Castlereagh, January 19, 1809._ “The Lusitanian legion continues to give considerable uneasiness, from its peculiar state, under present circumstances.” _Captain Morgan (Lusitanian legion) to sir J. Cradock, January 19, 1809._ “Should a retreat be adopted, sir Robert would not retire to Oporto. _It is the government of a mob, of which he has had too much experience._” SECTION III.--PORTUGUESE ARMY. _Sir J. Cradock to sir J. Moore, December 9, 1808._ “I am sorry to state that I find, as far as my limited observation reaches, the Portuguese army, and every other military concern, _in the worst possible state_.” _Sir J. Cradock to Mr. Villiers, December 18, 1809._