“The Spanish government has published an official narrative of the expedition (Barosa) full of misrepresentations and blinking the question of the cause of failure entirely—this has obliged me to add something to what I wrote before to Mr. Wellesley. There are some instances of impudence supporting falsehood beyond example. The _proud_ Spaniard is no less _vain_ I think.” _General Graham to Mr. Stuart._ “_Isla, May 6, 1811._ “The government here supported by the cortes seemed to be determined to adhere with blind obstinacy and pride to a system that has nearly brought the cause to ruin, and notwithstanding Lord Wellington’s great efforts they are playing Buonaparte’s game so positively that I despair of any great good.” _Colonel Austin to Mr. Stuart._ “_Faro, March 24, 1811._ “Whether Ballesteros is authorized by his government to pursue the steps he has taken, I know not, but I certainly cannot but consider them as just and necessary. The junta de Seville is a mere farce supported at an immense expense without the least utility or benefit, and preserving in its train a number of idle characters who ought to be employed in the defence of the nation, but who now only add to its burthens. I have had many negotiations with the junta, and though I have always kept up appearances through policy, yet I have found, in the room of the honour and candour which ought to characterize it, nothing but chicanery and dissimulation.” _General Carrol to Mr. Stuart._ “_Olivenza, April 29, 1811._ “Would to Heaven that the Spanish armies, or, more properly speaking, the skeletons of the Spanish armies were under his lordship’s (Wellington’s) command; we might in that case do great things, but alas! our pride seems to increase with our misfortunes, and is only equalled by our ignorance!” _Mr. Stuart to Lord Wellesley._ “_July 13, 1811._ “I have endeavoured to throw together the numbers, &c. of the different guerillas, &c., which clearly demonstrate the false exaggerations circulated respecting that description of force; though their appearance in different parts has most unreasonably encreased the alarm of the enemy and proportionable confidence of the Spaniards, they cannot be calculated to exceed in the aggregate twenty-five or thirty thousand men at the utmost.” Note. Here follows a list of the Partidas with their numbers and stations too long to insert. _Mr. Wellesley to Mr. Stuart._ “_Cadiz, July 31, 1811._