Ferdinand also appealed to the Emperor. He wrote, "The world more and more daily admires the greatness and goodness of Napoleon. Rest assured that the Emperor shall ever find in Ferdinand the most faithful and devoted son. Ferdinand implores, therefore, his powerful protection, and prays that he will grant him the honor of an alliance with some august princess of his family." Thus Napoleon suddenly and unexpectedly found the King of Spain, Godoy, and the Ferdinands, all kneeling at his feet. Speaking upon this subject at Saint Helena, he said: "The fact is, that had it not been for their broils and quarrels among themselves, I should never have thought of dispossessing them. When I saw those imbeciles quarrelling and trying to dethrone each other, I thought I might as well take advantage of it, and dispossess an inimical family. Had I known at first that the transaction would have given me so much trouble, or that even it would have cost the lives of two hundred men, I would never have attempted it. But being once embarked, it was necessary to go forward." [Illustration: JOSEPH RECEIVING THE ADDRESSES OF THE SPANISH SENATE.] CHAPTER VII. JOSEPH KING OF SPAIN. 1808 Abdication of Charles IV.--Ferdinand claims the Crown.--Measures of Murat.--Ferdinand visits Bayonne.--The Royal Family follow.--Remarks of Napoleon.--Proclamation of Charles IV.--Joseph Proclaimed King of Spain.--Remarks of Napoleon.--Opinions of the Junta.--Motives of Joseph.--Address of the Duke of Infantado.--Addresses from other Bodies.--Letter from Ferdinand.--A Constitution adopted.--Joseph leaves Bayonne.--Efforts of the Monks.--Insurrections.--Disappointment of Joseph.--The Friends of Joseph overawed and silenced.--Encouragement from the Emperor.--Capitulation of Junot.--Napoleon aroused.--Peril of Joseph's Government.--Speech to the Legislative Corps.--The marvellous Energy of Napoleon.--Napoleon visits Spain.--Spanish Boasting.--The triumphant March of the Emperor.--Napoleon enters Madrid.--Proclamation of Napoleon. After a series of the wildest, most tumultuous, and frantic scenes of which even Spanish history gives any account, Charles IV. abdicated in favor of his son Ferdinand. On the 20th of March, 1808, the new King, Ferdinand VII., was saluted by the acclamations of the people and the soldiers, and received the homage of the Court. One of his first acts was to arrest the hated Manuel Godoy. Murat was then in command of the French troops in Spain, and was about entering Madrid. Junot, with a French army, had taken possession of Portugal. Spain was nominally in alliance with France. England was consequently waging war against Spain. The French troops were in Spain to protect the kingdom from the English.