The latest Governt. accts. are to the 12th from the Tagus, Sr. Robt. Wilson[371] _en debite_ news of the 15th, with the story of Drouet having joined with 15 _bataillons_, which makes about 9000 men. Sr. Robt. is greatly and justly offended at having been dismissed officially the Portuguese service; this naturally enough tinctures all his opinions and disposes him to view _au noir_ both Wellington’s and Beresford’s campaign. The enemies of Wilson accuse him of having taken great credit to himself for resistance in the _Puerto de Baños_ after the battle of Talavera, whereas Ld. W. has recently discovered that he did nothing whatever there.[372] Also there is another charge, which, if substantiated, is serious, but from his general reputation is considered as highly improbable, viz., peculating in his transactions about raising the Lusitanian Legion. He is a very active officer, and whatever blemishes he may have in rhodomontading, I know from experience, having been in the country at the time, that when every other English officer took to his heels, he alone remained, and by setting a good face upon matters kept in check at Salamanca a French corps of 6000 men, when he was in Ciudad Rodrigo with only a few half dismounted cannon and some of his miserable Legion. Bulletins bad; Ministers defer till the latest hour issuing the summons of the Privy Council. Great failures at Liverpool. Huskisson’s pamphlet upon the report of the Finance Committee, a very general topic of conversation.[373] L., a little jealous, accuses him of stealing some of his own best observations and disfiguring them for concealment. _28th._--Hurrah! Huzza! A long and delightful letter from Charles, and a copious journal of all that has occurred since he sailed from Cadiz Bay, 7th August! He writes from Gibraltar Bay, 5th November, then in quarantine on acct. of symptoms of fever. Inquires if the ex-pigs are likely to have a little suck. Seems not so keen for Navy as before; thank Heaven, if he should at the end of a year sicken of it! _Oxala!_ The Privy Council is called to-day for the examination of physicians. Baillie remains at Windsor to attend the K. during the absence of the others, but comes for examination to-morrow. Great rumours of adjournt. being again intended. _29th, Thursday._--Evidence of the medical men favourable as to amendment, but nothing said as to the time for recovery. [Sidenote: THE PRINCE OF WALES’ CONDUCT] _Dec. 6th._--There has been a communication with the Prince; the complection of the business is not very favourable. It seems that in consequence of a trivial expression dropped accidentally in a conversation Ld. Grey held with Mr. Tucker, the latter gentleman conceived it to be sufficiently important to induce him to _repeat_ it to Col. McMahon[374] to report to the Prince. The expression was that affairs were in that state that, ‘if the Prince were to hold up his finger he would have every thing his own way.’