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General Drechsel, after considerable service in the continental wars, was appointed Lieutenant-General in the British service, and Commandant 7th Battalion King's German Legion.

Of Sir Home Popham, notwithstanding an identity with many great occasions; an active parliamentary career, and an unwearied invention in science, many facts cannot be given; of the latter the new telegraphic invention lately adopted is an instance. This gallant officer did not escape the spirit of accusation in its ancient character, but it failed in its results.

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PENINSULA, FIRST PERIOD BATTLES OF ROLEIA AND VIMIERA, PORTUGAL, UNDER SIR ARTHUR WELLESLEY, (afterwards Duke of Wellington, &c.) M. GENS.

SPENCER, HILL,

FERGUSON, BRIG.

GENS. ACKLAND, NIGHTINGALE, FANE AND BOWES, AUGUST 17th, 21st, 1808.

That vigilant political zeal, which in its determination to prosecute a great system, extends its views unceasingly to every quarter of its boundless sphere, had during the fluctuating events of the latter period of the war contemplated the Spanish Peninsula invaded by the French, as a fit theatre for its continuation.

It is not the province of this work to indulge in admiration at the perseverance which still preserved this zeal alive, amidst the successive repetition of disaster and

defeat, and the consequent influence on the public mind-the energy that found this sole remaining inlet, when excluded from the continent. It is for the historian to develope the principles; for the masters in the art of government to direct their future application. It is for these pages to show the successive occasions that arose and extended themselves for the exercise of the military genius of great Britain, and how that genius was appreciated by the country.

Of the periods into which these campaigns are divided, the first comprizes the landing of the armament in Portugal, and the actions which immediately succeeded it.

It ought to be remarked, that adversity had nearly blighted the laurels of which the verdure is here preserved; the Convention of Cintra was submitted to the scrutiny of a people jealous of honor, though generous in rewarding it, before the fields

tention to the service of the British army of Roleia and Vimeira received their meed of praise.

Mercurii 1 die Februarii, 1809.

My Lord,

London, January 28th, 1809.

I have had the honor of receiving your Lordship's letter of the 24th instant, containing copies of the unanimous resolutions of the House of Lords, conveying the approbation of their Lordships of my conduct, and of that of the general officers and soldiers composing the army which I commanded in Portugal; and their Lordships' vote to the respective general officers, and to the officers commanding the corps employed on the services in that country.

I have received the mark of distinction which the House of Lords has conferred upon me, with sentiments of gratitude and respect, proportionate to the high sense I entertain of the greatness of the honor

which it carries with it; and I shall have great pleasure in communicating to the general officers, respectively, to the officers and troops, the distinguished reward of their exemplary conduct, which their Lordships have conferred upon them.

I beg leave, at the same time, to express to your Lordship, my thanks for the expressions of personal civility with which your Lordship has conveyed to me the commands of the House.

I have the honor to be, my Lord, your Lordship's most obedient humble Servant, ARTHUR WELLESLEY.

The Right Hon.

the Lord Chancellor, &c. &c. &c.

Veneris 27 die Januarii, 1809.

The Commander of the forces was thus

addressed in his place.

Licut. Gen. Sir Arthur Wellesley,

After the events of the last year, it

was impossible that Parliament should reassemble without directing its earliest at

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