to receive our thanks for your share in the glorious battle of Talavera. Pursuing the same career, under the same illustrious commander, it is more gratifying than surprising to see, that in succeeding campaigns you have reaped new laurels. The badge of honor which commemorates your services at Salamanca, brings to our recollection those skilful operations in which you were engaged upon the Douro, previous to that memorable day, and the destruction which your cavalry poured down upon the rear guard of the enemy in their flight. In the battle of Vittoria the British cavalry also took their part; and, acting with the left wing of the allied army, under the immediate command of Lieut.-General Sir Thomas Graham, (a name never to be mentioned in our military annals without the strongest expressions of respect and admiration,) your squadrons contributed to cut off the enemy from their direct retreat into France, and all Europe has heard of their consequent rout and dispersion. To you, Sir, I am therefore commanded to express the gratitude of this House; and, in the name of the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland in Parliament assembled, I do now deliver to you their unanimous thanks for your distinguished exertions in the Battle of Salamanca upon the 22nd July 1812, which terminated in a glorious and decisive victory over the enemy's army; And also for your great exertions upon the 21st of June last, when the French army was completely defeated by the allied forces near Vittoria, under the Marquess of Wellington's command. Upon which Major-General Anson said, Sir, This is the second time I have had the honour of rising in this distinguished assembly to receive through you, Sir, the thanks of my country, to which and to this honorable House, I return my warmest acknowledgments. I should not do justice to the illustrious and noble commander with whom I have had the honour of serving, or to those brave troops under his command (whose gallantry and discipline I have had such frequent opportunities of witnessing) did I not assure you, it is to them I consider myself indebted for being placed in this highly honorable situation; I should be greatly deficient also in what is due to myself were I to omit expressing my sincere and most heartfelt thanks to you, Sir, for the very gratifying manner in which you have conveyed to me the sentiments of my country on this and on a former occasion; thus conferring upon me an additional mark of distinction, which it will ever be my pride to acknowledge. Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Picton, In this House your name has been long since enrolled amongst those who have obtained the gratitude of their country for distinguished military services; and we this day rejoice to see you amongst us, claiming again the tribute of our thanks for fresh exploits and achievements. Wherever the history of the Peninsular war shall be related, your name will be found amongst the foremost in that race of glory; by your sword the British troops were led on to the victorious assault of Ciudad Rodrigo; by your daring hand the British standard was planted upon the Castle of Badajoz; when the usurper of the Spanish Throne was driven to make his last stand at Vittoria, your battalions filled the centre of that formidable line before which the veteran troops of France fled in terror and dismay; and by your skill, prudence and valour, exerted in a critical hour, the enemy was foiled in his desperate attempt to break through the barrier of the Pyrenees and raise the blockade of Pampeluna. For the deeds of Vittoria and the Pyrenees, this double harvest of glory in one year, the House of Commons has resolved again to give you the tribute of its thanks; and I do therefore now, in the name and by the command of the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland in Parliament assembled, deliver to you their unanimous thanks for your great exertions upon the 21st of June last, near Vittoria, when the French army was completely defeated by the allied forces under the Marquess of Wellington's command. And also for the valour, steadiness and exertion, so successfully displayed by you in repelling the repeated attacks made on the position of the allied army by the whole French forces under the command of Marshal Soult between the 25th of July and 1st of August. Upon which Lieutenant General Sir Thomas Picton said, Sir, Being entirely unaccustomed to speak in public, I have great difficulty in |