'followed with the troops, and arrived on the ' 20th of August, at the entrance of the Mon'dego river, where Sir Arthur Wellesley had ' landed three weeks before. Here I received orders to disembark the troops, and march ' with them to join the army under Sir Arthur Wellesley, which had been joined by reinforcements from England, and already ' amounted to eighteen thousand men. Sir

Harry Burrard had got near, and was ' about to take the command. On the 22nd 'I began my disembarkation; many of the

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troops were on shore, and much artillery ' and cavalry, when I received an order from Sir Harry to join him immediately; that Junot had advanced with his whole force

' from Lisbon, and was within a few miles of 'the position taken by Sir Arthur at Vimiera. This letter was dated the 20th; he was then on board ship, but it was his intention to 'land and join the army next morning. The 'exertion of the navy was such, that every

in the course of a few hours, and we sailed ' that evening. I changed into a small sloop, ⚫ and preceded the convoy.

'Sir Harry had expressed anxiety to see me, and it was evident, from the situation of 'the armies, that an immediate action must 'take place. But I did not reach Vimiera • until the 24th; the action had taken place

on the 21st. Sir Harry had landed during 'the action, but of course could only be a

spectator; it was unfortunate he was even

that, for he prevented Sir Arthur from following the French after they were routed,

which, had he been permitted to do, I have not a doubt, from everything I have heard, that the French never could have reached 'Lisbon, but must have surrendered to him ' in the field.

'On the day after the action, a French 'General came in with a flag of truce, de'manding a suspension of arms, to settle ' terms for the evacuation of Portugal. About this time Sir Hew Dalrymple arrived; and 'when I joined on the 24th, I found the

army about ten miles from Vimiera, where "the action had been fought; the negociation 'was pending, but it was uncertain whether the French were serious, or only treating in order to gain time.

'The troops under me were forthwith disembarked; but the coast was so unfavour' able, that it took up several days, and it was the 29th or 30th before they joined the army. We all marched forward on the 1st ' of September; the Convention is concluded, and we are thus far on our way to Lisbon, which we shall take possession of as soon 6 as the French are embarked.

Sir Arthur Wellesley is undoubtedly an excellent officer, and nothing is more to be regretted than that, after he had com'menced his operations, he should have been ' interfered with; it is particularly to be re'gretted that he was interfered with, and 'superseded.

The spirit shown by the troops in the two actions with the French was quite charm

ing; the French acknowledge it. What we

' are to do next is uncertain: the instructions

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from England do not, I believe, go beyond

'the possession of Portugal; but other in'structions must soon arrive.

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'Continue to write; my love to Jane and James, and family, &c. &c.

'Always, my dear Mother, affectionately,

'J. MOORE.'

Sir John Moore to his Mother:

'Queluz Camp, near Lisbon, Oct. 4th, 1808.

My dear Mother,―This will go by the frigate which carries home Sir Hew Dal'rymple, who has been recalled to explain, and who has been directed to leave the 'command with Sir Harry Burrard. This we consider as a temporary arrangement, as no orders or instructions have come to Sir Harry. What great character will be 'sent from England, or what final arrange'ment will be made for the direction of this

army, God knows. We are hourly in expectation of receiving this from home: it would be lucky, if time, seasons, and events

'would keep pace, and wait the decisions ' of our ministers.

'I have had the pleasure to receive several 'letters from you, the last was the 18th I heard from Graham

September.

'the 11th of July.

'from this soon; but whether to the Asturias, 'Catalonia, or the centre of Spain, we know ' not. People at home have been more vio'lent about the Convention than is just; it is I bless my stars I ' arrived late, and had no share in the glory, ' and as little in the Convention.

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• bad enough.

'I am glad to find by your letters that

you

' are so well, and in such good spirits. You 'should continue to have at Cobham occa

sional parties with you; they are necessary, ' and give the true relish for intervals of 'quiet; few people can bear perfect retirement,-in general, it is neither the best nor 'the most amiable characters who can. My 'love to Jane.

'Always, my dear Mother, affectionately,

JOHN MOORE.'