Lisbon, 23 April 1809 Arrived yesterday after very nearly being driven aground on the Isle of Wight. Everything is going as well as Castlereagh could wish. Resistance at Oporto negligible, the bishop escaped to Lisbon but the French have made no further moves. Craddock and Beresford resolved on a northward movement but seem to have overlooked Victor’s presence near Badajos where he has stayed since defeating Cuesta at Medellin. Wellington’s views, etc. British to assemble at Leivia, Beresford and the Portuguese are at Thomar, the Portuguese like English officers and more must be sent. No good systematic plan of defence has been settled. After hearing Villiers’s details Wellesley, decided not to act out Castlereagh’s orders in toto; Craddock mortified, is going to Gibraltar but ‘this difficult and delicate arrangement has been carried into execution in the most perfect manner ‘ Villiers is a great treasure. Hopes Castlereagh has arranged with Lord Liverpool for supply of Irish horses. If they can hang on for 4 months they can hold the country (continued 25 April) Soult seems to have 12,000 and Victor about double. An attempt on the latter would be preferable to a move northward. Campbell’s Portuguese brigade in fine shape and have adopted the English system of messing, with increased pay, etc. They can certainly hold the country if Castlereagh gives them the necessary support. – From: Londonderry Estates – Additional Records Acc: 1193(D),Despatches from Charles William Stewart (1778-1854), Lord Stewart to Robert Stewart (1769-1822), Viscount Castlereagh, from the Peninsula, volume 1