WELLINGTON DUKE OF: (1769-1852) Anglo-Irish Field Marshal, the Victor of Waterloo, 1815. British Prime Minister 1828-30, 1834. A fine A.L.S., Wellington, four pages, 4to, Head Quarters, 16th October 1810, to Charles Stuart. Wellington states that he has just been informed by the Admiral of the loss of forty boats at Santarem, regarding it a serious misfortune which can be attributed solely to the Government, and that he has written advising of the arrangements to be applied in consequence, principally regarding defence, although also advising Stuart of other immediate actions which should be taken, 'First; the Island of Lyceria which is at present at the enemy's command is full of corn & cattle. There is a safe communication now with the South end of it & all the supplies should be drawn away immediately to Lisbon. If the Admiral can station a flotilla at the N.E. extremity of this Island, so as to prevent the enemy from bringing their boats lower down the river, if not already brought down, this Island may yet be safe. But at all events the Corn, Cattle, Straw &c. should be brought away from it. Secondly the Province of Alentejo being now open to the enemy, the people should be directed to remove under the cover of Palmella & Fort St. Filippe at Setuval, which are both garrisoned, & the ordenanza should be collected there. It is probable however that Fort St. Filippe & Palmella are not provisioned, as was the case with Obidos which was therefore abandoned as was the case with other Portuguese forts withstanding repeated applications and remonstrances of the Govt. Thirdly care should be taken of the other boats in the river that they don't fall into the hands of the enemy. Positive orders ought to be given that all boats of every description should anchor on this side on every night between Alhandra & Lisbon. As soon as the Marquis de la Romania's Corps shall be across the Tagus there will be no occasion for fleets of boats going over; & when they do go for provisions or other purposes, they should be under the charge of some officer of the Police who should force their return'. Wellington further acknowledges receipt of Stuart's letter and informs him that he signed a letter to Dom Miguel Forjaz that morning, remarking 'I intended & do advert to the conduct of all the Militia of Lisbon, as well as that of Thomar; the conduct of the whole is infamous, & some measures must be adopted to force people who pretend to be soldiers & receive pay & provisions as such to do their duty. The Lisbon Volunteer Chasseurs are as bad as the rest; I don't believe one third of the number are here' and further writing 'The enemy have made no movement of importance this day. They have certainly one, probably two Corps d'Armee on this front near Sobral, but not a shot has been fired since the day before yesterday, excepting from the lines at Alhandra on a reconnoitring party yesterday'. A letter of fine military content written in the wake of a loss to the enemy. Some very light, extremely minor age wear, VG £1200-1800 Charles Stuart (1779-1845) British Diplomat, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Portugal and Brazil 1810-14. British Ambassador to France 1815-24, 1828-30 and British Ambassador to Russia 1841-44. In 1810 a newly enlarged French Army under Marshal Andre Massena invaded Portugal. British opinion, both at home and in the army, was negative and suggestions were made that they should evacuate Portugal. However, the Duke of Wellington succeeded in slowing down the French forces at Burcaco and then prevented them from taking the Lisbon Peninsula through the construction of massive earthworks, known as the Lines of Torres Vedras, which had been assembled in complete secrecy and had flanks guarded by the Royal Navy. The baffled and starving French invasion forces retreated after six months.