e accounts
which had arrived at Bilboa, on the 30th day, when the vessel
sailed. It appeared evident that no other troops had passed the
frontier at that time, though it was uniformly reported that a
body of no less than 22,000 men were collected at Bayonne.

The Spanish army on the south side of the Tagus, between Badajos
and Alcantara, amounts to 21,000 men; of which 10,000 are
encamped at Badajos, 8,000 at Albuquerque, and the remainder
between Vincenti and Alcantara. The Prince of Peace was daily
expected at head-quarters. His aides-de-camp were already
arrived, and a train of 700 mules had been collected for the
conveyance of his baggage. The French detachment was destined to
join the army of Castile, which I already mentioned to your
lordship has returned from its movements towards the northern
provinces, and taken a position to the southward of Ciudad
Rodrigo. Its numbers and distribution are not so accurately
known, but it is stated to be equal to the army of Estremadura,
with the addition of the French auxiliaries.

I have the honour to be, &c.

To Lord Hawkesbury.
J.M. FRERE.

No. 2.

MY LORD,

By intelligence which arrived from Cadiz, in date of the second
of this month, it appears that there were in that port five
Spanish ships of the line, which had pushed out from Ferrol,
conformably to the report which I mentioned to your lordship in
my last despatch. There was at the same time (in Cadiz) an
additional force of eight or ten sail preparing for sea; four of
them of the line, and the remainder frigates. This equipment was
however retarded by the want of naval stores, particularly
sailcloth and cables, which was occasioned by the late fire
which has taken place in the arsenal, as well as by the total
want of money, which was such that many of the officers were
actually reduced to subsist on charity.

The informant, whose authority may be depended on, adds that a
squadron from Brest was expected to join them. It was supposed
that the whole armament would be directed against Portugal; and
this supposition was not weakened by a report which was given
out industriously that the object of the intended expedition was
to make a landing on the coast of Barbary, in order to force the
Emperor of Morocco to shut his ports against the English. The
ships from Ferrol have the French and