In the spring of 1808, at which period Cadiz was threatened to be invested by the satellites of an adventurer, who had already usurped the throne of France, and compelled another branch of the Bourbon family to renounce his legal inheritance, Rear-Admiral Purvis and Major-General Spencer, with whom he co-operated, appear to have rendered essential service to the common cause, by establishing peace and friendship with the Supreme Council of Seville, at least as far as they had authority to go[1].
Rear-Admiral Purvis having transmitted to the Governor of Gibraltar, Lieutenant-General Sir Hew Dalrymple, the state of Cadiz, there being great commotion, and a strong disposition in the inhabitants to resist the power of France, that officer detached Major-General Spencer, with a corps under his command consisting of 2,500 men, with directions to concert with the Rear-Admiral such measures as circumstances might render necessary for the advantage of the public service. The Major-General in consequence having taken his residence with his naval co-adjutor, those officers immediately determined on circulating certain papers, with invitations to
- ↑ Napoleon Buonaparte, by a series of almost incredible events, had, at the above mentioned period, obtained a cession of the Spanish monarchy from Charles IV and his son Ferdinand VII; and having sent them with the whole of their family into places of security in France, had given the crown to his brother Joseph, whom he had formerly made King of Naples, but whose place on the Neapolitan throne he now filled with his brother-in-law Joachim Murat. As soon as the French usurpation was known, an explosion of indignant patriotism burst forth in the mass of people from one extremity of Spain to the other, which, as might be expected, at first displayed itself in some atrocities, but at length subsided in a settled and determinate purpose of resistance. Provincial juntas, or assemblies, were in many parts established, which gave a regular organization to the popular efforts; among which the supreme junta of Seville took the lead, and on the 6th June, proclaimed Ferdinand VII, and war with France. Peace with Spain was published in London on the 5th of the following mouth; the Spanish prisoners were liberated, clothed, and sent to join their countrymen; the British arsenals furnished all the warlike means that could be desired; to the public aids afforded or promised, private subscriptions were added; and one spirit in favor of Spanish independence seemed to animate the whole island. Portugal, which had been overrun by the French armies, caught the flame of patriotic enthusiasm, and made common cause with Spain; and a league offensive and defensive between the two nations was signed at Oporto, on the 14th July.
