ately to Portugal, unless incapacitated by ill-health or age, applying for the means of transport to the diplomatic agents of her Majesty. The Conde da Carnota assumes as an admitted fact that this order was meant, not for the few emigrants coming within the description, but for Saldanha alone. This, however, is hardly reconcilable with the neglect of the diplo matic agent at Paris to supply the promised means of transport, and Saldanha himself writes that, by withholding the necessary funds, those who did not desire his departure imagined he would be compelled to remain, adding that they were mistaken, "for my friend Carneiro at once advanced me twenty-two thousand francs, without other security than my word." The refusal of a passage by the Falmouth packet was also regarded by him as something more than an accident. He was obliged to hire a small vessel at Plymouth to convey him and his party to Oporto, and embarking on the 17th of January they arrived off the entrance to the Douro on the 28th.

landing before Oporto was unopposed, and the city was evacuated by the garrison, which outnumbered the besiegers in the proportion of two to one. The inhabitants were unanimous in their adhesion: the Miguelite army was wavering; and if the first success had been spiritedly followed up, they might have fallen back and left the road open to the capital. But the command of the queen's forces was confided to the Count de Villa, unless when it was directly exercised by the exemperor, and neither of them had any quality of generalship besides personal courage. Their incapacity became so obvious at the first engagement that the troops lost confidence, and the panicstruck citizens apprehended an immediate return of the Miguelites. These now took heart, and laid regular siege to the city which they had left without firing a shot. Describing a gallant but unsuccessful sally on the 7th of August, Soriano writes: "So disastrous was this attempt on the part of the Count de Villa Flor, and so little to his credit was the disposition of his forces, that no official account has ever appeared of the operations of this unlucky and calamitous day." The one thing needed by universal acknowledgment was a general, and on the 23rd Palmella informs the queen's minister of war, Freire: "I have written to Paris most pressingly, in order to see if we can engage some distinguished French officer to go and serve in our cause; but, in truth, it is extremely difficult, under present circumstances, to induce men of note to take such a step." That they had Saldanha constantly in their thoughts is clear from numerous allusions to him, and the real objection peeps out in a despatch from the Chevalier Lima, where he says: "I continue to hear that Saldanha, in combination with Herteaut and Lacroix, meditates a coup de main in Portugal; and, I believe, proposes to effect a landing with some men at Fi-sible condition," was the reply. He goes gueira or even at Peniche; and this, as I into details, and Dom Pedro declares that think, not to assist Dom Pedro, but to he will call a council of war without desee if he can be the first to enter Lisbon, lay. It was called the next night, and all, and to make himself master of the gov- Saldanha relates, agreed with what he ernment." stated, but added that, with the means at At length a mode was hit upon of se- their disposal, it was impossible to comcuring his services without undergoing plete the fortifications as he proposed. the humiliation of directly requiring them. Granting this, he urged the necessity for An order in the queen's name, dated doing something to avert the impending Oporto, November 3, 1832, was published danger. "Your Majesty," he said, adin the newspapers of London, Paris, and dressing the emperor, "will lose but little Brussels, to the effect that all military in losing me. Give me five hundred men; men, subjects of Portugal, residing in I will sally out and see what can be foreign countries, should return immedi- done."

The party consisted of seven, including General Stubbs and an aide-de-camp. A month before their arrival the command of the army had been conferred on a French officer, General Solignac, who had not been more fortunate than his predecessor. His first offensive movement, in co-operation with the fleet under Admiral Sartoris, bad failed, and differences had already broken out between him and Dom Pedro, who, he complained, was continually meddling with his plans. We can readily believe, therefore, that Saldanha was received with acclamations by the soldiers; and the imperative call for him is proved by the fact, that the command of the most important of the three divisions of which the army consisted was conferred upon him. After riding round the lines, he met Dom Pedro, who asked how he found them: "In the worst pos

The day following he went to Solignac and pointed out the expediency of occupying a pine wood overlooking the beach. "I know it well," said Solignac, "for it was there I fought on the 24th. But the enemy has a redoubt within pistol-shot, mounted with pieces of twenty-four. It would be foolish rashness to endeavor to establish ourselves there; and I most positively order that no such movement shall be made." Paying no attention to this order, Saldanha, with four companies of his division, attacked and carried the pine wood at the point of the bayonet. "When Major Barreiros, aide-de-camp to Solignac, came on the part of the marshal to enquire into the cause of so much firing, I replied that I was in possession of the pine wood, concerning which I had spoken to him in the morning; and that all the endeavors of the enemy would not make me abandon it."

This is one amongst several of the dashing exploits by which he silenced although he could not suppress jealousy, and they do not rest on his own unsupported assertions. The Times correspondent wrote that "the fortifications, as if by enchantment, rose from the feet of General Saldanha." Colonel Badcock (as quoted by the Conde da Carnota) confirms the correspondent: -

Now Saldanha came forward. He took the superintendence of the whole left of the line; covering the landing-place, and its communications with the city. His exertions on this occasion have never been sufficiently appreciated. He deserved every credit for his activity and perseverance in forming those lines, which afterwards became the salvation of the

cause.

Previous to his arrival, every difficulty had been raised and opposed to the forming of works defensively, and every facility had been permitted offensively. Although the Liberals had no hardworking peasantry for this labor, their army being composed chiefly of mechanics, to whom it was irksome, and who made little progress,—yet, his popularity, the confidence he had gained in the minds of the lower classes, did wonders. None but the favorite Saldanha could have made such active pioneers of such a people.

Had the enemy, before Saldanha's arrival, cut off the Foz,- a work of three hours with a dashing leader, they might have completely invested the city, which must have fallen without an assault.*

Referring to a repulse sustained by the Miguelites, the correspondent of a French journal writes :

In the affair of the first of March the safety of the city and the constitutional army has been owing to the Count de Saldanha. It is generally believed here that Solignac will resign shortly, and that the command of the army will be entrusted to Saldanha. Solignac no longer inspires the confidence that the army had at first in his talents and experience. He has been eclipsed by Saldanha.

Early in June, Palmella arrived at Oporto, and rising superior to the littleness of rivalry when great interests were at stake, went at once to Saldanha, who met him in the same spirit of conciliation. On leaving, Palmella exclaimed in the hearing of many, "Now that my arrival has commenced so happily, I cannot augur ill for our good cause." On June 11th Dom Pedro presided at a council of war, at which Solignac, Palmella, Saldanha, the ministers, and the principal military Solignac, commanders were present. having been unanimously overruled, rose and said, "Your Majesty perceives that all the leading men of the army are opposed to my views; consequently, I can longer be of service, and I return to France." Dom Pedro accepted the resignation, which was officially announced on the 13th, and on the day following Saldanha was appointed his successor. Sartoris had resigned the command of the naval forces on the 8th, and was succeeded by Napier (Admiral Sir Charles), so that there was now every chance that there would be no lack of dash, enterprise, and intrepidity by land or sea.

no

Saldanha is reported to have said that in Europe there are (or were) at least three hundred generals, who with the practical knowledge of war, unite the theory. "And to yet so few is it given to be a good general-in-chief. Why is this? Because he must be possessed of two qualities which are antagonistic. He must be so prudent, as to be deemed a coward; and so daring that he might be taken for a mad

man.'

Proofs that he combined these qualities abound in his military career. A striking one was supplied in an attack upon the works of Oporto. He came up with his staff at a critical moment, when an important position was in danger of being carried, and he ordered the advance of a French battalion in the queen's service, who, instead of charging, fell back exclaiming, “EnBy Lieut.-Colonel Lovell Badcock. Voyez vos Portugais !" (Send your Portuguese.) He had no Portuguese at hand,

Rough Leaves from a Journal kept in Spain and
Portugal, etc.
London, 1835.

and he saw at a glance that the position | every direction and taken thirteen or fourwould be taken before reinforcements teen of their forts. This was on the 18th could arrive, so he charged at the bead of of August. The siege was now practihis staff, followed by some twenty lancers, cally at an end; and, conceiving his presbroke the first line of the assailants and ence more useful elsewhere, Saldanha drove them back in confusion. This issued a proclamation to the inhabitants exploit is specially mentioned in the pat- and the troops, dated Oporto, August 23, ent by which he was made Grand Cross 1833:of the Tower and Sword; and in the report of the engagement from the minister for foreign affairs to the Chevalier Lima it is said: "General Count Saldanha behaved with the greatest wisdom and valor, ending by charging the enemy in person at the head of his staff."*

On

in a temporary building near the landing- so placed as to harass them on their anticplace. When they were all collected, ipated retreat, he sallied out and attacked Dom Pedro introduced Saldanha with them with such vigor that after a desperthese words: "Maria, I do not present ate resistance they were driven back. the Lieut.-General Count de Saldanha, one occasion, after several attempts had whom you already know, but the Marshal been made to carry a position, he got off Saldanha, to whom you owe your being his horse, led on a Belgian corps, and was here to-day." the first to jump into the enemy's trenches.

The combat

Five times during this day did the marshal dismount, and himself lead the men to the attack of disputed positions. ceased only at night. It was a triumphant day for the queen's troops, who were outnumbered by their opponents as three to one in infantry, and five times in cavalry. Still more complete would have been the success of the victors, if the plans of Saldanha had been executed, in other quarters, as he had previously com

bined.

The same graceful mode of announcing a promotion was employed by George IV. (then regent) when Major Percy knelt to deliver the despatch announcing the vic tory of Waterloo: "Rise up, Colonel Percy." The decree conferring the rank of field-marshal on Saldanha was signed the same day, and is prefaced by a recapitulation of his services. Bourmont was replaced by General Macdonnell, who continued the investment of Lisbon. On the 8th of October Saldanha, calling at the palace, found the queen and the ex- Early the next morning Dom Pedro empress playing on the piano, whilst Dom came to Saldanha's quarters, accompanied Pedro was accompanying them on the by some French and English officers, who French horn. Seeing from Saldanha's joined in congratulating him on the events manner that he had some communication of the preceding day, but strongly advised to make Dom Pedro took him into an- that no further risk should be incurred. other room, and asked him what it Finding them deaf to arguments, he was. "The 12th is your Majesty's birth- threw himself at the feet of the regent, day." "Much obliged to you for the declaring that he could no longer accept information," said Dom Pedro, "and what the responsibility of command unless he of that?" Saldanha continued: "I do was left entirely free to carry out his not like that your Majesty should spend plans. Dom Pedro raised him and said, your birthday in a city surrounded by the "God save me from your resignation; enemy." "Nor do I," interrupted Dom march on, and do what you please." His Pedro ; "but what can we do?" "Let plan was carried out as originally conus attack them," was the immediate reply.ceived; the whole day of the 11th is de"Are you mad?" rejoined Dom Pedro; scribed as a series of successes, to which "did you not see the force which my brother Miguel paraded before us yesterday? " "Yes, sire; I saw," said the marshal, "that he had twenty-two thousand bayonets and thirty-one hundred cavalry." "And with what force can you attack them?" "I have," answered Saldanha, "eighty-four hundred infantry and six hundred cavalry." "Then would it not be complete madness?" Sire," replied Saldanha, "you must observe that the enemy, by delay, can go on augmenting their forces, which it is much less in our power to do. The plan I have conceived, if successful, would be the most brilliant action of modern military history. If not, it would simply appear as an ordinary sortie from a besieged city." Dom Pedro, reflecting for a moment, replied: "I will not oppose you. I have seen you perform such miracles. Do whatever you like."

After making his dispositions for a simultaneous attack on the rear of the enemy, and ordering some gunboats to be

he largely contributed by his personal presence in the hottest of the fire, and at midnight the enemy were in full retreat. During the second engagement Dom Pedro had joined Saldanha on the battlefield, on a rising ground from which he could discern the movements of the enemy. One man having been killed and another wounded close to them, an officer, the Viscount de Almeida, implored Dom Pedro to retire, reminding him that it was the marshal who was in command. Dom Pedro, who was by nature brave, playfully ran behind Saldanha, and seizing him by the shoulders, exclaimed (in allusion to the apparently charmed life of the marshal), "Now I am securely cov ered by Joao Carlos." But, in a moment, seriously recollecting himself, and thrusting Saldanha aside, the regent cried out, as if horror-struck at the idea, Poor Maria! if one ball should kill us both!"

The Miguelites retreated to Santarem, a strongly fortified place, which Masséna had occupied for some months during his

retreat in 1810-1811. He was left unmo- | Cavalry," drawn up in the principal square. lested in it by the Duke of Wellington, They were charged by his cavalry, brokwho quietly took up a watching position; en, driven out of the town, and pursued and his example was followed by Sal- several leagues. Shortly afterwards he danha, who established his headquarters was informed that the Miguelites mediat Cartaxo. At this time he was in com- tated an attack upon Pernes, and he remunication with his wife as to the means solved to anticipate them. He fell upon of raising two thousand francs to transmit them in their advance and inflicted a to Paris in payment of a debt. Hearing crushing defeat, with the loss of only of this, the minister of finance writes: twenty killed and wounded on his side. On his return to Cartaxo he was presented with the grand cross of the Order of Christ, in reward, as stated in the decree, for (amongst other services) "the wellconcerted plans, intrepidity, skill, activity, and zeal, displayed in the three engagements of Leiria, Torres Novas, and Pernes, when he so worthily commanded the brave troops which annihilated so large a portion of the enemy's forces."

I am so angry with you to-day, that I have only time to scold. How could it enter into the head of any one to trouble a poor woman with commercial transactions! Is it not bitterness enough to be deprived of her husband's company? Rest assured that Machado will receive the two thousand francs in good time; for an order shall be sent by the packet, and, if possible, overland too. Your name should not be compromised, however large might be the sum required. Too much is owing to you by the treasury, that you should thus draw on your private means. I have great hope, that from the first of January onwards, the army

will be paid in cash.

One inevitable effect of the assured safety of the capital was the revival of dissension and intrigue. The Liberal party was broken up into twelve or fourteen sections or factions, a portion of whom were always sure to be in opposition, and the ministry were so hard pressed that we find one of them, the minister of war, appealing to Saldanha to do something to draw off attention, never mind what. They complain that such large means are paralyzed before a small force at Santarem. He steadily refused to attack Santarem, but on January 12th, 1834, he suddenly left Cartaxo with four thousand men and a regiment of lancers and marched towards Leiria. Two men on

horseback having been captured by his staff, he called for writing-materials, and addressed the following note to the governor of Leiria, which he told one of the men to carry. "It is I who am in command. I will assault the city in half an hour, and give no quarter, if you do not immediately yield. Saldanha." The governor having enquired if the note really came from Saldanha, and being assured of the fact, at once gave orders to abandon the city.

Whilst Saldanha was at Leiria, he was urged to join the Cabinet, as minister of war if he chose, with liberty to appoint a substitute while he continued in command of the army in the field. This offer he declined. On the 24th he advanced on Torres Novas, where he found a crack Miguelite regiment, called the "Chaves 1666

LIVING AGE.

VOL. XXXIII.

General Grant, it will be remembered, was persistently depreciated till he had lington was subjected to a good deal of taken Vicksburg; and the Duke of Welhostile comment till he had driven the French out of Portugal; but it was Saldanha's still harder destiny to be plagued with critics and counsellors after an unbroken series of successes, in which his generalship was no less remarkable than his intrepidity.

as Dom Pedro, urged me to attack Santarem; Many times [he wrote] the ministry, as well and my friends at Lisbon were continually declaring that I should be discredited by my inaction. On the last occasion, when D. Pedro was unusually urgent on the subject, I said, "Give the command to the Duke da Terceira, and let him accede to the desires which many have shown; and, as a soldier, you will see that I will be the first to enter the city, if to enter we should be able. As a general, no one shall ever force me to commit so grave an

error.

General Lemos, who commanded at Santarem, thought himself strong enough not only to hold the place, but to break through the opposing force and make his way to the capital. On the evening of the 18th of February, he left the shelter of his works, and advanced with the intention of crossing the plain which intervened between him and Saldanha's position. All Saldanha wanted, notwithstanding the numerical superiority of the Miguelites, was a pitched battle. He allowed them to pass a bridge which he might have disputed, and even to form upon the heights which he occupied. Then he dashed upon them with his usual impetuosity, and soon sent them flying in every direction towards their stronghold.