Only as far as there was a prospect of forcing the enemy to an unconditional submission, did the British Nation deem that they had a right to interfere;--if that prospect failed, they expected that their army would know that it became it to retire, and take care of itself.

But our Generals have told us, that the Convention would not have been admitted, if they had not judged it right to effect, even upon these terms, the evacuation of Portugal--as ministerial to their future services in Spain.

If this had been a common war between two established governments measuring with each other their regular resources, there might have been some appearance of force in this plea.

But who does not cry out at once, that the affections and opinions, that is, the souls of the people of Spain and Portugal, must be the inspiration and the power, if this labour is to be brought to a happy end?
Therefore it was worse than folly to think of supporting Spain by physical strength, at the expence of moral.

Besides, she was strong in men; she never earnestly solicited troops from us; some of the Provinces had even refused them when offered,--and all had been lukewarm in the acceptance of them.