This is a precept of immediate urgency; and, if attended to, might be productive of immediate good.

I will follow it with further conclusions directly referring to future conduct.
I will not suppose that any ministry of this country can be so abject, so insensible, and unwise, as to abandon the Spaniards and Portugueze while there is a Patriot in arms; or, if the people should for a time be subjugated, to deny them assistance the moment they rise to require it again.

I cannot think so unfavourably of my country as to suppose this possible.

Let men in power, however, take care (and let the nation be equally careful) not to receive any reports from our army--of the disposition of the Spanish people--without mistrust.

The British generals, who were in Portugal (the whole body of them,[21] according to the statement of Sir Hew Dalrymple), approved of the Convention of Cintra; and have thereby shewn that _their_ communications are not to be relied upon in this case.