CHAPTER XXIV.
Insurrection of the Spaniards and Portuguese--Their Alliance with England--Battle of Riosecco--Joseph enters Madrid--First Siege of Zaragossa--Dupont's March into Andalusia--The Battle of Baylen--Dupont Surrenders--Joseph quits Madrid--Situation of Junot--Arrival of Sir Arthur Wellesley--Battle of Rorica--Battle of Vimiero--Convention of Cintra.
On the 4th of July the King of England addressed his Parliament on the subject which then fixed the universal enthusiasm of his people.

"I view" (said he) "with the liveliest interest the loyal and determined spirit manifested in resisting the violence and perfidy with which the dearest rights of the Spanish nation have been assailed.

The kingdom thus nobly struggling against the usurpation and tyranny of France, can no longer be considered as the enemy of Great Britain, but is recognised by me as a natural friend and ally." It has been already mentioned that the British commanders in the neighbourhood of Spain did not wait for orders from home to espouse openly the cause of the insurgent nation.
The Spanish prisoners of war were forthwith released, clothed, equipped, and sent back to their country.

Supplies of arms and money were liberally transmitted thither; and, Portugal catching the flame and bursting into general insurrection also, a formal treaty of alliance, offensive and defensive, was soon concluded between England and the two kingdoms of the Peninsula.
This insurrection furnished Great Britain with what she had not yet possessed during the war, a favourable theatre whereon to oppose the full strength of her empire to the arms of Napoleon; and the opportunity was embraced with zeal, though for some time but little skill appeared in the manner of using it.

The Emperor, on the other hand, observed with surprise and rage the energy of the Spaniards, and not doubting that England would hasten to their aid, bent every effort to consummate his flagitious purpose.