4110. Robert Southey to Sir Charles [Doyle], 29 December [1823]

Endorsement: 1823/ 29^th Dec^r./ M^r Southey/ 2^nd Vol to come down to Massenas retreat & defeat/ At Fuentes d’Onoro
MS: Gen MSS [Misc], Princeton University Library. ALS; 3p.
Unpublished.
Note on correspondent: Identified by content.

My dear Sir

I thank you for the papers, & for the Gazettes also, & I return the latter because I have a compleat series of them at Keswick, & pretty full references to their contents

⁽¹⁾

Southey eventually acquired a collection of 24 volumes of Spanish Gazetas, 1808–1813, no. 3472 in the sale catalogue of his library. These included Gazetas ‘de Gobierno’ (‘of the Government’) and from the Juntas of Seville and Valencia.

My second volume will come down to the time of Massenas retreat, & his defeat at Fuentes d’Onoro.

⁽²⁾

André Massena (1758–1817) commanded the invasion of Portugal in 1810–1811. Southey did not deal with his retreat until History of the Peninsular War, 3 vols (London, 1823–1832), III, pp. 127–154. On 3–6 May 1811 at Fuentes de Oñoro, an Anglo-Portuguese force stopped Massena relieving the besieged city of Almeida; see History of the Peninsular War, 3 vols (London, 1823–1832), III, pp. 210–217.

I shall have no room for documents.

Concerning the burning of Manresa.

⁽³⁾

The town of Manresa in Catalonia was burnt to the ground by French forces on 30 March 1811; see History of the Peninsular War, 3 vols (London, 1823–1832), III, pp. 248–249.

I have only such accounts as the Gazettes furnish. When I return home & am settled to the work, upon that subject, or any other on which I may feel myself deficient in information, I shall very gladly avail myself of your friendly offer, & apply to you for it.

I have the honour to remain
Sir Charles
Yrs faithfully
Robert Southey.

Q Anne Street. 29 Dec.

Notes

1. Southey eventually acquired a collection of 24 volumes of Spanish Gazetas, 1808–1813, no. 3472 in the sale catalogue of his library. These included Gazetas ‘de Gobierno’ (‘of the Government’) and from the Juntas of Seville and Valencia.[back]

2. André Massena (1758–1817) commanded the invasion of Portugal in 1810–1811. Southey did not deal with his retreat until History of the Peninsular War, 3 vols (London, 1823–1832), III, pp. 127–154. On 3–6 May 1811 at Fuentes de Oñoro, an Anglo-Portuguese force stopped Massena relieving the besieged city of Almeida; see History of the Peninsular War, 3 vols (London, 1823–1832), III, pp. 210–217.[back]

3. The town of Manresa in Catalonia was burnt to the ground by French forces on 30 March 1811; see History of the Peninsular War, 3 vols (London, 1823–1832), III, pp. 248–249.[back]

Notes

The Collected Letters of Robert Southey: Part Seven

Lynda Pratt, Ian Packer