CHAPTER XX.

REIGN OF GEORGE III. (_continued_).

Napoleon's Designs on Spain--The Continental System--Treaty of Fontainebleau--Junot marches on Portugal--Flight of the Royal Family--The Milan Decree--The Pope imprisoned in the Quirinal--Imbecility of the Spanish Government--Quarrels of the Spanish Royal Family--Occupation of the Spanish Fortresses--The King's Preparations for Flight--Rests at Madrid--Abdication of Charles IV.--Murat occupies Madrid--The Meeting at Bayonne--Joseph becomes King of Spain--Insurrection in Spain--The Junta communicates with England--Ferocity of the War--Operations of Bessières, Duchesne, and Moncey--Dupont surrenders to Castanos--Joseph evacuates Madrid--Siege of Saragossa--Napoleon's Designs on Portugal--Insurrection throughout the Country--Sir A. Wellesley touches at Corunna--He lands at Figueras--Battle of Roliça--Wellesley is superseded by Burrard--Battle of Vimiera--Arrival of Dalrymple--Convention of Cintra--Inquiry into the Convention--Occupation of Lisbon--Napoleon's preparations against Spain--Wellington is passed over in Favour of Moore--Moore's Advance--Difficulties of the March--Incompetency of Hookham Frere--Napoleon's Position in Europe--The Meeting at Erfurth--Napoleon at Vittoria--Destruction of the Spanish Armies--Napoleon enters Madrid--Moore is at last undeceived--The Retreat--Napoleon leaves Spain--Moore retires before Soult--Arrival at Corunna--The Battle--Death of Sir John Moore--The Ministry determine to continue the War--Scandal of the Duke of York--His Resignation--Charges against Lord Castlereagh--Wellesley arrives in Portugal--He drives Soult from Portugal into Spain--His Junction with Cuesta--Position of the French Armies--Folly of Cuesta--Battle of Talavera--State of the Commissariat--Wellesley's Retreat--French Victories--The Lines of Torres Vedras--The Walcheren Expedition--Flushing taken--The Troops die from Malaria--Disastrous Termination of the Expedition--Sir John Stuart in Italy and the Ionian Islands--War between Russia and Turkey--Collingwood's last Exploits--Attempt of Gambier and Cochrane on La Rochelle. 546