Britain, Portugal and South America in the Napoleonic Wars: Alliances and Diplomacy in Economic Maritime Conflict (International Library of Historical Studies)

353 Pages·2011·2.24 MB·English

by  Martin Robson

Martin Robson is a Visiting Lecturer at King’s College London, Defence
Studies Department at the Joint Services Command and Staff College,
Defence Academy of the UK. He specialises in the military and maritime
history of the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. He com-
pleted his PhD in the Department of War Studies, King’s College Lon-
don and is a former Caird Senior Research Fellow at the National Mari-
time Museum. He is the author of The Battle of Trafalgar, and co-author of
Lord Beresford and British Intervention in Portugal.
P1:PHB Trim:138mm×216mm Top:1in Gutter:1in
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The analysis, opinions and conclusions expressed or implied in this book are those of the
author and do not necessarily represent the views of the JSCSC, the UK MOD or any
other government agency.

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Copyright © 2011 Martin Robson

The right of Martin Robson to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by
the author in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patent Act 1988.

All rights reserved. Except for brief quotations in a review, this book, or any part thereof,
may not be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in
any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise,
without the prior written permission of the publisher.

International Library of Historical Studies 68

ISBN 978184885 196 2

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Printed and bound in India by Thomson Press (India)
Camera-ready copy edited and supplied by the author
For Horatio Arthur

CONTENTS
List of illustrations viii
Acknowledgements ix
Maps xi
Preface xiii

Introduction: British War Aims 1
1. The Strategy of the Talents Ministry 21
2. The Importance of Portugal 27
3. The Portuguese Crisis of 1806 41
4. The Rosslyn Mission to Lisbon 60
5. The Talents and South America 83
6. The Strategy of the Portland Ministry 101
7. The Portuguese Crisis of 1807 113
8. The Smith Expedition to Lisbon 137
9. The Embarkation of the Portuguese Royal Family 154
10. The Blockade of Lisbon 174
11. The Portland Ministry and South America in 1808 196
12. The Spanish Insurrection and British policy 214
13. Conclusion 226

Appendices 241
Notes 263
Bibliography 315
Index 328
List of illustrations
1. ‘Napoleon on his Imperial throne’. This image of Napoleon in his
coronation costume portrays his imperial power. (Jean Auguste Domi-
nique Ingres, 1806, Musée de l’Armée).
2. Dom João (depicted in 1815 as King João VI of Portugal) with his
wife Carlota Joaqunia of Spain. In 1806-1808 João was acting as Prince
Regent, the effective head of the Portuguese government. (Manuel Dias
de Oliveira, 1815, Acervo do Museu Histórico).
3. Sir William Sidney Smith, the Hero of Acre who foiled French ambi-
tions in the Eastern Mediterranean in 1799 prompting Napoleon to re-
mark of him ‘That man made me miss my destiny’. (John Eckstein, pub.
1808, © Crown copyright: UK Government Art Collection).
4. ‘A sketch of the River Tagus from the bar of Alcacova up to Coffin’s
Hole’ showing the dangerous Cachops at the mouth of the river, forts St.
Julian and Bugio, the city of Lisbon and the spacious inner harbour.
(Anon, 1800, © National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London).
5. ‘A draught of the Portuguese Ship Rainha de Portugal of 74 guns as
taken off dimensions’. The Rainha de Portugal sailed with the Portuguese
fleet to Brazil. (Sketch made at Portsmouth Dockyard, 1809, © National
Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London).
6. ‘His Royal Highness the Prince Regent of Portugal and all the Royal
Family embarking at Belem quay, Lisbon for Brazil on 27th November
1807 at 11 o’clock in the morning’. Much controversy would surround
the precise events of the evacuation and exactly who deserved the credit.
(Henry L’Évêque, 1815)
7. ‘Arrival of the Portuguese Royal Family in Brazil, 7 March 1808’. At
centre is the 84 gun Portuguese flagship Principe Real, carrying the Prince
Regent, HMS Marlborough (to the left) fires a salute. (Geoff Hunt, 1999).
8. Admiral Sir Charles Cotton, who was tasked with blockading Lisbon
during the crucial months of 1808. (James Ramsay, pub. 1812, © Crown
copyright: UK Government Art Collection).

Every effort has been made to trace and contact copyright holders prior
to publication. If notified, all reasonable efforts will be made to rectify
any errors or omissions in subsequent printings.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
It is impossible to write a book like this without assistance and guidance
and I am indebted to a number of people who have helped make it pos-
sible. The manuscript had its origins in my PhD thesis, completed under
the supervision of Professor Andrew Lambert at the Department of War
Studies, King’s College London. As an undergraduate registered on the
War Studies BA course it was Andrew who first opened my eyes to the
role of navies in warfare, in particular the links between naval power,
trade and empire. Over what is now nearing two decades he has been a
ready source of advice on a whole host of matters, from academic to
personal guidance and support; as well as a sounding board for ideas, not
all of which have managed to see the light of day, yet. Professor Charles
Esdaile, who acted as external examiner for my thesis, made a number of
suggestions and provided extremely helpful and constructive feedback
which allowed me to explore various issues in a little more depth in this
work. Dr Thomas Munch-Petersen provided much useful information
relating to the Copenhagen expedition of 1807 and the transfer of the
secret intelligence from Tilsit in 1807. Professor Malyn Newitt fielded a
number of my queries relating to Portugal and the organisation of the
Portuguese military, while proving an extremely patient source of guid-
ance on a number of related issues.
My colleagues at King’s College London’s Defence Studies Depart-
ment at the Joint Services Command and Staff College, Defence Acad-
emy of the UK provide a constant source of inspiration and a ready
source of expertise and advice. In particular, Professor Geoffrey Till read
parts of the introduction and I am thankful for his kind comments and
support, it is always good to know one is on the right tack, particularly
when utilising theoretical frameworks proposed by colleagues. Professor