[Lord Beresford [William Carr Beresford, 1st Viscount Beresford, 1st Marquis of Campo Maior], Commander in Chief of Portuguese army in Peninsular War.] Two copy letters to Duke of Wellington; apparent autograph draft of letter, 1809; one other item.

Four interesting Peninsular War items, from a collection of Beresford material. In 1813 the Duke of Wellington described Beresford as ‘the ablest man I have yet seen in the army’. See his entry in the Oxford DNB. The four items are in good condition, lightly aged and worn (but see descriptions of Items One and Three), and folded for postage. ONE: Apparent Autograph Draft of Letter. ‘Abranles July 4. 1809’. 2pp, 4to. On laid Whatman paper. Reverse somewhat grubby with glue stains (from display in an album?) at foot of reverse of leaf. Written in a hurried hand, similar to other examples consulted (for example in ‘d’ shapes, ampersand, use of long s and spelling ‘untill’), and with one emendation supporting the idea that the item is a draft and not a copy (‘he does not intend further’ is altered to ‘he does not intend drawing further upon me’), as does the fact that the text ends abruptly mid-page. Whether in his hand or not, clearly written by Beresford, during the build up to the Battle of Talavera. Reads: ‘Sir / You will be pleased to remain here with Mr Posleton, Clerk, for the purpose of paying the Checks which the Commissary General or any Person authorised by him may draw upon me - which you will pay from the money I shall leave in your hands & when you can ascertain from the Commissary General that he does not intend drawing further upon me I wish you to follow me as quickly as possible by the enclosed route - I have already made a requisition from Mr Asst. Comy Ogilvie (in charge of the Car & Mule department) for twenty-seven ox or mule cars but I understand from him that there are none of either description at present[.] You will therefore request the requisition in writing for whatever number you may want to bring forward the Military Chest untill you receive them - you will be guided in your departure from here by the Commissary Generals departure to whom you will apply on this Head. / I wish you to assist Mr Asst. [?] in procuring the means of following me as expeditiously as he can - / I shall leave under your charge in the Military Chest [ends here, halfway down the second page]’. TWO: Copy Letter. ‘Elvas 16th. March 1812’. To ‘His Excellency / The Marshal Genl. / The Earl of Wellington K.B. & / & & & K. T. S.’ Ends ‘Signed W. C. B.’ (Like the rest of the letter the ‘signature’ is not in Beresford’s hand.) 2pp, 8vo. Reads: ‘My Lord / I have been favored with your Lordships Communication from Don [Miguel?] Peniza Forjas relative to the Arsenal at Oporto. I herewith have the Honor to return the Papers alluded to, & to state that I have repeatedly represented to the Governors of this Kingdom the inutility, & inefficiency of the Arsenal at Oporto, that both on account of its being so far removed from Inspection, & the great expense attending its Establishment, it has ever been my opinion, that it had better be altogether abolished, & the whole centred in that at Lisbon, which would be easier arranged, & prove of more Utility’. THREE: Copy letter. ‘Fuente Guinaldo / 25th. May 1812’. Addressed as Item Two, and ‘signed’ ‘(Signed) W. L. Beresford’. 2pp, 8vo. Reverse of leaf with what appears to be light tea staining. He has thought it ‘proper to make this Communication for your Lordship’s consideration, & decision’, since he has received no directions regarding ‘the issuing of the Pay, & allowances’ of ‘the British officers in the Portuguese service’. FOUR: Manuscript ‘Extract of a Madrid Gazette - announcing the destruction of the Austrian Army by the French - / 6th May 1809’. 2pp, 12mo. On first leaf of bifolium, docketted on reverse of second leaf.