They had not the foresight to
perceive the inevitable result of this strategic plan if effectively
and thoroughly executed. They did not even realise that the
devastation had better be effected by the British in this defensive
- and in its results at the same time overwhelmingly offensive -
manner than by the French in the course of a conquering onslaught.
They did not realise these things partly because they did not enjoy
Wellington's full confidence, and in a greater measure because they
were blinded by self-interest, because, as O'Moy told Forjas, they
placed private considerations above public duty. The northern
nobles whose lands must suffer opposed the measure violently; they
even opposed the withdrawal of labour from those lands which the
Militia Act had rendered necessary. And Antonio de Souza made
himself their champion until he was broken by Wellington's ultimatum
to the Council. For broken he was. The nation had come to a parting
of the ways. It had been brought to the necessity of choosing, and
however much the Principal, voicing the outcry of his party, might
argue that the British plan was as detestable and ruinous as a French
invasion, the nation preferred to place its confidence in the
conqueror of Vimeiro and the Douro.
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