Buchanan, William: Memoirs of painting: with a chronological history of the importation of pictures by the great masters into England since the French Revolution (Band 2) (London: Ackermann, 1824)

206 MR. BUCHANAN’S IMPORTATIONS. -SPAIN.
packet, and get into a boat which I have sent for
to go boldly on and brave the dangers. I hope
we shall be able to land and things will go on
well, as every thing is made probably worse than
what we shall find it. We have this moment
spoken the Auckland packet, arrived here some
days, which has not been permitted to enter the
Tagus, but is loading English and English pro-
perty ; I shall find however, no doubt, means to
write to you and let you know how things go on.
A moment more favourable was never known,
and if we can get a safe entrance we shall profit
by it. I shall immediately on my entry in the
town get every means of knowing what is to be
done at Algeziras, into which place your pictures
were taken, and regulate myself accordingly, wish-
ing to get into the interior of Spain as soon as
possible.
“ P. S.—At this moment the captain of the
packet has announced to us the having seen, on
board the Auckland, the declaration of the govern-
ment being united with the other powers to shut
up their ports against the English.”
He again writes—
Lisbon, November 3d, 1807.
“No doubt you must have received my first
letter, written on board the packet, which was not
permitted to enter the Tagus. With some diffi-