12 University of California Pubitcations in History
 British interests in Spain were largely carried forward by mem-
bern of that notable family the Wellesleys. Richard, Marquis
Wellesley, former viceroy df India, was minister to Spain in the
latter half of 1809, and foreign secretary during the early part of
the Peninsular campaign; his brother Arthur, later Duke of Well-
ington, led the combined troops; and another brother, Henry, later
Baron Cowley, will appear in this study as secretary of legation
in 1809, minister in 1810, and ambassador from 1811 to 1822.
 A detailed military account of the war is hardly needed here;
 but for the background of Qnis' narrative it should be remembered
 that until 1813 there were two active governments in Spain, Ferdi-
 nand finally being restored in 1814; and that the intervening
 period was one of bitter fighting in the northern part of the Penin-
 sula between the French under various generals and the Anglo-
 Spanish under Wellington.
 An interested, though no doubt discouraged, spectator of the
 beginning of these troubles was George W. Erving, the United
 States charge, who chose to follow the Junta Central to Sevilla and
 CAdiz. His position, however, was only that of an observer. Since
 his government declined to acknowledge either Joseph or the Junta
 Central as the ruler of Spain, it could not officially accredit Erving
 to either. In instructions sent by Robert Smith, secretary of state,
 November 1, 1809, this policy was explained, and Erving was told
 to use his own judgment about remaining."
 Erving had obtained the release of some United States ships
 which had fallen afoul of the commercial restrictions of the Eu-
 ropean wars, had complained against British impressments in
 the harbor of Cadiz, and had answered Spanish denunciations of
 Jefferson's embargo." But finally he decided nothing could be ac-
 complished through informal relations with such an unstable ad-
 ministration, and he left in August, 1810.
 In the interim after Ervig's departure, three men represented
 the United States: Anthony Morris, special agent; the Reverend
 Thomas Gough, unofficial representative; and Thomas Brent, later
 named secretary of the legation. Their lack of rank and the dis-
 putes among them prohibited any effective diplomacy, even if any
 could have been carried on between countries without formal re-
 lations. Furthermore, it is difficult to believe that much could have
 been accomplished in connection with the patriot government,