Godoy and Saint-Cyr were on their horses, trotting along the streets that were almost unrecognizable. The Portuguese troops could only look up to them with a mix of fear, resentment, and defeat etched across their faces.
General Laf?es stood among his officers, his gaze fixed on the approaching figures of the French and Spanish commanders. His shoulders were heavy with the weight of his decision, the choice to surrender in order to spare the lives of his remaining troops. It was a bitter pill to swallow, a concession that went against every fiber of his being as a military leader.
As Godoy and Saint-Cyr drew nearer, their expressions unreadable behind their stern fa?ades, General Laf?es felt a surge of bitterness rise within him. These were the men who had brought his city to its knees, who had shattered the pride of his soldiers and the hopes of his people. He clenched his fists at his sides, his knuckles turning white, but he knew that resistance now would only lead to more needless bloodshed.
The Portuguese troops watched in silence as the enemy commanders reined in their horses before them.
General Laf?es stepped forward, his gaze locking with Saint-Cyr.
"Let us introduce ourselves, I am General Laurent de Gouvion Saint-Cyr of the French Army. The man next to me is Manuel Godoy, The First Secretary of State of the Kingdom of Spain. We are here to negotiate the terms of surrender. Is there somewhere else we can discuss these matters privately?"
Laf?es inclined his head in agreement, his jaw tightening as he fought to maintain his composure. "Follow me," he said, gesturing toward a partially standing structure that had once been a grand residence.
Laf?es led the way to what had once been a study, its bookshelves now empty and its furniture overturned.
Godoy's eyes swept over the room, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "A fitting backdrop for surrender negotiations, wouldn't you agree?"
Laf?es bristled at the man's words, but he suppressed his anger. "Let us get to the point. What terms do you propose?"
Saint-Cyr's gaze remained fixed on Laf?es.
"Your troops will lay down their arms immediately. The city will be occupied by our forces, and your people will acknowledge our authority. Of course, that is just the preliminary stage. We have prepared a list of demands that the Kingdom of Portugal must accept unconditionally. The first demand is that the Kingdom of Portugal must sever its ties with the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. Second, you must close all your ports to the British. Third, you must pay France an indemnity of 20 million francs. Fourth, you must cede Oliven?a to the Kingdom of Spain and pay an indemnity. Last but not least, you must join a defensive alliance with the Republic of France, where the Kingdom of Prussia, the Kingdom of Denmark-Norway, the Kingdom of Sweden, and the Russian Empire are member-states."
After Saint-Cyr read off the demand, Laf?es sighed. "General Saint-Cyr, I have no power to engage in diplomatic negotiations or make decisions of this magnitude on behalf of the Kingdom of Portugal. These demands are extensive and impactful, affecting not only the sovereignty of our nation but also the well-being of our people. I will need to consult with higher authorities before any agreements can be reached."
"We know that," Godoy scoffed softly. "We are only telling you so that you can tell that to your Queen. You have a telegraph here right?"
"The telegraph lines have been cut off by your artillery bombardment. If we want to send a message to Lisbon, we'll have to deliver it by horse," Laf?es explained.
"Then I suggest that you send your messenger immediately," Godoy said.
"Very well, I will relay these demands to the appropriate authorities in Lisbon. But I cannot guarantee their swift response given the circumstances."
"Hmm…time is not a luxury that you have, General Laf?es," Saint-Cyr interjected. "They only have three days to make a decision. If we haven't received a response by that time, then we will be compelled to continue our march towards Lisbon, and bombard it similar to how we bombard your city."
"I'm sure that General Laf?es is going to phrase his message in a convincing manner. After all, he had experienced being on the receiving end of French modern artillery."
General Lafoes clenched his fist, Godoy was getting on his nerves. His arrogance was infuriating. He is not the one who defeated their forces, it was the French. So how dare he act as if he held all the power?
With a deep breath, Laf?es pushed down his frustration and focused on the task at hand.
"Understood," Laf?es replied evenly. "I will make sure to emphasize the destruction of Elvas in the letter."
***
A day later, at the Ribeira Palace in Lisbon, Her Majesty, Dona Maria I received a letter from one of her courtiers.
[Your Majesty,
I write to you with grave news and a heavy heart. Our city of Elvas has fallen to the combined forces of France and Spain. I was left with little choice but to surrender in order to prevent further bloodshed and destruction. I must inform you of the demands presented by the enemy commanders, General Saint-Cyr of the French Army, and Manuel Godoy, The First Secretary of State of the Kingdom of Spain.
The demands are as follows:
The Kingdom of Portugal must sever its ties with the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.
All ports must be closed to British ships.
An indemnity of 20 million francs must be paid to France.
The city of Oliven?a is to be ceded to the Kingdom of Spain, along with a substantial indemnity.
Portugal must join a defensive alliance with the Republic of France, where the Kingdom of Prussia, the Kingdom of Denmark-Norway, the Kingdom of Sweden, and the Russian Empire are member-states.
The consequences of rejecting these demands are dire, Your Majesty. General Saint-Cyr and Manuel Godoy have given us a mere three days to respond. If we do not comply within this time frame, they have threatened to continue their march towards Lisbon and subject our beloved capital to a devastating artillery strike similar to the one that befell Elvas.
May wisdom guide your deliberations.
With the utmost respect,
General Laf?es]
As Queen Dona Maria I read the words before her, she crumpled the letters.
"The French and the Spanish defeated our forces in a mere day? I can't believe this letter. I think they surrendered instantly when they saw their great numbers. No, I will not accept these humiliating terms. How dare my General tell me to surrender."
"Should I prepare the city for a defense, Your Majesty?" One of her courtiers asked.
"Yes."
Updat𝒆d fr𝑜m fr𝒆ewebnove(l).com