I want to write a sort of disclaimer here. I've been following the thread from the beginning but, knowing that I take to heart these things, I decided not to participate. It's a sort of self protection device I have, because some subjects 'boil my water', so to speak. One, you may have noticed, is when Portugal is not given their due participation in the events from 1808 to 1814; the other, I found now, is the action of the French army in Portugal during the invasions. It's the way I live History, and there isn't a time when I hear the word 'Loisson' that I don't feel genuine anger.

I'm writing this to present my case and dismiss any possibility of being interpreted as anti-French or something. I'm actually anglophile, but not anti-French.

One can actually say that much of what happened in 1810-1811 was also the direct result of the strategy of the British and Portuguese. One can even say that what happened in Porto de Mós was the action of common criminals, as for example Spanish desertors were reported thieving in Portugal at that time as well as various bands of native desperados.

Despite my words sounding a bit agressive, which I regret, I'm trying to be objective. Hope to help construct a middle term here.

Some say that the Portuguese speak an agressive English, even when they are perfectly calm. I've heard this from British citizens here in the Algarve working in hospitality.

Jorge