Ron,

Once again, many thanks. Indeed, as you say, I’m working on the assumption that Villiers was not present in any official capacity – otherwise why would W think he needed to inform V in such detail - but it is intriguing that Wellington would be writing to him I think (as you say, providing a summary of issues that apprise V of the situation over the preceding months in relation to the principal Sousa)
Perhaps it may suggest that W had a higher opinion of V’s abilities (and perhaps the possibility that he could yet help to bring about W’s ultimate objective and his perceived solution to many of the contemporary Anglo-Portuguese differences – i.e. the dismissal of the principal Sousa from the regency council
I don’t think it’s worth pursuing further – unless something of importance arises out of my reading – but thanks once again for your efforts – much appreciated
BTW - I have ordered the Phd thesis referred to above to try to get a better grasp of the contemporary Portuguese perspective. The account in Soriano, vol iii, pp 123-144 and particularly his justificatory remarks on (some might say “defence” of) Sousa’s actions are very interesting but I would like some further, informed comments on the above over and above that to be found in Oman, vol iii, pp 415-418

Best wishes

Anthony