Note K — Chapter XIII
Reading edition
During our stay in Altea Bay, in 1812, I was invited by the Spanish authorities in the town to assist at the proclaiming of the new constitution, and accordingly landed my officers and marines to be present at the ceremony of reading them. A few of the Spaniards cheered, as well as ourselves, and called out, “Viva Fernando Septimo;” but it appeared to me they were not very enthusiastic about it at that period; indeed they did not seem to care two straws whether they had the old or new constitution—to get rid of the French was the first object.