‘Military report on the reports of an invasion of Great Britain’
1803
MS Add. 9340/2, p. ‘6th’
In 1803–4, after the short-lived peace following the Treaty of Amiens, Napoleon seriously considered an invasion of Britain. His preparations prompted a reaction from every sector of British society. In this well-informed analysis, the anonymous author surveyed defences along the south coast of England and came to some optimistic conclusions, based on an assumption that any response to the threat from France would be carefully coordinated. On this page, he dwelt on Portsmouth, with its ‘two fine [maritime] roads’ and its ‘very safe harbour’. Nothing suggests that the author was commissioned to write the report, or that he was particularly qualified for his task. Like many contemporaries, however, he felt that it was the duty of everyone in the country ‘to contribute with his person and advice to the support of the state, and point out the means which appear proper to defeat the designs of our Ennemyes’. The report was acquired by the University Library as part of a collection of papers of Lieutenant General Sir John Moore (1761–1809), so it may have had found at least one influential reader.
Transcript:
subsistance on their stops, without which no progress can be made, nor can they remain, for any considerable time, in any part of the Country, the plan which offers these advantages, is the most eligible of any, they can fix upon—
Plymouth answers perfectly this description. It is a safe and convenient harbour near the west of France, & by marching only to Chudleigh, the Invaders will be masters of Cornwall, Devonshire and part of Somersetshire, where they can find provisions in abundance, which will enable them to prosecute their operations, & penetrate farther into the country, or if they chuse to remain there, it would be a difficult matter to drive them back, as they would have a fleet at Plymouth, and our trade being once destroyed, we must conclude a peace on the terms they chose to impose upon us—
Next to Plymouth the only place that can serve the purpose of the Ennemy is Portsmouth. It has two fine roads St Helens & Spithead, and a very safe harbour. The Town and dock on the Land side are fortified, & cannot be taken without a regular siege, the undertaking of which, is very difficult; though we had no ships to defend it, the Island of Portsea lies very low, and does not furnish the materials to carry on the works required on such occasions. The Ennemy must occupy Gosport
