He has not written as he assures Lawrence the despatches tell him all he needs to know; he provides some news of the Peninsular campaign, of the 7200 firelocks under
Beresford at Albuera only 3000 were left fit for duty; he hears great things of Lawrence's portrait of him, he dearly wants to see that of
Lady Catherine and his boy finished; he feels that due to the "extraordinary" encouragement given to art by the
Prince no ordinary person should ever be able to secure a painting by Lawrence; he is sending merino sheep for his brother
Castlereagh and a pipe of Oporto wine for Lawrence.