After Fox's departure he was made acting governor of Gibraltar, replacing Gordon Drummond, November 1806 – August 1808.

In 1808, he was appointed commander of the Portuguese Expedition, landing on 22 August after Junot's defeat at Vimiero to replace Wellesley and Burrard.

Lacking either confidence or intelligence, or both, on 31 August Dalrymple signed a truce with Junot allowing him to return to France in British ships with all his weapons, men and loot.

[4] "Sir Hew, having never had the experience of command, seems quite at a loss how to work with the different heads of department; the troops suffer".

[5] Made Colonel of the 57th (West Middlesex) Regiment in 1811, he was promoted General on 1 January 1812 through seniority.