tion, or for Sir Godfrey Copley's (who was appointed the Chairman) leaving the chair, whereby the question would have fallen without being put at all, and without any prospect of being resumed another time. But this was not approved by other gentlemen, viz., Sir Richard Onslow, Sir Joseph Jekyll, Mr. Smith, and some others, who alledged, that since it was acknowledged on all hands, that there were dangers to be feared from Scotland, that the succession wanted some further strengthening by reason of some deficiencies in the Act of Settlement, it would not be advisable to leave the chair, much less to put a negative upon the question, till that bill which was this day sent down from the Lords (viz., to establish a Regency in case of the Queen's demise, till the next heir arrived) had been under the consideration of the House, that in case that bill should not be approved of, they might have another day to consider whether this would be an adequate remedy for our disease or not; and therefore, they were, before they left the subject, for an instruction to the chairman to ask leave to sit again. But upon Mr. Secretary Harley's acquainting them, that though he should leave the chair, they were not however concluded, but might, whenever they would, go into this committee, they were satisfied; and the committee rose without coming to any resolution at all. The reason of this proceeding, my Lord, we look upon to have been, that gentlemen might see, that in case

the Regency should not pass, it would not be impossible for them to go into the other motions ; thinking by that means, to make that bill go down

the easier in the House of Commons.

THE DUKE OF MARLBOROUGH TO LORD GODOLPHIN. Hague, April 19, 1706.

Since my being here we have had no letters from England, and by what I have seen from France they make so slight of what is doing in Portugal, that I shall know nothing of that matter, but what you send me.

We hear to day that the Duke of Vendome has beaten a part of Prince Eugene's army, killed three thousand, and taken eight hundred prisoners. I hope it is not so bad; however, it makes us very uneasy, as does the behaviour of the King of Prussia. I send Mr. Secretary Harley a letter I have received from him, and my answer to it. I beg you will see them, and then you will judge if they ought to be read or not at the Cabinet Council.

I have obeyed your commands to Mr. Hill, and have had a great deal of discourse with him concerning 28 (Italy), of which he has a very ill opinion.* However, I can see nothing else to be done.

I am to have a meeting next Sunday with some

* The favourite project of the Duke of Marlborough, at the beginning of this year, was, to join with Prince Eugene, and to remove at once the seat of the war into Italy.

burgomasters of Amsterdam, for those I have consulted here dare not agree to what I propose, unless I can persuade them to approve of it. I hope by the next post to let you know what I shall be able to do; for by that time I expect 136 (Cadogan), for if 322 (the Elector of Hanover) does persist in not letting his troops march, it will be impossible to have the numbers, though these people should consent; for they are very positive that they dare not consent to the letting their countrymen go. In short, they are very much afraid of 313, 321 (King of Prussia), and their own people. By all that I can hear, there is but too much reason to fear, that 221's intentions are that his troops shall not be of much use to us this year. The letters from Portugal say nothing of their fleet, but that they hope to be masters of Barcelona by the end of this month.

CHARLES IRWAS TO THE DUKE OF MARLBOROUGH.

Rome, Aug. 21, 1706.

My Lord Duke, I did myself the honour to write to your Grace. the last post, which I hope came to your hands. However, I repeat the same thing, that Don Livio Odescalchi resolves to sell his collection, and sent his agent to my friends in England, that here are about a hundred pieces of the best authors, most

* The painter.

of them in the best condition of any of the several kinds. I believe there may be a thousand in all, but I reckon about a hundred fit for your Grace. I am sure the French King never had such an opportunity, though he bought for about two or three hundred thousand louis-d'ors about thirty The statues, and marble pillars, and tables, I omitted on purpose last week, though perhaps the medals too might have been mentioned properly enough, making together a glorious collection.

years ago.

But the pictures are what I suppose most easy to be bought and exported. I have not so much as asked the price till I hear whether your Grace has a mind to them or no. The Duke of Shrewsbury was discoursed with on this subject, and I believe could give some light on the matter. And if I remember right, my Lord Treasurer and my Lord Pembroke told me of a project in King William's time to make this purchase. If your Grace does me the honour to send an answer immediately, it will reach me in Italy, enclosed to Mr. Newton, our envoy at Florence, or Mr. Broughton, consul at Venice. I am, &c.

EARL OF MAR TO THE DUKE OF MARLBOROUGH.

Edinburgh, Sept. 28, 1706.

May it please your Grace,

I am very loth to give you any trouble, and particularly in relation to anything of the Scots' troops

YOL. II.

Q

under your command abroad; but my concern for some of my friends who have the honour to serve under your Grace makes me presume to solicit you in their favour.

The vacancies by Lord John Hay's death, and the Duke of Argyle's getting an English regiment, will I hope give your Grace an opportunity to advance my Lord Dalrymple, and of providing my Lord Tullibardine. I doubt not but your Grace knows Preston to be a very pretty fellow, and a good officer, of long service, therefore I would be sorry if he were prejudged; but though my Lord Dalrymple were preferred, yet I hope your Grace would order it so, that Preston would be provided too. But I trouble you no more about it; and I hope your Grace will pardon my meddling with this, which I confess is out of my road; but my concern for those three gentlemen made me presume on your Grace's goodness, for which I beg pardon.

I cannot yet make such a judgment of the fate of the union here as your Grace can perfectly rely on; for few of the Parliament-men are yet come to town. But since the Queen's servants came to Scotland, people's humours against it are mightily altered and the more there is known of the terms, the better the union is liked. The Presbyterian ministers who were most alarmed for fear of Presbytery, are now coming about, when they see it will be served; and I hope they will be very cor