tions given to Ghent; but if they give me the trouble of marching with the army, they must not expect it. I am afraid that I shall have the return of a civil answer, and the trouble of marching, which I shall give you an account of by my next.

I have directed Major General Cadogan to take the best measures he can to send you exactly, so that you may lay it before the Parliament, the forage and extraordinaries occasioned by this siege and the length of the campaign; but this cannot be complied withall till the army is separated.

The Prince of Savoy bids me assure you that everything possible will be done to finish the dispute with the Pope.

Yours of the 14th I have this minute received, but it is so late that I must answer it by the next post.

I don't wonder at Mr. Bromley's barbarous illnatured proceeding, since his anger proceeds from knowing that I will always serve my country to the best of my understanding, and that I shall never desire his friendship; but what mortifies me is, that gentlemen who do approve of my services could be silent.

THE DUKE OF MARLBOROUGH TO LORD

GODOLPHIN.

Hague, Jan. 23, 1708-9.

The frost is so very severe that the packet-boat is froze up, and I very much doubt whether Lord

Stair will be able to make his passage in a fisherboat from Scheveling, as he designs. Prince Eugene left this place on Sunday, and I go to Brussels tomorrow. You will see, by my letters by Palmes, the inclinations and steps that are likely to be made towards peace. Since my last I have been very much pressed concerning a barrier for this country; but not having heard anything from you on that subject, (we having five posts due,) I have endeavoured to gain time, so that I believe they will have patience till my return, which I promised should be about the middle of next month, and then I shall know what further steps have been made by 111 (France) as to peace. Prince Eugene desires I would not stay for his arrival at Brussels, but that I should write such a letter as he might shew to the Emperor, that I would certainly embark on the first of March, and then he did not doubt but he should obtain leave to be there; but as long as I should stay at Brussels, they would keep him at Vienna.

By this I believe there may be fifteen days between my leaving this country and his arrival. I shall endeavour to keep my going a secret, so that no yachts must be sent for me. I intend to embark at Ostend.

You know the good opinion and friendship I have for Lord Stair, so that I do make it my request to her Majesty, that if her affairs can permit it, that she would be pleased, as she has promised, to make him an English peer; and I will be answerable the

Queen shall always find him a grateful and dutiful subject. I beg you will make this easy, so that he may have the pleasure of serving this session.

I am sorry to tell you, but it is true, that the French have reinforced their army in this country with fifty-one battalions and fifty-two squadrons, which is near three times as many as the augmentation of England and Holland; for six thousand is the most that can be expected from this country. It is very true that ours is a real augmentation, and theirs is from weakening their armies on the Rhine and in Dauphiné. But if we should receive an affront here, it would hardly be repaired by success in those places; so that I think it is plain the intention of the enemy is to decide the fate of the war in this country.

I beg you will give my humble duty to the Queen, and assure her Majesty that I wish her many, many happy new years.

THE DUKE OF MARLBOROUGH TO LORD GODOLPHIN.

Jan. 17, 1709.

You will, by this post, receive a long letter from me. However I could not let Major General Palmes go without begging of you that you will inform yourself very particularly of him as to the Duke of Savoy's temper, for I fear he does not intend to do much hurt to France in this next campaign.

Palmes will inform you with the method I think he should be engaged, for I think we must by no means break with him, but, at the same time, not to be too much imposed on.

I have said nothing to Palmes nor Prince Eugene of the offers that have been made. I hope you will follow the same method, and to let as few as possible know them. I find the people here in very good humour, flattering themselves with a peace before the next campaign, which I believe is impossible; for I believe the French know that if they were beaten in this next campaign, the Dutch would not suffer them to be brought so low as we in England desire. This, joined with their bringing their troops from all parts, makes me believe that we shall have a battle early in the summer. I have acquainted the Pensioner, that whenever we treat, we must insist to have the treaty in the old method, to the Queen and her successors, and that we must have Newfoundland, and Dunkirk demolished. He feared the last would be impossible. The offers that have been made are not yet known to the States, and, if possible, it should be kept from them, for they are desirous of peace, that they would be of opinion that a partition treaty were better for them than war.

I am informed that 220 has gained much credit with the Queen. I did ever think him a very knave; I wish you may not find him so. For my own part, I have no thought but that of quietness; but whilst you and I have any share in the government, we

must do our best that the Queen and England may be happy.

I have made Palmes promise not to stay above eight days in England, so that I beg you will despatch him, for he must go to Vienna, and be at the beginning of April at Turin, in order to press their taking the field early. He has desired me to let you know that his voyages are expenceful. My next will be by Lord Stair, who thinks of leaving this place on Monday.

LORD GODOLPHIN TO THE DUKE OF MARLBOROUGH. Jan. 30, 1708-9.

The wind continuing contrary, and little hopes of hearing from you before the going out of the next packet, I take this time to trouble you with some things which are reserved for your determination, that you may, if you think fit, turn your thoughts to them in the mean time.

The regiment that was Lord Charlemont's being vacant, there are several pretenders to it, as Honywood, Sutton, &c. Among them my Lord Islay, the Duke of Argyle's brother, who is very forward to serve, and has shewn himself very useful in the House of Lords in our disputes about the election of the sixteen peers from Scotland. What other pretenders you may have with you, I know not; I do not make the least promise to anybody till you

come