XXXV. Marlborough au Grand-Pensionnaire
Rousselaer, June 28th 1706.
Sirs |
have had the favour of yours of the 24%. That part of it which was in your former letter of the 19% I have already had the honour to answer. As to the imploying the troupes that are intend’d for the descent, for the releif of the Duke of Savoye (*), tho I have a great opinion of the descent, yet if thay cou’d be with the Duke of Savoye with a wish, I shou’d beinclin’d to doitt; but as wee are at the end of June, and the vast way that we have to the cost of Italie, besides many unforseen accidents that wou’d happen, makes it in my opinion not reasonable : for [ am persuad’d , if we shou’d attempt it, it wou’d end in making the troupes of no use anywhere this campagne. — The orders were sent from England to our Generall and Admerall before Ï came from thence, that cthay shou’d be assisting in sending troupes to the Duke of Savoye if the King of Spain approved of nt. — Ï send you inclos’d a copie of my letter from the Queens Minister at Turin, by which you will see the good condition thay are in for the deflence of that place. If thay opiniatre that siege, [ do not see how the King of France will be able to help his grandson, especially since thay must now very quickly be allarm’d by our descent. If we cou’d by any means prevaile with the Venetians to declare for the Allyes, we might then hope for good success in
(*) V. la lettre de Marlborough au Prince Eugène, 30 Juin 1706, Dispatches, IL. 656. k :
Italie, which wou’d put a finishing strock to the warr. — Ï am with truth
SIP , Ever yours
Marlborough.
Turn over.
This minut Ï have receiv’d an Expresse from Vienna. I send you the copies of the Emperors letter in Latin, and that of the King of Spain in Spanish, so that as yet I do not know what the powers are {*). — I have by this nights post sent copies to the Queen, and also an express to Bruxelles io desire Mons. Hop (+) to come to me; for Î will do nothing in this matter, but what you shall think is best for the publick good, and so Ï bes you will asure those to whome you communicat this matter to. [ also desire you will keep it à secrit as much as you can til [ receive the Queens pleasure upon ïtt, and that you will let me have your thoughts as soon as possible ; for tho I must do nothing til Ï hear from Her Ma, yett your thoughts is what shall govern me; for [I do asure you, if thay wou’d give me this country for my life, I wou’d not take itt, if it were not liked by the States.
(*) Coxe, IT. 388 suiv. V. l’Introduction, p. XVII.
(t) Dispatches, II. 649. Lettres du Duc aux députés des Etats-Généraux & à M. Hop, 28 Juin 1706. ,, Ayant une affaire de la dernière conséquence à communiquer à l'Etat & à M. M. vos collégues, qui me regarde en particulier aussi bien que le public, je me fie tant en votre amitié que je ne voudrais pas passer outre avant de vous avoir consulté,” — etc. V. aussi les lettres de Marlborough au Comte de Goes et au Prince de Salm, ainsi qu'au Comte de Sinzendorff en date des 29 & 30 Juin, Dispatches, IT. 652—656. C'était le jeune Dopff qui avait été chargé des dépèches de l'Empereur, de
XXXVI, Le Ministre d'Angleterre en Savoie -& Marlborough.
Turin, the 24 June 1706.
Mylord,
I had the honnour to write to your Grace by the last post, and Î gave you an account of the situation of the enemies before this place; to which E have since very litle to add worth your Grace’s information. However, my Lord, I beos leave to write to your Grace every post, to assure you of my Zzeal and attention for your service, as well as to inform you of what passes, tho it be never so little. 108
The Comte Maffei arrived here the 30t* past, and he left us again this mornine with his R. HS orders to attend Your Grace (*), and oive you an account, not only of our situation, but also of the condition in which Prince Eugene is at present, and of the little hopes we have to expect any relief from that Prince. — [I would have had the honour to write to your Grace by the Comie, if I had had timely notice of his journey ; but he will give your Grace so full and fair an account of every thing, that all Î could say would be insionificant.
The good news we receiv’d last week of the success of the Queens arms at Barcellona, has reviv’d our droping spirits ; every body here hopes, that this success will bring salvation to poor Piedmont, by leaving the fleei at liberty to come to the relief of his R. H. or by oblising the
Fr
(*) Dispatches, IL. 499, 500, 691. Lettre au Secrétaire d'État Harley, 12 Juillet 1706. .. Count Maffey arrived here yesterday from the Hague, and brought me a letter from his Master of the 1st of June, wherein H. R. H. acquaints me that he is prepared to sacrifice himself for the public good.”
enemies to send some troops from hence to the relief of the Duke of Anjou.
His Royal Highness” General des Finances has receiv’d from Comte Briançon (*), the bills of exchange for the 50 m £ which Her Maj has been pleased to give to his R. H. as an extraordinary subsidy to support the virtue and suply the wants of so good an Ally as His R. H.; and Ï must assure Your Grace, that H. R. H. is very sensible of this general support, and I make no doubt, but that He will deserve all the Queen can do for him, by His steadiness and resolution not to abandon the interests of his Allyes, happen what will.
The inclosed will give Your Grace a more distinct account of what has passed here since my last. Mons. de Belcastel (+) desires me to assure Your Grace of his respects. He will have the honour, to give Your Grace an account of what the enemies are doing, so soon as he can judge what they will be at.
I am ever with great devotion
Mylord ,
Your Grace’s most obedient and most humble servant,
J. Chetwynd (().
(*) Envoyé du Duc de Savoie à Londres. Coxe, III. 22. Marlborough Dispatches, I. 570, II. 14, 15, 99, 123, 582.
(t) Major-Général de lInfanterie au service de Hollande, longtemps employé en Suisse, en Piémont et en Espagne. Lamberty, XIV. 144. Marlborough Dispatches, I. 458, 486, 607, III. 202. (,,a very good officer.”) .
($) Mr. J. Chetwynd, d’abord Secrétaire de légation, ensuite Ministre d'Angleterre à Turin, depuis Vicomte Chetwynd. Coxe, III. 223, 327, 344, Dispatches, III. 202, V. 603, note du Général Murray.
XXXVIT. Marlborough au Grand-Pensionnaire,
Rousselaer , Jully 1 1706.
SLT LI |
[ bad this mornins the honour of yours of the 28 of the last month. I know not how far the French will be able to effect what thay have promis’d to the Elector of Bavaria, of giving him such an army, as may hinder us of doing any thing considerable. — I hope thay have it not im their power, but I believe you may depend upon their drawing all the troupes thay can from the Mareshall de Villars army. But I do not well understand what troupes you can draw from Germany to strenghten us; for you may depend upon Pr. Lewis of Baden oposing the march of any troupes this way. — I am extreame impaüent of having the siése of Ostend (*) well over, so that we might have the troupes more together; for as soon as their detachement from Garmany arrive, [ do not doubt but the Elector will be endeavoring a deversion in Braband, and I am taking my measures to opose it. — I did in my last desire you to lett me have your opinion on the letter of the Emperor, and the powers of the King of Spain; which [ am impatient for, being resolved to have no other thoughts but what you think may be of service and agreable to the States. For I shall with pleasure excuse myself if you are of opinion, that it will be more for the service. to have it executed by any body
(9 L’Angleterre attachait d’ailleurs sous le rapport commercial & maritime, un grand prix à l’acquisition d’Ostende. V. la lettre du Grand- Trésorier Godolphin publiée par Coxe, III. 861 & l’ultimatum de PAngleterre & de la Hollande communiqué au Comte d’Avaux le 22 Mars 1701. (Correspondance diplomatique d’Everard de Weede, Seigneur de Dykveld, Tijdschrift voor Oudheden, Statistiek — van Utrecht, 1849 p. 173, 176)
else. — Ï am so uneasy at the proceedings att Ostend that Ï intend to go thether on Saturday, and return to the army the next day, so that by my next you shall have an account when wee are like to be masters of that place. | Ï am with truth, Si; Your most obedient humble servant , Marlborough.
XXXVIIT. Marlborouoh au Grand-Pensionnaire.
Rousselaer , Jully 34 1706.
Sir, |
By yours of the 30th of the last month which I receiv'd last night, Î find you had not receiv’d mine, in which I sent you the copies of what I had receiv’d from Vienna, but that the Comte de Goes had acquainted you with his dispatch. I write this to beg of you to do me the justice to be fermly persuad’d, that I shall make no step in this matter but what shall be by the advice of the States (*), for [ prefer infinetly their friendshipe, before any particular interest to my self; for I thank God and the Queen, [ have no need nor desire of being richer, but hare a very great ambition of doing every thing that can be for the Publick good ; and as for the ffrontier that is absolutly necessary for your security, you know my opi-
(*) V. aussi les assurances que donne le Duc aux députés à Bruxelles & à M. de Renswoude en particulier. Lettres du 2 Juillet 1706. Dispatches, II. 663, 664 Ces Messieurs craignaient d'être insultés à Bruxelles & ne se croyaient pas à l’abri d’une surprise de l'Électeur. V. la lettre du 3 Juillet à M. Hop. Dispatches, IT. 666.
nion of itt; in short [ beg you to asure your self and every body else, that T shall with pleasur behave my self in this matter, and althings else that you may think for the good of the Republick as you wou’d have mee; for next to the serving the Queen and my country, I have nothing more att heart then to have your good opinions. And let me on this occasion asure the States, that I serve them with ihe same affection and zeale as [ do my own country, s0 that thay need be under no difficulty, for if thay think ït for their service, I shall with pleasure, excuse my self from accepting this Commission (*). — I go to morrow to Ostend, and shall return the next day to the army (f). You will know from Ostend that our canon did not fyer till this morning. [ am asur’d that the Elector of Bavaria is very ill ((), and that by the tenth of this month wee shall have the Duke of Vandomehere., — Ë am with truth,
Sir ,
Your most obedient humble servant,
Marlborough.
You will see by the inclos’d paper the just reason I have to complaine of the Gazitier of Utrick (**).
() Cette Lettre du Duc se trouve jusqu'à ces mots, dans Coxe, II. 392, 393.
(ft) Lettre au Secrétaire d'État Harley, Dispatches II. 668,
(S) > Même que M. lElecteur serait à l’agonie.” Lettre à Hop & à M. Bulow, 3 Juillet, IT, 666.
(*#) Utrecht.
