LXIII. Marlborough au Grand-Pensionnaire

Helchin, Aug. 13 1706.

Sir , ce held

Since my last [ have had the favour of yours of the 9. Ï did in my last give you an account of Hedevelt, and it is most certaine that.his voyage to Berlin in the month of May was intend’d to do the Allyes all the mischief he cou’d, so that I shou’d by no means think him a proper personne to be suffer’d in Holland, but [ shou’d think this business will fall of ït self, as soon as the King leaves Holland. You will have heard, that the Electors army are camp'd since the 9t of this month at La Busieur (+) between Mons and Charleroy. Thay cal them selves 10000 men; thay are compos’d of Spaniards, Wallons , Collogne and Bavariens. The Duke of Vandome pretends to have his army on the 16 at La Bassee ((). Thay are to be compos’d of French and Swizers, to the number of 70 battalions and 140 squadrons. Iintend this day to speak to the Comie de Tilly (**), for L'won’d detache him to ob-

() Il faut lire: avec sa fille. V. le récit de Lamberty, T. IV. 325, suiv. LEE |

(t) Dispatches, III. 70 ,,à la Bassiere,” — (Labuissière ?)

($) Labuissière ?

(F*) Général très-estimé. Marlborough Dispatch., IV. 396; Slingelandt, Staatkundige Geschriften, IV. 135-145. Après la mort du feldmaré-

chal Ouwerkerk en 1708, il commanda en chef les troupes de la République.

serve the Elector, with 30 squadrons and 13 battalions, which I hope may be sufficient for the security of Braband, and to hinder his undertaking any. thing on the Meuse. Às our circonstances are, we can’t spare him more troupes; for when he marches, there will remaine in this army to opose the Duke of Vandome, only 40 battallions, and 109 squadrons ; but as we are post’d if the French shou’d attack thé besiegers, I can be with them in less then two hours, and shou’d thay attempt any thing against me, Î can draw troupes from the siege. So that my greatest. uneasyness. is from what the Elector may do during the siege of Menin (*), which is likely to continue til the 25 of this month. — I have magnified as much as possible the success in Italie, but in my opinion it wou’d do us hurt, shou’d we make any publick rejoycing til we are assur’d that Turin is safe. — [ hope by your next to have thé good news of your having setled to the satisfaction of L£ Hallifax (+) the treaty for the succession and barrier. — I am with truth Sir, F Your most obedient humble servant, Marlborough.