15
Marlborough to Mr Secretary Harley, 3d June 1706.
16
Marlborough to Duchess of Marlborough, May 31, 1706.
17
Marlborough to Secretary Harley, Helchin, 9th August 1706.
18
Marlborough to Duke of Savoy, Helchin, 25th August 1706.
19
Marlborough to Godolphin, September 4, 1706.
20
"If the Dutch can furnish ammunition for the siege of Mons, we shall undertake it; for if the weather continues fair, we shall have it much cheaper this year than the next, when they have had time to recruit their army. The taking of that town would be a very great advantage to us for the opening of next campaign, which we must make if we would bring France to such a peace as will give us quiet hereafter." —
21
"M. de Vendôme tells his officers he has one hundred and forty battalions and one hundred and eighty squadrons, and that, if my Lord Marlborough gives him an opportunity, he will pay him a visit before this campaign ends. I believe he has neither will nor power to do it, which we shall see quickly, for we are now camped in so open a country that if he marches to us we cannot refuse fighting." —
22
"I have now received confirmation of the success in Italy, from the Duke of Savoy and Prince Eugene, and it is impossible for me to express the joy it has given me;
23
"Your highness, I am sure, will rejoice at the signal advantage which the arms of his Imperial Majesty and the Allies have gained.
24
"This appointment by the Emperor has given some uneasiness in Holland, by thinking that the Emperor has a mind to put the power in this country into the Queen's hands, in order that they may have nothing to do with it. If I should find the same thing by the Pensionary, and that nothing can cure this jealousy but my desiring to be excused from accepting this commission, I hope the Queen will allow of it; for the advantage and honour I have by this commission is
25
Mr Stepney to Duke of Marlborough,
26
"Lord Somers has shown me a long letter which he has had from the Pensionary, very intent
27
"My inclinations will lead me to stay as little as possible at the Hague, though the Pensionary tells me I must stay to finish the succession treaty and their barrier, which, should I stay the whole winter, I am very confident would not be brought to perfection. For they are of so many minds, and are all so very extravagant about their barrier, that I despair of doing any thing good till they are more reasonable, which they will not be till they see that they have it not in their power to dispose of the whole Low Countries at their will and pleasure, in which the French flatter them." -