by the soonest; but must beg none may know it but her majesty, the prince, and Mr. Harley." 66 Frankfort, Nov. 1, 1705. "At my arrival here yesterday I had the happiness of your's of the 12th. What you mention to be in the speech may do good, but at the same time I hope Mr. Secretary Harley will use such arguments to the pensioner of Amsterdam, as may convince him that this is a very improper time, as well as that England can never consent that the Indies and Spain should remain in the hands of the duke of Anjou.” CHAPTER 39. 1705. Demolition of the french lines-Establishment of the army in the camp of Herenthals -Negotiations and arrangements-State of the war in Portugal and SpainCapture of Barcelona-Acknowledgment of Charles in Valencia and CataloniaState of the war in Italy-distressed situation of the duke of Savoy-His earnest application for relief-Solicitations of the imperial court for succours in men and money-Marlborough urged from all quarters to repair to Vienna-Pressing invitations from the emperor-Correspondence with the british cabinet, and negotiations with the dutch-Obtains from both governments full powers for the conclusion of his eventual arrangements, and the promise of a loan to the emperor. IN the midst of these negotiations Marlborough had moved from Tirlemont, as soon as it was dismantled, and crossing the Demer, advanced to Aerschot. Here he remained about ten days, continuing the demolition of the lines, and giving orders for perfecting the works of Diest, Hasselt and Tongres, which were intended to cover the winter quarters. He then marched to Herenthals, where he pitched his camp on the 28th of September. It was not only in the operations of the field that the genius of Marlborough shone with peculiar lustre : his counsels were as successful in the cabinet; and the confederates looked, with that confidence which superior abilities inspire, to his influence or advice. From the numerous failures of the last campaign, and the dangers which were apprehended in the ensuing year, the different members of the grand alliance felt that no other hand could govern the the jarring motions of this extensive and complicated machinery, or direct its future operations with harmony and effect. Accordingly the camp of Herenthals became the scene of those diplomatic negotiations which influenced the fortune of the war, and the fate of Europe. Of all the cabinets with which he maintained an intercourse, that of Vienna was the most difficult to be directed or controlled, as well from the danger which threatened on the side of Hungary, as from its inability to maintain at once the war in the Low Countries, Germany, Italy, and Spain. The great services of Marlborough in forcing the lines, awakened a proper feeling in the breast of the sovereign, by whom their effects were particularly felt. But this satisfaction was not unmixed with jealousy, lest the duke should be induced by the dutch, to pursue his success in the Netherlands, instead of resuming the attack on the Moselle, recovering the austrian possessions on the Rhine, and liberating Loraine. Numerous applications from the imperial court were therefore made, both to Marlborough and the queen, pressing his return to the Moselle, promising their zealous assistance, and announcing that positive orders had been issued, both to the margrave of Baden and the german princes, to co-operate in his military plans. In several of the letters, which Marlborough wrote during his retrograde march from Treves, he had indeed evinced a resolution of returning to the Moselle, as soon as he had restored the affairs in the Netherlands; but his short though bitter experience of the little dependence to be placed on the aid of the german princes, and the promises of the austrian cabinet, sufficed to convince him that any farther attempt in that quarter would prove hopeless. In fact the captious conduct of the margrave of Baden was alone sufficient to discourage a more sanguine general from relying on his co-operation. We spare the reader the long correspondence which passed on this subject, between the margrave, the duke, and the imperial ministers, because two letters from the agents, who were employed at the court of Rastadt, will place the character of the german commander in its true light. COL. BROWNE TO THE DUKE OF MARLBOROUGH. 66 "I would have taken the liberty to write to your highness . before I left Rastadt, but for the apprehension I was in of my letter's miscarriage. I well saw by the discourses of those that have most access near this prince (Louis of Baden), that the eagle would not clap but with one wing upon the Moselle. They said publicly that all the glory of any success was for your highness, but that if any miscarriage should happen, it would be for their master. Though all, even here itself, believe his distemper a bespoken sickness, yet I can assure your grace he is very ill; for I did contrive it so that I was by at his dressing the day he turned back, saw his wound or hurt, and the inflammation of his leg, and it is very bad. The courier that brought his orders here last night, says he is worse at the waters near Mentz, and that his princess and son are come to him there, but he will mend sooner by being upon the Rhine, than had we staid upon the Moselle; at least it is my belief." The second letter is from colonel Durel, who had been dispatched to Vienna, to complain of the lukewarmness manifested by the german commander, and on his return was charged with orders enjoining that prince to co-operate in the plans of Marlborough with all his disposable force. 66 66 Frankfort, June 22, 1705.. Yesterday, at three o'clock, I waited on the prince of Baden with your grace's letter. I staid almost three hours, by my watch, before I could be admitted, which delay lost me the whole night's riding, being obliged to wait the opening of the gates of this place. I acquainted the prince with all the particulars your grace commanded me, namely, with the disposition of the troops you left. I desired him to correspond often with you, and to give your grace from time to time an account of matters. He did already know his troops had received bread and oats at Traerbach. He says he has very great pains in his leg; I believe it, because he tells me so. I desired, after having assured him of your grace's services, that he would, as much as in him lay, prepare all things, to be in readiness to act within four or five weeks towards Saar Louis, in case the principles of war would so allow it. He said he would. I pressed him farther to acquaint your grace, as I was commanded to let you know exactly, what number of troops he should be able to act with, and by what time they might be depended upon; also what number of them he would leave behind. He gave me a general answer, that he would always act for the best, and hoped you would always believe he was your friend and servant; and that when things were once again settled, and a new disposition made, he would be wanting in nothing. I desired him, when that disposition should be made, that then, if the case required it, he would march directly from where he then should be, towards Homburg and St. Wendel, to which he said neither yes nor no; for he pretends that if he had done it sixteen days ago, the enemy was so posted as to have cut him off. Your grace is judge of this matter. As for the rest, he is resolved to facilitate all things relating to the common good. send it." God As it was evident that the margrave would never submit to associate with a colleague, whose merit was likely to eclipse his own, attempts were privately made by the british cabinet to supersede him in the command. Lord Sunderland was accordingly ordered, on his arrival at Vienna, to insist on his immediate dismission, as the only measure which could afford the prospect of success in Germany. But in this attempt they had ill calculated on the situation and views of the german court, the protection which the margrave derived from his relative, the prince of Salme, the prime minister, and the countenance of the jesuits. Much justification and recrimination passed on both sides; but in the midst of this cabinet intrigue, he vindicated his reputation by his operations in Alsace. After suffering the french to seize Homburg, and evading every proposal of co-operation with the duke in any quarter, or for any object, he suddenly roused himself from his apathy, in the beginning of September, and displayed his wonted skill and enterprise, by surprising Drusenheim, forcing the lines of Haguenau, and blockading Fort Louis. This exploit, as brilliant as it was unexpected, was instantly made the theme of applause by his adherents at Vienna, and removed the prejudice which his past misconduct had inspired. Marlborough saw the |