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4, for King Philip. And that the King would perfuade his Grandfon to accept the Partition; but if he would not acquiefce, altho' he could not confent to declare War with his Grandfon, he would. furnish a Sum of Money towards the Charge of the War, to be continued till he furrenders Spain and the Weft-Indies to the Houfe of Auftrin. To which the Confedetes answer'd by Mr. Petkum, who id a Vifit to the French Minitters une 21. 1. That the Offer of a Sum Money was not acceptable, beufe that would produce a feparate, t a general Peace. 2. That the Als infifted upon having Spain and e Indies deliver'd up according to e Preliminaries. 3. And that the lies would continue the Conferens upon no other Article. July 11. ey demanded another Conference, it propofed nothing new. And ally, on the 20th of July, in a ng Letter to the Penfionary, expoilated upon the Offers and Refufals, id in a haughty Manner declared was to no Purpose to continue loner at Gertruydenberg; upon which e States refolved, July the 23d, 'hat no more Conferences fhould be eld. And on the 25th, the French linifters returned home.

The Operations of War in the ean Time went on fuccefsfully. The Army took the Field in the fiddle of April, and on the 20th of at Month broke through the Eneny's Lines which cover'd Doway, the nemy retiring in a great Fright eyond the Scarpe, which River our Army alfo paffed, and immediately nvefted Doway. On the 4th of May the Trenches were opened, ind the Siege carried on with Vigour, the French Army lying all the while in View of us; and tho' they made a Shew of giving ours Battle, they durft not attempt it. On the 26th of June the Town capitula

ted, and together with the Fort upon the Scarpe was furrendered the 27th and 28th. On the 15th of July the Army invested Bethune, and open'd Trenches the 24th; the Siege of which Place took them up till the 29th of Auguft; on which Day the Town capitulated, and our Forces took Poffeffion of it September the 1ft. The Siege of Aire next the Capital, the principal Town of Artois, was next undertaken; and becaufe St. Venant lay betwixt Bethune and that Town, it was thought proper to take that alfo. Accordingly the Siege was carried on at the fame Time, and in 14 Days it. furrendered. The Siege of Aire lafted longer, partly by Reafon of the good Defence, and partly by Reafon of the frequent Rains which much interrupted the Progrefs of the Befiegers; fo that it was October the 29th before it was furrendered. Which finifhed another very happy Campaign in Flanders.

In Spain the Confederates were very fuccefsful this Campaign. King Charles arrived in the Camp near Belaguer, (a Town feated on the River Segra towards the Frontiers of Arragon, which was taken the laft Campaign) June 7. But the Enemy's Army, commanded by King Philip, being much fuperior in Force to that of the Confederates, he was obliged to caft up Intrenchments to hinder their attacking him, as they attempted to do on the 12th and the 13th. But the Strength of his Camp diverting that Intention, they contented themselves with extending their Quarters, and levying Contributions in Catalonia. No notable Action happen'd till the latter End of July, when the expected Reinforcements being arrived in the Confederate Camp, it was refolved to meet the Enemy who were marching towards them. This pro. duced the Battle of Almenara, Kk

which

A. D. 1710.

A. D. which was fought on the 27th of 1710. July. The Action began not till Seven in the Evening, for the Ground was incommodious, and too much ftraightned the Front of the Army; which made the Confederates apprehend, that as the Enemy had forbore all Day, if they were not now fet upon, they would in the Night-time draw off. Wherefore the Horfe advanced, and pushed the Enemy with fuchWarmth, that their whole Cavalry was foon routed. The Foot advanced with Bravery, and purfued them for two Hours; but the Darkness hinder'd their continuing it. The Enemies Foot had little or no Share in the Action, but mingling with the Horfe, retreated in great Confufion. On the Confederate Side about 400 Men were loft, whereof of the English 73 wounded, and 113 killed of private Soldiers, befides the Earl of Rochford, Count Naffau, and five other Officers killed, and Lieutenant-Ge nerals Stanhope and Carpenter, and 13 other Officers wounded. On the Enemies Side there were not lefs than 1,500 killed and wounded; and fome confiderable Officers taken Prifoners. Mr. Stanhope fignalized himfelf fo much by Bravery in this Action, that King Charles gave him Thanks in a very particular Manner, as he did alfo to Mr. Carpenter, who feconded Stanhope in all the Action.

This Victory gave King Charles Entrance into Arragon, where he advanced in large Paces after the Enemy. A Skirmish happen'd near Penalva on the 15th of August, wherein many Men were killed and taken, and both Sides claimed the Victory. But is certain the Spaniards retired from Penalva with fuch Hafte, that King Charles, who marched thither the fame Day, eat the Dinner which was provided for his Competitor. The Enemy continued their Retreat till they came

within a Quarter of a League of Saragoffa, where they were attacked and defeated by King Charles on the 20th of Auguft.

The Enemies Army confifted of 50 Battalions, and 60 Squadron, which was a fuperior Force to th of the Confederates. But the Br very of thefe made Amends for ti Defect in Number. And in two Hours time they obtain'd a comple Victory; not above 400 of Enemy escaped, and all their C non were taken by the Confedera King Charles immediately entred ». ragofa, the Citadel whereof cap. lated the fame Night. The Lob the Enemies Side was in the los Computation 3,000 Men kille! wounded, and between 5 and 6,00 taken Prifoners, 72 Colours, Pieces of Cannon, and Part of Baggage. On the Confederate Se about 2,000 Men were killed o wounded.

The Marquifs de Bay, who com manded the Enemies Army, retreat ed with the Remains of his Tree's towards Navarre, and King Ph potted to Madrid. But not effen ing himself safe there, he difpo all Things for Departure. Wan Queen and Son he removed to ladolid, and was followed by whole Court, the Caftillians at C Time expreffing their Affection him with great Zeal. Here Di fitions were made for recover, their Lofs, and the several Gener were appointed their Commands is different Parts for Division. The chief Command of the Army was referved for the Duke de Fend who was immediately dispatche with fome Reinforcements fr France, and the Queen and the Prin were fent forward to Vitteria in 2 lava, on the Road to France.

King Charles, in the mean Tim held a Council of War on the 41 of September, wherein he asked Ad

vice of the Generals whether it were nore adviseable to march into Calile, or Navarre? The Generals jave their Votes for the former, nd the Advice was follow'd: Alho' King Charles with more Peneration hinted at the Importance of ecuring Navarre, thereby to fhut ut the French, and the Difficulty hat might happen in fubfitting the Army in Caftile, where Provifions re scarce. The Army advanced, nd General Stanhope took Poffefion of Madrid, September 21. where he King alfo made his Entry the 8th of the fame Month; and foon fter fent a ftrong Detachment to aledo.

The Duke of Vendofme arrived n the Enemies Army about the later End of September. And King 'bilip put himself at the Head of it Dober the 3d. They apprehended hat the Confederates expected to e joined by the Portugueze, and herefore thought it advifeable to narch that Way; accordingly on he 6th of October they encamped ear Salamanca, and fent Detachnents forward to fecure the Bridge of Almaraz.

King Charles fent to the Court of Portugal to defire their Army might march towards the Frontiers of Cafile, to maintain a Correfpondence; and General Stanhope, by the Queen's Minifter at Lisbon, preffed the fame with great Earneftnefs; and that General marched to Almaraz with 4,000 Horfe to meet the Portuguese, but all to no Purpose. The Portugueze Army had been employed in mall Sieges in the latter Campaign, and the Weather having proved very wet, the Marches were made difficult; and the Cavalry were all in very bad State. This ferved for a Reafon to that Court to refufe the Overture; and moreover, when General Stanhope and the Dutch Geneal urged that the English and the

Dutch Forces might at least be allowed to come to them, it was denied. And finally, all Hopes of Reinforcement that Way being extinguifhed, and King Philip's Forces approaching, General Stanhope left his Poft at Almaraz, and joined the Confederate Army.

By this Time the Enemy had in a great Measure recover'd themfelves, the Marquis de Bay had marched a good Body of Horfe from Eftremadura, and Troops were marching from all Parts of France to Philip's Affiftance. Which added to the Difappointment of the Portugueze, fo changed the Face of Affairs on the Confederate Side, that this Campaign, which had been fo fortunate, produced a Winter which funk King Charles's Power in Spain lower than he had known it fince he first came there. The Uncertainty of being able to keep the Correspondence with Valencia open, render'd it neceflary for the King to retire in time, which he accordingly did on the 11th of November, and arrived December the 15th at Barcelona.

The Army at the fame time found it impracticable to fubfift in Caftile, and therefore endeavoured to retreat, and, the better to effect it, took different Routes in Parties. General Stanhope, with the English Forces paffing by Bribuega, a fmall Town in the Way to Arragon, halted there the 8th of December, and was the next Day overtaken by the Enemy, who by long Marches followed clofe upon the Heels of the Army, and by their Power and Intereft in the Country, hinder'd any Advice to be given of their Approach. In this Place he was furrounded by the Enemy, and altho' he made a very brave Defence, the Place was fo weak, and their Ammunition fo fhort, that he could not hold out any longer than the next Day. General Staremberg was ad

Kk 2

vanced

A. D. 1708.

A. D. vanced to Cifuentes, which lies a1710. bout 30 English Miles from Brihuega, n and, upon Advice of their Danger, marched back to their Relief. He arrived the 9th at Night within a League of the Place, which King Philip having Advice of, left a Part of the Army to profecute the Siege, and accompanied with the Duke of Vendome marched to meet the Count Staremberg, and gave him Battle the next Day. The Siege was carried on with the more Vigour on account of the approaching Relief, and the Befieged having spent all their Powder and Shot, alfo the Entrenchments which they had made within the Town, after the Enemy had made Breaches in the Walls, being ruined by the Cannon brought a gainst them, the Forces confiiting of 8 Battalions and 8 Squadrons, were forced to furrender Prisoners of War, a few Hours before the Battle.

The Battle near Villaviciofa, between King Philip with 32 Battalions, and So Squadrons; and Count Staremberg with 27 Battalions, and 29 Squadrons, was fought on the 10th of December, from Three in the Afternoon till Night, with great Obftinacy and much Bloodfhed; 6,000 of the Enemy were kill'd, their Cannon was taken and play'd against them, and the Imperialifts kept the Field; but underflanding that the English in Bribuega were made Prifoners of War, and the Army want ing Provifion, they march'd towards Arragon the 11th, leaving the Enemy's Cannon for want of Horfes to carry it off. The Enemy difturb'd them not in their Retreat, and therefore were undoubtedly very much weaken'd in the Battle. Count Staremberg withdrew all the Garrifons out of Arragon, and arrived in the Beginning of February at Barcelona with 11,000 Men. Gironne, which was befieged the Middle of December, was furrendered to the French

January the 3 ft. And Balayer was abandon'd February the 23d. This unhappy End had that Campaign which began so gloriously.

The Confederate Fleet in the Mediterranean, commanded by r John Norris and Admiral Semerin dyke, were active in the Service the Common Caufe. They convoy the Troops and Recruits that wer fent from Italy to Spain; and abr the Middle of June, undertan that the Duke of Turfis was 125 to invade Sardinia, taking f Land Forces on Board, the Ar rals failed thither, and arrived Ja the 16th; and understanding th Count de Caftillo lay on Shore w the Forces he had newly landed, t landed their Men, and marched rectly to the Enemy, and fo entr paffed them, that they were fr to furrender themselves Priorer So that 250 Soldiers and to C cers were taken. From thence the failed in queft of the Duke of Tarfis, with his Gallies. But alth they could not overtake him, tr took 8 large Barks laden with ; Soldiers, with the greatest Part his Artillery, Ammunition, and vifion.

In July they went upon an pedition, which had been be concerted, upon the Coaft of L guedoc.

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One Monfieur de Seifan, whol been a Major-General in the Fr King's Service, but happening taken Prifoner at Tournay in the 1709, was neglected by that Cot and left to fhift: He made Overte of ferving the Confederates, and the Courie of Negociation, took to affift in landing a Fort invade Languedoc, where the Neg bourhood of the Camilars th the Carvennois) gave him hope Succefs. Monfieur de Sedan wa that Country, and the Estate of Family lay near Port Cente;

Face

ce was pitch'd upon for the Inion Accordingly Forces being bark'd, they arrived on the 24th July, and landed 700 Men withOppofition, made them felves fters of the Town and Mole the t Day, and marched to Agde, ich they took likewife. But the ke de Roquelaure, who commandn those Parts, march'd with 400 goons and 2,000 Militia againft, n. The Duke de Noalles alio adced out of the Roufillon with 1,000 fe, having each a Foot Soldier ind him. All which arrived the 1 within four Miles of Agde; ch obliged the Forces to draw and go on Board the Fleet; ch they effected with only the of 50 Men, who retir'd not in e from an advanced Fort. ffairs in England this Summer : pretty active, occafioned by Struggle of the two Parties, ch was much higher at this Time they had been for fome Years re, and threatned great Altera

3.

give our Reader a right Idea tis neceffary to look back 1 the Events for a Year or two

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7hile Mr. Harley was Secretary tate, he had obtained a large re of the Queen's Favour; at fame Time Mrs. Hill, a private itlewoman, who was one of the en's Attendants, had alfo by diligent and obfequious Service, er'd herself agreeable to her efty. What Schemes the Secreformed belongs not to us to but the Sufpicion of the private rk he was thought to be upon, fioned that Smartnefs in the Exaation of Gregg we have menti1; and in Confequence of it his oval from that Office. Sometime r, that is in January laft, the 1 of Effex dying, Mrs. Hill had g'd of the Queen the Regiment

that Lord commanded for her Bro-
ther Col. Hill, a Gentleman of Worth,
who had commanded with great
Bravery in the Battle of Almanza.
The Duke of Marlborough at the
fame Time had promifed the fame
Regiment to Lieutenant-General
Meredith; who being an ancient
Officer, had, according to the Ufage
of the Army, a Sort of Right to
But in this Cafe
the Option of it.
her Majelly being difpofed to grant
a Perfonal Favour, was difpleafed
to be deny'd it. The General with-
drew from Court, and with his
Lady went to the Lodge in Windfor
Park; whither the Queen fent to
him in a few Days, and gave up the
Point. This Matter pais'd over for
the prefent, but the Behaviour of
fome People at that Time, was judg'd
to be the principal Caufe of the
great Change which happened this
Summer.

The Common People took up an Opinion, that the Trial of Dr. Sacheverell was a vifible Proof that the Church was in Danger, and therefore as in London they affembled in Crowds on the 1st of March at Night, and pulled down fome Diffencing Meeting Houfes; fo all the Kingdom over they expreffed their Rage againit Diffenters. And the better Sort, to fhew their Diflike of that Trial, made Addreffes, declaring their Loyalty and Affection to the Queen, and difclaiming all Principles inconfiftent with Paffive Obedience; and many of them feemed to defire a Diffolution of the Parlia

ment.

Thefe Addreffes came numerously to the Queen all this Summer, and created a general Difcourfe that the Parliament would be diffolved, and the Miniftry changed, which fucceeded accordingly.

On the 14th of June the Earl of Sunderland was removed from his Office of Secretary of State, and the Kk 3

next

A. D.

1710.

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