[LORD GODOLPHIN to ROBERT HARLEY.]

[1706, May.]-By the discourse I had with you just now at Kensington, I am sorry to be forced to put you in mind that you never take any tolerable care of your own health.

I return the copy of M. de Villeroy's letter to you, because it is such a rarity that I think it ought to be kept in the Paper Office. Should not the letters of those persons mentioned by Montargis be opened?

As to L'Apostre-there is one of that name who lives in the city, a nouveau converti he pretended to be. He came into England since the Queen's coming to the Crown, he has brought me projects relating to the West Indies, and appeared to me always very sufficient and very impudent. I never was without some suspicion of his being a spy.

THE DUKE OF MARLBOROUGH to [ROBERT HARLEY].

1706, May 6.-As all truths may not be proper to be in the Gazette," I desire the favour of you that during this campaign when I send in your letter as I now do a paper of news, you will let it be inserted in the "Postman," and what is to be in the "Gazette" Mr. Cardonel will send it to the office as formerly. Postscript.-I shall depend on your friendship and judgment • to leave out what you may think improper.

THE EARL OF ROCHESTER to [EARL RIVERS].

1706, June 2. New Park.-Recommending Major Keymis to his protection, who was in Ireland when the writer was Lord Lieutenant of that kingdom, was in the first service in Portugal and there made prisoner with his whole regiment. He was of a very good family in Wales, and had raised a great many very good men for the Queen's and the public service.

[LORD GODOLPHIN] to ROBERT HARLEY.

[1706,] June 8.-The last advices from France say the fleet was disarming at Toulon, and if that be true, as seems probable, why might not the squadron with Sir John Leak be divided, and 25 or 30 sail sent to the coast of Italy, which might have an

*Harley, however, appears to have kept the paper in his own hands, for annexed to this is copy of a letter from Villeroy to Marshal de Tallard (then a prisoner at Nottingham), dated 25 May, 1706, which runs :- Votre fils a été pris. Monsieur. dans une action que nous avons eu avec les ennemis le 23 dont vous entendrez parler. Il est en bon santé, J'envoyai d'abord un trompette pour le reclamer J'espere que M. d'Auverquerk me le renvoyera aujourdhui."

An extract from a letter of Montargis to the Chevalier de Croissy at Nottingham is also annexed, which will help to explain the succeeding paragraphs of Godolphin's letter. It runs:-"Si vous avez besoin de quelque correspondence à Londres, vous pourriez vous adresser au Sieur Salvador, ou à Madlle. Anne Maubert ou au Sieur L'Apostre, auxquels j'ordonnerai ce qu'il vous plaitoit. A Bruxelles M. Bombarde. Tresorier de M. l'Electeur, et à Amsterdam M. Daniel Flournois, ou M. André Petz en feront de même." The letter was written from Paris, 23 April, 1706.

effect to make Naples declare immediately, and be a great assistance to Prince Eugene; and the other part be still sufficient to assist and countenance any designs of King Charles the third upon the coast of Spain, and even upon Cadiz itself, in case there should be occasion of making an attempt upon that place and an opportunity of doing it; and if we should, in great wisdom and security, keep our whole fleet together all this summer in the Mediterranean, I don't see that it is capable of doing any service that may not be as well performed by half of it.

If there be anything in this thought worth your reflection, you will come the better prepared for it to-morrow to Windsor, where I imagine it will be proper to consider what instructions Sir J. Leak has at present.

THE DUKE OF MARLBOROUGH to [ROBERT HARLEY].

1706, July 8 [June 27, o.s.]-I thank you for what you mention of the letters, and the care you are taking to find out the authors, I should be glad to know them, though as long as God blesses us with success their writing can have little weight. It may well be expected in so great a crowd to find some people who are never satisfied. I am impatient of having your thoughts upon the methods for the making the Queen's business go easy in the winter. I am very glad you are so well pleased with Lord Keeper, I am sure it is my hearty desire that the Queen should encourage every body that serves her well; what you desire for him can be no ways uneasy, but the engagement her Majesty may be under, but you and Lord Treasurer are the best judges as to the time.

I have given Prince Eugene notice of the fleets being ordered on the coast of Italy. I think Mr. Cresset a very honest man, but would not his going to the Court of Hanover give more jealousy than the thing is worth? You know I have no partiality for Prince Lewis of Baden, but what Monsieur Vriberg told you is impossible. I should trouble you oftener with my own hand, but I am sure what ever I write to Lord Treasurer is no secret to you.

If you send me the copies of the letters you have from the army, I should be glad to see them.

[Addressed "To Your self"; and endorsed by Harley as "received on July 3" [o.s.].]

THE DUKE OF MARLBOROUGH "for Your self" [ROBERT HARLEY].

1706, July [1-]12.-I am obliged to you for your friendly care, and I will have Major Cranston observed, and should be glad to have a copy of the letter concerning Ramillies, and if possible to be certain of the author. I know not well how to answer your demand of Prince Lewis, other than that I am afraid nothing will be done and yet I can see no remedy for it. I am told the Observator is angry with me,

THE DUKE OF MARLBOROUGH "to Your self" [ROBERT HARLEY].

1706, July [8-119.-I must beg your friendship in letting me have the necessary powers for my security, as to the two points you will see in Lord Treasurer's letter. And pray let me have a copy of the letter that speaks of Ramillies, and the reason you have to believe it Major Cranston's, for he has obligations to me.

THE DUKE OF MARLBOROUGH "to Your self" [ROBERT HARLEY]. 1706, July 15-26.-What her Majesty has done to Mr. Cæsar is very right; if Sir George Rook has refused to sign the Kentish address, should he continue in the council? I am glad the Queen has ordered Earle to go with the descent, and if Shrimton be not designed to return immediately to Gibraltar, I should think it might be for the service to send him, for Lord Rivers can't have too many officers. I expect your thoughts upon the winter campaign.

[LORD GODOLPHIN] to SECRETARY HARLEY.

1706, July 20. Windsor.-I am sorry, as much as you seem also to be, that the Imperial Court will do nothing at our request in relation to Hungary and the Rhine, at the same time that we are doing so much for them in Italy, Spain and Flanders. I think this ought to be put home to them not only by Mr. Stepney, who I doubt is not very well heard at Vienna, but also to the Comte de Gallas here. If I may use such an expression the Emperor owes it the Allies to repair in some measure the unaccountable and scandalous conduct of Prince L[ewis] of Baden.

The expectation of the Queen's coming to town upon Monday will, I take for granted, hinder most of the Lords from being here to-morrow, though there seems to be as much business, and as little uneasiness in the journey, as there has been any Sunday in this year.

The news of this post is generally so good that I conclude all the Foreign ministers will be here; and though your Amsterdam letter may possibly give a right account of Biscay and Navarre, I am sanguine enough to believe both Seville and Cadiz have declared, which will determine all the rest.

The Admiralty are not so lively and vigilant as they ought to to be; I see it every day upon twenty occasions, but yet I don't see how at present it is to be mended.

I find you don't think my poor Lady Huntingdon punished enough yet.

Since I had written thus far I have waited upon the Queen, who had been abroad early a hunting. I find her Majesty is desirous the Lords should be summoned to-morrow, several things requiring to be dispatched sooner than Tuesday, all indeed that relate to the expedition, the troops being all embarked at Ostend and the weather fair, though not the wind,