son be demanded for rectifying of abuses and quieting the minds of all our good subjects. In order to this we have named the marquis of Tweeddale our high commissioner, he being a person of whose capacity and probity, or qualifications and dispositions to serve us and the country, neither we nor you can have any doubt. And we have fully empowered him to give you unquestionable proofs of our resolution to maintain the government both in church and state as by law established in that our kingdom; and to consent to such laws as shall be found wanting for the further security of both, and preventing all encroachments on the same for the future. Thus having done our part, we are persuaded that you will not fail to do yours, but will lay hold on this opportunity to shew the world the sincerity of the professions made to us, and that it was the true love of your country, and the sense of your duty to it, and therefore not the want of duty to us, for we shall always reckon these two inconsistent, that was at the bottom of the late misunderstandings. The main thing that we recommend to you, and which we recommend to you with all the earnestness we are capable of, is the settling of the succession in the protestant line, as that which is absolutely necessary for your own peace and happiness, as well as our quiet and security in all our dominions, and for the reputation of our affairs abroad; and consequently for the strengthening the protestant interest every where. This has been our fixed judgment and resolution ever since we came to the crown; and thongh hitherto opportunities have not answered our intentions, matters are now come to that pass, by the undoubted evidence of the designs of our enemies, that a longer de

lay of settling the succession in the protestant line may have very dangerous consequences, and a disappointment of it would infallibly make that our kingdom the seat of war, and expose it to devastation and ruin. As to the terms and conditions of government with regard to the successor, we have empowered our commissioner to give the royal assent to whatever can in reason be demanded, and is in our power to grant, for securing the sovereignty and liberties of that our antient kingdom.

We are now in a war which makes it necessary to provide for the defence of the kingdom; the time of the funds that were lately given for the maintenance of the land forces being expired, and the said funds exhausted, provision ought also to be made for supplying the magazines with arms and ammunition, and repairing the forts and castles, and for the charge of the frigates that prove so useful for guarding the coasts. We earnestly recommend to you whatever may contribute to the advancement of true piety and discouragement of vice and immorality; and we doubt not but you will take care to encourage trade and improve the product and manufactories of the nation; in all which, and every thing else that can be for the good and happiness of our people, you shall have our hearty and ready concurrence. We shall only add, that unanimity and moderation in all your proceedings will be of great use for bringing to a happy issue the important affairs that we have laid before you, and will be also most acceptable So we bid you heartily farewel.

to us.

Given at our Court at Windsor Castle, the 25th day of June,

1704, and of our Reign the 3d Year.

I GAVE you an account on Sunday of the situation we were then in, and that we expected to hear the enemy would pass the Danube at Lawingen, in order to attack prince Eugene. At eleven that night we had an express from him that the enemy were come over, and desiring that he might be reinforced as soon as possible whereupon I ordered my brother Churchill to advance at one o'clock in the morning with his twenty battalions, and by three the whole army was in motion. For the greater expedition I ordered part of the troops to pass over the Danube, and follow the march of the twenty battalions; and with most of the horse and the foot of the first line I passed the Lech at Rain, and came over the Danube at Donawert; so that we all joined the prince that night, intending to advance and take this camp of Hochstedt. In order whereto we went out on Tuesday early in the morning, with forty squadrons, to view the ground, but found the enemy had already pos sessed themselves of it: whereupon we resolved to attack them, and accordingly we marched between three and four yesterday morning from the camp at Munster,

leaving all our tents standing. About six we came in view of the enemy, who, we found, did not expect so early a visit. The cannon began to play about half an hour after eight. They formed themselves in two bodies; the elector, with M. Marsin and their troops on our right, and M. de Tallard with all his own on our left, which last fell to my share. They had two little rivulets, besides a morass, before them, which we were obliged to pass over in their view; and prince Eugene was forced to take a great compass to come to the enemy, so that it was one o'clock before the battle begun. It lasted with great vigour till sunset, when the enemy were obliged to retire, and by the blessing of God, we obtained a complete victory. We have cut off great numbers of them, as well in the action as in the retreat, besides upwards of thirty squadrons of the French, which I pushed into the Danube, where we saw the greatest part of them perish; monsieur de Tallard, with several of his general officers, being taken prisoners at the same time. And in the village of Blenheim, which the enemy had intrenched and fortified, and where they made the greatest opposition, I obliged twenty-six entire battalions, and twelve squadrons of dragoons, to surrender themselves prisoners at discre tion. We took likewise all their tents standing, with their cannon and ammunition, as also a great number of standards, kettle drums, and colours, in the action ; so that I reckon the greatest part of M. Tallard's army is taken or destroyed. The bravery of all our troops on this occasion cannot be expressed: the generals, as well as the officers and soldiers, behaving themselves with the greatest courage and resolution, the horse and dragoons having been obliged to charge four or five several times.

The elector and M. de Marsin were so advantageously posted, that prince Eugene could make no impression till the third attack, at near seven at night, when he made a great slaughter of them; but being near a woodside, a good body of Bavarians retired into it, and the nest of that army retreated towards Lawingen, it being too late, and the troops too much tired, to pursue them far. I cannot say too much in praise of the prince's good conduct, and the bravery of his troops, on this occasion. You will please to lay this before her majesty and his royal highness, to whom I send my lord Tunbridge with the good news. I pray you will likewise inform yourself, and let me know her majesty's pleasure, as well relating to M. Tallard and the other general officers, as for the disposal of near twelve hundred other officers, and between eight and nine thousand common soldiers, who being all made prisoners by her majesty's troops, are entirely at her disposal: but as the charge of subsisting these officers and men must be very great, I presume her majesty will be inclined that they be changed for any other prisoners that offer. I should likewise be glad to receive her majesty's directions for the dispatch of the standards and colours, whereof I have not yet the number, but guess there cannot be less than one hundred, which is more than has been taken in any battle these many years. You will easily believe that in so long and vigorous an action, the English, who had so great a share in it, must have suffered as well in officers as men, but I have not yet the particulars.

I am, Sir,

Your most obedient humble servant,

MARLBOROUGH.