Colonel Browne to the Duke of Marlborough.

"Creutznach, June 23. -- 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 stayed upon the Moselle; at least it is my belief."

The second letter is from Colonel Durel, who had been
despatched to Vienna to complain of the lukewarmness mani-
fested 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.

"Frankfort, June 22. 1705. -- Yesterday, at three o'clock, I waited on
the prince of Baden with your grace's letter. I stayed 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 or your grace's services, that he would, as much as in him lay, pre-
pare all things, to be in readiness to act within four or five weeks to.
wards 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, be 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. God send it!"

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