I shall never be desired to recommend any body into a place of trust,
being what I have resolved positively never to do. I shall serve the
queen with all my soul, even to the hazard of a thousand lives if I had
them. But while I live I will meddle with no business but what be-
longs to the army. And this I shall beg of the queen on my knees, if
there be any occasion for it; and from henceforward shall never more
use the expression of being of no party, but shall certainly not care what
any party thinks of me, being resolved to recommend myself to the peo-
ple of England, by being to the best of my understanding, in the true
interest of my country."

To Lord Godolphin.

"Camp near Traerbach, Nov. 3. -- If I do not succeed at Berlin, it
will not be necessary for me to stay at either of these courts above two
or three days. However, it will make my coming into England very late
this year, so that I can't forbear writing to you about 19, for I have it
from other letters as well as your's, that he is in measures with 17
(probably Nottingham) and 18 ^* , to give all the obstruction that is in
their power to the carrying on of the public business with vigour this
sessions, on which I think not only the queen's honour, but her safety
depends; for France is now in that condition, that if her majesty's arms
have good success this next year, she will have it in her power to make
such a peace as may make Christendom quiet as long as it may please
God to bless us with her life. I do not think that 19 has any personal
interest; but should he be left in the employment he is now in, it would
be a great encouragement to others to do like him, which might be very
prejudicial. I write very freely to you on this occasion, knowing his
natural to be such, that his whole malice will be employed against your-
self and me. I know not what her majesty's thoughts may be as to
filling of that place; but I must put you in mind of what Mr. Guidot
has many times said to me, that 55 (the duke of Newcastle) was the
most desirous in the world of coming into her majesty's service. My
objection was, he was too much a party man; he always replied, that he
was sure that he would be every thing that the queen would have him.
If her majesty could be assured of this, and that he would live at court,
his estate is so very great that he would certainly be of use. You on
the place are much more capable of judging what is right in this matter
than I can possibly be at this distance; but I shall venture to say posi-
tively, that after the success of this summer, the more her majesty takes
upon her to discountenance such as are not zealous in the common cause,
the more her glory will increase both at home and abroad. I shall be
at Landau on Thursday, from whence you shall have an account of that
siege, which has lasted much longer than it ought to have done. I am
ever yours."

But he was unable to repel their repeated instances,
and at length yielded to new solicitations, though with un-
feigned reluctance. In a letter to Godolphin, from the camp

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