"Hague, Dec. 22. -- You will see by the letters from Vienna, that the
Hungarians are far from being inclined to a peace; and I am assured
that the elector of Bavaria has received a letter from Ragotski that as-
sures him they will never make peace, but at the same time he shall have
his country restored to him. I am also very much afraid of ill news from
Prince Eugene; so that if we should not be able to support the success
in Catalonia, the hearts of the people in this country would be broke.
At this time I think they are convinced they have been abused, and that
France had no intentions of giving them such a peace as they thought
themselves masters of, so that this year I reckon we may depend on their
going on with the war."

"Dec. 25. --The States of Holland, seeing that there was no likelihood
of my having the convoy before the next week at soonest, the wind being
at east, they are separated till Tuesday, without coming to such resolu-
tions as are absolutely necessary to be done before I leave this place,
among which is that of the state of the war, which for the good of the ser-
vice should have been done above a month ago. But the truth is, that
every thing here is in that distraction, that there is no government. How-
ever, you may be assured they will go on with the war for this year; but
as they pretend to want every thing, it will not be with that vigour it
ought. I am assured that at their meeting on Tuesday they will adopt
a resolution of taking some pretext for the sending one of their members
to the queen; but the true business of his embassy will be, to represent
to her majesty their sad condition. If I should have no news of the
convoy by this day se'nnight, I shall be obliged to come in the packet-
boat, or be frozen up in this country, for at this time it freezes very hard;
but of this I say nothing, fearing they might hear it at Dunkirk."

"Hague, Dec. 25. -- I have received yours of the 4th and 7th, and
you may believe 'tis the only satisfaction I have in my confinement here,
for want of the convoy, to bear that her majesty's affairs go on well in
parliament.

"The States will pay their quota of the 300,000 crowns, which is
very seasonable, as Prince Eugene's army are much in want of every
necessary."

"Jan. 4. 1706. -- They have at last agreed to my proposal, for sending
10,000 men to Prince Eugene into Italy, so that there remains now
only the consent of the elector palatine, they having found money for
their part of the augmentation; so that I sent last night Count Lech-
teraine to Dusseldorp. A copy of his instructions I have sent for Mr.
Secretary Harley; I have also acquainted the emperor of it, by express,
that he might lose no time in sending the news to Italy.

"Count Lechteraine is this minute come from Dusseldorp. I send
you enclosed a copy of the elector's letter to me, by which you may see
that I am in hopes to finish the treaty by Thursday; for on Friday I
will embark if the wind be fair, and leave instructions with Mr. Stanhope
for finishing what I may leave undone."

Marlborough then prevailed on the States to advance their
share of the funds furnished for the service in Catalonia, and

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