me as if they sought rather for a handle to be cross than really to join
heartily with us in prosecuting the war. If they had, as they have not,
any just pretension to the sovereignty of any part of Flanders hereafter,
upon a peace, the taking the oath of fidelity to King Charles in the mean
time, till such stipulation be made, does not interfere with that preten-
sion; and as to their barrier, I continue of opinion that England never
will, nor can, admit that Ostend should be in their possession, but in the
possession of King Charles. That being granted, I think we might
agree with them in the other desires they make as to their barrier, pro-
vided they will agree with us in an augmentation of their forces and a
vigorous prosecution of the war the next year. But for all these things
poor Mr. Stepney will be extremely much wanted, for his condition is
thought desperate by most people here; and if it were possible for him
to recover, it would be impossible for him to assist in these things, which
come to bear immediately and will continue all this winter to require a
man in that station of the best sense and integrity. If you can spare Cado-
gan till spring, I believe he is the most sufficient for this service. But
you are the best judge of the whole, as well as of this particular.

"I doubt the season is too far spent for you to think of any siege, other-
wise Ypres or Nieuport would open a way to Dunkirk next year, and,
consequently, give a pleasing prospect to our people.

"By our letters from Lisbon of the 3d, I find they will expect more
regiments from us for the defence of their frontier, or take a handle from
the want of them to make up with France and Spain. I think, therefore
we must send them two or three regiments more by this convoy.

"By the next post the queen tells me she will give me an answer to
your letter."

"Helchin, Sept. 22. -- The winds have been so contrary that I believe
this may come at the same time with what I wrote by Mr. Hill. Since
that, I have received the enclosed letters concerning the march of the
palatines for Catalonia. I have sent copies of them also to the pensioner,
desiring him to lose no time in returning an answer, and that I should
take upon me, in the queen's name, so that the troops might be immedi-
ately sent; but I fear the States will not willingly promise what is de-
sired by the elector.

"I have not yet seen Brigadier Palmes, but expect him daily. I hope
he will bring Prince Eugene's consent to serve in Spain, since you say it
is what is desired in England. If there be need of it, I shall be sure to
press him. Besides, as the commands are now settled, he can serve no
where but in Spain or Hungary.

The king of Sweden will certainly not come into the grand alliance,
since that would put him out of all hopes of his mediatorship, with which
we must continue to flatter him. For the troops of King Augustus, it
is just that they should be entertained by the emperor and empire, but I
fear they are not able to comply with the expense; however, they ought
to be pressed by England and Holland.

"It were to be wished that we could please the Portuguese, without
sending any more troops, since they must be useless."

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