ACcording to your Requeſt, which with me are Eſteem'd no leſs then Commands, I have from time to time given you as near the Truth as poſſible, a particular Account of the Tranſactions in theſe Provinces, as to Martial Affairs, eſpecially Impartially Relating them as they came to my knowledge, without the leaſt alteration either in affection to my Country or prejudice to the Enemy, who indeed has waſted the Fruitful part thereof with ſo great a Devaſtation, that the Revolution of many years cannot reſtore the face of things, as they were, nor have we as yet any certain hopes of a Peace, with our too Potent Neighbour the moſt Chriſtian King, the Increaſe of whoſe Army daily fills us with new fear; The Villagers for the moſt part bordering upon the Province of Luxemburg, have diſſerted their Habitations, and retired (with the little Subſtance that remains) into Walled Towns and Fortreſſes of great Strength, as not being able to pay the unreaſonable exactions of the French, which by way of Contribution they demand as Dependants on that Subjected Province, nor is our Army as yet in a capacity to enter upon any conſiderable Action though greater Rigour ſhould by the Enemy be Impoſed upon, the Suffering People who groan under the oppreſſion. The French Horſes Eat up their Hay and Corn, and the Souldiers all that comes to Hand, yet if they comply not with their Demands their Houſes are Fired, and the poor Poſſeſſors turned out Naked to wander in the Fields and Woods, where ſome of them are compelled to Feed on what the Buſhes and Wild Trees affords, or elſe Miſerably Periſh for Hunger, and indeed ſuch is our wretched State, that we Indure the extreameſt Miſeries attendant on a Cruel War, yet hope e're long (if matters conclude not in Peace, which is to be preferred before the Juſteſt War) we ſhall be able to Retalliate our Miſuſages, or at leaſt put a ſtop to the further Progreſs of the Enemy. Our worthy Governour the Marqueſs D'Grana omitting no dilligence to forward things to be beſt advantage, & indeed had not the Province of Holland &c. unexpectedly withdrawn their Forces, Luxemburg that Famous City, ſo bravely Defended by the Heroick Valour of the Renowned Prince De Chimay, and other worthy Perſons had not fallen to the ſhare of the Enemy; But however our Forces daily Increaſe, eſpecially by the coming of many Voluntary Gentlemen of moſt Nations, Chriſtians, but eſpecially Engliſh, in whoſe Valour we have not a little confidence, but are more eſpecially encouraged, by having amongſt us the Heroick Pattern of true Valour, and Conduct James Duke of Monmouth, whoſe brave Atchievements at Monſe are not, nor never will be Raced out of our Memories, his Name being there ſuch a Terror to the French, that paſt doubt next Heaven, it moſtly contributed to that Happy Victory; as yet I cannot learn that he is Inclinable to take upon him any Publick Command in the Army, though 'tis ſtrongly Reported ſome advantagious Overtures have been made, and his Grace highly preſſed to accept them, the which that he would do, is the wiſh of moſt; Since his A • rival divers of our Nobility have been to Viſit him, and pay their Reſpects to a Perſon ſo highly deſcended, and he in Complement hart. Returned their Viſits, Behaving himſelf with ſuch a Noble mean, ſo well becoming a Perſon under his circumſtances, that both the Gentry and Commonalty Reſpect him with a Sarrow compounded of Love and Pitty. His Retinue is but ſmall, by reaſon he has no certain place of Reſidence, but is therein moſtly accommodated by the Gentry of the Country; having ſince his Arrival been to view divers places, and eſpecially ſuch as are of ſtrength, obſerving the VVorks, and Curiouſly taking notice of ſuch parts and places as are defective, ſhewing himſelf therein not only a Souldier but an expert Enginere: And when he is not ſo Imployed, he recreates himſelf with Racing and other Noble paſtimes beſeeming his Character, not appearing inclineable to return for England till the Campaign is over, which induces us to believe that he will at laſt be prevailed upon to take a Command if the War continue, & Peace puts not a Period to its dreadful Progreſs: 'tis further reported that his Grace before his departure intends to pay a viſit to their Highneſs, the Prince & Princeſs of Orange, and that ſuddenly he will be at this place to Complement our Governour upon his return.

As for the Diſcourſe, that his Grace had a Challenge ſent him by an unknown hand with ſome reflections on him, ſuppoſed to be ſent by Count Charles John Cuningsmark, it proves altogether a falſe and groundleſs Report, as far as the moſt … gent inquiry into that Affair is capable to define.

Sir, thus, having, given you a Brief Account of the State of Aaffairs in theſe Provinces, I take my Leave till the next opportunity of ſerving you in the like Nature and Subſcribe my Selfe