Founder, as it struck its great Opposers with a no less mortifying
Terror; And well did the great Successes of her Arms answer the Prayers
and Efforts of that royal Soul of the Confederacies; together with the
Wishes of all, that, like her, had the Good, as well as the Honour of
their Country at Heart, in which the Liberties of _Europe_ were
included. The first Campaign gave a noble Earnest of the Future. _Bon_,
_Keyserwaert_, _Venlo_, and _Ruremond_, were sound Forerunners only of
_Donawert_, _Hochstet_, and _Blenheim_. Such a March of _English_ Forces
to the Support of the tottering Empire, as it gloriously manifested the
ancient Genius of a warlike People; so was it happily celebrated with a
Success answerable to the Glory of the Undertaking, which concluded in
Statues and princely Donatives to an _English_ Subject, from the then
only Emperor in _Europe_. A small Tribute, it's true, for ransom'd
Nations and captiv'd Armies, which justly enough inverted the
Exclamations of a _Roman_ Emperor to the _French_ Monarch, who
deprecated his Legions lost pretty near the same Spot; but to a much
superior Number, and on a much less glorious Occasion.
But my good Fortune not allowing me to participate in those glorious
Appendages of the _English_ Arms in _Flanders_, nor on the _Rhine_, I
was resolv'd to make a Push for it the first Opportunity, and waste my
Minutes no longer on Court Attendances. And my Lord _Cutts_ returning
with his full Share of Laurels, for his never to be forgotten Services
at _Venlo_, _Ruremond_, and _Hochstet_, found his active Genius now to
be repos'd, under the less agreeable Burden of unhazardous Honour, where
Quiet must provide a Tomb for one already past any Danger of Oblivion;
deep Wounds and glorious Actions having anticipated all that could be
said in Epitaphs or litteral Inscriptions. Soon after his Arrival from
_Germany_, he was appointed General of all her Majesty's Forces in
_Ireland_; upon which going to congratulate him, he was pleas'd to
enquire of me several Things relating to that Country; and particularly
in what Part of _Dublin_ I would recommend his Residence; offering at
the same time, if I would go over with him, all the Services that should
fall in his Way.
But Inactivity was a Thing I had too long lamented; therefore, after I
had, as decently as I could, declin'd the latter Part, I told his
Lordship, that as to a Place of Residence, I was Master of a House in
_Dublin_, large enough, and suitable to his great Quality, which should
be at his Service, on any Terms he thought fit. Adding withal, that I
had a Mind to see _Spain_, where my Lord _Peterborow_ was now going; and
that if his Lordship would favour me with a Recommendation, it would
suit my present Inclinations much better than any further tedious
Recess. His Lordship was so good to close with both my Overtures; and
spoke so effectually in my Favour, that the Earl of _Peterborow_, then
General of all the Forces order'd on that Expedition, bad me speedily
prepare my self; and so when all Things were ready I embarqu'd with that
noble Lord for _Spain_, to pursue his well concerted Undertaking; which,
in the Event, will demonstrate to the World, that little Armies, under
the Conduct of auspicious Generals, may sometimes produce prodigious
Effects.
The _Jews_, in whatever Part of the World, are a People industrious in
the increasing of _Mammon_; and being accustom'd to the universal
Methods of Gain, are always esteem'd best qualify'd for any Undertaking,
where that bears a Probability of being a Perquisite. Providing Bread,
and other Requisites for an Army, was ever allow'd to carry along with
it a Profit answerable; and _Spain_ was not the first Country where that
People had engag'd in such an Undertaking. Besides, on any likely
Appearance of great Advantage, it is in the Nature as well as Practice
of that Race, strenuously to assist one another; and that with the
utmost Confidence and prodigious Alacrity. One of that Number, both
competent and willing enough to carry on an Undertaking of that kind,
fortunately came at that Juncture to solicit the Earl of _Peterborow_ to
be employ'd as Proveditor to the Army and Troops, which were, or should
be sent into _Spain_.
It will easily be admitted, that the Earl, under his present Exigencies,
did not decline to listen. And a very considerable Sum being offer'd, by
way of Advance, the Method common in like Cases was pursu'd, and the Sum
propos'd accepted; by which Means the Earl of _Peterborow_ found himself
put into the happy Capacity of proceeding upon his first concerted
Project. The Name of the _Jew_, who sign'd the Contract, was _Curtisos_;
and he and his Friends, with great Punctuality, advanc'd the expected
Sum of One Hundred Thousand Pounds Sterling, or very near it; which was
immediately order'd into the Hands of the Pay-master of the Forces. For
though the Earl took Money of the _Jews_, it was not for his own, but
public Use. According to Agreement, Bills were drawn for the Value from
_Lisbon_, upon the Lord _Godolphin_ (then Lord Treasurer) all which
were, on that Occasion, punctually comply'd with.
The Earl of _Peterborow_ having thus fortunately found Means to supply
himself with Money, and by that with some Horse, after he had obtain'd
Leave of the Lord _Galoway_ to make an Exchange of two Regiments of
Foot, receiv'd the Arch-Duke, and all those who would follow him, aboard
the Fleet; and, at his own Expense, transported him and his whole
Retinue to _Barcelona_: For all which prodigious Charge, as I have been
very lately inform'd, from very good Hands, that noble Earl never to
this Day receiv'd any Consideration from the Government, or any Person
whatsoever.
We sail'd from _Lisbon_, in order to join the Squadron under Sir
_Cloudsley Shovel:_ Meeting with which at the appointed Station off
_Tangier_, the Men of War and Transports thus united, made the best of
their Way for _Gibraltar_. There we stay'd no longer than to take aboard
two Regiments out of that Garrison, in lieu of two out of our Fleet.
Here we found the Prince of _Hesse_, who immediately took a Resolution
to follow the Arch-Duke in this Expedition. He was a Person of great
Gallantry; and having been Vice-Roy of _Catalonia_, was receiv'd on
board the Fleet with the utmost Satisfaction, as being a Person capable
of doing great Service in a Country where he was well known, and as well
belov'd.
Speaking _Latin_ then pretty fluently, it gave me frequent Opportunies
of conversing with the two Father Confessors of the Duke of _Austria_;
and upon that Account I found my self honour'd with some Share in the
Favour of the Arch-Duke himself. I mention this, not to gratify any vain
Humour, but as a corroborating Circumstance, that my Opportunities of
Information, in Matters of Consequence, could not thereby be suppos'd to
be lessen'd; but that I might more reasonably be imagin'd to arrive at
Intelligence, that not very often, or at least not so soon, came to the
Knowledge of others.
From _Gibraltar_ we sail'd to the Bay of _Altea_, not far distant from
the City of _Valencia_, in the Road of which we continu'd for some Days.
While we were there, as I was very credibly inform'd, the Earl of
_Peterborow_ met with some fresh Disappointment; but what it was,
neither I nor any Body else, as far as I could perceive, could ever dive
into: Neither did it appear by any outward Tokens, in that noble
General, that it lay so much at his Heart, as those about him seem'd to
assure me it did.
However, while we lay in _Altea_ Bay, two Bomb-Vessels, and a small
Squadron, were order'd against _Denia_, which had a small Castle; but
rather fine than strong. And accordingly, upon our Offer to bring to
bear with our Cannon, and preparing to fix our Bomb-Vessels, in order to
bombard the Place, it surrender'd; and acknowledg'd the Arch-Duke as
lawful King of _Spain_, and so proclaim'd him. From this time,
therefore, speaking of that Prince, it shall be under that Title.
General _Ramos_ was left Commander here; a Person who afterwards acted a
very extraordinary Part in the War carry'd on in the Kingdom of
_Valencia_.
But notwithstanding no positive Resolutions had been taken for the
Operations of the Campaign, before the Arch Duke's Departure from
_Lisbon_, the Earl of _Peterborow_, ever solicitous of the Honour of his
Country, had premeditated another Enterprize, which, had it been
embrac'd, would in all Probability, have brought that War to a much more
speedy Conclusion; and at the same time have obviated all those
Difficulties, which were but too apparent in the Siege of _Barcelona_.
He had justly and judiciously weigh'd, that there were no Forces in the
Middle Parts of _Spain_, all their Troops being in the extream Parts of
the Kingdom, either on the Frontiers of _Portugal_, or in the City of
_Barcelona_; that with King _Philip_, and the royal Family at _Madrid_,
there were only some few Horse, and those in a bad Condition, and which
only serv'd for Guards: if therefore, as he rightly projected within
himself, by the taking of _Valencia_, or any Sea-Port Town, that might
have secur'd his Landing, he had march'd directly for _Madrid_; what
could have oppos'd him? But I shall have occasion to dilate more upon
this Head a few Pages hence; and therefore shall here only say, that
though that Project of his might have brought about a speedy and
wonderful Revolution, what he was by his Orders afterwards oblig'd to,
against his Inclinations, to pursue, contributed much more to his great
Reputation, as it put him under a frequent Necessity of overcoming
Difficulties, which, to any other General, would have appear'd
unsurmountable.
_VALENCIA_ is a City towards the Centre of _Spain_, to the Seaward,
seated in a rich and most populous Country, just fifty Leagues from
_Madrid_. It abounds in Horses and Mules; by reason of the great
Fertility of its Lands, which they can, to great Advantage, water when,
and as they please. This City and Kingdom was as much inclin'd to the
Interest of King _Charles_ as _Catalonia_ it self; for even on our first
Appearance, great Numbers of People came down to the Bay of _Altea_,
with not only a bare Offer of their Services, but loaded with all Manner
of Provisions, and loud Acclamations of _Viva Carlos tercero, Viva_.
There were no regular Troops in any of the Places round about it, or in
the City it self. The nearest were those few Horse in _Madrid_, one
hundred and fifty Miles distant; nor any Foot nearer than _Barcelona_,
or the Frontiers of _Portugal_.
On the contrary, _Barcelona_ is one of the largest and most populous
Cities in all _Spain_, fortify'd with Bastions; one Side thereof is
secur'd by the Sea; and the other by a strong Fortification call'd
_Monjouick_. The Place is of so large a Circumference, that thirty
thousand Men would scarce suffice to form the Lines of Circumvallation.
It once resisted for many Months an Army of that Force; and is almost
at the greatest Distance from _England_ of any Place belonging to that
_Monarchy_.
This short Description of these two Places will appear highly necessary,
if it be consider'd, that no Person without it would be able to judge of
the Design which the Earl of _Peterborow_ intended to pursue, when he
first took the Arch-Duke aboard the Fleet. Nevertheless the Earl now
found himself under a Necessity of quitting that noble Design, upon his
Receipt of Orders from _England_, while he lay in the Bay of _Altea_, to
proceed directly to _Catalonia_; to which the Arch-Duke, as well as many
Sea and Land Officers, were most inclin'd; and the Prince of _Hesse_
more than all the rest.
On receiving those Orders, the Earl of _Peterborow_ seem'd to be of
Opinion, that from an Attempt, which he thought under a Probability of
Success, he was condemn'd to undertake what was next to an Impossibility
of effecting; since nothing appear'd to him so injudicious as an Attempt
upon _Barcelona_. A Place at such a Distance from receiving any
Reinforcement or Relief; the only Place in which the _Spaniards_ had a
Garrison of regular Forces; and those in Number rather exceeding the
Army he was to undertake the Siege with, was enough to cool the Ardour
of a Person of less Penetration and Zeal than what the Earl had on all
Occasions demonstrated. Whereas if the General, as he intended, had made
an immediate March to _Madrid_, after he had secur'd _Valencia_, and the
Towns adjacent, which were all ready to submit and declare for King
_Charles_; or if otherwise inclin'd, had it not in their Power to make
any considerable Resistance; to which, if it be added, that he could
have had Mules and Horses immediately provided for him, in what Number
he pleas'd, together with Carriages necessary for Artillery, Baggage,
and Ammunition; in few Days he could have forc'd King _Philip_ out of
_Madrid_, where he had so little Force to oppose him. And as there was
nothing in his Way to prevent or obstruct his marching thither, it is
hard to conceive any other Part King _Philip_ could have acted in such
an Extremity, than to retire either towards _Portugal_ or _Catalonia_.
In either of which Cases he must have left all the middle Part of
_Spain_ open to the Pleasure of the Enemy; who in the mean time would
have had it in their Power to prevent any Communication of those Bodies
at such opposite Extreams of the Country, as were the Frontiers of
_Portugal_ and _Barcelona_, where only, as I said before, were any
regular Troops.
And on the other Side, as the Forces of the Earl of _Peterborow_ were
more than sufficient for an Attempt where there was so little Danger of
Opposition; so if their Army on the Frontiers of _Portugal_ should have
march'd back upon him into the Country; either the _Portugueze_ Army
could have enter'd into _Spain_ without Opposition; or, at worst,
supposing the General had been forc'd to retire, his Retreat would have
been easy and safe into those Parts of _Valencia_ and _Andahzia_, which
he previously had secur'd. Besides, _Gibraltar_, the strongest Place in
_Spain_, if not in the whole World, was already in our Possession, and a
great Fleet at Hand ready to give Assistance in all Places near the Sea.
From all which it is pretty apparent, that in a little time the War on
our Side might have been supported without entering the _Mediterranean_;
by which Means all Reinforcements would have been much nearer at Hand,
and the Expences of transporting Troops and Ammunition very considerably
diminish'd.
But none of these Arguments, though every one of them is founded on
solid Reason, were of Force enough against the prevailing Opinion for an
Attempt upon _Catalonia_. Mr. _Crow_, Agent for the Queen in those
Parts, had sent into _England_ most positive Assurances, that nothing
would be wanting, if once our Fleet made an invasion amongst the
_Catalans_: The Prince of _Hesse_ likewise abounded in mighty Offers and
prodigious Assurances; all which enforc'd our Army to that Part of
_Spain_, and that gallant Prince to those Attempts in which he lost his
Life. Very much against the Inclination of our General, who foresaw all
those Difficulties, which were no less evident afterwards to every one;
and the Sense of which occasion'd those Delays, and that Opposition to
any Effort upon _Barcelona_, which ran thro' so many successive Councils
of War.
However, pursuant to his Instructions from _England_, the repeated
Desires of the Arch-Duke, and the Importunities of the Prince of
_Hesse_, our General gave Orders to sail from _Altea_ towards the Bay of
_Barcelona_, the chief City of _Catalonia_. Nevertheless, when we
arriv'd there, he was very unwilling to land any of the Forces, till he
saw some Probability of that Assistance and Succour so must boasted of,
and so often promis'd. But as nothing appear'd but some small Numbers of
Men, very indifferently arm'd, and without either Gentlemen or Officers
at the Head of them; the Earl of _Peterborow_ was of Opinion, this could
not be deem'd sufficient Encouragement for him to engage in an
Enterprize, which carry'd so poor a Face of Probability of Success along
with it. In answer to this it was urg'd, that till a Descent was made,
and the Affairs thoroughly engag'd in, it was not to be expected that
any great Numbers would appear, or that Persons of Condition would
discover themselves. Upon all which it was resolv'd the Troops should be
landed.
Accordingly, our Forces were disembark'd, and immediately encamp'd;
notwithstanding which the Number of Succours increas'd very slowly, and
that after the first straggling Manner. Nor were those that did appear
any way to be depended on; coming when they thought fit, and going away
when they pleas'd, and not to be brought under any regular Discipline.
It was then pretended, that until they saw the Artillery landed as well
as Forces, they would not believe any Siege actually intended. This
brought the General under a sort of Necessity of complying in that also.
Though certainly so to do must be allow'd a little unreasonable, while
the Majority in all Councils of War declar'd the Design to be
impracticable; and the Earl of _Peterborow_ had positive Orders to
proceed according to such Majorities.
At last the Prince of _Hesse_ was pleas'd to demand Pay for those
Stragglers, as Officers and Soldiers, endeavouring to maintain, that it
could not be expected that Men should venture their Lives for nothing.
Thus we came to _Catalonia_ upon Assurances of universal Assistance; but
found, when we came there, that we were to have none unless we paid for
it. And as we were sent thither without Money to pay for any thing, it
had certainly been for us more tolerable to have been in a Country where
we might have taken by Force what we could not obtain any other way.
However, to do the _Miquelets_ all possible Justice, I must say, that
notwithstanding the Number of 'em, which hover'd about the Place, never
much exceeded fifteen Hundred Men; if sometimes more, oftner less; and
though they never came under any Command, but planted themselves where
and as they pleas'd; yet did they considerable Service in taking
Possession of all the Country Houses and Convents, that lay between the
Hills and the Plain of _Barcelona_; by means whereof they render'd it
impossible for the Enemy to make any _Sorties_ or Sallies at any
Distance from the Town.
And now began all those Difficulties to bear, which long before by the
General had been apprehended. The Troops had continu'd under a State of
Inactivity for the Space of three Weeks, all which was spent in
perpetual Contrivances and Disputes amongst our selves, not with the
Enemy. In six several Councils of War the Siege of _Barcelona_, under
the Circumstances we then lay, was rejected as a Madness and
Impossibility. And though the General and Brigadier _Stanhope_
(afterward Earl _Stanhope_) consented to some Effort should be made to
satisfy the Expectation of the World, than with any Hopes of Success.
However, no Consent at all could be obtain'd from any Council of War;
and the _Dutch_ General in particular declar'd, that he would not obey
even the Commands of the Earl of _Peterborow_, if he should order the
Sacrifice of the Troops under him in so unjustifiable a Manner, without
the Consent of a Council of War.
And yet all those Officers, who refus'd their Consent to the Siege of
_Barcelona_, offer'd to march into the Country, and attempt any other
Place, that was not provided with so strong and numerous a Garrison;
taking it for granted, that no Town in _Catalonia, Barcelona_ excepted,
could make long Resistance; and in case the Troops in that Garrison
should pursue them, they then might have an Opportunity of fighting them
at less Disadvantage in the open Field, than behind the Walls of a Place
of such Strength. And, indeed, should they have issu'd out on any such
Design, a Defeat of those Troops would have put the Province of
_Catalonia_, together with the Kingdoms of _Aragon_ and _Valencia_,
into the Hands of King _Charles_ more effectually than the taking _of
Barcelona_ it self.
Let it be observ'd, _en passant_, that by those Offers of the Land
Officers in a Council of War, it is easy to imagine what would have been
the Success of our Troops, had they march'd directly from _Valencia_ to
_Madrid_. For if after two Months Alarm, it was thought reasonable, as
well as practicable, to march into the open Country rather than attempt
the Siege of _Barcelona_, where Forces equal, if not superior in Number,
were ready to follow us at the Heels; what might not have been expected
from an Invasion by our Troops when and where they could meet with
little Opposition? But leaving the Consideration of what might have
been, I shall now endeavour at least with great Exactness to set down
some of the most remarkable Events from our taking to the Relief of
_Barcelona_.
The repeated Refusals of the Councils of War for undertaking the Siege
of so strong a Place, with a Garrison so numerous, and those Refusals
grounded upon such solid Reasons, against a Design so rash, reduc'd the
General to the utmost Perplexity. The Court of King _Charles_ was
immerg'd in complaint; all belonging to him lamenting the hard Fate of
that Prince, to be brought into _Catalonia_ only to return again,
without the Offer of any one Effort in his Favour. On the other Hand,
our own Officers and Soldiers were highly dissatisfy'd, that they were
reproach'd, because not dispos'd to enter upon and engage themselves in
Impossibilities. And, indeed, in the Manner that the Siege was propos'd
and insisted upon by the Prince of _Hesse_, in every of the several
Councils of War, after the Loss of many Men, thrown away to no other
purpose, but to avoid the Shame (as the Expression ran) of coming like
Fools and going away like Cowards, it could have ended in nothing but a
Retreat at last.
It afforded but small Comfort to the Earl to have foreseen all these
Difficulties, and to have it in his Power to say, that he would never
have taken the Arch-Duke on Board, nor have propos'd to him the Hopes of
a Recovery of the _Spanish_ Monarchy from King _Philip_, if he could
have imagin'd it probable, that he should not have been at liberty to
pursue his own Design, according to his own Judgment. It must be allow'd
very hard for him, who had undertaken so great a Work, and that without
any Orders from the Government; and by so doing could have had no
Justification but by Success; I say, it must be allow'd to be very hard
(after the Undertaking had been approv'd in _England_) that he should
find himself to be directed in this Manner by those at a Distance, upon
ill grounded and confident Reports from Mr. _Crow_; and compell'd, as
it were, though General, to follow the Sentiments of Strangers, who
either had private Views of Ambition, or had no immediate Care or
Concern for the Troops employ'd in this Expedition.
Such were the present unhappy Circumstanches of the Earl of _Peterborow_
in the Camp before _Barcelona_: Impossibilities propos'd; no Expedients
to be accepted; a Court reproaching; Councils of War rejecting; and the
_Dutch_ General refusing the Assistance of the Troops under his Command;
and what surmounted all, a Despair of bringing such Animosities and
differing Opinions to any tolerable Agreement. Yet all these
Difficulties, instead of discouraging the Earl, set every Faculty of his
more afloat; and, at last, produc'd a lucky Thought, which was happily
attended with Events extraordinary, and Scenes of Success much beyond
his Expectation; such, as the General himself was heard to confess, it
had been next to Folly to have look'd for; as certainly, _in prima
facie_, it would hardly have born proposing, to take by Surprize a Place
much stronger than _Barcelona_ it self. True it is, that his only Hope
of succeeding consisted in this: That no Person could suppose such an
Enterprize could enter into the Imagination of Man; and without doubt
the General's chief Dependence lay upon what he found true in the
Sequel; that the Governor and Garrison of _Monjouick_, by reason of
their own Security, would be very negligent, and very little upon their
Guard.