Page:The deplorable history of the Catalans, from their first engaging in the war, to the time of their reduction. (1714).djvu/16

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the same time we must express our Concern, that this Undertaking will debar us of all future Services for this Campaign.

»It is evident to this Council of War, by the Demands from the Engineers, and the Opinions of all the General Officers, that this Attempt cannot be made with less than five thousand Men on Duty every Day, to Work and Guard the Trenches; that of this Number our Army, not exceeding seven thousand Men, including the eleven hundred Marines, besides the Dragoons and Guards, cannot furnish above two thousand five hundred; That this Service absolutely requires two thousand five hundred Men daily out of the Fleet and Miquelets, and we desire the Admirals (having promis'd their utmost Assistance) to let us know whether they can furnish fifteen hundred Men per Day. And whereas they have promis'd to assist this Undertaking with fifty two Battering Guns, it is understood, all things thereunto belonging must be furnished with the Gunners and Men.»

The next Day the Earl of Peterborough Wrote the following Letter to the Prince of Hesse.

THE Council of War having resolved to sacrifice their Lives their Judgment, and the Interest of their Country, to the King's Absolute Commands, upon Assurance that the Country People will concur with us in all the Offices of War, provided they be paid, and that the Fleet will likewise give us their utmost Assistance, the Engineers have demanded five thousand Men a Day, at least, for carrying on the Works and Guard of the Trenches. And we have sent our Council of War to the Flags to demand a very reasonable Assistance from them, which will not oblige the same Men to above two Days Work during the whole Enterprize; and we do