A.C. 1709.

with the Minister of a Prince, who acknowledges and confeffes himself to be at the entire Difpofal of the Enemy. This Refolution has the King taken, mov'd there4. to, by all the Reasons which could oblige him fo to do, together with the great Grief and Reientment which " the Inevitablenefs of the Matter could raise in him. He defires, That the fame may be done with the greatest Speed, and with all the Convenience and Dignity becoming your Highness's Character and according to the "Efteem which the King has for your Perfon. For this End he has order'd, 'That your Highnefs fhall fet out in a Coach, accompany'd to the Frontiers of France, by fome of his Troops of Horfe, and his Majefty's firft Mafter of the Court, by the most commodious and fit Roads to Italy; Moreover, That the Quarter-Mafter of the King's Houfhold fhall provide Lodgings, to the end that every Body may fee, with what filial Reverence his Majefty acts in this ungrateful Affair, and the Regard he has to ufe all poffible Diftinction in this unavoidable Refolution. His Majefty having order'd me to wait upon you, I have executed thofe Orders, defigning to refolve with you, upon the Day and Hour when you shall depart this Court; and I deliver into your Hands, by the King's Order, the included Copy of the Proteft which has been enter'd at Rome, in the ufual Form, and which I am commanded to notifie to, and lay before your Highness, It imports, that the King not only protefts against, and holds for Null and Void, whatever is done by his Holinefs in the Accomodation with the Germans; but that he alfo protests against, says, and declares for Null, all that fhall be done or executed for the Future, after the Date hereof; as alfo, all that is or fhall be done at the Court of Rome, as long as the Germans do or fhall bear fway in Italy; protefting, laftly, against a Pope who is a flave and Dependent, "till the faid Pope fhall be at Liberty and Independent. His Majefty being apprehensive, that fome Accidents might fallout, upon your Journey, contrary to his Safety and Authority, defires, That your Highnefs may be accom pany'd by 12 or 15 Troopers, commanded by the King's Great-Mafter of the Court. All that is herein con'tain'd, I had-in Command from his Majefty to accquaint { you with and I remain with real Affection, always obedient to you, as your Highness fhall find to be true, Sas often as you give me Opportunities of doing your Sertvice! I befeech God to keep your Highness many Years, bunder his Protection...

Sign'd,

1709.

The Nuncio could not obtain leave to continue in Spain, A.C. till he had receiv'd an Answer from Rome: and thereupon he fet out the 10th of April, N. S. for France, attended by a Guard to protect him against all Infults; or The Pope's at leaft to make him believe, That the Spaniards did fo Nuncio highly refent the Proceedings of the Pope, that his Per- leavesSpain. fon was not fafe amongst them. Some Time after, King Philip prohibited all Correspondence with Rome for any King Philip Ecclefiaftical Affair; and thereupon wrote the following forbids all Letter to Cardinal Portocarrero. Don PHILIP, by the Grace of God, King of Spain, Si- the Court of cily, Jerufalem, &c. To the most venerable Father Car- Rome. dinal Portocarrero.

"

Correfpondence with

Portocarre

Have thought good to communicate to the Council His Letter the Motives which induc'd me to caufe the Papers to Cardinal of the Archives of the Court of the Nunciature, as al- ro about it. fo those of the Collectors of Ecclefiaftical Dues, to bę feiz'd: I alfo acquainted the Council in what Manner

I had refolv'd thofe Offices fhould be manag'd for the fu ture; and that the Auditor, the Secretary, the Pifcal, ' and others of thofe Offices, who are Forreigners and not our Subjects should be expell'd this Court and Kingdom; in Confequence of the Proceedings (for known and juft Causes) against the Nuncio himself. And whereas 'tis convenient, that the Court of the Nuncia ture being fhut up, Ecclefiaftical Affairs fhould be put upon the fame Foot as they were anciently, when there was no Nuncio refiding in this Kingdom; and that during the Prohibition of all Correfpondence with the Court of Rome, there fhould be a diligent Adminiftration of certain urgent Affairs, as well of Juftice as of Favour; the Bishops fhall act fuitably to the Authori ty vefted in them, as long as Recourfe to a higher Ju'rifdiction might occafion fome Delays, &c.

But feeing 'tis not contrary to my Office and Rights, as Sovereign, Defender of Canonical Difpofitions, Patron-General of the Churches of my Kingdom, and Founder of most of thofe Churches, &c to enjoyn the Bishops to do their Duty; I fignified to the Council, that they fhould Iffue neceffary Orders to that Purpose, and at the fame Time I cominanded the faid Council to caufe the Prohibition of all Correfpondence with the faid Court of Rome to be publish'd and executed; to the End that henceforward the faid Corréfpondence may 'ceafe; and that Money may not in any Manner be collected and fent to Rome, on the moft fevere and rigo rous Penalties to thofe who fhall offend herein.

And for eftablishing, during this Prohibition of Cor
refpondence,

A.C.

1709.

refpondence, the Methods to be obferv'd with Refpect to the Revenues when Bishops Sees become vacant, the Fifths, and all other Fees and Taxes which Custom allows to the Apoftolical Chamber I have likewife order'd, that the Council fhall fignifie to the Corregidors and ordinary Courts of Juftice, to take an Inventory of the faid Fees and Duties within their refpective Jurifdi&tions, and keep the fame faithfully and fafely."

Particularly, as to the Revenues and Rents of a vacant See, the Fifths, and other Revenues which are accustom'd to be paid to the Apoftolical Chamber; I have order'd the Clergy of the Churches to nominate on their Part fome Ecclefiaftical Perfon in whom they can moft confide, who, with an Ecclefiaftick whom I will choofe in each District, fhall receive and keep them faithfully; to which end I have order'd the Prelates of Ecclefiaftical Orders and Communities, to conform themfelves thereto, &c. And that during the Prohibition of Correfpondence with the Court of Rome, the faid Prelates and Superiors of Orders fhall in their Districts Practice what they know to have been ufually done when the Country is poffefs'd by an Enemy.

I acquaint you with thefe Particulars, to the End that knowing my Refolution, you may on your Part A& as becomes you. And I defire that no ufe may be made in any Manner of any Briefs or Orders which you, or thofe who depend on you, may receive from Rome; but that being put into your Hands, you may forthwith tranfmit them to ours, that we may thereupon give fuch Directions as may be for the publick Good, &c.

Thefe Proceedings of the Court of Madrid, together The Pope ac- with the Marquis de Prie's repeated Inftances and Menaknowledges ces, at laft determin'd the Pope to acknowledge King King Charles Charles III, which he had put off from Time to Time, III. June26. N.S. upon various Pretences.

Count Starembergh paffes the Segra.

Not many Weeks after, the Court of Madrid receiv'd Campaign in another fignal Mortification: For both Armies on the Catalonia. Frontiers of Arragon and Catalonia, having for fome Time continued on the Banks of the Segra, Count Staremberg who commanded King Charles's Forces, did, in the Night between the 26th and 27th of August, N. S. pass that River, without Oppofition; the Marefchal de Bezons, and the Conde d Aquilar, who commanded the Army of the they Two Crowns, having had no Notice of it till the 27th, when all the Confederate Troops had pafs'd. Thofe Ge nerals march'd immediately to attack the Allies, in their March to Balaguer, but being come within a League cf them, the Marefchal de Bezons alter'd his Mind, and

Would

A. C,

1799.

would not second the Conde d'Aquillar, and repafs'd the Noguera, Hereupon, Count Staremberg encamp'd near Balaguer, and made a Detachment to attack that Place; but, after fome Refiftance, the Garrison confifting of three And takes Balaguer Battalions (making in all about 900 Men) furrenderd Priand Ager foners of War: After which Count Staremberg took alfo Poffeffion of the Town of Ager. Upon Advice of the Motions of the Allies, King Philip fet out Poft from Madrid, and being difpleas'd with the Marefchal de Bezans's Conduct wrote to him the following Letter:

COUSIN,

de Bezons.

Muft accquaint you, That I was furpriz'd to hear King Philip's of your Management and Conduct in the Sight of Letter to the the Enemy the 27th of laft Month. I judg'd it entire Marefchal ly unbecoming the Honour of the Two Nations, and ill-fuiting my Intereft: And 'tis on the News of it, that I have this Morning fet out from Madrid, with Defign to put my felf at the Head of my Army, to which. 'I am haftening with the greatest Expedition. I command you, above all Things, to take care that 40 Battalions and 60 Squadrons be ready for me againft my Arrival. I am fatisfied, 'tis In your Power to have them in a Readiness: The maintaining the Honour of France and Spain depends upon it; and you may well judge, that my Intention in coming to the Army, is to do fomething worthy of my Perfon. I am perfuaded that you would not willingly lofe my Efteem, but that you will take Occafion to do all that may tend to preferve it. And fo I recommend you, Coufin, to God's Holy Protection. Guadalaxara, September 2, 1709.

That Prince being arriv'd in his Army at Alguayra on the 11th of September, Monfier de Bezons eafily juftify'd himfelf, producing an Order from the French King, whereby he was forbidden to venture his Troops. The fame Day King Philip held a Council of War, with that Marefchal and other Generals; took on the 12th a Review of his Army: And fome Days after made a Motion, as if he defign'd to attack Count Staremberg: But that Ge neral being advantageously pofted near Balaguer, King Philip did not think fit to venter upon the Attempt: And fo return'd to Madrid, where Cardinal Portocarrero, Portocarre Archbishop of Toledo, died the 14th of the fame Month to ro dies,Septa the great Regret of that Prince and his Partizans. Not long 14. N. S. after Count Staremberg having left a ftrong Garrifon in Balaguer, repafs'd the Segra for want of Provifions and Forrage, and fo both Armies went into Winter-Quarters. Some Time before, General Stanhope having laid a De

Cardinal

1

A. C.
1709.

fign to furprize Cadiz, either as 'twas then reported, by means of a fecret Correfpondence he had in the Place, or only upon the Encouragement of the weakness of the Garrifon; concerted Measures for that Purpose with Sir Stanhope's George Bing, on Board whofe Squadron he embark'd at defign a- Port-Mahon, with Two Regiments of Foot; and, about gain Cadiz. the middle of Auguft, fail'd for Gibralter. Here he expe

General

from England. He

ted to be join'd by the Forces which about the fame Time embark'd at Portsmouth, on Board a Squadron commanded by Rear Admiral Baker, confifting of one Batalion of Scotch Guards, the Regiments of Foot of the Lord Tyrawly; Brigadier whetham, Colonel Gore, Colonel Boles, Colonel Lepel, Colonel Munden, and Colonel Dormer; and the Earl of Rochford's Dragoons: But this Squadron being long detain'd on the Ccaft of England by contrary Winds, infomuch, that they did not make the Coaft of Portugal, Which mig till the beginning of October; the Spaniards, in the mean carries by Time, being apprehenfive of General Stanhope's Defign, Reason be was not join'd made Detachments from Eftremadura for the Security of by the Troops the Coaft of Andalufia, and the Seafon being too far adexpeЯed vanc'd to undertake any Thing on that fide, that General return'd to Port-Mahon; thence to Barcelona; and not comes to En- long after fail'd for Italy, from whence he came over to gland. England by the way of Germany and Holland. On the other Hand, Admiral Baker having on the 10th of October fent a Man of War to Lisbon, for Orders, the Earl of Galway gave him Directions to fail directly for Barcelona, with the Forces he had on Board. The Court of Portugal, who expected thefe Troops would have ftaid in that Rear Admi- Kingdom, expoftulating with that Earl, about their being Tal Baker fent to Catalonia, his Lordfhip took that Opportunity to fails for Ca- complain of the ill Provifion, that was made for the Subfeveral Bri- fiftence and Accommodation of the British Regiments in tilh Regi- Portugal; said, that nevertheless Her Britannick Majefty ments. The would take care to recruit thofe Forces; and if the Court of Earl of Gala- Portugal would be as diligent in raifing the Men for the Realons for it Six Regiments (a) of Dragoons, in the Pay of Great Bri

talonia with

to the Court of Portugal.

tain,

(a) The Field-Officers of the Six Regiments of Dragoons then raising in Portugal, were as follows.

Colonels.

Lieut. Colls.

Majors.

Addee.