A continuation of the secret history of White-hall from the abdication of the late K. James in 1688 to the year 1696 writ at the request of a noble lord ... : the whole consisting of secret memoirs ... : published from the original papers : together with The tragical history of the Stuarts ... / by D. Jones ...

LETTER XXIII. Of the great Preparations made in France, for the Carrying on the War against the Confederates in the Year 1692. (Book 23)

My Lord,

'TIS more the profound Respect I have always had, and ever shall retain, for your Lordship, that makes me thus conti∣nue my Correspondence, than the Weight of any Informations I am able to transmit from hence, where things are managed with as much Application, as the Contrivances are secret and mysterious. I have, in a for∣mer Letter, hinted to your Honour, That whatever Appearances there might be made for to dazzle the Eyes of the Confederates, yet that Things were not really brought to that pass in France; Which appears confirmed to me now, Day by Day, by the formidable Preparations that are even already made for the approaching Campaign; of which, let your Lordship be pleased to take such Parti∣culars as I have been able to learn, and whose Effects I wish the Confederates may season∣ably obviate. Our great Engineer here, Mon. Vauban, is lately gone, by a secret Order, to view Dinant, Rocroy, and other Frontier Places on that side; where he has Orders to add as many new Fortifications to each Place, as he thinks necessary; with an Assu∣rance, that no Money shall be wanting to

that end: Besides which Care of their Fron∣tiers, the Guards are ordered to be augment∣ed with Ten Men in each Troop; and such Care taken, that they shall be the choicest Men of France: Over and above this, I am well assured, that besides 20000 Recruits that are to be raised for the old Regiments, there will be new Commissions very speedi∣ly issued out for a new Levy of 30000 Men, Horse, Foot, and Dragoons: And if the Power at Sea will be as formidable as some give out, I am not without a strong Jealou∣sie of some Attempt projected to be made against England it self, though the French-Men have come off with so many Broken Bones in Ireland: But of this I can say very little that is certain at present; but I desire your Lordship to rest assured, that no En∣deavours shall be wanting to give you an Account also of their Marine Affairs, in him who is proud to serve you; and who am, and always will be,

My Lord,

Your Honour's most Humble and Obedient Servant.

Paris, Nov. 19. 1691. N. S.

POSTSCRIPT.

I had almost forgot to acquaint your Lordship, that whatever Sentiments you may have in England, of the Affairs of Sa∣voy, and the Siege of Montmelian, they seem here so certain of reducing it, as if it were already in their Hands.