LETTER CIX. To the Cardinal de la Valette.
My LORD,
HAving an Opportunity to write to you by the Sieur Fa∣bert, who is going towards you, I can only tell you, That the King gives you full Liberty to Act as you shall judge it most advantageous to his Service. The Retreat of Beau∣mont has somewhat surprized his Majesty; but as we are not yet fully acquainted with the Particulars, we cannot tell what to say to it. I can positively assure you, that the Cardinal In∣fant has sent back part of his Troops to Prince Thomas, to oppose the Progress of the Prince of Orange. 'Tis certain, that it had done no small Service to his Majesty's Affairs, if we could have perform'd something on your side to content the Hollanders, who are impatient to advance into the Enemies Country; and complain, tho without any Reason, that we have done them a great deal of Harm. His Majesty thinks it ex∣pedient, that you should send back for the Two Thousand Foot, and the Fifteen Hundred Horse, which you sent to the Mareschal de Chatillon, in case you are able to affect any thing. Whatever you ••o, you must be sure to take up some Winter-Quarters near Chimay, which would have been very proper to have sustained the Army of Beaumont.
Monsieur de Noyers has Writ so fully to you, that I have no more to add at present, but that I am, and ever shall be, with the utmost Sincerity, your most, &c.