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reduced to my Obedience; for which Reason, it is my Opinion to risque All, and venture the Casualties that a Siege is incident to, putting just Trust and Confidence in your known Zeal towards the great forwarding the Common Cause, making no doubt how much you have contributed towards the Succours forwardness; I hope in a few Days you will appear before this Place, where your known Valour and Activity may meet with a glorious Success; for which I shall again constitute you the Credit of my Royal Gratitude. Given in Barcelona the 31st of March, 1705.
A Letter of the King of Spain to the Earl of
My Dear Lord,
AS I have often upon so many Occasions experimented your great Zeal and Affection for my Interest and Person; so in the fatal Conjuncture I now find my self, I place my greatest Confidence
in you; hoping, that with the utmost Resolution and Diligence, you will endeavour to succour a Prince, and without loss of Time, who (as the present Hazards, I am exposed to, demonstrate) sacrifices himself for the Publick Interest, rather than abandon his faithful Subjects, and what you have so Gloriously contributed to conquer.
I am in hopes, That as you have with so much Reputation possest Catalonia, so I shall likewise owe you the Obligation of my Deliverance from the present Exigencies. The Enemy is within Two Leagues. My Subjects are in a Disposition to shed the last: Drop of their Blood for me; but wanting Powder and Provisions for a long Defence, It belongs
