LETTER IV.

TO THE SAME.

_Dublin July 8th. 1689_:

I do not find by what I heare from you and others that those in Derry are so prest for want of victuals as once was believed, so that if they could be prest otherways, it would do well, I am sensible you are but ill furnished with wherewithal to carry on your trenches, and to attaque them vigorously, but however I am sure you will do what is to be done, I am afraide your French enginers tho very able men in their trade may have been so used to have all things necessary provided for them, and to want nothing, that they are not so industrious as others lesse knowing men might be, and that they do not push on their worke as they might do, having so much to say for themselves, upon the account of their being so ill provided, however methinks they might have gott Maderiers ready in all this tyme, to have lodged the miners w^{ch.} I have seen done to a stronger towne than Derry, and where we wanted cannon to mine their defences, I only hint this to you, not pretending at this distance to judg whether it be practicable or no, and for making of Maderiers, I am sure tis but the puling downe some house _in_ [_this word is partly erased in the original, but substituted by the following_] neare Derry, or at Lifford or Strabane, where one may find beams strong enough to make them, and tho Lattin be not to be gott, new hids will do as well to preserve them from fire, this is only for yourself, you have another letter from me about what had been reported here, of some proposals made to you by those of Derry, to which I refer you:§.

J. R.

[FROM THE MSS. CLOSET OF TRINITY COLLEGE, DUBLIN.]

ORIGINAL LETTER OF THE DUKE OF BERWICK,

NEVER BEFORE PUBLISHED,

ADDRESSED "TO LIEUTENANT-GENERAL HAMILTON, AT THE CAMP BEFORE DERRY."

_Trelick the 5th July_:

I received just now the honour of yours, and I will write to Carills aboute Cap^{t.} Manus Odonnell. There is an escorte sent to meet the amunition coming from Charlemont who is likewise guarded by a regiment of foot.

I marched yesterday morning from Newtown-Stewart, and joyning Coll. Sunderland at Omah I marched hither; my advance guard cutt off several of their sentries, and a great many of the rebells party, with such vigour, as they beat with 30 dragoons three troops of horse of theirs, which were drawn up at a distance from us. Cap Patrick Bellue and Major Magdonnel commanded the van-guard. There was eight or nine of the enemy killed but none of ours. I went with my horse and dragoons within four miles of Inniskiling and drove a great deale of cattle back to Trelick where I am now and which is nine mile from Enniskiling. I am sure no considerable party dearest stirr out from that towne for feare of my being upon their backs, so that all backwards is secure. The party of two hundred foot and fifty horse and dragoons that were left at Belturbet under the command of L. Coll. Scott, are taken prisoners officers and all. I can assure you that all the inhabitants of this countrye are universally rebells. my humble service to Mareschall Rozen and believe me, your most humble and obedient servant

BERWICK.

I forgot to tell you that our vanguard pursued so close three companies of foot that they took one of their colours and two drumms within four miles of Inniskiling, before I was come upp, this has entred[22] Coll: Purcell's dragoons very well.

[Footnote 22: The orthography of the original is strictly preserved throughout the above letter.]

_T. Badge. sculpsit._

THE END.

☞ THE BOOK-BINDER will take care to place the Engraving, which presents fac-similes of the hand-writing and seals of King James II. and the Duke of Berwick, at the opposite page.

Transcriber's Notes:

A number of minor punctuation issues were resolved. Missing accents have not been inserted. The orthography of correspondence has been retained. The following changes in spelling were made in the narrative.

Page 4 inocuously is now innocuously Page 16 promontary is now promontory Page 25 guager is now gauger Page 69 forboding is now foreboding Page 83 wofully is now woefully Page 90 martriculated is now matriculated Page 93 cateract is now cataract Page 102 fellowing is now following Page 154 paragragh is now paragraph Page 172 dispouere is now disponere