Briefwisseling en aantekeningen. Deel 1
(1934)–Willem Bentinck–
Auteursrecht onbekend
[pagina 115]
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Den Haag, 16 Oct. 1744.......We don't know here what to think of the behaviour of the English during this campaign, and I should be ashamed to put in black and white all I have heard upon that subject, and what I have seen proofs of. I own that those on our side who were at the headGa naar voetnoot1), had not a head of their own proportionable to the charge they were sustaining. But they were under the command of others, and I know that Marl. Wade has put a stop or objected against every thing that has been proposed. I suspect that he is more attached to one part of the Ministry than to the MinisterGa naar voetnoot2) by whom he receives his orders. And cannot imagine how he will be able to account for the way in which he has follow'd 'em. But he is old and quite broke, so that when he has been four hours a horseback, he wants two days to recover the fatigue. Is it pardonable to set such a man at the head of an army at a time that the greatest activity imaginable could hardly be great enough? Next campaïn you will have the same or worse, for except Lord Stair you have nobody to put at the head of an army. And the English will not serve under a stranger. What will be the end of all this but shame and confusion? I must repeat again, and again, and assure you upon my honour, that our Generals have had no secret ordersGa naar voetnoot3) and that if the English could have been prevailed upon to do anything, ours would have done whatever had been resolved in a Council of War. Was it the Duke of Arenberg's fault that the English had no artillery at the army, that it was left at Ostend, and could never get further than Antwerp, where it is still! |
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