Correspondence of Richard Savage, Earl Rivers, as General in command of an expedition...

Correspondence of Richard Savage, Earl Rivers, as General in command of an expedition to Spain in support of the titular King Charles III against the French; 2 June, 1706-27 June, 1707. Preceded by a letter of the Duke of Marlborough in 1703, and followed by a few unimportant additions to 1710. Marlborough's letter (f.1), dated Hannef, 10 June, 1703, is probably to Lord Treasurer Godolphin and recommends Rivers for the command in Portugal in case the Duke of Schomberg does not go. At f.7 are the Instructions to Rivers, 21 July, 1706, signed by Queen Anne, from which it appears that the force was at first intended to make a descent on the coast of France.

Among the letters are the following:-

1. Earl of Rochester, recommending Major Keymis, etc; New parke, 2 June, 27 July, 1706. ff. 4, 11.

2. Sir Charles Hedges, Sec. of State, sending the Queen's Instructions; 22 July 1706. f.9;- (to H. St John) that the Queen "does not think fit to lead them (sc. Rivers and Gen. Erle) from the main design"; 28 July, [1706] f.13;- to the same effect; 1 Aug, 1706. f.15.

3. Sir Roger Bradshaigh, on the secret marriage of Lady Betty Savage to Lord Barrymore; 8, 12, 18 Aug, 1706. ff.17, 21, 31. With a letter of Col. J. Baynes on the same subject, 11 Aug. (f.19)

4. Lord Godolphin, with the Queen's orders to give up "the descent in France and "to make a diversion upon the coast of Spain", and capture Seville and Cadiz; 18 Aug, 1706. f.23.

5. Sec. Hedges, on the same subject, and urging secrecy; 18, 20 Aug, 1706. ff.27, 29, 33.

6. Lord Godolphin, sending Instructions as to Seville and Cadiz, "the first is easy to bee had, the second very difficult till you have the first", and recommending the bearer Col. Richards as "a sensible ingenuous man", well acquainted with Cadiz; 21 Aug, 1706. f.35.

7. Lord Rivers to Godolphin, in answer to his of the 18th, on the need of money and directions as to "the 5 French regiments and Mons Guiscard and expressing submission in "every thing but being under the order of my Lord Peterborough"; Torbay, 21 Aug, 1706. f.37.

8. Lord Godolphin, approving the proposals as to the French regiments, that Guiscard, "since it is by no fault of his that his project is layd aside", should serve on the new expedition or not as he chose, and that care should be taken to provide money; 24, 25 Aug, 1706. ff. 39, 41.

9. Sec. Hedges, that Godolphin "forgot to tell you that you should not be commanded by E. of Peterborough"; 25 Aug., 1706. f.43.

10. Lord Halifax: "I agree entirely with you in your opinion of the Projector [Guiscard ?] and am heartily glad you steer an other course"; 5 Sept., 1706. f.47.

11. Lord Rivers to Hedges and Godolphin, as to sending Col. Richards in advance to Lisbon and enumerating points on which he needs further instructions; Torbay, 11 Sept., 1706. ff.49-54

12. Lord Godolphin, that he would do his best to send him credit at Lisbon, that, if Richards be sent to Lisbon, he should have some latitude, so as not to apply to the King of Portugal for aid to the design if Lord Galway was able to afford it, and that the sending away of the French officers had made it no secret that he was not going to France but to Spain; 14 Sept., 1706. f.57.

13. Sec. R. Harley, sending answers to his questions of 11 Sept., and urging the necessity "to conceal the place you are designed for from the Portugueses", etc.; 15 Sept., 1706. f.61.

14. Lord Rivers to Godolphin and Harley, in answer to the two preceding letters, as to Col. Richards' instructions, etc.; 19 Sept., 1706. ff. 68-70.

15. Sec. Harley, sending the Queen's approval of the "proposal about Mr Richards", etc.; 22 Sept., 1706. f. 71.

16. Lord Rivers to Godolphin, sending a draft of the manifesto he intended to publish on his arrival in Spain; 27 Sept., 1706. f. 73.

17. Sec. Hedges, as to the above manifesto, and as to "passports for the security of the Spaniards trade and navigation"; 1 Oct., 1706. ff. 75, 77, 79.

18. Lord Rivers to Godolphin, on the contrary winds and the scattering of the transports with rendezvous at Lisbon: "My intention is to tell the King of Portugal that my orders are for Allicant to the end I may conceal our real designe"; 10 leagues W. of Scilly, 10 Oct, 1706. f.81.

19. Sec. Hedges, that the bearer, Mr Crowe, has been appointed Envoy to make a treaty of commerce with the King of Spain, that affairs about Madrid have much altered since he (Rivers) left England, but that all will soon be retrieved and nothing is changed as to the design on Seville and Cadiz, and that, whether he succeed or not, he is to continue in Spain and act in concert with Lord Galway; 15 Oct., 1706. ff.83, 85;- approving his "concealement of the reall designe from the King of Portugall", but the Queen thinks he should let the King know "you have a latitude to stop at Cadiz", etc.; 17 Oct., 1706. ff. 87, 89, 93.

20. Lord Godolphin, as to the "latitude" to attempt Seville or Cadiz, though his "instructions are positive to goe to Alicante", and that, if he ever joins the King of Spain, "Lord Gallway shall have the chief command", but he (Rivers) "shall not bee commanded by my Lord Peterborow"; 17 Oct., 1706. f.97.

21. Sec. Hedges, on the need of concert with Lord Galway, and that, as the King of Portugal has sent large sums to the army in Spain, it is not a proper time to "press him about the sending of the subsidies"; 28 Oct., 1706. ff. 101, 103.

22. James Stanhope, Envoy to Charles III, titular King of Spain, welcoming Rivers on his arrival, and on the probable attempt of the French "to make an end of the war in Spain, the only part where they have a prospect to succeed"; Valencia, 29 Oct., 1706. ff. 105, 107.

23. Charles III. of Spain, pressing Rivers to join him immediately, instead of attacking Seville and Cadiz, etc.; Valencia, 29 Oct., 1706. ff. 111, 113. For an abstract sec f.109.

24. Lord Rivers to Sec. Hedges and Godolphin, on his resolution to proceed, in spite of damages from bad weather, etc.; Lisbon, 29, 30 Oct., 1706. ff. 115, 116.

25. Sec. Hedges, that, in consequence of the change in affairs in Spain, he may, if he think fit, join Lord Galway at once, before reducing Seville and Cadiz; 29 Oct., 1706. ff. 117, 119.

26. Lord Godolphin, to the same effect, and that they hear Lord Peterborough is at Genoa, "but not one word from himself or of his intentions", etc.; 29 Oct., 1706. f.121.

27. Lord Rivers to J. Stanhope, that his fleet has been "cruelly shattered", but he will proceed, unless "circumstances are so bad that nothing but this fleet and troops can suport you", in which case he will join the king on condition that he retains the absolute command of his own force; Lisbon, 30 Oct., 1706. f.123.

28. Lord Rivers to Charles III, announcing his design against Cadiz and asking for his support, etc.; 30 Oct., 1706. f.125.

29. Sec. Hedges, with orders to remain at Lisbon to receive instructions for the next campaign "by entring Spain on the Portugal side", etc.; 19 Nov., 1706. f.128.

30. Lord Godolphin, on the reasons for the change of plans, "by joyning with the troops of the King of Portugall and taking post now imediately upon the frontiers of Castille", etc.; 19 Nov., 1706. f.130.

31. Charles III, assuring Rivers that he shall receive orders from no one but himself; 24 Nov., 1706. f.134.

32. J. Stanhope, on the same subject, that Rivers shall retain an independent command; 24 Nov., 1706. ff.136, 140.

33. Prince Lichtenstein, commanding forces of Charles III, urging a junction of forces, etc.; Valencia, 24 Nov., 31 Dec., 1706, 2, 15 Jan., 16 Feb., 1707. ff. 138, 199, 234, 236, 246.

34. Charles III, pressing Rivers to come into the Mediterranean to his assistance and naming Alicante as the best port, etc.; 24 Nov., 1706. f.142. For an abstract see f.109b.

35. Sec. Hedges, sending further Instructions, that his latitude for joining Lord Galway is at an end and that he is to remain at, or return to, Lisbon, etc.; 26 Nov., 1706. f.144.

36. Lord Rivers to Godolphin, complaining of the dearth of intelligence and declaring that he would serve under no one but Marlborough and that, if his force was put under Galway's orders, he would return to England; 29 Nov., 1706. f.148.

37. Lord Rivers to Sec. Hedges, on the same subjects, the death of the King of Portugal, etc.; - Nov., -, 6-7, 17 Dec., 1706. ff.152-158.

38. Duke of Marlborough, congratulating Rivers on his arrival at Lisbon after so hazardous a voyage, etc.; 4 Dec., 1706. f.159.

39. Earl of Sunderland, announcing that he had succeeded Hedges as Sec. of State; 4 Dec., 1706. f.161.

40. Lord Somers, reporting that he had urged the "necessity of your Lordships being well supplyed", etc.; 4 Dec., 1706. f.163.

41. Diego Mendoça, Portuguese Minister, with assurances that the new King of Portugal would maintain the alliance made by his father, etc.; "au Palais", 11, 12 Dec., 1706. ff.167, 169.

42. Lord Godolphin, that the Queen "thinks the resolutions you propose to take in case of your forces joyning with my Lord Gallway very prudent and reasonable", but that she agrees to the plan brought by Montandre from Galway that he (Rivers) should, in conjunction with the Portuguese, "make a diversion on that side" as early as the season would permit; 16 Dec., 1706. f.171.

43. Lord Sunderland, on the fear of "some ill turn" by the King of Portugal's death, sending a letter from the Queen to the new King, etc.; 17 Dec., 1706. f.173.

44. Lord Sunderland, with the Queen's pleasure that he (Rivers) should go with his forces into Valencia, in spite of orders sent before it was known that he was wanted there; 20 Dec., 1706. f.176.

45. Lord Godolphin, that Lord Galway should, if possible, be induced to remain in command and that he (Rivers) should stay with the troops, with a commission to command the whole in Galway's absence, but that he should decline a commission from the King of Spain; 23 Dec., 1706. f.178.

46. Lord Somers, that "it would be to sacrifice Europe to a punctilio" to refuse to serve under Lord Galway, and a very "melancholy thought" to him "to have the E. of R. and the E. of P. abandoning the service upon the same ground"; 23 Dec., 1706. f.180.

47. Lord Sunderland, to the same effect as Lord Godolphin above (art. 45), adding, "It is expected that all the troops there [in Valencia] should act together as much as possible in order to march strait to Madrid and nott amuse themselves in lesser projects", etc.; 23 Dec., 1706. f.182.

48. Duke of Marlborough, saying that he earnestly exhorts the King to lose no time "in entering upon action" and "to afford a greater share of his confidence to the Queen's generals, to the want whereoff we may in some measure attribut our past misfortunes", etc.; 23 Dec, 1706. f.186.

49. Lord Rivers to Marlborough, on his ill fortune in everything he was to undertake, the untrustworthiness of the Portuguese court, the desperate condition of the King of Spain, the "ungentleman like" conduct of Lord Galway, etc.; Lisbon, 25 Dec., 1706. f.188.

50. Lord Rivers to Sunderland, complaining that, when he had actually begun to embark for Valencia, he was stopped by fresh instructions, and "that the Queen should be advised thereto by My Lord Gallway, who but a little before insisted so hard upon my joining him", etc.; 25 Dec., 1706. f.191.

51. Lord Rivers to Godolphin, that a Council of War has unanimously resolved "to go to Valentia, where we may probably save the King", and that he himself will go with the troops "but upon no account can I serve with my Lord Gallway", etc.; 31 Dec., 1706. f.195. With another letter to Sunderland, f.196

52. Lord Rivers to Halifax, with complaints of the "counter-orders" he has received and of Lord Galway, and asking his friendly offices with Marlborough and Godolphin; 31 Dec, 1706. ff.197, 203. The answer to this letter, 27 Jan, 1706-1707, is wrongly bound at f.2, and a draft by Rivers of his rejoinder at f.295.

53. Charles III, still urging Rivers to enter the Mediterranean; Valencia, 31 Dec., 1706. f.201;- sending a project of operations; 2 Jan., 1707. f.207.

54. The same to Queen Anne, on his satisfaction with Lord Rivers and his regret at his speedy departure; 6 Mar., 1707. Copy. f.211

55. Lord Godolphin, in defence of Lord Galway, and deprecating the fear that, "whatever braggs of that kind" are given out, France can send more troops to Spain for the next campaign; 24 Jan., 1706-1707. f.218.

56. Lord Sunderland, renewing the last orders to proceed to Valencia and enclosing a copy (f.222) of a letter of censure and recall to Lord Peterborough of the same date; 14 Jan, 1706-1707. f.224;- approving the resolution of "not dividing the troops, but of carrying them all to Valentia", etc.; 28 Jan., 1706-1707. f.226.

57. Lord Peterborough, expressing the belief that Rivers "will soon be sensible that I have had infinite fatigues and that I have done my duty", and promising him his utmost services; Valencia, 7 Feb., 1706-1707. f.228.

58. Lord Sunderland, with excuses for Lord Galway, who had certainly "once done the business, and if he had been supported we had continued masters of Madrid and probably by this time had been so of all Spain", etc.; 14 Feb, 1706-1707. f.230.

59. Lord Somers, in defence of the freedom with which he had written on 23 Dec., as above (art. 46); 17 Feb., 1706-1707. f.232.

60. Charles III, that he has nothing to add to the project already sent, for operations against Orijuela, etc.; 17 Jan., 1707. f.240.

61. Lord Rivers to Godolphin, on the King's fears unless he goes speedily to his succour, and that Peterborough is at Valencia, with a new project, knowing nothing of his recall and causing great confusion, etc.; Gibraltar, 22 Jan., 1706-1707. f.242.

62. Charles III, on the arrival of Rivers at Alicante, thanking him for his zeal and pressing for an interview; Valencia, 10 Feb., 1707. f.244.

63. Lord Rivers to Halifax, that, in spite of assurances received from Lord Galway at Gibraltar, he believes the latter only meant to impose upon him and he had therefore better come home, with further strictures upon Galway's action in the war; Alicante, 23 Feb., 1706-1707. f.257.

64. J. Stanhope, on his mortification at the misunderstanding between Rivers and Galway; 27 Feb., 1707. f.261.

65. The Duke of Berwick, commanding the French army, with compliments enquiring as to his mother's health, as he can seldom learn news of his friends beyond sea; Orihuela, 4 Mar., 1707. f.263.

66. Charles III. to Marlborough, in commendation of Lord Riverson his return to England; Valencia, 7 Mar., 1707. Copy. f.265.

67. J. Stanhope to Sunderland, on the return of Lord Rivers, who had arranged with Lord Galway that "there should be but one General and one establishment"; 8 Mar., 1706-1707. f.267.

68. Gen. Thomas Erle, on the defeat at Almanza: "All our infantry broke to peices, and all my freinds and companions that came over with you are either killed or taken prisoners"; Alicira near Valencia, 28 Apr, 1707. f.285.

69. Lord Sunderland, on the Queen's sense of his (Rivers's) readiness to return to Spain, which she thinks absolutely necessary; 6 May, 1707. f.287.

70. The Duke of Marlborough, on the French "superiority over us in this country", which "hinders us from giving Monsieur Vandome that uneasiness we might other ways do", and on Rivers's return to Spain, when he "might do good service"; Meldert, 6 June, 1707. f.291.

71. Lord Rivers to Marlborough, in answer, defending his conduct and giving his opinion as to the situation in Spain, etc.; 27 June, 1707. f.293.

Folio; ff.301.