Part 1, Folios 77-78. Letter dated at Brussels from the Marquis de Grana to the Marquis...

Part 1, Folios 77-78. Letter dated at Brussels from the Marquis de Grana to the Marquis de Castel Alencayo. Monsieur Basfeld has just arrived, who after delivering me his letter of credence told me with many compliments and civilities that the Marechal d' Humières informs me that the Most Christian King having obtained no justice in his claims to Alost, etcetera., had ordered him to collect his troops in order to enter on what belonged to him. I answered I could not conceal from him the strangeness of his message, being as we believed at peace, and in the last peace made at Nijmegen it was distinctly declared that any difference should be settled in a friendly way. No one could imagine, still more in the present state of Christendom, that a change should be made in a manner so contrary to the peace itself. His Most Christian Majesty had an ambassador at Madrid and my master one at Paris through whom suitable proposals should be made. These provinces were in my charge to defend, not to cede any part of them. He said they supposed I had orders to satisfy his King. I replied that nobody would wish it so much. He inquired if that was the last answer I had to give him. I called to Dufay, who was on the other side of the door, to bring him to dinner, since it seemed to me I had little to add. We separated on friendly terms and the ambassador showed a great modesty in what he said. I sent you the letter of requisition under flying seal, because they have forgotten to send the copy. Copy. [Note the letter is dated New Style].