Folio 271. Copy of a letter from the Marquis of Gastanaga to the Prince of Waldeck....

Folio 271. Copy of a letter from the Marquis of Gastanaga to the Prince of Waldeck. There has been a conference held at his bed-side, as he is ill, by the Prince of Nassau, the Count of Malburg, the Prince of Birkenfeld, Mons. D'Auverquerque and General Spaen as to the movements of the army commanded by the Prince of Waldeck. The Baron de Dyckveld was present too and had warned the Marquis of Gastanaga in advance that his opinion and that of his master the King of Spain would be sought. Having sought such opinion the Marquis reports that they are all of the opinion that the enemy being encamped at [Vine?], where they have put bridges on the Lys and are in a position to undertake sieges in Flanders, or at least to make an encampment on the other side of the Lys , they could ruin the province. To prevent either of these outcomes, they consider the Prince should post his army at [Gaure?], building bridges on the Escault [Scheldt], where they should run no risk there being an abundance of forage and good communication routes.