David Carnegie Andrew Agnew

“ The Duke of Savoy’s whole attention was directed to the fortresses of Casale and Pignerol. The Austrians and Spaniards concentrated their fondness on Italy. Lord Galway’s programme was that the land forces should combine with the British fleet to assault Marseilles or Toulon, with a view to the destruction of the French navy and shipping. Being outvoted in a council of war, he next proposed the siege of Nice, but this proposal was also rejected. ”

“ By this time the Toulon fleet must be at sea, according to the last advices from Marseilles. Letters from Lyons announce that the French have collected at Calais a large armament of fishing vessels and small craft to transport the troops for the invasion of England, and that King James has posted from Paris to Calais. It is long since I informed you that in Italy they affirmed that the main design of France this year was to invade England. ”

“ I am, with all my heart, Sir, &c.,
“Gallway.”⁠ Here I may digress in order to notice two matters suggested in Lord Galway’s letters to Mr. Blathwait. British soldiers have long been famous for their bravery and prowess, but the army has sometimes suffered from the want of well-educated officers. The Stuart dynasty left England destitute of capable officers, or nearly so. Our military efficiency was restored, to a large extent, through the introduction of French refugee officers, their accomplishments and their discipline. ”

“ C’étoit un prince de courage et de merite que l’amour avoit perdu. Cette avanture l’avoit jetté dans un extrème melancolie qui n’a pas peu contribué à sa mort.” [4]
Casale having been given over to the Duke of Mantua, the Duke of Savoy’s next proposal was the reduction of the town and fortress of Pignerol. Lord Galway considered the project impracticable and unwise, and again pressed his overture for the siege of Nice. King William entirely concurred with Lord Galway ”

“ Luttrell says: “1st September 1693. — Lord Galway goes to Savoy, to command his Majesty’s troops there, in the room of Duke Schomberg, deceased.” And “1st December 1693. — The Lord Galway has received his credentials to go Ambassador to the Duke of Savoy, and next week he sets forward with a considerable sum of money for the Vaudois and the French refugees.” He embarked from England for Holland, and thence travelled by land to Piedmont about the middle of December. It is well known that Victor Amedeo was already treacherous to his allies. ”

“ The Duke of Shrewsbury had written to Lord Galway in Piedmont, expressing most loyal sentiments as to the detected conspiracy of Sir John Fenwick and others. Sir John, however, mischievously insinuated that the duke was in secret correspondence with King James. King William eagerly assured the duke that the insinuation had not made any impression on him; but Shrewsbury insisted on retiring from office. The king, unable to shake this resolution, looked to Lord Galway to help him. This we learn from a letter from the Earl of Portland to the Duke of Shrewsbury, dated Kensington, Oct. ”

“ Under the orders of Monsieur Catinat, in the provinces bordering on the Alps, there are 50,000 foot and 4000 or 5000 horse, without reckoning the ‘Troupes de la Marine,’ who are in Provence under the orders of Monsieur de Tourville, and will not leave the coasts. ”

“ This is my view also; and of what shall ensue I will render a faithful account to your Majesty, who will allow me to represent that (if your service would permit it) the return of your fleet to the Mediterranean would be very advantageous to your Majesty and to the good of the common cause, particularly to whatever related to the affairs of this country. ”

“ And my strongest desire will ever be to merit, on all public occasions, the continuation of your Majesty’s powerful protection, and the honour of declaring myself, with the highest respect and truth, &c, &c.
“V. Amede.” [6] ⁠ The request for the pecuniary subsidy was the real object of this letter. “He had” (says Smollett) “concealed the treaty until he should receive the remaining part of the subsidies due to him from the confederates. ”